It is said that those who are good looking and smooth-talking, in order to please their superiors, spare no effort to flatter, give small gifts, and even sacrifice their dignity. This kind of behavior, using any means necessary to climb the corporate ladder and amass wealth, has long existed. In more severe cases, individuals may risk their lives and may even endanger their families; those who are less serious are forced to grovel and fawn like dogs. Not to mention those who are often seen to spend money like water, engaging in bribery and corruption, which is unfortunately all too common. Even with high status and great power, once their desires blind their eyes, even the most virtuous are not exempt, much less ordinary people. Men and women are the same; throughout history, the downfall of dynasties and nations is closely tied to this phenomenon. Those in power often make authoritative decisions, but it is precisely their extravagance and debauchery that led to the downfall of Xia Jie and Shang Zhou, as well as the chaos caused by the mother of Qin Shihuang and Empress Lu.
During the Wei Dynasty, Wang Rui was favored in the early years of Taihe, while Zheng Yan received the emperor's favor in the later years of Xiaochang. Taking advantage of the young age of the emperor, they engaged in debauchery without any restraint, forming factions and misleading the emperor. The founding emperor Gaozu was wise and martial, deeply loved by the people. His governance was effective in preventing the country from declining. Although Emperor Suzong appeared to not interfere in court politics, he secretly aided those evil individuals, resulting in chaos and ultimately the country's downfall. Those who relied on power and beauty to gain favor were prevalent for a time, akin to the autumn breeze or the scorching summer sun. Such trends have been seen in every dynasty. The Duke of Zhou once warned his friends to be cautious of villains, and poets condemned these evil individuals. During the reign of Emperor Taizong, individuals like Wang and Che were favored by the emperor but also sacrificed for the country, displaying both merit and loyalty. On the other hand, individuals like Zhao Xiu relied solely on flattery and manipulation to gain power, committing wrongful acts that noble men scorned. This account serves as a warning to future generations, to learn from history and avoid repeating the same mistakes.
Wang Rui, styled Luocheng, claimed to be from Taiyuan, Jin. His ancestors settled in Wuwei following the turmoil of the Jin Dynasty. His father Wang Qiao, styled Fasheng, was skilled in astronomy, astrology, and divination. After the pacification of Liangzhou, his father moved to the capital, where he lived in poverty, relying on fortune-telling for a living. After serving through several dynasties, his father eventually became a court official. He passed away in the early years of the Tian'an era, posthumously honored as General Pingyuan, Governor of Liangzhou, and Marquis Xianmei, with the posthumous title of Jing.
This kid, Rui, didn’t inherit his father’s profession, but he is tall and imposing in appearance. When he was the crown prince, he took a liking to him right away. During the Xingan years, he was promoted to the position of Grand Diviner (太卜中散) and then gradually rose through the ranks, eventually becoming the Minister of Personnel and overseeing the Grand Historian’s Office. In the first year of Chengming, Empress Wen took charge of the government, and this kid, Rui, had good fortune; he caught the Empress's attention and was suddenly promoted to an official position. Not long after, he became a Cavalry Attendant, then a Palace Attendant, and later the Minister of Personnel, and he was also granted the title of Duke of Taiyuan. At this point, he became quite powerful, able to participate in the inner court’s secrets and interfere in the outer court's affairs. The Emperor and Empress trusted him more and more highly, and the court officials respected and feared him.
In the second year of Taihe, Emperor Gaozu and Empress Wen took a large group of officials and guests to visit the tiger enclosure, and a tiger suddenly ran out, almost reaching the Emperor! At that moment, the guards were thrown into a panic, but only Rui charged forward with a halberd and drove the tiger away. The Emperor and Empress trusted and valued him even more highly. In the spring of the third year, the Emperor issued an edict for Rui and Prince Dongyang Pi to take part in the Eight Discussions, restoring their official positions. In the fourth year, Rui was promoted to Minister of Personnel and granted the title of Prince of Zhongshan, and he was also given the title of General Who Pacifies the East (镇东大将军). He had twenty-two officials under him, with Zheng Xi as his mentor, and others like the Director of the Medical Bureau were all well-known figures at the time. The Emperor also granted the title of concubine to Rui's wife, Ding.
Later, a monk named Faxiu rebelled, and the plan was exposed, implicating many individuals. Rui said, “Rather than wrongfully executing good people, it’s better to let the bad ones go. We should execute the mastermind and pardon the other suspects; wouldn’t that be better?” After hearing his words, Emperor Gaozu pardoned over a thousand people.
After entering and leaving the imperial palace and the harem, the Empress Dowager often secretly sent him many treasures and silks that no one else knew about. Generally, they were secretly brought in at night by carriage, with eunuchs stationed to guard them. Altogether, the total value was beyond measure. In addition to these, there were fields, slaves, cattle, horses, and livestock, all of the best quality. The ministers and palace officials benefited from this, and on the surface, it seemed that he was not biased, but in reality, he was spending astronomical sums. Later, when he fell seriously ill, the Emperor and Empress Dowager personally visited him, and palace officials also went to see him, with people bustling about the streets. When he became seriously ill, he submitted a memorial:
I have heard that those who are truly loyal to their monarch display their loyalty in their final moments; those who are filial to their parents reveal their sincerity before passing away. Just like Zhuge Liang thinking about the future of Shu before his death, and Zeng Shen thinking about saying something beneficial when he was seriously ill. Although I am mediocre and shallow, I would never dare to forget these virtues. I have been blessed by the grace of heaven and earth, receiving a good education since childhood, and believed in Taoism when I was young. I have faithfully served the court for over thirty years, receiving special favor from the late Emperor and special treatment from Your Majesty. Therefore, I have been able to participate in politics, serve in the inner court, rank above the princes, and study and understand state affairs at ease. I have always sought to repay the kindness I have received, but unexpectedly fell seriously ill. Your Majesty has graciously visited me in person on several occasions, and your kindness will remain etched in my memory for a lifetime. I am as loyal as a dog and as obedient as a horse; my gratitude is beyond words. Now that my condition is getting worse, I am afraid it will be difficult to recover. Day and night, I think of the court, my heart heavy with reluctance. Relying on Your Majesty's long-standing favor, I take the liberty to speak candidly and share my humble and simplistic opinions with you.
I have heard that the most important strategies for governing a country can be summarized in five points: First, to exercise caution in the application of punishments; second, to appoint capable and worthy individuals; third, to be close to loyal and honest people; fourth, to avoid treacherous and sycophantic individuals; and fifth, to implement a rewards and punishments system effectively. When punishments are clear, treachery will decrease; when capable individuals are appointed, there will be significant achievements; by being close to loyal and honest people, one can hear genuine opinions; by avoiding treacherous and sycophantic individuals, one can prevent suspicion and internal strife; and when the rewards and punishments system is effectively implemented, greedy and self-serving individuals will be restrained. Therefore, the "Tang Dian" highlights the importance of exercising caution in the use of punishments; the "Zhou Shu" records the importance of capable individuals; and the history of the Han Dynasty also outlines strategies for guarding against treachery. Examining the rise and fall of history is the wisdom of past kings in governing the country. Moreover, as the country is vast and conditions vary in different regions, governing remote areas should embrace a policy of tolerance and trust, while governance in the central plains should adopt clear and concise policies. It is important to show compassion to the lonely and the widowed, provide relief for the poor, commend those who have made contributions, pardon minor offenses, reduce corvée labor, lower taxes, construct projects that benefit the people, and prohibit immoral religious activities. I hope Your Majesty can take a moment to read my suggestions amidst your state affairs, so that my loyalty may be reflected in the world today, and enabling my wishes before my death to be realized under your wise rule.
Xun passed away at the age of forty-eight. Emperor Gaozu and Empress Dowager Wen personally attended the funeral, overcome with grief, and bestowed upon him precious burial items. Prince Wang Yu of Dangchang was responsible for handling the funeral affairs. The court posthumously awarded him the positions of Grand General of the Guard, Chancellor, and Governor of Bingzhou, with the posthumous title of 'Xuanwang.' Chief Eunuch Dong Chounu was in charge of constructing the tomb, preparing to bury him in the east of the city. Emperor Gaozu also ascended the city tower to gaze out. The scholars of the capital composed elegies and eulogies for him, contributed by over a hundred writers.
Later, the emperor ordered the establishment of a temple for rituals on the right side of the main road twenty miles south of the capital, for holding regular sacrificial ceremonies. A monument with an inscription was also erected, and five households were assigned to guard the rituals. The emperor further issued an edict to honor Xun's achievements, ordering paintings depicting him battling a fierce tiger to be hung in various halls of the palace, and requested Gao Yun to write a eulogy. The people of the capital praised Xun's virtues and composed new songs for instrumental performance, naming it "Zhongshan Wang Yue." The emperor ordered it to be included in the Imperial Music Bureau and performed in the palace.
Xun's daughter first married Yan Bin, the nephew of Li Chong, and later her brother married the daughter of Li Huai from Zhao State. When she got married, the ceremony was comparable to that of a princess or royal daughter. Empress Dowager Wen personally received her in Taihua Hall, made arrangements for her to rest in another tent, while Xun and Zhang You sat with her. Xun's relatives and the male and female guests from both Li families stood in the east and west corridors. When the wedding procession set off, the empress dowager accompanied them for a considerable distance. Contemporaries privately remarked that it was just like a son of heaven and empress dowager marrying off a daughter! When Xun passed away, over a thousand people came to mourn him, wearing mourning clothes and white hats under the guise of being relatives, friends, and acquaintances. They all cried inconsolably, but in reality, it was primarily for personal gain; people at the time called this phenomenon "righteous filial piety." After Xun became successful, he claimed that his family’s ancestral home was in Taiyuan Jinyang, and thus moved his household registration there, which also led to his brothers' titles and fiefs being transferred to the counties of Bingzhou. After Xun died, the court posthumously conferred honors upon his father, Qiao, with the titles of Shizhong, General of the West Expedition, Left Guanglu Daifu, Yitong Sansi, and King of Wuwei, who was posthumously named King Ding. His mother, Lady Jia, was posthumously honored as a consort, and a monument was erected to the left of the tomb. Both father and son were interred east of the city, over a mile apart. Later, after the capital was moved to Luoyang, their graves were transferred to Taiyuan Jinyang.
Zi Xi, courtesy name Yuansun, was promoted to the position of Junior Grand Official at the age of fourteen because of his father's position, while also overseeing the Personnel Department and central affairs. After the emperor's death, Emperor Gaozu ordered Zi Xi to inherit his father's position as the Minister of the Interior, with his rank and benefits unchanged, fully inheriting according to ancestral customs. Empress Dowager Wen specifically decreed: "The Minister of the Interior is the head of all officials, and the common people are watching. Zi Xi is still young, and his consideration of issues may not be comprehensive enough. Allow him to hold the title temporarily and learn to manage state affairs alongside, and he can be used later." During the Empress Dowager’s lifetime, her favor and attention towards Zi Xi did not wane. Originally a prince, Zi Xi was demoted to a duke according to regulations.
After the Empress Dowager's death, although Zi Xi still worked beside Emperor Gaozu, the honors he received were reduced, and he no longer participated in state affairs. After a long time, he was assigned to the position of General of the West and Governor of Qinzhou, and later transferred to Governor of Bingzhou. In the seventeenth year, when the emperor arrived in Luoyang and passed through Bingzhou, he specially visited Zi Xi's administrative seat for inspection. Although Zi Xi’s hospitality was modest, the region was quite stable, which pleased Emperor Gaozu. However, the common people erected monuments and inscriptions along the roads in his honor, and some said that Zi Xi had incited them to do so. Upon hearing this, Emperor Gaozu asked Zi Xi, who did not tell the truth, leading to a reprimand from the emperor. The Ministry of Personnel submitted a petition for his removal, but the emperor ultimately only demoted him by two ranks. In the twentieth year, he was again impeached by a lieutenant for certain matters, and he escaped punishment only due to a general amnesty; this incident is also documented in the "Biography of Changjing." In the second year of Jingming, Zi Xi passed away and was posthumously awarded the title of General of Pacifying the South and Governor of Yuzhou, with the posthumous title "Zhi."
Zi Xin inherited the title and served as a military aide in the office of the Prince of Runan, Yue, during the early years of Jianyi. He was killed in the Heyin incident and was posthumously elevated to the rank of Cavalier Attendant, General of Pacification of the North, and Governor of Sizhou, with the posthumous title of "Mu." His son, Zi Xuan, also inherited the title and served as a military officer in the Ministry of War during the late Wuding period in the office of the Qizhou Cavalry. After the Northern Qi dynasty received the abdication, his title was subsequently reduced. Zi Xin's younger brother, Zi Dan, styled Yong'an, once served as a General of Longxiang, Prefect of Zhengping, and was also killed in the Heyin incident. He was posthumously appointed as a General of Military Affairs and Governor of Bingzhou. Another son of Zi Xi, Zi Xi Yun, once took an exam but died early. Zi Dan's younger brother, Zi Yongxing, served as a military officer in the Ministry of War. Zi Xi's grandson, Zi Zugan, served as a military officer in the Ministry of War and Governor of Bingzhou. Zi Yongye, Zi Zhi's younger brother, served as a military officer in the Ministry of War.
Xi Di Chun, styled Yuanshou. When he was young, he was appointed as a Grand Master of the Palace Secretariat due to his father's connections, but stepped down shortly after his father's passing. Later, he became the Director of the Imperial Guard and the Supervisor of the Palace Attendants, but resigned again after his mother's death. During the Zhengshi period, he was appointed Grand Master of the Palace Secretariat, then appointed Prefect of Taiyuan, and was also promoted to General of Zhenyuan. Later, he was dismissed from office for committing an offense.
Chun had more than a thousand servants in his service, and his mansion and gardens were large and beautiful. He also had singing girls and dancers as companions, enjoying a lavish lifestyle without financial concerns. Some people advised him to take up an official position, but Chun always smiled and remained noncommittal. He was very talented, and the projects he designed and built were very intricate, serving as models for future generations. Therefore, during the Zhengguang period, when Yuan Cha sought to construct Mingtang and Biyong, he wished for Chun to take on the role of Chief Architect. Upon hearing this, Chun feigned illness and firmly declined.
During the Xiaochang era, Erzhu Rong was in control of Bingzhou. Due to the rebellion of the Hu people in Fenzhou, the court assigned Chun to pacify the Hu people in Fenzhou as General of the Pacification of the Hu. The Hu people in Fenzhou lived nearby Chun and greatly admired his reputation, and thus they all submitted. After the situation was stabilized, Chun was appointed as General of the Right Flank and Prefect of Taiyuan. For his contributions to the enthronement of Emperor Zhuang, he was granted the title of Kaiguo Marquis in Liaoyang County, with a fief of 300 households. Shortly after, he was later enfeoffed as Kaiguo Marquis in Zhending County, with a fief of 700 households. He held the positions of Imperial Commissioner, General, and Inspector of Huazhou. Not long after, he was promoted to the roles of Imperial Commissioner, Cavalry Commandant, and Inspector of Yinzhou. During the reign of Emperor Yuanxi, he was appointed to Minister of Justice, but he firmly declined the position. During the Yongxi period, he served as the acting governor of Jizhou. Later, he held the positions of Imperial Commissioner, Cavalry Commandant, General of Chariots and Cavalry, and Inspector of Yingzhou.
Once upon a time, in a certain year, there was a great wind and hailstorm, and the emperor ordered the gathering of advice. Chuan wrote in his memorial to the emperor, "I have received your imperial edict regarding the disaster of wind and hail, which the heavens themselves are watching closely. You have sought frank opinions from all officials and made the whole country aware. Your sincerity is evident in the imperial edict, and I am deeply moved. I cannot afford to be negligent for even a moment. Your Majesty shoulders the heavy responsibility of governing the country and dealing with national affairs, working tirelessly for the nation, with no time even to eat or sleep, all in order to pray for divine mercy and save the people from calamities. However, this wind and hailstorm happened to rage on the Mid-Autumn Festival, and there must be a reason for this. I believe that the wind is the heavens' decree, a show of their might; hail is caused by the imbalance of yin and yang. This disaster likely stems from mistakes in the court's decrees, resulting in a disruption of the balance of yin and yang. In the past, heavy rains came as a result of sincere sacrifices, while the relief from the scorching heat followed wise counsel. Divine retribution does not occur without reason, and omens are not misleading. I sincerely hope Your Majesty will take my suggestions to heart, tackle the people's grievances and ease their burdens. Let those with talent be appointed to significant roles, let capable individuals be given important positions, let evildoers be punished, and reduce the country's expenses. Let there be no buried talents in the court, and let the lonely and destitute benefit from your kindness. In doing so, everything will thrive, and the people will enjoy peace and happiness, and we will play the tune of 'Xun Feng' and sing the song 'Hong Yan', a harmonious scene that will please both people and spirits."
This memorial is about the memorial written by Lao Chun to advise the emperor, hoping that the emperor would value talents, sympathize with the people, and thus resolve the disasters of wind and hail, achieving the ideal of national peace and prosperity. He attributed the disasters to the court's errors and the imbalance of yin and yang, and used historical examples to support his point of view, demonstrating his earnest intentions.
As for Lao Chun, he was very strict in managing affairs, not tolerating any misconduct, so the local people were quite afraid of him and treated him with great respect. During the Tianping period of the Northern Wei Dynasty, he retired and returned to his hometown. After returning home, he built a large hall, tall and grand, and some people said, "This grandeur resembles that of Prince Taiyuan's residence; could it be Prince Taiyuan's house?" Lao Chun had once served as an official here, and everyone called him "Prince Taiyuan." Not long after, Erzhu Rong moved into Lao Chun's house, and Erzhu Rong was later granted the title of Prince Taiyuan! Think about when King Qi Xianwu lived in Jinyang; his power was immense, and many sought to curry favor with him! Lao Chun was respectful to relatives and friends, often helping them. As he grew older and his health declined, he resigned from his official position and retired to the Xili Lu Temple in Zhao County. In the spring of the second year of the Xinghe era, he passed away at the age of sixty-two. The court posthumously conferred upon him numerous official titles, such as "Imperial Commissioner, Commander of Military Affairs for Jizhou and Yingzhou, General of Chariots and Cavalry, Left Deputy of the Imperial Secretariat, Duke of Taiwei, and Governor of Jizhou," and bestowed upon him the posthumous title of "Wengong." After his death, King Qi Xianwu personally went to attend his funeral.
Lao Chun's wife is the second daughter of Wei Yuezhi of Julu. She is intelligent and knowledgeable, with a deep understanding of past events and social customs. While following Lao Chun in Huazhou, her brother's son was in trouble in Luoyang, and upon hearing about it, she rushed over overnight to help. She worked so hard for this that she became haggard, and her relatives and friends greatly admired her. Even Er Zhu Rong's wife, the princess of Beixiang County, held her in high regard. During the Yong'an years, the court granted her the title of Lady of Nanhe County. Her family was wealthy, but she never sought extravagant displays. She treated Lao Chun's brother's son as if he were her own, caring deeply for her relatives and friends, and she was particularly well-liked. Lao Chun owed much of his high status to his wife's efforts. During the Wei Yuanxiang period, the court posthumously honored her with the title of Lady of Julu County. Since Lao Chun had no sons, he designated his brother's grandson, Shuming, as his heir. Shuming served as the Grand Commandant and Minister of Rites. He later died in Jinyang without any sons, so his disciple, Xuan, inherited the family line. Lao Chun's younger brother, Chen, known as Hou Cheng, held positions as Grand Secretary, General of Annan, and Minister of the Cult. He was granted the title of Duke of Shangdang as well. He was later promoted to the position of regular attendant and became responsible for the Grand Historian's Office. His official rank was subsequently reduced by one level, and he became a Marquis. He was later promoted to Minister of Rites. Upon returning to court, he was appointed Grand Master of Ceremonies and died while in office. The court also awarded him fifty bolts of cloth posthumously.
Zixiang, styled Yuanfeng, was bright and quick-witted from a young age, with good character. He was selected by the emperor to enter the palace as a eunuch. Starting from the first year of Taihe, he handled various affairs alongside Li Chong and others, and by the sixteenth year of Taihe, he had received rewards amounting to over ten million. At that time, many political matters were at the discretion of Empress Dowager Wen, who preferred to investigate matters thoroughly. Zixiang conducted himself with utmost respect and caution, earning the trust and favor of the Empress Dowager. Later, he was promoted to Luoyang and also held the positions of Minister of the Yellow Gate and Left Deputy Minister. After he inherited his title, he was further promoted to General of State and Junior Minister of the Treasury. Finally, he was appointed as the governor of Jizhou, and after his death, he was posthumously awarded the title of Grand General and governor of Sizhou.
Zichao inherited the title, styled Heshan. He served as a court attendant and in the Bingzhou administrative office. Zichao enjoyed making friends and was generous and righteous. He lived extravagantly but could support his own living expenses, always treating himself to various delicacies at meals. He passed away at the age of thirty-four.
Zijinglan inherited the title. During the Wuding period, he held the position of Guard General and Right Grand Master. After the Northern Qi replaced the Northern Wei, his official rank was downgraded as per regulations.
Jinglan's younger brother, Jingzhao, served as a military officer under the Grand Chancellor.
Zichao's younger brother, Mu, known as Sitai, served as the governor of Shangdang during the Yuanxiang era and later passed away.
Mu's younger brother, Chuo, known as Sihe, served as a minor official in the Palace. Wang Tianmu of Shangdang appointed him as the Minister of the Northern Road. Subsequently, Er Zhu Rong replaced Tianmu as the Grand Chancellor, while Chuo remained a minister in the Ministry of Personnel. Due to his contributions in supporting Emperor Zhuang, he was granted the title of Marquis of Yishi County, with an estate comprising five hundred households. Towards the end of the Yong'an era, he was appointed as General of the West and governor of Binzhou, but he did not assume the position. After Yuan Ye ascended the throne, he was promoted to General of the Cavalry and governor of Bingzhou, passing away during the Xinghe era.
Chuo's younger brother, Shuang, served as a military officer in the Ministry of Education.
Zi Xiang's younger brother Wei Cheng studied in the Eastern Palace, and later was appointed as a Junior Official. He was granted the title of Duke of Zhongdu and promoted to General of Dragon's Might. After his death, he was posthumously honored as General of Annan and Governor of Jizhou, with the posthumous name Gong.
Zi Jing, styled Yuan'an, was talented from a young age. He was appointed as a Central Official and inherited his title, which was subsequently downgraded to that of a Baron according to regulations. He later served as an Assistant Minister of State and Supervisor of the Imperial Guards, and also held the position of Minister of Personnel. Due to his expertise in law, he was appointed as the Judge of the Court of Judicial Review. He was then promoted to General of Mobile Warfare, and subsequently elevated to General of Victorious Arms and Governor of Qizhou. At that time, Prince Mi of Zhao County was treating the people cruelly, causing widespread discontent and preparations for rebellion among the townsfolk. The court dispatched Zi Jing to quickly pacify and persuade them, resulting in everyone surrendering obediently. For successfully completing this mission, he was commended by the court and rewarded with five hundred bolts of silk. The court then appointed him as the Governor of Zhao County, but he firmly declined the position due to his elderly mother. He was later granted the positions of General of Conquering Bandits and Deputy Minister of Justice, and at that time, people regarded him as a good official. Due to official duties, he was demoted to Central Official, and after his mother's death, he resigned from office. In the early years of Xiaochang, the court appointed him as Deputy Minister of Justice, and then sent him to Dingzhou for official duties, but he firmly declined the position. The following summer, the court again appointed him as Deputy Minister of Justice and sent him to Dingzhou. By winter, he died from illness at the age of fifty-seven. The court posthumously honored him as General of Protecting the Army and Governor of Bingzhou, with the posthumous name Zhen. He had no sons, and his cousin Bo Yu succeeded to the title. Bo Yu later served as a military advisor in the Jizhou Administration during the Wuding era. After the Northern Qi surrendered, his title was downgraded according to regulations.
Wei Cheng's younger brother, Wei Liang, styled Pingcheng, was promoted to the position of Junior Official in the early years of the Chengming era. He reported the monk Faxiu's conspiracy to rebel, which led to his promotion to Champion General, and he was granted the title of Yong Shou Hou, along with an additional appointment as Ge Shi Zhong. He later held the positions of General of Anxi and Governor of Taizhou. Subsequently, he was transferred to serve as Governor of Shanzhou, but was dismissed due to a political misstep. He eventually passed away at home. Wei Liang's son, Wei Hongshou, died at a young age.
Wei Yuanjing was allowed to restore his ancestral title during the Zhengguang era, but it was downgraded to that of a Baron. He later passed away without leaving a son.
Wei Hongshou's younger brother, Wei Yi, styled Anshou, was appointed as Court Attendant and gradually promoted to Junior Official. Due to illness, he returned to his hometown and later moved to Shangdang. He passed away at seventy-one.
Wei Yi, styled Jingyu, was exceptionally gifted and excelled in poetry from a young age, becoming quite famous at the time. However, he passed away without holding an official position.
Wei Rui's uncle, Wei Longbao, served as Champion General and was granted the title of Duke of Guzang. After his death, the court posthumously conferred upon him the titles of General of An Dong and Governor of Bingzhou, conferred the title of Duke of Julu, and granted him the posthumous name Jing.
Wang Zhongxing was from Nanluan in Zhao County. His father, Wang Tiande, started from a low position and eventually became the Minister of the Interior, attaining a significant rank. Wang Zhongxing was responsible and level-headed from an early age, and due to his father's connections, he entered the palace at a young age to serve. During the Taihe era, he held positions such as Junior Official, Wuqi Shilang, and Ge Shi Zhong within the palace. After more than a decade of coming in and out of the palace, he was promoted to Rongcong Pushe, continuing to work closely with and earn the emperor's trust, and also served as Governor of Qizhou.
Following the emperor to Xinye to fight, he achieved merit and was appointed as the General of Zhechong and the Colonel of Tunqi. Later, he led over a thousand cavalry to defeat the enemy in Dengcheng, was promoted to General of Zhenwei and Colonel of Yueqi, and was awarded a thousand bolts of silk. While Emperor Gaozu was at the Horse Pen Palace, from his initial sickness to his eventual passing, Wang Zhongxing was always by his side serving and caring for him. Upon arriving in Daluyang, after Emperor Shizong ascended the throne, Wang Zhongxing was promoted to Left Zhonglang General and continued to serve as the commander of the Zhai. Once the emperor took power, both he and Zhao Xiu gained the emperor's favor and were entrusted with significant positions, where Wang Zhongxing was promoted to Grand Master of the Palace and concurrently served as the General of Wuwei.
Although he and Zhao Xiu were both favored at the same time, Wang Zhongxing was humble and cautious, unlike Zhao Xiu, who was arrogant and rude. When King Xi of Xianyang fled, the entire court was shocked. Emperor Shizong caught up with Wang Zhongxing at Qianpu Mountain and urged him to quickly enter Jinyong City to comfort himself. Later, he participated in confidential affairs alongside General Yu Jin. Due to his previous service in caring for the emperor during his illness at the horse pen and comforting him in Jinyong City, he requested to receive rewards like others, and as a result, he was granted the title of Duke of Kaiguo in Shangdang Commandery, with an estate of two thousand households. From the time he was appointed as General of Wuwei to the time he was granted titles, the emperor frequently dined at his home. Whenever Emperor Shizong went out, Wang Zhongxing was always right by his side, and he could report any external matters directly to the emperor, earning him great respect from the officials in the court. His brother Wang Kejiu was demoted due to his brother Wang Zhongxing's influence and took on the role of Chief Historian of the Xu Province Pacification Office, concurrently serving as the Prefect of Pengcheng. Wang Zhongxing's family had lived in Zhao Commandery for generations, but he considered his background humble, stating that his ancestors had migrated from Jingzhao Bancheng, so he assumed the position of Grand Justice of Yongzhou.
After his tenure as Minister, he received generous rewards from the emperor in recognition of his contributions to the founding of the nation. Prince Liu Xiang of Beihai once personally requested the emperor to reduce his rewards, but this request dragged on for quite some time without resolution. Ke Jiu, who had been an official in Xuzhou for a long time, relied on the favor and power of Zhongxing to look down on and insult Sima and Li Changshou, the governor of Liangjun, resulting in a quarrel between them. Some monks from Pengcheng came forward to mediate, but soon after, they were at it again. Ke Jiu even ordered his servants to assault Li Changshou, resulting in broken ribs. This incident was reported to the court by Xuzhou. During a court assembly, Prince Liu Xiang of Beihai, with a stern expression, declared loudly, "Xuzhou is an important border stronghold that the late emperor valued greatly. How can the court appoint such a mediocre person as a senior official, allowing such chaos to occur and spread to the border? Isn't this a national disgrace?" Everyone fell silent, and no one dared to speak up. From then on, Zhongxing gradually lost favor and was no longer allowed to enter the palace freely. Emperor Shizong issued a decree stripping him of his fief and demoting him to General of Pingbei and Governor of Bingzhou. Upon his death, he was posthumously granted the titles of General of Andong and Governor of Qingzhou.
Kou Meng was from Shanggu. His grandfather lived in Pingcheng. When Kou Meng was young, he gave up his position in the Tiger Ben Army due to his tall and strong stature and gradually rose to the position of General of Yulin Zhonglang. While following Emperor Gaozu to conquer Nanyang, he was dismissed for his lack of initiative in battle. After Emperor Shizong ascended the throne, he was reappointed due to the emperor's admiration for his strength and was assigned to serve as Qian Niu Beishen at the emperor's side, later gradually promoted to Wujun General. He had unrestricted access to the palace. Being from the Kou family of Shanggu, he was appointed as the Grand Zheng of Yanzhou, but he struggled to distinguish between scholars and commoners. His family gradually grew wealthy and extravagant, living in grand houses and keeping many concubines. Though his younger brother and nephews held some status, they were inferior to Ru Hao and Zhong Xing. Upon his death, he was posthumously honored with the titles of General of Pingbei and Governor of Yanzhou.
Zhao Xiu, courtesy name Jingye, was a native of Zhao County. His father was named Zhao Huian, later changed his name to Zhao Mi, and served as a court historian. Due to his hard work, he was eventually promoted to be the magistrate of Yangwu County. Zhao Xiu later became wealthy, and his father was posthumously honored as General Weilie, Prefect of Zhao County, and later posthumously honored as General Longxiang and Inspector of Dingzhou at his burial. Initially, Zhao Xiu worked in the Eastern Palace as a guard in white robes, and he was very strong. After Emperor Shizong ascended the throne, Zhao Xiu continued to serve as a guard in the palace, and the emperor increasingly favored him. However, Zhao Xiu was naturally a bit dull and not particularly skilled in writing or painting, so he did not participate in those literary works. After Emperor Shizong personally took over the government, within less than a month, Zhao Xiu was successively promoted to the positions of Minister of Works, General of the Eastern Front, and Minister of Rites. Every time he was promoted, Emperor Shizong would personally host a banquet at his home to celebrate, with officials and ministers in attendance, and the emperor would even visit Zhao Xiu's mother. Zhao Xiu had a remarkable tolerance for alcohol, and he would always encourage others to drink whenever he drank; even princes like Wang Xiang of Beihai and Wang Jia of Guangyang couldn't resist, and they all ended up inebriated. Whenever the emperor conducted sacrifices to Heaven and Earth, Zhao Xiu would accompany him in the carriage; when entering and leaving the Hualin Garden, he would always ride straight into the palace. After the execution of Prince Xixi, many of his assets were granted to Gao Zhao and Zhao Xiu.
When Zhao Xiu's father passed away, almost everyone from the nobles to ordinary officials came to pay their respects, and the offerings of food and drink filled the streets. Zhao Xiu erected a monument and wrote a biography for his father in the capital, and the stone carvings and pillars were transported to his hometown by local laborers. All expenses were borne by the state. There were nearly a hundred carriages for the funeral, and the provisions along the route were also supplied by the government. At that time, the emperor was hosting a polo match, and Emperor Shizong even invited Zhao Xiu to watch. When the emperor went to the archery range, Zhao Xiu rode along with him in the carriage, but the carriage decorations struck the east gate, causing damage. Zhao Xiu was worried he wouldn't make it in time for his father's burial, so he hurried back on horseback, accompanied by dozens of attendants. On the way, Zhao Xiu frolicked and played, showing no hint of sadness, and even brazenly took local women with the guests, publicly teasing them. His attendants joined in the ruckus, shouting and cursing without a shred of decorum, and everyone was afraid of him and disliked him. That year, the emperor expanded Zhao Xiu's estate, taking over a significant amount of farmland, and constructed a grand mansion that was both spacious and luxurious, comparable to the royal residences. The neighbors around his home, in order to protect their own land, sent Zhao Xiu a lot of money, among them the Hou Tian Sheng brothers, who were later promoted to longshi and county magistrate as a result. Zhao Xiu started out as a low-ranking soldier, but he suddenly shot to prominence, becoming rich and powerful, and he became increasingly arrogant and domineering, looking down on others, which made many people dislike him. Because he spent many years away, those around him often whispered about him behind his back. After his father's death, the emperor's favor for him slowly faded.
Earlier, Wang Xian flattered Zhao Xiu, but later the two fell out due to some conflicts. Wang Xian secretly collected evidence of Zhao Xiu's wrongdoings with the intent to ruin him. Zhao Xiu had many flaws and never guarded against others. Wang Xian gathered all of Zhao Xiu's past mistakes, saying that when his father was laid to rest, he committed numerous misdeeds along the way, and claimed he colluded with Zhao Sengyi from Chang'an to secretly stash away the jade seal. Gao Zhao, Zhen Chen, and others joined in the effort to frame him, and they all reported these matters to the emperor. In fact, Zhen Chen and Li Feng had previously catered to Zhao Xiu, being quite submissive to him. Now fearing they might get dragged down with him, they quickly turned on Zhao Xiu and reported him together.
The emperor issued a decree saying: "You can't teach a villain; a rotten tree can't be carved. Having long committed evil without knowing to repent, I just can't put up with him anymore! Zhao Xiu, the Cavalry Commandant and General of the Eastern Town, who was just a lowly servant in the Eastern Palace, has shown his bad behavior since he was a kid and only got worse as he grew up. In the early days of my reign, I kept him close, even though he had a low position and limited skills; he was very good at reading people and quickly rose through the ranks. However, since being favored, he's gotten more and more arrogant and overbearing, increasingly proud and haughty, ignoring the grace bestowed upon him, lacking understanding of human emotions and social norms, not recognizing the gravity of situations, oppressing nobles, belittling ministers, and even disregarding the greetings of guests and common folk, acting all high and mighty. After his dad died, he got even more outrageous, putting up houses in the capital and treating workers badly. He puts on a show of power, and secretly colludes with Zhao Senglun from Yongzhou, trying to embezzle the imperial seal. His illegal and immoral acts increase day by day. I've remembered how loyal he used to be and have pardoned him multiple times, yet he has only become more brazen. The court officials all demand severe punishment for him; although I want to let him off the hook, it's really hard to do that. As the saying goes, 'When the King of Chu loses a shoe, the Lord of Jiang wanders; when the bell rings, it's time to change course.' Although Zhao Xiu was once my old minister, I have already tried my best to tolerate him. I sentence him to a hundred lashes and exile him to Dunhuang as a soldier, confiscating all his family property and expelling all his relatives from the palace. I've messed up my staffing, raising a tiger that bites back, and I really regret it and feel ashamed in front of everyone. I need to handle this publicly and apologize to everyone!"
Today I went to General Lingjun Yujin's mansion and played chess with him. Before the chess game was over, several Yulin Army soldiers arrived one after another, claiming that the emperor had summoned him. I was taken aback and quickly followed him outside. On the way, someone took my horse and escorted me to General Lingjun's mansion. Chen and Xianjian decided to punish me for some reason and first found five burly men to whip me in turns, saying they intended to whip me to death. The emperor sentenced me to one hundred lashes, but they actually gave me three hundred. I was quite robust and could take the pain without flinching. Once I left the west gate of the city, I couldn't take it anymore and was tied to the saddle as the horse galloped away. My mother and wife followed behind but couldn't utter a single word. After running for eighty miles, I collapsed. Initially, I could see the emperor thanks to my contributions. After I died, General Lingjun Yujin still remembered our past and took care of my family, while other court officials who had a good relationship with me in the past cut off ties with me, making it clear they wanted nothing to do with me.
Ru Hao, styled Qinqi, was from the old Wu region. His father was named Rangzhi, and his birth name was Yao. He followed Liu Jun, the King of Babing, Xiuruo, to enlist in the army and went to Pengcheng. At that time, the south was plagued by famine and disorder, and he lived in the Huaiyang area of Shangdang. When Ru Hao was fifteen or sixteen years old, he worked as a junior official in the county, handling finances and grain, and he was good-looking and thorough in his work. The Governor of Southern Xuzhou, Shen Ling, noticed him and brought him to Luoyang, where he became a servant to Emperor Gaozu.
After Emperor Shizong ascended the throne, Hao served in the palace and gradually won the emperor's favor. Once, when Shizong went to worship the imperial tomb, he wanted Hao to share a carriage with him, but Hao quickly straightened his clothes and insisted on walking there instead, until the Chamberlain Yuan Kuang persuaded him otherwise.
When Emperor Shizong took power, Hao's rewards became increasingly generous. Because Hao had done great work in the imperial stables, he was originally set to be promoted to the position of an external general. At that time, Zhao Xiu was also favored by the emperor, and jealous of Hao, so he interfered and sought to transfer Hao to a remote area as a local official. Hao felt the risks in the palace were too great and wasn't fond of being an inner official, so he voluntarily applied for a promotion to Prefect of Puyang and was also appointed as Liwei General. His father, because Hao had advocated for his past merits, was also appointed as the Prefect of Yangping in Yanzhou and was granted a title of nobility. The father and son both held significant positions in adjacent jurisdictions. Hao was very happy to leave the imperial palace and didn't feel neglected in the slightest. Later, Zhao Xiu and his associates fell from power, and Hao was spared.
Although Hao started as a low-ranking official, he was honest and managed affairs with minimal problems when he served as a local official. Later, when Emperor Shizong went to Ye City for military drills, Hao requested to return to the court, resigned as Prefect, and took on a role in the palace. The emperor's favor and trust in him remained the same. As Hao's official position grew, he claimed his origins were from Yanmen, and some sycophants from Yanmen seized this opportunity to recommend Hao to the Minister of Works, requesting his appointment as the Grand Supervisor of Sizhou. The Minister of Works and the court reported this to the emperor, who granted approval. Afterwards, Hao was promoted to General of Cavalry and oversaw the construction projects in Hualin Garden. Hao was somewhat clever and enjoyed undertaking construction projects. He constructed a mountain on the west side of Tianyuan Lake, using beautiful stones sourced from Beimang Mountain and Nanshan. He also transported bamboo from Ruzhou and Yingzhou, planting them in the mountains and constructing pavilions and halls in a picturesque style. He planted flowers, grass, and trees, creating a unique charm. Emperor Shizong was very pleased with this and often visited for leisure. Finally, Hao was promoted to Champion General and also served as Valiant Cavalry General.
Speaking of Ru Hao, since he gained favor, his power and influence have been growing stronger by the day. The ministers in the court, including the Grand Tutor and the Prince of Beihai, all show him great respect and obedience. His younger brother, who is only twenty years old, was promoted to an official of the lowest rank at a rapid pace. Ru Hao married the cousin of Minister Gao Zhao, who is the uncle of Emperor Shizong, making them relatives. On the day of the wedding, the Prince of Beihai personally went to congratulate them and brought many gifts. Ru Hao also wanted his brother to marry the sister of the Prince of Anfeng, but Yan Ming believed the Ru family lacked a prestigious background and firmly refused. The Prince of Beihai advised him, "If you want to establish yourself in the court, how can you not form an alliance with Ru Hao?" Yan Ming reluctantly agreed. Ru Hao is quite clever and knows how to get along with people, being humble towards his subordinates. However, he was secretly involved in bribery, amassing a vast fortune, building a lavish mansion west of the palace that outshone those of the court ministers. Even though Emperor Shizong was actively managing state affairs, he often stayed in the palace, not returning home at night, and directly met with ministers in the palace to handle government affairs. Before long, Ru Hao was promoted to a minor official, but that wasn't enough for him. He wanted to follow the example of his predecessors, make significant contributions, and rise even higher.
At first, Ru Hao and Ru Xiu (whose mention is absent from the text, possibly indicating a missing part or a typographical error) were favored, and Prince of Beihai, Xiang, sought their favor. General Liu Zhou, also recommended by Prince of Beihai Xiang, was always grateful for his patronage. The two secretly conspired and frequently communicated with each other. Gao Zhao had always disapproved of these princes and sought to entrap them. He knew that Prince of Beihai Xiang had a close relationship with Ru Hao, so he informed Emperor Shizong, alleging they were engaging in treasonous plots. Emperor Shizong then sent Lieutenant Cui Liang to investigate Ru Hao, Liu Zhou, Chang Jixian, and Chen Saojing, accusing them of corruption and misconduct. They were arrested that same day and imprisoned in the Southern Pavilion. The following day, they were sentenced, and that same night, they were executed. Ru Hao's wife was cast out of the court and wept as she went to see him. Ru Hao went in to bid farewell to his wife and then ingested poison to end his life.
Ru Hao's son, Ru Hualang, later became the governor of Southern Qingzhou. During the Xinghe era, he was sentenced to death for his crimes, and his nephews were exiled to the frontier.
Liu Zhou, whose courtesy name was Yuansun, hailed from Hejian. He was initially recommended by Prince of Beihai Xiang. During the Liu Fu era, he served as the governor of the county and participated in military exercises at Ye Palace alongside Ru Hao, and also requested to stay in the palace. After arriving in Luoyang, he remained unpromoted for an extended period. Prince of Beihai Xiang advocated on his behalf, leading to his later appointment as General of the Straight Pavilion.
Regarding Jixian, he initially oversaw horse management and was particularly skilled in horseback riding from a young age, which garnered him the emperor's favor. Later, he rose to the position of General in the Hall and Assistant Minister of Medicine, continuing to oversee the affairs of the imperial stables. He maintained a close relationship with Ru Hao, collaborating on various matters, and his status and reputation steadily increased. He also facilitated his brother's appointment to an official position in the palace and married a daughter of the Prince of Wuchang. After that, he planned to marry the daughter of Yuan Ba, the governor of Luozhou, to curry favor with the royal family and secure a powerful ally.
Sao Jing and Xu Yigong are both from Pengcheng. Sao Jing styles the hair of Emperor Shizong, while Yigong is skilled at arranging clothes. Both are adept at navigating court politics and serve by the emperor's side every day. The emperor loves them both, and their ranks are similar. Sao Jing is married to Yigong's sister, but their relationship is strained, leading to frequent arguments. Yigong is angry about this and even complained to Emperor Shizong, claiming that Sao Jing mistreated his sister. Emperor Shizong advised them to get along peacefully since they both served him. Both sought Ru Hao's favor and were well-regarded by him, but Sao Jing developed a closer bond with Ru Hao, often spending time together and rarely returning home. Later, after Ru Hao fell from power, Sao Jing died at home. Yigong was known for his caution, humility, and reserved demeanor. After Ru Hao's death, he gained more trust from the emperor and continued to serve by his side, handling some confidential matters. During Emperor Shizong's illness, Yigong kept a constant vigil by his side. When Emperor Shizong died, Yigong was still by his side. After Empress Dowager Ling took power, Yigong started to flatter Yuan Cha and often held debauched gatherings at his residence. Later, after a mishap while testing medicine for the emperor, he was demoted to the governorship of Dongqinzhou. However, he was later reinstated and rose to a high position. He passed away in the early years of Wuding while holding the titles of General of Chariots and Cavalry and Left Chief of the Palace Gentlemen.
Zhao Yong, style name Linghe, was from Yang, Yunnan. He was neat in appearance, with neatly groomed eyebrows and beard, and was intelligent and quick-witted. Sikong Li Chong was held in high regard, and due to his cautious nature, Zhao Yong often visited Li Chong's home to run errands for him. Li Chong valued him as well, letting him play with his sons. When someone wanted to see Li Chong, Zhao Yong often announced their arrival. During the reign of Emperor Gaozu Taihe, Zhao Yong served in the palace and eventually became the Palace Attendant (殿中监). Even after Emperor Shizong ascended the throne, he continued in this role. He was distantly related to Zhao Xiu, but they were not particularly close. Later, Zhao Yong was promoted to Palace General while still serving as Palace Attendant.
Yi, Zhao Yong's father, served as the Inspector of Yingzhou during the Taihe period and remained there for many years. Due to Zhao Yong's influence, he was recalled to court and appointed as a Minor Official of the Imperial Clan. Shortly after, he became the Grand Inspector of Jingzhou, and later served as the General of Conquering the Barbarians and the Inspector of Jingzhou. Yi later passed away and was buried south of Wancheng, the old residence of the Zhao family. As he grew older, he requested to retire from his official position in the province, and the court appointed him as a Grand Master of Splendid Happiness (光禄大夫), and later promoted him to Golden Purple Grand Master of Splendid Happiness. After his death, the court posthumously conferred upon him the titles of General Who Guards the East and Inspector of Xiangzhou.
Emperor Shizong always went to the suburban temple for sacrifices accompanied by Xiu Heng, who served as a constant companion and chamberlain, while Yong held the position of driver, riding in the same carriage as the emperor and holding the reins. People privately referred to them as "the two Zhaos" at that time. The Zhao family had migrated from Nanyang to Jingzhou, and Yong had been promoted to the position of Grand Master of Ceremonies and Zhongzheng of Nanyang, which led him to resign from his position in Nanyang. Later, he also served as a Cavalry Officer, overseeing matters related to the left and right offices, frequently entering and exiting the palace. After that, he again took on the role of Grand Master of Ceremonies for Jingzhou. Yong's younger brother, Shang, served as a secretary in the Central Secretariat and later became the governor of Nanyang. After Yi resigned from the position of governor of Jingzhou, Shang also requested to resign from the governorship and return home with his father. Before reaching the capital, he was promoted to infantry captain. Yong's ancestor, the Yue family, was originally buried in Daijing but later moved back to Nanyang for burial. The court posthumously granted him the titles of General Pingyuan and Governor of Qingzhou.
After the death of Emperor Shizong, Yong concurrently served as a palace attendant and soon was promoted to Minister of Revenue. Later, he was...
Hou Gang, courtesy name Qianzhi, was from Luoyang, Henan. His family had no special background. He originally came from a poor family, and in his youth, he made a living by cooking, moving from place to place. Later, he was appointed as Zhong San (中散) and gradually promoted to the position of Rong Cong Pushe (冗从仆射), and was also responsible for the royal cuisine. Emperor Shizong recognized his integrity and bestowed the name "Gang" upon him. After that, he was promoted to Fengche Duwi (General of Carriages) and You Zhonglangjiang (Right Colonel), and was in charge of the swords and sabers. He was also granted the titles of Youjijiangjun (General of Guerrilla Warfare) and Chengmen Xiaowei (City Gate Commandant). He was later promoted to Wuwei Jiangjun, still responsible for the royal cuisine, and was additionally granted the title of Tongzhi Sanqichangshi.
The emperor issued a decree stating: "During the Taihe era, the borders were invaded by ant bandits. The late emperor, while ill, ordered troops to be dispatched. The soldiers faced hardships on the battlefield, and there were also issues with supplies in the army. At that time, I was overseeing the state and could not serve beside the late emperor, while the person responsible for food supplies had to rely solely on their loyalty and hard work to fulfill their duties. Hou Gang diligently managed the food supplies under these challenging conditions. To recognize his loyalty, he should be prioritized for promotion. Therefore, I appoint Hou Gang as the Right Guard General." Later, he served as the Crown Prince's Zhong Shuzi (Chief Assistant).
After Emperor Shizong's death, Hou Gang and the Grand Chancellor Cui Guang welcomed Emperor Suzong out of the Eastern Palace. Soon, Hou Gang was appointed as the Minister of Imperial Guards and was granted the title of Marquis of Wuyang, with a fief of 1,200 households. He quickly took on the roles of Chief Minister, General of the Imperial Guard, and Governor of Hengzhou. Later, he was subsequently promoted to Duke and received additional rewards for his contributions during his service to the emperor. In the early years of the Xiping era, he was appointed as the General of the Left Guard, while maintaining his other official titles. The Grand Minister You Zhao was sent to serve as the Governor of Xiangzhou. Hou Gang said to Empress Dowager Ling, "In the past, when the Gao family held power, You Zhao dared to resist and never submitted. The late emperor was well aware of him, and everyone knew it. Now sending him away as a governor is a waste of his talents; he should be recalled to assist the emperor." The empress dowager agreed with his opinion.
Hou Gang's power grew increasingly stronger, and both Wang Jiyang, the Prince of Jiangyang, and Grand Secretary Sun Zhi married their daughters to his son. The Minister of Works and Wang Cheng, who came from humble beginnings, privately looked down on him, saying, "This person was just serving me food not long ago!" However, when Hou Gang met them on formal occasions, he carried himself with confidence and did not appear humble at all, leaving no room for criticism.
At that time, Hou Gang had just been promoted, and while practicing archery with the Imperial Guard, he accidentally killed someone. As a result, the Deputy Censor Yuan Kuang impeached him, and the Court of Justice sentenced him to death. The Grand Secretary and Wang Cheng hurried to plead his case to Empress Dowager Ling, arguing that Hou Gang had performed well in his previous court duties, and that this minor mistake did not deserve a death sentence.
Empress Ling summoned the Chief Justice, Pei Yanjun, and the Junior Minister, Yuan Fan, to Xuanguang Hall and asked them, "Hou Gang accidentally caused someone's death while on official duty. According to the law, he should not be held accountable. Yet you sentenced him to death; what was your reasoning behind that?" Pei Yanjun replied, "The law states that accidental death is not subject to accountability, that applies only when the facts of the case are clear. However, if someone deliberately conceals the truth, it may be necessary to use torture to obtain the truth. However, Hou Gang's situation is different; he confessed right away, so he should be judged according to the crime of intentional homicide and should not be subjected to unnecessary torture. Moreover, Hou Gang shouted that he intended to kill someone; using torture in this case is completely unwarranted. He had the intention to kill, so it was not an accident. Sentencing him to death is in line with legal provisions." Empress Ling said, "You may go back for now; I'll think it over."
Then Empress Ling ordered, "The Court of Judicial Review's judgment on Hou Gang is indeed legally sound. However, since he was acting in the line of duty, he shouldn't be sentenced to death outright. Nevertheless, since he did cause someone's death, he can't go unpunished; therefore, I will strip him of three hundred households from his estate and relieve him of his position as Chief of the Guards." Hou Gang was pretty upset about this. Since the Taihe era, Hou Gang had served as Chief of the Guards, serving two empresses and three emperors for nearly thirty years, and now he was dismissed. Not long after, he was soon promoted again to Cavalry General.
Later, the Deputy Censor-in-Chief, Yuan Kuang, was dismissed, and the empress looked for someone to take his place. The Grand Tutor, Prince Qinghe, recommended Hou Gang, so he was appointed as Cavalry General while keeping his roles as Deputy Censor-in-Chief, Cavalry Attendant, and Guard Commander.
After Yuan Cha came to power, he formed factions for personal gain and promoted his brother-in-law Li Gang. He first made him an Imperial Attendant and General of the Left Wing, and also took charge of the Imperial Kitchen, providing him with support. Not long after, he was promoted to Grand General of Chariots and Cavalry, in charge of the left and right Imperial Guards, and reinstated his previously stripped noble title. Later, he appointed him as the Deputy Minister of the Interior and then made him the Deputy Minister of the Imperial Court. After Li Gang took office, military expenses grew increasingly burdensome, resulting in a drained national treasury. He requested to use his feudal income and salary to support the soldiers on expedition, which the emperor agreed to. In the first year of the Xiaochang reign, Li Gang was appointed as the General of the Army, while his other positions remained the same. At first, when Yuan Cha was dismissed from the General of the Army position, Empress Dowager Ling believed that Yuan Cha still had many loyal supporters, making it challenging to manage them all at once, so she had Li Gang replace him to placate Yuan Cha.
Later, Li Gang was assigned to various positions, including Cavalry Attendant, Governor of Jizhou, General, and Minister of Rites. Before he could take office, he received a royal edict: "Li Gang, you have risen rapidly, from an ordinary commoner to a prominent noble, thanks to fortune and favor. Your previous insignificant contributions have already been rewarded beyond your merit, and your favor has reached its peak, far exceeding your status. However, you have never shown loyalty to your master like a dog; instead, you harbor ulterior motives, like a ravenous wolf in disguise, turning against your master. You have allied with the powerful minister Yuan Cha, formed factions for personal gain, violated regulations, frequently entered the palace, and schemed in secret. You conspired with Liu Teng, creating rifts within the court and with external factions, manipulating officials. Holding a crucial position, responsible for supervising all officials, you should set an example, as sharp as a hawk. Yet, you have abused your power, wronged good people, used brutality and arrogance to invert right and wrong, showing disloyalty and injustice, leading to widespread discontent among the common people; you have deceived those below while misleading those above, and your wrongdoings are all too apparent. Your crimes are too numerous to list, unforgivable, and your title should be stripped away. You are now demoted to General of the Conquering Troops, and all other positions are revoked." Li Gang eventually passed away at home. During the Yong'an era, he was posthumously honored as Minister of State.
Li Gang's eldest son, Li Xiang, began his career as a court attendant, but gradually rose through the ranks to become Tongzhi Sanqi Shilang, General of Champion, and Chief of Wardrobe. Li Gang settled in Shanggu because his ancestors had a fief there. During the Zhengguang era, Li Gang requested that Li Xiang be appointed as Governor of Yanzhou, without changing his official title, to establish a solid foundation for the family. Shortly afterward, Li Xiang was promoted to General of the Rear. Five years later, he was appointed as Left Chief of Staff to the Minister of State, also overseeing the Imperial Medicine Trials and the Chief of Dazhongzheng in Yanzhou. During the Xinghe era, he was promoted to General of the Cavalry and Governor of Yanzhou. After returning to court, he soon passed away shortly thereafter.
Zheng Yan, courtesy name Jiran, was from Xingyang and was particularly handsome. At first, he served as a military officer under Situ Huguo Zhen, but later, due to a twist of fate, he gained the favor of the Empress Dowager Ling, which was unknown to most at the time. He was later promoted to the position of an official in the Imperial Guard and served directly by the Empress Dowager's side. After the Empress Dowager Ling was deposed, Xiao Baoyan led troops to the west, and Zheng Yan was appointed as his strategist. In the early years of the Xiaochang period, Empress Dowager Ling regained power, and Zheng Yan requested to return to the court, once again receiving the Empress Dowager's affection. He was appointed as a Grand Councilor, a Gentleman of the Palace Library, in charge of sampling the Emperor's meals and managing the imperial kitchen. He spent day and night in the palace, and the Empress Dowager's affection for him peaked. Every time Zheng Yan returned home for a break, the Empress Dowager would send eunuchs to accompany him, and even when he saw his wife, they were only able to chat about household stuff.
He and Xu Ge served as Gentlemen at the same time. Zheng Yan saw Xu Ge as quite the strategist and relied on him as his military advisor; Xu Ge, because Zheng Yan was highly favored, obeyed him completely. The two teamed up, and their influence spread throughout the court. Prince Yuanhui of Chengyang also colluded with them, and at that time, political power was in the hands of Zheng Yan and his crew. Later, Zheng Yan was promoted to various positions, including Master of Writing, Cavalier In Regular Attendance, General Who Pacifies the East, General of the Guards, Commander of the Imperial Guards, General of the Right Guard, Cavalier In Regular Attendance, General of the Central Army, Prefect of the Palace Library, and General of Chariots and Cavalry, while retaining his previous positions as a Gentleman and Cavalier In Regular Attendance. When Emperor Suzong died, things were handled in a rush, and it was said that Zheng Yan was the mastermind behind it.
Erzhu Rong rebelled and attacked Luoyang, using Zheng Yan and Xu Ge as scapegoats. With Erzhu Rong's army at the city gates, Zheng Yan fled back to his home. Zheng Yan's brother, Zheng Zhongming, was previously the Prefect of Xingyang, and at this time, Zheng Yan and Zheng Zhongming planned to rise up in Xingyang. Before long, they were betrayed by their own men, and their heads were delivered to Luoyang. His son, Zheng Wenkuan, later fled west with the Emperor.
Xu He, also known by his courtesy name Wubo, was from Bochang, Le'an, and his family was relatively poor. He loved studying from a young age, was quite imaginative, and was quite well-known for his writing. Later, he passed the examination for the title of Filial Piety and did well in the palace examination. Emperor Gaozu recognized his talent and appointed him as the chief scribe. When Emperor Shizong first ascended the throne, he became the Secretary of the Central Secretariat. He was quite adept at flattering Zhao Xiu, and he was later promoted to Assistant Minister of the Imperial Guard. As a result, when Zhao Xiu was killed, Xu He, because of his close ties to Zhao, was subsequently exiled to Fuhan. Although he faced hard labor there, he didn't lose hope. At that time, there was a rule that capturing five deserters could earn one a pardon, and Xu He returned to his hometown because of this. After a long time, he returned to his position as Secretary of the Central Secretariat. The Grand Tutor, Prince Qinghe Wang Yi, also appreciated his literary talent and requested his writings. Later, Yuan Cha was responsible for the death of Prince Qinghe, and Xu He was appointed as the governor of Yanmen. Xu He mentioned that his mother was aging, so he resigned from his post and returned home. Not long after returning home, he went to Luoyang, feigning to curry favor with Yuan Cha, who grew quite fond of him. Later, Yuan Cha's father traveled to the Western Town of Tongguan and took Xu He along as his aide. Soon after, Xu He's mother passed away, prompting him to return home to mourn.
After Empress Dowager Ling resumed power, she reappointed Xu Ge because he had previously been favored by Prince Qinghe, giving him the position of Councilor. Xu Ge began to flatter Zheng Yan, earning his special trust. Before long, he was promoted to Yellow Gate Attendant and also served as the Councilor, overseeing the Secretariat and the Chancellery. Almost all court orders had to be approved by him. In urgent situations, he would have a few friends help him write together, some sitting and some lying down, each responsible for a part. Even in a hurry, they managed to write clearly and coherently, with the meaning conveyed effectively. At that time, the well-known Prince Taiyuan Wang Zunye and Prince Langye Wang Song, both Yellow Gate Attendants, often asked Xu Ge to help polish their articles and seek advice from him. Later, Xu Ge was promoted to General of the Southern Defense and Golden Purple Imperial Attendant, while his positions as Yellow Gate Attendant and Councilor remained unchanged.
Xu Ge was quick-witted, full of clever ideas, and busy with government affairs all day long without feeling tired at all. He hardly rested while serving in the palace. He frequently engaged in debates over Buddhist scriptures with monks, sometimes talking all night, yet he never seemed fatigued, earning admiration from many. However, he had a restless personality, pursued power, and projected an image of integrity on the surface, but was actually adept at flattery. If someone was more powerful than him, he would try to surpass them; if they were poor scholars, he would feign politeness. He was duplicitous and cunning, and perceptive individuals looked down on him.
Speaking of Gao Huan, he was the closest person to the emperor, involved in the most confidential decisions of the court, with immense power, and everywhere he went, people would flatter and curry favor with him. He, along with Zheng Yan and Li Shenggui, enjoyed the emperor's favor, and at that time, people referred to them as the "Xu and Zheng duo." Unfortunately, he did not have great talents in governing the country, and instead liked to play little tricks, even instigating Empress Dowager Hu to use iron certificates to sow discord between Erzhu Rong and his subordinates. When Erzhu Rong found out about this, he was furious and immediately demanded that the court execute Gao Huan.
Erzhu Rong led his troops into Luoyang, and just after taking over the Heqiao Bridge, Gao Huan falsely claimed to issue an imperial edict, secretly opened the palace gates in the middle of the night, and took away ten of the finest horses, fleeing eastward to Yanzhou. His younger brother Gao Xianbo was the Prefect of Beihai, and another younger brother Gao Jiyans was serving as the Chief Historian in Qingzhou. Gao Huan quickly reached out to them, instructing them to flee south with their families. At that time, Yang Kan was the Prefect of Taishan, so Gao Huan went to seek refuge with him, and even persuaded Yang Kan to join in rebellion. Yang Kan actually fell for it, and thus gathered troops and laid siege to Yanzhou alongside Gao Huan.
Emperor Xiaozhuang had just ascended the throne, and he sent the Palace Attendant Yu Hui to act as the Prime Minister, leading a large army to suppress them together with King Xianwu of Qi. Realizing there was no way out, Gao Huan once again persuaded Yang Kan, saying, "let's go ask Xiao Yan for help!" Yang Kan fell for it again, and thus fled with Gao Huan to Xiao Yan. Gao Huan had written many articles and debates, but sadly, most of them are now lost, and only a few survive today. The historian said: (missing text)
