Guo Zuo, courtesy name Jiyou, was a native of Taiyuan in Jinyang, and he was the grandson of Guo Liang, the younger brother of Guo Huai, the General of Chariots and Cavalry of the Wei Kingdom. His grandfather Guo Yi once served as a state official and married two daughters to the Minister of Works, Cui Hao, and one daughter to Cui Hao's brother, the Prefect of Shangdang, Cui Tian. During the reign of Emperor Wen of Wei, Cui Hao held great power and favor with the emperor, so Guo Yi was appointed as the Inspector of Xuzhou and was granted the title of Marquis of Yuci, eventually posthumously granted the title of Grand Master of Splendor. Guo Zuo's father, Guo Hongzhi, was killed due to his involvement in Cui Hao's political intrigues, but Guo Zuo managed to escape and survive.
Guo Zuo grew up in poverty and obscurity, and was largely unknown in his village. It is said that a fortune teller once predicted that he would attain wealth and glory in the future. Guo Zuo extensively studied the classics from a young age and even learned from Cui Hao's writings, becoming well-known for his letters and essays. He became the Registrar of the province at a young age and earned the appreciation of the Inspector Sun Xiao, who entrusted him with important duties. Additionally, Wang Xi from Taiyuan was the nephew of Guo Zuo's grandfather's wife, and they supported each other, improving Guo Zuo's life.
When the founding emperor just ascended the throne, Guo Zuo took the imperial examination and ranked first, directly appointed as a Doctor of the Palace Library. He later rose to be the Deputy Director of the Imperial Library, then the Deputy Director of the Left of the Imperial Secretariat, and also served concurrently as a Supervisor of the Yellow Gates. Guo Zuo worked diligently and responsibly, often staying late into the night, earning the founding emperor's high praise.
Once, Emperor Gaozu went on a southern campaign, and Guo Zuo followed him. When he returned, Emperor Gaozu appointed him as an Attendant of the Yellow Gate. Once, the emperor traveled to Chang'an, passing by Wei Bridge and the temple of Guo Huai. Emperor Gaozu asked Guo Zuo, "Is this your ancestor's temple?" Guo Zuo replied, "This is the temple of my seventh ancestor." Emperor Gaozu said, "Both the ancient sages and the later wise men seem to come from your family!" Guo Zuo modestly replied, "My ancestors were all knowledgeable Confucian scholars, serving only Emperor Wen of Wei. I am mediocre in talent; to serve you, Your Majesty, the wise emperor, is truly my honor!" Emperor Gaozu then ordered a grand sacrificial ceremony at the Guo Huai temple and let Guo Zuo write the sacrificial text himself. Because Guo Zuo supported the plan to move the capital to Luoyang, Emperor Gaozu also granted him the title of Dongguangzi.
Another time, Emperor Gaozu went to visit the Hualin Garden and saw the old Jingyang Mountain. Guo Zuo said, "The mountain is peaceful, and the water flows with wisdom. I hope Your Majesty can renovate this place well." Emperor Gaozu said, "Emperor Ming of Wei perished due to extravagance; why should I repeat the same mistakes?" Guo Zuo said, "Look up to the high mountains." Emperor Gaozu said, "Isn't this referring to the conduct of the emperor?" Therefore, Guo Zuo was promoted to Cavalier In Regular Attendance, still concurrently serving as an Attendant of the Yellow Gate.
At that time, Emperor Gaozu attached great importance to ceremonial systems, personally inspected talents from various schools of thought, and was busy with relocating the capital and various military campaigns, with domestic and foreign affairs accumulating. Guo Zuo and Yellow Gate Attendant Song Bian worked together by the emperor's side, offering advice and strategies, each contributing their best to undertake important tasks. Guo Zuo was responsible for handling memorials and annotations, with an extremely heavy workload.
Once, to confer the title of Zhaoyi on Feng Zhao Yi, the officials held a banquet in the Qinghui Garden to celebrate. Emperor Gaozu raised his wine cup and praised Guo Zuo and Cui Guang, saying, "Guo Zuo has worked hard for the country and has never betrayed my trust; Cui Guang is gentle, knowledgeable, and one of the few Confucian scholars in the court. If I don't encourage you two to drink, who should I encourage?" This illustrates Emperor Gaozu's high regard for Guo Zuo.
Initially, Emperor Gaozu appointed Li Biao as a riding attendant. At that time, Fang Qiao happened to visit the emperor, and Emperor Gaozu said to him, "It seems I appointed the wrong person yesterday." Fang Qiao replied, "Your Majesty, you are wise and discerning, assigning positions based on ability, appointing and dismissing officials, and rewarding and punishing clearly, ensuring that both virtue and talent are reflected, so that everyone can fulfill their duties. How could there be a mistake simply because of an imperial decree?" After pondering for a moment, Emperor Gaozu said, "Indeed, someone should voluntarily yield their position. Since it needs to be yielded, I intend to appoint him to another position." After some time, Li Biao submitted a petition stating, "Bo Shi has resigned from his position, and Zi Chan also dislikes this practice. I have long wanted to take this position and I cannot refuse." Emperor Gaozu sighed to Fang Qiao, saying, "Your loyal counsel and Li Biao's candid resignation have left me hesitant and unable to decide." Ultimately, Li Biao retained his position.
Later, when the emperor went south to campaign, Fang Qiao served as an attendant and accompanied the emperor on the campaign, and was appointed as a Minister of the Interior, with his rank elevated to that of a count. After Emperor Gaozu's death, Wang Xi of Xianyang and others petitioned for Fang Qiao to concurrently serve as Minister of Personnel, and he was soon promoted to concurrently serve as Minister of Personnel and the Grand Justice of Bingzhou.
Once, Emperor Shizong ordered that officials who had committed crimes and fled should be sent to remote frontier areas to serve as guards. If they never came out of hiding, their brothers would be punished in their place. Fang Qiao submitted a memorial saying, "Carefully try cases and strictly enforce penalties; this has been a tried-and-true method since ancient times. Establish laws and regulations; prohibit illegal activities; this is the correct approach today. Therefore, the ancient sage kings formulated laws and regulations based on objective circumstances. The eight types of punishment are documented in ancient texts, and strict legal provisions have been in use to this day, all in order to investigate the initial actions of criminals, examine their criminal facts, rectify societal norms, and set examples for future generations.
I would like to respectfully disagree. I believe that the root cause of the erosion of the law lies in those cunning officials. Although these cunning officials do not hold high positions, they pose a significant threat to the integrity of the law. I carefully read the imperial edict; indeed, it cut off the escape route of those fleeing officials. This is crucial for effective governance. However, the value of the law lies in its ability to prevent wrongdoing, not in being excessively harsh. The purpose of establishing laws and regulations is to ensure they are preserved. If the law is strict but the evildoers are still rampant, and the regulations are too harsh to be long-lasting, how should they be recorded in the criminal code and preserved for future generations? If, because of cunning officials fleeing, their brothers are exiled, should the wives and children of the criminals also be exiled? In this way, one person's wrongdoing could impact two families. I believe that since the criminals have fled, only their wives and children should be exiled, while the criminals themselves, although they have fled, should be permanently exiled in name to the border areas. This way, we can hold the criminals accountable while also preventing further wrongdoing." The emperor accepted his suggestion.
I went to the Ministry of Personnel to find Zuo Langzhong. This Zuo is a man of integrity and honesty, who especially values his official position. When selecting officials, even if he finds the right candidate, he will ponder for a long time before making a decision. After he finishes writing, he would say, "This person is going to prosper now!" Therefore, his work efficiency is relatively slow, often attracting complaints and criticisms. However, the people he promoted were all competent and capable, and as a result, people viewed him in a new light.
Later, he was assigned to an official post, serving as the General Who Pacifies the North and Governor of Yingzhou. When the Taiji Hall was completed, Zuo returned to the capital to meet the emperor and was subsequently promoted to General of the East and Governor of Qingzhou. During his tenure, there was a poor harvest and widespread famine, and he showed great sympathy for the people and provided substantial relief efforts. Though he was slow to act, the people remembered his kindness and still do today. He later returned to the court, serving as Attendant, Grand Master of Splendid Happiness, and Grand Supervisor of Bingzhou, and was finally promoted to the Deputy Director of the Right of the Imperial Secretariat. At that time, the court was tasked with formulating new laws and regulations, and the emperor decreed that Zuo should participate in the revision along with the attendants and eunuchs. According to tradition, the Minister of Personnel, Deputy Minister of Personnel, and Chief Minister were required to ride horses and crack their whips as they entered the palace, all the way to the horse path. After Zuo became the Deputy Director of the Imperial Secretariat, he believed this lacked sufficient respect, so he suggested to the Emperor. The Emperor accepted his suggestion and decreed: "When the Emperor is in the Taiji Hall, the whip should stop at the carriage entrance; when the Emperor is in the court hall, the whip should stop at the Sima gate." From then on, the whip would no longer enter the palace gates. The Emperor also decreed that Zuo should concurrently hold the position of tutor to the Crown Prince.
One time, Emperor Shizong took Zuo to the Eastern Palace, where Emperor Suzong was still young. Zuo brought a cucumber to present to Emperor Suzong. At the time, the left attendant Zhao Taogong and Chief Imperial Secretary Wang Xian were closely connected and held in high regard by Emperor Shizong. Zuo also had informal ties with them. Therefore, some individuals at the time slandered Zuo, deriding him as "Deputy Director Taogong" and "Cucumber Tutor."
The memorial reads: "Carefully review the previous assessment system. Although it has been implemented nationwide, I am somewhat foolish and narrow-minded, and there are still some areas that I do not understand. Now it is essential to clarify the specific criteria for promoting officials. Those who are promoted beyond their ranks also need to be evaluated accordingly. The assessment system established in the early years of Jingming only permits a promotion of one and a half ranks every five years. During the Zhengshi period, the former Minister Shangshu and Prince Zhongshan Ying proposed recommendations regarding the assessment system, and the emperor replied that assessments should only consider full three-year cycles of service, excluding partial cycles. Last year, due to the differences in the two previous systems, a special memorial was presented for a ruling. The emperor's decree was: "The system for the promotion and demotion of officials shall follow past practices." I am still uncertain whether to adhere to the previous decree, the regulations from the Jingming era, or the restrictions from the Zhengshi period. The assessment method established during the Jingming era categorized officials into three classes across the two provinces of Dong and Xi, treating them equally in assessments; while the former Shangshu Lu Chang suggested that top officials be promoted half a level every three years. The current assessment system is categorized into nine classes, with different standards and lack of uniformity, causing confusion. The imperial edict states: For those assessed as top or middle class, the previous regulations may be referenced - a promotion of one level after six years, half a level after three years, and no consideration for incomplete cycles. For those assessed as lower class or top class, the previous regulations may be referenced - a promotion of half a level after six years, with no promotion granted for less than six years. According to the new regulations, those assessed as lower class or top class can be promoted one level after three years. For scattered officials, Lu Chang's earlier recommendations shall be adhered to."
Zuo submitted another memorial, stating: "I have carefully studied the regulations for assessment: officials with good conduct, outstanding achievements, and no faults belong to the highest level—Level One; those with one fault belong to Level Three; those with two faults belong to Level Four; and so on, a total of eight levels, with the lowest being Level Nine. Now I would like to know the assessment results for officials across various departments. Some officials, although clean during their tenure, do not have outstanding abilities; their achievements and conduct meet the requirements, but their virtues are not exceptional; their abilities are barely sufficient, yet they are capable of handling their duties; there are also some individuals with slightly lower abilities, yet are capable of managing affairs in the officialdom, and have no faults at all. Which level should they be classified under? Since the third year of Jingming until now, it has been eleven years; in accordance with the stipulated timeframe, three promotion and demotion assessments should be conducted. Now that a comprehensive assessment is to be conducted, should the final classification be based on the cumulative assessment results over the past ten years, or should it be accumulated year by year based on the assessment results, and then determined based on the good and bad? Also, regarding the provision on records of faults, it is stipulated that multiple mistakes will lead to demotion, with fewer faults considered the best and more faults considered the worst. What actions are regarded as having few faults? What actions are regarded as having many faults? How many levels will there be in the final classification? For those who are supposed to receive ten lashes for documentation errors, does this count as one fault? Other offenses, according to the law, faults should also be recorded. Within a ten-year period, if three mistakes occur, even if the crime was committed before the pardon, regardless of their severity, they should be pardoned. If an official is impeached by the censor, but the investigation is not yet completed, and is reappointed after the pardon, can the previous fault records be expunged?"
The emperor said: "‘Outstanding,’ ‘extraordinary,’ as well as having both talent and few faults, these are all terms describing the highest rank of civil and military officials—top tier. Below this rank, there are eight levels, arranged in order according to ability, and the assessment criteria are already very clear. Those who have been demoted due to accumulated faults, as well as those of average ability who are still competent, are all included in these ranks; what is there to doubt? What you refer to as a comprehensive assessment is based on the results of many years of evaluations; as for the system of promotions and demotions, it still follows past practices, assessed year by year, and there's no need to ask about that anymore. Those faults that have already been determined cannot be exempted; during a general amnesty, the offenses may be pardoned, but the records of faults must be kept and reviewed during the next assessment." Subsequently, Zuo was promoted to the position of Sanqi Changshi (an official title).
The emperor wanted to build the Ming Hall and the National Studies. Wang Bao submitted a memorial saying: "Now that we have recovered the Yun and Luo regions in the west and opened up the road to Min and Shu; in the east, our troops are directed towards the Huai River and Jingzhou; the areas around the Han and Mian rivers still need to be fortified. Currently, recruiting soldiers and mobilizing the populace is very tense, with camps set up all along the borders and signal fires lighting up constantly; it's really not the right time for any major construction projects during wartime. Moreover, with the New Year coming up and spring planting just around the corner, I believe we should wait until the world is at peace and there is an abundant harvest before using the extra labor of the common folks for construction, so as not to delay the farming season." The emperor heeded his advice. In his later years, Emperor Shizong frequently summoned Wang Bao to the Eastern Palace, secretly bestowing him with money, each time exceeding one million, along with many fine silks. He also specially granted him a treasured sword and staff, showing him great favor, and later promoted him to Left Pushe.
Previously, Xiao Yan dispatched General Kang Xuan to block the Huai River, preparing to attack Yangzhou and Xuzhou. Wang Bao submitted a memorial stating, "Xiao Yan is too arrogant and overbearing, taking control of the rivers and causing suffering to the people and straining the finances; the signs of the country's downfall are already evident. However, as the saying goes, 'The enemy must not be tolerated.' It's like a cup of water that could become a bottomless abyss; if not dealt with promptly, it may spread like wild grass. A seasoned general should be appointed to lead thirty thousand troops, along with fifteen thousand Yulin troops, and ninety thousand elite soldiers from the seven states of Jingdong, to launch a swift attack and completely eliminate the enemy. The achievements of capturing or killing the enemy should be rewarded as per the usual standards, and all confiscated supplies should belong to the army. In this way, the head of this menace, Xiao Yan, can soon be displayed. I know it's the busy farming season, not the right time to rally the people for war, but circumstances necessitate such action. In the past, when Wei and Gu caused chaos, the Yin Shang dispatched the Kunwu army; when the Xianyun grew strong, the Zhou king launched the June campaign. As I hold a significant position in the court, it is my duty to present suggestions to the emperor; how could I possibly hide my thoughts? We should also instruct Yangzhou to choose a brave general to lead the local troops to Fushan, to coordinate efforts in ambushing the enemy." The court accepted his proposal.
During the reign of Li Chong, the court was particularly strict, with high officials being punished by either dismissal or execution for their mistakes. Li Chong recognized Li Zuo's talents and recommended him as the Left Minister, while also serving as the Minister of the Yellow Gate Attendants. Li Zuo was content with this position, but because of his humble background and the unfortunate fate of the Cui family, he was always worried about encountering a similar fate. He sincerely confided in Li Chong. Li Chong comforted him, saying, "Everyone has their own destiny, which cannot be avoided. As long as you work diligently, what do you have to be afraid of?" From then on, Li Zuo worked diligently for over twenty years, steadily rising in rank. However, his ambition grew, aspiring to become a tutor in the Eastern Palace and then get promoted to a high-ranking official position. The Minister of Rites, Prince Rencheng Wang Cheng, even reported this to the emperor. Later, Li Zuo became the General Who Conquers the West and the Inspector of Yongzhou. Even though he seemed satisfied on the outside, he felt that his position was not high enough and constantly sought further promotion, which rubbed the powerful the wrong way.
At that time, the General of the Army, Yu Zhong, was arrogant and overbearing because of the emperor's favoritism, while the Cui family and others were subservient to him. Li Zuo took issue with their behavior and sent his son Li Jingshang to persuade Prince Gayang Yong to get Yu Zhong sent off to another region. Upon hearing this, Yu Zhong flew into a rage and forged an imperial edict to have Li Zuo executed. Li Zuo was 67 years old at the time. He was a dedicated official who took his responsibilities seriously. He excelled in everything he did, and his decisions were always prudent. He was highly respected by all, and his sudden and unjust death left many in mourning. Empress Dowager Ling sent his condolences to the family and restored his title as a Count. During the Northern Wei Zhengguang period, the court posthumously named him the General Who Maintains Order, General of Chariots and Cavalry, and the Inspector of Yongzhou, and gave him the posthumous title of "Duke Wen Zhen."
At the beginning, when Emperor Xiaowen established the position of Zhongzheng officer, he once said to Li Zuo: "For the Zhongzheng officer in Bingzhou, your family should recommend Wang Qiong." After Li Zuo returned and told his colleagues: "Whether Wang Qiong is suitable or not, it's hard to say at this point. Why should my family promote him? The emperor just believes in the words of Li Chong!" Three years after Li Zuo's death, Yu Zhong also passed away, and everyone said it was Li Zuo's vengeful spirit that was said to have taken revenge on him. Li Zuo's eldest son, Li Sigong, became the chief clerk of the province at a young age, but sadly passed away at a young age. Li Sigong's younger brother, Li Qingli, had his second son, Li Yanbo, inherit the title. Li Yanbo inherited his grandfather's title - Duke of Dongguang. During the Wuding era of Northern Wei, he held the titles of General of Chariots and Cavalry and Grand Architect. After Northern Qi replaced Northern Wei, his title was downgraded.
Guo Jingshang, styled Sihe, was a well-read individual with a good grasp of astronomy and astrology, and was quite skilled at fortune-telling. He initially served as a military officer in the central army of Prince Pengcheng, and later rose to the position of Yuanwailang, the Registrar of the Minister of Works, and the Attendant of the Grand Commandant. He was highly capable and adept at currying favor with those in power, so everyone called him "Guo Jian." During the reign of Emperor Suzong of Tang, he was promoted to Fuguojiangjun and Zhongsan Daifu, and later appointed as the Minister of the Imperial Secretariat. Unfortunately, he passed away at fifty-one, just before taking office.
His son, Guo Jifang, served as a military officer in the Jiaozhou Chariot and Cavalry Department during the Wuding era. Guo Jingshang's younger brother, Guo Qinglei, styled Shu, was favored by the emperor and served as a junior archivist and a direct aide. After his death, he was posthumously honored with the titles of General Who Conquers the Caitiffs and Inspector of Yingzhou. His son, Guo Yuanzhen, served as the Chief Historian of Dingzhou Chariot and Cavalry Department in the later period of the Wuding era.
Zhang Yi, styled Qingbin, is from Dongwucheng in Qinghe. His great-grandfather, Zhang Xing, once served as the governor of Dongmu under Murong Chao and later sought refuge with his family in Northern Wei. Emperor Shizong of Wei was delighted and granted him the title of Marquis of Pinglu, appointing him as General Pingyuan and Governor of Qingzhou. Zhang Yi's father, Zhang Zhun, inherited the title and also served as Inspector of Dongqingzhou. Zhang Yi's father, Zhang Lingzhen, died young.
Zhang Yi was known for his strong personality and notable arrogance; he studied many classical texts and histories from a young age. When Emperor Gaozu ascended the throne, he inherited his family’s marquis title and became friends with Lu Yuan and Li Anmin, frequently visiting the palace together to meet the emperor, inseparable companions. Lu Yuan became the chief minister, while Li Anmin and Zhang Yi served as officials. Zhang Yi was bold from a young age; he walked into the grand palace with his head held high and an arrogant gaze, showing little regard for others. However, Empress Dowager Wen was especially particular about etiquette, and one time when she encountered Zhang Yi in this manner, she called a meeting of ministers to admonish him and urged him to reflect on his behavior and amend his ways. Ultimately, he remained defiant, showing no willingness to change.
However, he was quite adept at handling affairs, and he was always included whenever the court dispatched someone on an inspection mission. He was honest, cautious, strict, and decisive. Wherever he went, people held him in high regard, and his colleagues respected him for it. Later, he was promoted to be the Master of Guests; according to regulations, he was demoted from marquis to earl, and then he was promoted to be the Grand Minister of the Palace, continuing to manage the affairs of the Master of Guests Office. Not long after, he became the Minister of the Yellow Gate. Later, he followed the emperor on a campaign to the south, and his mother passed away midway, so he resigned and returned home to mourn. He mourned very seriously, walking all the way back home from Pingcheng, over a thousand miles, without riding any vehicles, which made him look emaciated. At that time, people greatly admired him. When the founding emperor visited Jizhou, he specifically sent someone to offer his condolences and issued a decree appointing him as the General of Valiant Cavalry, restoring his original position. Due to his contributions to the relocation of the capital, he was granted the title of marquis, and later promoted to be the Minister of the Imperial Clan, then the Palace Attendant, while also serving as Palace Attendant. The emperor even sent him with a baton to inspect the twelve provinces of Shandong and Henan, and he attained notable success in governance. After returning from the inspection, due to a problem arising from his recommendation of Yuan Zhao as a Langzhong, he was demoted to the position of Guard Minister. When Emperor Shizong ascended the throne, he was appointed as the Chief Minister, while also serving as Palace Attendant, and later only as Palace Attendant. After Emperor Shizong personally took over the government, he dismissed six assistant ministers, and Yihe, who was also the Chief Minister, Xing Luan, sensed that the situation was dire, so they quickly fled the capital. As a result, they were reported by the Supervisor of the Imperial Censors, Zhen Chen, who said that they were ‘neither a tiger nor a rhinoceros, leading in the wilderness’, and the emperor issued a decree to harshly reprimand him.
I was appointed as the General of Anxi and the Governor of Qinzhou. After taking office, I diligently studied the local management system and historical references. Upon arriving in Longyou, I further intensified my learning and practice. Every day, I entered and exited the military camp wearing the official attire of a governor, with an impressive presence. The Qiang and Xia ethnic groups respected my authority and did not dare to act recklessly, which brought stability to the entire region. Everyone said I was a good official. That winter, the palace was newly built, and because I had previously made contributions to the court, I was summoned back by the court along with Guo Zuo and others. After returning to the state, my position was elevated to General of the Guards. I requested to resign from my state position, but the emperor did not approve it.
During my tenure in Longyou, I established many new policies and regulations, promoted new customs, and transformed the old practices of the locals, who held me in high regard. I also built a Buddhist temple for the state, naming it Xinghuang Temple. For those who committed crimes, I assigned them to undertake public works projects as punishment, depending on the severity of their offenses, no longer resorting to whips and rods. At that time, Princess Chenliu was a widow, and I wanted to marry her, to which the princess agreed. However, Minister Gao Zhao also wanted to marry the princess, but she did not agree to him. Gao Zhao was very angry and made false accusations against me before Emperor Shizong, claiming that I had unilaterally enacted laws that caused the people to overwork. The emperor then dispatched the official Wan Erxing to Longyou on horseback to investigate urgently. Wan Erxing was Gao Zhao's confidant, and he certainly looked for ways to punish me harshly. However, I was known for my integrity, adhering to the law, and he could find no faults with me.
After the investigation results were released, I was transferred back to Luoyang, but for several years, I didn't receive any new assignments. During this time, I also dealt with a minor ailment, making my hands and feet inconvenient. Nevertheless, my aspirations and character remained unchanged; I continued to manage myself well and gradually was able to attend court to meet the emperor. After a long time, I was appointed as a Grand Minister of Ceremonies and was also granted a golden seal and purple ribbon.
Yi is someone who enjoys associating with like-minded friends, has little regard for vulgar people, and ignores those who are not interested in him. Although he is poor and often ill, he possesses a strong ambition. In a memorial he submitted, he stated: "I have heard that even the brightest stars in the sky need other stars to set them off; even the vast Dongting Lake relies on many small rivers to feed into it. Nothing can achieve greatness in isolation. The ancient sages recognized this truth, so they employed various means to remind themselves. For example, Emperor Yao set up the Slander Wood to enable people to voice their grievances openly; Emperor Shun hung the Remonstrance Drum to encourage people to provide suggestions whenever they wished. During the reigns of Emperors Yu and Shun, people presented maxims and exhortations, and warning inscriptions were engraved on various objects, so they could learn from the positive examples and reflect on their shortcomings. They always seriously reflected on past mistakes and worked hard to make up for their deficiencies, so they could be immortalized in history, become eternal role models, and be respected even after the changes of dynasties.
Your Majesty, consider this. Emperor Taizu pacified the world, ushering in a prosperous era; Emperor Shizu was both wise and valiant, unifying the Huaxia; Emperor Xianzu governed with benevolence and peace. After Emperor Gaozu ascended the throne, he governed diligently, loved the people, managed a multitude of affairs daily, neglected sleep and food, suppressed rebellions, relocated the capital to the divine city, reformed corrupt practices, and ensured transparent governance. The barbarians of the East Sea, the ethnic minorities in the southern part of Hengshan, the nomadic tribes of the Western Regions, and the nomadic tribes in the north all paid tribute and pledged allegiance. Your achievements exceed those of the Xia, Shang, Yin, Zhou, and Han dynasties; your benevolent rule reaches far and wide, and your civil and military achievements have reached a high level. You have issued decrees to seek talents and accept admonitions, which presents a significant opportunity for the populace to share their insights and suggestions.
My family has been serving the court for generations, for over eighty years now. My ancestors held high positions. As for me, my talents are rather mediocre, and I owe my official position to the backing of my ancestors. My knowledge is superficial, and my military skills are lacking. In my early years, I received favor from the late emperor, and now I have received the favor of Your Majesty. I have served the court in various capacities, including Minister of State, Governor of Qinzhou, and Peace Envoy. I constantly think about dedicating myself to the court and repaying the kindness of two dynasties. Even if I were to be shattered to pieces, it would still pale in comparison to Mount Tai. I take it upon myself to study ancient texts and historical records to discover the fundamental reasons for the rise and fall of emperors, the grand endeavors that can bring prosperity to a nation, the auspicious omens, the benevolent rule that treats the people like family, the policies of forgiveness and reform, the scenes of harmony and prosperity, and the prosperous times when prisons are empty. I diligently record these insights to highlight the exemplary rule of wise emperors.
For instance, Emperor Taikang's obsession with hunting ultimately led to his country's downfall; King Wuyi's obsession with pleasure resulted in his being struck down by lightning; King Jie of Xia indulged in extreme debauchery, leading to his country's eventual ruin; King Zhou of Shang was both cruel and incompetent, meeting his end in defeat; King Li of Zhou's cruel rule led to his swift overthrow; King You's favoritism towards Lady Zhao resulted in his country's destruction upon his demise; Emperor Cheng of Han's corruption paved the way for the usurpation by the Xin dynasty; the incompetence of Emperors Huan and Ling of Han facilitated the Wei's usurpation of the Han; Emperor Huai of Jin's weakness and incompetence triggered the War of the Eight Princes, resulting in fratricide. All those incompetent and corrupt monarchs ultimately brought about the downfall of their own states. From Fuxi to the end of the Jin dynasty, covering sixteen dynasties, one hundred and twenty-eight emperors, and three thousand two hundred and seventy years, I have gathered five hundred eighty-nine significant events, compiled into five volumes titled "Illustrated History of Emperors," which serves as a warning, akin to the beating of drums, the admonitions of the Yu people, and the signaling of the platter.
"I have placed this book beside the throne, Your Majesty, so you can peruse it from time to time. I hope it will inspire you in your governance of the country. I wish for Your Majesty to always think of the safety of the realm, care for the suffering of the people, learn from wise rulers, and avoid being a foolish emperor. In this way, even after my death, being buried underground would be as joyful as soaring through the clouds." Emperor Shizong greatly appreciated his memorial.
I have heard that wise emperors throughout history have valued the broad collection of public opinions, believing it to be an important means of governing the country. From collecting folk songs during the Zhou Dynasty to the official documents of the Han Dynasty, this principle has remained unchanged. Without these, good and bad opinions cannot be fully expressed, and distinguishing between right and wrong becomes difficult. After the Han Dynasty, although dynasties changed and society was turbulent, this practice of gathering public sentiment has never ceased.
However, during the time of Emperor Huizong of the Western Jin, the world was in chaos, regions were divided, and the people were struggling to survive; the rites and rituals were in ruins. Stability only returned when Emperor Xiaowen of Wei unified the country, continuing through seven generations of emperors and accumulating countless merits. Emperor Gaozu moved the capital to Luoyang, lasting for eight hundred years, diligently governing and reforming laws and systems, surpassing even the legendary Five Emperors and Three Sovereigns. Although the common people had no merit, they still benefited from this.
Even so, Emperor Xiaowen still worried about his short-sightedness, so he dispatched four envoys to various regions to gather public sentiment. At that time, I was fortunate to be appointed as one of the envoys, traveling to Qi, Lu, Liang, and Song to collect poetry and investigate prison conditions, striving to leave no stone unturned. However, my abilities were limited, and the responsibilities immense; I could not accomplish everything perfectly. Just as I finished compiling the directory of the poetry I had collected, the emperor initiated a southern campaign, and I was again dispatched to assist with military affairs. Thus, my journey as an envoy took an unexpected turn.
After the emperor returned to court, I was met with the emperor's sudden death, which plunged the realm into mourning and put everything on hold. Soon after, I was transferred to Qinzhou, far from the court, and coupled with my ongoing illness, it has been eight years. I have always worried that the poetry I collected might be lost forever, which has been my concern for many years.
Now, Your Majesty, you are wise and generous, showing kindness towards my poverty and illness. You have not only treated me generously but also given me the opportunity to pay respects at my ancestors' graves and visit friends, letting me feel at ease. Moreover, my health has improved in the past year or two, and I have reorganized these poems, totaling seven volumes, which I now present to Your Majesty. I hope Your Majesty can review them and have them passed on to the right departments for safekeeping. This way, the poetry from the Wei dynasty won't be lost forever; that is my wish.
When Emperor Suzong of Tang first ascended the throne, the court official Cui Guang submitted a memorial saying, "Li Yi and Li Shao are the only two officials whose ranks were originally below mine, yet they stand out and have made many contributions. However, their official ranks are now discrepant, and they are placed behind me. According to their qualifications, they should be promoted, but it seems their promotions haven't been properly assigned. In the past, the Duke of Wei, Gong Shu, yielded his position for his colleagues to be promoted together; the Shi Guyi of Jin recommended his elders for advancement. Such actions were highly respected by the ancients and were recognized at the time. I humbly wish to follow the example of the ancients and request to lower my official rank by one level to give that vacancy to those two, to put them on equal footing with the other officials and reflect the fairness of the court in selecting talent." The emperor then promoted Li Yi to General of the Western Expedition and Chief Justice of Jizhou.
Li Yi, although nearly sixty years old and suffering from gout, still works hard and never lets up. He is meticulous in handling public and private affairs and dresses meticulously; he invites Taoist priests and Buddhist monks, builds Taoist temples, and shares teachings. He is generous, promotes talents, and both new and old officials from the Northern and Southern Dynasties praise him. However, he built a large mansion, which was a bit extravagant and wasteful, and he also neglected his clan and relatives, not paying much attention to family ties, so some people held grudges against him. In the prestigious official circles, he was never satisfied. He repeatedly petitioned the court, claiming that he had made contributions to supporting Hanzhong in Qinzhou, hoping to receive rewards, but for many years, there was no response, and the court was also very troubled by this matter.
Li Yi's second son, Zhong Yu, submitted a memorial requesting a change in the criteria for selecting officials, suppressing military officials and not allowing them to occupy high positions. Therefore, many people discussed him, and the streets buzzed with insults aimed at him. Posters were put up in the streets, scheduling a gathering to kill Li Yi's whole family. However, Li Yi and his son were not afraid at all and came out unscathed. In the second month of the second year of the Shen Gui era, nearly a thousand imperial guards and soldiers ran to the Ministry of Personnel to confront Li Yi, looking for his eldest son, the Ministry of Personnel Li Shijun, to settle the score. When they did not find him, they threw bricks and stones at the gates of the Ministry of Personnel. Both the court and the people were afraid, and no one dared to stop them.
Next, they set fire to the roadside straw, armed themselves with sticks and stones as weapons, and charged straight to Li Yi's mansion, dragging him down to the hall, brutally beating him, shouting, and even set fire to his house. Li Shijun and Zhongyu escaped by climbing over the wall at that moment. Li Shijun returned to save his father, kneeling before the mob and begging them to spare his father. The soldiers of the Yulin Army beat him even more brutally and threw him directly into the fire. When they found his body, it was unrecognizable, only recognizable by a small hairpin in his hair. Zhongyu also managed to escape despite serious injuries. Li Yi survived, but was only carried to the nearby Shamensi temple next to his home. Everyone nearby heard about the incident, feeling both shocked and sorrowful.
Before Zhang Yilin died, he dictated his last words to those at his side, asking them to convey to the emperor: "I have served the court since my ancestors, and it has been six generations, down to my grandson. However, I have merely occupied a position without fulfilling my duties, failing to live up to the emperor's grace, and I have felt deep shame. I only wished to serve faithfully and wholeheartedly, yet in the end, I have accomplished nothing. Some suggestions put forth by my second son Zhongyu could greatly benefit the country. Since they are good suggestions, I should not have remained silent. It has been quite some time since those memorials were submitted, but I have not received the emperor's approval. Unexpectedly, this has incited anger, leading to my home being attacked and set ablaze. My sons, Zhang Shijun and Zhongyu, begged to sacrifice themselves in my stead. Shijun was seriously injured, and Zhongyu was unconscious for a night before waking up. I am now sixty years old and have enjoyed the emperor's favor throughout my life, yet now I find myself enduring such hardships. Reflecting on the cruelty of this disaster, I realize it is a rarity throughout history. I am seriously injured now, barely clinging to life, gazing at the sky and listening to the sound of the dripping water clock, knowing that I will die soon. What more is there to say? If any of the suggestions I made can benefit the country, even in the slightest, then it aligns with my sense of duty, providing a report to the two emperors in the afterlife. I die without regrets! I will return to the earth and leave the palace forever, mourning the emperor's grace and feeling immense sorrow. I am deeply reluctant to part, gasping for breath as I leave these words, earnestly imploring the two saints to take care of their health, bless the people, live long like the Southern Mountains, and let their virtues prosper. I have enjoyed the court's favor since my youth, and I have longed to repay the court's kindness, yet I find myself powerless to do so. Even in death, I will not forget my duty to serve the country." Zhang Yi finished speaking and passed away at the age of fifty-nine.
The court captured and executed eight fierce members of the Imperial Guard, but failed to completely root out the rebels. In the end, they had to grant a general amnesty to pacify the people. Those in the know realized that the country's discipline was on the verge of collapse. After Zhang Yi's funeral, his family returned to their charred home, where he and his brother took care of the arrangements in a humble dwelling. Because of his severe injuries, he had taken refuge in Xingyang until his wounds gradually healed in May, and only then did he hurry back for the funeral, and received a thousand bolts of cloth and silk from the court. Empress Dowager Ling was deeply sympathetic towards Zhang Yi, a veteran statesman who had served under several reigns. She often recalled the past and wept, telling her attendants, "For Zhang Yi, I can't even eat, and I've lost quite a bit of hair. The grief is so extreme, this is how it is."
Initially, Yi's great-grandfather was fortunate enough to attract many commoners from Hedong, about over a thousand households, who settled under his care. Later, they all moved to Jizhou, where they lived for thirty years, and the population grew to tens of thousands. When the Emperor took a census, Jizhou had the largest population. Yi became a Chamberlain for the Yellow Gate, often accompanying the Emperor. The Emperor said, "In the future, I will make you the Governor of Jizhou to repay your ancestors' contributions to the country!" Yi always remembered the Emperor's promise and repeatedly requested to be appointed to Jizhou, but the court consistently refused. After Yi's death, Empress Dowager Ling said, "Yi had requested to go to Jizhou many times, and I wanted to let him go, but someone opposed it. If they had granted his request, perhaps this incident could have been avoided, and it would have been too late to feel regret." Thus, Empress Dowager Ling posthumously appointed Yi as Governor of Jizhou, granting him the title of Marquis Wen.
Yi's son Shijun, courtesy name Ziheng, was known for his integrity, honesty, and love of learning, and he was quite literary. He first served as a military officer at the Situ Mansion, and later was promoted to the position of Assistant Imperial Secretary. Because Yi was a meritorious official of the previous dynasty, the Emperor unusually promoted Shijun, appointing him concurrently as a Gentleman of the Imperial Court, later promoted to the position of an Attendant, and also allowed him to continue serving as an Imperial Secretary. Shijun was even more talented than his father, as he revised Chen Shou's "Records of Wei" into a chronological format, and supplemented it with many other historical materials, totaling thirty volumes. He also authored "Records of the Cap and Belt" and several dozen poems, unfortunately all of which are now lost. Initially, the Dacheng uprising caused chaos in Jizhou and Yingzhou, and the court sent Commander Yuan Yao to suppress the rebellion, resulting in numerous deaths, with tens of thousands of bodies accumulating. At that time, Shijun was an Imperial Secretary and was sent to the Xing Tai, where he was very angry because soldiers were presenting severed heads as trophies to seek rewards. Therefore, he ordered the collection of several thousand heads and burned them completely to eliminate this kind of opportunistic mentality. Those who witnessed this scene were all saddened. Later, when Shijun died, he also died in a fire, burned to a crisp, and some saw it as retribution. The court posthumously named him Prefect of Leling, with the posthumous title of "Filial Piety."
Yi's grandson Gao inherited his grandfather's title and served as the Chief Registrar during the Wuding period. After Northern Qi replaced Northern Wei, his title was demoted. Gao's younger brother Yanzhi served as a Military Officer in the Imperial Guard during the Wuding period. Yi's another grandson Zhongyu served as the Minister of Works and an Imperial Censor. Yi's another grandson Zitai served as a Military Officer in the Imperial Guard. Zhongyu's younger brother Min served as an Assistant Imperial Secretary. Historical records note that Guo Zuo was a capable and efficient man, who was adept at handling various secular affairs. In the early stages of the founding of the dynasty by Emperor Gaozu, Guo Zuo, with his diligence and hard work, established himself in the officialdom and was praised for all his efforts.
Zhang Yi, a person of integrity and dignity, had the bearing of a great minister when ordered to go to battle, and is still talked about fondly to this day. How do these two compare to the capable ministers of the Wei Kingdom? They both encountered unfortunate circumstances and got swept up in the chaos of their times, which is really a shame. They both started with big dreams, but before they had the chance to show what they could do, it’s such a shame!
