Li Chong, courtesy name Jizhang, nicknamed Jibo, was from Dunqiu. He was the son of the younger brother of Empress Wen Cheng. At the age of fourteen, he was summoned by the emperor to serve as a scribe in the imperial court, inheriting the title of Duke of Chenliu and also serving as General of the Western Frontier.
When the founding emperor was newly enthroned, Li Chong was sent as an envoy to Jizhou for an inspection. Shortly after, he was appointed acting Inspector of Liangzhou. At that time, the Ba-Di tribes were causing unrest, so the court ordered Li Chong to serve as Inspector of Jingzhou, stationed in Shangluo, with the title of General of the Western Frontier. The court ordered troops from Shanzhou and Qinzhou to escort him to Shangluo. Li Chong declined, saying: "The conflicts at the borders are mainly due to dissatisfaction with the current inspector. Since I've been ordered to replace him, I can calm things down. All I need to do is read the imperial edict; there's no need for troops to escort me, as that might scare them." The founding emperor agreed with his opinion. So, Li Chong brought just a few dozen riders and swiftly arrived in Shangluo, reading the edict to calm the locals, and he quickly quelled the unrest. He then reorganized the border defenses and returned everyone captured by Xiao Ze to their original places. The southerners were touched by his kindness and also returned more than two hundred captives taken to Jingzhou. From then on, the two regions lived in harmony, and the threat of war disappeared. He achieved notable achievements during his four years in Shangluo. He was later called back to the capital and received generous rewards.
Then, Li Chong was appointed as the Governor of Yanzhou. Previously, there were many bandits in the Yanzhou area, so Li Chong ordered the establishment of watchtowers in various villages, with a large drum hung on top of each tower. Once bandits were spotted, the drum would be beaten vigorously with a drumstick. Upon hearing the drum sound, the first village to hear it would strike the drum once, the second village would strike it twice, and the third village would strike it three times, with each village required to strike the drum thousands of times. Upon hearing the drum sound, each village would immediately secure the main roads. This way, as soon as a crime was committed by bandits, news would quickly spread throughout the region. Ambushes were laid in various strategic locations, so when bandits started to commit crimes, they were captured. Li Chong was the first to establish watchtowers and warning drums in each state. Subsequently, Li Chong was demoted to a marquis and appointed as General of the East.
When the Emperor marched south, General of Chariots and Cavalry, Prince Xi of Xianyang, commanded the left wing, and the Emperor ordered Li Chong to be his deputy. At that time, the surrendered general Guo Lu of Xuzhou gathered his followers to rebel, with many supporters causing chaos across the region. Li Chong sent a man named Bu Jizhou from Gaoping to feign a crime and flee to Guo Lu's side. Guo Lu accepted him and made him an advisor. Several months later, Bu Jizhou was executed and sent to the court, which resulted in the collapse of Guo Lu's rebel army. Subsequently, Li Chong was appointed as the Intendant of Henan.
The emperor marched south to attack Hanyang, and Li Chong was appointed governor of Liangzhou. The leader of the Di tribe, Yang Lingzhen, sent his younger brother Poluo and son to lead over ten thousand infantry and cavalry to launch a surprise attack on Wuxing, and was in collusion with Xiao Luan. The emperor then appointed Li Chong as the commissioner and commander of the military in Longyou, leading tens of thousands of troops to attack him. Li Chong skillfully divided his forces and advanced, catching the enemy off guard and attacking from the front and sides simultaneously. The Di tribe members all abandoned Yang Lingzhen and scattered, leaving his forces reduced by half. Li Chong then captured Chitu, and Yang Lingzhen sent his cousin Jian to lead five thousand troops to guard Longmen, while he led ten thousand elite soldiers to defend Jiuxia. Dozens of miles north of Longmen, trees were felled to block the road, and Jiuxia Mountain pass was filled with logs and stones thrown down from the cliffs to hinder the government troops. Li Chong ordered Murong Ju to take five thousand troops for a night assault on Longmen and defeated them. Li Chong then personally attacked Yang Lingzhen, who failed in several battles and finally fled, while his wife and children were captured. Li Chong employed various deceptive strategies and successfully reclaimed Wuxing. Liangzhou governor Yin Guangzong appointed military officers Zheng You and Wang Sikao to reinforce Yang Lingzhen. Li Chong defeated them, beheaded Poluo, and killed over a thousand others, capturing Zheng You and the others, as Yang Lingzhen fled to Hanzhong.
The emperor was in Nanyang and was very pleased after seeing Li Chong's battle report. He said, "I no longer need to worry about the situation in the west; it's all thanks to Li Chong's contributions!" He then appointed Li Chong as the governor of Liang and Qin provinces, the general, and the governor of Liang Province. The emperor also personally wrote an edict: "Now that the enemies in the Longyou region have been subdued, you govern the border with kindness and integrity, achieving remarkable results in both civil and military affairs. You are indeed worthy of a heavy responsibility, so I grant you the position of governor of Liang Province to stabilize the border. I hope you give careful thought to your governance strategy, remove what needs to be removed, appease what needs to be appeased, and thoroughly eliminate all matters that harm public and private interests." Later, Yang Lingzhen secretly occupied Baishui, and Li Chong went to defeat him, forcing Yang Lingzhen to flee far away.
Speaking of Emperor Shizong, when he had just ascended the throne, he appointed him as the general of the right guard and concurrently served as the Minister of War. Not long after, he was promoted to General of the Pacification Army and became a proper minister. Later, he was reassigned as the general of the left guard, and then he became the Grand Justice of Xiangzhou.
During that time, the Luoyang barbarians, led by Liu Beixi and Lu Beiyan, revolted, and other barbarian tribes joined in, collectively besieging Huyang City. At that time, the general of the light cavalry, Li Hui, was holding the city, resisting fiercely, but there were too many barbarian soldiers, and the situation was dire. The emperor sent him, granting him the title of envoy with the authority to lead military operations against the barbarians, to quell the rebellion. The barbarian forces were tens of thousands strong, occupying advantageous terrain and confronting the imperial army. He fought many battles, ultimately defeating the barbarian soldiers and killing Lu Beiyan and others, relocating over ten thousand barbarian households to Youzhou and Bingzhou. Due to his merit in suppressing the Di rebellion, Emperor Shizong also granted him the title of Duke of Weichang County, with a fief of five hundred households.
Later, the barbarian Fan An of Dongjingzhou gathered many people at Longshan and even declared himself emperor. Xiao Yan's faction colluded with him, sending troops to support him. Other generals who went to fight were unsuccessful, and the emperor had no choice but to send him again, bestowing upon him the titles of Commissioner, Cavalry General, and Commander of the Campaign against the Barbarians, promoting him to General of the Southern Town and leading troops to confront Fan An. He was very clever, dividing his soldiers into several units to launch separate attacks on the enemy's camps, winning consecutive victories, and ultimately capturing Fan An alive. He then went on to quell the rebellion in Xijingzhou, where the barbarians also surrendered.
The emperor appointed him as Commissioner, concurrently serving as Palace Attendant and Ambassador to the Eastern Region, entrusting him with the responsibility of assessing the abilities of officials, with a clear system of rewards and punishments. "Whether to promote or demote depends on the recognition of rewards and punishments," this refers to that. He was later promoted to Central Guard General, then became a Cavalry Commandant, General of the Southern Campaign, and Governor of Yangzhou. The emperor even issued a decree stating: "In warfare, there are multiple methods to achieve victory. If one can attack from the left and right swiftly like a sudden thunder, they can grasp the initiative in battle. Now, the small bandits at Qushan have been entrenched for a long time without being eradicated; these bandits are quite cunning and may resort to trickery, so elite troops should be dispatched to attack them unexpectedly. You will serve as Commander of the Huainan Military Campaign; you have a high reputation and can strategize effectively." During the Yan Chang era, he was promoted to Palace Attendant and General of Chariots and Cavalry, while still holding the position of Commander of the Military in Jiangxi and Governor of Yangzhou.
In Shouchun, there was a man named Gou Tai. His three-year-old son went missing and had not been found for several years. Later, he saw the child at the home of a fellow county resident, Zhao Fengbo, and immediately rushed to report it. Both claimed the child was theirs, and neighbors testified, but neither the county nor the prefectural authorities could reach a verdict. A high-ranking official named Xun Chong said, "This is simple!" He had both fathers and the child locked up in separate locations, not allowing them to meet for several months. He then sent someone to inform them, "Your son has had an accident and has died. You can now be released to attend the funeral." Upon hearing this, Gou Tai cried out, utterly devastated with grief; Zhao Fengbo, however, merely sighed, showing no signs of sadness. Xun Chong understood immediately and granted custody of the child to Gou Tai, holding Zhao Fengbo responsible. It was then that Zhao Fengbo confessed, "My son had died earlier, so I pretended he was yours."
Next, there was an exiled criminal in Dingzhou named Jie Qingbin. He and his brother were exiled to Yangzhou for their offenses. His brother Jie Sian escaped, so Jie Qingbin, fearing he would be caught and forced into service in the future, devised a scheme to conceal the matter. He found a corpse outside the city, pretending it was his brother who had been killed by someone, and buried the body. The corpse bore a slight resemblance to Jie Sian, and no one could tell the difference. Then a witch named Yang appeared, claiming she had seen a ghost and that Jie Sian had met a tragic end, suffering from hunger and thirst. Jie Qingbin falsely accused soldiers Su Xianfu, Li Gai, and others of killing his brother, and lodged a complaint with the authorities. Su Xianfu and Li Gai could not endure the torture and ultimately confessed. The case was about to be judged, but Xun Chong sensed something amiss and intervened. He secretly sent two strangers to the case from outside the city to find Jie Qingbin and told him: "We live 300 miles away, and a man stayed with us before. He talked to us in the middle of the night, and we sensed something was off, so we inquired. He said he was a deserter named Jie Sian and requested our assistance to take him to the authorities. But he pleaded with us, saying he had a brother named Jie Qingbin who lived in the Xiangguo City of Yangzhou, and his sister-in-law's family name was Xu. He hoped we could go tell his brother to come get him. If his brother found out, he would definitely reward us generously, and the family's money would not be stingy. We are providing you with a deposit now; if we can't find his brother in Yangzhou, it won't be too late to turn him in. That's why we came to find you and tell you about this. What will you pay us for our services? We will release your brother. If you have doubts, you can accompany us to see for yourself."
When Jie Qingbin heard this, his expression changed, and he asked them to wait while he gathered the money. The two men reported the situation to Xun Chong, who then arrested Jie Qingbin and asked, "Your brother has escaped; why are you pretending to identify a body?" Jie Qingbin had no choice but to confess. He then asked Su Xianfu and Li Gai, who claimed they were wronged. A few days later, Jie Si'an was also captured. Xun Chong called in the witch to identify him and then whipped her a hundred times. Xun Chong was very shrewd in his judgments, and these cases illustrate that.
On Mount Bagong, a spring suddenly appeared—how astonishing! In Shouchun, strange events kept happening; fish were popping up from the ground, and flocks of wild ducks flew into the city, competing with magpies for nests! In May, it rained heavily for over ten days, flooding the city, and all the houses were submerged. The soldiers and I could only stay on the city walls. As the water rose higher, we could only travel by boat along the city walls, with only two areas of the city remaining dry. The provincial government urged me to leave Shouchun and hide in the Northern Mountains, but I said, "I have received great favor from the court, holding such an important position; it's my own shortcomings that have led to this disaster. This vast land of Huainan relies on me! If I run away, the people will scatter, and the land of Yangzhou will likely be lost. In the past, Wang Zun generously went to his death, moving the Yellow River; how could I leave a lasting name of disgrace for the sake of my own life? I pity these innocent people; should we all die together? Those who can escape should quickly find rafts to save themselves! I have to defend this city; please don’t try to convince me anymore!"
At that time, there was a man named Pei Xuan, who was sent by Xiao Yan to pose as the Governor of Yuzhou. He attempted to rebel during the flood, but I successfully suppressed it. I feel responsible for this flood, so I requested to resign from my official position. The Emperor said, "You have been in Huainan for so many years, your prestige is very high, and the military supplies are sufficient to withstand strong enemies. This flood is a natural disaster beyond human control. Why do you want to resign? Now that the water has receded, everyone should go about their business. You should quickly reorganize the army, stock up on food, repair the city walls, calm the people, and govern the region effectively!" I submitted another letter requesting to resign from my position as governor, but the Emperor still did not agree. Honestly, without me, Huainan would have fallen long ago.
I possess strong military skills, am generous by nature, and excel in management. I stayed in the province for ten years, maintaining thousands of elite soldiers. Whenever bandits invaded, I would lead my troops to defeat them soundly, and everyone called me "Crouching Tiger." Those bandits feared me. Xiao Yan looked down on me. After being in Huainan for so long, he repeatedly sent people to sow discord between me and the Emperor, by any means necessary, but the Emperor always trusted me, and Xiao Yan's schemes were of no use at all. Later, Xiao Yan promoted me, appointing me as Grand General of Chariots and Cavalry, and as a Minister of the Three Departments, and granted titles to my sons as county lords, intending to entrap me. I brought this to the Emperor's attention, and he sent people multiple times to comfort me, bestowing many treasures upon me, sometimes fifty to sixty times a year. No one could compare to the Emperor's favor towards me. Every time, Xiao Yan would sigh, saying that the Emperor really knows how to pick his people!
After Emperor Suzong of Tang ascended the throne, he rewarded Zhang Chong with many gifts, including numerous horses and garments. Later, Xiao Yan sent his light cavalry general Zhao Zuyue to attack Xixieshi and also built an outer city, forcing the residents along the Huai River into the city. Xiao Yan then dispatched Generals Chang Yizhi and Wang Shennian to lead the navy upstream along the Huai River, intending to seize Shouchun. Tian Daolong burned, killed, and looted in the border cities, while Lu Changping caused unrest in the Wumen area, and Hu Xingmao also caused chaos in the Kaihuo area. The garrisons in Yangzhou were under siege by the enemy. Zhang Chong deployed his troops and appointed generals to confront the enemy, while secretly preparing over two hundred ships and training the navy in preparation to face Xiao Yan's forces. Xiao Yan's Sima of Huozhou, Tian Xiu, and others led their troops to attack Jian'an, but Zhang Chong sent Commander Li Shen to drive them away. He also ordered the defending general of the border city, Shao Shenxian, to pursue the enemy, defeating them at Rushui and capturing and killing more than three thousand people. Empress Ling wrote a letter to commend him specifically.
Chen Pingyu, the magistrate of Xuchang County and the commander of the Zhu Ma garrison, led Xiao Yan's troops southward and subsequently settled them. Zhang Chong began requesting military support from the court in the autumn, submitting petitions over ten times. It was only then that the court dispatched General Cui Liang to relieve Xixieshi and also sent General Xiao Baoyin to breach the dam at the Yanyan dam upstream, allowing the waters of the Huai River to flow eastward. The court felt that the various generals lacked coordination, so they appointed Minister Li Ping to concurrently serve as the Right Deputy Minister and command them with a special decree. Zhang Chong sent Li Shen to lead over a hundred warships to meet with Li Ping and Cui Liang along the Huai River to launch a joint attack on Xixieshi. Li Shen's navy captured the outer city at the northeast corner of Xixieshi, and Zhao Zuyue, unable to resist the assault, surrendered. This event is documented in the "Ping Zhuan." The court expressed great satisfaction and elevated Zhang Chong to the rank of General of the Cavalry, while his positions as Inspector and Commander remained unchanged.
The embankment on the Huai River has not yet been breached, and the water level is rising day by day. Zhang Chong constructed bridges with boats between the camps at Xieshi, and also established ten boat towers to the north, each approximately 10 meters high, with a fence placed every ten steps, extending all the way to both banks. Each boat tower was equipped with movable boards, made up of four wooden planks, which could be raised when the enemy approached and lowered when not in use. Additionally, to the north of the boat towers, many large ships were anchored, blocking the water on both the east and west sides to prevent the enemy from launching fire attacks. Furthermore, a city was established in the southeast of Bagong Mountain as a flood defense, which the locals referred to as Weichang City. Zhang Chong repeatedly submitted petitions to resign as prefect, more than ten times, before Emperor Suzong finally agreed and allowed Yuan Zhi to take over. He was then appointed as the military governor overseeing the three provinces of Jidong and Ying, while his role as prefect of Jizhou stayed the same. However, he did not take up the post.
Zhang Chong stated in his petition:
I’ve heard that the ancestral halls of distinguished families thrived during the Zhou and Xia dynasties; as a result, they worshipped heaven and earth to show their utmost reverence; they issued decrees to the world to embody the principles of following the heavenly way. They cultivated respected elders to provide counsel and education, and educated young and capable individuals to learn the laws and systems, which enabled the country to achieve long-term stability and ensured their reputation would endure through the ages. Thus, Confucius remarked: "Those who achieve great success are truly magnificent; those who produce literary works are truly flourishing," which reflects the grandeur of that time!
However, when the Qin Dynasty perished, politics lost its proper course. Qin Shi Huang killed scholars, suppressed knowledge, and misled the populace. With the absence of educational institutions, the common people were subjected to endless forced labor. As a result, chaos engulfed the nation, and the Qin Dynasty fell after only two generations. When the Han Dynasty rose, Confucianism was once again valued. During the reigns of Emperor Wen and Emperor Jing, the flourishing of rituals and music led to social stability and peace, along with a reduction in punishments. This resulted in the prominence of the six schools in Chang'an in the west and the flourishing of the three academies in Luoyang in the east, creating a landscape of prosperity and cultural influence. In the Wei and Jin periods, despite the ongoing conflicts, education continued without interruption, and the rich cultural heritage was preserved, following the path of previous generations.
Think of our ancestor, Emperor Xiaowen of Han, who possessed innate wisdom. His governance transcended both ancient and contemporary practices. He relocated the capital to Luoyang, establishing it as the nation's center. He reformed the ritual system following the examples of Tang, Yao, and Shun, and established new systems based on the Zhou and Han Dynasties, setting up schools in villages and promoting literature in counties. He instilled the values of humility and respect in rural mountain communities, and the melodies of songs reached even the most remote and arid regions. However, due to the persistent wars during the early days of the dynasty, education could not be developed on a large scale. Emperor Taizong carried forward the vision of his predecessor. During the Yongping period, he actively promoted the establishment of schools, but encountered natural disasters, border conflicts, and frequent military engagements, falling slightly short of realizing all his objectives.
"As the saying goes, although the era began with the Yin, and the chariots of war frequently drove, there was little opportunity for substantial progress, and the bow and sword were not pursued. Emperor Taizong followed the precedents, and during the Yongping period, he greatly promoted the construction of schools, but faced challenges from water and drought, and the sounds of warhorses were heard in the suburbs. While he made strides, it was insufficient to fulfill all his ambitions."
Your Majesty, it has been twenty years since you moved the capital to Zhong County. However, the rituals and music of the Ming Hall have become overgrown with brambles; the foundation that upholds virtue and righteousness is barren, only showing signs of shepherds. Although the city walls are strong, they lack exquisite bricks and stones; the city towers stand tall, yet they lack any splendid adornments. Furthermore, exposed to the wind and rain, they have gradually fallen into disrepair. Moreover, when the government temple was first constructed, it was indeed grand and beautiful, but it has not seen proper maintenance since, and the halls are in tatters, with walls collapsed, barely deserving of the grandeur of "pursuing the grand hall structure, showcasing the majesty of all nations."
I have heard that the court is discussing emulating the great construction efforts of Emperor Gaozu in the past, to undertake a project on par with that of King Wen of the Ji, preparing to construct the Ming Hall to worship heaven and earth. If the foundation is not repaired and remains desolate, even if Emperor Gaozu's spirit receives the sacrifices, it will amount to nothing more than empty fame, and the state of the nation will be poor, resulting in sacrificial ceremonies that are merely nominal, lacking substance. This leaves us, the subjects, feeling uneasy, and the common people will undoubtedly feel disappointed as well.
I heard that the court assigns officials important tasks, so naturally they must also be paid. This way, there won't be any complaints about official vacancies from higher-ups, and no one will say that officials are just idling below. But now, although the National University still carries the title of academic officials, they are not really teaching well. This is like a weed strangling oats, with no connection like the Southern Dipper and the Northern Dipper constellations! Liu Xiang once said: "Emperors should build Bi Yong, display ritual music, in order to educate the world. Ritual music is used to educate people, and laws are used to punish people. Now those officials are busy making strict laws, and when it comes to ritual music, they say they dare not start easily. This clearly shows they’re willing to punish but not willing to educate!" I believe that since the world is at peace and everything is calm, education should be the top priority in national affairs; if this is delayed further, Liu Xiang's words will come true. But not everything can be done at the same time; we need to set some priorities. In my opinion, we should stop the fancy but pointless projects, reduce the earthworks at the Yongning Palace, cut down on the amount of tiles used in the Yaoguang Hall, reduce the carving work in the grottoes, and other non-urgent matters can be put on hold. Utilize the three idle seasons of farming to concentrate on completing these projects. This way, the rituals of Bi Yong can thrive again, and the sound of students reading can fill the air again. The grand buildings will be impressive and majestic, the tall palace walls towering; the palace buildings will be magnificent and splendid, dazzling. At the same time, we should really push for education, pay attention to local drinking ceremonies, strengthen the construction of county schools, and strictly assess students' academic achievements. This way, people like Confucius' disciples Yan Yuan and Ran Kai can rise to prominence in the court, and talents like You Xia can spread throughout the world. Isn't this a great thing? I know that Buddhism has deep and subtle teachings, the foundation of people's faith, but compared to the important matters of national governance, we can think about them later. As long as the country is stable and the emperor is well, we can always build these things later.
Empress Ling ordered, saying: "I've read your memorial, and you truly expressed your loyalty and patriotism. However, the grand ceremony for honoring the ancestral temple is a fundamental matter of the state, and there is currently fighting at the borders, so there is really no time for repairs. Now that the borders are stable and the harvest is good, let the relevant departments discuss starting the work separately."
First, regarding his official position, he was initially the Director of the Central Secretariat and the General of Cavalry. Then he was given the title of Right Minister of Ceremonies and was sent to serve as an envoy with the authority to command military affairs in the four provinces of Ding, You, Yan, and Ying, as well as the General and the Governor of Dingzhou. Later, he was recalled and promoted to Left Minister of Personnel and given the additional title of Regular Attendant, while his positions as General of Cavalry and Minister of Ceremonial remained unchanged. Finally, he was promoted to Minister of Personnel and was also given the title of Attendant.
As for him, he was well-liked in official circles, decisive in handling matters, and always managed to find reasonable solutions to litigation cases; he took official documents seriously. However, he had a flaw: he was particularly fond of money, engaging in business and eagerly accumulating wealth, with a huge pile of money at home, constantly seeking ways to make more. His son, Shizhe, served as the Governor of Xianzhou but had a poor reputation. In big cities like Ye City and Luoyang, the father and son engaged in shady dealings and made a fortune, and many people looked down upon their behavior at that time.
Later, the Rouran leader, Anagui, led troops to invade the border, and the court sent him to lead an army northward to attack, without any change in his position. When he went to bid farewell at the Xianyang Palace, he was dressed in military attire, looking impressive and lively; at that time, he was already sixty-nine years old but full of energy, just like a young man. The emperor praised his spirit, and the courtiers all commended him. As a result, he traveled over three thousand miles beyond the border but came back empty-handed.
The people in Houbeizhen have rebelled, with responses coming from all directions, and the situation is quite grave. General Zhengbei and King Lín Huái, Yu, were defeated at Wuyuan, and General Anbei, Li Shuren, also lost at Baidao. The number of rebels is increasing. The emperor summoned the chancellor, the officials, the servants, the ministers, the attendants, and the palace attendants to the Xianyang Palace and said, “Recently, the people in the town have rebelled. I have dispatched Governor King Lín Huái to quell the rebellion. When the army reached Wuyuan, the vanguard was defeated, and both generals were killed, which has led to low morale among the troops. The defenses on the Wuchuan front are also weak, allowing the rebels to seize it. I worry about this every day. Everyone, think of a way to help me with ideas.”
The Minister of Personnel, Yuan Xiuyi, said, “The enemy is too strong; we must handle them decisively. I believe we should send a high-ranking official to suppress the rebellion in Hengshuo, command the army, and protect Jinling.” The emperor said, “Last year, when Anaguai rebelled, I sent Li Chong to the north to suppress him. He fought all the way to the northern border and then returned from Yuguan, demonstrating formidable strength. Later, Li Chong submitted a memorial requesting to change the town into a state and abolish the previous official positions. At that time, I believed it was unwise to alter the established rules, so I did not agree to him. Looking back now, Li Chong’s memorial sparked the ambitions of other towns, leading to today’s situation. However, the past cannot be altered; I merely mention this. Since Li Chong is a royal relative, of high status, and very capable, I think I will send him again to lead the three armies in quelling the rebellion in Hengshuo and eradicating those bandits. What do you all think?”
Deputy Minister Xiao Baojin and his colleagues said, "Your Majesty, your home is in the north, and now that you are worried about Jinling, we share your concerns. Li Chong holds a high position and is a vital asset to the state; if Your Majesty sends him, everyone will agree." Li Chong said, "I don't have any real abilities, yet Your Majesty places such high value on me. My position stands in the way of others. The last northern expedition was fruitless, and I failed to live up to Your Majesty's expectations; I am truly ashamed. I have spent many years stationed in the six towns, confronting the bandits directly, hearing the sounds of the night watch every day, always close to the northern border. A state holds a higher rank than a town, which can better reassure the people and ensure the court's orders are communicated, thus stabilizing the border. I cannot claim that it was my fault the bandits found an opportunity. The mistakes I've made deserve a hundred punishments. I am thankful for Your Majesty's mercy in sparing my life. Now, being sent north again is exactly the chance I need to repay Your Majesty's kindness and rectify my mistakes; I cannot decline. However, I am seventy years old now, my health isn't great, and I’m no longer fit for the battlefield. I still hope you will send someone more capable to secure victory at the right moment."
The emperor then ordered Chong Ge's promotion, bestowing upon him the titles of envoy with authority, governor, and commander of the northern campaign, entrusting him with the oversight of General Cui Xian of the pacification army and General Wang Yuan of the town army. He also let Chong Ge's son, the Minister of Rites Shen Gui, temporarily serve as General Pingbei, accompanying him north to fight. Upon Chong Ge's arrival at Wuyuan, Cui Xian faced a significant defeat north of Baidao, and the bandits focused their forces on attacking Chong Ge. Chong Ge and Wang Yuan fought fiercely, managing to defeat the enemy several times, and held out until winter before retreating to Pingcheng. As a result, Wang Yuan accused Chong Ge's chief clerk, Zu Ying, of deliberately inflating military achievements and embezzling military funds. Consequently, Chong Ge was dismissed from his post and recalled to the capital, leaving the remaining matters to Wang Yuan.
Later, the Inspector of Xuzhou, Yuan Faseng, led a rebellion in Pengcheng. The court sent Prince Anle Jian to serve as Inspector of Xuzhou to suppress the rebellion. However, Prince Anle Jian was defeated by Yuan Faseng and fled back alone on horseback. The Emperor then reinstated Chongge to his former position and appointed him as the Grand Governor of Xuzhou, in charge of military affairs in that region. As Chongge became seriously ill, General Wei and Prince Yanming were appointed to replace him. The court also arranged for him to hold the positions of Governor, Inspector of Xiangzhou, while maintaining his other positions as Shizhong, General, and Yitong. Chongge passed away at the age of seventy-one in the first year of Xiaochang. The Emperor posthumously conferred upon him the titles of Shizhong, General of Chariots and Cavalry, Duke of the Ministry of Works, and Inspector of Yongzhou, with the posthumous title of Wukang. Later, he was also posthumously appointed as Grand Commandant, granted an additional one thousand households of land, while maintaining his other official positions as before.
Elder brother Li Shizhe had a rather frivolous character, spending money lavishly and living extravagantly. However, in his youth, he participated in several military campaigns and performed well, demonstrating some military talent. Starting as a Middle Army Attendant in the Ministry of Works, he steadily rose through the ranks to become General Conquering the Barbarians and Valiant Cavalry General. Shortly after, he was promoted to Rear General, tasked with guarding the three passes and leading troops to suppress the southern minority tribes, achieving significant victories, including the defeat of General Wensi under Xiao Yan. Upon his triumphant return, he was appointed as a Junior Officer in the Honglu Temple. He was adept at networking and ingratiating himself with others, often leveraging money to build relationships, which enabled him to thrive. He had good relations with influential figures such as Gao Zhao and Liu Teng, earning him the nickname "Li Zhui" (which refers to someone skilled at ingratiating themselves).
In the late years of Emperor Suzong's reign, he was promoted to the position of Minister of Religion, with the additional title of General of Pacifying the South. Later, he was transferred to the position of Minister of Finance, with his military rank unchanged. He was then further appointed as Minister of Imperial Granaries, with the title of General Who Guards the East. Shortly after, he was sent away to serve as the Governor of Xiangzhou, still retaining his military position. After Li Shizhe took office in Xiangzhou, he drove away some minor officials, forced temples to relocate, pressured them to sell land at low prices, and then initiated extensive construction projects for his official residences, causing widespread discontent among the populace. After Emperor Xiaowen of Northern Wei's northern expedition, he also concurrently served as Minister of Rites. The censor Gao Daomu revealed his numerous wrongdoings in Xiangzhou, reporting and accusing him of his crimes. Later, he was appointed as General Who Guards the West and Inspector of Jingzhou, and was granted the noble title of Weiguozi. He died in July of the fifth year of Zhengguang, and the court bestowed upon him five hundred bolts of silk and a set of official robes. After his death, he was posthumously granted the title of Cavalier in Regular Attendance, General of the Guards, Minister of Personnel, and Inspector of Jizhou. His son succeeded him in his title.
Shizhe's younger brother, Shen Gui, inherited the title of Marquis of Chenliu from their father. He began his career as a junior official, gradually rising to the positions of attendant, Grandee, and Master of Splendor. He participated in numerous military expeditions, demonstrating remarkable leadership skills. During the Xiaochang period, he gained favor with Empress Dowager Ling, reaching the peak of power. At that time, it was said that he frequently visited the inner palace alongside Zheng Yan, both of whom were highly favored, though many were puzzled by this. He later rose to the positions of General of the Eastern Conquest, General of Martial Guards, and Grand Secretary of the Yellow Gate, often concurrently serving as an imperial secretary. When the Governor of Xiangzhou, Prince Anle Jian, rebelled in Xiangzhou, the court sent Shen Gui and Commander Yuan Ziyong to quell the rebellion, ultimately pacifying it. In the early years of Wutai, the barbarian leader Li Hong incited various tribes to rebel, leading to widespread devastation from east of Yique all the way to Gong County. The court appointed Shen Gui as commander, and he ultimately quelled the rebellion. When Erzhu Rong launched an assault on Luoyang, Shen Gui was once again appointed as Grand Commander, leading the army in resistance. Upon reaching Heqiao, they discovered there were no defending troops in the northern central region, prompting their withdrawal. Later, he and other officials greeted the Emperor at Heyin, where he was ultimately assassinated. In the early years of Jianyi, he was posthumously honored with the titles of Palace Attendant, General of Chariots and Cavalry, Duke of Sikong, and Governor of Xiangzhou, and was posthumously granted the title of Lie.
Cui Liang, courtesy name Jingru, hails from Dongwucheng in Qinghe County. His father, Cui Yuansun, once served as a Secretary for Liu Jun. During his usurpation of the throne, the provincial governor of Qingzhou, Shen Wenxiu, led a rebellion. Liu Yu sent Cui Yuansun to suppress Shen Wenxiu, but Cui Yuansun was killed by him. Cui Liang's mother, Lady Fang, fled with Cui Liang to Ji Province to seek refuge with his great uncle, Cui Daogu. Later, Murong Baiyao pacified Sanqi and resettled the people in the region of Sangqian, where Cui Liang's family settled as commoners. At the age of ten, he depended on his uncle Cui Yousun for support, and their family was poor, earning a living by copying books.
Li Chong served in the court, and Liang's elder brother Guang went to seek refuge with him. He told Liang, "You can't keep copying and writing forever. Why not come to the Li family and learn from their extensive collection of books?" Liang replied, "My siblings are hungry and cold. How can I enjoy warmth and food alone? I can read at the market; I don’t need to curry favor with anyone!" Guang told Li Chong about this, and Li Chong summoned Liang for a conversation. After hearing Liang recite his father's "Analysis of Fate" with ease, Li Chong was impressed and invited him to stay at his home.
Li Chong told his nephew Yan, "Big Cui is generous and gentle; you should befriend him; Little Cui is upright and honest, so you should show him respect. Both of them will achieve great things in the future." Li Chong recommended Cui Liang for a position in the Imperial Academy, later promoting him to Yilang, and soon after to Shangshu Erling.
Emperor Gaozu was in Luoyang and wanted to reform the outdated system and select officials. He said to his ministers, "Help me recommend someone for the position of Minister of Personnel; it must be someone who has both talent and reputation. I will give you three days off." The next day, Emperor Gaozu said, "I have already found a suitable candidate, so you don’t have to worry about it." He immediately sent someone to call upon Cui Liang to serve as the Minister of Personnel. Before long, Cui Liang was promoted to the Prince's Chamberlain, and later to the Deputy Minister of the Central Secretariat, while also serving as the Left Deputy Minister of the Ministry of Personnel. Although Cui Liang's official rank continued to rise, his wife continued to take care of the household, grinding rice and winnowing. When Emperor Gaozu heard this, he praised his simplicity and issued an edict appointing him as the County Magistrate of Yewang. After Emperor Shizong ascended the throne, Cui Liang was promoted to the Deputy Minister of the Yellow Gate, still serving as the Minister of Personnel, and held the position of Chief Justice of Qingzhou. Since participating in the selection of officials nearly ten years ago, he had been honest and cautious, decisive in his work, and Minister Guo Ji had great trust in him, often saying, "If it weren't for Minister Cui, we wouldn't have been able to get the job of selecting officials done."
First, let’s talk about his promotions; he began as a Cavalry Attendant and later became the Deputy Minister of the Yellow Gate. He then rose to the Minister of Revenue while also serving as the Deputy Censor. Since the capital was relocated, a lot of funding was needed for construction and military operations across different regions, and the reconstruction projects in Luoyang spent money like it was going out of style. At that time, in his position as Minister of Revenue, he established a new financial management system, saving hundreds of millions in just a year! He also suggested repairing the Bian Canal and the Cai Canal to facilitate transportation, which was a huge boon for both the country and its people.
Later, the Minister of Ceremonies and Prince of Guangping, Sima Huai, had associates who often disregarded the rules due to his family ties. The emperor sent Liang to investigate. The emperor had long ago prohibited the Prince of Guangping from entertaining guests. However, at a banquet in the palace, Sima Huai, leveraging his connection to the emperor, got drunk and tried to make things difficult for Liang on purpose. Liang sternly reprimanded him on the spot, then removed his hat before the emperor as a sign of apology and to tender his resignation. The emperor said, "The Prince of Guangping is rude and drunk today. You should know his temperament; why take it so seriously?" So Liang sat back down, and Sima Huai apologized to him. While Liang projected an image of integrity and strictness, he also observed and maintained good relationships with the people in the palace.
One man, Guo Shen'an, was highly regarded by the emperor, so the emperor asked Liang to assist him. Liang promoted him to become an Imperial Censor. However, Guo Shen'an later got into trouble, and the emperor gathered everyone in the palace, having Lu Chang, who was also the Minister of Ceremonies, read the decree and asked Liang, "As a judge, why did you listen to someone else's request?" Liang could only bow and apologize, too afraid to say anything more. He was later promoted to Minister of Works, then took on the role of Minister of Justice, and was also given the title of Cavalier Attendant. His official position remained upright.
When Yuan Ying, the Inspector of Xuzhou, failed to effectively govern the region, the emperor dispatched Liang to restore order. Upon arriving in Xuzhou, Liang promptly charged Yuan Ying and sentenced him to death. He then calmed the people and distributed relief supplies, and only then did the people settle down.
When Zhuge Liang served as the General of Anxi and the Governor of Yongzhou, the Weishui River north of the city had a shallow water level, making it difficult for boats to pass and causing significant inconvenience for travelers. Zhuge Liang remarked to his subordinates, "In the past, Du Yu was able to build bridges, so how can we not do so here with such a long stretch of river? Moreover, there must have been bridges during the Wei and Jin dynasties. I plan to build a bridge now." Everyone thought it was unlikely: "The water is too shallow; it's not suitable for building a bridge! A floating bridge is unstable, and the shallow water can't support the bridge supports, so it will be very difficult to construct."
Zhuge Liang replied, "In the past, when the Qin State was in Xianyang, they built a bridge over the Weihe River and connected it with a corridor; that was also done with bridge piers. The only concern now is finding sufficiently long wood to make the piers." Unexpectedly, fortune smiled upon us; a heavy rain fell, causing the river to swell and bringing in several hundred long and thick logs. Zhuge Liang used these logs to build the bridge, which greatly benefited the local people. Even today, this bridge is still known as Cuigong Bridge!
Zhuge Liang was widely respected for his integrity and decisiveness, and he accomplished tasks excellently wherever he went. The people in the three regions of Guanzhong admired him and praised his good governance. Emperor Liu Shan highly valued him and issued an edict granting him rewards such as clothes, horses, and bedding. Later, he also selected his daughter as one of the nine concubines (the title for imperial concubines). Subsequently, Zhuge Liang was appointed as the Minister of Rites and acted as the Minister of Personnel.
When Emperor Suzong of Tang had just ascended the throne, I was dispatched as the General tasked with pacifying the region and the Governor of Dingzhou. As a result, Zhao Zuyue, the Left Flank General under Xiao Yan, secretly occupied Xieshi. The emperor then appointed me as the temporary General of the Southern Town, while Prince Qi, Xiao Baoyin, was made the General of the Eastern Town, and Prince Zhangwu, Xiao Rong, was appointed as the General of Annam. We three held the emperor's edicts and led our troops against Zhao Zuyue. The empress dowager personally visited us and rewarded us with military uniforms and various supplies.
I reached Xieshi, and Zhao Zuyue led his troops out of the city to fight, but we routed them. They built two barriers outside the city in an attempt to block our advance, so I ordered them to be set on fire, resulting in the deaths of over three thousand of their men. I had previously arranged a combined land and naval assault with Li Chong, attacking daily, but he never showed up. Later, when Li Ping arrived, Li Chong finally brought his troops, and together we subdued Xieshi, as recorded in the "Ping Zhuan."
The Empress Dowager even wrote me a letter, stating: "Xieshi has been pacified, the overall situation is under control, and the Huaiyan side is already isolated and helpless; they have fled of their own accord. Even if they dare to stir up trouble again, we have strategies to handle them, and capturing those remnants of the defeated forces is imminent. As the commander, you must personally direct the battle, make thorough preparations, and everyone must work together to eliminate them completely! Be vigilant in defense, cut off their supply lines, obstruct their key routes, and seal their escape paths, aiming to capture every last one of them without letting a single one escape. If they are afraid of us and surrender, handle them with leniency, guided by benevolence and righteousness, as this is the long-term approach. I will send someone to explain in detail." Due to this achievement, I was promoted to General of the Northern Frontier.
Li Ping led his troops to attack the bandits at the Weir, planning to advance both by land and water, confident of victory. However, Cui Liang disobeyed Li Ping's orders, falsely claiming to be sick and requesting to return to the capital, and then left with the official document. In the document, Li Ping stated: "I have heard that the generals of Xiao Yan, Zhan Sengzhen and Tian Daolong, are still roaming within our territory and have not been captured. Their forces and remnants are still in Liangcheng. I ordered Governor Cui Liang to temporarily garrison at Xiaocai, and also stationed Weng Sheng on the east bank to cooperate with Cui Liang, to prevent the bandit forces from crossing the bridge. When I set out to attack the dam bandits, my aide Cao Daozhi brought me a new order from the court, but Cui Liang chose to return to the capital without authorization. According to regulations, Cui Liang was responsible for the military affairs in the southeast, entrusted with an important task, and should have prioritized the country over his family, risking his life to complete the mission. However, as soon as he arrived in Ruyin, he procrastinated and refused to move forward, and when he reached enemy territory, he delayed for eight months! He constructed earthen mounds in preparation for the siege, but none were successful, wasting resources and manpower, and delaying the military campaign. Fortunately, with the blessing of heaven for our great Wei, the soldiers fought bravely and pressed on, reaching the north gate, but Cui Liang still refused to engage in battle. I had to compel him to join the fight, and only then did he reluctantly take to the field. After capturing Xieshi, he should have followed my command, but instead, he acted even more irresponsibly and returned without authorization. If this matter is not addressed, what deterrent will military law hold? According to the law: 'Those who deliberately delay and do not come to battle shall be executed,' and it further states, 'Those who return privately before the army retreats shall be exiled.' If returning privately before the army retreats warrants exile, how much more severe is it that Cui Liang, after receiving orders, abandoned his mission and returned prematurely, missing the opportunity for a follow-up attack and losing the chance for a combined land and water assault? From both a moral and rational perspective, his offense is even more serious than 'deliberate delay.' Therefore, I request that Cui Liang be executed and humbly ask for the Emperor’s judgment."
The Empress Dowager ordered, "Cui Liang has been disloyal to his duties as a minister by leaving and returning without permission, damaging the court's authority and violating my strategic plans. Although he has achieved a few minor victories, he cannot escape his grave offenses! However, as I am in charge of the affairs of the realm and dislike bloodshed, I can allow him to offset his mistakes with merit." After the war ended, Cui Liang actually competed for credit with Li Ping in the palace, making a very ugly scene.
I was appointed as the Minister of the Palace, and later promoted to the Minister of Construction. At that time, the Imperial Guards had just dealt with the Zhang Yi incident, and the Empress Dowager ordered that military officers be allowed to participate in selections based on their qualifications. There were already few officials, but many people signed up for the selections. The previous Minister Li Shao selected candidates according to the old practices, which caused great dissatisfaction among the common people. I presented a memorial to the court proposing a new selection system that did not take into account the merits of scholars, but only looked at the length of time they had been waiting for selection. Even if a certain official position could not do without a certain person, if the waiting time was short, they would not be selected in the end; those with mediocre abilities and shallow qualifications, as long as they had waited long enough, would definitely be prioritized in recruitment. Those officials who had long been sidelined all praised this system.
My nephew, the Minister of Works, Liu Jing'an, wrote to me saying, "The Shang and Zhou dynasties selected talents through local schools, the Han and Tang dynasties recommended talents through prefectures and counties, and the Wei and Jin dynasties followed the old system and also established the position of Zhongzheng official. Looking back at the past, there is no dynasty that did not seriously select talents; although not perfect, they could also select six or seven percent of qualified talents. But now the court only looks at how well someone writes, not at their actual abilities when selecting talents; when evaluating filial and incorrupt candidates, they only look at how well they write, not at their actual political achievements; the establishment of Zhongzheng officials does not consider the character and abilities of talents, only their high social status and family background. The current methods of selecting talents are limited, and the elimination process is flawed, but since you are in charge of selecting officials, you should reform the selection system. Why do you impose restrictions based on waiting time? What scholar would still strive to enhance their reputation and character?"
I replied, "What you said makes a lot of sense. I became the Minister of Personnel by sheer luck, and at the peak of my youth, my abilities were still not as good as others. And now that I’m older, I hold such an important position. I've always wanted to recommend talented individuals to repay the emperor's kindness; to do my best in my work and not to cause trouble for the court. I had my reasons for establishing that system, and now you criticize it. Who will understand my struggles a thousand years from now? Please think carefully about my words, and I will explain it to you clearly. I have served as the Deputy Minister of Personnel three times and as the Minister three times, so I am relatively familiar with the selection of officials. However, times have changed, and the era requires some changes. Why do I say this? In the past, there were officials who evaluated talents and then recommended them to the Minister, who would assess the talents based on the situation and grant them positions. This was a way to share titles with the virtuous people of the world! I believe that back then, no talented individuals were overlooked, nor were unqualified candidates included, yet you say we can only select six or seven out of ten. Now, the power to select talent is completely in the hands of the Minister, and one person must assess the talents of the world. Liu Yi once said: 'A Minister of Personnel and two Deputy Ministers think they can assess all talents; that's as impossible as trying to see the vast sky through a bamboo tube!' Now there are many children of noble families, and the Feather Forest Army must also participate in the selection. Many military officials emerge, but they do not understand literature and calculations; they only know how to charge into battle and pursue enemies. But we expect them to ride in carriages and whip up delicious dishes. They’ve never even held a knife, yet we expect them to chop meat. Furthermore, there are too many military officials and too few positions, which just can’t meet everyone’s needs. Even if ten people are competing for one position, it’s still not enough; let alone one person competing for one position, how can there be no resentment? I once asked the Empress Dowager directly not to allow military officials to participate in the selection, to grant them titles and offer them generous salaries. But my request was not accepted, so I came up with this system as a temporary fix to limit them based on years of waiting. Back in the day, Zichan created penal codes to fix issues, and Shuxiang criticized him for violating the proper law. How is that any different from your criticism of my stopgap measure using ancient rites and laws? Confucius said: Those who praise me also record it in the 'Spring and Autumn Annals,' and those who criticize me also record it in the 'Spring and Autumn Annals.' The reason I established this system is just like that. As long as future gentlemen can understand my struggles, that’s all that matters." Later, Zhen Chen, Yuan Xiuyi, and Wang Hui of Chengyang successively served as the Minister of Personnel, and they found this system worked well for them, so they kept using it. From then on, wise and foolish people got mixed together, making it hard to tell them apart. The selection mistakes in the Wei state started with me.
He first served as an Imperial Attendant and Minister of Ceremonies, and later was promoted to Grand Minister of Rites and Right Minister of the Interior. At that time, Liu Teng held significant power, and in order to ingratiate himself with him, he entrusted his wife to Liu Teng. As a result, for several years, he held high and prominent official positions. Some knowledgeable individuals criticized this. Later, he was further promoted to Right Minister of the Interior and appointed as a Special Attendant. In the autumn of the second year of the Zhengguang era, he developed an ulcer on his back. The emperor sent a court attendant to inquire about his illness, and he submitted a memorial requesting to resign from his ministerial position and handed over the affairs and seals he was in charge of, but the emperor did not grant his request. Soon after, he passed away. The emperor granted him secret artifacts from the Eastern Garden, a complete set of ceremonial robes, as well as funeral expenses including seven hundred bolts of cloth and three hundred pounds of candles. He was posthumously granted the titles of Envoy with Special Authority, Special Attendant, General of Chariots and Cavalry, and Governor of Jizhou, with the posthumous name of Zhenlie.
While in Yongzhou, he read the "Biography of Du Yu" and admired Du Yu's spirit of service to the country exemplified by his invention of the eight water mills. Therefore, he taught the local farmers how to build water mills. Later, after becoming a Minister, he constructed dozens of water mills along the eastern bank of the Zhangfang River, boosting efficiency tenfold, which greatly benefited the state. He had three sons: Shi'an, Shihe, and Shitai, all of whom were remarkable individuals in their own right.
Shi'an, who served as Minister of Personnel and died as a Censor of the Court. He was posthumously appointed to the title of Left General and Governor of Guangzhou. He had no sons, so his brother Shihe passed his title on to his own son Qianheng. Qianheng served as a Minister in the Ministry of War during the Wuding period. Shihe served as Chief Clerk in the Ministry of Works and as Attendant to the Minister. He accompanied his father in the campaign against Xieshi and was appointed as Champion General, a Master of Writing, Chief of the Western Circuit, Left Deputy of the Bureau of Maintenance of Righteousness, and acted as the governor of Jingzhou. When Xiao Baoyan was in Guanzhong, he appointed Shihe as the Chief Historian of the Inspectorate. At that time, Mo Zheniansheng sent someone to surrender falsely, and Xiao Baoyan recommended Shihe to also serve as Minister of Revenue, take charge of the Longyou Circuit, and pacify the local people in Qin, but he was killed by Mo Zheniansheng as a result.
Shitai served as an Imperial Censor and later as Marshal of the Ministry of Works. In the late years of Emperor Suzong, the Jingman region was invading the borders, and the court appointed him as Dragon-Soaring General and Commander Against the Barbarians. After the war was settled, he was granted the title of Fifth Rank Baron for his military achievements. In the early years of Jianyi, he was murdered in the region of Heyin. He was posthumously appointed as Commander of the Military Affairs for Qing and Yanzhou, General Who Guards the East, and Governor of Qingzhou, with the posthumous title of Wensu. His son Zhaoshi inherited his title and served as a Gentleman of the Palace Library in the late Wuding period.
Shi's brother Jingmo served as an official in the court. He later died in the position of Chief of Staff for Pacification of the Barbarians and was posthumously appointed as Governor of Nanyang. His son Shishao accompanied Shi in the campaign against Xieshi and was granted the title of Wuchengzi for his military achievements, later becoming the Attendant of Jizhou.
Jingmo's brother Yinchu served as a Prefect in Qingzhou, which is a local official in the province. Shi believed he was of low birth and lacked competence, so he didn't pay much attention to him. Many people at the time criticized him for this, saying he was not capable.
Liang's half-brother Guangshao was known for his filial piety towards their parents. At first, he also served as a court official. Guangshao and his brother Guangbo were twins, with similar abilities, and they had a particularly close relationship. Later, the Minister of Personnel, Li Chong, wanted to pass his official position to Guangbo and was very sincere in his attitude. Li Chong reported this to Emperor Gaozu, who appreciated the bond between the brothers and agreed to it. In the 20th year of the Taihe era, Guangshao was appointed as a military advisor in the Ministry of Works, and he requested to pass the position to his cousin He, saying, "I come from a humble background and am not in a position to talk about relinquishing an official role, but now that we are in a prosperous era, I feel ashamed for not having the virtue of humility." He humbly declined the offer and refused to accept it. Emperor Gaozu admired their character and made He a chamberlain of the Kingdom of Guangling. Soon after, the emperor ordered Guangshao to concurrently serve as a secretary, responsible for proofreading the imperial writings in Hualin Palace.
During the early reign of Emperor Suzong, Guangshao was appointed as an official in Qingzhou, later serving as a military advisor for cavalry and concurrently as the Minister of Revenue. He was later sent out to serve as a military officer in Jizhou, where the governor Gao Zhi valued him greatly and entrusted him with many administrative matters. He was later promoted to the Prefect of Pingdong in Qingzhou, and after the prefecture was disbanded, the emperor ordered him to act as the governor. Guangshao was known for his integrity and decisiveness, earning the respect of both the common people and officials. He later returned to the court and served as a military advisor to the Minister of Works. Because his mother was elderly, he resigned to care for her and wrote poetry to express his feelings, prompting dozens of officials in the court to respond with poems. After a long time, the court summoned him to serve as an advisor to the Minister of Personnel, but he firmly declined. Guangshao had a stern and resolute character, his voice was commanding, and even in casual conversations, he carried an air of authority. Thus, when he and his brothers discussed matters, outsiders often mistook their discussions for arguments, unaware of the strong brotherly bond they shared, which few could truly appreciate.
At the beginning, during the reign of Emperor Xiaozhuang, Xing Gao from Hejian led over a hundred thousand refugees from Hebei in rebellion, attacking the local governments. The governor, Yuan Jun, was terrified and panicked, and the people in the province requested that Guang Shao be appointed as the chief secretary to stabilize the situation. At that time, Yangping Road was situated within the territory of Qi, and he had private contacts with Xing Gao, secretly guiding the rebel soldiers into the city. Guang Shao was appointed in a moment of crisis and responded decisively, showing no hesitation in the face of danger. After the rebel soldiers retreated, Governor Yuan Jun reported to the court, praising Guang Shao for his loyalty and bravery. The court was pleased and sent envoys to commend him. Soon, Guang Shao was appointed as the military commander for the Eastern Region.
Later, Yuan Hao invaded Luoyang, and almost all regions south of the Yellow River submitted to him. At this time, Governor Wang Xin of Guangling gathered civil and military officials to discuss their course of action. Wang Xin said, "Prince of Beihai and Prince of Changle are my cousins, and they have not yet defected. I wish to accept the court's amnesty. What do you all think?" The people present turned white with fear, and only Guang Shao stood up to oppose him, saying, "Yuan Hao is under the control of the Liang state, raising troops against the court, which undermines the foundation of the nation and strengthens the enemy's power. This is the act of a traitor and a rebel, a rarity in history! This is not just a family matter; we should detest him even more. We have all received the court's favor and cannot agree with your thoughts!" Chief Historian Cui Jingmao, former governor of Yingzhou Zhang Lie, former governor of Yingzhou Fang Shuzu, and the scholar Zhang Senghao all expressed their support for Guang Shao's opinion. As a result, Wang Xin ordered the execution of Yuan Hao's envoy.
Later, Guangshao was summoned to serve as General of State and Minor Minister of Justice. Before he could take office, he was promoted to Grand Historian of the Grand Commandant and granted the title of Left General. Soon after, he was elevated to Minister of Justice. At that time, the Secretary Zuying was impeached for corruption and bribery, and Guangshao insisted on punishing him severely. The powerful figures of that time, including Grand Commandant Wang Hui of Yangcheng, Minister of the Interior Wang Yu of Linhuai, Minister of Personnel Li Shenjun, and Chamberlain Li Yu, all pleaded for Zuying. Guangshao stated solemnly, "I have never heard of a minister who has contributed to the state like Zuying; how can anyone plead for him?" He remained steadfast in his opinion, unwavering.
As the Yong'an era came to a close, chaos erupted throughout the land, and he returned to his hometown. Guangshao was particularly knowledgeable, eloquent, and loved to debate. He enjoyed pondering issues of morality and social education, then expressing his views without ambiguity. His family was wealthy, but he himself was very frugal, wearing tattered clothes, riding shabby horses, and eating simple food.
While Guangshao was still in the capital, a villager named Wang Man from his village was robbed at night, and both of his sons were killed. Empress Dowager Xiaozhuang ordered the Attendant of the Yellow Gate Gao Daomu to investigate thoroughly, and the entire neighborhood was searched house by house. When they searched Guangshao's house, they found silks, satin, gold, and silver treasures, along with money and cloth filling every chest and cabinet. Some people mocked him for being pretentious and quite stingy. In fact, his family's wealth came entirely from his brother Guangbo. After Guangbo's death, Guangshao burned all the IOUs. A man from Hejian, Xing Zicai, had lent him thousands of coins, and when it came time to repay, Guangshao said, "This was borrowed by my brother; I don’t know anything about it." He firmly refused to accept it.
Yuan Bi, the former wife of Inspector Yuan Bi, is the sister of Guang Shao's current wife. Yuan Bi was inherently greedy and had committed numerous wrongdoings. Leveraging this family connection, Guang Shao frequently criticized and reproached him, which Yuan Bi harbored resentment over. Later, when Geng Xiang rebelled at the state border, Yuan Bi falsely accused Guang Shao's son of colluding with the rebels, leading to the arrest of Guang Shao's entire family, who were subjected to harsh torture without any reason. Guang Shao argued with them logically and stood his ground firmly. At that time, Fan Zihu was appointed as the Eastern Envoy, and upon realizing Guang Shao's innocence, he had him released. Many urged Guang Shao to thank Fan Zihu, but Guang Shao said, "Minister Yangshe has already handled it; why should I bother thanking him?" Fan Zihu also greatly admired him.
Later, Inspector Hou Yuan succeeded Yuan Bi and soon began to suspect Guang Shao. He stationed his troops in Yidu and secretly schemed against him. One night, he dispatched several hundred cavalry to stealthily invade the southern city, abducting Guang Shao and coercing him into providing strategies. Guang Shao said, "Anyone who rebels must have a justification; what you're doing is nothing short of banditry! What will the common people do if they find out?" Despite his hatred for Guang Shao, Hou Yuan still respected him and dared not kill him. Soon after, the court appointed him as the General of the Eastern Expedition and the Minister of Jin Zi Guang Lu, but he declined the positions.
Guang Shao felt that the world was a mess, and the court was always changing, so he decided to stay indoors and cut myself off from the outside world. He warned his descendants, saying: "I believe I've lived a life I'm proud of and haven't let the ancients down. It's just that my luck is not good, my official rank isn't high, and I don't have many opportunities to climb up. In all my years as an official, I've never been promoted ahead of my peers. Even though my rank isn't high, I was one of the Nine Ministers. Plus, I've managed to save up some wealth that should be enough for you. Those official titles don’t mean much. I've had three wives, thanks to my bad luck, and you brothers are not born of the same mother. It's not in line with the old customs to bury us together after I die. Whether the court gives me a posthumous title depends on the emperor's kindness, not something you can ask for. If you go against my wishes, and if there are any gods out there, they won't protect you after I'm gone. My brothers and I shared everything growing up, from clothes to meals. When it comes to marriages and promotions, I always put my younger brother first. My younger brother had an accident recently and was buried in a pine coffin, so I will also use a pine coffin, so I can still keep an eye on things." Guang Shao passed away at the age of seventy-one. In the early years of Xiaojing, Jia Sitong, an attendant, submitted a memorial praising Guang Shao's contributions. The court posthumously awarded him the titles of Cavalier in Regular Attendance, General of Agile Cavalry, and Governor of Qingzhou.
Guang Bo, the younger brother of Guang Shao, served as a Minister and Deputy Governor of Qingzhou. Later, because his cousin Xiu was serving as an official in the province, Guang Bo submitted a request to resign from his position. The Ministry of Rites replied: "According to the established protocols: when a vassal state is newly established, the ruler of the state does not submit to his uncles and brothers; the sons of the vassal submit to their uncles and brothers, but not to their grandfathers; it is only the grandsons of the vassal who can fulfill the obligations of a subject. Therefore, the rulers of newly established vassal states, who are descendants inheriting their ancestors' titles, cannot submit to their uncles and brothers, let alone the current provincial governors who do not inherit ancestral titles. How can they perform the rituals of a subject and write their names on the tablets? After reviewing Guang Bo's resignation request, it complies with the established protocols and should be approved to demonstrate the court's moral teachings." Empress Dowager Ling granted Guang Bo's request. Shortly after, Guang Bo was appointed as the Governor of Beihai. When his term was due for rotation, Emperor Suzong issued a decree stating: "Guang Bo served in the Haiyi region, known for his integrity, and his brother Guang Shao also resigned from a high position to serve their mother at home. The two brothers exemplify loyalty and filial piety and deserve commendation. He may continue his term for another three years to serve as a model of good conduct." Later, Guang Bo also served as a military advisor to the Grand Preceptor.
In the past, during the reign of the废 Emperor, Cui Zu-Chi and Zhang Seng-Hao rebelled and attacked Dongyang, gathering over a hundred thousand rebel troops in just over ten days. The governor at the time, Wang Guiping of Donglai, wanted Guangbo to go out of the city to appease them. Guangbo's brother, Guangshao, said, "The people in the city have long been unable to tolerate the arrogance and tyranny of the officials; they all hate them deeply, and this resentment runs deep! As the ancients wisely said, 'the anger of the masses is like fire and water.' Given the current situation, it’s impossible to quell the rebellion through mere appeasement!" Guiping insisted that Guangbo go, and Guangshao said again, "As the highest official in the region, managing a vast territory, you are dealing with such a significant matter without consulting qualified advisors, surrounded by sycophants. You can’t take preventive measures to stop the rebellion, nor can you just sit back and wait for it to weaken. Now you are forcing my younger brother to do something unwise. If I ride over alone, I might be captured; if I take troops, a conflict is certain to occur. In short, this approach is bound to backfire!" Guiping still forced him to go, and with no other choice, Guangbo had to ride out a few miles from the city. The people in the city viewed the two brothers as vital and feared the rebels would capture them, so many were sent to keep watch. The rebels outside thought Guangbo was preparing for battle, and before he could explain clearly, he was struck down by stray arrows. Later, the court posthumously conferred upon him the rank of General of the Eastern Expedition and Governor of Qingzhou. Guangbo's son, Li Tao, served as Deputy Chief of Yinzhou in the late Wuding period.
Historical records comment that Li Chong is known for his integrity, exceptional demeanor, and remarkable talent, capable of serving as a chancellor, held in high regard both in court and among the populace, truly impressive! While Cui Liang is quite shrewd in managing affairs and has some notable accomplishments, his judgment in selecting talent is severely lacking; he failed to offer any effective solutions to the nation's problems and ultimately turned into a burden on the country, acting without concern—that's probably the way it is! Guang Shao is known for his integrity and noble character, truly a pillar of the nation!
