Cui Xiu, courtesy name Huisheng, was from Qinghe and the great-grandson of Cui Cheng, a Deputy Censor-in-Chief. His grandfather Cui Linghe served as an Assistant Cavalier Attendant under Liu Yilong. His father Cui Zongbo was posthumously honored as the Prefect of Qinghe during the early reign of Emperor Shizong. Cui Xiu lost both parents at a young age and grew up in poverty, but he was ambitious and worked hard to make a living. He passed the Xiucai examination, went to the capital to take the imperial examination, and became good friends with the imperial clerks Song Bian and Xing Luan. The Minister Wang Yi admired him greatly, married his eldest daughter to Cui Xiu's sister, and gave them a considerable amount of money, which slightly improved their living conditions. Later, Emperor Gaozu married Cui Xiu's younger sister as a concubine and promoted him to the position of a clerk in the Ministry of Personnel. He was later promoted to a regular clerk in the Ministry of Personnel and also served as a Yellow Gate Attendant. Cui Xiu was particularly studious, well-versed in various books, and even during official duties and military campaigns, he was always seen reading. He respected his elders and took care of his juniors, often attending banquets hosted by Emperor Gaozu, where he received high honors, second only to Song Bian, Guo Yuanzhen, and others. When Emperor Gaozu went on a southern expedition, he appointed the Prince of Beihai as the Left Deputy Minister of Personnel to take charge of the affairs of the court while also appointing Cui Xiu as the Deputy Supervisor of the Left. Emperor Gaozu even specifically told Cui Xiu, "The Prince of Beihai is young and lacks significant achievements, but the court has entrusted him with important matters." Later, Cui Xiu was promoted to Chief Historian and also served as a Yellow Gate Attendant. He accompanied the Emperor on a southern campaign and when the Emperor returned to the capital, as they passed through Pengcheng, while boating on the Sishui River, the Emperor invited Cui Xiu to a banquet, which was watched by many, and everyone felt honored.
In the early years of Emperor Shizu's reign, Cui Xiu insisted on taking up an official position in Bohai County after the death of his brother and while his grandfather was still unburied. Consequently, he was appointed Governor of Bohai. Cui Xiu was known for his strictness and proficiency in local governance. After taking office, he first executed several local bullies who had been terrorizing the community, diligently gathered intelligence, and captured thieves and robbers from various places, earning the respect of the common people and causing criminals to disappear. Under his administration, Bohai County became very peaceful. During this time, the esteemed Confucian scholar Zhang Wugui was highly regarded in the Shandong region, and many scholars from far and wide admired him. His large number of students often made him unpopular in many areas. Cui Xiu provided him with sacrificial offerings, graciously hosted him, and allowed him to teach comfortably in Bohai before allowing him to return, which earned him praise from scholars.
He first served as a Langzhong in the Ministry of Personnel and was later promoted to Sanzhi Changshi, while also overseeing the selection of officials. He had a keen eye for talent and promoted many individuals. Later, Prince Guangping often invited him for drinks and discussions, which resulted in the emperor reprimanding him for his close ties with the princes, which ultimately led to his dismissal. He was subsequently appointed General Longxiang and Inspector of Luozhou. After several years of service in Luozhou, he requested to resign because of his mother's advanced age, and the court approved his request. Shortly thereafter, he was dispatched to Youzhou for official duties and was later summoned to serve as the Right Chief Clerk to the Minister of Works.
He is a smart and capable person, decisive in his actions. His subordinates have many tasks to handle, with a mountain of litigation cases, but he is able to quickly make decisions without a moment's hesitation, dealing with matters fairly and justly, earning much praise. Later, he was appointed as Deputy Minister of Personnel and was also awarded the title of General Who Pacifies the East and Grand Central Inspector of Jizhou. He was then appointed as General Who Pacifies the North and Inspector of Youzhou, and later promoted to General Who Pacifies the North. He was later promoted to General Who Pacifies the East and Inspector of Qingzhou. The people of the nine counties in Qingzhou, including Shanpiao, Li Bohui, Liu Tong, and others, over a thousand people in total, wrote in praise of his governance, and even Empress Dowager Ling praised him. He served in Youzhou and Qingzhou for a total of five to six years, always governing with integrity, caring for the people, delivering outstanding results, and both provinces' people remembered his kindness.
He was later summoned to serve as General Who Maintains the South and Minister of Revenue, then promoted to General Who Calms the Military and Minister of War, and finally transferred to Minister of the Palace. He served in the court for many years, having a deep understanding of the laws and regulations. Whenever doubts or disputes arose in court, everyone turned to him for arbitration. Many officials would say, "We wouldn't dare to disagree with Minister Cui's opinions." In the fourth year of Zhengguang, during the reign of Emperor Suzong, he passed away at the age of fifty-two. The court granted him five hundred bolts of cloth, posthumously awarding him the titles of General of Chariots and Cavalry, Minister of the Household, and Inspector of Jizhou, with the posthumous title of Marquis Wenzhen.
When he was young, he was humble and very filial to his mother. After he became a Minister of State, his son Zhongwen married the second daughter of Chancellor Yong, and his daughter married the bastard son of General Yuancha, Secretary Lang Zhishu. Relying on the influence of these two families, his character changed slightly; although he felt quite proud inside, he held his colleagues in contempt. Minister Li Chong, Left Assistant Minister Xiao Baoyin, and Right Assistant Minister Yuan Qin felt somewhat wary of him because of the Yong and Yuan families. Initially, his mother from the Fang family wanted to marry his daughter to her grandson Xing, but he was unwilling and went against his mother’s wishes, marrying his daughter to Yuancha's son, which attracted criticism. He had a total of nine sons. His eldest son was named Quan, with the courtesy name Changru. During the Wuding era, he served as Minister of War and was the Duke of Wucheng. My brother Zhongwen held the position of Cavalry Regular Attendant. Zhongwen’s brother Shuren was somewhat reckless, enjoyed mingling with heroes, and valued promises among friends. He held positions such as Assistant Minister of Cavalry, Sima of the Minister of Works, and Cavalry Regular Attendant, and later was appointed General of Galloping Cavalry and Inspector of Yingzhou. He was impeached by the censors for corruption and was sentenced to death in his home during the Xinghe era. Before his execution, he wrote poems to say goodbye to his brothers but didn’t mention his elder brother because he hadn’t helped him much. Shuren’s brother Shuyi served as the Minister of Finance during the reign of Empress Dowager Xiaozhuang. When the scandal involving his brother Shuren forging coins was exposed, the entire family fled. A few days later, Shuyi was captured. At that time, King Hu of Chengyang served as the governor of Sizhou, and King Yu of Linhuai believed that Shuyi's crime did not deserve the death penalty and repeatedly interceded for him, but King Hu of Chengyang disagreed, and ultimately Shuyi was executed.
Shu Yi's son Kan, after being promoted in violation of regulations, became a Zhongshulang official, but was impeached by the Left Chancellor of the Ministry of Personnel and his associate Ziyue, losing his official position. Later, he also served as a Tongzhi Changshi and was sent on a mission to Xiao Yan, but unfortunately fell ill and died on the return journey.
Kan's son Yu served as the Governor of Dongguan during the Wuding era, where he later passed away.
Yu's son Yue attained the official rank of Kaifu Jijiang.
My younger brother Yin, styled Jingli, served as a palace attendant to the Crown Prince and died young, and was posthumously awarded the title of Governor of Le'an. His wife was Princess Jin Ning of the Longle Kingdom, known for her integrity and noble character.
My son Changqian was studious and ambitious, and earned a good reputation early in life. He served as a Ge Shi Zhong and later returned to his hometown. After some time, the Inspector Wei Jing summoned him to serve as a Kaifu Ziyi military advisor. In his later years, he developed a taste for drinking. During the Tianping period, he was called up to concurrently serve as the Zhu Ke Lang, receiving ambassadors from Xiao Yan such as Zhang Gao. Later, he also served as a Sanqi Changshi and was sent on a mission to Xiao Yan. He died on the return journey in Su Yu, and people mourned his passing. For his sacrifice for the country, he was posthumously awarded the titles of General of the Cavalry and Governor of Southern Qingzhou.
Pei Yanjun, styled Pingzi, was from Wenxi in Hedong and was the eighth-generation descendant of Pei Hui, who served as the Governor of Jizhou in the Wei state. His great-grandfather Pei Tianming served as a military advisor and a Biejia of Bingzhou; his grandfather Pei Shuanghu served as Governor of Hedong, and after his death, he was posthumously granted the title of General Pingyuan and Governor of Yongzhou, earning the posthumous title "Shun"; his father Pei Song was the chief clerk of the province and acted as the administrator of Pingyang County, and for his achievements in pacifying the Shuzhai bandit Ding Chong, he was posthumously granted the title of Governor of Eastern Yongzhou.
Yan Jun became an orphan at a young age and was raised by his stepmother, yet he was renowned for his filial piety. He was an avid reader with exceptional writing skills. He passed the scholar examination and was appointed as an assistant to the Imperial Academy. He was later promoted to the Ministry of Rites as an official, then served as a palace eunuch, the Crown Prince's tutor, and the county magistrate of his hometown. After the Crown Prince was deposed, he was dismissed from his position in accordance with court officials' customary practices. After some time, he was appointed as an aide to the Grand Commandant and also served as an attendant to the Crown Prince. At the beginning of Emperor Shizong's reign, Yan Jun was appointed as an official in the Cavalry Corps, then transferred to the position of Chief Secretary of Yongzhou and granted the title of General of Establishing Might. He later returned to the court as an official in the Palace Secretariat.
At that time, Emperor Shizong was fully devoted to studying Buddhist scriptures and did not pay much attention to Confucian classics. Yan Jun submitted a memorial to advise, "I have heard that Emperor Yao was diligent in thought and seriously studied ancient classics; Emperor Shun followed the ways of heaven, carefully establishing laws and regulations, and eventually became a wise and virtuous ruler. Emperor Guangwu of Han was wise and military, even in the military he insisted on reading; Emperor Wu of Wei was talented and broad-minded, even on horseback he read books. The late emperor was gifted in both civil and military affairs; whether he was planning to move the capital or launching military campaigns, he never stopped studying. This is because the teachings in the classics are profound and beneficial; even when tired, one must not neglect them. These are excellent examples of emperors of the past and references for emperors of the future. Learn from the good aspects and learn from the shortcomings. Your Majesty is exceptionally wise and insightful; reciting Buddhist scriptures in the palace, practicing Buddhism in daily life; perceiving everything clearly without any illusions. However, the 'Five Classics' are the standards for governing the world, and the 'Six Classics' are the fundamentals for regulating social customs. Educating the people gradually will yield the best results, starting from the shallow and gradually delving into the profound, starting from the near and extending to the far. I sincerely urge Your Majesty to give equal attention to both Confucian classics and Buddhist scriptures, so that both internal and external matters can ensure the stability of the country and the prosperity of the people."
He was later promoted to the position of Deputy Prefect in Sizhou and was also appointed as General of Zhenyuan. The emperor wanted to build a Mingtang, and the ministers all shared their opinions; only Yan Jun proposed a very insightful plan. At that time, the Grand Tutor and Prince of Qinghe, Yi, was tasked with summarizing everyone's opinions. After reading Yan Jun's plan, he smiled and said, "Hey, are you trying to outdo the Pushe?" He was also appointed as the Prince's Attendant Scholar, and shortly after, he was promoted to a regular position; the position of Deputy Prefect in Sizhou remained unchanged, and he was also appointed as the Champion General.
When Emperor Suzong ascended the throne, Yan Jun was appointed as an Imperial Attendant, in charge of overseeing the compilation of the court's daily records. He was later promoted to General of the Front and General of the West, and finally appointed as Minister of Court Justice. He was then further promoted to General Who Pacifies the North and Governor of Youzhou. In Fanyang Commandery, there was an ancient irrigation canal stretching fifty li; in Yuyang and Yanzhou, there were several old irrigation weirs extending over thirty li. These water conservancy facilities had fallen into disrepair for a long time. At that time, there were frequent droughts and floods, causing the people to go hungry. Yan Jun believed that dredging these old channels would surely lead to success, so he submitted a request for construction. He personally inspected the site, surveyed the direction of water flow, and supervised the progress of the project in sections, and it was completed in no time. After the repairs, over a million mu of farmland was irrigated, resulting in a tenfold increase in productivity, and the people continue to benefit greatly from it today. He also had the registrar Li Yun build schools, fostering education and good manners, and the people wrote songs in his honor. After serving as Governor of Youzhou for five years, he ranked first nationwide in performance evaluations.
His stepmother lived with him in Jizhou and fell seriously ill. Yan Jun then petitioned to take his stepmother back to the capital for treatment. Not long after returning to the capital, he was promoted to Grand Minister of Rites. At that time, the Shanhu people in Fenzhou were raiding everywhere, taking advantage of the difficult terrain, and the two counties of Zhengping and Pingyang were especially hard hit. The emperor appointed Yan Jun as the Minister of Personnel Affairs and concurrently as the Acting Governor of the Northwest, leading the army to suppress the Shanhu. Soon after, he fell ill, and the emperor ordered him to return to the capital. The southern tribes in the Sanze area were continuously plundering, and the emperor wanted to personally lead troops to campaign against them. While he was ill, Yan Jun submitted a memorial advising the emperor. Later, he was appointed as the Minister of War, General of Annan, and then transferred to the position of Minister of the Imperial Court, granted the title of General of the Central Army, and subsequently promoted to General of the Cavalry, Chancellor, and Deputy Censor. He also served as a Court Attendant and Minister of Personnel Affairs. During his time in the cabinet, Yan Jun was diligent and responsible, without taking any particularly bold actions. In the early reign of Emperor Zhuang, he was assassinated in Heyin. After his death, he was posthumously granted the title of Commander of Military Affairs for Yongqi and Bin, and the honorary titles of Minister of the Three Departments and General of the Army. His son Yuan Zhi served as a Secretary in the Ministry of Personnel. Yuan Zhi's brother, Jing You, reached the position of Outer Palace Attendant. Both brothers were outstanding, cultured, and knowledgeable, but unfortunately met the same tragic fate as their father. Later, the court posthumously granted Yuan Zhi the title of Governor of Guangzhou, while Jing You's wife was the granddaughter of Prime Minister Gao Yang Wang, and she also received a posthumous honor, being granted the title of Minister of the Department of Officials. Yan Jun's uncle, Tao Gong, was also well-respected locally.
Yan Jun's son is called Su, with the style name Maixing. He is steady, knowledgeable, ambitious, dignified, and extraordinary, and Emperor Gaozu felt that he was exceptional upon first seeing him. He started as the Chief Clerk of the Ministry of Works and was later promoted to the position of Left Chief Clerk of the Imperial Secretariat. At that time, the Minister of Personnel, King Cheng of Ren Cheng, was very good at recognizing talent and always praised Su for his abilities, believing that he would certainly accomplish great things in the future. When Emperor Gaozu went on a campaign to the south, Su served as the Chief Clerk of the Ministry of Personnel and was later appointed as the Attendant of General Mu Liang. He was subsequently promoted to the position of Governor of Hebei Province. He was loyal and kind to the people, and the local people were very grateful to him. Unfortunately, he tragically passed away at a young age of forty-three.
His eldest son, Fan, with the style name Zongmo, tragically passed away at a young age.
Fan's son is called Ning, with the style name Zhangru, and later died in the position of General of Wuping Town.
Fan's younger brothers are his Shengzhi and Jian. During the Wuding period, Shengzhi became the Chief Commander, and Jian became the Right Chief Historian of the Minister of Works.
Yan Jun's cousin is called Liang, with the style name Yuanbin. He initially served as a court attendant and later was promoted to the position of Military Officer of the Northern Middle Prefecture. When Emperor Shizong ascended the throne, he became the Magistrate of Nanjiang County, and later gradually rose to become the Chief Historian of Anbei Prefecture, Bingzhou. Finally, he returned to the court and became a Grand Master of the Palace, concurrently serving as the Chief Clerk of the Imperial Secretary for Merit Assessment.
Reports indicate that in Fenzhou, the Xue Yu people from Tu Jing rebelled, and the court appointed Liang as the Chief Commander of the Northwest to suppress the rebellion. As a result, our general, Li Delong, faced defeat at the hands of Xue Yu. When Liang arrived in Fenzhou, he, along with the Governor of Fenzhou, King Jinghe of Ruyin, and Li Delong, defended the city with a force of several thousand soldiers. The rebels concentrated their forces and launched a fierce attack. The court then sent Chief Commander Pei Yanjun, Grand Commander Prince Rong of Zhangwu, and Commander Zong Zhengzhensun to rescue them.
At this time, the mountain Hu from Wucheng County, Feng Yidu and He Yuehuicheng, along with their followers, sowed discord with their deceptive rhetoric, pretended to declare themselves emperors, dressed in white robes, carrying white umbrellas and banners, leading the rebellious Hu people to resist the imperial army on the outskirts of Yuntai. As a result, King Zhangwu Rong fought against the rebels but was defeated. The rebels seized their victory and laid siege to Fenzhou with relentless force. Liang led his soldiers out of the city to confront them, inflicting a devastating defeat, personally beheading Huicheng, and employing a clever tactic to lure the Hu people and sending back Feng Yidu's head.
However, the mountain barbarian Liu Lisheng claimed to have sage-like powers, and the Hu people were deceived by his malevolence and chose to follow him. Within a few days, the rebels regrouped. Li Delong suggested simply abandoning Fenzhou and retreating, but Liang disagreed, and Li Delong and the others reluctantly abandoned the idea. Later, Jinghe died, and the court appointed Liang as the governor of Fenzhou and promoted him to General Who Supports the Nation, while his position as the acting governor remained unchanged. The court sent General Gao Fang to provide assistance, but Gao Fang also suffered defeat at Baili Hou.
Earlier, the court had lent grain to the common people and had not yet had the chance to collect it back when this trouble arose. By this time, the people in the city were starving and had even resorted to cannibalism. The rebels realized that the city’s warehouses were empty, so they intensified their siege efforts, leading to the deaths of thousands within the city. Seeing the critical situation, as the city faced hunger and poverty, Liang had no choice but to lead the people to flee to Xihe. The administrative center of Fenzhou was relocated to Xihe, initiated by Liang.
Meanwhile, Chen Shuangchi and others from Nanjiao Shu also rallied forces to rebel, declaring themselves the King of Jianxi, and found themselves in a stalemate against Grand General Changsun Zhi and Zongzheng Zhenzun. The court then sent Liang to Jiexian as a diplomatic envoy, later promoting him to Taizhong Dafu and the county's Zhongzheng position.
In the later years of Emperor Xiaozhuang's reign, he was dismissed from his position as Guanglu Daifu. After the death of Erzhu Rong, Erzhu Rong's nephew Erzhu Tianguang gathered a large force in the Guanzhong region. The court then ordered him to take up the role of commissioner, acting General of Anxi, Governor of Tongguan, and concurrently as Minister, tasked with establishing administrative offices in Hedong, Hengnong, Hebei, and Yiyang to guard against Erzhu Tianguang.
Previously, during the reign of Emperor Fei, he was appointed as General of the East and Jinzi Guanglu Daifu. He was soon promoted to Wei General, and later also appointed as Cavalier in Regular Attendance, General of Chariots and Cavalry, Right Guanglu Daifu, and then further promoted to Grand General of Wei and Left Guanglu Daifu. At the start of Emperor Xiaojing's reign, he was promoted to Grand General of Wei and Minister of the Household. He passed away in the autumn of the second year of the Tianping era, at the age of sixty-one. The court posthumously conferred upon him the titles of commissioner, commander of military affairs in Yong and Hua provinces, Minister of Personnel, General of the Army, and Governor of Yongzhou, and granted him the posthumous title "Zheng". Later, he was again posthumously conferred the title of Palace Attendant, General of the Cavalry, and Minister of Writing, while retaining his other titles.
His son, Shuzhi, served as the equerry to the Crown Prince during the later years of the Wuding period. His cousin's grandson, Sun Ziqing, styled Shaoyuan, became orphaned at a young age. He had a straightforward character and was very trustworthy. He began his career as an Attendant Cavalier in the Palace.
As the Zhengguang era was coming to an end, the Hu people in the Fenzhou and Tujing regions, led by Xue Xigong and Ma Dieteng, each claimed kingship, formed alliances, and rebelled, with their numbers reaching tens of thousands. The court sent Qing Sun to recruit soldiers as a vanguard officer, with the task of rallying local strongmen. He successfully recruited several thousand warriors to combat them. Those Hu bandits challenged them multiple times, and Qing Sun always charged to the front, routing them decisively and pursuing them to the outskirts of Yuntai City. The bandits regrouped and launched a major offensive in the western outskirts, fighting from dawn until dusk. Qing Sun personally charged into the fray and killed the bandit leader Guo Kanger. The bandits were decisively defeated. The court summoned him back to the capital and appointed him as a court guard.
Later, those bandits gathered again, colluding with Li Sheng in the north and contacting Jiangzhou and Shuzhou in the south, becoming increasingly brazen. The court appointed Qing Sun once more as the vanguard to march in from Zhiguan to quell them. When he reached the east of Qiziling, the bandit leaders Fan Duo and Fan Anzu attempted to block his advance. Qing Sun fought them and killed Fan Duo. He then pushed forward over two hundred miles to reach Yanghu City. The court deemed this location, nestled between mountains and rivers, strategically important, and during the reign of Emperor Su, established Shao County there, appointing Qing Sun as the governor, and granting him a temporary edict (the emperor's provisional authorization), the title of General of State, and the position of Prefect of the county. In the wake of the previous turmoil, most of the common people had fled, but Qing Sun was resolute in his efforts to stabilize their lives and called them back, enabling everyone to return to a peaceful and prosperous existence. During the Yong'an era, he returned to the capital and was appointed as a Grand Minister of State.
After Er Zhu Rong's death, Shi Long led his troops across the Yellow River, and the court appointed Qing Sun as the Grand General, ordering him to lead the army alongside Xing Tai Yuan Zi Gong in pursuit. When the army reached the Taihang Mountains, Qing Sun secretly colluded with Shi Long. After this was exposed, Qing Sun was summoned back to He Nei and then killed; he was only thirty-six years old at the time. Qing Sun was known for his righteousness and generosity; the strong men and those who enjoyed making friends in his hometown all relied on him, and he treated people with great kindness. During his time as governor of Shao County, a famine struck, and there were often more than a hundred refugees arriving from various regions. Qing Sun shared his own grain with them. Although he had a rough temperament, he enjoyed socializing and was well-liked by many learned scholars. He valued loyalty over wealth, and his home was often filled with guests, earning him praise from people at that time.
His son, Qing Ying, served as the Military Advisor during the Yong An years. Yan Jun, his brother Zhong Gui, loved reading classics and histories from a young age and had great ambition and integrity. He initially held a minor official position, later becoming a Censor. When Wang Xi of Xianyang was appointed as the governor of Sui Province, he invited Zhong Gui to be the chief clerk and also let him handle the affairs of Jianxing County. When the emperor returned from Dai to Luoyang and passed through Jianxing County, Zhong Gui prepared a tent to welcome the emperor by the roadside. Emperor Gaozu said to Zhong Gui, "I have expanded my territory in the capital, and the position of the capital is crucial. You are an outstanding talent recommended by the Sili, and you are responsible for managing this important county. How can you achieve such good results?" Zhong Gui replied, "Your Majesty, you are wise and mighty, in accordance with the will of heaven, compassionate towards the people, and have abandoned remote places to come to this Forbidden City. I am doing my best, hoping to serve the country as Wu Qi did and record my achievements in the royal annals. How can this be compared to just one county?" Emperor Gaozu smiled and said, "I hope you can live up to your words."
The Emperor arrived at the Yellow River crossing and met with King Xianyang, saying, "I recently appointed your chief scribe Zhonggui to oversee reception duties in the southern region. The army's logistics supply is sufficient, and your brother's contributions have far exceeded my expectations." Soon after, Zhonggui was promoted to the position of Chief Minister. When his father fell ill in their hometown, Zhonggui resigned from his position to take care of his father and was dismissed for breaching protocol. Some time later, King Ying of Zhongshan launched a campaign against Yiyang and asked Zhonggui to lead the army, restoring his official position. He was killed in battle in the Chen region at the age of forty-eight. The court posthumously granted him the title of Prefect of Hedong, along with the posthumous title of Zhen. He had no sons, so his brother Shuyi adopted his second son, Boma, as his own. The life story of Boma is recorded in "Wenyuan Zhuan."
Zhonggui's brother Shuyi was also well-educated and virtuous. In the later years of the reign of the founding Emperor, Shuyi was appointed as a military advisor in the An Dong Prefecture of Yanzhou, later promoted to the position of Prefect of Taishan. He governed with integrity, and the people thrived under his governance. He was then promoted to the position of Minister of Works and Public Affairs. He passed away in the summer of the fifth year of the Zhengguang era, at the age of fifty-seven. The court posthumously appointed him as General of the Pacification of Barbarians and Inspector of Eastern Qinzhou, with the posthumous title of Xuan.
Zijingrong, also known by his courtesy name Kongming, was a person who loved learning and writing articles. At the start of the Zhengguang era, he passed the provincial examination and was appointed as a Doctor of the Imperial Academy (Taixue) thanks to his outstanding performance in the policy examination. During the Yong'an era, Li Kai, the Secretary Supervisor, recognized his talent and recommended him to be an Assistant Editor, gradually promoting him to General of the Palace Guard and Grand Councillor, while concurrently serving as an Assistant Editor. When Emperor Xiaowu was in power, they discussed bestowing a posthumous title upon Emperor Xiaozhuang, a task that Zijingrong and his colleagues successfully accomplished. At that time, the court sought to compile the "Essentials of the Four Books" and entrusted Zijingrong with full responsibility, but he ultimately failed to fulfill the task. During the Yuanxiang era, Yitong Gao Yue promoted him to the position of Records Officer. His younger brother Jingyan was imprisoned in the Tingwei jail for an offense. When it was time for him to be appointed as an official in a local government, the Ministry of Personnel planned to assign him to a local government position, but he was impeached by Deputy Chief Censor Cui Xian for being greedy, ignorant, and currying favor with the powerful, ultimately losing his position. In the winter of the fourth year of Wuding, he died at the age of fifty. Zijingrong was humble, low-key, upright, and cautious, never vying for fame or gain. Though his talent didn't quite match his extensive knowledge, he diligently wrote articles, but often produced too many that lacked depth. His writings were compiled into a separate collection. He also wrote the "Fu of Yedu" and the "Fu of Jindu." His younger brother Jingyan was also quite knowledgeable. Initially, he served as a Military Advisor for the Prince of Runan. When Emperor Xiaozhuang took the throne, he was dispatched to Guangzhou as a Defense Commander against the barbarians and simultaneously managed the affairs of Guanghan commandery. Later, when Yuan Hao captured Luoyang, Jingyan and the Provincial Governor Zheng Xian rebelled together in the state, and once the situation was stabilized, he was granted the title of City Protector. Due to his military achievements, he was promoted to Attendant Officer of the Grand Commandant, and later served as a Consultative Officer. When Emperor Xiaojing took the throne, he was transferred to the position of Chief Historian of the Ministry of Works, but he became embroiled in corruption and bribery. In the second year of Wuding, he was impeached by Commandant Cui Xian, and the case was handed over to the Tingwei, where he fell ill and ultimately died in prison at the age of forty-five.
Jingrong's younger brother's son, Bozhen, who is also the son of Jingrong's nephew Zhonggui, achieved the rank of General of Xiangwei, Cavalryman of the Household Department, and Prefect of Xihe. When Emperor Xiaojing first ascended the throne, he was promoted to General of Pingdong and Prefect of Xingyang, and eventually died in office at the young age of thirty-two. After his death, the court posthumously conferred upon him the titles of General and Inspector of Yongzhou.
Within the Jingrong family, Yanjun's descendant, Lihe, initially served as a Cavalryman of the Household Department and was later promoted to Minister Herald. He was exceptionally tall, standing nine feet tall with a waist circumference of ten spans, and he stood out in a crowd. He was later appointed as the Prefect of Chenliu and finally rose to the rank of Golden Purple Light Precious Grand Master before his passing.
Yanjun's elder brother, Yu, courtesy name Waixing, was known for his integrity and noble character, earning the respect of the founding emperor. He rose from a Gentleman of the Palace Writers to become Chief Clerk of the North Commandery. At that time, the founding emperor felt that Yu and the Minister Herald Cui Liang were both poor and wanted to give them better treatment, so he appointed Cui Liang as the Prefect of Yewang County and Yu as the Prefect of Wen County, which was seen as an honor at the time. Later, Yu was promoted to Gentleman of the Imperial Library, then further promoted to Military Advisor to the Grand Commandant, and later appointed as the Prefect of Pingqin. After his death, he was posthumously honored with the titles of Champion General and Inspector of Luozhou.
His son, Zixiu, died in the Western Regions.
Yan Jun's kinsman Yuan was a person who kept to himself, cherished his possessions, and was upright. During the Taihe era, he was under the jurisdiction of Hebei Commandery. Both of his parents passed away when he was young, and he lived in poverty, yet he was able to remain clean and self-disciplined. The Commandant, Sima Yue, valued his character and appointed him as an official. Later, Sima Yue became a general and led an expedition to Yiyang, taking Yuan with him as a military officer. Yuan worked diligently day and night, earning Sima Yue's appreciation. After the army returned, Yuan was appointed as a courier, then promoted to an official, and later appointed as the Langzhong Prefect under Prince Yuan of Runan. Sima Yue was quite extravagant with his spending, distributing his salary on the same day he received it. However, Yuan always followed the rules, declined extra payments, and returned any unused salary after Sima Yue had spent all his money. Although Sima Yue had a fickle personality, he greatly appreciated Yuan. After Sima Yue was promoted to Grand Commandant, he recommended Yuan for the position of official, and later promoted him to Cavalry General. Towards the end of Emperor Suzong's reign, he was appointed as the Prefect of Runan, but did not take office, and was instead appointed as the Prefect of Taiyuan. During the time of Emperor Suzong's death and Erzhu Rong's plotting to attack Luoyang, Yuan was involved in the matter and was granted the title of founding noble of Wuyuan County, with a fief of three hundred households. He later handled affairs in Bingzhou, was promoted to General of the North, and Governor of Yinzhou. In the early years of Emperor Xiaojing's reign, he was appointed as General of the Guard and Governor of Dongyongzhou. He passed away at the age of seventy-three in the first year of Xinghe. His son Yi Wu served as a military officer in Xuzhou during the latter part of the Wuding era.
Yuan Fan, style name Jingxiang, was from Xiang County, Chenjun. His father, Yuan Xuan, was very talented and served as the chief clerk in the household of Shen Wenxiu, the governor of Qingzhou appointed by Liu Yu. During the reign of Emperor Huangxing, after Dongyangzhou was pacified, Yuan Xuan followed Shen Wenxiu to the court. The Grand General Liu Chang valued him highly, saying he was a close relative of his maternal grandmother, the Shu family, and had him recognize a clan relationship with Yuan Ji, a military advisor in the household. At that time, Yuan Xuan's family was impoverished and depended heavily on Liu Chang. As the Yuan brothers, including Yuan Fan, rose to high positions, they began to compete with the sons of Yuan Ji, Huang and Yan, who tried to undermine them using official means.
At that time, Mr. Fan gained a particularly good reputation due to his outstanding talent and scholarship. He initially held a minor official position as a court attendant (or 'courtesy official'). At the beginning of the Jingming years, when Li Biao was working in Dongguan, Mr. Fan was recommended to Li Biao by Xu He, who appointed him as an assistant to the literary secretary, allowing him to participate in handling some historical matters. Later, when Xu He was transferred, Mr. Fan also resigned. He was later promoted to the position of Minister of Education, General of the Vanguard, and Palace Gentleman. At the beginning of the Zhengshi years, the emperor ordered the officials of the Ministry of Personnel to gather in Jin Yong Hall to discuss and study the laws and regulations. Mr. Fan participated in discussions with registrar Chang Jing, Sun Shao, supervising official Zhang Hu, legal scholar Hou Jiangu, historian Gao Chuo, General of the Vanguard Xing Miao, Chief of the Chariots Cheng Lingqiu, commander of the Feather Forest Wang Yuangui, minister Zuo Ying, Song Shijing, assistant minister Li Yan, and Minister of Music Gongsun Chong, and completed the task within the given timeframe. The emperor then ordered that the Grand Tutor, Pengcheng King Xie, the governor of Sizhou, King Yong of Gaoyang, the supervisor of the Central Secretariat, King Yu of Jingzhao, former governor of Qingzhou Liu Fang, General of the Left Guard Yuan Li, chief architect Li Shao, Minister of the National University Zheng Daozhao, and deputy minister of the court Wang Xian also participate. Mr. Fan was later appointed as the Zhongzheng of Yuzhou.
At that time, the Ming Tang and Bi Yong were under construction. Mr. Fan shared his insights:
The significance of the Ming Hall has been discussed by scholars throughout history. Different schools of thought vie to formulate their interpretations, yet none can be universally acknowledged. Therefore, I will refrain from extensively quoting classical texts or referencing historical records as evidence; instead, I will focus on the shared intentions to address the imperial edict. Since the times of Tang and Yu, these matters are challenging to fully encompass; as the Xia and Yin dynasties have waned, our knowledge is limited. It is often said that the zenith of legal codes is found in the Three Dynasties; the flourishing culture is exemplified by the Zhou. The establishment of rites, music, and laws is found therein; the enduring influence and lasting legacy are immortal.
The "Zhouguan Kaogongji" records the actual situation of the time and discusses in detail the systems of the Xia and Shang dynasties; how could that be incorrect? This shows that the Mingtang with five rooms was the same in the Three Dynasties, and the representation of the deities was clear. The statements in "Huainanzi," "Lüshi Chunqiu," and "Yueling" are consistent; though there are differences in the governance hierarchy, there is no basis for the nine rooms when examining the system. Later, as dynasties declined, rituals and music fell apart, and laws became chaotic, correct principles became fragmented, while erroneous claims proliferated. The concept of the nine rooms in the Mingtang originated from "Dai Li," and tracing its source, its origins are fundamentally unknown; however, it was adopted by the Han dynasty, which intended to adopt it as the legal framework of the time. As Zheng Xuan stated: "The Ming Hall of the Zhou people consists of five rooms, representing the five emperors in one room, in accordance with the number of the five elements. The 'Zhou Li' constructed the palace according to this number. Although the current practice differs from the past, the statements at that time were very clear, and the basic system still exists; it is just that there are no explicit written records, so how can one criticize it?" The basic system still exists, referring to the five rooms of the Zhou dynasty; the current situation differs, indicating a departure from Zhou practices in the Han dynasty. The Han dynasty had nine rooms, which is somewhat clear. However, regarding this system, I am still a bit confused. Why? Zhang Heng's "Dongjing Fu" states: "Thus, three palaces were constructed, with teachings arranged regularly, and the temple and heavy structures had eight openings and nine rooms." This refers to the Mingtang. Xue Zong's commentary states: "Rooms refer to chambers, meaning that there are nine rooms behind the hall." Isn't it rather odd that there are nine rooms behind the hall? Pei Wei also said: "The Han dynasty built the four dimensions, but could not let each correspond to its direction; even if its image could be depicted, its ceremonial usage could not be understood; this is creating empty artifacts!" It is evident that the Han dynasty aimed to abolish Zhou statutes, discard old laws, alter practices, and establish a new system, thus moving away from historical precedents.
Zheng Xuan's annotations on "The Three Rituals" and explanations of the divergent meanings in the "Five Classics" are both meticulously crafted and profoundly insightful, which is why his understanding is very profound. His interpretations of the Mingtang diagram are enlightening, extremely clear and precise, unquestionable, and indeed sufficient to elucidate the subtle points, ensuring that the ancient laws of Duke Zhou are preserved. Cai Yong's revisions to the Han Dynasty system, characterized by complex writings, not only contradict ancient times but also modern times, and cannot surpass the subtlety of Zheng Xuan's work. Historical records from the Wei and Jin dynasties mention the sacrifices to the Five Emperors at the Mingtang, but they do not record the construction system, nor do they have clear standards to refer to. The current ruins still show some similarities in height and size, which differ from the records in the "Dai Li." How can anyone claim that the Nine Chambers system is clearly defined? Furthermore, the differing positions of the Three Yong contradict the systems of Lu and Cai, with no basis for advancement or retreat; how does this conform to the classics? The Jin Dynasty also found that forced interpretations were hard to clarify, hence the term "one house," which is not a correct interpretation of the classics but rather a mere fabrication, not in line with the established systems, a topic often debated among scholars, inadequate for regulating contemporary practices.
The emperor, in governing the country, should emulate the ancient sages, uphold the principles of civil governance and military prowess, learn from the spirits of Duke Zhou and Confucius, inherit without alteration, and follow the systems of the Three Dynasties so that future generations can understand. How can anyone blindly follow the impractical ideas of Zisi, damaging the teachings left in the "Book of Songs" and "Book of Documents"? How can one use fragmented arguments, haphazardly plan and regulate the universe, resulting in harm to future generations?
As for the construction in Beijing, many areas are not very complete, and many things are done based on feeling while being repaired and built. With the changes of the times, many old systems are outdated. If things should indeed be reformed, why stick to the old ways? Moreover, when the capital was relocated, time was very tight, and the previous dynasty's regulations adhered to ancient customs, so changes were made repeatedly within a few years. It is difficult to permanently maintain a certain system, and multiple changes are easier. Why do the palaces and treasuries continue to use the old sites, while the Hall of Supreme Harmony and the Altar of Land and Grain insist on following the old ways? The exact time of their construction is also unclear. I humbly suggest that the five halls of the Hall of Supreme Harmony be modeled after the Zhou Dynasty system; for the three altars used in suburban sacrifices, I hope we can also preserve the old sites. I hope these suggestions align with the classics and respect the regulations. My knowledge is limited, and my understanding is lacking. If I’ve made any mistakes, I hope you’ll forgive me. Now, let's move on to discussing border defense and garrison duty. Here’s my take:
I heard that during the Han Dynasty, the northwestern border was the primary focus of defense, while during the Wei and Jin Dynasties, the southeastern border became the primary defense point. Therefore, to guard the borders, it was essential to rely on renowned generals; to quell rebellions and pacify the people, it was necessary to have gentle and kind officials. Hence, Tian Shu and Wei Shang became well-known in the desert regions, and the accomplishments of Dangyang and Juping were lauded in the Jianghan region. Their deeds were recorded in history, becoming praised stories for future generations, regarded as great merits both in ancient and modern times. Since the emperor has taken charge of the court with brilliant wisdom, moral teachings have taken root in people's hearts, with authority as stern as autumn frost and grace as gentle as spring rain, thus enabling the people of the Huaihai region to genuinely submit, and the people of Huayang also yielded; even the people of Liancheng came to pay their respects, with every household submitting to the court. Hanging war chariots at Jian'ge is nothing new; the hustle and bustle of Jinling City has returned. However, the governors of Jingzhou and Yangzhou should select the talents of the time; the governors of Liangzhou and Yingzhou should choose the most outstanding talents of today.
As for me, I was assigned to a post in those remote border areas, and upon taking office, I was in charge of the military and responsible for border defense. However, what I encountered were either morally corrupt individuals or greedy officials' children, who lacked empathy for the common folk and only knew how to exploit them, resorting to cruel methods.
I expanded the patrol range and set up many military leadership positions, but what did that lead to? It was either appointing my relatives and friends or accepting bribes, promoting those with connections. These individuals showed no interest in defending against enemies; they only wanted to make money. The strong soldiers were all driven by them to rob and plunder. When confronted by a formidable enemy, they surrendered and became captives; if they captured any prisoners, they seized them to enrich their own pockets. The weak, the elderly, women, and children, who knew a bit about blacksmithing or could grow a little grain, were utterly exploited, forced to perform all kinds of hard labor.
The rest of the people are either chopping trees in the deep mountains, weeding in the fields, or engaged in trade, with the roads always bustling with people. Their salaries are not high to begin with, and their living conditions are quite poor. The government collects the finest silk from them while providing them with subpar food. They toil tirelessly in tattered clothes, yet still struggle to fill their stomachs. They suffer like this year-round, and those who ultimately die in ditches often account for seventy to eighty percent.
Therefore, the scouts from the Wu and Chu regions have assessed our strengths and weaknesses, all saying that we are short on supplies and our army is exhausted, leaving us vulnerable to attack. Consequently, they have repeatedly invaded our borders with their armies. In recent years, the soldiers' armor is crawling with lice, with a hundred thousand troops camped outside the city, and daily military expenses reaching thousands of gold pieces. The situation has deteriorated to this extent! All of this stems from the wrong people being appointed to key border positions, leading to such a serious situation! Mr. Jia Yi's tears and sorrow back then were truly justified!
First of all, to govern effectively, we must address the fundamentals. As the saying goes, "To clean the stream, one must clear the source; to manage the end, one must correct the root." If things go wrong from the start, can we really expect to fix them halfway through? I believe that from now on, talents from various regions like Jingzhou, Yangzhou, Xuzhou, Yuzhou, Liangzhou, and Yizhou, as well as various counties, prefectures, military commanders, and even the most basic garrison commanders, should be recommended by court ministers and officials below the royal family. The selection of talents should prioritize abilities over background and rank.
If the recommended person can effectively lead the army, possesses noble character, has high prestige, can soothe people from afar, treats soldiers well, gains their genuine loyalty, is not corrupt or bribed, and is committed to serving the public, then they should be promoted and given titles, allowing them to work in their positions for a long time, while regularly rewarding them to encourage their loyalty. Those who recommend talent should also receive excellent evaluations, for their keen eye in spotting talent and their honest character. Conversely, if the recommended person cannot act for the public good, lacks governance abilities, is corrupt and ineffective, and the people are filled with grievances while soldiers grow weary of hardship, then they should be severely punished to deter others. If the recommender encounters problems, the recommender's responsibility should also be examined, and they should be removed from their positions or even punished to discourage favoritism and corruption. This way, those who recommend won't act unfairly, and those appointed will not be isolated without support, with clear rewards and punishments, clarifying both encouragement and deterrence. In this manner, the troubles at the borders can be permanently resolved, and any criticisms can be put to rest.
Due to my mother's passing, I resigned from my official position. In the early years of the Xiping era, I was appointed as General of Champions and Deputy Minister of Justice, and shortly thereafter promoted to General for Suppressing the Enemy, later being sent to Pingyang as the governor. Later, I served as Deputy Minister of Justice again, but faced considerable criticism. Upon taking office in Pingyang, I felt out of place, so I wrote the *Ode to Longing for Home*:
"The sun is dull, and the high mountains loom. The moon encounters the clouds, yet remains dim; the clouds embrace the moon, shrouding it in gloom." Looking over the endless fields, this is not my hometown, not the familiar ponds and forests. "Trees on the mountain obscure the moon; the river lies deep without a beam." I feel adrift, my heart weighed down by an uncontainable sorrow. "Longing for the endless drifting clouds, unable to quell this sorrow." Though the scenery before me is beautiful, it cannot mask my homesickness. "Rocks rise as peaks, clouds in myriad hues; endlessly beautiful, smoke billows without end. Flowers resemble delicate embroidery, while spider webs weave intricate patterns. Butterflies flit playfully in pursuit, while swallows soar in pairs, flapping their wings." Yet, none of this can soothe my inner longing. "I lament the slow pace of my horse, sighing for the unending journey ahead!"
I arrived in this majestic valley, sitting on the layered cliffs. Looking north, the mountain path winds and twists like sheep's guts; to the south, the majestic Longmen Mountain stands proud. The mountains are stacked upon one another, lush and verdant, stretching for thousands of miles, with rolling waves. In the distance, I see flying squirrels, deer, and musk deer, while the water teems with rays, soft-shelled turtles, and toads. Over there is the warm and prosperous Gong County of Luoyang, while here is the distant river and pass. I feel a heavy melancholy in my heart, my thoughts swirl in an unbearable emptiness. I long for old friends but can't see them; my mind feels hazy, my spirit feels scattered. My soul is a tangled mess, with sorrow clinging stubbornly. I look down at the clear white water; the flow is slow and endless. The water is colorful and dazzling, shimmering with light. Below, there's a green beach, and above, the riverbanks are lush. The riverbanks are shrouded in mist, where colorful rays of light spread. Phoenixes play on the branches, sunlight glistens on the water's surface, sparkling like words. I walk by the river again and again, hoping to see my husband. Your home towers in the clouds, with nine gates, yet I am a thousand miles away from you. I wish I could see you just once to pour out my heart; if I can't see you, you won't hear my voice. My mind feels hazy, and I don't know what to say, feeling trapped inside, alone with my sorrow.
Though those birds and beasts do not understand human affairs, they still know to migrate from north to south. Though I come from humble beginnings, how can I forget the kindness of my homeland? Leaving behind the beauties of my homeland, I now face the treachery of the lowly. Their appearances resemble those of ghosts and monsters, their hearts like venomous insects and thieves. It is difficult to change their ways; perhaps it would be better to simply eliminate them. I know I am in a dilemma, left with no choice but to remain silent all day. I hope I can return to Luoyang and enjoy the blessings of heaven and earth.
The Divine Turtle (referring to himself) was ultimately appointed as the General Champion and Governor of Liangzhou. At this time, the leader of the Rouran, Anagui, and the later ruler, Brahman, came to surrender due to national turmoil, and the court inquired about their placement. The Divine Turtle submitted a memorial stating:
I, lacking in ability, have unexpectedly taken on a position at the border, traveling everywhere to understand the geography and conditions of regions like Rouran and Brahman, as well as the local advantages and disadvantages.
I privately believe that the troubles caused by the Xiongnu have a long history; even during the prosperous times of the Zhou Dynasty and the strong Han Dynasty, they were never completely conquered. The Xiongnu submitted when they were weak but rebelled when they grew strong. Thus, Fang Shu and Shao Hu of the Zhou Dynasty could find no peace, and Wei Qing and Huo Qubing of the Han Dynasty toiled day and night. Sometimes they used civil virtue to persuade them, and sometimes military force to subdue them, but the results were always mixed, with successes and failures balancing each other out. Therefore, when Chanyu Huhanxie came to court and Wang Xian was in attendance, it was recorded in history as a significant event, and later generations have continued to celebrate it as a fine story.
In our great dynasty's flourishing, with its might shaking the world, even in Beijing, border conflicts have persisted. Since we established our capital in Luoyang and moved it to the banks of the Yiluo River, the Gaoche and Rouran have been attacking and annexing each other. Initially, when Rouran was weak and Gaoche was strong, Rouran was busy self-preserving and could not attend to anything else, while Gaoche was located in the remote northwest. When Rouran regained its strength, it turned around and defeated Gaoche, leading to the death of the Gaoche king and the displacement of its population, resulting in a sharp population decline. Now that Gaoche can take revenge and defeat Rouran again, it is mainly because the Gaoche people are numerous, making it difficult to eliminate them all at once.
Therefore, being able to deal with these two enemies simultaneously, like Bian Zhuangzi's famous tale of stabbing the tiger, allowing the border to be free of conflict for decades, is truly impressive!
Now that the Rouran have been defeated by the Gaoju, they have sought refuge with our Great Wei. Two leaders have come with their subjects to surrender, and the common people have all surrendered, with the territory connected into one continuous expanse, covering an area of ten thousand miles. They hope that the court will show them compassion and help them restore their homes; if the court does not accept them, they hope it can at least find them a place to settle and protect their wives and children. Although they are seen as barbarians who lack understanding of loyalty and righteousness, and they likely harbor ulterior motives, making them unreliable. However, emperors throughout history have emphasized the importance of building a prosperous nation and caring for those who surrender, and we have always done so. If we refuse them, it would make our Great Wei seem lacking in benevolence; if we accept them, it will consume our national treasury resources. Moreover, there are too many of them; relocating all of them inland would not only be undesirable for them but also quite complicated in terms of transportation and resettlement. Nevertheless, we cannot refuse them out of fear of rebellion; the lessons of history are clear for all to see. Everyone knows the consequences of Liu Shi—it's a cautionary tale! Furthermore, although the Rouran have been destroyed, we still need to be wary of the remnants of their forces, since the Gaoju are currently too occupied to attack us. If the Rouran were completely wiped out, who knows if the Gaoju would become even more aggressive? Now, although the leaders of the Rouran have come to surrender and the common people have dispersed, they still have many remaining forces and numerous tribes, with spies everywhere, all waiting for their new leader. The Gaoju won't be able to absorb them anytime soon, let alone make them fully submit.
The Rouran have been defeated by the Gaochē; their two leaders have surrendered along with their people, and their territory is vast and contiguous. They hope that the court can help them restore their homeland, and if not, they also hope that the court can protect their families and children. Although they are barbarians and not very reliable, all dynasties have historically pacified and assisted those who surrender. If we reject them, it will seem that we lack benevolence; if we accept them, it will increase the burden on the country. There are too many of them, and moving them all to the interior would be very difficult, and they are not willing to do so themselves. However, we cannot turn them away simply out of fear that they might cause trouble; the lesson of Liu Shi is still fresh in our minds, and we cannot repeat the same mistakes. Furthermore, although the Rouran have been destroyed, the Gaochē still need to be wary of the remnants of Rouran power and have no time to come and fight us. If the Rouran are completely wiped out, might the Gaochē become even more arrogant? We do not know. The Rouran leaders have surrendered for now, but many remnants of their power still exist; their spies are everywhere, and the Gaochē will take time to deal with them.
Although the Gaoche are strong and numerous, their leaders are both foolish and weak. Their superiors can't rein in their subordinates, and the subordinates do not listen to the commands of their superiors; they only know how to survive by robbing and plundering. Now, to fend off strong enemies in the Hexi Corridor, we rely on Liangzhou and Dunhuang. Liangzhou is vast yet sparsely populated, and it is already lacking in food and weapons. Dunhuang and Jiuquan are even more desolate. If the Rouran are wiped out and Gaoche monopolizes the north, our defense in the west will soon face problems. I think we should keep both leaders of the Rouran. Anagui should be placed in the east, and Boromon should be placed in the west, with their people divided between them for governance. I haven't been to where Anagui lives, so I dare not speak casually about the situation there. As for Boromon, I suggest he repair and reside in the old city of Xihai. Xihai County used to belong to Liangzhou and is now located 1,200 li north of Jiuquan and northwest of Zhangye, over a thousand li from the Jinshan where the Gaoche live, which is precisely the main route for northern enemies to pass through, and also the old route used by Han troops before. The land is fertile and perfect for farming. Placing Boromon there would not only make management easier but also allow for a permanent garrison to defend the northwest border. We should send a capable general there with plenty of supplies and task him with supervising Boromon. Each state should allocate some soldiers to go there, allowing them to farm while also guarding. On the surface, this seems like resettling the Rouran, but really, it's about guarding against the Gaoche. After a year or two, when food is sufficient and troops are adequate, this will be the plan for long-term stability along the border.
If the Brahmins can restrain themselves, let the remaining subjects rally to him, unite the scattered people, and revive his country, then we can slowly let him move north, cross the treacherous sands, become our vassal and an adversary to the Qiang. The troubles in the northwest can be relieved. If he plays tricks and repays kindness with enmity, then he is just a fugitive bandit; what loss would we incur? If we don't plan early, once the Rongdi are stirred to action, they will first occupy the Western Sea, seize our strategic locations, and eventually, we will lose the land west of the Chang River. If we don't plan early and worry about the final result, it will be too late to regret then!
I think we should send an ambassador to Liangzhou, Dunhuang, and the Western Sea to take a look. Send him to personally explore those perilous valleys and carefully observe the situation of the strategic positions, study the troops, food, and weapons, and properly manage these matters. When spring comes, start planting in the Western Sea area, and by autumn, you can harvest a year of food, eliminating the need for food transportation. Moreover, to the north of the Western Sea is the great desert, where thousands of wild beasts congregate, a prime hunting ground for the Tuyuhun people. We can cultivate fields there to be self-sufficient while hunting provides additional food, thereby strengthening our defenses. It may seem like a small loss now, but when you calculate at the end of the year, the benefits will be greater. Those Qiang people are full of deceit; how can we place our full trust in them? Even if they pay tribute on the surface, we should outwardly treat them well while secretly bolstering our defenses. This is called "strike first to gain the upper hand"! I hope you don't find these thoughts too presumptuous.
The court accepted my recommendation at that time.
He was promoted to the position of Deputy Minister in the Ministry of Personnel and was also granted the titles of General of Pacifying the South and Grand Minister of Rites. Later, he was appointed as the governor of Qizhou, serving in his capacity as a general, but he didn’t achieve anything particularly remarkable. During the reign of Emperor Xiaochang, he was promoted to General of Annan and Chancellor, while also serving concurrently as a Palace Attendant, working alongside Xu He at the emperor’s side, primarily responsible for handling documents. Yuan Fan, known for his talent and skill in flattery, gained the trust of Empress Ling.
At that time, the barbarians were causing chaos, and the army was preparing to take the field personally, but Yuan Fan submitted a memorial to advise the emperor against it. Later, when Xiao Baoyin faced defeat in the west, Yuan Fan submitted another memorial requesting a mourning ceremony for the soldiers who died on the western front and proposed providing aid to the surviving soldiers. Subsequently, he was appointed as Minister of Finance, and not long after, he was transferred to Minister of the Imperial Household. He submitted a memorial saying: “I previously served the emperor in the Ministry of Personnel, always by the emperor’s side. My contemporaries have all been promoted several ranks higher. Yet I remain in place, not only failing to rise from the position of Palace Attendant, but now as a minister, I still rank below the Chancellor. For a talent like me, being able to reach this position is truly a stroke of luck; compared to my colleagues, I might still fall far short. Upon careful reflection, although the ranks of General of Annan and Grand Minister of Rites are different, they actually differ by only half a rank; coupled with the important position of minister, which is quite prominent, it seems I have been promoted a bit too little according to rank and seniority. In terms of seniority, no one is willing to exchange positions with me. I weigh my own capabilities and realize that I have done my best and cannot rise any further. I earnestly request the emperor to take my hardships and health into account and allow me to retire. I would be willing to exchange the positions of General of Annan and Minister for the position of Grand Minister of Rites.” At that time, the world was not at peace, and Yuan Fan’s request for a more relaxed position was actually a veiled desire for further promotion, which puzzled those in the know. As a result, he was further appointed as General of Pacifying the Army.
Emperor Su and Empress Ling once held a banquet at Hualin Garden. The emperor raised his wine cup and said to the officials, "Yuan the Minister, my Du Yu! I want to toast Yuan Kai (Yuan Fan's courtesy name); I will drink this cup in his honor." Everyone there looked on with envy. Yuan Fan achieved both fame and fortune, and the prominent figures of the time admired him, but he remained aloof, not promoting the younger generation, but rather suppressing them, fearing they would surpass him, which led to much criticism of him. In the early years of the Jianyi era, he was murdered in Heyin at the age of fifty-three. He wrote over a hundred articles, many of which have survived to this day. After his death, he was posthumously awarded the titles of Envoy with Imperial Authority, Palace Attendant, General of Chariots and Cavalry, Deputy of the Three Departments, and Governor of Qingzhou.
His eldest son, Yuan Baoshou, served as a Military Advisor in the Ministry of Works during the Wuding period. Yuan Baoshou's brother, Yuan Shude, served as a Palace Attendant for the Crown Prince in the late Wuding period. Yuan Fan's younger brother, Yuan Yue, is documented in the historical text "Wenyuan Zhuan." His younger brother, named Yang, served as a Deputy Official in the provincial administration and eventually passed away while serving as a Sima in the Champion's Office in Yuzhou. His brother named Sheng served as a Doctor at the Imperial Academy, Military Advisor in the Ministry of Works, and various other high-ranking positions, with each position more prestigious than the last. After Yang's death, Sheng actually became involved with Yang's wife. This caused Yang's wife great shame and anger, causing her to fall ill, yet Sheng did not stop his behavior; people at the time scorned him for his actions. Later, Sheng was also killed in Heyin, and he was posthumously awarded the titles of Left General and Governor of Qizhou.
The historian remarked, "Cui Xiu is upright and has achieved results in his official capacity; he is a commendable official of the court. Pei Jun's talents and status are respectable; Yuan Fan is a skilled writer and quite famous, making him a notable figure of his time."
