Real Histories
Zhen Chen, whose courtesy name was Sibai, was from Wujin in Zhongshan and a descendant of Zhen Han, a Grand Guardian of the Han Dynasty. His father, Zhen Ning, served as the chief clerk in the prefecture. Zhen Chen was intelligent and eager to learn as a child, but at home, he played with his brothers and was not very concerned with rules and etiquette. He enjoyed reading the classics and historical texts, and he was quite skilled at writing essays; unfortunately, he was not very good-looking and lacked grace. Later, he passed the examination to become a xiucai (a successful candidate in the imperial examination).
After spending several years in the capital, he spent most of his time playing chess, often staying up all night. The servants attending him would always have to hold candles for him, and sometimes when they fell asleep, Zhen Chen would punish them harshly. This happened more than once. Eventually, one servant could not take it anymore and said to Zhen Chen, "You left your parents to come to the capital for an official position. If it were just to read and study, I wouldn’t dare to complain, but you play chess day and night—this hardly resembles someone here to serve as an official! And beating me for the slightest offense is simply unreasonable!" After hearing this, Zhen Chen felt very ashamed, so he borrowed books from Xu Rui and Li Biao to study to broaden his knowledge, which opened his horizons considerably.
In the early years of the Taihe period, Zhen Chen was appointed as a Doctor of the Central Secretariat and later promoted to the position of Adviser. He often offered advice to the emperor and gained the favor of Emperor Gaozu. He was subsequently promoted to the position of Cavalry Officer in the Central Secretariat and then sent to his home province as the Prefect of the Northern Expedition. Later, he served as the Prefect of the Yangping Wang Yiwei Military Prefecture in his home province. After Emperor Shizong ascended the throne, he appointed Zhen Chen as a Senior Officer of the Central Secretariat, while also holding the position of Lieutenant Censor. He was later promoted to the position of Regular Cavalry Officer in the Central Secretariat, still retaining the role of Lieutenant. Zhen Chen submitted a memorial, the contents of which are as follows:
Heaven is as great as the heavens; it bestows grace and aids the common people, acting as their benevolent ruler. Therefore, if there is a year of poor harvests, the emperor must pray for a good harvest for the people. The blessings given by heaven are to be followed by the emperor; the emperor is to develop and utilize the treasures found in the mountains and rivers. As long as it benefits the common people, the emperor does not mind exhausting himself. If anyone hoards resources, it should be done to help those affected by disasters. The "Yueling" states: "In the mountains, forests, and marshes, whoever can gather wild vegetables or hunt game is taught by specialized individuals; if there is mutual plundering of resources, it is a capital offense!" This illustrates the importance of guiding the common people instead of prohibiting them, encouraging mutual assistance and resource circulation. Although the classic text "Zhouli" places restrictions on the development and utilization of mountains and rivers, it is to prevent resource depletion, requiring timely and measured extraction. Such protective measures, though state actions, ultimately aim to safeguard the common people.
The head of a family should bestow grace upon descendants; the monarch of a nation should bless the common people for the purpose of nurturing them well and making the country prosperous. It’s unheard of for parents to live in luxury while being stingy with basic necessities like salt and soy sauce for their children; a wealthy nation that counts every single item. Now, heaven permits the common people to produce their own salt, and the state protects their interests; if it profits from this, it resembles a person who only cares for their own wealth while neglecting their own well-being. Furthermore, the common people offer grain and cloth every year; the nation's resources sustain a single individual. The expenditures of the national army and government also come from the people. How could the emperor be concerned about poverty to the point of prohibiting the salt production from a small pond?
Oh, those powerful ancient emperors always had the welfare of the common people at heart, finding ways to assist them. For example, when faced with floods or droughts, they would provide timely relief; if people were homeless, they would provide them with housing; they taught them how to farm to solve issues of food and clothing. As written in the "Book of Songs," "teach and instruct them, provide them with food and drink," all to take good care of the common people and seek their welfare.
I have limited experience and understanding, and whenever I see the deeds of ancient emperors who loved their people as their own children, and then look at the later records of increased taxes, I can't help but sigh at the magnanimity of ancient emperors, while the current circumstances appear rather petty. These detrimental habits have been passed down through generations, still insisting on collecting taxes at checkpoints; our Wei state is vast and abundant in resources, yet we only collect grain and cloth as tribute. As a result, when distant people hear about it, they can't help but praise our Wei state's good policies.
In ancient times, Danfu gained the support of the people by giving up treasures, while Shuoshu lost the hearts of the people due to greed. The responsibility of an emperor should be noble and great; the simplicity of Wei state's taxation truly has far-reaching benefits! As the saying goes, being stingy and hoarding is a blessing for officials, while bestowing favors can easily become a disaster for kings. Even the things in the national treasury, if not used to relieve the people, may invite calamity; how can one be stingy with the benefits that should rightfully go to the people? Furthermore, those who truly understand financial management invest in the well-being of the people, not in the treasury. When wealth is invested in the people, they are happy, and the ruler is also wealthy; when wealth is hidden in the treasury, the country is rife with discontent, and the people are poor.
When the country is rife with discontent, it indicates that there are problems with education; when the people are poor, the ruler gains nothing. Therefore, I propose abolishing the salt monopoly, so that its benefits can extend to distant regions, and establishing a river management system according to the provisions of the "Rites of Zhou," only responsible for supervision and management.
The emperor said, "The people's interests are at stake here. Your suggestions are insightful. Let the eight ministers discuss it and see if it's feasible, then report back to me." The Minister of Education, the Minister of Personnel, Xing Luan, Prince Xie of Pengcheng, and the Minister of Personnel together presented their memorial: The proposal submitted by Chen is very rich in content and comprehensive, with no flaws to point out. However, we worry it might just be empty rhetoric, all talk and no action. It may sound feasible, but in practice, it might not work. That's why we have not made a decision yet. We believe that wise rulers of the past who governed effectively always found the right direction, understood profound truths, and thus saved the world, adapting to the development of the times. They aimed for a balance, avoiding both excessive waste and extreme frugality that could lead to poverty. Labor and support should be balanced, just right, conserving resources and achieving sustainable development. If these goals can't be met, what good is a monarch? If people are left to fend for themselves like animals, then what's the difference between people and animals?
Since the Way of the Great Dao has been established, benefits have been bestowed. The lower faithfully serves the upper, and the upper shows grace to the lower, resulting in harmony between them. However, since benefits have already been given, there are more ways to help the people. There are constant worries that the country's wealth won't be enough to benefit everyone or that blessings may not reach the masses. Therefore, efforts are made to understand the people's sentiments and to enact laws to fulfill one's desires. Resources are obtained from nature to reduce the burden on the people; taxes are levied at passes and markets to increase the country's reserves. These items are collected not for personal gain, and they are distributed not for oneself. This is called collecting resources from nature, benefiting the people of the world, utilizing the richness of nature, and relieving the poverty of nature. It is reasonable to collect materials from merchants for war and to collect taxes from the people to support the army and the country. It is not allowed for these lakes and ponds to be monopolized by high officials; the silk and cloth collected aren't meant for the royal court. Since the profits do not benefit oneself, and the reasons are the same, so why hold back? Furthermore, the main purpose of taxation is to meet essential needs, with the goal of helping the people, not accumulating wealth. Otherwise, why did the wise leaders of the past act in this way? Therefore, after discussions in the previous dynasty, all matters were handled according to the actual situation, and the salt monopoly was reinstated. However, since its implementation, the supervisory departments have been negligent, and many financial matters do not comply with regulations, leading to complaints from the people and talks among merchants. This is because the enforcers lack methods, not because the policy makers are wrong. As a result, the court has carefully looked into the situation and is now thinking about abolishing it, fearing that it may go against the previous intentions. The constant changes to laws feel as unpredictable as a game of chess. The urgency of discussing matters should follow the previous model.
The imperial edict stated: The salt tax has been a long-standing system, but the implementation of the system, which benefits the country and its people, varied in different dynasties. As long as it can make the people prosperous and improve the social atmosphere, it should be pursued. Zhen Chen's memorial is indeed a valuable contribution to governing the country; his suggestions can be adopted to benefit both the public and private sectors and bring in abundant financial resources. The Minister of Personnel has established a system to prohibit the influence of the wealthy and powerful.
The emperor ordered Zhen Chen to participate in eight meetings to discuss political affairs. Later, Zhen Chen was promoted to the rank of captain, while he retained his position as a palace attendant. He was later promoted to be an attendant and concurrently held the position of captain. Zhen Chen always kept his head down, timid and afraid to correct the powerful; most of those he accused and punished were minor officials and clerks. At that time, Zhao Xiu was very favored and trusted; Zhen Chen devoted himself to currying favor with him. Zhen Chen's father, Zhen Ning, was a senior official, and his younger brother, Zhen Senglin, was a provincial convoy, all of whom were promoted through Zhao Xiu's connections. When Zhao Xiu's treachery was exposed, he ought to have been arrested and interrogated, which led to the revelation of his crimes. When Zhao Xiu was executed, Zhen Chen feigned great sadness and regret. But he told others, "This Zhao Xiu is like a tough old ox; no matter how hard you strike him, he just won't go down." Many discerning individuals believed that Zhen Chen's actions were wrong.
The day after Zhao Xiu's death, Zhen Chen and Li Ping, the Yellow Gate Attendant, were summoned to the Ministry of Personnel due to their ties with Zhao Xiu's faction. Minister Yuan Ying, Xing Luan, and others examined their collusion with Zhao Xiu. Once, when Zhen Chen was promoted, guests came to congratulate him, but Xing Luan arrived very late. Zhen Chen jokingly said to Xing Luan, "Where have you been raising maggots? You only came tonight?" Though it was meant as a joke, Xing Luan's expression soured, and he grew quite angry.
In this incident, everyone revealed each other's wrongdoings. Situ Gong, Lu Shangshu, and Wang Xiang of Beihai all reported to the throne, saying: "We have heard that those who form factions to attack others have always been seen as a calamity; regarding political taboos, even those who are favored must be severely punished. This is all to uphold the greater good and ensure the nation's long-term stability. We earnestly request Your Majesty to inherit the will of the late Emperor, investigate thoroughly, sever relationships, and reform laws and regulations so that the country's governance will be more glorious and the grand cause can be continued indefinitely.
Currently, Zhen Chen, the Zhongshu Sheren and Ling Yushi Zhongwei, holds an important position overseeing all officials, yet he has ignored misconduct and corruption, which warrants their impeachment. Furthermore, Zhao Xiu is arrogant and overbearing, notorious for his corruption and abuse of power, causing resentment throughout the court and the people. Yet, Zhen Chen has never reported or impeached him; rather, he has cultivated a close relationship with Zhao Xiu, forming a clique that influences both the court and the people. He helped his commoner father rise to a fourth rank official in one fell swoop; and his seventh rank official brother was promoted by three levels at once. This violates the late Emperor's official selection system and tarnishes the integrity of the bureaucracy. He also colluded with General Wuwei and Huangmen Lang Li Ping, fully aware of Li Ping's brother's appointment yet chose to remain silent. Only when Zhao Xiu's crimes were exposed did he finally impeach him. When Zhao Xiu was alive, he depended on him; after Zhao Xiu's death, he betrayed him, taking credit for his downfall, deceiving the court, and misleading all officials. His treachery and deceit have reached the extreme. He is disloyal and dishonest, and should be demoted.
According to the law, we sentenced Zhen Chen to exile and requested the removal of his official position. His father, Zhen Ning, served as a court official, which was already an unjust promotion. Even imperial princes did not have such a precedent. He does not meet the requirements, so we request the removal of his official position. Li Ping and Zhao Xiupeng form a faction, relying on each other, and their interactions are inappropriate. They visit each other frequently, participate in important events, and even visit each other's parents and wives. Whenever they have issues at home, they seek Zhao Xiu's help first. This undermines the royal reputation and corrupts the laws of the land. If we do not correct this, how can we eliminate flattery and reward loyalty and integrity? We request the removal of Li Ping from his official position to rectify discipline." The emperor approved the petition. Zhen Chen was then dismissed and sent back to his hometown. More than thirty people were either dismissed or executed along with him.
Initially, Liu Chen requested to be relieved of his official duties to care for his elderly parents. Emperor Gaozu appointed him as the chief of a prefecture. When his position became prominent, he no longer requested leave to return home until now to fulfill his filial duties. Several years later, his mother passed away. His mother, Lady Cao of Julu, was deeply devoted to her family. During the mourning period, even on journeys exceeding a hundred miles, he would have his servants deliver good food such as fish, meat, vegetables, and fruits to his mother before eating himself. Before his mother's mourning period had ended, his father also passed away. Liu Chen personally planted pine and cypress trees at his parents' gravesite, even digging and carrying water in the harsh winter. The village elders sympathized with him and came to his aid. After more than a decade, the tomb was finished, and the trees had matured. He made a pact with his brother Liu Senglin to live together until their old age. He focused on managing the family business, personally farming the land, and sometimes hunting with his falcon and hound for leisure. Whenever important matters arose at court, he frequently submitted petitions.
After a long time, he was appointed as the Gentleman of the Cavalry, the Chief Attendant of the Yellow Gate, and the Grand Commander of Dingzhou. The Emperor was very fond of him and held him in high regard, entrusting him with many matters in the court, involving him in the affairs of the Ministry of Rites, and even allowing him to be involved in the Emperor's confidential matters. During the reign of Emperor Gaozu, Liu Chen also served as the Master of Guests and once welcomed and saw off the envoy Liu Zuan who was sent to Pengcheng. Liu Chen admired Liu Zuan's appearance and talent, often praising him. Liu Zuan's son, Liu Xi, served as the commander of Qushan Shu. After Liu Xi's death, his family came to Luoyang. Liu Xi had a daughter who was not yet twenty years old, while Liu Chen was already in his sixties, yet he surprisingly took Liu Xi's daughter as his wife. On the day of their marriage, the court issued an edict to cover the wedding banquet expenses, which brought Liu Chen great joy, and later Emperor Lizong even teased him about it. After Lu Chang's defeat at Qushan, the court sent Liu Chen to investigate quickly. Well, this memorial is quite lengthy! Let's take it step by step and unpack it slowly. First, he was appointed as the Governor of Henan, along with the additional title of General of Pacifying the South, as well as the positions of Chief Attendant of the Yellow Gate and Gentleman of the Palace Library, with no change in his position. Then he wrote a memorial, starting with a quote from the Book of Songs: "The capital city is vigilant, the four directions are secure," meaning that the capital is the foundation of the country, and its security is crucial. He then noted that during the time in the previous capital, banditry was rampant, and Emperor Taiwu personally issued orders to establish various official positions, from village leaders to fifth-rank officials, allowing anyone capable to serve. Many soldiers were also dispatched to support them, which helped suppress the bandits. Now that the capital has been moved here, the territory has expanded, people from all over the country have come, making it more complicated than the previous capital, with all kinds of people, making management difficult, with banditry rampant and robberies frequent.
This is all because the neighborhoods in the city are all jumbled together, and the management is lacking. The officials are weak and incompetent, failing to manage effectively. He made an analogy: to chop hard wood, you need the right tools. Now, the county of Henan is like the hard wood in the eyes of the emperor, with intricate roots, all tangled. The officials in the six ministries are like the sharp tools needed to chop this wood; if these tools are not sharp, they can't chop at all. The current magistrate of Henan is inadequate, and the officials are like blunt knives, making it impossible to clean up the capital.
The magistrate holds only a fourth-ranking position, which carries significant responsibility. They are all merely going through the motions, unable to manage properly, leading to rampant theft and uncollected taxes. In the remote small counties, the households under their jurisdiction number only around a hundred, and the officials are at least generals. In contrast, in the capital, these neighborhoods can have over a thousand or even five hundred households, inhabited by high-ranking officials, their powerful relatives, wealthy and influential bullies and their lackeys, who live in large walled compounds, fearing investigation.
There are also those desperadoes from the Jianghu, colluding with the powerful to form gangs and rob in secret, which is much more difficult to manage than the remote counties. It's challenging to manage the tough cases now, while the easier ones are neglected. Your Majesty, legislation should be tailored to the actual situation; changes should be made as needed; this is what a wise ruler does. The official ranks established in the past shouldn't be followed blindly; let's try them out first and adjust if they don't work. Those idle positions now permit part-time work; especially for these important positions—can't we select capable people to manage them?
So he suggested selecting capable military officials below the eighth rank to also serve in the six ministries while keeping their original salaries; those of higher rank manage the six ministries, those of medium rank manage the transportation ministries, and those of lower rank manage the magistrates. If that doesn't work, then raise the rank of the officials in the six ministries and choose capable lower-ranked officials to replace them. This way, there will be oversight, and the capital can be cleaned up.
The emperor said that local officials could be promoted to noble ranks, with the rank of Jingtouwei at the ninth rank, and talents could be selected from various departments; why do they have to be military officers? Then he suggested using the Imperial Guards to patrol the city and combat theft. As a result, the capital became peaceful, a state that has persisted to this day. He was promoted to the title of Prince Taibao, still serving as the original Chamberlain of the Yellow Gate. Later, when General Gao Zhao went to attack the Shu region, he appointed him as the Commissioner with the title of Acting General, leading forty thousand infantry and cavalry as the vanguard, commanding the army. When he reached Liaoting in Liangzhou, he learned of Emperor Shizong's death, so he returned to the capital with his troops. After Gao Zhao's death, because everyone felt that he had a close relationship with Gao Zhao and was not suitable to participate in court affairs, he was appointed governor of Yingzhou, also receiving the title of Anbei General. Over a year later, he was succeeded by the Gentleman of the Palace, Li Simu, by which time he was sixty-five. He first stopped in Zhongshan for a while before heading to Luoyang.
Then, he was appointed General of Zhenxi and Governor of Liangzhou. The court preferred he not remain in the capital. Not long after, he was recalled to court and appointed Grand Minister of State, while retaining his general's title, and was sent to Xuzhou as the governor. When he entered the palace to take his leave of Emperor Suzong, he declined, citing his old age. As a result, the emperor decreed his appointment as Minister of Personnel, while still holding his general's title. Not long after, he was appointed General of the North and Governor of Dingzhou, wearing luxurious clothes, coming out to play during the day, gaining considerable fame and receiving widespread praise. He governed the region with strictness and meticulous attention, earning a stellar reputation.
Cui Guang resigned from his position as Minister of Works and wrote a letter to Sima Tu. On the surface, it appeared they were being modest, but in reality, they were flattering each other. Cui Guang understood the implications and responded with lavish praise to curry favor. Later, he was summoned back to the court and appointed as General of the Chariots and Cavalry, a Special Envoy, and also as an Attendant. Due to his old age, the emperor rewarded him with a cane from the imperial household, allowing him to enter and exit the court while leaning on it.
Zhen Chong passed away in the winter of the fifth year of Zhengguang. The court ordered the provision of the East Garden secret artifacts, a set of court robes, one additional garment, one hundred thousand coins, seven hundred bolts of cloth, and three hundred pounds of candles. He was posthumously awarded the titles of Minister of Works and Minister of the Left, along with a ceremonial procession featuring rear drummers. The Ministry of Rites deliberated on bestowing upon him the posthumous title of "Wenmu."
Yuan Fan, a deputy of the Ministry of Personnel, reported: "According to the regulations outlined in the Book of Rites, posthumous titles are determined by the conduct of the deceased, titles are based on the merits of the deceased, and ceremonial attire is based on the official position of the deceased. Thus, individuals of noble character receive commendable posthumous titles, whereas those of poor character receive lesser titles. Character is accumulated by oneself, while reputation is given by others, so the posthumous title should only be determined after death. This process serves to summarize their virtues and vices during their lifetime, providing a cautionary tale for future generations; even after death, their reputation should continue to be passed down. Whenever a high-ranking official passes away, it must first be reported to the Ministry of State Ceremonial, and subsequently to the Chief Judge of the local county, detailing their actions and achievements. The Chief Judge will then submit the record to the government office, which will then be passed on to the scholars of the Ministry of Rites for evaluation of the posthumous title, which will then be reported to the court. If the posthumous title fails to meet the regulations, the scholars will be held accountable, just like officials who do not act according to the actual situation. If the behavior recorded is not true, the Chief Judge will be held responsible, just like the scholars. Historically, emperors have placed significant importance on the determination of posthumous titles, viewing it as the foundation for both praising and criticizing officials."
The current accounts of these actions are all from the hands of the deceased's family members, allowing the ministers to describe the monarch's actions without any judgment of right or wrong. In order to elevate their monarchs, the ministers resort to extreme flattery, regardless of the monarch's achievements or conduct. If we examine these records, it seems they are placing Duke Zhou and Confucius on the same pedestal, and comparing Yi Yin and Yan Hui; but when it comes to posthumous titles, even those who excel in both civil and military affairs may not necessarily receive a favorable title. However, scholars today are different from those in ancient times, as they merely replicate behavioral records and even ask for the opinions of the family members first. Whatever the ministers request, they will agree to, without weighing the pros and cons or debating the merits. As a result, the titles conferred are indistinguishable from ordinary official ranks, all described with the best words, without any derogatory titles. The officials' negligence has reached an alarming level!
Looking at the records of Minister Zhen's behaviors, saying he is morally noble enough to be compared to a saint, and his achievements are distinguished enough to be compared to a great sage, how can the title "Wenmu" be appropriate? But recently, the posthumous titles have been more grand, and people like Zhen Chen have all been awarded titles. I believe that according to the "Regulations on Posthumous Titles," which states, "to be kind and loving to the people is filial piety," he should be posthumously titled Duke Xiaomu. From now on, it should be clearly stipulated that if the behavioral records from the Ministry of Rites and the Minister's Office are exaggerated and lack moderation, they must be amended and not accepted. Posthumous titles must be determined based on the individual's true circumstances, without excessive praise. Should such a situation arise again in the future, it should be subject to penalties by the legal department." Everyone agreed with this opinion.
Zhen Chen's grandfather, Zhen Zai, was personally escorted to his funeral by Emperor Su Zong himself, who dismounted from his carriage to walk, dressed in mourning attire and weeping during the ceremony. He even sent his attendants to comfort Zhen Zai's sons. Zhen Chen was known for his casual and easy-going nature, enjoying jokes, which contributed to his low reputation. However, he was astute, capable, and honest in official matters. His predecessors and former emperors appreciated him, especially Emperor Su Zong, who treated him with great respect. Although his writings were rough and lacked a grand scope, they sometimes contained wisdom. His works, such as "Zhe Si Sheng," "Xing Zu Fei Xing," "Hui Tong Zi Su San Lun," and "Jia Kui," as well as twenty other essays in "Du Xue Wen," were quite popular at the time.
Chen's son, Kan, styled Dao Zheng, served as a county magistrate before being promoted to a secretary. He was deceitful and often associated with thieves. One night in the capital, after drinking too much and indulging in vice, he stayed at a relay station in Luoshui Pavilion, where he assaulted the owner, which resulted in his arrest and imprisonment. Chen felt ashamed and regretful about his son's behavior. At that time, Prince Guangping Huai was serving in the area and seized the opportunity to punish Kan, with whom he had a strained relationship. Chen quickly reported the incident to the court, and Emperor Shi Zong sent a white-clad messenger named Wu Zhong'an to order Prince Guangping Huai to handle the matter leniently. However, the prince remained adamant about imposing severe punishment, and it took a long time before Kan was finally pardoned and released. After this incident, Kan became despondent and eventually died in melancholy at home.
Kan's brother, Kai, styled De Fang, was somewhat educated and understood some matters of the court. During the Taiping era, he submitted twelve poems titled "Gao Zu Song" to the emperor; though most of the content was not preserved, the emperor still recognized his efforts. Taking advantage of this, his father Chen requested that the court appoint him as a secretary. After Emperor Shi Zong's death but before the funeral, Kai was partying and drinking with Zhang Puhui, the magistrate of Henan, and others, which resulted in his dismissal. Later, when Prince Cheng of Rencheng became Minister of Works, he invited Kai to serve as a clerk and military officer. He gradually rose to the rank of Shangshu Yicao Lang and gained a measure of reputation in official circles.
In the late years of Emperor Suzong's reign, Yuan, the Inspector of Dingzhou and Prince of Guangyang, was summoned back to the capital by the court. At that time, Kai was at home mourning, and when Yuan was about to leave, he also called Kai to serve as the Chief of Staff, responsible for the affairs of the state. Not long after, Xianyu Xiuli, Mao Puxian, and others led the refugees from the northern town to rebel in the northwest of the city, burning, killing, and looting everywhere, advancing on the city. There were already refugees from Yan, Heng, and Yun provinces in the city, sheltering near the market in makeshift straw huts. Xianyu Xiuli and others claimed they would unite these refugees for a common cause. Seeing that the enemy was about to break in, Kai was worried that there might be internal support in the city. Seeing the panic of the people and fearing chaos, he took decisive action by executing some of the more aggressive individuals in the city to intimidate the enemy and stabilize the morale of the people. After Inspector Yuan Jiong and Grand Commander Yang Jin arrived, Kai finally returned home. Later, Xianyu Xiuli and others harbored resentment towards Kai for killing the people from the north, and they dug up his father's grave and paraded the coffin through the city in an act of revenge.
During the reign of Emperor Xiaozhuang, Kai was appointed as a Gentleman-in-Waiting of the Imperial Library. After the death of Erzhu Rong, the Emperor believed that he could lead the local resistance against rebellion, so he let him try the position of Prefect of Changshan and rewarded him with two hundred rolls of silk. By the time of Emperor Chudi, he was appointed as General Who Conquers the East, Golden Purple Grand Attendant, and later promoted to Guard General, Right Imperial Attendant. King Wenxiang of Qi also appointed him as a Consultant to the Secretariat of the Palace. In the fourth year of the Tianping era, Kai died at the age of forty-six, and the court posthumously appointed him as General of Chariots and Cavalry, Chief of the Imperial Secretariat, and Inspector of Cangzhou.
Kai's younger brother, named Kuan, styled Rengui. He initially served as a Cavalry Attendant and later gradually rose to the position of Secretary of the Central Army under the Grand Commandant, Imperial Secretary for Correspondence. In the early period of the Wuding era, he resigned from office due to illness and died at home.
His younger brother, Senglin, also died in their hometown.
Chen's younger brother, Mi, with the courtesy name Shuyong, was honest and cautious, with few desires, and had read many books. During the Taihe era, he was appointed by the court to serve as a court official. Mi disdained worldly greed and strife, and even composed a poem titled "Wind Ode" to articulate his views. Later, he participated in military campaigns under King Ying of Zhongshan. When King Zhongli was defeated at Zhongli and retreated, a fellow villager named Su Liang was taken captive by bandits. Mi used all his savings to ransom Su Liang. When Su Liang returned home and wanted to repay Mi with everything he had, Mi refused everything and said to Su Liang, "I saved you not for money, so why would I want you to repay me?"
He later served as the General of the Guards and was promoted to the National Academy Scholar. In the late years of Emperor Suzong's reign, he was appointed as the Imperial Secretariat and Champion General. At that time, the rebel leader Ge Rong invaded Hebei, and Pei Yan and Yuan Ziyong were killed in battle, causing panic among the people. The court then appointed Mi as the acting governor of Xiangzhou to support the defense of Ye City. Emperor Zhuang rewarded him with the title of Marquis of Anshi County and a fief of 300 households for his role in saving Ye City. He was further promoted to General Who Pacifies the East and Grand Master of Rites, concurrently serving as the Minister of Justice. Shortly after, he was promoted to General Who Conquers the East and Grand Master of Rites in the rank of Gold Purple. In the early years of Emperor Xiaojing's reign, he served as General of Chariots and Cavalry and Minister of Justice, known for his integrity and honesty. He was later exiled as the Governor of North Xuzhou, while still holding his military title. He passed away in the fourth year of Xinghe and was posthumously granted the title of General of the Valiant Cavalry, Grand Attendant, and Inspector of Yingzhou, with the posthumous title of Jing.
His eldest son, Jian, with the courtesy name Yuangong, achieved the rank of General of the Front and Grand Master of the Palace. He later died.
Jian's younger brother, Yi, was exceptionally talented but passed away at a young age.
Zhang Chen, courtesy name Boye, had a prestigious background. His grandfather Zhang Zhen, courtesy name Wenbiao, once served as the Gentleman-in-Waiting of the Palace Secretariat under Murong Bao. During his grandfather's time, Tuoba Gui, the founder of Northern Wei, pacified Zhongshan, and his family followed him into the Wei kingdom. His father Zhang Gan, during the reign of Tuoba Huang, became a Gentleman of the Palace Secretariat, later serving as an envoy to the right, Governor of Liangzhou, and was posthumously awarded an official title and the posthumous title of Mu. Zhang Chen himself was an avid reader and had great integrity, associating with prestigious individuals of the time. Later, he was appointed as an official, gradually rising through the ranks to become a cavalry officer in the North Garrison of Prince Rencheng, concurrently serving as the magistrate of Weichang County, and was well-liked by the common people. Afterwards, he became the Commander of Beizhong Prefecture and later served as the Prefect of Leling. However, during his tenure in Leling, he accepted numerous bribes, and upon hearing that an imperial censor was coming to investigate him, he fled! As a result, he was dismissed from office and died shortly thereafter. Later, during the reign of Emperor Xiaowen of Wei, he was posthumously awarded several official titles.
His uncle Zhang Gan, courtesy name Chongren, was quite capable but held few official positions. His son Zhang Xuangui lost his father at a young age but was very devoted to his mother and earned a good reputation. He served as a county magistrate, prefectural registrar, and later was appointed as an official, serving in various positions in Jizhou, Xiangzhou, and Dingzhou, eventually becoming an Assistant to the Palace Secretariat, and also served as the Marshal of the Military Headquarters in Xiangzhou. Zhang Xuangui was straightforward, generous with money, and willing to help others. During the rebellion of Ge Rong, he defended the city alongside Governor Li Shen, earning many merits, and was later appointed as the Marquis of Zhongshan. Unfortunately, he was later executed in Ye City for committing a crime. He also had a son named Zhang Ziyu.
Zhang Chen's cousin, Zhang Yuanbin, was appointed as a court official in the sixteenth year of Taihe, and later was promoted to the position of censor. During the Zhengguang period, he was appointed as a mid-level general and served as the Director of Archery, and passed away in the third year of Yong'an. Later, his nephew Gao Aocao Guida submitted a memorial requesting a posthumous promotion for him, and he was posthumously promoted to General of the Fubo Army and Governor of Yingzhou. Zhang Yuanbin's son, Zhang Bian, served as a military officer during the reign of Emperor Xiaowen of Wei.
Finally, let’s discuss Gao Cong, whose courtesy name was Sengzhi, and who hailed from Bohai. His great-grandfather Gao Gui accompanied Murong De to Qingzhou and later settled in Juxian County in Beihai. His father Gao Fa'ang was the nephew of Wang Xuanmo, the General of Chariots and Cavalry of the Liu Song dynasty. Gao Cong fought alongside Wang Xuanmo from a young age, and he attained the rank of a minor official due to his military achievements. Unfortunately, he passed away at a young age.
Gao Cong lost his mother when he was young and was raised by his grandmother, Wang. Later, after the army captured Dongyang, Gao Cong moved to Pingcheng and became a soldier in the Yunzhong region alongside Jiang Shaoyou. They lived in poverty and faced numerous hardships. His ancestor, Yun, treated him like a grandson and provided him with substantial support. Gao Cong read extensively in history and literature, earning high praise from Yun, who frequently recommended him to the court, stating, "Jiang Shaoyou from Qingzhou and my grandson Sengzhi, although young, both have excellent literary talents." Consequently, he and Shaoyou were appointed as Imperial Scholars. Ten years later, he was promoted to the rank of Gentleman and served as the tutor for Prince Yong of Gaoyang, gradually earning the favor of the founding emperor.
In the seventeenth year of Taihe, he also served as a cavalry attendant and was dispatched to Xiao Zhao Ye. After Emperor Gaozu moved the capital to Luoyang, he issued an edict summoning Cong and others back, stating in the edict: "I had previously issued orders to you in Heyang, and now that we have arrived in Luoyang to inspect the former foundations, I have always kept it in mind and intended to repair it before launching a military campaign. Moreover, the Emperor of Qi has just died; taking advantage of their internal chaos and entering at a moment of weakness is unbecoming of a gentleman. Therefore, I have halted the previous plan, waiting for the right moment and temporarily suspending military operations, establishing the Sanchuan region as a base, preparing to establish the capital in Chengzhou, and permanently consolidating the imperial foundation. Now I am issuing a new edict to replace the previous one; you should adapt your actions flexibly to the circumstances, provide effective assistance to the court, and ensure you do not let me down." After Cong returned from his mission, he was promoted to cavalry attendant and also took on the role of junior minister of the imperial household, and later served as the left commander for the Crown Prince.
Although Cong had some knowledge of horseback riding and archery, he considered himself a military strategist. Emperor Gaozu was determined to launch a southern campaign and specifically consulted Wang Su on military matters. Cong asked Wang Su to recommend him to Emperor Gaozu, hoping to serve as a subordinate general in the court. Wang Su conveyed this to Emperor Gaozu, who then appointed Cong as the General for the Protection of the Nation, commanding two thousand troops, alongside Liu Zao, Fu Yong, Cheng Daoyi, and Ren Mowen under Wang Su’s leadership to jointly rescue Guoyang. However, Cong's impulsive and timid nature, coupled with his lack of prestige, led to chaos wherever he went, with rampant burning, killing, and looting, demonstrating a complete lack of military discipline. When it came time to engage the enemy, he actually fled at the first hint of danger, returning in utter defeat. He and Liu Zao were imprisoned in Xuanhu for their failures. Emperor Gaozu pardoned them from the death penalty and exiled them to Pingzhou as commoners. When they reached Yingzhou, they coincidentally encountered the inspector Wang Zhi, who had caught a white rabbit to present to the court, and he asked Cong to write a memorial. After Emperor Gaozu read the memorial, he asked Wang Su, "How come there is such literary talent under my command that I did not know about?" Wang Su replied, "Not long ago, Gao Cong moved north; this article might have been written by him." Emperor Gaozu suddenly realized, "It must be so; how could I have overlooked such talent?"
Speaking of which, when Emperor Shizong had just ascended the throne, Gao Cong sneaked back to the capital. In fact, the six regents had been dismissed because of Gao Cong's scheming behind the scenes. After Shizong took power, he promoted Gao Cong to the position of Huangmen Shilang (Court Attendant) and also added the title of General for the Protection of the Nation. Later, he was further promoted to Sanqi Changshi (an official title), while still retaining his position as Huangmen Shilang.
Once, Emperor Shizong went to Yecheng, and on his way back in Huai County, he personally shot an arrow, hitting a target over 150 paces away. At that time, the courtier Gao Xian and others lavished praise on him, saying, "Your Majesty, your archery skills are truly amazing! Your shooting distance far exceeds that of ordinary people; you are truly a divine archer! Your commanding presence is enough to intimidate the petty and bring peace to the realm! Such a great feat must be recorded; then let's go ahead and do as you suggest!" Emperor Shizong said, "This is just child's play, nothing worth boasting about for future generations. You courtiers are actually joining in the clamor; it's truly ridiculous, so let's do as you say!" Thus, a monument was erected at the archery range, with the inscription penned by Gao Cong.
At that time, Zhao Xiu enjoyed great favor, and Gao Cong flattered him. Later, the Emperor posthumously honored Zhao Xiu's father, and the inscription was also written by Gao Cong. The two of them had such a good relationship that they would ride in the same carriage to visit the monument together. Every time Gao Cong saw Zhao Xiu, he greeted and bade farewell with utmost respect. He also wrote memorials for Zhao Xiu, analyzing the contemporary situation and advising him on how to secure his position. Their relationship was very close. Following Zhao Xiu's death, Zhen Chen and Li Ping were dismissed from office, and Gao Cong was filled with dread, fearing he might be implicated. However, he had previously ingratiated himself with Gao Zhao, so he ultimately saved himself, thanks to his connections with Gao Zhao. While Zhao Xiu was in power, Gao Cong was exceedingly obsequious towards him, but the moment Zhao Xiu passed away, Gao Cong swiftly turned against him and resorted to various forms of slander.
Later, Ru Hao rose to prominence, and Gao Cong began to seek to ingratiate himself with him. The two often spent time together, joking around, and their relationship became very close, entrusting each other with both official and personal affairs. Gao Cong frequently praised Ru Hao for being smart and capable, saying he was far superior to Zhao Xiuqiang. He also helped Ru Hao request from the emperor to convert the Qingzhou town office into Ru Hao's private residence and asked for dozens of acres of irrigated farmland to be granted to him, which the emperor agreed to. After Ru Hao was killed, Gao Cong even thought he should have died sooner! Gao Cong was a person whose sense of loyalty was as thin as paper.
Gao Xian was appointed as the Military Protector, and Gao Cong also held this position. At that time, Gao Xian's brothers suspected Gao Cong of scheming behind their backs and began to investigate. Gao Cong served as Military Protector for more than ten months, frequently moving in and out of key palace areas, speaking bluntly without regard for the long-term consequences. He relied on his power, indulged in hedonistic pleasures, and was notorious for taking bribes. Lieutenant Cui Liang learned about the situation and confronted Gao Cong about his crimes. Consequently, Emperor Shizong dismissed Gao Cong and appointed him as General of Pingbei and Governor of Bingzhou. Gao Cong was adept at reading between the lines and knew that Gao Zhao had reservations about him, so he served him cautiously, and Gao Zhao treated him as he had before.
Gao Cong stayed in Bingzhou for several years, often disregarding the rules and falling out with the governor of Taiyuan, Wang Chun. As a result, the court's envoys and censors filed formal complaints against him. Gao Zhao always protected him because of their familial ties, so these matters were suppressed. When Emperor Shizong was nearing death, he appointed Gao Cong as an Imperial Horse Attendant and General of Pingbei.
After Emperor Suzong ascended the throne, because Gao Cong had always been affiliated with Gao Zhao, he was sent to Youzhou as the governor while retaining his military position. Soon, because he was seen as a supporter of Gao Zhao, he, along with Wang Shiyi, Gao Chuo, Li Xian, Cui Kai, and Lan Fen, were accused by the Commandant Yuan Kuang. However, Empress Dowager Ling specially pardoned them. Gao Cong was then placed on house arrest and isolated from the outside world, focusing only on building gardens and orchards, indulging in a life of luxury and pleasure. After a long time, he was appointed as a Grand Master of Splendor and promoted to General of Anbei. Gao Cong had always wanted to become the Minister of the Palace Secretariat and then serve as the governor of Qingzhou, but this wish was never fulfilled. In the summer of the first year of Zhengguang, he passed away at the age of sixty-nine. When Empress Dowager Ling heard that he was ill, she sent people to inquire about his health. Gao Cong wept uncontrollably in front of the messenger. When she heard of his death, Empress Dowager Ling was deeply saddened, saying, "I am so unfortunate to lose another great minister. Moreover, he and my father campaigned together in the south, enduring the hardships of war, which is truly commendable." Empress Dowager Ling granted him three hundred rolls of silk and a cart of ice. He was posthumously honored with the title of General Who Calms the Army and Governor of Qingzhou, with the posthumous title of "Xian." Gao Cong had over ten singing girls, and his sons, whether they had sons or not, registered women as concubines to please him. When Gao Cong fell ill, he did not want others to have these singing girls, so he ordered them to mutilate their fingers, swallow charcoal, and take vows as nuns. Gao Cong wrote twenty scrolls of articles, as well as other collections of writings. His son Gao Changyun, styled Yanhong, initially served as a Secretariat Cadet and Chief Clerk of the Grand Commandant, gradually rising to the rank of General Who Assists the State and Household Counsellor. In the early years of Jianyi, he was killed in Heyin. He was posthumously honored with the title of General Who Pacifies the East and Governor of Yanzhou. Changyun, styled Yanfu, had a younger brother named Shushan. He initially served as an aide in the Minister of Works' office, and later gradually rose through the ranks to become General of Ning Shuo and Colonel of the Yuezhi Cavalry. After his death, the court posthumously honored him with the title of Junior Minister of the Imperial Clan.
Speaking of Zhen Chen, due to his talent for writing, he gained fame early in his career and was held in high esteem across three dynasties, ultimately attaining a high-ranking official position and earning great respect. Gao Cong's abilities were equally acknowledged, and he achieved a prominent reputation and status. However, even though they followed different paths, both ultimately found themselves on a path to failure, which is truly unfortunate!
Cui Guang, originally named Cui Xiaobo and styled Changren, was a name given to him by Emperor Gaozu. He was from Xuxian County in Dongqinghe. His grandfather, Cui Kuang, followed Murong De across the Yellow River and settled in Qingzhou. After the fall of the Murong clan, Cui Kuang served as the governor of Yueling under Liu Yilong. His father, Cui Lingyan, was a general of Longxiang under Liu Jun and the governor of Changguang, resisting the imperial army alongside Cui Daogu, the governor of Jizhou under Liu Yu.
When Murong Baiyao pacified the Three Qis, Cui Guang was seventeen and moved with his father. His family was poor, but he loved studying very much; he farmed during the day and read at night, supporting his parents by copying books for others. In the sixth year of Taihe, he was appointed as a Doctor of the Central Secretariat, later promoted to an Academician, drafting state documents alongside Secretary Li Biao. He then rose to the position of Deputy Minister of the Central Secretariat and was held in high regard by Emperor Gaozu. The emperor often said, "Xiaobo's talents flow as powerfully as the Yellow River; he is truly the literary sage of our era!" Because he participated in the plans to relocate the capital, he was granted the title of Chaoyangzi and appointed as an Imperial Attendant, while retaining his roles as Deputy Minister of the Yellow Gate and Academician, and also serving as the Tutor to the Crown Prince. Soon after, he also took on the role of Imperial Attendant and was appointed as an envoy with special authority, sent to Shaanxi for inspections. Along the way, he composed thirty-eight poems inspired by the historical sites he visited. Upon his return, he continued to serve as an Imperial Attendant, and due to his outstanding strategies and achievements, his title was elevated to that of a Marquis.
Cui Guang has always been generous since childhood, without showing his emotions. When he was slandered, he always responded with kind words, and even when wronged, he never defended himself. In the early years of the Huangxing period, two people from the same county were enslaved. Later, they sought help from Cui Guang, who used his own money to redeem them. Emperor Gaozu heard about this and held him in high regard. Although he held a high-ranking position, he never focused on handling documents; he calmly participated in discussions, assisting the court with major matters. Emperor Gaozu often told his ministers, "Cui Guang is talented and broad-minded; if all goes well, he will surely become the Minister of Works in twenty years." This demonstrates Emperor Gaozu's high regard for him. He also fought alongside the emperor to defeat Chen Xianda. After Emperor Shizong ascended the throne, he officially appointed him as a court attendant.
At first, the author collaborated with Li Biao on drafting state documents. As the Taihe period was nearing its end, Li Biao resigned from his role as a writer and focused solely on historical matters, handing this task over to the author. Later, Li Biao was dismissed because of an error. At that time, Emperor Shizong was a bit confused, and Li Biao submitted a request to be allowed to revise the "Book of Wei," and the emperor approved it. So, Li Biao wrote the historical book in plain clothes at the Secretariat. Although the author was also serving as a historian at that time, he knew that Li Biao was determined to complete this work, so he requested to resign from his roles as court attendant and writer to give Li Biao the opportunity, but Emperor Shizong refused. Eventually, the author was promoted to Minister of Rites and also served as the Chief Official of Qizhou.
In the summer of the first year of the Zhengshi era, there was a historian in charge of documents named Shi Yuanxian, who presented a chicken with four legs and four wings. The emperor ordered the attendant Zhao Yong to inquire of the author what this omen meant. The author submitted a written response stating: I carefully reviewed the records found in the "Book of Han: Treatise on the Five Elements": In the first year of Emperor Xuan's Huanglong era, in the corridor of the Weiyang Palace, a hen transformed into a rooster, its feathers had changed, but it did not crow and had no spurs. In the early years of Emperor Yuan, in the home of the Chancellor's historian, a hen hatched eggs and gradually transformed into a rooster, growing a comb and spurs, and it could crow. In the Yongguang era, someone presented a rooster with long horns. Liu Xiang believed that the chicken was a small domestic animal, symbolizing the minor officials responsible for governance, representing the small officials in charge of state affairs. This means that minor officials would use the monarch's power to harm governance, just like Shi Xian did. By the first year of the Jingning era, Shi Xian was ultimately punished and executed, which perfectly fulfilled the earlier omen. In the first year of the Guanghe era under Emperor Ling, in the South Palace Temple, a hen was about to transform into a rooster; its entire body had changed like a rooster, but it had not yet grown a comb on its head. The emperor ordered the inquiry of the official Cai Yong, who replied: "If the form of the chicken is not proper, it will bring disaster. I privately speculate that the head of the chicken symbolizes the ruler. Now this chicken has changed all over, but its head has not changed, and the emperor is aware of this situation; this is a sign of something that is imminent, but has not yet fully materialized. If the emperor does not take this seriously and governance does not change, once the comb grows, the consequences will be even more severe." Afterward, Zhang Jiao raised an army to rebel, calling himself the "Yellow Turban Thief," leading to turmoil in all directions, with the people exhausted from forced labor and taxes, resulting in many rebellions. The emperor did not change the governance, ultimately leading to great chaos in the world. While the appearance of this chicken differs from that of the Han dynasty, its omen remains notably similar. Both Liu Xiang and Cai Yong were knowledgeable and talented individuals; they verified the truth of events based on their findings, and their interpretations are well-founded and warrant caution.
I said, those people are like birds, with many wings and talons, supporting each other. They are still young, their feathers are not fully grown, their power is weak, and they are easy to control. I have heard that the appearance of disasters is meant to show fortune and misfortune. A wise ruler sees these and becomes fearful, which in turn attracts blessings; however, a foolish ruler turns a blind eye and instead invites calamity. There are many such examples in the history of the Classic of Poetry, Classic of History, and Chronicles, as well as in the Qin and Han dynasties, which you should all know. Now, some people diminish their status yet still manage to participate in politics; they are probably similar to those powerful ministers from the past.
In the south, countless people have died in the chaos of war, with bones scattered everywhere. The living are filled with hatred, and the dead have become vengeful spirits. The army of Yiyang is stationed there, and summer has not yet returned; the people of the Jingman region are quite shrewd, causing delays for the soldiers in battle. The eastern region is transporting supplies, sending out more than returning; the common people are impoverished, and many have taken their own lives. In the north, frost has descended, and the women who tend to silkworms have ceased their work; everything is withering away, worse than ever before. This echoes the time when Jia Yi wept bitterly and Gu Yong offered his earnest counsel. The Minister of Justice wants to carry out the death penalty, but you have stopped him. You are the guardians of the people and should show them compassion! The country is at war, and using troops is as dangerous as handling fire; internal and external resentments are piling up, making it easy for unrest to occur. If you indulge in pleasure and ignore the major affairs of the world, do you not consider how challenging it was for Emperor Taizu to unify the realm and how hard the late emperor worked to manage it?
I hope you can keep your eyes wide open, stay alert to what's happening around you, treat those around you with kindness, and keep an eye on those who hold too much power. In the past, those like Deng Tong and Dong Xian were favored, but in the end, that favoritism ended up hurting them. You should also cut back on some luxurious pleasures; there can be fewer banquets, and make sure to pay your respects at the ancestral temple when the time comes. You should also show greater respect for your elders. Look into the situations all around, let the common people take a breather, issue more kind-hearted orders, and provide relief to the impoverished. Cut back on spending for building palaces and ponds, reduce indulgent pleasures, take care of state affairs during the day, and get some good rest at night. Listen to a wide range of opinions, promote capable individuals, and dismiss the treacherous. In this way, the common people will be able to live and work in peace, evil will disappear, and good fortune will descend.
The emperor was very pleased after reading the memorial. A few days later, Ru Hao and others were executed for their crimes, which boosted Li Guang's status even more, and he was conferred the title of General of the Protectorate Army.
In August, Guang Biao reported: "On the 28th, something appeared to the west of the Taiji Palace, and the emperor wanted me to check it out. I observed its shape, which looks like what Zhuangzi called 'steam fungi.' Zhuangzi also said, 'The morning mushroom does not last through the new moon,' and Yongmen Zhou said, 'Sharpen the axe to cut the morning mushroom.' This suggests it’s formed from condensed steam, lacking roots and stems, with a soft and fragile texture, quickly wilting and decaying, and it won't last more than ten days or so, so there’s no need for an axe to chop it down. This kind of fungus usually grows in damp, dirty spots in the wilderness and rarely appears in tall palaces. However, now, our palace is grand and beautiful, the walls are built very solidly, with no dirt or decay, yet this kind of fungus has suddenly popped up here, and it’s thriving, and that’s definitely strange!"
"In the past, when wild grass grew in the royal court and wild birds flew into the temple, the ancients believed this was an omen of the nation's decline. However, those who cultivate virtue out of fear of disaster ultimately achieve good outcomes; just as strange occurrences happen before a family's prosperity and strange creatures appear before a nation's flourishing. Thus, the mulberry trees and millet protect the courtyard, and as a result, Tai Wu's reign prospered; the pheasants gathered around the cauldron, and therefore, Wu Ding's reign brought peace to the world. Now, just like magpies nesting in temples and owls hooting in palaces, this fungus has surprisingly sprouted right in the middle of the guest seating area. According to previous records, this can indeed serve as a warning!"
"Moreover, the war in the southeast has not yet subsided; conflict rages on, the fields in the outskirts have suffered from a prolonged drought, the people are exhausted, and resources are scarce; the situation is more severe than ever before. As subjects raised by the Son of Heaven, we should be even more compassionate towards the sufferings of the people. I hope Your Majesty can emulate the two emperors of the Yin and Shang dynasties, understand the meaning of change, remain humble and cautious, and wholeheartedly cultivate the path of enlightenment. Cut back on nighttime feasts and moderate the morning court meals, maintain a strong and healthy body, and uphold a pure character; in this way, the state of Wei can remain prosperous forever, and Your Majesty's life may endure as long as the mountains."
In the autumn of the fourth year, I was promoted to Chancellor and also granted the title of General of the Eastern Command. In the autumn of the first year of Yongping, there were plans to execute Yuan Yu's concubine, Lady Li, and no official in the court dared to speak up. The emperor asked me to draft the edict, but after much hesitation, I hesitated to put pen to paper. Instead, I submitted a report saying, "I have heard that there are plans to execute Yuan Yu's concubine, Lady Li, in a particularly cruel manner. She has spread false words and incited rebellion, and she certainly deserves to die. However, there are rumors circulating that Lady Li is currently pregnant, and according to custom, the execution should be delayed until after she gives birth. Moreover, I have consulted past texts and considered recent events, and killing a pregnant woman and performing a cesarean to retrieve the child afterward is a brutal punishment. Only tyrants like Xia Jie and Shang Zhou would resort to such acts. The actions of a monarch should be recorded in history, and must be upright and aboveboard; if their actions are cruel and violate the law, how will they justify it to future generations? Your Majesty, you are getting older, and there is no heir yet; the princes are still young. What if something were to go wrong? I may be lacking in wisdom, but I feel that what needs to be said must be said. I humbly request Your Majesty to delay Lady Li's execution until after she has given birth." The emperor heeded my advice.
In the spring of the first year of the Yan Chang era, I was promoted to the position of Director of the Central Secretariat, while still retaining my duties as a Court Attendant. The following year, the emperor visited the Eastern Palace and summoned me along with Zhen Chen from the Huangmen and Prince Yuan of Guangyang, among others, and granted us seats. The emperor said to me, "You are a minister of my Western Platform, and now you will be the tutor of the crown prince." I stood up to express my gratitude and firmly declined, but the emperor would not agree. He immediately summoned Su Zong (the later Tang Emperor Zong) to come out, accompanied by more than ten others. The emperor informed Su Zong that I would be his tutor and instructed Su Zong to pay me the respects of a student. I again expressed my gratitude and declined, saying I should not accept the crown prince's bow, but the emperor still would not agree, so Su Zong had no choice but to face southward and bow to me again. The Grand Councilor Wang Xian also requested that the crown prince follow the proper etiquette for paying respects to a teacher, and thus the palace officials all bowed to me. I stood facing northward, not daring to return the bow, and after bowing in gratitude toward the west, I withdrew. After that, the emperor rewarded me with one hundred bolts of embroidered silk, and Zhen Chen, Prince Yuan of Guangyang, and others also received rewards. Soon after, I was appointed as the Crown Prince's Junior Tutor. In the third year, I was promoted to Right Minister of Ceremonies, while still retaining my positions as Court Attendant and Director of the Central Secretariat.
That said, in January of the year 757, Emperor Shizong died. At that time, Li Guang, along with the Court Attendant and General-in-Chief Yu Zhong, welcomed Su Zong from the Eastern Palace to the royal palace and was tasked with calming both the court and the populace. Li Guang played a significant role in this matter.
Two days after the emperor's death, Prince Guangping, Li Guang, arrived at the palace in poor health. Because he was a brother of the emperor, he went straight to the side hall located to the west of the Tai Chi Hall. He wept uncontrollably in the palace and summoned officials such as the Shizhong, Huangmen, Lingjun, and the Imperial Guards, expressing his desire to go to the hall to mourn and to see the new emperor. Everyone present was taken aback, and no one dared to utter a word. Only Li Guang, leaning on his cane, stood up and recalled how General Zhao Xi had once blocked the steps with his sword during the death of Emperor Guangwu of Han to prevent the princes from intruding. He sternly advised Prince Guangping against it. Everyone present praised him for doing the right thing and said he was reasonable and principled. Hearing this, Prince Guangping ceased his tears and remarked, "The Shizhong referenced an ancient example to counsel me, and I am persuaded!" He then departed and sent several people to express his gratitude to Li Guang.
Earlier, in 757 AD, Li Guang was reassigned from his role as a compiler to be replaced by Huangmen Lang Sun Huiwei. Sun Huiwei served for five years but accomplished little. By March, the Minister of Personnel, King Cheng of Rencheng, submitted a petition stating that Li Guang should return to his position as a compiler, and the emperor ordered Li Guang's reinstatement. In April, Li Guang was promoted to Special Advisor. In May, in recognition of his contributions to welcoming Emperor Suzong, he was bestowed the title of Duke of Baoping and given a fief of two thousand households. In July, he took office as the Grand Scholar of the National Academy. In August, the emperor permitted Li Guang to enter and exit Yunlong Gate in a sedan chair. Soon after, he was promoted to General of Chariots and Cavalry and awarded the title of Yitong Sansi. After Empress Ling took power, Li Guang repeatedly submitted petitions to resign from office. At that time, Yu Zhong wielded considerable power, and Li Guang depended on him. After Yu Zhong fell from power and was demoted, Li Guang submitted his official seal, official robes, and fief, submitting more than ten petitions, but Empress Ling refused. Subsequently, relevant departments suggested reclaiming the fiefs of both Yu Zhong and Li Guang.
In February of the year 758 AD, Grand Preceptor Gao Yang, Wang Yong, and others recommended Li Guang to lecture Emperor Suzong. It is said that Li Guang had previously been favored by Empress Dowager Ling, and the details can be found in "Biography of Yu Zhong." In April, Li Guang was granted the title of Duke of Ping'en County, with a fief of one thousand households. His original title of Count Chaoyang was transferred to his second son, Li Xu. In the same month, the Emperor also rewarded him with a carriage drawn by sheep.
You, the Empress Dowager, often personally practice archery in the backyard. I presented you with an excellent ancient text about women as a subtle piece of advice. I wrote: "Confucius said: 'A scholar should establish his aspirations in the Way, cultivate his character, rely on benevolence, and engage his mind in the arts.' By 'arts,' he refers to ritual, music, calligraphy, mathematics, archery, and charioteering. Ritual, music, calligraphy, and mathematics are things that both men and women should learn. As for archery and charioteering, those are pursuits for men, and women need not concern themselves with them."
In ancient times, virtuous empresses and talented concubines all took it upon themselves to educate the populace, influence the imperial family, and focus on moral cultivation, adhering to benevolence, righteousness, propriety, and law. For example, Empresses Ma and Deng of the Han Dynasty, whose virtues were even greater than those of their forebears; Yang Xianrong and Cai Wenji, who were also virtuous and wise. Your Majesty, you are wise and kind, and since taking office, the world has been peaceful. You honor your parents and worship the gods, and your benevolence extends throughout the world. In your leisure time, you relax in the backyard, gaze at Gusheshan, and watch the majestic birds. When you shoot arrows, every arrow hits the bullseye; your majesty is held in great esteem, and everyone reveres you. Both civil and military officials, as well as your attendants, all hold you in high regard. But Your Majesty, if you do not participate in state affairs, how can I feel at ease? If you do not pay attention to national affairs, how can you see the prosperity and beauty of the country? Your humility makes me feel ashamed. I feel that your practice of archery is not productive labor and serves no practical purpose; how can this be seen as assisting the ruler in governing the country?
I’m really happy to share this collection of ancient writings by women with you. The book is inside; I hope you can find some time to look it over. Maybe it’ll inspire you. I hope you can take it easy, enjoy some peace, look after your health, and work on your well-being.
The weather is cool in autumn, but Empress Dowager Ling often visits the homes of the nobles. It’s reported: "The Book of Rites states: If a lord only visits a minister’s home to check on the sick or to offer condolences, it’s seen as joking between ruler and subject." The text doesn’t say the empress can casually visit ministers’ homes, which suggests she shouldn’t. If her parents are alive, she can visit them sometimes; if they’re gone, a minister should invite her. This rule is even stricter for scholars; a married daughter isn’t supposed to visit her brother. Women from Wei who want to go back home have to follow the rules of propriety, as seen in the poems "Zai Chi" and "Zhu Gan." Empress Shangguan of the Han was set to be deposed, but her grandfather Huo Guang was a chancellor then. Empress Shangguan continued to receive court officials in the war tent to emphasize the difference between men and women, which was a big deal for state ceremonies. Lady Bo served her mother even if it meant enduring a fire; Lady Fan waited for orders and willingly jumped into a flood. These stories are written down in history books to serve as warnings for future generations.
Recently, Your Majesty, your carriage has been making frequent trips to the residences of Lord Fengyi and Prince Rencheng. Although it is already autumn, the weather is still hot, and your carriage is constantly on the move. You must be quite fatigued. Sumptuous dishes and fine wines have been served, showcasing a variety of delicacies. Every time you partake, it is never just one cup, and the dishes you have sampled exceed a hundred varieties. From morning till evening, you have been continuously receiving guests. This is neither a seasonal leisure activity nor typical care. While your carriage may be cool and your seat comfortable, you are surrounded by thousands of attendants. They accompany you on your travels, wearing armor, enduring the sun and rain, sweating profusely, often hungry and thirsty, unable to eat their fill, and having to rent horses and borrow carts, paying various expenses. While the ancients claim you are very happy, we, your subjects, find ourselves working very hard. Perhaps this is the reason. Your Majesty, your radiant light shines upon the land like the moon. Your virtues are noble; you have given birth to an emperor and have prospered the country of Wei. Your virtues surpass those of Lady Wen, and your kindness exceeds that of Empress Hexi. Your affection is genuine, not feigned; your love is sincere, not for show. You have graced the city with your presence, your radiance shining upon the capital, and the people celebrate joyfully. The gray-haired elders rejoice in witnessing this prosperous era; young scholars are fortunate to live in a peaceful and prosperous time. What was once difficult to achieve for millennia is now effortlessly accomplished, all thanks to your extraordinary wisdom and humility. Since Emperor Yuan of Wei, no one has been as virtuous as you. Your daily affairs should be calm and composed, free from worries and evasions. However, as the royal family continues to grow and the number of esteemed officials and nobles increases, the requests for your gracious approval are also on the rise, becoming commonplace.
You should refer to the experiences of previous emperors and set an example for future generations. The world is for everyone, and the countless common people are your responsibility. You should dedicate yourself to the worship of heaven and earth, only deal with important state matters, keep a tranquil mind, and limit leisure outings. Let virtue be your guide and joy your motivation; emulate the benevolent and wise rulers and learn the art of governance. Then, the common people will enjoy peace and prosperity, thriving in harmony. I am grateful for your grace, and I will do my best to convey what I know. I am filled with trepidation and dare not be negligent; I can only humbly express my opinions, which might be seen as disrespectful. I ask for your forgiveness.
In the summer of the first year of the Divine Turtle, it was reported on the light display: "The Book of Songs says: 'The sweet osmanthus tree is lush, do not cut or fell it; it is where Shao Bo was nurtured.' It also says: 'Even if there are no elders, there are still rules and regulations.' The Commentary on the Book of Songs explains: 'To miss this person while cherishing his trees, how could one disregard his principles while using them?' Therefore, the Book of Documents begins by examining ancient matters, and the essence of the Book of Changes is the interplay of mountain and fire. By observing astronomy, one understands the changes in the times; by studying culture, one can enlighten the world. Mencius insists on his views, and Kuang Zhang also elaborates on his insights. An Shi stores the classics in Fen Nan, while Bo Shan holds the scrolls in He Dong. The solitary writings of Emperor Yuan Shi are placed before the emperor of the Han dynasty; Mencius's few words are displayed in the tent of the King of Wei. The earlier sages valued the classics and cherished the words engraved on bamboo slips to such an extent! Moreover, those sacred texts of the sages, carved into metal and stone, are the principles for governing the nation, the examples for building families, the paradigms of the world, the standards for human behavior, the maxims of thousands of years, and the achievements of emperors throughout the ages. How can they be allowed to fall into neglect and ruin, overgrown with thorns and weeds, left unattended? How can they be allowed to become a nesting ground for rats and wild rabbits, letting children climb and play on them? This truly breaks one's heart, making them want to pound their chest and stomp their feet!
I humbly request Your Majesty, the Emperor, to show filial piety and respect, to take time to rest and recuperate each day. You are naturally wise and attentive to beginners, as Confucianism is currently flourishing. The Empress Dowager is wise and compassionate, governing the world, upholding morality, valuing education, and focusing on the prestigious Hanlin Academy. You are about to ascend the Cloud Platform to inquire about rituals and the Lin Pavilion to recruit talent. It is indeed necessary to open the gates wide, clear the Confucius Temple, and relocate it closer to the city gate and the palace, so that even if the old schools become ruins, the students will never forget. Doesn't this suggest that establishing the country and ensuring peace for the people should prioritize education, stabilizing the capital and serving as a model for the four corners? Tracing back the creation of the stone classics, it began in the era of Yan and Huang, followed by the "Dian Lun" of the Cao Wei period; the initial production began over three hundred years ago, spanning almost twenty dynasties now. Although there have been repeated wars in the past, the stone classics have not suffered major damage. It is said that previous governors in the provinces built many temples, and when the local people used them, any excavation would likely yield the earth and ashes from the foundations. After the capital was relocated, it could still be repaired, but due to busy military and state affairs, it has never been inspected. Both the government and private individuals, openly and secretly, have gradually dismantled the stone classics. Year after year, with sowing and harvesting, weeds have grown rampant, and sometimes fires have occurred, resulting in fewer stone classics and more missing inscriptions. I hold a position as an educational official, responsible for the study of classics and interpretations, yet I am unable to repair the damaged stone classics and restore their original appearance, which makes me feel ashamed. I now request the dispatch of a national scholar who is qualified for this task, specifically tasked with inspection, prohibiting livestock from trampling the fields, measuring the extent of damage to the inscriptions, estimating the manpower and resources needed for repairs, and carrying out the restoration in order." The Emperor issued a decree saying: "This is the foundation of scholars, an immortal model, setting an example for future generations, and the basis of law; you may proceed according to your memorial." Guangbiao then ordered National Scholar Li Yu and assistants Han Shengu, Liu Xie, and others to collate the stone classics, calculating the materials needed and the number of characters for the damaged sections, and preparing for repairs. Later, after the Empress Dowager was deposed, this matter was put on hold.
In the eighth month of the second year of her reign, the Empress Dowager went to Yongning Temple and even personally climbed the towering pagoda. Guang Biao advised, saying: "I see you personally ascending the towering pagoda, standing underneath it with reverence, observing the construction of the pagoda. This is indeed a good deed that accumulates virtue. However, your esteemed body should not climb to such heights; the common people are deeply concerned, and I believe this is unwise. The 'Book of Rites' states: 'A son should not ascend high places or approach deep abysses.' The ancients have said: plans that go awry in the court will lead to the fall of the great in the fields. The 'Book of Han' records that Emperor Wu of Han wanted to drive westward and descend a steep slope, but Yuan Ang held the reins to stop him, saying: 'I have heard that the son of a wealthy family does not approach the eaves, and the son of a family with a fortune of a hundred gold pieces does not lean against the beams. If the vehicle breaks down and the horses are startled, what would happen to you and the pagoda?' It is also recorded that after Emperor Wu of Han returned from worshiping at the temple, he wanted to ride on a boat, but Xue Guangde removed his hat and bowed, saying: 'You should take the bridge; if Your Majesty does not heed my words, I will dye the wheels red with blood.' Le Zheng Zichun, a disciple of Zeng Shen and well-known for his filial piety, was very cautious; the foundation of his family’s main hall was only one foot high, and he still worried about hurting his feet. The pagoda at Yongning Temple is stacked layer upon layer, with narrow walkways. With your frail body climbing to such great heights, if you were to fall, it would be too late for regrets! The 'Book of Rites' states: before worshiping at the ancestral temple, one must fast for seven days and then purify for three days before entering to worship, in order to communicate with the deities. Although the statue has not yet been completed, this is already a place where deities reside. Sculpting and painting are currently underway, decorated magnificently, and the common people are in great awe, with more and more spectators, each with different thoughts. Even if you remain pure, can you ensure that all your attendants and palace maids are equally reverent? You cannot go up alone; there must be someone following to serve you. If someone is careless, it's not just a matter of indulgence. A few days ago, there was a strong wind, and dust flew about, making daytime as dark as night, truly frightening. The 'Spring and Autumn Annals' records that the four states of Song, Wei, Chen, and Zheng faced calamities on the same day; Bo Ji served her mother, leading to the calamity of burning. In the past, during the reign of Huangxing, a seven-story pagoda in Qingzhou, renowned for its grandeur, was burned down by a great fire at night. Even wise individuals like Zi Shen and Bi Zao could not foresee the signs of these calamities. Disasters strike unexpectedly, without warning. The ways of fate are deep and inscrutable; the ancients have long warned us. Graves bring sadness, and temples evoke reverence; crying at graves and entering temples can cause one to tremble with fear. When visiting graves, one does not climb the mounds, let alone ascend. The 'Spring and Autumn Commentary' records: 'The ruler inspected the first day of the month, then ascended the observation platform.' Below the observation platform, there are no deities of heaven and earth ancestors, so it is permissible to ascend. In the 'Inner Canon,' the pagoda is tall and splendid, with countless rooms, only recording the offerings of incense and flowers, without mentioning the principle of ascending. It only speaks of the three treasures steps, which connect heaven and earth, allowing both to see each other, transcending the mundane, incomparable. Respectfully kneeling, all are on the lower level. Gazing far and wide, surveying the mountains and rivers, one finds joy and smiles in the scenery seen. You can't maintain reverence at every level or caution with every step; this will only cause the citizens of the capital to gather in public and private. What goes up must come down; this is an inevitable cycle that will continue; how can we prevent future generations from competing to climb? The key lies in sincere inner feelings; external respect is secondary. Valuing results while neglecting the fundamentals, being complacent while disregarding restlessness, respecting oneself, and correcting one’s behavior—how can you frequently ascend high places and often climb tier upon tier? Now that the pagoda has just been built, you should also advise yourself; the foundation has been laid, and the decorations are gradually being perfected. The magnificent pagoda on Zijin Mountain is your palace. I hope you can ease your burdens and generously share your grace, establish systems, and set regulations to prevent noise and filth, ensuring this place remains peaceful for all time. Those below strive to maintain solemnity, while those above display reverence."
Can you send me the Simplified Chinese text you want translated? I'd be happy to help!
"Be careful not to step on it! This place has been around for millions of years, blending various teachings and illuminating profound truths. Isn't that incredible?"
In September, the Empress Dowager wanted to visit Mount Songgao for a leisure trip. The Emperor quickly submitted a memorial advising her, saying: "I heard that you are planning to visit Mount Songgao, staying there for several days. This trip will last nearly ten days; although it is said to be an act of understanding the people's sentiments, it is indeed a good deed. Although it is the farming off-season now, the grains harvested by hardworking farmers are as precious as pearls and gems to poor families, and they dare not waste a single grain. However, with your procession of tens of thousands of people coming and going and carriages and horses running wildly, even with strict control, it will still damage a lot of crops. The common people, young and old, will surely feel distressed. At the end of this dry autumn, thick dust covers the ground, and when the wind blows, yellow dust fills the sky, and everywhere is covered in yellow sand. The road to Mount Songgao is steep and narrow; your safety should be the top priority! Walking in the mountains for more than ten days, enduring wind and sun, will your body be able to handle it? The tablets of your ancestors probably wouldn't approve of such actions; the common people will surely be very afraid. Moreover, it is the season of insect breeding now, with small insects everywhere in the fields. When your carriages and horses pass by, won't they trample a lot of them to death? You have always been compassionate and caring for living beings; this matter may provoke unfavorable comments, making people feel that you are enjoying yourself but bringing disaster to the people. Those running errands with you are exhausted; those pulling the carriages also spend money to rent them, which is truly costly and laborious. Those cooking, along with the soldiers, have torn clothes, with no proper bedding to keep warm at night or cool during the day, and they have to endure the scolding of the supervisors, crying and sobbing, which is truly heartbreaking. Nowadays, there are droughts and floods, poor crop yields, and everyone is very poor. If you go out during such a time, how can the people not complain? I hope you can emulate Yu Shun, be modest and cautious, and interfere less in others' affairs; or learn from the thoughts of Laozi and the Book of Changes, stay quietly in the palace, and stop going out. Stop burdening the people and wasting resources; travel according to the rules and delegate responsibilities to the relevant departments. Just listen to reports. This way, both the people and the deities will be pleased, and the entire country will rejoice." However, the Empress Dowager did not listen to him.
The emperor's memorial is truly a masterpiece, every word is like a pearl, every sentence is heartfelt! The empress dowager's trip appears to be a gesture to understand the people's sentiments, but in reality it burdens the populace and squanders resources, and may even lead to public grievances. The emperor offered advice on the people's hardships, travel dangers, and environmental concerns, demonstrating his deep concern. Unfortunately, the empress dowager did not ultimately adopt his suggestions.
In the winter of 742 AD, the emperor granted me the official title of Guanglu Daifu, and also gave me a cane and clothes. In the following spring, Emperor Suzong personally presided over the sacrifice ceremony at the National University, where I was responsible for holding the scriptures, sitting to the south, accompanied by other officials. Minister Wang Jipin, who concurrently held the position of Intendant of Henan Province, submitted a memorial expressing his wish to relinquish his official position in my favor. In April during the summer, the emperor appointed me as Minister of Works, Palace Attendant, and Libationer of the National University, while my title as Compiler remained unchanged. I declined the offer in my memorials for several years, consistently refusing to accept.
In August, a bald eagle was caught in the palace, and the emperor had someone bring it to me. I submitted a memorial saying, "Your Majesty, you have shown me this large bird that was caught fourteen days ago. This is exactly what is mentioned in the Classic of Poetry, 'there is a bunting on the beam,' meaning that the greedy and ferocious bird, the bald eagle, grows in the wilderness and should not appear in the palace. During the Huangchu era of Emperor Wen of Wei, a pelican fell into the Lingzhi Pond. Emperor Wen decreed that this was a sign the court favored the unscrupulous and alienated gentlemen, and should seek talents widely. At that time, General Hua Xin resigned from his post due to this and gave his position to Guan Ning. I heard that when wild animals enter residences, it was considered an ominous sign by the ancients, so Zhang Ye disliked any birds, and Jia Yi avoided the bunting bird. The pelican only stayed temporarily before flying away, and the emperors of the past took this as a warning. Moreover, this bird has now flown into the palace, been caught by someone, and is being kept, yet it shows no fear. Based on past experience, this is indeed very unusual. Furthermore, this gluttonous bird surely requires fish for sustenance; even if it eats some beans, wheat, rice, and millet, the cost of feeding it for a meal would amount to several pounds. Now with the drought in spring and summer, food prices are rising, and poor families often cannot afford to eat. Your Majesty, you are the parents of the people; you should treat the people as tenderly as you would your own wounds. How can you neglect the people to raise such a repulsive bird? The ruler of the State of Wei liked to raise cranes, and the ruler of the State of Cao liked to raise geese, and both states perished, which is truly disheartening! Your Majesty, you are well-versed in the principles of the Spring and Autumn Annals and personally read historical books. How can you speak well while doing bad things? I earnestly hope you can take a lesson from the ancestors of the Yin and Shang dynasties, emulate Emperor Wen of Wei, cultivate virtue, recruit talents, eliminate disasters, and gather auspicious signs. Release this useless bird into the rivers and lakes, and spend more time reading, listening to music, and nurturing your mind and body!" After reading the memorial, Emperor Su Zong was very pleased and immediately ordered the bird to be released into the pond.
The Emperor summoned Zhang Jiuling and Prince Li Yanming to discuss the formulation of a dress code. In June of the third year, the Emperor had Zhang Jiuling taken in a sedan chair to the East-West Pavilion. In September, the Emperor promoted Zhang Jiuling to Grand Preceptor, but Zhang Jiuling resolutely declined. As Zhang Jiuling grew older, had more responsibilities, and his health deteriorated, he continued to soldier on, often reading and writing at home, even when gravely ill; he refused to rest at home.
In October of the fourth year, Emperor Suzong paid him a personal visit during his illness and ordered that no one else be allowed to visit. Palace officials came one after another, and the Emperor also ordered all music and entertainment activities to be stopped. The Emperor appointed Zhang Jiuling's eldest son Zhang Li as the Inspector of Qizhou. In November, Zhang Jiuling fell gravely ill and addressed his sons and nephews: "Listen closely to my words. Zengzi once said: 'When a person is about to die, their words are all good.' Now, hold my hand, support my legs; from now on, I know I can depart in peace. I have received great favor from the late Emperor, achieved such a high position, but my legacy is not yet fulfilled, and I will leave regrets after death. You have also gained status because of my efforts; you must work hard! Honor the country even in death! The span of life is determined by fate; what more is there to say? Quickly take me home!" Although he spoke with great effort, his mind was clear. After returning home, he passed away at seventy-three years old.
Emperor Suzong heard the news and wept bitterly. One after another, people in the palace came to report the death. The Emperor bestowed upon him the treasured artifacts of Dongyuan Wenming, a set of court clothes, a garment, 600,000 pieces of silver, 1,000 pieces of cloth, 400 pounds of candles, and appointed the Grand Preceptor to supervise the funeral. The Emperor personally came to the spirit's altar, touching his body and crying in pain. On the way back to the palace, the Emperor continued to weep, ate less than usual, and always reminisced about Zhang Jiuling when speaking. Whenever he walked to the place where Zhang Jiuling usually recited, the Emperor always looked mournful and could not hold back his tears. In the fifth year of the Zhengyue era, the Emperor posthumously appointed Zhang Jiuling as the Grand Preceptor, concurrently holding the positions of Minister of Works, General of the Cavalry, Supervisor of the Palace with Equal Ceremonial, Governor of Jizhou, while retaining his position as Palace Attendant. The Emperor also ordered an increase in the drum music and ceremonial guards, and arranged the funeral according to the specifications of the Grand Preceptor and Prince Guangyang (Li Yi), with the posthumous title of Duke Wenxuan. Emperor Suzong held a funeral for Zhang Jiuling outside the Jianchun Gate, and the mournful scene touched everyone deeply, filling the literati with a sense of honor. At the beginning, during the Taihe era, Zhang Jiuling composed a five-character poem inspired by the five tones of the musical scale and presented it to Li Biao, who in turn wrote twelve poems in response. Zhang Jiuling then wrote 103 poems about the counties to thank Li Biao, with one poem for each county, which were compiled into 103 volumes.
Guang Kuan is a person who is generous and charitable, never goes against anyone, and remains calm in any situation. He has always admired people like Hu Guang and Huang Qiong, which is why those who are headstrong and forceful do not think highly of him. In the beginning, he assisted Prince Zhong, Li Heng, who would later become Emperor Su, and was very trusted by him. Whenever there was a matter that needed a decision, Guang Kuan would do his utmost to assist. Yuan Zai also respected Guang Kuan. Later, after Guo Zuo and Pei Zhi were killed, and King Qinghe, Li Yi, also suffered misfortune, Guang Kuan simply went with the flow and did not step forward to rescue them, which drew criticism from the public. Since he became a high official, he rarely put in a good word for others. At one point, he pleaded on behalf of his son-in-law, Liu Jinghui from Pengcheng, saying that Jinghui was the commander of the Wulong Garrison at Jingzhou. His daughter went to the border with her husband and often worried about being attacked by bandits, so he requested that he be appointed as the Governor of Xuzhou and return to the capital for a while. Emperor Su agreed. People at the time likened him to Zhang Yu.
Guang Kuan initially declined the position of Grand Minister of Ceremonies, giving it to Song Bian; when he became the Minister of Construction, he gave it to Li Yue, the Prince of Runan; when he became the Minister of Rites, he gave it to Liu Fang; when he became the Minister of Education, he gave it to Yuan Wei, Mu Shao, and Zhen Chen; when he became the Grand Scholar, he gave it to Li Yi, the Prince of Qinghe, and Li Cheng, the Prince of Rencheng; when he became the General of the Chariots and Cavalry and the Chief of the Imperial Secretariat, he gave it to Li Ji, the Prince of Jiangyang, and also to Hu Guozhen, the father of Empress Dowager Ling. His actions were highly regarded at the time, but people speculated that he was merely performing for show. He was a devout Buddhist, frequently engaging in worship and reciting scriptures, becoming more devout as he grew older, always cheerful and never getting angry. Once, while reading scriptures in the daytime, a pigeon landed on his lap, then nestled into his arms, and climbed onto his shoulder before flying away after a while. Many monks and laymen wrote poems praising him. He often lectured on the Vimalakirti Sutra and the Ten Grounds Sutra at the invitation of high-ranking officials, drawing crowds often numbering in the hundreds. He wrote commentaries on these two sutras, totaling over thirty volumes. Those well-versed in the subject regarded his explanations as somewhat superficial, attributing it to his esteemed status and the attention he received while lecturing. He authored hundreds of poems, essays, inscriptions, eulogies, elegies, praises, memorials, reports, and other literary works, totaling over fifty volumes, in addition to a separate collection. Guang Kuan had eleven sons, who were named: Li, Xu, Min, Quan, Jie, Ke, Qing, Qu, Jiao, and Mian.
Li, whose courtesy name is Yande, is this kid whose abilities, knowledge, and character resemble those of his father, totally inheriting the family legacy. He passed the scholar's exam and later served as a military aide to the King of Pengcheng, and also served as a secretary. His father, because of his accomplishments, set him up with a literary official position, but he flat-out refused it. Later, he held positions as an assistant minister, cavalry attendant, chief recorder of the Grand Commandant, and a scattered cavalry attendant, but he stepped down because his stepmother passed away. During the reign of the Divine Turtle, he was appointed as a mid-level official in the Ministry of Works. In the second year of the Zhengguang era, he got promoted to deputy minister of the Secretariat. At that time, General Yuan Cha was the commander of the army and appointed him as the chief historian. He and his cousin Hong were both well-known figures back then. In October of the fourth year of the Zhengguang era, his father got really sick, and the court promoted him to general of the expedition and governor of Qizhou. During his father's illness, he served at his bedside without changing his clothes. After his father's death, Emperor Suzong visited him several times to offer condolences. In the spring of the fifth year of the Zhengguang era, his father was buried in their hometown, and the emperor sent Chief Scribe Zhang Wenbo to pay his respects. In December of the first year of the Xiaochang era, the court appointed him as chief historian of the Grand Commandant and made him the chief official of Qizhou, inheriting his father's title. In the early years of the Jianyi era, he was murdered in Heyin at the age of forty-eight. After his death, he was posthumously honored with the titles of Palace Attendant, General of the Guards, and Governor of Qingzhou.
His son Yi inherited his title. During the Wuding era, he became the Grand Commandant. Later, after the Qi dynasty surrendered, his title got downgraded as per the rules.
Yi's brother Sun worked as the chief scribe in the Department of State Affairs.
Li's other son Xu, during the Wuding era, climbed the ranks to become General of the Expedition, Governor of Anzhou, and Duke of Chaoyang. After the Qi dynasty surrendered, his title also took a hit.
Li's other son, Mian, styled Yanru, also inherited his father's excellent qualities. He served as the Secretary of State for Works, the Deputy Minister of the Imperial Guard Corps, General of Ningyuan, and Governor of Qinghe, while also holding the position of Town Commander of Panyang. He was later killed by the rebel Cui Jing'an. After his death, he was posthumously awarded the titles of General of the Expeditionary Forces and Governor of Qizhou. His son Quan served as a military advisor to the Grand Minister.
Li's other son, Jie, served as a secretary during the Wuding period. Li's younger brother, Jingyou, held the position of Inspector of Local Affairs. He was somewhat corrupt and accepted bribes, and was investigated by the censors, resulting in his escape with the guards. He was later appointed Governor of Liang County, but did not assume the position due to his mother's death. Jingyou was deeply devout in Buddhism and Daoism, reciting scriptures day and night. After the mourning period, he adopted a vegetarian diet for the rest of his life. He treated others with respect and generosity, and was known for his integrity and self-discipline. Beginning in the Jingming era, several years of poor harvests occurred, and many people were starving and begging, and he did his utmost to assist them, providing sufficient food. He also constructed an inn south of Suran Mountain, along the main road, offering free food to passing travelers. He passed away in the second month of the third year of Yanchang, at the age of fifty-nine years.
His son Hong, styled Yanluan, loved reading from a young age and was very familiar with classical texts. In the twentieth year of Taihe, he was appointed as a Left Attendant for the Kingdom of Pengcheng. In the third year of Jingming, he was promoted to the position of Junior Official, concurrently serving as a Deputy Minister of the Ministry of Rites, and was assigned to compile the "Chronicles of Daily Life." He later advanced to the role of Court Official, concurrently serving in the Ministry of Ancestral Worship, and then transferred to the Ministry of War. The Emperor once issued an edict summoning the Grand Tutor, Wang Xie of Pengcheng, along with thirty other officials, scholars, and talented individuals from various fields to discuss and formulate laws to be submitted to the Ministry of Rites; Zihong and Guang were among them, and they were praised by the people at the time.
In the early years of Yongping, there was a man named Bai Zaosheng in the city of Yuzhou, who killed the governor Sima Yue and rebelled by occupying Xuanhu City. The court ordered General Zhen Nan Xing Luan to go and suppress him, and appointed Zihong as the Chief Historical Secretary for the Southern Expedition. Later, he was transferred to the San Gong Langzhong (Minister of the Three Dukes) and appointed as the General of Light Chariots. He was later promoted to the position of Cavalry Attendant, concurrently serving as a Langzhong.
In the second year of Yanchang, the court was about to conduct a major evaluation of the officials. Zihong believed that the current evaluation system was inadequate, and thus submitted a suggestion: "I believe that the Emperor selects officials to seek talent and ability, allowing everyone to fully utilize their talents, with clear rewards and punishments, promoting good and suppressing evil. Therefore, those with achievements, talents, and positions commensurate with their abilities often experience frequent and rapid promotions. How can we be constrained by certain ranks and positions, and prevent capable officials from advancing? Since the Han Dynasty, until the Taihe period, as long as the court needed someone to hold a certain position, that person would be competent, often quickly advancing to high positions within a few years; or serving in multiple positions, demonstrating excellence and being promoted. Looking through history, one can see such examples, as most ministers in the court have followed this path. This has garnered praise from numerous scholars, and the nation has thus earned a reputation for its talented individuals. I have observed the evaluation system since the Jingming period, where evaluations are conducted every three years, with only one rank promotion per evaluation. With tens of thousands of people inside and outside the court, regardless of their abilities, all can be promoted, with or without talent. Even those like Huang Gong with political achievements, Wang Zheng with Confucian knowledge, Ban Gu and Sima Qian with historical talent, Zhang Heng and Cai Yong with literary talent, even if they make only slight progress, they will be caught up by others, and the selection department will treat them all the same, without distinction. This has led to discord and should be addressed. Although the imperial decree has been issued, there should still be room for adjustments." Emperor Shizong did not accept his suggestion.
Once upon a time, Hong, when he was three years old, resigned from his official position due to the death of his father. Strangely, nectar fell from the tree at his doorstep! Not long after, in November, Emperor Shizong summoned him back to the court to resume his official duties. Four years later, an even more miraculous event occurred when nectar fell from the tree in his residence in Jingzhao Prefecture! The emperor was pleased and promoted him, granting him the title of General of the Central Army, while he retained his other positions. Later, he was promoted to Zhong San Dafu and became the teacher of Prince Gaoyang, while also continuing to hold the position of Langzhong. That year, he also became the Grand Historian. By the first year of the Zhengguang era, the emperor further conferred upon him the title of Former General. He was also responsible for compiling the "Chronicles" of Emperor Gaozu and Emperor Shizong.
He participated in writing the history of the Wei state, but at that time, only the table of contents was completed, and the content had not yet been thoroughly proofread, resulting in many omissions. He often said that the history of Wei could not be completed by just our generation; we should first record the events of the time and leave it for future generations to perfect. Before he died, he also recommended himself to Emperor Suzong. In the first month of the lunar calendar, the emperor ordered him to continue compiling the national history. During the Xiaochang era, he was appointed as the Deputy Minister of the Yellow Gate, and soon after, he was promoted to the position of Sanqi Changshi and Chief Justice of Qizhou. Unfortunately, he did not hold the historian position for long before he passed away. After his death, the court posthumously awarded him the titles of General of the East, Minister of Revenue, and Governor of Qingzhou.
When Hong was young, he was determined to become an author. He saw that the history prior to the Jin and Wei dynasties was fragmented, which greatly dissatisfied him. He noticed that Liu Yuan, Shi Le, Murong Jun, Fu Jian, Murong Chui, Yao Chang, Murong De, Helian Bobo, Zhang Gui, Li Xiong, Lu Guang, Qifu Guoren, Tufa Wugu, Li Hao, Juqu Mengxun, Feng Ba, and others each claimed kingship or emperorship over their respective territories, each having their own history books, but not a unified version. So, he resolved to write a book titled "The Annals of the Sixteen Kingdoms" and ultimately produced a hundred volumes. He referred to previous historical sources and, based on his own understanding, made revisions and annotations to them. Because Hong served as an official in the Jiangnan region (Eastern Jin) for two generations, he refrained from writing histories of the Jin, Liu Song, Xiao Qi, and other dynasties. He was also concerned about potential criticism, so he hesitated to publish the book.
Emperor Shizong heard that he was writing a book, so he sent the Minister of Dispersed Cavalry, Zhao Yong, to convey an edict, saying: "I heard that the historical book you are compiling is well-structured. Feel free to submit any completed sections at your convenience, and I will read them in between handling state affairs." Because some of the content in the book pertained to the early days of the nation's founding, and some of the language might not adhere to proper etiquette, he remained hesitant to submit it. Later, Hong was tasked with recording the Emperor's daily activities, and he even took the liberty of recording his own contributions in the "Record of Daily Activities"…
I heard that when an emperor comes to power, even if he has the Mandate of Heaven and favorable prophecies, he must first engage in warfare and eliminate opposition to gain the people's support and create a prosperous era. Look at the chaotic Warring States period; it took more than a decade of fighting for Emperor Gaozu of Han to eliminate the feudal lords and establish the Han Dynasty, which lasted for four hundred years. Then, through the peaceful reigns of Emperors Wen and Jing, along with the military might of Emperor Wu, cultural unity was achieved in the border regions of Liangzhou and Shuofang, and the southern regions of Xiang and Yue also came under central control. Seeing the prosperity of the Han Dynasty, Sima Qian, Ban Gu, and others felt that earlier historical records were too brief, so they collected and compiled earlier historical records into the "Records of the Grand Historian" to document events and highlight the changes of the times.
During the time of Emperor Hui of the Jin Dynasty, the country was in decline, and all ethnic groups rebelled; three emperors were controlled by traitorous officials, and two emperors met untimely ends; all five capital cities were abandoned and in ruins, becoming wastelands. The states of Zhao and Yan were like coiled serpents in their territories, Liaodong and the distant seas turned into wild territories, each country was war-torn and impoverished, fighting each other, with no ruler in the Central Plains for over eighty years. The Jin Dynasty was isolated and weak, the people were displaced and had nowhere to settle. As for the Wei Dynasty, it was like a dragon lurking in Youzhou, inheriting the legacy of the Gongsun Liu family for generations, implementing enlightened governance at home, resisting other separatist forces externally. Talented individuals from Jizhou flocked to the Wei Dynasty, just like the people of Binzhou and Qizhou submitted to King Tai in the past, praising the submission to King Wen of Zhou; this is quite comparable. Our founding Emperor Daowu, with his heroic presence, followed the trend of history, gained widespread support, and established the Wei Dynasty. Emperor Taizong continued to build upon the foundation and achieve greatness. Emperor Shizu was talented and strategic, exhibiting both majesty and military might, developing agriculture, and focusing on military matters, removing all barriers. After more than forty years, the world was finally unified. Those with tattoos and distinctive earlobes, those tribal leaders wearing exotic garments and braided hairstyles, all came to pay their respects and follow commands. The people felt the blessings of a peaceful and prosperous era, singing songs of peace and finally living a peaceful and prosperous life, as happy as in the time of Yao and Shun.
After the Yongning era of the Jin Dynasty, although various regions fought against each other under their own banners, only sixteen clans ultimately established states, leaving behind their surnames and becoming the lords of the Warring States. The processes of rise and fall of these states, as well as the strategies and losses in warfare, offer valuable lessons and warnings for future generations. However, earlier historical records are incomplete, disorganized in structure, and filled with errors and omissions, lacking proper detail and consistency; therefore, they should be meticulously proofread and compiled into a comprehensive history.
Your Majesty, you are a wise ruler, responding to heaven and the times; your reign radiates like the sun and moon, and your virtues are as boundless as heaven and earth. You have achieved unprecedented feats, established new systems, and benefited the people. Your Majesty has inherited the throne with wisdom and martial prowess, in accordance with heaven's mandate. Your moral integrity is exemplary, your wisdom profound, and you are proficient in various fields of study, widely reading books, far surpassing the Shiquge and Baihuguan of the Han Dynasty. You promote new rituals and abolish old customs, transforming the cultural atmosphere; your virtuous influence has affected all aspects of life, even harmonizing the natural climate. Moreover, as a humble minister such as myself, enjoying your benevolence, emulating your righteous path, how can I not strive to improve my shortcomings and strengthen my resolve? I know my abilities are not comparable to those of renowned ministers, but my aspiration to write "Records of the Nation" and "Historical Examination" can still be realized to some extent.
Starting from the early years of the Jingming era, I have been collecting the old histories of various countries. At that time, I had just moved to the capital, and these historical materials were scattered in different places. I traveled far and wide, spending several years to gather them all. Moreover, my family was poor, and my salary was quite small, so I could only rely on myself to complete this work. Due to insufficient funds, I often found myself short on paper, and it wasn't until the first year of the Zhengshi era that I barely managed to gather everything. I used my spare time to write this book. I compiled events from various periods into volumes, unified the format of the historical texts, cut out unnecessary words, and supplemented any deficiencies. For events with discrepancies in the records, I carefully checked against the calendars and old records to correct the errors, aiming for accuracy and reliability. After a thorough revision, the book contains a total of one hundred chapters, similar in length to the "Spring and Autumn Annals." By the end of the third year, the first draft of the entire book was completed, totaling ninety-five volumes.
However, I couldn’t find Chang Qu’s historical texts about Li Xiong and his son’s reign in Shu, despite searching everywhere; I was unable to finish the book and had to set it aside temporarily, and it has been seven years since then. The materials for this book were mainly collected in Jiangnan, and I fear there are none from the Central Plains, which I can't finish by myself. I have also collected some materials regarding those who raised armies to declare themselves emperors, but without Chang Qu's book, my records would be quite incomplete. I've long wanted to bring this to Your Majesty's attention, asking if you could send someone to gather materials from the border regions, but because of my lowly status, I hesitate to make such a request.
My name is Zhao Yong. I used to be a Palace Attendant, a Junior Minister of Rites, and a Senior Official in Jingzhou. The Emperor suddenly decreed that I present something. I never expected the Emperor would know about the writings left by my father, Zhao Hong. Upon receiving the imperial edict, I felt a mix of joy and fear. Now I have submitted the organized materials. I've also written an extra scroll of prefaces and a timeline scroll, hoping to fully showcase the dynasty's prosperity and reflect my modest efforts in organizing this work. I just want to follow the noble tradition of the ancients by writing and sharing my thoughts, but my writing is rough and unpolished, and I know it lacks value, so I feel quite embarrassed presenting it to the Emperor.
My father, Zhao Hong, had lofty ambitions, but he did not dare to publish his writings since the Zhengguang era. Later, because his brother Zhao Guang held a position in the court and knew that people at the time could not understand his writings, they were secretly circulated and read. Also, due to Zhao Guang's influence, those in power did not take action. My father's writings were extensive but also contained many errors. For example, in the second year of Taizu Tianxing, Yao Xing changed his reign title, but my father recorded it as occurring in the first year; in the second year of Taizong Yongxing, Murong Chao was captured at Guanggu, but my father recorded it as occurring in the first year; in the second year of Taichang, Yao Hong was defeated in Chang'an, but my father recorded it as occurring in the first year. There are many such errors that have not been thoroughly verified.
My father Zhao Hong passed away, and my younger brother Zhao Ziyuan served as a secretary. Later, during the Yong'an era, he submitted a memorial saying: "My father, the late Senior Attendant, Yellow Gate Attendant, former general, and Qizhou Grand Supervisor Zhao Hong, inherited the good family traditions, studied diligently, was well-versed in ancient studies, well-read, and had a high level of historical scholarship and great reputation. When he was young, he wanted to write and make his voice heard. During the Zhengshi era, he utilized his free time to write historical books for countries such as Zhao, Yan, Qin, Xia, Liang, and Shu, and wrote prefaces and comments for them. Before his death, he had completed most of the content, except for Li Xiong's "Shu Book," which he had yet to locate, so one country was missing, and the book was never completed. In the third year of Zhengguang, he finally found it, but he passed away immediately after organizing it. The book has 120 volumes, recording the history of the Sixteen Kingdoms in great detail, providing the most comprehensive account of recent history, titled "Spring and Autumn." He neither submitted it during his lifetime nor publicly distributed it. Now I have compiled a copy and presented it to the emperor. If there are any deficiencies in the book, please do not blame the emperor, and I humbly request that it be stored in the secret chamber to enrich the royal collection." Later, Zhao Ziyuan rebelled, went into exile, and though he was later pardoned, he was killed by his uncle Zhao Kun.
Guang Cong's younger brother, Zhang Wen, whose courtesy name was Jinghan, also moved to the capital, Daidou, in his youth. He was intelligent and knowledgeable. During the Taihe period, he was appointed as a court official. Later transferred to Luoyang, he was appointed as a military advisor responsible for the construction of Hualin Garden. He also served as an attendant cavalier in the Imperial Secretariat and as the envoy to Dangchang. Upon returning to the court, he was appointed to various positions, including assistant official, local magistrate, and clerk in the Ministry of Works. During the Zhengshi period, when the court undertook a major weapons production initiative, he was appointed as the commander overseeing weapon production across various provinces, the governor of Taiyuan in Qizhou, and the chief historian of the military office in Yongzhou. He was renowned for his integrity and caution. He was later promoted to the rank of General of the Conquering Barbarians and a Senior Palace Attendant, and then ultimately reached the rank of Junior Household Officer. He also served as a consultant to the Prime Minister and the Prince of Gaoyang Yong. During the Yong'an period, due to his old age, he was appointed as the General Who Conquers the Barbarians and the Inspector of Pingzhou. After retiring to his hometown, he immersed himself in Buddhist texts, no longer engaging with worldly matters. He passed away at seventy-nine during the early Tianping years. After his death, he was posthumously appointed as the General Who Maintains Order, the General Who Conquers the East, and the Inspector of Qizhou, with the posthumous title of 'Zhen'.
His son, Zi Cimao, courtesy name De Lin, served as the General Who Conquers the Barbarians and the Chief Clerk of the Expeditionary Office in Xuzhou in the early years of Yongxi. Zi Xiang, the younger brother of Zhang Wen, was exceptionally talented. He was initially appointed as an imperial censor, an attendant cavalier in the Imperial Secretariat, and an assistant official. He embarked on several diplomatic missions to Goryeo and later rose to the rank of infantry captain, then transitioned to a position in the Ministry of Works, overseeing the left and right divisions. He was later appointed as chief historian of Xiangzhou, then returned to the court and was appointed as the magistrate of Heyin and Luoyang, renowned for his integrity and steadfastness. He was later promoted to the position of the Prefect of Dongju. When Yuan Hao's rebel army neared the county border, Xiang resolutely refused to surrender, resigned from his post as magistrate, and fled back to his hometown. After Empress Xiaozhuang's return to the palace, she bestowed upon him the title of Count Pingyuan and appointed him as the Prefect of Yingchuan. In May two years later, he was murdered by townspeople, including Wang Zao and Lan Bao. Following his death, he was posthumously honored as General of the Valiant Cavalry, Minister of Personnel, and Inspector of Qizhou.
His son Han inherited the noble title. After the Qi Dynasty abdicated, the title was downgraded in accordance with regulations. Guangtong's cousin Rongxian, who was styled Longzu, was well-versed in classical texts and history and was recruited by the provincial government to take up the position of chief scribe. His son Duo was very talented in literature and rose to the rank of Champion General and Grand Master of Zhongsan. Duo's younger brother Jin reached the rank of General of Ningyuan and Supervisor of the Feather Forest. Historical records describe Cui Guang as a person of high integrity and simplicity, possessing profound and extensive knowledge. Emperor Gaozu valued his abilities and believed he would accomplish great things in the future; wise rulers can always recognize talent. He served three emperors and also educated the young prince, remaining in the palace with little time spent outside, yet he attained the high position of Tai Fu (equivalent to Prime Minister), which was quite rare in his time. Despite this, he strived to maintain his noble character and was quite moderate in his actions, which led to inevitable criticism, similar to Hu Guang. He was knowledgeable and talented, well-versed in both ancient and modern matters, able to write essays and manage political affairs, making him a notably talented and ambitious individual. In short, Cui Guang was a person of good character and high scholarship, highly regarded by the emperor, and he rose steadily to the position of Prime Minister, which was not easy at that time. Nonetheless, he remained upright, acted cautiously, and avoided seeking the spotlight, leading to inevitable gossip, which is somewhat akin to Hu Guang's circumstances. Nevertheless, he truly possessed genuine talent and knowledge, could write essays, and manage political affairs, making him a talented individual.
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!
Xing Luan, style name Hongbin, was from Mao County in Hejian, Hebei. His ancestor Xing Gu, five generations ago, was summoned several times by Shi Le, but he never accepted. Xing Gu had no sons, so Xing Luan's great-grandfather Xing Gai was adopted from a branch of the family. Xing Gai's grandson Xing Ying, style name Zongjing, was renowned for his intellect and scholarship. During Wei's Emperor Taiwu's reign, he was summoned by the court along with Lu Xuan of Fanyang and Gao Yun of Bohai. He was later appointed as a minister, concurrently serving as an imperial attendant, general of Ning Shuo, and Pingcheng, and was sent on a mission to the Southern Song Dynasty of Liu Yilong. Later, he returned home because of illness. After a long time, Emperor Taiwu of Wei asked among his ministers about Xing Ying: "I remember Xing Ying, this esteemed elder, who was knowledgeable and had integrity. He should be appointed as an instructor in the Eastern Palace. Where is he now?" Minister Cui Hao replied, "Xing Ying is bedridden at home." The emperor then sent imperial physicians to treat him without delay. After Xing Ying's passing, the court posthumously honored him with the titles of Champion General and Inspector of Dingzhou, and bestowed upon him the posthumous title of Kang. His son Xing Xiunian, who was Xing Luan's father, served as the chief registrar of a province.
Xing Luan has been fond of learning since childhood, carrying a book bag to visit teachers everywhere. Although his family was poor, he lived a simple life and eventually became well-read. He was exceptionally talented in literature, strategically minded, and strikingly handsome with a distinguished beard. He was recommended by the local authorities to the imperial court and was appointed as a Doctor of the Imperial Library. Later, he was promoted to the role of Assistant Minister of Ceremonies and caught the attention of Emperor Gaozu of Northern Wei. He also served as an Imperial Secretary of Ceremonies and was sent on a mission to the Southern Qi Dynasty. Upon his return, he was appointed as a Gentleman of the Imperial Court and later promoted to the role of Deputy Director of the Imperial Secretariat, highly regarded by the Emperor and often involved in his decision-making. Once, when Emperor Gaozu went on an inspection tour and passed by Xing Luan's residence near the Ministry of Works, he saw it and sent word to Xing Luan, saying, "I am passing by here today and saw your residence; I will stay here. Looking east is the Hall of Virtue, and I am deeply moved!" Xing Luan replied, "Your Majesty, you are moving the capital to Zhongjing, building an endless undertaking. My focus is on assisting Wei in its fortunes and misfortunes; how can I care about building luxurious residences?" Emperor Gaozu said to the Minister of Works Mu Liang and the Minister of Works Li Chong, "Xing Luan's words hold great significance!" Later, someone reported that Xing Luan's writings "Strategies of Elegance" and "Classic of Filial Piety" were written very well. The Emperor issued a decree saying, "Both 'Strategies of Elegance' and 'Classic of Filial Piety' have their unique strengths, and the methods and strategies used are also different. Xing Luan is exceptionally talented; let him take charge of 'Strategies of Elegance'." Later, Xing Luan was appointed as a Yellow Gate Attendant.
Liu Luan followed Han Gaozu into battle, first arriving at Xinye and later reaching their destination. Han Gaozu said, "Boyu, you have been blinded by heaven and misled by ghosts; guarding such a dangerous place while constantly defying your lord is why you find yourself in this situation." Liu Luan replied, "Xinye has already been lost, and the other cities have also fallen; only you, Boyu, seem unaware of the danger. We're on the verge of putting down the rebellion!" Han Gaozu said, "At this stage, while we haven't fully captured or eliminated the rebels, the cities are on the brink of collapse, so it should happen soon. That is why we are temporarily holding back our attack, mainly waiting for the Zhongshusheng to prepare the good news." Not long after, Liu Luan was appointed Chief Yellow Gate Attendant and concurrently served as Deputy Inspector, and was later promoted to Regular Attendant, also serving concurrently as Minister of Personnel.
When Emperor Shizong first ascended the throne, Liu Luan presented a memorial saying: "I have heard that ancient wise rulers governed the world with virtue and placed great importance on grain and cloth while valuing gold and silver treasures less. This is because grain and cloth are the foundation for stabilizing the state and nurturing the people, while gold, silver, and jewels are merely superficial things that could undermine the nation's virtue. Therefore, the late emperor understood both ancient and modern principles of governance, eliminating all luxury and waste. Clothing and utensils should emphasize practicality, not pursue intricate and ornate designs; what is cherished should be simple, not peculiar or bright. Even tents and carts were made from paper, silk, and copper and iron. He educated the court on frugality, setting an example of caring for the country and its people, working diligently day and night, and being cautious in both major and minor matters. Disregarding precious jewels demonstrated a lack of desire for indulgence; the gold and silver in the national treasury were sufficient for their needs, never bought in large quantities to hoard, wasting the treasury's funds. By the early years of Jingming, having inherited the legacy of a prosperous era, the country's borders were stable, and both near and far submitted to the court. As a result, tributes came continuously from various places, and merchants were in constant flow, with various offerings and trade significantly more than usual. Even with such frugality, there were still large amounts of surplus treasures each year, but the treasury's funds were always insufficient. If we do not impose restrictions on these tribute items, we may not be able to meet annual expenditures. From now on, unless absolutely necessary, please do not accept any." Emperor Shizong adopted his suggestion. Soon after, Liu Luan was appointed as a minister while retaining his position as a palace attendant. Xiahou Daoqian surrendered Hanzhong to the Liang dynasty, and Emperor Xiao Yan promoted him, granting him the titles of envoy with special authority, commander of the military operations against Liang and Han, and acting general of the western garrison, allowing him to manage military affairs flexibly according to circumstances, granting him considerable authority.
After Dao Qian moved to Hanzhong, he discovered that the areas west of Baima Pass remained unsurrendered, so he dispatched General Ningyuan Yang Ju, Commander Yang Zhong'ai, Fan Hongya, and others, leading six thousand soldiers to launch an attack. As soon as the army arrived, the rebels surrendered without resistance, except for the garrison commander of Bugushu, He Fazheng, who stubbornly defended the city and refused to surrender. Yang Ju and his men then attacked, and He Fazheng was defeated and fled. The pursuing troops chased him right up to the foot of Guancheng, where Li Shishu, the city commander, unexpectedly opened the gates to surrender. Subsequently, over thirty generals, including Ren Sengyou, the Assistant Minister of State for Xiao Yan, brought over seven thousand households from several commanderies such as Nanan, Guangchang, Dongluo, Dahan, Wushi, Chukou, Pingxi, and Tonggu to seek refuge.
Xiao Yan's General Pingxi, Li Tianci, and the Governor of Jinshou, Wang Jingyin, stationed seven thousand troops at Shiting. As a result, they were defeated by Han Duobao and others, with Li Tianci's vanguard suffering over 1,300 casualties. Later, Li Yizhen was sent to attack Jinshou, and Wang Jingyin fled in the middle of the night, leading to the pacification of Jinshou. Emperor Xiao Yan issued an edict stating, "Dao Qian has arrived there and needs to establish some official positions to pacify the newly surrendered people. The ranks of these positions should be aligned with the ranks of the governor during the campaign against Yiyang." Finally, Xiao Yan appointed Dao Qian as the Envoy with the Imperial Seal, General Anxi, and Governor of Liang and Qin provinces.
Pang Jingmin, the Governor of Baxi under Xiao Yan, refused to surrender, believing his remote location offered safety. Thus, Xiao Yan sent the Governor of Bazhou, Yan Xuansi, to attack him, which led to Pang Jingmin's death and the complete pacification of the Baxi region.
Next, Xiao Yan sent his champion general Kong Ling and his other generals to lead an army of 20,000 to garrison at Deep Pit. Meanwhile, champion generals Ren Sengbao and Li Quan, the auxiliary general, were stationed at Shitong. The commander of Xiao Yan's army, Wang Zu, marched forward and defeated them all, killing Xiao Yan's auxiliary general Le Baoming, General Ning Shuo Li Bodu, and General Longxiang Li Sixian, forcing Xiao Yan's troops to retreat to Che Zha.
Capitalizing on his victory, Wang Zu then attacked Xiao Yan's auxiliary general Fan Jun, and in this battle, over 10,000 enemy soldiers were captured. Kong Ling and his remaining troops fled to Zitong to make a stand, but were again defeated by Wang Zu, and Xiao Yan's auxiliary general Fu Bodu was also killed. In this battle, over 10,000 enemy soldiers were killed, injured, or drowned.
Thus, we expanded our territory, pacified the people, and controlled an area stretching 700 miles east to west and 1,000 miles north to south, reclaiming a total of 14 provinces, along with two military guards and many county garrisons. In the end, we brought the war closer to Foucheng. Wang Zu reported:
"From Yangzhou to Chengdu, it's quite a distance, and the land route is completely cut off; we can only take the water route. Xiao Yan's nephew, Xiao Yuanzhao, set out from Yangzhou on April 13 last year and only arrived in Sichuan on April 4 this year. Traveling by water to the west may not even get there in a year, and he has little external support; this presents an opportunity!"
Yizhou recently went through Liu Jilian's rebellion and is currently under siege by Deng Yuanqi. Supplies have been exhausted, and the warehouses are completely bare, and they still haven't recovered. The common people are scared out of their wits and have completely lost their will to resist; this is our second opportunity! Xiao Yuanzhao is just some young dandy in fancy clothes, with zero experience in running a country. Upon arriving in Yizhou, he killed Deng Yuanchao and Cao Liangzong, and his battle command is all over the place. Fan Guohui and Jin Qu have already lost battles and they’re still locked up. The generals he's using now aren't seasoned veterans; they're just a bunch of young guys around him. He doesn’t care about the people and kills innocents left and right, which has totally shattered their morale; this is the third opportunity!
Sichuan is counting on the strategic position of Jian'ge. We have already captured Nan'an, and we've also taken control of the key terrain at Jian'ge. We've already taken over a third of Sichuan. The road from Nan'an to Fucheng is clear and open; our front lines have been winning battles, and the enemy is already scared stiff; this is the fourth opportunity! Back in the day, Liu Shan held down the fort in all of Sichuan, with Jiang Wei backing him up. When Deng Ai came at him from Mianzhu, he just surrendered. Back when Fu Jian was around, Yang An and Zhu Tong took Hanzhong in just three months, and by April they reached Fucheng, without even getting to Chengdu, and Zhong Sun fled. Huan Wen's western expedition quickly pacified the Shu region. Sichuan has always been a tough nut to crack. Plus, Xiao Yuanzhao is Xiao Yan's nephew; being family, he won't be killed if he runs. If our army takes Fucheng, can Xiao Yuanzhao really just sit in the city and wait to die? If he steps out to fight, the Shu army's soldiers will be armed mostly with swords and guns, and barely any bows and arrows. Even if they shoot arrows, they won't hit a thing; this is our fifth opportunity!
I've heard that seizing the right moment is the essence of military strategy; as noted in "Spring and Autumn," attacking those who act unjustly and insult the nation is a righteous act. Peace has never been achieved by simply laying down arms, and the country cannot be unified without conquest. Your Majesty has inherited the legacies of the Martial Emperor and the Literary Emperor, and now is the right time; possessing the rich land of the Central Plains and a strong army; pacifying the world is within reach today. Therefore, when Your Majesty ascended the throne, Shou Chun came to surrender; last year, troops were sent out, and Yi Yang was also captured. The region south of the Huai River is now stable and peaceful, and Jingzhou and Mianzhou have also calmed down. I originally planned to rest and recuperate, waiting for the right time to act again, but fate has smiled upon me; the timing has come so quickly that even if I wanted to halt the fighting, it would be too late. Consequently, the rebel forces have surrendered one after another, and the Hanzhong area is about to be recovered. My abilities are limited, but I bear the heavy responsibility of military affairs. I am a civilian official, not a military strategist. Coming to Hanzhong, I just want to defend the border. The situation is very difficult, with enemies attacking from both east and west. Relying on the power of the court, the bravery of our soldiers, and the obedience of the border generals, we have repeatedly achieved small victories. I capitalized on the favorable situation to press my advantage, wielded a big sword, captured Nan'an, and occupied important strategic locations. The vanguard has advanced to Zitong, and the people of Xinhua have all submitted. It is estimated that Fuling and Yizhou will be taken soon. However, due to insufficient troops and food shortages, it is not advisable to attack rashly. If we hesitate and wait, we may lose the support of the people and allow the enemy to grow stronger. If we do not seize the opportunity now, it will be difficult to conquer later. I dare to lead the army, hoping to completely eliminate the enemy. If the battle goes badly, I am willing to take responsibility. Moreover, Yizhou is rich, with a population of over 100,000, more than three times that of Shou Chun and Yi Yang, worth capturing; the opportunity is right before us. If the court is only interested in maintaining peace without military expansion, then I have no further role here. I request to be allowed to return to serve my parents and fulfill my filial duty.
His Majesty decreed: "If the enemy dares to spy, take the opportunity to eliminate them; if the enemy does not act, then pacify the people and defend the border to stabilize the hearts of the people at the border. Your plan to conquer Shu will await further orders." I submitted again:
It is said that back in the day, Deng Ai and Zhong Hui led an army of 180,000, consuming the nation's resources, and barely managed to pacify the state of Shu. Why? Because they were strong! But I, my abilities are not on par with those of the ancients, lacking in both wisdom and courage; why should I, with just 20,000 men, presume to pacify Shu? I say this because I hold a crucial strategic position, and the local people admire my righteous actions. Attacking is easy for me, but countering is difficult for them. If I give it my all, success is within reach. Now, Your Majesty, you are already at Fucheng's gates. Once Fucheng is taken, Yizhou will be practically ours; it is merely a matter of time. Moreover, Zitong has already surrendered, with several tens of thousands of households. How could the court not send troops to defend? To defend, we'd need at least 10,000 men just for border security. I'm only asking for an extra 25,000 men this time; that’s not too much, right? Furthermore, the treacherous Jian Gate has been famous since ancient times. Zhang Zai wrote in his "Inscription": "In chaotic times, one must resist; in peaceful times, one must comply." What a shame!
Of course I know that the campaign against Shu is a risky endeavor, not easy to succeed. Since the army entered Jiange, I've gone a bit gray; I've been on edge all day, never able to relax for a moment. The reason I work so hard is that if we occupy this place and then retreat without holding it, we may disappoint the late emperor's favor and fail to live up to Your Majesty's rewards. So I have been diligently submitting requests. Besides, my plan is to first attack Fucheng and then gradually advance. If we capture Fucheng, it will cut off the hinterland of Yizhou and block its important water and land transportation routes. Without reinforcements from outside, how long can they hold out in the isolated city? I plan to have the army advance step by step, with a grand momentum, making thorough preparations before launching an attack. If successful, we will win a great victory, and if we fail, we can still retreat unscathed.
It's 1400 li apart from Baxi to Nanzheng, which leaves the locals feeling uneasy. When I was in Nanzheng before, due to the challenges in management, Baxian was newly established to suppress those barbarians, benefiting Liangzhou, and then it was reported to the court to withdraw Baxian. The local families, like the Yan, Pu, He, and Yang clans, are numerous; even though they live in the mountains, many are quite affluent and influential. Many of the memorials and letters they write are well-written; their dress and appearance are also exquisite, and there are many elegant and charming people. But because it is too far from the prefectural capital, they can't advance in their careers or participate in local governance. The locals in Baxian are quite capable; even without the jurisdiction of Liangzhou, they live relatively well, so they feel stifled and often make waves. When I first suggested it, Yan Xuansi took it upon himself to be the governor of Baxian, and after capturing the city, he continued to hold office. Baxi is vast and populous, with a radius of more than a thousand li and a population of over forty thousand. Establishing a prefecture there to keep those barbarians in check would help win the people's support. Going west from Dianjiang, we won't need to launch further campaigns, and it will naturally fall under our control.
The emperor did not agree. Later, Wang Zu took a trip around Fucheng and then returned; the situation in Shu remained unresolved. After Luan captured Baxi, he sent Li Zhongqian to guard it. Li Zhongqian became infatuated with the beauty of the general's daughter, Zhang Fayang, who was under Xiao Yan. He lost himself in wine and women, completely neglecting official duties. Luan was enraged, and Li Zhongqian, frightened, considered rebellion. In the end, the city's inhabitants killed him and offered the city to Qiao Xiyuan, a general under Xiao Yan, and Baxi was thus lost. The Di people of Wuxing and others rose in rebellion, and Luan dispatched Fu Shuyan to suppress the rebellion; this matter is all recorded in the "Biography of Shuyan." When Luan first arrived in Hanzhong, he was calm, composed, and somewhat free-spirited, treating the local powerful people with courtesy and treating the common people kindly. But more than a year later, he began indiscriminately killing civilians, capturing over two hundred people to enslave them, and colluding with merchants to amass wealth, which attracted significant criticism. Later, he was appointed Minister of Revenue by the court. Xiao Yan launched an attack, capturing Xuzhou and Yanzhou, and the border cities fell one after another. The court was in a state of panic and dispatched Luan as a general, responsible for military command on the eastern battlefield, while retaining his position as Minister of Revenue. The emperor expressed his concerns in the Eastern Hall, saying, “Xiao Yan has violated our borders, and the situation is becoming increasingly serious. The various armies are not coordinating well, leading to the loss of many places, and the common people of Songzhou and Luzhou are suffering greatly. I know you have just returned to the capital and must have many concerns at home, but the situation in the southeast requires your attention! You must strive to win victories to repay my expectations; loyal ministers have never been disloyal to their families throughout history!”
Luan replied, "Although the enemy is as powerful as the sea in attacking and seizing cities, their actions are against the heavens. Our righteous army will soon bring them down. Moreover, I trust in the emperor's wise decisions and will follow your orders in battle. The day to put down the rebellion is near. Your Majesty, please do not worry about the southeast." The emperor said, "Han Gaozu Liu Bang once said, 'With the Golden Guards at Yan, I have no worries.' Now that you’re leading the troops, what do I have to worry about?"
First, General Xiao Ji, a subordinate of Xiao Yan, led 20,000 troops and captured Gu Cheng City. General Lu Xianwen and General Xiang Wenyu led 10,000 troops stationed at Gu Shan. General Jiao Nian, under Xiao Yan, led 10,000 troops to disrupt Gui Meng, where many locals joined the rebellion, with half of the families in the area participating. General Luan sent Fan Lu to attack Lu Xianwen and his men, Yuan Heng to attack Gu Cheng City, and Bi Zuxiu to deal with Jiao Nian. Fan Lu defeated Lu Xianwen and his men, chasing them for over 80 li and beheading more than 4,000. Yuan Heng also captured Gu Cheng City, while Bi Zuxiu defeated Jiao Nian and restored peace to the entire Yanzhou.
General Luan defeated the bandit general Lan Huaigong in Suikou, and subsequently, Lan Huaigong and his men rebuilt fortifications in Huainan, with the aim of cutting off vital land and water transport routes. General Luan personally led a large army to attack from the southern water route, while sending General Yang Dayan from Pingnan to flank the enemy from the north. He also ordered Commander Liu Sizu and his troops to build wooden rafts along the riverbank to set fire to the enemy's ships. The various armies launched a coordinated assault, dismantling the barricades, filling in the trenches, and storming the city walls. A massive fire erupted, and assaults were happening all around, ultimately breaking through the enemy's fortifications and capturing or killing tens of thousands. In Chen, General Lan Huaigong was killed, and more than thirty of his nobles, generals, and high-ranking officials were captured, with over ten thousand others captured or killed. After Suyu was pacified, Xiao Ming also fled from Huaiyang, and a total of over 400,000 shi of grain was seized from both locations.
Emperor Shizong issued a holy decree to General Luan, which roughly stated: "I know you have defeated those vile bandits and that your might has intimidated the enemy camp, driving away the fog over the Huai River. The rebellion in the Xuzhou area has also been quelled by you. Your strategic vision is far-reaching, and the cause of unification has only just begun. The entire court rejoices at this; what could be more rewarding? The bandits' rebellion this time has drained the nation's resources! Recently, the Suqiu area fell, and Huaiyang City was besieged. The enemy was arrogant and dared to confront our army. You, General, are loyal and have developed a meticulous battle plan, scorching the enemy like a raging fire and freezing them like frost. Your army is unstoppable, sweeping through Daiyin like a mountain flood and ravaging Yishan like a gale, ultimately annihilating those fleeing bandits overnight, with even the most notorious rebels having surrendered. Your contributions are immense, with few in history able to match yours. However, the Yangzhou area has yet to be fully stabilized, and the remaining enemies must be entirely eliminated. Now is the ideal time to capitalize on your victory; you must not miss this opportunity. You must lead your forces, seize the moment, continue the attack, showcase your strength in the southeast, and thoroughly pacify the Jianghuai region, so that we may no longer be troubled and strive for lasting peace. As for the strategy of advance and retreat, I leave it to your careful consideration."
The emperor also issued another holy decree to General Luan, saying: "Although Huaiyang and Suqiu have been recaptured, the bandits in Liangcheng still have the audacity to gather. We must seize this victory and completely eliminate them. You can lead an army of twenty thousand across the Huai River, coordinating with General Zhengnan to develop a new offensive strategy."
The bandit troops of Liang Kingdom have fled, and King Zhongshan Ying took advantage of the victory to pursue them and lay siege to Zhongli City. The Emperor issued another edict, ordering General Luan to lead troops to support him. General Luan submitted a report saying, "I have received the edict to cross the Huai River and coordinate with the General of the Southern Expedition to pursue the enemy while they are defeated; this was originally part of a coordinated plan. However, upon careful consideration, I find certain aspects problematic. To move south, we need to build up our strength; to attack other countries, we need sufficient supplies. In warfare, meticulous planning and preparation are essential. We must not be overly optimistic, thinking we will definitely win, and gamble on the opponent's failure. If we want to plunder land and harm civilians, we must have absolute assurance; if we want to capture cities and territories, it is still uncertain whether we will succeed. Even if we succeed, the gains may be minimal; if we fail, the losses will be considerable. Xiao Yan depleted Jiangdong's resources and initiated a war this year, only to return defeated, with both the rulers and their subjects having made mistakes, becoming a laughingstock for the world. Although we cannot prevail in open combat, we are more than capable of defending the city. Even if we attack now, we may not necessarily succeed. Moreover, Guangling is very far from here, forty miles from the Yangtze River; Zhongli and Huaiyin are outside the Huai River, and even if they surrender, they will likely struggle with food shortages and cannot hold out; not to mention we would be attacking them, which would only further exhaust our soldiers. Additionally, the Southern Expedition soldiers have been engaged in battle for two years, exhausted and suffering many casualties; everyone is well aware of the situation. Although we currently have the conditions to pursue the enemy, I worry that we do not have the strength for prolonged warfare. In my view, we should prioritize repairing the old fortifications, strengthen the border defenses, recuperate and gather our strength, and then plan for future major events. Furthermore, the turmoil in Jiangdong won't last indefinitely; we should build our strength and wait for the right moment, as this is the best strategy."
The emperor said, "Cross the Huai River and work together. I’ve already issued orders regarding this. Why are you still hesitating and bringing this up? March forward quickly, and follow the specific strategy laid out by the General of the Southern Expedition."
General Luan submitted a report saying: "Xiao Yan has invaded, and our army has been fighting for a long time. Now, after much effort, we have finally quelled the border troubles. This is all due to the blessings of heaven for the Emperor Wei; heaven seems determined to wipe out this band of rebels led by Xiao Yan. It's not that our generals are exceptionally capable that we could win. In my view, the most important thing now is to repair the border defenses and wait for Xiao Yan's next move. Besides, Xiao Yan is still alive, and his forces are not completely gone. He's like a praying mantis; how could he just give up? We should be well-prepared and wait for his attack; we shouldn't wear our troops out by marching too far. Now, King Zhongshan is leading an attack on Zhongli, and I honestly don't get what this is all about. If we think we can win without a solid plan, directly attacking Guangling and penetrating deep into enemy territory to catch them off guard might offer a glimmer of hope. But now, if we want to gather troops, the remnants of Xiao Yan's forces are still there; if we say there is no food, the supply ships have arrived. Attacking a city with only eighty days' worth of supplies? I've never heard of anything like that! Furthermore, Guangling and Rencheng are cautionary tales; do we really want to repeat the same mistakes? If we attack now, they will defend their city, not engage us in battle. The city walls are strong, and the moat is deep; we won't be able to break through, and we will waste time until spring, leaving our soldiers exhausted. Even if I go, how are we supposed to get the food there? If we go out in summer, the soldiers won't have winter gear, and if we encounter ice and snow, how will we survive the winter? I'd rather take the heat for hesitating than the blame of losing a battle and returning empty-handed. Zhongli is strategically important, and the ministers in the court are well aware. If there are insiders, we don't know; if not, it will definitely be impossible to capture. If we can't capture it, that would be a major embarrassment! If the Emperor trusts me, then let me come back; if the Emperor thinks I am timid and afraid of trouble, then give my command to King Zhongshan and let him handle it. I just want to ride along with him. As the saying goes, 'ask a farmer about farming, and a weaver about weaving.' Even though I'm not a great fighter, I'm still a general, and I know a thing or two about battlefield stuff."
"If I truly believe it's impossible, what compels the emperor to insist I try?"
The emperor said, "General Andong has repeatedly requested to withdraw troops, but has delayed and obstructed our military plans, which has truly let me down. Now that the army has assembled, there can be no more delays. We must act swiftly, with the two armies coordinating, seizing the opportunity, and annihilating the enemy." General Luan also repeatedly asked to return to the capital, and the emperor finally agreed. The Yingguo army ultimately faced defeat and retreated, and at the time, people admired General Luan's insight and strategy.
At first, the attendant Lu Chang was at odds with Gao Luan. Lu Chang and Yuan Hui were both favored by the emperor, and the Imperial Censor Cui Liang was Lu Chang's man. Lu Chang and Yuan Hui had Cui Liang target Gao Luan, and when they succeeded, they promised the emperor to make Cui Liang the attendant. Cui Liang then accused Gao Luan in a memorial, claiming he had captured many innocent people in Hanzhong to turn them into slaves.
Afraid of being set up by Lu Chang and the others, Gao Luan sent the daughter of the Baixi Prefect Pang Jingmin, whom he had brought from Hanzhong, along with over twenty other people, as a gift to Yuan Hui. Some of them were exceptionally beautiful, which pleased Yuan Hui greatly. He then advocated for Gao Luan in front of the emperor, saying, "Gao Luan has just achieved great merit and has been pardoned. This issue shouldn't be pursued any longer." The emperor believed his words. Gao Zhao believed that while Gao Luan had earned merit on the battlefield, he was being sidelined, so he helped explain for Gao Luan, and in the end, Gao Luan was not punished.
"Retiring after achieving success is the natural order; to decline after reaching the peak is the natural order." Although Gao Luan temporarily escaped disaster, the undercurrents of power struggles continued to create unease.
In Yuzhou City, there was a man named Bai Zaosheng who killed Governor Sima Yue and then fled south from the city. Xiao Yan dispatched his champion general Qi Gouren to seize Xuanhu. The emperor sent Luan with a command token to lead the elite cavalry of the Yulin Army to attack him, and conferred the title of Duke of Pingshu County to Luan, granting him five hundred households as fief in recognition of his contributions in Su Yu.
The emperor received Luan in the Eastern Hall and reassured him, saying: "Sima Yue neglected the defense of the city gates, and his failure to protect himself not only led to the loss of a talent like Yuan Lixian but also severely compromised the nation's strategy. Xuanhu is located close to the capital and acts as a barrier on the southeastern frontier. With Duke Yuyun (referring to Sima Yue) in that position, I have always been concerned. If Bai Zaosheng rises in rebellion and cannot establish himself, he will surely seek to rally the regions of Wu and Chu, leading the common people to join his revolt, which could likely spark a war. You are skilled in both civil and military affairs, a vital pillar of the court, so I have tasked you with striking swiftly to catch him off guard. Do you think Bai Zaosheng will flee or stand his ground? When can we pacify this situation?"
Luan replied: "Bai Zaosheng lacks foresight; he has only come this far because Sima Yue mistreated the populace. He took advantage of the rising public discontent to start a rebellion, and the people are terrified by his brutality, thus they have no choice but to follow him. Even if Xiao Yan's army supports him, the blocked waterways and cut-off supply lines mean he will be captured and will not pose a significant threat. If Bai Zaosheng receives support from Xiao Yan's forces and becomes fixated on immediate gains, he will surely hold the city and not flee. Now, if the royal army arrives, the people will quickly surrender. We will besiege this isolated city and block his escape route; we can send his head to the capital by next year. Your Majesty need not be concerned."
The emperor smiled and said, "You said it very well! You completely understand the purpose of sending you to command the army. I know that your elderly relatives at home need care, and it is hard for you to travel around, but you cannot serve both loyalty and filial piety. Your talents should be used to save the country and the people, so you cannot refuse."
Well, Luan led eight hundred cavalry, day and night without rest, and arrived at Baokou in five days. The rebel army sent General Hu Xiaozhi with seven thousand troops to wait two hundred miles outside the city, wanting to fight Luan. As a result, Luan decisively defeated Hu Xiaozhi and pressed on towards Xuanhu. The rebel army also rushed out of the city to counterattack but suffered a crushing defeat at Luan's hands, who then crossed the Ru River. Soon, the main forces joined him and surrounded the rebel army. The emperor immediately promoted Luan, appointing him as the imperial envoy, serving as the acting General of Zhen Nan, and commanding the southern army.
General Zhengnan, Prince of Zhongshan Ying, was also fighting in the south and arrived near Xuanhu. However, because the reinforcements had not arrived and the enemy forces were relatively strong, he hesitated to launch a reckless attack, so he split his forces to coordinate a flanking maneuver with Luan. Enemy General Qi Gouren and twenty others opened the city gates and surrendered, and Luan seized the opportunity to eliminate several diehard opponents. With Yuzhou pacified, Luan led his army back to the capital. The emperor personally welcomed him in the Eastern Hall, praising him, "You quickly pacified the rebellion in a short time; your achievements are truly remarkable, you truly live up to the ancients!" Luan modestly replied, "This is all thanks to the wise leadership of the emperor and the efforts of the soldiers; what merit do I have to claim?" The emperor smiled and said, "You have not simply won three battles in a month; the key lies in your noble character, as you achieve greatness without arrogance!"
From the victory at Suyu to the pacification of Xuanyu, Luan always maintained a righteous conduct, never accepting bribes or embezzling military funds and supplies. He was later promoted to Minister of the Palace Secretariat and was also bestowed upon him the titles of General of the Pacifying Army and Governor of Yingzhou. In the third year of Yanchang, he suddenly fell ill and passed away at the age of fifty-one. Luan was highly respected by both the court and the people, and his untimely death was deeply mourned by all. The Emperor awarded him four hundred rolls of silk, a set of court attire, and posthumously honored him as Grand General of Chariots and Cavalry and Governor of Yingzhou. Originally, the Emperor wanted to appoint him as Governor of Jizhou, but due to a previous impeachment, the eunuch Zhen Chen suggested appointing him as Governor of Yingzhou instead, as it was Luan's hometown and would be more well-received. The Emperor agreed, but when Zhen Chen wrote the decree, he mistakenly wrote "appointing as General of Chariots and Cavalry, Governor of Yingzhou," leading to ridicule for his ignorance. Finally, Luan was posthumously honored with the title "Wending."
Zixun, styled Ziyuan, wasn't particularly handsome, but he had a dignified air about him. He initially served as a military officer serving in the Ministry of Works and later inherited a title. He was then promoted to National Scholar and Chief Justice of the province. Once, when he visited the Empress Dowager, he expressed his frustrations about not being able to showcase his talents despite his noble background. Touched by his words, the Empress Dowager appointed him Chief Clerk of the Ministry of Personnel. He was later transferred and appointed as General of Anyuan and Governor of Pingzhou. Due to his failure to act militarily on the northern border, he was eventually dismissed.
When Emperor Xiaozhuang first ascended the throne, he was appointed as the General Who Defends the Nation, an Attendant of the Cavalry in the Hall of Supreme Harmony, and the Commander of the Eastern Forces, sent to Puyang to quell the rebel Liu Ju, but he failed. After returning, he was appointed as an Attendant of the Cavalry and was promoted to General of Cavalry. In the second year of Yong'an, he was dismissed from his position for accepting an appointment from Yuan Hao. Not long after, he was reappointed as General Who Pacifies the Troops and a Grand Minister of Grace. During the reign of Emperor Chao, he was promoted to Guard General and Right Grand Minister. When Emperor Xiaojing first ascended the throne, he also served as the Imperial Taster while retaining his original position, and he was further promoted to General of Chariots and Cavalry. After a long time, he was appointed as the Minister of Finance, but he had a serious conflict with Minor Minister Ma Qingzhe, and they reported each other. Zixun was known for his obsession with wealth, which led many to look down upon him. In the fourth year of Wuding, he died at the age of fifty-six. After his death, he was posthumously honored with the titles of General, Grand Minister of Grace, and Inspector of Youzhou.
His son, Zu Wei, served as the Grand Scholar. Before his father's mourning period ended, he conspired to revolt and was ultimately executed.
His brother, Luan, served as the Chief Historian of Yingzhou and was an official in the Ministry of Rites.
Luan's brother, Wei, served as a Minister in the Ministry of Personnel. After his death, he was posthumously honored with the title of Governor of Boling. His son, Xin, is referenced in "Records of Literary Figures."
Wei's brother is Ji Yan.
Ji Yan, courtesy name Youping, was quite handsome, well-read, knowledgeable about both Buddhism and Taoism, and enjoyed writing poetry and lyrics. Initially, he worked as a scholar at the Imperial Academy, later becoming the Minister of Eastern Pavilion. When Emperor Shizong first ascended the throne, he was demoted to the position of magistrate in Meng County due to his participation in a banquet with Prince Guangping. Before he even took office, he was transferred to the central government as a secretary, and later held positions such as Chief Clerk of the Ministry of Public Works, Prefect of the Province, and Literary Official for the Prince of Runan, gradually rising to the rank of General Supporting the State, Chief Historian of the Ministry of Works, and concurrently served as a junior official in the Ministry of Personnel. He later served as the Inspector of Southern Yanzhou as a General Supporting the State. Afterward, he was recalled to the court and became a Grand Official, also serving as the Right Chief Historian for Prince Gaoyang. Soon after, he was appointed as the Inspector of Cangzhou again in his capacity as General Supporting the State. While in Cangzhou, he was highly effective in governance, and the common people enjoyed peace and stability. He passed away during the reign of Emperor Xiaochang at the age of fifty-one. After his death, he was posthumously granted the title of General Conquering the North, Left Minister of the Ministry of Rites, and Inspector of Yingzhou, with the posthumous title of Wenzhen. Ji Yan was renowned for his strong sense of duty and humility. When he first became the Inspector of Southern Yanzhou, he had the right to promote one of his sons to an official position, but he recommended his nephew Ji Zishen, who was only twelve years old at the time, rather than promoting his own adult son. Later, when he served as the Inspector of Cangzhou, he recommended another nephew, Ji Xin, for the post of chief clerk, while his own son did not hold an official position. Everyone praised his actions.
His son Ji Ce served as the Crown Prince's horse attendant during the reign of Wuding. Ji Ce's younger brother, Ji Kang, courtesy name Zigao, was also well-educated. He started his career as a military officer in the Ministry of Works and later rose to serve as a secretary in the office of Prince Guangping, while also serving as a Regular Attendant of the Imperial Guard. At the age of twenty-eight, he was sent on an official mission to Xiao Yan. After returning, he was appointed as General Pacifying the East and served in both the General's office of Prince Qi Wenxiang and the Central Office. In the seventh year of Wuding, he died in Jinyang as a result of an offense, at the age of thirty-four.
Ji Yan's uncle Ji You, style name Zongyou, was very knowledgeable when he was young and was quite famous at that time. He was summoned by the court and served as a literary official, and also served as the tutor to the King of Le Liang. Later, he was appointed as an official with the title of Yuanwai Sanzhong and sent to Liu Yu. Because he was diligent in his work, he was appointed as General Jianwei, Prefect of Pingyuan, and was granted the title of Chengping Baron. He was honest in his official duties, enforced the law strictly, and the people lived in peace. He passed away at the age of seventy-three.
Ji Yan's son Ji Chan, style name Shenbao, loved studying and was skilled in writing. When he was young, he wrote a piece called "The Lonely Weed," which was highly praised at the time. After passing the imperial examination, he was appointed as an Assistant Literary Official. Later, he was appointed as an external attendant and Count of Mao County, and was sent to Xiao Yi. Ji Chan, like his ancestors, diligently completed the tasks assigned by the court, and was well-regarded by his contemporaries. He was later promoted to the Deputy Minister of the Imperial Secretariat, and shortly after, he was appointed as the Crown Prince's Chief Secretary. He passed away at the age of forty-six, and court officials lamented his passing. He was posthumously appointed as General Jianwei, Inspector of Pingzhou, and Master of Lecheng, and was given the posthumous title of Ding.
Now, I have a younger clan brother named Qiu, style name Shenghu, who studied the "Three Rites" of the Zheng family since childhood, was well-versed in the classics, and had excellent literary skills. He later passed the imperial examination and became an official in the Imperial Secretariat, and was promoted to the Chamberlain of the Imperial Court. The Emperor Gaozu once had a conversation with him about court etiquette, and Qiu used his knowledge of the classics to answer in a way that pleased the Emperor. He was later promoted to the Minister of the Left, and then to the National Scholar. After the death of Emperor Gaozu, the Prefect of the Imperial Secretariat, Wang Su, implemented many new rituals, and Qiu often used proper rites from the "Five Classics" to refute him. He was later promoted to the Minister of the Right, and then transferred to the Minister of the Left, correcting numerous errors and restoring order to the court.
At that time, there was a man in Yanmen who killed his own mother. The court ministers all suggested that his whole family should be executed, his house demolished, and only his two sons left. However, Qiu opposed this in his memorial, saying, "The relationship between ruler and subject, father and son, is the most important. Those who commit grave crimes must be severely punished. Those who rebel now have their relatives implicated, but the person who killed his mother is not punished—this is worse than the behavior of animals. This way, sacrifices will continue, and future generations will carry on. How can this serve to promote loyalty and filial piety, and uphold the principles of the Three Bonds and Five Constants? If the emperor can be generous and not implicate his descendants, letting the blame fall only on the one who killed his mother, that would be best. If not, he should be exiled to a remote area, with orders not to marry and have children. As Pan Geng once said, 'Do not allow new seeds to be planted in a new town,' and Han Dynasty laws also included a regulation about eating crow soup in May, all to completely cut off their descendants!" The emperor accepted his suggestion.
Soon, Qiu was appointed as the Right Chief Historian of the Ministry of Works, and later promoted to General of the Dragon Cavalry and Assistant Minister of Imperial Hospitality. When his mother fell ill in their hometown, he requested to return home to visit. It happened to be autumn and the river was flooded; all the bridges were washed away. Qiu found a small boat to cross the river, and even though the boat leaked, it did not sink, which left everyone astonished at the time. After his mother passed away, Qiu was overwhelmed with grief, exceeding the customary mourning practices, and was commended by those around him. He died at the age of forty-nine, and was posthumously appointed as General Who Subdues the Barbarians and Governor of Youzhou, and received the posthumous title 'Wei.' Qiu was adept at building relationships and had good relationships with Cui Liang from Qinghe and Li Ping from Dunqiu. He wrote over thirty inscriptions, eulogies, and miscellaneous essays. He had two sons.
His eldest son was named Zang, mentioned in the 'Wenyuan Zhuan.' Zang's younger brother was named Cai, who served as Minister of Ceremonies in the Wuding era. Qiu's cousin was named Ce, who was also talented and eventually died while serving as a registrar in the office of the Prince of Qi.
Li Ping, known as Tan Ding, was a native of Dunqiu and the eldest son of Liu Yizhen, the King of Pengcheng. He displayed great demeanor from a young age. As he grew up, he extensively read various books, particularly enjoying the "Book of Rites" and the "I Ching," and he was quite gifted in writing. During the Taihe period of the Northern Wei dynasty, he was appointed as the Deputy Imperial Guard, and Emperor Gaozu held him in high regard. He experienced the pain of losing loved ones multiple times and was known for his filial piety during the mourning period. Later, he was demoted as per the regulations and inherited the title of Duke of Pengcheng. He was appointed as a Crown Prince's Attendant and then promoted to the Deputy Imperial Guard, while still serving as Crown Prince's Attendant, and later was promoted to the Crown Prince's Grand Master.
While serving the emperor, Li Ping humbly requested to be assigned to a commandery to experience local administration. Emperor Gaozu said, "Do you still want to test yourself by taking up an official position?" Thus, he was appointed as the Prefect of Changle, where he was known for his integrity in governance, earning the love and respect of the people. Later, when the emperor launched a southern campaign, Li Ping was concurrently appointed as the Chief of the Office of Ceremonial Affairs in Jizhou, earning a strong reputation, and then he was promoted to the Chief Historian, while continuing as Governor of Henan. Before long, he was promoted to the Governor of Henan, and the powerful aristocrats held him in awe.
After Emperor Shizong of Wei ascended the throne, Li Ping was appointed as a Palace Attendant and then promoted to the Left Chief Historian, while continuing as Governor of Henan. Soon after, because of his impressive performance in office, he was formally appointed as Governor of Henan, while still retaining the position of Left Chief Historian.
The emperor was going to Ye City, and (Wei Shou) submitted a memorial advising against it, saying: "I saw the edict from the Year of the Earthly Dog, which stated: You are to ride in a magnificent carriage, depart on time, wear splendid clothing, and ride divine steeds, with the date of departure approaching. The plan is to train the troops in Qiyang and conduct large-scale exercises in Ye City and Wei territory; to gallop in the shade of lush bamboo and to run freely across the lands of Zhanghe and Fuyang. This would indeed bring joy to the court and comfort to the common people. However, I am simple-minded and have some concerns. Why is that? The newly built palace at the foot of Mount Song and the palaces being built in Luoyang have already taken over ten years, and the foundations are still not laid. The people have just begun to settle down after moving to Luoyang, having exhausted their resources during the move, and their cattle and horses have perished during the journey; they have crossed the treacherous Taihang Mountains and endured the difficulties of crossing the Changjin River; after enduring such hardship, they have finally arrived at the capital. Wealthy families have lost more than half their possessions, and the plight of the poor is unimaginable. Moreover, there have been continuous years of warfare, with little time to settle, and from the Jingming years until now, they have only just begun to get some rest. Farmers have not yet managed to store enough grain for two years, and those building houses have only just raised a few rooms; everyone is toiling by the banks of the Yi River, and everyone is very anxious. Now is the time to stabilize the people, encourage them to farm, and ensure the country has nine years of grain reserves, with every household prepared for floods and droughts. If they are still forced to toil and travel now, it will lead to numerous delays. When a strong laborer is conscripted, the entire family faces unemployment. It is now the autumn harvest season, with fields brimming with crops, and rice and beans everywhere; the emperor's visit would undoubtedly lead to significant trampling. It would be wiser for you to stay in the palace, issuing commands to the world, displaying military power at the foot of Mount Song, and holding archery ceremonies between the Yi and Luo rivers, so that the soldiers would not have to toil and travel, and the common people could live in peace and work happily, singing praises of the beautiful scenes of a prosperous era. Wouldn't that be better?" The emperor did not heed his advice and only allowed him to act as the agent for the affairs of Xiangzhou in his original official position.
When the emperor arrived in Ye City, he personally visited Wei Shou's residence and met several of his sons. Soon after, Wei Shou was appointed as Governor and promoted to General of Pacification. Wei Shou encouraged the people to work hard in farming and sericulture, repaired the Taixue (Imperial Academy), simplified the examination system to select knowledgeable Confucian scholars as doctors, and chose five clever children from the counties to study at the Taixue. He also painted portraits of Confucius and the seventy-two wise men in the Taixue and personally wrote inscriptions for them. Later, some officials who came to Ye City on business were greedy and liked to exploit the interests of the people. Wei Shou created two paintings in the inn, one called "Stepping on a Tiger's Tail" and the other "Treading on Thin Ice," and wrote corresponding poems below the paintings to warn them. Wei Shou was then promoted to Eastern General and summoned to also serve as the Minister of Finance, and soon after was promoted to Minister and concurrently served as Deputy Censor.
In the north, the governor of Jizhou, Wang Yu of Jingzhao, rebelled in Xindu. The emperor appointed Gao Ping as the envoy with full authority, commander of the military campaign against the north, General for Suppressing the North, and acting governor of Jizhou to suppress him. The emperor personally sent him off at the Shiqian Hall and said to Gao Ping, "Wang Yu is my own brother. He holds a high position and great power and should have been loyal, but unexpectedly, he has harbored wild ambitions, wanting to overthrow the court and harm the people! This is a case of righteousness prevailing over kinship, and I have no choice but to do this! Duke Zhou acted this way in ancient times, and I must do the same! I entrust you with the heavy responsibility of suppressing the rebels; you must completely eliminate the rebels within the deadline and fulfill the mission to suppress the rebels. You must not let me down! Alas, to have to discuss such matters today..." As he spoke, the emperor choked up and shed tears.
Gao Ping replied, "Wang Yu has been blinded and committed a grave offense. Your Majesty, you overlook my lack of martial prowess, yet you have entrusted me with the important responsibility of leading the army. The court has demonstrated great magnanimity, hoping to settle this without bloodshed. If Wang Yu remains stubborn, we will invoke the will of heaven to inspire our soldiers, just as sunlight can melt ice and snow, and the waves of the sea can extinguish a candle. Fate, geography, and popular support are all on our side; defeating the rebels is a foregone conclusion! If he is willing to surrender, we will hand him over to the Dali Temple; if he remains unyielding, then we will beat the war drums and take him down! Your Majesty, you needn't concern yourself with these matters."
Gao Ping's army advanced through several counties, gathering their forces. In the middle of the night, thousands of enemy soldiers launched an attack on the front line of Gao Ping's camp, and arrows shot into Gao Ping's tent. Despite this, Gao Ping lay motionless in bed, as steady as a mountain. After a short while, the enemy's assault began to subside. The army quickly reached sixteen miles south of Jizhou City. The rebel forces were fiercely attacking the besieged troops in Jizhou, tearing down barricades and filling ditches, just inches away from breaking through. Generals from various routes participated in the battle, but none were able to gain the upper hand, leading them to retreat and refrain from further attacks. It was only then that the soldiers bravely charged forward and decisively defeated the rebels. At that moment, Wang Yu fell from his horse, and a soldier dismounted to assist him, then fought to the death against the rebels and died on the battlefield. Gao Ping capitalized on his victory, pursuing the enemy all the way to the city gates, killing tens of thousands of rebels, then surrounded the city and set fire to the gates. Wang Yu broke through the city gates with over a hundred cavalry, and Gao Ping sent General Shusun to pursue him, capturing Wang Yu eighty miles outside of Xindu. Once Jizhou was pacified, the emperor sent Yuan Fan, who also held the titles of Deputy Minister of the Imperial Secretariat and Secretary, to deliver an edict commending Gao Ping. Gao Ping returned to court, retaining his original position and was additionally promoted to Grand Zhongzheng of Xiangzhou.
Initially, Gao Ping faced resentment from Minister Gao Zhao and Censor Wang Xian. Later, Wang Xian took over Ping's position and was promoted to lieutenant, while Ping was elevated to a regular attendant. Wang Xian subsequently impeached Ping for corruption and bribery during his tenure in Jizhou, with Gao Zhao backing him and jointly petitioning the court for Ping's removal from office. During the Yan Chang period, the emperor issued an edict restoring his official position and title, recognizing his contributions to pacifying Jizhou.
At that time, many lawsuits among the common people dragged on for years without a verdict. Ping proposed that regardless of who was right or wrong in these lawsuits, as long as they occurred before the year of Jingming, they would no longer be investigated. As a result, those chaotic lawsuits were all settled. In Wuchuan Town, the common people were suffering from famine, and the town magistrate Ren Kuan wanted to borrow grain for relief, but it was not approved from above, so he took it upon himself to open the granary for disaster relief. As a result, the higher-ups took action against him for misappropriating public funds and dismissed him from his post. Ping heeded his words and pardoned Ren Kuan. Later, Ping was promoted to Zhongshu Ling, while also retaining his position as Shangshu.
When Emperor Suzong ascended the throne, Ping was again promoted to Minister of Personnel Affairs and was additionally granted the title of General of the Guard. Ping was a highly capable official, efficient in his work, and held great prestige wherever he went, but he had one flaw: his impatience. The Shangshu and Prince Cheng of Rencheng reported to the court, commending Ping for his efforts in pacifying Jizhou, and requested the emperor to reward him generously. Empress Dowager Ling bestowed upon him the title of Duke of Wuyi County, granting him a fief of one thousand five hundred households, and awarded him two thousand five hundred bolts of silk.
First, Xiao Yan sent his left flank general Zhao Zuyue to secretly occupy Xixieshi, with an army of over ten thousand to threaten Shouchun. General Cui Liang of the Southern Command launched an attack but was unable to seize it, and there was also a conflict between him and Li Chong. The court then issued an order to appoint Xiao Yan as the acting governor, maintaining his official position while also concurrently serving as the Grand General of the Town Army and the Right Minister of Personnel, giving him command over all troops. The commanders from both eastern and western provinces were required to obey him, and anyone who dared to disobey would face punishment under military law. The court also promoted Xiao Yan's eldest son, Xiao Jiang, to Tongzhilang. Xiao Yan was rewarded with one hundred bolts of silk and a set of purple brocade armor adorned with gold thread, while Xiao Jiang was awarded sixty bolts of silk and a purple-red padded jacket. The father and son received the court's rewards together in a grand ceremony, which made the onlookers feel proud. Then, Xiao Yan marched towards Shouchun with two thousand infantry and cavalry.
After Xiao Yan arrived in Shouchun, he personally inspected the inside and outside of Xixieshi, assessing the enemy's strengths and weaknesses. He harshly warned Cui Chong and Cui Liang, ordering them to prepare simultaneously on both land and water, and to launch an attack on the agreed date. Cui Chong and Cui Liang were intimidated by Xiao Yan's imposing presence and stopped bickering. Over the next few days of relentless fighting, they repeatedly defeated the enemy forces. General Cui Yanbo of Annan constructed a bridge at Xiacai to cut off enemy reinforcements. Enemy generals Wang Shennian, Chang Yizhi, and others were unable to provide assistance, and Zhao Zuyue was trapped and ultimately killed in the city. Xiao Yan then formulated a strategy to split his forces for the attack. He ordered Cui Liang to lead the army to attack the western city, while Li Chong led the navy to attack from the east, and then they would shout and launch their assault together, initiating simultaneous attacks from the north and south. The enemy fell into disarray, scattering in all directions to respond. Soon, the outer defenses were breached, and enemy soldiers began to surrender en masse. Zhao Zuyue, along with the remaining soldiers, fought valiantly through the night until dawn before finally surrendering. Zhao Zuyue was executed, and his severed head was sent to Luoyang, along with numerous captured enemy soldiers. Due to this military success, Xiao Yan was promoted to Shangshu You Pushe while reta
After returning to the capital, Empress Dowager Ling received him in the Xuanguang Hall and rewarded him with a gold-embellished sword and cane. At that time, an official from Southern Xuzhou reported that Xiao Yan had built a dam on the Huai River, causing significant damage. The Emperor ordered the court officials to deliberate on the issue, believing that sending troops was unnecessary. Later, the Huai River dam did indeed collapse, and Empress Dowager Ling was very pleased. She hosted a banquet for the court officials at the palace, had musicians perform, and the Emperor rewarded him with one hundred bolts of top-quality silk. In the winter of Xiping's first year, he passed away, requesting a simple burial before his passing. The court granted him valuable burial items from the Eastern Garden, a set of court attire, a garment, and seven hundred bolts of silk. Empress Dowager Ling also conducted a solemn mourning ceremony for him in the East Hall. He was posthumously granted the titles of Privy Councilor, Grand General of the Valiant Cavalry, Equalizing Three Excellencies, and Governor of Jizhou, with the posthumous title of Duke Wenlie. He started as a clerk in the financial department, rose to a deputy position, served the public tirelessly, worked in key departments for over a decade, and made remarkable contributions, earning widespread acclaim. His poems, maxims, remonstrances, and eulogies were published as a separate collection.
His eldest son, Zunmu, inherited his title. He was tall and strong, and very talented. He started as a military officer under the Grand Commandant and gradually rose to the positions of Gentleman of the Hall of Central Affairs, Deputy Minister of Personnel Affairs, General of the Straight Hall, General of the Pacification Forces, and General of Eastern Pacification, while still concurrently serving as Deputy Minister of Personnel Affairs. He then also served as Minister and was appointed as General of the Pacification Army and Governor of Henan. At first, Yuan Yi held power, and because of his good relationship with Yuan Yi, he held onto his high position. After Empress Dowager Ling took control again, he was removed from office. When Emperor Xiaozhuang ascended the throne, he was reappointed as a Cavalry Attendant, General of the Eastern Garrison, and Governor of Henan. He was known for his integrity throughout his career. When Yuan Hao attacked Luoyang, Yuan Hao appointed him as the Right Minister of the Secretariat and sent him to pacify Xuzhou. However, the Yulin Army and the local people ignored Yuan Hao's orders, which led to his death, and his head was delivered to Luoyang.
At that time, the emperor honored a deceased official. Tongzhi Sanqi Changshi Song You submitted a memorial to the emperor, pleading for this official, saying: "I have heard that rewarding good and punishing evil is called 'the two principles,' which contains a principle, and the key principle is to avoid arbitrary rewards and punishments. Therefore, although Wu Zixu had no wrongdoing, the people of Wu felt deep sorrow for him; although Qie Wan was unfortunate, people have been discussing it endlessly, and it has not calmed down to this day. Li Jiang, the Prefect of Henan, comes from a long line of distinguished officials. Such an excellent talent should be highly valued by the state. From childhood to adulthood, his loyalty and filial piety have remained unwavering. Whether serving in the court or as a local official, he has always been upright and honest, earning him a stellar reputation. He is open-minded and dignified, truly a pillar of the state. In the past, when the Beihai rebels occupied a territory and threatened the court, the lords and ministers had to bow their heads and obey them. Li Jiang's entire family lived in Luoyang, trapped and unable to escape from the rebels. He was dispatched to the southeast, in reality, to avoid the chaos of war, and at that time, people believed his choice was correct. However, before the Beihai rebels were defeated, the Inspector of Xuzhou, Yuan Fu, was a loyal subordinate of Li Jiang, and no one dared to oppose him. They exchanged letters, and all actions were under Yuan Fu's orders. When the court regained power and the sacred artifacts were restored, those frivolous individuals escaped unscathed, cooking up lies to seek rewards, trying every means to gain promotion, and even good people were implicated, claiming it was their merit. If Li Jiang accepted a position from the rebels, and his words and actions constituted a crime, then he should share the blame with everyone else. At that time, the court ordered the removal of his official position, which could be seen as a mercy from the court, but later the punishment was intensified, which was truly excessive! Previously, like many officials, Li Jiang stood with the rebels, facing the danger of war every day by the Yellow River, yet when the court implemented leniency, his position remained unchanged. An ordinary envoy faced such brutality; anyone with a conscience would surely feel sorrow over this! When the court discussed merits and rewards, it only saw people in border areas supporting each other, while rebels like Guo Mo and traitors like Liu Yin were executed. These were all stopgap measures, not true accounts. In the past, after Deng Ai's death, Duan Zhuo sought justice for him; after Ma Yuan's death, Zhu Bo sought to clear his name. Although I am a small figure, I wish to advocate for the honorable, reminiscing about past kindness, and standing up for the deceased. Seeing Li Jiang like this, I have long wanted to speak for him. However, I have hesitated to open my mouth until today; Li Jiang has already passed away, and trees have grown over his grave. I feel very guilty in my heart. Fortunately, now the emperor is prosperous, and the country's politics have undergone a transformation. Although it is said to quell the rebellion, it is also a form of reform. The emperor has granted many favors to the world, and those who lost their official positions and titles have been restored. Yet Li Jiang remains unknown, with no one inquiring about him. The ministers all remember Li Jiang's merits and do not forget him. I have taken the liberty to speak, and I hope I haven't offended Your Majesty. I earnestly request the emperor to see clearly and kindly grant my request to posthumously bestow an official title upon Li Jiang." The emperor then issued an edict posthumously granting Li Jiang the title of General of the Guards and Governor of Jizhou.
Zigou. At the end of the Wuding era, he served as a palace attendant for the crown prince. After the Qi dynasty's abdication, his title was downgraded. His younger brother Xun held a position as a military officer in the Grand Commander's staff. Another younger brother, Xie, whose courtesy name was Qianhe, was charismatic and talented, possessing exceptional literary skills and deep knowledge; he was widely regarded as a talented figure of his time, earning great respect from all. He inherited his father's previous title of Marquis of Pengcheng. Starting as a military officer in the Grand Commander's staff, he successively held the positions of secretary for the Ministry of Personnel, Sima of the military governor of Beihai in Xuzhou, and later returned to the court, concurrently serving as a deputy minister of the Central Secretariat. Cui Guang recommended him for the position of Literary Official, but Xie was not particularly interested in the historian's position. He was later promoted to General Who Aids the State, Chief of the Grand Justice of Xiangzhou, and Grand Minister of the Palace, eventually receiving the title of Grand Minister of Golden Purple and additionally granted the title of General Who Guards the State. After Yuan Hao invaded Luoyang, he was appointed as the Deputy Minister of the Yellow Gate Palace. After Yuan Hao's defeat, he was dismissed from his official position and wrote the "Essay on Personal Reflections," in which he expressed:
"Fortune and misfortune are intertwined, blessings and calamities arise together. Tortoise divination muddles its signs, while the sage obscures its beginnings. Observing success and failure in past records, one can gauge the trends based on human sentiment. Everyone competes to pursue profit, rarely considering themselves to escape notoriety. A chain of carriages carries disaster, many stables lead to punishment. How can one know that a solitary individual cannot be overturned by a thousand chariots? Regret and stinginess are personal failings, and the purity of the spirit is not a matter of life and death. I rely on the merits of my ancestors, and I look up to the glory of my family name. I simply follow my teachers to learn, lacking the opportunity to wander the higher paths. At the age of four or five, I began divining at a young age. I then removed my cap and followed the officials, mistakenly seeking favor in the bright times. Those who are prominent are often surrounded by the lesser and smaller. The Emperor is diligent in his achievements, while my martial governance remains untroubled. Covering the four mysteries and aligning on the same track, I revere the three stars and uphold the righteous view. The power in the north is unrestrained, while the martial authority is subdued; the cauldron in the south shifts, and the literary brilliance shines. Exceptional individuals are drawn to the crimson gates, and the grand scholars gather in the Confucian halls. Together they return to the same origin, achieving harmony while maintaining distinct paths. I am swept away by the source of the wind, initially borrowing the garments from the officials. Embracing the noble ideals of the great king, I meander through the rabbit garden, engaging in conversation. Following the paths of the swan and heron, I connect with the flourishing talents."
Simply put, it’s about several brothers, each finding their own path in the world of officialdom. The younger brother, Xie, started with a high position and steadily rose through the ranks. Later, when Yuan Hao's rebellion failed, he was implicated and dismissed from his post, so he wrote a poem to express his sentiments. In this poem, he reflected on his own career path and lamented the changes in the world.
My maternal uncle went to war in the west, his banners flying high in the west. I followed him to the front lines and served in the rear. At the end of the deep winter, we crossed distant and treacherous mountains and rivers. The wind blew sand and stones, and the stones shattered; the snow covered the rivers and spread over the fields. In my heart, joy knew no bounds, while sadness lingered due to encountering many things. Soon after the emperor's procession came to an end, I changed to a post carriage and returned home.
Thanks to the grace of the court, I received benefits from my extended family. I offered sacrifices to my ancestors and gained favor, allowing me to wear official robes. The ritual of sacrifice was all formality, with no real rewards. I wanted to hold onto my position, afraid to let my guard down, always trying to avoid the limelight and remain cautious. Suddenly entrusted with a heavy responsibility, participating in the construction of ceremonial sites, running back and forth in the grand palace. I knew how difficult it was to be chosen, as it seemed to fulfill the celestial arrangements. Even the brilliance of the sun is hard to avoid, let alone me. How could I ever compare myself to Zhongzhi and Taishu? I have a naturally easygoing disposition, originally wanting to live a life of obscurity as a recluse, but ended up becoming an official. I am not skilled in the political intrigues of the court, nor am I proficient in government affairs. I have never been enthusiastic about the socializing of the officialdom, and I only enjoy playing chess for my own amusement.
I consider myself a scholar, having a good grasp of literature and history. Some perceptive people take inspiration from my insights, and my abilities are acknowledged among my peers. Without realizing it, I've found myself in a refined circle, earning a bit of a name among scholars. Thus, I self-promote... (this part of the text is missing). Although I am in the mundane world, I have the opportunity to appreciate beautiful things. I built a house in a secluded place, away from the hustle and bustle of the city, and live a reclusive life. My home is high up, away from the city's noise. Life is simple but not shabby; it's modest but not extravagant. The house is built against the mountains, surrounded by flowing water. In spring, the trees are the first to bud, and the grass sprouts anew. I often have relaxed chats with some articulate friends, and there are always guests coming and going at my door. Sometimes we have fun in the woods under the moonlight, and at other times we feast by the water in the evening. We compose poetry and appreciate the essence of literature, serving exquisite dishes and enjoying a beautiful life. Although my reputation does not compare to those famous scholars by the banks of the Luo River, my life is as lively as that in the Jingu Garden. I'm happy with my interests and don’t envy those who chase fame and fortune. I often reflect on myself to warn and motivate myself to achieve something in my official career. I study the admirable virtues of the ancients and admire those who cherish their noble ideals. Is it possible that the court really lacks talent? How could they place such importance on me? In the end, I didn’t last three months in my position before resigning and heading home because of illness.
In the elegant and refined environment of Dongguan, I worked in Longzhou, primarily tasked with recording historical events. After Mr. Cai's departure, he left behind many regrets, which Mr. Zhang attempted to address after succeeding him. Later, I became embroiled in some minor affairs, and my official position lost its significance, and I was reassigned to the archives as a junior historian. I felt my literary talents paled in comparison to those of the eloquent ministers, nor as practical as those simple and pragmatic officials. Later, I was once again favored by the court, had the opportunity to serve the emperor, and participate in confidential court affairs. I felt as favored by the emperor as a phoenix, and the writings I produced flowed effortlessly. After serving in Longzhou for five years, I had not received a promotion. I felt like a bird without wings, just waiting for an opportunity. Later, I was promoted to Rongzhang, and my official position was raised.
Though my luck was running thin, I felt no immediate obstacles. I had never anticipated being promoted to Dinghu, only to suddenly hear the news of mourning echoing from all corners of the realm. The fortunes of the Han Dynasty waned, and the imperial lineage faced three interruptions. During the Xiaochang period, the Lingbei area also suffered turmoil due to succession issues. The poems of "Xiaoya" were abolished, and the principles of the Three Bonds and Five Constants were extinguished. I sensed the darkness of the times, and my personal fate felt constrained, only able to sigh alone. So, I withdrew to a secluded village, cut off from the world. It wasn't until several subsequent revivals that those formidable figures passed away in succession. I seized the opportunity presented by the great chaos, riding the shifting tides of the situation. However, opportunities are fleeting, and my official position was lost in an instant. I felt as if I had been exiled from fertile lands to barren wilderness, mourning the sacrifices and valor of the nation's people.
The rise and fall of empires throughout history are remarkably similar! Lu Zhi lived in seclusion in Dongye, while Xun Yu was trapped in Nanluo. I once escaped to a certain hill, hiding in the mountain rocks. As daybreak approached and I prepared to flee, I wondered how to navigate the long road to the east. I hurriedly boarded a boat, raised the oars, and followed the Luo River downstream. I treasured every moment, like a bird returning to its nest. I adapted to the situation, leading a million troops in Shandong. However, the bandits in Xindu were as fierce as wild boars and howling winds. They devoured everything; cities turned to ashes and fields lay barren. The bandits of Liyang gathered, attacking like a landslide. The battle was intense, the river boiling, arrows raining down on my boat. I experienced countless hardships; the chaos in the Chen and Cai regions seemed never-ending. I escaped as if from the jaws of a tiger and swiftly made my way to the Marquis of Lingyang. I took a brief respite in Puyang, which was once the homeland of the states of Tao and Wei. Standing at the village's edge, I gazed at the wide, limitless river. At night, I could hear the enemy's horses neighing and see dust rising during the day.
Once upon a time, the prince's magnificent strategy was renowned in the court; when the army set out, the momentum was overwhelming, akin to a thunderous roar. The soldiers were filled with spirit, as fierce as a tempest; the court had set an intricate trap, layer upon layer. With a single surge of energy, they broke through like a knife slicing through bamboo, swiftly quelling the rebellion, and the wicked forces were thoroughly vanquished. In ancient times, Qu Boyu fled from corrupt rule, witnessing the signs of the nation's impending collapse; whereas after Ji Zha returned, the monarch was reinstated, and the nation found stability. I am but a trivial figure, originally detached from the rise and fall of the state. I gladly chose to retreat to the countryside, leading a leisurely life while enjoying the court's favor. However, later I was recognized by the court and entrusted with significant responsibilities, honorably receiving the emperor's command. Upon hearing the edict delivered by the eunuch, I received even greater favor from the emperor. The golden-purple attire was stunning, and the mink and jade ornaments shimmered together beautifully.
At that time, the court had just settled, but the people's sentiments were easily swayed. Emperor Jianwu was wise and outstanding, with a majestic presence that inspired admiration. However, there was a struggle for the throne within the royal family, resulting in succession disputes. The army surged forth from Chu, advancing swiftly with banners billowing, like torrents rushing, exuding tremendous momentum. Breaking through numerous obstacles, he finally stood before millions of people, receiving the adoration of the masses. After the emperor's passing, the coffin moved slowly with the procession, the atmosphere was solemn and dignified. Unfortunately, fate is capricious, and even with great achievements, one cannot escape an untimely death. Disaster struck suddenly, with the court ensnared by threats from all directions, the situation becoming critical. Had it not been for my close relationship with the emperor, few could match Hanyang's loyalty and steadfastness. All the officials in the court bowed to the Western King. With my influence waning and my position being distant, I could only look out for myself and could not uphold any greater justice. As the court regained stability and began to restore order, many officials were dismissed, rejuvenating the court. After being dismissed, I returned to my hometown and lived a simple, desire-free life.
I deeply reflected on my past, reviewing my life path carefully. I never sought shortcuts or pursued fame. I always kept an open heart, adapting to circumstances like a rootless duckweed. I know neither whence I came nor whither I shall go. Therefore, I face gains and losses, honor and disgrace calmly, with a heart as tranquil as still water. I settle among the mountains and forests, living in peace, free from worldly attachments. Although my journeys have led me to the Western Regions, my heart remains in the Eastern Capital, never forgetting my homeland. I hope to live freely like a fish or bird, preserving my nature and going with the flow. I wish to safeguard my life by steering clear of any further offenses against the reigning emperor.
Xiao Jing lost his mother and went home to observe the mourning period. Later, the court summoned him to serve as the governor of Wei County, but he was still serving as a general. Since his mourning period had not yet ended, he submitted a formal request to resign. The court agreed, agreeing with his reasoning.
Xiao Yan wanted to establish a good relationship with the court, so they carefully selected an envoy, appointing Shen Yue as a concurrent attendant and envoy for negotiations. When Shen Yue arrived at Shitou City (modern-day Nanjing), Xiao Yan sent his guest attendant Fan Xu to welcome him. Shen Yue asked Fan Xu, "How long have you been in this position as guest attendant?" Fan Xu replied, "I was originally a tutor at Humen, and I'm temporarily serving in this role." Shen Yue said, "A national scholar shouldn't take a lower role." Fan Xu responded, "It's just to welcome guests from afar, so I'm taking this role temporarily." Shen Yue said, "It's indeed commendable to make personal sacrifices for national affairs. Just because I am a mere envoy has caused you to take a lower position." Fan Xu replied, "I consider myself lacking in talent and knowledge, insufficient to compare with you; how could I possibly claim to be at a disadvantage?"
Fan Xu asked again, "It's still quite warm now; is it colder in the north than here?" Shen Yue replied, "This place is at the junction of yin and yang, with cold and heat coming at the right times; I can't say how much colder it gets." Fan Xu said, "Are you going to Ye City for an investigation to measure the shadow of the sun?" Shen Yue replied, "Both cities have the imperial palace and are close enough to be considered together." Fan Xu said, "Luoyang is so prosperous; why return to Ye City?" Shen Yue replied, "The Son of Heaven governs the world; everywhere is his territory. What's surprising about that?" Fan Xu said, "The Yin and Shang dynasties moved their capital due to the decline of the nation; why does your Wei dynasty want to move its capital?" Shen Yue replied, "A wise ruler knows when to seize opportunities and go with the flow; why wait for a nation's rise and fall?" Fan Xu said, "The imperial presence of Jinling has been strong since ancient times; the yellow flags and purple canopies have always been associated with the southeast, symbolizing dominance, so the capital should be built here." Shen Yue replied, "How can an emperor's fate compare to that of the Central Plains? The yellow flags and purple canopies will ultimately return to Luoyang; would anyone really ruin their own future? That kind of talk is just nonsense and not worth discussing!"
Xiao Yan personally asked Shen Yue, "How many virtuous people are there in the Wei Dynasty?" Shen Yue replied, "Our court is filled with talented individuals, both civil and military, and there are many virtuous people, but I cannot list them all at once." Xiao Yan said, "King Wu had ten treacherous ministers and sons. Although the Wei Dynasty has many talents, could it really be as you say?" Shen Yue responded, "I believe that when the Zhou Dynasty mentioned ten, they were specifically referring to those who assisted King Wu. The phrase 'many talented individuals' actually originates from a poem by King Wen. The talents in our court are sufficient to rival those of the Zhou Dynasty." Xiao Yan asked, "Then, can you give a few examples of those with outstanding literary and martial skills?" Shen Yue said, "The Grand Chancellor, King Yuan Hong of Bohai, is both literate and martial, assisting the emperor in governing the world. Minister of Works Yuan Shuzhao and Minister of Works Yuan Shijun are both elite members of the royal family, managing state affairs. The Left Minister Sima Ziru and the Right Minister Gao Longzhi are both renowned talents of the time, diligently assisting the emperor. Chamberlain Gao Yue and Chamberlain Sun Teng are both distinguished for their achievements and are loyal and upright individuals, upholding the royal family's prestige. I will not list the other talented individuals one by one." Xiao Yan said, "Therefore, we should assist the young ruler and consolidate the stability of the state; the reasoning behind this is deep and complex." People in Jiangnan praised Shen Yue's eloquence.
After returning to court, he was appointed as the Minister of Agriculture and also granted the title of General of Cavalry, later being transferred to the position of Secretary Supervisor. Unfortunately, he encountered strong winds on the way, delaying his journey and affecting his health. In the second year of Wuding, he passed away at the age of forty-nine, leaving many to lament his loss. After his passing, the court posthumously awarded him the titles of General of Cavalry, Minister of the Imperial Guard, and Governor of Qizhou. His writings were compiled into a collection, which still circulates in the world today.
His eldest son, Xing Yue, served as the Minister of Rites in the later years of the Wuding period. Xing Yue's younger brother, Xing Shu, became a guest official in the Ministry of Works.
His other brother, Xing Yong, courtesy name Xiumu, was clever and talented from a young age. "He was youthful and charming, with exceptional talent." He served as an assistant to the literary official and developed a close friendship with Prince Gao Yang, Yong. His friends were all older, but his outstanding talent and remarkable literary skills made him quite famous at the time. Unfortunately, he died at twenty-five. The court posthumously awarded him the titles of General Zhenyuan and the title of Governor of Luozhou, and he received the posthumous name "Wen."
Historical records comment: Xing Luan was well-versed in both civil and military affairs, with outstanding abilities. He held important military and political positions, participated in critical affairs in the court, and led troops in battles outside. He was truly a pillar for governing the country and ensuring peace! Li Ping, with his exceptional talent and strategy, served the court, navigating his career with prudence and achieving remarkable success, making him an exceptional asset to the court!
Guo Zuo, courtesy name Jiyou, was a native of Taiyuan in Jinyang, and he was the grandson of Guo Liang, the younger brother of Guo Huai, the General of Chariots and Cavalry of the Wei Kingdom. His grandfather Guo Yi once served as a state official and married two daughters to the Minister of Works, Cui Hao, and one daughter to Cui Hao's brother, the Prefect of Shangdang, Cui Tian. During the reign of Emperor Wen of Wei, Cui Hao held great power and favor with the emperor, so Guo Yi was appointed as the Inspector of Xuzhou and was granted the title of Marquis of Yuci, eventually posthumously granted the title of Grand Master of Splendor. Guo Zuo's father, Guo Hongzhi, was killed due to his involvement in Cui Hao's political intrigues, but Guo Zuo managed to escape and survive.
Guo Zuo grew up in poverty and obscurity, and was largely unknown in his village. It is said that a fortune teller once predicted that he would attain wealth and glory in the future. Guo Zuo extensively studied the classics from a young age and even learned from Cui Hao's writings, becoming well-known for his letters and essays. He became the Registrar of the province at a young age and earned the appreciation of the Inspector Sun Xiao, who entrusted him with important duties. Additionally, Wang Xi from Taiyuan was the nephew of Guo Zuo's grandfather's wife, and they supported each other, improving Guo Zuo's life.
When the founding emperor just ascended the throne, Guo Zuo took the imperial examination and ranked first, directly appointed as a Doctor of the Palace Library. He later rose to be the Deputy Director of the Imperial Library, then the Deputy Director of the Left of the Imperial Secretariat, and also served concurrently as a Supervisor of the Yellow Gates. Guo Zuo worked diligently and responsibly, often staying late into the night, earning the founding emperor's high praise.
Once, Emperor Gaozu went on a southern campaign, and Guo Zuo followed him. When he returned, Emperor Gaozu appointed him as an Attendant of the Yellow Gate. Once, the emperor traveled to Chang'an, passing by Wei Bridge and the temple of Guo Huai. Emperor Gaozu asked Guo Zuo, "Is this your ancestor's temple?" Guo Zuo replied, "This is the temple of my seventh ancestor." Emperor Gaozu said, "Both the ancient sages and the later wise men seem to come from your family!" Guo Zuo modestly replied, "My ancestors were all knowledgeable Confucian scholars, serving only Emperor Wen of Wei. I am mediocre in talent; to serve you, Your Majesty, the wise emperor, is truly my honor!" Emperor Gaozu then ordered a grand sacrificial ceremony at the Guo Huai temple and let Guo Zuo write the sacrificial text himself. Because Guo Zuo supported the plan to move the capital to Luoyang, Emperor Gaozu also granted him the title of Dongguangzi.
Another time, Emperor Gaozu went to visit the Hualin Garden and saw the old Jingyang Mountain. Guo Zuo said, "The mountain is peaceful, and the water flows with wisdom. I hope Your Majesty can renovate this place well." Emperor Gaozu said, "Emperor Ming of Wei perished due to extravagance; why should I repeat the same mistakes?" Guo Zuo said, "Look up to the high mountains." Emperor Gaozu said, "Isn't this referring to the conduct of the emperor?" Therefore, Guo Zuo was promoted to Cavalier In Regular Attendance, still concurrently serving as an Attendant of the Yellow Gate.
At that time, Emperor Gaozu attached great importance to ceremonial systems, personally inspected talents from various schools of thought, and was busy with relocating the capital and various military campaigns, with domestic and foreign affairs accumulating. Guo Zuo and Yellow Gate Attendant Song Bian worked together by the emperor's side, offering advice and strategies, each contributing their best to undertake important tasks. Guo Zuo was responsible for handling memorials and annotations, with an extremely heavy workload.
Once, to confer the title of Zhaoyi on Feng Zhao Yi, the officials held a banquet in the Qinghui Garden to celebrate. Emperor Gaozu raised his wine cup and praised Guo Zuo and Cui Guang, saying, "Guo Zuo has worked hard for the country and has never betrayed my trust; Cui Guang is gentle, knowledgeable, and one of the few Confucian scholars in the court. If I don't encourage you two to drink, who should I encourage?" This illustrates Emperor Gaozu's high regard for Guo Zuo.
Initially, Emperor Gaozu appointed Li Biao as a riding attendant. At that time, Fang Qiao happened to visit the emperor, and Emperor Gaozu said to him, "It seems I appointed the wrong person yesterday." Fang Qiao replied, "Your Majesty, you are wise and discerning, assigning positions based on ability, appointing and dismissing officials, and rewarding and punishing clearly, ensuring that both virtue and talent are reflected, so that everyone can fulfill their duties. How could there be a mistake simply because of an imperial decree?" After pondering for a moment, Emperor Gaozu said, "Indeed, someone should voluntarily yield their position. Since it needs to be yielded, I intend to appoint him to another position." After some time, Li Biao submitted a petition stating, "Bo Shi has resigned from his position, and Zi Chan also dislikes this practice. I have long wanted to take this position and I cannot refuse." Emperor Gaozu sighed to Fang Qiao, saying, "Your loyal counsel and Li Biao's candid resignation have left me hesitant and unable to decide." Ultimately, Li Biao retained his position.
Later, when the emperor went south to campaign, Fang Qiao served as an attendant and accompanied the emperor on the campaign, and was appointed as a Minister of the Interior, with his rank elevated to that of a count. After Emperor Gaozu's death, Wang Xi of Xianyang and others petitioned for Fang Qiao to concurrently serve as Minister of Personnel, and he was soon promoted to concurrently serve as Minister of Personnel and the Grand Justice of Bingzhou.
Once, Emperor Shizong ordered that officials who had committed crimes and fled should be sent to remote frontier areas to serve as guards. If they never came out of hiding, their brothers would be punished in their place. Fang Qiao submitted a memorial saying, "Carefully try cases and strictly enforce penalties; this has been a tried-and-true method since ancient times. Establish laws and regulations; prohibit illegal activities; this is the correct approach today. Therefore, the ancient sage kings formulated laws and regulations based on objective circumstances. The eight types of punishment are documented in ancient texts, and strict legal provisions have been in use to this day, all in order to investigate the initial actions of criminals, examine their criminal facts, rectify societal norms, and set examples for future generations.
I would like to respectfully disagree. I believe that the root cause of the erosion of the law lies in those cunning officials. Although these cunning officials do not hold high positions, they pose a significant threat to the integrity of the law. I carefully read the imperial edict; indeed, it cut off the escape route of those fleeing officials. This is crucial for effective governance. However, the value of the law lies in its ability to prevent wrongdoing, not in being excessively harsh. The purpose of establishing laws and regulations is to ensure they are preserved. If the law is strict but the evildoers are still rampant, and the regulations are too harsh to be long-lasting, how should they be recorded in the criminal code and preserved for future generations? If, because of cunning officials fleeing, their brothers are exiled, should the wives and children of the criminals also be exiled? In this way, one person's wrongdoing could impact two families. I believe that since the criminals have fled, only their wives and children should be exiled, while the criminals themselves, although they have fled, should be permanently exiled in name to the border areas. This way, we can hold the criminals accountable while also preventing further wrongdoing." The emperor accepted his suggestion.
I went to the Ministry of Personnel to find Zuo Langzhong. This Zuo is a man of integrity and honesty, who especially values his official position. When selecting officials, even if he finds the right candidate, he will ponder for a long time before making a decision. After he finishes writing, he would say, "This person is going to prosper now!" Therefore, his work efficiency is relatively slow, often attracting complaints and criticisms. However, the people he promoted were all competent and capable, and as a result, people viewed him in a new light.
Later, he was assigned to an official post, serving as the General Who Pacifies the North and Governor of Yingzhou. When the Taiji Hall was completed, Zuo returned to the capital to meet the emperor and was subsequently promoted to General of the East and Governor of Qingzhou. During his tenure, there was a poor harvest and widespread famine, and he showed great sympathy for the people and provided substantial relief efforts. Though he was slow to act, the people remembered his kindness and still do today. He later returned to the court, serving as Attendant, Grand Master of Splendid Happiness, and Grand Supervisor of Bingzhou, and was finally promoted to the Deputy Director of the Right of the Imperial Secretariat. At that time, the court was tasked with formulating new laws and regulations, and the emperor decreed that Zuo should participate in the revision along with the attendants and eunuchs. According to tradition, the Minister of Personnel, Deputy Minister of Personnel, and Chief Minister were required to ride horses and crack their whips as they entered the palace, all the way to the horse path. After Zuo became the Deputy Director of the Imperial Secretariat, he believed this lacked sufficient respect, so he suggested to the Emperor. The Emperor accepted his suggestion and decreed: "When the Emperor is in the Taiji Hall, the whip should stop at the carriage entrance; when the Emperor is in the court hall, the whip should stop at the Sima gate." From then on, the whip would no longer enter the palace gates. The Emperor also decreed that Zuo should concurrently hold the position of tutor to the Crown Prince.
One time, Emperor Shizong took Zuo to the Eastern Palace, where Emperor Suzong was still young. Zuo brought a cucumber to present to Emperor Suzong. At the time, the left attendant Zhao Taogong and Chief Imperial Secretary Wang Xian were closely connected and held in high regard by Emperor Shizong. Zuo also had informal ties with them. Therefore, some individuals at the time slandered Zuo, deriding him as "Deputy Director Taogong" and "Cucumber Tutor."
The memorial reads: "Carefully review the previous assessment system. Although it has been implemented nationwide, I am somewhat foolish and narrow-minded, and there are still some areas that I do not understand. Now it is essential to clarify the specific criteria for promoting officials. Those who are promoted beyond their ranks also need to be evaluated accordingly. The assessment system established in the early years of Jingming only permits a promotion of one and a half ranks every five years. During the Zhengshi period, the former Minister Shangshu and Prince Zhongshan Ying proposed recommendations regarding the assessment system, and the emperor replied that assessments should only consider full three-year cycles of service, excluding partial cycles. Last year, due to the differences in the two previous systems, a special memorial was presented for a ruling. The emperor's decree was: "The system for the promotion and demotion of officials shall follow past practices." I am still uncertain whether to adhere to the previous decree, the regulations from the Jingming era, or the restrictions from the Zhengshi period. The assessment method established during the Jingming era categorized officials into three classes across the two provinces of Dong and Xi, treating them equally in assessments; while the former Shangshu Lu Chang suggested that top officials be promoted half a level every three years. The current assessment system is categorized into nine classes, with different standards and lack of uniformity, causing confusion. The imperial edict states: For those assessed as top or middle class, the previous regulations may be referenced - a promotion of one level after six years, half a level after three years, and no consideration for incomplete cycles. For those assessed as lower class or top class, the previous regulations may be referenced - a promotion of half a level after six years, with no promotion granted for less than six years. According to the new regulations, those assessed as lower class or top class can be promoted one level after three years. For scattered officials, Lu Chang's earlier recommendations shall be adhered to."
Zuo submitted another memorial, stating: "I have carefully studied the regulations for assessment: officials with good conduct, outstanding achievements, and no faults belong to the highest level—Level One; those with one fault belong to Level Three; those with two faults belong to Level Four; and so on, a total of eight levels, with the lowest being Level Nine. Now I would like to know the assessment results for officials across various departments. Some officials, although clean during their tenure, do not have outstanding abilities; their achievements and conduct meet the requirements, but their virtues are not exceptional; their abilities are barely sufficient, yet they are capable of handling their duties; there are also some individuals with slightly lower abilities, yet are capable of managing affairs in the officialdom, and have no faults at all. Which level should they be classified under? Since the third year of Jingming until now, it has been eleven years; in accordance with the stipulated timeframe, three promotion and demotion assessments should be conducted. Now that a comprehensive assessment is to be conducted, should the final classification be based on the cumulative assessment results over the past ten years, or should it be accumulated year by year based on the assessment results, and then determined based on the good and bad? Also, regarding the provision on records of faults, it is stipulated that multiple mistakes will lead to demotion, with fewer faults considered the best and more faults considered the worst. What actions are regarded as having few faults? What actions are regarded as having many faults? How many levels will there be in the final classification? For those who are supposed to receive ten lashes for documentation errors, does this count as one fault? Other offenses, according to the law, faults should also be recorded. Within a ten-year period, if three mistakes occur, even if the crime was committed before the pardon, regardless of their severity, they should be pardoned. If an official is impeached by the censor, but the investigation is not yet completed, and is reappointed after the pardon, can the previous fault records be expunged?"
The emperor said: "‘Outstanding,’ ‘extraordinary,’ as well as having both talent and few faults, these are all terms describing the highest rank of civil and military officials—top tier. Below this rank, there are eight levels, arranged in order according to ability, and the assessment criteria are already very clear. Those who have been demoted due to accumulated faults, as well as those of average ability who are still competent, are all included in these ranks; what is there to doubt? What you refer to as a comprehensive assessment is based on the results of many years of evaluations; as for the system of promotions and demotions, it still follows past practices, assessed year by year, and there's no need to ask about that anymore. Those faults that have already been determined cannot be exempted; during a general amnesty, the offenses may be pardoned, but the records of faults must be kept and reviewed during the next assessment." Subsequently, Zuo was promoted to the position of Sanqi Changshi (an official title).
The emperor wanted to build the Ming Hall and the National Studies. Wang Bao submitted a memorial saying: "Now that we have recovered the Yun and Luo regions in the west and opened up the road to Min and Shu; in the east, our troops are directed towards the Huai River and Jingzhou; the areas around the Han and Mian rivers still need to be fortified. Currently, recruiting soldiers and mobilizing the populace is very tense, with camps set up all along the borders and signal fires lighting up constantly; it's really not the right time for any major construction projects during wartime. Moreover, with the New Year coming up and spring planting just around the corner, I believe we should wait until the world is at peace and there is an abundant harvest before using the extra labor of the common folks for construction, so as not to delay the farming season." The emperor heeded his advice. In his later years, Emperor Shizong frequently summoned Wang Bao to the Eastern Palace, secretly bestowing him with money, each time exceeding one million, along with many fine silks. He also specially granted him a treasured sword and staff, showing him great favor, and later promoted him to Left Pushe.
Previously, Xiao Yan dispatched General Kang Xuan to block the Huai River, preparing to attack Yangzhou and Xuzhou. Wang Bao submitted a memorial stating, "Xiao Yan is too arrogant and overbearing, taking control of the rivers and causing suffering to the people and straining the finances; the signs of the country's downfall are already evident. However, as the saying goes, 'The enemy must not be tolerated.' It's like a cup of water that could become a bottomless abyss; if not dealt with promptly, it may spread like wild grass. A seasoned general should be appointed to lead thirty thousand troops, along with fifteen thousand Yulin troops, and ninety thousand elite soldiers from the seven states of Jingdong, to launch a swift attack and completely eliminate the enemy. The achievements of capturing or killing the enemy should be rewarded as per the usual standards, and all confiscated supplies should belong to the army. In this way, the head of this menace, Xiao Yan, can soon be displayed. I know it's the busy farming season, not the right time to rally the people for war, but circumstances necessitate such action. In the past, when Wei and Gu caused chaos, the Yin Shang dispatched the Kunwu army; when the Xianyun grew strong, the Zhou king launched the June campaign. As I hold a significant position in the court, it is my duty to present suggestions to the emperor; how could I possibly hide my thoughts? We should also instruct Yangzhou to choose a brave general to lead the local troops to Fushan, to coordinate efforts in ambushing the enemy." The court accepted his proposal.
During the reign of Li Chong, the court was particularly strict, with high officials being punished by either dismissal or execution for their mistakes. Li Chong recognized Li Zuo's talents and recommended him as the Left Minister, while also serving as the Minister of the Yellow Gate Attendants. Li Zuo was content with this position, but because of his humble background and the unfortunate fate of the Cui family, he was always worried about encountering a similar fate. He sincerely confided in Li Chong. Li Chong comforted him, saying, "Everyone has their own destiny, which cannot be avoided. As long as you work diligently, what do you have to be afraid of?" From then on, Li Zuo worked diligently for over twenty years, steadily rising in rank. However, his ambition grew, aspiring to become a tutor in the Eastern Palace and then get promoted to a high-ranking official position. The Minister of Rites, Prince Rencheng Wang Cheng, even reported this to the emperor. Later, Li Zuo became the General Who Conquers the West and the Inspector of Yongzhou. Even though he seemed satisfied on the outside, he felt that his position was not high enough and constantly sought further promotion, which rubbed the powerful the wrong way.
At that time, the General of the Army, Yu Zhong, was arrogant and overbearing because of the emperor's favoritism, while the Cui family and others were subservient to him. Li Zuo took issue with their behavior and sent his son Li Jingshang to persuade Prince Gayang Yong to get Yu Zhong sent off to another region. Upon hearing this, Yu Zhong flew into a rage and forged an imperial edict to have Li Zuo executed. Li Zuo was 67 years old at the time. He was a dedicated official who took his responsibilities seriously. He excelled in everything he did, and his decisions were always prudent. He was highly respected by all, and his sudden and unjust death left many in mourning. Empress Dowager Ling sent his condolences to the family and restored his title as a Count. During the Northern Wei Zhengguang period, the court posthumously named him the General Who Maintains Order, General of Chariots and Cavalry, and the Inspector of Yongzhou, and gave him the posthumous title of "Duke Wen Zhen."
At the beginning, when Emperor Xiaowen established the position of Zhongzheng officer, he once said to Li Zuo: "For the Zhongzheng officer in Bingzhou, your family should recommend Wang Qiong." After Li Zuo returned and told his colleagues: "Whether Wang Qiong is suitable or not, it's hard to say at this point. Why should my family promote him? The emperor just believes in the words of Li Chong!" Three years after Li Zuo's death, Yu Zhong also passed away, and everyone said it was Li Zuo's vengeful spirit that was said to have taken revenge on him. Li Zuo's eldest son, Li Sigong, became the chief clerk of the province at a young age, but sadly passed away at a young age. Li Sigong's younger brother, Li Qingli, had his second son, Li Yanbo, inherit the title. Li Yanbo inherited his grandfather's title - Duke of Dongguang. During the Wuding era of Northern Wei, he held the titles of General of Chariots and Cavalry and Grand Architect. After Northern Qi replaced Northern Wei, his title was downgraded.
Guo Jingshang, styled Sihe, was a well-read individual with a good grasp of astronomy and astrology, and was quite skilled at fortune-telling. He initially served as a military officer in the central army of Prince Pengcheng, and later rose to the position of Yuanwailang, the Registrar of the Minister of Works, and the Attendant of the Grand Commandant. He was highly capable and adept at currying favor with those in power, so everyone called him "Guo Jian." During the reign of Emperor Suzong of Tang, he was promoted to Fuguojiangjun and Zhongsan Daifu, and later appointed as the Minister of the Imperial Secretariat. Unfortunately, he passed away at fifty-one, just before taking office.
His son, Guo Jifang, served as a military officer in the Jiaozhou Chariot and Cavalry Department during the Wuding era. Guo Jingshang's younger brother, Guo Qinglei, styled Shu, was favored by the emperor and served as a junior archivist and a direct aide. After his death, he was posthumously honored with the titles of General Who Conquers the Caitiffs and Inspector of Yingzhou. His son, Guo Yuanzhen, served as the Chief Historian of Dingzhou Chariot and Cavalry Department in the later period of the Wuding era.
Zhang Yi, styled Qingbin, is from Dongwucheng in Qinghe. His great-grandfather, Zhang Xing, once served as the governor of Dongmu under Murong Chao and later sought refuge with his family in Northern Wei. Emperor Shizong of Wei was delighted and granted him the title of Marquis of Pinglu, appointing him as General Pingyuan and Governor of Qingzhou. Zhang Yi's father, Zhang Zhun, inherited the title and also served as Inspector of Dongqingzhou. Zhang Yi's father, Zhang Lingzhen, died young.
Zhang Yi was known for his strong personality and notable arrogance; he studied many classical texts and histories from a young age. When Emperor Gaozu ascended the throne, he inherited his family’s marquis title and became friends with Lu Yuan and Li Anmin, frequently visiting the palace together to meet the emperor, inseparable companions. Lu Yuan became the chief minister, while Li Anmin and Zhang Yi served as officials. Zhang Yi was bold from a young age; he walked into the grand palace with his head held high and an arrogant gaze, showing little regard for others. However, Empress Dowager Wen was especially particular about etiquette, and one time when she encountered Zhang Yi in this manner, she called a meeting of ministers to admonish him and urged him to reflect on his behavior and amend his ways. Ultimately, he remained defiant, showing no willingness to change.
However, he was quite adept at handling affairs, and he was always included whenever the court dispatched someone on an inspection mission. He was honest, cautious, strict, and decisive. Wherever he went, people held him in high regard, and his colleagues respected him for it. Later, he was promoted to be the Master of Guests; according to regulations, he was demoted from marquis to earl, and then he was promoted to be the Grand Minister of the Palace, continuing to manage the affairs of the Master of Guests Office. Not long after, he became the Minister of the Yellow Gate. Later, he followed the emperor on a campaign to the south, and his mother passed away midway, so he resigned and returned home to mourn. He mourned very seriously, walking all the way back home from Pingcheng, over a thousand miles, without riding any vehicles, which made him look emaciated. At that time, people greatly admired him. When the founding emperor visited Jizhou, he specifically sent someone to offer his condolences and issued a decree appointing him as the General of Valiant Cavalry, restoring his original position. Due to his contributions to the relocation of the capital, he was granted the title of marquis, and later promoted to be the Minister of the Imperial Clan, then the Palace Attendant, while also serving as Palace Attendant. The emperor even sent him with a baton to inspect the twelve provinces of Shandong and Henan, and he attained notable success in governance. After returning from the inspection, due to a problem arising from his recommendation of Yuan Zhao as a Langzhong, he was demoted to the position of Guard Minister. When Emperor Shizong ascended the throne, he was appointed as the Chief Minister, while also serving as Palace Attendant, and later only as Palace Attendant. After Emperor Shizong personally took over the government, he dismissed six assistant ministers, and Yihe, who was also the Chief Minister, Xing Luan, sensed that the situation was dire, so they quickly fled the capital. As a result, they were reported by the Supervisor of the Imperial Censors, Zhen Chen, who said that they were ‘neither a tiger nor a rhinoceros, leading in the wilderness’, and the emperor issued a decree to harshly reprimand him.
I was appointed as the General of Anxi and the Governor of Qinzhou. After taking office, I diligently studied the local management system and historical references. Upon arriving in Longyou, I further intensified my learning and practice. Every day, I entered and exited the military camp wearing the official attire of a governor, with an impressive presence. The Qiang and Xia ethnic groups respected my authority and did not dare to act recklessly, which brought stability to the entire region. Everyone said I was a good official. That winter, the palace was newly built, and because I had previously made contributions to the court, I was summoned back by the court along with Guo Zuo and others. After returning to the state, my position was elevated to General of the Guards. I requested to resign from my state position, but the emperor did not approve it.
During my tenure in Longyou, I established many new policies and regulations, promoted new customs, and transformed the old practices of the locals, who held me in high regard. I also built a Buddhist temple for the state, naming it Xinghuang Temple. For those who committed crimes, I assigned them to undertake public works projects as punishment, depending on the severity of their offenses, no longer resorting to whips and rods. At that time, Princess Chenliu was a widow, and I wanted to marry her, to which the princess agreed. However, Minister Gao Zhao also wanted to marry the princess, but she did not agree to him. Gao Zhao was very angry and made false accusations against me before Emperor Shizong, claiming that I had unilaterally enacted laws that caused the people to overwork. The emperor then dispatched the official Wan Erxing to Longyou on horseback to investigate urgently. Wan Erxing was Gao Zhao's confidant, and he certainly looked for ways to punish me harshly. However, I was known for my integrity, adhering to the law, and he could find no faults with me.
After the investigation results were released, I was transferred back to Luoyang, but for several years, I didn't receive any new assignments. During this time, I also dealt with a minor ailment, making my hands and feet inconvenient. Nevertheless, my aspirations and character remained unchanged; I continued to manage myself well and gradually was able to attend court to meet the emperor. After a long time, I was appointed as a Grand Minister of Ceremonies and was also granted a golden seal and purple ribbon.
Yi is someone who enjoys associating with like-minded friends, has little regard for vulgar people, and ignores those who are not interested in him. Although he is poor and often ill, he possesses a strong ambition. In a memorial he submitted, he stated: "I have heard that even the brightest stars in the sky need other stars to set them off; even the vast Dongting Lake relies on many small rivers to feed into it. Nothing can achieve greatness in isolation. The ancient sages recognized this truth, so they employed various means to remind themselves. For example, Emperor Yao set up the Slander Wood to enable people to voice their grievances openly; Emperor Shun hung the Remonstrance Drum to encourage people to provide suggestions whenever they wished. During the reigns of Emperors Yu and Shun, people presented maxims and exhortations, and warning inscriptions were engraved on various objects, so they could learn from the positive examples and reflect on their shortcomings. They always seriously reflected on past mistakes and worked hard to make up for their deficiencies, so they could be immortalized in history, become eternal role models, and be respected even after the changes of dynasties.
Your Majesty, consider this. Emperor Taizu pacified the world, ushering in a prosperous era; Emperor Shizu was both wise and valiant, unifying the Huaxia; Emperor Xianzu governed with benevolence and peace. After Emperor Gaozu ascended the throne, he governed diligently, loved the people, managed a multitude of affairs daily, neglected sleep and food, suppressed rebellions, relocated the capital to the divine city, reformed corrupt practices, and ensured transparent governance. The barbarians of the East Sea, the ethnic minorities in the southern part of Hengshan, the nomadic tribes of the Western Regions, and the nomadic tribes in the north all paid tribute and pledged allegiance. Your achievements exceed those of the Xia, Shang, Yin, Zhou, and Han dynasties; your benevolent rule reaches far and wide, and your civil and military achievements have reached a high level. You have issued decrees to seek talents and accept admonitions, which presents a significant opportunity for the populace to share their insights and suggestions.
My family has been serving the court for generations, for over eighty years now. My ancestors held high positions. As for me, my talents are rather mediocre, and I owe my official position to the backing of my ancestors. My knowledge is superficial, and my military skills are lacking. In my early years, I received favor from the late emperor, and now I have received the favor of Your Majesty. I have served the court in various capacities, including Minister of State, Governor of Qinzhou, and Peace Envoy. I constantly think about dedicating myself to the court and repaying the kindness of two dynasties. Even if I were to be shattered to pieces, it would still pale in comparison to Mount Tai. I take it upon myself to study ancient texts and historical records to discover the fundamental reasons for the rise and fall of emperors, the grand endeavors that can bring prosperity to a nation, the auspicious omens, the benevolent rule that treats the people like family, the policies of forgiveness and reform, the scenes of harmony and prosperity, and the prosperous times when prisons are empty. I diligently record these insights to highlight the exemplary rule of wise emperors.
For instance, Emperor Taikang's obsession with hunting ultimately led to his country's downfall; King Wuyi's obsession with pleasure resulted in his being struck down by lightning; King Jie of Xia indulged in extreme debauchery, leading to his country's eventual ruin; King Zhou of Shang was both cruel and incompetent, meeting his end in defeat; King Li of Zhou's cruel rule led to his swift overthrow; King You's favoritism towards Lady Zhao resulted in his country's destruction upon his demise; Emperor Cheng of Han's corruption paved the way for the usurpation by the Xin dynasty; the incompetence of Emperors Huan and Ling of Han facilitated the Wei's usurpation of the Han; Emperor Huai of Jin's weakness and incompetence triggered the War of the Eight Princes, resulting in fratricide. All those incompetent and corrupt monarchs ultimately brought about the downfall of their own states. From Fuxi to the end of the Jin dynasty, covering sixteen dynasties, one hundred and twenty-eight emperors, and three thousand two hundred and seventy years, I have gathered five hundred eighty-nine significant events, compiled into five volumes titled "Illustrated History of Emperors," which serves as a warning, akin to the beating of drums, the admonitions of the Yu people, and the signaling of the platter.
"I have placed this book beside the throne, Your Majesty, so you can peruse it from time to time. I hope it will inspire you in your governance of the country. I wish for Your Majesty to always think of the safety of the realm, care for the suffering of the people, learn from wise rulers, and avoid being a foolish emperor. In this way, even after my death, being buried underground would be as joyful as soaring through the clouds." Emperor Shizong greatly appreciated his memorial.
I have heard that wise emperors throughout history have valued the broad collection of public opinions, believing it to be an important means of governing the country. From collecting folk songs during the Zhou Dynasty to the official documents of the Han Dynasty, this principle has remained unchanged. Without these, good and bad opinions cannot be fully expressed, and distinguishing between right and wrong becomes difficult. After the Han Dynasty, although dynasties changed and society was turbulent, this practice of gathering public sentiment has never ceased.
However, during the time of Emperor Huizong of the Western Jin, the world was in chaos, regions were divided, and the people were struggling to survive; the rites and rituals were in ruins. Stability only returned when Emperor Xiaowen of Wei unified the country, continuing through seven generations of emperors and accumulating countless merits. Emperor Gaozu moved the capital to Luoyang, lasting for eight hundred years, diligently governing and reforming laws and systems, surpassing even the legendary Five Emperors and Three Sovereigns. Although the common people had no merit, they still benefited from this.
Even so, Emperor Xiaowen still worried about his short-sightedness, so he dispatched four envoys to various regions to gather public sentiment. At that time, I was fortunate to be appointed as one of the envoys, traveling to Qi, Lu, Liang, and Song to collect poetry and investigate prison conditions, striving to leave no stone unturned. However, my abilities were limited, and the responsibilities immense; I could not accomplish everything perfectly. Just as I finished compiling the directory of the poetry I had collected, the emperor initiated a southern campaign, and I was again dispatched to assist with military affairs. Thus, my journey as an envoy took an unexpected turn.
After the emperor returned to court, I was met with the emperor's sudden death, which plunged the realm into mourning and put everything on hold. Soon after, I was transferred to Qinzhou, far from the court, and coupled with my ongoing illness, it has been eight years. I have always worried that the poetry I collected might be lost forever, which has been my concern for many years.
Now, Your Majesty, you are wise and generous, showing kindness towards my poverty and illness. You have not only treated me generously but also given me the opportunity to pay respects at my ancestors' graves and visit friends, letting me feel at ease. Moreover, my health has improved in the past year or two, and I have reorganized these poems, totaling seven volumes, which I now present to Your Majesty. I hope Your Majesty can review them and have them passed on to the right departments for safekeeping. This way, the poetry from the Wei dynasty won't be lost forever; that is my wish.
When Emperor Suzong of Tang first ascended the throne, the court official Cui Guang submitted a memorial saying, "Li Yi and Li Shao are the only two officials whose ranks were originally below mine, yet they stand out and have made many contributions. However, their official ranks are now discrepant, and they are placed behind me. According to their qualifications, they should be promoted, but it seems their promotions haven't been properly assigned. In the past, the Duke of Wei, Gong Shu, yielded his position for his colleagues to be promoted together; the Shi Guyi of Jin recommended his elders for advancement. Such actions were highly respected by the ancients and were recognized at the time. I humbly wish to follow the example of the ancients and request to lower my official rank by one level to give that vacancy to those two, to put them on equal footing with the other officials and reflect the fairness of the court in selecting talent." The emperor then promoted Li Yi to General of the Western Expedition and Chief Justice of Jizhou.
Li Yi, although nearly sixty years old and suffering from gout, still works hard and never lets up. He is meticulous in handling public and private affairs and dresses meticulously; he invites Taoist priests and Buddhist monks, builds Taoist temples, and shares teachings. He is generous, promotes talents, and both new and old officials from the Northern and Southern Dynasties praise him. However, he built a large mansion, which was a bit extravagant and wasteful, and he also neglected his clan and relatives, not paying much attention to family ties, so some people held grudges against him. In the prestigious official circles, he was never satisfied. He repeatedly petitioned the court, claiming that he had made contributions to supporting Hanzhong in Qinzhou, hoping to receive rewards, but for many years, there was no response, and the court was also very troubled by this matter.
Li Yi's second son, Zhong Yu, submitted a memorial requesting a change in the criteria for selecting officials, suppressing military officials and not allowing them to occupy high positions. Therefore, many people discussed him, and the streets buzzed with insults aimed at him. Posters were put up in the streets, scheduling a gathering to kill Li Yi's whole family. However, Li Yi and his son were not afraid at all and came out unscathed. In the second month of the second year of the Shen Gui era, nearly a thousand imperial guards and soldiers ran to the Ministry of Personnel to confront Li Yi, looking for his eldest son, the Ministry of Personnel Li Shijun, to settle the score. When they did not find him, they threw bricks and stones at the gates of the Ministry of Personnel. Both the court and the people were afraid, and no one dared to stop them.
Next, they set fire to the roadside straw, armed themselves with sticks and stones as weapons, and charged straight to Li Yi's mansion, dragging him down to the hall, brutally beating him, shouting, and even set fire to his house. Li Shijun and Zhongyu escaped by climbing over the wall at that moment. Li Shijun returned to save his father, kneeling before the mob and begging them to spare his father. The soldiers of the Yulin Army beat him even more brutally and threw him directly into the fire. When they found his body, it was unrecognizable, only recognizable by a small hairpin in his hair. Zhongyu also managed to escape despite serious injuries. Li Yi survived, but was only carried to the nearby Shamensi temple next to his home. Everyone nearby heard about the incident, feeling both shocked and sorrowful.
Before Zhang Yilin died, he dictated his last words to those at his side, asking them to convey to the emperor: "I have served the court since my ancestors, and it has been six generations, down to my grandson. However, I have merely occupied a position without fulfilling my duties, failing to live up to the emperor's grace, and I have felt deep shame. I only wished to serve faithfully and wholeheartedly, yet in the end, I have accomplished nothing. Some suggestions put forth by my second son Zhongyu could greatly benefit the country. Since they are good suggestions, I should not have remained silent. It has been quite some time since those memorials were submitted, but I have not received the emperor's approval. Unexpectedly, this has incited anger, leading to my home being attacked and set ablaze. My sons, Zhang Shijun and Zhongyu, begged to sacrifice themselves in my stead. Shijun was seriously injured, and Zhongyu was unconscious for a night before waking up. I am now sixty years old and have enjoyed the emperor's favor throughout my life, yet now I find myself enduring such hardships. Reflecting on the cruelty of this disaster, I realize it is a rarity throughout history. I am seriously injured now, barely clinging to life, gazing at the sky and listening to the sound of the dripping water clock, knowing that I will die soon. What more is there to say? If any of the suggestions I made can benefit the country, even in the slightest, then it aligns with my sense of duty, providing a report to the two emperors in the afterlife. I die without regrets! I will return to the earth and leave the palace forever, mourning the emperor's grace and feeling immense sorrow. I am deeply reluctant to part, gasping for breath as I leave these words, earnestly imploring the two saints to take care of their health, bless the people, live long like the Southern Mountains, and let their virtues prosper. I have enjoyed the court's favor since my youth, and I have longed to repay the court's kindness, yet I find myself powerless to do so. Even in death, I will not forget my duty to serve the country." Zhang Yi finished speaking and passed away at the age of fifty-nine.
The court captured and executed eight fierce members of the Imperial Guard, but failed to completely root out the rebels. In the end, they had to grant a general amnesty to pacify the people. Those in the know realized that the country's discipline was on the verge of collapse. After Zhang Yi's funeral, his family returned to their charred home, where he and his brother took care of the arrangements in a humble dwelling. Because of his severe injuries, he had taken refuge in Xingyang until his wounds gradually healed in May, and only then did he hurry back for the funeral, and received a thousand bolts of cloth and silk from the court. Empress Dowager Ling was deeply sympathetic towards Zhang Yi, a veteran statesman who had served under several reigns. She often recalled the past and wept, telling her attendants, "For Zhang Yi, I can't even eat, and I've lost quite a bit of hair. The grief is so extreme, this is how it is."
Initially, Yi's great-grandfather was fortunate enough to attract many commoners from Hedong, about over a thousand households, who settled under his care. Later, they all moved to Jizhou, where they lived for thirty years, and the population grew to tens of thousands. When the Emperor took a census, Jizhou had the largest population. Yi became a Chamberlain for the Yellow Gate, often accompanying the Emperor. The Emperor said, "In the future, I will make you the Governor of Jizhou to repay your ancestors' contributions to the country!" Yi always remembered the Emperor's promise and repeatedly requested to be appointed to Jizhou, but the court consistently refused. After Yi's death, Empress Dowager Ling said, "Yi had requested to go to Jizhou many times, and I wanted to let him go, but someone opposed it. If they had granted his request, perhaps this incident could have been avoided, and it would have been too late to feel regret." Thus, Empress Dowager Ling posthumously appointed Yi as Governor of Jizhou, granting him the title of Marquis Wen.
Yi's son Shijun, courtesy name Ziheng, was known for his integrity, honesty, and love of learning, and he was quite literary. He first served as a military officer at the Situ Mansion, and later was promoted to the position of Assistant Imperial Secretary. Because Yi was a meritorious official of the previous dynasty, the Emperor unusually promoted Shijun, appointing him concurrently as a Gentleman of the Imperial Court, later promoted to the position of an Attendant, and also allowed him to continue serving as an Imperial Secretary. Shijun was even more talented than his father, as he revised Chen Shou's "Records of Wei" into a chronological format, and supplemented it with many other historical materials, totaling thirty volumes. He also authored "Records of the Cap and Belt" and several dozen poems, unfortunately all of which are now lost. Initially, the Dacheng uprising caused chaos in Jizhou and Yingzhou, and the court sent Commander Yuan Yao to suppress the rebellion, resulting in numerous deaths, with tens of thousands of bodies accumulating. At that time, Shijun was an Imperial Secretary and was sent to the Xing Tai, where he was very angry because soldiers were presenting severed heads as trophies to seek rewards. Therefore, he ordered the collection of several thousand heads and burned them completely to eliminate this kind of opportunistic mentality. Those who witnessed this scene were all saddened. Later, when Shijun died, he also died in a fire, burned to a crisp, and some saw it as retribution. The court posthumously named him Prefect of Leling, with the posthumous title of "Filial Piety."
Yi's grandson Gao inherited his grandfather's title and served as the Chief Registrar during the Wuding period. After Northern Qi replaced Northern Wei, his title was demoted. Gao's younger brother Yanzhi served as a Military Officer in the Imperial Guard during the Wuding period. Yi's another grandson Zhongyu served as the Minister of Works and an Imperial Censor. Yi's another grandson Zitai served as a Military Officer in the Imperial Guard. Zhongyu's younger brother Min served as an Assistant Imperial Secretary. Historical records note that Guo Zuo was a capable and efficient man, who was adept at handling various secular affairs. In the early stages of the founding of the dynasty by Emperor Gaozu, Guo Zuo, with his diligence and hard work, established himself in the officialdom and was praised for all his efforts.
Zhang Yi, a person of integrity and dignity, had the bearing of a great minister when ordered to go to battle, and is still talked about fondly to this day. How do these two compare to the capable ministers of the Wei Kingdom? They both encountered unfortunate circumstances and got swept up in the chaos of their times, which is really a shame. They both started with big dreams, but before they had the chance to show what they could do, it’s such a shame!
Select your language
