Yang Wangsun lived during the reign of Emperor Wu of Han. He studied Huang-Lao philosophy, was very wealthy, owned over a thousand acres of land, lived a comfortable life, and had everything he could want. When he became seriously ill and close to death, he called his son to his side and said, "I plan to have an unclothed burial, to return to my true self. You mustn't disobey me. After I die, wrap my body in a shroud, bury it seven feet deep underground, and after burying me, remove the shroud from my feet so that I can directly touch the earth." His son was in a terrible quandary, not wanting to disobey his father's wishes but also finding it difficult to follow through. So, he went to see Yang Wangsun's friend, Lord Qi (祁侯).
Lord Qi wrote a letter to Yang Wangsun, saying, "Wangsun, I'm so sorry to hear you're so ill. I am on my way to Yong for a sacrificial ceremony and cannot come to see you in person. Take care of yourself, worry less, take more medicine, and look after yourself. I heard that you instructed to have an unclothed burial. If you die without consciousness, that would be one thing, but if you're still conscious after death, wouldn't that be humiliating? Moreover, to face your ancestors naked, isn't that inappropriate? I'm concerned that this isn't the right course of action. Furthermore, the 'Classic of Filial Piety' states to prepare a coffin, outer and inner coffins, clothes, and bedding for the deceased; this is the tradition of the sages. Why must you stick to what you've heard? Please reconsider."
Wang Sun said, "I heard that in ancient times, wise kings couldn't bear to see the people mourn too much for their loved ones, so they established funeral rites. Nowadays, people go beyond this limit, so I choose an unadorned burial to correct the prevailing customs. Lavish burials don't benefit the dead one bit, yet people compete with each other, wasting money and burying large amounts of wealth and burial goods underground. Some are even dug up the day after they are buried; it's just like leaving the body out in the open! Furthermore, when a person dies, it is a natural change in life, a process of returning to the source. Things return to their source; things change as they must. This is the true nature of all things. Returning to the source quietly, without form, without sound, is in accordance with natural laws. All that fancy decoration just keeps things from returning to their source and changing naturally, depriving all things of their rightful place. I heard that the spirit belongs to heaven, while the body belongs to the earth. When the spirit leaves the body, they each return to their own place; hence, the term 'ghost,' which implies a return to the spiritual realm. The body is there alone, without any consciousness. All that silk, that coffin, those bound limbs, that jade in its mouth—it can't even decompose properly! After hundreds of years, when the coffin decays, it can return to the earth, back to its true resting place. So why keep it hanging around for centuries? In the past, Yao's burial was simple: a hollowed log for a coffin, bound with rattan. The grave didn't disturb the water table, and the body didn't rot and stink. Therefore, wise rulers lived simply and died simply—no wasted time, no wasted money."
Now they are spending a huge amount of money on an extravagant burial, getting in the way of going back to basics. The dead don't know any better, and the living ain't getting nothin' out of it. What a waste! Nope, not me!
Qi Hou said, "Right!" and agreed to the burial. Hu Jian, styled Zimeng, was from Hedong. During the Tianhan period of Emperor Xiaowu of Han, he served as a military assistant. His family was dirt poor; they didn't even own a horse and cart, so he often walked and lived with ordinary soldiers, who greatly respected him. At that time, the military inspector was corrupt. He even tore down parts of the northern army's camp walls to set up a black market! Hu Jian wanted to kill him, so he made a pact with the soldiers: "I'll give the signal. 'Grab' means grab, 'Kill' means kill."
On the day of selecting soldiers and warhorses, the military inspector and the guard colonels sat in the hall. Hu Jian led the soldiers to bow and then entered the hall. Hu Jian pointed and yelled, "Grab him!" The soldiers instantly dragged the inspector out and, at his command, killed him. The guard colonels were shocked and didn't know what had happened. Hu Jian had already written a memorial, stating, "Military law demands strong leadership and swift punishment of evil. The military inspector dismantled the camp walls for profit and engaged in private trading with soldiers. He lacks decisiveness and courage, violating laws and fairness. Dealing with him through civil means won't achieve proper punishment. Ancient law clearly states that anyone undermining camp security should be executed. Following military law, senior officials without subordinate generals must report crimes, while lower-ranking officers can execute justice when necessary. If a prefect has doubts in executing laws, they should not defer to superiors. I took the law into my own hands, and I'm owning it."
The Emperor's decree went out: "'The *Sima Fa* says court rules don't apply to the army, and army rules don't apply to court,' so what's it got to do with you pencil-pushers?" Back in the day, those kings swore oaths in the army to rally the troops, outside the army to show their hand, or right before a battle to boost morale. And that's how Hu Jian became a legend.
Now, this Wei Cheng County magistrate was a top bloke; everyone loved him. It happened that Emperor Zhao of the Han Dynasty was still young, and the father of the empress, General Shangguan, had a close relationship with the emperor's sister's husband, a real piece of work. This lowlife was very arrogant and resented the former Jingzhao magistrate Fan Fu, so he sent someone to assassinate Fan Fu. The killer hightailed it to the princess's place, and no one dared touch him. As a result, our Wei Cheng County magistrate immediately surrounded the princess's mansion with his bailiffs, ready to arrest the culprit.
The princess's husband, along with that lowlife, General Shangguan, and a whole mob of servants, came charging out, bows and arrows blazing. The poor officials scattered like cockroaches. He even filed a complaint, claiming the magistrate's men beat up his servants. The magistrate denied committing any other offenses. Furious, he wrote to the Emperor, claiming the magistrate attacked the princess's mansion. But everyone knew it was his servants who got roughed up – he was just covering it up. Huo Guang squashed it for a while, but once he got sick, the Shangguans took over and had the magistrate arrested. He killed himself rather than face them. People still say he was done wrong, and there's even a shrine to him in Wei Cheng to this day.
Next, let's talk about Zhu Yun, also known as You, who was from the state of Lu but later moved to Pingling. When he was young, he had a bit of a Robin Hood vibe, loved to stand up for justice, and often got involved in settling scores. He was a giant, over eight feet tall, and strong, known for his physical strength and courage. At the age of forty, he suddenly changed his way of life, becoming a student of the Book of Changes under the guidance of the scholar Bai Ziyu, and studying the Analects of Confucius with the former general Xiao Wangzhi, mastering both, and could teach them. He was a man of integrity, and everyone looked up to him.
During the reign of Emperor Hanyuan, a man named Gong Yu from Langye became the top censor, a high-ranking official. At that time, a minor official from Huayin County named Jia wrote a memorial to the emperor, saying, "To govern the country, we must select talented individuals! The position of Grand Imperial Censor is the assistant to the prime minister, a key figure among the Nine Ministers, and cannot be filled casually. Zhu Yun from Pingling is good with both brains and brawn, loyal and upright, and strategic. Give him a shot at the top censor job and see what he can do." The emperor then sent it to the ministers for debate.
The Imperial Tutor Kuang Heng stood up to oppose, saying, "Ministers are the backbone of the state, and the people are watching. The emperor must choose his ministers with special care! It's said that: 'If the lower level despises the higher level, and those of lower status want to become high officials, the country will be in turmoil, and the common people will suffer as well.' Now this Jia, he is only a small county administrator, but he wants to appoint Zhu Yun as the Grand Censor. It's like giving an ordinary nobody a meteoric rise, bypassing the Nine Ministers and directly becoming a high official. That's hardly the way to show respect for the state, is it? From Emperor Yao's promotion of Shun to King Wen's promotion of Jiang Taigong, they were all appointed after careful consideration, not to mention this Zhu Yun? Zhu Yun is known for his arrogance and ruthlessness, often breaking the law and fleeing. Although he has studied the Book of Changes and affects an air of scholarly authority, there is nothing particularly outstanding about his character. Now the Grand Censor Gong Yu is honest and upright, knowledgeable and virtuous like Boyi and Shi Yu; everyone knows this. But Jia insists on recommending Zhu Yun for the Grand Censor position. This harebrained recommendation makes me think he's up to no good; we can't let this slide, and it needs a proper investigation to get to the bottom of this." And Jia paid the price.
At that time, Wulu Chongzong, a high-ranking official, was greatly favored. He was a master of Liangqiu's school of Yijing thought. Starting from the reign of Emperor Xuan, he wanted to see how Liangqiu's Yijing stacked up against other schools of thought, so he asked Wulu Chongzong to debate with other Yijing experts. Wulu Chongzong, relying on his favor and eloquence, made it so those Confucian scholars couldn't touch him in a debate; they all faked sick and stayed away. Someone recommended Zhu Yun, and the emperor summoned him. As soon as Zhu Yun entered the hall, he stood upright and spoke loudly, his voice booming around the hall. The debate began, and Zhu Yun refuted Wulu Chongzong's views, so those Confucian scholars made up a rhyme saying, "Wulu got his comeuppance, thanks to Zhu Yun." Because of this debate, Zhu Yun was appointed as a scholar.
He was first posted to Duling as county magistrate, but later, he got in trouble for letting a prisoner escape, though a pardon saved him. Later, due to his good performance, he was promoted to be the county magistrate of Huaili. At that time, the Imperial Secretary Shi Xian ran the show and was in cahoots with a bunch of officials, making everyone afraid of him. Only the Deputy Imperial Censor Chen Xian, who was young but dared to uphold his principles, wouldn't kiss up to Shi Xian and even became friends with Zhang Yun.
Zhang Yun kept pestering the emperor, saying that the Prime Minister Wei Xuancheng only cared about his own hide and ignored the bigger picture, while Chen Xian criticized Shi Xian many times. After a while, someone investigated Zhang Yun, suspecting him of sheltering subordinates who committed murder. When the ministers attended the court, the emperor asked the Prime Minister about Zhang Yun's character. Prime Minister Wei Xuancheng said that Zhang Yun was a real bully and was not a good official at all. Chen Xian, who was there, told Zhang Yun what Wei Xuancheng had said.
Zhang Yun quickly wrote a letter to the emperor to defend himself, and Chen Xian helped him draft a memorial, requesting that the case be handed over to the top government investigator for trial. When the case reached the Prime Minister, his officials investigated and determined that Zhang Yun was indeed guilty of covering up a murder. Realizing he was in deep trouble, Zhang Yun fled Chang'an and went to Chen Xian to figure out a plan. The Prime Minister ratted him out to the emperor, saying, "Chen Xian is an official responsible for guarding the palace and keeping order, yet he privately told Zhang Yun about court affairs and even helped him write a memorial, wanting him to investigate the matter himself. It turned out Zhang Yun was a fugitive, and yet Chen Xian was still in contact with him, which is why Zhang Yun was not caught."
Upon hearing this, the emperor arrested both Chen Xian and Zhang Yun, sentenced them to death, and later reduced their sentences to a lighter punishment. Chen Xian and Zhang Yun were both dismissed from their posts, and they were unable to restore their official positions for the rest of the Yuan Emperor's reign.
During the reign of Emperor Cheng of the Han Dynasty, the Prime Minister Zhang Yu was extremely powerful and highly respected. A man named Wang Zun asked to see the emperor, with all the court ministers present at the time. Wang Zun said, "The ministers in the court now cannot assist the emperor above, nor benefit the people below; they are just taking up space and not doing anything useful. I hope Your Majesty will grant me the emperor's sword, so I can kill a treacherous minister and make an example of him!" The emperor asked, "Who is it?" Wang Zun replied, "Anchang Marquis, Zhang Yu!"
The emperor, upon hearing this, became furious and said, "A lowly official dares slander his teacher in court? He deserves to die!" The censor hauled Wang Zun off, but Wang Zun grabbed the palace railings and broke them. He shouted, "I'll be joining loyal men like Long Feng and Bi Gan in the afterlife—that's reward enough! I just don't know how the wise court will handle this matter!" At this moment, General Xin Qingji took off his hat, removed his insignia, and knelt in front of the palace, saying, "I, Xin Qingji, have always prided myself on my integrity. If what Wang Zun said is true, he should not be killed; even if he's wrong, he deserves leniency. I dare to defend him with my life!" Xin Qingji kept kowtowing until his head bled. The emperor finally calmed down. Later, when repairing the broken railings pulled by Wang Zun, the emperor said, "Don't replace them with new ones! Just repair them, to commemorate this honest official!" Wang Zun retired to Huxian County, often taking a group of students on educational trips in a bullock cart, respected wherever he went. Later, when Xue Xuan became prime minister, Wang Zun visited him. Xue Xuan was very polite to him, invited him to stay, and said, "Since you're not busy, why not stay in my study and meet some interesting people?" Wang Zun said, "I'm a nobody. Do I look like I want a job?" Xue Xuan dared not say anything more. Wang Zun was very particular about teaching, selecting students before accepting them as disciples. Yan Wang and his nephew Yan Yuan, also known as Zhong, from Jiujang, inherited Wang Zun's teachings and later became scholars. Yan Wang even became the prefect of Taishan. When Wang Zun was in his seventies, he passed away at home without calling a doctor or taking medicine. He was buried simply, surrounded by his students and colleagues, in a modest grave outside Pingling.
Mei Fu, with the courtesy name Zizhen, was a native of Shouchun in Jiujang. When he was young, he studied in Chang'an and was proficient in the "Book of Documents" and "Gu Liang Chun Qiu." He served as a junior scholar and later became the magistrate of Nanchang. He resigned from his official position and returned to Shouchun, often posting memorials at the county gates to express his views on current affairs, requesting to use an official carriage to present urgent matters to the emperor during his travels. However, his requests were always rejected.
At that time, Emperor Cheng of the Han Dynasty handed over great power to the Grand General Wang Feng. Wang Feng held the court in his grip, while the Prefect of Jingzhao, Wang Zhang, was upright and often criticized Wang Feng, leading to his assassination by Wang Feng. The power of the Wang family continued to grow, various disasters and ominous signs appeared frequently, and no court officials dared to speak the truth. Therefore, Fu Jiezhi submitted a memorial to the emperor.
"The Wangs are running the whole show, and the people are suffering! It's all because you're too wishy-washy and haven't stopped them! All these disasters are heaven's warning! Wake up and get rid of the Wangs before they ruin the country!" Fu Jiezhi wrote urgently in his memorial, filled with anxiety for the country and the people.
He believed that the Wang family's monopoly of power led to corruption in the court, life was hell for the people, and a series of natural disasters, all caused by the emperor's weakness and incompetence. He hoped that the emperor could realize the seriousness of the problem, take timely measures, clean up the mess in the court, and save the crisis. Fu Jiezhi's words were straightforward and full of concerns for the fate of the country.
They say Ji Zi played dumb in the Yin dynasty, only to later write the *Hong Fan* for the Zhou. And Shusun Tong ditched Qin for Han, creating the Han court's rituals. It's not like either guy was a traitor, though – it's a complicated story.
Liu Bang, the founding emperor, accepted advice instantly, without considering the talents of others, and rewarded based on merit without examining past behavior. Chen Ping, from a humble background, became a strategist for Emperor Gaozu of Han; Han Xin was promoted from an ordinary soldier to a general. Therefore, ambitious men from all corners of the empire flocked to the Han Dynasty, competing to offer ingenious strategies. Those with talent contributed their strategies, the foolish their ideas, the brave their strength, and even the timid their best efforts. By gathering the wisdom of the world and combining the strength of the world, it was easy to destroy the Qin state and conquer the Chu state, which is why Emperor Gaozu was able to defeat enemies from all over.
Emperor Xiaowen started in Dai County, without wise ministers like Zhou Gong and Shao Gong, or capable advisors like Yi Yin and Lv Shang. He followed Emperor Gaozu's method of governance, adding his own industry and thrift. At that time, the world was almost at peace. It can be seen that following Emperor Gaozu's method can lead to good governance, while not following it can lead to chaos. Why? Because the Qin Dynasty implemented tyranny, erased the traces of Confucius, destroyed the system of Zhou Gong, ruined the well-field system, abolished the five-tiered nobility system, and disrupted rituals and music, so those who wanted to implement the righteous path were unsuccessful.
Emperor Xiaowu liked to listen to loyal advice, accept correct opinions, grant titles without waiting for officials to be promoted, and reward without requiring officials to first achieve remarkable accomplishments. Therefore, the common people all worked hard to hone their talents, striving to come to the court to showcase themselves, countless in number. The Han Dynasty obtained talents and reached its peak during the reign of Emperor Xiaowu. If Emperor Xiaowu could adopt their strategies, he could have achieved a prosperous era of peace. However, in the end, carnage ensued, emboldening the Hu and Yue peoples, which allowed Prince Liu An of Huainan to rise up in rebellion.
Strategies fail and plans leak because there are too many talented people in the court, making the ministers powerful and hesitant to coordinate with each other. Now commoners are exploiting the government's weaknesses, like they did in Shu County. Then there's Su Ling and his gang in Shanyang, running wild and causing trouble, forming cliques, seeking accomplices, and colluding to escape and hide. It's because we've lost respect, our power's weak, and now even regular Joes think they can take us on.
Bottom line: Talent is everything! When a country has talent, it thrives; when it lacks talent, it falters. Like the old saying goes, "A strong team makes a strong kingdom." The major events in the court are not something we commoners can casually discuss. I'm worried I'll end up six feet under, just another nameless soldier, which is why I've repeatedly written letters to request an audience with the emperor, but all have been turned down.
I heard that during Duke Huan of Qi's time, someone used a multiplication table to showcase their talents, and Duke Huan welcomed it, wanting to recruit talent. What I'm saying is way more important than some multiplication tables! You've turned me down three times already! That's why nobody wants to work for you anymore! Qin's King Wu loved strong men, so Ren Bi showed up at the pass to prove himself. Duke Mu valued talent, and that's how he got Bai Li Xi and Yao Yu to join.
Now, to attract talent from everywhere, when people request an audience, someone should immediately go to the Ministry of Personnel to understand their thoughts. If their suggestions are useful, they should be given some salary and rewarded with silk. Then we'll get a flood of good ideas, everyone will pull together, and our country will be unstoppable!
The world is so vast, with so many everyday people, and there are countless smooth talkers. But how many truly have talent, can govern a country, write excellent articles in line with ancient wisdom, and solve current practical problems? Therefore, prestige, pay, and perks are the cornerstones that attract talent. The founding emperor used these to motivate gifted individuals who had not yet been discovered. Confucius said, "You need the right tools for the job." However, during the Qin Dynasty, this was no longer the case. They slandered everyone, treating talented individuals as enemies to be expelled, and gave the Tai'a sword to the Chu. Therefore, it is essential to get a handle on talent. Even if there are disobedient people in the world, they dare not easily offend. Emperor Wu of Han did this, which allowed him to conquer new lands and become an outstanding emperor of the Han Dynasty.
Nowadays, not following the practice of the sages and trying to select talent using methods from three generations ago is like using a picture of Bole to find a steed at the market. How is that possible? This principle couldn't be clearer. Therefore, even though the founding emperor knew that Chen Ping had made mistakes, he still valued his strategies; Duke Wen of Jin valued Zhonghui, and Duke Huan of Qi valued his own enemy. These were all for the benefit of the country, disregarding personal grievances, which is the practice praised by the sages.
A unified approach is essential; a mixed approach will lead to chaos. Trying to govern the broken situation left by the Qin Dynasty with the methods of a peaceful and prosperous era is like managing a military camp market with village rituals—it simply cannot work.
Your Majesty, not only do you ignore the opinions of the people, but you also kill them. This is like injuring a crow; kind birds will fly away, and when foolish individuals are killed, talented ones will only retreat further. Recently, many subjects have submitted petitions, many of which have been accused of minor infractions, resulting in their being sent to the Imperial Court of Justice, where many have died. Since the Yangshuo period, people have been afraid to speak, especially in the court, where officials only follow your will, and no one dares to uphold justice.
Why do I say this? Look at the petitions submitted by the subjects. If you think they are good, try having the Imperial Court of Justice review them, and they will surely say, "These words should not be said; it's treasonous." This is evident. The Prefect of Jingzhao, Wang Zhang, was loyal and upright, daring to argue face-to-face. Emperor Xiaoyuan promoted him to inspire the officials and correct the corrupt practices in the court. But under your rule, his whole family was killed. Even if punishing the wicked, it should only be the individual punished. Wang Zhang did not commit treason, yet his family was implicated. This has broken the spirit of honest officials and silenced dissent. The officials all know this is wrong, but dare not speak out. The people are afraid to voice their concerns, and this silence is the nation's greatest peril!
I hope Your Majesty will follow Emperor Gaozu's example, learn from the Qin Dynasty's collapse, read *The Song of October* more, ponder the lessons of *The Lost Yi*, abolish those unimportant laws, and encourage free speech through imperial decree. Please widely listen to various opinions, seek input from the lower classes, let talented individuals not be buried, and allow distant voices not to be silenced, just like "opening all channels of communication." Aren't these petty laws just used to silence dissent? "The past cannot be changed, but the future can still be remedied." Now the monarch's orders are being disobeyed, the monarch's authority is being weakened, and the power of the relatives is increasing. Your Majesty may not have seen the seriousness of the problem yet; I hope you can perceive the danger.
Since the establishment of the dynasty, the number of solar eclipses and earthquakes has tripled compared to the Spring and Autumn Period, and there have been countless floods. Yin overwhelms Yang; iron can fly! What dire omens are these? Since the founding of the Han Dynasty, the state has experienced three crises. The Lv family, Huo family, and Shangguan family are all of the empress's relatives. Family ties are important; they should be treated well and given wise teachers and good friends to teach them the virtues of loyalty and filial piety. But now, showered with honors and power, they've grown arrogant, leading to their downfall. Even someone as wise as Huo Guang cannot consider the future generations, so when powerful ministers dominate, it is easy for dangers to occur with the change of dynasties. The *Book of Documents* says, "Do not be like fire, weak at first." Once a minister's power eclipses the emperor's, it's too late to act.
The Emperor ultimately did not heed my advice. It's been some time since Emperor Cheng's death, and still no heir has been named. I believe we should follow the practices of the three generations of emperors and posthumously ennoble Confucius's descendants as descendants of the Yin Dynasty. So I once again submitted a memorial to the Emperor, saying:
I have heard that "They say, 'Don't stick your nose where it doesn't belong.'" This is a rule, and it is a great crime for those in low positions to comment on political matters. But I'm willing to stick my neck out and say what needs saying; even if it costs me my life, I do not hesitate. I will honestly do my duty, not say a word more than necessary, live a peaceful life, and even after death, before I'm even six feet under, my name will be forgotten. Even if I could live like a king, I would not care. So I hope for the opportunity to enter the palace and speak to the emperor, to sit at the palace gates and share my thoughts with him. If my advice serves the nation and endures through time, then that is the reason why I cannot sleep or eat in peace! Please, Your Majesty, give my words due consideration.
Your Majesty, it has been so long since the death of Emperor Cheng, and there is still no heir. This is a major issue! I believe we should follow the practices of ancient sages, to posthumously bestow upon Confucius' descendants the title of descendants of the Yin Dynasty, to continue the family line. I am writing to you again because I am truly uneasy. I understand the principle of "those not in power should not get involved in politics," and I know that it is taboo to speak out of turn, which could even cost me my life. But I would rather take this risk than watch the country's affairs be delayed, pass my life in obscurity, and be forgotten after death. Even if I could enjoy all the glory and wealth, I would not give up my honest advice. Therefore, I implore you to give me a chance, to present my thoughts to you face to face, even if it is just to stand at the palace gates for a moment and share my concerns and suggestions with you. If my counsel benefits the country and echoes through history, then that would be best. Otherwise, I will be restless and regretful for life! Your Majesty, I urge you to consider my plea.
Word is, helping others can help you get ahead, while sticking it to others will eventually backfire. What goes around comes around; each person will reap what they sow. In the past, the Qin Dynasty destroyed the Zhou Dynasty and then the six states, sidelining scholars and commoners. It disrupted the natural order and cut off the cultural inheritance, and as a result, the Qin Dynasty also perished; his son was murdered, and his line died out. This is an example of how blocking others ultimately harms oneself.
On the contrary, right off the bat after King Wu defeated the Shang Dynasty, he preserved the descendants of the Five Emperors before the Xia and Shang Dynasties, enfeoffed the survivors of the Shang Dynasty in the Song Kingdom, and the survivors of the Xia Dynasty in the Qi Kingdom, clearly showing the lineage of the three dynasties, indicating that he was not the only legitimate ruler. Therefore, the Ji clan flourished, becoming revered throughout the land, and their descendants prospered. This is an example of how helping others ultimately achieves success for oneself. Now the sacrifices to Tang of Shang have been cut off, and the descendants of the Shang Dynasty are also gone. Your Majesty, your lack of heirs might be because of this. The "Spring and Autumn Annals" says, "Song killed one of its own big shots." The "Guliang Commentary" explains, "They didn't name him because he was a respected Shang descendant." This shows that Confucius was also a descendant of the Shang Dynasty. Even if he wasn't a direct descendant, giving his family land as Shang nobles makes sense. Why? Because in history, lots of nobles overthrew their kings, and good rulers often got bumped off by their bastards. Ancient texts say, "Virtuous people deserve land, let alone a sage, especially a Shang noble!"
In the past, the King used the etiquette of the vassals to give a grand burial to Duke Zhou, but that really ticked off the heavens, and a massive thunderstorm erupted. Now, Confucius' temple is just a humble little shrine, and his descendants live like ordinary people. The sage receives sacrifices like an ordinary person, and that just ain't right! Hey, Your Majesty, how about rewarding his descendants based on Confucius' achievements? The country will boom, and your name will be remembered forever. Why? No one's ever honored a sage's descendants like this before, and future sages will follow your example. Your name would live on forever. Unfortunately, my idea was a bit too radical, and it also ticked off the Wang family, so it was ultimately not accepted. Back in Emperor Wu's time, they gave some land to descendants of the Zhou dynasty, and during the reign of Emperor Yuan, they made Zhou Chengxiuhou a big shot, second only to the princes. Then, they sent officials to track down the Yin Dynasty's descendants, but they were spread out across over ten different family names, and figuring out who was related to whom was a nightmare.
At that time, Kuang Heng expressed his opinion, saying, "The Emperor maintains two Empresses to honor past rulers and uphold the lineage of the Three Dynasties. Descendants who commit capital crimes should be disinherited, and other relatives should be appointed as original marquises to inherit the ancestral lineage of the royal family. According to the principles of the Spring and Autumn Annals, if the vassals cannot protect their states, they should be cut off. Now the Song state's lineage is extinct, its kingdom fallen, so the descendants of the Yin Dynasty should be appointed as the original marquises to inherit the rule of King Tang, instead of inheriting the extinct marquises of the Song state. We must identify clear descendants of the Yin Dynasty. Tracing their direct line back so far is impossible; even if found, their ancestral line is broken, rendering them ineligible. In the Book of Rites, Confucius said, 'I am a descendant of the Yin and Shang dynasties.' This is a traditional teaching among scholars, and Confucius's descendants should inherit King Tang's legacy." However, the emperor felt that his argument did not conform to the classics, so it was not accepted.
During the reign of Emperor Cheng of Han, Mei Fu once again proposed that the descendants of Confucius should be appointed to sacrifice to King Tang. In the first year of Suihe, the court appointed two Empresses, and, citing the *Zuo Zhuan*, *Gǔliáng Zhuàn*, *Shìběn*, and *Lǐjì*, decreed to appoint the descendants of Confucius as Yin Shaojia Gong. This is recorded in the *Chéngjì*. At that time, Mei Fu often read to cultivate himself.
During Wang Mang's usurpation in the Yuán Shǐ era, Mei Fu fled Jiujang, abandoning wife and children, and became the stuff of legend, said to have achieved immortality. He was later sighted in Kuài jì, where, under an assumed name, he served as a gatekeeper in Wúxiàn.
Yun Chang, whose original name was Yu Ru, was a native of Pingling. He was a student of Wu Zhang in Tong County, who was well-versed in the "Book of Documents" and had served as a scholar. When Emperor Ping of Han ascended the throne at a young age, Wang Mang held great power and proclaimed himself the Duke of Anhan, a title implying his intention to restore the Han Dynasty. As Emperor Ping was the son of Emperor Cheng of Han, Wang Mang, in order to consolidate his power, kept Emperor Ping isolated from his family. Emperor Ping's mother and maternal family, the Wei clan, were left in Zhongshan and not allowed to come to the capital. Wang Mang's eldest son, Wang Yu, feared that Emperor Ping would bear a grudge against their family when he grew up, so it was not Wang Mang's own idea to isolate the Wei clan. Therefore, Wang Yu and Wu Zhang conspired to scare Wang Mang by writing words in blood on the door of Wang Mang's house in the middle of the night, using a ghostly ruse to frighten him. Wu Zhang wanted to use this opportunity to expose Wang Mang's crimes. As a result, the plot was revealed; Wang Mang killed Wang Yu, exterminated the Wei clan, and more than a hundred people were implicated and killed. Wu Zhang was executed in a brutal manner, and his body was put on public display at Dongshimen as a warning to others.
Before his death, Wu Zhang was a well-known Confucian scholar at the time, with a large number of students, totaling over a thousand. Wang Mang believed that they were a dangerous faction and should all be imprisoned and not allowed to hold official positions. Wu Zhang's students all changed their names and found new teachers. Yun Chang was an official in the Grand Commandant's Office at the time, and he voluntarily admitted that he was a student of Wu Zhang. He arranged for Wu Zhang's burial and was praised by the people of the capital. The Cavalry General, Wang Shun, greatly admired Yun Chang's integrity and loyalty and compared him to Luan Bu. He reported to the court and recommended him to be appointed as an Advisor. After Wang Mang usurped the throne, Wang Shun became the Grand Tutor and once again recommended Yun Chang to assist the court, but Yun Chang resigned from his post due to illness. Later, Tang Lin suggested that Yun Chang could serve as a county magistrate, so he was promoted to the position of Prefect of Lu County. During the reign of Emperor Guangwu of the Later Han, the court sent a carriage to welcome Yun Chang to serve as the Minister of Justice, but he once again resigned due to illness and passed away at home.
Praise: "In the past, Confucius said, if one cannot find the middle way, one should think of those wild and free individuals. Look at the aspirations of Yang Wangsun, far more virtuous than Qin Shihuang! Zhu Yun got more credit than he deserved, so it is said: 'Some people act without thinking; that's not me.' Hu Jian was a decisive battlefield commander; Wu Zhao was a fearless warrior. He crushed the traitors and kept his army disciplined. Mei Fu's resignation aligns with the ancient ideals of propriety; he might not have been the most seasoned, but he set a fine example. We can still learn from the mistakes of the Yin and Xia dynasties. So, follow your heart, stay true to yourself, even in the thick of it. Yun Chang's loyalty was evident in his actions, like those of Wu Zhang, practicing benevolence and righteousness within himself. He served at court twice, his integrity as pure as freshly laundered linen—what's so remarkable about that?"
