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卷一百八十四 列傳第一百三十四: 宦官

Volume 184 Biographies 134: Imperial Officials

Chapter 188 of 舊唐書 · Old Book of Tang
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Chapter 188
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1
The preface defines devotion to one's parents as filial piety and kindness toward one's brothers as brotherly friendship. Those who honor their parents invariably shield others of their kind and extend beneficence that reaches even their descendants. Those who treat their brothers well spread charity from the heart, and their virtue and trustworthiness envelop the entire clan. Extended further, such conduct can be turned toward one's sovereign and applied in governance—honoring superiors, guiding subordinates, finishing as well as one began—so that even among barbarians it would be honored, and even in hardship one would still flourish. Since antiquity, no one who established a lasting reputation did so without filial piety and fraternal harmony together. Earlier dynastic histories, in their accounts of filial and fraternal exemplars, mostly recorded contemporaries who received official commendation—often humble figures unknown to the wider public, whose deeds arose in village life and are difficult to verify in detail. This account therefore begins with celebrated men of official rank whose virtue was widely known. When local officials recommended lesser figures, we verified their exceptional conduct and included only those whose examples could truly instruct society. Li Zhiben, a native of Yuanshi in Zhao Prefecture, was a sixth-generation descendant of Li Ling, who had served as governor of Luo under the Northern Wei. His father Li Xiaoduan had been assistant magistrate of Huojia during the Sui. In their youth, Xiaoduan and his clansman Li Taichong both came from distinguished families, but Taichong's official career outshone Xiaoduan's, and Xiaoduan felt himself the lesser. Their neighbors would say, "Taichong has no elder brother, and Xiaoduan has no younger brother. Zhiben was well read in the classics and histories, served his parents with exemplary filial devotion, and was renowned for harmonious relations with his younger brother Zhiyin. More than a hundred descendants and dependents shared their household without the slightest division of property, servants, or belongings. At the end of the Sui, bandits passing their neighborhood would not enter, telling one another, "Do not violate the Gate of Righteousness. More than five hundred families who sought refuge there at the same time were spared through their protection.
2
In the early Zhenguan era, Zhiben became magistrate of Xiajin and Zhiyin assistant magistrate of Yique. Zhiben's grandson Zhen served during the Kaiyuan reign as an attendant censor and prefect of Yangzhou. Zhiyin's grandson Yong was a gifted writer who likewise served as an attendant censor and vice director of the Court of Imperial Sacrifices. Among their paternal cousins, four men in all held the post of attendant censor. Zhang Zhikuan was a native of Anyi in Pu Prefecture. When his father died at the end of the Sui, his grief was so extreme that he wasted to skin and bone, and the whole district praised him. The bandit leader Wang Junguo raided repeatedly, but hearing Zhikuan's name he alone spared that neighborhood, and more than a hundred neighboring families were saved through relying on him. Later, while serving as hamlet head, he went to the county office and reported that his mother was ill, urgently requesting leave to return home. The magistrate asked what was wrong; he replied, "Whenever my mother suffers, I suffer too. My heart has just been aching, so I knew my mother was ill. The magistrate angrily said, "That is deluded nonsense!" He had Zhikuan thrown into prison. Messengers were sent at once to check on his mother, and matters were exactly as he had said. The magistrate was astonished, comforted him, and sent him home.
3
使
When his mother died, he carried earth to build her tomb, lived in a mourning hut beside the grave, and planted more than a thousand pine and cypress trees with his own hands. Emperor Gaozu heard of this, sent an envoy to offer condolences, appointed him supernumerary palace attendant, granted him forty lengths of silk, and had his gate and lane officially commended. Liu Junliang was a native of Raoyang in Ying Prefecture. For generations his family had lived together in harmony; even cousins of the fourth remove were as close as full brothers, and no one kept a private share of cloth or grain. At the end of the Daye reign, when famine spread across the empire, Junliang's wife urged him to divide the household; she secretly moved fledglings among the nests in the courtyard trees until the birds were fighting one another. The whole family was puzzled, until his wife said, "The empire is in chaos and strife is everywhere—even birds cannot live in peace together; how much less can men! Junliang agreed. More than a month after they had divided the household, they learned it had been her scheme. In the middle of the night he seized his wife by the hair and cried out, "This is the villain who would destroy our family! He summoned all his brothers and, weeping, told them what had happened. That same night he cast off his wife and rejoined his brothers in a single household, their bond as close as before.
4
When bandits rose up, several hundred neighboring families took refuge in their compound, which came to be called Righteousness-Fulfilled Fort. Yang Hongye, vice-prefect of Shen Prefecture, visited his home and saw six courtyards sharing a single kitchen, with dozens of sons and nephews all observing proper decorum; he sighed in admiration and left. An imperial edict added official commendation to his gate. Appended biography: Song Xinggui. There was also a man named Song Xinggui, a native of Wannian in Yong Prefecture. His family had lived together for generations, supporting themselves by farming; by Xinggui's day they had reached the fourth degree of cousinship. Emperor Gaozu heard of this and commended him, issuing an edict that read:
5
使
Human beings are endowed with the Five Constants, of which benevolence and righteousness are foremost; and the cultivated man has a hundred virtues, among which filial respect comes first. Since antiquity, wise rulers who governed the realm and established moral instruction have all held these principles supreme. In degenerate ages customs grow corrupt and men grow false and shallow; self-cultivation therefore depends on guidance and encouragement. We have reverently received Heaven's mandate and rule the four seas; pitying these corrupt customs, We now seek to transform and guide them. Song Xinggui has conducted himself with harmonious dignity, cherishing brotherly affection; his family has lived and cooked together for generations, devoted to farming and humble obedience. He enlarges the reach of moral teaching and strengthens public custom; he should receive special commendation to encourage others in future generations. Let his gate be officially commended and his taxes and labor service remitted. Let this be proclaimed throughout the realm so that all may know it clearly.
6
使 西 便 簿
Xinggui died not long afterward. Appended biography: Zhang Gongyi of Shouzhang in Yan Prefecture lived with nine generations under one roof. During the Northern Qi, Prince Gao Yongle of Dong'an visited his home to offer consolation and had his gate officially commended. During the Kaihuang reign of the Sui, the imperial commissioner Liang Zigong, Duke of Shaoyang, likewise visited in person and had his gate commended again. During the Zhenguan reign, a special edict ordered further official commendation for his household. In the Linde era, Emperor Gaozong, traveling to Mount Tai for the feng sacrifice, passed through Yan Prefecture, visited Gongyi's home in person, and asked how his family maintained such harmony. Gongyi asked for paper and brush and wrote only the character for "forbearance" more than a hundred times. The emperor wept at this and granted him silk. Wang Juncao was a native of Jimo in Laizhou. His father had quarreled with a townsman named Li Junze during the Daye reign of the Sui and was beaten to death. Juncao was then six years old; his mother, Lady Liu, reported the crime to the county, but Junze fled and could not be found despite years of searching. In the early Zhenguan era, Junze assumed that the change of dynasty meant he need not fear prosecution, and seeing Juncao orphaned and powerless, believed he no longer harbored thoughts of revenge; he therefore surrendered himself at the prefectural office. Juncao, however, had concealed a dagger in his sleeve; he stabbed Junze to death, cut open his belly, removed his heart and liver, and devoured them on the spot before going to the prefect to confess everything. Because he had taken the law into his own hands, the prefectural authorities asked him, "The law plainly requires death for murder—what defense do you offer in hope of saving your life? He replied, "My father was murdered more than twenty years ago. According to the rites, a father's enemy cannot live under the same heaven as his son. I long wished to avenge him but could not; I constantly feared I would die before my wrong could be righted. Now that this great shame is wiped away, I willingly accept whatever punishment the law requires." The prefectural office sentenced him to death according to law and reported the case upward, but Emperor Taizong issued a special edict pardoning him. Appended biography: Zhou Zhishou and Zhou Zhishuang. Zhou Zhishou was a native of Tongguan in Yong Prefecture. His father had been killed in the early Yonghui era by a clansman named Anji. Zhishou and his younger brother Zhishuang lay in wait for Anji on the road and killed him. The brothers went together to the county to surrender, each claiming to have been the chief instigator, and the authorities could not decide the case for years. Some townspeople testified that Zhishuang had planned the killing first, and he was eventually executed. Facing execution he remained calm and said to the crowd, "My father's enemy is avenged—what regret is there in death! Zhishou collapsed in the middle of the street, blood streaming over his whole body. He then gathered his brother's corpse, licked up Zhishuang's blood, and consumed it all; all who witnessed this were deeply moved. Appended biography: Xu Tan of Yuzhou. When Xu Tan was a little over ten, his father went into the mountains to gather herbs and was attacked by a wild beast; the boy cried out and beat the animal with a staff until it fled, and his father was saved. When Taizong heard of this, he told his ministers, "Though Tan is only a child, he risked his life to save his father—such filial devotion arising from the heart is deeply admirable. He was appointed gentleman of the Forest of Literature and granted fifty lengths of silk. Appended biography: Wang Shaoxuan of Liaocheng in Bozhou. His father had been killed by marauding soldiers west of the commandery at the end of the Sui. Shaoxuan was born after his father's death; when he was a little over ten, he asked where his father was. When his mother told him, he wept in grief and at once set out to find his father's body for burial. White bones lay scattered across the countryside, and there was no way to tell which were his father's. Someone told him, "If a son's blood touches his father's bones, it will be absorbed. Shaoxuan then pierced his own flesh to test this. After more than ten days of searching, he finally found his father's remains and buried them. His whole body was covered with sores and took years to heal. During the Zhenguan reign, his prefecture recommended him, and he was appointed staff officer in a princely household. Zhao Hongzhi was a native of Xin'an in Luozhou. He was a grandson of Zhao Su, who had served as general of chariots and cavalry under the Northern Wei. His father Zhao Xuangu had been prefect of Shanzhou during the Sui. Hongzhi lost his mother at an early age and became renowned for filial devotion to his father. He mastered the Three Rites, the Records of the Grand Historian, and the Book of Han. During the Daye era of the Sui, he served as an aide in the metropolitan intendant's office. At the beginning of the Wude reign, Minister of Justice Lang Chuzhi recommended him by imperial summons, and he was appointed chief clerk in the heir apparent's household administration. He also took part in compiling the History of the Six Dynasties.
7
祿
Early on, he joined Secretariat Director Linghu Defen, Literary Companion to the Prince of Qi Yuan Lang, and more than ten others in compiling the Collection of Literary Treasures, and was then transferred to the post of aide to the heir apparent. During the Zhenguan reign, he rose through successive promotions to vice minister of the secretariat and concurrently served as a scholar of the Hongwen Academy. Because of illness he was sent out to serve as prefect of Laizhou. Hongzhi treated his elder brother Hong'an as he would a father, sending him every penny of his official salary. When his elder brother died, his grief and self-mortification went beyond what the rites required. He was scrupulously devoted to his widowed sister-in-law and was praised for the loving care with which he raised his orphaned nephew. He was gradually promoted to right assistant to the heir apparent. When the heir apparent's household was abolished, he was dismissed and stripped of rank on account of it. He was soon recalled to serve as prefect of Guangzhou.
8
殿
At the beginning of the Yonghui reign, he was transferred in succession to become tutor to the Prince of Chen. Emperor Gaozong had Hongzhi lecture on the Classic of Filial Piety in Baifu Hall, summoning third-rank officials of the secretariat and chancellery, Hongwen Academy scholars, and Confucians of the Imperial Academy, all of whom joined the lecture. Hongzhi expounded the text with eloquence and fully explained the five forms of filial piety. The scholars posed one challenging question after another, and Hongzhi answered each as promptly as an echo. Emperor Gaozong said with evident pleasure, "I am quite devoted to the classics, and of the Classic of Filial Piety in particular I have read and studied a great deal. Yet filial piety as a virtue carries benefits that are truly far-reaching; thus it is said, 'When moral teaching is applied to the common people, it serves as a model throughout the four seas'—this shows how great filial piety is. Turning to Hongzhi, he said, "You should briefly set forth the essential points of this classic to help me where I fall short." Hongzhi replied, "In antiquity, if a ruler had seven ministers who remonstrated with him, even though he lacked the Way he would not lose his realm. Your humble servant is especially dull-witted, but I wish to offer this saying for Your Majesty's consideration." The emperor was greatly pleased and granted him two hundred bolts of colored silk and one fine horse. He was soon promoted to chancellor of the Directorate of Education while continuing to serve as a scholar of the Chongxian Academy. In the fourth year of Yonghui he died at the age of eighty-two; his posthumous title was Xuan. He left a collected writings in twenty scrolls. Chen Jiyuan was a native of Kaiyang in Long Prefecture. For generations his family had served as chieftains in the Lingnan region. His father Longshu had been prefect of Qin Prefecture. Jiyuan showed filial conduct from childhood; whenever his father Cai fell ill, he would go the entire day without eating. During the Yonghui reign, when his father died, he vomited several pints of blood, slept on the mourning pillow in a thatched hut by the grave, and his grief moved everyone who passed along the road. He gave over to his brothers all his property, fields, houses, and more than thirty servants. During Wu Zetian's reign he rose to the rank of general of the Left Leopard and Crossbow Guard. Yuan Rang was a native of Wugong in Yong Prefecture. At the age of twenty he passed the classics examination with highest honors. Because his mother was ill, he declined to seek office. He personally prepared medicines and meals, attending and nourishing her, and for more than twenty years never left his neighborhood. When his mother died, he built a mourning hut beside her tomb, let his hair grow wild without combing or washing, and subsisted on vegetables and water alone.
9
使 滿
During the Xianheng reign, when Crown Prince Xiao Jing was regent, he issued an order honoring Rang's household. A touring inspector memorialized that Rang's filial piety and brotherly devotion were exceptionally outstanding, and he was promoted to senior steward of the Right Inner Rate Office of the Heir Apparent. Later, when his term of office expired, he returned to his home district. When local people had disputes, they did not go to the prefectural or county offices but came to Rang for judgment. During the Shenli era, when Zhongzong resided in the Eastern Palace, Rang was summoned and appointed memorial draftsman to the heir apparent. At his audience, Wu Zetian said, "Since you can be filial at home, you must be able to be loyal to the state. In appointing you to this office now, you must understand my intent. You should assist and guide my son with filial devotion. Soon afterward he died. Pei Jingyi was a native of Wenxi in Jiang Prefecture. His great-grandfather Zitong had served as grand master for splendid happiness during the Kaihuang era of the Sui. When his mother died, he built a mourning hut beside her tomb, wept without restraint, and eventually lost his sight. Before long a white bird nested in a tree at the grave. Zitong's eight brothers were also renowned for brotherly harmony; an edict honored their household, and local people still call them the Righteous Gate Pei clan.
10
使
Jingyi was clever from childhood and could compose literary pieces by the age of seven. He was also upright and conscientious by nature; the whole clan respected him and called him Sweet Dew Crown. At the age of fourteen, when Censor Tang Lin was touring inspector of Hebei, Jingyi's father Zhizhou was serving as magistrate of Neihuang and had been sued by people under his jurisdiction; Jingyi went to Tang Lin to argue his father's innocence. Tang Lin was greatly impressed and had him compose a rhapsody. Zhizhou's case was cleared, and Tang Lin specially memorialized recommending Jingyi, who was appointed recorder in the household of the Prince of Chen. Zhizhou died suddenly while in office; Jingyi was then in Chang'an and suddenly burst into tears and refused to eat, telling those close to him, "Whenever my father had a painful ailment, I would immediately feel uneasy. Today my heart aches and my hands and feet have gone numb; something unforeseen must have happened—how can I not be filled with dread? He immediately requested emergency leave and raced home by forced marches. He indeed learned of his father's death and wasted away in grief beyond what the rites prescribed. In serving his mother he was again renowned for filial devotion.
11
輿 輿
At the beginning of the Qianfeng reign, he rose through successive transfers to supervising censor. When his mother fell ill, there was a physician named Xu Renze who could not ride because of a foot ailment; every day Jingyi carried him in a sedan chair to treat his mother. When his mother died, a special edict granted him silk as a gift, and the government also had a funeral carriage made for the occasion. When his mourning period ended, he was appointed drafting secretary and concurrently worked on the national history. During the Yifeng reign, he rose from secretariat drafter through vice minister of personnel to left assistant to the heir apparent. When Wu Zetian took the throne, he was framed by a harsh official, sentenced to exile in Lingnan, and soon died. Pei Shouzhen was a native of Jishan in Jiang Prefecture. He was a sixth-generation descendant of Pei Shuye, who had served as governor of Ji Province under the Northern Wei. His father Shen had served as revenue clerk of Huainan Commandery during the Daye era. When local men Yang Lin and Tian Zan seized the commandery and rebelled, they killed every official. Because Shen had long governed with benevolence, they warned one another not to harm him and instead sent men to escort Shen and his family safely home. During the Zhenguan reign he rose to the post of magistrate of Zuo.
12
祿
Shouzhen lost his father at an early age and was supremely filial in serving his mother. When his mother died, his grief wasted him to skin and bone, and he nearly succumbed to mourning. He was also scrupulous in serving his widowed elder sister and elder brother, and the ritual propriety of his household won the esteem of friends and scholars. He first passed the jinshi examination and also took the eight-subject examination, then rose through successive posts to magistrate of Qianfeng. At the beginning of the Yongchun era, when Guanzhong suffered severe famine, Shouzhen spent his entire salary supporting his sister and nephews, while he, his wife, and children had barely enough coarse food to eat, yet he never showed the least sign of weariness. He was soon appointed erudite of the Court of Imperial Sacrifices.
13
Shouzhen was especially skilled in ritual studies and was regarded at the time as thoroughly fit for his office. When Emperor Gaozong performed the feng rite on Mount Song, he ordered ritual officials to discuss the shooting of the sacrificial victim; Shouzhen submitted a memorial saying,
14
According to the Rites of Zhou and the Discourses of the States, in suburban sacrifices to Heaven and Earth the Son of Heaven himself shoots the sacrificial victim. Emperor Wu of Han, only when sealing Mount Tai, had attendant gentlemen and Confucian scholars shoot the victim and perform the rite. As for other sacrifices, there is likewise no record of shooting the victim. Yet personally pounding the sacrificial grain and shooting the victim, though ancient rites, have long since fallen into disuse. According to the feng and shan sacrifice rites, before dawn at the fifteenth time-mark the butcher uses the bell-handled knife to cut the victim, and at full dawn the rites proceed. By the time the imperial carriage arrives, butchering is already complete, and the emperor need only present the jade and pour the libation. If the victim were shot on the day before the sacrifice, the rite would suffer from being too early; if it were shot only on the day of the sacrifice, the rite would again suffer from being too late. If one followed the precedent of Emperor Wu of Han, that would not be the ceremony of the ruler personally shooting the victim, and the practice cannot be adopted.
15
Again, whenever the two dances Meritorious Achievement Breaking the Battle Array and Meritorious Achievement Celebrating Good Governance were performed, the emperor always stood to face them. Shouzhen offered a further opinion, saying,
16
I humbly consider that these two dances arose from song and chant, praising the abundant achievements of imperial merit and harmonizing the rejoicing hearts of all nations. Their significance equals that of the Sha and Xia music; they are used in both guest and sacrificial rites—all celebrate the great virtue of the imperial ancestors, enjoyed by their descendants. A careful review of historical records shows no precedent for an emperor standing to observe such a performance. Moreover, at the great ceremony of ascending the central peak, Chinese and foreigners alike will assemble; the nine domains look up to the emperor's tranquil rule, and the hundred barbarian peoples share in the joy of harmonious celebration. The molding and nurturing of all under Heaven is entirely the work of imperial merit—why should solemn reverence be expressed separately only in music and dance? After careful deliberation, we conclude that when these two dances are performed, the emperor should not rise and stand.
17
At the time all agreed with Shouzhen's opinion. Emperor Gaozong fell ill, however, and in the end the ceremony was not carried out. When Emperor Gaozong died, there were at the time no established mourning rites for a deceased emperor; Shouzhen, together with fellow erudites Wei Shuxia, Fu Baosu, and others, studied old precedents and devised new ones, and at the time their work was praised as striking the proper balance in ritual propriety.
18
During the Tianshou era, Shouzhen served as vice director of the Court of the Imperial Clan; Empress Wu Zetian specially ordered him to investigate edict-case prisons, striving to preserve fairness and clemency, and before and after he memorialized the release of several dozen families. Because of this he failed to please the throne; he was sent out as chief clerk of Bian Prefecture and, through successive transfers, became governor of Cheng Prefecture. In office he did not rely on harsh punishments and was greatly loved by officials and the people. He was soon transferred to governor of Ning Prefecture, and several thousand people of Cheng Prefecture escorted him beyond the prefectural border. He died during the Chang'an era. Pei Shouzhen's son Pei Ziyu was renowned for filial devotion to his stepmother. He passed the Mingjing examination and, through successive appointments, became assistant magistrate of E County. At the time his colleagues Li Chaoyin and Cheng Xingshen were both renowned for literary style and legal expertise, while Ziyu alone was known for literary scholarship.
19
Someone asked Chen Chongye, chief administrator of Yong Prefecture, which was superior, Ziyu or Chaoyin and Xingshen; Chongye replied, "They are like spring orchids and autumn chrysanthemums—neither can be done without. During the Jinglong era, he served as investigating censor of the Left Censorate. At the time Jing and Qi prefectures held several thousand descendants of Sui-era frontier-household dependents; Minister of the Imperial Granaries Zhao Lüwen memorialized that all be confiscated and made government-household slaves and maidservants, to be distributed as grant-holders among the nobility and favorites. Ziyu argued that government households enjoyed imperial favor, had originally been frontier households, and were moreover descendants—they could not be reduced to base status; he memorialized to impeach the proposal. At the time Lüwen was allied with Zong Chuke and others; in court he debated the rights and wrongs of the matter with Ziyu. Ziyu's words and bearing did not waver; Lüwen and the others were defeated in argument, and Ziyu's memorial was adopted as final.
20
祿
At the beginning of the Kaiyuan era, he was promoted through successive appointments to governor of Ji Prefecture. His administration was marked by leniency and kindness, and officials and the people praised him. He also served as chief administrator of the Prince of Qi's household and was given the additional rank of Grand Master for Splendid Happiness with Silver Seal and Blue Ribbon. In the fourteenth year he died; his posthumous title was Xiao (Filial). Ziyu was pure and frugal in office and affectionately devoted to all his brothers.
21
耀
All six brothers had aspiration and integrity. The next younger brother, Juqing, was Minister of the Court of Imperial Ceremonial; Yaoqing has a separate biography. Li Rizhi was a native of Xingyang in Zheng Prefecture. He passed the jinshi examination. During the Tianshou era, he was promoted through successive appointments to vice director of the Ministry of Justice. At the time the law was applied with strict urgency; Rizhi alone was lenient and fair, and no wrongful punishments occurred under him. Once he freed a prisoner condemned to death; Vice Minister Hu Yuanli demanded execution, and he and Rizhi exchanged arguments back and forth as many as four times. Yuanli said angrily, "If Yuanli does not leave the penal office, this prisoner will never live. Rizhi replied, "If Rizhi does not leave the penal office, this prisoner will never die." Thereupon both memorials were submitted together, and Rizhi proved to be in the right.
22
調 使使
At the beginning of the Shenlong era, he served as chief draft reviser. Rizhi served his mother with exemplary filial devotion. At the time his mother was elderly and once fell ill; Rizhi took urgent leave and nursed her for several days until the hair at his temples turned white. He was soon additionally appointed Grand Master for Dispersal. His mother died before receiving a titled lady's patent; as the funeral procession was setting out, officials arrived carrying her patent of appointment, and on the road Rizhi at once collapsed as if dead; only after a long while did he revive. Those around him all wept in grief and could not bear to look at him. Touring inspector and Weizhou vice prefect Lu Jingqian wished to report his filial and fraternal conduct and sent to request a formal account; Rizhi declined and did not respond. After his mourning period ended, he was promoted through successive appointments to vice director of the Gate Guards.
23
使
At the time Princess Anle's pool pavilion was newly completed; Emperor Zhongzong personally went to visit it, and all attendant officials joined the banquet and composed poems. Rizhi alone preserved admonition; his closing stanza read, "My wish is briefly to consider the comfort of those who live here—do not let posterity say the builders labored in vain. Commentators largely praised him for it.
24
He was appointed co-director of the Secretariat-Chancellery, transferred to Censor-in-Chief, and continued to handle affairs of state as before. The following year he was promoted to Palace Attendant. He was transferred to Minister of Justice and removed from handling affairs of state. He repeatedly begged to retire on account of old age and requested leave of office; his request was granted.
25
使
Earlier, when Rizhi was about to submit his request but had not yet consulted his wife, he returned home and had attendants prepare luggage, intending to move to a separate estate. His wife said in alarm, "Our household property is nearly gone, and our sons and nephews have not yet established official careers—why resign office so suddenly? Rizhi said, "For a scholar to reach this point has already exceeded his proper share. Human desire knows no limit; if one indulges the heart, there will never be a day of stopping." When he returned to his estate, he did not pursue property management but only repaired ponds and pavilions, often inviting younger scholars to feast and converse with them. He died.
26
簿 滿調
Earlier, because Rizhi held a powerful office, all his younger brothers were married into eminent clans while still children; contemporary opinion counted this among lapses in propriety. After Rizhi died, his youngest son Yiheng took a concubine as his wife, squandered the family fields and houses, and still brought lawsuits against his elder brothers—the family reputation collapsed. Cui Mian was a native of Chang'an in Jingzhao, great-grandson of Zhou Prefect of Longxi Shi Yue. Having moved from Boling to the Guanzhong region, the family had for generations been an eminent clan. His father Cui Hao was a secretariat clerk in the Ministry of Revenue and chief administrator of Ruzhou. Mian was pure and cautious, never spoke with two meanings, served his parents with exemplary filial devotion, and was broadly learned with literary talent. At first he responded to the decree examination and his policy essay placed in the top grade. Soon those who had failed the examination appealed against him; Wu Zetian ordered the office to re-examine the papers; Mian's policy essay again surpassed his previous one and ranked first in the empire, and thereby he became greatly renowned. After a second transfer he became chief clerk of Lu Hun. When his term expired and he was transferred, Vice Director of the Ministry of Personnel Cen Yi deeply valued him and told people, "This is a Xi Shen of our day. He was specially memorialized and promoted to Left Supplementation Censor and, through successive promotions, became assistant director in the Ministry of Rites. Mian was by nature easy and unhurried and slow of speech in emergencies; in office he maintained a correct demeanor and never bent or faltered.
27
祿
During Emperor Ruizong's reign he was summoned and appointed a Central Secretariat drafter. At the time Mian's mother was old and ill in the Eastern Capital; unable to leave her, he firmly requested a less demanding post so he could attend and care for her, and was therefore changed to Departmental Director in the Ministry of Works. Before long he was appointed acting Vice Censor-in-Chief. At the time, investigating censor Song Xuanyuan relied on his kinship with Lu Huaiyuan and frequently violated the law; Mian memorialized to impeach him. Also Yao Chong's son Yao Yi, Vice Minister of the Court of Imperial Sacrifices, who remained to administer the Eastern Capital, extensively entertained guests and broadly received bribes—Mian again was about to investigate the matter. Yao and Lu were then in office; they hastily recommended that Mian had talent for historical compilation and transferred him to Director of Compilation—in reality removing him from power.
28
祿
He served as Left Sub-prefect of the Heir Apparent. When his mother died, his mourning grief exceeded the rites; he regularly received condolence visitors at the mourning hut, and guests never entered the chamber of the spirit seat; he told people, "In life, except for my closest kin, I never ascended the hall to receive visitors—how could I change my rites because of life and death? Central Secretariat Director Zhang Yue repeatedly praised and recommended him. After his mourning period ended, he was appointed vice director of the Central Secretariat. Someone said to Mian, "The Central Secretariat today is entirely where chancellors receive and promulgate edict commands. The vice director, though second in rank, only occupies his seat—there is very little to do. Mian said, "Not so. Offices are established and duties divided so that superior and subordinate mutually support one another; only when each expresses what he sees can governance succeed. How can one bow in silence and steal ease, becoming a man who holds office only for his salary!" From then on, whenever there were edicts or bureau business, Mian often differed on many points, and Zhang Yue was quite displeased. He was soon sent out as governor of Wei Prefecture, ranked first in administrative assessment, summoned back to court, and given shared charge of ten streams of personnel selection in the Ministry of Personnel. Because of his pure and upright character, he successively served as Director of the Secretariat and Mentor of the Heir Apparent.
29
In the twenty-fourth year, an edict ordered rites officials to discuss increasing the number of sacrificial vessels and the categories of mourning garments. Director of the Court of Imperial Sacrifices Wei Tao memorialized requesting additional offerings in the ancestral temple—twelve food baskets and twelve standing cups at each seat. For mourning a maternal grandfather, he requested extension to ninth-month greater mourning; for mourning a maternal uncle, extension to fifth-month lesser mourning; and for mourning a paternal aunt, a paternal uncle's wife, and a maternal uncle's wife, extension to barest headband mourning. At the time the throne also ordered all officials to discuss in detail whether these proposals were feasible. Mian submitted a memorial saying:
30
I have heard that one who knows the sentiment of ritual and music can create it, and one who comprehends the text of ritual and music can expound it. The meaning of expounding and creating is what sages and worthies value; the root of ritual and music is what ancients and moderns alike honor. Transform and adapt—that is how it endures. What is called transformation is transforming its outward form; what is called adaptation is adapting to its inner sentiment. Sacrifice arose in most ancient times; whatever humans eat and drink, they first offer in solemn dedication. Before fire was used to cook food, when people ate raw meat and drank blood, there were offerings of hair and blood; before fermented liquor existed, when people drank from muddy vessels with cupped hands, there were offerings of dark wine. Extending to later kings, ritual objects gradually became complete; wine and ale were made and sacrificial victims were killed to send forth fragrant aroma and reach the utmost abundance—in consequence there came the grandeur of three victims and eight gui vessels, and the profusion of five grades of ale and nine rounds of offering. Yet the spirit way is supremely mysterious—it may be honored but cannot be fathomed; sacrificial rites take reverence as their core—they may be fully provided for, yet dare not be abandoned. Therefore raw and cooked blood offerings, dark wine, and sacrificial bronze vessels—none fail to be fully presented at the bright offering!
31
Yet in offering, freshness is prized and defiled flavors are not honored—though the objects are fully provided, restraint is still preserved. Therefore the Rites says: "What Heaven produces and Earth grows—whatever can be offered is all included. —that is the sentiment of fully providing all offerings." "The stands of the three victims, the contents of the eight gui—the finest offerings are fully provided; the exotic varieties of insects, the fruits of grasses and trees—all things of yin and yang are fully provided. —this is the textual expression of restraint." The contents of meat stands, basket-and-cup vessels, grain vessels, and wine jars and goblets were all ordinary foods in the Zhou era, and their use extended to feasts and entertaining guests. Yet when the Duke of Zhou established the rites, all were offered to the ancestors alongside hair-and-blood and dark wine. Lu Chen, Central Palace Gentleman of Jin, was among those in recent antiquity who knew ritual and wrote the Family Sacrifice Rites. Observing what he offered, one finds only ordinary foods of Jin times—no longer relying purely on the old prescriptions of the ritual classics. Thus it is clear that the foods of one's own time cannot be omitted from sacrifice—this is transforming the outward form of ritual while adapting to its inner sentiment!
32
便 ·
Our state establishes instruction through ritual and sets standards according to the times, examining charts and histories in earlier classics and consulting the old ceremonies of Zhou and Han. At the Pure Temple's seasonal offerings, ritual foods are fully displayed—the Zhou institutions are used, yet ancient forms are preserved; At the garden mausoleums' food offerings, timely dishes are fully set out—Han methods are followed, yet delicacies are presented to the utmost. Tribute from official duties arrives for sacrifice—bringing objects from afar; Whenever something new appears it must be offered—in accord with the seasons. Within the park preserves, whatever the ruler personally harvested, and at hunting times, whatever the ruler personally shot—none fail to be freshly cut and finely chosen, offered before being eaten—expressing the utmost sincerity and reverence. When matters have reached this point, what further addition could there be! One need only urgently instruct the responsible officials to sacrifice as if the spirits were present—let none be remiss or negligent, and encourage greater devout sincerity. As for tribute delicacies offered up, or timely foods fresh and fine—consult the sacrificial canons, and nothing is missing or omitted. All are specified in detail by name and catalog, compiled in the primary regulations, offered as appropriate, and arranged by category. Then everything fresh, rich, and succulent is already included—there is no need to add to the number of food baskets and standing cups. As for sacrificial vessels, each should suit its contents. Therefore the grand soup is ancient food, served in a yan vessel. The yan is an ancient vessel; Seasoned soup is present-day fare. It is served in a xing vessel. The xing is a present-day vessel. There are also ancient foods served in present-day vessels—thus hair-and-blood is served on plates, and dark wine in wine jars. There has never been offering present-day fare while insistently using ancient vessels—from ancient plainness to present refinement, for convenience in practice. Even if food baskets and standing cups were increased to twelve, it would not exhaust all fine objects under Heaven—and placing them in the Pure Temple under a name implying doubled abundance approaches extravagance! The people of Lu painted the pillars of Duke Huan's palace and carved its rafters—the Spring and Autumn Annals recorded this as "contrary to ritual." Yuzsun remonstrated, saying: "Frugality is the reverence of virtue; Extravagance is the greatest of evils. Your predecessor had reverent virtue, yet Your Lordship is adopting what is evil—is this not inadmissible! —One must not overstep ritual and honor extravagance in the ancestral temple." Also according to the Treatise on Literature in the Book of Han: "The stream of Mohists arose from the Pure Temple—therefore they prize frugality." Viewed from this, the Pure Temple's aversion to extravagance is an old principle. The request of the Court of Imperial Sacrifices, I fear, cannot be implemented.
33
Also examining the Court of Imperial Sacrifices' memorial: "The libation and offering wine cups of today are altogether too small—barely less than one he in capacity and very difficult to hold—so they cannot fully follow ancient institutions; we still hope they may be slightly enlarged." I privately rely on the ritual texts: there are cases where smallness is prized—offering with a jue cup prizes its smallness. When smallness fails to meet regulation, it is reverent yet contrary to ritual—this is the responsible officials' failure to preserve the transmission. This can certainly be rectified as the error appears—there is no need to wait for discussion before reform. Yet when ritual errs on the side of reverence, it is still better to be frugal than extravagant—not a grave fault. I do not know what standard the present institutions rely upon. I request that the statutes and regulations also be consulted in detail and that action be taken according to the text.
34
Also examining the Court of Imperial Sacrifices' memorial requesting that mourning for a maternal grandfather be extended to ninth-month greater mourning, mourning for a maternal uncle to fifth-month lesser mourning, and mourning for a paternal aunt, paternal uncle, and maternal uncle's wife to barest headband mourning. I have heard that once the Great Way was obscured and all under Heaven became each family's domain, sages followed this condition and then established ritual. The establishment of ritual instruction takes correcting the family as its root—when the way of the family is correct, all under Heaven is settled! The way of correcting the family cannot be duplicated; The meaning of unified authority—principle returns to the root lineage. Therefore the father is honored through elevation and the mother is reduced through descent—not that love and reverence are absent, but that moral order should be preserved. Therefore within the family there are qi and zhan mourning, while outside all garments are si mourning—titles of honor added exceed not one grade; this is the unchanging Way of former kings. Recorded by earlier sages and transmitted by later worthies, it dates from long ago. Formerly when Xinyou went to Yichuan, he saw someone with disheveled hair sacrificing in the wild and said: "In less than a hundred years, will this be the Rong! Its ritual will perish first!" Past generations revised new rituals and altered old statutes with the times, gradually broadening the affection celebrated in Wei Yang while not following the canons of Zhu and Si. After the Hongdao era, in the Tanglong interval, the mandate of state twice shifted to foreign peoples. The omen of ritual's loss may already be visible; between Heaven and man—can we not be warned!
35
At the beginning of Kaiyuan, Reminder Lu Lubing once submitted a memorial discussing the relative severity of mourning garments, and an edict ordered collective deliberation. At the time discussions were tangled and clamorous; each faction rested in its accumulated customs; the Court of Imperial Sacrifices and Ministry of Rites memorialized to follow the established standards. Your Majesty applied the brilliance of examining antiquity and specially issued a separate edict, entirely following ancient ritual. Matters accord with classical precedents, people know the proper direction, the clan bond is thereby strengthened—a blessing for state and altars. To further consider divergent opinions—I privately do not understand the need.
36
宿 便
At the time Director of the Bureau of Appointments Wei Shu, Director in the Ministry of Revenue Yang Bocheng, Vice Director in the Ministry of Rites Yang Chongchang, Military Adjutant of the Gate Guard Liu Zhi, and others also submitted proposals matching Mian's. Soon the throne also ordered the Secretariat-Chancellery to examine the matter in detail and set the standard. Thereupon for the ancestral temple canon, food baskets and standing cups at each seat were increased to six; mourning for maternal aunts and uncles was set at lesser mourning; mourning for a maternal uncle's wife was extended to fine-hemp mourning; mourning for paternal aunts was extended to barest headband mourning; the rest followed established standards—and then an edict was issued to implement it. Mian was skilled in the ritual classics, and whenever the court had doubtful discussions, all turned to him for decisions. In the twenty-seventh year he died at the age of sixty-seven and was posthumously appointed Minister of Rites. Lu Nanjin was a native of Wu Prefecture in Suzhou. His grandfather Shi Ji studied the Zuo Commentary under Gu Yewang of the same prefecture and also mastered the Records of the Grand Historian and the Book of Han. At the end of the Sui, he served as Secretary and concurrent Lecturer to Prince Yue Yang Tong. When Yang Tong assumed regency, Shi Ji was appointed Compiler. At the time Wang Shichong was about to usurp power; Yang Tong was displeased and said to Shi Ji: "The Sui held all under Heaven for more than thirty years—is there truly no man of fierce resolve among the court's civil and military officials? Shi Ji replied: "Facing danger and giving one's life—this has long been my resolve. When he next presents business at court, let me strike him down with my own hand. The matter leaked somewhat, and Shi Ji's appointment as lecturer was terminated.
37
At the beginning of Zhenguan, he served as Erudite of the Imperial Academy and concurrent Scholar of the Hongwen Institute, and soon died.
38
使
Nanjin initially served as Master of Ceremonies. At the beginning of Kaiyuan, Vice Director of the Court of Imperial Sacrifices Lu Chongdao committed a crime, was exiled to Lingnan, and fled back to the Eastern Capital. At the time Nanjin was at home mourning his mother; Chongdao's situation was urgent; posing as a condolence visitor, he went to Nanjin, explained his plight, and Nanjin, pitying him, took him in. Before long Chongdao was exposed by an enemy; an edict sent Investigating Censor Wang Xu to investigate; Chongdao was captured and Nanjin was implicated, and Xu applied the severest penalties. Nanjin's younger brother Zhao Bi went to Xu, confessing that he had hidden Chongdao and asking to die in his brother's stead. Nanjin firmly declared: "My brother has in truth falsely accused himself; let me bear the crime. The brothers each claimed death for the other; Xu marveled and asked why. Zhao Bi said: "My elder brother is the eldest legitimate son and can manage household affairs. Our deceased mother is not yet buried; our little sister is not yet married; considering myself young and of little use, I personally ask to die. Xu thereupon submitted a memorial detailing the matter; the throne praised their bonds of friendship and specially pardoned them both. Nanjin thereby became greatly renowned.
39
殿
Nanjin was broadly versed in the classics and histories, his conduct and speech cultivated and careful; Left Chancellor Zhang Yue and his clansman Junior Mentor of the Heir Apparent Xiang Xian all held him in high esteem. He was successively transferred to Vice Director in the Ministry of Works, but due to illness firmly declined the demanding duties and was transferred to Groom of the Heir Apparent. He died in his fifties. Zhang Xiu was a native of Jie in Pu Prefecture. His father Shen Su was Military Commissioner of Xi Prefecture and served on the frontier for many years. Soon someone impeached him for embezzlement in the army; an edict sent Investigating Censor Yang Wang by fast relay to the army to investigate. While Wang was still en route, Shen Su's partisan associates seized him; in Wang's presence they killed the accuser and coerced Wang into memorializing to clear Shen Su's crime. Before long the people of the prefecture in turn killed Shen Su's partisans, and Wang was then able to return. Reaching Yi Prefecture, he memorialized claiming that Shen Su had plotted rebellion, deeply investigated him, and framed him for the crime. Shen Su was executed and his household property was confiscated. Xiu and his elder brother Huang, because they were young, were sentenced to exile beyond the Ling passes. Soon each fled home and lived in hiding for years. Wang was subsequently promoted to Palace Investigating Censor and changed his name to Wan Qing.
40
便
Huang and Xiu waited for Wan Qing in the capital, drew their blades, and killed him. Although Huang was older, Xiu had done all the plotting and had struck the blow himself. After killing Wan Qing, they tied a written statement to the axe blade explaining the circumstances of their vengeance. They fled at once, intending to go to the region south of the Yangzi and kill those who had conspired with Wan Qing to frame their father. When they reached Sishui, they were seized by pursuers. At the time the men and women of the capital all admired Xiu and the others for their youthful filial heroism in avenging their father, and many said they deserved clemency. Chief Minister Zhang Jiuling again wished to spare their lives.
41
耀
Pei Yaoqing and Li Linfu firmly argued: "State law cannot permit revenge killings to go unpunished. The emperor agreed and said to Jiuling and the others: "Though revenge is permitted by ritual and law, the statutes governing homicide remain fully in force. The heart of a filial son, bound by duty, does not consider his own life—but when the state establishes laws, how can it tolerate this! To execute them would fulfill their wish for vengeance; to pardon them would violate the articles of the legal codes. Yet there is much public sentiment, so a proclamation is needed. He thereupon issued an edict saying: "Zhang Huang and his brothers jointly committed murder; upon interrogation they confessed fully. The law has explicit articles; each is liable to death. Recently I have heard that among officials and commoners there is much sympathetic talk, praising them for avenging their father or saying the original conviction was unjust. But when the state establishes laws, the aim is permanence—it is meant to aid people and to stop killing. If each can assert a son's resolve, who is not a man devoted to filial duty? Passed from hand to hand in succession—how limitless would mutual killing become! Blame lies with those who first made the law; the law must be enforced; even if Zeng Shen had killed a man, it could not be forgiven. Though I cannot have them executed publicly in the market and court, they should be handed to Henan Prefecture to be proclaimed and executed by sentence."
42
穿
When Huang and Xiu had died, officials and commoners all mourned them deeply; people wrote elegies and posted them at crossroads. Townspeople collected money, built a public well at the place of death, and together buried Huang and Xiu on North Mang. Fearing Wan Qing's family might disinter them, they also built several decoy tombs. Such was the depth of public grief for them. Liang Wenzhen was a native of Wenxiang in Guo Prefecture. In youth he followed conscript service; by the time he returned, both parents had died. Wenzhen grieved that he had been unable to care for them to the end; he cut a door in the burial chamber, made a stepped path for entry and exit, and morning and evening swept and cleaned inside. He built a hut beside the tomb and never left even briefly. From then on he did not speak for thirty years; when family asked him anything, he only wrote characters in reply. Later floods and landslides cut off the post road; a new route was opened on the plain, passing before Wenzhen's tomb. Travelers thereby saw him; near and far, all admired and marveled. Sweet dew descended on the tree before the grave mound; a white rabbit came tamely about; villagers believed it was brought on by filial devotion moving Heaven.
43
鹿 使 使 使
In the early Kaiyuan era, Magistrate Cui Jiyou carved a stone to record it. In the fourteenth year, Prefect Xu Jingxian memorialized: "Wenzhen's filial conduct is without peer; weeping blood he dwelt by the tomb for more than thirty years—I request this be proclaimed and handed to the historians. That year, Censor-in-Chief Cui Yinfu presented at court: "The households of Li Chugong and Zhang Yizhen of Luquan in Heng Prefecture—from their grandfathers since the founding of the dynasty, different surnames have lived together; to now three generations, more than a hundred years. Also Lü Yuanjian of Beihai in Qing Prefecture—four generations living together; even the cattle, horses, sheep, and dogs they kept all nursed from different mothers together. I request they be granted commemorative honors and entered in the Historiography Institute. Edicts approved all. Cui Yan was the son of Vice Director Lun. His stepmother Lady Li was unkind toward Yan. Yan was then Marshal of Fuping; Lun had been sent as envoy to Tibet and only after a long absence returned; Lady Li wore shabby clothes to meet Lun. Lun asked the reason; Lady Li claimed: "Since Lun went as envoy among the Tibetans, Yan has not supplied food or clothing. Lun flew into a rage, summoned Yan and reviled him, ordered servants to pull him to the ground, bared his back, and was about to flog him. Yan wept but to the end did not plead his own case. Lun's younger brother Yin, hearing of it, rushed there and shielded Yan with his body so the staff could not fall. He then cried out: "Yan every month sends his salary to our sister-in-law—Yin knows this fully—how can you bear to say Yan does not supply food and clothing! Lun's anger then subsided. Thereby Lun ceased to heed Lady Li's slanders. When Lun died, Yan served Lady Li all the more carefully. He, the son Lady Li bore, often took large sums lent on interest and had his agent collect debts from Yan with written contracts. Yan repaid year by year, so though he rose to Prefect of Jiangzhou, his wife and children had nothing left for food and clothing.
44
紿
Later he served successively as Prefect of Su and Guo prefectures. Guo lay between Shaan and Hua prefectures, yet its taxes were many times heavier. For the green-sprout tax, in the outskirts of Hua and Shaan eighteen per mu were levied; but in the outskirts of Guo seven tenths were collected each time. Yan thereupon memorialized the matter. At the time Pei Yanling headed the Revenue Bureau and was busy with accumulation; he deceived Yan by saying no previous prefect had spoken of it. Yan again memorialized reporting the people's hardship, saying: "The districts I govern are mostly mountain fields, and moreover lie on vital post-road routes; as harvests have failed, displacement is severe. The established tax quotas—I especially hope for remission and reduction. Your servant observes that in recent times when prefectures discuss matters affecting the common people, the trouble lies in senior officials dragging their feet and not petitioning—not in lack of truth, not in fear that the court will not show compassion and remit. There are cases of punishment for remaining silent; there are none of punishment for speaking. Your Majesty promoted me to govern a great prefecture and charged me to comfort weary people; therefore I dare not look back in hesitation or seek my own ease—I dare exhaust my reckless blindness and disturb Your Sagely gaze. The emperor, finding Yan's language trenchant and straight, specially ordered the Revenue Bureau to reduce Guo Prefecture's green-sprout tax.
45
使便
He was transferred to Military Commissioner of Xuan, She, and Chi; his administration was simple and convenient, and the people greatly cherished him. Those he chose as staff members were mostly men of renown. At the time officeholders generally treated guests and staff with casual disdain; Yan alone showed them honor and respect, and men in his staff later mostly rose to prominence.
46
使
In the Zhenyuan era, throughout the realm people favored presenting tribute to win imperial favor; exactions and accumulation exhausted prefectures and commanderies—Wei Gao, Liu Zan, and Pei Su led the way. When Zan died, Yan replaced him in the post. Though Yan could not swiftly reform these abuses, during ten years at Xuanzhou he was quite frugal and industrious, and the treasury overflowed. When Mu Zan replaced Yan, Xuanzhou suffered famine that year; he used 420,000 strings of cash to pay taxes on behalf of the people, so the people of Xuanzhou did not scatter in flight. An edict added the title Minister of Works. Ding Gongzhu, styled Pingzi, was a native of Wu Commandery in Suzhou. His grandfather Zhong and father Xu both did not take office. Gongzhu lost a close relative at age three. At seven, seeing a neighbor's mother holding her child, he was moved to grief and would not eat; he asked his father to let him abstain from grain and follow the Way in hope of spiritual aid, and his father, pitying him, consented. At seventeen his father urged him to begin his studies. At twenty-one he passed the Five Classics examination. The next year he also passed the Kaiyuan Rites examination and was appointed Collator at the Hall of Assembled Worthies. Before his term ended he returned home to serve in his village and did not respond to invitations to office. During mourning for his father he personally carried earth to complete the mound; his grief-wasted appearance made people worry for him; hearing of it, the whole neighborhood practiced filial piety and brotherly respect. Military Commissioner Xue Hua memorialized his conduct; an edict bestowed grain and silk and honored his gate and lane.
47
使殿
Huainan Military Commissioner Li Jifu admired his character and ability and recommended him as Literary Attendant to the Heir Apparent, also serving as Collator at the Hall of Assembled Worthies. When Jifu entered the capital from Huainan as chancellor, he recommended Gongzhu's conduct at court; that same day Gongzhu was appointed Remonstrator on the Right. He was promoted to Academician-in-Attendance at the Hall of Assembled Worthies; soon appointed Vice Director in the Ministry of Works' Water Bureau, serving as Reader to the Crown Prince and the princes. He authored ten scrolls of Instructions for the Crown Prince and the Princes. He was transferred to Vice Director in the Ministry of Works' Chariot Bureau, still holding his former duties concurrently.
48
殿 退西使 西
When Muzong ascended the throne, before he had yet attended to governance, Gongzhu was summoned to dwell in the inner palace, consulted on court precedents, and promised the chancellorship. Gongzhu stated his feelings in language that was extremely earnest; he was specially appointed Controller of Briefs and given the purple-gold fish tally. Before long he was promoted to Vice Minister of Works, still concurrently Academician at the Hall of Assembled Worthies—favor for his old ties in the Eastern Palace. He oversaw selection matters in the Ministry of Personnel. Gongzhu knew they intended to promote him greatly; citing illness he declined and sought an outer post; he was therefore appointed Military Commissioner of all Zhejiang West Circuit. In the second year he was appointed Governor of Henan. In all cases he governed through quiet simplicity. He was changed to Vice Director of the Ministry of Revenue; transferred to Vice Minister of War and Vice Minister of Personnel; promoted to Minister of Rites and Lecturing Academician of the Hanlin. The emperor, with disaster and banditry in Zhexi, sought a worthy commander and ordered him as Acting Minister of Revenue to lead the circuit. An edict bestowed seventy thousand hu of grain for relief; the people of Zhe relied on it. He was reassigned as Director of the Court of Imperial Sacrifices; citing illness he requested return home; before arriving he died, age sixty-four. He was posthumously awarded Right Vice Director; court mourning was suspended for one day. He wrote ten fascicles of a Treatise on Rites.
49
滿 使 殿使 西使
Gongzhu was pure, frugal, and steadfast in the Way; whenever he received a new appointment, his face was always clouded with worry. When he was forty-four his wife died, and for the rest of his life he took no pleasure in concubines or music. When word of his death arrived, the court and the people alike mourned him deeply. Luo Rang, styled Jingxuan. His grandfather was Luo Huaicao. His father Luo Bang rose to metropolitan governor of Jingzhao. Rang was known in youth for literary talent; he passed the jinshi examination, earned a high grade in the imperial decree examination, and became magistrate of Xianyang. After his father's death he completed mourning but continued to wear hemp and eat plain food, refusing appointments from all quarters for more than ten years. Li Xian, military governor of Huainan, came to his home and invited him to join his staff. He was appointed investigating censor, then transferred to the palace bureau, served as a secretariat director and attendant censor, and rose to military commissioner of Fujian with the concurrent title of vice censor-in-chief, winning renown for benevolent governance. Someone gave him a female slave; when Rang asked how she had come to be sold, she replied, "I was originally a dependent of a monastery. Nine brothers and sisters were all sold off by the authorities; only my aged mother was left behind. Deeply moved, Rang burned the contract and sent the girl back to her mother. He was summoned to court as supernumerary palace attendant. Before long he was appointed military commissioner of Jiangxi with the concurrent title of chief censor. He died at the age of seventy-one. He was posthumously appointed minister of rites. Rang's son Luo Zhaojing, styled Zijun, passed the jinshi examination and also passed a special examination. Rang's second cousin once removed was Luo Yong. Yong's son Luo Shaoquan, styled Zhaoheng, passed the jinshi examination. Zhaojing and Shaoquan were celebrated in their day and both rose through the ranks of pure, high office. The historian comments: The qilin and phoenix belong among creatures that fly and run. Yet filial piety and brotherly devotion are also auspicious signs among human beings. To honor a household's gate and bestow rank is to encourage virtue and extend its blessings to all of one's kind. As for that bird, the owl—it injures benevolence and harms righteousness.
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