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卷一百〇六 列傳第三十六: 卓行

Volume 106 Biographies 36: Outstanding Conduct

Chapter 106 of 遼史 · History of Liao
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Chapter 106
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Outstanding Conduct ○ Xiao Zhalaci, Yelü Guannu, Xiao Pulibu
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退
In running the Liao state, only the Yelü and Xiao clans held office. Within those two clans there were men who held themselves apart in quiet contentment, untouched by wealth and rank, unbowed before fame and profit, able to revive a failing moral climate and rouse a jaded age — men truly worth honoring. Three such men were found. The "Biographies of Outstanding Conduct" was compiled.
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使 滿 使 退
Xiao Zhalaci, whose style was Xunian, was the younger brother of Paiya, Chancellor of the Northern Administration. By nature he was reserved and unconventional, and he took no interest in making a living. During the Baoning era he entered office through imperial kinship and rose in stages to Military Commissioner of the Ningyuan Army. When his term expired he went home to live in the countryside, content in plain simplicity. Near the end of the Tonghe reign he was summoned to serve as Commander-in-Chief of Cavalry and Infantry at the Southern Capital. He asked to resign on grounds of illness, but the request was denied; instead he was transferred to the post of Yilijibi. He declined once more, again citing illness, and this time permission was granted. He then withdrew to Jie Mountain and shut his door, never going out. The emperor admired his resolve and summoned him no more; from that time Zhalaci made his home on Jie Mountain. When relatives and friends came to see him, he would talk all day without once touching on worldly affairs. When invited to feasts or outings he did not refuse. He spent more than half of each year in the mountains and kept aloof from ordinary society. Yelü Zizhong held him in high regard and called him the Old Man of Jie Mountain. He died.
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宿 使 使 使
Yelü Guannu, whose style was Xiyin, was the grandson of Linya Wolu. Steady and learned, he was thoroughly versed in the genealogy of his own dynasty. He loved wine and took his ease. At first he was summoned to serve as Night-Watch Duty General. In the ninth year of Chongxi he left office on grounds of illness. Because Guannu was of distinguished lineage, the emperor wished to satisfy his wishes and allowed him to choose for himself any circuit military commissionership. Guannu declined, saying, "Your servant is dull and incompetent, unfit for official duty. He was nevertheless appointed Military Commissioner of the Guiyi Army, but immediately asked to retire from office. Guannu was on friendly terms with Xiao Wa of the Ouli tribe. Wa said to Guannu, "If in office one cannot bring benefit to one's lord and grace to the people, or achieve great deeds, why bother with such trifles! You and I can live in the woods, carry our pillows and mats with us, and find our pleasure in wine and verse — and though we hold no office, we shall want for nothing. Guannu agreed. People of the time called them the "Two Recluses." During the Qiantong era Guannu died.
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Xiao Pulibu, whose style was Suilan, was a fourth-generation descendant of Prince Hui of Wei. His parents died while he was young, and he was raised by his grandfather Wuguni. By nature he was filial and dutiful toward his kin. At thirteen, when Wuguni died, he felt that he had already lost his parents early and now faced his grandfather's death as well; his mourning exceeded the prescribed rites, and his kinsmen praised and marveled at it. He once said to others, "I was unable to care for my parents to the end — who is left to guide me now? If I do not strive on my own, how can I repay the kindness of being raised! From then on he studied hard, and there was no branch of letters and arts in which he did not excel. During the Qiantong era he was summoned on account of Wuguni's standing, but he did not answer the call. He often roamed the hills and waters hunting with relatives and friends; he lived simply, without fine possessions or a large retinue of servants, yet he was always content. Someone asked him, "Sir, why do you not consider carrying on your ancestors' fame and achievements? He replied, "I judge myself unfit to continue the family legacy; my years are already past the prime of service — how could I bring benefit to the ruler or shelter the people! He was summoned repeatedly, and each time declined on grounds of illness. In his later years he withdrew from worldly affairs, chose a home on Mogu Mountain, abstained from meat and strong flavors, devoted himself to Buddhist texts, and would invite men of insight to talk with him from morning till night. When people asked what he had gained from this, he would only say, "There is deep joy! I only feel that the six openings no longer contend with one another — beyond that I know nothing. One day he changed his clothes and passed away without any sign of illness.
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The historian remarks: True reclusion is not easily achieved, nor should the name be lightly bestowed on anyone. Zhalaci resigned his post and would not discuss current affairs; Guannu twice declined regional commands; Pulibu was summoned but did not go — though these do not fully qualify as reclusion, in their own day they knew the boundary between public duty and private life and were content to withdraw from the world. Are they not still preferable to those who scrambled for wealth, rank, and advancement and brought shame upon their households? It is fitting, then, to call their conduct outstanding.
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