Wenzhou Literature Series

Author: Song Liu Anjie
Publisher:
Publishing Date: 2006-08-01
Features: Liu Anjie (1068—1116), styled Yuancheng, was a native of Yongjia County. During the Yuanyou period (1086—1093) of the Northern Song Dynasty, he and his younger brother Anshang were recommended together for the local examinations and both entered the Imperial Academy. Later, they traveled together to Luoyang to study under Cheng Yi. Anjie compiled The Four Discourses of Yichuan. Both brothers were included in the "Nine Scholars of Yuanfeng and Yongjia," with Anjie being known as the Great Liu. In the third year of the Yuanfu era (1100), he passed the imperial examinations and initially served as the chief clerk of Zhuji in Yuezhou and the director of documents for the Hedong Inspection Commission. Recommended by the prime minister, he was summoned for an audience in the palace hall and spoke on the importance of selecting officials for the Crown Prince, as well as on issues of extravagance and simplicity, and the differences between the virtuous and the corrupt. His words pleased the emperor, and he was appointed as a censor. He presided over major legal cases, overturning many wrongful convictions. He was later promoted to the position of Director of the Hall of Rites and later to the Vice Minister of the Court of Rites. However, he was demoted and appointed as the governor of Raozhou (now Boyang, Jiangxi) after offending eunuchs. During a famine in the region, Anjie prioritized the people's food supply, preventing the levying of military grain taxes and purchasing grain to relief the famine-stricken. When he left office, thousands blocked his path, weeping and praising him as a successor to Fan Zhongyan in his role as a local official. He was then appointed as the governor of Xuanzhou (now Xuancheng, Anhui). Soon after, he faced a major flood, organizing military efforts to rescue the victims and housing refugees in temples. In the sixth year of the Zhenghe era (1116), an epidemic broke out in Xuanzhou, and he worked tirelessly to seek medical treatment, saving "tens of thousands of lives" in the process. Overworked, he himself contracted the disease and died in office at the age of 49. His son Liu Chengyi was granted an official position through imperial favor. The people of Xuanzhou erected a temple in his honor. His surviving works include The Collected Works of Liu the Left Censor in four volumes (Yongjia Series).
Liu Anshang (1069—1128), styled Yuanli, was known as the Little Liu by scholars. Originally from Jingxi in Xiangui Township, he lived in Shixi, east of Fenglin, during his youth. Together with his elder brother Anjie, he was highly regarded for his scholarship and moral integrity, and the two were often referred to as the "Two Lius" and were both part of the "Nine Scholars of Yongjia and Yuanfeng." In the fourth year of the Shaosheng era (1097) of Emperor Zhezong, he passed the imperial examinations and was appointed as the county magistrate of Qiantang. In the first year of the Daguan era (1107) of Emperor Huizong, he was appointed as the director of education in Zhejiang, and during his audience with the emperor, his responses were praised, with Huizong describing him as having the demeanor of a high minister. He was immediately appointed as a censor. The following year, he was promoted to the position of Assistant Censor-in-Chief. He was meticulous in his duties. During the reign of the prime minister Cai Jing, who was notorious for his corruption and was considered the leader of the "Six Demons," Liu repeatedly submitted memorials titled On Cai Jing and Rebuttal on Cai Jing, exposing Cai's ten major crimes and condemning him as "a man of immense power yet in precarious position, guilty of great sins." He declared, "Even if my head is cut off to appease Cai Jing, and Cai's head is cut off to appease the empire, my death would be as if I were still alive." His resolute and spirited words remain powerful even after centuries. With the support of upright officials, he eventually forced Cai Jing to resign. Later, he was promoted to positions such as Censor-in-Chief, Vice Chancellor, and Secretary of the Chancellery. In the second year of the Zhenghe era (1112), when Cai Jing returned as prime minister, Anshang requested an overseas posting and served as the governor of Shouzhou, Wuzhou, and Xingzhou, successively holding the title of Vice Director of the Court of Propriety.
Xu Jingheng (1072－1128), styled Shaoyi, was a native of Rui'an, Zhejiang, and was born in Baimen Village, now part of Liya Town. He was posthumously honored as "Zhongjian" and was the author of The Collection of Xingtang, earning the title of Mr. Xingtang. He served as a minister in the reigns of Emperors Huizong, Qinzong, and Gaozong of the Song Dynasty. He was known for his integrity, strength, and loyalty, though he faced repeated setbacks despite his resilience in opposing corrupt officials. He never yielded in his struggles against the powerful and was revered for his noble character. A temple was built in his honor. To this day, on Xixian Mountain in Rui'an City, there stands the "Four Scholars Temple," commemorating him alongside Chen Fuliang, Gao Ming, and Zhuo Jing.
Liu Anshang (1069—1128), styled Yuanli, was known as the Little Liu by scholars. Originally from Jingxi in Xiangui Township, he lived in Shixi, east of Fenglin, during his youth. Together with his elder brother Anjie, he was highly regarded for his scholarship and moral integrity, and the two were often referred to as the "Two Lius" and were both part of the "Nine Scholars of Yongjia and Yuanfeng." In the fourth year of the Shaosheng era (1097) of Emperor Zhezong, he passed the imperial examinations and was appointed as the county magistrate of Qiantang. In the first year of the Daguan era (1107) of Emperor Huizong, he was appointed as the director of education in Zhejiang, and during his audience with the emperor, his responses were praised, with Huizong describing him as having the demeanor of a high minister. He was immediately appointed as a censor. The following year, he was promoted to the position of Assistant Censor-in-Chief. He was meticulous in his duties. During the reign of the prime minister Cai Jing, who was notorious for his corruption and was considered the leader of the "Six Demons," Liu repeatedly submitted memorials titled On Cai Jing and Rebuttal on Cai Jing, exposing Cai's ten major crimes and condemning him as "a man of immense power yet in precarious position, guilty of great sins." He declared, "Even if my head is cut off to appease Cai Jing, and Cai's head is cut off to appease the empire, my death would be as if I were still alive." His resolute and spirited words remain powerful even after centuries. With the support of upright officials, he eventually forced Cai Jing to resign. Later, he was promoted to positions such as Censor-in-Chief, Vice Chancellor, and Secretary of the Chancellery. In the second year of the Zhenghe era (1112), when Cai Jing returned as prime minister, Anshang requested an overseas posting and served as the governor of Shouzhou, Wuzhou, and Xingzhou, successively holding the title of Vice Director of the Court of Propriety.
Liu Fu (1217～1276), styled Shengbo (also Shengbo), was known as Master Zhiweng by scholars and was a native of Leqing (now part of Zhejiang). In the tenth year of the Chunyou era (1250) of Emperor Liuzong, he entered the Imperial Academy at the age of thirty-four. At the time, students of the Imperial Academy submitted a memorial to the throne, attacking Ding Dalian, with Liu's name being the first on the list. He was sent to Nan'an Military Prefecture for, and Ding was demoted back to the Imperial Academy. In the third year of the Jingding era (1262), he passed the imperial examinations but was dismissed for his rebuttal to Jia Simiao, being appointed as the secretary of the Zhaoqing Military Prefecture. In the second year of the Xiantong era (1266) of Emperor Duzong, he was summoned to serve as the assistant librarian. The following year, he was promoted to the position of assistant compiler. In the sixth year, he became the governor of Qingyuan Prefecture and the regional commander-in-chief of the coastal defense. In the seventh year, he was appointed as the acting vice minister of justice. He was later promoted to the position of Vice Chancellor and Minister of Personnel. In the early years of Emperor Gongdi's Deyou era (1276), he followed the two imperial princes into Guangdong. In the second year, he was appointed as Vice Chancellor but died of illness on his way to Luofu Mountain. His works have been lost, but later his brother Yingkui compiled his surviving poems and essays into The Remains of Master Mengchuan in four volumes. His biography is found in the preface to The Record of the Pavilion in his collected works and in Volume 405 of the History of the Song Dynasty.