Two things left a deep impression on Liang Wudi. The first thing is that after Pei became the general manager of Chinese books, two small countries, Baiti and Slippery, sent envoys to the northwest border to pay tribute to Liang Chao. Because they have no contact with these two countries for generations, no one in the imperial court knows the origin of these two countries, or even whether they exist. Pei quoted the scripture and said, "Han Ying, Yin Hou, chop. Pay attention to the cloud:' white topic, Hu Ming also'. Han Dingyuan waited for Lu, and Lu slipped away from it. What happened next? " His extensive knowledge amazed everyone. Liang Wudi then ordered Pei to write a map of the envoys of various countries, telling the surrounding small countries that they are rich and strong. "I want to serve the sea and the people of 20 countries."
The second thing is that in the seventh year of Liang Pingtong (AD 526), he launched the Northern Expedition, which crusaded against Wei and asked Pei to draft a campaign against Wei. With the help of a pen, he finished the task quickly. To be on the safe side, we also called Xu Mian, Prince Zhan, Liu, Zhongshu Assistant Minister yi zhu and others from Shangshu to Shouguang Hall, asking them to seriously consider revising this manuscript. These people are not only court ministers, but also recognized as great writers. After reading it, no one said that it was well written. In this way, Liang Wudi naturally relieved. He stared at Pei for a long time and said affectionately, "You look so weak, but your article is so magnificent." Then, he told Pei to write another letter to Yuan Cha, the prime minister of the Northern Wei Dynasty, to explain this great significance. At this time, it is already late at night, and Pei Shuo can deliver the manuscript at dawn. But before you start work, the drums of Wugeng have already sounded. At this time, Liang Wudi sent someone to urge: "Send the manuscript quickly!" Pei Yezi picked up the pen and finished it at dawn. After reading it, Liang Wudi left a deep impression.
From then on, all official documents of the imperial court were drafted by Pei. When it comes to Pei Yezi's profound knowledge, he can't help but bring a sum of money. Pei is a famous scholar and scholar, so most of his friends are celebrities in academic circles. There is a tradition in ancient China that scholars despise each other. At that time, those academic celebrities who read widely and had a career far better than Pei, such as Liu, Yin Yun, Zhang Jian, Xiao Mai, etc., praised Pei to the utmost. When they discuss ancient books together, every time they disagree, "Ye Zixian compromised", that is, Ye Zi's opinion is the standard for judging right and wrong. Pei Yezi's extensive knowledge can be imagined.
Pei Yezi was respected by people of his time, and of course there were other reasons. For example, he is quick-thinking, drafting documents, relying on horses to serve, and can be done with a wave of his hand. There is also his simple and simple writing style, which is also a reason for people to admire him. Parallel prose style prevailed in the Southern and Northern Dynasties. This style emphasizes form, heaps rhetoric, is vague and unrealistic, and pays too much attention to antithesis and melody. On the surface, it is gorgeous and catchy to read, but it is not practical. When people go with the flow, the style of writing is ruined. Pei is the author of "On Carving Insects", expressing great dissatisfaction with the emphasis on algae decoration in the article, and advocating that the works should "persuade beauty to punish evil" and "stop at ceremony"; We should simplify the details of complex articles. He not only said so, but also did so. He simplified the Book of Song Dynasty into twenty volumes, which was a bold attempt in practice. Later, he became the secretary of the emperor, and the drafting of official documents was straightforward, not extravagant and wasteful, and abandoned formalism. Although the official document he wrote was magnificent and appreciated by Liang Wudi, it was obviously different from the style of writing at that time, so it attracted many people's criticism, and some even accused and vilified him for it. Pei Yezi completely ignored this point and insisted on going her own way. Finally, he criticized his detractors and had to admit that official documents should be written like this, so he respected Pei Yezi more.
What is even more rare is that Pei's personal morality and accomplishment can also be regarded as a model of ancient secretaries.
During the Northern and Southern Dynasties, it was very important that Chinese books were official posts for people. It can be said that most of the power of the imperial court falls on these people. Around the emperor, they can directly issue imperial edicts on behalf of the emperor, and some even serve as government affairs of various departments respectively, and ministers should be guided by them, thus "ruling the world." Pei has worked in Zhongshu Province for more than ten years, and he is the head of Zhongshu. Later, Liang Wudi appreciated and attached great importance to him, saying that he was a man in power, which should not be overemphasized. But he can treat and use his power correctly and never abuse power for personal gain. According to historical records, he is an honest official and does not seek personal gain. He never made any demands on the organization, nor did he make any difficulties. His grandmother's family and cousin's family were poor, so he took his salary to help them. Life at home is quite difficult because most of the salary is paid to relatives. He lived a simple life and was indifferent to himself. He "ate rice, wheat and vegetables" all his life, so that his wife was "hungry and cold". His complaints to his wife are always mild. It is even harder to believe that he is such a big official in the imperial court, but he doesn't even have a house at home. Later, he borrowed two acres of official land and built several huts to live in. His sons and nephews are in awe of his "strictness to the monarch". Before his death, he repeatedly warned his children that "frugality is the most important thing". Even Liang Wudi was moved by his integrity. Hearing the news of his death, he wept bitterly and sent a letter of condolence today, praising him for his "sufficient literature and history and honest behavior." An honest and clean official like Pei is rare in the society of extravagant corruption and corrupt bureaucracy in the Northern and Southern Dynasties and even the whole feudal society. There are about three reasons why he can do this. First, he believes in Buddhism; Second, the influence of family; Third, he pays attention to self-cultivation.
Buddhism prevailed in the Southern Dynasties, and many people believed in "karma" and were superstitious about "the afterlife". Think that if you suffer more in this life, you won't go to hell after death. Pei Yezi believes in Buddhism, so he "abides by the canon and lives on wheat and vegetables". Pei's father, Pei Zhaoming, is a diligent and unemployed official. According to "Southern History", Pei Zhaoming lived in counties and counties, and was very diligent. Emperor Wu of Qi said, "Pei Zhaoming has become a county magistrate, but he still has no house. I don't study. I don't know who can compare with the ancients. " Pei Zhaoming himself often said to people: "Life doesn't need to gather livestock, and it doesn't need to be recovered." If my children and grandchildren are incompetent, I will gather and disperse; If you can stand on your own feet, you might as well have. "Therefore, I am unemployed for life. As the saying goes, like father, like son. Pei's incorruptibility as an official is undoubtedly influenced by his father. But the most important thing is that he pays attention to self-cultivation. " History of the Southern Song Dynasty: In the 22nd year of Yuan Jia, the literary emperor of the Southern Song Dynasty (AD 445), before a banquet, Song Wendi "invited all the scholars not to eat" and said that he would set a sumptuous dish. It's getting late, and the ministers are hungry. Only then did Song Wendi tell them: "You Cao Shaofu got up, but you didn't see the sufferings of the people. Now I know that I am hungry and know how to be frugal. " Pei Yezi also recorded this in Song Lulue. But he didn't give up, but took this opportunity to talk nonsense: "Be good at Mao's instructions! The husband is extravagant and prosperous, and the frugality is insufficient. If you want to be vague, you should be poor! " (Zi Zhi Tong Jian Volume 124). It is not difficult to see that Pei's honest and upright officials have their ideological basis.
Pei's virtue and accomplishment are also reflected in his generosity to friends and colleagues. At the beginning of his imprisonment, Pei quickly entered the official career. When he joined the army and became a right-wing army in Wang Cheng, he served as a judicial officer. At that time, the lawsuit had to be signed by three officials to be effective. Once when Pei was away, his colleagues signed his name on the prison list, but the report was not approved, and he was blamed, and Pei was relieved of all his official positions. It was suggested that Ye Zi make it clear that he would be reinstated. He laughed it off without explanation and was willing to share the responsibility for his colleagues and friends. The dismissal left him idle for a long time, but he never complained or hated his colleagues.
Pei Yezi is still a noble and self-loving person. After Liang Chaoqi, Ren Fang, a famous litterateur in the Southern Dynasties, was the magistrate of Yixing. Young people who are interested in their careers often go in and out, hoping to get his introduction. Ren Fang is also an underachiever, who loves talents like life. As long as he is talented and worthy of appointment, he will recommend all visitors. And all he recommended was appointment. Ren Fang's mother is Pei Yezi's aunt, and they are cousins. Pei Yezi didn't have a job at that time, but she had never been to Ren Fang and asked for his recommendation, which made Ren Fang feel very sorry. What Pei Yezi has done may seem to some people today that he is too lofty and proud, but it is his lofty self-love that makes others respect and admire him more.