Sima Guang said in the preface to the Book of Rites that there are five kinds of people who do good deeds among the people. In the book "Don't bully others" written by Lu Nangong, there are three stories. These are all rejected by historians because of their humble origins. Recently, when I was compiling the national history, I tried to include these five people in the Biography of Filial Piety, but I failed. I write down these five personnel strategies here.
The five people mentioned by Sima Guang are all from Xiaxian County, Shaanxi Province (now Xiaxian County, Shanxi Province). First, the doctor, Mrs. Liu, mourned for her parents and did not drink or eat meat for three years, which is beyond the reach of today's literati. His younger brother Yongyi is especially famous for his filial piety, love for his brother and prudence. When there was a flood in Xia County, hundreds of people drowned. Yongyi stood at the door with a bamboo pole. Anyone who sees something floating to the door will salvage it.
Personality assessment
Sima Guang is an outstanding thinker and educator who is filial to his parents, friendly to his brothers, loyal to the monarch and trustworthy, respectful and frugal, upright and upright, gentle and courteous.
Historically, Sima Guang was once regarded as one of the three saints of Confucianism (the other two were Confucius and Mencius). Everything he does is measured, and everything he says and does conforms to etiquette.