When [Qi] Taizu (Xiao Daocheng, r. 479-482) succeeded to an excessive and loose Song lineage, the winds changed for every local official. [Taizu] assisted the young monarch [because he] was concerned with relieving the people's sufferings. Having been in power for less than a year, [he] promoted Fu Yan, the magistrate of Shanyin (Shaoxing, Zhejiang) to regional inspector of Yizhou (Chengdu). Then [Taizu] abolished extravaganza and returned to simplicity, he reverently and moderately faced southward, he guided his people on his own accord, with the intention to not cause disorder [to his people]. As Shanyin was a big city, legal affairs and trials multiplied, and in Jianyuan 3 (481) another [function] of prison aide was established, which could be compared to that of Jiankang. When the Yongming [era] continued the cyclic movement [of imperial succession with emperor Wu, Xiao Ze, r. 483-493], much attention was given to the art of government. Relying on prestige, [officials] excelled at passing judgment; but because many a number slipped through the [judicial] net and senior officials violated the law, [benevolent officials] were entrusted with the sword [symbolizing imperial authority to decree capital punishment] and a license to kill. County and commandery [officials] fulfilled their duties, completing their "small plenitude" [mandate] after three years. [In case of] flood and drought disasters, compassionate relief was implemented immediately. From the time when [the future] emperor Ming (r. 494-498) lived as [a commoner wearing] plain clothes, he was thoroughly knowledgeable in official affairs. When he became emperor of the myriads of people, he devoted all his attention to the knives and brushes [of legal documents]. [To those who] had not yet bended the law [he] expressed kindness, and because of this they were respectful and terrified. 永明之世，十許年中，百姓無雞鳴犬吠之警，都邑之盛，士女富逸，歌聲舞節， 袨服華粧，桃花綠水之間，秋月春風之下，蓋以百數。及建武之興，虜難猋急，征役 連歲，不遑啟居，軍國糜耗，從此衰矣。 More than ten years in the Yongming era, commoners were not warned by the rooster's crow or the dog's bark, cities flourished, bachelors and maidens [enjoyed] wealth and pleasures, [during] the song and dance festivals [they wore] elegant clothing and splendid make-up, among peach flowers and green waters, under autumnal moon and spring winds: [such cases] often numbered more than a hundred. Reaching the ascendance of the Jianwu [era of emperor Ming's reign, 494-497], difficulties from enemies became extremely critical, military campaigns lasted consecutive years, [people] had no time to get up and then rest, military and state [affairs involved] extravagant expenses. From thereon [the dynasty] waned. 齊世善政著名表績無幾焉，位次遷升，非直止乎城邑。今取其清察有迹者，餘則 隨以附焉。 Very few [were those who practiced] good government and famously exhibited merits in the era of the Qi. The promotions to [higher] positions were not only restricted to cities. Now we have picked those who upon judicious and meticulous [actions] have left traces, and the remainder thus follow appended to them.