During the Five Dynasties

Early in his career, Shen Yilun studied the "Three Rites" (Rites of Zhou, Book of Rites, and Etiquette and Ceremonial) and taught these classics between Luoyang and Sōng Prefecture to support himself. During Later Han, he joined the staff of Bai Wenke (白文珂), the prefect of Shǎn Prefecture.

In 954 during the Later Zhou, Shen Yilun was referred by a friend and became a retainer to general Zhao Kuangyin, then a military governor administering Hua Prefecture, Xǔ Prefecture, and Sòng Prefecture. Shen was able to manage the finances of all 3 prefectures, and had an incorruptible reputation.

During the Song dynasty

In February 960, Zhao Kuangyin usurped the Later Zhou throne and founded the Song dynasty. At that time, Shen Yilun was a mere surveillance circuit judge stationed in Sòng Prefecture, but now that his former boss had become the emperor, he was summoned to the capital (and his hometown) Kaifeng and made director of the Census Bureau.

In early 962, returning from a diplomatic trip to Song's tributary state Wuyue, Shen offered more than 10 recommendations to the new emperor, all of which were accepted. One of recommendations was loaning out grain from military granaries to relieve the mass starvation Shen witnessed in Si and Yang Prefectures. Shen argued that peasants would repay the loan come harvest time in the autumn. However, another minister soon objected:

:"If starvation continues, where would the repayment come from? And who would be accountable for that?"

To which Shen responded:

:"A nation should govern humanely. This will automatically ensure peace, prosperity and a ripe harvest."

Zhao Kuangyin was pleased with the reply and ordered government officials in Huainan Circuit to dispense grain to starved people.

In 962, Shen was made a supervising secretary. The following spring he was made fiscal commissioner of Shaanxi Circuit. When the Song dynasty invaded the Later Shu in 964, Shen was in charge of the military finances.

Notes and references

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