Xu Shipu, courtesy name Xingzong, was from Yufu, Badong in Hubei. His family had lived in Jingzhou for generations, whose ancestors served as generals, leading troops in battles against barbarian tribes and the Yanzhao. In Xu Shipu's generation, he was exceptionally brave, strong, and skilled in naval warfare. When Liang Yuan Emperor was the governor of Jingzhou, Xu Shipu assisted him in local affairs with his troops.
During the rebellion led by Hou Jing, Xu Shipu participated in the war to suppress the rebellion, gradually rising in ranks to become a Cavalry Attendant. He led a navy and fought alongside the Minister of Works, Lu Fa, against Hou Jing's forces at Chiting Lake. Facing the powerful army of Hou Jing, Xu Shipu constructed warships, paddle ships, fire boats, and water carts to strengthen his troops. Shortly before the battle, he personally led the charge on a large ship at the forefront, leading to a decisive victory over Hou Jing's forces and the capture of Hou Jing's commander, Ren Yue, forcing Hou Jing to flee. Subsequently, he joined Wang Sengbian in attacking Yingzhou, once again leading a large ship to the enemy's granary where the enemy general, Song Zixian, surrendered when he realized the situation. For his significant contributions, Xu Shipu was appointed as General-in-Chief, General of Trustworthy Warriors, Governor of Xinzhou, and granted the title of Marquis of Yufu County, with a fief consisting of five hundred households.
He continued to follow Wang Sengbian in the eastward campaign, always leading the charge. He also defeated Hou Jing's commander, Hou Zijian, at Hushu. After Hou Jing was pacified, Xu Shipu was appointed as Cavalry Attendant to the Imperial Secretariat, Governor of Hengzhou, and concurrently appointed as Prefect of Hedong, with his fief increased to one thousand households.
When the Western Wei army attacked Jingzhou, Xu Shipu defended Matao'an and occupied Longzhou. Emperor Liang Yuan appointed him as the attendant minister, Governor of Southern Military Affairs, General of the Guard, and provided him with a ceremonial guard. After Jiangling City was lost, Xu Shipu went to join Hou Jian. In the first year of the Shaotai era, the court summoned him to serve as attendant minister and General of the Left Guard. When Emperor Gaozu wanted to resist Wang Lin, all water warfare equipment was entrusted to Xu Shipu. Xu Shipu was very intelligent and was well-versed in previous warfare methods. The weapons and equipment he developed were improved according to the actual situation, and his ideas were very clever, beyond what others could come up with. In the second year of Yongding, he was promoted to General of the Guard. After Emperor Wendi succeeded to the throne, he was promoted to General of the Right. In the first year of Tianjia, his fief increased by five hundred households. The following year, he was appointed as commander-in-chief of Xuancheng County, General of Anxi, and prefect of Xuancheng, holding the rank of two thousand stones. Later, he returned to the court and served as the Forward General and Right Grandee. Shortly after, he lost his sight due to illness and resigned from office. He passed away in the fourth year of Tianjia at the age of fifty-five. The court posthumously restored his original official position and conferred the title of Marquis Huan. My brother Shixiu followed Shipu to campaign from the Liang Dynasty and also earned numerous military accolades. In the end, he became a Cavalier Attendant and General of Anyuan, Marquis of Zhixian County, with a fief of eight hundred households. In the second year of Guangda, he accompanied Commander Chunyu Liang in a campaign against Hua Jiao. After his death, he was posthumously granted the title of Cavalier Attendant and the posthumous title "Zhuang."
Lu Xida, style name Zhitong, was a native of Meixian in Fufeng. His grandfather, Fei, served as Palace Cavalry Supervisor during the Qi dynasty, General of Anyuan, Governor of Hengzhou, and was titled Marquis of Yangtang. His father, Yizhi, served as Cloud Banner General, Prefect of Xincai County, and Prefect of Yiyang County during the Liang dynasty. Xida was known for his filial piety (a virtue of respect for one's parents and ancestors) from a young age, initially serving as a junior military officer under the Prince of Nanping during the Liang dynasty. During the rebellion of Hou Jing, Xida united with the elders of his village to defend Xincai, working hard to farm and stockpile food. At that time, the war and famine caused an estimated 80 to 90 percent of the population in the capital and upstream areas to starve to death, and those who survived fled home with their elderly and children. Xida distributed food to everyone, saving many lives, and established camps in Xincai to accommodate them. He also recruited troops from five counties, including Jinxi, to control these areas. He sent his younger brother Guangda to join Wang Sengbian in attacking Hou Jing. After the suppression of the rebellion, Emperor Yuan of Liang appointed him as General of Holding Authority, General of Benevolent Might, and Governor of North Jiangzhou. After Emperor Jing ascended the throne, Wang Lin occupied the upper reaches of the Yangtze River, while Liu Yi, Yu Xiaoqing, Zhou Di, and others led rebellions in various regions. Xida brought peace to the five counties and earned the people's trust, with soldiers willing to serve under him. Wang Lin appointed Xida as the General Who Pacifies the North, while Gaozu also appointed Zhao Zhili as the General Who Conquers the West and Governor of Jiangzhou. Both sides sent musicians and dancers to entertain him, but Xida declined both appointments. Gaozu sent General of the Safeguarding the West Shen Tai to attack Wang Lin, but the attack was ultimately unsuccessful. The Qi dynasty sent the Grand Marshal Murong Shaozong with thirty thousand troops to attack the towns of Yunkou and others, fielding a formidable force. Xida engaged them in battle and defeated the Qi army, nearly costing Murong Shaozong his life.
Wang Lin wanted to launch an attack, but Xida controlled the middle reaches of the Yangtze River. Wang Lin was afraid he would become a liability, so he sent people to try to win him over multiple times, but Xida never agreed. Unable to proceed with the attack, Wang Lin allied with the state of Qi to launch a two-pronged attack, and Qi even sent Prince Gao Yue of Qinghe to assist. They were at a stalemate for over a year, and later, Wang Lin's generals, Mei Tianyang and others, fearful of punishment, secretly let the Qi army into the city. Xida crossed the Yangtze River with several thousand troops to seek refuge with Emperor Gaozu.
When Emperor Gaozu saw him, he was very happy and said, "Why are you here so late?" Xida replied, "I was guarding the upstream, hoping to become a barrier for the country. Your Majesty has already shown me great kindness by granting me an official position. Although Shen Tai attacked me with great power, I have sought refuge with Your Majesty because of your magnanimity, just like Emperor Gaozu of Han!" Emperor Gaozu sighed, "You are right!" and appointed him as General of Pacifying the South, Cavalier Attendant, Inspector of North Jiangzhou, and Marquis of Pengze County. Later, when Emperor Wen ascended the throne, he promoted him to General Who Maintains the Left.
Although Xida was generous and charitable, he remained humble despite his wealth and status. He had a particular fondness for poetry and often gathered talented individuals to share and appreciate it together. Later, he was promoted to General Who Maintains the South and Inspector of Wuzhou. When his mother passed away, he was overcome with grief, which led to a decline in his health, resulting in his eventual death at the age of thirty-eight. He was posthumously promoted to General Who Maintains the Left, Inspector of Jiangzhou, and bestowed the posthumous title of Marquis Xiao. His son, Wang Lan, inherited his title. His brother, Wang Guangda, also has a separate biography.
Zhou Fu, courtesy name Zhongyuan, was from Linchuan and hailed from a prominent family in the area. Zhou Fu was short in stature, almost as if his clothes were too big for him, but he was brave and highly capable, standing out among his peers. He was generous, charitable, and loved making friends. Aspiring young people were eager to follow him.
During the rebellion led by Hou Jing, there was a man named Zhou Xu in his hometown who gathered a group to fight the bandits. The Chief Minister of the Liang Dynasty, Prince Shixing Xiao Yi, handed over the county to Zhou Xu. Some of Zhou Xu's men wanted to seize Xiao Yi's belongings, but Xiao Fu stepped up to protect Xiao Yi and personally escorted him to Yuzhang. At that time, Marquis Guanning Xiao Yong, Marquis Changle Xiao Ji, and Marquis Fengcheng Xiao Tai were all in hiding, and upon hearing of Xiao Fu's loyalty, they all ran to seek refuge with him. Xiao Fu took pity on them, respected them, cared for them well, and even sent them west. However, not long after, Zhou Xu's generals rebelled again for power and profit, killed Zhou Xu, and surrendered to Zhou Di.
Zhou Di lacked influence, so he relied on the reputation of Xiao Fu's family to win over his subordinates. Xiao Fu himself had no significant power, but he showed great respect to Zhou Di, who came to trust him deeply. Xiao Fu gradually built up his own military force. When Zhou Di occupied Gongtang in Linqing, Xiao Fu guarded the old Linqing County. After Hou Jing was defeated, Emperor Liang Yuan appointed Xiao Fu as the Imperial Commissioner, Cavalier Attendant, General of the Loyal Martial Forces, Governor of Ningzhou, and also appointed him as the Marquis of Xifeng County with a fief of one thousand households.
After Emperor Gaozu took the throne, Wang Lin occupied the upper reaches of the Yangtze River, and Yu Xiaoqing and Wang Lin's subordinates Li Xiaoqin and others besieged Zhou Di. Xiao Fu led his troops to help Zhou Di. Zhou Di captured Yu Xiaoqing and his men, and Xiao Fu made great contributions. Later, Xiong Tanlang killed Zhou Wenyu, occupied Yuzhang, and led tens of thousands of troops to attack Xiao Fu, besieging the city. Xiao Fu fought back and achieved a great victory, chasing him for more than fifty li, and Xiong Tanlang fled alone. Xiao Fu seized all his military supplies. Xiong Tanlang fled to Bashan County, gathered a new group, and Xiao Fu, Zhou Di, and Huang Fabian besieged and killed him. After Wang Lin was pacified, Xiao Fu was appointed as Cavalier Attendant, General Who Pacifies the West, and Prefect of Yuzhang.
At that time, the local warlords in Jiangzhou to the south relied on their own territory, appointed officials without authorization, and blatantly ignored the court's orders. The court was too preoccupied to deal with them, so they just turned a blind eye. Only Xiao Fu took the initiative to go to the capital to see the emperor. In the second year of Tianjia, he was promoted to General of Anxi. The court also provided him with a drum and wind ensemble and a female musicians' troupe, permitting him to return to Yuzhang to maintain his post.
Zhou Di, who was originally of lowly status, suddenly rose to prominence. Feeling aggrieved, Zhou Di rebelled, sending his brother Fang Xing to confront Fu. Fu clashed with Fang Xing and emerged victorious. Then, Fu joined forces with Commander Wu Mingche to take on Zhou Di, defeating him and capturing his brother Fang Xing and other leaders. The court appointed Fu as General of Anxi and Prefect of Linchuan, while the other officials retained their positions. Not long after, the court elevated Fu to Commissioner, Commander of the Southern and Northern Yuzhou Armies, General of the South, and Governor of Nanyu Province, and granted him an additional five hundred households of land, while also retaining his titles as Palace Attendant and for the musicians.
Five years later, Zhou Di raised another army and returned to attack Dongxing. The emperor sent General Zhang Zhaoda to suppress Zhou Di, and Fu followed along on the expedition. When they reached Dingchuan County, they confronted Zhou Di. Zhou Di deceived Fu, claiming, "I used to be of one heart and one mind with you; we are all one family. How could I want to harm you? I wish to surrender and return to the court now; I want you to help me explain my true intentions to the court. Let's first take an oath together to demonstrate our sincerity." Fu believed it to be true and agreed. Just as they were about to take the oath at the altar, Zhou Di betrayed him and killed him; he was just 35 years old. The court issued a decree stating that Fu, the Grand Commandant and Governor of Southern Yuzhou, accepted the court's appointment and embarked on a long expedition. After a long time, he violated some regulations, was overly trusting, and ultimately fell victim to treachery. However, he had always been diligent and had achieved numerous military successes on the battlefield, and we deeply regret this. His land rents will be retained, a certain amount of compensation will be given, and he will be buried back in the capital." He was posthumously honored with the title "Tuo." His son Zhi'an inherited his title.
Fu's elder brother, Tuan, together occupied their hometown and both became Prefects of Linchuan.
Xun Lang, also known as Shenming, was from Xuchang, Henan. His grandfather, Xun Yanzu, served as the Prefect of Yingchuan during the Liang Dynasty, and his father, Xun Boda, served as the Minister of the Guards. Xun Lang displayed bravery and military talent from a young age, initially serving as an officer in Prince Luling's army during the Liang Dynasty. Later, during the rebellion of Hou Jing, Xun Lang recruited soldiers and occupied the area around Chaohu, temporarily remaining independent of any faction. After the fall of Jiankang City (now Nanjing), Emperor Jianwen secretly issued a decree appointing Xun Lang as General of the Cloud Banners and Governor of Yuzhou, enabling him to collaborate with other regional armies to confront Hou Jing. Hou Jing dispatched Song Zixian, Ren Yue, and others to assault Xun Lang several times, but Xun Lang took advantage of the mountainous terrain, constructed strong fortifications, and Song Zixian was unable to defeat him.
At that time, there was a famine in the capital, and the common people fled south of the Yangtze River in search of a livelihood. Xun Lang recruited many soldiers, even stripped off his own clothes to give to the soldiers, and distributed food to them, providing relief for them; the number of soldiers under his command swelled to tens of thousands. After Hou Jing's defeat in Baling, Xun Lang dispatched troops from Rushu Mouth to intercept Hou Jing and defeated his rear guard. Later, Wang Sengbian launched an eastern campaign, and Xun Lang sent his generals Fan Baosheng and his brother Xun Xiao to lead two thousand soldiers to support. Once Hou Jing was subdued, Xun Lang single-handedly defeated the Qi Dynasty general Guo Yuanjian at Chichu Mountain. In the second year of the Liang Dynasty's Chengsheng era, Xun Lang led more than ten thousand households across the Yangtze River and stationed in Xuancheng County. Emperor Yuan of Liang appointed Xun Lang as Commissioner, Cavalry Attendant Officer, General of Annan, Commander of Southern Yanzhou, and Governor of Southern Yanzhou. Before he could assume office, Jingzhou fell.
After the Chen Dynasty came to power, the Qi Dynasty sent Xiao Gui, Dongfang Lao, and others to attack and captured Shitou City. Xun Lang hurried from Xuancheng to provide support, and alongside Hou Andu and others, he defeated the Qi army. In the first year of the Yongding era, Emperor Wu of Chen bestowed upon Xun Lang the title of Marquis of Xingning County, granting him a fief of two thousand households, and also appointed Xun Lang's elder brother, Xun Ang, as Left Guard General, and his younger brother, Xun Gui, as Right Guard General of the Crown Prince. Shortly after, Emperor Wu of Chen sent Xun Lang to follow Emperor Wu, the founder of the Chen Dynasty, to confront Wang Lin in southern Anhui.
After Emperor Chen Wu died, Empress Dowager Xuan and her attendant Cai Jingli secretly concealed his death. Xun Lang's younger brother, Xun Xiao, learned about this in the palace and planned to lead their family soldiers in an attack on the imperial palace. When the plot was uncovered, Cai Jingli killed Xun Xiao and imprisoned Xun Lang. After Emperor Chen Wen ascended to the throne, he released them all. Emperor Chen Wen treated Xun Lang favorably and had him join forces with Hou An and others to resist Wang Lin. After Wang Lin was pacified, Xun Lang was promoted to General of Maintaining Order, General of Pacifying the North, Cavalier Attendant, Commander of the military affairs of Huozhou, Jinzhou, and Hezhou, and Governor of Hezhou. In the sixth year of Tianjia, Xun Lang died at the age of forty-eight. The court posthumously conferred on him the title of Governor of Nanyu Province and granted him the posthumous title of "Zhuang." His son, Xun Fashang, inherited his title. Fashang was spirited from a young age, excelling in both civil and military affairs. He started as the magistrate of Jiangning and later inherited the title of Marquis of Xingning County. In the fifth year of Taijian, he accompanied Wu Mingche north to fight. He quickly rose through the ranks, becoming the Cavalry Supervisor and then serving as the magistrate of Jing County, the Governor of Liangzhou, and the Governor of Ancheng. During the Zhengming period, he commanded the military affairs of Yingshou, Bashou, and Wuzhou, and also served as the Governor of Yingshou. Later, after the Sui army crossed the Yangtze River, Fashang surrendered to the Sui Dynasty under the command of the Qin Prince in the Handong Circuit. Under the Sui Dynasty, he successively held the position of Governor of Shaozhou, Guanzhou, Mianzhou, and Fengzhou, and also served as the Prefect of Badong Commandery and Dunhuang Commandery.
Zhou Jiong, style name Wenzhao, was a native of Ancheng in Runan. His grandfather Zhou Qiang served as the Crown Prince's Attendant of the Qi Kingdom and the Governor of Liangzhou; his father Zhou Lingqi served as the Senior Official of the Imperial Secretariat of the Liang Dynasty, as well as the Governors of Luzhou and Guizhou, and was granted the title of Marquis of Baocheng County. Zhou Jiong was straightforward and righteous since childhood, with the bearing of a general. During the Datong period of the Liang Dynasty, he became the Senior Official of the Imperial Secretariat and the Zhu Yi Zhige. In the first year of Taiqing, he was appointed as the Governor of Yiyang. Later, when Hou Jing rebelled, the Emperor ordered him to be reassigned as the Governor of Xiyang and bestowed upon him the title of Count of Xiling County. Hou Jing sent his nephew Simu to guard Qian'an, and Zhou Jiong led his troops in a surprise attack, defeating Simu and capturing and killing him. For his achievements, he was appointed as the Jie, Governor of Gaozhou. At that time, Zhou Jiong controlled both Wuchang and Xiyang Counties, recruiting soldiers and horses, and built a formidable military force. Hou Jing's general Ren Yue attacked Fanshan, and Zhou Jiong and Xu Wensheng, the Chief Official of Ningzhou, jointly defeated Ren Yue, killing his subordinates Chiluo Zitong, Zhao Jialou, and others. Then they pursued and won victory after victory, almost annihilating Ren Yue's army. In the first year of Chengsheng, Zhou Jiong was promoted to the position of Jie, Commander of Jiangzhou and Dingzhou Military Affairs, General of Military Affairs, Governor of Jiangzhou, and was also ennobled as a Marquis with a fief comprising five hundred households.
After Emperor Gaozu ascended the throne, Wang Lin occupied the upper reaches of the Yangtze River, and Zhou Jiong led the provincial troops to ally with him. Later, Wang Lin sent Cao Qing and others to attack Zhou Di and ordered Zhou Jiong to flank the enemy, but they suffered defeat at the hands of Hou Andu, and Zhou Jiong was captured and sent to the capital. Emperor Wen of Sui released him and appointed him as the Rongwei General, Governor of Dingzhou, and concurrently as the Prefect of both Xiyang County and Wuchang County.
In the year 560 AD, a man named Liu Yi rebelled in Dongyang, and the emperor summoned Wu Mingche back to the capital to quell the rebellion. However, before Wu Mingche could arrive, Liu Yi had already been subdued, and Wu Mingche returned to his original position. In the year 561 AD, Wu Mingche participated in suppressing the rebellion of Hua Jiao, achieving notable success, and was appointed as an official as an attendant cavalier. In 563 AD, he was promoted to the General of the Staff of Authority, the Dragon Rider General, and an attendant cavalier. Five years later, he was promoted again, becoming the Commissioner of the Western Road and the Governor of Military Affairs, responsible for military affairs in the six states of Anzhou, Qizhou, Jiangzhou, Hengzhou, Sizhou, and Dingzhou, and granted the title of Marquis of Longyuan, with his fiefdom increasing to one thousand households. In the same year, Wu Mingche followed the governor to the north to campaign against the enemy, winning battles all the way, capturing twelve cities in just one month! At this time, the state of Qi sent the Left Minister of Personnel, Lu Qian, to lead a large army of twenty thousand troops from Bajzhou and Qizhou, where they encountered Wu Mingche. Wu Mingche was very clever; he left behind some elderly, weak, and ill individuals along with supplies to mislead the enemy, while leading the elite troops to attack the rear of the Qi army via a small road, resulting in a decisive victory and the capture of countless weapons, equipment, horses, and donkeys. Next, he attacked Bajzhou and captured it as well. Consequently, many cities north of the Yangtze River and the populace of Guyang surrendered en masse, and the leaders of the uprising were executed. Wu Mingche was subsequently promoted to General of Peace and War, as well as an attendant cavalier, with an increase of five hundred households, and the emperor commanded his return to court.
At the beginning, Tian Longsheng, the Governor of Dingzhou under Xiao Cha, surrendered and was appointed as General Zhenyuan, Governor of Dingzhou, and King of Chiting by the emperor. However, after Wu Mingche returned to the court, Tian Longsheng betrayed and defected along with the six northern provinces and seven towns, joining the Qi state. The Qi state sent Prince Gao Jing'an of Liyang to support Tian Longsheng. Therefore, the emperor appointed Wu Mingche as the Grand Commander of the Northern Jiangbei region, commanding all troops to attack Tian Longsheng. Tian Longsheng had General Tian Longyan lead twenty thousand troops to set up defenses at Tingchuan, with Gao Jing'an providing support at Shuilin and Yinshan, while Tian Longsheng himself stationed his troops in the valley. Wu Mingche divided his forces to deal with their armies, leading his elite troops to launch the first attack on Tian Longsheng. As a result, Tian Longsheng was defeated, and when the situation worsened, Tian Longyan fled. Wu Mingche caught up and killed Tian Longyan, while Gao Jing'an also fled. Consequently, the entire Northern Jiangbei region was reclaimed. Thanks to this great victory, Wu Mingche's fiefdom was expanded by two thousand households, and he was additionally appointed as General of Pingbei and Governor of Dingzhou, while retaining his original position as Grand Commander. The emperor also granted him a troupe of female musicians. In the year 570 AD, Wu Mingche passed away at the age of sixty-four. After his death, he was posthumously appointed as the Governor of Sizhou, enfeoffed as Duke of Wuchang County, and posthumously honored with the title "Zhuang". His son Wu Faseng inherited his title and later served as the Prefect of Xuancheng.
Historians note that some of these individuals had already made their mark in the past, while others had taken over their hometowns. They were all quite shrewd, seizing opportunities to climb up the ranks, eventually becoming local officials, and even being enfeoffed as marquises and appointed as ministers. It's quite a sight to behold! Just think about it, Zhang Er and Chen Yu had a close relationship like brothers; Zhou Fu and Zhou Di also vowed to be as good as brothers. But what happened in the end? For the sake of power and profit, they ended up turning against each other, killing each other, even more fiercely than the enmity between the Hu and Yue peoples! This all stems from the struggle for power and profit—truly despicable!
