Pei Ji, courtesy name Wuwei, was from Wenxi, Shanxi. His grandfather Pei Mao was the Middle Scatter Officer of the Liang Dynasty. His father Pei Zhiping was a talented and visionary person, summoned by the court to serve as the Commander of Civil Virtue. During the reign of Emperor Wu of Liang, the Liang army launched a northern expedition, and Pei Zhiping, along with the commander Xiahou Dan, captured Guoyang and Tongguan, and was enfeoffed as the Marquis of Feixian for his achievements. Later, when the people of Hengzhou rebelled, the court appointed Pei Zhiping as the Acting General, General of Exceeding Martial Valor, to command the troops from five counties in Hengzhou to quell the rebellion. Upon his arrival, Pei Zhiping quickly pacified the rebellion, earning high praise from Emperor Wu of Liang. During the reign of Emperor Yuan of Liang, Pei Zhiping was promoted step by step to the position of Cavalier Attendant, Right Guard General, and Jinling Prefect. When Emperor Wu's son Xiao Yi became emperor (Emperor of Liang), he appointed Pei Zhiping as the Household Counsellor, Cixun Palace Guard, but he declined, choosing instead to build mountain pools and plant flowers, trees, and grass, indicating his intention to spend his remaining years there. In the first year of the Tiankang era, Pei Zhiping passed away, and the court posthumously honored him with the titles of General Renwei and Household Counsellor (光禄大夫), and posthumously named him Xizi (僖子).
Pei Ji was clever and knowledgeable from a young age and had read numerous historical texts, earning praise from people at the time. When he first became an official, he was a military judge under the Prince of Yuzhang of the Liang Dynasty. During the Hou Jing Rebellion, Pei Ji recruited a group of elite soldiers and followed the son of Emperor Wu of Liang, Xiao Yan (Gaozu), to suppress the rebellion. Due to his numerous military successes, he was appointed as the General of Ningyuan. Later, when Gaozu wanted to eliminate Wang Sengbian, Wang Sengbian's brother Wang Sengzhi led troops to occupy Wu County (modern-day Suzhou). Gaozu sent Huang Ta to lead troops to attack. Wang Sengzhi faced off against Huang Ta at Xichangmen, and the two sides were locked in a stalemate. Gaozu said to Pei Ji, "The area of the Three Wus in Jiangnan has always been rich; even after wars, it is still prosperous. Now the bandits have gathered there, instilling fear in the populace. Only you can pacify it; you must think of a way." Pei Ji then selected elite soldiers, moved swiftly and lightly, took a shortcut, and headed directly to Wu County from Qiantang. They arrived at the city gates at night, sounded drums and raised their voices, and fiercely attacked the city. Wang Sengzhi thought the main force had arrived, so he escaped to Dugang by boat, and Pei Ji successfully captured Wu County. Gaozu was very pleased and appointed him as the Prefect of Wu County.
When the former Gaozu ascended the throne, he was appointed as the General of the Left Guard, a highly esteemed position. During the Tianjia period, he was sent to the south as the Interior Minister of Nankang, responsible for the local populace. At that time, Zhang Shaobin, the Prefect of Yi'an, staged a rebellion. The emperor attached great importance to this, so he was appointed as the Governor-General with full authority to quell the rebellion, which he swiftly suppressed. Upon his return, he was promoted and became the Attendant Cavalry Officer and the Left Chief Historian of the Ministry of Personnel, as his official rank soared. After five years, he was promoted to General of the Cloud Banners and Chief of the Imperial Guards, and was also enfeoffed as the Marquis of Dongxing County with a fief of six hundred households, thus becoming a true nobleman.
Later, Hua Jiao led a rebellion, and Emperor Gaozong at that time appointed him to assist the court with political affairs, and granted him full command of the army to quell the rebellion, and assigned him the responsibility for the defense of the entire capital. After Hua Jiao was subdued, Emperor Gaozong ascended the throne. In the first year of the Taijian era, he was appointed as the Prefect of Dongyang, his title was elevated to Marquis of Lean County, and his fiefdom increased to one thousand households. His待遇 was increasingly favorable. After four years, he returned to the capital and took up the position of Minister of the Imperial Household. A year later, he was promoted to Minister of Justice, with his official rank continuing to rise.
Wu Mingche led a northern expedition, and the Emperor ordered him to oversee the army and assist Wu Mingche. After the pacification of Huainan, he was appointed as the General of the Army and the Inspector of Yuzhou, due to his ability to pacify the people, earning their deep affection. Later, he was appointed as the Commissioner, Commander of Military Affairs of Qiaozhou, and the Inspector of Qiaozhou. Before he could take office, Wu Mingche was ordered to attack Pengcheng and Bianzhou. The Emperor appointed him as the Commander, leading troops together with Wu Mingche and coordinating with each other. Unfortunately, the Battle of Luliang was lost, the army was captured by the Zhou Dynasty, and he was granted a high-ranking official position by the Zhou Dynasty. Ultimately, in the fourteenth year of the Kaihuang reign of the Sui Dynasty, he passed away in Chang'an at the age of seventy-three years.
Sun Yan, whose courtesy name was Deyan, was from Suzhou, Jiangsu Province. His grandfather, Sun Wenhui, served as the Captain of the Yueqi in the Qi Kingdom and as the Governor of Qingyuan. His father, Sun Xundao, was a Middle Attendant during the Liang Dynasty, renowned for his honesty and integrity. From a young age, Sun Yan had a carefree personality, loved strategizing, was well-versed in history and classics, and excelled in writing. He initially held the position of General of Light Chariots in the Liang Dynasty, served as a military advisor to the Prince of Linchuan, and gradually rose to the position of Military Advisor to the Central Army of the Prince of Shaoling in Anxi. When the Prince of Shaoling was stationed in Yingzhou, Sun Yan moved there with his entire family, gaining the Prince's favor.
Later, the "Taiping Rebellion" broke out, and Sun Yan was appointed as an acting festival, General Xuanmeng, and military commander. When Wang Sengbian attacked Hou Jing, Wang Lin served as the vanguard, and Wang Lin and Sun Yan were from the same school. He recommended Sun Yan to serve as General Rongzhao and Prefect of Yidu, and accompanied Wang Sengbian to Wuchang to rescue Xu Wensheng. After Yingzhou was lost, Sun Yan stayed behind to guard Baling, strengthening his defenses. Before long, Hou Jing's army arrived, launching relentless attacks on Baling. Sun Yan commanded his soldiers to resist desperately, repelling the enemy. Sun Yan traveled downstream with the army, captured Gushu, and was appointed as an External Cavalier Attendant due to his outstanding military achievements, enfeoffed as the Marquis of Fuyang County with a land grant of one thousand households. He was then appointed as an acting festival, General Xiongxin, and Hengyang Neishi, but before he could take office, he was promoted to be the Sima of Pingnan Prefecture in Hengzhou. He quelled the rebellion of the Huangdong barbarians, was appointed as the Prefect of Dongguan, serving as the Inspector of Guangzhou. Shortly after, he was appointed as General Zhiwu, responsible for supervising affairs in Xiangzhou. After Emperor Jing ascended the throne, Sun Yan was appointed as the holder of the festival title, General Renwei, and the Inspector of Bazhou. After Emperor Gaozu ascended the throne, Wang Lin declared Prince Xiao Zhuang of Yongjia as emperor in Yingzhou (modern-day Wuhan), and appointed Yan as the Minister of Finance, along with an additional title of Tongzhi Cavalier Attendant. Later, when Wang Lin led his troops, the court appointed Yan as the bearer of the festival title, cavalier attendant, and commander of military affairs in the five provinces of Ying, Jing, Ba, Wu, and Xiang, Anxi General, and Inspector of Yingzhou, overseeing military and administrative affairs in Yingzhou. This was certainly a significant position!
At that time, the Western Wei dispatched General Shi Ning with forty thousand troops to exploit the weak defenses of Yingzhou and launched a sudden attack. Ma and Zhang Shigui fought together in resistance, but unfortunately lost over three thousand civilians. The Western Wei army constructed earthen mounds, erected siege ladders, and launched relentless assaults day and night, even igniting more than fifty towers along the southern city wall. At that time, Ma commanded fewer than a thousand soldiers, defending on the city wall. Ma personally inspected the troops and treated them to food and drink, boosting morale and inspiring the soldiers to fight to the death. The Western Wei army besieged the city for a long time but failed to capture it, so they feigned a promotion for Ma, appointing him as a pillar of the country, governor of Yingzhou, and even granting him the title of Duke of Wanhu County, in hopes of tricking him into surrendering. Ma outwardly agreed but secretly reinforced the city's defenses, preparing for battle. Seeing this, the Western Wei army began to harbor doubts. Eventually, they learned that the imperial army had defeated Wang Lin, so the Western Wei army withdrew. Thus, Ma successfully defended the Jianghan region, gathering his officers and soldiers, he declared, "I stand united with the court, working diligently for the Liang Dynasty. Given the current situation, can we still defy the will of heaven?" He then dispatched a messenger to submit a memorial to the court, pledging his loyalty.
In the first year of Tianjia, the court appointed Yang as the envoy, gentleman attendant, General of Annam, and Governor of Xiangzhou, granting him the title of Marquis of Dingxiang County with a fief of one thousand households. Yang felt uneasy, so he requested to return to the court. The court appointed him as a gentleman attendant and General of the Guards before he took office. Before he could take up his new position, Emperor Sizong spoke with him and said, "Back then, Zhu Maichen only wanted to be an official of this county. Do you also have such thoughts?" Then he changed his appointment to the bearer of the edict, General of the East, and the Prefect of Wu County, and also assigned him a ceremonial guard. When Yang went to take office in Wu County, the emperor personally saw him off in the suburbs, and the villagers held him in high regard. After his term was over, the court summoned him back and appointed him as a gentleman attendant and General of the Guards, with the ceremonial guard still in place. Later, when Liu Yi rebelled in Dongyang, the court sent Yang to suppress the rebellion. After pacifying the rebellion, Yang was promoted to General of the Right, with the gentleman attendant and ceremonial guard still retained. After some time, he was sent on a mission again, becoming the bearer of the edict, General of the East, and the Prefect of Jian'an. During the Guangda period, he was dismissed from office due to official matters, but later he was reappointed as a gentleman attendant. After Emperor Gaozong ascended the throne, because of Yang's significant achievements, he earned the emperor's trust and was given important responsibilities. In the fourth year of the Taijian era, Yang was appointed as the military commander for Jingzhou and Xinzhou, stationed at Gong'an.
Xiao Zhang was in charge of public security and urban construction, pacifying remote areas, winning the hearts of the people, and causing concern among the neighboring regions. He served in this position for six years but was dismissed due to certain matters and was reassigned as the Attendant of the Palace. Later, when Wu Mingche's army was defeated in Luoyang, Xiao Zhang was appointed as the Commissioner overseeing military affairs in the border regions, the General of the West, and was accompanied by a military band. Not long after, he was appointed as the Supervisor of military affairs in five provinces including Jingzhou, Yizhou, Bajun, Wuzhou, and Xiangzhou, as well as the Prefect of Yizhou, with the same titles and military band as before. In the twelfth year, he was punished for legal violations related to border issues.
After the accession of the subsequent emperor, Xiao Zhang was once again appointed as the Attendant of the Palace, concurrently serving as the Minister of Rites. He was then promoted to the Central Protectorate, reinstating his titles and land grants, and appointed as the Minister of Revenue, concurrently serving as the Infantry Colonel. Shortly after, he was further appointed as the Attendant of the Palace, promoted to Palace Attendant, and the Minister of Ancestor Worship. The subsequent emperor often visited Xiao Zhang's home, and Xiao Zhang wrote poems to praise the subsequent emperor's achievements, reflecting the harmonious relationship between the ruler and his subjects. Later, he served as the Minister of War, concurrently serving as the General of the Right Flank, while keeping his position as Palace Attendant. Due to his old age, Xiao Zhang repeatedly requested retirement, but the emperor consistently denied his requests. In the first year of the Zhenming era, Xiao Zhang passed away at the age of seventy-two. The subsequent emperor personally mourned for him, greatly saddened, and posthumously conferred upon him the title of General Who Protects the Army, retaining his position as Palace Attendant, and providing him with a military band, court attire, a piece of clothing, and increasing the provisions for his funeral. He was posthumously bestowed the title "Huanzi."
Sun Yang was well-known for his filial piety towards his parents and had a particularly close bond with his brothers. He had a cheerful personality and liked to share his wealth with relatives and friends. His residence was somewhat luxurious, featuring a beautifully landscaped yard resembling a garden. His singing and dancing gatherings were unmatched, with guests arriving in droves and lively activity. He later became the governor of Yingzhou and linked more than ten boats together to form a large vessel, with pavilions, ponds, and lotus flowers added. On fine days, he would invite friends and colleagues to drink and enjoy the scenery on the Yangtze River, living a life of leisure and enjoyment. He often held lectures in a cabin on the mountain, inviting many famous Confucian scholars and supporting them in winter and summer, which earned him the admiration of students. Despite his high rank, he remained approachable and down-to-earth. There was a monk named Lang at the Xinghuang Temple who was well-versed in Buddhist scriptures. Each time Sun Yang attended his sermons, they would engage in debates, which earned the respect of the monks. Sun Yang was also highly innovative, designing numerous military weapons and equipment after his appointment as Minister of Works. He had a keen eye for matching his children with suitable partners. After his death, the Minister of Works, Jiang Zong, composed an epitaph for him, which was later expanded by the emperor and engraved on his tombstone. The epitaph reads: "The autumn wind moves the bamboo, the misty water startles the waves. How many people are on the mountain path, where is the mountain? The sun and moon of today, the past is like a brocade. The sky is long, the road is far, the earth is covered with clouds. The achievements of the hero are not recorded, what is the meaning of this." People at the time regarded this as a great honor. Sun Yang had twenty-one sons, each of whom inherited his virtues. His eldest son, Sun Rang, died young. His second son, Sun Xun, also gained fame, serving as the magistrate of Linxiang County, the General of the Direct Pavilion, and the Governor of Gaotang. After the fall of the Chen Dynasty, he sought refuge in the Sui Dynasty.
Historical records state that during the late Chen Dynasty, thieves were rampant. Gaozu rose up against Chen, intending to restore order. Pei Ji had joined him early on and often fought alongside him, demonstrating great bravery and earning numerous military accolades. Sun Yang was skilled in both civil and military affairs and was highly regarded by the emperor. He commanded troops in battle, excelling in military strategy and winning numerous victories. His generosity earned him the admiration of his soldiers. However, his temperament was unstable, and he was often dismissed for his mistakes, much like Chen Tang.
