Huang Fabian, with the courtesy name Zhongzhao, was a native of Xinjian in Bashan. From a young age, he was agile and bold, able to walk three hundred li in a day and leap three zhang (about 10 meters) in distance. He excelled in writing official documents and understood accounting management, often entering and exiting the county, and was greatly respected by the locals. During the rebellion of Hou Jing, he raised a militia in his hometown. When the governor He Xu went to Jiangzhou, Huang Fabian was tasked with overseeing county affairs.
When Gaozu needed to traverse the mountains to support Jianye, Li Qianshi caused disruptions along the way, so Gaozu stationed Zhou Wenyu at Xichang, while Huang Fabian sent troops to support Zhou Wenyu. At that time, Huang Fabian was stationed in Xingan County. Hou Jing sent Xingtai Yu Qing to Yuzhang, and Yu Qing divided his troops to attack Xingan. Huang Fabian successfully resisted and defeated them. Gaozu also sent Wenyu to attack Yu Qing, but Wenyu believed Yu Qing's forces were too strong to risk an attack. Huang Fabian led his troops to join him, and together they captured Shengtun and took many prisoners.
Emperor Yuan of Liang issued an edict appointing him as the General of Extraordinary Valor and the Governor of Jiaozhou, allowing him to concurrently serve as the magistrate of Xingan County, and bestowing upon him the title of County Lord of Bashan with a fief of three hundred households. In the third year of Chengsheng, he was promoted to the General of Mingwei and the General of Youqi, with his title raised to Marquis and his fief expanded to five hundred households. Following the usurpation of the Marquis of Zhenyang, he was appointed as the Left Valiant Cavalry General. After Emperor Jing ascended the throne, he was re-titled as the Marquis of Xinjian County with his fief unchanged. In the first year of Taiping, the court established Gaozhou by carving out four counties from Jiangzhou, appointing Huang Fabian as the Commissioner, Cavalier Attendant-in-Ordinary, Commander of Gaozhou's various military affairs, Trustworthy and Martial General, and Inspector of Gaozhou, tasking him with defending Bashan. Xiao Bo sent Ouyang Wei to attack Huang Fabian, who fought back and defeated Ouyang Wei.
In the second year of Yongding, Wang Lin sent Li Xiaoyin, Fan Meng, and Yu Xiaoqing to attack Zhou Di. At the same time, he also planned to capture Huang Fabian. Huang Fabian led troops to support Zhou Di and captured Li Xiaoyin and the other two generals alive. He was promoted to General of Xuan Yi, his land grant increased to one thousand households, and he was also given an honor guard. For his resistance against Wang Lin, he was appointed General Pingnan and bestowed the official position of Minister of State, equivalent to the rank of San Si. Xiong Tanlang rebelled in Jinkou, killed Zhou Wenyu, and together with Huang Fabian and Zhou Di, quelled the rebellion. Details are recorded in "Biography of Xiong Tanlang."
After the emperor ascended the throne, he was promoted and appointed as General An Nan. In the second year of Tianjia, a rebel named Zhou Di rose up, and Fabian led troops with Governor Wu Mingche to suppress the rebellion in Gongtang. After winning, Fabian achieved remarkable merit, and the emperor rewarded him generously, promoting him and granting him the titles of Commissioner-in-Chief, Cavalier Attendant, Commander of Military Affairs in Southern Xuzhou, Grand General of the North, and Governor of Southern Xuzhou, while retaining his previous privileges. Before he even assumed his new role, he was reassigned to Commander of Military Affairs in Jiang and Wu provinces, Grand General of the South, and Governor of Jiangzhou.
Six years later, he was summoned by the court and appointed as Grand General of the Center Guard. Later, when the deposed emperor became emperor, Fabian was promoted again, granted the title of Duke, and given an honor guard, enjoying a prestigious rank.
In the first year of Guangda, he was sent to serve as Commissioner-in-Chief, Commander of Military Affairs in Southern Xuzhou, Grand General of the North, and Governor of Southern Xuzhou. Two years later, he was reassigned as Commander of Military Affairs in Ying, Ba, and Wu provinces, Grand General of the West, and Governor of Yingzhou, retaining his previous title of Commissioner-in-Chief.
In the first year of Taijian, he was promoted to Grand General of the West, which was quite an impressive title! The following year, he was promoted again to Palace Attendant and Grand General of the Center, with his rank continuing to rise. Four years later, he was sent to the south with the title of Commissioner-in-Chief, Cavalier Attendant, Commander of Military Affairs in Southern Yuzhou, Grand General of the South, and Governor of Southern Yuzhou, a daunting list of titles that was quite a mouthful to say!
At the age of twenty-five, he led troops on a northern expedition, commanding General Wu Mingche marching out from Qin County, and appointed Fa Bian as the commander, marching out from Liyang. Northern Qi sent their Prince of Northern Qi to lead fifty thousand soldiers to reinforce, and constructed fortifications on Xiaoxian Mountain. He sent General Fan Yi with troops to Da Xian Mountain to resist, achieving a decisive victory and capturing all of Northern Qi's soldiers, horses, and weapons. Then, he built siege engines and warships, using the siege engines to attack Liyang City. The people of Liyang City, having no choice, begged for mercy and surrendered. However, he paused momentarily, and when those people defended the city again, he became furious and personally led the troops to assault the city, using siege engines to fiercely attack the city towers and walls. Just then, heavy rain began to fall, the city walls crumbled, the city fell, and all the defending soldiers were slain. Next, he led troops to attack Hefei, and upon seeing the situation, Hefei quickly raised the white flag in surrender. He forbade his soldiers from plundering, personally comforted them, swore an oath with them, and released them all. Because of this great victory, he was promoted again, becoming a Palace Attendant, and was granted the title of Duke of Yiyang County, with a fief of two thousand households—truly a life winner! In the same year, he was promoted to Commander of military affairs in He, Huo, and the two provinces, Grand General of the Western Expedition, and Governor of Hezhou, with an additional five hundred households in his fief. In the seventh year, he was once again elevated to a higher official position, becoming Commander of military affairs in six provinces including Yu, Jian, Guang, Shuo, He, and North Xu, Governor of Yuzhou, stationed in Shouyang, while retaining titles such as Palace Attendant, Cavalry Commandant, Commissioner, General, and Equal to the Three Excellencies. In October of the eighth year, he passed away at fifty-nine. After his death, he was posthumously elevated to Palace Attendant, Grand General of Central Authority, and Minister of Works, given the posthumous title of Wei, and his son inherited his title.
Chunyu Liang, with the courtesy name Siming, was originally from Jibei but had lived in the capital for generations. His father, Chunyu Wencheng, served as a general in the Liang Dynasty, rising to the rank of Guanglie General and Governor of Liangzhou, making him quite a remarkable figure. Chunyu Liang was cultured from a young age, tall, good-looking, and talented, as well as skilled in archery. When Emperor Liang was the Governor of Jingzhou, his father took him and his troops to serve the emperor. He initially served as a court attendant in the Kingdom of Xiangdong, also concurrently serving as a military officer in the Western Army Command. He gradually rose through the ranks, becoming a prefect and taking on various military roles. Over a decade, he managed the armaments and soldiers in the prefecture efficiently, showcasing strong military prowess.
In the border area between Jingzhou and Yongzhou, the tribal leader Wendaoqi repeatedly staged rebellions, causing trouble for the border regions. The court dispatched General Wang Sengbian to quell the rebellion, but after several unsuccessful battles, Wei Xiaokuan was sent to assist. Upon his arrival, Wei Xiaokuan and Wang Sengbian joined forces to decisively defeat Wendaoqi, beheading their leaders and capturing thousands of prisoners. For his great achievements, Wei Xiaokuan was appointed as a county male of Guangjin, granted three hundred households, and appointed as the Prefect of Fuling. He later served as the Prefect of Xinxing County and Wuning County.
During the rebellion led by Hou Jing, Emperor Liang dispatched five armies to rescue the capital, with Wei Xiaokuan participating in one of them. However, the capital was still lost, which forced Wei Xiaokuan to return to Jingzhou. Emperor Liang appointed Wei Xiaokuan as Acting General, Imperial Secretariat Attendant, Commander of the Military Forces in Bazu, General of Trustworthy Might, and Governor of Bazu. As Hou Jing advanced into Bazu, Emperor Liang sent Wang Sengbian to defend Baling. Wei Xiaokuan and Wang Sengbian fought back against Hou Jing together, defeating his army and capturing his general Ren Yue. They then attacked Yingzhou, capturing Song Zixian. Finally, Wei Xiaokuan, alongside Wang Sengbian, put down the rebellion led by Hou Jing.
In the first year of the Chengsheng era, due to his contributions in suppressing the rebellion of Hou Jing, Wei Xiaokuan was appointed as the General of the Left Guard, granted the title of Marquis of Xie Mu County, and rewarded with five hundred families. Shortly afterwards, he was appointed as the Commissioner, Commander of military affairs in the provinces of Gui, Ding, Dong, and Xi Ning, General of Trustworthiness and Prestige, Protector of An Yuan, and Governor of Guizhou.
When Jingzhou was lost, (Xiao) Liang planned to defend Guizhou. Wang Lin occupied the territories of Xiangzhou and Yingzhou and repeatedly sent messengers to summon Xiao Liang. Although Xiao Liang kept up appearances with Wang Lin, he secretly sent envoys through back roads to join Emperor Gaozu. After Emperor Gaozu became emperor, he granted Xiao Liang many official positions, as well as a ceremonial escort, while retaining his other official positions. Before long, he was promoted in rank. Later on, he was further promoted and ennobled, with his official positions increasing.
After Emperor Gaozu's son Shizu ascended the throne, he promoted Xiao Liang again. Following the pacification of Wang Lin, Xiao Liang repeatedly requested to go to the capital. In the fifth year of Tianjia, the court summoned him to serve as the Grand General of Central Pacification, while retaining his other official positions and ceremonial escort. However, many of Xiao Liang's subordinates were reluctant to leave their territories and wanted to flee to the mountains, unwilling to go to the capital. Shizu then dispatched the Governor of Xiangzhou, Hua Jiao, to suppress the Huangdong area of Hengzhou with troops and to welcome Xiao Liang with the army. In the first year of Guangda, Xiao Liang finally arrived in the capital. Due to delays on the way, he was reprimanded by the relevant authorities and was dismissed from one official position, while retaining the others. In the first year of Guangda, he was again granted a ceremonial escort.
When Hua Jiao rebelled, the court sent Xiao Liang to suppress the rebellion, granting him many official positions and allowing him to command a large army to resist Hua Jiao from Fanpu in Yingzhou. After Hua Jiao was pacified, along with the surrendered Zhou leaders such as Chang Hu Gong Tuoba Ding, they were captured together. Due to his achievements, Xiao Liang was promoted and ennobled, and was also granted the title of County Duke, with an expanded fief. Before he could assume his new position, he was reassigned as the Governor of Nanxuzhou, with his previous official positions and ceremonial escort retained.
In the first year of the Taijian era, Xiao Liang was once again promoted to a higher official position, and he was also given a ceremonial guard. Three years later, due to his involvement in purchasing trees in Liangling with Prince Jiangyin, Xiao Jiqing was dismissed from office, and Xiao Liang was also stripped of one of his official titles. He soon regained his former title. Five years later, he was summoned to serve as the General of the Central Guard, while retaining his previous title and ceremonial guard.
When Wu Mingche led troops on a western expedition, Emperor Liang Yuan Xiao Yi strongly supported him and even sent his sixth son Cen Shuai to accompany Wu Mingche to battle. After achieving victory in the Huainan campaign, Emperor Liang Yuan promoted Xiao Yi to the title of Duke of Shi'an, granting him an additional 1,500 households as part of his fief. Six years later, Emperor Liang Yuan appointed Xiao Yi as the Commissioner and Commander of military affairs in Yingshou, Bajun, Nansi, and Dingzhou, with the titles of General of the West and Governor of Yingshou, while retaining other titles such as Palace Attendant, Equerry, Drummer, and Fubing. A year later, he was promoted to Grand General of the Central Army and Protector General. Nine years later, due to a professional error, he was relieved of his duties as Palace Attendant. However, he was soon reappointed as Palace Attendant. Ten years later, when Wu Mingche was defeated and taken prisoner, Emperor Liang Yuan promoted Xiao Yi, appointing him as Commissioner and Commander of military affairs on land and water, and granting him the titles of Cavalry General, Governor of South and North Yanzhou, and Qiaozhou, while keeping his other titles. Thirteen years later, Xiao Yi was later promoted to Left Grand Master of Ceremonies, along with an additional 500 households of land, while retaining his other titles. In April of the fourteenth year, Xiao Yi passed away at the age of seventy-two. He was posthumously honored with the title of Minister of Works.
Zhang Zhaoda, whose courtesy name was Botong, was from Wukang in Wuxing. His grandfather, Zhang Daogai, was the Grand Prefect of Guangping in Northern Qi. His father, Zhang Fashang, was a Censor's Assistant in Yangzhou during the Liang Dynasty. Zhang Zhaoda was straightforward, not interested in money, and valued his reputation. When he was young, he met a fortune teller who told him, "You have a good appearance. As long as you suffer a minor injury, you will become wealthy and noble." During the Datong period of the Liang Dynasty, Zhang Zhaoda was serving in the Eastern Palace and one day, while drunk, fell off his horse and received a minor injury on his temple. Zhang Zhaoda felt pleased by the fortune teller's words, but the fortune teller said, "It's not time yet!" Later, during the rebellion led by Hou Jing, Zhang Zhaoda led his fellow villagers to rescue Taicheng and was struck in the eye by an arrow, resulting in blindness in that eye. Upon seeing this, the fortune teller said, "You have a good appearance; you will soon prosper!"
After the capital was lost, Chen Baxian (Zhaoda) returned to his hometown and played with Chen Qian (Shizu), establishing a lord-subject relationship. Later, after the rebellion of Hou Jing was suppressed, Chen Qian became the Grand Prefect of Wuxing, and Chen Baxian visited him using a cane. Chen Qian was very happy and appointed him as a general, treating him much better than others.
When Chen Baxian (Gaozu) went to attack Wang Sengbian, he sent Chen Qian back to the Great Wall to recruit soldiers and procure horses for defense against Du Gan. During this time, he often sent Chen Baxian to Jingkou to update him on battle plans. After Wang Sengbian was killed, Du Gan sent his general Du Tai to attack the Great Wall, but Chen Qian successfully defended it and appointed Chen Baxian to lead the city's military. After Du Tai retreated, Chen Baxian followed Chen Qian eastward to launch an attack on Wuxing and defeat Du Gan. After Du Gan was subdued, he followed Chen Qian eastward to attack Zhang Biao and achieved victory at Kuaiji. Due to his numerous military successes, Chen Baxian was appointed as the General of Mingwei and the Inspector of Dingzhou.
At that time, Liu Yi had taken control of Dongyang and was appointing officials without authorization, and Chen Baxian (later known as Gaozu) was quite concerned, so he appointed Chen Baxian as the magistrate of Changshan and kept him by his side to watch over. In the second year of Yongding, he was promoted to the position of magistrate of Wukang. After Chen Qian became emperor, Chen Baxian was appointed as a Palace Attendant's attendant cavalier. In the first year of Tianjia, due to his accomplishments in the Great Wall campaign, he was granted the title of Marquis of Xinle County, with a fief of one thousand households. Soon after, he joined Hou Andu and others to confront Wang Lin at Zhakou, fought in Wuhu, where Chen Baxian commanded a large warship, charged into battle, and was the first to strike an enemy vessel. After Wang Lin was subdued, Chen Baxian's contributions were recognized as the most significant. The following year, he was appointed as the Commissioner, Palace Attendant, and Commander of military affairs across the four provinces of Ying, Ba, and Wuyuan, along with the General of Zhiwu and the Governor of Yingzhou, with his fief increased to one thousand five hundred households. He was later promoted to General Who Pacifies the West.
Zhou Di rebelled in Linchuan, and the emperor immediately ordered Zhao Da to lead troops to suppress him. Zhou Di was defeated and fled, while Zhao Da was rewarded for his merits and promoted to General of the Guards, awarded a ceremonial escort, promoted to Marquis of Shaowu County, and granted additional land, bringing his total to two thousand households, retaining his previous title of Attendant. Four years later, Chen Baoying and Zhou Di attacked Linchuan together, prompting the emperor to once again appoint Zhao Da as the commander to suppress Zhou Di. Zhao Da pursued Zhou Di to Dongxing Ridge, where Zhou Di escaped once more. Zhao Da followed him to Jian'an and prepared to attack Chen Baoying. Chen Baoying had set up defenses on the borders of Jian'an and Jin'an counties, resisting the imperial troops on both water and land. After several confrontations with no advantage gained, Zhao Da took control of the upstream area, ordered his soldiers to cut down trees to make rafts by tying branches and leaves together with wooden planks and thick ropes, arranging them between the two banks. Chen Baoying issued multiple challenges to Zhao Da, but Zhao Da held his ground. Soon, heavy rain fell, causing the river to swell rapidly. Zhao Da launched the rafts to breach Chen Baoying's water defenses, destroying them completely. He then attacked Chen Baoying's infantry. As the battle raged on, the emperor sent Yu Xiaoqing from the sea to support Zhao Da. Yu Xiaoqing arrived just in time, and together they defeated Chen Baoying's army, securing the Minzhong region and capturing both Chen Baoying and Liu Yi. Zhao Da was then appointed as General of the Front, with the title of Governor, equivalent to the Three Excellencies. The emperor had dreamed of Zhao Da's promotion before and even shared the dream with his ministers the next morning. At a banquet, the emperor looked at Zhao Da and asked, "Do you remember that dream? How will you repay my dream?" Zhao Da replied, "I can only serve the emperor with all my heart and effort, like a dog or a horse; there is no other way to show my gratitude." Shortly after, Zhao Da was appointed as Imperial Commissioner, Commander of the military in Jiangzhou, Yingzhou, and Wuzhou, General Who Guards the South, Governor of Jiangzhou, retaining his previous titles of Attendant and the Three Excellencies, along with his ceremonial escort.
After the ascension of the Emperor, Zhao Da was promoted to the position of Imperial Attendant and General Who Conquers the South, and was granted the title of Duke of Shaoling. During the rebellion of Hua Jiao, the letters and proclamations he authored were all falsely issued in Zhao Da's name, and messengers were repeatedly dispatched to persuade Zhao Da to surrender. Zhao Da captured all the messengers sent by Hua Jiao and sent them to the capital. Once the rebellion was suppressed, Zhao Da was promoted to Grand General Who Conquers the South, with his fiefdom increased to a total of 2,500 households. At the end of his term, he was summoned to serve as Grand General of Central Pacification, while retaining his previous titles and ceremonial retinue. After Emperor Gaozong ascended the throne, Zhao Da was promoted to Grand General of Chariots and Cavalry, but after arriving late to court, he was demoted to General of Chariots and Cavalry following an official reprimand.
When Ouyang Ge rebelled in Lingnan, the court dispatched Zhao Da to command a large army against him. Zhao Da traveled tirelessly and swiftly reached Shixing. Upon hearing of Zhao Da's swift approach, Ouyang Ge was frightened and hastily established defenses at the river mouth, piling sand and stones into bamboo cages positioned outside the water barrier to block the ships. Zhao Da took control of the upstream, constructed ships for ramming, and charged at the enemy's defenses. He ordered his soldiers to bite down on their knives and stealthily enter the water to cut the bamboo cages, causing them to collapse. Then he released large ships to attack the enemy by flowing downstream, resulting in a decisive victory, with Ouyang Ge captured and taken to the capital, which led to the pacification of Guangzhou. In recognition of this military achievement, Zhao Da was once again appointed Grand General of Chariots and Cavalry and further promoted to Minister of Works, while maintaining his other official titles.
In the second year of the Taijian era, Zhao Da led his army to Jiangling to launch a campaign against Xiao Kui. At that time, Xiao Kui and the Zhou Dynasty army had gathered a large fleet of boats at Qingni, so Zhao Da sent generals Qian Daoji, Cheng Wenji, and others to launch a surprise attack on them using small boats, burning down their vessels. The Zhou army also built fortifications on the south bank of the gorge, called Anshu City, and laid a large rope across the river, weaving reeds into a pontoon bridge to transport military supplies. Zhao Da ordered soldiers to take long halberds and install them on the warships to cut their ropes. When the ropes were cut, military supplies were unable to be transported, so Zhao Da led his army to attack Anshu City and captured the city. Three years later, Zhao Da fell ill and passed away at the age of fifty-four. The court posthumously conferred upon him the title of Grand General, increased his food estate by five hundred households, and allocated twenty sword-bearing guards.
Zhao Da was known for his strictness, always marching day and night when ordered to go to war; but every time he achieved victory, he always attributed the credit to his soldiers, eating and drinking the same as the soldiers, who held him in high regard. At every drinking party, he would arrange grand song and dance performances, featuring various Qiang and Hu music, instruments, and dance performances of the highest caliber. Even when facing the enemy, he continued these entertainment activities. Four years later, Zhao Da was posthumously honored at the ancestral temple.
His son Dabao inherited the title, becoming the Duke of Shaoling County, rising in rank to Cavalier In Regular Attendance and Protector of the Army. Later, he was sent to Fengzhou as the governor, but he became corrupt and abusive, which led to widespread resentment among the people. The Emperor had no option but to appoint Li Yun as his replacement.
In the third year of the Zhide era in April, Li Yun was about to take up his post in Fengzhou. However, Zida Bao, this scoundrel, unexpectedly turned rebellious, killed Li Yun outright, and then raised troops in rebellion! He even sent his subordinate Yang Tong to attack Jian'an. The Interior Minister of Jian'an, Wu Huijue, defended the city and resisted fiercely, and Yang Tong's several attacks were unsuccessful. As the imperial army gradually approached, Zida Bao's soldiers began to lose morale. Seeing that the situation was dire, Zida Bao had no choice but to flee with Yang Tong.
The court sent Chen Jingxiang to lead troops to pursue Zida Bao. Zida Bao fled into the mountains, where the roads were perilous and hard to navigate. He could not move at all, so Yang Tong had to carry him forward slowly. Before long, the pursuing soldiers caught up with them, and Zida Bao was apprehended on the spot. On the way back to the capital, he succumbed, and his head was severed and displayed on Zhuque Bridge as a warning to others. His family was also executed.
Historical records comment that during the downfall of the Liang Dynasty and the chaos in the country, when Liu Bang and Xiang Yu had not yet determined the outcome, there were few people who could see the situation clearly and distinguish right from wrong. These two, however, saw the situation clearly and both rose to high positions, highlighting their wisdom. Zhao Da was a fellow villager of the emperor, with a bond as strong as that of Deng Yu and Xiao He. After the emperor ascended the throne, he placed great trust in Zhao Da and assigned him important responsibilities. In the process of war and chaos, Zhao Da made numerous military achievements and can be considered a loyal and talented minister, similar to Zhou Yu and Geng Yan of Eastern Wu.
