Shen Zhong, style name Zhongshi, was from Wukang, Huzhou, Zhejiang. His grandfather, Shen Yue, was a high-ranking official of the Liang Dynasty; his father, Shen Xuan, was the Yellow Gate Attendant. Shen Zhong loved studying from a young age and was quite skilled in writing. He initially served as a legal officer and attendant to the Prince of Nanping in the Liang Dynasty. At that time, Emperor Wu of Liang wrote a thousand-character poem, and Shen Zhong even provided commentary on it! Once, he and Xie Jing from Chenjun were summoned to the Hall of Cultured Virtue, where Emperor Wu of Liang requested that he compose a "Bamboo Rhapsody" on the spot. After Shen Zhong finished writing, he read it to the emperor, who was highly impressed and even wrote him a personal letter of praise: "Your writing is full of literary talent, truly not bringing shame to your family!" Later, when Xiao Daxin became the Inspector of Yingzhou, he recruited Shen Zhong to serve as a military officer in the inner office. Before long, he was promoted to serve as a military officer for the Prince of Xiandong in Zhennan, then became a prince's attendant and also took on the role of an imperial cavalier attendant. He also embarked on a mission to the Wei Kingdom, and upon returning, he was promoted to be a military advisor to the Prince of Luling, while retaining the position of prince's attendant.
During the rebellion of Hou Jing, Shen Zhong wrote a letter to Emperor Liang Wu, stating that his family had served the Liang Dynasty for generations and that his militia was all in Wuxing. He requested to return home to recruit soldiers to attack Hou Jing. Emperor Liang Wu agreed. When Hou Jing besieged Taicheng, Shen Zhong led his family and over 5,000 militia to the capital to support the emperor. They camped in Xiaohang, facing the enemy's camp on the east side, in a very orderly formation that intimidated Hou Jing. Emperor Liang Wu appointed him as the Right Guard of the Crown Prince. After the city fell, Shen Zhong surrendered to Hou Jing. After Hou Jing quelled the rebellion, he advanced to Jingzhou, and Liang Yuandi appointed him as the Crown Prince's Grand Master and the provincial Grand Middleman. Shortly after, he was promoted to the Left Minister of Works. After the city of Jiangling was captured, he was captured by the Western Wei but later escaped. Emperor Liang Jing issued a decree appointing him as the Deputy Chief of Censors. In the first year of Shaotai, he was appointed as the Palace Attendant and later promoted to the Minister of Civil Affairs. After Chen Baxian declared himself emperor, Shen Zhong was appointed as the Imperial Secretary, and his position as the provincial Grand Middleman was retained. Chen Baxian knew that Shen Zhong was very famous in his hometown and respected him greatly, rewarding him more generously than others at that time. Everyone thought he was too stingy, with vast family wealth, yet he was unwilling to share any of it. He lived a very simple life, often wearing tattered clothes to court and often carrying his shoes. In the second year of Yongding, he was promoted to the position of Minister, responsible for building the Taiji Palace. He always wore coarse clothes, straw shoes, a hemp rope as a belt, and brought his own dried fish, vegetables, and food to eat. The courtiers mocked him for his frugality. Known for his quick temper, he began attacking the court and slandering the court. Emperor Liang Jing was furious, but because of his previous good reputation, he couldn't bear to publicly execute him. Instead, when he was on vacation in Wukang, he was secretly executed in Wudi, at the age of fifty-six.
Yuan Bi, styled Wenyang, is the younger brother of the Left Minister of Rites Yuan Jing. He is upright and honest, competent in managing affairs, tall in stature, upright in character, and of proper conduct. He initially served as a cavalry attendant, and later held official positions in several royal mansions.
During the rebellion of Hou Jing, Yuan Bi wanted to become a general. At that time, his brother Yuan Jun was serving as the Prefect of Wu County, and Emperor Jianwen of Liang appointed Yuan Bi as the leader of the Eastern Palace, sending him to recruit soldiers in the Wu region. When Hou Jing besieged Taicheng, Yuan Bi led his own troops to the rescue. After the capital fell, they retreated to Dongyang County. Hou Jing sent troops to pursue, and Yuan Bi, bypassing Pocheng via the eastern ridge of Kuaiji, sought refuge with Xiao Fan, the Prince of Poyang. After Xiao Fan died, Yuan Bi surrendered to Hou Jing.
After Hou Jing was subdued, Wang Sengbian recommended Yuan Bi to serve as the Prefect of Fuchun, also serving as the Imperial Attendant of Danyang. When Lord Zhenyang took the throne by usurpation, he appointed Yuan Bi as an Imperial Attendant, sending him on a diplomatic mission to Qi. After Emperor Gaozu ascended the throne, Wang Lin occupied the upper reaches of the Yangtze River, and Yuan Bi followed Prince Yongjia of Liang, Xiao Zhuang, to seek refuge with Wang Lin in Qi. After Xiao Zhuang usurped the throne, he appointed Yuan Bi as an Imperial Attendant and Chief Minister. In the second year of Tianjia, Yuan Bi and Wang Lin assisted Xiao Zhuang in reaching Zhakou. Wang Lin was defeated, and everyone scattered, but Yuan Bi alone took Xiao Zhuang on a small boat to the north, entrusting Xiao Zhuang to Liu Zhongwei, the Chief Imperial Censor, to escape to Qi together before bidding farewell and returning to the court to ask for forgiveness. Emperor Wen greatly praised his actions.
First, he was appointed as a military judge of the Ningyuan Shixing Wangfu, later promoted to the advisory officer, then became a Gentleman of the Imperial Guards, concurrently serving as the Palace Attendant and also as the Grand Central Official of Yuzhou. He was sent as an envoy to the Zhou Dynasty, and upon his return, was appointed as the Gentleman of the Imperial Guards and the Deputy Imperial Censor, retaining the same rank as before. After Gaozong came to power, he was appointed as the Cloud Banner General and the Left Chief of the Ministry of Works. He passed away in the first year of the Guangda era, at the age of fifty-eight. Before his death, he advised his son Manhua, saying, "I have not achieved much in the court, so bury me simply after my death, and do not accept any posthumous titles." His son followed his father's wishes and requested in a memorial, but the court did not agree, bestowing upon him the title of Grand Master of Splendid Happiness and conferred upon him the posthumous title "Zhi."
Liu Zhongwei was a native of Nieyang in Nanyang. His grandfather, Liu Qiu, was called to serve as a National Scholar during the Qi Dynasty, but he did not go. His father, Liu Zhichi, served as the Deputy Historian for Jingzhou. Liu Zhongwei was ambitious from a young age and was well-versed in literature and history. During the Chengsheng period of the Liang Dynasty, he was appointed as the Deputy Director of the Palace Secretariat. Xiao Zhuang falsified his title as Deputy Imperial Censor and followed Xiao Zhuang to the Qi Kingdom, and ultimately died in Ye City.
Liu Guangde, the younger brother of Liu Zhongwei, also loves learning, is talented, and is quite proud. Their father, Liu Zhiheng, was the Chief Historian of the King of Xiangdong in the Liang Dynasty and the Governor of Nanjun. During the Chengsheng period, Liu Guangde earned military honors that led him to the positions of Yellow Gate Attendant and Governor of Xiangdong. After the fall of Jingzhou, he sought refuge with Wang Lin. After Wang Lin was subdued, Emperor Wen appointed him as a military officer responsible for the Ningyuan Shixing Prince's Mansion, permitting him to retain command of his original forces. He later became the Sima of Xiangzhou under Grand Commandant Hou Tian, successively serving as the Governor of Leshan, Yuzhang, and Xin'an Inner. During the Guangda period, he was appointed as the acting General, Cavalier Attendant, General of the Cloud Banner, and Governor of Hedong. In the first year of the Taijian era, he died in office at the age of forty-three, and the court posthumously appointed him as the Left Guard General.
Lu Shancai, styled Kongzhang, was from Wuxian in Wu County. His grandfather, Lu Bao, was the Minister of the Water Department in the Liang Dynasty. His father, Lu Fan, was a Cavalier Attendant. Lu Shancai was graceful and well-educated from an early age and was respected by the Zhang brothers, Zuan and Wan, from Fanyang. He initially served as a Court Attendant in the Wang Kingdom, later rising to the position of Military Official. However, he soon returned home to care for his ailing father. In the first year of Chengsheng, Wang Sengbian appointed him as the Clerk of the Western Cao of the Yitong Mansion. After Emperor Gaozu had Wang Sengbian executed, Lu Shancai fled to Kuaiji to seek refuge with Zhang Biao. After Zhang Biao's defeat, he surrendered to Emperor Gaozu.
During the Shaotai period, Commander Zhou Wenyu was sent to guard Southern Yuzhou Province. Zhou Wenyu, who was not well-educated, appointed Shan Cai as his chief of staff to help him with political affairs. Shan Cai effectively managed all affairs. Later, Wenyu went south to attack Xiao Bo, captured Ouyang Wei, and most of these strategies were devised by Shan Cai. When Wenyu went west to attack Wang Lin, he left Shan Cai in charge of Jiangzhou and tasked him with guarding Yuzhang. Consequently, Wenyu and Hou An suffered defeat at Dunkou, and Yu Xiaoqing came from Xinlin to attack Yuzhang. Shan Cai swiftly rallied the remaining troops and sought refuge with Zhou Di. Ultimately, Shan Cai captured Yu Xiaoqing, Li Xiaoqin, and several others, and personally escorted them from Duyang through Le'anling to the capital. The court promptly appointed him as the Minister of Personnel. Later, he set out from Le'anling to pacify the counties in the southern region.
Zhou Wenyu resumed his post at Yuzhang Jinkou, and Shan Cai was promoted to General Zhenwei, Chief of Staff of Zhen Nan, and Prefect of Yuzhang Province. Tragically, Zhou Wenyu was later assassinated by Xiong Tanlang, who captured Shan Cai and others with the intent of delivering them to Wang Lin. Before they could be sent, Hou An defeated Wang Lin's general Chang Zhongai at Gongting Lake, and Shan Cai managed to turn the situation around. The court reappointed him as General Zhenwei and Prefect of Xin'an. Since Wang Lin had not yet been defeated, Shan Cai stayed in Fuyang to guard the eastern region. Later, he traveled to the capital as an attendant cavalier and was promoted to Chief of Staff for Prince Shixing of Xuanhui, in charge of affairs in Dongyangzhou.
When Hou An went to attack Liu Yi, Shan Cai led the royal troops to join the campaign. After Liu Yi was defeated, Shan Cai was appointed as General Mingwei and Prefect of Dongyang. He was subsequently appointed as Chief of Staff for Prince Shixing of Zhen Dong, while also serving as the magistrate of Kuaiji County, continuing to be in charge of affairs in Dongyangzhou. Before he could officially assume his office, he was appointed as an attendant cavalier, concurrently serving as the Minister of Revenue, and officially began his duties after a year of service.
Emperor Gao Zong launched a southern campaign and appointed Shan Cai as the military governor. Once Zhou Di was subdued, Shan Cai resumed his original position. Later, Yu Xiaoqiang attacked Jin'an by sea, and Shan Cai, drawing on his experience in Kuaiji, devised a battle strategy. After returning to the court, he was impeached and lost his position due to speaking too freely with Cai Jingli at a court banquet. Shortly after, he was appointed as an attendant of the imperial court, and later promoted to General of the Cloud Banner Corps and Prefect of Xiyang Wuchang. In the first year of the Tiankang era, Shan Cai passed away at the age of fifty-eight. The court posthumously honored him with the title of Jianzi.
Wang Zhi, styled Zizhen, was the younger brother of Wang Tong, the Right Chief Minister of the Palace. He was ambitious from a young age, with a broad knowledge base. During the reign of Emperor Wu of Liang, because he was a relative of the emperor's nephew, he was granted the title of Marquis of Jiakouting, and later became a student studying the Book of Changes at the National University, achieving top ranks in the examinations. He started as a Clerk in the Secretariat, and later became the Prince's Attendant and Chamberlain of the Palace Library. When his mother passed away, he observed mourning with utmost devotion, and everyone praised him for his filial piety. After completing the mourning period, he was appointed as the Imperial Stableman of the Crown Prince and Director of the Eastern Palace. He was later promoted to Middle Aide and Attendant of the Crown Prince.
In the first year of the Taiqing era, he was appointed as the acting General of Jie and Ningyuan, leading the Eastern Palace's army to join the northern expedition with the Marquis of Zhenyang. As a result, the Marquis of Zhenyang suffered defeat, and Wang Zhi barely managed to return. Later, Hou Jing rebelled in Shouyang, and Wang Zhi led troops to resist. When Hou Jing's army crossed the Yangtze River, Wang Zhi retreated and set up camp outside Xuanyang Gate. When Hou Jing's army attacked the capital, Wang Zhi's forces collapsed with little resistance, so he shaved his head and disguised himself as a monk to hide. When Liu Zhongli and his troops arrived to rescue the capital, they stationed themselves on the south bank, and Wang Zhi regrouped some troops to join them. After the capital fell, he fled west to Jingzhou, where Emperor Yuan appointed him as the Right Chief Historian and concurrently as the Governor of Hedong. He was later promoted to Palace Attendant. He was then assigned as the Commissioner, Commander of Military Affairs in Wuzhou, Ningyuan General, Governor of Wuzhou, and concurrently as the Interior Minister of Poyang. After Jingzhou fell, Hou Han was stationed in Pancheng, where he had a poor relationship with Wang Zhi. Hou Han then sent his deputy general, Yang Liang, to replace Wang Zhi and even threatened him with military force. Wang Zhi led his troops across the Xin'an Mountains to seek refuge with Liu Yi. Emperor Wu of Liang, stationed in Kuaiji, sent troops to support Wang Zhi and appointed him to guard Xin'an County.
In the second year of Yongding, Gaozu ordered Wang Zhi to lead his troops across the mountains, depart from Yuzhang, and follow Commander Zhou Wenyu in attacking Wang Lin. Wang Zhi and Wang Lin had a good relationship before, but someone falsely accused him of colluding with Wang Lin while in the army. Gaozu ordered Zhou Wenyu to execute him. Zhou Wenyu submitted a petition on his behalf, thus saving his life. He was later appointed as the Cavalier in Regular Attendance and Prefect of Jinling.
When Emperor Wen became emperor, he appointed him as the Minister of War in charge of military affairs. When Emperor Gaozong became the governor of Yangzhou, he promoted him to General of the Right Valiant and Chief Clerk of the Cavalry Command. In second year of Tianjia, he was appointed as the Prefect of Jin'an. After Emperor Gaozong began assisting in governance, he was appointed as the Chief Clerk of the Left in the Ministry of Personnel, while keeping his military rank. Later, he was dismissed from office due to public affairs. Not long after, he was appointed as an Imperial Attendant, and later promoted to Minister of the Imperial Household and Chief of the Capital. He passed away in second year of Taijian at the age of sixty. The court posthumously restored his original title and bestowed upon him the posthumous title of Anzi.
Wei Zai, styled Deji, was a native of Duling in Jingzhao. His grandfather, Wei Rui, served as the Minister of War during the Liang Dynasty and was also known as Duke Yan of Yongchang. His father, Wei Zheng, was the Yellow Gate Attendant of the Liang Dynasty. Wei Zai was intelligent from a young age and had a strong passion for learning. At the age of twelve, he accompanied his uncle Wei Leng to visit Liu Xian, the Prince of Pei, who asked him ten questions regarding the "History of the Han Dynasty." Wei Zai answered all the questions with ease and confidence. As he grew older, his knowledge was extensive and he was well-versed in literature and history, exhibiting steadiness and considerable talent. He initially served under the Prince of Shaoling in the Liang Dynasty as a legal advisor, and later rose to the ranks of Gentleman of the Palace Attendants and Gentleman of the Three Excellencies.
During the rebellion of Hou Jing, Emperor Yuan ordered him to serve as the Central Secretariat Minister. Shortly afterwards, he was appointed as General of Establishing Authority and Prefect of Xunyang, and accompanied Commander Wang Sengbian in the campaign against Hou Jing. At that time, Wang Sengbian's army was in Pancheng, while Lu Xida, Fan Jun, and others each led their troops to occupy territories and observe the development of the battle. Emperor Yuan then appointed Wei Zai as Acting General, Commander of military affairs for the three counties of Taiyuan, Gaotang, and Xincai, and sent him to persuade Lu Xida and others to join forces in attacking Hou Jing. When the main army marched south, Wei Zai led the troops of the three counties to set out from Jiaohu, passed through Zhakou, and met up with Wang Sengbian at Liangshan. After Hou Jing was subdued, he was appointed as Champion General and Prefect of Langye. Later, he was sent on a mission to Dongyang and Jin'an to recruit Liuyi, Chen Baoying, and others. He was then appointed as Valiant General and Prefect of Yixing.
After Gaozu eliminated Wang Sengbian, he dispatched Zhou Wenyu with a small contingent of troops to assault Zai (homophone for "Zai," referring to Chen Baxian's general Chen Xuanzai). However, Zai was well-prepared and swiftly closed the city gates in defense. Zhou Wenyu's siege was relentless, but Chen Xuanzai's county soldiers and Gaozu's former subordinates were all skilled archers. Chen Xuanzai selected dozens of sharpshooters, chained them together with long chains, had his most trusted men guard them, and ordered them to shoot at Zhou Wenyu's army, specifying that they would be killed if they missed two arrows out of ten. Unexpectedly, every arrow fired by these archers struck true, inflicting fatal wounds. Zhou Wenyu's army couldn't hold on and had to set up camp outside the city by the river, resulting in a standoff between the two sides that lasted for several months.
Gaozu heard that Zhou Wenyu was not doing well in battles, so he personally led the troops to attack and quickly broke through their water stronghold. Afterwards, Gaozu sent Chen Xuanzai's cousin, Chen Hui (pronounced the same as "chase"), to deliver a letter to him, explaining why Wang Sengbian had to be killed, and also brought a decree from Emperor Jing of Liang, ordering Chen Xuanzai to surrender. After receiving the letter, Chen Xuanzai surrendered to Gaozu with his army. Gaozu treated Chen Xuanzai with great favor, immediately appointing his cousin Chen Hui as the governor of Yixing County and assigning other generals to suitable positions according to their abilities. Gaozu also often kept Chen Xuanzai by his side to discuss military and state affairs together.
Later, Xu Sihui, Ren Yue, and others led the Qi army across the Yangtze River and occupied Shitoucheng. Gaozu sought Chen Xuanzai's counsel on strategy, and Chen Xuanzai said, "If the Qi army divides its forces, first occupy the Sanwu area, and then attack the eastern border, we will be in danger. We should quickly build a city in Huainan, where the old camp of Hou Jing was located, to open up the eastern road for easy transportation of supplies. Then send light troops to cut off their food supply, forcing them into a dilemma. This way, the Qi army's leader could be captured in less than ten days!" Gaozu accepted his advice.
In the first year of Yongding, Chen Xuanzai was appointed as the General of He Rong and a Cavalier of the Imperial Guards; in the second year of Yongding, he was promoted to General of Light Chariots; shortly thereafter, he was also appointed as a Cavalier of the Imperial Guards, the leader of the Prince's Right Guard, with no change in his military position. In the first year of Tianjia, he resigned from his official position due to illness. Chen Xuanzai had over ten acres of land in Baishan, Jiangcheng County, and after resigning from his position, he built a house there and lived a life of seclusion. For decades, he never went out for weddings or funerals, never stepping outside his home. He passed away at home during the Taijian period at the age of fifty-eight.
Let me tell you the story of my cousin Hui. His courtesy name was Ziyu, and he had great ambitions and moral integrity from a young age. His grandfather was the Deputy General of the Liang Dynasty, and his father, Gan Xiang, served as the Prefect of Ruyin. Hui lost his father when he was very young, and although he was deeply grieved, he continued to serve his mother wholeheartedly, raising his younger brother and nephew, becoming known for his filial piety. Later, when Gaozu became the Inspector of Southern Xuzhou, he summoned Hui to serve as a military officer in the Northern Expedition, and shortly after, he was appointed to supervise Yixing County. In the first year of Yongding, he was appointed as the General of Zhenyi and the Colonel of Infantry. He was later promoted to General of Cavalry, in charge of the Imperial Guards. This position was responsible for leading the camp soldiers and overseeing the Emperor's security. Since the Liang Dynasty, the responsibilities of this position had become increasingly important, requiring him to lead the procession during inspections, communicate directly with the Imperial Guards and attendants when entering the palace, and serve in front of the Emperor during court sessions. Hui had a good reputation, and the Emperor always kept him by his side during significant events. He was greatly respected by people of that era, who called him the "Heroic General." He was later appointed as the Prefect of Xuancheng. In the second year of the Tianjia era, he participated in suppressing Wang Lin's rebellion and was granted the title of Marquis of Qingyuan, with a fief of two hundred households. He died during the Taijian period and was posthumously honored with the title of Inspector of Mingzhou, Huozhou, and Luozhou. His son, Hong, styled Deli, was well-educated and eventually became a Military Advisor in the court of Prince Yongjia. After the fall of the Chen Dynasty, he pledged allegiance to the Sui Dynasty.
The historical records comment that in the past, Deng Yu, known for his literary talent, and Du Yu, recognized for his refined manners, both eventually achieved military success and became famous in history. During the Jin Dynasty, the nation was in turmoil, and many people migrated to Jiangnan. Individuals such as Gu Rong, Xi Jian, Wen Qiao, and Xie Xuan, who hailed from humble beginnings, leveraged their noble character and reputation to resist enemies, defend the nation, achieve great feats, and ultimately ascend to high positions. Since that time, such talents have emerged in every generation. However, during the Liang Dynasty, the country was in turmoil, and even those considered weak could harbor great ambitions, as long as they could seize opportunities and earn the emperor's favor, it would be a remarkable achievement!
