Hou Tian, courtesy name Boyu, was from Brazil. His father, Hou Hongyuan, was a wealthy landlord in the Western Shu region for generations. It is said that in those days, the bandit Zhang Wene occupied Baiya Mountain in the Shu region, with over ten thousand troops under his command. The Governor of Yizhou during the Liang Dynasty, Prince Xiaofan of Poyang, sent Hou Hongyuan to suppress him. Consequently, Hou Hongyuan was killed in battle, and Hou Tian swore vengeance. He always charged to the front lines in battles, and finally decapitated Zhang Wene, gaining fame in the process. Due to this event, Xiaofan held him in high regard and awarded him numerous military positions. Those mountain dwellers who resisted authority were all sent to be dealt with by Hou Tian. Later, Hou Tian was promoted to higher ranks, becoming a military officer in the Light Chariot Department and the Prefect of Jinkang. When Xiaofan was reassigned as the Governor of Yongzhou, Hou Tian was also promoted to General of Super Martial and Prefect of Fengyi. Xiaofan was then transferred to guard Hefei, and Hou Tian followed him.
During Hou Jing's siege of Taicheng, Xiaofan sent Hou Tian to assist his son, Xiaosi, in entering the capital to support the king. After the capital fell, Hou Tian and Xiaosi fled back to Hefei, and then followed Xiaofan to Pencity. Shortly afterwards, both Xiaofan and Xiaosi died, and Hou Tian took their troops to align with Zhuang Tie, the Prefect of Yuzhang. Zhuang Tie was somewhat wary of him, and Hou Tian was very anxious, so he feigned a conspiracy with Zhuang Tie over a major plan, then suddenly killed Zhuang Tie and seized control of Yuzhang. Later, Hou Jing's general, Wang Qing, marched south to attack Yuzhang. As the cities fell one after another, Hou Tian was left with no choice but to surrender to Wang Qing. Wang Qing presented Hou Tian to Hou Jing, who, noticing their shared surname, pretended they were of the same clan and treated him exceptionally well. He even kept his wife, children, and brother as hostages. Hou Jing sent Hou Tian to assist Wang Qing in pacifying the counties of Linao.
After Hou Jing was defeated in Baling, his generals Song Zixian, Ren Yue, and others were captured by the Western forces. Hou Jian took the opportunity to kill Hou Jing's followers and joined the rebel forces. Hou Jing also killed Hou Jian's brother and family. Liang Emperor Yuan appointed Hou Jian as General of Military Affairs, Governor of South Yanzhou, and Marquis of Pixian County, with a fief consisting of one thousand households. Hou Jian continued to follow the commander Wang Sengbian in attacking Hou Jing, consistently leading the charge and successfully repelling the enemy in every engagement. After recapturing Taicheng, Hou Jing fled to Wu Commandery. Wang Sengbian sent Hou Jian to pursue him, and they engaged in a major battle at the Wusong River, defeating Hou Jing and capturing all his military provisions. Hou Jian then advanced to Qiantang, where Hou Jing's generals, including Xie Darenn and Lv Zirong, surrendered one after another. For his great achievements, Hou Jian was appointed Governor of South Yuzhou, stationed in Gushu.
In the second year of Chengsheng, the Qi Kingdom dispatched Guo Yuanjian to launch an attack from Rushu. Sengbian sent Chen Baxian (Jian is Chen Baxian's courtesy name) to lead three thousand elite soldiers to construct fortifications at Dongguan and mount a defense, which resulted in a decisive victory over Guo Yuanjian. Chen Baxian was then appointed as Commissioner, General of the Northern Guard, and was provided with a military band, as well as an additional fief of two thousand households. Later, when Western Wei attacked Jingzhou, Wang Sengbian appointed Chen Baxian as the vanguard to go rescue, but before he could arrive, Jingzhou had already fallen. Chen Baxian arrived in Jiujang and escorted Prince Jin'an back to the imperial capital. The court specially appointed Chen Baxian as a Palace Attendant, Commissioner, Commander of Military Affairs in Jiang, Jin, Wu, and Qi Provinces, Inspector of Jiangzhou, and granted him the title of Duke of Kangle County, with an additional fief of five thousand households, and he was promoted to General of Chariots and Cavalry.
Afterwards, Situ Lu Fa occupied Yingzhou, luring the Qi state's army to attack. The court then sent Chen Baxian to lead the army on a western expedition, but before he arrived, Lu Fa led his subordinates to cross north and seek refuge in the Qi state. The Qi state sent Murong Shide to defend Xiashou, while Chen Baxian led his troops back and attacked from both land and water routes. Murong Shide ran out of supplies and requested peace talks. Chen Baxian then returned to defend Yuzhang. Wang Sengbian asked his brother Seng Yin to join forces with Chen Baxian to attack Xiao Bo. However, Gaozu executed Wang Sengbian, and Seng Yin secretly plotted against Chen Baxian to take over his army. Chen Baxian discovered this and confiscated the weapons of all Seng Yin's followers, forcing Seng Yin to flee to the Qi state.
In the second year of Shaotai, Chen Baxian was promoted to the title of Sanqi, while everything else remained the same. At that time, Chen Baxian controlled the middle reaches of the Yangtze River with a strong military force. Although he appeared to be loyal to the court, he had no intention of genuinely serving the court. Earlier, Yu Xiaoqing served as the Prefect of Yuzhang. After Chen Baxian took over Yuzhang, Yu Xiaoqing established a stronghold in Xinwu County to oppose Chen Baxian. Chen Baxian left his family in Yuzhang, appointed his brother Chen Ni to manage rear operations, and led all his troops to attack Yu Xiaoqing. Despite fighting from summer to winter, Chen Baxian's forces were unable to defeat him and resorted to a long-term siege, harvesting all of Yu Xiaoqing's crops.
Chen Ni and his subordinates had a bad relationship with Fang Er. In anger, Fang Er led his followers to attack Chen Ni, seizing Chen Baxian's concubines, gold, and silver from his camp, and defected to Gaozu. Chen Baxian lost his rear base, his army dispersed, and he returned to Yuzhang lightly armed. However, the citizens of Yuzhang refused to let him enter the city, so he fled to Piancheng and sought refuge with General Jiao Sengdu. Jiao Sengdu advised Chen Baxian to seek refuge in the Qi state, but Chen Baxian believed that Gaozu would show him mercy and decided to go to the capital to plead guilty. Ultimately, Gaozu restored his title.
In the first year of Yongding, the emperor appointed him as a court attendant and general of chariots and cavalry. The following year, he was promoted to Minister of State. When Wang Lin led his troops to Dun Kou, both Zhou Wenyu and Hou Andou were killed in action. The emperor then appointed the general as the commander, leading troops to fight in the west. The general arrived at Liangshan. After the emperor took the throne, he promoted him to Grand Commandant and also granted him a fief of a thousand households. When Wang Lin reached Zhaigou, the emperor once again appointed him as the commander, with Hou Andou and others under his command. He and Wang Lin confronted each other for over a hundred days without a decisive outcome.
In the second month of the first year of Tianjia, the spring waters at Dongguan swelled slightly, allowing boats to pass through. Wang Lin gathered the troops from Hefei and Chao Lake, and the boats sailed downstream one after another, with great fanfare. This general led his army to Shoujian Island, while Wang Lin positioned his boats on the west bank of the river, anchoring their boats on the island. The next day, the battle began, and Wang Lin's army made a slight retreat to defend the west bank. In the evening, a strong northeast wind blew, wrecking Wang Lin's boats, causing them to sink into the shallows, and hundreds of people drowned. The storm was too fierce for the boats to return, and in the middle of the night, meteors even fell into Wang Lin's camp.
The next morning, the wind had died down. Wang Lin entered the harbor to repair the ships, blocking the port with reed boats and setting up deer antlers on the shore, afraid to show himself again. At this time, General Shi Ning from the Western Wei Dynasty pursued from upstream. Upon hearing this, he realized that Wang Lin wouldn't be able to hold out much longer, so he withdrew his troops to the lakeside, planning to wait until Wang Lin was exhausted before launching another attack. After Shi Ning arrived, he surrounded Yingzhou. Wang Lin, afraid of the army dispersing, moved his troops downstream, anchoring on the river surface ten miles outside Wuhu, striking wooden clappers, the sound echoing throughout the entire army. The next day, the Kingdom of Qi sent tens of thousands of troops to aid Wang Lin. Wang Lin moved his troops toward Mount Liang, hoping to outmaneuver the official forces and seize strategic positions. Liu Boqiu, the Yitong of the Kingdom of Qi, commanded over ten thousand troops to assist Wang Lin in naval combat. Murong Zihui, son of Xing Tai, led two thousand iron riders south of Bowang Mountain on the west bank of Wuhu to bolster their morale.
The general ordered the army to have breakfast first thing in the morning, prepare for battle and divide the troops at the tail of Wuhu Zhou to arrange their formations and wait. Just before the battle was about to begin, a gentle breeze blew in from the southeast. The army used clappers to signal their attack and set fire. The governor of Dingzhou, Zhang Zhaoda, commanded a large warship named "Ping Lu" and charged into the river, using clappers to strike the enemy ships. Other warships "Mao Tu" and "Qing Long" also engaged the enemy ships in battle. They also wrapped small boats in cowhide, rammed into enemy ships, and splashed molten iron onto the enemy vessels. Wang Lin's forces suffered a crushing defeat. Infantry on the west bank trampled one another, and cavalry got stuck in the reeds. Around a dozen of them abandoned their horses and fled. The imperial forces captured all of Wang Lin's ships, weapons, and equipment, as well as captured Qi generals Liu Boqiu and Murong Zihui, along with tens of thousands of other prisoners and enemy casualties. Wang Lin and his associates, Pan Chuntuo and others, escaped the encirclement by boat to Pancheng, hoping to rally scattered soldiers and mercenaries, but no one answered their call. Ultimately, they fled to the Qi state with their wives, concubines, and about a dozen attendants.
That year, the emperor appointed Zhang Zhen as the military commander of five states including Xiangzhou, Baozhou, Yingzhou, Jiangzhou, and Wuzhou, and stationed him at Pengcheng. As a result, generals He Ruodun and Dugu Sheng of the Zhou dynasty attacked Baozhou and Xiangzhou. The emperor then appointed Zhang Zhen as the commander of the Western Expedition, ordering him to battle Dugu Sheng at Xijiangkou. Zhang Zhen defeated Dugu Sheng's army, capturing a vast number of soldiers, warhorses, and weapons. Due to this great victory, Zhang Zhen was appointed as the military commander of six states including Xiangzhou, Guizhou, Yingzhou, Baozhou, Wuzhou, and Yuanzhou, and the governor of Xiangzhou, and was granted the title of Duke of Lingling with a fief of seven thousand households, while other benefits remained unchanged. Two years later, Zhang Zhen fell ill and requested to return to the capital. In March, he passed away while returning to the capital at the age of fifty-two. The court posthumously appointed him as attendant, General of the Cavalry, and Grand Marshal, and bestowed upon him twenty attendants with feathered banners, trumpets, and ceremonial swords, as well as secret treasures from Dongyuan, and posthumously conferred upon him the title Zhuangsu. In September of the same year, Zhang Zhen was commemorated in the ancestral temple. His son, Zhang Jingzang, inherited his title. Zhang Jingzang married Princess Fuyang, the second daughter of Emperor Shizu, and was appointed as an official due to her status. In the third year of Taijian, Zhang Jingzang passed away, and the court posthumously appointed him as the Registrar of the Chief Minister. As Zhang Jingzang had no sons, his title was passed on to his brother.
Ouyang Wei, whose courtesy name was Jingshi, was from Linxiang, a part of Changsha. His family was a notable family in the area. His grandfather Ouyang Jingda held the position of magistrate during the Liang Dynasty. His father Ouyang Sengbao was a military official. From a young age, Ouyang Wei was known for his integrity and honesty, and he became famous in the Lingnan region. After his father passed away, Ouyang Wei was devastated and became extremely emaciated. Despite his family's considerable wealth, he gave all his inheritance to his brothers. He received multiple summons to serve as an official, but he refused each time, choosing instead to live near Lushan Temple, focusing on studying and reading extensively. At the age of thirty, his brother forced him to take up an official position, starting as a military officer in the Xiwu Prefecture, and later rising to the position of military officer under the Prince of Shaoling in Pingxi.
During the Liang Dynasty, the young Left Guard General Lan Qin had a close relationship with a person named Ouyang Wei, so Wei often accompanied Lan Qin on military expeditions. Lan Qin later became the governor of Hengzhou and also served as the governor of Qingyuan. Once, Lan Qin led a campaign to the south to subdue the indigenous tribes, captured Chen Wenche, seized countless spoils of war, and even presented a huge bronze drum, a treasure not seen in previous generations. Ouyang Wei also participated in this battle and made a significant contribution. Lan Qin was later promoted to the position of Direct Guard General and also served as the governor of Tianmen, achieving another victory in the campaign against the indigenous tribes. When the Prince of Luling, Xiao Xu, was serving as the governor, he greatly admired Lan Qin and treated him as an honored guest. Later, Lan Qin was ordered to campaign in Jiaozhou and invited Ouyang Wei to accompany him. Unfortunately, Lan Qin died from illness while crossing the Lingnan mountains.
At this time, Wei was appointed as the Grand Historian of Linhe. He voluntarily requested to transport Lan Qin's remains back to the capital for burial before taking up his position. At that time, in the area of Xiangzhou and Hengzhou, there were more than fifty indigenous tribes residing in caves who were defiant against the government. The court ordered the governor of Hengzhou, Wei Can, to go and suppress them. Wei Can entrusted this task to Wei, appointing him as the commander, and Wei successfully subdued these tribes. Wei reported his achievements to Emperor Liang Wu, praising him for being diligent and reliable. Emperor Liang Wu issued an edict praising Wei, promoting him to the rank of General of Extraordinary Might, and assigning him the task of suppressing the mountain bandits in Guangzhou and Hengzhou.
Later, Hou Jing rebelled, and Wei relieved himself of his duties to go to the capital to suppress Hou Jing. Before leaving, he left Wei in charge of overseeing Hengzhou. After the capital fell, the various states and counties in Lingnan engaged in mutual attacks and annexations. Lan Qin's brother, Lan Yu, who had previously served as the governor of Gaozhou, attacked Xiao Shaoji, the internal historian of Shixing, and took over his county. Lan Yu was aware of the close ties between his brother Lan Qin and Wei, so he sent someone to surrender to Wei, but Wei rejected the offer. Wei said to the messenger, "Our Lan family brothers were prominent in Gaozhou, all thanks to the grace of the court. Now we should quickly go to support the capital. How can we proclaim ourselves as kings here?" When Gaozu, referring to Chen Baxian, led his army to support the capital and was about to reach Shixing, Wei took the initiative to contact Gaozu and express his loyalty. Lan Yu sent troops to attack Wei, and Gaozu sent troops to support Wei, leading to Lan Yu's defeat. Gaozu appointed Wang Huaiming as the governor of Hengzhou and promoted Wei to the internal historian of Shixing.
When Gaozu fought against Cai Luyang and Li Qianshi, Wei led his army over the mountains to support Gaozu. After Cai Luyang and others were defeated, Wei was rewarded for his achievements. Emperor Liang issued an edict to rename Shixing County as Dong Hengzhou, appointing Wei as the Governor of East Hengzhou, General of the Cloud Banner, and Count of Xinfeng County with a fief of four hundred households.
Emperor Liang Yuan felt that the realm had just stabilized and urgently needed capable people to assist him. He asked the ministers in the court, "Now that the realm has just been pacified, we are in great need of talented individuals. Ministers, please recommend any outstanding talents you know!" As a result, the ministers fell silent, too afraid to speak up. The emperor said, "I have someone in mind." At this moment, Wang Bao, the attendant, asked, "Your Majesty, who have you identified?" Emperor Yuan said, "Ouyang Pei, he is both upright and highly capable, able to assist the court, but I fear Xiao Bo (Xiao Guangzhou) won't allow him to come." So the emperor first appointed Ouyang Pei as the Governor of Wuzhou, and later promoted him to the Governor of Yingzhou, hoping to relocate him from the Lingnan region. However, Xiao Bo detained Ouyang Pei, preventing him from assuming his post. The emperor later appointed Ouyang Pei as the Commissioner, Cavalier Attendant-in-ordinary, Commander of Hengzhou's military forces, Loyal and Martial General, and Inspector of Hengzhou, and granted him the title of Marquis of Shixing County. Xiao Bo wielded significant influence in Guangzhou, commanding a formidable army and enjoying high status. Emperor Yuan remained concerned about him, so he sent Wang Lin to replace him as the Inspector of Guangzhou. Upon Wang Lin's arrival at Xiaoguiling, Xiao Bo dispatched his general Sun Yan to oversee the prefecture, while he retreated with his army to Shixing to evade Wang Lin's forces.
Ouyang Wei occupied a city alone, neither visiting Xiao Bo nor coming out of the city to fight. He just closed the city gates and strengthened the defense. Xiao Bo was very angry, so he sent troops to attack Ouyang Wei, seizing his wealth, horses, and weapons. Shortly thereafter, Xiao Bo ordered that Ouyang Wei be pardoned, returned everything that was taken from him, and renewed their alliance. Later, when Jingzhou fell, Ouyang Wei surrendered to Xiao Bo. Xiao Bo later led his troops across the mountains to Nankang, appointing Ouyang Wei as the commander of the front lines, stationed at Kuzhutan in Yuzhang. However, Zhou Wenyu defeated Ouyang Wei, captured him, and sent him to Emperor Gaozu. Emperor Gaozu released Ouyang Wei and warmly welcomed him.
After Xiao Bo's death, the Lingnan region was in chaos. Ouyang Wei was well-respected in the southern region and had a previous friendship with Emperor Gaozu. Therefore, Emperor Gaozu appointed Ouyang Wei as the military commander of various provinces, including Hengzhou and Annan, and was made Marquis of Hengzhou Prefecture. Ouyang Wei's son, Ouyang He, had already captured Shixing before Ouyang Wei arrived in Lingnan. When Ouyang Wei arrived in Lingnan, everyone showed him great respect. Later, Ouyang Wei captured Guangzhou and completely pacified the Yue region. The Emperor appointed him as the military commander of nineteen provinces, including Guangzhou, Jiaozhou, and Xinzhou, along with various other titles.
Wang Lin occupied the middle reaches of the Yangtze River, while Ouyang Wei continuously paid tribute to the court via sea routes and the eastern mountains. In the third year of Yongding, Ouyang Wei was promoted to the rank of attendant cavalier, added the responsibility of commanding Hengzhou's military affairs, and granted the title of Sili Taishou. Later, during the reign of Emperor Liang, Ouyang Wei was promoted to General Who Conquers the South, was re-titled Duke of Yangshan County, with a fief consisting of 1,500 households, and was given an escort.
At the beginning, Yuan Tan, the Governor of Jiaozhou, secretly gave 500 taels of gold to Fan Zhen, asking him to give 100 taels to Gong Ting, the Prefect of Hepu, and the remaining 400 taels to his son Zhi Ju, which no one else knew about. Later, Fan Zhen was defeated by Xiao Bo and lost all his possessions, leaving only this deposited gold. Yuan Tan also died soon after. By that time, Fan Zhen returned the money exactly as it had been given to him, and people at the time admired him as a man of his word.
Fan Zhen's brothers all held high positions, with his brother Fan Sheng becoming the Governor of Jiaozhou and another brother Fan Sui becoming the Governor of Hengzhou. Their family was very prominent in the south and was well-respected. They also regularly sent tributes of bronze drums, slaves, and various treasures, which accumulated over time, making significant contributions to the country's military and economy. Fan Zhen passed away in 560 AD (the fourth year of Tianjia), at the age of sixty-six. The court posthumously honored him with the titles of Palace Attendant, Grand General of Chariots and Cavalry, Minister of Works, and Governor of Guangzhou, and conferred upon him the posthumous title of Mu. His son, Fan He, succeeded him in his titles.
His son, Fan He, styled Fengsheng, was exceptionally talented and strategic. During the Tianjia period, he was appointed as a Yellow Gate Attendant and served in the Imperial Secretariat. He gradually climbed the ranks to become General of Anyuan and Governor of Hengzhou. He also inherited his father's title as Duke of Yangshan County and commanded military affairs in nineteen provinces, including Jiaozhou and Guangzhou, concurrently serving as the Governor of Guangzhou. He stayed in the province for over ten years, gaining high prestige in the Baiyue region and earning the love of the people, and was later appointed as General of Light Chariots.
During the Guangda Era, many officials in the southern border areas began to rebel. Emperor Gaozong was suspicious of Fan He because he had long served in the south. In the first year of Taijian, the emperor decreed Fan He to return to the capital to serve as the General of the Left Guard. Fan He was afraid and did not want to go back. Many of his subordinates advised him to rebel, so he raised an army to attack Qian Daoji, the governor of Hengzhou. Qian Daoji quickly reported to the court, and the court dispatched Zhang Zhaoda, a deputy official, to quell Fan He. However, after several engagements, all of them ended in failure. Ultimately, Fan He was captured and executed in the capital; he was only thirty-three at the time, and his entire family was subjected to confiscation, except for his young son, Fan Xun, who was spared from the fate of his family.
Wu Mingche, whose courtesy name was Tongzhao, was from Qin County. His grandfather Wu Jing'an was the governor of Nanqiao in the Southern Qi Dynasty, and his father Wu Shu was the Right Army General of the Liang Dynasty. Wu Mingche lost his parents at an early age but was known for his exceptional filial piety. At the age of fourteen, he found that his grandparents' tomb had not been repaired, and the family was so poor that they could barely afford a meal, so he worked hard to cultivate the land. During that period, a severe drought struck, causing all the crops to wither. Wu Mingche was heartbroken and angry, crying in the fields daily, lamenting to the heavens. A few days later, a farmer returning from the fields claimed that the crops had revived. Wu Mingche thought it was a trick, but when he checked the fields, he found it was true! The harvest in autumn was exceptionally good, enough to provide a proper burial for his grandparents. At that time, there was a person surnamed Yi who was good at feng shui. He told his brother, "On the day of your funeral, someone will ride a white horse chasing a herd of deer through the cemetery. This is a sign that the exemplary filial son will be prosperous and wealthy!" On that day, this prediction came true, and Wu Mingche was indeed that exemplary filial son.
He started as a minor official in the Eastern Liang court. Later, when Hou Jing rebelled and attacked Jiankang, leading to chaos throughout the realm, Wu Mingche's family had over three thousand hu of grain while their neighbors were going hungry. He said to his brothers, "In times of chaos like this, no one knows what tomorrow will bring. How can we enjoy this grain alone?" So he distributed the grain equally among the villagers, so that everyone could eat and drink well together. Even bandits avoided them, and many people survived thanks to this grain.
Later, Yang Jian (Emperor Wen) guarded Jingkou and had a close relationship with Wu Mingche. When Wu Mingche went to visit Yang Jian, the emperor came down to greet him, held his hand, and discussed state affairs with him. Although Wu Mingche had not read many books, he had some knowledge of astronomy, geography, and military strategy. He also considered himself a hero, and Yang Jian greatly appreciated him.
In the third year of Chengsheng, Wu Mingche was appointed as General of Rongzhao and Governor of Anzhou. In the early years of Shaotai, he joined Zhou Wenyu in attacking Du Gan, Zhang Biao, and others. After the eastern front was pacified, he was appointed as Commissioner, Gentleman of the Cavalry, General of the East, Governor of Nanyanzhou, and Marquis of Anwu County. After Yang Jian became emperor, he appointed Wu Mingche as General of Annan and assigned him to lead troops alongside Hou Andu and Zhou Wenyu against Wang Lin. The campaign ended in defeat, and Wu Mingche withdrew his forces back to the capital. After Yang Jian's son, Yang Guang (Emperor Yang), ascended the throne, he instructed Wu Mingche to retain his original position and appointed him as Right Guard General. After Wang Lin's defeat, he was appointed as Commander of Military Affairs in Wuling and Yanzhou, General of Anxi, and Governor of Wuzhou, with his other positions remaining unchanged. Later, the Northern Zhou sent General He Ruodun to lead over ten thousand cavalry and infantry to suddenly attack Wuling. Wu Mingche's forces were insufficient, so he withdrew his forces to Baling and even defeated a unit of Zhou's army at Shuanglin.
In 560 AD, he was appointed Anxi General. Later, during Zhou Di's rebellion in Linchuan, the court sent him to be General of Annan, Governor of Jiangzhou, and concurrently Prefect of Yuzhang, leading a large army to quell Zhou Di's rebellion. He had a rather straightforward personality and did not handle relations with his subordinates very well. Upon hearing this, the Emperor sent Prince Xiao Xu of Ancheng to persuade him to return to court. Not long after, he was appointed General of Zhenqian. In 562 AD, he was promoted to General of Zhendong and Prefect of Wuxing. When he took office in Wuxing, the Emperor told him, "Although Wuxing is just a county, it is the imperial ancestral land, that's why I appointed you. You must do well!" Later, as the Emperor's health declined, he was summoned back to court and appointed Middle Leading General.
After the accession of the Deposed Emperor, he was appointed Leading General, then promoted to Intendant of Danyang, and granted permission to bring forty soldiers in and out of the imperial palace. Later, as the situation escalated with Zhongju's intent to usurp Emperor Gaozong's throne, Mao Xi uncovered this conspiracy. Emperor Gaozong was afraid and suspicious, so he had Mao Xi and Ming Che discuss countermeasures together. Ming Che said to Mao Xi, "This new emperor is not capable; he cannot handle many things well, there are strong enemies outside, and the country has just experienced a funeral. Your Highness, like the ministers Zhou and Shao, is virtuous, even more outstanding than Yi Yin and Huo Guang. The safety of the state rests on your shoulders; I hope you will think carefully and not let anyone suspect you."
Later, when the Governor of Xiangzhou, Hua Jiao, secretly harbored rebellious intentions, the court appointed Ming Che as Commissioner, Cavalry Commandant, Commander of Military Affairs of Xiang, Gui, and Wu three provinces, General of Annan, and Inspector of Xiangzhou, also giving him a ceremonial guard. He was sent with Grand General Chen Yu Liang to suppress Hua Jiao. After pacifying Hua Jiao, Ming Che was appointed Palace Attendant with the title of Duke. In 567 AD, he was appointed General of Zhennan. In 570 AD, he was summoned back to court to serve as Palace Attendant and General of Zhenqian, while retaining his other positions.
During the court's deliberation on the northern expedition, the ministers had differing opinions, but Mingche was a strong proponent of military action. In the year 572 AD, the emperor appointed him as Shizhong and Commander-in-Chief of various military affairs, and also rewarded him with a band of musicians. Mingche led over a hundred thousand troops from the capital, and towns along the river surrendered successively. When the army reached Qin County, they captured their water fortress. The Qi State dispatched General Weipohu to rescue them, but Mingche defeated him, claiming numerous spoils, and Qin County surrendered as well. Upon learning that Qin County was Mingche's hometown, Emperor Gaozong ordered a grand sacrificial ceremony to be held, permitting him to pay respects at his ancestors' graves. The ceremony was elaborate, and the people of his hometown felt very honored.
After capturing Renzhou, the emperor appointed him as the Grand General of the Northern Expedition, granted him the title of Duke of Nanping County, and increased his previous fiefdom to a total of 2,500 households. He then captured two cities at Xiashe.
The army then approached Shouyang City. The Qi State dispatched Wang Lin to mount a defense. Upon Wang Lin's arrival, he and the Shouyang Governor Wang Guixian defended the outer walls. Knowing that Wang Lin had just arrived and the army's morale was not stable, Mingche launched a night attack, defeating the enemy in the early hours, forcing the Qi army to retreat to Xiangguo City and Jincheng.
Mingche ordered his soldiers to intensify the construction of siege weapons and flooded the city with greasy water. The city was damp, and many soldiers suffered from gastrointestinal illnesses, with swollen hands and feet, leading to the deaths of tens of thousands. At this time, Qi State's General Pi Jinghe led several hundred thousand troops to rescue them and set up camp thirty miles from Shouchun, remaining stationary. The generals asked Mingche, "The fortified city has yet to be captured, and the reinforcements are so close. What is the general's plan?" Mingche replied, "Speed is of the essence in warfare. By camping without moving, they have weakened their momentum. I know they lack the courage to fight."
Ming Che personally put on armor, attacked from all sides, and frightened the people in the city. After a fierce assault, he captured Shouyang City, taking Wang Lin, Wang Guixian, Fufeng Wang Ke Zhuhun Xiaoyu, Shangshu Lu Qian, and Left Secretary Li Zhaoyu, all of whom were escorted to the capital. Pi Jinghe was so scared that he ran away, and Ming Che confiscated their camels, horses, and military supplies. Wang Lin was captured, and many of his old subordinates were in Ming Che's army. Wang Lin was very popular with the soldiers, and those who saw this scene couldn't help but cry and couldn't lift their heads. Fearing that Wang Lin might cause trouble, Ming Che sent someone to execute him and had his head sent to the capital. The emperor issued a decree: "Shouchun is an ancient capital, located between the Huai River and the Ru River, controlling the Yellow River and the Luo River. Occupying Shouchun will stabilize the country, making it very important. Grand Minister, General of the Northern Expedition, and Duke of Nangping, Ming Che, is a great talent with outstanding achievements. In the past, he pacified the rebellion and consolidated the royal foundation, just as he had subdued Hengshan and Songshan, pacifying the rebellion, annexing the Yunmeng marshland, and stabilizing the upstream of the Yangtze River. Now he has pacified Shouyang, restored our royal business, acted swiftly with a brave army and unstoppable momentum, conquering the local populace and benefiting the borderlands. Your merits and talents have been recognized, and you are appointed as the commander of the military affairs of Yuzhou, Hezhou, Jiangzhou, Guangzhou, Shuozhou, and Beixuzhou, the General of Chariots and Cavalry, the Governor of Yuzhou, with an additional fief of 3,500 households, and other treatments remain unchanged." The emperor also sent the envoy Xiao Chunfeng to Shouyang to confer Ming Che, set up an altar in the south of the city, with two hundred thousand soldiers lined up, banners fluttering, and weapons at the ready. Ming Che ascended the altar to receive his title, and after the ceremony, the soldiers erupted in cheers.
At first, Qin County was part of South Yanzhou, but later came under the jurisdiction of Qiaozhou. At this time, the court ordered Qin County, Xuyi County, and Shennong County of Qiaozhou to be returned to South Yanzhou in order to restore the original administrative division.
In the sixth year, Ming Che went to the capital from Shouyang to meet the emperor, and the emperor even personally went to his residence, rewarding him with a set of bells and chimes, ten thousand hu of grain, and two thousand pieces of silk, which was quite a generous reward!
In the seventh year, Ming Che attacked Pengcheng. When the army arrived at Lüliang, Qi sent many reinforcements, totaling tens of thousands of troops, but they were no match for Ming Che.
In the eighth year, Ming Che was promoted to the position of Minister of State, while his other duties remained the same. The emperor issued a decree stating: "In the past, armies fought under banners and drums, but recently these rules have been chaotic, and it's difficult to tell friend from foe on the battlefield. Now, the Minister of State and the Grand Marshal will be equipped with axes and banners, and the equipment for other generals will vary based on their rank." Shortly after, Ming Che also obtained military command of five provinces including South and North Yanzhou, South and North Qingzhou, and Qiaozhou, as well as the position of Governor of South Yanzhou, giving him considerable power. This coincided with the Zhou dynasty's conquest of the Qi state, and Emperor Gaozong was preparing to address matters in Xuzhou and Yanzhou.
For nine years, the court ordered a full-scale northern campaign, appointing his son Rong Zhao as general, and Hui Jue, an official from the Ministry of War, to serve as acting governor. Ming Che's army arrived at Luliang, where the Zhou Dynasty's governor of Xuzhou, Liang Shiyi, led the army to resist. Ming Che defeated him several times, forcing Liang Shiyi to retreat and defend the city, no longer daring to come out for battle. Ming Che flooded the city with clear water and filled the area beneath the city with boats, launching a fierce attack. The Zhou Dynasty sent General Wang Gui to lead reinforcements. Wang Gui, with minimal supplies, entered the Huai River mouth from the clear water, blocking the passage of boats by laying wood horizontally and vertically and connecting them with iron chains to the wheels. Upon hearing the news, Ming Che's subordinates were terrified and discussed whether to break the dam, withdraw the army, and transport the horses by boat. The cavalry officer Pei Zilie suggested, "If we break the dam, the boats will definitely capsize. How can this work? It's better to send the horses away first, which is more appropriate." Just then, Ming Che suffered severe back pain, realizing the situation was dire. He agreed to Pei Zilie's suggestion and sent Xiao Moha to lead thousands of cavalry to retreat first. Ming Che himself also broke the dam and retreated with the aid of the water's current, hoping to navigate the challenges. However, when they reached Qingkou, the water level dropped, preventing the boats from passing, and the army disintegrated completely. Ming Che was surrounded and ultimately captured. Shortly after, due to grief and illness, Ming Che died in Chang'an at sixty-seven years old.
In the first year of the Zhide era, the emperor issued a decree saying: "Li Ling was shot by an arrow and had to surrender; Yu Jin was flooded by water and captured alive. It can be seen that the highest realm of using troops is rarely achieved in the world. Therefore, the Minister of the Interior, the Minister of Works, and Lord Ming Che of Nanping, from the beginning of setting out on the expedition to ultimately becoming a marshal, his extraordinary achievements in a hundred battles, deciding victory or defeat, the courage to fight valiantly, all comparable to the famous generals of ancient times! He conquered Huainan and Feixiang, advancing all the way to Pengcheng and Bianzhou, defeating formidable enemies as effortlessly as plucking a hair, wiping out elite troops as swiftly as snow melts. His reputation intimidated foreign tribes, and his achievements were praised by his fellow countrymen. Originally planning to rest in Yinshan and unsaddle in Hanhai, yet after many years of warfare, the soldiers had grown old, the war had come to an end, and he had not been able to complete the achievement of being granted the title of marquis or appointed as a general, yet he had no regrets. He felt that conquering the mountains was as easy as flipping a coin, and pacifying Zhaiwei was not a difficult task. Although his ambition was to establish a career, he unfortunately passed away on the frontier, leaving behind endless regrets, truly regrettable! This matter has passed, having encountered amnesty many times, all his sins have been pardoned, only his solitary spirit has not received any favor, resulting in his title and fiefdom being abandoned, with no one to preside over the sacrifices. Now is the time to set aside past grievances and honor him, starting today! He is posthumously honored as the Marquis of Shaoling County, with a fief of one thousand households, to be inherited by his son Huijue." Huijue later served as a Chamberlain of the Yellow Gate and, for his contributions in quelling the Dabao rebellion, was appointed as the Governor of Fengzhou. Ming Che's nephew Ming Chao, styled Yishi, was very brave and renowned for his courage and skill in battle from a young age. He followed Ming Che in battle and achieved many military merits, rising to the rank of Loyal and Valiant General, Cavalier Attendant, and Governor of Guizhou, being granted the title of Marquis of Runan County with a fief of one thousand households. After his death, he was posthumously appointed as the Governor of Guangzhou and bestowed with the posthumous title of "Jie."
Pei Zilie, also known by his courtesy name Dashi, was a man from Wenzhi in Hedong, the son of Pei Yi, a Cavalier Attendant of the Liang Dynasty. Zilie lost his father at a young age, but he was very ambitious. Amid the chaos of the late Liang Dynasty, he began to study martial arts and became known for his bravery. He followed Ming Che on expeditions multiple times, charging into battle at the forefront each time. He rose to the rank of General Dianwei, Prefect of Bei Qiao, and Intendant of Yueyang, and was granted the title of Count of Haian County with a fief consisting of three hundred households. He passed away in the fourth year of Zhide.
Historians say that Emperor Gaozu pacified the troubled times and ushered in a new era, which is truly remarkable! Hou Jian and Ouyang Wei both conducted themselves with integrity and held high positions, which is genuinely admirable! Wu Mingche served as a general and initially garnered numerous military achievements. However, he suffered a disastrous defeat in the Battle of Lvliang due to his own miscalculations. His courage paled in comparison to that of Han Xin and Bai Qi, and his knowledge was inferior to that of Sun Wu and Wu Qi. Consequently, the country faced significant losses, the army suffered heavy casualties, the defenses of Jinling became vulnerable, ultimately resulting in the downfall of the Zhenming Dynasty. All of this stemmed from his series of missteps! "Hou Jian and Ouyang Wei conducted themselves with integrity, held high positions, and were indeed admirable." "His bravery paled in comparison to that of Han Xin and Bai Qi, his knowledge was not as profound as that of Sun Wu and Wu Qi, which gradually led to territorial losses, military defeats, and the weakening of Jinling, culminating in the fall of the Zhenming Dynasty."
