Zhang Huishao, with the courtesy name Deji, was a native of Yiyang. He had great military talent from a young age. During the reign of Emperor Qiming, he served as the Director of the Imperial Secretariat and was later sent to Jingling Hengsang Shu as the garrison chief. In the early years of Yongyuan, his mother passed away, and he returned to his hometown for the funeral. When he heard that Gaozu had taken up arms, he immediately rushed back to join him and was appointed as a military officer. He was later promoted to General Ning Shuo and Garrison Commander.
When the army arrived at Hankou, Gaozu sent Zhang Huishao and the Garrison Commander Zhu Siyuan to patrol the river, cutting off the supply lines of grain and fodder to the cities of Yingcheng and Lucheng. The naval chief of Yingcheng, Shen Nandang, led dozens of light warships to challenge them. Zhang Huishao defeated him, killed Shen Nandang, and captured all the military equipment. When the army arrived at Xinlin and Zhuque, Zhang Huishao made great achievements in battle. After the capture of Jiankang, he was promoted to General of State, Frontline General, and continued to serve as the Director of the Imperial Secretariat and Chief of the Left. After Gaozu ascended the throne, he was granted the title of Marquis of Shiyang County with a fief of five hundred households. He was further promoted to Valiant Cavalry General, while still retaining his positions as Director of the Imperial Secretariat and Chief of the Left.
At that time, the remnants of the Eastern Huns, numbering hundreds of people, secretly infiltrated the South and North Yegate, set fire to the Shenghu Gate, and killed Wei Zhang Hongce. Zhang Huishao quickly led his troops into battle, killing dozens of people, and the bandits dispersed and fled. Due to this success in battle, his fief was increased by two hundred households. He was then promoted to the Right Guard of the Crown Prince.
In the fourth year of Tianjian, the court initiated a large-scale northern campaign. Zhang Huishao, together with the Champion Historian Hu Xingsheng and General Ning Shuo Zhang Baozi, attacked Suyu, captured the city lord Ma Chenglong, and escorted him to the capital. He also ordered his subordinates to construct fortifications south of the river as a diversion. Soon, the Wei army arrived, defeated his subordinate Lan Huaigong, and Zhang Huishao was unable to hold his ground. That night, he fled back to Huaiyin, and Suyu City was recaptured by the Wei army.
In the sixth year of Tianjian, the Wei army attacked Zhongli. The court ordered General Cao Jingzong of the Left Guard to lead various armies in a rescue mission, stationing them in Shaoyang. Together, Zhang Huishao, Feng Daogen, Pei Sui, and others cut off the Wei army's supply bridges, and the two sides engaged in fierce combat, resulting in a significant defeat for the Wei army. Because of this military merit, his fiefdom increased by three hundred households, and he was appointed to the positions of General of the Left Valiant Cavalry. Shortly after, he was appointed to the titles of Governor, Commander of Military Affairs in Northern Yanzhou, Champion General, and Governor of Northern Yanzhou. The cities of Suyu and Huaiyang in Wei surrendered, and Zhang Huishao was promoted to the title of Intelligent and Martial General for his successful pacification efforts, with his fiefdom increasing by another two hundred households. Later, he returned to the court, served as the Minister of the Imperial Guard, and was promoted to General of the Left Guard. He was later appointed as the Governor, Commander of Military Affairs in Sizhou, General of Trust and Might, Governor of Sizhou, and Prefect of Anlu. He governed the state with integrity and was deeply loved by the people.
Later, Zhang Huishao was appointed General of the Left Guard and also received the title of Imperial Secretariat Attendant, with a hundred soldiers assigned to him for palace duty. Eighteen years later, he passed away at the age of sixty-three. The emperor issued a decree saying, "Zhang Huishao had great ambitions, outstanding talents, was upright and courageous, diligent and dedicated, and had accumulated numerous merits. He served in the Imperial Guard for a long time, loyal day and night. Now, unfortunately, he has passed away, causing us great sorrow. He should be posthumously promoted to a higher position to honor his achievements." He was posthumously appointed as the General of the Guard, given a set of ceremonial music, one hundred pieces of cloth, and two hundred pounds of candles. He was posthumously honored with the title "Loyal." His son, Zhang Cheng, inherited his title.
Zhang Cheng initially held the position of General of the Direct Pavilion, and after his father's death, he was later reinstated as the Prefect of Jinxi. Later, he followed the Governor of Yuzhou, Pei Sui, in the Northern Expedition, achieving numerous military successes and being recognized as a renowned general alongside Zhan Sengzhi, Hu Shaoshi, and Yu Hong. He held several positions, including Minister of the Guard and Left Guard of the Crown Prince, and finally passed away while in office, posthumously honored with the title "Compassionate."
Feng Daogen, courtesy name Juji, was from Guangping County, Zeng. He lost his father at a young age and came from a poor family, supporting his mother through hard work. Even when he had delicious food, he didn't dare to eat first, always quickly taking it back to honor his mother. At the age of thirteen, he was already renowned for his filial piety in the village. When the county invited him to serve as a clerk, he declined the offer. In the year he turned sixteen, a villager named Cai Daoban was appointed as the chief of Huyangshu, and when Cai Daoban attacked the barbarian city of Xicheng and was subsequently surrounded, Feng Daogen went to rescue him. He fought bravely on his own, killing many enemies and ultimately helping Cai Daoban to escape, which made him famous.
In the later years of the Qijianwu era, the Emperor of Wei, Tuoba Hong, led troops to invade five counties including Nanyang. Emperor Ming of Qi sent Grand Commandant Chen Xianda to lead the army to recover the lost territory. As the army entered Jijun Kou, Feng Daogen and the elders of the village welcomed the army with oxen and wine. He then said to Chen Xianda, "The Jijun River flows swiftly, and the march is difficult, but retreat is easy. If the Wei army holds the narrow pass, we will be attacked from both sides. It would be better to abandon all the boats in Zengcheng, advance on foot, set up camps one by one, and then proceed. This would allow us to quickly defeat the enemy." Chen Xianda did not listen to his advice, but Feng Daogen continued to fight alongside his men. After Chen Xianda's defeat, the soldiers fled at night, and many were unfamiliar with the mountain paths. Feng Daogen stopped his horse at dangerous points to guide them, thus saving their lives. He was later appointed as the deputy general of Jijun Kou.
During the Yongyuan period, my mother passed away, so I went back home for the funeral. When I heard that Gaozu had started a rebellion, I said to my relatives and friends, "Although fighting is not in accordance with etiquette, ancient people have also done it, and gaining fame for future generations, isn't that also a form of filial piety? Now is the time; I must go!" So, I rallied the strong young men from my hometown to join Gaozu.
At that time, there was a general named Cai Daofu leading his troops into battle. Gaozu made me his deputy, and we were both under the command of General Wang Mao. Wang Mao attacked Mianyang, besieged Yingcheng, and captured Jiahu. I always led the charge and fought at the forefront. Later, Cai Daofu passed away in the army, and Gaozu appointed me to take over his troops. The army was stationed in Xinlin, and following Wang Mao, we fought a major battle against the enemy at Zhuque Hang, defeating many enemy soldiers. After Gaozu became emperor, he bestowed upon me the title of General of the Valiant Cavalry, granted me the title of Viscount of Zengcheng County, and assigned me a fief of two hundred households. Later, he appointed me as the General of Wende, and subsequently promoted me to the position of Guerrilla General. That year, the Inspector of Jiangzhou, Chen Bozhi, rebelled, and I followed Wang Mao in quelling the rebellion.
In the second year of Tianjian, I was appointed as the General of Ning Shuo and the Administrator of Nanliang, responsible for the defense of Fuling City. Upon arriving at Fuling, I immediately began fortifying the city walls and sent scouts out in all directions, as if the enemy was about to arrive. The people in the city laughed at me for being too cautious. I said, "Usually, people are timid and scared, but when it comes to war, you have to be brave. That's the principle!" Before the city walls were fully repaired, the Wei generals Pang Fazong and Fu Shuyan led twenty thousand troops to suddenly attack the city. With the defenses unfinished and limited forces inside the city, everyone was terrified. I ordered the city gates to be opened, dressed in civilian clothes, I climbed the city walls, selected two hundred elite soldiers to charge out of the city and engage the Wei army, defeating them. Seeing our army effortlessly defeating them and inflicting losses, the Wei army retreated. At that time, the Wei army divided their forces to station troops in areas like Daxiaxi and Dongsang, engaging in a standoff with our city. Wei general Gaozujin led three thousand cavalry to break through the middle, and I led a hundred cavalry to charge and take them down, capturing their war drums, bugles, and military flags. As a result, the Wei army's supply lines were cut off, and the different units had no choice but to retreat. Later, I was promoted to the General of Fuguo.
Wei Rui's capture of Hefei was a significant victory! Dao Gen fought alongside the army, making contributions in every battle. Six years later, the Wei army attacked Zhongli, and the emperor sent Dao Gen to the rescue. Dao Gen led three thousand troops as the vanguard, charging ahead. Upon reaching Xuzhou, he quickly devised a strategy to occupy Shaoyangzhou, built fortifications, dug trenches, and encircled the Wei army's fortifications. Dao Gen was a formidable figure, adept in horseback archery and military strategy, and the construction of the fortifications proceeded swiftly. When the Huai River flooded, Dao Gen used warships to break the Wei army's long pontoon bridge, throwing the Wei army into disarray. The emperor was thrilled and rewarded him with three hundred households and conferred upon him the title of Count. Upon returning, the emperor promoted him to Cloud Riding General and Direct Pavilion General, changing his fief to Yuning County while maintaining the same population and territory. He continued to rise in ranks, becoming Central General, Right Guerrilla General, Wulu General, and eventually the Governor of Liyang. Eight years later, he became General of Zhenyi, granted military authority over Yuzhou, appointed as Governor of Yuzhou, and concurrently served as Governor of Ruyin. He governed with integrity and simplicity, ensuring the citizens enjoyed a peaceful life. Eleven years later, he was appointed Right Guard Commander in the capital. Thirteen years later, he was sent to oversee Xinxing County and Yongning County as General of Xinwu and Xuanhui Marshal. Fourteen years later, he was recalled to the court as a Regular Cavalry Attendant and Right Guerrilla General, also overseeing the Red Robe Pavilion. Fifteen years later, he was promoted to Right Guard General, continuously rising through the ranks.
Dao Gen is a cautious and honest man, who is not very talkative, but he is very capable of leading troops and can manage his soldiers well. Wherever the army goes, the soldiers do not dare to loot the civilians. Every time he returns from battle, he never brags about his accomplishments. Other generals are always eager to take credit, but he always remains humble. His subordinates sometimes complain, and Dao Gen advises them, saying, "The Emperor will assess the merits himself; why should I concern myself with that?" The Emperor once pointed at Dao Gen and said to the Minister Shenyue, "This person never shows off his achievements." Shenyue replied, "He is like a great tree for His Majesty." He served as a local official, known for his fairness and justice, earning the admiration of the people. Although he held a high position in the court, he lived a very simple life, with no walls around his home, and no valuable possessions or attendants. Stepping into his home felt like entering the dwelling of an ordinary poor person. People admired his integrity and disinterest in fame and fortune during that time, and the Emperor also valued him highly. He didn't study much in his youth, but began reading more after rising to a high official position. Sixteen years later, Feng Dao Gen was promoted once more, becoming the military commander of Yuzhou, the Xinwu General, and the Governor of Yuzhou. Before leaving, Emperor Gaozu held a banquet in the Wude Hall to bid him farewell, and even specially summoned a painter to create a portrait for him to remember. Feeling embarrassed, Dao Gen responded, "The only thing I can do for the country is to brave fire and water, to die in battle; but now the world is at peace, and I can't find a place to meet my end." The people of Yuzhou were thrilled to hear that Dao Gen was back. Emperor Gaozu often praised him, saying, "Wherever Feng Dao Gen is, the court does not have to worry about any problems in that province."
Dao Gen fell ill shortly after he arrived in Yuzhou and requested to return to the court. He was appointed as Court Cavalier and General of the Left Army. After returning to the capital, his condition worsened, and the Emperor sent messengers to visit him multiple times. In January of the first year of the Puyuan era, Dao Gen passed away at the age of fifty-eight. Interestingly, on the same day, as the Emperor was about to go to the ancestral temple for sacrifices, he was informed of Dao Gen's passing. Emperor Gaozu asked Zhuyi, a scholar of the Imperial Library, "Should we still go ahead with the sacrifices today, given the mixed omens?" Zhuyi replied, "When Liuzhuang was critically ill, Duke Xian of Wei was coincidentally about to make sacrifices. Standing before Liuzhuang's body, he said, 'Although Liuzhuang was my subject, he was first and foremost a loyal subject of the state! I heard of his passing, and I must go see him.' Duke Xian of Wei went without changing out of his sacrificial attire and even offered sacrifices for him. Although Dao Gen had not reached the level of a loyal subject of the state, he had made significant contributions to the royal family. It is only right to go see him." Emperor Gaozu personally went to Dao Gen's residence and wept bitterly. The Emperor issued a decree stating, "Feng Dao Gen, the Earl of Yuning County, newly appointed Court Cavalier and General of the Left Army, was loyal, accomplished, cared for the people like his own children, defended the borders, and no one dared to challenge him. Even Jie Zun, Feng Yi, Guo Ji, and Li Mu cannot compare to him. His sudden passing has caused us great sorrow. He is posthumously awarded the title of General of Trust and Left Guard General, granted a ceremonial escort, rewarded with one hundred thousand coins and one hundred rolls of fabric, and posthumously honored with the title 'Wei'." His son, Feng Huaixi, inherited his title.
Kang Xuan, courtesy name Changming, hailed from Lantian County in Huashan, Shaanxi. His ancestors came from the Kangju people. Initially, during the Han Dynasty, the Protectorate of the Western Regions was established, and the various countries in the Western Regions submitted to the Han Dynasty. The Kangju people also sent a prince to serve as an official in Hexi, who later settled there and became a commoner, adopting "Kang" as the family name. During the Jin Dynasty, the Longyou region experienced significant turmoil, so the Kang family moved to Lantian. Kang Xuan's great-grandfather served as the Chamberlain for the Crown Prince Fu Jian of the Former Qin, and his grandfather Kang Mu served as the Intendant of Henan under Yao Chang. During the reign of Emperor Wen of the Song Dynasty, Kang Mu led over three thousand households of his fellow villagers to seek refuge south of the Xiangan Mountain in Xiangyang. Emperor Wen of Song established Lantian County in Huashan Prefecture there, and the Kang family lived in Xiangyang. Kang Mu was appointed as the Governor of Qinzhou and Liangzhou. Unfortunately, he passed away before taking office. Kang Xuan's grandfather Kang Yuanlong and father Kang Yuanfu were both highly respected for their virtues and were appointed as the Prefect of Huashan successively.
Kang Xuan was ambitious from a young age and was also quite handsome. When Emperor Qi was the Inspector of Yongzhou, he recruited subordinates from noble families, but Kang Xuan, based on his talents and abilities, was promoted as the Assistant in the Western Bureau. In the third year of Yongming, he was appointed to serve the court. When Emperor Qi was still in the Eastern Palace, he summoned Kang Xuan to serve as his attendant, given their prior acquaintance. However, after his mother's death, Kang Xuan resigned from his official position. After completing the mourning period, he was appointed as the General of Zhenwei and Prefect of Huashan. He genuinely pacified the people, governed the region effectively, and revived the abandoned fields, which brought great joy to the people. He was later promoted to General of the Front Army, returning to serve as the Prefect of Huashan.
In the year 56 AD, the rebel army revolted, and Shen Xuan answered Gaozu's call, bringing with him three thousand valiant soldiers and two hundred and fifty of his own horses to join the cause. "Xuan rallied his county in support of Gaozu, personally leading three thousand brave men and two hundred and fifty of his own horses to follow." He was appointed as the General of the West Central Army, the Chief Military Advisor to the Prince of Nankang, and later promoted to the Deputy General of the State. At that time, the rebel forces were besieging Zhang Chong in Yingcheng, and after a long time of fighting without success, the general of the Eastern Hou, Wu Ziyang, led a large army to fortify in Jiahu, with overwhelming force. "The rebel army was besieging Zhang Chong in Yingcheng for a long time; the general of the Eastern Hou, Wu Ziyang, was stationed in Jiahu, with a formidable army, Xuan followed Wang Mao's forces to launch a fierce assault and ultimately take Wu Ziyang's stronghold." From then on, he often led light cavalry, rushing to support wherever urgent situations arose, earning significant military achievements and plentiful spoils.
In the year 50 AD, Shen Xuan was appointed as the Marquis of Nan'an County, with a fief of 300 households. He was later promoted to General of Assistance to the State and Prefect of Jingling. When the Wei army besieged Liangzhou, the Inspector of Liangzhou, Wang Zhenguo, requested support. Shen Xuan led the local militia to provide aid and successfully repel the Wei army. Seven years later, the Three Passes of Sizhou were under heavy pressure from the Wei army. The court ordered Shen Xuan to assume the position of military governor and General of the Military Expedition, leading troops to support the area. Nine years later, he was promoted to Acting Military Governor, Commander of Military Affairs in Northern Yanzhou along the Huai River, General of Zhenyuan, and Inspector of North Yanzhou. When the city of Qushan surrendered to the Wei army, Shen Xuan immediately sent his Marshal Huo Fengbo to occupy the strategic high ground of Xiaodi, preventing the Wei army from advancing further. The following year, the Inspector of Qingzhou, Zhang Ji, was killed by the local man Xu Daojiao. Shen Xuan sent his Marshal Mao Rongbo to quell the rebellion. Later, he was summoned to serve as General of the Flying Cavalry and Sima of Prince of Linqi, with an additional title as General of the Left Valiant Cavalry. He was soon reassigned as Director of the Imperial Secretariat. Thirteen years later, he was promoted to Right Commander of the Crown Prince's Guard, leading a hundred armored troops and, together with General Xiao Jing, responsible for the palace guard.
Shen Xuan stood eight feet tall and was exceptionally handsome. "Xuan is eight feet tall, with exceptional looks." Despite his high position, he remained committed to practicing martial arts. Once, Emperor Gaozu watched a horse show in Deyang Palace and ordered Shen Xuan to perform a horseback archery performance. He shot arrows with remarkable precision, hitting the bullseye every time, much to everyone's delight. "Emperor Gaozu was pleased with the horse show in Deyang Palace, ordered Xuan to perform horseback archery, and the audience was thrilled." That day, the emperor even had an artist paint a portrait of Shen Xuan and sent a eunuch to ask him, "Do you recognize this painting?" This shows how close the emperor was to Shen Xuan.
At that time, the Wei country's surrendered general Wang Zu presented a plan to build a large dam on the Huai River to irrigate Shouyang City. Wang Zu even referenced a children's rhyme from the north to support his proposal: "Jingshan is the top grade, Fushan is the bottom grade, Tongtuo is the irrigation channel, and it irrigates the vast wild marsh." Emperor Gaozu thought this was a good idea and sent water experts Chen Chengbo and engineering expert Zu Xing to inspect the site. However, they both said that the sand and soil at the bottom of the Huai River were too soft and unstable, rendering the project unfeasible.
However, Emperor Gaozu dismissed their advice and ordered people from Xuzhou and Yangzhou to send five strong laborers from every twenty households to build the dam. He also appointed Xuan as the military commander along the Huai River, responsible for overseeing the project. A total of two hundred thousand people, including laborers and soldiers, participated in the project. The construction started from Fushan in the south of Zhongli and continued to the north of Chanshi, constructing earthen dams along the riverbanks that met in the river's center.
The project has been going on for fourteen years, and it is almost completed. However, the Huai River flows swiftly, frequently washing away the dam, causing headaches for everyone. Some say that there are many flood dragons in the Jianghuai region, and they will destroy the riverbank during storms. These flood dragons are also afraid of iron, so people brought a large amount of iron tools from ironworks on both sides, including pots, pans, shovels, and hoes, weighing in at tens of millions of catties, all sunk to the bottom of the dam. But it still didn't work, so people cut down trees, constructed well-like structures, filled them with huge stones, and covered them with soil. Mountains, trees, and stones within a radius of a hundred miles were all used, and the laborers' shoulders were raw and sore. In the summer, an epidemic broke out, and people began to die in droves, with flies and mosquitoes buzzing incessantly.
Emperor Gaozu saw how much the laborers had suffered for so long and felt very sad. He sent the Shangshu You Pushe Yuan Ang and the Shizhong Xie Ju to comfort them, and also exempted them from taxes. In the winter, the weather was extremely cold, and the Huai River and Si River froze, causing seventeen or eighteen soldiers to succumb to the cold. Emperor Gaozu sent people to deliver warm clothing. In November, the Wei Kingdom sent General Yang Dayan threatening to demolish the dam. General Xuan ordered the troops to pull back from the camp and form ranks outside, and sent his son to challenge them. As a result, Wei's General Xu Fangxing was killed, and the Wei army retreated slightly. In December, the Wei Kingdom sent the Shangshu Pushe Li Tanding to lead a large army to attack, and General Xuan and others resisted with the Xu Zhou governor Liu Sizu. Emperor Gaozu dispatched General Chang Yizhi, Tai Puqing Yu Hongwen, Zhi Ge Cao Shizong, and Xu Yuanhe in succession to provide support.
In April of the fifteenth year of the reign, the dam was finally completed! It is nine li long, one hundred and forty zhang wide at its base, forty-five zhang wide at the top, twenty zhang high, and nineteen zhang and five chi deep. There are embankments on either side, and willow trees have been planted. The soldiers live and work happily, residing on the dam. The river water is crystal clear, and looking down from the dam, you can see the graves of people clearly. Someone said to Xuan, "The Four Floods are meant by heaven to regulate the water and air, and cannot be blocked for long. If a hole is opened in the Qiu (a type of water pit) to let the water flow eastward, the water flow will be eased, and the dam will not break." Xuan took this advice and opened a hole in the Qiu to let the water flow eastward. He also intentionally spread rumors among the people of Wei that, "The people of Liang are most afraid of digging the Qiu, not of wild battles." The people of Wei believed it wholeheartedly and actually dug five zhang into the mountain, opening a hole on the north side of the Qiu to let the water flow northward. The water flowed continuously, but the water level in the Qiu barely dropped. That month, the Wei army was ultimately defeated and retreated. The area affected by the dam stretches for hundreds of li along both banks of the Huai River. The defenders of Shouyang City in Wei gradually relocated to Bagong Mountain, and the southern residents scattered to the hills and fields.
At the beginning, the construction of the dam began in Xuzhou. Governor Zhang Baozi at that time guaranteed that he would be able to handle this matter. However, later on, another person was sent to supervise the project, which put Zhang Baozi in an awkward position. Not long after, the court ordered Zhang Baozi to obey the supervising official and consult him on all matters. This infuriated Zhang Baozi, and he started to speak ill of the supervising official, accusing him of colluding with the Wei Kingdom. Although Emperor Gaozu did not believe him, after the project was completed, the supervising official was reassigned. Later, the official was appointed as the governor of Sizhou, military commander, general, and prefect of Anlu, and was also granted an additional two hundred households. When he returned, Zhang Baozi did not continue to build the dam. In August of that year, the Huai River flooded, the dam collapsed, and the flood rushed towards the sea. Zuxing, the engineer responsible for the dam's construction, was imprisoned.
The supervising official served in the state for three years, diligently repairing the city walls and enforcing strict governance. Everyone said that his governance was highly praised. In the eighteenth year, he was summoned by the court to serve as an attendant cavalier, as well as the Colonel of Changshui, and together with the military guard Wei Rui and the Prince's Right Guard Zhou She, he was on duty in the palace. In the first year of the Putong era, he was appointed as the Minister of the Guard, but sadly, he passed away before assuming his post, at the age of fifty-seven. The emperor personally mourned his passing that day, posthumously promoting him to General of the Right Guard, granting him a set of musical instruments, rewarding him with one hundred thousand coins and one hundred pieces of cloth, and posthumously naming him "Zhuang."
He was known for his kindness and gentleness, rarely displaying strong emotions. In the court, he often appeared taciturn when meeting others, and everyone said he was kind-hearted. In the yamen, when he noticed his subordinates wearing thin clothing in winter, he would gift them warm coats, demonstrating his willingness to help others. His son Yue succeeded him in his title.
Chang Yizhi, from Wujiang in Liyang, displayed great military talent when he was young. During the Qi dynasty, he fought alongside General Cao Hu and earned numerous military honors. After Cao Hu became the governor of Yongzhou, he promoted Chang Yizhi to be a Defensive Officer and later sent him to Fengyi as a garrison commander. When Cao Hu returned to the court, Chang Yizhi continued to serve Emperor Gaozu, who held him in high regard during the chaotic times. When the rebel Yi Army rose up, he was appointed as the Assistant General and Military Commander, and also served as the Chief Military Advisor to Prince Jian'an. At the time, there were enemy strongholds at Qiankou in Jingling, and Emperor Gaozu sent him to attack, achieving victory in every battle. After the army arrived at Xinlin, he and Wang Mao fought fiercely against the enemy at Xinting and Zhuque Hang, securing significant victories. After the capture of Jiankang, he was appointed as the General of the Direct Pavilion and the Right Commander of the Horse Hub. In the first year of Tianjian, he was granted the title of Marquis of Yongfeng County, with a fief of 500 households, and also served as the Valiant Cavalry General. Later, he was appointed as the Prefect of Xuyi. Two years later, he was promoted to Acting General, Supervisor of Military Affairs in North Xuzhou, Assistant General, and Governor of North Xuzhou, stationed at Zhongli. When the Wei forces invaded the region, Chang Yizhi led his troops and successfully defeated them. Three years later, he was promoted to Champion General and granted an additional two hundred households. In the fourth year of our campaign, we launched a large-scale northern expedition, with the Governor of Yangzhou, Prince Linchuan, leading a large army stationed at Luokou. The Prince of Linchuan mobilized his provincial troops in response to the court's orders, serving as the vanguard and attacking the Wei stronghold of Liangcheng, successfully took it.
After five years, Emperor Gaozu ordered the troops to return home after prolonged warfare. The various armies withdrew. Seizing the opportunity, the Prince of Zhongshan in the Wei Kingdom, Yuan Ying, pursued and captured Matou, transporting all the food reserves back to the north. People speculated, "Now that the Wei Kingdom has taken their food back north, they probably won’t attack again." However, Emperor Gaozu remarked, "No, they’re just putting on a show. They will definitely continue their assault." He then sent laborers to build trenches, set up camp at Zhongli City, and ordered the King of Linchuan to prepare for defense.
That winter, Yuan Ying led tens of thousands of troops, including King Yuan Daoming of Anle and General Yang Dayan, to attack Zhongli City. The Wei army built a pontoon bridge on the west bank of Shaoyangzhou, crossing the Huai River to attack. Yuan Ying occupied the east bank, while Yang Dayan occupied the west bank, attacking the city together. At that time, there were only three thousand people in the city, with the King of Linchuan commanding the defense and responding to the enemy's attacks. The Wei army used carts to haul soil to fill the trenches, with soldiers carrying soil and cavalry urging them on. Those who couldn’t return in time were buried under the soil, rapidly filling the trenches. Yuan Ying and Yang Dayan personally supervised the battle, attacking fiercely day and night, pressing forward after each breakthrough, with no one retreating. They also erected tall siege towers and battering rams to attack the city walls, causing sections of the walls to collapse. The King of Linchuan patched the breaches with mud, and although the battering rams broke through, they couldn't destroy the walls. The King of Linchuan was skilled in archery and rushed to rescue wherever the situation was most critical, each arrow he shot hitting its target. After numerous clashes in a single day, tens of thousands of Wei soldiers were killed or injured, with the number of Wei soldiers killed equaling the height of the city walls. The line "the dead of the Wei army are as high as the city walls" poetically captured the heavy casualties suffered by the Wei army.
In the sixth year of his reign, in April, Emperor Gaozu sent Cao Jingzong and Wei Rui with two hundred thousand troops to provide assistance. After the army arrived, they fought a battle with the Wei army, inflicting a crushing defeat. The Wei generals Ying and Dayan fled in different directions. Yi Zhi pursued them with light troops all the way to Luokou before returning. The number of enemy combatants killed and captured was countless. For this military achievement, Yi Zhi was promoted to General Military Advisor, awarded two hundred households of land, and appointed as Commissioner overseeing military affairs in the Qing and Ji provinces, General Conquering the Barbarians, and Governor of Qing and Ji provinces. Before he could take office, he was reassigned as Commissioner overseeing military affairs in the provinces of Nan, Yan, Xu, Qing, and Ji, Assistant State General, and Governor of Nan Yan province. Later, he was dismissed for smuggling prohibited items out of his territory after being reported by authorities. That same year, he was appointed to the Zhu Yi Zhi Ge position, then promoted to General of the Left Valiant Cavalry. His position as Zhu Yi Zhi Ge was retained. He was later promoted to Right Guard General of the Crown Prince, concurrently serving as Chief of Cavalry, and granted the authority of a provisional commission. In the eighth year, he was sent to serve as Commissioner, Commander of Military Affairs in Xiang province, Conqueror of Distant Lands, and Governor of Xiang province. In the ninth year, he returned to the capital to resume his original position, and shortly thereafter appointed as Minister of Works and Marquis of Linchuan, while retaining his military rank. In the tenth year, he was promoted to Right Guard General. In the thirteenth year, he was reassigned to the position of Left Guard General.
In the winter of that year, Emperor Gaozu sent Crown Prince You to lead a large army to build the Jing Mountain Dam. The following year, the Wei Kingdom sent General Li Tan Ding to lead a large army to approach Jing Mountain, threatening to destroy the water dam. The Emperor granted Yizhi the authority to command and sent him to lead Grand Steward Yu Hongwen, Direct Pavilion General Cao Shizong, Xu Yuanhe, and others to rescue Kang Xuan. Before their large army arrived, Kang Xuan had already defeated the Wei army. The Wei Kingdom then sent General Li Ping to attack Xiaoshi, besieging Direct Pavilion General Zhao Zuyue. Yizhi led Wang Shen Nian of the Direct Pavilion and others to the rescue. At that time, the Wei army was formidable, and Wang Shen Nian failed to seize the floating bridge at Xiaoshi, so the reinforcements did not arrive in time, leading to the fall of Xiaoshi. After Yizhi returned to the capital, he was reported to the authorities, but Emperor Gaozu did not pursue the matter because of his contributions.
In the fifteenth year, he was appointed as Commissioner of Military Affairs, Commander of military affairs in Xiangzhou, General of Integrity and Valor, and Governor of Xiangzhou. In the same year, he was appointed as Commander of military affairs in North Xuzhou, General of Pacifying the North, and Governor of North Xuzhou. Yizhi was kind and benevolent, and was good at comforting his soldiers in battle, so everyone was willing to give their all for him. When he served as a local official, the people and officials enjoyed peace. Soon after, the court assigned him a ceremonial guard and bestowed the title of Marquis of Yingdao County upon him, with the same number of households as he had before.
In the third year of the reign of Emperor Gaozu, he was summoned by the court to serve as the Guard General, and his ceremonial guard was retained. In the tenth month of the fourth year, he passed away. Emperor Gaozu was extremely saddened and issued a decree saying: "The Guard General, Marquis of Yingdao County, Chang Yizhi, was exceptionally talented, broad-minded, and made significant contributions to the country. He was about to take on significant responsibilities when he suddenly passed away, leaving me profoundly saddened. He is posthumously appointed as Cavalry Attendant and General of Chariots, and his ceremonial guard is retained. He is granted a set of imperial treasures, a set of court attire, 20,000 pieces of silver, 200 rolls of cloth, and 200 pounds of wax. He is posthumously honored with the title 'Martial'." His son Baoye inherited his title and later served as the General of the Direct Pavilion and Governor of Qiaozhou.
Yao Cha, the Minister of Personnel of the Chen Dynasty, said: Zhang Huishao, Feng Daogen, Kang Xuan, and Chang Yizhi did not achieve significant accomplishments when they first joined the emperor's uprising. However, when their homes were burnt down by bandits, Zhang Huishao gained fame for his courageous fighting. During the sieges at Hefei and Shaoyang, Feng Daogen and Chang Yizhi made many contributions. During the Battle of Fushan, Kang Xuan was in charge of commanding the troops. They all had their own merits, and it was only fitting for the court to recognize their contributions. When they were guarding Tianjiang at Zhenxing earlier, the dam was built; but after they withdrew, the dam collapsed. This was not merely a question of manpower, but also a matter of fate!
