Zhang Qiong, courtesy name Liande, was a native of Daizhou. He was strong and had great military talent in his youth. During the Wei dynasty, he started as a general who quelled bandits and later became an external military officer in the Shuo Prefecture's Command Office, and joined Ge Rong's rebellion. After Ge Rong's defeat, Er Zhu Rong appointed him as a commander. He earned merit by quelling Yuan Hao's rebellion and was appointed governor of Ji County. During the Jianming years, he was appointed as an envoy to the eastern regions and was granted the title of Duke of Xingtang, with a fief of three hundred households. He was later promoted to the Grand Historian. After that, he was appointed governor of Henan and then became the inspector of Jizhou. After Er Zhu Zhao's defeat, he sought refuge with Emperor Gaozu and was promoted to inspector of Fenzhou. During the Tianping years, when Emperor Gaozu captured Xizhou, he was appointed as a comfort envoy and stayed behind in Xizhou. He was later captured by Emperor Wen of Zhou and ultimately died. After his death, he was posthumously granted the titles of Envoy with Special Authority, Commander of the Military Affairs of the Four Provinces of Yan, Grand General, Minister of Works, and Inspector of Hengzhou. He had two sons. The elder son was named Xin, and the younger son was named Zunye.
Zhang Qiong's elder son Xin served as a commander during the Putai years, following Er Zhu Shilong. Due to his achievements, he married Princess Pingyang of Wei and was appointed as the Duke Consort, Grand General, Chancellor, Inspector of Jianzhou, and Earl of Nanzheng County. Zhang Qiong was always worried that his son's official position was too high and often told acquaintances, "In officialdom, it's best to be in a moderate position. Xin's rank is too high, and I am very concerned." As a result, Xin was known to be arrogant and reckless, and he had a tumultuous relationship with the princess, and was ultimately killed by Emperor Wu. People said that Zhang Qiong's initial worries were indeed quite prescient.
Zhang Qiong's youngest son, Zun Ye, was also granted the title of Duke of Gu'an County for his contributions in suppressing Yuan Hao. He was appointed as General of Ningyuan and Governor of Yunzhou. During the Tianping era, he was appointed as the Governor of Qinghe and later promoted to General of Anxi and Inspector of Jianzhou. During the Wuding era, he followed the official Liu Feng to campaign against Hou Jing and was ultimately captured by Hou Jing. After Hou Jing's defeat, he was executed in Guoyang. After Zun Ye's death, Emperor Shizong personally mourned him for his service and posthumously honored him with military command over the four provinces of Bing, Si, You, and An, and appointed him as the Chancellor of the Three Departments and Inspector of Bingzhou.
Hulu Qiangju was from Tai'an County. His family had been tribal chieftains for generations. His father, Hulu Jin, was the Dragon Cavalry General of the Wei state and the garrison commander of Wuchuan. Qiangju was particularly brave and bold from a young age. During the Yong'an era, he followed Er Zhu Zhao to advance to Luoyang, gaining numerous military achievements. Er Zhu Zhao particularly favored him and often took him into battle. Later, after Gaozu defeated Er Zhu Zhao, Hulu Qiangju then submitted to Gaozu. Gaozu recognized his loyalty and held him in high regard.
During the Tianping era, Hulu Qiangju was appointed as Grand Commander, leading three thousand infantry and cavalry to launch a western campaign against Xiazhou, successfully capturing the region. He then followed Gaozu on a western expedition, crossing the Yellow River, where they discussed their attack strategy. Hulu Qiangju said, "Heita (referring to the enemy leader) has assembled a band of ruthless fighters, and their strengths and weaknesses are clear. If they intend to defend stubbornly, they have no supplies or reinforcements to rely on. I assess their situation as that of a cornered beast; if we do not engage them and go straight to Xianyang, which is undefended, we could capture it without resistance. If we eliminate their stronghold, they will have nowhere to escape, and then the heads of Heita's men will hang at the entrance of our camp!" Other generals had differing opinions, and in the end, they fought at Weiqu, leading to a catastrophic defeat for our forces.
As the Tianping period was drawing to a close, Zhang Jian, a man from Yingchuan, led an insurrection and contacted Guanzhong. Hulü Qiangju joined the generals Hou Jing, Gao Ang, and others to suppress them. During the Yuanxiang period, he was appointed as the governor of Qingzhou and granted the title of Marquis of Mixian. During the Xinghe period, the Emperor appointed him as the Grand General of the Central Army, and shortly after, he was transferred to the governorship of Dongxia Prefecture. At that time, the Emperor wanted to pacify the ethnic minorities in distant areas, so he sent Hulü Qiangju to negotiate with Aziluo, promoting the might of Da Wei. He successfully accomplished this mission multiple times, and the Emperor greatly appreciated him. Later, Hulü Qiangju died in office at the age of 36. The Emperor was very saddened and posthumously granted him military titles in Beizhou and Hengzhou, as well as the position of governor of Hengzhou.
Zi Xiaoqing was intelligent and eager to learn from a young age, upright in character, and steadily rose in rank. During the Wuping period of Northern Qi, he became the Attendant to the Emperor and was appointed as the Prince of Yining, overseeing internal affairs and managing the secrets of the foreign and cavalry forces. At that time, the court was descending into chaos, with power in the hands of corrupt officials. Since the death of Zhao Yanshen, among the ministers holding important positions, only Zi Xiaoqing stood out as relatively honest and incorruptible, without engaging in bribery. Later, when the Emperor arrived in Qizhou, he appointed Zi Xiaoqing as the Minister of Works. He also appointed the Palace Attendant Xue Daoheng as the Attendant to the Emperor and granted him the title of Prince of Beihai. These two men advised the Emperor to issue an edict to abdicate the throne to the Prince of Rencheng, and sent Zi Xiaoqing with the edict and the imperial seal to Yingzhou (present-day Laizhou, Shandong). Zi Xiaoqing then went to Ye City, surrendered to the Zhou Emperor, followed him to Chang'an, and was appointed as a Senior Advisor. During the Kaihuang period of the Sui Dynasty, he became the Minister of the Imperial Household and eventually died while serving as the Minister of Civil Affairs.
Liu Shiqing, whose ancestor Liu Ba served as the governor of Yanzhou during the Northern Wei dynasty, had a father, Liu Wei, who was a senior official known as Jinzi Guanglu Dafu. During the Wuping period of the Northern Qi, Liu Shiqing also served as a court attendant and held a position comparable to that of his cousin Zi Xiaoqing. He was very upright and cautious, even more so than Zi Xiaoqing. He was proficient in various minority languages and was regarded as the foremost expert of his time. The Later Emperor ordered Liu Shiqing to translate the Nirvana Sutra into Turkic languages and send it to the Turkic Khan; he also had the Deputy Minister of the Central Secretariat, Li Delin, write a preface for him. Liu Shiqing died during the Kaihuang period of the Sui dynasty while serving as a governor and general of the imperial guards.
Yao Xiong, styled Xiu Wu, was from Shangdang. His ancestor Yao Xuan was the Minister of Agriculture during the Northern Wei, and his father Yao Rong was a deputy minister. Yao Xiong was brave and skilled in battle from a young age, was skilled in horseback riding and archery, and was generous, valuing honor over wealth. He was highly respected by his peers. During the Yong'an period of the Northern Qi, he was appointed as the General of Xuanwei and served as an official in charge of ceremonies, also serving as an envoy to reassure the three states of Hengzhou, Yanzhou, and Shuozhou. He also served as a commander and followed Chilian Yan to suppress Liu Lingzhu's rebellion, restoring order and being appointed as the General of the Eastern Town and the governor of Yanzhou, where he was granted the title of Earl of Chengping with a fief of five hundred households.
Initially, Han Xiong fought alongside Er Zhu Zhao, but Er Zhu Zhao was defeated at Guang'a. Han Xiong then occupied Dingzhou with his troops and surrendered to Gaozu. His brother Han Jie was appointed by Er Zhu Zhao as the governor of Cangzhou, and upon reaching Yingzhou, he learned of Er Zhu Zhao's defeat and sent someone to surrender as well. Gaozu believed both brothers were sincere, so he allowed Han Jie to continue managing the affairs of Yingzhou, and later appointed Han Xiong as the General of Chariots and Cavalry and the governor of Yingzhou, replacing his brother, while also promoting him and granting him an additional fief of five hundred households.
At that time, the court's management was quite lax, and officials colluded with each other, resulting in widespread corruption and bribery. Only Han Xiong upheld integrity and righteousness; he was also kind-hearted and benevolent, so he was deeply loved by the common people. Later, when Emperor Wu of Wei crossed the pass, Han Xiong was appointed Grand Commander and followed Gao Ang to defeat He Ba Sheng in Rangcheng. After that, he participated in the campaign against the Three Jing regions and was appointed Commander of the Four Provinces of Eryu, Yang, and Ying, as well as Governor of Yuzhou. During this time, Yuan Hongwei staged a rebellion in Yingzhou, and a man named Zhao Jizong killed Shao Zhao, the governor of Yingchuan, occupied Lekou, and declared himself Governor of Yuzhou, and colluded with Yuan Hongwei. Han Xiong led troops to suppress him, defeating Zhao Jizong, who fled. The local people, grateful for Han Xiong's arrival, recommended a local man named Wang Chang as governor, but Wang Chang ended up defecting to Western Wei. Han Xiong then teamed up with the acting general Hou Jing to quell the rebellion. After that, the Liang state general Li Hongzhi and Wang Dangbo launched a surprise attack that breached Pingxiang City, causing chaos in the region. Han Xiong laid an ambush, catching them off guard and capturing Li Hongzhi and Wang Dangbo, along with many soldiers from the Liang army. Then Chen Qingzhi, the Governor of Sizhou, led a large army to attack the state city. Han Xiong went out to confront the enemy with great momentum; despite being wounded in two places, he fought even more fiercely, ultimately defeating Chen Qingzhi, who left his supplies behind and fled.
Later, Chen Qingzhi laid siege to South Jingzhou once more. Han Xiong said, "Baigoudai is an important city to the north of the Liang Kingdom, and it is currently vulnerable. Attacking it will surely succeed. If Chen Qingzhi hears this news, he will naturally lift the siege of South Jingzhou, which is what they call 'a chance not to be missed'!" So Han Xiong led his troops to attack Baigoudai, and Chen Qingzhi indeed lifted the siege of South Jingzhou and returned to provide assistance. Before Chen Qingzhi could arrive, Han Xiong had already captured Baigoudai, capturing the Liang Kingdom's garrison commander Gou Yuanguang and two thousand soldiers.
The Liang Kingdom then appointed Yuan Qinghe as the King of Wei to launch an invasion into the southern territories. Han Xiong led his troops to attack, scoring a decisive victory over Yuan Qinghe at Nandun. Subsequently, he, along with the acting governor Hou Jing, broke through the Liang Kingdom's Chucheng. The people of Yuzhou petitioned for Han Xiong to continue as their governor and oversee local affairs.
That rascal He Ruohui colluded with Tian Xun to betray Yingzhou to the Western Wei. The court dispatched Yu Wenxiong, along with Zhao Yu, the governor of Guangzhou, and Shi Yunbao, the governor of Yangzhou, to accompany the acting governor Ren Yanjing in reclaiming it. In response, the Western Wei dispatched Yifeng to their aid, and Ren Yanjing and his men were defeated. Zhao Yu and Shi Yunbao returned to their own territories and surrendered immediately. Meanwhile, Yu Wenxiong rallied the remaining troops to defend Daliang City.
Upon hearing that Yan Jing had been defeated, Emperor Wen of Northern Zhou sent Wei Xiaokuan and others to attack Yuzhou. As a result, Guo Chengbo and Cheng Duobao, who were under Yuwen Xiong, unexpectedly surrendered to Western Wei. They also captured Feng Yong, the governor of Yuzhou, along with his entire family and several thousand of his subordinates' families, preparing to send them to Chang'an. Upon reaching Lekou, Yuwen Xiong sent Wang Hengjia and Helian Jun with dozens of cavalrymen from Daliang to attack, killing Cheng Duobao and bringing Guo Chengbo’s family back to Daliang. Western Wei appointed Guo Chengbo as the governor of Yingchuan, and Yuwen Xiong continued his campaign against Hou Jing. Yuwen Xiong also captured Lekou and took Guo Chengbo prisoner. He then went to attack Xuanhu, driving away Zhao Jizong and Wei Xiaokuan from Western Wei. The court assigned Yuwen Xiong to oversee Yuzhou.
Western Wei reinstated Shi Yunbao as the governor of Yangzhou and stationed him in Xiangcheng; Han Xian also held Nandun. Yuwen Xiong took his troops to attack and captured two cities in one day, capturing Han Xian and his chief of staff Qiu Yue, while Shi Yunbao managed to escape. Yuwen Xiong captured over two thousand of his wives and concubines, along with generals and officials, and sent them all to the capital. The court appointed him as the General of the Cavalry. Later, he joined Hou Jing in pacifying Luyang and was appointed governor of Yuzhou.
Although Yuwen Xiong was a military general, he was quite generous, governing the people fairly, keeping things straightforward in his official duties, and focusing on the big picture. He treated soldiers and civilians well, which made everyone eager to put in their best effort. He spent over a decade on the frontier, earning many accolades, and people in Yuzhou still hold fond memories of him. He was especially kind in helping others, often giving money to those in need and warmly welcoming guests, which earned him much praise. In the third year of Xinghe, the court summoned him back to the capital, and later appointed him to command the troops of ten states: Si, Ji, Ying, Ding, Qi, Qing, Jiao, Yan, Yin, and Cang, to patrol the southwest and defend important passes. In the fourth year of Xinghe, he passed away in Ye City at the age of forty-four. The court posthumously awarded him the titles of Envoy with Authority, Governor of the Military of Qing, Xu, and Jiao, Grand General, Minister of Works, and Governor of Xuzhou, with the posthumous name Wugong. His son was named Yuwen Shisi. His elder brother was named Xiongfen, courtesy name Yanjü. He initially served as a General of Propaganda and a Court Official, later promoted to Central Army General and Grand Minister of Golden Purple, and was also granted the title of County Lord of Anyi. He fought alongside Gaozu in the battle for Ye City, defeating Er Zhu Zhao and others, which elevated his rank to Count. He was later sent to Nanfenzhou as Governor, where the Hu and Yi people both respected and feared him. Xue Chongli of the Western Wei sent troops to attack him, but Xiongfen defeated them decisively, resulting in the surrender of the Xue brothers, who were then sent to the court. After that, Xiongfen was promoted to Cavalry General, Left Grand Minister, and Governor of Yingzhou, before passing away. After his death, he was posthumously recognized as the military commander of the three states: Yan, Yu, and Liang, Minister of Works, and Governor of Yanzhou.
His cousin, his uncle's son, is named Xiong Jie, with the courtesy name Shou. He has a rather impulsive personality, loves drinking, but his military talent is quite good. He has served as a Court Official and as a guard in the imperial palace. He fought alongside the founding emperor to defeat Ge Douling Bu Fan, earned merit, and was appointed General of the Eastern Guard, granted the title of Count of Lecheng, and awarded a fief of one hundred households. Later, he was sent to serve as the Inspector of Cangzhou. When a rebellion erupted, he returned to the founding emperor's side. He followed the founding emperor to capture Ye City, defeating Erzhu Zhao, and his title was elevated to Marquis. Afterwards, he served as a military commander and followed Fan Zihu to Qiaocheng to suppress Yuan Shu, pacifying the rebellion. He then served as the Inspector of Southern Yanzhou, reaping many rewards, but he was decisive, instilling fear in both officials and commoners. Not long after, he was appointed as the acting Inspector for Yanzhou. During the Yuanxiang era, he was appointed Grand General of Chariots and Cavalry, with the title of Duke. Later, he was sent to serve as Grand Commander of Mocheng Town, then transferred to serve as the Inspector of Anzhou, and eventually died in office. After his death, he was posthumously appointed as Commissioner Bearing Credentials, Commander of Military Affairs in Cangying Province, Supervisor of the Right of the Masters of Writing, and Inspector of Cangzhou, with the posthumous title unspecified.
Song Xian, with the courtesy name Zhonghua, was from Xiaogu in Dunhuang. He was a brave and capable individual. Initially, he served as an officer under Erzhu Rong, and later promoted to an officer in Changliu. During the Yong'an era, he was appointed Front Army General and Taishou of Xiangyuan, and later transferred to serve as a military officer in Erzhu Rong's mansion. After helping suppress Yuan Hao's rebellion, he was promoted to General Who Pacifies the East. After Erzhu Rong's death, Erzhu Shilong and others marched to Luoyang, and Song Xian was reappointed as Taishou of Xiangyuan. During the Putai period, he was promoted to Commissioner with Credentials, General Conquering the North, and Inspector of Jinzhou. Later, he pledged allegiance to the founding emperor and was appointed Deputy Chief of the Imperial Secretariat.
Fan Zihu rebelled in Yanzhou, and the former governor of West Yanzhou, Yi Juan, and the governor of Qiao Commandery, Xin Jingwei, held out at Wuliang in response to Fan Zihu. Emperor Gaozu appointed Song Xian as the acting prefect of West Yanzhou and led an army to suppress them. As a result, he defeated the rebels, killed Yi Juan, and forced Xin Jingwei to flee. Afterward, Song Xian was officially appointed as the governor of West Yanzhou. At that time, Lu Yongji, the governor of Liangzhou, rebelled from outside the province, and the Western Wei sent Prince Boling Yuan Yue and Prince Zhao Jun Yuan Jing to confront Lu Yongji. Song Xian led the regional army to intercept and defeat them, killing Yuan Yue and others, and then went to Daliang with General Zuowei Huli Ping. He was later conferred the title of Yitong Sansi. He received a considerable amount of bribes while in the province, but he was brave, decisive, and charismatic, able to manage his subordinates well, and everyone respected him. During the Battle of Heyin, he bravely charged deep into enemy lines and ultimately died on the battlefield. After his death, he was posthumously awarded the title of Sikong.
Song Xian's great-grandnephew, Song Hui, was diligent and studious from an early age, widely read, and fond of writing. During the Wei dynasty, Zhang Mian's "Book of Jin" had yet to be adopted by the court, so Song Hui referenced Pei Songzhi's annotations of "Records of the States" to annotate Wang Yin's "Book of Jin" and "Book of the Restoration." He also wrote "Biographies of Distinguished Scholars of the Middle Period" in ten volumes and "Genealogies and Lineages" in fifty articles. Because different families had various chronologies and calendars with many errors at that time, he reconciled these discrepancies and wrote "Chronological Records," but it remained unfinished and was lost in a flood during the fifth year of Heqing. Although Song Hui was well-read and had a good memory, he was somewhat absent-minded by nature and developed a respiratory illness in his later years, which caused his speech to become slow. After all the books he had written were lost, he beat his chest in despair and cried out, "This is truly the heavens' way of bringing my downfall!" Song Hui passed away in the Tian Tong era.
Wang Ze, with the courtesy name Yuangui, claimed to be from Taiyuan. He was brave and skilled in battle from a young age, with strong martial arts. He initially followed his uncle Wei Guangping, the Minister of Internal Affairs, on campaigns and earned military honors each time. Wei Guangping was recognized by the court, and Wang Ze also benefited from this. Initially appointed as an official due to his military achievements, he was granted the title of Viscount of Baishui. Later, he joined Yuan Tianmu in the campaign against Xing Gao, where he was captured by Xing Gao after penetrating deep into enemy territory. After Yuan Hao captured Luoyang, Wang Ze surrendered to Yuan Hao together with Wei Guangping. Yuan Hao suspected Wei Guangping and executed him. Wang Ze escaped to Guangzhou, where he joined Provincial Governor Zheng Xianhu, and fought against Yuan Hao alongside Zheng Xianhu. After Yuan Hao's defeat, Wang Ze was promoted to General of the Subjugation of Rebels and later served as the Commander of the Defense of Dong Xuzhou.
After Erzhu Rong's death, Husi Chun, the Provincial Governor of Dong Xuzhou and a follower of Erzhu Rong, was filled with fear. At that time, the Liang Dynasty established Yuan Yue as the Wei Prince of Runan and gave Husi Chun troops to send to the border. Husi Chun unexpectedly turned traitor and surrendered to Yuan Yue. Wang Ze and Li Yi, the Administrator of Lanling, jointly attacked Husi Chun's auxiliary forces and defeated them. As a result, the Wei Dynasty appointed Wang Ze to oversee the affairs of North Xuzhou. Later, Wang Ze finally surrendered to Gao Huan (Gaozu) following Erzhu Zhongyuan's defeat. Gao Huan promoted him to General of Southern Conquest and bestowed upon him the title of Purple Gold Grand Minister. Initially following the Provincial Governor of Jingzhou, He Baosheng, he later followed the Prefect Hou Jing, and earned military accolades in numerous battles. During the Tianping period, he acted on behalf of the affairs of Jingzhou, commanded the military of Sanjing, Erxiang, and Nanyong six provinces, and served as the Provincial Governor of Jingzhou. Wang Ze commanded great respect, instilling fear and obedience among the border populace. During the Battle of Weiqu, Wang Ze was surrounded by the Western Wei army, so he deserted the city and fled to the Liang Dynasty. The Liang Dynasty eventually sent him back, and Gao Huan forgave him without holding any grudges.
During the Yuanxiang period, Wang Ze was appointed as the prefect of Luozhou. Wang Ze was greedy and illegally enriched himself in Luozhou, even destroying statues of Buddha in Luoyang to mint coins. At that time, these coins were called "Heyang coins," and they all came from his household. During the Wuding era, he followed Hou Jing on a western expedition. When Hou Jing rebelled in Yingchuan, Wang Ze was stationed at Baiya Garrison. Because Emperor Shizong knew of Wang Ze's military talents, he appointed him as the prefect of Xuzhou. After Hou Jing surrendered to the Southern Liang, the Liang dynasty sent Duke Zhenyang, Xiao Ming, to lead a large army to attack Xuzhou, intending to provide support for Hou Jing, and even constructed an earthen dam to divert the Qing Shui River and flood the city. Wang Ze held out against the siege in Xuzhou for a long time, but his corruption was uncovered, and he was escorted to Jinyang. In the end, Emperor Shizong forgave his offenses. In the spring of the seventh year of Wuding, Wang Ze passed away at the age of forty-eight. The court posthumously awarded him the titles of military governor of Qing and Qi provinces, Minister of Works, and prefect of Qingzhou, with the posthumous title "Lie Yi." My brother Jing Bao rose to a high official position at a young age. Later, he served as the prefect of Dongguangzhou and fought alongside Xiao Gui and others in an attempt to seize Jianye, but they were unsuccessful, and he ultimately lost his life in battle.
Murong Shaozong was the fourth son of Murong Huang and a descendant of Wang Ke, the King of Taiyuan. His great-grandfather, Murong Teng, defected to the Wei state and settled in Dai County. His grandfather, Murong Du, had served as the governor of Qizhou, and his father, Murong Yuan, had been the governor of Hengzhou. Murong Shaozong was exceptionally handsome and robust, was not very talkative in daily life, was deep-thinking, and possessed great courage. Er Zhu Rong was his brother-in-law. At that time, the north was in chaos, and Murong Shaozong took his family to Jinyang to seek refuge with Er Zhu Rong, who treated him very well. When Er Zhu Rong led his troops into Luoyang, he privately said to Murong Shaozong, "The people of Luoyang are numerous and powerful, and the atmosphere of arrogance and decadence is rampant. If we don't kill a significant number of people, it will be difficult to control. I plan to kill them all when the officials come out to welcome me. What do you think?" Murong Shaozong replied, "The Empress Dowager is in power, indulging in debauchery and cruelty, completely unreasonable, and the people of the world are very angry and have abandoned her. You, General, currently command a powerful army and think of loyalty and righteousness, yet you want to slaughter so many scholars. I don't think this is a sustainable solution, and I hope you can reconsider." Er Zhu Rong did not heed his advice. Later, for his military achievements, he was granted the title of Count of Suolu and soon elevated to the rank of Marquis. He followed Emperor Gaozu to defeat Yang Kan and, together with Yuan Tianmu, quelled the rebellion of Xing Gao, experiencing multiple promotions, ultimately becoming the governor of Bing Province.
He Douling launched an attack on Jinyang, and Er Zhu Zhao went to fight him, but was repeatedly defeated by Bufen. He wanted to use the troops from Jinzhou to attack Gaozu and confront Bufen together. Murong Shaozong advised him, "The world is in chaos now, and everyone has ambitions. This is precisely the time to use wisdom. Gaozu is the general of Jinzhou; he stands out, is fierce and exceptionally brave, like a fierce dragon. How can we lend him strength?" Er Zhu Zhao angrily replied, "I have treated the general of Jinzhou sincerely; why do you suddenly doubt me and say such things!" He then imprisoned Murong Shaozong, releasing him only after a few days. Later, Er Zhu Zhao handed over the Xianbei troops to Gaozu. Gaozu and Er Zhu Zhao jointly attacked Bufen and defeated him. When Gaozu raised his army in Xindu, Er Zhu Zhao appointed Murong Shaozong as the chief historian and appointed him as the commander, leading the troops to guard Huguan against Gaozu. After defeats at Guang'a and Hanling, Er Zhu Zhao clutched his chest in despair and regretted, saying, "If I had listened to your advice earlier, how did we end up in this situation!"
Speaking of Murong Shaozong, his elder brother Murong Zhao was defeated at Hanling, and the soldiers fled in panic. Murong Zhao, terrified, tried to sneak away. Just then, Murong Shaozong quickly raised the flags and sounded the horns to gather the loyal brothers, boosting troop morale instantly, and then he and Murong Zhao slowly mounted their horses. Later, Gaozu Liu Yuanjing set out from Ye City to pursue Murong Zhao in Jinyang. Murong Zhao, cornered, fled to Chihuan Ridge and took his own life.
When Murong Shaozong reached Wutu City and saw Gaozu's army approaching, he surrendered with Murong Zhao's wife, children, and remaining followers. Gaozu was very pleased, showed him great favor, retained his original official position and title, and frequently included him in military planning and strategy.
At the beginning of the Tianping era, Emperor Gaozu relocated the capital to Ye City. Many matters were not yet arranged, so he had Murong Shaozong and Gao Longzhi jointly in charge of managing the treasury's accounts and records. Two years later, a commoner named Li Yansun from Yiyang led a rebellion. Emperor Gaozu appointed Murong Shaozong as the military governor of the Southwest Road, commanding General She Di Ansheng and his troops to quell the rebellion, which he quickly suppressed. After his triumphant return to court, Murong Shaozong was appointed as the governor of Yangzhou, and shortly thereafter, he was promoted to governor of Qingzhou.
In the Prime Minister's office, there was a secretary named Sun Qian, who wanted Murong Shaozong to arrange a position for his brother as the chief clerk in the province, but Murong Shaozong refused. Sun Qian went to complain to Emperor Gaozu about Murong Shaozong, saying, "Murong Shaozong once climbed to Guanggu City, sighed deeply, and said to those close to him: 'A real man will eventually restore his ancestral estate, right?'" When Emperor Gaozu heard this, he summoned him back to court.
During the Yuanzhang era, the Western Wei general Dugu Ruanyuan occupied Luozhou and the areas of Liangzhou and Yingzhou, resulting in rampant banditry and chaos. Emperor Gaozu sent Murong Shaozong with troops to Wulao, where he collaborated with Acting Governor Liu Gui to quell the rebellion. Consequently, Murong Shaozong was granted the title of Duke and appointed as the Minister of Revenue. Later, he also served as the governor of Jinzhou and the Grand Chancellor of the Western Road, and upon returning to court, he was promoted to Deputy Inspector.
During this time, Liu Wuhe of the Liang state invaded Xuzhou. Emperor Gaozu ordered Murong Shaozong to lead troops to attack, achieving a significant victory. Consequently, Murong Shaozong was appointed as the governor of Xuzhou. Liu Wuhe regrouped his defeated troops and returned to harass again.
Hou Jing rebelled. The Emperor appointed Shao Zong as the acting governor of the Southeast Circuit and promoted him, raising him to the rank of Duke of Yan County, and sent him along with Han Gui and others to Xiaqiu to prepare for an offensive. Emperor Liang Wu dispatched his nephew, Duke Zhenyang Xiao Yuanming, with an army of 100,000 to camp at Hanshan, to counter Hou Jing, and also diverted water from the Si River to irrigate Pengcheng. The Emperor then ordered Shao Zong to command the armies of Xuzhou and Yanzhou, sending him to join General Gao Yue in the campaign against Hou Jing. Consequently, they won a decisive victory, capturing Xiao Yuanming and his generals, as well as capturing many prisoners. Shao Zong then returned to Guoyang to face Hou Jing.
At that time, Hou Jing had a large army, and the previous generals sent to attack him had all been soundly defeated. Upon hearing that Shao Zong and Gao Yue were approaching, Hou Jing became fearful and told his subordinates: "Gao Yue's forces are formidable, and Shao Zong is my longtime rival; we must proceed with caution!" Consequently, during the battle with Shao Zong, Hou Jing's generals hesitated and dared not charge first. With a command from Shao Zong, the troops charged forward, and the other generals followed, which forced Hou Jing to flee. After the battle, the Emperor conferred upon Shao Zong the additional title of Count of Yongle. Earlier, before his death, Emperor Gaozu had told Emperor Shizong: "If Hou Jing rebels, let Murong Shao Zong deal with him." Now it seems that Emperor Gaozu's words have indeed proven true!
The Western Wei sent their chief general Wang Sizheng to occupy Yingzhou and appointed Yuwen Shaozong as the head of the Southern Route, along with General Gao Yue, Yitong Liu Feng, and others to attack Yingzhou, and dammed the Wei River to flood the city. At that time, Yuwen Shaozong often had nightmares and felt very uneasy. He privately told those around him, "Since I turned twenty, I have always had long garlic-shaped hair, but recently all my garlic-shaped hair suddenly fell out. In that case, garlic and 'calculate' sound the same; does this mean my fate is sealed?" Not long after, he and Liu Feng went to inspect the dam and saw dust flying in the north, so they boarded a boat together. Suddenly, a violent storm came from the northeast; everything was pitch black, the boat's tether snapped, and the boat was blown straight towards the enemy's city. Yuwen Shaozong knew he would not survive, so he jumped into the water and committed suicide; he was forty-nine years old. The soldiers mourned deeply, and the court was equally heartbroken. The court posthumously granted him the titles of governor over seven provinces, the Shangshu, the Grand Commandant, and the governor of Qingzhou, with the posthumous title of Jinghui. His eldest son, Yuwen Shisui, was appointed as a cavalier attendant. Later, Yuwen Shisui was executed for conspiracy. Considering Yuwen Shaozong's contributions, the court only punished Yuwen Shisui. During the early years of Emperor Huangjian, Yuwen Shaozong was commemorated in the ancestral temple. Yuwen Shijian, Yuwen Shaozong's brother, inherited his title. By the end of the Wuping period, he rose to the rank of Yitong Sanji. During the Sui Dynasty, in the Kaihuang era, he attained the rank of Grand General and became the governor of Diezhou.
It is said that Xunyi has always had a bit of a roguish spirit since he was young, valuing righteousness, being generous and valuing his reputation, and enjoying the company of those with a bit of social standing. Whenever someone runs into trouble, they often turn to him for help, and he's good at keeping people safe, quite loyal. Later, when Prince Weixianyang became the Governor of Sizhou Province, he brought Xunyi on as a legal officer; and when Prince Weibeihaihao served as an official in Xuzhou, he brought him over as a scribe. During the Zhengguang period, the country was in chaos, with wars everywhere. Prince Weibeihaihao was appointed as the General of Conquering the West, overseeing Huazhou, Binzhou, and East Qin, also serving as the Left Minister and the Western Path Envoy, and he appointed Xunyi as his commander. At that time, the court declared that anyone who could recruit three thousand men would become a separate general. So Xunyi returned to his hometown in Hedong, traveled to Pingyang, Hongnong, and other places, and managed to recruit over seven thousand men in one go, after which he was directly appointed as General of Anbei and as a Separate General of the Western Path. Before long, Dongxia, Xixia, Nanhua, Beihua, and Binzhou all revolted, and Prince Weibeihaihao personally led troops to suppress the rebellion. Xunyi and his troops also made quite a name for themselves. Later, a bandit leader named Chen Shuangchi occupied the banks of the Fen River, and the court named Xunyi as the Grand Commander, together with the Supervisor Chang Sunzhi, to attack him. Coincidentally, this Chen Shuangchi was Xunyi's fellow villager, so Xunyi easily went to his camp, discussed the stakes involved, and he agreed to surrender. After that, Xunyi was made General of Longmen Town.
Later, the righteous clansmen, including Feng Xian, rebelled, surrounding Longmen Town. Chaos ensued, and Xunyi also had ulterior motives, considering rebellion himself. He joined forces with Feng Xian, self-styled "General Huangyue." The court sent Zongzheng Zhensun to quell the rebellion. Before the army arrived, Xunyi soon regretted his actions and quickly sent his subordinate Sun Huaiyan to the court to plead for mercy and request a general to persuade him to surrender. Emperor Xiaoming of Wei sent the Grand Secretary of the Northwest, Hu Yuanji, to persuade Xunyi to surrender. Xunyi surrendered, but Feng Xian and his followers continued to resist. Changsun Zhi's army was in Hongnong, and Zhensun's army was in Lingqiao, unable to make any progress for the time being. Xunyi, along with his uncle Shanle, brother Jiazhu, and others, organized a militia to prepare to confront Feng Xian, even writing a letter to inform him of the consequences of his rebellion. In the end, Feng Xian also surrendered, being appointed as General Longxiang and granted a title and fiefdom. Xunyi was also appointed as Marquis of Fenyin County, with a fief consisting of 800 households.
Erzhu Rong, an unpredictable man, was eventually taken to Jin Yang and imprisoned alongside Gao Ang. After Erzhu Rong was brought to Luoyang, he kept Xunyi and the others nearby, confining them in the Tuoniu Office. After Erzhu Rong's death, Emperor Xiaozhuang of Wei appointed Xunyi as the Grand Governor of Hongnong, Hebei, Hedong, and Zhengping, a highly lucrative position!
At that time, the ancestor, referring to Yuwen Tai, was the Inspector of Jinzhou. He treated Xunyi very well and took care of him. Later, Erzhu Zhao proclaimed Wei Changguang Wang as emperor and promoted Xunyi to Right General and Inspector of Shanzhou, also giving him the honorary title of General Annan, to enhance his reputation. When Emperor Xiaowu of Wei just ascended the throne, he appointed Xunyi as Commissioner, Rear General, and Inspector of Nanfenzhou, as his official rank continued to rise.
During Emperor Gaozu's uprising, he was in Xindu, where he defeated four tribes of the Hu at Hanling. After that, Gaozu sent him to pacify Xunyi, managing affairs from Jinyang to Bingzhou. Later, he followed Gaozu to quell the rebellion of Er Zhu Zhao. When Emperor Wu entered the passes, Gaozu sent him to meet at Lintong Pass and appointed him as the acting governor of the right flank of the pass, crossing the Yellow River at Longmen. At that time, Xue Chongli, the governor of North Huazhou in the Western Wei, stationed his troops at Yang's Wall, and he wrote to persuade him to surrender, resulting in Xue Chongli's surrender along with over ten thousand troops. When Fan Zihu occupied Yanzhou, he again followed Grand Marshal Lou Zhao to subdue Fan Zihu.
During the Tianping years, he was appointed as General Wei and General of the Southern Middle Army, while also serving as the governor of Jiyun County, and the commander of five counties: Dunqiu, Huaiyang, Dongjun, and Liyang. Later, he was transferred to serve in Eastern Xuzhou. In the early years of Yuanxiang, he was conferred the title of Yitong. In the Battle of Shayuanzhong, he retreated with the army. After returning, he was responsible for the affairs of Jinzhou. At that time, Zu Ye had abandoned the city and fled, and he pursued him to Hongdong, persuading Zu Ye to return and defend the city, but Zu Ye did not listen. He returned to Jinzhou himself, properly organized the troops, and firmly defended the city. Changsun Ziyan, the Yitong of Western Wei, besieged Jinzhou with his forces. He opened the city gates, set an ambush and waited for them. Changsun Ziyan was caught off guard by the ambush inside the city and fled. Gaozu held him in high regard and appointed him as the governor of Jinzhou, while also acting as governor of Southern Fen, Eastern Yong, and Shan provinces, rewarding him with one thousand bolts of silk.
During his time as an official in Jinzhou, he captured Duan Rongxian, the Prefect of Zhengping appointed by the Western Wei, and also secured the surrender of several tribes, including the Hu chieftain Hu Chuili, totaling several thousand people. He then reported to the court and established Wucheng County to accommodate them. When Gao Zhongmi rebelled, the court appointed him as the Acting Governor of the Southwest Circuit, hoping he would restrain the enemy forces, but he chose not to go. Later, he was appointed as the Governor of Qizhou, but was dismissed for corruption and bribery. However, considering his previous contributions in Jinzhou, his official position and noble title were restored, and he was made the Minister of War. At that time, the Hu tribes from the mountains were invading Jinzhou, and the court sent him to pursue them, but he was defeated. He was promoted to Marquis of Zhengping and also given the title of Minister of State. Emperor Shizong, following the will of Emperor Gaozu, reduced his fief by two hundred households and additionally granted him the title of Baron of Pingxiang. In the early years of Tianbao, he was appointed as the Protector of the Army and also granted the title of Duke of Lantian County, and was appointed as the Grand Tutor to the Crown Prince. He died in July in the fifth year of Tianbao at the age of seventy-seven. The court posthumously awarded him the titles of Military Commander of Jinzhou, Taihua Prefecture, and San Prefectures, as well as the Minister of Works and the Governor of Jinzhou, and presented him with three hundred pieces of cloth. His son Wenshu succeeded him in his title.
Xun Yi's younger brother is named Jia Zu, who has a bold personality. He initially served as a low-ranking official and later was promoted to Governor of Zhengping. When Gaozu was in Xindu City, Jia Zu heard about it and rushed to join him. He followed Gaozu to suppress the Four Hu rebellion in Hanling and was then appointed as the governor of Huazhou. Later, when Heba Yue refused to follow orders, Gaozu ordered Jia Zu to station troops by the river to resist Heba Yue's large army. As a result, Jia Zu abandoned his horse and swam across the river to join Gaozu. Because of this, Gaozu appointed him as Governor of Yangzhou, where he eventually passed away in office. His son is named Zhen, courtesy name Wenxiong. During the Tianping period of Northern Qi, he was ordered to guard Longmen, but was captured by the Western Wei forces and only managed to escape during the Yuanzhang period. Gaozu greatly appreciated his loyalty and appointed him as Governor of Guangzhou. Later, he accompanied Murong Shaozong to campaign against Hou Jing, and due to his contributions, he was granted the title of Count of Fushi County. In the fourth year of the Tianbao era of Northern Qi, he participated in the campaign against the Shan Hu, notching numerous military successes, ultimately being promoted to Governor of Qiao Prefecture.
Xun Yi's cousin, Yuan Ying, is the son of Guang Chi, who once served as Governor of Dongyongzhou and the Minister of Rites. Yuan Ying is known for being honest and cautious, valuing loyalty and brotherhood. He initially served as a military advisor under Prince Yong'an, later managing Xiurong County with excellent political achievements and a strong reputation. He was steadily promoted to Deputy Chief of Dingzhou, and thanks to his integrity and diligent governance, he was appointed as the governor of Yuyang.
Chi Lieping, with the courtesy name Shaguai, was from the western part of Daizhou, and his ancestors were all chieftains. Chi Lieping was handsome, with a beautiful beard, and skilled in horseback riding and archery. He inherited his ancestors' position and became the tribal leader, was titled the Count of Linjiang. During the Xiaochang period, rebellion broke out in Balin, and remnants of the Ruru invaded Mayi. Chi Lieping led his army to fight, achieved military exploits and was promoted to a different rank. Later, Mutu rebelled alongside Liu Hulun, Hulukekanalv, and others. Chi Lieping was appointed as the commander, and he quelled the rebellion of Hulun and others. During the reign of Emperor Xiaozhuang of Northern Wei, he was appointed as the General of Wuwei. He followed Erzhu Rong in defeating Ge Rong and Yuan Hao, and was promoted to the General of the Central Army and the General of the Right Guard, titled as the Count of Yintao County with a fief of 700 households. After Erzhu Rong's death, he, Erzhu Rong's wife, and Erzhu Shilong fled to the north together. When King Changguang, Yuan Ye, ascended the throne, he was appointed as the General of the Right Guard and the Grand Commander of the Capital Region.
It is said that back then, the Erzhu family was arrogant and oppressive, causing the common people to live in fear of chaos. Later, when Emperor Gaozu rebelled, this man joined the rebellion, and after quelling it, he submitted to the court. He helped Emperor Gaozu pacify Ye City and defeated the nomadic tribes at Hanling. When Erzhu Zhongyuan fled, he was appointed as the Grand Administrator of Dongzhou. After the war ended, he followed Emperor Gaozu in pacifying Erzhu Zhao. Later, he allied with the military leader Lou Zhao to confront Fan Zihu, successfully subduing him. The court appointed him as the Commissioner and Governor of Huazhou. When Gao Zhongmi rebelled, he fought alongside Emperor Gaozu to defeat Emperor Zhouwen at Mangshan.
During the Wuding period, he was appointed as the governor of Kuozhou. Five years later, he was promoted to the position of Imperial Counselor and stationed at Heyang. Eight years later, he was promoted to the rank of Marquis. At the beginning of the Tianbao period, he was appointed as the governor of Yanzhou, shortly after being appointed as Grand Minister, and was also granted the title of Lord of Lintao County. Three years later, he and other generals marched south to campaign against the Jianghuai region, capturing Yangping County. When the Chen forces besieged Guangling, the court ordered him to lead the troops from all over Henan to their rescue. After the Chen army retreated, he returned. In the summer of the fifth year of Tianbao, he died in office at the age of fifty-one. The court posthumously conferred upon him the titles of military governor of Ying, Cang, and You provinces, the governor of Yingzhou, and the supervisor of the Imperial Secretariat, with the posthumous title Zhuanghui. His son Xiaozhong inherited his title.
His younger brother, Zhangyi, rose to the positions of Shizhong and Imperial Counselor during the Wuping period and was granted the title of Prince of Xinning. During the Kaihuang era of the Sui Dynasty, he was promoted to the position of Zhuguo and eventually died while serving as the Changshi of Jingzhou. Although he lacked any exceptional talents, he was renowned for his integrity and competence while in office.
Sa, a descendant of the Xianbei people, came from a distinguished lineage. His great-grandfather, Rong, was the governor of Jinmen and Huazheng Counties in the Wei Kingdom. His father, Ju, was a general and also commanded a local army. During the Zhengguang era, the Six Garrisons Rebellion erupted, and the Sa family fled south with their possessions, seeking refuge with Erzhu Rong in Xiurong County.
Later, following Erzhu Rong into Luoyang, he was appointed as the commander of the Yangwu Army and was granted the title of Prince of Jiangxia due to his military achievements. He helped Erzhu Rong suppress the rebellion of Ge Rong and earned numerous merits, eventually rising to the position of General of Zhen Nan. After Erzhu Rong's death, he followed Erzhu Zhao into Luoyang, becoming the Grand Commander of the Army and fighting alongside Erzhu Zhao at Hanling. When Erzhu Zhao was defeated, he surrendered to Gaozu along with his troops. Gaozu appointed him as the Third Leader of the Lingmin and later promoted him to Commander of Zhencheng in Qinzhou and Inspector of Beiyongzhou. During the Tianping era, he was transferred to Dongshouyang as the Commander of Sanquan. During the Yuanxiang era, he served in Yanzhou, and later was promoted to Grand Commander of the Lingmin in Linyuan, also being granted the title of Count of Changguang. At that time, the Rouran frequently raided, inflicting significant suffering on the people. Gaozu sent him to handle the situation. Upon his return, he was appointed as Yitong Sanji. Later, he served as Grand Commander of Wucheng, stationed in Heyang. He was then promoted to Grand General of Chariots and Cavalry, granted the title of Duke of Xing Tang County, and had three hundred households from Bohai County added to his fief. He was then appointed as Inspector of Jinzhou, granted the title of Baron of Anling County, with a fief of two hundred households, and his rank was elevated to General of Cavalry. After Northern Qi replaced Northern Wei, his title was changed to Duke of Yiyang County.
Murong Yan, styled Shide, was from Cheng'an in Qingdu, and was a descendant of Murong Hui. His father, Chitou, had served as the Prefect of Nandun in Wei, and was exceptionally tall, measuring one zhang in height and nine chi in waist circumference, demonstrating his considerable strength. During the Wuping era, he was posthumously honored with the title of Grand General of the Household, Left Supervisor of the Masters of Writing, Commissioner, Commander of the Military Forces of Cang and Heng, and Inspector of Hengzhou.
He is very handsome and has a great sense of style, but he is not particularly fond of reading. He is very interested in studying military strategy and is highly skilled in horseback riding and archery. During the Zhengguang era, Yuan Chen, the King of Hejian in Wei, led troops to rescue Shouchun and appointed him as the commander of the left flank army. Because of his achievements in battle, he was awarded fifty rolls of cloth. The troops were stationed at Xixiaoshi, and he took part in the relief of Woyang, as well as suppressing Cangling City and Jingshan Shu. When generals from the Liang Dynasty, led by Zheng Seng, came to challenge, he led the army to fight and killed the Liang general Xiao Qiao, sending the Liang army into a panic. He also launched a surprise attack and defeated the army of Wang Shen Nian, capturing more than two hundred people and nearly capturing Wang Shen Nian himself. Three years later, the Liang Dynasty sent troops to attack Dongyu Prefecture, with General Yuan Bao leading the expedition, and he served as a deputy general. In the battle against Zheng Haizhen, he killed the Liang generals Zhu Sengzhen and Qin Tai. He also defeated the bandit leader Wang Gou in Yangxia and restored peace to the region.
During the Xiaochang period, Erzhu Rong entered Luoyang and appointed him as the commander of the southern command. During the Yong'an period, Xijingzhou was besieged by the Liang general Cao Yizong, and he volunteered for the mission. At that time, the Northern Yu Prefect Song Daijian was secretly plotting a rebellion, so he led a light cavalry unit to catch him off guard, went straight to the city, and shouted loudly, "The army has arrived, why hasn't the prefect come out to greet us?" Song Daijian was startled, confused about what to do, and hurried out to greet him, only to be captured on the spot, restoring peace to the entire county. He also defeated the Liang generals Ma Yuanda, Cai Tianqi, and Liu Baijia, earning numerous military merits and being appointed as the General of Crossbow Forces. Later, he fought against the Liang generals Wang Xuanzhen and Dong Dangmen, defeating them all, lifting the siege of Rangcheng City, and recapturing Nanyang and Xinxiang. He was later promoted to the General of Accumulated Shooting and appointed as the commander of Yuzhou's defenses.
After the failure of Er Zhu Rong, Li Bao sought refuge with Gaozu along with Li En, the governor of Yuzhou. Thanks to his military accomplishments, he rose through the ranks to become the General of Andong, then the Prefect of Gaoliang, and later the Prefect of Wucheng and the Governor of Dongyongzhou. Li Bao faced defeat in the Battle of Shayuan, and the Governor of Jingzhou of Western Wei, Guo Luan, attacked him. Li Bao held out for over two hundred days, fought day and night, ultimately defeating Guo Luan's army, decapitating more than three hundred enemy soldiers, and capturing Guo Ta, the Governor of Western Wei. At that time, many states and counties were captured by the enemy, but Li Bao was the only one to hold his ground. This led to his promotion to General of Zhennan. In the third year of Wuding, Li Bao led troops to lift the siege of Xiangzhou. He undertook several missions to the Rouran. He also participated in the campaign against Yubi, and the Emperor rewarded him with seven hundred rolls of cloth, along with various garments and hats. In the fifth year, he was stationed at Heqiao Wucheng. During Hou Jing's rebellion, Li Bao went to Chencun to combat the bandits, capturing She Di Helai under Hou Jing, as well as the pseudo-governor Zheng Daohe, the Governor of Yanzhou Wang Yanxia, and the Acting Platform Di Chang, among others, resulting in the deaths of over a hundred individuals. He then returned to Xiangcheng, where he captured Hou Jing's pseudo-governor Xin Guang, Cai Zun, and two thousand of their troops. In the sixth year, he was appointed Governor of Qiaozhou, where he achieved numerous military successes and secured the surrender of many individuals. In the seventh year, he was appointed Governor of Jiaozhou. In the early years of the Tianbao era, he was appointed as the General of the Palace of Opening the Treasury. Six years later, the Liang state's Minister Lu Fahe and General Song Shi led their troops in surrendering the city of Yingzhou. At that time, Prince Qinghe, leading his troops by the river, convened the generals to discuss, stating, "Yingzhou is outside the river, the hearts of the local people are still unstable, we need to choose a commander who is capable, strategic, loyal, brave, and exceptional for this task!" Everyone unanimously recommended him. Prince Qinghe found this very fitting, so he dispatched him to defend Yingzhou.
He had just arrived in Yingzhou City when the Grand General of the Liang Dynasty, Hou Zhen, and Ren Yue suddenly led their naval and land forces to the city. He took defensive measures in response to the situation, and Hou Zhen and his men were unable to capture the city. He also built a reed fence several miles long on the upstream Parrot Island to block the passage of vessels. News was cut off, and Yingzhou City was isolated and helpless, which instilled fear in the people inside. He inspired them with loyalty and righteousness and comforted them to ease their anxiety. There was originally a temple in the city, commonly known as the City God Temple, where people prayed during times of personal and communal hardship. Therefore, he heeded the soldiers' wishes and prayed together, hoping for divine protection. Before long, a fierce wind whipped up, and massive waves crashed in, breaking the reed fence. Ren Yue then connected it with iron chains for reinforcement, strengthening the defenses even further. He led everyone to pray again, but at night, the strong winds and huge waves appeared once more, breaking the iron chains, and this happened repeatedly three times. The people in the city rejoiced, believing that the deities were helping them.
Hou Zhen relocated the army to the northern part of the city, constructed a stockade and camp, and set fire to the houses and shops in the city, reducing all the property to ashes. Ren Yue led more than ten thousand soldiers, each armed with siege weapons, and camped in the south of the city, launching a pincer attack from the north and south. He led the infantry and cavalry out of the city to strike the enemy hard, securing a resounding victory and capturing more than five hundred people. Previously, Yingzhou City was low-lying, and the city walls were crumbling, so he repaired the walls and built many tall buildings. He also constructed ships and made comprehensive preparations for both land and naval defenses, with work continuing without pause
In May, Hou Han, Ren Yue, and others once again joined forces to launch a full-scale attack on Yingzhou City. The city suffered from a shortage of food, as the supply routes were blocked. As a result, they had no choice but to cook leaves from locust, mulberry, and paper mulberry trees, as well as wild grasses such as hemp roots, water caltrop, kudzu roots, and mugwort, along with boots, belts, tendons, and horns to stave off hunger. When someone died, their flesh was cooked and shared among the others, leaving only bones behind. He still ordered his soldiers to maintain clear rewards and punishments, to share weal and woe, and to live and die together. From the first month to the sixth month, no one in the city wavered in their determination. Later, Xiao Fangzhi ascended the throne and sent envoys to request peace talks. Emperor Xianzu believed that defending Yingzhou City across the river was inconvenient and issued an edict for him to return to the court. He bid farewell to the emperor, overcome with sorrow. The emperor called him to come forward, held his hand, stroked his beard and hair, took off his hat to look at his hair, and sighed for a long time. The emperor said to him, "Looking at your appearance now, I can barely recognize you. How could there be anyone more loyal and righteous than you throughout history?" He replied, "It is with the grace of Your Majesty that I can serve my country faithfully, not yielding to the enemy. Now that I can see Your Majesty again, even if I die tonight, I will die without regrets." The emperor praised him profusely. He was appointed as the Governor of Zhaozhou, promoted to count, and then further elevated to duke, and awarded a thousand bolts of silk and one hundred thousand coins.
For nine years, he distinguished himself again in the war against rebels, and the emperor rewarded him with one hundred pieces of silk and a hundred thousand coins. In the tenth year, the emperor appointed him governor of Yangzhou, together with Wang Guixian and Hou Zijian, to lead troops escorting Xiao Zhuang. They built the cities of Guomo and Ruoxie. He fought against Lu Xida, the prefect of Xincai, defeated him, and drove him away. Later, he supervised the armies of Xiao Zhuang and Wang Lin, and fought in Wuhu with the Chen Dynasty generals Hou Tian and Hou An, resulting in their defeat and retreat. In the first year of the Huangjian era, he was granted the title of Duke of Chengyang County. In the second year of Tiantong, he was appointed as a special envoy. In October of the fourth year of his tenure, he was granted the title of Duke of Yishi County, and was rewarded with a gold and silver wine cup each, as well as a warhorse. In April of the fifth year, he was promoted to the title of Prince of Yian. In the first year of Wuping, he was assigned as the governor of Guangzhou.
When he was young, he enjoyed socializing and having fun, often wandering around Luoyang. When he participated in wars, he consistently earned accolades. Although strategy and tactics weren't his strengths, he carried himself like a general. He served as the governor of many states, and although he wasn't exactly known for his integrity, he didn't engage in corruption or cruelty. After his death, he was posthumously honored as Minister of Works and Prefect of the Masters of Writing. His son, Ziyong, served as a Yellow Gate official.
Among the generals under Erzhu Rong, those who surrendered and distinguished themselves after Gaozu's uprising, like Diao Shele from Wuwei and Fan Shele from Daijun, also received high official positions.
When he was young, Xie Shele served as an officer under Er Zhu Rong and later held the position of military governor in Xihe. After Er Zhu Zhao's defeat, he led his subordinates to submit to Emperor Gao and was appointed as General of the Western Frontier and Grand Minister of the Golden Purple Robes. As a commander under Hou Jing, he defeated He Ba Sheng in Rang Cheng. He, along with other generals, subdued the three provinces of Qingzhou, Yanzhou, and Jingzhou, and was appointed as General of the Western Frontier and Governor of Yingzhou. In the early years of Tianbao, he was granted the title of Duke of Hanzhong. He later died in battle in Guanzhong.
Fan Shele was highly skilled in martial arts and possessed great strength. In the late Wei dynasty, he followed Cui Xian and Li Chong to suppress rebellions, earning military accolades and being appointed to a command position. Later, he joined Er Zhu Rong's army, consistently securing victories and being appointed as a commander. He then followed Er Zhu Zhao to defeat Bu Fan in Liangjun. After the rise of Emperor Gao, he left Er Zhu Zhao to join Emperor Gao. He followed Emperor Gao to defeat Er Zhu Zhao in Guang'a and Hanling, also achieving military merits and being granted the title of Baron of Pingshu County. He secured victories in every military campaign he participated in. He was appointed as the Grand Commander of the Left Wing of the Prime Minister's Office. Soon after, he was dispatched to serve as the Governor of Dongyongzhou. After Emperor Shizong ascended the throne, he was granted the title of Marquis of Pingshu County and appointed as a ceremonial officer. During the Tianbao years, he was promoted to the position of Minister of State.
There was a man named She Di Fu Lian, courtesy name Zhongshan, who, when young, relied on his martial prowess to serve under Er Zhu Rong, reaching the position of General of the Direct Pavilion. Later, he followed Emperor Gao to establish a new regime and was granted the title of Baron of Sheqiu. When Emperor Shizong was in power, he was further promoted to General of the Martial Guard. In the early years of Tianbao, he was appointed to the position of Ceremonial Officer of the Three Departments. Four years later, he was appointed as the Governor of Zhengzhou, and shortly thereafter, he was further granted the title of Minister of State.
Fu Lian is a straightforward and diligent man. He serves as a palace guard, never straying from the emperor's side, which earns him the emperor's favor. However, he is stingy, foolish, and cruel, utterly clueless about governing the populace. When he became the governor of a province, he only focused on lining his pockets. He has a stern disposition and looks down on scholars. Most of his officers hailed from noble families, yet Fu Lian often beat and scolded them, and even forced them to do menial tasks like repairing walls.
During the Wuping era, he was granted the title of King of Yidu and served as the Grand General. Later, he and Wang Yan of Langya killed He Shikai, which ultimately led to his own execution. Fu Lian had many family members, well over a hundred. During the sweltering summer, he doled out just two liters of rice a day to his family, leaving them frequently hungry. On the winter solstice, he still threw a lavish celebration; his wife made him bean cakes. When Fu Lian inquired about the source of the bean cakes, his wife said they were made from beans saved from feeding the horses. Upon hearing this, Fu Lian exploded in anger and harshly punished those in charge of the horses and provisions. Over the years, he had hoarded the rewards he amassed, stashing them away in another warehouse, and specifically assigned a maid to guard the keys. Whenever he went to inspect the supplies in the warehouse, he would tell his wife and children, "This is state property; don’t you dare touch it!" Eventually, all his accounts were brought to the court's attention.
The historical texts comment that the realm established by Emperor Gaozu was initially built by recruiting heroes and talented individuals. People like Zhang Qiong, although not the earliest to awaken, were lucky to be in the right place at the right time. They charged into battle, tirelessly fighting day and night to defend the court against external enemies and contributed to the great cause, achieving numerous victories on the battlefield, which is commendable. Murong Shaozong's military talent and strategic acumen were highly regarded at that time. He previously followed Er Zhu Rong with unwavering loyalty, yet ignored Fan Zeng's advice and ultimately met a fate akin to Xiang Yu's, which is truly a pity! Hou Jing was cruel and tyrannical, and certainly not a loyal minister of Emperor Wu of the Liang dynasty, but his words before his death revealed his understanding of people. He once broke through Han Mountain and Guo Shui with devastating force, exhausting all his strategies, yet ended up with a tragic conclusion, which is a real shame!
It is said that the establishment of hegemony and the succession of the throne are all thanks to these meritorious ministers and generals. These generals are true benefactors of the nation! We will always remember loyal ministers and great generals like Geng Yan and Jia Fu, who lived their lives with integrity and left no stain behind.
