Li Yuanzhong, from Bairen County in Zhao County. His great-grandfather, Li Ling, served as the Governor of Dingzhou during the Wei Kingdom, holding the title of Duke of Julu; his grandfather, Li Hui, served as a General in the West; his father, Li Xianfu, served as the Governor of Anzhou. Li Yuanzhong was determined to achieve something from a young age and was known for his filial piety. He inherited the title of Pingjizi. When the Prince of Qinghe in the Wei Kingdom became the Minister of Works, he invited Li Yuanzhong to serve as an officer in the military. Later, when the Prince of Qinghe was promoted to Grand Commandant, he once again invited Li Yuanzhong to serve as an officer in the military. Finally, when the Prince of Qinghe became the Grand Tutor, he was appointed as the Grand Supervisor for the construction of the Ming Hall and also invited Li Yuanzhong to serve as the Chief Clerk. Li Yuanzhong was knowledgeable about history, Yin and Yang, the Five Elements, and arithmetic, and could play the guzheng. He also enjoyed archery and slingshots and was quite innovative. After his mother passed away, he resigned from his official position to observe mourning at home. Not long after, the Governor of Xiangzhou, Prince Anle Jian, invited him to serve as the Marshal of the Prefecture, but Li Yuanzhong firmly declined due to his mourning. Initially, as his mother grew older and fell ill, Li Yuanzhong focused on studying medicine for many years, eventually becoming highly skilled. He was kind and generous, and when he saw someone sick, whether they were officials or common people, he would do everything he could to help them. His family was wealthy, and while other family members often lent money in the village for profit, Li Yuanzhong always burned the IOUs, relieving others of their debts. The villagers held him in high regard. During the reign of Emperor Xiaoming of Wei, there were many bandits, and five hundred soldiers from the western border garrison of Qinghe County returned home, passing through Nanzhao County. When they found the road blocked, they all sought refuge with Li Yuanzhong. They offered him a thousand pieces of silk, but he only accepted one, killed five sheep to host them, and sent his household servants to guide them, telling them, "If you run into any bandits, just say you’re with Li Yuanzhong." The servants did as instructed, and the bandits indeed made way for them.
At first, he was appointed as the governor of Nanzhao Commandery. Because he had a penchant for drinking, he didn't achieve much in governance. Later, when Luoyang City was breached and Emperor Zhuang was imprisoned and died, he resigned and returned home, secretly preparing to achieve great things. When Gaozu launched his troops eastward, he proactively went to meet Gaozu. He rode a simple carriage, brought a simple zither and some rough wine to meet Gaozu, offered his strategies, expressed his loyalty, and Gaozu held him in high regard. At that time, the governor Erzhu Yusheng occupied the commanderies with his troops. He first gathered forces in Xishan, then joined forces with Gaozu's army, captured Erzhu Yusheng and executed him. Afterwards, he was appointed as the acting governor of Yinzhou. In the early days of the Restoration period, he was appointed as the General of the Central Army and the Minister of Guards. Two years later, he was promoted to the Grand Minister of Yinzhou and the Minister of Imperial Sacrifices. Later, because his older brother Jin was relatively old, he passed the title of Grand Minister to his brother. Shortly after, he was appointed as the General of Pacification of the South. Emperor Wu wanted to marry the empress, who was Gaozu's eldest daughter, so Gaozu sent Yuan Zhong and the Minister of Works, Yuan Luo, to Jin Yang to greet the empress. Every time Gaozu recalled the past at banquets, he would laugh and clap, saying, "This person forced me to raise troops!" and he rewarded him with a white horse. Yuan Zhong jokingly told Gaozu, "If you don't make me an attendant, I'll find another place to raise troops!" Gaozu replied, "There are many places to raise troops; what I fear is never encountering an old man like you again." Yuan Zhong said, "It's precisely because it's difficult to meet an old man like you that I won't leave." He then playfully stroked Gaozu's beard and burst into laughter. Gaozu completely understood his intent and held him in high regard. Later, Gaozu sent the empress back to her family, went hunting in Jinze, and Yuan Zhong's horse was startled and fell, sustaining severe injuries and losing consciousness. It took him a while to regain consciousness. Gaozu personally went to visit him. That year, he was granted the title of Count of Jinyang County with a fief of five hundred households. Later, he was dismissed from office due to a small misstep.
At that time, the court was fraught with internal strife, and many rebel armies were met with suspicion and obstruction. Hushi Chun and others felt that Yuan Zhong was unconcerned with fame and fortune and did not concern himself with worldly matters, so he would not arouse suspicion; later, he concurrently served as the Minister of State. In the early years of Tianping, he became the Grand Minister of Rites. Later, he was promoted to General of the Cavalry. Four years later, he was appointed as an envoy with special powers and the Governor of Guangzhou. At that time, the region was suffering from famine, and the people were emaciated from hunger. He submitted a petition to the court requesting disaster relief. He also proposed to postpone tax collection until autumn. The court approved his request and allocated him 10,000 shi of grain. However, he felt that distributing 10,000 shi of grain among so many people would only amount to a few liters per household, which was just a token gesture and wouldn’t truly solve the problem. Therefore, he personally provided 150,000 shi of grain for disaster relief. After the matter was settled, he reported the situation to the court, which praised him and did not hold him accountable. At the end of the Xinghe era, he was appointed as a Palace Attendant.
Although Yuan Zhong held a high position and wielded great power, he initially didn't take his official duties seriously and often found himself drunk every day. He did not manage household affairs, big or small. His yard was filled with fruit trees and medicinal herbs, and when friends visited, he always welcomed them warmly, drinking and enjoying the scenery together. When there was nothing to do, he would stroll through the countryside with a slingshot and a jug of wine, joining gatherings when he encountered them, living life carefree and relaxed. He often told his subordinates, “I’m getting old and my energy is fading. After so many years in office, it’s time to let someone else take the reins. If the court thinks I am still useful and cannot leave, then let me take a leisurely position so I can enjoy my old age.” In the first year of Wuding, the court appointed him to the Governor of East Xuzhou, but he firmly declined the position. Later, he was reassigned as the General of the Cavalry and the Minister of the Three Departments.
Once, he presented a dish of guava to Emperor Shizong. The Emperor returned the favor with a hundred bolts of fine silk and wrote him a letter saying, "The position of Yitong San Si is high-ranking and influential. You are upright and honest, having held important posts both in the provinces and at court. Yet your family is impoverished, with even the rice bin empty. Is this not because you value integrity over wealth and do not pursue comfort? I have always admired you and wanted to reward you well, but have never had the opportunity. This time, your gift of guava has deeply moved me. I will use these hundred bolts of silk to thank you for your noble character!" This demonstrates Emperor Shizong's high regard for Yuan Zhong.
Sun Teng and Sima Ziru once visited Yuan Zhong and saw him sitting under a tree, wrapped in a blanket, drinking from a wine jar, with weeds overtaking the yard and the house in chaos. They said to each other, "We never expected to find him in such poverty today!" Yuan Zhong called his wife out, and they saw that her clothes were very simple. Sun Teng and Sima Ziru exchanged glances, sighed, and left, giving him a lot of rice, silk, and clothes. After accepting them, Yuan Zhong shared them with others. Three years later, Yuan Zhong was appointed as Weiweiqing. He passed away while holding this position at the age of sixty. The court issued a decree granting him five hundred bolts of silk and fabric, and was posthumously honored with the titles of Shizhi Jie, Supervisor of Military Affairs in the four provinces of Ji, Yin, and You, Grand General, Situ, and Governor of Dingzhou, with the posthumous name Jinghui.
Before Yuan Zhong became an official in his youth, he dreamed of carrying a torch to his father's grave, waking up in the middle of the night feeling uneasy. The next day, he told his teacher about this, and after divination, the teacher said, "This is a sign of great fortune, meaning your brilliance will shine upon your ancestors, and you will eventually achieve wealth and distinction." His son, Sao, inherited his title.
Sao, whose courtesy name was De Kuang, was smart and clever from a young age, highly skilled in music, chess, and various other arts. He even invented a musical instrument known as the eight-string qin, and people praised his creativity. He started as a minor official in the governor's office and later was promoted to the governor of Hanoi, where he was well-liked by the locals. After that, he served as a minister in the central government. He passed away in the eighth year of Tianbao.
Sao was smart from a young age, skilled in various arts and crafts, and even invented a musical instrument called the eight-string qin. Pretty impressive, huh? He rose from a minor official to the governor of Hanoi, loved by the people, and later served in the central government, but sadly, he passed away in the eighth year of Tianbao.
Yuan Zhong's cousin, Mi, styled Xiyong, hailed from Pingji. His grandfather, Bo Ying, served as the governor of Dongjun in the Wei state and was posthumously conferred the title of Inspector of Youzhou; his father, Huan, had served as the Deputy Grand Secretary and the governor of Henei, and was posthumously honored as the Inspector of Qingzhou. Mi was recognized for his integrity from a young age. When Er Zhu Zhao rebelled, he discreetly reached out to influential local figures and conspired with Gao Ang, a man from Bohai, for revenge. Later, when Gaozu mobilized his forces, Mi responded by leading troops and was appointed as Inspector of Bingzhou, granted the title of Marquis of Rongcheng, with a fief comprising four hundred households. When Er Zhu Zhao attacked Guang'a, Gaozu commanded Mi to enlist five thousand soldiers from Yinzhou and Dingzhou to guard the two routes of Huangsha and Jingxing. After Er Zhu Zhao was defeated at Hanling and fled back to Jinyang, Mi followed the army to quell Er Zhu Zhao's rebellion. Gaozu appointed Xue Xunyi as acting governor of Bingzhou and appointed Mi as Inspector of Jianzhou, later transferring him to Inspector of Xiangzhou. He stayed in the province for more than ten years, excelling at pacifying the border and gaining great prestige. Gaozu also sent people to write to him multiple times to express concern and gifted him fine horses. Later, when Hou Jing rebelled, he tricked Mi into surrendering and offered him official positions and titles. After Hou Jing's failure and return to court, the court believed that although Mi had surrendered to Hou Jing, it was not sincere, so he faced no punishment. In the early years of Tianbao, in recognition of his past merits, he was appointed as a Cavalry Commandant and restored to the title of Marquis of Rongcheng, later passing away. After his death, he was posthumously honored as Minister of the Palace and Inspector of Jizhou. Mi was a man of integrity and strong principles. His mother had been ill for a long time, and after consulting many famous doctors without success, he diligently studied medical texts, became skilled in acupuncture and herbal medicine, and ultimately cured her illness. Contemporaries admired his medical skills, and he gained considerable fame for them. He also served as a Military Officer and governor of Wuyi during the late Wei dynasty, and in the early years of Tianbao, he was the Chief Clerk of the Minister of Works. During the years of Danning and Wuping, he served as governor of Qinghe and Guangping, reaching the position of Silver Blue Grand Minister of Rites. He passed away following the fall of the Qi dynasty. His son Daoqian served as a Deputy Grand Secretary during the Wuping years; his son Daozhen served as a military officer in Southern Qingzhou and was later slain by the rebel Xing Gao, after which he was posthumously honored as Inspector of Northern Xuzhou.
Yuan Zhong's cousin Min was very dependable from a young age. When Er Zhu Zhao rebelled, he secretly united with others to seek revenge. When Gao Zu raised an army, he immediately responded and earned numerous accolades, eventually becoming a prefect and being granted the title of marquis. Later, when Hou Jing rebelled, he surrendered, but the court, considering his past contributions, did not pursue him. He was not only a good official but also a good doctor. When his mother fell ill, he studied medicine and successfully treated her, gaining fame for his medical skills. He maintained a reputation for integrity throughout his career and was posthumously honored after his death. His sons also served in the court, but unfortunately, one son was killed by rebels.
Yuan Zhong's cousin Min, styled Mo Lian, was tall and strong, different from ordinary people. He had great ambitions from a young age, and by the age of forty, he had yet to hold an official position, but he enjoyed the company of outlaws. As the reign of Xiaochang was nearing its end and chaos erupted across the land, he secretly hid in Linlu Mountain to observe the changing situation.
Later, when Xianyu Xiuli and Mao Puxian rebelled, the court dispatched the grand commander Changsun Zhi to suppress them. Changsun Zhi had long heard of Min's reputation and invited him to be his deputy. When the army reached Huta, the rebel forces attacked, and Changsun Zhi's troops were defeated, leading Min to return home.
King Anle Yuan Jian took office as the Grand Chancellor of the Northern Region and arrived in Ye City. Due to the rebels' overwhelming power, he did not dare to act rashly. He sent someone to invite Min, granting him the positions of Cavalry Attendant, Acting Commander, and Deputy General, assigning him to guard the eastern city gate of Ye City. Ge Rong besieged Xindu, and his remaining followers descended south to plunder, with the regions north of Yangping falling into the hands of the rebel army. Yuan Jian ordered Min to lead the vanguard to suppress the rebels, achieving some victories. Later, when Yuan Jian rebelled, Min pretended to be ill with a severe illness, and Yuan Jian believed him, enabling Min to avoid disaster.
Not long after, General Yuan Ziyong was stationed in Anyang, while General Pei Yan was stationed in Ye City, both together attacking Yuan Jian. Min left his family behind and went to Yuan Ziyong, and later was summoned by the court to Luoyang, where he was appointed as the Commander of the Carriage Corps, with orders to guard the Zhi River, serving as a deputy general. The Zhi River is located in the northwest of Ye City, in the deep mountains, on the border between Bingzhou and Xiangzhou. Because Ge Rong was marching south, the court sent Min to defend there. Ge Rong dispatched his uncle, King Ge Chang of Yueling, to lead ten thousand elite soldiers to attack Min, but Min resisted thanks to the favorable terrain, and Ge Chang was unable to capture it.
When Er Zhu Rong arrived at the Eastern Pass, Min went to meet him. Er Zhu Rong wanted to disperse the rebel forces, so he directed Min to take a different route to Xiangguo and attack the rebel forces commanded by Tian Hu, the Governor of Guangzhou. Before Min reached Xiangguo, Ge Rong was captured. As a result, the court appointed Min as General Jianzhong. The three counties of Zhongqiu in Guangping, Yiyang, and Xiangguo were reorganized into Yiyang Commandery, and he was also granted the title of Marquis of Xiangguo.
As the year of Yong'an was coming to an end, he was appointed as Acting General Pingbei, holding the edict, serving as the Grand Commander of the commandery, and later promoted to Governor of Leping. Before he assumed office, Luoyang fell, and he fled west to Shimen Mountain for refuge. Secretly, he and Liu Lingzhu, the Governor of Youzhou, along with his brothers Gao Ang and Lu Cao, the Governor of Anzhou, agreed to rise in arms together. After Liu Lingzhu's defeat, he led his troops into Shimen Mountain. After Gaozu rose in rebellion, he sent a messenger to invite him to join. Upon receiving the letter, he brought several thousand men to join Gaozu, who personally came to welcome him.
Afterwards, he was appointed as the General-in-Chief, General of the South, Commander of all military affairs in Xiangzhou, and Governor of Xiangzhou. He also concurrently served as the Superintendent of the Southwest Road of the Imperial Secretariat and the Governor of the province. Gaozu allowed him to lead his original army back to their original station and even personally saw him off part of the way. Upon returning to his hometown, he took control of Mount Ma'anshan, fortified his camp using the rugged terrain, recruited troops and horses, and strengthened his own power. Erzhu Zhao came to attack from Jingxing, but Gaozu defeated Erzhu Zhao at Guang'a. He led his own army to garrison in the old capital to guard against Erzhu Zhao. After restoring order in Xiangzhou, he was reassigned to Ye City to serve as the Superintendent of the Southwest Road of the Imperial Secretariat, continuing to garrison in the old capital. As Erzhu Zhao approached, Gaozu once again ordered him to participate in the defense of Ye City.
At the beginning of the Taichang period, he was appointed as the Minister of Finance. Later, he was sent to serve as the Governor of South Jingzhou and the Grand Commander of the province. Since the Xiaochang period, the old road had been blocked, and the previous governors had to take a small road to reach the provincial capital. He led several thousand soldiers directly towards Xuanhu, reopened the old road from Biyang, engaged in skirmishes as they marched, covered a distance of more than three hundred miles, and set up post stations along the way. The southern tribes complied without resistance. The Liang Dynasty dispatched their Governor of Nansizhou, Ren Sizu, and the Prefect of Sui County, Huan He, leading thirty thousand infantry and cavalry, and mobilized the border barbarians to besiege Xiaxi Fort. He took command of the troops and achieved victory. The court issued an edict, promoting him to General of Chariots and Cavalry. He built water channels in the province, irrigating more than a thousand acres of farmland, benefiting the people. Later, he was transferred to East Jingzhou, appointed as the General of the Valiant Cavalry, Governor of East Jingzhou, Grand Commander of the province, and designated as a Cavalier Attendant. In the second year of Tianping, he passed away peacefully. After his death, he was posthumously promoted to General-in-Chief, responsible for military affairs in Dingzhou and Yinzhou, and was granted the title of Yitong and Governor of Dingzhou.
Jing Yita's uncle, from a young age, was daring and tough, hung out with outlaws, and often pulled off robberies, which made the villagers fear him. As the Yong'an era was winding down, his brother, the Governor of Nanjulu County, Wuwei, was accused of corruption and bribery by the imperial censor and was imprisoned in the state jail. Jing Yita, with a dozen cavalry soldiers, posing as imperial envoys, directly stormed into the city and rescued his brother! The state army pursued him, but they never caught up with him. With this incident, Jing Yita became famous and became a hero in the jianghu.
Later, when Gaozu raised an army in Xindu, Jing Yita went to join him. Gaozu had heard of Jing Yita long before and treated him especially well. Gaozu even sent Jing Yita and Yuan Zhong to raise troops in Xishan, then joined the main army and together captured the provincial governor Erzhu Yusheng. Because of his achievements in this campaign, Jing Yita was appointed as the General of Longxiang, the Duke of Changping County, with a fief of eight hundred households. Later, when Erzhu Zhao led troops to fight, Jing Yita fought bravely and made great achievements, leading to his promotion to the rank of Governor, Grand Commandant, and Left General. At the beginning of the Taichang period, he was promoted to the Duke of Changping County, with an additional three hundred households added to his fief, and was also appointed as the General of Chariots and Cavalry. At the beginning of the Tianping period, he was sent to serve as the Governor of Yingzhou. Not long after, he was murdered by the former Prefect of Yingchuan, Yuan Hongwei. After his death, the court awarded him posthumously as a Palace Attendant, military commander of Yinzhang and Cangzhou, Grand General, Chief of the Imperial Staff, and Inspector of Yinzhou. His son, Galin, took over his title.
Lu Wenwei, courtesy name Xiuzhu, was from Zhuozhou, Hebei, and his family was one of the prominent noble families in the area. His father was Lu Chang, a descendant of the Hou family. Lu Wenwei lost his father at a young age, but he was very ambitious and read extensively about history, earning the respect of the local people in his youth. Later, he was recruited by the local government to serve as a chief scribe. He finally passed the Xiucai examination at the age of 38 and was appointed as a military officer in the Pingbei Prefecture. He advised the governor Pei Jun that the irrigation system of Dukan Pond should be repaired using the old methods, which would irrigate over ten thousand acres of farmland and benefit the local farmers. Most of the repair work on Dukan Pond was assigned to Lu Wenwei. He was not only skilled in project management but also invested his own money into the effort. His frugal lifestyle allowed his family's wealth to grow.
During the Xiaochang era, the court appointed him as an additional official in the Ministry of Personnel. At that time, the acting governor, Chang Jing, wanted to retain him as his secretary. Later, as the northern conflicts erupted, Lu Wenwei stored a large amount of rice in Fanyang City. During a famine, he distributed the rice to aid his fellow villagers, winning their admiration. Not long after, he was captured by Du Luozhou. After Du Luozhou's failure, he took refuge with Ge Rong, and after Ge Rong's defeat, he returned home. By then, Han Lou had taken control of Jicheng, and Lu Wenwei led the villagers to defend Fanyang against Han Lou. Later, the people chose Lu Wenwei to manage the affairs of Fanyang County. He defended Fanyang for two years, sharing hardships with the soldiers, and used his family's wealth to help the poor, winning the heartfelt gratitude of all.
Later, General Hou Shen was dispatched by Erzhu Rong to subdue Han Lou, and Han Lou was pacified. In recognition of his contributions, Lu Wenwei was appointed as the Count of Daxia County, with a fief of two hundred households, and was also appointed as the Prefect of Fanyang. Hou Shen later stationed himself in Fanyang. After Erzhu Rong was killed, Lu Wenwei knew that Hou Shen was unreliable, so he deceived him into going on a hunting trip and then locked him out of the gate. Taken by surprise, Hou Shen had no choice but to flee to Zhongshan.
When Emperor Zhuang died, Wenwei and the Inspector of Youzhou, Liu Lingzhu, conspired to rebel. Liu Lingzhu seized Yingzhou, leaving Wenwei in charge of administrative affairs, while he led troops to attack Dingzhou, only to be defeated by Erzhu Rong's subordinate, Hou Shen. Realizing the situation was turning unfavorable, Wenwei quickly abandoned Yingzhou and fled back to his own county, where he conspired with his brothers, among them Gao Ganyong.
Later, when Gaozu arrived in Xindu, Wenwei sent his son Huaidao to deliver a letter, expressing his genuine intent to surrender. Gaozu was pleased and accepted his surrender. In the early days of the new dynasty, Wenwei was appointed as General of Andong and Inspector of Anzhou. Since Anzhou was not yet stabilized, he remained in the army, managing affairs in Youzhou, and his official rank was promoted to General of the Guard and Right Inspector. At that time, the Inspector of Anzhou, Lu Cao, also rebelled with Liu Lingzhu, but was defeated and subsequently occupied Youzhou, surrendering to Erzhu Zhao. Erzhu Zhao allowed him to continue as Inspector, defending the city and refusing to capitulate. Unable to enter Youzhou, Wenwei administered his own county, temporarily serving as the prefect. In the early years of the Taichang era, he was formally appointed as the Inspector of Anzhou, and later his official rank continued to ascend, eventually becoming a Cavalier In Regular Attendance. In the later years of Tianping, Gaozu assigned Wenwei to oversee the affairs of Dongyongzhou, and later reassigned him to Qingzhou.
Wen Wei was a person who spent money generously, enjoyed making friends, and was skilled at winning people over. He liked to do small favors, which made him quite popular wherever he went. Although he was known to accept bribes, the common people and officials didn't feel particularly burdened. He always appeared to be short on cash, but in reality, he had accumulated a considerable amount of wealth, often giving gifts to high-ranking officials to maintain good relationships. In the third year of Xinghe, Wen Wei passed away in the state at the age of sixty. After his death, among his posthumous honors were Envoy with Special Authority, Palace Attendant, and Commander of the Military of Dingying and Yin Provinces, as well as Minister of Works, Left Deputy Minister of the Ministry of Personnel, and Governor of Dingzhou, with the posthumous name of Filial and Mighty.
His son Wen Gongdao was gentle and kind, and well-educated. The state appointed him as the chief clerk. Later, when Li Chong was campaigning in the north, he appointed him as an assistant in the Office of the Chancellor. Since Wen Wei occupied Fanyang, there had been continuous warfare, and Wen Gongdao often helped his father with defense. The Minister of War, Guo Xiu, had a good relationship with Wen Gongdao and recommended him for every task, and the founding emperor had also heard of his reputation. In the early years of Tianping, Wen Gongdao was specially appointed as General Longxiang and Governor of Fanyang. He also performed numerous charitable acts in the county and passed away before his father. After his death, he was posthumously honored with titles such as Envoy with Special Authority, Commander of the Military of You and Ping Provinces, Governor of Youzhou, and Minister of Revenue, with the posthumous name of Ding.
Zi Xun was a descendant of the Zi family, inheriting the title of Baron of Daxia from his ancestors. He was very talented, writing articles that were ornate, standing out among his peers. Later, he passed the examination to become a scholar and went to the capital for the imperial examination.
Li Zuxun once held a banquet for literati, and the emperor sent a young palace eunuch to deliver a message to Li Zuxun's mother, saying, "The Ruru (Turkic tribe) have been defeated; why is there no congratulatory message?" The messenger stood there waiting for a reply. All the guests wrote congratulatory messages, and Zi Xun quickly completed one.
Later, the court conducted large-scale appointments and transfers of officials, with the appointments taking effect that very day. Zi Xun stood outside the eastern carriage door, drafting appointment documents for more than twenty people. The article flowed smoothly without a single revision, showcasing ornate language and a clear structure, which left everyone in awe.
Xunzu just inherited his title and was granted the title of Baron of Daxia. At that time, some old officials in the imperial court remarked, "Daxia has just been established." Xunzu retorted, "Even the sparrows have come to congratulate us." Toward the end of the Tianbao era, he was assigned to build the Great Wall due to his official duties. He considered himself very talented and felt a pent-up frustration, so he deliberately dressed like a lowly laborer to meet Yang Yin. Yang Yin said, "The old ministers have all been assigned their roles, but only Baron of Daxia has not yet been given a task." Xunzu loudly exclaimed, "Whose responsibility is this!" After arriving at the construction site, he wrote a poem titled "On the Construction of the Great Wall," which roughly conveyed the meaning: "The boards are made of cypress wood, and the pestles are made from papaya trees; how can these materials and their uses be so ill-suited? Weeds grow lushly along the hills, and as long as there is a fragrant grass every ten steps, what does it matter about the other thorns?" Xing Shao once joked, "You were exceptionally talented in your youth, but horned animals lack upper teeth; I worry you might not have a long life." Xunzu replied, "When I first heard this, I was indeed frightened, but seeing my father-in-law's hair turning gray, I felt somewhat reassured." Xing Shao greatly admired his talent and eloquence.
Xunzu was very skilled in debate and enjoyed commenting on people. He once said to someone, "Yesterday, before dawn, while passing by the gate of He Shi, I already saw the two Lus (Lu Yanshi and Lu Renhui) and the two Yuans (Lu Wenzong and Lu Nayuan); their figures were as tall and upright as locust and willow trees." Xing Shao highly esteemed Lu Sidao and believed Xunzu could not compare to him. Xunzu said, "Seeing those who cannot fly high, I borrow their feathers; knowing those who can soar to the sky, I cut off their wings." As a result, rumors and slanders spread, leading many to hold a negative opinion of him. Changguang's governor, Xing Zigang, commented on the two Lus and Xunzu, saying, "Xunzu has the pride of Ni Heng, while Sidao lacks the integrity of Wenju (Kong Rong)." Later, Xunzu became more restrained. He held various positions such as Crown Prince's Attendant and Minister of Records, ultimately passing away while in office. He left behind ten volumes of literary works, all of which are still preserved today.
He once wrote a eulogy for Princess Zheng, the Princess of Zhao, one of which reads:
"The king is mighty within the realm, the couple is renowned around the world. The lady's grace conceals the state of Zheng, her beauty reflects the palace of Zhao. In spring, the peach blossoms float on the water; in autumn, the osmanthus branches sway in the wind. Thus the night at Congtai is lonely, with the bright moon illuminating the empty bed."
It is said that Lu Huaidao was somewhat frivolous in character, fond of drinking, and somewhat ambitious. Leveraging his ancestors' merits in Fanyang, he became a Gentleman of the Imperial Guard. Later, Wen Wei sent him to deliver messages to Emperor Gaozu. In the early period of the Northern Wei Dynasty, he was promoted to General of the West and Grand Minister of Ceremonies. During the Yuanxiang era, Xue Chu recommended him to work in Pingzhou, and later he was summoned to Ba Prefecture. During the Xinghe period, he went to Fenzhou for official duties. Lu Huaidao's family has always had a tradition of doing good deeds. Emperor Gaozu held him in high regard and later sent him to serve as the Commandant of Wusu Town, where he ultimately passed away while serving.
His younger brother, Lu Zongdao, had a rough personality and liked to associate with heroes of the martial arts. He served as a Gentleman of the Imperial Library and a Cavalier Attendant, then later became the Inspector of Nanyingzhou. Once, he hosted a banquet in Jinyang with many guests.
Lu Yong, a member of the Lu clan, courtesy name Jili, was the son of Lu Bi, who once served as the Governor of Xiapi in the Wei Kingdom. While Lu Yong was studying with his brother Lu Jingyu, their uncle remarked, "Lu Jingyu will definitely stand out with his literary talent in the future, while Lu Yong will definitely make achievements with his martial skills. The prosperity of our family depends on you two brothers!" During the rebellion in You Province, Pu Guona named Lu Yong the Prince of Fanyang when he was only eighteen years old. Later, Ge Rong rebelled and appointed Lu Yong as the Prince of Yan.
During the uprising of the Yi Banner, Lu Wenwei once summoned him, but he declined. After Erzhu Rong was defeated, he went to Jinyang. The Emperor appointed him as the Chief Scribe to the Prime Minister. At that time, there was a famine in Shanxi Province, and food needed to be transported from Shandong. Lu Yong was responsible for supervising this matter, and he demanded that all the carts carrying food must be fully loaded, and anyone who violated this order would face punishment. Princess Langye privately rented over a thousand carts, but Lu Yong firmly reprimanded her. The princess appealed to the Emperor, but Lu Yong stood by his principles and refused to back down. The Emperor said to Guo Xiu, "Lu Yong is a person whose authority cannot be violated. He is truly an upright person! He should be entrusted with significant responsibilities. How can we only let him manage the transportation of food?" Therefore, Lu Yong was promoted to be the Administrator of Rubei, and later went to deal with matters in Shanzhou and Luozhou.
In the year 534 AD, the imperial army besieged Guangzhou for several days without success. At that time, Hou Jing was in charge in Guangzhou and heard that the reinforcements from Western Wei were arriving soon, so he quickly convened his generals to discuss strategies. Yongjin, referring to Yang Yong, observed the situation and immediately led over a hundred cavalry, each with a spare horse, to spring into action.
When Yang Yong arrived at Dawei Mountain, he found that the army led by General Li Jinghe of Western Wei was indeed there. Yang Yong was quite clever; he had numerous flags planted in the trees, divided the cavalry into ten teams, sounded the horn, and charged fiercely. As a result, he captured Cheng Hua, the Yitong of Western Wei, alive, killed Wang Zhenman, the Yitong, and even captured three hundred war horses, returning home triumphantly overnight. The Guangzhou defender Luo Chao saw what was happening and quickly surrendered the city. Gaozu, referring to Emperor Xiaowu of Northern Wei, then put Yang Yong in charge of managing Guangzhou.
Because of his great achievements, Yang Yong was appointed as Yitong Sansi and Governor of Yangzhou, and was sent to Yiyang to take command. Later, Han Mulan, Chen Xin, and other rebels continued to harass the border, but Yang Yong led his troops to a decisive victory over them. Later, Yang Yong wanted to return to the capital to see the emperor, and Emperor Gaozu even wrote him a letter that said, "I'm entrusting Yangzhou to you, so you can rest easy and not worry about the southwestern border. From now on, just follow the court's arrangements and stop sending memorials. Don’t let them get back to the capital before you." In the second year of Wuding (544 AD), Yang Yong passed away at just thirty-two. He left behind five hundred horses and six carts of armor and weapons, which he all handed over to the court. In addition to the rewards given by the court, the emperor also awarded him an extra four thousand pieces of silk. After his death, the court posthumously appointed him as Sikong and Governor of Jizhou, with the posthumous title of Marquis Wuzhen.
Li Yishen, from Gaoyi, Zhaojun in Hebei. His grandfather, Li Zhen, once served as the Minister of the Interior of the Wei state; his father, Li Shaozong, served as a magistrate in Yinzhou. Li Yishen was well-versed in history and classics from an early age. Initially, he served as a military officer in the Zhengdong Prefecture of Jizhou, and gradually rose in rank to become the General of the Longxiang. When the founding emperor rebelled, Li Yishen defected to him in Xindu and was appointed as an official in the Daxingtai. After the revival of Northern Wei, he was appointed as the General of the South and Junior Minister in the Honglu Department. Later, seeing the strong power of Erzhu Zhao, he betrayed the founding emperor and joined Erzhu Zhao. After Erzhu Zhao's death, the founding emperor unexpectedly forgave him and appointed him as a junior official in the Grand Chancellor's Office. His rank continued to rise, becoming the Left Guanglu Doctor and Sima of the Prime Minister's Office, excelling in each position.
Later, he was transferred to Beizhou as the Chief of Historians. At that time, the Governor of Beizhou, Ke Zhuhun Daoyuan, didn't concern himself much with day-to-day affairs, leaving many civil affairs to be handled by Li Yishen, who did so quickly and effectively. Later, he became the Sima of the Grand Chancellor. During the reign of Emperor Wuding of Northern Wei, he was appointed as the Governor of Qizhou, but he was greedy and took numerous bribes. During the Tianbao period of Northern Qi, he first went to Zhengzhou for official business, then was transferred to Liangzhou, appointed as a Cavalier Attendant, and later became the Prefect of Yangxia. However, someone accused him of extorting money in the prefecture, which resulted in his dismissal and he was sent to Liangzhou for investigation, which was still ongoing when...
Three years later, Li Yishen died in prison at the age of fifty-seven. His son, Li Taoyi, was a gifted speaker and served as a Shangshu Lang, magistrate of Yexian, and also served as a Cavalier Attendant during the Wuping period. He was once sent to Chenguo and praised by the people there. Later, he became the Deputy of the Shouyang Dao Xingtai, but was captured along with Wang Lin and others. After the Northern Zhou Dynasty conquered Chen, he eventually escaped back home. During the Kaihuang period of the Sui Dynasty, he became the Prefect of Yong'an and ultimately died while serving as the Chief of Historians in Jiangzhou.
Li Zhengzao, another son of Li Yishen, was intelligent and capable. During the Wuping period of the Northern Qi dynasty, he served as a military advisor and judge in the Ministry of Works. After his father Li Taoyi died in the Chen Kingdom, Li Zhengzao resigned from his official position on the pretext of illness, appearing troubled and haggard throughout the day, living and eating as if he were in mourning. People at that time praised him highly. During the Kaihuang period of the Sui dynasty, he held positions as an official in the Ministry of Works and the magistrate of Zhouchi County, and eventually died while serving as the Grand Historian of Yizhou. Li Wenshi, the younger brother of Li Taoyi, served as a Central Secretariat official and the prefect of Qijun. Among the seven brothers of Li Yishen, most were well-educated and ambitious. His second brother, Li Tonggui, was famous for his Confucian studies; his sixth brother, Li Zhilian, also has a separate biography recorded.
Our family ancestor was very powerful! Our great-grandfather was the Deputy Minister of the Imperial Library of the Wei dynasty. He had a dignified demeanor since childhood, inherited the family business, and possessed a basic understanding of etiquette and scholarship. He especially loved music and wrote a book of music, which was nearly a hundred volumes thick. Towards the end of the reign of Emperor Wu of Wei (Cao Cao), he became the Deputy Minister of the Left. He passed away during the Tianbao period and was later posthumously honored as the Inspector of Xinzhou.
The historical records comment: Yuan Zhong (Shenwei) was originally from a prestigious family and received a good education, earning a good reputation for his conduct and dealings, but he did not achieve anything particularly significant. When Emperor Zhuang (Emperor Xiaozhuang of Northern Wei) suddenly passed away, the Hu people began to seize power and disrupt governance, and the ambitious scholars were all hoping for the arrival of the loyalist forces. Later, when Emperor Gaozu (Emperor Xiaowen of Northern Wei) launched an eastern expedition, Shenwei's aspirations were finally realized. Upon seeing Emperor Gaozu's impressive presence, he immediately pledged his complete loyalty, like a stone thrown into water, never to be retrieved; this was no coincidence! He later achieved fame and ultimately found contentment, knowing when to advance and retreat, a quality worth emulating. Shenwei's father, Wenwei, was highly esteemed in Huazhou and had lofty aspirations, having set great ambitions early on. After experiencing various hardships, he finally encountered a heroic and wise ruler like Emperor Gaozu. Though his official rank was modest, he was considered a significant contributor to the founding of the nation. Shenwei's grandfather was exceptionally talented in writing poetry and prose, gaining fame early on, but unfortunately, he was arrogant and too ostentatious, causing the powerful and wealthy in the capital to fear his eloquence. Regrettably, his career faced many obstacles, and he passed away young; if he had lived to an old age, his achievements would have been immeasurable.
Praise: Jinyang, Daxia, valuing integrity and literary talent. Walking on benevolence and righteousness, resonating with the winds and clouds. Lu Ying engaged in commerce, Li Yan stirred up the atmosphere. Consistent conduct separates the virtuous from the corrupt. With deep righteousness, he offers counsel, grateful for loyalty and diligence.
