Li Hun, styled Jichu, was from Baishan County, Zhao Commandery. His great-grandfather, Li Ling, was the Duke of Julu of the Wei state. His father, Li Zun, served as the Sima of the Eastern Expedition in Jizhou for the Wei state, but was later killed by Wang Yu during a rebellion in Jizhou. Due to his father's death in service to the king, Li Hun was appointed as an Assistant to the Palace. At that time, the country was in turmoil, and he feigned illness to request a transfer to Qingzhou to serve as Sima of the Eastern Expedition. Together with Xing Shao from Hejian and Wang Xin from Beihai, he took his elderly mother, wife, and children to Qingzhou and Qi. Before long, Er Zhu Rong attacked Luoyang, and many high-ranking officials were killed. People regarded Li Hun as having great foresight. In the early years of the Yong'an era, he was appointed as a Regular Attendant.
During the Putai era, Cui Sheke rebelled in the Haidai region and besieged the city of Qingzhou. The court ordered Li Hun to be appointed as General of the Eastern Expedition and Minister of the Imperial Guards, sending him to lead troops for rescue. However, Cui Sheke's forces were seasoned veterans, cunning and resourceful, with each city holding out and employing a strategy of fortification and scorched earth. At that time, opinions were divided. Li Hun said, “Cui Sheke's army is the core of the rebellion, and they had besieged the city for over a month. They are just a ragtag group and can be easily defeated. If we choose elite soldiers and quietly conduct a night raid into the enemy camp, we can catch them off guard and swiftly capture him. Once we capture Cui Sheke, the other commanderies will surrender without a fight. Why should we risk an attack on the city in the scorching heat and waste our troops?” Other generals hesitated, so Li Hun decided to lead the troops himself. Before dawn, they reached the city, and the rebels were thrown into a panic, scattering in all directions. Cui Sheke was captured alive, beh
Later, Li Hun was appointed as the Minister of Rites and also served as a courtier, being sent to the Liang state as an envoy. The Emperor Wu of Liang said to him, "The descendants of Boyang have become increasingly prosperous over time, and the Li family of Zhao County has produced many talents, indeed quite a few now. As a courtier, you have previously served as a general and now as an envoy, possessing both literary and martial talents; you truly are a remarkable talent!" After Li Hun returned from his mission, he was appointed as the governor of Dongjun, but later faced investigation by the court for corruption and bribery. Emperor Shizong sent guards to bring him to the palace, and Li Hun boldly said, "General, do you still value respecting the worthy today?" Emperor Shizong laughed heartily and released him.
During the Tianbao period of Northern Wei, Hun Zhan was dismissed from his position as the Prince's Grand Guardian. Afterwards, Xing Shao took on the role of Grand Teacher, and Yang Yin became the Grand Tutor; at that time, people regarded this as a great honor. Hun Zhan was reassigned to engage in Chan Buddhism and replaced the ceremonial official, and he was granted the title of Marquis of Jingyang, also participating in the revision of the "Linzhi Code." Not long after, he was appointed as the governor of Haizhou.
The local inhabitants of Haizhou revolted and jointly attacked the city. The city had many stones but lacked wells, and the residents had no choice but to drin
His son, Hun Zhan, courtesy name (zi) Chuyuan, was well-read and knowledgeable in both literature and history, upholding the family's esteemed traditions. He served as an attendant to the crown prince and also held the position of ordinary attendant, and he was once sent as a deputy envoy to the State of Chen. He inherited his father's title of Baron of Jingyang County. Hun Zhan, along with his brothers Hun Hui and Hun Wei, served as official envoys to the State of Liang, and Hun Zhan also acted as a deputy envoy, earning their family the nickname "Gate of Four Envoys" among the people of Zhao County.
Hun Hui, courtesy name Jingwen, expressed his wish to start school at six. His family initially intended to refuse him due to the customs of that time, but eventually agreed. He secretly used his older cousin's writing materials to study and soon studied "The Urgent Essay." People inside and outside the family believed he was extraordinary and considered him a genius. As he grew up, Hun Hui was handsome and poised, radiating charm and vitality. Xing Yan, Hun Hui's maternal uncle from Hejian, engaged in discussions about academics with Hun Hui and praised his talents, saying, "You seem to weave through clouds and mist, and you shine like pearls and jade. Your family's good fortune depends entirely on this nephew!" Prince Qi, Xiao Baoyin, recommended him to serve as a chief clerk, responsible for managing documents, and treated him like a guest friend. Minister Gao Yong further appointed him as a subordinate official and called him to Luoyang.
At that time, Wang Xihe, the Minister of State, and Chang Jing, the Secretary Supervisor, were ordered by the court to select ten Confucian scholars to compile the "Five Rites," with Hunhui and Wang Yi, both from Taiyuan, jointly responsible for the compilation of military ceremonies. Emperor Jing of Wei lectured on the "Classic of Filial Piety" and the "Book of Rites" in the Xianyang Hall, and Hunhui, his brother Hunqian, Pei Boma, Wei Shou, Lu Yuanming, and others participated in recording and discussing the lectures. Hunhui was skilled in calligraphy, particularly adept at teaching writing techniques; his articles and discussions were concise and clear, making them well worth reading. During the early years of the Tianping era of Northern Wei, Emperor Shizong appointed him as Chancellor. After each morning court session, civil and military officials would gather to report to the emperor, who always allowed Hunhui to speak first, placing him at the forefront of the court. Hunhui's words were clear and precise, and his demeanor was elegant and graceful, earning him the respect of all listeners.
In the Wuding era of Northern Wei, Gao Yun was appointed as a court attendant and sent as an envoy to the Southern Liang. Emperor Wu of Liang asked him, "Where is Gao Xiang (Gao Huan) now?" Gao Yun replied, "He is currently in Jinyang, busy defending against border bandits." The Emperor then asked, "What are those northern black otters (referring to the Northern Wei army) like? What is Gao Xiang's strategic deployment?" Gao Yun said, "Those black otters wander like restless spirits in the Guanzhong region; the common people deeply detest them, as they have suffered continuous disasters for years, and they long to return home. The Chancellor (Gao Huan) possesses rare strategies and plans; he gathers strength, waits for the right moment, and is poised to break through the enemy's defenses." Upon hearing this, Emperor Wu praised him repeatedly, exclaiming, "You have spoken excellently!"
Later, Emperor Wu of the Liang Dynasty and Gao Yun chatted in a light-hearted manner, discussing their family backgrounds. A man from the Liang Dynasty named Yuan Xia boasted, "Our family can be traced back to the Yellow Emperor; our surname ranks among the fourteen ancient surnames!" Gao Yun laughed and replied, "Although your family has a distinguished lineage, we can all claim descent from the Yellow Emperor. A thousand years later, aren't we all of the same descent?" Everyone laughed heartily. The other Wei envoys took the opportunity to promote their goods to the Liang people, but Gao Yun remained incorruptible and did not participate, which earned him even greater respect for his integrity.
After returning from the mission, Gao Yun was appointed as the General of Pingnan and the Interior Minister of Gaoyang. Gaoyang County had previously been frequently terrorized by wild beasts, causing great harm to the people. Gao Yun wanted to build fences to solve this problem, but tragically, he lost his life in the battle against the beasts. Everyone believed that his efforts to protect the people had pleased the heavens, and they all requested the court to recognize his contributions, but he had not agreed to this during his lifetime. Later, Emperor Gaozu (Emperor Xiaowen) toured east to Yingzhou and stayed at the west of the city for a long time, specifically sending someone to pay tribute to Gao Yun: "I knew back when I was in Jinyang that you were the only one in Shandong who truly cared for the people. Now that I see it with my own eyes, it truly is well-deserved. I hope you keep this spirit alive; your contributions will not be overlooked."
Cui Mou, the Governor of Hejian, relied on the power of his brother Cui Xian to demand deer antlers and the feathers of the lark bird from Gao Yun. Gao Yun replied, "I’m just a clumsy person with limited ability, unable to keep up with flying birds or running beasts, much less to flatter those treacherous and insidious folks!" At that time, Emperor Wenxuan of Northern Qi tasked Cui Xian with selecting the Grand Historian, and Cui Xian also recommended Gao Yun, but ultimately, it was unsuccessful, and many believed it was due to Gao Yun’s response. During the Tianbao period, Gao Yun was appointed as the Right Grand Historian. Gao Yun was an upright man who never flattered the powerful, which made his career fraught with difficulties, ultimately leading to his frustrating demise.
Gao Yun's cousin, Gao Gongxu, known by his courtesy name Mu Shu, was intelligent and well-read. In the late Northern Wei period, he served as the Sima of Jizhou, but he resigned due to illness. Later, the court summoned him to be a Palace Attendant, but he declined the position and eventually passed away from illness.
Gongxu was particularly fond of studying metaphysics and was indifferent to worldly affairs, thus he vowed never to hold an official position. He particularly excelled in studying yin and yang, the five elements, and prophetic texts. He once told others, "Every time I look at the territorial map of the Qi state, I feel that its fortune is limited; the country's mountains and rivers will ultimately fall in the year of forty-seven." As a result, the year Qi fell was exactly twenty-eight years after the first year of Tianbao (forty-seven = 28). Gongxu lived in seclusion at home, frequently writing, producing "Dian Yan" in ten volumes, "Zhi Yi" in five volumes, "Sang Fu Zhang Ju" in one volume, "Gu Jin Lue Ji" in twenty volumes, "Xuan Zi" in five volumes, and "Zhao Yu" in thirteen volumes, all of which gained considerable fame at that time.
Li Yu, courtesy name Daofan, was a native of Chengji in Longxi and a fifth-generation descendant of King Li Mao of Liang. His father, Li Shao, was also quite famous during the Wei dynasty. Li Yu was known for his elegance, insight, and demeanor. He initially served as the Grand Commandant and later gradually promoted to Right Chief Historian. When the court moved to Ye City, he stayed in his original position, managing the imperial granaries and later overseeing the transportation of timber for palaces and temples. Because of his efficiency and competence, he received much praise. He was later promoted to General of Cavalry and Governor of Eastern Xuzhou. After resigning and returning to his hometown, he declared he was too old and unwell to continue his official career. After the Qi dynasty took over, Li Yu was posthumously promoted to General of the Front and invited to participate in the sacrificial ceremonies at the Round Mound. Li Yu was unwilling to serve under two different dynasties; although he was summoned due to previous connections, he immediately resigned after completing his duties and no longer participated in political affairs. He died in the fourth year of Tianbao.
He had three sons: Quan, Yun, and Song. The second son, Yun, was of questionable character. The third son, Song, married his daughter to Huai Ai, the son of Mu Ti Po, which facilitated his swift rise in rank, eventually becoming the magistrate of Linzhang and achieving the title of Yi Tong San Si. The second son, Yun, had an affair with Lu Lingxuan's younger sister and, after being reported by Lu Lingxuan, was instead appointed as a palace attendant.
My brother Jin, courtesy name Daoyu, is recorded in the "Book of Wei." His talent and insights were outstanding, and he was highly regarded by his contemporaries. Jin had six sons: Chanzhi, Qianzhi, Shouzhi, Lizhi, Xingzhi, and Ningzhi, all of whom were exceptional and promising. Xingzhi shared a particularly strong bond with his brothers, was recognized for his integrity and simplicity, and earned the respect of many friends. Lu Sidao from Fanyang was his brother-in-law and once wrote a poem praising him: "The water scale measures the free-spirited man; Pan and Yang have worldly connections; with form and appearance already crowned, thoughts transcend the mundane." People at that time found the poem very fitting.
My cousin, Xiao, whose courtesy name is Renlüe, is the son of Qian, the Grand Commandant of Wei. He is well-read and thoughtful. He first served as an Assistant Minister. Later, when Er Zhu Rong was about to attack the court officials, a mouse ruined Xiao's clothes and hat, so he did not go and thus escaped the Hexin incident. After the capital moved to Ye City, Xiao lived in Qinghe, staying with his maternal uncle, Cui Quan. Cui Quan gave him thirty acres of fertile land, where Xiao built a home and settled in, educating his children and nephews, and he no longer wished to pursue an official career. As the Wuding era was coming to a close and peace returned to the land, he went to the capital to take up an official position. He was eventually appointed as the County Magistrate of Dunqiu, where he eventually died.
Zheng Shuzhu, also known as Gongwen, is from Xingyang, Kaifeng. His grandfather Zheng Xi was the Minister of the Central Secretariat of Wei, and his father Zheng Daozhao was the Secretary Supervisor of Wei. Shuzhu was bright and eager to learn from a young age, enjoyed writing and was known for his integrity and strong moral principles, earning praise from many notable figures. He first served as a military advisor to the Minister of Works. During the Tianbao era, he received several promotions, eventually becoming the Crown Prince's Teacher, akin to the Minister of Ceremonies, and the Inspector of Yanzhou. At that time, Mu Zirong, who served as the Inspector, sighed and remarked, "The ancients said: 'Upon hearing the wind of Bo Yi, greedy people will become honest, and cowardly people will have ambition.' Now I see this in Zheng, the Inspector of Yanzhou!"
Once, Shu Zu's grandfather, Zheng Dao Zhao, built a memorial pavilion on a small hill in the southern part of Guangzhou and erected a stone tablet to commemorate the occasion. At that time, Shu Zu was only nine years old. Later, Shu Zu became the governor of Yanzhou and went to search for the old site, where he discovered a weathered stone tablet inscribed with the words "Baiyun Hall of Master Zhongyue Zheng Dao Zhao." Shu Zu cried in front of the stone tablet, and his sorrow moved the officials around him. Once, someone stole cloth from the market, and his father was furious, exclaiming, "How could you betray the ruler!" He captured the thief, but Shu Zu showed him mercy and let him go. From that moment on, thefts in the area ceased. People sang his praises: "Great Zheng Gong and Little Zheng Gong, fifty years apart, yet their teachings remain unchanged."
My grandfather was particularly skilled at playing the guqin and even composed a set of pieces called "Dragon's Whisper, Ten Variations." He said he heard someone playing in a dream and wrote it down when he woke up. At the time, everyone thought the piece was extraordinary. He especially loved building gardens, which made for a beautiful setting, and our home was filled with pine trees and bamboo. He was very hospitable to guests, always preparing sumptuous meals and never growing tired of it. Before he became an official, he traveled in the countryside on horseback. One day, suddenly, hundreds of riders appeared, and when they saw my grandfather, they dismounted and bowed in reverence, saying, "There you are!" They lined up to pay their respects. My grandfather inquired of those nearby, but no one recognized these people, which he found very strange. Before long, he became an official and ultimately attained a high office. Before he departed this life, he mentioned this incident and said, "Now that I am old, I have had enough glory and wealth in my life. If I can leave a clear reputation for my descendants, I can die in peace." He then passed away in the state. My grandfather's daughter was the consort of Prince Rui of Zhao. When my grandfather was alive, every time Prince Rui came to visit him, he would always ask him to sit down first before sitting himself. After my grandfather's daughter passed away, Prince Rui married the daughter of Zheng Daoyin. Whenever the prince met Zheng Daoyin, he would also ask him to sit down first before he could sit. The prince also said to Zheng Daoyin, "With such admirable character, and as an old friend of mine, you cannot be compared to him!" My father, Yuande, was talented in many areas and served as the Prefect of Langya.
My father, Yuan De, has a younger brother named Yuan Li, whose courtesy name is Wengui. He loved studying since childhood and enjoyed writing articles, and became quite well-known. Emperor Shizong invited him to the palace to serve as a scholar in residence, and later he became attendant to the crown prince. Cui Ang's wife is the sister of my uncle Yuan Li, and Wei Shou is also Cui Ang's brother-in-law. Cui Ang once shared some poems by my uncle Yuan Li with Lu Sidao and asked Lu Sidao, "What do you think of the poems Yuan Li has written recently? Aren't they as good as Wei Shou's?" Lu Sidao replied, "I think Yuan Li isn't much better than Wei Shou, but I only know that your brother-in-law isn't as good as your wife's brother." My uncle Yuan Li later went to the Zhou Dynasty and eventually passed away while serving as the Deputy Prefect of Shizhou.
