Yang Yin, courtesy name Zunyan, and nicknamed Qinwang, was from Huayin in Hongnong. His father, Yang Jin, served as Sikong Shizhong during the Wei dynasty, a notably high official position. As a child, Yang Yin spoke very little and was not fond of talking, but he was steady and quite talented. He came and went without being frivolous or joking, always conducting himself properly. He started reading historical texts at six, and by eleven, he was studying the "Book of Songs" and the "I Ching," particularly fond of the "Zuo Zhuan." He lost his mother at a young age, and once when he visited his uncle Yuan Zigong, his uncle drank with him and asked what he was reading. He replied, "I am reading the 'Book of Songs.'" His uncle asked, "Have you reached 'Weiyang' yet?" Hearing this, Yang Yin started to cry, sobbing so hard that he couldn't speak. His uncle was also moved to tears, and they ended up not drinking at all. Later, his uncle told Yang Yin's father, "I always thought Qinwang (Yang Yin's childhood name) was not very bright, but now I must reassess my understanding of him!"
Yang Yin's family lived together across four generations and was quite prosperous. There were more than thirty siblings studying together. In front of their family school stood a pear tree, and when the fruits fell, the other children rushed to pick them up, but Yang Yin sat quietly, showing no desire to join them. His uncle Yang Wei happened to pass by the school and was surprised to see this. He said to the guests, "This child is truly steady; this is indeed the good family tradition of the Yang family!" They had planted many bamboo trees in their yard, so they built a small house for him by the bamboo grove to live alone, and they sent him abundant meals served on copper plates. He used this to teach his other children, saying, "If you are as serious and cautious as Zunyan, one day you will be able to live in a small courtyard in the bamboo grove and enjoy tasty meals served on copper plates!"
His father's elder brother, Minister of the Yellow Gate Yang Yu, held Yang Yin in high regard and once told others, "This child is young yet already displays extraordinary talent. In ten years, he will surely achieve great things!" Once, when Yang Yu was composing poetry with more than ten others, Yang Yin glanced at their poems and could recite all of them perfectly, word for word. As he grew up, Yang Yin became eloquent with a pleasant voice and great charisma, exhibiting elegant speech and demeanor. Everyone who saw him respected him greatly, and knowledgeable people believed he would certainly accomplish great things in the future.
During the Zhengguang period, I followed my father to Bingzhou. I was naturally quiet and had a fondness for nature, so I went to study at Mount Xuanweng, located west of Jinyang. In the early years of Xiaochang, my father was appointed governor of Dingzhou, and I accompanied him to assume the position. Later, due to my military accomplishments, I was appointed Yulin Supervisor and conferred the title of Baron of Weichang, but I declined the offer. After Du Luozhou captured the Zhongshan region, my entire family was captured. Not long after, Du Luozhou was defeated, and we fell into the hands of Ge Rong. Ge Rong wanted to marry his daughter to me and pressured me to become a puppet official. I feigned illness and secretly drank some cow's blood, spitting it out in front of everyone while pretending to be mute. Ge Rong believed my act and abandoned the idea. In the early years of the Yong'an period, I returned to Luoyang and was appointed Tongzhi Sanqi Shilang; I was just eighteen at the time.
When Yuan Hao invaded Luoyang, I was with my father and brother Kan (Kan was the General of the Northern Middle Army, stationed at Heliang). I arrived at my brother's just as the imperial carriage was compromised, and we escaped to the Yellow River at night. Although my brother welcomed the emperor's crossing to the north, he secretly intended to flee south, and I strongly urged him not to. In the end, we escorted the emperor to Jianzhou together. Afterwards, I was appointed as an attendant in the Tongzhi. However, I felt that I was not mature enough and only wanted to retreat, so I pretended to be ill to resign from my post and secluded myself in Songshan with my friend, the Deputy Minister of the Central Secretariat, Xing Shao from Hejian.
After Emperor Zhuang executed Er Zhu Rong, my brother Kan participated in military decision-making. The court appointed my father as the governor of Bingzhou and the Grand Chancellor of the Northern Route, so I followed my father to Bingzhou. A man from Handan named Yang Kuan wanted to accompany us out of the province, and I requested my father's approval for him. Soon after, Emperor Xiaozhuang passed away, and I was preparing to return to the capital. When I reached Handan, I passed by Yang Kuan's house, where he captured me. When I arrived in Xiangzhou, I met the governor Liu Dan. Upon learning that my family had been loyal ministers for generations and was well-respected, Liu Dan felt great sympathy for me, so he placed me under the care of the chief clerk, Murong Baize, and sent the squad leader Gong Ronggui to escort me back to the capital. When we reached Anyang Pavilion, I said to Ronggui, "My family has been loyal to the Wei dynasty for generations, dedicating ourselves wholeheartedly. Now that our family is destroyed and the country is lost, I have fallen to such a state. Although I am called a prisoner, how can I face the enemies of my lord and father? If I could end my life with a rope and have my head sent to them, that would be your kindness!" Ronggui felt great sympathy for me, so he escaped with me. I sought refuge with the Gao brothers.
This man had been hiding for several years, and later heard that Gao Huan had arrived in Xindu, so he ran to Gao Huan's military camp to deliver a self-recommendation letter. To his surprise, he was actually received by Gao Huan, who praised him for his talent. He then cried and shared the unfortunate experiences of his family, which caused Gao Huan's expression to change. Gao Huan immediately appointed him as an official in the military office.
Later, when the army marched south to attack Ye City and passed by Yang Kuan Village, Yang Kuan knelt before Gao Huan to confess his guilt. He said, "It's normal for people not to feel gratitude; I don't blame you, so don't be afraid." At that time, Ye City had not yet been captured, and Gao Huan asked him to write a sacrificial text to worship heaven and earth. After the sacrifice, the city was captured. Because of this incident, he was promoted and became the right vice director of the military office.
At that time, Gao Huan was just beginning to establish his hegemony, and there were many national affairs to handle. Various documents and orders were processed by him and Cui Xian together. After a family tragedy, he wore mourning clothes, ate only simple meals, and became emaciated. Seeing him like this, Gao Huan often comforted him. During the Battle of Hanling, he led the charge at the front every time, and everyone found it incredible, saying, "Yang Yin, this scholar, has now become a general; it seems the saying 'the benevolent must be brave' is true!"
After a while, he submitted a request to resign and return home to mourn. In his family, there were two who became Grand Ministers, Grand Tutors, Prime Ministers, and Great Generals; three who became Grand Commanders, Ministers, and Central Secretariat Directors; five who became Attendants and Ministers; and more than twenty who became Governors and Prefects. The glory of his family is unmatched in history!
On the day of his father's burial, the funeral procession extended over twenty miles, with nearly ten thousand mourners in attendance. It was a cold winter day, with heavy snow falling. Yang Yin walked barefoot, crying as he bade farewell to his father, and everyone who saw him felt deep sorrow for him.
Later, he was recalled to Jinyang to resume his previous official duties.
His cousin Yang Youqing was the governor of Qizhou, but he was killed by the emperor for speaking candidly. Upon hearing this, Yang Yin was both shocked and scared, and fell ill from overwhelming grief. He later went to Wengtang in Yanmen to recuperate. Guo Xiu, who had always envied him, wrote him a threatening letter saying, "Prince Gao wants to send you to the emperor." He even urged him to run away. Yang Yin intentionally tossed his clothes by the river, pretending he wanted to take his own life, then changed his name to Liu Shi'an and hid in Songshan, living in seclusion with monks such as Shanmen Tanmo Zheng. He secretly ran to Guangzhou and then went to Tianheng Island, earning a living by teaching. The locals referred to him as Mr. Liu. The local governor Wang Yuanjing secretly protected him.
When Gao Huan learned that Yuanjing Yin was still alive, he sent Yuan Baoyi, Yuanjing Yin's brother, to deliver a letter of comfort and dispatched the governor of Guangzhou, Xi Siyue, to find him, treating him with respect and ensuring his well-being. Gao Huan was delighted to see Yuanjing Yin and appointed him to the position of Sima of the Public Office in Taiyuan, later promoting him to the position of Changshi, and then granting him the title of Marquis of Huayin. He also arranged for his daughter to marry him and served as a Special Cavalry Attendant. He was dispatched as an envoy to invite the emissaries from the Liang dynasty.
When he reached Qianglu Guard, there was an old Buddhist temple that belonged to Yuanjing Yin's family. He entered the temple to worship Buddha and, upon seeing the portrait of his Grand Tutor, was overcome with grief; he cried so hard that he vomited several liters of blood. Consequently, he fell ill and was unable to continue, having to return to Ye City in a cart, feeling unwell. After a long time, he was reinstated to his former position and also held the position of Minister of Personnel. Towards the end of the Wuding years, due to his talents and reputation, he was unexpectedly promoted to Minister of Personnel and was additionally granted the titles of Palace Attendant and General of the Guards, while continuing to oversee talent selection.
At the beginning of the Tianbao era, he continued to serve as Minister of Personnel and also held the position of Grand Tutor of the Crown Prince. In addition, he was granted the title of Baron of Yangxia. The emperor issued an edict appointing him to oversee the Grand Historical Bureau, and he was later promoted to the position of Right Chancellor. He also married Princess Chang of Taiyuan, who was the empress of Emperor Xiaojing of Wei. At this time, a wild chicken flew into his home, and he was promoted to the position of Chancellor and Left Minister, and his title was changed to Duke of Huashan. Nine years later, he was promoted to the position of Minister of State and was also granted the titles of Special Advisor and General of Cavalry. Ten years later, he was granted the title of King of Kaifeng.
When Gao Yang (Emperor Wenxuan) passed away, not a single official in the court shed tears, except for Yuan Jingyin, who was inconsolable in his grief. Prince Gao Xiaoyu (Siyue) of Jinan received increasing favor, and he had sole authority over all court policies. He loyally assisted the emperor with state affairs, and at that time, no one opposed him. In the second month of the first year of the Qianming era, he was killed by Emperor Xiaozhao Gao Yan when he was fifty. As the Tian Tong era drew to a close, he was posthumously honored with the title of Minister of Works.
This noble young master was already famous in his youth, with a demeanor and charm that left people in awe, and he was praised highly by both the court and the common people. Later, after his family encountered misfortunes, he was left with only his younger siblings and a few nieces and nephews, whom he raised single-handedly with great love and tenderness, which was truly admirable. He was especially loyal and didn't care much for wealth; most of the rewards given to him by the court were shared with relatives and friends. He took great care of over a dozen cousins and nephews and even helped them find jobs. Throughout his life, he faced numerous hardships and dangers, and whenever someone did him a small favor, he would return it tenfold; even in the face of serious grudges, he could let go. He worked as an official responsible for selecting candidates for more than twenty years, taking the responsibility of talent selection seriously. However, he tended to favor looks and eloquence when selecting candidates, which often led to criticism that he picked candidates like a poor person choosing watermelons, only going for the big ones. He brushed off such comments with a scoff. He had an exceptional memory; he never forgot a face. Whenever he called officials, he would sometimes use their last names and sometimes their first names, and he never mixed anyone up. Once, a candidate named Lu Manhan claimed to be humble and worried about not being remembered. In response, he said, "I’ve seen you plenty of times riding a donkey with a bald tail in Yuanzi Si Fang; you were wearing a bamboo hat to cover your face, how could I possibly not recognize you?" Lu Manhan was stunned at the time, utterly impressed. He then added, "A name can reflect a person’s character, and the name Manhan really fits the bill." On another occasion, a clerk misread a candidate's name, calling Lu Shishen as Lu Shichen. Lu Shishen corrected him, but he replied, "Lu Lang is like a jade tree standing in the wind, which is why he deserves the character '玉'."
Since he married the princess, he has worn a purple robe and a golden silk belt. However, when he met Li Shu, he felt rather embarrassed and said, "All these clothes are made in the palace, and now that I see you, I feel somewhat uncomfortable." When he became the prime minister, holding state power and managing countless affairs, he still managed everything in an orderly manner and with ease. After the fifth year of Tianbao, the country faced many problems, and he has been doing his utmost to maintain and restore it; the country's stability is truly owed to him. Every day when the emperor holds court, civil and military officials pay their respects to him. He issues orders and reads edicts; his tone is gentle and calm, his demeanor dignified and spirited, and all the officials listen with deep respect. He holds a high position and great power, yet he never cultivates personal relationships, is not greedy for wealth, values righteousness, and he has received numerous rewards from the court, but he shares them with his relatives, leaving only a few thousand books at home. The Grand Tutor, Prince Pingyuan, lived very close to him; he once saw several wealthy Hu people at the door of the Long family and said to those around him, "It's good that I don't have such things at my door." He is both cautious and careful, always feeling inadequate, and every time he hears the emperor's orders, his expression grows serious. When Emperor Wenxuan fell seriously ill, he worried about affairs after his death, so he called Prince Changshan and Prince Changguang to his side, hoping they would support the young ruler. He appointed Yang Yin, the left minister of the Ministry of Works, Prince Ping of Qin, Gao Guiyan, the palace attendant Yan Zixian, and the palace secretary Zheng Zimo to help with governance, but because Prince Changshan and Prince Changguang had very high prestige, these individuals were wary of one another.
At first, Emperor Wenxuan was still in Jinyang. With the emperor being young and the court in disarray, everyone decided to let Prince Changshan stay in the Eastern Pavilion, and all matters had to first get his input. This arrangement lasted for twenty days. Afterwards, there was a plan to have Prince Changshan accompany the coffin to Ye City, leaving Prince Changguang to guard Jinyang. However, the regents started to waver again, and in the end, both princes ended up going to Ye City. Yan Zixian came up with a plan to have the Empress Dowager move to the Northern Palace and to hand over the court's power to the Empress. Additionally, starting from the eighth year of Tianbao, the court had been overly generous with rewards, and by this time, Yang Yan led the way in resigning from his position as Minister of State and his princely title. Those who relied on connections to gain favor were also dismissed. Consequently, those who relied on the powerful gravitated toward the two princes. Gao Guiyan initially aligned with Yang Yan and the others but later had a change of heart and informed the two princes about Yang Yan and the others distancing themselves. Zhu Huan and others always said, "If we don't kill these two princes, the young emperor won't be able to be at ease." Song Qindao directly advised the emperor that the two princes had too much power and needed to be dealt with swiftly. The emperor disagreed, saying, "We can discuss this matter with everyone." Yang Yan and the others discussed sending the two princes away as governors. Worried that the benevolent emperor might not agree, they went to explain the situation to the Empress Dowager, laying out the pros and cons. There was a palace maid named Li Changyi, who was the wife of Gao Zhongmi, the inspector of Northern Yuzhou, and had been imprisoned in the palace because of Gao Zhongmi's issues. The Empress Dowager was particularly fond of her because of Li Changyi's family background. The Empress Dowager told Li Changyi about this, and Li Changyi secretly told the Empress Dowager.
Yang Yin and others felt that they could not allow both princes to leave, so they petitioned for Prince Changguang to serve as Grand Marshal and Governor of Bingzhou, while Prince Changshan would serve as Grand Preceptor and be in charge of the Secretariat. When the two princes took office, a banquet was held at the Ministry of Personnel to entertain the officials, and Yang Yin and others planned to attend as well. Zheng Zimo stopped them, saying, "This matter is too risky; we cannot make hasty moves." Yang Yin replied, "We all have the same intention for the country; how could we not attend Prince Changshan's inauguration? Why would there suddenly be such concerns?" Prince Changguang had secretly arranged for dozens of servants in a back room of the Secretariat and had colluded with some nobles at the banquet. They also made an agreement with some nobles that when they toasted Yang Yin and others, everyone would encourage them to take the drink, knowing they would definitely refuse. They planned to say "down the drink" the first time, "down the drink" the second time, and "why not down it" the third time, at which point they would act. Halfway through the banquet, Prince Changguang acted according to plan. Yang Yin shouted, "Are you plotting against the princes, intending to kill loyal subjects? Supporting the Son of Heaven and weakening the feudal lords, we are sincerely serving the country; we shouldn't find ourselves in this predicament!" Prince Changshan tried to mediate, but Prin
Yang Yin died, and the court appointed Zhao Yanshen as the Zhongshu Ling to take over his administrative duties. The Honglu Shaoqing Yang Xiuzhi privately told others, "It's like walking a thousand miles, killing a thoroughbred but riding a broken-down donkey; it's truly tragic!" Yang Yin wrote numerous poems, essays, memorials, and writings, but most of them were lost after his death. His students managed to collect over ten thousand characters with great difficulty.
Yan Zixian, styled Jize, was from Xiaoluo in Guanghan. When he was young, a fortune teller told him, "You will work in the northern barbarian lands and will prosper in the states of Qi or Zhao." Later, when the Yuwen clan dominated Guanzhong, he was greatly valued by them, became a Dianjian, and was sent to the Ruru Kingdom to deliver messages. Yan Zixian returned to verify the fortune teller's prediction. When Emperor Gaozu saw him, he was very pleased and married him off to Princess Huaiyang, treating him exceptionally well. During the reign of Emperor Xianzu, he rose to the position of Chamberlain and Kaifu. After the ascension of King Jinan, he was trusted even more and appointed as the Right Pushe. Yan Zixian was already very strong and had little hair; during a chaotic moment, he forcibly squeezed through the crowd and ran out of the city gate, but Huli Guang caught up and seized him. Yan Zixian sighed and said, "As a man, I've been too hesitant in my actions, which has led to this outcome."
Zhu Huntianghe was the younger brother of Dao Yuan. Because Dao Yuan had made significant contributions, Zhu Huntianghe married Princess Dongping. He rose through the ranks to become the Grand General and Kaifu. After King Jinan ascended the throne, he was further promoted and granted the title of Boling Duke. Later, he was killed alongside Yang Yin.
Song Qindao hails from Guangping and is the grandson of Bian, the Minister of Personnel of the Wei dynasty. He initially served as the chief scribe in the Grand General's office, responsible for managing documents. Later, he became a palace eunuch. After that, he instructed the crown prince in state affairs in the Eastern Palace. At that time, Zheng Zimo was highly regarded by the emperor for his literary talents and enjoyed considerable favor. Song Qindao, lacking knowledge of historical allusions, would always ask Zheng Zimo when he encountered something he did not understand. Both of them were favored by the two courts (the emperor and the empress dowager), and even the princes and ministers respected them. Song Qindao was later promoted to the position of Secretary Supervisor. He and Yang Yin both received death sentences, and after their deaths, they were posthumously honored as Minister of Personnel and Governor of Zhao Prefecture.
Zheng Yi, styled Zimo, hails from Xuzhou. His grandfather, Zheng Ju, was the commander of Pengcheng (now Xuzhou) during the Northern Wei period and moved there from Xingyang. Zheng Yi was intelligent and well-versed in literature and classics. Initially, he served as an Attendant in the Eastern Pavilion under the Duke of Taiyuan (referring to Emperor Wenxuan of the Northern Qi, Gao Yang) and had a particularly good relationship with Song Qindao, and they were true friends, with Song frequently learning from him. Yang Yin initially held them in low regard. However, it wasn't long before he sought to gain favor with the emperor, becoming a favored official and participating in assisting state affairs. Song Qindao and Zheng Yi rekindled their close ties with Wang Gao Xiaoyu of Jinan, recommending each other and speaking frankly. During the Qianming years of the Northern Qi's later ruler Gao Wei, Zheng Yi was appointed as a Palace Attendant. At that time, he and Song Qindao held considerable power, on par with Yang Yin. When Yang Yin was killed, Xing Zicai lamented, "Although Lord Yang had faults, it is truly a pity that he died without a good friend by his side." Later, Zheng Yi and Yang Yin were both posthumously honored as Chamberlain of the Court and Governor of Guangzhou. Zheng Yi's brother, Zheng Kang, styled Zixin, was also quite gifted. During the Wuping years of the Northern Qi, he simultaneously held the positions of Left and Right Secretaries and served in the Wenlin Pavilion.
Zheng Yi, courtesy name Zimo, hails from Xuzhou. His grandfather, Zheng Ju, served as a general in Xuzhou during the Northern Wei dynasty and had relocated there from Xingyang. Zheng Yi was exceptionally bright and well-read. At first, he served as a minor official known as the Eastern Pavilion Sacrificial Official under the governor of Taiyuan, and he became good friends with Song Qindao, who frequently sought his counsel. Yang Yin initially dismissed Song Qindao and Zheng Yi, paying them no mind. However, Yang Yin eventually became a trusted confidant of the emperor and took part in state affairs. Song Qindao and Zheng Yi grew close to the King of Jinan, supporting one another and sharing their thoughts openly. When the later ruler of Northern Qi was in power, Zheng Yi was appointed Cavalry Commandant. At that time, he and Song Qindao wielded considerable power, similar to that of Yang Yin. Upon Yang Yin's death, Xing Zi lamented, saying, "Though Lord Yang had his faults, it’s truly a shame he died alone!" Later, both Zheng Yi and Yang Yin were posthumously appointed as Ministers of the Palace and Governors of Guangzhou. Zheng Yi's brother, Zheng Kang, courtesy name Zixin, was also well-educated. During the Wuping era of Northern Qi, he served concurrently as both a left and right minister while also working at the Wenlin Academy.
