Yang Fei, styled Shuluan, was a native of Yuyang in Beiping. His father, Yang Zao, had served as the Governor of Jiande in the State of Wei and was posthumously appointed as the Inspector of Youzhou. During the reign of Emperor Xiaozhuang, Yang Fei oversaw the displaced population in Xiyanzhou and achieved great merit, being granted the title of Count of Fangcheng. Later, he served as a Palace Attendant and concurrently held the position of Director of the Imperial Secretariat and Grand Minister of the Wang of Guangping, and also took part in compiling the "Records of Daily Life." During the Xinghe period, he was appointed as the Minister of Rites and concurrently served as a Regular Attendant of the Imperial Court, before being sent as an envoy to the Liang Kingdom.
In the Liang Kingdom, the Minister of Works, Yang Kan, who was a former rebel general of Wei and had been acquainted with Yang Fei for many years, wanted to invite Yang Fei to his home and wrote three letters, all of which Yang Fei ignored. The people of Liang said, "Yang Kan has been here for a long time, and both Wei and Liang have undergone dynastic changes. Li and Lu have both visited him; why are you being so difficult?" Yang Fei replied, "Someone like Liu Xiahui can manage it, but I cannot!" Emperor Wu of Liang personally spoke to Yang Fei, saying, "Yang Kan is very eager to meet you. Now that the two countries have friendly relations, the world is fundamentally one family; why should we still hold grudges against each other?" Yang Fei still refused. After returning from the mission, he was appointed as the Deputy Minister of Justice.
The Shiji River faced a major flood, and the bridge was swept away. Yang Fei was in charge of the repairs. He also moved the ferry to Baima and constructed a stone weir in the river's middle, and built a fortified city on both banks, which took many years to complete. Lu Shipai, the governor of Dongjun, saw the geographical location of Liyang Pass as advantageous and wanted to take advantage of the mountainous terrain to create a royal garden, so he wrote to Yang Fei, stating, "You should first consult the General's opinion, and then ask you, an expert, to help design it." Yang Fei replied and refused, saying, "The country is going through tough times, yet it has entered a wise era. The Prime Minister has established a stronghold and laid the foundation for the country once again; the General has built on his ancestors' achievements and made significant contributions. The country has only just stabilized, and the people are still recovering from their hardships; we should ease taxes and labor demands, and show compassion for the people's struggles. Doesn't the Book of Songs say: 'The people are also weary, they are almost able to live moderately well, benefiting this Central Plains region, to pacify the four corners'? Although some ancient emperors carved inscriptions on mountains and wrote on trees, this doesn’t fully convey their thoughts; ordering banquets in the wilderness also cannot fully express their emotions. These actions just waste the country's resources and exploit the people's hard work. So, Confucius turned down Duke Ye's request while accepting Duke Ai's. Even though the issues were similar, their urgency and importance were different. Sima Xiangru praised the grandeur of the Shanglin Garden, and Yang Xiong described hunting scenes. Although they used the construction of walls, filling in ditches, and capturing prey as metaphors, these statements do nothing for the national spirit and only highlight their mistakes."
He first secured a position at the Ministry of Personnel as the Right Chancellor's assistant. During the Tianbao era, he was appointed as the General of the Southern Army and the Minister of Personnel. Later, he was dismissed from his position due to work-related matters. After a while, he was reappointed as the Capital Water Envoy. The emperor personally led the army north to resist the Turks and issued an edict for him to oversee the construction of the Great Wall. After completing this task, he was assigned to Nanchao Prefecture as a local official, while also being promoted to the position of Regular Attendant of the Three Departments and Left Chancellor of the Shouyang Circuit. He was later promoted to Regular Attendant, receiving a salary from Chenliu Commandery. Not long after, he was appointed as the Inspector of Xuzhou while concurrently serving as the Left Chancellor of the Southeast Circuit.
In the first year of Qianming, he was called to serve as the Minister of Justice, and afterwards promoted to Grand General of the Guard, concurrently serving as the Minister of the Imperial Court and serving as the Crown Prince's Tutor. He then transferred to the position of Minister of the Palace while also managing affairs in Yingzhou. He submitted a request for retirement, but the emperor specifically issued an edict rejecting it. Soon after, he was posthumously granted the title of Envoy with Special Authority, Commander of Military Affairs in the Two Provinces of Beiyu and Guang, Grand General of the Cavalry, Minister of the Three Services, Chief of the Central Secretariat, and Inspector of Beiyu Province, with the posthumous title of Jingjian. His son, Shi Xiao, was an official in the Central Secretariat.
Lu Qian was from Zhuozhou in Hebei. His grandfather, Lu Shangzhi, was the Inspector of Jizhou during the Wei dynasty; his father, Lu Wenfu, was an Assistant Minister of Personnel. Lu Qian was tall, handsome, and eloquent, and had lofty ambitions from a young age. Later, He Baisheng, the Minister of the Three Services, recognized his talents and appointed him as the Military Advisor of the Prefectural Office, and then promoted him to Censor. Emperor Shizong of Northern Wei valued him and made him the Sacrificial Official of the Grand General's Office, and then transferred him to the Central and Outer Offices as a military officer. Lu Qian was highly capable of managing affairs and solving problems, and Emperor Shizong held him in high regard, asserting that he would undoubtedly accomplish great things in the future.
At that time, Wang Sizheng was captured in Yingchuan, and Emperor Shizong greatly admired his talent and insights. Lu Qian once frankly told Emperor Shizong, "Wang Sizheng doesn’t even maintain his loyalty in death; what’s there to admire about him?" Emperor Shizong then said to those around him, "Having Lu Qian is like having another Wang Sizheng on my side." At the beginning of the Tianbao era, Lu Qian was appointed as a secretary in the Central Secretariat, but he was dismissed for angering the emperor with his petitions. Not long after, he was appointed as the Left Minister of the People, but he was imprisoned alongside Wang Songnian and Li Shu for criticizing certain passages in the "Book of Wei." Coincidentally, when Prince Qinghe, Yuan Yue, was leading troops to rescue Jiangling, Lu Qian was granted a special pardon because of this and became Yuan Yue's aide. After returning, Lu Qian was promoted to Deputy Minister of the Central Secretariat and soon after to Minister of the Yellow Gate. An official from the Yellow Gate named Zheng Zimo accused Lu Qian, claiming that when Lu Qian accompanied Prince Qinghe on his southern campaign, the prince had sent Lu Qian to persuade the Liang dynasty general Hou Zhen to surrender, and that Hou Zhen had given Lu Qian a lot of bribes, which Lu Qian failed to report. As a result, Emperor Xiaowen, also known as Emperor Xianzhu, had Lu Qian beaten a hundred times and cut off his beard, demoting him to a minor official in Weijun—Wei Yin Cheng. Not long after, he was appointed as the Deputy Commander of Sizhous and later sent out as the governor of Jiangzhou. No matter where he went, he could run local affairs smoothly.
During the reign of Emperor Suzong of Tang, Lu Qian was appointed as the Left Chancellor of the Yangzhou Circuit. Previously, the general Wang Lin of the Liang Dynasty had been defeated by Chen Dynasty forces and fled back to Shouyang with their emperor, Xiao Zhuang. The court appointed Wang Lin as the governor of Yangzhou and ordered Lu Qian to march south with Wang Lin to attack the Chen Dynasty. Many of Wang Lin's troops were stationed in Yangzhou, adjacent to the Chen forces. Lu Qian skillfully handled both internal and external relations and gained strong support from the local people. Wang Fengguo, the governor of both Qinzhou and Qiaozhou, and Zhou Lingzhen, the governor of Hezhou, invaded one after another, but Lu Qian defeated them. Due to his military achievements, Lu Qian was promoted to the position of Sanqi Changshi (散骑常侍) and enjoyed the tax revenues from Pengcheng Commandery. He was later promoted to governor of Hezhou while retaining his role as Left Chancellor. He then advanced to the position of Minister of the Executive Council and was soon granted the title of Yitong Sansi. Wang Lin was determined to march south to attack the Chen Dynasty, but Lu Qian believed the timing wasn't right yet. Coincidentally, the Chen Dynasty sent a letter to Shouyang, asking for peace talks with the court. Lu Qian presented the letter to the court and suggested that the court accept the Chen Dynasty's request for a ceasefire and negotiations. The court complied. This incident created a rift between Lu Qian and Wang Lin, causing them to accuse each other. Later, Emperor Shizu of Tang called Wang Lin back to the capital and appointed Lu Qian as the governor of Yangzhou while also serving as Minister of the Executive Council.
Lu Qian stayed in Huainan for thirteen years, managing the army and the people, and achieved significant achievements, causing fear among the Chen dynasty officials. The emperor of the Chen dynasty wrote in a letter to the border generals: "Lu Qian is still in Shouyang, and we do not know when he will return to the north. As long as this man is alive, he is a disaster for the state; you must be on high alert against him." After Tang Xianzu pacified Huainan, he granted Lu Qian a ten-year tax exemption. Once the ten-year period expired, during the Tian Tong and Wu Ping years, the tax burden imposed by the court became increasingly heavy. Later, when Gao Yuanhai was in power, he imposed a ban on fishing and hunting, leaving the common people with no means of survival. Some merchants owed debts to the government, and the eunuch Chen Dexin allowed them to unjustly increase the debts of the wealthy households in Huainan, instructing the local counties to collect them. The court also ordered thousands of Turkic horses to be sent to the areas under the jurisdiction of Yangzhou, allowing local rich men to purchase them at high prices. Just after the money was collected, another order was issued to scour the Jianghuai region for horses, all to be sent to the government stables. As a result, the common people suffered greatly and expressed their suffering. Lu Qian did his best to appease the people and employed various strategies to maintain stability in the Yangzhou region.
In 573 AD, Yang Su was appointed as the Minister of Military Affairs. Yangzhou's officials and common folk privately advised him to abstain from alcohol and meat, sincerely practice Buddhism, and hold large monk gatherings, decorating the roads with incense and flowers, weeping as they bid him farewell. Yang Su lamented, "I expect to be back soon." Shortly after he arrived in Ye City, the Chen state's general Wu Mingche crossed the river to invade, and Yang Su was reappointed as the Minister for the Yangzhou Circuit. In 575 AD, he was captured along with Wang Lin and others. Shortly thereafter, he passed away in Jianye at the age of fifty-seven. His family arranged to have his body returned and buried him. The court posthumously awarded him the titles of Minister of State, Right Deputy Minister of the Secretariat, and Governor of Yanzhou. Having no sons, he adopted his brother Yang Shui's son, Yang Yuanxiao, as his heir.
Yang Shisui, courtesy name Ziyan, was appreciated by Cui Ang in his youth. Cui Ang said, "These two brothers will surely become prominent young talents in the future, but unfortunately, they do not love reading." He held various positions such as Palace Attendant, Minister of Rites, Secretary of State, Magistrate of Ye County, Left and Right Ministers of Personnel, and later served as the Governor of Zhongshan Commandery, also serving as the Long History of Dingzhou. He passed away after the fall of Northern Qi.
Yang Su's paternal cousin, Yang Huairen, courtesy name Ziyou, was the son of Sima Daojiang, a Minister of Wei. Yang Huairen was well-educated and talented, with a calm disposition, always appearing relaxed and at ease. He held positions such as Chief Clerk of the Grand Commandant and Governor of Hongnong, but chose not to take up the posts, instead residing in the Chenliu area. He produced over 20,000 words of poetry and prose, as well as the twenty-volume "Chronicles of the Central and Peripheral Authorities." Yang Huairen was of good character and skilled in social interactions, maintaining a close friendship with Wang Yan of Langya and Li Shou of Longxi. He once said to Wang Yan, "In the past, Zhang Daoguang of Taiqiu was not valued by Xu Shao despite his talents; Ji Kang was lazy, and Zhong Hui visited him without saying a word. I find myself situated between the two, but distanced from both." Wang Yan agreed with him. Yang Huairen passed away towards the end of the Wuping period.
Yang Huairen's nephew, Yang Zhuangzhi, had already gained a reputation in his youth. He served as a Palace Attendant to the Crown Prince, Deputy Governor of Dingzhou, and Governor of Dongping. He died while in office as the Water Transport Envoy during the Wuping era.
Yang Huairen's paternal cousin, Yang Changheng, was the son of Yang Daoqian, the Left Minister of State in Wei. He served as a Secretary of State during the Wuping era. He was calm, composed, talented, and dignified. During the Tianbao era, Secretary Wang Xin faced punishment for his refined discussions, yet his brothers persisted, leading to a decline in such customs thereafter. Yang Changheng, along with Li Ruo of Dunqiu, Liu Taimin of Pengcheng, Lu Yanshi of Henan, Xin Deyuan of Longxi, and Wang Xiu of Taiyuan, were all renowned figures of talent in that era.
Changheng's uncle is named Sidao, the son of the recluse Daoliang of Wei. He is tall and robust, full of vitality, and became famous for his talents when he was young. During the Wuping era, he became a Yellow Gate Official and also served at the Wenlin Academy.
Sidao's brothers, Zhengda, Zhengsi, and Zhengshan, are all sons of Daoyue, a Right Grand Minister of Wei. Zhengda served as a Minister of the Interior, Zhengsi was the Inspector of North Xuzhou, Grand Tutor to the Crown Prince, and held the title of "Yi Tong San Si," while Zhengshan served as the Governor of Yongchang Commandery. These brothers received considerable rewards during the Wuping era due to their uncle's connections.
Zhengshan's son is called Gongshun, who gained early recognition for his literary talents. During the Wuping era, he became a Seal Official and also served at the Wenlin Academy. He had a close relationship with Cui Junqia from Boling and Li Shishang from Longxi, and they went with the emperor to Jinyang, living in a temple. Court ministers referred to them as the "Three Young Masters of Kang Temple," and everyone had high hopes for them.
Zhengda's father's younger brother is called Xiyu, and his father is Daoshu. Because the eldest brother, Daojiang, passed his title to him, Xiyu inherited the title of Baron of Gu'an. He is known for his simplicity, leading a virtuous life, and has the demeanor of ancient scholars, earning deep respect from relatives and friends.
Qian's cousin is called Sun Zhi, the son of the Wei State Minister Yixi. He is known for his integrity and simple lifestyle, ultimately passing away while serving as a military advisor.
Cui Jie, courtesy name Yanxuan, originally from Qinghe, has an ancestor named Kuang who relocated to eastern Qingzhou after the Yellow River changed course. At that time, the Song Dynasty established Jizhou in Henan and set up counties, making him a resident of Dongqinghe. Later, as counties were redefined, he later became a resident of Beiqiu in Nanpingyuan. His family is a notable clan from the Sanqi region. His ancestor Lingyan was the Governor of Changguang during the Song Dynasty; his father Guang was a Grand Guardian of Wei.
Jie was known for his integrity and modesty from a young age, with a passion for learning, influenced by his family's values. During the late Wei Dynasty, he rose through the ranks, from serving as a military officer to becoming the Minister of Ceremonies and the Deputy Secretary of State, and was also tasked with compiling the Annals. Later, he was appointed as the Deputy Minister of the Central Secretariat. In the third year of Xinghe, he also took on the role of Regular Attendant of the Imperial Court and was dispatched as an envoy to the Liang Kingdom. In the early years of the Tianbao era, for his participation in discussions about abdication, he was appointed as the Minister of the Yellow Gate and was also promoted to the position of Grand Scholar of the Imperial Academy, while serving in the inner court, overseeing confidential matters. He was known for his integrity, frugality, diligence, and caution, earning the appreciation of Emperor Xianzu. He was later appointed as the Southern Qingzhou Governor, where he made significant political contributions. During the Huangjian era, he returned to the court, serving successively as the Secretary Supervisor and the Grand Justice of Qizhou, and was subsequently promoted to Minister of Ceremonies. Soon after, he was transferred to the Ministry of Finance in Bingzhou, but soon after, he was recalled to the capital, and subsequently transferred to the Ministry of War, and also oversaw the compilation of the national history. During his time in court, he was renowned for his integrity and uprightness. When Emperor Shizu planned to abdicate to the later ruler, he first sought Jie’s opinion, and Jie strongly advised against it, which displeased the emperor, leading to his demotion to Governor of Southern Yanzhou. After returning to the court from his position in Southern Yanzhou, he was again appointed as the Minister of Finance and the Minister of Ceremonies, and granted the fief of Wendeng County. Soon after, he was appointed as the Chancellor of the Central Secretariat, given the title of Grand Prefect, and summoned to the Wenlin Academy to assist in the compilation of new texts. He later passed away due to illness at the age of sixty-six. The court posthumously awarded him the titles of Governor of Qizhou and Deputy Minister of the Right, with the posthumous title of Wen Zhen.
Jie's younger brother, Kuo, was known for his calmness and restraint, known for his insight and generosity, excelling in scholarship. He began his career as the magistrate of Lin County, and later served as the Grand Marshal under Wang Yan of Langya, and was subsequently promoted to serve as a military officer in the General Headquarters. He passed away during the Wuping era.
At that time, He Shikai held great power in the court, using flattery and smooth talk to curry favor and seek fame and fortune. Many officials sought positions for their children because of this, and those from prominent families tended to hold important posts in the capital. However, Jie's two sons, Gong and Hui, were serving as officials in distant provinces. His younger brother, Kuo, boldly remarked to Jie, "Gong and Hui are fortunate not to live ordinary lives, but why aren't they serving in the capital or in prominent departments like Tsinghua? Aren't they tarnishing our family's reputation by working in far-off places?" Jie replied, "Since I entered public service, I've been ashamed to seek promotions through words. If I now seek positions for my sons, how's that any different from how I usually act?" Therefore, he never sought any official positions for his sons. Everyone who heard about this couldn't help but admire him. Jie Gong served as an advisor to the Prime Minister of Rencheng, Wang Xuan, during the Tian Tong era, managing the records office. Jie Hui served as a military aide in Yangzhou.
Lu Shuwu was from Zhuoxian, Fanyang, and was a nephew of the Governor of Qingzhou, Wenwei. His father, Lu Guangzong, had grand ambitions. Lu Shuwu's two older brothers, Lu Guan and Lu Zhongxuan, became famous for their writings in the Luoyang area. Lu Shuwu was clever and quick-witted from a young age, with a bold personality, enjoyed making friends with adventurers, and was intrigued by clever strategies, greatly admiring Zhuge Liang's character. Later, he became the chief historian of He Baisheng's government in Jingzhou. When He Baisheng ignored his advice and fled to the Liang Dynasty, Lu Shuwu returned to his hometown, built a house on a hillside by the water, and lived a leisurely life. When Emperor Shizong of Northern Qi called him to serve, he declined the appointment on the grounds of illness and did not take up the position.
During the Tianbao era, the court summoned him again. He had no choice but to wear a rough cotton coat and ride in a simple horse-drawn cart to Ye City. Yang Yin visited him, hoping to appoint him as an advisor to the Minister of Personnel, but he declined, citing illness. After Emperor Suzong ascended the throne, he called him to serve as the Crown Prince's Chief of Staff and promoted him to the position of Silver Blue Grand Minister of Rites. The emperor asked him about major national affairs, and Lu Shuwu suggested attacking the Guanshi region. He drew a map on the ground, explaining the battle strategy, saying, "Those with greater numbers than the enemy should rely on wisdom; those with comparable wisdom should rely on strength. Thus, the strong can conquer the weak, and the wealthy can absorb the poor. Currently, the Great Qi differs from Guanshi in terms of strength and wealth, yet the war has not ceased, and we haven't been able to annex Guanshi because we haven't leveraged our strength and wealth! Engaging in light infantry skirmishes leads to uncertain outcomes; that is a tactic of the Hu people, not a well-thought-out, comprehensive strategy. We should build strong fortifications in Pingyang, facing Puzhou in Guanshi, digging deep moats, erecting high walls, transporting grain, stockpiling weapons, and continuing to build fortifications and establish garrison troops. If the enemy remains holed up, we will seize the area east of the Yellow River, and Chang'an will be besieged, which will inevitably lead to their downfall. If the enemy sends fewer than a hundred thousand troops, they are not to be feared, as their food supply comes from within. Our army can rotate, changing once a year, with ample food and continuous transport. If the enemy seeks battle, we should avoid engagement; if they retreat, we should pursue them. West of Chang'an, the population is sparse, and the cities are far apart, making it extremely difficult for the enemy to maneuver; if they engage us, agriculture will be neglected, and within three years at most, they will collapse on their own." The emperor was highly receptive to his suggestions. Lu Shuwu also proactively requested to go to Pingyang to implement this strategy. The emperor ordered Yuan Wenyuan to discuss with Lu Shuwu, and they drafted a treatise titled "Strategy for Pacifying the West." Not long after, the emperor passed away, and this matter came to nothing.
After Emperor Shizong ascended the throne, he appointed Shu Wu as the Minister of Rites and Secretary of the Imperial Guard, and he was later appointed Governor of Hezhou. During the Wuping years, he was promoted to Crown Prince's Grand Tutor and Right Minister of Rites.
When Shu Wu was young, his family stored a thousand shi of grain at home. Every spring and summer, if the villagers had no food, he would let them take grain for themselves, to be returned in the autumn, without ever counting how much they took. As a result, he consistently received back several times more grain than he had lent out each year. Later, when Shu Wu became a high official in the court, feeling old and with many sons, he built a large house and emotionally said, "From now on, this will be the place for singing and mourning." Wei Shou once visited him, wanting to ask about events in Luoyang, but before they could eat, Shu Wu stood up and said, "This is too much trouble for you." Shu Wu insisted on keeping him, and after a long time, the meal was finally served, consisting only of millet rice and wild vegetables, served in wooden bowls with a few pieces of dried meat. His servants ate the same food. After the fall of Northern Qi, Shu Wu returned to his hometown in Fanyang, but during the turmoil of war, the city was attacked and breached, and both Shu Wu and his cousin Shisui died from cold and hunger. General Yu Wen Shenju of the Zhou Dynasty, hearing of Shu Wu's reputation and virtue, made arrangements for his burial.
Chen Ke, a descendant of Shu Wu, and his father both held official positions. His father's name was Gui, who served as the Minister of Wei and the Governor of Linlv County. Chen Ke was very handsome and had lofty ambitions from a young age. He was very principled in his actions and favored Daoist thought. His sister was the Princess of Rencheng, and during the Tianbao years, the Prince of Rencheng recommended him to the court, leading to his promotion as a palace attendant to the Crown Prince. He later rose to the position of Chief Minister, but he requested to return home to care for his grandmother, Lady Li. Lady Li insisted that he take up an official position; he had no choice but to obey the order and again served as a palace attendant to the Crown Prince and a junior official to the Crown Prince. During the Wuping years, he also concurrently held the position of an assistant to the palace, but he later fell ill and died during his return journey from a mission to the State of Chen. The court posthumously awarded him the titles of Governor of Zhengzhou and Minister of Rites.
Yang Xiuzhi, courtesy name Zilie, was from Wuzhong in Hebei. His father, Yang Gu, had once served as the magistrate of Luoyang in the Wei state and was posthumously awarded the title of Junior Minister of Rites. Yang Xiuzhi was handsome and elegant, exuding charm. He worked hard at his studies from a young age, enjoying composing poetry and literary works, and earned a reputation as one of the best of his generation. Chang Jing, the Governor of Youzhou, and Wang Yanniang had both invited him to be the chief clerk of the province.
During the reign of Wei Xiaochang, Du Luozhou captured Jicheng, and Yang Xiuzhi led his clan and thousands of families from his hometown south to Zhangwu, eventually making his way to Qingzhou. At that time, Ge Rong rebelled, and the refugees from Hebei gathered in Qingzhou. Yang Xiuzhi sensed danger and advised his clan uncles and other relatives, saying, "We outsiders are in a dif
After Emperor Wei Zhuang ascended to the throne, Yang Xiuzhi was appointed as an Assistant Cavalry Attendant and soon took on the role of Censorate. He was later promoted to the position of Secretary to the Grand Commandery and then to Military Aide to the Grand Marshal, also receiving the title of General of Light Chariots. Li Shenjun was in charge of drafting the Annals, and he recommended Yang Xiuzhi along with Pei Boma from Hedong, Lu Yuanming from Fanyang, and Xing Ziming from Hejian to participate in the revisions. Towards the end of the Yong'an period, the governor of Luozhou, Li Hai, recommended him for the position of Chief of the Champions. During the Putai period, he concurrently served as an Assistant Cavalry Attendant and was granted the title of General Who Pacifies the North, later taking a position in the household of Grand Tutor Changsun Zhi. The court subsequently tasked him with working alongside Wei Shou, Li Tonggui, and others to compile the national history.
In the early years of Taichang, he was appointed as the Deputy Minister of Rites and soon promoted to General Who Conquers the Enemy and a Major Minister. He Ba'sheng, who served as the governor of Jing Province, recommended Yang Xiuzhi to succeed him as the Chief of Cavalry. After He Ba'sheng took on the role of acting Prime Minister, he again recommended Yang Xiuzhi for the position of Right Assistant Chancellor. He Ba'sheng fought in the areas of Fancheng and Mianyang and recommended Yang Xiuzhi to serve as the Military Commissioner for the Southern Route. Not long after, when Emperor Wei Wudi crossed the passes, He Ba'sheng sent Yang Xiuzhi to Chang'an to present a memorial to the emperor. At that time, Emperor Gaozu also recommended Yang Xiuzhi for the position of Junior Minister of Rites. Later, after He Ba'sheng fled south, Yang Xiuzhi followed him to Jianye. Upon hearing that Emperor Gaozu had supported Emperor Jing, he advised He Ba'sheng to request a return to Northern Wei from Liang's Emperor Wu. In the second year of Tianping, he returned to Ye City and, following Emperor Gaozu's orders, went to Jinyang. That winter, he was appointed as Chief Clerk of the World Sovereign's Office. In the spring of the following year, when the World Sovereign took on the role of Grand Acting Prime Minister, he summoned Yang Xiuzhi to serve as a Minister in his Grand Acting Prime Minister's Office.
Four years ago, Emperor Gaozu went to the Heavenly Pool in Fenyang to visit. By the pool, he picked up a stone faintly carved with a few characters: "Six Kings, Three Rivers." Emperor Gaozu secretly asked someone in the tent what those characters meant. The person replied, "'Six' refers to your name, Your Majesty, and 'King' naturally means you will become emperor and unify the world! This stone is a good omen from heaven, indicating that you will be chosen by heaven; it is indeed a great fortune!"
Emperor Gaozu then asked, "What does 'Three Rivers' mean?" The person explained, "'He, Luo, and Yi' can be called the Three Rivers, and 'Jing, Wei, and Luo' can also be called the Three Rivers. 'He, Luo, and Yi' refer to Luoyang, while 'Jing, Wei, and Luo' refer to the current Yongzhou. If you truly receive the divine mandate, you will definitely be able to unify the Guanzhong region!" Upon hearing this, Emperor Gaozu frowned and said, "The common people are already saying I'm plotting a rebellion; after hearing this explanation, I am even more anxious, and this matter is even harder to clarify! You must not speak carelessly!"
At first, he was granted the title of Duke of Xintai County for his military achievements in Jingzhou, with a fief comprising six hundred households. He also served as General of the East and Grand Minister of the Interior, with his official rank soaring. Later, he concurrently served as a Regular Attendant and accompanied Cui Changqian of Qinghe on a diplomatic mission to the Liang Kingdom.
A few years later, he was promoted to Deputy Minister of the Secretariat. At that time, someone mocked him, saying, "Look at him, like a sheep that has crashed into a fence, yet riding a beautifully adorned steed, running from Jinyang to Ye City, with a full load of official documents in his arms." Minister Lu Fei, due to his grievances regarding the official documents, sought an audience with the emperor to request Emperor Gaozu punish him, but it coincided with a general amnesty, so the matter was dropped. Afterwards, he also served as the Chief of Imperial Cuisine, and later was promoted to the Crown Prince's Grand Master, followed by serving as the Deputy Minister of the Yellow Gate, and eventually rising to the rank of General of the Central Army and Chief of Youzhou.
Later, he also served as an Imperial Attendant, delivering the emperor's edict to Bingzhou to persuade Gao Huan to become the Prime Minister and King of Qi. At that time, Gao Huan was preparing to accept the abdication of the Wei regime. He set out from Jinyang and arrived at Pingyang County, but the people's sentiments were still unsettled, so he returned to Bingzhou, fearing that news would leak out, and even ordered that travelers be prohibited. He had a rather straightforward personality, and after the envoy returned, he disclosed the incident, causing everyone in Ye City to know about it. Later, when Gao Huan learned of this, he was very angry but did not lash out.
After Gao Huan proclaimed himself emperor, he was appointed as a Palace Attendant and was responsible for compiling the annals. Not long after, due to an error in the edict, he was demoted to General of Brave Cavalry, which was likely a consequence of the earlier incident. Soon after, because he participated in the formulation of the abdication ceremony, he was granted the title of Marquis of Shiping and concurrently served as the Commander of the Army. After that, he also served as the Waterways Envoy of the capital, served as a secretary to the Minister of State, and then served as the Governor of Zhongshan. After Gao Huan's death, the court summoned him back to Jinyang to manage the funeral arrangements.
In the first year of Qianming, he again served as an Imperial Attendant, inspecting the capital, and was appointed as the Minister of Ceremonies, concurrently serving as Deputy Minister of the Central Secretariat. In the early years of Huangjian, he was promoted to Minister of Revenue while retaining his original position, was promoted to General of Gallant Cavalry, and also served as the Chief Justice of Youzhou. The emperor placed a high value on political affairs and often consulted him on state governance. He advised that there should be clear systems of rewards and punishments, careful use of officials, prohibition of luxury and waste, and compassion for the people's suffering; these principles were fundamental to governing the country and ensuring its stability. The emperor greatly agreed with his views.
Later, he served as the Minister of Personnel and then transferred to the Minister of War and Minister of Rites. In the third year of the Heqing era, he was appointed as the Governor of Xiyanzhou. In the early years of the Tiantong era, the court summoned him back to serve as the Minister of Rites and to supervise the compilation of the national history. During his tenure in Zhongshan and Xiyanzhou, he achieved remarkable political accomplishments and was deeply loved by the people. After he left office, the people erected a monument in his honor. Subsequently, he was appointed as the Minister of Personnel, received a fief in Yangwu County, was granted the title of Yitong Sansi (a high-ranking official title), and was additionally conferred the title of Duke. He was knowledgeable and familiar with various families' situations, so when selecting talent, he was always able to match people with roles that suited their abilities. Later, he was further promoted to the title of Jinzi Guanglu Dafu (an honorific title).
In the first year of the Wuping era, he was appointed as the Chief of the Secretariat, and soon after, he concurrently served as the Right Minister of Rites. The following year, he was further promoted to the Left Minister of Rites and concurrently served as the Chief of the Secretariat. In the third year, he was further promoted to the title of Special Advisor. In the fifth year, he officially took up the position of Chief of the Secretariat, with other official positions remaining unchanged. Later, due to his advancing age, he submitted a request for retirement. Although the emperor held him in high regard, he did not approve the request. In the sixth year, he was appointed as the Right Minister of Rites and soon after also served as the Chief of the Secretariat.
Regarding Lao Xiu, he initially had a good reputation and was praised by his friends. However, later on, his relationship with Zu Ting soured. Zu Ting wrote the book titled "Yulan," which pleased the emperor, leading to Lao Xiu's promotion. As a result, Zu Ting later fell out of favor, and Lao Xiu quickly went to court to complain, claiming he had longstanding grievances with Zu Ting.
Later on, Deng Changrong and Yan Zhitui proposed the founding of the Wenlin Academy. Yan Zhitui originally wanted some talented young people to join, but Lao Xiu also jumped in to get involved and went in with those young courtiers to serve as waiting officials. Additionally, Wei Shou was tasked with compiling history at that time, and when he was writing the "Annals of Emperor Gaozu," he wanted to set the year when Northern Wei's Emperor Xiaowen pacified the northern ethnic minorities as the first year of the Qi dynasty's reign. Wei Shou was in Qizhou at the time and fearing that the historians might alter his proposal, he submitted a memorial to explain the situation to the emperor. When Wei Shou returned to court during the Wuping years, the emperor summoned the court ministers to discuss the matter. Lao Xiu spoke up and argued that it should be based on the Tianbao era as the cutoff point. While Wei Shou was still alive, this issue remained unresolved, and no consensus was reached. After Wei Shou died, Lao Xiu maneuvered actively, and in the end, the emperor issued an edict in agreement with his proposal.
Later, Lao Xiu became the Chief of the Central Secretariat and even boasted to others, "I have been the Chief of the Central Secretariat three times; this position is of little significance to me." When the Northern Qi dynasty fell and everyone returned to Ye City, many officials in the court received promotions, and Lao Xiu was granted the title of Prince of Yan. He told those close to him, "I'm no servant; why have I suddenly been given such a high rank?" In short, many people looked down on Lao Xiu for these actions at the time.
Xiu Ge was particularly studious since childhood, studying day and night and reading extensively. Although his writing was not particularly ornate, the content was thoroughly orthodox and well-structured. After the governors of Xuzhou and Weizhou passed away, everyone recommended him for a key position. Despite his high status, he was humble and sincere in his dealings with others, earning the respect of officials and nobility. After the Northern Zhou destroyed the Qi state, he, alongside the Minister of Personnel, Yuan Yuxiu, the Minister of War, Li Zuqin, the Minister of Revenue, Yuan Xiubo, the Minister of Justice, Sima Youzhi, the Minister of Agriculture, Cui Danuo, the Secretary of the Secretariat, Yuan Wenzong, the Cavalry Commandant and Deputy Minister of the Secretariat, Li Ruo, the Cavalry Commandant and Minister of the Yellow Gate, Li Xiaozhen, the Minister of the Yellow Gate, Lu Sidao, the Minister of the Yellow Gate, Yan Zhitui, the Cavalry Commandant and Deputy Minister of the Secretariat, Li Delin, the Cavalry Commandant and Secretary of the Secretariat, Lu Yi, the Deputy Minister of the Secretariat, Xue Daoheng, the Secretary of the Secretariat, Gao Xinggong, Xin Deyuan, Wang Shao, and Lu Kaiming, these eighteen individuals were summoned to accompany the emperor to Chang'an. In the records written by Lu Sidao, it was only mentioned that Xiu Ge was summoned alongside Li Xiaozhen and Lu Sidao, which was clearly a distortion of the facts. Later, Xiu Ge was appointed as the Minister of State, serving as a counselor, a high official, and the Crown Prince's Guardian. By the end of the Daxiang era of Northern Zhou, he was promoted to Senior Minister and later served as the governor of Hezhou. In the second year of the Kaihuang era of the Sui Dynasty, he resigned from his official position and ultimately passed away in Luoyang at the age of seventy-four years. He left behind thirty volumes of collected works, as well as the "Biographies of Notable Figures in Youzhou," which have been handed down through generations. His son Pi Qiang served as the Deputy Minister of Water Resources during the late Wuping period of Northern Zhou. Pi Qiang was straightforward in character and not particularly skilled in writing, but Xiu Ge arranged for him to enter the Wenlin Academy, which many people at the time looked down on and ridiculed.
Yuan Yuxiu, courtesy name Shude, was a native of Yangxia in Chenjun. His father was Yuan Fan, the Zhongshu Ling of the Wei state, and he was raised by his uncle Yuan Yue. He lost his parents at the age of seven, but he was very well-mannered in his dealings with others, appearing quite mature for his age. By the age of nine, he was appointed as the chief clerk of the province. He was a person of calm temperament, great insight, and simple desires, never competing with others; even Cui Xiu, the Minister of Personnel, held him in high regard. During the Tai Chang period of Wei, he became the Taibao and the ceremonial scholar at the Western Pavilion. At eighteen, he became the Zhongzheng of the province. Not long after, he also assumed the position of Minister of Finance, and later served as the Left Minister of War. By the end of the Wuding period, he became a Crown Prince's Attendant. In the early Tianbao years, he was promoted to the Crown Prince's Son, while also serving as the governor of Boling. After a few years, he made significant political achievements, earning praise from near and far. Eight years later, he took on the role of Deputy Minister of the Treasury, then was promoted to Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, and subsequently became Deputy Minister of Rites. In the second year of Huangjian, his mother passed away, and he resigned from his post to fulfill his filial duties. Soon after, the court summoned him back to work and conferred upon him the titles of General of Champion and General of State Assistance, appointing him as Minister of Personnel. Before long, he was promoted to Left Changshi of the Minister of State and was also conferred the title of General of the Cavalry, while concurrently serving as Deputy Minister of Supervision.
At this time, Lu Sidao, an aide to the Minister of State, secretly borrowed 400,000 coins from the state treasury to marry the daughter of Wang Yi from Taiyuan. The problem was that the Wang family's daughter was already betrothed to Lu Kongwen! Yuan Yuxiu, Lu Sidao's superior and a state official, knew about this but did not impeach him, which led to criticism and his dismissal from the position. He was later reassigned as the Secretary Supervisor.
During the Tian Tong period of the emperor, the emperor specifically summoned Wang Rui of Zhao County and others to discuss and formulate the Five Rites. Later, I was appointed as the governor of Xinzhu, which is my hometown, and at that time, it was considered a great honor by everyone.
I served as an official with integrity and fairness, managing local affairs in an orderly manner, without being ostentatious or overly talkative, yet able to get things done well. From the county magistrate to the common people, including orphans and widows, everyone was extremely pleased with my governance. During the Wuping years, the censors started inspecting various provinces, and in such places as Liangzhou, Zhengzhou, Yanzhou, and Yuzhou, officials were being impeached everywhere; yet the censors did not come to Xinzhu, which reflects my esteemed reputation among the people at that time. When I returned to the capital after my term ended, people of all ages came out to bid me farewell, crowding the streets. Many brought wine, meat, and food, weeping as they said their goodbyes, eager to accompany me for a while. The weather was too hot, and I was concerned for their well-being, so I frequently encouraged them not to see me off, offering them a drink as a gesture of my gratitude and asking them to go back.
After returning to the capital, more than seven hundred local residents from Xinzhou, led by Zheng Bozong, jointly requested to erect a monument for me and donated several hundred rolls of cloth, requesting Deputy Minister of the Central Secretariat, Li Delin, to write the inscription commemorating my merits. This was reported to the court, and the emperor approved it. Soon after, I was appointed as the Minister of the Imperial Court while concurrently serving as the Chief of the local government. Later, I was promoted to Minister of Personnel and concurrently held the position of Yitong Sansi, and finally, I was successfully appointed as Minister.
As for Yu Xiu, he has a calm and gentle demeanor, very disciplined in his conduct, and never oversteps the rules. He comes from a prestigious family, and during his time at Tsinghua, everyone had high expectations for him, believing he had a bright future and could become a high official. While working at the Langshu office, he became friends with Zhao Yanshen, who was then a Deputy Minister of Water Resources. Later, for various reasons, Zhao Yanshen was dismissed and faced hardships; Yu Xiu often visited him, keeping their friendship alive. Eventually, Zhao Yanshen was reinstated and remembered Yu Xiu's help. Although Zhao's talents were indeed remarkable, his reinstatement was largely due to Yu Xiu's earlier support. Later, Yu Xiu himself became the Minister of Personnel, which he earned through his own abilities and reputation.
At first, Feng Zicong served as a deputy minister and was in charge of selecting officials. His family had many wedding affairs, and Yu Xiu often joked about him, telling others, "Feng Gong is busy handling wedding affairs and has no time at all." When it was Yu Xiu's turn to be appointed as an official, he could not avoid these social engagements either, and everyone felt this was the helplessness of being in officialdom. Yu Xiu was very upright as an official, and at that time, few officials could compare with him. During the Wei and Qi dynasties, many officials could not avoid accepting bribes, but Yu Xiu worked in the Ministry of Personnel for ten years without ever accepting a single bottle of wine. The Minister of Personnel, Xing Shao, shared a close friendship with Yu Xiu, often joking in the office and calling him "Qing Lang" (the Honest Gentleman). During the Daming period, Yu Xiu was appointed as the Deputy Minister of Rites to inspect various provinces and conveniently evaluate the performance of officials. When he passed through Yanzhou, Xing Shao was serving as the Governor of Yanzhou. After they parted ways, Xing Shao sent someone to deliver a gift to him. Yu Xiu refused the gift and wrote a letter to Xing Shao saying, "Today I passed by here, and if I accepted your gift, it would be inappropriate. It’s like walking through a melon patch under a plum tree; the ancients were very wary of such things. The more you say, the more you risk saying the wrong thing, just like preventing floods, you must be cautious. I hope you understand my predicament and won't take offense." Xing Shao gladly accepted his explanation and replied, "The gift I sent was just a momentary whim; I didn't think much about it. I've become old and muddled, and didn’t consider it thoroughly. Thank you for understanding; I hold no hard feelings. You were once ‘Qing Lang’, and now you’ve become ‘Qing Qing’!" When Yu Xiu served in the Ministry of Personnel, the court was chaotic, and if one crossed the powerful, they would quickly fall into misfortune. Even if he remained honest and self-restrained, he couldn't escape the troubles of being solicited by others.
After the fall of the Qi Dynasty, he fled to the Zhou Dynasty, where he was appointed to the positions of Deputy General and Junior Minister of Personnel. During the Daxiang era, he was appointed as the Director of the Eastern Capital and Senior Minister. In the early years of the Sui Dynasty, during the Kaihuang period, he was promoted to Deputy General and advanced to the position of Minister of Capital Affairs. After the Eastern Capital was abolished, he returned to the court and served as the Minister of the Capital. Two years later, he was appointed as the Inspector of Xiong Prefecture. He passed away shortly after at the age of seventy-two. His son, Zhi Li, served as Deputy Minister of Military Affairs during the Wuping period of Northern Zhou and as a Palace Attendant during the Kaihuang period of the Sui Dynasty. He later held various positions, including Deputy Minister of the Ministry of Civil Affairs, responsible for assessments. In the early years of the Daye era, he died while serving as a Middle Palace Attendant.
Historical records state: Cui Yanxuan came from a distinguished family, renowned for his noble character and illustrious ancestry, and he did not bring shame upon them; Lu Zhan was known for his righteousness and generosity, eager to offer counsel and having great ambitions; Yang Pushe held a prominent position and was well-respected, recognized as a leading figure of the time; Yuan Shangshu was known for his integrity and rose through the ranks based on his talents and abilities; like Yang Fei and Lu Qian, they were all rare good officials in the court at that time.
In the later years of the Qi Dynasty, political power fell into the hands of treacherous and petty people. Fortunately, these great men upheld social values and propriety; otherwise, the country would have been ruined by them, leading to the collapse of rituals and music, and a total breakdown of social order—what a disaster that would have been!
The verses praising them declare: It is indeed these great men who, regardless of honor or disgrace, can face it calmly, neither resorting to flattery nor arrogance; in an era of declining morals, they stand like a stabilizing anchor in the stormy sea, firmly seated on the fishing platform.
