Jihan, styled Xiuwen, was from Fengyi Chiyang County. Initially serving as an aide under General Daolian, he later rose through the ranks to become a junior officer in the Left Army of the Expeditionary Forces and then was appointed as an Assistant Cavalry Officer. Following Daolian's campaign to attack Guanggu, he was rewarded by the emperor with a title and appointed as a Fifth-Rank Noble of Jiancheng County. He later became a military officer under Daolian and eventually became a Chamberlain of the Imperial Court. Having served in military roles for over a decade, he was known for his integrity, meticulousness, and loyalty, earning him the emperor's high regard. In the third year of Yongchu, he was promoted to Grand Marshal under Daolian.
After the third year of Yongchu, in the first year of Taizu Yuanjia, Jihan was appointed as the military commander of Liangzhou and Nanqinzhou, holding the titles of General Longxiang, Colonel of the Western Barbarians, Governor of Liangzhou, and Governor of Nanqinzhou. Three years later, the leader of the Quchi Di tribe, Yang Xingping, surrendered and sent his son and brother to serve as hostages. Jihan sent Prefect Pangzi to occupy Wuxing. However, the chief commander of Quchi, Yang Xuan, sent his brother Nandan to resist Pangzi and General Qiang Lupi to Bai Shui. Pangzi defeated them, and they all retreated. Later that year, Jihan received another promotion, overseeing military affairs in Yizhou, including Ningzhou, as well as the six counties of Baxi, Zitong, Dangqu, Nanhanchong in Liangzhou, and Angu and Huaining in Qinzhou, with the title of Governor of Yizhou while retaining his military rank. He performed exceptionally well in Yizhou, exceeding the expectations of a local official, and was highly praised by all. In the sixth year of Yuanjia, due to his old age and poor health, he was recalled by the court to service. He was later appointed as the Minister of State and General of the Fuguo by Prince Yikang of Pengcheng.
It is said that when Emperor Taizu was fighting in Henan, he appointed Han as the commander, supervisor, and military governor of the three provinces of Yong, Bing, and Sizhou, while retaining his position as general. As a result, the front-line troops led by Yan and others suffered defeat and returned in disgrace. The following year, Han was appointed as the Minister of War, and the general's position remained unchanged. In the same year, he was appointed as the military governor of Liang County in Xuzhou, Yanzhou, and Yuzhou, and the governor of Xuzhou, and the general's position remained the same.
At that time, there was a prisoner who had committed a capital crime, and the document clerk responsible for record-keeping wanted to save the prisoner. So, when Lord Han entered the city, the clerk brought this matter to his attention. Upon reviewing the report, Lord Han said, "Go back first, come back tomorrow to report." The next day, the clerk hesitated to approach on his own, so Lord Han had him summoned. After looking at what was reported the day before, Lord Han said, "You want to spare the life of this prisoner, right? I saw this matter in the study room yesterday, and I also wanted to spare him. However, the prisoner committed a serious crime and cannot be completely pardoned. Since you want to make things easier, then you will take the blame for him!" After that, he had the clerk arrested and sentenced to death, while the prisoner survived. This is how he enforced the law, instilling fear in all those under him to deter them from breaking the law. The following year, Lord Han passed away at sixty years old. He was posthumously honored with the title of General of Conquering the Barbarians, and his positions as commander, supervisor, and governor remained unchanged.
Liu Daochan, from Lu County in Pengcheng, is the son of Assistant General Jian. Jian's deeds are recorded in the "Biography of Kangzu," written by his son. Liu Daochan initially served as an Assistant General and later became the magistrate of Wuxi, where he performed exceptionally well and earned a strong reputation. Emperor Gaozu promoted him to a military officer in the Central Army, and later he served as a military officer under General Daolian, inheriting his father's title as Marquis of Jin'an, a fifth-class noble. There was major unrest in Guangzhou because the governor Xie Daoxin had died, and a group of bandits took advantage of the situation and captured the city. General Daolian appointed Liu Daochan as the General of Zhenwu to pacify the rebellion in the south. However, before Liu Daochan could arrive, General Qianzhi of Shixing had already pacified the rebellion in Guangzhou, so Liu Daochan was not needed and he returned home.
In 420 AD, Liu Daochan was appointed General of Ningyuan and also served as the governor of Baxi and Zitong. At that time, remnants of Qiao Zong's forces still remained in the Baxi and Zitong areas. People like Huang Gongsheng, Ren Suzhi, and Zhang Shizhi colluded with Qiao Zong's relatives, Hou Lan and Luo Ao, in a plot to rebel with the Baishui Di tribe. Liu Daochan acted swiftly, exterminating twenty-one families, including that of Huang Gongsheng, and showing leniency to the other participants. He was later transferred to serve as the Military Officer of the Middle Army under Prince Pengcheng Liu Yikang.
In the year 423 AD, Liu Daochan was promoted to military governor of Liangzhou and Nanqin, and concurrently served as General Ningyuan, Colonel of the Western Barbarians, Governor of Liangzhou and Nanqinzhou. He governed wisely during his tenure, and the people lived in peace and contentment. Many refugees from the Guanzhong region flocked to the Hanchuan area to seek refuge with him. In 426 AD, Liu Daochan submitted a memorial requesting the establishment of Longxi County and Songkang County, to be governed by him. In 427 AD, he was summoned back by the court to serve as General of the Rear. The following year, he was promoted to Left General and Military Advisor to Prince Jingling Liu Yixuan, and concurrently overseeing military affairs in Yongzhou, Liangzhou, Nanqinzhou, and the six counties of Nanyang, Jingling, Shunyang, Xiangyang, Xinye, and Sui under Jingzhou. He ultimately held the titles of General Ningyuan, Colonel of Ningshan, Governor of Yongzhou, and Prefect of Xiangyang. He was exceptionally skilled at local governance, especially in Yongzhou where his achievements were remarkable. The previously rebellious tribes who had resisted his rule all came to submit to him and were resettled in the Mian River basin. The people lived in peace and prosperity, and every household enjoyed a prosperous life. This led to the emergence of the "Xiangyang Song of Joy," a song that began to be sung during Liu Daochan's era.
In the year 433 AD, Liu Daochan was promoted to the position of General Assistant to the State. In 439 AD, he passed away, and the court posthumously conferred upon him the title of General of Conquering the Barbarians and the posthumous title of Marquis of Xiang. Liu Daochan governed the Western Regions skillfully and was deeply loved by the people. After his death, various tribes in the region wore mourning clothes and escorted him tearfully on his final journey, all the way to the banks of the Mian River. Jingzhou Inspector and Prince of Hengyang, Liu Yiji, submitted a memorial to Emperor Wen of Song, Liu Yilong, stating: "The late General Assistant Liu Daochan suffered from a severe back abscess, and his condition worsened, unfortunately leading to his passing. Daochan had long been stationed in Southern Han, a strategically vital location on the border with hostile forces, and his remarkable achievements earned him high prestige. He was in his prime and had great potential, but his sudden death is truly regrettable. I humbly request Your Majesty's compassion." Liu Daochan's eldest son, Liu Yansun, is also noted in historical records. Liu Yansun's younger brother, Liu Yanxi, relied on his elder brother's merits and went on to hold positions such as Minister of the Right in the Ministry of Works, Gentleman of the Yellow Gate, Prefect of Linhai, and Prefect of Yixing during the Daming era of the Song Dynasty. In the early years of the Taishi period of the Song Dynasty, he participated in rebellions in various regions and was eventually executed. Liu Daoxi, styled Daochan, was the Prefect of Baxi Commandery and Zitong Commandery. In 441 AD, during the 18th year of the Yuanjia reign of the Song Dynasty, the Di people attacked the city. Liu Daoxi valiantly defended the city and repelled the enemy. Emperor Wen of Song was very pleased and issued a decree declaring: "Some time ago, the enemy attacked the city, and the situation on the border was extremely critical. General Guangwei and Prefect of Baxi and Zitong Commanderies, Liu Daoxi, led civil and military officials to defend the city with all their might and successfully preserved the city. His contributions are worthy of record. He is appointed as General of the Crown. Also, Consultation Officer, Former General of Establishing Might, and Prefect of Jinshou, Shen Tan, bravely defended a small army, with unwavering determination, ultimately achieving victory. Over half of the soldiers suffered casualties, but their morale remained high. Though the city was eventually lost, his loyalty is commendable. He is appointed as General of Establishing Might and Prefect of Baxi and Zitong Commanderies."
Initially, when the Di tribe attacked the city, the city lacked sufficient troops. Liu Daoxi rallied the city's officials and civilians to defend it together and exempted them from taxes for twenty years. After the enemy retreated, court officials discussed, "Although the enemy attacked the city, they ran away after one battle; it would be more appropriate to follow the original agreement." However, General Shen Yanzhi, Dan Yang's Yin Yang Xuanbao, and Rear Army Historian Fan Ye all argued, "Rewards should be determined by the level of contributions and cannot be entirely based on the previous agreement. The longest tax exemption period should not exceed ten years." In the end, the court adopted their opinions.
In 442 AD, Liu Daoxi was promoted to Yanglie General and appointed Governor of Guangzhou. By 447 AD, he faced impeachment for severe corruption, having beaten Xun Qiwen of Zhongxin half to death, taking the emperor's chariot out of the city for leisure, and riding in a carriage with a person named Ani. He was dismissed from his position the following year during a general amnesty. Later, after the amnesty, he hid some stolen goods and was caught by the authorities, but due to illness, he was spared from punishment and died shortly after.
Du Ji, courtesy name being Dushi, was from Duling, Chang'an. His grandfather, Du Yu, served as the Southern Expedition General during the Jin Dynasty. His great-grandfather, Du Dan, fled to Hexi to escape the war and later served in the Zhang family. After Fu Jian subdued Liangzhou, Du Ji's father and grandfather returned to Guanzhong. Du Ji's brother, Du Tan, was well-versed in historical texts. After Emperor Liu Yu captured Chang'an, Du Tan followed the army south. During Emperor Wen's reign in the Song Dynasty, Du Tan was highly regarded by the emperor, serving as Rear Army General, Dragon Cavalry General, Governor of Qingzhou, Governor of Jizhou, and Right General Sima of Nanping Wang Liu Shuo. However, as Du Tan was from the north, the court held persistent prejudices against him, considering him rough and uncivilized. Despite his talent, he was always hindered by these prejudices, which deeply frustrated Du Tan.
Once, Du Tan talked with Emperor Wen of the Song Dynasty about historical books. Emperor Wen said, "Jin Ridi is both loyal and filial, with noble virtues. No one in the Han Dynasty could compare to him. Unfortunately, such a person can no longer be found in the world today." Du Tan replied, "Jin Ridi's excellent character is just as Your Majesty said. However, if he lived today, he would probably not even have time to take care of his horses, let alone receive the Emperor's appreciation." Emperor Wen's expression shifted, and he replied, "Are you suggesting that the court is too ungrateful?" Du Tan said, "Allow me to explain. I come from a prestigious family in the Central Plains. My great-grandfather fled to Liangzhou due to the turmoil of the Jin Dynasty, and our family has been living there for generations without losing the glory of our ancestors. It's just that because we migrated south later, we are regarded as uncultured and barbaric. Jin Ridi, on the other hand, is a Hu person, merely a horse herder, yet he quickly made his way into the court to serve the Emperor, ranking among the wise ministers. Although the dynasty also promotes talents, I fear I may not have the same fortune as Jin Ridi." Emperor Wen fell silent.
In the north, there's an old custom that when someone falls ill, children are expected to pay a visit. When Du Ji was thirteen, his father sent him to visit Wei Hua, who lived in the same county. Wei Xuan, Wei Hua's son, was well-regarded and greatly admired Du Ji upon meeting him, so he gave his daughter in marriage to him. Later, Prince Guiyang Liu Yizhen was stationed in Chang'an and appointed Du Ji as the chief registrar of the province. Du Ji later served as a cavalry officer, an external cavalier, a military and prison officer for Prince Jiangxia Liu Yigong, a court official, and a military recorder for Prince Changsha Liu Yixin.
In the year 430 AD, I accompanied Yan Zhi to Henan and was promoted to the rank of General of Jianwu. The Xianbei invaders withdrew from the defenses in Henan and fled to Hebei. Yan Zhi ordered me to guard Luoyang. Luoyang had not been repaired for a long time, and there was not enough food. When Yan Zhi's forces defeated the retreating enemy, I contemplated abandoning Luoyang and fleeing, but I feared execution at the hands of Emperor Taizu.
Years ago, when Emperor Gaozu pacified Guanzhong and Luoyang, he brought back some ancient bells and bronze vessels to the south. One large bell fell into the Luo River during the transport. At that time, Emperor Taizu sent General Yao Songfu with fifteen hundred men to retrieve the bell. While Yao Songfu and his troops were retrieving the bell by the Luo River, I lied to him, saying, "The enemies have already crossed the river and fled south; Luoyang is in a very dangerous situation now. But we are reinforcing the city defenses and have sufficient food; we just lack manpower. If your troops can help defend the city, it would be a great achievement. After securing the city, it's not too late to retrieve the bell!" Yao Songfu took my word for it and brought his troops over. However, upon arriving in Luoyang, they found the city walls in a state of disrepair, unable to be defended, and severely lacking in food. So they left. I seized the opportunity to abandon Luoyang and make my escape south, then explained to Emperor Taizu, "I originally intended to defend the city at all costs, but as soon as Yao Songfu arrived, he fled, the soldiers' morale was completely lost, and I couldn't control the situation."
Emperor Taizu was enraged upon hearing this news and sent General Zheng Shunzhi to Shouyang to execute Yao Songfu. Yao Songfu, a brave and decisive man from Wukang, Wuxing, had great strength. The generals and commanders of the Song Dynasty were no match for him. When he followed Yan Zhi on a northern expedition and fought against the enemy, he personally cut off the head of Tuoba Tao's uncle, Ying Wentele (音译). Tuoba Tao had to ransom him back with a hundred horses!
First, let's talk about his father. His father's name was Yang Ji, who served as the Intendant of the Capital, Commandant of the Archers, and also served as a military advisor during the reign of Emperor Taizong. At the age of seventeen, he was appointed as the Governor of Qingzhou and Jizhou provinces, overseeing military affairs in Dongguan County and Dong'an County under Xuzhou, holding the title of General Ningyuan. He served there for eight years, governing effectively and earning the people's praise. From the Yongxi era to the end of the Song Dynasty, only Yang Muzhi and Yang Ji were the two governors whose names were frequently mentioned by the people.
In the twenty-fourth year of his reign, he was summoned back by the court to serve as the General of the Left Army, and his brother Yang Tan took over his position as governor, which was seen as a great honor by the people in the north. Yang Wan, the eldest son of his brother Yang Tan, held the position of Minister of the Imperial Guard. One time, Emperor Taizu wrote a letter to his brother, and Yang Wan secretly opened and read it. Before he could read the letter, Yang Wan quickly returned it, but the envelope had already been opened, resulting in everyone pointing fingers. Finally, the courier said, "It was those officials who opened it." The Emperor sent someone to investigate, and Yang Ji said, "It was my fourth son, Yang Jiwen, who opened the letter. He should be punished." The Emperor showed leniency and dropped the issue. In the twenty-seventh year, Yang Ji passed away at sixty-four.
His eldest son, Yang Changwen, passed away at a young age. The fifth son, Yang Youwen, was of questionable character. When Emperor Taizong had just ascended the throne, Yang Youwen was appointed as the General of the Valiant Cavalry due to his military accomplishments and was granted the title of Lord of Shaoyang County as well, with three hundred households as his fief. Later, he lost his title due to his cunning and flattery. However, after he reported the rebellion of Prince Lujiang, Liu Yi, he was appointed as the Yellow Gate Minister. He was later sent to serve as the General Who Maintains the State, the Governor of Liangzhou, and the Governor of Southern Qinzhou. During the Yuanhui reign of Emperor Feidi, he became a Cavalier In Regular Attendance. Yang Youwen was corrupt in his official role, amassing a fortune for himself, keeping dozens of female entertainers, indulging in music all day, and hanging out with Shen Bo and Sun Chao. He had a particularly close relationship with Ruan Dianfu, whom Emperor Feidi came to loathe after his death.
Emperor Feidi often disguised himself at night to visit Yang Youwen's house, listening to the music from within, which only fueled his anger over time. So, Emperor Feidi took it upon himself to kill Yang Youwen, Shen Bo, Sun Chao, and others. Yang Youwen's uncle, Yang Shuwen, held the position of Chief Water Officer, and his other brothers and nephews, who held various official positions in the capital and beyond, were also killed. Only Yang Youwen's brother, Yang Juwen, his younger brother, Yang Xiwu, and a few others managed to escape, saving their lives.
Shen Tian, courtesy name Gongxiu, was from Weixian, in the Weijun region. His great-grandfather Shen Zhong held the position of Minister of Works under Shi Hu. His grandfather took part in the campaign against Guanggu, and his father Shen Xuan and his paternal cousins Shen Yong returned to their hometown, where they were recognized by the court for their exceptional talents. Shen Yong was appointed Inspector of both Qingzhou and Yanzhou. After his grandfather became Emperor, Shen Xuan was appointed Grand Master of Palace Writers. During the Yuanjia reign of Taizu, Shen Xuan also served as Inspector of both Yanzhou and Qingzhou. Shen Tian's brother Shen Mo, who once defended Huatai alongside Zhu Xiuzhi, was captured by the enemy but later managed to escape and return. During the Yuanjia reign, his brother was appointed Administrator of Jingling.
Shen Tian initially served as Chief of Cavalry and Military Advisor. After his grandfather became Emperor, he was appointed General of the Eastern Palace and was later transferred back to the court. He worked directly in the court for ten years without taking a single day off. He was later promoted to Assistant Cavalry Attendant, then appointed General of Suiyuan and Prefect of Xiapi. He was then transferred to serve as Prefect of Beihai, with the additional title of Ningyuan General. Wherever he went, he achieved significant accomplishments in governance. Later, he also served as Prefect of Beiqiao and Liang counties while keeping his rank as General. The counties under his jurisdiction were near the border and often suffered attacks from enemies. Upon his arrival, Shen Tian secretly gathered intelligence about an impending enemy attack, so he deployed troops to key points for an ambush and launched a surprise attack, capturing and defeating all the enemies. In the twelfth year of the Yuanjia era, he was promoted to oversee military affairs in three counties: Lu, Dongping, and Jibei, while keeping his rank as General. He was respected and kind-hearted, and the people held him in high regard. When Prince Liu Yiqing was stationed in Jiangling, Shen Tian served as Military Advisor for the Western Troops and Prefect of Hedong. After Prince Liu Yiji succeeded Liu Yiqing, Shen Tian was transferred to Anxi Prefecture and granted the title of Ningshuo General. He was later summoned back to the court and appointed Commandant of the Prince's Cavalry, but he resigned after the passing of his mother. In the 21st year of our era, I was transferred to Lixia (modern-day Jinan) as the Inspector of Jizhou, responsible for military affairs in the three counties of Jinan, Le'an, and Taiyuan in Jizhou and Qingzhou, holding the title of Yanglie General. The following year, I was further appointed as Prefect of Jinan. At this time, the court was preparing to replace another batch of county officials, so I quickly submitted a memorial stating:
"I heard that the court intends to appoint me as the Prefect of Jinan, and I am overwhelmed with gratitude and fear! I am already burdened with sins, and now I have received such great favor; I truly feel unworthy, especially now that I am to be appointed as Prefect. I feel foolish and don't know how to repay the court's kindness. I have just taken office and started to investigate the situation in my jurisdiction. I found that we need to establish military defenses between the rivers, with four locations urgently requiring fortifications. Wengkou Ancient City is an important strategic location; the garrison from Taiyuan Commandery should be stationed there to manage border defense. At the same time, some soldiers patrolling along the mountains can be reduced, which would both strengthen defenses and reassure the people, yielding many benefits. Lv Chuo also agrees with my thoughts, and the people have all expressed their approval upon hearing. However, some matters require careful consideration and should not be rushed. Fang Shao has been Prefect of that commandery for a long time and is well acquainted with the military and civilians. A sudden personnel change could impact our long-term plans. Moving the Taiyuan Commandery troops too far away may also inconvenience the local populace. Moreover, the strategy at Wengkou could result in frequent troop movements, which might upset the local populace and lead to unrest. In border areas, military and legal matters should be approached cautiously, without hastily expanding their scope. Implementing my previous suggestions would benefit both public and private interests." The Emperor agreed with my suggestion and ordered the relevant departments to say, "Zhang Tian's memorial is indeed correct; the appointments of those Prefects should be put on hold for now!"
Legend has it that the nomadic tribes from the north invaded, and Xiao Tian led his troops into battle but was ultimately defeated, forcing him to return to the capital in disgrace. Twenty-seven years later, he was promoted to the position of Commander of the Imperial Guards. In that year, the northern invaders launched another plundering raid southward, and their Wuchang King even reached Qingzhou. The court sent Xiao Tian to support Dongyang, where he, Assistant Minister Pang Xiu, and Prefect of Qi Jun worked together to defend the city. Xiao Bin also dispatched Jie Rong, the Qingzhou convoy commander, to lead troops in support of Xiao Tian and his team, successfully entering the city through the southern mountains.
The enemy threatened the city during the day and retreated at night. The townspeople seized the opportunity to push carts outside the north gate, dug trenches, and built fortifications outside the city, preparing to leave the city to fight the enemy, but the enemy dared not come any closer. After five days of deadlock, the enemy circled eastward to raid Qinghe County and the thousands of households along the southern post road, then escaped to Xiaphi from Dong'an and Dongguan. The Prefect of Xiaphi, Yuan Lang, tightly closed the city gates and defended, saving over two thousand households. After the enemy retreated, Xiao Tian was appointed as the General of Ning Shuo and the Prefect of Shanyang. He excelled in governance and consistently achieved political success wherever he served.
After the Emperor succeeded to the throne, Xiao Tian was promoted to the Governor of Qingzhou, and his role as General was also retained. Soon after, he was also appointed as the Commander of the military forces in Xuzhou, Dongguan, and Dong'an. In the second year, he was appointed as the Commander of the military forces in Jizhou. Qi Province had been at war for several years, and the people were impoverished. When Xiao Tian first took command of border defenses, he advised the people to engage in farming and promote silk production. Two or three years later, the situation in Qi Province saw significant improvement. He was known for his integrity and frugality, having served as prefect multiple times. His wife and children often went hungry and cold, earning him praise from the people. Eventually, he was promoted to Assistant Minister of State.
In the second year of Xiaojian, he was promoted to the military governor of Yuzhou, General Ning Shuo, and the governor of Yuzhou. The following year, he fell ill and was summoned back to the capital. He passed away on the way, at the age of sixty-nine. When he died, he left behind no wealth. His son, Xiao Shi, who had also died young after serving as the governor of Nanqiao County, had also passed away early.
Muzi Yuansi held the positions of governor of Hailing and Guangling. Yuansi's younger brother, Qian, rose through the ranks during the early Taishi period, eventually becoming the general who assisted the state and the governor of Linchuan. Yong's son, Tan, went from the governor of Baxi and Zitong to the governor of Liangzhou and Nanzheng.
In the twenty-sixth year of Yuanjia, he became a military adviser to Emperor Shizu, and together with Wang Xuanmo, besieged Huatai, but failed to take it and was subsequently dismissed. Later, Xiao Bin, the governor of Qingzhou, was promoted to General Jianwei, as well as governor of Jinan and Pingyuan. He once again attacked Qiaoao, but was defeated, resulting in the loss of Licheng. Xiao Si proposed a rebellion to quell the insurgents, so the court appointed Yong Tan as the assistant general and vanguard. Upon Emperor Shizu's arrival at Xinting, Yong Tan also captured the capital.
In the early years of Xiaojian, he became the right guard of the Crown Prince, and was also appointed as General Ning Shuo and the governor of Xuzhou. In the first year of Daming, northern enemies invaded Yanzhou. Emperor Shizu sent the Crown Prince's guards, Xue Andou and the newly appointed governor of Dongyang, Shen Fasi, to the north to suppress them. When they arrived at Yanzhou, the enemy had already fled. Yong Tan suggested, "Ren Zhen and his gang of fugitives have repeatedly harassed the border residents, and the military expeditions have had little success. We should take this opportunity to completely eradicate them." The emperor agreed to his suggestion.
The fugitives had already received the news and fled with the entire village. Consequently, Xue Andou and Shen Fasi faced punishment for failing to capture anyone, while Yong Tan was sentenced to death by beheading. The courtiers pleaded for his clemency, but their efforts were in vain.
When it was time for the execution, Shen Qingzhi, the Marquis of Shixing, rushed into the execution site, embraced Yongtan and wept, saying, "You are innocent, but you have been wrongly killed by the court. I won’t be here much longer either!" The officials carrying out the execution reported this to the emperor, who then pardoned Yongtan's death sentence and imprisoned him in Shangfang, the emperor's armory. Not long after, he was released again and reinstated as the General of the Valiant Cavalry, but he later passed away from illness.
Lao Lingsun served as the Left Army Sima of Prince Yongjia Liu Ren during the reign of Emperor Fei in the Jinghe period and later became the Prefect of Guangling. Subsequently, Emperor Taizong appointed him as the General of Ning Shuo and the Inspector of Xuzhou to lead a campaign against Xue Andu. When they reached Huaiyang, they encountered Xue Andu. His younger brother, Ling Chan, was then the Prefect of Jiyin, stationed in Suiling City, and had a conflict with Xue Andu. Xue Andu attacked Suiling City but was unable to take it. At that point, Lao Lingsun arrived and dispatched him to Suiling to persuade Ling Chan to surrender. After Ling Chan surrendered, Xue Andu had him executed, and Lao Lingsun met the same fate.
Earlier, Cui Yi from Qinghe, because of his exceptional service, was highly regarded by Emperor Gaozu. During the Yongchu period, he became the General of Zhenwei and the Prefect of Donglai. During the reign of the Young Emperor, Sima Lingqi and Sima Shunzhi led thousands of outlaws to besiege Donglai. Cui Yi counterattacked with his troops, killing over thirty, including Sima Lingqi. In the Yuanjia period under Emperor Taizu, he also became the Inspector of Qingzhou.
In historical records, it is said that during the Han Dynasty, good officials could secure positions for their descendants for generations. Many from the Sun and Cao families served in government for decades, effectively governing their regions and ensuring the well-being of the people. Their humility and selflessness enabled them to hold office for long periods. However, over time and with the rise and fall of dynasties, moral standards began to decline. Liu Daochan held office in southern Han for over a decade, bringing benefits to Fancheng and Mianyang. He upheld the good traditions of the previous dynasty, which led to his accomplishments and ensured his name would be remembered in history. This is truly remarkable!
