Hu Fan, courtesy name Daoxu, was from Nanchang, Jiangxi. His grandfather, Hu Sui, served as a Cavalier Attendant; his father, Hu Zhongren, served as an Imperial Secretary for Documents. Hu Fan lost his parents at a young age, and his dignified demeanor during the mourning period earned him admiration. After Han Bo, the Magistrate of Nanchang, saw him, he said to Hu Fan's uncle, the Minister Hu Shaoguang, "Your nephew will surely become famous for his righteousness and bravery." Local officials repeatedly summoned him for official positions, but he declined. It was only after his two younger brothers married that he joined General Chi Hui's military campaigns.
At that time, Yin Zhongkan was serving as the Inspector of Jingzhou, and Hu Fan's brother-in-law, Luo Qisheng, was a staff officer under Yin Zhongkan. Hu Fan asked Chi Hui for leave to return home, passing through Jiangling to visit his brother-in-law. Yin Zhongkan made a point of inviting Hu Fan to stay and welcomed him warmly. Hu Fan took the opportunity to advise Yin Zhongkan, saying, "Huan Xuan is a treacherous man who is always resentful of his own failures. Treating him with such respect could put you in danger later!" Yin Zhongkan's face fell when he heard this. After leaving, Hu Fan told his brother-in-law Luo Qisheng, "Surrendering to the enemy will definitely lead to disaster. If you don't prepare now, you'll regret it later." Later, Huan Xuan attacked Yin Zhongkan from Xiakou, and Hu Fan took part in the rear operations of Huan Xuan's army. Yin Zhongkan was defeated, and Luo Qisheng was indeed caught up in the fallout from his ties to Huan Xuan. Hu Fan later took part in military campaigns under the Grand Commandant, the Grand General, and the Chancellor.
The rebel army raised the flag of revolt, and Huan Xuan was defeated and ran away. Hu Fan caught Huan Xuan's horse at Nanye Gate and held him, saying, "There are still eight hundred archers in the Yulin Army, all of whom are from our western region. If you leave them now and run, will you be able to come back?" Huan Xuan just pointed to the sky with his whip and said nothing. Then he fled, causing everyone to scatter. Later, they caught up with Huan Xuan in Wuhu. Huan Xuan saw Hu Fan and exclaimed to Zhang Xuwu, "Your hometown has produced quite a few talented people. Now I see Wang Shuzhi (Hu Fan's style) again!" In the Battle of Sangluo, Hu Fan's ship was set ablaze, and he jumped into the water fully armored and swam over thirty paces to reach the shore. The rebel army was approaching, and with no way to escape to the west, he decided to go home.
It is said that Gaozu had learned that Liu Fan spoke frankly in front of the Yin clan, and heard that he was loyal to Xuanzong, so he summoned him to serve as a court attendant and take part in military matters. Once when fighting the Xianbei, the enemy gathered a large force outside the city. Liu Fan addressed Gaozu, "The enemy has stationed a large army outside the city, and there must not be many defenders in the city. Let's attack the city now and take down their banners, just like Han Xin did when he captured Zhao back in the day." Gaozu then covertly dispatched Tan Shao and Liu Fan to assault the city. When they arrived, they immediately captured the city. Seeing the city fall, the enemy scattered in all directions and then entrenched in Guanggu for several months.
On the evening before the capture of Guanggu, the generals and staff gathered together. Suddenly, a large black bird, resembling a goose, flew into Gaozu's tent, frightening everyone and seen as an ominous sign. However, Liu Fan stood up and congratulated, saying, "Black is the color associated with the Hu people. This bird's arrival indicates that the Hu people will submit to us. This is a very auspicious sign!" The next morning, they attacked the city and indeed broke through. Later, following Gaozu to campaign against Lu Xun, he had many meritorious deeds in battles and was appointed as a fifth-rank noble of Wuping County, promoted to a regular officer. Not long after, he was promoted to General Ningyuan and Prefect of Poyang.
Subsequently, he followed Gaozu to campaign against Liu Yi. Liu Yi had just taken office as the Inspector of Jingzhou and requested to take the eastern route back to the capital to pay respects to his ancestors. Gaozu went to meet him at Nitang. Liu Fan advised Gaozu to take the opportunity to kill Liu Yi, but Gaozu declined to do so. Later, Gaozu told Liu Fan, "I took your advice at Nitang before, but I can’t do that now." Later, he followed Gaozu to conquer Sima Xiuzhi, returning to serve as a staff officer and promoted to General Jianwu, leading the mobile troops stationed in Jiangjin. Xu Kui was defeated and killed, making Gaozu very angry. That day, he crossed the river at Matou'an. The banks of Jiangjin were steep and high, resembling a wall several zhangs high. Sima Xiuzhi set up a formation on the bank, leaving no place to land. Gaozu ordered Liu Fan to find a way to land. Liu Fan hesitated a bit, angering Gaozu, who ordered his men to tie up Liu Fan and kill him. Liu Fan refused to obey, saying, "I would rather die in battle!" He used the tip of his knife to carve a small hole in the bank, just enough for a toe to fit in, and then climbed up. Gradually, his men followed suit. After landing, they fought to the death, and the enemy was overwhelmed and retreated. Gaozu pursued the enemy, and they scattered in defeat.
When Emperor Gaozu was fighting against the Qiang tribe, he appointed him as General Ning Shuo, allowing him to participate in the military operations of the Grand Marshal and lead an independent army. When they arrived in Hedong, they encountered a violent storm that blew their large ship to the northern shore. The Sulu (a branch of the Xianbei tribe) seized the opportunity to loot the ship, taking everything aboard. He was furious at the time, with a burning rage, so he gathered twelve men and crossed the Yellow River in a small boat. When five or six hundred enemy cavalry spotted him, they laughed! But his archery skills were exceptional; as soon as he landed, he drew his bow and loosed several arrows, hitting more than a dozen enemies on the spot! Seeing this, the enemy was frightened and ran away, enabling him to recover everything that had been taken.
Later, Emperor Gaozu sent him and others to chase the Sulu at Ban City. The enemy cavalry was numerous and layered. At that time, Zhu Chaoshi's soldiers were all new recruits, totaling less than five thousand, but they fought bravely and defeated the enemy decisively! Another time, he and Zhu Chaoshi faced Yao Ye in Puban. Zhu Chaoshi lost and ran back. He, on the other hand, collected the leftover supplies from Zhu Chaoshi and slowly retreated, and Yao Ye dared not pursue him. After Emperor Gaozu returned to Pengcheng, he participated in the military operations of the Prime Minister. At that time, the remnants of Lu Xun's forces and Su Yin's bandit troops united and took control as local officials in Shixing. Because of his contributions in quelling Sima Xiuzhi and capturing Guanggu, he was granted the title of Lord of Yangshan County, with a fief consisting of five hundred households.
In the first year of Jingping, he was dismissed from his position for opening the side door while guarding the Eastern Residence, but soon resumed his duties. In the fourth year of Yuanjia, he was promoted to Jianwu General and Interior Minister of Jiangxia. In the seventh year, he was summoned as a General of the Cavalry. When Dao Yan launched a northern campaign, the Governor of Southern Yanzhou, Prince Yixin of Changsha, occupied Pengcheng. He then went to guard Guangling and oversaw local government affairs. Later, he was promoted to Left Guard for the Crown Prince. In the tenth year of Yuanjia, he passed away at the age of sixty-two and was posthumously granted the title of Zhuanghou.
The descendants of Zilong reached the prestigious position of Prefect of Xiyang. After Zilong's passing, his son Qianxiu inherited the title. In their family, there were more than sixty siblings, many of whom were unruly and disregarded the rules.
Among them, Zunshi, the fourteenth in rank, previously served as a military officer in Zangzhi Ningyuan, but later resigned and returned home. He conspired with Kong Xixian to rebel. The Emperor Gaozu, out of respect for the accomplishments of his father, sought to avoid escalating the issue and had Zunshi arrested and executed in Jiangzhou on other charges.
Twenty-four years later, his sixteenth-ranked brother Danshi and seventeenth-ranked brother Maoshi, along with over two hundred clansmen, launched an attack on the counties, killed the Prefect Huan Longzhi and the County Magistrate Zhuge Hezhi, and sought to install Yikang as emperor. Coincidentally, the Governor of Jiaxiang, Jing Shi, who held the dual role of cavalry officer, and Jing Shi's brother Baoshi, all went to the Ministry of Justice to confess and were subsequently exiled to distant regions. Later, Qianxiu lost his title. When Emperor Shizu came to power, those who had been exiled were pardoned and allowed to return home.
Liu Kangzu, a native of Lüdi in Pengcheng, whose family had lived in Jingkou for generations. His uncle Liu Jian was ambitious and held in high regard by the founder Liu Yu. Liu Yu was planning to rise up and revive the Han dynasty, recruiting talents everywhere. He visited Liu Jian twice, but both times Liu Jian had company. Understanding Liu Yu's intentions, Liu Jian told his brother Liu Qianzhi, "Liu Yu must have something important to discuss when he comes to Jingkou. Since I have no chance to talk to him, you should go meet him." After Liu Qianzhi went, Liu Yu had already captured the capital city, and Liu Qianzhi immediately sought refuge with him. Upon hearing this, Liu Jian sacrificed a plowing ox, gathered his men, and led them to join Liu Yu. Later, Liu Jian held positions such as Imperial Secretary, Minister of Finance, and Consultant to the General of the Household.
Liu Jian's brother Liu Qianzhi, who loved learning, wrote a twenty-volume history titled "Annals of Jin"; towards the end of the Yixi period, he served as the Prefect of Shixing Commandery. A man named Xu Daoqi from Donghai wandered to Guangzhou, who had a bad reputation and was often bullied by local residents. Taking advantage of Governor Xie Xin's death, Xu Daoqi united a group of outlaws to rebel, captured the city, killed over a hundred people who had grievances against him, looted the treasury, recruited more outlaws, and then attacked Shixing Commandery. Liu Qianzhi defeated Xu Daoqi, restored order in Guangzhou, executed Xu Daoqi's followers, and continued to act as the acting governor of Guangzhou. He was later appointed as General of Might and Governor of Guangzhou, and was later promoted to Grand Master of Palace Attendants.
Liu Qianzhi was upright, never engaged in business, and was generous and charitable. When Liu Yu, the founding emperor, was campaigning in the west against Sima Xiuzhi and Lu Zongzhi, he dispatched the generals Tan Daoji and Zhu Chaoshi to lead infantry and cavalry troops from Xiangyang. At that time, Liu Qianzhi served as the Prefect of Jiangxia Commandery, leading troops from Liancheng, stationing at Sanlian, building bridges, stockpiling provisions, and waiting for the main army's arrival. However, Tan Daoji and others did not arrive in time and were attacked by Lu Guizi, the son of Lu Zongzhi, and were outnumbered. The military officer Sun Changyong cried and urged Liu Qianzhi to retreat, but Liu Qianzhi replied sternly, "We are carrying out the emperor's orders to suppress the rebels, and we should be able to win. If unfortunately defeated, it is also fate." Ultimately, he was defeated in battle and killed, posthumously honored as the Inspector of Liangzhou and Qinzhou, titled as the Lord of Xinkang County, with a fief of five hundred households.
Kangzu, the son of Qianzhi, inherited the title and became the Garrison Officer of Prince Yixin of Changsha, later promoted to the Gentleman of the Imperial Guard. He excelled in horseback archery and was much stronger than ordinary people, but when he was in his hometown, he neglected his duties, wasted his time, and drank and gambled. He frequently broke the law, logged by local authorities, but he always managed to escape by scaling walls and leaping over rooftops. Once, he broke into a house in the middle of the night, surrounded by law enforcement, but Kangzu managed to break through the encirclement and escape, and no one dared to chase after him. He returned to Jingkou that night and arrived in less than half a day. The next morning, the city guards reported to the relevant departments in the prefecture. Shortly after, Jiankang sent a document to arrest him, but officials confirmed that Kangzu had been safe in Jingkou the night before. He faced multiple accusations but was consistently pardoned by Emperor Taizu because of his father's contributions. He served as a Gentleman of the Household for ten years and was dismissed from office due to gambling.
Later, he was appointed as the Left General of the Crown Prince's Crossbow Troops and joined the western campaign against Chouchi with the Commander of Archers, Pei Fangming. As a result, he and Pei Fangming were both convicted by the Court of Judicial Review, and Kang Zu was removed from his position. After some time, Emperor Shizu became the Inspector of Yuzhou, stationed in Liyang, and appointed Kang Zu as a military advisor in the Expeditionary Army. After being entrusted with this important task, he turned his life around and committed himself to his duties. Later, he was promoted to Marshal of the Southern Barbarians under Prince Liu Shuo of Nanping. In the spring of the twenty-seventh year of Yuanjia, Tuoba Tao, the leader of the Suolu tribe, personally led a large army to attack Runan. Emperor Taizu dispatched troops for rescue, appointing Kang Zu as the vanguard commander. The army arrived at Xinchai, fought with the enemy, and fought for over a hundred miles before crossing the Rong River. Although the enemy forces were numerous, they were defeated by Kang Zu, who also killed the false Minister of the Palace, Qidi Zhen from Rencheng, located forty miles away in Huxian County, and Tuoba Tao set fire to the camp and retreated. After that, Kang Zu was promoted to General of the Left Army. It is reported that Northern Wei Emperor Taizu, Tuoba Tao, planned a large-scale northern campaign, but Kang Zu believed it was too late in the year and suggested waiting until the next year to take action. Taizu thought that if the army stopped for a month, the morale of the northern rebels would suffer, so he did not agree. That autumn, Xiao Bin, Wang Xuanmo, Shen Qingzhi, and others entered north of the Yellow River, while Kang Zu commanded the Yuzhou army marching from Xuchang and Luoyang. Consequently, Xiao Bin and his allies were defeated and forced to retreat, allowing enemy forces to advance southward. Prince Nanping, Liu Shuo, was in Shouyang, and Taizu was worried that Shouyang would be besieged, so he ordered Kang Zu to quickly return with his troops for rescue. Kang Zu returned with his troops, and before reaching Shouyang, he encountered Wang Kurenzhen, the Northern Wei Prince of Yongchang, leading eighty thousand cavalry from Chang'an, and the two forces clashed at Wuwu. Kang Zu commanded only eight thousand troops, and his deputy, Hu Shengzhi, wanted to take advantage of the terrain and take a detour.
Kang Zu was furious upon hearing this, saying, "I am here on the orders of the court to pacify the Heluo region. The enemy has come right to our doorstep; there's no need to send our troops on a long march. Even if the enemy outnumbers us like dogs and sheep, they are easy to defeat. My army is elite and well-equipped, just a few dozen miles from Shouyang. Reinforcements will arrive soon, so what is there to fear?" Therefore, Kang Zu ordered the camp to be set up and continued to advance. The enemy attacked from all sides, and both sides fought fiercely for a full day and night, slaying countless foes. The enemy split into three groups, alternating between fighting and resting, and even used cavalry to carry forage to burn Kang Zu's camp. Kang Zu rallied his soldiers to bravely face the enemy, each capable of taking on a hundred. Unfortunately, in the end, Kang Zu was struck by a stray arrow in the neck and died heroically, leading to the annihilation of his entire army, with only a few dozen people escaping. The enemy sent Kang Zu's head to Pengcheng for display, his face still appearing lifelike.
Hu Shengzhi was captured by the enemy, and Tuoba Tao held him in high regard, often keeping him close. Hu Shengzhi was brave and skilled in battle, previously serving as the military inspector for Prince Liu Yixin of Changsha. During a campaign against the looting in Qiaojun, he faced seventy enemy cavalry and infantry hiding in a dense forest, charging single-handedly into the enemy ranks and slaying fifty-eight foes.
In 457 AD, Emperor Taiwu of Wei issued a decree, saying, "Kang Zu has returned victorious from the military expedition, upholding strict military discipline and defying the odds to achieve victory, annihilating most of the enemy. His unmatched courage and unfulfilled aspirations, sacrificing himself for his country, are truly commendable and worthy of mourning. He deserves generous recognition and should be honored for his loyalty. He was posthumously appointed as the Governor of Yizhou and awarded the posthumous title of 'Zhuangnan'." Later, the Northern Wei Dynasty was succeeded by the Qi Dynasty, which abolished the country's name.
Yuan Hu Zhi, courtesy name Yanzong, was a Daoist priest from Luoyang. His grandfather, Yuan Chang, served in the Fu clan's government and rose to the position of Langzhongling of Changleguo. Later, Murong De conquered Qingzhou and appointed Yuan Chang as the Chief of Chariots and Cavalry Command. After Murong Chao usurped the throne, Yuan Chang's uncle Yuan Zun and father Yuan Miao continued to be favored. Yuan Zun was appointed as a Minister, and Yuan Miao became the Governor of Jingzhao. When Liu Yu attacked Guanggu, Yuan Zun and Yuan Miao defected to Liu Yu by scaling the walls and were both appointed as Military Attendants. During the reign of Emperor Wen of the Song Dynasty, Yuan Zun became an Attendant of the Imperial Guard, and Yuan Miao became the Garrison Cavalry Commander.
Hu Zhi has always had a straightforward personality since childhood, not one to get bogged down by trivialities. Although he may not have a striking appearance, he is quite courageous. He followed Liu Yu to campaign against Sima Xiuzhi, serving as the Chief Historian in the Prince's Central Army while also acting as an Attendant Military Officer. During the Yongchu era, he was appointed as a court official. In the early years of the Yuanjia period, he was promoted to General of the Palace. Later, when he followed Dao Yan on a northern expedition, and Dao Yan was planning to withdraw his troops, Hu Zhi wrote to advise him, saying, "I heard you plan to withdraw your troops, and I strongly disagree. Why? The land they have occupied for eight years can now be reclaimed without a fight. Now is the time to capitalize on our advantage and completely eliminate the remaining enemies. How can we willingly hand ourselves over and squander our efforts? Zhulingxiu should swiftly advance to Huatai, support Zhu Xiuzhi's defense, and your main army should advance to Hebei. The rebel forces in Luoyang and Hebei will inevitably collapse and flee. Moreover, those soldiers in the past, even after years of fighting, with heavy losses of soldiers and insufficient provisions, still bravely charged into battle, and no one dared to retreat easily. Furthermore, with Qingzhou enjoying a bountiful harvest, transportation is smooth, the soldiers and horses are well-rested, and their combat power has not weakened at all. If we abandon Huatai and miss this opportunity, wouldn't that be a betrayal of the court's trust?" Dao Yan ignored his advice, resulting in the army's defeat. Emperor Wen of the Song Dynasty, Liu Yu, admired him upon hearing this, appointing him as a Northern Expedition Military Officer under Prince Jiangxia Liu Yigong, and the Prefect of Beigaoping. Later, due to his involvement in smuggling banned items, he was imprisoned in the Shangfang Court and was eventually pardoned after some time. He was subsequently appointed as a Northern Expedition Military Officer under Prince Hengyang Liu Yiji, and later promoted to General of Xuanwei and Prefect of Zhongli.
I accompanied Wang Xuanmo in the attack on Henei. Xuanmo launched an assault on Huatai, and I commanded over a hundred warships in the vanguard, seizing Shiji. Shiji is 120 miles southwest of Huatai. The enemy came to their aid, so I quickly sent someone to write a letter to Xuanmo, urging him to swiftly assault the city, saying, "When Emperor Wu attacked Guanggu, many soldiers died! Moreover, the current situation is different from before; we shouldn't be concerned about the soldiers' fatigue; we should focus on quickly taking the city as a priority!" He didn't listen to me. As a result, Xuanmo was defeated and retreated without informing me. After hearing this, I discovered that the enemy had secured Xuanmo's fleet with iron chains, with three chains stretched across the river, trying to cut off my retreat. The river was swift, so I navigated downstream along the river. Whenever I reached the chains, I used a long-handled axe to sever them, and the enemy couldn't stop me. I only lost one ship; the others made it through safely. Afterward, I was stationed at Migu City for a while.
I was later appointed as the military aide to Jiangxia's Wang Yigong, stationed in Huaiyin. I was promoted to General Jiawu and served as the Prefect of Jibei. I led two thousand men alongside Zhang Yong in another assault on Qiaoao, first capturing Weilijin. The enemy Du Daojun and the pseudo-Shangshu Fu Lian came to rescue Qiaoao. I held them off, forcing the enemy to retreat eastward. Xiao Sihua sent me to meet the army at Liangshan. The pseudo-Shangshu Han Yuanxing led the elite cavalry to arrive, and I took advantage of the treacherous terrain to resist them, killing their Chief Historian and capturing dozens of enemy helmets and heads. The enemy then retreated. Xiao Sihua intended to withdraw the troops and deceived me, saying, "Shen Qingzhi's reinforcements are coming soon; you need to quickly construct a bridge at Jikou!" I suspected his intentions and sent some locals over. Xiao Sihua then ordered them to defend Qihuo Fort on the opposite bank to ward off pursuers.
In the spring of the thirtieth year of my reign, Emperor Taizu passed away, and our army moved to Lixia. Hearing that Emperor Shizu was personally leading an expedition, I led my troops to support him. The Emperor was very pleased and appointed me as the military governor of Jizhou, Qingzhou, Jinan, Le'an, and Taiyuan, as well as the General of Ningyuan and the Governor of Jizhou. In the first year of the Xiaojian era, the Prince of Nanjun, Yixuan, revolted, and the Governor of Yanzhou, Xu Yibao, was my brother-in-law by marriage. They secretly colluded and wrote to me, urging me to join the rebellion. I quickly dispatched a messenger to inform the court. At that time, Yibao was stationed at Hulv. I left my son Gongzu in charge of defending Licheng and led infantry and cavalry to attack Yibao. Passing through Zoushan, we broke through one of his garrisons. Before we reached Hulv, which was sixty miles away, Yibao burned the city and fled. After pacifying the region of Guntu, I was summoned to be a guerrilla general.
Shen Qingzhi led an attack against Lu Shuang, and afterwards I was promoted to Assistant General. Yixuan led a large army to Liangshan and confronted Wang Xuanmo. Liu Yuanjing led my brothers Liu Xinzhi, Liu Shuren, Zheng Kun, and me to camp at Xinting. Realizing the enemy was too powerful, Xuanmo quickly sent Sima Guanfaji to seek help; the situation was dire. The Emperor sent Yuanjing and the others to reinforce Nanzhou, with my naval forces departing first. The enemy sent the general Pang Faqi to lead troops to attack Gushu, just as we arrived with Zheng Kun and the others. We fought back with all our might, securing a decisive victory. Almost all of the enemy were either killed, captured, or committed suicide by jumping into the water.
Xuan Mo quickly dispatched someone with a letter to Yuan Jing, saying, "We can no longer hold West City; only East City remains. The difference in our forces is too significant. I propose we retreat to Gushu to discuss our next steps." Yuan Jing disagreed and intended to gather all his forces for a rescue. I suggested we divide the army into several units for support. Yuan Jing accepted my suggestion and sent elite soldiers to go with me to Liangshan. On the battlefield, I saw the enemy's ships densely packed, so I said to Xuan Mo, "We should use fire to deal with them now." I instructed the team leader to set fire to the enemy's ships. At that time, the wind was strong and the water was swift, leading to a rout of the enemy. The Battle of Liangshan was victorious. I led the army to pursue the enemy. Zhu Xiuzhi had already subdued Jiangling and returned after reaching Xunyang. Later, I was promoted to oversee military affairs in the two provinces of Xugun and Yuzhou, General Ning Shuo, Governor of Xuzhou, and was named Marquis of Yiyang County, with a fief of one thousand households.
My younger brother, Liu Xunzhi, was very brave and strong. The notorious figure at the time was already aware of his reputation and appointed him as the deputy to General Zhang Jian. At that time, Zhang Chao committed a serious crime and followed Zhang Jian to lead the troops. Liu Xunzhi plotted to kill Zhang Chao, but he feared Zhang Jian would not approve. Zhang Jian had similar thoughts but did not know if Liu Xunzhi would agree, so the two tested each other. Just then, Zhang Chao came to discuss matters; Zhang Jian's face changed, and Liu Xunzhi noticed it. So the two discussed a plan together and sent someone to summon Zhang Chao. Zhang Chao suspected a trap and did not come, moving to a different place to stay. Unaware of Zhang Chao's move, Liu Xunzhi went straight to him and killed him, then fled south with Zhang Jian. Zhang Jian later drowned in the Huai River, but Liu Xunzhi managed to escape. By that time, the Emperor had taken the throne and appointed him as General Ji Nu. He fought valiantly in the Battle of Liangshan, but was struck by a stray arrow. He later fell in battle and was posthumously named Governor of Jizhou.
Two years later, due to Huzhi's nepotism and corruption in the evaluation of merits and rewards, he was dismissed from his position. However, he was soon appointed as a general of guerrilla forces. Not long after, he was promoted to Grand Marshal, Deputy General of the State, and also served as the Governor of Nandonghai. Before he could assume his post, he was appointed as the military commander over the two provinces of Qing and Ji, General of Ning Shuo, and Governor of the two provinces of Qing and Ji, stationed in Licheng. The following year, his position was further promoted to General of Ningshuo. Afterwards, he was appointed as the military commander for Dongguan and Dong'an, under Xuzhou's jurisdiction. The Emperor believed that Lixia was a strategically vital location and wanted to merge Qingzhou into Licheng for joint defense. Many held differing opinions on the matter. Huzhi said, "To the north of Qingzhou lie the Yellow River, Ji River, and numerous marshlands, which are not likely routes for enemy attacks. Every time enemies come to plunder, they invade from Licheng. Defending both Qingzhou and Jizhou together is a strategic long-term plan. Moreover, being near the Yellow River facilitates the arrival of those who have surrendered to the court. This approach allows us to pacify the populace while showcasing the court's authority, which is the most effective strategy for border defense." Thus, his proposal was accepted.
In the third year of the Ming Dynasty, Huzhi was summoned to serve as General of the Right Guard. On his way back to the capital, he heard that Prince Wang Dan of Jingling had rebelled in Guangling. Huzhi immediately led his troops, following the command of the General of Chariots and Cavalry, Shen Qingzhi. After quelling the rebellion, he was promoted to the position of Military Marshal for Prince Shang of Xiyang and Prefect of Linhuai. The following year, he was sent on a mission as the Commissioner, overseeing military affairs in the Yuzhou and Sizhou provinces, as well as serving as the Assistant General of the State, Governor of Yuzhou, and Prefect of Huainan. Later, he joined Shen Qingzhi in suppressing the barbarians of Xiyang. During his tenure, Huzhi was known for his greed, exploiting the populace and amassing a large fortune. Seven years later, he was imprisoned for corruption and bribery, stripped of his official position. The following year, he was reinstated as the Grand Master of the Court. Before he could assume office, he passed away that year at the age of seventy, posthumously honored with the title Zhuanghou. In the first year of the Yongguang reign of the former Emperor, he was posthumously appointed as the Champion General and Governor of Yuzhou.
His son Chengzu inherited his title. After Chengzu's passing, his son Xianzong succeeded him. Following the abdication of the Qi dynasty, their titles were revoked. Huzhi's second son Gongzu, brave and decisive, exhibited qualities reminiscent of his father. In the early years of the Taishi reign of Emperor Taizong, he was appointed as the Governor of Liangzhou and Nanqin.
Huzhi's grandson Zun, during the Yuanjia period, served as an Officer of the Cavalry. His mother's tomb was robbed by monks from Dong'e Temple, including Tanluo. Zun and his brother, General of the Palace Hong, killed Tanluo and four accomplices, and they voluntarily surrendered to the authorities, ultimately receiving a pardon. In the third year of the Ming Dynasty, he was promoted from Prefect of Yixing to General of Ning Shuo and Governor of Yanzhou, only to be murdered later by Wang Dan. He was posthumously appointed as the General Conquering the Barbarians while retaining his position as Governor. His brother Hong, in the late years of the Shundi Shengming reign, served as the Right Guard General.
Zhang Xingshi, courtesy name Wende, was from Jingzhou, Hubei. Originally known as Zhang Shi, he was later given the character "Xing" by Emperor Taizong of Tang, and his name was changed to Zhang Xingshi. He grew up in a poor family, and when Prince Zongzhen of Nanjun was serving in Jingzhou, Zhang Xingshi followed him and served as his attendant. There was a military camp in Jingzhou before, and some people suggested he take on a military position, but he declined. He accompanied General Wang Xuanmo into battle against the barbarians while dressed in civilian clothes, and every time they fought, he captured many prisoners, impressing General Wang Xuanmo and surpassing his veteran generals.
After returning to Chang'an, Zhang Xingshi told Emperor Taizong about General Wang Xuanmo, praising his bravery and abilities. He then followed Emperor Taizong to Xunyang as a military officer, serving as a military officer in the southern region. He later participated in suppressing rebels, serving as the vanguard under General Liu Yuanjing. After completing the mission, he was promoted to a general and led a troop of soldiers. When Prince Yixuan of Nanjun rebelled, he followed General Wang Xuanmo to fight in Liangshan and distinguished himself. He was then appointed as the military officer of Prince Hong of Jianping, leading a well-equipped group of soldiers. He later served as a personal guard for Prince Zishang of Xiping.
However, due to following Prince Zishang into the palace without weapons and creating a disturbance, he was arrested and lost his position. He later returned to being a bodyguard in civilian clothes. In the late Ming Dynasty, he was appointed as an official of the Imperial Guard, then promoted to the rank of General Xuanwei and appointed as the governor of Sui Prefecture. Before he had the chance to take office, Emperor Taizong ascended to the throne, and rebellions erupted nationwide. He was promoted to the title of General Longxiang, commanding the navy to confront the southern rebels at Zheqi.
He built two cities in Hukou, with Chen Qing, who was posing as General Longxiang, leading a guerrilla force in the front. General Xingshi, along with General Longxiang, Jiao Changsheng, and Dong Kai, captured these two cities, and then pursued Chen Qing. After Chen Qing's defeat, several thousand people jumped into the water to commit suicide. At that time, the imperial army was stationed in Zheqi, while the southern rebel forces were based in Quewei. Both sides were deadlocked, unable to gain the upper hand over each other.
General Xingshi proposed a strategy, stating, "The rebels occupy the upper reaches, with a strong force and advantageous terrain. Although we have sufficient troops now, we lack effective strategies to confront the enemy. If we secretly send thousands of troops to bypass them upstream, defend the dangerous terrain, and cut off their communication at any time, they will be in a dilemma, unable to advance or retreat, just like driving a stake into the river, making it extremely difficult for them to transport supplies. There is no better plan to subdue the enemy than this." Shen Youzhi and Wu Xi both agreed with his strategy.
At that time, the Yuzhou Inspector Yin Yanzhi colluded with the rebel forces in Shouyang and was attacked by Liu Jian. The rebel forces in the south sent Pang Mengqiu to support Yin Yanzhi, while Liu Jian sent someone to request support; the situation was very urgent. Prince Jian'an Xiuming wanted to send General Xingshi to rescue, so he asked Shen Youzhi. Shen Youzhi said, "Pang Mengqiu is just a bunch of small fry, definitely not a threat. Sending thousands of cavalry and infantry will be enough to control them. If unexpected situations arise, we can use the Jiangxi region as bait. If the upstream battle goes smoothly, there is no need to worry about not being able to eliminate them. General Xingshi's actions this time are crucial for our overall safety and absolutely cannot be delayed." So he sent Duan Forong and others to assist Liu Jian.
Zhang Xingshi wanted to lead his troops directly to attack Dalei, but the army had not yet fully assembled, and the forces were insufficient to split for battle. After Xuesuo'er had stabilized the situation, Emperor Taizong sent Zhang Yong to lead five thousand infantry and cavalry to station in Xuyi, while the remaining twenty thousand troops marched south to join the campaign. Shanyang was quickly pacified as well. Then, Ruan Dianfu’s troops were also recalled, and together they marched south. The army was finally assembled. Xingshi was assigned an additional seven thousand soldiers. Xingshi ordered light boats to row upstream and then swiftly return, repeating this several times within a day or two, confusing the enemy and leaving them unprepared.
Upon hearing that Xingshi planned to attack from upstream, Liu Hu mocked him, saying, "I dare not even attack Yangzhou from downstream. Who does Zhang Xingshi think he is, attempting to effortlessly attack me from upstream!" Xingshi said to Youzhi and the others, "Upstream, only Qianxi can be defended. The terrain is treacherous, and the river is narrow, and it is not far from the main forces, allowing for easy reinforcements. There is a bend in the river where boats will definitely stop, and there are also concealed docks along the shore for hiding boats; two or three spots will suffice." So they crossed the lake mouth at night, reached Que Tou, then purposely turned back to throw the enemy off. In the dead of night, they faced strong winds and set sail directly towards Qianxi. Liu Hu sent Hu Lingshow and others to pursue along the east bank. Xingshi set up camp at Jingjiangpu in the evening, and the enemy failed to catch up. That night, Xingshi discreetly dispatched Huang Daobiao to command seventy small boats to seize Qianxi and swiftly establish a camp.
The next morning, Xing Shi and his army gathered together. After resting for a night, Liu Hu personally led twenty-six land and water armies to attack as soon as dawn broke. The soldiers were eager to fight back, but Xing Shi held them back, saying, "The enemy is still far away, but their momentum is strong and their arrows fierce. Let them tire themselves out, and their momentum will naturally fade, just like Cao Gui defeating the Qi army." He ordered the soldiers not to act rashly and to continue building the camp. Soon, the enemy approached, and the boats entered the bend in the river. Xing Shi then ordered Shou Jizhi and Ren Nongfu to lead hundreds of strong men to attack, with the other troops following their lead. Liu Hu was defeated and forced to flee. Hundreds were killed, and even more leapt into the water to escape. Liu Hu regrouped his defeated soldiers and fled downstream.
At that time, the walls of Xing Shi City were still under construction. Situ Jian'an, King Xiu Ren, grew concerned that the bandits would join forces and launch a fierce attack on Qianxi. He wanted to scout the enemy first, so he dispatched Shen Youzhi, Wu Xi, Jiao Changsheng, and Liu Lingyi with twenty small boats to investigate the enemy at Nonghu. After several days of intense fighting, they killed and captured more than a thousand enemies.
On that day, Liu Hu, leading a large army, planned to attack Xing Shi City once more. Before they reached Qianxi, Yuan Yi quickly arrived from Nonghu to pursue them, which finally ensured a steady supply of firewood for Qianxi City. The bandits suffered defeat after defeat in battle, and Xing Shi City also severed their food supply. The grain from Sunyang was too afraid to be sent to Nanling, and the bandits gradually went hungry. With no other options, Liu Hu dispatched Shen Zhongyu, the Sima of Anbei Prefecture, along with a thousand infantry to Nanling to seize the food supply.
Shen Zhongyu arrived in Nanling, captured 300,000 hu of grain, as well as dozens of ships laden with money and silk. He even set up wooden planks to create the appearance of city walls, hoping to sneak past. When he reached Gui Kou, he hesitated to go any further and quickly dispatched a messenger to Liu Hu, asking him to send a large army for support. Xingshi, Shou Jizhi, Rennongfu, and Li Anmin, along with their three thousand troops, arrived at Gui Kou and engaged in battle with Shen Zhongyu. After a day-long fierce battle, Shen Zhongyu fled back to Yuan Yi's camp, and all the stolen goods were reclaimed. The bandits suffered a crushing defeat, Liu Hu abandoned his army and fled, and Yuan Yi's army also dispersed.
Xingshi led the troops in pursuit and, together with Wu Xi, subdued Jiangling. Later, he was promoted to Left Army General, then oversaw military operations in the two states of Yuzhou and Nanyuzhou, as well as Liangjun in Nanyuzhou. He was granted the title of Marquis of Tang County with a fief consisting of one thousand households. Finally, he was called upon to serve as a Guerrilla General.
Once, General Xing Shi was ordered to go north for a campaign. He was entrusted with the important role of Assistant General and was appointed as Jiedushi. Despite leading troops into battle, he returned without any achievements. After four years, he was promoted to Right Guard General of the Crown Prince and also served as the Valiant Cavalry General, serving alongside General Shen Youzhi. A year later, General Liu Meng, who was stationed in Guangling, was reassigned, so General Xing Shi took on the additional role of leading the army. In the first year of the Taiyu era, he was appointed as the Commissioner, overseeing military affairs in Yong, Liang, North and South Qin, Ying, and Jingling. He was also named the Champion General and Governor of Yongzhou, and later appointed as Colonel of Ningman. Later, when Prince Xiu Fan of Guiyang rebelled, General Xing Shi was ordered to lead troops to aid the court, but before he could set out, the rebellion was swiftly quelled. As a result, he was promoted to General of Conquering Barbarians. In the third year of Emperor Feidi Yuanhui, he was summoned by the court to serve as Imperial Attendant of the Mounted Cavalry and Left Guard General. Five years later, due to ill health, he was transferred to the position of Grand Master of the Splendid Happiness, while retaining his role as Imperial Attendant of the Mounted Cavalry. In the second year of Shundi Shengming, he passed away at the age of fifty-nine. After his passing, the court posthumously reinstated his original rank.
General Xingshi's hometown is by the Mian River. The Mian River flows from Xiangyang to Jiujiang, a distance of over two thousand li, and there were no islands previously. When General Xingshi was born, a sandbar suddenly appeared in the water in front of his house and grew larger each year. By the time General Xingshi became the governor, this sandbar had grown to over ten hectares. His father Zhongzi was also appointed an official due to General Xingshi's achievements. General Xingshi once considered taking up his post in Xiangyang, but he felt a strong attachment to his hometown and was reluctant to leave. His father once said to him, "Although I am just a common farmer, I enjoy listening to military music too. When you leave, you can bring a military band so I can hear it while working in the fields." General Xingshi, always respectful and law-abiding, replied to his father, "This is the emperor's military music, not something for common folks like us to hear." General Xingshi wanted to visit the family grave, but his father said, "You have brought too many guards; it will scare the ancestors." General Xingshi then reduced the number of attendants before going to pay his respects.
General Xingshi's son Xinye was supposed to inherit the title, but when Qi usurped power and the country fell, he lost that chance. Historians remark that the strategies of war are often unpredictable, and the key to victory lies in surprising the enemy. During the period of the Northern and Southern Dynasties, with two emperors vying for power and the destiny still uncertain, the armies of the North and South faced off in a deadlock, unable to advance; this standoff lasted for six months. General Xingshi's use of surprise tactics was what broke the deadlock, similar to the Zhao state's feigned retreat at the Battle of Changping, Cao Cao's burning of supplies at the Battle of Guandu, and the Sun-Liu allied forces' ceasefire at the Battle of Red Cliffs. General Xingshi's clever strategies and achievements were no coincidence!
