Yin Chun, style name Cuiyuan, was a native of Changping in Chen County. His great-grandfather Yin Rong and grandfather Yin Yun both served as Minister of Rites in the Jin Dynasty (equivalent to the ancient Minister of Rites). His father Yin Mu was gentle, cautious, and well-regarded, holding prominent official positions from Minister of War to Left Chief Historian under the Prime Minister (referring to Emperor Wu of the Song Dynasty, Liu Yu). After Liu Yu usurped the throne and became emperor, Yin Mu was promoted to Cavalier Attendant, National Teacher, and Minister of War again, eventually becoming the Prefect of Wu County. Following the ascension of Emperor Wu Liu Yu, Yin Mu was granted the title of Golden Purple Grand Minister of Splendid Happiness, serving as the teacher of Prince Jingling Liu Dan, and later promoted to General of the Guard, Special Attendant, Right Grand Minister of Splendid Happiness, and the teacher of Prince Shixing Liu Jun. In the fifteenth year of Yuanjia (438 AD), Yin Mu passed away at the age of sixty and was posthumously honored with the title of "Yuanzi" by the court.
Yin Chun had a passion for learning from a young age and had a good reputation. During the reign of Emperor Shao, Liu Yifu, in the Jingping era (423-424 AD), he served as Secretary of the Palace Secretariat, Literary Aide to Prince Hengyang Liu Yiji, Secretariat Chief, and Yellow Gate Attendant of the Palace Secretariat. While serving as the Yellow Gate Attendant, Yin Chun was diligent and meticulous in his work, even staying in the palace after hours to handle official matters. Due to his elderly father, the court granted him an exception to return home to care for his parents. He was upright, simple, frugal, and displayed noble virtues from an early age, had a love for literature, and never wavered from his aspirations. He compiled a forty-volume "Catalog of the Four Books" in the Secretariat, which became well-known. In the eleventh year of Yuanjia (434 AD), Yin Chun passed away at the young age of thirty-two, which brought great sorrow to the court.
Yin Chun's son, Yin Fu, inherited his father's admirable qualities. During the late years of Emperor Wen Liu Yilong of the Song Dynasty, Yin Fu served as the Prefect of Shixing, later rising to the position of Minister of Personnel in the Ministry of Rites, and then serving as the Chief Military Advisor to Emperor Shundi Liu Jun.
Yin Chong, younger brother of Yin Chun, styled Xi Yuan, successively served as a Court Gentleman of the Palace Secretariat but was dismissed from office due to inappropriate remarks about court affairs. Later, he served as the Privy Secretary of the Crown Prince, a Ministry of Personnel court gentleman, and an Assistant Imperial Censor, renowned for his integrity. He once served as the Prefect of Wuxing and then returned to the court as the Minister of Revenue. It is worth mentioning that Yin Chun's daughter was a favored concubine of Emperor Wen of the Song dynasty, and Yin Chong gained the favor of Liu Shao in the Eastern Palace. After Liu Shao seized power, he appointed Yin Chong as an attendant, a military officer, and later promoted him to Colonel of the Imperial Guard. Yin Chong was well-versed in the classics and possessed outstanding literary talent. Liu Shao had him draft an edict accusing Emperor Liu Yilong, and Yin Chong loyally served Liu Shao wholeheartedly. Later, Emperor Liu Yilong quelled the rebellion, and Yin Chong was sentenced to death.
Yin Dan, younger brother of Yin Chong, styled Yi Yuan, also served as a Court Gentleman of the Palace Secretariat, a Ministry of Personnel court gentleman, a Privy Secretary of the Crown Prince, and led the infantry as a Colonel. During the Daming period, he was recognized for his literary talent and became a renowned literary figure of his time.
Zhang Chang, styled Shao Wei, was from Wu County, Wu Jun, and was the nephew of Shao, the Prefect of Wuxing. His father, Zhang Yi, was deeply filial when he was young, serving in several prefectures before becoming the Prefect of Langye Kingdom. He followed the King of Langye to Luoyang. After returning to the capital, the Emperor awarded him a jar of medicinal wine and ordered him to secretly poison it. Zhang Yi complied with this order, drank the wine on his way home, resulting in his death.
When Zhang Chang was young, he and his cousins Zhang Fu, Zhang Yan, and Zhang Jing were all outstanding individuals among the younger generation at that time. He initially served as the chief clerk to Governor Xu Pei. Later, when Xu Pei was killed, Zhang Chang quickly fled, mourning all the way and displaying great sorrow, which impressed everyone. His younger brother Zhang Mu was once bitten by a mad dog, and the doctor said he needed to eat the meat of a toad to recover, but his brother resisted. Zhang Chang smiled, took a bite first, and then his brother followed suit, and the wound quickly healed. Later, he was summoned by the state for official duties and subsequently served as the military attaché to Prince Hengyang Liu Yiji, the chief clerk to Prince Pengcheng Liu Yikang, the Minister of Rites, and the chief guest officer in the Ministry of Personnel. Before he could assume his position, he was appointed as the Left Civil Officer in the Ministry of Finance, and then served as the military clerk to Prince Jiangxia Liu Yigong and the Prefect of Jinan. He also served as the military clerk to Prince Liu Yiji of Anxi, the Prefect of Nanyiyang, the guard of the Prince of Linchuan Liu Yiqing, the military officer of Yangzhou Zhongzhong, and the Central Secretary of the Crown Prince.
Liu Yilong, the son of Emperor Wen of the Song Dynasty, who would later become Emperor Xiaowu, Liu Jun, held an important position in Pengcheng (now Xuzhou, Jiangsu). In the twenty-seventh year of Yuanjia, Tuoba Tao of Northern Wei launched an invasion southward, and the court dispatched Prince Yigong of Jiangxia to command a large army to defend Pengcheng and Sizhou. Tuoba Tao had already led a large army to Xiaoxian, just a few miles from Pengcheng.
Although Pengcheng had a large number of troops, there was a food shortage. Yigong considered abandoning Pengcheng and retreating south but hesitated for several days before making a decision. At that time, Licheng had a small number of troops but an ample supply of food. Shen Qingzhi, a military officer responsible for the northern troops, proposed forming a strong defensive formation using war chariots, with elite troops securing the perimeter, escorting two princes and their consorts straight to Licheng, and leaving some troops behind to defend Xiaosi.
However, the chief historian He Xu of Yi Gong disagreed. He advocated for everyone to retreat to Yuzhou (near Lianyungang, Jiangsu today) together and then return to Jiankang (Nanjing today) by sea. Yi Gong was already thinking of running away deep down, unable to choose between these options, so he called everyone together to discuss. Everyone was in a panic and had no solutions. At this time, Zhang Chang stood up and said, "If going to Licheng or Yuzhou is really feasible, of course I will strongly support it. But now the city lacks food, and the common people all want to escape. It's just because the city gates are closed that they can't get out. If the city gates were opened, everyone would definitely run for their lives separately; who knows where they'd end up? Although there isn't much food now, we can hold out for a few more days. When the food runs low, we can figure something out. Why give up a safe place and take risks? If my suggestion is adopted, I am willing to guarantee it with my own head!"
After hearing Zhang Chang's opinion, Liu Jun said to Yi Gong, "Father, you are the commander; it's not my place to decide whether to stay or leave. But as the defender of Pengcheng, if I abandon the city and flee, letting the enemy advance, it would be truly shameful! If we abandon the city and run away, I would be too ashamed to face the court again. I intend to stick it out with this city; what Zhang Chief said is absolutely right!" Zhang Chang stuck to his opinion, Liu Jun also agreed, and Yi Gong finally dispelled the idea of running away.
At the same time, Emperor Wen of the Song Dynasty sent the Imperial Guard Minister, Xu Yuan, to Pengcheng on a fast horse to investigate the food reserves. After Xu Yuan left, cavalry from Pengcheng escorted him. When Tuoba Tao learned of this, he sent hundreds of cavalry to pursue them. Xu Yuan had already crossed the Huai River before barely escaping. Initially, when the people in the city heard that the Northern Wei troops were chasing them, they were worried that Xu Yuan would be caught, the food reserves would be exposed, and the city's food shortage would be revealed. Yi Gong was worried again and thought of fleeing. However, Xu Yuan escaped, and on that day, the Northern Wei army arrived at Pengcheng.
As soon as Tuo Ba Tao Gang arrived, he first went to the southern part of the city to pay respects at Yafu's grave, and then set up a felt tent at the horse-playing platform. Before Tuo Ba Tao Gang's arrival, Emperor Shizu sent General Ma Wengong to Xiaocheng, but he was defeated by the enemy, although Ma Wengong managed to escape, while his deputy Kuai Ying was captured.
Kuai Ying reached the Small Market Gate and said, "The envoy from the Wei Kingdom has come to negotiate with the north, traveling a long distance and exhausted. If there is any sugarcane and wine, could you spare some for him?" At that moment, the city guard, Liang Fanian, replied, "I will report this immediately." Kuai Ying then explained the situation regarding the defeat at Xiaocheng to Liang Fanian. Liang Fanian asked Kuai Ying, "Has the enemy leader arrived?" Kuai Ying said, "He has." Liang Fanian then asked, "Where is he now?" Kuai Ying pointed to the southwest and said, "Over there." Liang Fanian then asked, "How many troops do the enemy have?" Kuai Ying replied, "Over forty thousand."
Liang Fanian conveyed Kuai Ying's report to Emperor Shizu, and the emperor sent a reply saying, "I understand they have endured a difficult journey, so send two containers of wine and one hundred sugarcanes. I heard they have camels, so we can send camels over."
The next morning, Tuo Ba Tao Gang personally went to the horse-playing platform and sent another messenger to the Small Market Gate, saying, "The Wei Emperor wishes to greet General Anbei. Can General Anbei temporarily step outside the city gates? The Wei Emperor wants to meet you. We will not attack this city, so why should the soldiers toil to defend it? There are also mules, donkeys, and camels, all from the north, which have now been sent, along with other supplies." He also told the leader of the Small Market Gate guards, "Since there are these provisions for rewards, you should go to the south gate to collect them."
Tuoba Tao sent camels, mules, horses, sable coats, and various provisions to the south gate, but the gate was closed, and the gatekeeper had yet to appear. When Zhang Chang saw this from the city wall, the enemy messenger asked, "Is this Zhang Chang?" Zhang Chang said, "How did you recognize me?" The enemy messenger replied, "Your reputation has long reached us, so I know." Zhang Chang then asked for the surname of the enemy messenger, who replied, "I am a Xianbei, and we do not have surnames; it would not be appropriate to disclose one." Zhang Chang then asked, "What position do you hold?" The enemy messenger replied, "The official titles among the Xianbei vary; I can't disclose it casually, but my rank is sufficient to stand against yours."
The enemy messenger asked again, "Why did you hurriedly close the city gates and bridges?" Zhang Chang replied, "The two kings believe the Wei army's camp is not yet fully established, and our soldiers are weary as well. We have a hundred thousand elite soldiers here, all eager to sacrifice for the country. We are afraid that any rash action will cause chaos and trampling, so we temporarily closed the city gates. After they have rested and reorganized the troops, we will jointly select the battlefield and agree on a date for the decisive confrontation." The enemy messenger said, "You should adhere to the law; why close the bridges? And why brag about having a hundred thousand troops? We also have many fine horses; if the cavalry surrounds you from all sides, we can also confront you."
Zhang Chang said, "The kings set up checkpoints, not just to follow the law! If I were to boast about our forces, I would claim we have a million troops. The reason I say a hundred thousand is because this is the usual reserve force of the two kings. There are still the citizens and soldiers from several provinces in the city, not to mention them. I primarily rely on strategy for victory, not on comparing the number of horses. Moreover, the land north of Jizhou is the birthplace of horses; what fine horses do you have to brag about?" The enemy messenger said, "It's not like that. City defense is your forte, while open-field battles are ours. We rely on horses, just as you rely on the city walls."
There was a man named Jusi in the city, who had once served in the Northern Wei Dynasty. Yigong sent him to investigate the situation, and Jusi recognized the envoy as Li Xiaobo, the Minister of Personnel of the Northern Wei. Jusi asked, "Minister Li, have you had a hard journey?" Li Xiaobo replied, "This matter should be known to everyone." Jusi responded, "It's hard precisely because everyone knows." Li Xiaobo said, "Thank you for your understanding."
As soon as the door opened, they saw the envoy, Changxuan, waiting, so they went out to meet him and presented gifts together. The envoy said, "A sable coat for the Grand Commandant, camels and mules for the General of the Northern Frontier, let's share some grape wine and enjoy it together, uncle and nephew." Changxuan then requested more wine and oranges to be sent.
Changxuan reported to Emperor Taizong, "I conveyed your intentions to the Emperor of Wei; he knows you want to see him but has been delaying the meeting. I was appointed by the court to serve on the border, and as a subject, I cannot have private dealings abroad; I regret that I couldn't report the situation to you sooner. Furthermore, defending the city is the daily work of the border town; as long as the envoy is pleased, even if it requires hard work, we have no complaints. The Grand Commandant and the General of the Northern Frontier have received the gifts you sent; the Emperor of Wei knows you also want oranges, and I will now pass them on to him. The Grand Commandant needs fur coats and trousers in the cold north; I will also send them to the Emperor of Wei. The lacquered shell cups and assorted rice dumplings are southern delicacies; I will also send them to the General of the Northern Frontier."
This letter has not been delivered yet. Chang Xuan dispatched a messenger to inform Xiaobo: "The Emperor of Wei wishes to convey a message to the Grand Commandant and General Anbei. He recently rode over, and his carriage will arrive soon. He is currently sitting idly and wishes to borrow your gaming equipment." Chang Xuan said: "I will report this request to borrow gaming equipment. However, I have already been sufficiently polite when speaking to the two princes. Besides, the Emperor's decree is only applicable to Wei; how can it be used here?" Xiaobo said: "What is the difference between the Emperor's decree and my words?" Chang Xuan said: "If it's just verbal communication, I can speak to you like this; but if it's about executing a decree, we must pay attention to hierarchy. I cannot simply heed the Emperor's decree as you just mentioned." Xiaobo said: "The Grand Commandant and General Anbei are subjects, right?" Chang Xuan said: "Yes." Xiaobo said: "Why can't the monarch of a neighboring country issue decrees to the subjects of a neighboring country?" Chang Xuan said: "Even referring to the Emperor in this manner is unacceptable in our country, much less referring to the Emperor of Wei as a monarch of a neighboring country in the presence of the two princes?"
Xiao Bo said: "The Emperor of Wei said that the Grand Commander and the General of the Guard are still young, and the distance between the north and south is far, so they should be very worried. If they want to send a letter, they should send someone to escort them; if they need horses, they should also be sent to them." Chang Xuan said: "There are many land routes here; messengers come and go every day, so there's no need to bother the Emperor of Wei." Xiao Bo said: "I know there’s a water route, but it seems to be blocked by bandits." Chang Xuan said: "Is that why you call them bandits, since you’re wearing white?" Xiao Bo laughed and said: "The bandits these days are no different from the Yellow Turbans and the Red Eyebrows." Chang Xuan said: "It seems that the Yellow Turbans and the Red Eyebrows are not in Jiangnan." Xiao Bo said: "Although they’re not in Jiangnan, they’re not in Qingzhou or Xuzhou either." Chang Xuan said: "There are indeed bandits in Qingzhou and Xuzhou now, but they are not white bandits." The messenger said: "Why didn't you agree to borrow the gaming equipment just now?" Chang Xuan said: "The two princes are noble and far away, and it is difficult for me to pass on the information." Xiao Bo said: "Duke Zhou is so busy he can’t even comb his hair, let alone eat. Why do the two princes have to insist on being far away?" Chang Xuan said: "Duke Zhou is too busy to even comb his hair or eat; that's for us Chinese!" Xiao Bo said: "Guests are polite, and as hosts, we should graciously accept." Chang Xuan said: "I saw many guests come to the door just now, and they didn't even have time to bow." After a while, the gaming equipment was sent out, so they were given to them.
Dao also sent someone to say: "The Wei Emperor asked me to greet you. Cheng Tianzuo is just an ordinary person. Of course, he knows that this is not a goodwill gesture from the Song Dynasty. Recently, Prince Ruyang suffered nine knife wounds and fell outside the hall. I was the one who pulled him out. Most people think about reuniting when they’re separated from loved ones. I have already told him, but his brother adamantly refuses to come. Now let him meet with the messenger." Cheng Tianfu said to the messenger: "My brother followed Prince Ruyang's orders and did not sacrifice himself for the country. We’re both serving our own masters now, so why meet?"
Tao also sent each person a blanket, nine kinds of salt, and broad beans, saying, "These salts have their own uses. White salt is for the Wei Lord himself. Black salt treats bloating; take six zhu and take it with wine. Spicy salt treats eye pain. Soft salt is inedible; it is used to treat wounds on a horse's back. Red salt, striped salt, smelly salt, and horse tooth salt cannot be eaten. Broad beans can be eaten. There are plenty of yellow sugar in your place; you could share some with us." He also said, "The Wei Lord asked me to say hello to the Grand Commandant and Anbei. Why didn't they send someone to us? While we can't fully express our friendship, we should at least see your people, know how many of you there are, and get to know your people. If your subordinates cannot come, you can send a servant." Chang Xuan replied, "We have already understood the appearance and ability of the Wei Lord through many exchanges. Minister Li came here in person, so there is no need to worry about not fully understanding each other; we will not send envoys anymore." Tao said, "The Wei Lord is very dissatisfied with the horses we sent before. If Anbei needs good horses, we can send more. If you need Shu horses, we also have good horses." Chang said, "Anbei does not lack good horses; your offer of horses is appreciated, but we do not need it." Yi Gong gave Tao ten candles, and the Emperor also sent a piece of brocade, saying, "I know you need more yellow sugar; we are not stingy at all. However, the quantity sent is not enough for your entire army; you shouldn't be lacking them from the previous gifts to the Wei Lord, so we will not send more." Tao also requested sugar cane and pomegranates. Chang said, "Pomegranates are from Yexia; you shouldn't be lacking them." Xiaobo also said, "You come from a wealthy family in the south; why do you wear these straw shoes? If you all wear them, how will the soldiers see you?" Chang said, "You flatter me; I'm not really from a wealthy family. It's just that I'm not good at martial arts, and I've been given command of the army, so I cannot wear casual clothes."
Xiao Bo said again, "Changshi, I am from the Central Plains. I have been in the north for a long time, isolated from the customs of the Central Plains. It is difficult for us to fully understand each other. The border is filled with northerners who listen to me. Changshi should truly understand my situation." Xiao Bo continued, "King Yongchang is the cousin of the Wei Emperor. He has stationed himself in Chang'an again, leading an elite force of eighty thousand soldiers straight for Huainan. The city of Shouchun has been tightly closed and defended for a long time, afraid to resist. They have already seen the severed head of Liu Kangzu that was sent earlier. Wang Xuanmo is well-known to them as just an ordinary general. Why does the south appoint generals in this way, resulting in catastrophic defeats? They have entered more than seven hundred li into our territory, yet our lord cannot resist even a little. While Zoushan is perilous, it is what you depend on. The vanguard troops could engage in battle only because Cui Xieyi took refuge in a cave. Our generals dragged him out, and the Wei Emperor granted him mercy. He is now here. Why would you send Ma Wengong to Xiaoxian so carelessly, causing the enemy to flee at the mere sight of him? Your people are deeply resentful, saying that in times of peace and prosperity, they pay taxes to us. Yet in times of crisis, you fail to assist them."
Chang said, "I know that King Yongchang has already crossed Huainan, and Liu Kangzu was defeated by him. I haven't even received any news on this recently. Wang Xuanmo is a deputy general from the south; it's not fair to say he has much talent, he was just asked to lead the way. The army hasn't even arrived yet, and the river has already frozen. Xuanmo assessed the situation and decided to retreat; it wasn't a mistake, it was just that the nighttime retreat caused some minor confusion in the army. Our Xuanmo is in Doucheng, Chen Xian is merely a minor general, and the Wei dynasty has mobilized all its forces but still hasn't managed to conquer it for several days. Hu Sheng is merely a minor deputy general commanding just a single regiment. Just after crossing the Rong River, the king and ministers of Wei fled everywhere. They managed to escape by sheer luck. In the Battle of Huatai, we have no reason to feel ashamed. The small garrison at Zoushan is somewhat precarious; most of the people by the river are new followers who have just admired the sanctity, and the bandits haven't been quelled yet. It was just to let Cui Xie appease them, but now he has been captured; what loss does the country suffer from this? The Wei dynasty thought they could subdue Cui Xie with a hundred thousand troops, but it's worth noting that they couldn't. I heard that the people of Xiaoxian and Xiangzhou relied on the mountains; they merely sent Ma Wengong to lead ten squads of soldiers to issue a warning. Ma Wengong said that he sent out three teams of soldiers first, and then retreated. The main camp led by Ji Xuanjing arrived in Liucheng with a hundred riders, and the Wei army was defeated. Underestimating the enemy led to this failure, but that's not something to be ashamed of. The people of Wangjing reside by the river; in times of war between two countries, they should comfort each other, but the Wei army entered our territory and wantonly harmed them. This was unexpected due to their lack of ethics. The court has not wronged the people, so why do they harbor resentment towards it? Knowing that once they entered our territory, there was no resistance; this is primarily due to the Grand Marshal's brilliant strategies and the garrison's overall tactics. Although I did not know in advance about the major events of governing the country and defending the nation, there are strategies in military affairs, and some matters cannot be openly discussed."
Xiaobo said, "The Wei emperor is unlikely to besiege this city. He will personally lead a large army straight to Guabu. If things in the south are successful, there is no need to besiege Pengcheng; if victory cannot be achieved, Pengcheng is not a must to be taken. I'm heading south now to drink from the river and quench my thirst." Chang said, "The decision to stay or leave is up to you. If your horses end up drinking from the river, that would be unjust. Go back and report; we will discuss further later." Chang then went back, and Xiaobo caught up and said, "Master Chang, take care. Although we are parting, I wish I could shake your hand to say goodbye." Chang replied, "Good soldiers need to look after themselves. I hope the war ends quickly so we can meet again. If you can return to the Song Dynasty, today will be the beginning of our acquaintance." Xiaobo said, "Who knows when that might happen?" Tao sent someone to borrow musical instruments such as the konghou, pipa, zheng, flute, and chess pieces from the two kings. Yi Gong replied, "I am ordered to go to war and did not bring musical instruments. The musicians are performing here on the town government's orders, with hundreds of strings, which is typical of Jiangnan. I will bring them to you now." The emperor said, "As the town's leader, I didn't think about these things. Musical instruments are common items. Moreover, I have seen gifts of pipa from previous kings, so I will bring them to you now. The chess pieces will also be sent." Xiaobo spoke eloquently, showcasing the talent typical of a northerner. Chang replied smoothly, with elegant speech and a graceful demeanor. Xiaobo and those around him looked at each other, sighing incessantly.
The enemy reportedly attacked the south gate of Pengcheng, setting the city ablaze. Chang (referring to Liu Chang) personally charged into battle, leading his troops bravely. Later, the enemy leader Tao withdrew from Guabu and passed by Pengcheng. They sent a messenger into the city to shout, "We are out of food, we are leaving first; we'll return when the wheat is ready!" Yi Gong, the defender of Pengcheng, was terrified and quickly shut the gates, not daring to pursue.
After a while, the enemy forces launched another attack, and everyone started discussing countermeasures. Some suggested cutting down all the wheat, destroying the crops, and gathering all the civilians into the fortress. However, opinions were divided, so they had to hold another meeting to discuss. At this moment, the military recorder Wang Xiaosun stood up and said, "The enemy forces are unlikely to come back again. We are safe now. Even if they do come back, this plan is unfeasible! If we confine the civilians within the city, they will inevitably starve over time. It's spring now, and everyone can still go to the fields to forage for wild vegetables to satisfy hunger. If everyone is confined to the fortress, many will surely starve. The civilians know they are doomed; how can we maintain control over them? If the enemy forces really come back, it will not be too late to harvest the wheat." The room fell silent; no one dared to speak against him. Liu Chang addressed the Emperor with grave seriousness, saying, "I want Wang Xiaosun to impeach Wang Zixia." The Emperor asked, "What mistake did Wang Zixia make?" Liu Chang replied, "Cutting wheat and relocating the civilians is a major decision, which concerns the safety of one side. Wang Zixia, as a high official in the state, had no opinion on this issue before. However, as soon as Dong Yuansi agreed with Wang Xiaosun's opinion, he immediately smiled and flattered. How can such obsequious behavior befit a servant of the crown?" Wang Zixia felt humiliated, while Dong Yuansi appeared somewhat uncomfortable. Ultimately, Yi Gong's proposal was set aside.
Emperor Taizu was delighted to hear that Liu Chang had repeatedly put forward correct opinions. The second emperor, still in Pengcheng, immediately recalled Liu Chang and sent him to Xuyi City to organize military affairs, intending to establish an important military stronghold there. At that time, it was rumored that the enemy army was going to march out from Xiangyang, so the second emperor appointed Liu Chang as the Chief Historian of Nanqiao Wang Yixuan and the governor of Nanjun County. The second emperor also planned to have Liu Chang succeed Liu Xingzu as the governor of Qingzhou and Pengcheng, but this plan ultimately did not come to fruition.
Thirty years ago, the mastermind rebelled, and on the day of Yixuan's mourning, although Zhang Chang should have led the troops to defend the king at that time, he instead served as a major official and wept inconsolably in the hall, displaying profound grief. Everyone was deeply impressed by him. After the mourning period ended, he changed into yellow clothes, walked out of the hall, capturing everyone's attention with his demeanor. Those who witnessed him were ready to go to great lengths for him. After the situation calmed down, he was appointed as the Minister of Personnel, granted the title of Marquis of Yidao County, and given a fief of one thousand households.
Yixuan had his own ambitions, and Cai Chao and others recognized Zhang Chang's high esteem among the populace and advised Yixuan to keep him. Therefore, Yixuan gave Zhang Chang the position of Colonel of the Southern Tribes and also appointed him as the Champion General, appointing him as the Chief Historian of the Prime Minister. Zhang Chang sent his student Xun Sengbao to the capital, hoping to report Yixuan's crimes to the court via Yan Jun. However, Xun Sengbao was delayed by private business in Baling, failed to depart in time, and missed the chance to leave when Yixuan mobilized his forces. The roads were also closed off, so Xun Sengbao ultimately could not make the journey.
Yi Xuan is planning to rebel, sending his favored minister Zhai Lingbao to inform Zhang Chang: "The court is preparing ships and weapons, planning to march westward; now Yi Xuan wants to send troops for self-defense." Zhang Chang replied, "That’s absolutely impossible; I would stake my life on it." Seeing Zhang Chang's resolute attitude, Zhai Lingbao suggested that Yi Xuan kill him as a warning to others. So, Yi Xuan sent someone to summon Zhang Chang, locked him in the East Chamber and did not see him for an entire day. He was spared from death thanks to the protection of Sima Zhuchao. Later, Yi Xuan promoted Zhang Chang to the position of General of the Army and established an army to win the people's support. Even though Zhang Chang was tasked with drafting documents, he often got drunk and neglected his official duties.
Later, after Yi Xuan was defeated at Liangshan, he fled, while Zhang Chang managed to escape back on his own amidst the chaos of war, only to be robbed by soldiers, who stripped him of his clothes. Fortunately, General Wang Xuanmo happened to be leaving the camp by carriage, and Zhang Chang had managed to find a tattered piece of clothing, forcing his way onto Wang Xuanmo's carriage. Wang Xuanmo was quite displeased, and the soldiers wanted to kill Zhang Chang, but thanks to the intervention of Zhang Shi, he was spared. He was escorted to the capital and tried by the Court of Judicial Review, stripped of his title and lands, and exiled to the left and right Shangfang. He was subsequently pardoned. He was later reinstated and appointed as the Minister of Justice, promoted to the position of Shizhong, and succeeded Ziyan as the Commander of the Prince's Right Guard.
In the second year of Xiaojian, he served as the Governor of Kuaiji. In the first year of Daming, he died in office at the age of fifty. Yan Jun submitted a memorial to Emperor Shizu stating, "Zhang Chang ultimately did not receive adequate care. He was a prominent figure in the southeastern region who set an early example. Hearing of his death filled me with deep sorrow, and I have been deeply concerned ever since." He was posthumously granted the title Xuanzi. Zhang Chang had a deep affection for his disciples, especially Ji, and before he passed away, he requested that they be buried together.
Zi Hao became the Consultant for the Northern Campaign under the command of Wang Chang in Yiyang. His younger brother Yan Ni served as the Southern Central Lang Secretary under the Emperor. After the Emperor's reign, Yan was promoted to Gentleman of the Yellow Gate, granted the title of Guangjin County Lord, with a fief of five hundred households. He later became the Right Commander of the Crown Prince and the Governor of Linchuan. This guy was quite ruthless, forcing the officials in the county to burn their arms in devotion to Buddha. If the common people were guilty, they were made to worship Buddha, bowing thousands of times in penance! As a result, he was dismissed from office and imprisoned. Later, he was reinstated and became the Minister of Rites and the Interior Minister of Linchuan. During the Taishi era of Emperor Taizong, he joined Prince Xun of Jin'an in rebellion, leading troops to Poyang, but was defeated and killed.
Zi Hao's brother Yue had a good reputation. He served in Zhongshu's Ministry of Personnel and was also the former Chief Historian for Prince Xu of Linhai and the Prefect of Nanjun. Later, when Prince Xun of Jin'an declared himself emperor in Xunyang, he was appointed as the Minister of Personnel, aiding this usurped regime alongside Deng Wan. After the plot was exposed, he killed Deng Wan and surrendered to the court, as documented in the "Biography of Deng Wan." He later became the Crown Prince's Adopted Son, then the Chief Historian of the Guard for Prince Xiuruo of Baling and the Prefect of Xiangyang. Four years later, he succeeded Xiuruo as the Inspector of Yong Province and General of Ningyuan. He then became the Chief Historian for the Western Expedition and the Prefect of Nanjun under Xiuruo. In the sixth year, Emperor Taizong established the Sanba Colonel position in Bajun and appointed him, and also conferred upon him the titles of Jie and Fushi General, concurrently serving as the Prefect of Bajun. Unfortunately, he passed away before he could take office.
He Yan, styled Zhonghong, was from Lujiang and the son of Sikong Shangzhi. He was first summoned by the state to serve as an official in charge of discussions, and later passed the imperial examination to become a military advisor in the central army. He also served as the registrar of the Pingxi Prefecture of Prince Yiqing of Linchuan. The court summoned him to be the equerry to the Crown Prince, but he did not go. In the nineteenth year of Yuanjia, he became the magistrate of Danyang and later served as a trusted advisor to Prince Luling, a junior official of the Crown Prince, a palace attendant, and a Crown Prince's steward. At that time, Prince Chang of Yiyang was in the Eastern Palace as an official, and he asked He Yan to help him with the affairs of the Yiyang Kingdom.
In the 29th year of the Christian era, Emperor Taizu wanted to launch another northern expedition and asked the ministers for their opinions. Yan said, "The eunuch Hu Fazong conveyed the Emperor's edict, inquiring about the northern expedition. I have carefully considered that those bandits are indeed cruel by nature, as easily confused as dogs and sheep, and it is not difficult to eliminate them, which aligns perfectly with the will of heaven. However, although we have planned meticulously, the soldiers have not been fully trained; there are very few garrisons along the border, and many of the border inhabitants are homeless and unemployed. The supplies for our northern expedition must rely on domestic production. If the foundation supporting border warfare is damaged, we must ensure that nothing goes wrong before we can act. Don't forget the failures of the past few years. If there is another internal conflict, the enemy will take advantage of it and cause chaos, which could lead to unimaginable consequences! In addition, several provinces in the Huai River and Sishui River basins have suffered severe destruction, with refugees yet to return and wounds yet to heal. Moreover, the dynamics of offense and defense differ, and the enemy and our situation are also different. If we underestimate the enemy and rush in, it will be very difficult; if we besiege the enemy, it will be protracted, and there will be various dangers in retreat. I believe the current situation is likely to lead to failure, and the enemies we may face in the future are not particularly formidable. We should bide our time, recuperate, and align ourselves with the will of heaven." Later, He Yan was appointed as the Chief Historian for the Northern Expedition under Prince Jin of Shixing and as the Prefect of South Donghai.
After the usurper took the throne, he appointed Yan as the Attendant, in charge of managing the imperial edicts. At that time, the Minister of Personnel and his son were both in positions of power, and Yan also held a position in the government. The father-son duo held significant positions simultaneously, which made many people feel uneasy. However, both the Minister and Yan were skilled at managing government affairs, earning them a good reputation. When the Emperor ascended the throne, their appointments remained unchanged. Yan was appointed Chief Clerk of the Grand Marshal, later promoted to Attendant, and concurrently served as the Prince's Tutor. At that time, the court expected officials to speak frankly and offer advice. Yan suggested, "We should value agriculture, care for the people, and streamline institutions, reduce excess staff, assess officials' capabilities through evaluations, and increase salaries to reduce corruption. Officials should be diligent and remain in their positions long-term. The responsibilities of regional commanders and provincial governors should be clearly distinguished."
Yan was promoted to General of the Agile Cavalry, and the Emperor favored him more than ever. He was later appointed Minister of Personnel. Yan had only been the Minister of Personnel for a few years when his son succeeded him, which was a significant honor at the time.
At that time, the attendant, Yan Jun also began to rise in power. He and Yan both worked closely with the Emperor, and as they were both skilled writers, their relationship was particularly good. They often discussed scholarly matters together and enjoyed themselves. However, Yan Jun felt that he deserved a more important position due to the Emperor's favor, but his rank was similar to Yan's, which left him feeling discontented. When Yan took over the responsibility of selecting officials from Yan Jun, the latter grew increasingly resentful, and their relationship deteriorated entirely.
Yan Jun wielded great power at that time, and everyone listened to him. Yan felt somewhat anxious and developed palpitations, constantly worrying and restless. Eventually, he submitted a resignation letter, citing illness as the reason. The Emperor held Yan in high regard, so he paid special attention to his health, summoning renowned physicians for his treatment and providing him with various valuable medicinal herbs. Eventually, Yan recovered.
At that time, Princess Shanyin, the emperor's favorite daughter, was renowned for her beauty. She married He Ji, son of He Yan. The princess was interested in metaphysics and even annotated the "Zhuangzi • Xiaoyao Chapter," which has been handed down through generations.
In the second year of the Ming Dynasty, He Yan passed away at the age of forty-six. The emperor and Yan Jun jointly issued a decree, saying, "He Yan, you have departed this world, but your noble aspirations will live on. We have interacted with you and became relatives through marriage. Now that you have passed away, we are heartbroken and can't help but cry! Alas, what shall we do now that you are gone! Posthumously appoint him as a Cavalier Attendant and a Grand Master of Splendid Violet Light, with his previous position remaining unchanged." He was given the posthumous title of Jingzi. His son, He Ji, during the Shengming period, became the Left Chief Historian of the State Council.
Jiang Zhiyuan, from Ji Yangkaocheng, had a father, Jiang Seng'an, who was a prince's middle son, and his stepfather, Jiang Yi, was the governor of Xiangzhou. Jiang Zhiyuan started out as a clerk, later became the Marshal's Attendant of Prince Yigong of Jiangxia, and the chief secretary to the Prince's Tutor, and finally followed Wang Dan as a Rear Army Officer. His stepfather Jiang Yi was well-respected, and his son Jiang Zhan was also highly regarded. Both father and son held high positions and were influential. However, Jiang Zhiyuan's father was not well-known when he was young, and Jiang Zhan treated Jiang Zhiyuan's father quite coldly. Jiang Zhiyuan always felt resentment and only went to Jiang Zhan's house during holidays. Later, when Jiang Zhiyuan followed Wang Dan as a staff member, Wang Dan treated him very well in Xiangyang. At that time, the Consultation Military Officer Xie Zhuang and the Prefect Shen Huaiwen got along well with Jiang Zhiyuan. Shen Huaiwen often praised him: "Jiang Zhiyuan has everything he should have and nothing he shouldn't have!" In the later years of Yuanjia, Jiang Zhiyuan was appointed as a Department of State Library Assistant. At that time, most high-ranking officials were hesitant to take on the role of Tai Lang; Jiang Zhiyuan had no background but was able to obtain this position. He was unhappy about it and firmly turned down the appointment.
Later, following Wang Dan's reinstatement, he became a Cavalry General, and Jiang Zhiyuan was promoted to be the chief scribe. He then followed Wang's household to the Sikong Mansion, successively serving as the chief scribe of the Sikong, military secretary, and also serving as the Governor of Nan Puyang. Finally, he was promoted to be an official in the Central Secretariat. Later, when Wang Dan planned to rebel, Jiang Zhiyuan sensed his intentions and requested leave to return home. After Wang Dan's plot was exposed, Jiang Zhiyuan was immediately appointed as Deputy Minister of the Central Secretariat. Jiang Zhiyuan loved literature; his literary works were elegant, filled with magnificent phrases. Emperor Song Shizu highly appreciated him, favoring him more than other ministers in the court. The Emperor often privately summoned him and frequently held gatherings with a group of ministers (around fifty to sixty people), with Jiang Zhiyuan always at the forefront. Before anyone else arrived, he was already summoned by the Emperor alone. Each time, Jiang Zhiyuan felt ashamed for surpassing others and never showed any joy. Whenever he accompanied the Emperor on trips and served alongside other ministers, upon seeing a messenger on horseback rushing over with an imperial decree, he knew the Emperor wanted to see him, which made him nervous and fidgety. Everyone admired his humble attitude.
He was promoted to General of the Cavalry and later became a senior official in the Ministry of Personnel. The Emperor enjoyed publicly humiliating the ministers during banquets, making them make fun of each other for entertainment. Zhiyuan was always honest and found it increasingly difficult to grasp the Emperor's intentions. Once, the Emperor asked him to make fun of Wang Senglang's son, Wang Jingwen, but Zhiyuan replied earnestly, "I'm afraid this may not be appropriate." The Emperor got angry, saying, "Jiang Senglang is a fool; fools should naturally sympathize with each other!" Frightened, he fell to the ground in tears, falling out of favor and being reassigned to Prince Xin'an's court as the Chief Clerk of the Northern Central Agency. Later, he became the Governor of South Donghai and was also appointed as the General of Ning Shuo, responsible for the affairs of South Xuzhou.
Earlier, the Emperor's most favored concubine, Lady Yin, passed away. The Emperor asked his ministers to discuss her posthumous title, and Zhi Yuan suggested using the character "怀." The Emperor felt quite displeased with this title, as he thought it was not pleasant enough. Later, while the Emperor was out enjoying the scenery in Nanshan, he rode past Lady Yin's grave with his ministers riding alongside. Pointing at the stone pillar on the tombstone with his riding crop, the Emperor said to Zhi Yuan, "This cannot have the character '怀' on it!" Zhi Yuan felt an even greater sense of dread. In the seventh year of the Ming Dynasty, Zhi Yuan died of depression at the age of forty-six.
His son, Zhi Ji Yun, had served as the Prince's horse groom and passed away when he was very young. Later, when the deposed Emperor ascended the throne, he posthumously conferred upon Zhi Ji Yun the title of Jinzi Guanglu Dafu because he was his father-in-law. Zhi Ji Yun's wife, Lady Wang, held the title of Pingwang Xiangjun.
Zhi Yuan's nephew, Zhi Gai, lost his father when he was very young and was raised by Zhi Yuan as his own son. Zhi Gai later became the Chamberlain of the Yellow Gate, a minister of the Ministry of Personnel, and held positions such as Palace Attendant, Chief Clerk of the Northern Langya Prince, and Governor of Nandonghai, responsible for the affairs of Southern Xuzhou. He later passed away during the reign of the deposed Emperor Yuanhui.
Historical records state: A general is one who leads soldiers; a soldier fulfills a specific role. Sitting there discussing military strategies can determine victory or defeat thousands of miles away. Can victory be won simply by soldiers charging through blood and water? Shan Tao evaluated Yang Hu, saying, "Although a great general does not require a strong physique, the military should still be somewhat robust." By this standard, my uncle's physical condition (referring to Zhuge Liang) is quite poor. Du Yu, a literary scholar, was so weak that he couldn't even draw a bow, nor had he ridden a horse, yet he suddenly commanded over two hundred thousand troops as the Governor of Wu. Wang Rong, also a weak literary scholar, was also given command of an army. This illustrates that to be a great general, one need not be a fierce warrior from Shanxi or a hero from the Six Counties to be valued at court and entrusted with significant responsibilities.
But when the enemy forces advanced deep into enemy territory, everyone was dressed in lavish attire, shaking in fear. If Zhang Chang hadn't stepped forward and spoken out boldly, Pengcheng and Bianliang would have been in peril. Is it really the case that only by personally fending off arrows and grappling with the approaching enemies can we protect the city walls and save our city? The courage of the righteous isn't just talk!
