Pei Shuye, from Wenxi in Hedong, was descended from Pei Hui, the Jizhou Inspector during the Jin Dynasty. His great-grandfather, Pei Li, served as a guerrilla general and fled to Liangzhou during the chaos in the court. His great-grandson, Pei Xianfu, returned to the south and served as the Governor of Xingyang towards the end of the Yixi era. Pei Shuye's father and grandfather returned to the Central Plains after crossing the Yellow River relatively late. Pei Shuye had been skilled in horseback riding and archery from a young age and demonstrated considerable military talent.
During the late Song and Yuan dynasties, Pei Shuye was promoted all the way to the position of Supervisor of the Imperial Guards. Later, he also served as a Cavalry Officer under the command of Emperor Taizu. In the first year of Jianyuan, he was appointed as the Commandant of the Tunqi. At that time, nomadic tribes from the north invaded Sizhou and Yuzhou, so the court sent Pei Shuye to lead the army against them, without changing his official position. When the emperor first ascended the throne, court officials presented various strategies. In the second year of Jianyuan, Pei Shuye wrote to the emperor: "Chengdu boasts significant geographical advantages, fertile land, and its terrain is difficult to attack and easy to defend. The ancients said 'one man guarding a pass is stronger than ten thousand troops', which aptly describes this location. The rise and fall of Yongzhou and Qi during the Han Dynasty, and Qiaojun and the Lis of the Jin Dynasty, are all recorded in historical books. In recent years, the court's approach to governing the Bashu region has been flawed, only focusing on the terrain, but neglecting the fact that the local residents are of a different ethnicity, relying mainly on military force, and the stationed troops are insufficient in number, leading to rampant bandits and the inability to collect taxes normally. Therefore, a prince should be sent to Bashu to command the three states of Yizhou, Liangzhou, and South Qinzhou, commanding ten thousand civil and military officials and troops, first constructing defensive lines along the Minjiang and Hanshui rivers, then stationing troops in various areas, and actively hunting down bandits and wrongdoers in the mountains. In this way, prestige will be established, leading both the local populace and ethnic minorities to submit." The emperor approved his suggestion, appointing him General of Ning Shuo, while retaining his position as chief commander of the army. In the fourth year of Yongming, Pei Shuye was promoted to General of the Right Army and served as a Military Adviser to the Eastern Command.
During Emperor Gaozong's tenure as the Governor of Yuzhou, Pei Shuye served as his Right Army General and was also appointed as the General of Establishing Might and Military Commander, while concurrently holding the position of Chenliu Prefect. In the seventh year of the Yongming era, Pei Shuye was appointed as the Sima for the Western Expedition under Wang Jingze, while retaining his titles as General and Military Commander. Later, he followed Wang Jingze to the General of the Cavalry's Office. He served as an official in Shouchun for several years. In the ninth year of Yongming, he was appointed as the Chief Historian of Ningman and the Prefect of Guangping. When the Governor of Yongzhou, Wang Huan, encountered difficulties, Pei Shuye led his troops in a revolt within the city. The Emperor recognized his talents and appointed him as a Military Advisor for Prince Jin'an's Northern Expedition, where he commanded the Central Army while also serving as the Prefect of Fufeng. He was later promoted to the Champion General under Prince Jinxi. In the first year of Yanxing, Pei Shuye was appointed as the General of Pacifying the Frontier, with his role as Sima unchanged. Pei Shuye had known and worked with Emperor Gaozong early on, and after Emperor Gaozong took power, he trusted Pei Shuye greatly, treating him as a close confidant and letting him lead attacks on strongholds of some minority groups, with Pei Shuye faithfully carrying out the orders. In the year 49 AD, the Xiongnu besieged Xuzhou, and as the military commander, Shuye followed the Right Guard General Xiao Tanzhi to rescue. Shuye captured two cities outside the Xiongnu's Huai River defense line, with fierce fighting leading many enemies to take their own lives by jumping into the river. Due to his great achievements, he was appointed as an Attendant of the Yellow Gate by the Emperor. The Emperor appreciated Shuye's contributions and loyalty, granting him the title of Count of Wuchang County with a fief of five hundred households, and allowing him to continue serving as the Commissioner, overseeing military affairs in Xuzhou, Champion General, and Governor of Xuzhou.
Four years later, the Xiongnu chieftain invaded the northern bank of the Mian River, and the emperor ordered Shu Ye to provide support to Yongzhou. Shu Ye reported: "The northerners are not willing to travel long distances. Their favorite activity is invading the Xiongnu border. In this way, the bandits in Yongzhou will inevitably spread their forces thin, and there is no need to waste the people's money and resources on expeditions." The emperor accepted his suggestion. Shu Ye led the army to attack Hongcheng, capturing more than four thousand men and women. Later, he was reassigned as the military governor of Yuzhou, the deputy general of the state, and the governor of Yuzhou, with his duties unchanged.
In the first year of Yongtai, Shu Ye led fifty thousand troops, including the Governor of Donghai Sun Lingzhong, the Governor of Xinchang Liu Sixiao, and the Governor of Matou Li Senghu, to surround Guoyang, the stronghold of the Xiongnu in southern Yanzhou, 120 miles from Pengcheng. The false governor of Yanzhou, Meng Biao, defended the city and resisted. Shu Ye launched a fierce assault, piling enemy corpses to a height of five zhang to intimidate the defenders. He also sent military officers Xiao Gui and Cheng Baozhen to attack Longkang Shu, the Xiongnu's Matou County. The Xiongnu forces shut the city gates and mounted a defense. The false governor of Xuzhou, the Prince of Guangling, led twenty thousand men and five thousand cavalry to reinforce Longkang. Xiao Gui and his men could not withstand the assault. Shu Ye led more than thirty thousand troops to reinforce, attacking the Xiongnu forces from multiple directions. The Xiongnu army was caught off guard before they could establish their camp, and they were defeated and fled. The Prince of Guangling only escaped with a few dozen cavalry, and the imperial forces pursued him and captured his seal. The Xiongnu then sent the false generals Liu Zao and Gao Cong to reinforce, and Shu Ye led the army to meet them, achieving a resounding victory. In a subsequent battle, they killed over ten thousand enemy soldiers, captured more than three thousand, and seized an immense amount of weapons, supplies, horses, and silk.
The Xiongnu leader heard that the King of Guangling was defeated, so he sent the false commander Wang Su and the Grand General Yang Dayan to rescue Guoyang with over one hundred thousand infantry and cavalry. Shuye saw that the enemy forces were numerous, so he quietly withdrew his troops that night. The next day, the imperial army was defeated, the Xiongnu army pursued, and the casualties were staggering, only stopping the pursuit until dusk. Shuye retreated to Wogou, and the emperor sent envoys to offer him reassurances.
Emperor Gaozong passed away, and Shuye returned to his garrison. After the young emperor took the throne, he began to execute several ministers, causing frequent unrest in the capital. Shuye stood in the north of Shouchun City, gazing out over the fertile waters, and said to his subordinates, "Do you want wealth and honor? I tell you, wealth and honor can be achieved!"
In the first year of Yongyuan, Shuye was transferred to command the military of five states in Southern Yanzhong, Yanzhou, Xuzhou, Qingzhou, and Jizhou, while also serving as the governor of Southern Yanzhong, with his titles of general and commander unchanged. Shuye saw that the situation at that time was chaotic and preferred not to remain close to the court. The court suspected that he wanted to rebel, and Shuye also sent people to investigate the situation in the capital, which led to a flurry of rumors spreading. Shuye's sons Zhi and Yang were both serving in the palace and attending to the emperor. They were worried about impending disaster and fled to Shouyang, warning Shuye that the court would likely mount a sudden attack. Xu Shihui and others also feared that Shuye would flee and rebel, so they sent Shuye's relatives and the imperial secretary Pei Changmu to deliver the imperial edict, allowing him to temporarily remain in his original position.
Shu Ye was still uneasy, and Zhi and the others kept persuading him. Shu Ye was worried and afraid, so he went to ask King Liang what he should do. King Liang told him to send his family back to the capital so that he would not be in danger. Shu Ye then sent his son Fen Zhi and others back to the capital as hostages to ensure their safety. The following year, Shu Ye was promoted to Champion General. Rumors that Shu Ye was plotting a rebellion persisted; Fen Zhi became even more afraid and fled back to Shou Chun. The court subsequently issued an edict against Shu Ye, sending General Cui Huijing, General Xiao Yi, and the Governor of Yu Province to launch an attack and set up camp at Xiaoxian. By this time, Shu Ye was gravely ill and sought assistance from Northern Wei, sending Fen Zhi as a hostage to negotiate support. Shortly thereafter, Shu Ye passed away, and Northern Wei dispatched General Li Chou and General Yang Dayan, leading over two thousand cavalry to enter Shou Chun. Initially, Northern Wei Emperor Tuoba Hong arrived in Shou Chun in the second year of Jianwu, and his advisors urged him to lay siege to the city. Tuoba Hong said, "There is no need for an assault; they will surrender later." In the end, Zhi and the others eventually returned to Luoyang.
Cui Huijing, styled Junshan, was from Dongwu City, Qinghe County. His grandfather, Cui Gou, held the title of Fengchaqing; his father, Cui Xizhi, served as Zhou Biejia. Hu Jing began his studies at the Imperial Academy. During the Taishi era of the Song Dynasty, he rose through the ranks to the position of Yuanwailang, then later serving as Changshui Xiaowei and Ningshuo General. When Gaozu (referring to Xiao Daocheng) was in Huaiyin, Hu Jing and his kinsman Cui Zusu joined him. Gaozu wanted to cross north to Guangling, so he had Hu Jing prepare boats at Taojia Houzhu; although this plan did not come to fruition, it earned him the favor of Gaozu. Afterwards, Hu Jing was appointed as the vanguard. After the incident with Shen You was resolved, he was appointed as the Anxi Sima for Prince Wuling and the Governor of Hedong, tasked with the defense of the Shaanxi region. In the third year of the Shengming era, Prince Yuzhang was appointed Governor of Jingzhou, and Hu Jing remained as the Zhenxi Sima while also serving as a consultant, with his position as Governor unchanged.
After Gaozu usurped the throne and proclaimed himself emperor, he appointed Huijing as the Marquis of Le'an, with a fief comprising three hundred households. Prince Yuzhang sent Huijing to the capital to submit a congratulatory memorial, and Gaozu received him warmly. Huijing was later promoted to Sima of Pingxi Prefecture and Governor of Nan County. He was then further promoted to Chief of the Southern Barbarians, conferred the title of General Who Assists the State, while keeping his position as Governor. Previously, officials under the Southern Barbarians had low status, but starting with Huijing, they began to be valued and appointed. In the first year of Jianyuan, nomadic tribes from the north launched an invasion, and Prince Yuzhang sent Huijing to lead three thousand troops to station in Fangcheng to support Sizhou. After the enemy retreated, the bandits in Liangzhou led by Li Wunu had not been pacified, so the court appointed Huijing as Commissioner and Commander of Military Affairs for Liang, North and South Qin, and Sha provinces, Colonel of the Western Rong, Governor of Liangzhou, and Governor of South Qin, while retaining his position as general. The court ordered Jingzhou to supply provisions and troops, and assigned him one thousand soldiers to depart from Xiangyang.
Initially, Wunu suffered multiple defeats at the hands of the official army, fleeing into Di territory, waiting for a chance to emerge and harass Liangzhou and Hanzhong, taking control of the pass cities. He once sent envoys to Jingzhou seeking to surrender, but Prince Yuzhang refused. The court sent Middle Army Aide Wang Tunan to lead the Yizhou army from Jiange to confront him, decisively defeating Wunu, who then retreated to Wuxing. Huijing led the Hanzhong army to establish a position in Baima and sent a detachment to flank Wang Tunan, resulting in a major defeat for Wunu, ultimately fleeing to Wuxing.
After the emperor ascended the throne, Huijing was promoted and given the title of Champion General. During his tenure in local office, he amassed considerable wealth. In the third year of Yongming, he stepped down and returned to the capital, and was then promoted to Yellow Gate Attendant while concurrently serving as Feathered Forest Supervisor. The following year, he was promoted to Eastern Palace Marshal and was also conferred the title of Assistant General of the State. Later, he was sent to serve as Commissioner overseeing military affairs in the Western Yang, Yingshou, and Runan of Yuzhou, Champion General, and Governor of Yuzhou, equivalent to the highest-ranking local official. After his mother passed away, the emperor permitted him to retain his original duties. Every time Huijing was transferred from the local level back to the capital, he would present the emperor with numerous valuable gifts, each worth millions, which the emperor greatly appreciated. In the ninth year of Yongming, he was once again summoned by the court and appointed as the Left Commander for the Crown Prince, and was also given the title of Attendant. His official position continued to grow. At that time, the armies of northern ethnic minorities invaded the south, and the emperor appointed Huijing to serve as Commissioner overseeing military affairs in the Western Yang, Yingshou, and Runan of Yuzhou, Champion General, and Governor of Yuzhou to defend against the foreign enemies. Later, Xiao Yulin became emperor, and Huijing was promoted to General of the Northern Expeditions. Because the new emperor was still young, Huijing secretly colluded with the northern ethnic minorities, which raised significant suspicions and concerns within the court. Emperor Gaozong commenced his regency and sent Prince Liang to Shouchun to pay a visit to Huijing. Huijing quickly sent someone to secretly write a letter expressing loyalty, requesting the emperor to let him return to the capital. He was subsequently summoned back to the capital and appointed as Cavalier Attendant and Left Guard General. In the second year of Jianwu, the northern ethnic minorities invaded Xuzhou and Yuzhou, and Huijing was ordered to go to Zhongli to take command under Wang Xuanmiao's leadership for battle, and shortly thereafter was granted the title of Champion General. In the fourth year of Jianwu, Huijing was appointed as the Minister of Revenue, concurrently serving as the Left Commander of the Crown Prince.
Winter has arrived, and the enemy leader is attacking our five northern counties. The emperor appointed Hui Jing as the military governor to lead twenty thousand infantry and one thousand cavalry to reinforce Xiangyang. The Yongzhou troops were all under Hui Jing's command. In the first year of the Yongtai era, Hui Jing arrived in Xiangyang, only to discover that the five counties had already been lost. The emperor then promoted Hui Jing to General of the North, assigning him subordinates and officials, and allocating troops to assist the defenders of Fancheng. Hui Jing set up camp in Guokou Village, along with the Crown Prince's Chief Minister Liang Wang, military commanders, former Ningzhou Governor Dong Zhongmin, Liu Shanyang, Pei Yang, Fu Faxian, and others, with a total of over five thousand people, all making their way to Dengcheng.
The scouts sent out ahead returned, reporting that the enemy was closing in. Before long, tens of thousands of cavalry charged toward them. Hui Jing held the south gate while Liang Wang held the north gate, and ordered everyone to quickly climb the city walls. At that moment, Hui Jing and his men were lightly equipped and on the move, each one feeling both hungry and scared. Three guests from the northern inn in the camp shockingly surrendered to the enemy, revealing our entire situation. The enemy's fake General of the Central Army, Prince Yuan Xie of Pengcheng, sent the fake General of the Martial Guards Yuan Diao to block the southeast of the city, cutting off Hui Jing's escape route; the fake Marshal Meng Bin was dispatched to assault the east of the city; and the fake General of the Right Guards Bo Zheng stationed himself in the north of the city, firing arrows at the city from three sides. Liang Wang wanted to go out of the city to fight, but Hui Jing replied, "The enemy won't besiege the city at night; they'll pull back once it gets dark." However, as the enemy forces grew, Hui Jing retreated through the south gate, and before anyone could alert each other, they all fled in panic. The enemy rushed in from the north gate, with Liu Shanyang leading a few hundred soldiers in a desperate stand. The enemy sent over a hundred cavalry to capture Liu Shanyang, who commanded his archers to fire at them, killing three and personally killing more than ten, but outnumbered, they had to fight while retreating.
Huijing ran south to the Naogou area, where the army was in chaos, the bridge had been trampled, and enemy soldiers were shooting arrows from both sides. General Fu Faxian was killed by an arrow, and many fell into the ditch and drowned. Liu Shanyang stuffed the ditch with cotton clothing and sticks and managed to escape. The enemy leader led a large army in pursuit, and by afternoon, he reached Mianbei and surrounded Liu Shanyang. He held out defiantly in the city until the enemy retreated in the evening. Everyone was terrified, and that night they all boarded the ship back to Xiangyang.
After Xiao Baojuan became emperor, Xiao Huijing was promoted to the position of Right Guard General, while his positions as Northern Pacification General and Deputy were unchanged, but he had not yet formally taken office. In the first year of Yongyuan, he was promoted to the position of Guard General and soon after was appointed as an attendant. During Chen Xianda's rebellion, Xiao Huijing was appointed as the Southern Pacification General, commanding the army stationed in Zhongtang. At that time, the Assistant General Xu Shijian was arrogant and overbearing, while Xiao Huijing was merely a figurehead. The emperor executed many generals, and almost all old ministers were eliminated, leading Xiao Huijing, feeling both aged and burdened by his high position, to grow increasingly uneasy.
The following year, Pei Shuye surrendered to the enemy with Shouchun, and Xiao Huijing was reassigned as the Western Pacification General. His positions as Deputy, Attendant, and Guard General were retained as he led the land and water forces to attack Shouyang. The army camped in Baixia, and as they prepared to depart, the emperor personally bid him farewell in a grand ceremony outside Langye City. The emperor, clad in armor, sat atop the city tower and allowed Xiao Huijing to enter the city alone on horseback, with no attendants in sight. After a brief exchange of words, Xiao Huijing bid farewell and left. As he exited the city, he felt a surge of happiness. His son, Xiao Zijue, was appointed as the Straight Pavilion General, and Xiao Huijing had secretly made plans with him. In April, Xiao Huijing arrived in Guangling, and Xiao Zijue immediately fled in a panic.
Xiao Huijing traveled several dozen miles beyond Guangling, gathered various military officers, and said, "I have received the favor of three emperors, and I should repay their trust. The current young emperor is incompetent and foolish, the court is in disarray, the country is on the brink of disaster, and I have been standing by idly. It is my duty. I want to join forces with all of you to achieve great things and stabilize the realm; what do you think?" Everyone responded with enthusiasm. So Xiao Huijing turned back to Guangling, where the city’s Sima, Cui Gongzu, opened the gates to welcome him. When the emperor learned of the changes in the situation, he dispatched General Zuo Xingsheng and the others to command the army of the capital. After staying in Guangling for two days, Xiao Huijing led his troops across the Yangtze River and gathered at Jingkou. Prince Xiao Baoxuan of Jiangxia also supported him from within, uniting the forces of both towns to proclaim Xiao Baoxuan as emperor and advance towards the capital.
From Taiwan, General Zhang Fuhu, General Xu Yuancheng, Colonel Yao Jingzhen, Colonel Xu Jingzhi, Chief Dong Bozhen, Officer Huan Lingfu, and others constructed several fortifications in the Zhuli area to defend against attacks. Bao Xuan wrote to Zhang Fuhu, "I am returning to the court; why are you so intent on stopping me?" Zhang Fuhu replied, "I am merely carrying out my duty to establish some small military outposts here. Your Highness, please proceed directly to the court; I would never dare to obstruct you intentionally!" Consequently, they clashed with Hui Jing's forces. Hui Jing's son Hui Jue and Cui Gongzu led the charge. Both were brash yet skilled fighters, moving lightly without carrying cooking gear, relying on several boats to transport food and wine along the river as provisions. Whenever they saw smoke rising from the Taiwan army's city, they attacked with all their might, leaving the Taiwan army starving. Xu Yuancheng and the others considered surrender, but Zhang Fuhu opposed it. Twelve days later, Cui Gongzu and others attacked again; the city fell, and Zhang Fuhu fled alone but was captured and executed. Xu Yuancheng ultimately surrendered, while the remaining officers perished in battle.
When Huijing arrived in Linyi, he commanded Li Yuzhi to dismantle the bridge and cut off the road. Later, Huijing executed Li Yuzhi. Taiwan subsequently dispatched General Wang Ying to lead a large army, fortifying Hutou and relying on Jiangshanxiyan, with tens of thousands of troops. When Huijing arrived in Chaxing, in Zhutang, there was a man named Wan Fuer, who was skilled in archery and hunting tigers. He joined Huijing and said, "The flat roads are all blocked by the Taiwanese army; we can't move forward. It's best to go up from the tail of Jiangshan Long and take them by surprise." Huijing took his advice and sent over a thousand troops to march along the mountain path. They descended from Xiyuan at night, beating drums and shouting as they charged toward the city. The Taiwanese army was thrown into disarray and scattered. The Emperor subsequently dispatched General Zuo Xingsheng to lead thirty thousand troops to intercept Huijing at the Beili Gate, but upon sighting Huijing's forces, they fled. Huijing's forces entered Leyou Garden, while Cui Gongzu led a dozen light cavalry to charge into the Beiyemen Gate and swiftly retreat, with the palace gates closed. Huijing's forces surrounded the palace. The cities of Dongfu, Shitou, Baixia, and Xinting had all been captured. Zuo Xingsheng fled without entering the palace, hiding in a reed boat at Huaizu, where he was captured and executed by Huijing. The palace guards attempted a counterattack but were unsuccessful. Huijing set fire to the Lantai Mansion, turning it into a battlefield. The defending officer, Xiao Chang, stationed at the Nanyemen Gate, divided the city into sectors and remained ready for battle, which provided a slight sense of calm among the defenders.
Huijing carried out the order of Empress Dowager Xuan De and reduced his status to the King of Wu. At that point, Prince Zhaozhou of Baling had already gone into hiding among the common folk and later sought refuge with Huijing. Huijing favored establishing Prince Zhaozhou as the emperor, so he found it difficult to decide who to crown as emperor. During the battle in Zhuli, Zijue and Gongzu both competed to claim credit, which made it harder for Huijing to decide. Gongzu proposed that Huijing fire rockets to destroy Beiyelou, but Huijing felt that once the main matter was resolved, it would be a waste of time and resources to rebuild later, so he did not adopt his suggestion. Huijing liked to discuss ethics and also had some understanding of Buddhist principles. He frequently lectured at the Falun Temple, discussing profound topics with visitors. Gongzu grew more and more discontented with Huijing.
Before, Xiao Yi, the Weiwei, was appointed as the General for Conquering Barbarians and the Governor of Yuzhou. He led his troops from Liyang to Shouyang. The Emperor dispatched a secret envoy to inform Xiao Yi, who then led several thousand troops, led by Hu Song and Li Jushi, to cross the Yangtze River at Caishi, camp at Yuecheng, light torches, and the city erupted in a celebration. Earlier, Gongzu advised Huijing to send two thousand men to block the enemy army on the west bank so they couldn't cross the river. Huijing thought the city was about to surrender soon, and the incoming reinforcements would naturally scatter. At that time, Gongzu suggested attacking the rebel forces, but Huijing refused. So, Huijing sent Zijue to lead several thousand elite soldiers across the south bank. The rebel forces launched an attack early in the morning, and after several battles, the soldiers fought fiercely. As a result, Zijue was defeated, with more than two thousand soldiers killed by the Huai River. Zijue fled alone, destroying the bridge to hinder the pursuers. That night, Cui Gongzu and the courageous general Liu Lingyun surrendered. Huijing's subordinates were disheartened, so Huijing secretly escaped with a few confidants, intending to cross the Yangtze to the north. The troops in the north remained unaware and continued to resist. The city descended into chaos, resulting in hundreds of deaths. The rebel forces crossed the north bank, and the remaining soldiers loyal to Huijing fled. Huijing besieged the city for a total of twelve days, with troops dispersed throughout the capital and no fortifications established. As he fled, the people along the way gradually dispersed, and he was captured and killed by fishermen at Xiepu, with his severed head placed in a basket of mudfish and sent to the capital. He died at the age of sixty-three. Zhang Fohu was posthumously appointed as the Governor of Sizhou, and Zuo Xingsheng was appointed as the Governor of Yuzhou. Both were also posthumously appointed as the General for Conquering Barbarians. Xu Jingzhi and Huan Lingfu were appointed as the Commanders of the Garrison Cavalry. Dong Bozhen was appointed as an Assistant Minister. Li Yuzhi was appointed as an Imperial Censor. Others received various honors as well.
Once, there was a man named Gongzu from the Huijing Sect, an exceptional horseman and fighter, unmatched in strength. He had been to many battlefields. During one battle against Wang Jingze, he and Yuan Wenkuang from the Left Xingsheng Army argued before the emperor over who deserved credit for Wang Jingze's head. Gongzu told the emperor, "Your Majesty, I was riding a thin horse, wearing red clothes, and personally stabbed Wang Jingze to death, allowing Yuan Wenkuang to cut off his head. I risked my life to earn this merit, but was wrongfully accused of stealing the credit. If I lose this credit, I will have to kill Left Xingsheng!" Seeing his bravery, the emperor sent someone to tell Left Xingsheng, "How could you let Gongzu and Yuan Wenkuang argue over credit?" In the end, the emperor granted Gongzu the reward of two hundred households. After the Huijing Sect suppressed the rebellion, Gongzu was imprisoned in the Shangfang and was soon executed.
Later, Gongzu's brother, who had gone into hiding and become a Taoist, was captured and executed. Before his death, he wrote a letter to his sister, saying, "Leaving the inn and returning home is a great joy; moreover, I will finally meet our ancestors in the Taichi Palace! Ancient people had the strength to lift the Zhou Dynasty's great tripod, yet lamented not even having a place to stand, using this to describe death, what is there to be sad about? I have lived a righteous life, as all scholars know. Since I cannot follow in the footsteps of famous people, how can I ensure my name is remembered by future generations? I once envied the ancient deeds that left a mark on history, but now it feels like nothing more than a pipe dream." Huijing's wife and daughter were both well-versed in Buddhist principles.
Jue Diyan, who served as the Interior Minister of Shi'an and narrowly escaped disaster by going into hiding. After Emperor He ascended the throne at the Western Terrace, he appointed him as the General of Ning Shuo. In the first year of the Zhongxing era, he went to the public audience and submitted a memorial that stated: "I personally believe that during the reigns of Emperor Taizu and Emperor Gaozong, there were many filial sons and loyal ministers, but there were also many treacherous and corrupt officials serving under incompetent emperors. Prince Jiangxia and Your Majesty, the former minister and the General of the Garrison, are examples of this. I have heard that Emperor Shun was always concerned for the world and never viewed power as a source of joy. Emperor Shun was initially just an ordinary person, farming the fields, and was still like this; especially given the heavy responsibility of inheriting the throne and the urgent national affairs at hand? What Prince Jiangxia did before, and what Your Majesty is doing now, although the methods of success and failure are different, the underlying motivations are the same. Your Majesty has just ascended the throne and has received the mandate of heaven. Even if the people have minor grievances, they hope Your Majesty will uphold justice; even if there is a little injustice, they hope Your Majesty can administer justice for them. Moreover, as the son of the late Emperor, Your Majesty's elder brother, what he did, is this not what Your Majesty faced in the beginning? If even this issue is not taken seriously, how can other matters be addressed? Your Majesty's virtue is akin to nature, and your benevolence nurtures all living beings; even insects and plants, if they cannot get what they deserve, you will feel regret, not to mention your closest brother, how much sorrow you must feel! The reason you have not shown it may be because the situation is complex and difficult to manage. In fact, the attendants did not report the true situation to you in detail. I hope Your Majesty will listen to various opinions fairly and seek the views of the people broadly. If the courtiers believe my words are impractical, I request permission to engage in a debate at court, so that the will of the people and the heavens can be satisfied, and the doubts of the people can be dispelled. If that is still not possible, then it would be unfair to blame the common people for their lack of understanding. If they understand the truth of this matter, they may gather to resist Your Majesty, investigate the injustice of Prince Jiangxia; how should the court respond then? If Your Majesty can reconsider and issue a compassionate decree, emulating the loyalty and righteousness of Dong Mou, Zhu Xu, Dong Bao, and Yi Fu, then those soldiers who hold weapons, who would not devote themselves wholeheartedly? If Your Majesty would consider my humble suggestions, I respectfully ask Your Majesty to consider them for now.
" "
This matter will not be left unresolved. Yan submitted another memorial, saying:
Recently, I was found guilty of offending King Jiangxia, but His Majesty has issued an edict praising me. This was, in fact, my wrongdoing for hastily submitting a memorial. However, I inquired about these matters because I did not thoroughly investigate the truth. My wrongdoing is serious, and there is little more to say. This has always weighed heavily on my conscience, and I did not intend to take advantage of the relationship between father and son to exploit legal loopholes and undermine fairness and justice. I really do not understand why the court is doing this.
Even if Your Majesty is a tyrant, you are still the emperor, while King Jiangxia, despite being talented, is ultimately just a subject. I used to think that it was not advisable for subjects to resist the monarch, as the imperial edict has already made this clear. However, I still cannot grasp whether you, Your Majesty, were ever a subject. The army currently marching toward Wei is also acting on a subject's orders to oppose the monarch. Why is this happening? The reason I am still alive is not for any other purpose, but to await the flourishing of the imperial fortune and seek justice for the souls of the wrongfully deceased. Now that the imperial fortune has prospered, I, who have served the state loyally, am treated as a traitor. What purpose do I serve in this world?
I have heard that as subjects, we should serve the emperor with our whole hearts and spare no effort. Those in important positions within the court should seek justice for the people and recommend capable individuals. In short, these ministers work tirelessly, day in and day out, always focused on national affairs. This is why the realm remains orderly and is filled with praise.
I carefully reviewed the record of General Yingzhou, the town's military commander. He is a royal relative and a pillar of the court, whose achievements are comparable to those of Yi Yin and Huo Guang, bearing the heavy responsibility of the country, just like Hou Ji and Gao Yao. There is also the central military leader, General Xiang, who is deeply trusted by the emperor, with a position akin to that of a deputy prime minister. They are all pillars of the court, the backbone of the country, and everyone should look up to them, working day and night, loyal and dedicated, with the sole aim of bringing peace to the world, singing praises that resonate far and wide. What more could they do better than that? However, in contrast, the former minister Jiang Xia, who assisted the royal family, did not say a word for the emperor when the royal family fell. Knowing something and not speaking is disloyalty; speaking without knowledge is foolishness. If one does not understand even this principle, what else can they understand?
If it is said that Jiang Xia disagreed with the former minister due to being constrained by the influence of his subordinates, then Jiang Xia should have died with the former minister, allowing the country to perish under incompetent rule and cruel punishment. But if Jiang Xia disagreed with the former minister, what explains this? Should he suffer the same fate as Confucius and Lü Buwei? They held military power, acted for the public good in every word and deed, were of one heart and mind, and yet it is said they disagreed. I just don’t get it. If it is said that the former minister sent someone and Jiang Xia killed the envoy, then how did the envoy to the East die? The emperor executed the envoy to the East, effectively deceiving Shanyang; Jiang Xia's defiance of the former minister's request was actually plotting against Kong Jing. It is difficult to defy fate, so the plan did not succeed. Only the wise understand fate; loyal ministers focus solely on their duty, regardless of success or failure.
The imperial decree states that, due to the difficult circumstances, Jiang Xia had strayed from his duties. The emperor recognized his difficulties, sought the truth, and concluded that he had not compromised his loyalty and integrity. So now, how should the emperor deal with General Yingzhou?
I have said what I needed to say, Your Majesty, please put me to death! Even if I die countless times, I still hope that Your Majesty can seek justice for the late emperor. Why? If Your Majesty redresses the grievances of the late emperor with a compassionate heart, everyone will be convinced; if Your Majesty does not harbor a compassionate heart, those subjects who only pretend to be loyal are only doing so because of the vast power difference. The late emperor's loyalty is recognized by wise men, recorded in history books; why must it be dependent on Your Majesty's judgment? I am merely a foolishly loyal subject, all for the sake of Your Majesty! I speak these words not to honor my father, but to be loyal to the monarch. I hope Your Majesty will take my words to heart. I have repeatedly offended Your Majesty without facing punishment; my submissions have not been reckless on purpose, just like in the "Spring and Autumn Annals," I have my reasons. Though my abilities are limited, I can carry out beheadings, break limbs, and shatter bones—all for Your Majesty! I’ve heard that when someone dies, it's like a light going out; wise people aren't particularly saddened by this. If Your Majesty listens fairly, redresses the people's grievances, rules justly, and handles the grievances of the people, then everyone will be willing to go to great lengths for Your Majesty. Why? Because this goes against the natural order! If Your Majesty can vindicate me, clear my brother's name, rectify past mistakes, and issue a decree filled with compassion, expressing the willingness to avenge the late emperor, then even Jie's dog can bite Yao, and Zhi's follower can assassinate Confucius, not to mention Yao's follower and Confucius' dog? I'm not afraid of dying, but for Your Majesty to build a good reputation. The hard-won empire must not be squandered. A country must thrive by adhering to this principle; a country must decline more and more, being cautious. I hope Your Majesty will reflect deeply on my words.
If Your Majesty still has doubts and the General of the Town has not agreed, please order the General of the East to discuss the feasibility together. Do not let my worries affect Your Majesty's good mood. Why? Your Majesty is the incompetent emperor's brother, and the Prince of Jiangxia is also the incompetent emperor's brother; the General of the Town was favored by the late emperor, who also entrusted him with important duties. The situation is no different, the actions are the same; only success or failure depends on the wise court. I am fiercely loyal, and I ask that the courtiers be allowed to debate openly. I request Your Majesty to designate only one person to carefully convey my meaning. If I happen to receive the mercy of the Heavenly Emperor, then facing a fate like Confucius, with wife and children scattered, which people consider unbearable, how could I easily be afraid?
The imperial decree came down, saying: "I know you feel wronged. Your family was the first to respond to the uprising, but the contributions have not been acknowledged in due time, and I also regret it. Now let me posthumously confer a title on you." Yan died in prison like this.
Zhang Xintai, style name Yiheng, was from Jingzhou, Hubei. His father, Zhang Xingshi, was the Left Guard General of the Song Dynasty. Zhang Xintai displayed integrity from a young age but was not proud of his martial arts skills. He liked to write clerical script and read historical books. When he was in his teens, he visited the Minister of Personnel, Chu Yuan. Chu Yuan asked him, "Master Zhang, are you good at horseback riding and archery?" Zhang Xintai replied, "I am naturally timid and afraid of horses, and I can't draw a bow." Chu Yuan found him to be special. Later, Zhang Xintai was appointed as the chief scribe of the province and served in several princely mansions. During the Yuanhui period, Zhang Xingshi's father was at home escorting military supplies to Yongzhou, with assets totaling thirty million. The King of Cangwu personally led people to rob, and overnight, most of it was looted. Overwhelmed with worry, Zhang Xingshi fell ill from anxiety and passed away. Zhang Xintai's brother, Zhang Xinhua, was serving as an official in Ancheng County at the time, so Zhang Xintai safeguarded the remaining wealth for his brother.
In the early years of Jianyuan, Zhang Xintai was promoted to Ning Shuo General and later to Lang of the Ministry of Personnel. Emperor Shizu had known Zhang Xintai before and was very familiar with him. After Emperor Shizu ascended the throne, he appointed him as the General of the Imperial Guard, in charge of the Imperial Guards. Later, he was appointed as the Chief Military Advisor to Prince Yuzhang, and then sent to serve as the Protector of Anyuan and the Governor of Wuling. Upon returning to the court, he was again appointed as the General of the Imperial Guard and the Infantry Colonel, and was also in charge of the Imperial Guards. Zhang Xintai was well-versed in both scholarly pursuits and worldly affairs, and his associates were all prestigious individuals. After work, he liked to spend time in the garden, wearing a deerskin hat, a patched robe, leaning on a cane, and holding an ancient zither. Someone reported this to Emperor Shizu, who said, "How can the son of a noble family behave like this!" Later, when the Emperor went on an inspection tour to Xinlin, he put Zhang Xintai in charge of inspecting the armor, but Zhang Xintai instead put down his weapons, drank wine, and composed poetry under a pine tree. This was seen by the Director of the Imperial Bureau, Lu Wendu, who reported it to Emperor Shizu. Emperor Shizu was furious and expelled him. After a few days, the Emperor calmed down a bit and summoned him back, saying, "If you don't enjoy being a military officer, I'll find you a more relaxed position." So, he was appointed as a Lang in the Zhengyuan.
In the year 466 AD, I was appointed as a military officer in charge of the town army, and later became the Governor of Nanping. At that time, Prince Xiang of Badong killed his subordinates, and the court sent the Imperial Censor Hu Xiezhi to lead the troops to the west to suppress the rebellion, with me as his deputy. I said to Hu Xiezhi, "The Grand Duke is in the southwest; this goes against the Grand Duke's direction. This is a major taboo in military tactics; we should not easily engage in battle, as there will definitely be danger in fighting. Even if we win this time, we will gain no reputation, but if we lose, it will be very embarrassing. The rebels are fierce and cunning, gathered together; they follow Prince Xiang of Badong either for heavy rewards or under threat; they will not disband on their own. I suggest that we first station the troops at Xiakou, clarify the situation; maybe we can capture them without fighting." Hu Xiezhi did not listen to me and directly stationed the troops at Jiangjin, which led to the deaths of Yin Lue and others. After the situation calmed down, I was transferred to serve under Prince Long as a military officer in the west and later appointed as the internal governor of Hedong.
Prince Long liked me very much; we often chatted and drank together, and many matters in the provincial capital were handled by me, with a status comparable to that of Xie Mo. A court official secretly reported these matters to the emperor, and Emperor Wuzong was furious, summoning me back to the capital. I stayed home and kept to myself, buying a house at the foot of Nangang Mountain, next to Songshan. Every day, I practiced archery at home, living a leisurely and carefree life, and I also learned various acrobatics and skills, becoming quite skilled at them.
Later, Emperor Ming ascended the throne, and I was appointed as the Chief of Military Staff and later promoted to military advisor. I also submitted twenty suggestions to the emperor, one of which was to suggest the removal of certain Buddhist pagodas and temples. The emperor issued a special decree to commend me.
In the year 26 AD, the enemy army surrounded Zhongli City. Xintai was the commander of the army and accompanied Cui Huijing to mount a rescue. Xintai sent a letter to the Marquis of Guangling, the enemy, saying: "I’ve heard that attacking Zhongli City is part of your grand strategy, but might you be mistaken? The Art of War says: 'There are some cities that are not worth attacking, and some lands that are not worth fighting for.' Haven't you heard of it? Our country has a million ships that can cross rivers and seas, so the army has not been mobilized now, hoping to wear out the soldiers of the Wei Kingdom with the attrition of border cities. We have transported supplies from far away, and the march and the wait are exhausting. In case of heavy rain, the valleys may flood; we can take a boat to cross the sea, and a million troops will attack together. What will you use to defend against us? You actually let the Emperor of Wei Kingdom lead his million troops to attack this small city; what does this mean? If you fail to take the city, who will bear the shame? Even if you can attack, can you hold it? I will gather a million troops, connect the ships end to end, pass through Shouyang from the west to the sea in the east, without needing reinforcements or resupplying; soldiers can rest, always ready for battle. At that time, fish and turtles will not be able to pass, and birds will not be able to fly over. We only need to send a detachment to the left of the Huai River; you won't be able to hold it; that's clear. If you can't attack, I will report your failures to the Wei officials. If you lose troops and fail to secure victory after a long siege, drive the soldiers to fill the moat, and can't hold it after taking it, then the scholars of Wei Kingdom, do they have another deep plan? I can't say for sure. Before the Emperor Taiwu of Wei Kingdom, Tuoba Tao, exhausted the national strength, attacked a city with only a ten-zhang high city wall, and most of the soldiers died before barely returning. Although he captured Jinyong City, he couldn't hold it either, all because of miscalculations, and he is still being ridiculed. The lessons of history are clear before you; have you forgotten? I urge you to think carefully before you proceed."
Xin Tai's letter was filled with doubts about the strategic approach of the Lord of Guangling and concerns about the logistics of the Wei army. He warned the other side with historical lessons, hoping they would reconsider their actions to avoid costly consequences. Xin Tai analyzed the various drawbacks of the Wei army's attack on Zhongli City, emphasized their own formidable reserve forces, and the strategic advantage of engaging in a prolonged war. With unwavering confidence and a strong deterrent, he effectively persuaded the enemy to retreat.
The enemy was defeated by the army of Xuzhou and intended to establish a stronghold in Shaoyangzhou. Hui Jing considered this a significant threat. Xin Tai said, "The enemy is building a city to appear strong on the surface, but in reality, they fear our attack from behind. If we propose a ceasefire and both sides agree, this matter can be resolved." Hui Jing followed his advice and sent Xin Tai to convey this message to the enemy.
The enemy withdrew, but over ten thousand enemy soldiers remained on the island, requesting safe passage and the provision of five hundred horses. Hui Jing wanted to cut off their retreat and attack directly. Xin Tai advised Hui Jing, "Do not intercept a defeated army; this is a principle understood since ancient times. Do not underestimate a cornered army. Even if you win, it won't demonstrate any real martial prowess, and if you lose, all your previous successes will be rendered meaningless. It's better to agree to their request." Hui Jing agreed to let the enemy pass. General Xiao Tanzhi was also dispatched to reinforce Zhongli, and upon his return, reported to Emperor Ming, "There are over ten thousand stubborn enemies in Shaoyangzhou. Hui Jing and Xin Tai let them go without capturing them." Consequently, the Emperor chose not to reward them.
Four years later, Xintai was appointed Governor of Yongyang. During the first year of the Yongyuan era, he returned to the capital. Cui Huijing laid siege to the city, and Xintai entered to assist with the defense. After the situation calmed down, he was appointed Deputy General of the State and Sima (military advisor) for the Prince of Luling. When the righteous army rose up, Xintai was appointed Commissioner and Supervisor of Military Affairs for the four provinces of Yong, Liang, North Qin, and Yingshou in Jiangling, Sizhou in Suizhou, while retaining his rank as General. At that time, the young emperor was incompetent and corrupt, leading to widespread unrest in the court as everyone sought opportunities. Xintai and his brother, the former Prefect of Shi'an, Xinshi, secretly planned and united with over ten people, including the Prince's Right Commander Hu Song, the former Governor of Nanqiao Wang Lingshu, the Direct Gate General Hong Xuan, the Chief Commander Gou Li, and the Direct Rear Liu Lingyun, to sign an alliance.
The Emperor sent the Palace Attendant Feng Yuansi to serve as the military supervisor to rescue Yingshou. Ru Fazhen, Mei Chong'er, the Prince's Right Commander Li Jushi, and the Bureau Chief Yang Mingtai, along with over ten others, all went to the Zhongxing Hall to see him off. As a result, Xintai and his allies had Feng Yuansi attacked in his seat; his head rolled into a fruit bowl. They then attacked Yang Mingtai, slashing open his abdomen, and Mei Chong'er sustained multiple stab wounds and lost several fingers. Li Jushi escaped by climbing over the wall, and Ru Fazhen quickly ran back to the Tai Fu residence.
Lingshu then went to meet Prince Bao Yin at the Stone City, accompanied by hundreds of civil and military officials, marching in grand procession to Du Mao's residence. When Xintai learned that their plot had been exposed, he hurriedly rode into the palace, believing that with Ru Fazhen and the others outside, he could control the situation inside the city, taking the opportunity to overthrow the emperor and install a new ruler. However, Ru Fazhen betrayed him, closed the city gates, set up defenses, and disregarded Xintai's commands. Hong Xuan in the palace also dared not act rashly. Those outside the city quickly scattered. Soon after, the plot was uncovered, and the Emperor ordered the arrest and execution of Xintai, Hu Song, and their accomplices.
When Xintai was young, someone told his fortune and said he would become one of the three public offices, at just thirty. Later, a roof tile fell and struck his forehead. He went back to the fortune teller, who said, "You won't become one of the three public offices, but your life will be prolonged, and you will become a provincial governor." He died at the age of forty-six.
The historian notes that Cui Huijing was a seasoned and loyal minister. He watched with great concern as the country faced peril, mobilized the imperial guards, and rose in rebellion in Jinyang, seizing the opportunity to attack the young lord from within, taking advantage of the chaos among the people. The brave generals fell in battle, and the rest surrendered. The palace was noisy with war drums, the city walls bristled with soldiers, houses crumbled, and soldiers' morale plummeted. Despite multiple attempts to mobilize troops, no support was received. The situation was critical, like the fall of Yejing itself, and it seemed like the entire army was about to be wiped out. General Zhenlu boldly led his troops, crossed the river, swiftly quelled the uprising, and secured victory. In the battle of Yuecheng, captured flags blanketed the fields, and in the battle of Jinpu, the captives were offered to the Wei Kingdom. With victories in numerous battles and outstanding accomplishments, the battle of Dingxiang never reached such heights. Truly remarkable, comparable to Huan Wen and Emperor Wen!
In praise: Uncle Ye's betrayal left Huai Fei in peril. Huijing turned his back, the palace gates closed during the day. Xintai, in haste, remained unscathed by the frosty blade. He rose amidst the chaos, like solid ice gradually forming.
