Liu Shilong, courtesy name Yanxu, was a native of Jie County in Hedong. His grandfather Liu Ping once served as the Prefect of Fengyi, while his father Liu Shuzong died young. Liu Shilong seemed destined for greatness from a young age. His uncle Liu Yuanjing held the position of Minister of Personnel during the Daming period of the Song Dynasty and was particularly fond of him, caring for him more than his own sons. Liu Yuanjing spoke highly of Liu Shilong to Emperor Xiaowu, who subsequently summoned him. The Emperor remarked, "Becoming one of the Three Excellencies is a matter for the future!" Later, Prince Huailing Xiumao invited Liu Shilong to become the Registrar for the Reception. He was later appointed as the Military Law Officer for Prince Xiyang's Fubo Army and then as General of Tiger Might and Prefect of Shangyong. The Emperor said to Liu Yuanjing, "You previously used the title 'Tiger Might' as the Prefect of Sui County, and now I have bestowed it upon Shilong. This way, your Liu family can serve the court for generations." Sadly, Liu Yuanjing was later murdered by Jinghe, but Liu Shilong was fortunate to be away from home and thus escaped.
At the beginning of the Taishi era, several states rebelled. Liu Shilong was implicated in his uncle's case, but he explained the situation to Emperor Ming and then occupied the county town, sending word to the court. Liu Senglin from Hongnong also rallied troops in support of the court. Liu Shilong gathered ten thousand troops and quickly reached Wanshan in Xiangyang, but was defeated by Kong Daocun’s forces. The soldiers scattered, and Liu Shilong himself almost died. He had no choice but to hide among the common people until the situation calmed down before resurfacing. Later, he was appointed as a minister in the Ministry of Rites. Emperor Ming appreciated his loyalty and issued a decree promoting him to the position of the prince's horse groom. He was subsequently appointed as the General of Ningyuan and the Prefect of Bazixitong. Upon returning to the court, he became the commander of the cavalry, then was promoted to the advisor to the Prince of Jianping, and also the Prefect of Nantai Mountain. Later, he was appointed as the Sima and the Prefect of Donghai, and finally returned to the court as an Attendant Cavalry Officer. Not long after, he was appointed as the Marshal of Anxi under Jinxi, and was also appointed as the General of Ningshuo. At that time, Emperor Taizu planned to cross Guangling and ordered Emperor Taizong to lead the army south to meet the troops in the capital. Liu Shilong and others were on guard and waiting, but the plan did not succeed. At that time, the court suspected Shen Youzhi and secretly guarded against him, with weapons and equipment in Fuzhou prepared in advance. When Emperor Taizong was about to go south, Liu Huaizhen suggested to him, "Xia Kou is a place that must be contested by military strategists. You must send a suitable person." Emperor Taizu accepted his suggestion and wrote to Emperor Taizu, saying, "Since you want to enter the court, you should find someone who excels in both civil and military affairs and can get along with you to take charge of future affairs. Liu Shilong is the right choice." Emperor Taizong recommended Liu Shilong. Later, Liu Shilong was promoted to Chief of Staff for the Front Army of Wuling Wang, the Interior Minister of Jiangxia, and the acting governor of Yingshou.
In the winter of 458 AD, Liu Youzhi rebelled against the court. He sent five generals - Sun Tong, Wu Bao, Zhu Junba, Shen Huizhen, and Wang Daoqi - with thirty thousand advance troops to lead the way. He then sent Liu Rangbing with generals Gong Sun Fangping, Zhu Lingzhen, Shen Sengjing, Gao Mao, and other leaders, leading twenty thousand troops to follow. He also sent four generals - Wang Lingshu, Ding Zhendong, Wang Mizhi, and Yang Jingmu - leading two thousand cavalry troops from Xiakou to occupy Lushan in preparation for a pincer attack. Liu Youzhi himself, with a few hundred people, traveled in a small boat and arrived at Bailuozhou ahead of the main army. He sat comfortably on a stool, watching his army with a proud and arrogant expression.
Upon reaching Yingcheng, Liu Youzhi found it too small and hard to assault. He sent a message to General Shilong of the Southern Dynasty, saying, "I have received orders from the Empress Dowager to temporarily return to the capital. Since you are assisting the court, you should understand my intentions." General Shilong replied, "We have heard about your army heading south. Yingcheng is just a small city; we can hold it ourselves." Just as Liu Youzhi was about to leave, General Shilong sent troops to the western riverbank to challenge him. Liu Youzhi was enraged and ordered his troops to land, set fire to the villages surrounding the city, and build fortifications to prepare for the siege. He proudly told his men, "With this method of attacking the city, there’s no city we can’t conquer!" They relentlessly attacked day and night, but General Shilong adapted and fought back tenaciously, repelling all enemy attacks.
When the emperor first arrived, he bid farewell to General Shilong and said, "If Liu Youzhi suddenly changes his mind, burns the ships at Xiakou, and travels down the river, then you will be guarding an empty city, completely unable to mount a defense. Even if he stays to attack, the city won't fall easily. You are responsible for the city inside, and I am responsible for the city outside, so there is no need to worry." Now, the emperor has sent Huan Jing, Chen Yinshu, Gou Yuanbin, and eight other troops to guard Xisai, ordering them to hold their ground and wait for the enemy to tire before acting. The emperor is worried about the dire situation facing General Shilong, so he has secretly sent his confidant Hu Yuanzhi to sneak into Yingcheng to deliver news of reinforcements. Everyone inside and outside the city is very pleased.
The Book of Fu said: Shen Youzhi came from a rural background, with several generations of unremarkable ancestors. His father's cousin, the Minister of Construction Shen Gong, loved him very much, treating him like his own son, helping him advance step by step. Unfortunately, during the Jinghe period, the emperor was incompetent and cruel, suspicious of his ministers. Shen Youzhi was ruthless and cruel, greedy for profit, enjoyed stirring up trouble, and even took the initiative to harm others by requesting imperial orders. He formed a faction with Tan Jin, Tong Tai, and others, holding significant power at court, referred to as the "Three Marquises" by the people. Their bond was as close as that of Guan Zhong and Bao Shuya. Later, as the political situation changed, the faction members feared for their lives, but Shen Youzhi managed to save himself. However, he not only killed his cousin who raised him but also harmed his former good friends. Compared to Lu Bu's killing of Dong Zhuo and Li Ji's betrayal of his friend, Shen Youzhi's actions seem even more ruthless.
During the Taishi era, the government was riddled with loopholes, allowing big fish to slip through. Although Shen Youzhi was dangerous, he managed to survive and even prosper in the chaotic times due to his fierceness and adventurous spirit. Shen Youzhi was inherently shallow, hot-tempered, and lacking in strategy. He did not deserve credit for quelling the rebellion in Nonghu; in Pengcheng and Xiapi, he fled at the sight of enemy flags, abandoning the army on two occasions—an act that warranted punishment. However, the late emperor, remembering Shen Youzhi's disgrace in the Battle of Huixi, hoped he could redeem himself in the battle of Fengyao. As a result, he remained lenient towards him, continuously promoting him and putting him in charge of the imperial guards to defend the border. Before his death at Dinghu, the late emperor specially instructed to continue using Shen Youzhi, a favor as great as a mountain. Though Shen Youzhi publicly mourned the late emperor's death, he inwardly celebrated. Shen Youzhi's position continued to rise, moving from Yingzhou to Jingzhou. As the emperor's brother, Prince Jinxi was appointed as the governor of Jingzhou, with a prestigious and high status. However, Shen Youzhi marginalized, oppressed, and bullied Prince Jinxi. He carefully selected soldiers and horses and meticulously calculated military supplies, deployed elite troops, and even took control of the forces in his area. Only a handful of people were left in Yingzhou, as he acted with impunity, looting without regard for the nation's laws.
Since Shen Youzhi arrived in Jingzhou, he has been using underhanded tactics, harboring ulterior motives, and stirring up trouble without cause. He oppresses the people, harasses the mountain areas, claims to be waging war against the barbarians, and takes all young men as soldiers. The people gather in the city like a swarm of ants, watching the rise and fall of the country, too afraid to lay down their arms for years. As a result, in the four counties of Jingzhou, not a single man could be seen on the roads; farming and collecting rents have fallen entirely to women and children. Throughout history, there have been many cruel people, but someone as cruel as him is truly unprecedented.
In the past, the situation in Guiyang County was very bad, with the ancestral temple nearly in ruins. This scoundrel Youzhi, with a high official position and a large army, should have actively supported the throne and done his utmost to assist. However, he only brought fewer than three thousand elderly, sickly, and disabled soldiers to Yingzhou on orders, secretly plotting to pin the blame on Jinxian County when things went awry.
He recruited a group of fugitives, keeping a tight grip on his followers, protecting those fugitives and rebels who ran to his territory, and dispatching others to relentlessly hunt down those who fled abroad. He viewed officials as adversaries and the common people as expendable, heavily increasing taxes, imposing brutal punishments at the slightest provocation, exploiting capable individuals like slaves, and governing the people with barbaric methods. What's more, if anyone dared to escape, he would arrest their entire family. He utterly disregarded the court's pardons and benevolence; the people are filled with resentment towards him.
Now he has actually rebelled, sparking internal rebellion while inviting foreign threats. It is time for him to face justice for his many crimes and to eradicate this cancer once and for all! Our court has placed a grave responsibility upon us; we can no longer stand by. We will now march our troops to bring him down and restore justice!
Wow, this lineup is incredible! The emperor has dispatched several generals - Huang Hui, Wang Jingze, Wang Yiyu, Chen Chengshu, Peng Wenzhi, and Tai Zai - leading twenty thousand elite soldiers straight towards the enemy's main camp, with unstoppable momentum! These troops are top-notch, clad in shining armor, flags flying high, charging directly towards the enemy's vanguard!
Furthermore, the emperor has also sent generals - Lu Anguo, Sun Tianquan, Cui Huijing, Ren Houbo, Yin Lue, Cao Hutou, Xiao Shunzhi, and Yuan Chongzu - leading twenty thousand navy troops following closely behind, with ships lined up like a giant dragon, chasing relentlessly! The scale of this is truly spectacular!
In addition, the emperor has dispatched generals - Gou Yuanbin, Guo Wenkao, Cheng Yinjun, Zhu Xiguang - leading ten thousand light warships to intercept the enemy's supply routes, cutting off their escape routes, leaving them no chance to escape!
At the same time, generals Zhou Panlong, Cheng Mai, Wang Diqin, and Wang Hongfan, leading five thousand cavalry, are rushing forward to occupy the land routes, cutting off the enemy's escape, leaving them with no way to flee!
And that's not all! The emperor has also sent General Zhang Jing'er, a brave and capable general, leading his troops to advance on both land and water around Fancheng and Dengxian, launching a direct assault on the enemy's stronghold!
On the other side, General Yao Dahe, a true hero with a heart of gold, swiftly attacked the enemy's supplies, catching them off guard!
In conclusion, this military expedition is grand in scale and majestic in momentum! All regions of the country have responded to the call, with the army charging forward like a storm and booming like thunder! The entire nation is united in facing the enemy together!
The emperor is wise and mighty, and the court ministers are benevolent to the people. They have enacted only three laws to lessen punishments, alleviate taxes, and guarantee bountiful harvests each year. The people live in peace and happiness, with blessings from heaven. However, Yu Zhi fails to grasp the situation and foolishly schemes a rebellion, leading a ragtag group to wage an unjust war. Therefore, everyone believes he will easily be defeated, like catching a bird destined for slaughter. The people there are suffering from the ravages of war, and now Yu Zhi forces them to their doom. Once the war starts, it will be difficult to tell friend from foe; victory and defeat will be decided in an instant. I urge you to think carefully beforehand and not let confusion lead to the downfall of your entire clan! The court's generosity radiates like the sun!
The city of Yingcheng remained unconquered. At this time, General Huang Hui, the General of Pingxi, led his troops to Xiyang, riding on three-decked warships, playing Qiang and Hu music, and sailing upstream. Youzhi was never popular with the people, relying only on force to suppress. Shortly after departing Jiangling, deserters began to appear, and now the number of deserters continued to grow. Every day, Youzhi rode out to inspect the camps and boost morale, but the deserters continued to increase. Youzhi was furious and summoned the military leaders, saying, "I am following the Empress Dowager's orders to attack Xiadu. If we succeed, we will all be honored with white hats. If we fail, the court will kill my entire family, not others. The deserters are a result of your failure to fulfill your responsibilities. I can't control the deserters anymore. From now on, if there are deserters in the army, the military leaders will be held responsible!" Therefore, for every deserter, ten men would be dispatched to pursue and bring them back; otherwise, they would not be allowed to return. No one dared to desert again. Everyone had their own plans. Liu Rangbing wrote a letter to Shilong requesting to surrender, and Shilong opened the city gates to accept him. Liu Rangbing burned the camp and fled, only to be discovered once the fire broke out. Youzhi was so furious that his beard bristled, gritting his teeth. He captured Liu Rangbing's nephew, Tianci, and his son-in-law, Zhang Pinghu, and had them executed. The army completely dispersed. Youzhi crossed Lu Mountain with only a few dozen cavalry by his side. He commanded his troops, "There is a lot of money in Jingzhou City. We can go back together and take it as a war chest." There were no enemy pursuers from Yingcheng, but the scattered army feared attacks from barbarian forces, so they regrouped, with about 20,000 people following Youzhi. As they neared Jiangling, they dispersed again. Shilong then sent the deputy general Liu Senglin to pursue him. After Youzhi's death, he was appointed as an attendant. He was then promoted to the position of Right Deputy of the Ministry of Personnel, granted the title of Marquis of Zhenyang County, with a fief of two thousand households. Later, he was sent to serve as the Left General and Prefect of Wu County, with his official rank elevated to Middle Two Thousand Stones. Upon his mother's passing, he returned home to observe the mourning period.
After the emperor ascended the throne, he reappointed him, appointing him as the Governor-General, the military governor of the two provinces of Nanyu and Sizhou, the General of Pacification, the governor of Nanyu Province, and he was also ennobled as a duke. The emperor personally sent a decree to the Minister of State, Chu Yuan, saying, "When I saw Shilong before, he was so thin that he was almost unrecognizable. It not only saddened me, but he is also a treasure of the country!" Chu Yuan replied, "Shilong is a man of deep emotions and excessive grief, beyond what is expected. He served Your Majesty faithfully in times of danger, and after his mother's death, he observed filial piety and mourning, leaning on a cane just to stand. Both of these reflect his noble character. Promoting him and rewarding him is enough to encourage social morality and educate the people."
In the second year of Jianyuan, Shilong's official position was promoted to General Who Maintains the South. At that time, the enemy was raiding Shouyang, and the emperor issued a decree to Shilong, saying, "Li Yang City is very large, and it may not be repaired in time. Decisive measures should be taken to partition it and reinforce its defenses. Arrange for the people to defend the city. If families can't defend the city together, then single men are even less reliable." After some time, the emperor issued another decree, saying, "I plan to rebuild the outer city of Liyang. If the enemy comes, let the people defend it, so there should be some sacrifices; what needs to be sacrificed must be sacrificed." After Yuan Chongzu defeated the enemy, the emperor wanted to abolish Bingzhou and Yuzhou, so he issued a decree asking Shilong, "I have recently considered that the Jiangxi region is quite desolate, and managing Bingzhou and Yuzhou is too difficult. Many people suggest abolishing one province, which would be more convenient. I find this suggestion somewhat inappropriate; what do you think? I would appreciate your detailed opinion." He was later appointed as the General of the Rear and the Right Deputy Minister of the Secretariat, but he did not accept it.
Shilong loved reading, broadly reading a wide range of books. He requested the emperor to lend him the books from the secret library, and the emperor granted him two thousand volumes from the secret library.
Three years later, he was appointed as Envoy, Inspector of Military Affairs for the five provinces of Nan, Yan, Xu, Qing, and Jing, General of Northern Pacification, and Governor of Nan Yanzhou Province. His official position rose very quickly! At that time, the northern regions often faced incursions from northern ethnic minorities, leaving the common people in a state of great anxiety. The emperor issued him an order, saying, "Recently, we received news from the north that those bandits are still gathering their forces in Pengcheng. The year-end is approaching, and they may not give up easily. However, we cannot be complacent, after all, wild beasts are unpredictable. Pengcheng's city walls have no strategic significance, so we might as well dismantle them and rebuild them thirty zhang away. Using civilian labor for construction is acceptable. If we need to feed three thousand people, how much grain do we need? Please calculate and report back to me with the results. If there are families with many able-bodied men and few people, send them all to join the army; this is not a matter of doubt!"
The emperor issued another order, saying, "Last night, we received a report from the northern envoy that the bandits in Zhongli have crossed the Huai River. It seems they are genuinely serious this time and prepared to fight to the death! You must prepare quickly and be ready at all times. If the situation is urgent, we must not let the enemy catch us off guard. Once the bandits have crossed the Huai River, they will not easily retreat. They likely have a target, probably to attack Shouyang. I will send reinforcements to support you." The emperor also sent troops to support him and provided an ample supply of military provisions. After the enemy retreats, the emperor intended to implement a land redistribution policy in the northern territories. He issued another order, saying, "Recently, Lü Anguo has implemented the land redistribution policy in the west, clearing out the mixed households in Yingzhou and Sizhou, with good results and no panic among the people. Recently, Yuan Yuzhou also implemented the land redistribution policy, as reported by Shang Chongzu; everything is now calm, similar to the ancient land redistribution policies. Can you also implement this policy in Yanzhou? If it doesn't cause any unrest, we can begin in the spring." The emperor had great trust in him!
After Emperor Shizu ascended the throne, he was appointed as a Cavalier Guard. He was skilled in divination using tortoise shells, with one tortoise shell costing as much as ten thousand coins! After the establishment of the Yongming era, he wrote "The Eleventh Year of Yongming" on the walls of the provincial capital, then said to the official Li Dang, "I had nothing to do with this." Later, he returned to the court, serving as an Attendant and General of the Guard, then promoted to Right Minister of Writing, leading the Right Division of the Crown Prince, Grand Herald of Yongzhou, but he declined the appointment and continued as a Cavalier Guard while still holding the title of Grand Herald. When the tribes in Xiangzhou revolted, he was dispatched by the court to lead the campaign against the rebellion in his official role, also serving as Commissioner, Commander of Military Affairs in Xiangzhou, General Who Guards the South, and Governor of Xiangzhou, while still holding the position of Cavalier Guard. Upon arriving in Xiangzhou, he used his military talents to pacify the rebellion. He constructed a residence in the province and during his residence there, the Minister of Works, Yu Gao, brought charges against him, but the Emperor ordered that no investigation be conducted. He returned to the court, serving as Left Minister of Writing, leading the Guard, but he did not accept the appointment, later being promoted to Prefect of the Masters of Writing.
Liu Shilong achieved great things in his youth, gaining considerable renown, and in his later years, he mainly focused on discussing philosophical principles, which became his life's work. He was highly skilled in playing the qin, with people praising his qin playing as exquisite as the calligraphy of Liu Gongquan, regarding him as one of the foremost scholars. He often said that his best skills were horseback riding and spear dancing, followed by scholarly conversations, and then playing the qin. During his time in the court, he never got involved in worldly affairs, often playing the qin from behind a curtain. His demeanor and character were very elegant, earning him widespread admiration. Later, due to illness, he resigned from his official position, taking on the role of Attendant and Guard General, but he did not accept the appointment, later being appointed as Chief of the Imperial Clan.
Nine years later, Shilong passed away at the age of fifty years. The court issued a decree granting him a set of precious items from the Eastern Garden, a set of court robes, one garment, one hundred thousand taels of silver, three hundred rolls of fabric, and three hundred pounds of wax. The decree also stated: "The late Shilong, a man of high virtue and exceptional talent, displayed noble virtues at a young age and his reputation grew as he matured. He served in the palace and as a governor in the Western Regions. During his time in Yingzhou, he successfully vanquished nefarious figures and achieved outstanding merits that surpassed those of his predecessors. When he governed a region, the populace extolled his benevolence, and the court commended him as a pillar of the country. His loyal counsel and commendable achievements are etched in memory, and his noble aspirations and pure conduct are admirable. He was destined to serve the nation and partake in governing the realm, but unfortunately passed away prematurely, resulting in profound grief. He was posthumously granted the title of Minister of Works, bestowed with thirty sword-bearing guards, and a musical band, while his previous position was maintained. He was bestowed with the posthumous title of 'Loyal and Martial.' The emperor also instructed the Minister of Personnel, Wang Yan, to express his grief over Shilong's sudden passing, despite having suffered from a long illness. Shilong was well-versed in mathematics and the art of numerology. When he built his own tomb in Nitan, he frequently walked the grounds with his guests, sitting in the same place five times out of ten. After his death, his tomb was fortuitously constructed in that very spot. He authored the "Secret Essentials of the Tortoise Classic" in two volumes, which became widely known. His eldest son, Liuyue, died young.
Zhang Gui, courtesy name Zuyi, was a native of Wu County in Wu Commandery. His grandfather, Zhang Yu, was a Grand Master of the Golden Purple Court in the Song Dynasty; his father, Zhang Yong, was a Right Minister of Splendid Happiness and was also versed in music theory. Once, Emperor Xiaowu of Song asked Zhang Yong why the bell in front of the Taiji Hall sounded hoarse, and Zhang Yong replied, "There is bronze slag inside the bell." He then struck it, found the location of the bronze slag, chiseled it out, and the bell sounded clear and pleasant. Zhang Gui initially served as a military officer in the Prince of Jiangxia's mansion, responsible for external military affairs. Later, he was promoted to the position of Five Officials in the Grand Tutor's office and was greatly appreciated by Yi Gong. He was then further promoted to be a Gentleman of the Palace, a Gentleman of the Palace in the Ministry of War, and the Right Chief Historian. Earlier, his father Zhang Yong resisted the rebels from Guiyang in Baixia but was defeated and his forces scattered. Ruan Dianfu and others wanted to punish Zhang Yong, but Emperor Taizu defended him, which made Zhang Gui grateful to Emperor Taizu and secretly establish a relationship with him. Later, Zhang Gui was further promoted to be an Imperial Consultant and a General of Valiant Cavalry. After his father's death, he returned to Wu County to observe a period of mourning.
In the first year of Shengming, Liu Bing plotted rebellious schemes. His younger brother Liu Xia served as the Prefect of Wu County and secretly conspired. Because Shen You's affairs failed, he gathered three thousand followers, preparing to assault the court. The Emperor Taizu secretly dispatched the Palace General Bian Bailong to order Zhang Gui to capture Liu Xia. The Zhang family had been influential for generations, and Zhang Gui's father had hundreds of subordinates from before. Liu Xia summoned Zhang Gui, who pretended to accept the order. Along with his uncle Zhang Shu and eighteen men, they entered the county office, and together with the strong crossbow general Guo Luoyun, who was in charge of the county's defenses, they burst into the inner chamber to apprehend Liu Xia. Liu Xia escaped through the window, but Zhang Gui's subordinate Gu Xianzi stabbed him to death. No one in the county dared to move. Zhang Gui reported his success, and the Emperor Taizu informed the leading general Zhang Chong of the matter. Zhang Chong said, "Zhang Gui risked his family's lives for a big catch!" Therefore, the Emperor Taizu deliberately bestowed this title upon him as Assistant General of the State, Prefect of Wu County, and Marquis of Yicheng County with a fief of one thousand households. Later, he was appointed as Champion General, Prefect of Donghai County and Dongguan County, but he did not take up the posts. In the first year of Jianyuan, his fief was expanded by two hundred households. Shortly after, he was reappointed as the Marquis of Pingdu County. He was subsequently promoted to Palace Attendant while still serving concurrently as Infantry Colonel. In the second year of Jianyuan, he was promoted to the Minister of Justice of the Capital, still concurrently serving as Infantry Colonel. Later, he was appointed as the General of Conquering the Barbarians and Prefect of Wuxing. In the third year of Jianyuan, the magistrate of Wucheng County, Gu Changxuan, was found guilty of a crime, and Zhang Gui was dismissed for failing to address it in time. The next year, he took on the role of Minister of Revenue.
After Emperor Shizu ascended to the throne, he was first appointed as Champion General, Chief Historian of the Northern Zhonglang, Administrator of Xiangyang, Acting Inspector of Yongzhou, and later promoted to Chief Historian for Conquering the Enemy. Four years later, he was appointed as Governor, overseeing Yongzhou, Liangzhou, the northern and southern Qin regions, Jingling County in Yuezhou, and the military affairs of Sizhou, holding the titles of General Assisting the State and Inspector of Yongzhou, and soon also serving as Colonel of Pacification of the Southern Tribes. He later returned to the court, serving as Minister of the Left and concurrently as General of the Right Army, later promoted to Champion General and Chief Clerk of the Grand Marshal. Ten years later, he was transferred to the Ministry of Ceremonial. Feeling unwell, he requested retirement to rest. The following year, he was appointed as Cavalier Attendant and Grand Master of Splendor. After some time, the Emperor wanted to reappoint him, so he was named General of the Rear and Administrator of South Donghai, with a rank equivalent to 2,000 dan, also acting as Inspector of South Xuzhou and overseeing the affairs of the Kingdom of Hedong. Upon arrival, he cited illness as an excuse to return to the capital, once again serving as Cavalier Attendant and Grand Master of Splendor.
After Emperor Yulin ascended to the throne, he was honored with the Golden Seal and Purple Ribbon. In the first year of Longchang, the Emperor provided him with twenty trusted personnel. After Emperor Yulin was deposed, court officials went to the palace gate to pay respects to Emperor Gaozong, but he did not go due to foot pain. After Emperor Hailing ascended to the throne, he was appointed as General of the Right. Emperor Gaozong was concerned that foreign tribes might rebel, so he sent him to guard Shitou City and oversee local military affairs. Seeing internal and external troubles in the court, he pretended to be sick and rested at home. In the first year of Jianwu, he was appointed as an official, Grand Master of Splendor, and the Emperor continued to trust him, giving him an additional monthly allowance of 20,000 coins. The following year, when enemy troops invaded, the court ordered him to take command as the Governor, overseeing the military in the Guangling area, also acting as Inspector of South Yanzhou. After the enemy retreated, he safely returned to the capital.
His family was very wealthy, with a multitude of concubines and more than ten sons. He often said, "There are bound to be some exceptional ones among them." As the Jianwu period drew to a close, he repeatedly requested Emperor Gaozong to allow him to return to his hometown in Wudi, and the Emperor finally agreed. So he enjoyed a carefree and joyful life. Some criticized him for having so many concubines in his old age, and he responded, "I loved music when I was young, and only truly understood it when I grew older. I've lost interest in all my hobbies over the years, except for this one that I still can't let go of."
Emperor Gaozong fell seriously ill and was especially concerned that Grand Marshal Wang Jingze might stage a rebellion. Because Shen Yue was talented and knowledgeable in military affairs, the Emperor assigned him to keep an eye on Wang Jingze. Shen Yue was given the title of General Who Pacifies the East and appointed as the Prefect of Wu County to watch over Wang Jingze.
As a result, Wang Jingze did rebel, and Shen Yue led three thousand soldiers to meet him at Songjiang. When they heard the drums of Wang Jingze's army, Shen Yue's men scattered, and he too fled the county city, hiding in a commoner's house. After the rebellion was quelled, Shen Yue returned to Wu County, but was reported and subsequently stripped of his position and rank. In the early days of the Yongyuan era, he was appointed Grand Master of Splendor. Shortly after, he was promoted to General, and bestowed with a golden seal and purple ribbon. Three years later, Xiao Daocheng mustered an army, and Shen Yue was tasked with guarding Shitoucheng. When Xiao Daocheng's troops arrived at Xinting, Shen Yue again deserted the city and fled back to the palace. After the establishment of the Liang Dynasty, Shen Yue was once more appointed Grand Master of Splendor. In the fourth year of the Tianjian era, Shen Yue passed away.
The historical records evaluate him as follows: Shen Yue was praised for his literary talent, able to unite people's hearts; strong in military might, he can deter enemies; he possesses the qualities of a marshal and serves as a minister assisting the state. Shen Youzhi led troops for ten years and only took up arms in rebellion later in life, occupying Jingzhou with the intention of seizing Jiangdong. This was an exceedingly difficult task of eradicating the bandits, posing a significant threat to the emperor. Liu Shilong was in the Central Plains at that time, young, of low rank, but the first to resist the rebels, defending the city alone against strong enemies, calm and collected, never once breaking a sweat. The enemy forces were defeated, ultimately succumbing beneath the towering city walls; the rebels fled in panic, surrendered, and escaped to Yingdu. Lu Xun's defeat of Liu Bei is not an exaggeration. When peace is restored, Shen Yue is likely to be appointed as a local official or to hold a significant position in the court. He is honest, upright, and morally noble, serving as a model for the family's prosperity!
Praise: Loyalty, martial prowess, and rectitude, truly deserving of commendation. Clarifying principles in the court and raising flags atop the high walls. Skilled in the arts, adept at playing the zither and caressing the turtle. Upholding righteousness for the benefit of the land and laying the foundation for the emperor's accomplishments.
