Yu Yi, courtesy name Cigong, was a native of Luoyang, Henan. His father, Yu Jin, followed Cao Cao, the Emperor of Wei, into the pass, later serving as an official in Western Wei and Northern Zhou, eventually becoming Grand Tutor, and their family subsequently settled in Jingzhao, now known as Xi'an. Yu Yi was solemn and serious from a young age, with a strong sense of integrity, and devoted himself to his studies. Towards the end of the reign of Northern Zhou, due to his father's achievements, he was granted the title of Count of Pingchang County, with a fief of five hundred households and the title of General of the Direct Guard. Later, he was granted the title of Duke of Guangdu County, and after Emperor Zhou Min ascended the throne, an additional six hundred households were granted to his fief. He quickly rose through the ranks to become the Prefect of Anwu and emphasized moral education, rarely resorting to punishments.
Once, two commoners in the county, Zhang Shan'an and Wang Shuer, got into a lawsuit over property, and Yu Yi remarked, "As the Prefect, I have not conducted myself well, and it is not their fault." So he took out his own money and doubled it for these two individuals, kindly sending them away. Both Zhang Shan'an and Wang Shuer felt quite ashamed and relocated to another province. From then on, the atmosphere in Anwu County significantly improved. Yu Yi often influenced people through similar moral actions. Later, he was further enfeoffed as Duke of Jianping County. During the reigns of Emperor Ming and Emperor Wu of Northern Zhou, he successively served as Inspector of Xiyuanzhou, Guazhou, and Shaozhou, participating in numerous battles and eventually attaining the rank of Kaifu.
After Emperor Xuan of Northern Zhou ascended the throne, the court fell into increasing chaos, and Yu Yi submitted a memorial advising against it. At that time, Zheng Yi and Liu Fang, who held power through the Emperor's favor, felt that Yu Yi was a threat to them and slandered him before the Emperor. After reading the memorial, Emperor Xuan's expression darkened, and he addressed his courtiers, saying, "Yu Yi is slandering the court!" The Imperial Censor Yan Zhiyi quickly responded, "In ancient times, wise emperors established the 'slanderous wood' and the 'dare to admonish drum', fearing they would not hear criticism! What Yu Yi said cannot be deemed a crime!" Emperor Xuan then calmed down.
When Yang Jian (later Emperor Wen of Sui) was the Chancellor, Wang Qian rebelled. Yang Jian wanted to lead the troops to fight, so he asked General Gao Feng who should be sent. Gao Feng said, "Yu Yi is very experienced; he can be the marshal." Yang Jian initially agreed. However, Liu Fang interjected and said, "Liang Rui has a high position and seniority; Yu Yi cannot be above him." Yang Jian changed his mind and appointed Liang Rui as the marshal, and Yu Yi as the chief of staff. Wang Qian's general, Da Xiji, led the army to defend Kaiyuan, but Yu Yi led the left army and defeated them. Soon after, Yu Yi was appointed as the governor of Tongzhou, rewarded with five hundred slaves, three thousand pieces of silk of various colors, and promoted to the rank of Shangzhuguo (上柱国).
At that time, Yu Yi's brother, Yu Yi, was the Grand Commandant, his younger brother Yu Zhi, and his nephew Yu Zhongwen were all Shangzhuguo. He had more than ten relatives of the rank of general or higher, and he could be said to have held significant power in the court. Over a year later, Yu Yi resigned due to illness and returned to the capital. He died a few months later at the age of fifty. The court posthumously appointed him as the governor of Yuzhou and conferred the posthumous title of "Gang." The court also gave him one thousand pieces of silk and five hundred shih of grain as funeral expenses. His sons, Yu Xuandao and Yu Xuanmin, were also prominent figures.
Xuandao, styled Yuanming, was a cautious and meticulous person who did not associate with dubious individuals. He served as an official in the Zhou Dynasty, starting as a left attendant. Due to his father's achievements, he was granted a noble title as the Lord of Cheng'an County, with a fief of 200 households. Later, he was promoted to a junior imperial attendant. His grandfather was a chancellor who summoned him to the court to serve as a military officer, and soon he was promoted to a position of equal rank. When the founding emperor took the throne, Xuandao was promoted to a Gentleman-in-Waiting, and his title was elevated to County Viscount. After his father's death, he abstained from food and water for several days. The Empress sent someone to comfort him, and over a year later, he resumed his duties. Upon completion of the mourning period, he was appointed as General of Chariots and Cavalry, concurrently serving as Chief of the Left Guard while keeping his role as Gentleman-in-Waiting. Six years later, he was further promoted to Vice Commander of the Left Guard of the Crown Prince, with his official rank advancing to Senior of Equal Rank. Finally, he died at the age of forty-two. His son, Zhining, gained fame at an early age and was later adopted by his uncle Xuanmin.
Xuanmin, styled Zhongda, was calm and composed and talented from a young age. At the age of eleven, he visited the Prince of Zhao in the Zhou Dynasty, who invited him to write a poem. Xuanmin wrote a poem filled with noble aspirations, which greatly impressed the Prince and the guests present. He began as a right attendant and later rose to the position of Commander of a Thousand. After the founding emperor came to power, he was appointed as the Commander of the Chariots and was tasked with pacifying the people in the Ba and Shu regions. Upon completing his mission, he submitted a memorial to the court:
I heard that the quarrying of bedrock laid the groundwork for the Han Dynasty, and the building of city walls fortified the Zhou Dynasty's rule. These are all lessons from history. In the past, Qin Shihuang abolished the feudal lords and only established counties; the King of Wei trusted evil advisors and distanced himself from relatives, resulting in the state being usurped and the country changing hands. This lesson is as clear as day! You see, those treacherous mountainous regions are not easily claimed by just anyone. Furthermore, the land of Shu is fertile and rich in resources, connecting to Qionglai and Ba in the west and Jingzhou and Wushan in the south. When the Zhou Dynasty declined, this region became a hotbed of rebellion; when the Qin Dynasty ruled poorly, this place became the source of disaster. Therefore, wise leaders should take precautions against potential dangers in advance, and proactive rulers should control things before chaos erupts, to ensure national peace and stability, and the enduring prosperity of the realm, like the Zhou Dynasty lasting for over seven hundred years.
Your Majesty, you have a majestic presence; it is a prosperous era, your esteemed status is respected by the people, and the officials are diligent. Now is the time to establish feudal territories, enfeoff descendants, inherit the magnificent legacy of the Zhou and Han Dynasties, change the mistakes of the Qin and Wei Dynasties, curb the influence of your close advisors, and prioritize the imperial family and relatives. Shu and Qi have always been strategic locations, so it is time to enfeoff royal family members there. If the locations and titles are wisely chosen, those scheming villains will no longer harbor rebellious intentions, and the treacherous officials will not dare to plot conspiracies. In this way, the foundation of this prosperous era can be as enduring as the heavens and the earth, and your reputation can shine across the land like the sun and moon. Although I have limited knowledge and experience, I am genuinely concerned about the nation's affairs, so I humbly present my thoughts, and I ask Your Majesty to consider them carefully.
The emperor was very pleased after reading the memorial and said to Gao Feng, "The Yu family has indeed produced a talented individual!" Finally, he took his advice and sent Shu Wang Xiu to guard the Shu region. Xuan Min (referring to Yu Xuan Min) often admonished himself with the principle that "too much leads to overflow," which was highly valued by the ancient sages. He often thought of retiring and even wrote the "Ode to Ambition" to express his aspirations. Not long after, he died at just twenty-nine.
Yin Shou, styled Luo Yun, was from Wuwei. His father, Song, once served as the governor of Xiazhou during the Zhou Dynasty. Yin Shou was decisive and brave from a young age, with considerable military talent, known for his caution, integrity, and reliability. During the Zhou Dynasty, he repeatedly distinguished himself in battle and rose to the rank of Sanji Yitong. After following Emperor Zhou in pacifying the Qi Dynasty, his official rank was elevated to Kaifu, and he was rewarded with a thousand bolts of cloth, a hundred slaves, and twenty musicians.
Later, when Yang Jian became chancellor, he recruited Yin Shou as his assistant. When Wei Jiao rebelled, Yang Jian appointed Wei Xiaokuan as the commander to suppress the rebellion, with Yin Shou as the military supervisor. At that time, Wei Xiaokuan fell ill and could not personally command the troops, often lying in the tent and having his wife pass on orders. The entire army’s discipline depended on Yin Shou. Due to his achievements, Yin Shou was promoted to the rank of Zhuguo. Not long after, he was appointed as the general of the march to guard Youzhou, and was later directly appointed as the governor of Youzhou and Duke of Zhao.
At that time, there was a man named Gao Baoning, who was a distant relative of the former state of Qi. He was known for his cunning and strategic planning. He had been stationed at Huanglong for a long time during his service in the Qi State. After the Qi State was destroyed, Emperor Wu of the Zhou Dynasty appointed him as the Inspector of Yingzhou. He won the support of both the local Han population and the minority ethnic groups. When Yang Jian became the Chancellor, Gao Baoning united with the Khitan and Mohe tribes to rebel. Due to continuous warfare in the Central Plains, Yang Jian did not have time to suppress him, so he wrote a letter to persuade him to surrender, but was unsuccessful. In the early years of the Kaihuang period, Gao Baoning conspired with the Turks and surrounded Beiping. At this time, Yang Jian sent Yin Shou to lead tens of thousands of troops from Lulong Pass to attack. Gao Baoning sought assistance from the Turks; however, several generals, including Wei Wang Yang Shuang, were already marching north along various routes to engage him, and the Turks could not come to his aid. Gao Baoning abandoned the city and fled north into the desert, and Huanglong and other areas were all pacified. Yin Shou returned to the court after his victory, leaving Cheng Daoang of Kaihuang in charge of the defense. Gao Baoning sent his son Sengjia to lead light cavalry to attack the city, and then fled. He then joined forces with the Khitan and Mohe tribes to attack again. Cheng Daoang fought hard for many days before repelling the enemy. Yin Shou was very angry, so he offered a large reward to capture Gao Baoning, and also sent people to secretly turn Gao Baoning's trusted aides Zhao Shimu, Wang Wei, and others against him. A month later, Zhao Shimu surrendered with his men, and Gao Baoning fled to the Khitan, where he was killed by the Khitan general Zhao Xiuluo, which ultimately restored peace to the northern region. The court granted him a reward of a thousand bolts of cloth. Not long after, Yin Shou passed away and was posthumously appointed as Minister of Works. His son Yin Shishi inherited his title.
It is said that this worldly master, since childhood, was very principled, loyal, honest, and skilled in martial arts. In his early twenties, he was appointed as an official of the same rank as his father because of his father's achievements. He later rose through the ranks and became a General of the Horse. After Emperor Yang of Sui ascended the throne, he was first appointed as the supervisor of the tile workers in the Eastern Capital, and three years later he was promoted to the position of Zhangye Prefect. At that time, the Tuyuhun and the Qiang tribes often raided the border. When the master arrived in Zhangye, he personally led his troops to attack, captured the enemies and beheaded them on the spot, striking fear into the enemy. Later, he returned to the court and became a military general.
When Emperor Yang of Sui campaigned in Liaodong, the master led his troops along the Xiangping route; the following year, when Emperor Yang of Sui launched a campaign against Goguryeo, the master stayed in Zhuo County. At that time, bandits were rampant throughout the country, and he pursued them relentlessly, winning every encounter. After Emperor Yang of Sui returned to the court, he lavished rewards upon him and appointed him as the Prefect of Loufan. Once, when Emperor Yang of Sui was in Fenyang Palace, the master heard that the Khagan of the Turks, Shibi Khan, was going to attack, so he advised the emperor to swiftly retreat to Taiyuan for safety. But the emperor did not listen, and the Yanmen Incident took place. Afterwards, the master was promoted to General of the Left Guard and stayed in the capital with the Prince of Dai. When the rebel army arrived, the master believed he had always been favored by the Sui Dynasty and had ties to the royal family, so he led his troops to resist. After holding out for over a month, the city fell, and he was killed alongside Gu Yi, the magistrate of Jingzhao. He was fifty-three at the time.
Gu Yi was from Chang'an, with a strong and principled personality and a firm will; no one could change his thoughts. During the reign of Emperor Wen of Sui, he served as an imperial censor, enforcing laws fairly and justly, unaffected by power and interests. After Emperor Yang of Sui ascended the throne, he was promoted to Right Secretary of the Ministry of Personnel. At that time, court politics became increasingly corrupt, bribery was rampant, and as long as one held high status and power, they accumulated vast wealth. Virtually all officials and scholars had sacrificed their principles, but Gu Yi alone adhered to his ideals, standing firm against the tide of corruption. Emperor Yang admired his integrity and promoted him to Magistrate of Jingzhao County, further enhancing his reputation. At that time, the Minister of Justice, Wei Xuan, also served as the Intendant of Jingzhao and often resorted to underhanded tactics that Gu Yi called out. Although Wei Xuan was unhappy, he was unable to deal with Gu Yi. When the rebels approached, Wei Xuan feared for his safety and pretended to be ill to shirk his duties. Gu Yi shared the same ideals with his fellow scholar, and in the end, both father and son were killed, resulting in the end of Gu Yi's family line. The son of the fellow scholar, Hongzhi, was still young and survived.
Dou Rongding was from Pingling in Fufeng. His father, Dou Shan, served as the Grand Minister of the Zhou dynasty; his uncle, Dou Chi, served as the Grand Tutor during the reign of Emperor Wen. Dou Rongding was a calm and experienced individual with strong leadership abilities, tall, imposing, and bearded, skilled in horseback archery. During the reign of Emperor Wen of Wei, he served as an imperial guard. Later, Emperor Taizu of Zhou recognized his talents, appointed him as the General of Pingdong, granted him the title of Marquis of Yijun, and a fief of three hundred households. Once, during a battle with the people of Qi in Beimang, the Zhou army was having a tough time, but Dou Rongding and the Duke of Runan, Yuwen Shenqing, led two thousand elite cavalry in a surprise attack, repelling the Qi army. For his meritorious service, he was promoted to the position of Yitong.
Later, he followed Emperor Wu Yuan to Bingzhou, fought against the Qi state alongside the Tujue Mugan tribe, and received three hundred bolts of cloth as a reward. He inherited his father's title and became the Duke of Yongfu County, with a fief of one thousand households. His official rank was also elevated to Kaifu, and he was appointed as the Governor of Zhongzhou. After Emperor Wu pacified the Qi state, he was promoted again and became the General-in-Chief and the Chief of Records.
His wife was Princess Ancheng, the sister of the founding emperor of the Tang dynasty. When the founding emperor was young, he had a close relationship with Dou Rongding, and they shared a deep bond. Dou Rongding also saw that the founding emperor would become emperor in the future, so their relationship was always strong. When the founding emperor became Prime Minister and was in charge of the palace's left and right guards, he sent Dou Rongding to guard the Tiantai, tasked with defending the two imperial guard units inside and outside the palace, and he often stayed in the imperial palace.
When the rebellion of Wei Jiong was just pacified, the court was concerned about the situation in Shandong, so Dou Rongding was sent to Luozhou as the governor to oversee the area. The court rewarded him with four thousand bolts of silk and a band from Western Liang.
After Emperor Tang Gaozu Li Yuan ascended the throne, one day during a court session, he said to the ministers, "When I was young, I hated frivolous people, and the only person who shares my temperament is Dou Rongding!" He then rewarded him with three hundred horses and eighty households to serve him, and let him go back. Later, Dou Rongding was dismissed from office for a minor offense, but due to his close ties with Princess Chang, not long after, the founding emperor appointed him as the Right Martial Marquis General. The emperor frequently visited his home, demonstrating his favor, and every day the Imperial Kitchen sent him a sheep and an array of delicacies. Because of Dou Rongding's merits, he was later promoted to Senior Grand Master and appointed as the Governor of Ningzhou. Shortly after, he was reappointed as the Right Martial Marquis General. He then became the General Manager of Qinzhou and was rewarded with a set of musical instruments from Wudi.
The Turks launched an invasion on the border, and Gaozu appointed Dou Rongding as the Grand Marshal, commanding nine generals and thirty thousand troops, both infantry and cavalry, from Liangzhou. They fought with the Turks in Gaoyueyuan, and the two armies found themselves in a stalemate. The area was suffering from a severe water shortage, and the soldiers were extremely thirsty, to the extent that some resorted to cutting the necks of horses to drink their blood, leading to the deaths of thousands of soldiers. Dou Rongding looked up at the sky and sighed. Suddenly, it started raining, lifting the spirits of the troops. They pursued and defeated the Turks several times, which frightened them into retreating after they requested peace talks. The Emperor rewarded him with ten thousand bolts of silk, appointed him as the Duke of Anfeng County, expanded his fief by an additional sixteen hundred households, and appointed his son Dou Xian as the Duke of Ankang County, rewarding him with five thousand bolts of silk. More than a year later, Dou Rongding was promoted to the Grand General of the Right Imperial Guard, and shortly after to the Grand General of the Left Imperial Guard.
The Emperor wanted him to become one of the Three Excellencies, but Dou Rongding submitted a letter stating, "I have often read about Wei Qing and Huo Qubing of the Western Han Dynasty, Liang Ji and Deng Zhi of the Eastern Han Dynasty. They all held high positions due to their close relationship with the Emperor, but eventually failed due to arrogance. If those predecessors had been a little more humble, stayed away from the center of power, and declined high positions, they could have saved their families from ruin. I often study history and am deeply fearful of this." The Emperor listened to his words and abandoned the idea. Dou Rongding received numerous accolades. In the sixth year of the Kaihuang era, Dou Rongding passed away at the age of fifty-seven. The Emperor declared a day of mourning in his honor and appointed General Yuan Min to handle his funeral, rewarding him with three thousand bolts of silk. The Emperor told his attendants, "I have always wanted Rongding to become one of the Three Excellencies, but he firmly declined. Now I wish to posthumously confer a title upon him, but I am afraid of going against his wishes." Therefore, the Emperor posthumously appointed him as the Governor of Jizhou and the Duke of Chen, with the posthumous title of "Yi." His son Dou Kang inherited his titles.
The man is named Yuan Jingshan, courtesy name is Baoyue, from Luoyang, Henan. His grandfather was the King of Wei An Ding, and his father was the King of Song An. Yuan Jingshan showed strong leadership skills from a young age, being more intelligent and capable than most. During the reign of Emperor Ming of Northern Zhou, he followed the Grand Marshal Helan Xiang to fight against the Tuyuhun, earned merit, and was appointed as the General of Fuma. Later, he participated in several more wars, gradually rising in ranks, eventually becoming Yitong San Si, granted the title of Duke of Wenchang, and appointed as the Defense Commander of Weichuan.
After that, he fought against the Qi army at Beimang, where he recorded the highest number of enemy kills. As a result, his rank was elevated once again, being appointed as Kaifu, later promoted to the Governor of Jianzhou, and his title was further raised to Duke of Song An, with a fief of three thousand households. He followed Emperor Wu in pacifying the Qi state, achieving great success in every battle. He was appointed as the Grand General, his title changed to Duke of Pingyuan, with a fief of two thousand households, and rewarded with a complete set of musical instruments, six thousand pieces of silk, two hundred and fifty slaves, and several thousand cattle and sheep.
He was later appointed as the Governor of Bozhou. At that time, commoners in Bozhou, including Wang Huiluo and Zhang Jizhen, gathered a gang of outlaws who frequently committed robberies, and the previous officials had been unable to deal with them. Upon his arrival, Yuan Jingshan immediately set out to capture them, with Wang Huiluo and Zhang Jizhen fleeing to Jiangnan. Yuan Jingshan captured hundreds of their accomplices and executed all of them. He enforced the law strictly, causing the thieves to vanish, and under his leadership, Bozhou became remarkably peaceful.
Chen Guoren Zhang Jingzun defected to the Sui Dynasty, but was attacked by the Chen state general Ren Mannu, and several of his camps were overrun. Yuan Jingshan assembled troops from Qiaozhou and Yingzhou to rescue the besieged camps, and Ren Mannu finally withdrew. Yuan Jingshan was subsequently promoted to Marquis as a result. After Emperor Xuan of Sui ascended the throne, he followed the Grand Marshal Wei Xiaokuan to suppress the rebellion in Huainan. The governor of Yunzhou, Yu Wenliang, conspired to rebel and launched a surprise attack on Wei Xiaokuan with a small force. Wei Xiaokuan was in a difficult situation at the time, and before he could organize his troops, he was forced to retreat by Yu Wenliang. Yuan Jingshan led a cavalry unit of three hundred to attack, defeated Yu Wenliang, killed him, and sent his head back to the court. Because of this military achievement, he was appointed as the governor of Bozhou.
This section focuses on Yuan Jingshan; now let's talk about his previous story. Let's start with his father, Yuan Kang, who was handsome, cheerful, and very intelligent. After his father's death, the emperor's favor towards him deepened, and he was rewarded with countless treasures of gold and silver. Yuan Kang served as the Governor of Dingzhou and the commander of Youzhou. After Emperor Yang of Sui ascended the throne, Prince Han Liang rebelled, and Emperor Yang suspected Yuan Kang of colluding with Prince Han Liang, so he dismissed his official position and allowed his brother Yuan Qing to inherit the title of Marquis of Chen.
Yuan Qing was also handsome, gentle, and skilled in cursive calligraphy. He was initially appointed as the Duke of Yongfu County, and later served as the Prefect of Hedong and the Minister of Guard. In the later years of the Sui Dynasty, he was appointed Prefect of Nanchuan, where he was killed by bandits.
Yuan Qing's brother, Yuan Xuan, was also skilled in cursive calligraphy and music. He served as the Prefect of Yingchuan, Nanchuan, and Fufeng.
When our forebear was the Prime Minister, Wei Jiong led a rebellion. The Inspector of Xingzhou, Yu Wenzhou, colluded with Wei Jiong and secretly wrote a letter to Jingshan, trying to persuade him to join the rebellion. Jingshan caught the messenger sent by Yu Wenzhou and brought the letter to the Prime Minister's residence. The forebear was very pleased and immediately promoted Jingshan to the position of Grand General. This act of loyalty solidified Yuan Jingshan's reputation and marked the beginning of his rise in the military ranks.
Later, Sima Xiaonan struggled to attack the Chen Dynasty, and the Chen Dynasty sent generals Fan Yi, Ma Jie, and others to rescue. Jing Shan led five hundred light cavalry troops to rush over to support. When Fan Yi and the others saw Jing Shan coming, they were scared and quickly looted the people's belongings and fled. Jing Shan relentlessly pursued them, covering over three hundred miles in a day and a night, and fought with Fan Yi at Zhangkou, winning both battles. Fan Yi and the others had to retreat to Zengshan Town. The towns captured by Sima Xiaonan were also recovered by Jing Shan. The court appointed him as the governor of Anzhou, promoted him to the rank of Grand Pillar State, and rewarded him with two thousand bolts of cloth. At that time, the tribes on Tongbai Mountain also stirred up trouble, and Jing Shan pacified them.
After Gaozu became emperor, he appointed Jing Shan as the Grand Pillar State. The following year, he launched a large-scale attack on the Chen Dynasty, appointing Jing Shan as the commander of the army, leading generals such as Han Yan and Lv Zhe to depart from Hankou. At the same time, Deng Xiaoru led four thousand elite soldiers to attack the Chen Dynasty's Zengshan Town. The Chen Dynasty sent Lu Lun to lead the navy to provide assistance, but Deng Xiaoru defeated them. The Chen Dynasty's forces were thrown into complete panic, and the defenders of Zengshan and Dunyang towns abandoned the cities and fled. Jing Shan was preparing to cross the Yangtze River when Emperor Chen Xuan died, and the court ordered the troops to return. Jing Shan gained significant notoriety this time, and the enemy both feared and hated him. After a few years, Jing Shan was dismissed for some misconduct, and he died at the age of fifty-five. The court posthumously appointed him as the governor of Liangzhou, rewarded him with a thousand bolts of silk, and posthumously granted him the title Xiang. His son, Cheng Shou, succeeded him in his title.
Cheng Shou was skilled in archery and horseback riding since he was young, initially serving as a thousand-cow guard in the palace. Later, he was appointed as the son of the Duke of Shangzhu and was given the title of Yitong. He then served as a true charioteer for Prince Qin. After Emperor Yang of Sui ascended the throne, Cheng Shou was appointed as the Lieutenant of the Left Guard. During the Yang Xuangan rebellion, Cheng Shou followed the Minister of Justice, Wei Xuan, to suppress the rebellion. For his achievements, he was promoted to the position of Zhengyi Official and appointed as the Prefect of Xiping County.
Yuan Xiong, styled Shilue, was from Le Du, a city in Xiping. His grandfather Yuan Huai and father Yuan Zuan both held the title of King of Longxi in the Wei Kingdom. Yuan Xiong was known for his generosity and tall and imposing stature from a young age. He initially served as a secretary in the Wei Kingdom and soon rose to the rank of General of Barbarian Conquest. Later, his father was killed by the Gao clan, so Yuan Xiong fled, changed his name, and escaped to Chang'an. When Emperor Taizu of Zhou saw him, he recognized his potential and bestowed upon him the title of Marquis of Longxi. He later followed Emperor Wu of Zhou to campaign against the Qi Kingdom and was rewarded with the title of Kaifu. He was then reappointed as the Marquis of Shuofang and appointed Governor of Jizhou. At that time, the Turks frequently raided the border, so the court appointed Yuan Xiong as Governor of Pingzhou to defend the frontier. Shortly thereafter, he was appointed Governor of Xuzhou.
When Gaozu served as Prime Minister, Wei Jiong rebelled. At that time, Yuan Xiong's family was in Xiangzhou. Wei Jiong secretly wrote letters to persuade him, but Yuan Xiong remained completely unmoved. Gaozu even took the time to write to him, stating, "Your family is in Ye City. Although you are separated now, the rebel army will soon be defeated, allowing for an easy reunion. Starting from today, within a month, you will be able to meet. Don't worry, I will arrange it as soon as possible. The Xuzhou region is crucial, situated in the southeast near the state of Wu, and requires careful pacification. You are highly capable, and I entrust you with border affairs; make your mark and do not let me down." Wei Jiong dispatched his general Bi Yixu to seize Lanling, and Xi Pi attacked Changluo and Xiayi. Yuan Xiong dispatched Liu Ren'en, the Inspector of Xuzhou, to confront Bi Yixu, and sent Liu Hong and Li Yan to confront Xi Pi, ultimately pacifying them all.
Seeing the chaos in the Central Plains, Chen Guojian sent generals Chen Ji, Xiao Moha, Ren Manna, Zhou Luohou, and Fan Yi to invade the area north of the Yangtze River, from Jiangling to Shouyang; many people rallied to their cause, and numerous towns fell to them. Yuan Xiong, along with Yu Yi, the Governor of Wuzhou, He Ruobi, the Governor of Yangzhou, and Yuan Jingshan, the Governor of Huangzhou, repelled them and reclaimed the lost territories. Cao Xiaoda, the Inspector of Dongtongzhou, instigated a local rebellion, and Yuan Xiong dispatched troops to eliminate him. Yuan Xiong was elevated to Grand General and subsequently appointed Governor of Xuzhou. Several years later, he was transferred to the Governor of Huaizhou, and later promoted to the Governor of Shuozhou. Whenever the Turks attempted to raid, Yuan Xiong would capture and execute them, and the Turks feared him greatly.
Once, during the time when Emperor Gaozu was attacking the State of Chen, he wrote a letter to a great general, in which he wrote: "Ah! You, the Grand General and Duke of Shuofang, truly grasp the bigger picture, are wise, brave, and valiant! When I appointed you as the governor of Xuzhou, the enemy was causing chaos, and you immediately raised your banner in Mayi, pacifying the northern minority ethnic groups. Your brilliant strategies cleared up border troubles, and your sword subdued the enemy's arrogance. The folks north of the desert have benefited from your grace, and the people around Mount Lu are deeply grateful for your kindness. But now, that little Chen region in Jianghuai has the audacity to rebel. I’ll be leading a big army to bring peace to the southeast, so I hereby appoint you as the commander of the march. Now go, and watch yourself!" This great general was Qin Jun, the Prince, who set out from Xinzhou after receiving the order. Later, Chen Ping was rewarded for his significant contributions and appointed as a Senior Pillar of the State; his son was appointed as the Earl of Duanshi County, and he himself was also given five thousand bolts of cloth to keep guarding Shuozhou. Two years later, he asked to retire, returned to the capital, and eventually passed away at home at the age of seventy. His son inherited his title and rose to the position of Yitong. During the Sui Dynasty, he was moved from Shangdang to the capital, serving as a Minister in the Ministry of War. Later, when chaos erupted in the country and bandits ran rampant, he led troops to suppress the bandits of Beihai, fighting bravely and dying in battle. He was posthumously honored with the title of Zhengyi Dafu.
As for Dou Luji, whose courtesy name was Ding Dong, he was a native of Tuhe, Changli. He originally bore the surname Murong and was a descendant of Murong Jing, the King of Beidi in the Yan state. After the defeat in the Zhongshan Battle, he defected to the Wei Kingdom. Northerners referred to those who defected to the Wei Kingdom as "Dou Lu," and thus he changed his surname to Dou Lu. His grandfather, Dou Luchang, was the Grand General of Ruxuan Town in the Wei Kingdom, and his father, Dou Luning, was a Pillar of State and Grand Guardian. When Dou Luji was born, Emperor Zhou personally visited his family to offer his congratulations, coincidentally encountering the triumphant return of the army that had just defeated the Qi Kingdom. Emperor Zhou named him "Ding Dong," symbolizing the stability of the east. Dou Luji was clever and talented in leadership. In his youth, he studied at the Imperial College and had a basic understanding of literature. In the twelfth year of the Great Unity of Wei, Emperor Zhou granted him the title of Marquis of Yi'an County due to his contributions. After Emperor Min ascended the throne, he was appointed as a Lower Grand Master and Prefect of the Palace Secretariat, and was granted the title of Duke of Danyang Commandery, with a fief of 1,500 households. During the reign of Emperor Ming of Zhou, he held the position of Left Wubei Grand Master. Believing that his knowledge was insufficient, Dou Luji requested to resign from his official position and study at the Imperial College. The Emperor admired his attitude and permitted him to study at the Imperial College while keeping his official position. Not long after, Prince Yuwen Xian of Qi married Dou Luji's sister as his consort, resulting in Dou Luji being granted generous treatment.
After Emperor Wu ascended to the throne, he appointed him Governor of Qiongzhou. Before taking office, the Qiang people of Weiyuan rebelled due to famine. Due to his esteemed abilities, he was transferred to be the Governor of Weizhou. He excelled in his role as Governor, and all ethnic groups supported him. His benevolence was widely recognized by the people, and auspicious signs appeared everywhere. Niaoshu Mountain, known to the locals as Gaowulong, is where the Wei River originates. The cliffs are steep and treacherous, and it used to suffer from water scarcity, leading to great suffering among the Qiang people. However, as soon as he arrived there, springs burst forth wherever his horse had trodden. White birds flew to his office, drank milk, and then flew away. White wolves were also sighted in Xiangwu. The locals sang songs that went, "We have Danyang, where jade-like milk flows from the mountain. Saving our people and ethnic minorities, divine birds soar here." Everyone called this spring the Jade Milk Spring. Later, his father died, and he mourned deeply, surpassing the customary mourning period.
In the second year of the Tianhe era, he was appointed Governor of Shaozhou and inherited the title of Duke of Chu. Later, he was summoned by the court to serve as the Director of the Office of Heavenly Officials, and went on to serve as the Governors of Xinzhou, Xiazhou, and Xiangzhou. After his mother's passing, he returned to the capital to observe mourning. In the second year of Emperor Xuandi's reign, he was appointed Governor-General of Lizhou and was promoted to Grand General. A month later, he was further elevated to Duke.
When Gaozu became Chancellor, the Governor of Yizhou, Wang Qian, rebelled. He held the city, and Wang Qian sent his generals Daxi Ji, Gao Ana Gong, Yi Fu Qian, and others to lead a hundred thousand troops to attack him, constructing siege mounds, digging over seventy breaches in the city walls, and even diverting the river to inundate the city. At that time, he only had two thousand soldiers, fighting day and night. After more than forty days of combat, the situation grew increasingly dire. At this time, he employed guerrilla tactics, defeated the enemy, slaughtered thousands of enemy troops, and captured two thousand. Liang Rui's army was also approaching, so the rebels withdrew. Gaozu sent Zhao Zhongqing to commend him and issued a decree saying, "Your wisdom and abilities are exceptional, your bearing is impressive, your management of the frontier is exemplary, and your teachings have deeply penetrated the people's hearts. The sudden rebellion in Bashu besieged you, and you were able to attack and defend, defeating the rebel army. Your loyalty, integrity, and bold strategies have greatly contributed, so I hereby appoint you as Grand Commandant and grant your son the title of Duke of Zhongshan County."
In the year 582 AD, the Turkic tribes invaded the northern border, and Yang Su was appointed as the Marshal of the Northern Military Road, tasked with repelling foreign invaders. A year later, he was promoted to the Governor of Xiazhou. The Emperor esteemed his prominent lineage and remarkable military accomplishments and held him in high regard. Later, Prince Han Yang Liang married Yang Su's daughter as his concubine, further solidifying the Emperor's favor for Yang Su.
In the year 587 AD, the Emperor issued a decree saying, "Yang Su, the Grand Commandant and Duke of Chu, when a rebellion occurred in Shu, he steadfastly defended against the rebel forces and defended the frontier as if it were an independent state. His contributions are substantial, and his loyalty is unwavering, so he is granted a thousand households of land and their inhabitants in Linjin County, Shizhou."
In the year 590 AD, Yang Su was recalled to the capital due to illness. The emperor ordered all princes to visit Yang Su's residence and sent eunuchs to inquire about his condition. That same year, Yang Su died at the age of fifty-five. The emperor mourned him for a long time, bestowed lavish gifts, and entrusted the Honglu Temple to handle his funeral arrangements, posthumously granting him the title Duke Xiang. His son Yang Xian inherited his title, serving as the Governor of Xianzhou, the Junior Minister of Dali, and the General of the Wubeng army. Yang Su also had a younger brother named Yang Yu.
Now, as for Mr. Yu, he was ambitious from a young age and known for his integrity. When Han Wang Liang was appointed as the Governor of Bingzhou, Mr. Yu, being the elder brother of Han Wang Liang's consort, was appointed as the registrar in the prince's household. Later, he followed General Zhao Zhongqing to the north to fight against the Turks, earned recognition, and was appointed as the deputy commander of the Yitong Sanqi.
When the founding emperor passed away and Yang Guang ascended to the throne, he summoned Han Wang Liang back to the court. Misled by the advice of the court counselor Wang Kui, he rebelled. Mr. Yu earnestly tried to persuade him, but Han Wang Liang completely disregarded him. So Mr. Yu said to his younger brother Yi, "I’ll ride back to the court alone to save my own skin. This is just about self-preservation, not for the sake of the country. For now, let's pretend to follow him and then figure out a plan."
Mr. Yu's elder brother, who was the Governor of Xianzhou at that time, spoke to the emperor, saying, "My brother Yu has always been a man of integrity and wouldn’t take part in a rebellion. He’s been forced into this situation. Please let me take some troops to back him up, and Han Wang Liang will not be a concern." The emperor found this reasonable and agreed. Mr. Yu's elder brother secretly sent a family member to deliver the emperor's orders to Mr. Yu and discuss a plan.
Han Wang Liang left the city to head for Jiezhou, leaving Mr. Yu and the chief manager Zhu Tao to guard the city. Mr. Yu said to Zhu Tao, "Han Wang is rebelling; he will soon fail. How can I just sit and wait to be killed, betraying my country and family? We should resist him with our troops!" Zhu Tao was taken aback, "The king entrusted us with such an important matter; how can you say that!" With that, he stormed off. In a fit of rage, Mr. Yu caught up with him and killed him.
At that time, Sima Huangfu Dan, who had advised Han Wang Liang, was imprisoned. Mr. Yu released Huangfu Dan and discussed countermeasures with him, and allied with officials including Su Qinwu, Yuyu Wen Yongchang, Yitong Cheng Duan, Changsun Kai, Cheqi An Chenghou Yuanshiya, and Yuanwu Ling Huangfu Wenhao to resist Han Wang Liang together.
Before the situation was fully resolved, someone tipped off Han Wang Liang, who then launched an attack. When Mr. Yu saw Han Wang Liang approaching, he deceived his soldiers, saying, "That's the enemy army!" Han Wang Liang attacked the south gate of the city. Mr. Yu sent the Jihu people to guard the city walls. The Jihu people did not recognize Han Wang Liang and rained arrows down on him. Han Wang Liang then attacked the west gate, where the guards, all from Bingzhou, recognized him, so they opened the gate for him. Ultimately, Mr. Yu was killed at just twenty-eight.
After Han Wang Liang was pacified, Emperor Yang issued a decree, saying, "In order to honor his noble integrity, according to the country's regulations, the highest honor would be bestowed to commend his loyalty. Mr. Yu understood righteousness deeply, disregarded family ties, faced great danger, devised ingenious strategies, put aside personal interests for the sake of the country, and ultimately died for the country. He was posthumously granted the title of Grand General, titled as the Duke of Justice County, granted two thousand bolts of silk, and posthumously named Min."
The son wanted to inherit his father's title, so he went to visit the Three Lords. In the early years of the Daye era, the court implemented new laws, and the five ranks of nobility were abolished. Not long after, the emperor issued a decree: "The late Grand General, Yang Yu, who was able to hold his position in times of crisis, sacrificed his life for righteousness and his country. His behavior has become a great example and will forever be remembered. His son, Xiande, inherited his father's excellent qualities, and his merits will surely be passed down for generations. Therefore, he is posthumously titled as the Marquis of Yongqiu Min." Thus, the son inherited the title. In the later years of Daye, he was appointed as the commander of the Qian Niu Left and Right.
Yang Tong, the brother of Yang Ji, also had a brother named Yang Hui. He was known for his generosity and strong leadership skills. In recognition of his father's merits, he was granted the title of Marquis of Linzhen County, with a fiefdom of one thousand households. Shortly after, he was appointed Grand Commander and soon promoted to the Three Lords. Prime Minister Yuwen Hu recognized his talents, allowing him to command trusted troops and changing his title to Duke of Woye County, with a fiefdom of four thousand seven hundred households. He was later appointed as Minister of War and Governor of North Xuzhou. When Gaozu became emperor, Wei Jiong rebelled and sent his subordinate, the Juzhou Governor, Wuman Ni, to lead the army to attack. Yang Tong counterattacked and defeated them. The court awarded him eight hundred rolls of silk and promoted him to Grand General. In the early years of the Kaihuang era, he was promoted to Duke of Nanchen County. Shortly after, he was summoned back to the court and appointed to the position of the Imperial Guard. More than a year later, he was appointed as Governor of Dingzhou. Later, he was transferred to Governor of Xiangzhou. He married Princess Changle, the sister of Gaozu, and from that point on, he enjoyed increasing favor from the emperor. He was subsequently promoted to Governor of Xiazhou and Hongzhou. He was renowned for his generosity and kindness throughout his career. In the seventeenth year of Kaihuang, he passed away at the age of fifty-nine, posthumously honored with the title of An. He had a son named Yang Kuan.
He Ruoyi, courtesy name Daoji, was from Luoyang, Henan. His grandfather He Ruofu served as the Yunzhou governor during the Wei Dynasty, and his father He Ruotong was the Right Guard General. He Ruoyi had a strong and decisive personality and was very talented. Due to his ancestors' achievements, he was granted the title of Viscount of Rongcheng County during the Wei Dynasty. He gradually rose through the ranks, holding positions such as General of the Right Pavilion, Grand Commandant, Cavalry Commandant of the Imperial Secretariat, and Chief of the Imperial Kitchen.
After Emperor Taizu of the Zhou Dynasty gained control of the Guanzhong region, he summoned He Ruoyi to work for him. Once, Emperor Taizu sent him to Xingcheng, where some members of the Ruru tribe were causing unrest by gathering near the Yellow River. He Ruoyi appealed to both reason and emotion to persuade them to submit to the Zhou Dynasty, and more than 10,000 people surrendered. Emperor Taizu greatly appreciated his efforts and rewarded him with a hundred taels of gold and silver. Later, when Northern Qi sent their attendant Yang Chang to establish relations with the Ruru tribe, Emperor Taizu was concerned about their potential alliance becoming a threat to the border, so he sent He Ruoyi to negotiate with the Ruru. He Ruoyi offered them a substantial bribe, and the Ruru tribe trusted him, thus forming an alliance with the Zhou Dynasty and even handing over Yang Chang to He Ruoyi. Emperor Taizu was pleased and promoted him to Grand General of Chariots and Cavalry, as well as Yitong Sanqi, and appointed him as the Chief Historian of Lueyang County.
After Emperor Min of the Zhou Dynasty ascended the throne, he appointed He Ruoyi as the Grand Master of Archery, renamed him Viscount of Bache, and later granted him the title of Kaifu. He then successively served as the governors of Lingzhou and Shaozhou, as well as the governor-general of Yuanzhou and Xinzhou, excelling in each of these roles. His brother He Ruodun once served as the governor-general of Jinzhou but was later wrongfully accused and executed. As a result of this incident, He Ruoyi was also dismissed from his position.
After Emperor Wu took power, he appointed He Ruoyi as the prefect of Xiongzhou. During the war to pacify Northern Qi, He Ruoyi led his troops out of Hangu Pass, first capturing Luoyang, and was subsequently appointed as the governor of Luozhou and granted the title of Marquis of Jianwei County. Gao Shaoyi, the Prince of Fanyang of Northern Qi, fled to the Turkic tribes, but He Ruoyi pursued and defeated him at Mayi, capturing Gao Shaoyi alive. For this achievement, he was promoted to the rank of Grand General. Later, when Gaozu became Chancellor, he appointed He Ruoyi as the governor of Bozhou and ordered him to hasten to his post. He defended the western front against Sima Xiaonan and engaged Yu Jiong in the east. When the governor of Shenzhou, Li Hui, rebelled, He Ruoyi led troops to suppress the rebellion and was subsequently enfeoffed as Duke of Fanyang County and appointed as Grand General.
At the beginning of the Kaihuang era, he was appointed as Right Martial General. Later, when Prince Hong of Hejian went to the north to campaign against the Turkic tribes, he was appointed as Vice Marshal. After the war ended, he was promoted to Left Martial Grand General. However, he was later dismissed due to misconduct. Over a year later, he was appointed as the governor of Huazhou, and shortly after transferred to Fuzhou, also being enfeoffed as Duke of Hailing County, then later transferred to Jinzhou.
At that time, the Turkic tribes frequently harassed the borders. Due to his past reputation, the court appointed him as the governor of Lingzhou and promoted him to Grand General. Although he was already quite old, he was still in good health, able to wear armor and ride horses, making the Turkic tribes fear him. After a few years, he requested retirement, and the Emperor granted his request. He was affluent and constructed a villa in the countryside, planting many fruit trees. He often invited friends for gatherings, featuring song and dance performances, where they enjoyed leisurely gatherings at the villa. He passed away at home at the age of seventy-seven, and his son inherited his title.
His eldest son, Xie, served as General of the Cavalry; Xie's younger brother, Xiang, attained the rank of Attendant Charioteer; Xiang's younger brother, Yu, rose to the position of General of Chariots and Cavalry; His older brother's son, Bi, is also noted in a separate biography.
Historians remarked that figures like Yu Yi and Dou Rongding were connected by marriage to the nobility of Nanyang, while others maintained friendships with old acquaintances in Fengyi. They all secured important positions during favorable times. They stabilized the country through their military accomplishments, received generous rewards for their contributions, upheld their noble titles, and benefited their descendants. They accumulated merits as if constantly adding firewood, and their accomplishments have never waned. They are truly admirable! Dou Luyu sacrificed his life to uphold his integrity during a national crisis; Yin Shishi remained loyal in the face of national misfortune. If those who sacrificed for their country were aware, they would feel they had honored their monarchs and parents.
