Yu Wenqing, with the courtesy name Shenqing, was from Luoyang, Henan. His grandfather Yu Wenjindian was the Grand General of the Northern Wei Dynasty, served as the governor of five provinces, and was granted the title of Marquis of Anji. His father Yu Wenxian served as the governor of Xiazhou. Yu Wenqing was calm and had great leadership abilities; he was regarded as intelligent and clever from a young age.
When the Northern Zhou Dynasty was newly established, he went to Dongguan to study and read many historical and literary works. However, he later told others, "Reading books is just about memorizing names; how can one just bury themselves in books and become a stuffy scholar!" At that time, the minority ethnic groups in Wenzhou rebelled alongside the Han people, and Yu Wenqing volunteered to lead the expedition. The rebels occupied Baoyangu, and the road was steep. Yu Wenqing gripped the reins and charged forward, defeating the rebels and being appointed as a commander in recognition of his military achievements.
When Prince Wei, Yu Wenzhi, was stationed in Shannan, he recruited Yu Wenqing to be his right-hand man. Yu Wenqing was skilled in archery, brave, and had a penchant for battling fierce beasts, which Prince Wei greatly admired. Later, he gradually rose through the ranks and became the Grand General of Chariots and Cavalry, the Supervisor of the Righteousness of the Three Excellencies, and an official in the Pillar State. When Yu Wenhu was executed, Yu Wenqing offered significant strategies and was promoted to the Grand General of the Valiant Cavalry, being allowed to establish his own mansion.
Later, he followed Emperor Wu in attacking Heyin, being the first to climb the city wall and engaging in close combat with the enemy for a long time. He was hit by a stone, lost consciousness, and woke up after a long time. Emperor Wu praised him, saying, "Your bravery can be used for buying and selling!" (meaning your bravery is very valuable). He then followed Emperor Wu in capturing Jinzhou. Afterwards, the Qi army launched a major attack, and Yu Wenqing and Yu Wenxian went on a reconnaissance mission. They encountered the enemy and were surrounded. Yu Wenxian ran away, while Yu Wenqing retreated to defend Fenqiao. Many enemies charged at him, but Yu Wenqing drew his bow, and his arrows struck true every time, forcing the enemy to pull back.
Later, they overthrew the rule of Gao Wei, took Gaobi, captured Banzhou, took Xindu, and Yu Wenqing's contributions were among the most significant. Emperor Wu of Zhou issued a decree saying, "Qing's contributions have long been outstanding, his reputation has spread far and wide, and his achievements in both internal and external battles are well noted by me. Whenever troops are sent out from the west, you are always in command on the front lines; you have indeed made great contributions to pacifying the Dongxia region. You should be given a higher position and more generous rewards." So, he was promoted to Grand General, appointed Duke of Runan Commandery, with a fief of 1,600 households.
Soon after, he was appointed Commander-in-Chief to quell the rebellion of the Hu people in Yan'an, successfully suppressing the uprising, and was appointed Governor of Yanzhou. Shortly after, he was transferred to Governor of Ningzhou. When Emperor Wen of Sui was prime minister, he was once again appointed Commander-in-Chief to march south to Jiangbiao. After the army arrived at Baidi City, they returned to court, and because of his hard work and significant achievements, he was promoted to Senior Grand General. Emperor Wen of Sui had known Yu Wenqing before and was very close to him, entrusting him with military affairs alongside the prime minister and giving him important tasks. Shortly after, he was further honored as a Pillar of the State.
In the early years of Kaihuang, he was appointed Left Guard General, promoted to Senior Pillar of State. Several years later, he was sent to serve as Governor of Liangzhou. More than a year later, he was summoned back to court and no longer held any official positions.
Once, when the emperor was young, he discussed the major affairs of the realm with Qing. The emperor said to Qing, "Emperor Tianyuan has no virtue whatsoever. Just look at his character; he won't last long. I believe he won't last long. As for those feudal lords, they are all weaklings who have been forced back to their territories, without thinking about how to consolidate their power. With their wings clipped, how far can they really fly? Though Wei Jiong is an imperial relative with a considerable reputation, if there is chaos in the country, he will definitely rebel. However, he has average intelligence, and his sons are frivolous, greedy, and inept; they will definitely end up in ruin. Sima Xiaonan, that capricious fellow, is not to be taken lightly. Although he appears calm now, he is superficial and lacks wisdom, and he won't make any significant impact for now; at best, he'll just retreat to Jiangnan to lie low. Yongzhou and Shuzhou have treacherous terrain that is prone to disruptions, and Wang Qian is a fool lacking any strategy. I fear he may be manipulated by others, but there's no need for excessive concern." Not long after, everything the emperor predicted came to pass.
Later, Qing worried that the emperor would forget the past and no longer favor him again. Wanting the emperor to remember his past kindness, he meticulously compiled the emperor's previous words into a memorial and presented it to the emperor. The memorial read: "I have heard that wise men can see through the secrets of heaven, and the spirits of all things in heaven and earth cannot be hidden; wise men are like the sun and moon, and the truth of all things cannot be concealed. The sage can follow the will of heaven; this is the code of conduct for the sage. Taking precautions in advance is the extraordinary wisdom of the sage. Your Majesty, you are naturally intelligent and talented, governing the country effortlessly, unifying the world without any effort; your wisdom is hidden in your chest, and your ingenious strategies are in your hands. I, a humble person, have received Your Majesty's favor early on; Your Majesty has not despised my mediocrity and has kindly promoted and reused me. I follow your teachings and dare not make any mistakes; I carefully ponder your sacred wisdom, accurate and flawless like divine calculations. The words of one person can indeed come true, showing that the emperor's predictions are not to be taken lightly. I have heard with my own ears and seen with my own eyes; it is truly an honor and a delight." After reading the memorial, the emperor was greatly pleased and decreed: "You and I have always been close, speaking our hearts without reservation to each other. So many years have passed, yet I still remember; now seeing your memorial, I am reminded of our past conversations. I never expected that our past conversations would turn out to be true. The ability of ancient people to predict calamity and fortune is truly reliable; the fulfillment of my predictions is also accidental. Your ability to remember all this further reflects your loyalty; I am deeply moved and appreciate you even more." From then on, the emperor treated Qing even better, and Qing eventually passed away peacefully.
Yuwen Jingli initially served as a guard by the crown prince's side, later married Princess Guangping, daughter of the founding emperor, and was appointed as Yitong (Duke of Ceremony), with a fiefdom of 1,500 households. He later became the governor of Xiongzhou. He passed away at a relatively young age.
His son, Yuwen Xie, served in various military roles, eventually rising to the position of General of the Right Wing Guard. He was ultimately killed during the rebellion instigated by Yuwen Huai.
Yuwen Xie's younger brother, Yuwen Qiao, also known as Poluomen, grew up in the palace during the Dà Yè period of Emperor Yang of Sui. He later became a guard by the emperor's side and was highly favored by Emperor Yang. Every time the emperor held a banquet, Yuwen Qiao had to serve, and he even had access to the emperor's sleeping quarters, tasked with overseeing the harem. His favored status allowed him unrestricted access to the palace gates. At that time, he was commonly referred to as Yuwen Sanlang. Yuwen Qiao had affairs with palace maids, and even rumors about his scandals with concubines and princesses spread. Empress Xiao reported this to the emperor, and Yuwen Qiao, upon hearing this, became frightened and did not dare to see the emperor for several days. His brother, Yuwen Xie, then submitted a petition, saying, "Qiao is now grown up and should not stay in the palace anymore." The emperor asked, "Where is Qiao?" Yuwen Xie replied, "He is in the court." The emperor did not investigate further and summoned him into the palace, treating him as before.
When Yuwen Huaji's rebellion broke out, Yuwen Qiao was on duty at the Xuanlan Gate. Realizing that something was amiss, he wanted to enter the palace to report to the emperor but was stopped by the gatekeepers and was unable to enter in time. By the time it was dark and the palace gates were closed, he returned to his post. Shortly after, the rebellion commenced, and Yuwen Qiao, along with fifty others, went to resist but was killed by the rebels.
Li Licheng, known by his courtesy name Xiaoxie, was from Didaoren in Gansu Province and was the sixth-generation grandson of King Tufa. His grandfather, Li Yanshi, held the position of Minister of State in the Wei Kingdom, and his father, Li Yu, served as an attendant. When Li Licheng was seven years old, he accompanied his cousin Zheng Hao, the Prefect of Lanling, to join Emperor Wu of Wei, Cao Cao, in Guanzhong. Zheng Hao's mother frequently told relatives and friends, "This child has always been composed and will surely achieve great things in the future!"
After Li Li grew up, he was steady and well-mannered, not casually socializing with others. During the Wei Dynasty's reign, he first served as a writer in the imperial court, and later was promoted to be the Prince's equerry and a cavalier. After the Northern Zhou Dynasty replaced the Northern Wei Dynasty, he was appointed as the General for Pacifying the East and a cavalier. At that time, the sons of high officials were all eager to learn horseback riding and archery, dressing in military uniforms. Although Li Li was also skilled in archery, he always dressed in elegant attire, never changing his style. Later, in recognition of his outstanding military achievements, he was appointed as the Grand General of Chariots and Cavalry and granted the title of Marquis of Xiuyang County, and was promoted to be a provincial governor. At that time, the court wanted to recruit soldiers and horses, but Li Li believed that provoking the nomads would inevitably lead to rebellion, so he submitted a memorial advising against it. Emperor Wu of Zhou accepted his advice.
In the war against the Qi Kingdom, he accompanied Emperor Wu of Zhou in the siege of Jinyang. Li Li led his troops in an assault on the southern gate, where the Qi general Xipi Luo commanded several thousand elite troops in defense. Li Li fought valiantly and successfully repelled their attack. Afterwards, Li Li was appointed as a Palace Attendant, promoted to the Duke of Guanjun County, and appointed as the Governor of North Xuzhou. Not long after, he was recalled to the court and appointed as a Senior Official in the Ministry of Personnel.
Li Licheng's wife Dou died early. He knew that Yang Jian (Emperor Gaozu) would become a great leader in the future, so he married Yang Jian's sister as his second wife, and they shared a deep bond. When Yang Jian became prime minister, Li Licheng was promoted to Grand General and subsequently appointed as Chief Military Officer, earning Yang Jian's trust. After Yang Jian became emperor, Li Licheng was appointed as the Inspector of Shanzhou, enfeoffed as Marquis of Jiangjun, and was granted numerous rewards. He was later summoned back to the court to serve as General of the Left Guard, and then promoted to General of the Right Military Guard. Over a year later, he was appointed as the Governor of Xiangzhou, where he was reputed for his benevolent governance. Several years later, he was once again appointed as General of the Left Guard. At that time, the Turks frequently invaded the border, and Li Licheng was appointed as the Inspector of Ningzhou to safeguard the border. Over a year later, due to illness, he was summoned back to the capital and passed away peacefully at home. His son Li Shiming later became the Assistant Minister of Revenue.
Yuan Xiaozhu was from Luoyang, Henan. His grandfather Yuan Xiuyi and father Yuan Jun both served as Ministers of the Interior in the Wei Kingdom, holding prominent positions. During the Western Wei dynasty, Yuan Xiaozhu inherited the title of Duke of Shiping County and later became the Inspector of Nanfengzhou. Seeing the growing power of Yuwen Tai, he was determined to restore the family's glory and revitalize their legacy. He confided in his brothers, mentioning the threat posed by a powerful figure like Yuwen Tai and the necessity of taking action to avert the decline of the Yuan family. However, his brother disagreed, and the plan was shelved.
Later, Yuwen Tai arranged for his nephew Yuwen Hu to marry Yuan Xiaojie's sister, and they had a particularly close relationship. After Emperor Xiaomin's abdication, Yuwen Hu took control of the political power, and Yuan Xiaojie's status also rose. However, Yuwen Hu was eventually killed, which resulted in Yuan Xiaojie's exile to Shu. A few years later, he was called back by the court and appointed Governor of Yizhou and later promoted to Minister of Justice. Emperor Wen of Sui valued Yuan Xiaojie's family background and married his daughter to him, making her the Princess of Fangling. When Emperor Wen became Chancellor, he promoted Yuan Xiaojie to Minister of Works and then to Duke of Xunyang. At that time, the Prince of Fangling was stationed in Luoyang, and after Emperor Wen ascended the throne, he named the Prince of Fangling as Crown Prince and sent Yuan Xiaojie to Luoyang. Emperor Wen then married his daughter to the Crown Prince, who was also Yuan Xiaojie's niece, highlighting the depth of his trust and favor towards Yuan Xiaojie.
Not long after, Yuan Xiaojun was appointed as the governor of Shouzhou. Emperor Wen of Sui also wrote him a letter, stating, "The tribes in Yangzhou and Yuezhou often invade the borders. They do not understand the greater principles, only know how to fight for land and levy labor. You have lofty ambitions and a strategic vision. I am now sending you to guard the border and to use lenient policies to appease them, which is in line with my intentions!" At that time, generals from the Chen dynasty such as Ren Mannu repeatedly invaded the areas north of the Yangtze River. Emperor Wen of Sui appointed Yuan Xiaojun as the commander of the army, stationed troops on the banks of the Yangtze River to resist the enemy. Several years later, Yuan Xiaojun felt he was getting older and that his health was declining, and he could no longer continue leading troops into battle, so he submitted his request for retirement. Emperor Wen of Sui then appointed him as the governor of Jingzhou and wrote him a letter stating, "I know you are modest and cautious, wanting to retire to your hometown. You have made contributions to the country, and I want to assign you an important task so you can showcase your talents in the region. How can you so readily ask for retirement? Are you trying to be a proud and aloof gentleman? Since border affairs are busy, I will let you go to Jingzhou to rest and recuperate, and govern the area well!" Yuan Xiaojun passed away in Jingzhou after over a year, at the age of fifty-nine, and was posthumously honored with the title "Jian." His son Yuan Wuji inherited his title. Yuan Xiaojun's nephew was named Wenyu, as I saw in the "Cheng Jie Chuan." Yuan Xiaojun's younger brother, second in line, was named Ya, whose courtesy name was Xiaofang, who excelled in both civil and military affairs and was highly capable. During the reign of Emperor Wen of Sui, he served as the Left Lead General, Governor of Jizhou, and Governor of Qinzhou, eventually being titled as the Duke of Shunyang County. His youngest brother, Bao, was the most renowned.
Xiaoju's brother's son, named Wen Yu; I came across this name in "Cheng Jie Chuan." His younger brother, the second-born, named Ya, with the courtesy name Xiaofang, was a well-rounded talent in both civil and military affairs. During the reign of Emperor Wen of Sui, he rose through the ranks, serving as Left General, Right General, and Governor of both Jizhou and Qinzhou. He was eventually titled Duke of Shunyang County, truly a winner in life! His youngest brother, named Bao, was known for his remarkable abilities.
Yang Bao, since childhood, was good-looking and excelled at horseback riding and archery, indicating he was destined for greatness. At the age of ten, he lost his parents and was brought up by his brothers. The brothers shared a strong bond and were deeply filial. Later, when the brothers wanted to separate and live independently, Yang Bao cried and pleaded with them, but it was no use. His family was already wealthy, with a mountain of gold, silver, and jewels, but Yang Bao refused to take anything and moved out, earning a reputation in the community.
As he grew older, Yang Bao was generous, kind-hearted, open-minded, and well-educated. He eventually rose to the ranks of Marquis, Duke of Beiping, and Governor of Zhaozhou. When Emperor Wen of Sui was in power, Yang Bao fought alongside Wei Xiaokuan and achieved great merit, earning the title of a pillar of the state, and was promoted to Duke of Hejian County with a fief that included two thousand households. In the second year of Kaihuang, he was appointed Governor of Anzhou, and a year later was transferred to Yuanzhou to serve as Governor. Once, a merchant was robbed by bandits, and the bandits suspected other people staying at the same inn and arrested them. Yang Bao could see from their demeanor that they were innocent, and they presented their case logically, so he set them free.
As a result, the merchant rushed to the capital to accuse Yang Bao of taking bribes and letting the bandits go, so the emperor sent someone to investigate. The envoy questioned Yang Bao sternly: "Why did you take money and let the bandits go?" Yang Bao immediately confessed without saying another word. The envoy took Yang Bao to the capital, where he was dismissed from his position. Later, those bandits were captured elsewhere, and the emperor said, "Yang Bao is a senior minister in the court, holding a high position. It is indeed wrong for him to take money and release the bandits, but why would he admit to such wrongdoing?" Yang Bao replied, "I was given an important responsibility in a province, and that is my first offense; when the people of the province were falsely accused, I did not hand them over to the judicial department for processing, but released them directly, which is my second offense; I was too blunt in my dealings, ignoring my reputation and not adhering to formal procedures, which led to suspicion, and that is my third offense. I have three offenses; what more is there to argue about? I never claimed to have taken bribes, but the envoy insisted on continuing the investigation, which could implicate innocent people and worsen my situation, so I decided to admit it." The emperor was deeply moved and praised Yang Bao as a wise elder.
In the fourteenth year of the Kaihuang era, Yang Bao was appointed as the commander and stationed on the border. In the battle of Liaodong, he followed the Han Prince as the commander to Liu City and then returned. In the early years of the Renshou era, the indigenous tribes in Jiazhou revolted, and Yang Bao led twenty thousand infantry and cavalry to suppress the rebellion. After Emperor Yang of Sui ascended the throne, Yang Bao was appointed as the inspector of Qizhou, and soon was appointed as the governor of Qijun, where the locals lived peacefully and happily. Later, another battle broke out in Liaodong, and the officials responsible for overseeing the war were replaced one after another. One official was due to report to the Western Office but pretended to be ill. Yang Bao asked him what was wrong, and when the official stammered, Yang Bao struck him. Furious, Yang Bao beat the official over a hundred times, and a few days later, the official died. As a result, Yang Bao was dismissed from his post and eventually died at home at the age of seventy-three.
Guo Rong, styled Changrong, claimed to hail from Taiyuan. His father, Guo Hui, served as the Sima in Tongzhou during the reign of Emperor Da Tong of the Western Wei dynasty. At that time, Emperor Wu of Northern Zhou (Gaozu) was still a regional inspector, so Guo Rong’s father and Gaozu had an old friendship. Later, Guo Hui was appointed as the inspector of Xunzhou and was granted the title of Duke of Ancheng County. When Gaozu ascended to the throne, he appointed Guo Hui as Minister of Works, and a few years later, Guo Hui passed away. Guo Rong was tall and robust, with a rugged appearance but a meticulous personality, and those who interacted with him found him quite likable.
During the Northern Zhou dynasty, the Grand Chancellor Yuwen Hu recognized Guo Rong as a cautious and reliable person, so he promoted him to the position of a military officer in the Central and Outer Offices. At that time, the Northern Qi army frequently invaded, so Yuwen Hu sent Guo Rong to gather intelligence on the enemy in Fenzhou. Fenzhou and Yaoxiang Town were quite distant from each other, and Guo Rong felt that these two places were isolated and unable to help each other, so he suggested constructing a fortress between the two towns for mutual protection. Yuwen Hu agreed. Soon after, the Northern Qi general Duan Xiaoxian captured Yaoxiang Town and Fenzhou, but Guo Rong's newly constructed fortress managed to withstand the attack. Yuwen Hu built a pontoon bridge, led his troops across the river, and fought against Duan Xiaoxian. Duan Xiaoxian sent many large rafts upstream to crash into the pontoon bridge, so Yuwen Hu ordered Guo Rong to direct the naval forces to clear away these rafts. As a result of his accomplishments, Guo Rong was appointed as a Grand Commander.
Yuwen Hu also sent Guo Rong to calm the Jihu tribes who frequently raided the region. Guo Rong built five cities in Shangjun and Yan'an, securing the Jihu's main routes, and they no longer dared to invade easily. Later, Emperor Wu of the Northern Zhou dynasty took power and appointed Guo Rong as a Xuan Na Zhongshi. He followed Emperor Wu in pacifying the Northern Qi, and for his military achievements, he was rewarded with twenty horses, six hundred rolls of silk, granted the title of Baron of Pingyang County, and promoted to the position of Chief Water Officer.
When Guo Rong was young, he had a close relationship with Gaozu and they got along very well. One night, they sat under the moon together, and Gaozu said to Guo Rong, "I've been observing the stars and the matters of the world, and I feel that the fate of the Zhou Dynasty has run its course; it's time for me to take over." Guo Rong remembered these words in his heart. Later, after the death of Emperor Xuan, Gaozu seized power and summoned Guo Rong, patting his back and smiling, saying, "My words have come true, haven't they?" He then appointed him as an officer in the Ministry of Works. Not long after, he was also appointed as the Grand Minister of the Nomadic Peoples. After Gaozu became emperor, he appointed Guo Rong as a Gentleman-in-Waiting and, due to their previous relationship, he also appointed him as the Duke of Pucheng County, with his rank elevated to Upper Yitong. Later, he was promoted to the Inspector of Tongzhou.
In the early years of the Ren Shou period, the Yi and Liao tribes in the southwest revolted, and the court ordered Guo Rong to lead the troops from eight prefectures as the Commander of the March to quell the uprising. In just over a year, the rebellion was suppressed, and the court rewarded him with over three hundred servants.
When Emperor Yang of Sui ascended to the throne, Guo Rong was appointed as the General of Martial Might, because of his strict and upright character; he was very famous. After a few years, the leader of Qian'an, Tian Luoju, stirred up trouble near Qingjiang, and several counties near Yiling, both common folk and minority groups joined the fray, so the Emperor commanded Guo Rong to quell the uprising. After successfully suppressing the rebellion, Guo Rong was promoted to General of the Left Guard. He later accompanied the Emperor on a campaign against the Tuyuhun and was promoted again to the Grand Master of Radiant Joy. In the war in Liaodong, he was promoted once more for his distinguished service, becoming the Left Grand Master.
In the second year, the emperor went to Liaodong to fight again. Guo Rong felt that the country was already exhausted, and the emperor shouldn't be constantly at war. He advised the emperor, "Those barbarians don't play by the rules; that's the responsibility of the subjects. I've heard that powerful crossbows won't fire just because of a little mouse, let alone the emperor personally leading troops to deal with a small group of enemies?" The emperor did not listen to him. Guo Rong still followed to Liaodong to fight, personally charging into battle, dodging arrows and stones, wearing armor day and night for over a hundred days. The emperor often sent people to secretly observe the performance of the generals, knowing that Guo Rong was so loyal and dedicated; he was very pleased and frequently offered him comfort and encouragement.
Nine years later, the emperor went to the eastern capital and said to Guo Rong, "You are old and not suitable for leading troops in battle for a long time. I will appoint you as a county governor; you can pick whichever you like." Guo Rong did not want to leave the emperor, so he knelt down, kowtowed, and declined, speaking very earnestly, which really touched the emperor. Therefore, the emperor appointed him as the Grand General of the Right Guard. A few days later, the emperor said to the ministers in the court, "People as loyal as Guo Rong are truly rare!" This shows just how much the emperor trusted him. Later, when Yang Xuangan rebelled, the emperor sent Guo Rong to guard Taiyuan. The following year, he followed the emperor to Liucheng, fell ill on the way, and the emperor sent messenger after messenger to check on him. Finally, Guo Rong passed away in Huaiyuan Town at the age of sixty-eight. The emperor stopped the court for a day, posthumously named him Minister of War, conferred the posthumous title of "Gong," and bestowed many rewards. He left behind a son named Guo Fushan.
Pang Huang, whose courtesy name was Yuan Xian, was from Yulin. His father, Pang Qiu, was the Great General of the Chariots and Cavalry of the Zhou Dynasty. Pang Huang was born into a good family, and when Governor Du Da noticed him, he appointed him as the provincial governor. After the founding emperor of the Zhou Dynasty conquered Guanzhong, Pang Huang was appointed as Grand Commander and accompanied him as part of his personal guard. Pang Huang then moved to Guanzhong. He was later promoted to General of Chariots and Cavalry and inherited his father's title—Marquis Biyang.
When Prince Yu Wen Zhi of Wei was assigned to guard Xiangzhou, Pang Huang followed him in the same position. Not long after, he and the Duke of Changhai, Yuan Ding, went to battle in Jiangnan. They went deep into enemy territory, and as a result, Pang Huang died in battle. Several years later, Prince Yu Wen Zhi of Wei sent Pang Huang's younger brother, the General of Chariots and Cavalry, Pang Yuanjun, with eight hundred bolts of silk to ransom Pang Huang's body back.
After that, Pang Huang returned to the imperial court. The court appointed him as Upper General of the Right and rewarded him with two hundred bolts of colored silk. He continued to work with the Prince of Wei.
Legend has it that when the founding emperor was appointed Governor of Suizhou, he passed by Xiangyang, and Prince Li Huang of Wei went out of his way to welcome him. Li Huang considered the founding emperor remarkable and actively befriended him. Later, when the founding emperor resigned and returned to the capital, Li Huang specially welcomed him in Xiangyi. The founding emperor was very pleased, and Li Huang said to him, "Your appearance is extraordinary, destined to be remembered in history! If you become emperor in the future, please do not forget me!" The founding emperor chuckled and replied, "You're exaggerating!"
Not long after, a proud-looking wild rooster flew into the yard. The founding emperor asked Li Huang to shoot it, saying, "If you hit it, you’ll get a reward. In the future, when I become successful, we will use this as a commemoration!" Li Huang shot the rooster with one arrow, and the founding emperor clapped and laughed, "This is fate! Hitting it means you’re destined for success!" The founding emperor then gifted Li Huang two maidservants, and their bond grew particularly strong.
When Emperor Wu was in power, Li Huang became the Governor of Changshan, while Gaozu became the Governor of Dingzhou. They often visited each other. Later, Gaozu was promoted to Governor of Bozhou, and as he was preparing to leave, he felt uneasy. Li Huang advised him, "Both Yan and Dai are renowned for their strong soldiers and capable generals. If we mobilize the army now, it will be difficult to control the world." Gaozu held Li Huang's hand and said, "The time isn't right yet!" Later, Li Huang was also promoted and became the General of Chariots and Cavalry.
After Gaozu became the Governor of Yangzhou, he requested the court to let Li Huang follow him. Later, when Gaozu became Prime Minister, he promoted Li Huang to manage affairs on both sides, placing great trust in him. When Gaozu ascended to the throne as Emperor, he asked Li Huang, "About that incident of shooting wild chickens back then—has it come true now?" Li Huang quickly thanked him and said, "Your Majesty, you have followed the will of heaven, won the people's support, and unified the realm, and you still remember what you said back then. I am truly delighted!" The Emperor smiled and said, "How could I forget those words you said!" Afterwards, the Emperor promoted Li Huang to General of the Right Guard and granted him the title of Duke, along with a fief of 1,500 households.
Later, Prince Li Hong of Hejian led troops to attack the Turks, with Li Huang serving as the chief commander and accompanying him to Mayi. They also took another route around the Helan Mountains, defeating the enemy and decapitating over a thousand enemies. Li Huang was known for his strong character, and at that time, Prince Li Xiong of Guangping held immense power and dominated the court, which led to frequent clashes between them. Once, while Li Huang was sleeping in the military camp, Li Xiong didn't bother to pay his respects, which caused Li Xiong to harbor a grudge against him. Li Huang also had disputes with Gao Feng, and the two often slandered Li Huang before the emperor. Therefore, Li Huang served as a palace guard for over ten years without any promotion. Later, he was appointed as the governor of Huaizhou, and a few years later, he was promoted to the governor of Yuanzhou. During the Renshou period, Li Huang passed away in office at the age of seventy-two. The emperor mourned his passing, sending three hundred bolts of cloth, three hundred measures of rice, and posthumously granted him the title of "Respectful." His son, Li Changshou, was also well-known and rose to the rank of General of Chariots and Cavalry.
Li An, styled Xuande, was a Didaoren from Gansu. His father, Li Wei, served as the governor of three provinces—Shuozhou, Yanzhou, and Hengzhou—in Northern Zhou and was also granted the title of Duke of Xiangwu County. Li An was handsome and skilled in horseback riding and archery. During the Tianhe period of Northern Zhou, Li An renounced his commoner status and became a Right Attendant, inheriting his father's title of Duke of Xiangwu. Shortly after, he was promoted to Yitong, Shoushi Right Attendant. Later, when Gaozu became Prime Minister, he summoned Li An to work by his side and promoted him to Senior Official in the Ministry of Rites. Gaozu also promoted Li An's brother, Li Che, to the position of Yitong.
Li An's uncle, Li Zhang, who was the governor of Liangzhou at the time, was in the capital city, plotting with Prince Zhao of Northern Zhou to betray the founding emperor, and also recruited Li Zhan as an insider. Li Zhan said to Li An, "If we don't speak up about this, we are not loyal; if we do, we are not righteous. Without loyalty and righteousness, how can we make our way in the world?" Li An said, "The founding emperor is like a father to us; how can we betray him?" So Li An secretly told the founding emperor about this. After Prince Zhao and others were executed, the founding emperor wished to promote and reward Li An. Li An quickly knelt down and thanked him, saying, "My brother and I have done nothing, yet we are so highly rewarded; our whole family is deeply grateful, and we don't know how to repay you. I never imagined my uncle could be so foolish, deceived by wicked people, nearly leading to our family's ruin. It's unbearable to think about. You have spared the lives of our entire family, which is a great kindness. How can I exchange my uncle's life for a title?" With that, Li An knelt down and cried, unable to contain his sorrow. The founding emperor was touched by his actions and said, "For you, I have deliberately spared your uncle's life." He then ordered that only Li Zhang be punished, and the founding emperor kept this matter secret from the public. Shortly thereafter, the founding emperor appointed Li An as the head of the household and granted him the title of Duke of Zhao County. Li Zhan was also promoted to Yitong and appointed as Lord of Huangtai County.
After the founding emperor of the Sui Dynasty ascended the throne, he arranged official positions for the An brothers. The elder An brother was first appointed as the Deputy Minister of the Interior, then promoted to the Left Deputy Minister and the Palace Attendant. When the war to pacify the Chen Dynasty began, he was appointed as the deputy general under Yang Su and also served as the commander-in-chief, leading the army from Shu downstream. At that time, the Chen army was camped at Baisha. The elder An brother said to the generals, "Water warfare is not our specialty as northerners. Now the Chen army is anchored in a strategic location; they will definitely underestimate us and be unprepared. If we attack them under the cover of night, we can defeat the enemy!" Everyone thought it was a good idea. So he led the charge and decisively defeated the Chen army. Emperor Wen of Sui was very pleased and issued a special decree praising him, stating, "The Chen rebels thought they were skilled in water warfare and believed that the imperial army would hesitate to attack in such a strategic position. You led the elite soldiers, launched a night attack with the navy, defeated the enemy, captured many prisoners, greatly boosted the morale of our army, and intimidated the enemy. You have fully accomplished the task entrusted to you by me, and I am very pleased to hear this news!" Afterwards, he was promoted to the rank of Grand General and appointed as Inspector of Yingzhou. A few days later, he was appointed as Inspector of Dengzhou.
An Shi, the elder brother, requested to return to the court to take up an official position, but Emperor Wen of Sui valued him greatly and did not agree to his request. Instead, he appointed him as the General of the Left and Right Flanks. Not long after, he was promoted to the Grand General of the Right Leading Army and was once again appointed as the Director of the Imperial Secretariat and General of Defense. Both An Shi brothers managed the Imperial Guards, and the Emperor held them in high favor and trust. "In the eighth year of the reign, the Turks invaded the border; the elder brother An Shi was appointed as the Commander of the Marching Army to resist the Turks with Yang Su." In the year 601 AD, the Turks invaded the border, and the elder brother An Shi was appointed as the Commander of the Marching Army to resist them alongside Yang Su. An Shi, the elder brother, took a different route, attacking from Changchuan, and happened to encounter the Turks crossing the river, engaging them in battle and securing a victory. In the first year of the Renshou era (601 AD), the elder brother An Shi was appointed as the Governor of Ningzhou, while the younger brother An Shi was appointed as the Inspector of Weizhou. An Shi's son, Qiong, and An Shi's brother's son, Wei, grew up in the palace from a young age, only allowed to return home when they were about eight or nine years old. This illustrates the Emperor's attentiveness in caring for them.
The founding emperor once spoke about the time when he was the prime minister, expressing special sympathy for the sacrifice of Li An and his brother for the sake of national righteousness at the expense of family ties. He issued an imperial decree, saying: "The rules established by the former kings dictate that personal matters should be judged by righteousness, and to sacrifice personal ties to serve the monarch wholeheartedly is essential to uphold great integrity and demonstrate selflessness. The fate of the Zhou Dynasty has come to an end, and the mandate of heaven is to be transferred to our family. I had just become emperor, and the imperial authority had just been established, during a chaotic era rife with treacherous individuals. Li An, the Grand General and Governor of Ningzhou, as well as the Duke of Zhao County, conspired with his uncle Li Zhang, who incited Li An's sons to rebel. Li An and his brother, the Governor of Weizhou and the Lord of Huangtai County, Li Che, fully understood the difference between loyalty to the court and rebellion, and without hesitation exposed Li Zhang's conspiracy. The evildoers' plot was revealed, and the criminals were captured. Every time I think of their loyalty, I am deeply moved and have always wanted to reward them handsomely. However, because this matter involves their relatives, I have some hesitation in my heart, hoping they would adhere to the rules of propriety and have their own say, so I have been delaying until now. Now, after carefully examining the classics of the sages and referring to past examples, the nature of the father-son relationship and the concepts of filial piety and loyalty to the monarch are often in conflict. Moreover, the bonds between uncles and nephews are generally less intense than those between fathers and sons. Etiquette and law already distinguish between different levels of relationships. They can forget personal matters and wholeheartedly serve the country. This is the underlying truth, and their contributions should be recognized and generously rewarded."
Therefore, the emperor appointed Li An and Li Zhi as Grand Generals, rewarding each of them with 5,000 rolls of silk, 100 horses, and 1,000 sheep. Li Zhi was also promoted to General of the Guard and granted the title of Duke of Shunyang. Li An said to his relatives, "Although our family has been saved, my uncle suffered misfortune because of this. Now that I have accepted this reward, I feel a mix of guilt and sorrow." As he spoke, he began to cry, overcome with grief. His edema worsened, and he passed away soon after. He was just fifty-three at the time of his death. He was posthumously given the title "Huai." His son, Li Qiong, inherited his title. Li An's youngest son, Li Xiaogong, gained the most fame. Li Zhi, on the other hand, was later dismissed from his position for committing a crime and was sent to Lingnan, where he died of illness on the way.
Historical records indicate that Yuwen Qing and his associates were all close confidants of the emperor in his early years. They had close relationships with the emperor, some being long-time friends, and others having gained the absolute trust of the emperor. They enjoyed the emperor's favor, enjoying wealth and prestige, rising and falling with the emperor's fortunes. They held high positions and were wealthy, and their descendants enjoyed prosperity as well—it was indeed a fortunate life! However, Yuwen Xiao grew up in the palace without much formal education. Emperor Yang of Sui favored him greatly and did not treat him as an outsider at all, which is why he acted the way he did. Consider this: the brothers Li An and Li Zhi treated the emperor without any distinction between ruler and subject, conspiring against their own brothers and causing them to be killed. This was a case of sacrificing family for a greater cause, completely different from the situation with Yuwen Qing and his associates! Although we feel sorrow for what Li An and Li Zhi did, how can this affect our evaluation of Yuwen Qing and his associates? The phrase "sacrificing family for a greater cause" weighs heavily on the heart.
