Du Yan is a person from Yunzhong. His father moved to Youzhou due to the Ge Rong uprising. Du Yan has been brave since childhood and excelled at horseback riding and archery! Later, he became an official of the Zhou Dynasty, starting as a left attendant officer, and later accompanied the esteemed general Lu Tong to Tuzhou to fight against Wu Mingche, where he achieved victory. He also defeated the rebel tribes, captured the strongholds of Cangtang and Baiyang, and killed their leaders. After that, he pacified the rebel leader Fan Zhi in Yingzhou and was appointed as Grand Commander in recognition of his military achievements. Soon after, he was promoted to Yitong, overseeing Longshan County. The following year, he was appointed as the governor of Longzhou and was also granted the title of Earl of Yong'an County, truly climbing the ranks!
When Gaozu served as Prime Minister, Du Yan accompanied Wei Xiaokuan to Xiangzhou to confront Wei Jiong, and he made military achievements in every battle. The emperor rewarded him with three thousand bolts of cloth and thirty servants. He was promoted to Shang Kaifu and was changed to Marquis of Xiangwu County, and later became the governor of Weijun. During the Kaihuang period, he was appointed as the Inspector of Danzhou and was also granted the title of duke, enjoying immense prestige! Six years later, he was recalled to court and appointed as the Left Guard General.
During the Battle of Chen, Du Yan served as the chief commander and fought alongside the Duke of Xinyi, Han Qinhu. When the army arrived at Nanling, the Chen army camped by the river. Du Yan sent Yitong Fan Zigai with elite soldiers to attack their camp and seized over six hundred boats. They then crossed the Yangtze River, assaulted Nanling City, captured it, and took the defender Xu Yi prisoner. They then arrived at Xinlin and united with Han Qinhu. After the fall of the Chen Dynasty, the emperor rewarded him with five thousand bolts of cloth and six thousand measures of grain, promoted him to the rank of Pillar General, and bestowed the title of Duke of Changyang County upon his son.
When Gao Zhihui and others rebelled, Du Yan served as the army commander and followed Yang Su to suppress the rebellion, successfully lifting the siege of Jiangzhou. The remnants of Gao Zhihui's forces were in hiding all over the place; Du Yan led his army in a combined land and naval advance, capturing the four caves at Jinshan, Yangfu, Ruo, and Shibei, and beheading their leaders. A bandit named Li Tuo occupied Pengshan with several thousand troops; Du Yan unexpectedly defeated him, beheaded Li Tuo, and sent his head back to the court. He also pacified the two caves of Xuzhou and Yifeng, and the emperor rewarded him with more than a hundred slaves. Later, he was appointed as the general of Hongzhou, with outstanding achievements and a great reputation.
Over a year later, the Yunzhou commander, He Louzigang, passed away, and the emperor mourned his passing for quite some time. He then said to the officials around him, "Yulin is a key town of the country; where will we find another like Zigang?" A few days later, the emperor said, "I think no one is better suited than Du Yan to defend Yulin." So Du Yan was summoned and appointed as the general of Yunzhou.
When the Turks launched another invasion, Du Yan immediately captured and killed them. The northern tribes feared him and stayed away from the border. Several years later, the court acknowledged his earlier military accomplishments and granted his son the title of County Duke of Baoqian Cheng. In the 18th year of Daye, there was a war in Liaodong, and Du Yan followed the Han Prince as the army commander to Yingzhou. The emperor felt that Du Yan was familiar with military affairs, so he put him in charge of the military affairs of fifty camps. When he returned, he was then appointed as the general of Shuozhou.
The Turks invaded Yunzhou again, and the emperor tasked Yang Su with defeating them. However, the emperor was still worried about the border, so he appointed Du Yan as the general of Yunzhou because he had always made the Turks afraid. Not long after, Du Yan was recalled to the capital due to illness, and he passed away shortly thereafter at the age of sixty. His son Baoqian later served as the magistrate of Wencheng County during the latter years of the Daye dynasty.
Gao Li, courtesy name Jingde, was a native of Chao County, Bohai. He was the son of Gao Yue, the General of Qi and Prince of Qinghe. He was intelligent and handsome from a young age, and was kind-hearted, righteous, and dutiful. He was held in high regard by Qi Xianzu. At the age of seven, he inherited the title of Prince of Qinghe. At fourteen, he became the Governor of Qingzhou, and later held positions as Right Guard General, Commander-in-Chief, Minister of Ceremonies, and Chancellor. He was later regranted the title of Prince of Le'an. He was known for his integrity and talent, and was highly respected by many at the time. Hulü Mingyue also admired him greatly, always appointing him as his deputy in battles. He later rose to the positions of Chamberlain and Supervisor of the Right of the Secretariat.
After the defeat of the Qi dynasty by the Zhou army, Gao Li escorted the Empress Dowager back to Ye City. At that time, the eunuchs in the palace were particularly arrogant and overbearing, especially a favored eunuch named Gou Ziyi. Gao Li wanted to kill him as a warning to others, but the Empress Dowager pleaded for Gou Ziyi's life, and he spared him. Liu Wenshu privately said to Gao Li, "People like Gou Ziyi can decide others' fates with a single word; how can you let this happen?" Gao Li squared his shoulders and replied, "Enemies from the west are invading us daily, many ministers in the court have betrayed us, all because these people are abusing their power, putting the country on the verge of collapse! Even if I kill them today and get executed tomorrow, I won't regret it!" Liu Wenshu felt ashamed after hearing this.
After arriving in Ye City, Gao Mo advised the last ruler of Qi, saying, "Gather the families of officials of fifth rank and above to the San Tai platform, then threaten them by saying, 'If we lose the war, all these family members will be burned to death!' These people will fight to the death to avoid losing their loved ones, and only then can we defeat the enemy." However, the last ruler of Qi did not listen to him and instead abandoned Ye City and fled eastward. Gao Mo stayed in the palace and was ultimately captured by the Zhou army. Emperor Wu of Zhou met him, had a conversation with him and was very pleased to meet him. He asked Gao Mo about the reasons behind Qi's downfall. Gao Mo began to cry as he spoke, overwhelmed with grief, and Emperor Wu's expression changed as well. In the end, Emperor Wu appointed Gao Mo with the title of Kai Fu Yi Tong San Si.
When Liu Bang became prime minister, he said to Zang Tu, "The reason for the downfall of Qi was their reliance on those treacherous individuals. Your family is loyal and virtuous, known far and wide in neighboring regions. You should take good care of yourself!" Zang Tu repeatedly thanked him, saying, "I only joined the court after Qi's downfall. For generations, we have received the emperor's grace, but we failed to help stabilize the court and instead led to the country's destruction. Now, I am grateful for your forgiveness and worried about holding such a high position and fearing criticism."
Liu Bang held him in high regard and appointed Zang Tu in charge of administrative affairs in Yangzhou. Later, he promoted him to governor of Chuzhou, and the people enjoyed peace and prosperity. Before this, there was a temple dedicated to Wu Zixu in the north of the city, and there was a strong custom of revering ghosts and spirits. When people prayed, they would sacrifice cattle, sheep, and wine, even to the point of losing everything. Zang Tu sighed as he said, "Wu Zixu was a virtuous man, how can we let this harm the people?" So he ordered his subordinates to stop this practice, and the people benefited greatly from it.
Seven years ago, I was transferred to Gwangju as a regional governor. I submitted five strategies to the court, along with a memorial, stating: "I have heard that eradicating brutality is the achievement of emperors; pacifying rebellions is the model of ancient sagacity. Therefore, the Miao people's defiance of the heavenly mandate sparked the 'Dance of the Two Steps'; the Hou clan's refusal to be disciplined ultimately brought about the expedition of King Wu of Zhou. All of this is for the stability of the world and the salvation of the people! Since the Jin Dynasty lost control, the celestial order has been disrupted, and heroes have risen one after another, forming a situation of tripartite confrontation. The Chen Dynasty took advantage of the situation, rising from humble beginnings to power. Chen Qian expanded his influence like a serpent, occupying the Wuhui region; Chen Shubao, incompetent and cruel, brought calamity upon Jinling. In recent years, the tyranny of the Chen Dynasty has become increasingly severe. Corrupt officials hold sway, and a large number of commoners are conscripted, leading to the deaths of tens of thousands of people. Soldiers have been stationed for three years at the border defenses. Chen Shubao sometimes disguises himself to visit privately, indulging in the lavish estates of the nobility; sometimes he rides a swift horse and crashes in the bustling city. Those who serve well go unrewarded, the innocent are killed, the beacons are lit day and night, but Chen Shubao is not worried, lost in indulgence without restraint. Heaven abhors the Chen Dynasty's tyranny; demons and monsters roam, strange sounds are everywhere, ghost stories are spread on the streets, some even dig out livers to offer to celestial hounds, some voluntarily sacrifice themselves to appease evil spirits. The people and the deities alike are filled with resentment and fury; disasters are relentless, and celestial phenomena and human affairs all indicate the downfall of the Chen Dynasty. Although I am just an ordinary talent, the court has placed its trust in me, serving in border positions multiple times, and I have a deep understanding of the Chen Dynasty's circumstances. Now is a good opportunity to overthrow the Chen Dynasty; this is the will of Heaven. If the army goes to war, I will never be timid; allow me to serve you faithfully like a loyal hound or steed!" Emperor Gaozu was very pleased after reading my memorial and issued a commendation decree in reply.
When the imperial army attacked the Chen dynasty, I was appointed as the commander of the army and followed Duke Wang Shiji of Yiyang to attack Jiangzhou of the Chen dynasty. Because of my military achievements, I was appointed as the Governor of Shang Kaifu and was rewarded with three thousand bolts of cloth.
The Qiang people in Longyou frequently stirred up trouble, and the court heard that Xue Mai was very capable, so they sent him to be the governor of Taozhou. As soon as he took office, he vigorously implemented a policy of benevolence and severity, and the local populace and minority groups were pleased and willingly submitted to his authority. The Qiang people in the valleys all brought their families to the prefectural capital to pay their respects, amounting to several thousand households! Wrongdoers no longer dared to commit crimes, and there was no need to worry about picking up lost items on the road. The public order was outstanding! He served in that position for several years, with remarkable achievements, and everyone said he governed well. Later, the Tuyuhun tribe came to fight, and Xue Mai fell ill and was unable to mount a defense, so the enemy looted and then withdrew. Officials claimed that Xue Mai failed to adequately protect the people and even said that he accepted gifts from the Qiang people, so he was dismissed from office. Eventually, Xue Mai passed away at home at the age of fifty-six. His son Xue Shilian, however, was a famous figure.
In this way, Xue Mai was dismissed from office because he was unable to resist the invasion of the Tuyuhun tribe due to illness, causing the people to suffer losses. This is truly regrettable! Although he had remarkable achievements during his tenure, the fact that "there was no need to worry about picking up lost items on the road" reflected his outstanding governance ability, but unfortunately, the sudden outbreak of war and his own illness led to his dismissal. Perhaps this also reflects some helplessness in the officialdom at that time. He served the country all his life, but eventually ended up with such a fate, which is truly a cause for endless emotion. Fortunately, he left behind a famous son, Xue Shilian, which can be seen as a continuation of the family legacy.
Er Zhu Chang, styled Qianluo, was a Xiu Rong Qihu individual and a descendant of Er Zhu Rong. His father, Er Zhu Yanbo, served as the Chancellor and was also granted the title of Prince of Boling. Later, Emperor Wenxuan of Qi won a battle at Hanling and decimated the entire Er Zhu clan. From a young age, Er Zhu Chang grew up in the palace with his mother.
When he was twelve years old, he sneaked out of the palace and ran into the streets, where he saw a group of children playing. Er Zhu Chang took off his luxurious clothes, put on ordinary clothes, and ran away. His pursuers caught up with him, initially failing to recognize him and only seizing his discarded beautiful clothes. Once they realized their mistake and night had fallen, he managed to escape.
He then arrived at a village and saw an old lady named Changsun sitting on a stool. Er Zhu Chang implored her for assistance, and out of pity, she concealed him within the wall. Three years passed, and the manhunt for him intensified. Seeing that he was about to be discovered, the old lady said, "The situation is critical; I can no longer shelter you." She provided him with some money and sent him on his way.
He disguised himself as a Taoist, changed his name, and hid in Mount Song, studying classical texts. Over the years, people began to regard him with newfound respect. One day, he sat alone under a cliff, overcome with emotion, and exclaimed, "Is this how my life will be forever? What about Wu Zixu back then?" He then disguised himself and stealthily made his way west, returning to the territory of the Zhou Dynasty.
Emperor Taizu of Northern Zhou respected him greatly, appointing him as Grand General and Chief Palace Attendant, and granting him the title of Count of Lingshou with a fief of 1,500 households. He was later promoted to General of Chariots and Cavalry, and granted the title of Marquis. During the Baoding era, he was further promoted to Grand General Who Maintains Order and General of the Agile Cavalry, as well as appointed as the Prefect of the Palace. During the Tianhe period, his fief was expanded by an additional 500 households, and he successively served as the Inspector of Xinzhou, Linzhou, Xiongzhou, and Tongzhou, with his title elevated to that of Duke.
During the Eastern Expedition of Northern Zhou's Emperor Wu, Erzhu Chang requested to follow the expedition in a memorial, and Emperor Wu approved it. He was very brave in battle, capturing cities and forts, and was victorious in every battle, leading to his promotion as a High Official. Later, he served as the Governor of Southern Guangzhou, then returned to the capital to serve as the Grand General. Over a year later, he was later appointed as the Governor of Jiaozhou. During this time, he brought his mother-in-law and younger brother home to care for them.
After the abdication of the previous emperor, he was granted the title of Duke of a Border City. Later, during a rebellion in Qian'an, he was sent by the court to quell the uprising, which he successfully accomplished. Upon his return, he was appointed as the Governor of Jinzhou, and shortly after, transferred to be the Governor of Xuzhou. He served in these positions for several years, renowned for his strictness, instilling fear in both the populace and officials. As he grew older, he requested retirement in a memorial, and the court bestowed upon him two horses and a carriage, permitting his return to his hometown in Henei. He passed away at the age of seventy-two. His son, Erzhu Zui, inherited his title.
Zhou Yao, styled Shi'an, was of the same lineage as the Northern Wei imperial family. Originally surnamed Punai, his family later moved to Luoyang, where they changed their surname to Zhou. His great-grandfather was named Baba, his grandfather was named Youliugong, both holding the title of King of Beiping. His father was named Shuyan, who served as the Minister of Construction and Governor of Southern Jingzhou. Zhou Yao was known for his strong, decisive character, martial prowess, and cautious yet kind nature, always adhering to the law. He rose to the position of Chief of Staff and Equal to the Three Excellencies during his service in Northern Wei. After Emperor Min of Zhou usurped the throne, declaring himself emperor, he granted Zhou Yao the surname Chefei and titled him Duke of Jinshui. He successively served as the Governor of Suzhou and Chuzhou, and was greatly admired by the people. He followed the Emperor in suppressing rebellions during the Qi dynasty, achieving notable victories in every battle, which resulted in his promotion as a Pillar of the State and further enfeoffed as Duke of Kuiguo. Shortly thereafter, he was appointed Governor of Jinzhou.
At that time, Yang Jian, known as Emperor Gaozu, was the governor of Dingzhou. Empress Wenxian came from the capital to visit Yang Jian and passed through the area under the jurisdiction of Zhou Yao. Zhou Yao received the empress with a relatively simple ceremony. Later, Zhou Yao explained to the empress, "Although the government has a lot of money, I cannot spend it arbitrarily, as that would violate the law. As a subject, I cannot make decisions on my own." What integrity he showed! Yang Jian greatly appreciated Zhou Yao's adherence to the law. Later, Zhou Yao became Prime Minister, was granted the title Duke of Jibei, and subsequently served as the governor of Yuzhou. After Yang Jian became emperor, Zhou Yao's surname was changed back to Zhou.
In the early years of the Kaihuang period, the Turks frequently invaded the border areas, inflicting significant damage on Yanzhou and Jizhou. The previous governor, Li Chong, was killed by the Turks. Emperor Yang Jian pondered in court about how to defend the borders, and finally said, "No one is more suitable than Zhou Yao!" He then appointed Zhou Yao as the governor of Youzhou, in charge of military affairs in six states and fifty towns. Zhou Yao built defensive fortifications, strengthened reconnaissance and vigilance, enabling the border residents to live and work in peace. Six years later, Zhou Yao was transferred to Shouzhou. Feeling his age, he requested retirement, and the emperor summoned him back to the capital. The emperor met with him and praised him, saying, "You have been upright in your official career, with outstanding achievements. After experiencing three dynasties, you have finally achieved success and fame, and can enjoy a long life. It is truly admirable!" The emperor also gave him a seat cushion and permitted him to return home to rest. Over a year later, Zhou Yao passed away at home at the age of eighty-four, and was posthumously honored with the title Gong.
Dugu Kai, with the courtesy name Xiuzhe, originally went by the surname Li. His father, Li Tun, followed Emperor Qi Shenwu to fight against the Zhou Dynasty army in Shayuan. After the Qi army lost, Li Tun and his troops were captured by the Zhou Dynasty general Dugu Xin and became servants in the Dugu Xin household. Over time, he gained Dugu Xin's trust and was granted the Dugu surname. Dugu Kai was steady and honest from a young age, skilled in horseback riding and using a lance. He later became a guard for Yuwen Hu and eventually rose to the position of General of Cavalry.
He participated in many battles and was granted the title of Duke of Guanga County with a fief of one thousand households. He was later promoted to the position of Right Assistant Minister. In the final years of the Zhou Dynasty, he helped Wei Xiaokuan pacify the rebellion in Huainan, and for his achievements, his son Dugu Jingyun was appointed as the Duke of Xihexian. When Sui Wendi became Prime Minister, he promoted Dugu Kai to the position of Governor and often put him in charge of trusted troops. After Sui Wendi became Emperor, Dugu Kai was appointed as the General of the Right Guard and further ennobled as the Duke of Ruyang County. Years later, he was promoted to the position of Right Guard General.
During the Ren Shou period, Dugu Kai was sent to serve as the Governor of Yuanzhou. At that time, Prince Yang Xiu was stationed in Yizhou, and the court wanted to recall him to the capital, but he hesitated. The court feared that Yang Xiu might rebel, so they quickly sent Dugu Kai to replace him in Yizhou. Yang Xiu did indeed have rebellious intentions, but after several attempts at persuasion from Dugu Kai, Yang Xiu finally set off for the capital. Dugu Kai sensed that Yang Xiu still harbored intentions of rebellion, so he quickly deployed troops to prevent any surprises. When Yang Xiu reached Xingle, about forty miles from Yizhou, he intended to ambush Dugu Kai. However, after sending someone to investigate Dugu Kai's movements, he realized that Dugu Kai was not to be trifled with and abandoned the plan. Dugu Kai implemented many policies to benefit the people in Yizhou, and the people of Shu continue to praise him to this day.
After Emperor Yang of Sui ascended the throne, Dugu Kai was appointed Governor of Bingzhou. Later, he fell ill and lost his sight, so he submitted a request to retire. Emperor Yang of Sui said, "You are an old minister from the previous dynasty, who served two emperors with high moral character and reputation. I will let you rest at home without the burden of state affairs." He then sent his eldest son, Dugu Lingyun, to act as the interim Governor of Bingzhou. This shows how highly Emperor Yang of Sui regarded him. Several years later, Dugu Kai was reassigned as the Prefect of Changping, but he passed away before taking office, posthumously granted the title "Gong." His sons, Dugu Lingyun, Dugu Pingyun, and Dugu Yanyun, all gained considerable fame. Dugu Kai's brother, Dugu Sheng, is recorded in the "Cheng Jie Zhuan."
Qifu Hui, styled Linghe, was a Xianbei from Mayi in Shanxi. His grandfather, Qifu Zhou, was the Silver Seal Grand Master of Wei, and his father, Qifu Zuan, was the Golden Purple Grand Master, both being leading figures in the Xianbei tribe. Qifu Hui was a spirited and principled individual from a young age, skilled in mounted archery, and enjoyed raising hunting falcons and hounds.
During the reign of Emperor Wenxuan of Northern Qi, he became the Left Deputy of the Imperial Secretariat and later rose to the position of General Who Pacifies Rebels. He continued to advance in ranks, becoming the Right Guard General, Minister Steward, and was eventually granted the title of Prince of Yimin County. His brother, Qifu Guihe, was also enfeoffed as a prince due to his military achievements, making both brothers princes, a truly remarkable achievement.
After the Northern Zhou Emperor Wu conquered Northern Qi, he appointed him as a special envoy with full authority and General of the Opening Offices, later serving as the Senior Official of the Right Division of the Jifei Army, and then transferred to the position of the Senior Official of the Xiongqu. When Emperor Wen of Sui was the Prime Minister, Qifu Hui followed Wei Xiaokuan to fight against Wei Dun in Wuzhi, winning every battle. He was later appointed as the Grand General and was rewarded with eight hundred rolls of cloth. After suppressing the rebellion of Wei Jiong, he was promoted to the rank of Pillar of the Nation, granted the title of Duke of Xihe Commandery with a fief of three thousand households, and further rewarded with two thousand three hundred rolls of cloth. He requested to pass on his official position and title to his elder brother, but the court refused his request, and many people at the time admired his sense of righteousness.
After Emperor Wen of Sui became emperor, he appointed him as the Inspector of Caozhou. Caozhou had a reputation for poor customs, as many common people were hiding and deceiving, and the household registration was always falsified. After Qifu Hui took office, he conducted a thorough investigation and discovered tens of thousands of households that had gone unreported. He was later transferred to serve as the Governor of Liangzhou. At that time, the Turks frequently harassed the border, so Qifu Hui strengthened border vigilance and patrols, sent people to scout enemy movements in distant places, and the Turks feared him and did not dare to invade.
A year later, he was transferred to serve as the Inspector of Qizhou, where he discovered thousands of unreported households. He was then promoted to the Governor of Shouzhou. That year, he was appointed as the Inspector of Qizhou, and after several years in office, he was promoted to the Governor of Xuzhou. By then, he was over seventy years old, and he requested retirement in a formal petition, but the emperor rejected it. Soon after, he was transferred to serve as the Governor of Jingzhou, concurrently serving as the Governor of Tanzhou and Guizhou, commanding the military of thirty-one states. The locals in Jingzhou had a reputation for being frivolous and prone to looting, so Qifu Hui led by example, living a simple life to guide them, resulting in a significant improvement in local morale.
Once, he saw someone using a bamboo basket to catch fish, so he took out some cloth to buy the fish and then released them. This shows just how kind-hearted he was! The common people hold him in high regard and call the place where he lived "West River Public Valley." Later, he was transferred to be the Prefect of Qinzhou. After Emperor Yang of Sui ascended the throne, he was appointed as the Prefect of Tianshui. In the fifth year of the Daye era, Emperor Yang of Sui campaigned against the Tuyuhun. Because Tianshui County is close to the border, the people were struggling. Additionally, as Emperor Yang of Sui went on a western tour, due to poorly maintained roads and inadequate food supplies, he was furious and ordered Qifu Hui's execution. Upon seeing Qifu Hui's white hair, he let him go, removed his official position, and permitted him to return home and live as a commoner. In the end, he died at home.
Zhang Wei, a man of unknown origins, was the son of Zhang Chen, who served as the Prefect of Hongnong during the Wei Dynasty. Zhang Wei was handsome and ambitious from a young age, skilled in horseback riding and archery, and much stronger than the average person. During the Zhou Dynasty, he participated in many battles and rose to the position of Zhuguo and Jingzhao Yin, and was granted the title of Duke of Changshou County with a land grant supporting one thousand households. Later, when Wang Qian rebelled, the Emperor appointed Zhang Wei as the General of the Marching Army to follow the Marshal Liang Rui in suppressing the rebellion.
The army reached Tonggu, and Wang Qian's general Li Sanwang commanded elite troops to defend. Liang Rui appointed Zhang Wei as the vanguard. Initially, Li Sanwang kept the camp gates shut and refused to engage in battle. Zhang Wei shouted insults at them to provoke them into battle. Li Sanwang took the bait and dispatched his troops. Zhang Wei commanded his warriors to launch a fierce attack, resulting in the defeat of Li Sanwang's army. The main force followed up, capturing and killing over four thousand soldiers. The army continued to advance to Kaiyuan, where Wang Qian's general Zhao Yan commanded a hundred thousand troops, encamped thirty miles away. Zhang Wei carved a path through the mountains, launching a rear attack on Zhao Yan. Zhao Yan was routed and fled. Zhang Wei chased him to Chengdu, where he clashed with Wang Qian in a major battle, taking command of the central forces. After Wang Qian was defeated, Zhang Wei was promoted to Grand Marshal and appointed governor of Luzhou. After Emperor Gaozu took the throne, Zhang Wei successively served as the governor of Youzhou and Luozhou, and was bestowed the title of Duke of Jinxi. Soon after, he became the Prefect of the Hebei Circuit, and later oversaw the affairs of the Prince of Jin's court. A few years later, he was appointed governor of Qingzhou, and the court rewarded him with eight hundred thousand coins, five hundred bushels of rice, and three hundred bolts of assorted silks.
When Zhang Wei was in Qingzhou, he was very keen on managing his enterprises and sent his servants to sell radishes in the market, which resulted in his servants exploiting the locals. The emperor was furious and sternly reprimanded him, dismissing him from his position. Later, when the emperor went to Mount Tai to offer sacrifices and passed through Luoyang, he said to Zhang Wei, "Since I have obtained the world, I have always entrusted you with important positions, which I have done with all my heart. Why don’t you focus on self-cultivation instead of just chasing profits? Not only have you let down my trust, but you have also damaged your reputation." The emperor then asked Zhang Wei, "Where is the tablet you usually carry?" Zhang Wei bowed and apologized, saying, "I have committed a crime and broken the law; I can’t bear to carry it anymore. I have already hidden it at home." The emperor said, "Bring it to me." The next day, Zhang Wei presented the tablet to the emperor, who said, "Although you have not followed the laws, your contributions are indeed great, and I will not forget your merits. Now I return the tablet to you." Therefore, the emperor appointed him as the Prefect of Luozhou and later ennobled him as the Duke of Xuan Cheng County. He was soon reassigned as the Governor of Xiangzhou and eventually passed away while in office. His son, Zhang Zhi, rose to the rank of Military General during the Daye era.
He Hong was from Runan. He had exceptional martial skills and was particularly brave since childhood. During the reign of Emperor Wu of Northern Zhou, he followed the emperor on multiple expeditions and battles, gradually rising in ranks due to his military achievements, eventually becoming the Grand General of Chariots and Cavalry and the equal of the Three Excellencies.
At that time, the leaders of the tribal factions in Longzhou, Ren Gongxin and Li Guoli, mobilized their forces to revolt, and Governor Dugu Shan was unable to manage the situation. After careful consideration, the court recognized He Hong's exceptional military talent and appointed him to replace Dugu Shan as the governor. Within a month, he captured Ren Gongxin and Li Guoli, killing them both, and pacified the other rebels as well.
Later, following the emperor to attack Heyin, Hong fought bravely and broke through the west gate of Heyin City. The emperor greatly appreciated him and rewarded him with a large amount of cloth, a total of one thousand pieces. Afterwards, he followed the emperor in pacifying the State of Qi, was promoted to the rank of Upper Yitong official, enfeoffed as the Duke of Beiping, granted a fief of eight hundred households, and appointed as the Left Assistant Minister of Military Affairs. During Prime Minister Wang Gui's campaign to suppress the rebellion of Wu Mingche, Hong also made contributions and was promoted to Kaifu, and later transferred to the position of Zhechong Zhong Daifu.
When Wei Jiong rebelled in Xiangzhou, the court appointed Hong as the commander-in-chief of the army, allowing him to follow Wei Xiaokuan to suppress the rebellion. When the army arrived at Heyang, Wei Jiong sent troops to surround Huaizhou, but Hong, along with General Yu Wenshu and others, drove away Wei Jiong's army. He also defeated Wei Jiong's son, Wei Dun, in Wuzhi. After the pacification of Xiangzhou, due to Hong's meritorious deeds in every battle, he was enfeoffed as the Duke of Zhu Guo, granted the title of Duke of Guangwu, and given a fief of two thousand households. Overall, the emperor rewarded him with ten thousand pieces of cloth, fifty servants, one hundred pieces of gold and silverware, and one hundred cattle and horses.
At that time, Dongxia had just been pacified and the people's hearts were still unstable. Because of Hong's reputation, Emperor Gaozu appointed him to manage the affairs of Jizhou, where he performed excellently and gained the people's trust. After a few years, the court summoned him back to serve as the Chief of Transportation and Canals, and later promoted him to the position of governor of Sizhou. When the Turks invaded the northern border, the court appointed Hong as the commander-in-chief of the Northern Army to defend against the Turks. He defeated the Turkic army and pursued them into the desert before returning. Later, he was appointed as the supervisor of Xuzhou, and passed away at the age of sixty-four.
Hou Mo Chen Ying, courtesy name "Zundao," was a native of Daijun. His family followed the Wei Kingdom southward, with several generations of his family serving as high-ranking military officers. His father, Hou Mo Chen Chong, held many important positions during the Wei and Zhou dynasties, eventually attaining the title of Grand Minister of Works. From a young age, Hou Mo Chen Ying exhibited the qualities of a great general, and was both handsome and well-respected by his peers. Near the end of the Wei Dynasty, thanks to his father's military accomplishments, he was granted the title of Marquis of Guangping, and later promoted several times to the position of Supervisor of the Left in the Crown Prince's household.
During the reign of Emperor Wu of the Zhou Dynasty, he followed Prince Teng Xiao You to quell the rebellious tribes in Longquan and Wencheng. He and General Dou Lu Ji, a key figure, led separate forces to launch simultaneous attacks from different directions. After marching over five hundred miles with his army, Hou Mo Chen Ying captured three enemy strongholds. Previously, these rebellious tribes often raided the border population and enslaved them. At that time, the court decreed that any tribesman found hiding innocent civilians would face execution, with their families and properties confiscated. It was said that in a certain tribe, some innocent civilians were hidden, and Dou Lu Ji intended to kill all the villagers. Hou Mo Chen Ying stopped him, saying, "As generals on the battlefield, some orders can be interpreted flexibly. Not all of these tribesmen are truly rebellious; many were forced into rebellion. With our army pressing forward, the leaders of the rebellion will be fearful, and those forced into rebellion may wish to surrender. Let us first pacify them without resorting to battle. If we kill them outright, they will only become more terrified, making the situation harder to handle. It is better to summon their leaders, hand over the hidden civilians to them, and allow them to surrender voluntarily, thereby restoring stability among all the tribes." Dou Lu Ji followed his advice. The tribesmen were moved and surrendered one after another, bringing peace to the northern border.
Hou Mo Chen Ying was appointed as the Minister of Military Affairs and was bestowed the title of Grand Master of Zhenwei. During the reign of Emperor Wen of Sui, he was appointed as the Governor of Changzhou. Later, when Emperor Wen of Sui ascended the throne, Hou Mo Chen Ying did not assume his position and was further appointed as a Duke of Shengping. Shortly after, he was appointed as the Governor of Yanzhou. A few years later, he was transferred to be the Governor of Chenzhou. During the wars to pacify the Chen dynasty, he served as the commander of the marching army, following Prince Qin Yang Jun to lead troops out from Lushan Road. After the surrender of Chen dynasty generals Xun Fashang and Chen Ji, Hou Mo Chen Ying and General Duan Wenzhen crossed the Yangtze River to reassure the newly surrendered populace. He was then appointed as the Governor of Raozhou, but before he could take up his post, he was transferred to be the Governor of Yingzhou, where he enacted benevolent policies. After serving in Yingzhou for several years, he was dismissed from his position due to his close ties with Prince Qin Yang Jun. When the people bid him farewell, they all wept and collectively erected a stele to praise his integrity and virtue.
Not long after, he was appointed as the Acting Governor of Fenzhou, and shortly after as the Governor of Xingzhou. During the Renshou period, Niu Hong, the Minister of Personnel, was ordered to inspect Shandong and believed that Hou Mo Chen Ying was the finest official in Shandong. Emperor Wen of Sui was pleased and issued an edict to commend him. At that time, the court believed that most governors and county magistrates in Lingnan were corrupt and unscrupulous, and the local tribes resented the rule and revolted. Therefore, they sought out honest officials to restore order in Lingnan. The court summoned Hou Mo Chen Ying to the capital. After arriving in the capital, Emperor Wen of Sui engaged him in conversation about many past events, and the two laughed and talked freely. A few days later, Hou Mo Chen Ying was promoted to Grand General and appointed as the Commander of Guizhou, overseeing military affairs in seventeen states. The Emperor also granted him numerous rewards and then sent him to take up his post. Upon arriving in Guizhou, he was greatly loved by the people; both locals and ethnic minorities respected him, and many ethnic minorities from deep in the mountains surrendered to him.
After Emperor Yang of Sui ascended to the throne, the elder brother of Hou Mochen Ying, the Duke of Liang, Hou Mochen Rui, was exiled to the border regions for misconduct. The court feared that Hou Mochen Ying might feel uneasy about this, so they summoned him back to the capital. Several years later, he was appointed as the Governor of Mount Heng. That year, many areas in the Lingnan and Minyue regions resisted the court's authority. Emperor Yang of Sui remembered Hou Mochen Ying's past achievements in Guizhou, where he gained the trust and support of the local people, so he appointed him as the Governor of Nanhai once again. Four years later, he died in office and was posthumously honored with the title "Ding." His son, Hou Mochen Qianhui, also gained prominence.
Historical records indicate that Du Yandong fought during the Xia Dynasty in the southern regions, earning many merits. Later, he guarded the northern frontier, where peace reigned. Even in his final moments, Gao Mei maintained a commanding presence and harbored a deep hatred for evildoers, leaving behind a good reputation. Erzhu Chang had great talent from a young age, but he managed to resist the lure of power. Even if his accomplishments were tarnished, he had the ability to restore them. Isn't this an act of benevolence and wisdom?
Zhou Yao was highly regarded for his dependability, Dugu Xin earned a wide reputation for his compassion towards the people, Qifu Huineng peacefully relinquished control of the country, and the areas governed by the Hou Mochen family were all very well managed. Some of these individuals were skilled in governance, while others embodied benevolence and righteousness, all worthy of praise. Hui, due to his modest tent, nearly faced demotion, but he entered the court at a young age and served through three reigns, ultimately enjoying wealth and prestige until he passed away peacefully, all because of his honesty and lack of pretense.
