Huangfu Dan, styled Xuanlv, was from the Wushi clan in Anding. His grandfather, Huangfu He, served as the Governor of Jiaozhou during the Wei Kingdom, and his father, Huangfu Fan, served as a regional governor during the Zhou and Sui Dynasties. Huangfu Dan had a strong-willed and natural leader personality from a young age. During the Zhou Dynasty, Bi Wang appointed him as a military officer in charge of the granary. After Emperor Wen of Sui, Yang Jian, ascended to the throne, Huangfu Dan was appointed as the Deputy Minister of War. Several years later, he was sent to Luzhou as the Chief Officer. During the Kaihuang period, he returned to the court, where he served successively as the Deputy Minister of Rites and the Deputy Minister of Justice, where he excelled. He was later promoted to the Censor, and all the ministers in the court respected him. Emperor Wen of Sui was concerned about the large number of refugees, so he sent Huangfu Dan as an ambassador to Henan Province to investigate the reasons. Upon his return, Huangfu Dan reported to the emperor, and his report pleased the emperor, who then appointed him as the Junior Minister of Justice. The following year, he was promoted to the Deputy Minister of Personnel, but soon resigned due to his mother's death. Shortly after, he was reinstated and promoted to the Deputy Minister of Personnel. At that time, Prince Han, Yang Liang, was appointed as the Governor of Bingzhou, and many officials, including notable figures as Chief Officers and Generals, were carefully selected to assist him. Emperor Wen of Sui trusted Huangfu Dan's integrity and appointed him as the Marshal of Bingzhou, with Yang Liang consulting him on government affairs and showing him great respect.
When Emperor Yang Guang of the Sui Dynasty ascended the throne, he summoned Yang Liao back to the court. Yang Liao followed the advice of his counselor Wang Kui and rebelled. Huangfu Dan advised Yang Liao several times, but Yang Liao did not listen. Huangfu Dan cried and said, "I estimate that Your Majesty's forces are not strong enough to take the capital. Moreover, the roles of ruler and subject are already established, and the dynamics of loyalty and rebellion are entirely different. Even if your army is elite, it will be difficult to win. I hope Your Majesty will follow the imperial edict and return to the capital, observe the duties of a subject, so that you can enjoy a long life like a sturdy pine, and your descendants can prosper for generations. If you continue to delay and get involved in the rebellion, once you are executed, you will not even be able to become a commoner. I hope you will consider my words and devise a foolproof plan; I dare to guarantee it with my life!" Yang Liao was furious and imprisoned him.
When the army of Yang Su was about to arrive, Yang Liao stationed his troops in Qingyuan to mount a defense. Yang Liao's chief scribe, Dou Lu Yu, released Huangfu Dan from prison, and the two strategized together, closing the city gates to resist Yang Liao. Yang Liao breached the city gates, and Huangfu Dan tragically lost his life in battle. Emperor Yang Guang mourned Huangfu Dan's sacrifice for the country for a long time. He issued a decree saying, "Honoring loyalty and righteousness is a fundamental principle of our nation, and it is equally important to provide a proper burial for loyal ministers. Sima Huangfu Dan, the governor of Bingzhou, was knowledgeable, had high aspirations, diligently fulfilled his duties, and achieved remarkable accomplishments. During Yang Liao's rebellion, he remained loyal to the court and did not follow the rebels. Although he was detained by the rebels, he remained true to his principles and secretly resisted with the righteous men in the city. Outnumbered by the enemy, he tragically lost his life in battle. He is posthumously honored as a pillar of the state, granted the title of Duke of Hongyi, and posthumously given the honorific title of Ming." His son Huangfu Wuyi inherited his title.
Wu Yi was appointed as the Prefect of Yuyang and performed exceptionally well, earning a good reputation. Later, due to the enforcement of the "Daye Order," all his previous titles were revoked. However, because of Wu Yi's upright character and loyalty, the emperor granted him the title of Marquis of Pingyu. He later returned to court and served as the Minister of Justice, concurrently holding the position of Right Martial Guards General.
Initially, when Prince Han Liang revolted, almost all the states and counties responded to him, except for Colonel Tao Mo of Lanzhou and Magistrate Jing Zhao, who stood their ground and did not surrender. Tao Mo, a native of Jingzhao, was intelligent and capable. During the Renshou period, he served as the Colonel of Lanzhou. After Prince Han Liang rebelled, Governor Qiao Zhongkui led troops against the rebellion, but Tao Mo stopped him, saying, "Prince Han has evil intentions. You enjoy the emperor's favor and hold a high position as a regional governor. You should devote yourself to serving the court wholeheartedly to repay the emperor's grace. How can you assist the tyrant while the emperor's coffin has yet to be laid to rest?" Qiao Zhongkui was shocked and asked, "Are you planning to rebel, Colonel?" Despite Qiao Zhongkui's threats, Tao Mo remained steadfast. Impressed by his resolve, Qiao Zhongkui released him. His subordinates suggested, "If we don't kill Tao Mo, how can we deter others?" So they imprisoned Tao Mo, seized his property, and distributed it among themselves. After Prince Han Liang's rebellion was suppressed, Emperor Yang of Sui admired Tao Mo and appointed him as Grand Minister, and later as Daxing Ling.
Later, when Yang Xuange rebelled, Tao Mo led troops to follow Wei Xuan to suppress the rebellion. Due to his military achievements, he was promoted to Silver and Blue Grandee, and eventually died in his official position.
Jing Zhao, styled Jishan, was a native of Puzhou, Shanxi. His father was named Yuan Yue and had served as a mid-level official in the Bureau of Civil Affairs during the Northern Zhou dynasty. Jing Zhao became the magistrate of Fanzhi County during the Sui Renshou period, demonstrating exceptional skills and earning a strong reputation. Later, when bandits attacked, he fought valiantly to the end, but the city ultimately fell.
Bandit leader Mo Bi stole his possessions and threatened him with a sword, saying, "You're finished!" Jing Zhao was not afraid at all; he stood his ground. Mo Bi was impressed by his defiance and let him go, handing him over to the phony general Qiao Zhongkui. Qiao Zhongkui wanted to appoint Jing Zhao as the governor of Daizhou, but Jing Zhao firmly refused him multiple times. Qiao Zhongkui became furious and shouted, "Either accept the official position, or I'll kill you!" Jing Zhao replied, "I was originally a county magistrate. In this troubled time, I haven't been able to protect the city or sacrifice for the country. It's embarrassing enough. How can you use a phony court's title to pressure me? Life and death are fated; I have never heard of such a thing!"
Qiao Zhongkui became even angrier, glaring at Jing Zhao and saying fiercely, "Aren't you scared of dying?" He was ready to strike. At that moment, Yang Yichen's army arrived, and Qiao Zhongkui hurried out to battle, only to suffer a defeat, which allowed Jing Zhao to escape. In the third year of Daye of Emperor Yang of Sui, while Emperor Yang was avoiding the summer heat in Fenyang Palace, Liu Quan, the chief official of Daizhou, and Cui Bao, the governor, petitioned the court for a reward for Jing Zhao, but Yu Shiji rejected it. Later, Jing Zhao was promoted to become the magistrate of Chaoyi County, but he died shortly after.
You Yuan, styled as Chu Ke, was from Guangping and was the great-grandson of Xian of Weichao Wugeng. His father, You Baozang, held the position of governor. You Yuan was bright and quick-witted from an early age. At the age of sixteen, Xu Xianshou, the Minister of Works of Qi, recommended him to serve as a military officer. After Emperor Wu of Zhou pacified the Qi State, You Yuan successively served as the magistrate of Shouchun County and the governor of Qiaozhou, achieving significant political success. During the reign of Emperor Wen of Sui, he was appointed as an imperial inspector. When Prince Jin, Yang Guang, took office as the governor of Yangzhou, he appointed You Yuan as a legal officer, but he resigned after his father's death. He later took on the role of an internal supervisor. After Emperor Yang of Sui took the throne, You Yuan was promoted to the position of Shangshu Duzhi Lang.
During the Liaodong Campaign, You Yuan served as the Chief Historian of the Left Valiant Guard and also held the concurrent title of military inspector of Gaimu Dao. He was appointed as a Court Official and concurrently served as an Imperial Secretary. After Yu Wenshu's defeat of the nine armies, Emperor Yang of Sui ordered You Yuan to investigate their cases. At that time, Yu Wenshu was immensely powerful, with his son Yu Wenshi even married to the Princess of Nanyang, and his influence was felt throughout the court. Yu Wenshu sent his servants to find You Yuan, hoping to make a request. However, You Yuan refused to meet with him. After several days, Yu Wenshu repeatedly approached You Yuan, questioning him, saying: "You are in a high position, deeply trusted by the emperor, and should reflect on yourself and advise the ruler. How can you instead send someone to seek my help? What do you want?" You Yuan grew increasingly stern in his questioning and eventually reported him to the emperor. Emperor Yang of Sui praised You Yuan's integrity and rewarded him with a set of court attire.
Nine years later, You Yuan received orders to supervise the transportation of military provisions in Liyang, at which time Yang Xuangan rebelled. Yang Xuangan confronted You Yuan, saying, "Emperor Yang of Sui is tyrannical and unjust; the scholars and officials are being slaughtered like pigs and dogs, especially those of us trapped in remote areas with no military provisions. This is the time for heaven to
Feng Ciming, whose courtesy name was Wuyi, was from Changle, Xindu. His father Feng Cong served as an official in Northern Qi, achieving the rank of Right Deputy Minister of Works. At the age of fourteen, Feng Ciming was appointed as a military officer in the service of Prince Huaiyang due to his family's connection with the prince. He later became the chief clerk of Sizhou and then was promoted to be a Gentleman of the Imperial Library.
After Emperor Wu of Zhou conquered Northern Qi, Feng Ciming was appointed as a commander. When Emperor Wen of Sui, Yang Jian, became emperor, he established three offices, and Feng Ciming was appointed as a military officer in the Ministry of Works and Granaries. He continued to rise through the ranks, eventually becoming a Deputy Director of the Department of Rites. When Prince Jin, Yang Guang, became the military governor of Bingzhou, he selected Feng Ciming to serve as his military aide.
Later, Feng Ciming became an Assistant Minister in the Ministry of Personnel and also served as a Gentleman of the Imperial Secretariat. After Emperor Yang of Sui, Yang Guang, ascended to the throne, Feng Ciming resigned from his post following his mother's death. Emperor Yang held some reservations about Feng Ciming, who had served in both the princely estate and the court, and therefore demoted him to deputy general in Yiwu Town. Before he could assume the role, he was reassigned to be a prefect in Jiaozhi County. In the ninth year of Daye, Feng Ciming was recalled to the court. At that time, the Vice Minister of War, Husi Zheng, had fled to Goryeo. Emperor Yang offered comfort and encouragement to Feng Ciming when he saw him. Shortly after, Feng Ciming was appointed Gentleman of the Ministry of War and was also granted the title of Grand Master. In the thirteenth year of Daye, he served as the acting prefect of Jiangdu County.
This account details the events surrounding the downfall of Feng Ciming during the Sui Dynasty. When Li Mi attacked Luoyang, the court ordered Feng Ciming to pacify the Chaohe and Luoshui River basins, and to lead troops to pursue Li Mi. As they approached Yanling, Feng Ciming was captured by Li Mi's subordinates, Cui Shu. Li Mi invited Feng Ciming to his seat, comforted him with kind words, and then said, "The Sui Dynasty is finished, chaos is everywhere. I lead a righteous army, undefeated in every battle, and Luoyang is about to be breached. I now want to lead the national army to attack Yang Guang; what's your take on that?" Feng Ciming replied, "I, Feng Ciming, have always been an upright person. Even if I die, it doesn't matter. I can't betray my conscience." Li Mi was displeased but still hoped Feng Ciming might reconsider later, so he treated him even more politely.
Feng Ciming secretly sent a memorial to Yang Guang and wrote a letter to the commander of Luoyang, assessing Li Mi's situation. Li Mi found out about this, and out of a sense of honor, he decided to release him. When Feng Ciming reached the camp gate, Li Mi's general Zhai Rang angrily said, "You sent a letter to someone else and got caught by us. Duke Wei (referring to Li Mi) has been so kind to you, and you don't appreciate it at all. Aren't you afraid?" Feng Ciming was furious and said, "The Emperor sent me here to eliminate you rebels, not to let you catch me. Do you expect me to beg for mercy? If you're going to kill me, then go ahead; why curse me!" He then said to the rebel soldiers, "You didn't have bad intentions; you only came here to loot because of the famine. The official army is about to arrive; you should start thinking about your own futures!" Zhai Rang became even more angry and killed Feng Ciming in a fit of rage.
When Feng Ciming died, he was sixty-eight years old. Yang Wang, the Governor of Liangjun, reported this incident, and Emperor Yang of Sui expressed deep regret. He posthumously honored Feng Ciming with the title of Grand Master of Ceremonies and awarded him a silver and green robe, and appointed his two sons, Feng Dun and Feng Peng, as Assistant Secretaries in the Ministry of Personnel. Later, Wang Chong supported Prince Yue Yang Dong as Emperor and posthumously honored Feng Ciming as a pillar of the state, Minister of Revenue, and Marquis of Changli County, with the posthumous title of Zhuangwu.
The eldest son, named Chen, had been in the Eastern Capital. Wang Chong defeated Li Mi, and Chen was also in the army. He sent a servant to carry his father's coffin to the Eastern Capital instead of seeing him off himself. Not long after, he had a grand wedding. Many people criticized him for doing so.
This guy, whose father had just died, didn’t even attend the funeral himself, but let a servant carry it while he was busy getting married over there. It’s just hard to stomach! At that time, many people thought he was too unfilial and heartless. Isn't this rushing things? The funeral isn't even over yet, and he's in a rush to get married, which is also very inappropriate!
Zhang Xuduo hails from Wanhua Township in Hongnong, known for his strong character, courage, and strategic mind. When he was young, he followed Shi Wansui to attack the Western Cuan, earned merit and was appointed as a Yitong Sanqi official, and was rewarded with three hundred bolts of cloth. After Emperor Yang of Sui ascended the throne, Prince Han Liang rebelled in Bingzhou, and Zhang Xuduo followed Yang Su to suppress the rebellion, and his official position was promoted to Kaifu. Just when he was about to send troops to Liaodong, the common people were struggling with unemployment and faced disasters and famine, causing food prices to soar. Zhang Xuduo wanted to open the granaries to assist those affected by the disaster, but his subordinates insisted, "We have to wait for the emperor’s decree; we can’t do this ourselves." Zhang Xuduo said, "The emperor is far away in Liaodong, sending messengers back and forth will definitely take a long time. The people are in urgent need now; if we wait for the imperial decree, they will all starve to death in the ditches. If I get punished for this, I won’t regret it!" So he opened the granaries to distribute food first, and then submitted a memorial to the court. When the emperor found out, he didn’t blame him.
In the second year, the bandit leader Wang Bo gathered tens of thousands of outlaws and plundered the Qi commandery. The officials and soldiers took action, but most of them suffered defeats. Zhang Xuduo led the troops to resist, and Wang Bo led his forces south to plunder the Lu commandery. Zhang Xuduo pursued relentlessly and caught up at the foot of Mount Dai. Wang Bo, relying on his previous victories, was unprepared. Zhang Xuduo carefully selected elite soldiers and launched a surprise attack on Wang Bo, resulting in a crushing defeat for Wang Bo's forces. Zhang Xuduo pursued the fleeing enemy, decimating their ranks and beheading thousands. Wang Bo regrouped his scattered troops, still with over ten thousand remaining, and intended to flee north across the Yellow River. Zhang Xuduo pursued them to Linyi and achieved another victory, beheading more than five thousand and capturing countless livestock. At that time, the world had enjoyed a long period of peace, and many people were not accustomed to warfare. Only Zhang Xuduo was brave and decisive, skilled in battle, and adept at comforting his soldiers, winning the soldiers' loyalty and admiration, becoming a celebrated general.
Wang Bo launched another campaign to the north, alongside bandits like Sun Xuanya, Shi Zhida, and Hao Xiaode, amassing over a hundred thousand, attacking Zhangqiu. Zhang Xuduo dispatched his navy to block their crossing and personally led twenty thousand troops, both infantry and cavalry, to launch an attack, defeating the enemy and scattering the bandits. When they reached the crossing, they were blocked by the navy and attacked from both sides, leading to a chaotic retreat and capturing a large amount of wealth and supplies. Zhang Xuduo reported to the court. The emperor was very pleased, issued a decree to commend him, and sent people to present a portrait of him. In the same year, bandits such as Pei Changcai and Shi Zihe suddenly arrived with twenty thousand troops, plundering everywhere. Zhang Xuduo did not have time to gather his troops, so he personally led five cavalry to fight. The bandits swarmed in, surrounding him on all sides, and he sustained many injuries but continued to fight bravely. At this time, reinforcements from the city arrived, forcing the bandits to retreat momentarily. Zhang Xuduo rallied his troops for another assault, and Pei Changcai was routed and fled.
After several dozen days, the bandit leader Qin Junhong, Guo Fangyu, and others surrounded Beihai with their troops; their forces were formidable. Zhang Xuduo said to his subordinates, "The bandits are overconfident, thinking we won't come to their rescue. Let's hurry and head out; we can definitely defeat them!" So he selected elite soldiers, marched day and night, and indeed caught the bandits completely off guard. Zhang Xuduo defeated the enemy army, beheaded tens of thousands, and captured three thousand carts of supplies. The Sili governor, Pei Cao, reported to the court, and the emperor sent envoys to commend him. Ten years later, the bandit Zuo Xiaoyou led a hundred thousand troops and encamped at Dungou Mountain. Zhang Xuduo deployed the Eight Winds formation as he advanced, and also divided his troops to guard the key passes. Zuo Xiaoyou had no option but to surrender. His associates Jie Xiang, Wang Liang, Zheng Dabiao, Li Han, and others, each with tens of thousands of troops, were all brought to heel by Zhang Xuduo. His reputation struck fear across both sides. For his contributions, he was promoted to Prefect of Qijun while also serving as Chief Ambassador for the twelve counties of Henan.
Soon after, the bandit leader Lu Mingyue led over 100,000 troops to attack Hebei, stationed at Zhu'a. Zhang Xuduo ambushed them, killing thousands. Bandits such as Lu Mingxing, Shuai Rentai, and Huo Xiaohan each had tens of thousands of troops, raiding Jibei. Zhang Xuduo led his troops to victory against them. He then mounted a defense against the bandit Zhai Rang in Dongjun, fighting over thirty battles and defeating them each time. Zhang Xuduo was promoted to the position of Prefect of Yingyang. At this time, Li Mi urged Zhai Rang to attack Luokou Warehouse. Zhai Rang, fearing Zhang Xuduo's prowess, hesitated to act rashly. Li Mi persuaded him, and Zhai Rang, together with Li Mi, advanced their troops towards Yingyang. Zhang Xuduo resisted them. Zhai Rang, fearing the situation, retreated, and Zhang Xuduo pursued them for over ten miles. Li Mi had already ambushed thousands of troops in the woods and attacked Zhang Xuduo's army, resulting in Zhang Xuduo's defeat. Li Mi and Zhai Rang joined forces to besiege Zhang Xuduo. Zhang Xuduo led his remaining troops to break through, but the soldiers on the left and right flanks were unable to escape. Zhang Xuduo rode his horse to rescue them. After several attempts, the soldiers scattered, and Zhang Xuduo lamented, "To be defeated like this, how can I show my face to the emperor?" He then dismounted and fell in battle at the age of fifty-two. His subordinates cried and mourned all night, mourning for several days without stopping. Prince Dong of Yue sent the Senior Official Pei Renji to pacify Zhang Xuduo's subordinates and settled them in Wulao. The emperor ordered his son Zhang Yuanbei to take command of his father's army, but Zhang Yuanbei, stationed in Qijun at the time, encountered bandits and ultimately could not intervene.
Yang Shanhui, styled Jingren, was a native of Huayin, Hongnong. His father, Yang Chu, had served as the Prefect of Piling. Yang Shanhui became the magistrate of Shu County during the reign of Emperor Yang of the Sui Dynasty, and he became famous for his integrity and uprightness. Shortly after, Shandong suffered from famine, and the common people rose up in rebellion, turning into bandits. Yang Shanhui led a few hundred men to arrest them, and he consistently captured them.
Later, there was a bandit leader named Zhang Jincheng, who led tens of thousands of troops to camp near Shu County, burning, pillaging, and killing. Local officials were powerless against him. Yang Shanhui inspired his soldiers to fight against Zhang Jincheng, winning several battles in a single day, each time defeating the enemy. Emperor Yangdi sent General Duan Da to attack Zhang Jincheng, and Yang Shanhui expressed a plan to Duan Da, but it was not adopted, resulting in the army's defeat. Duan Da expressed his deep gratitude to Yang Shanhui later. Yang Shanhui continued to fight against the bandits, using strategies each time and achieving resounding victories.
Zhang Jincheng then recruited the bandits Sun Xuanya and Gao Shida from Bohai, leading hundreds of thousands of troops to attack Liyang and then retreating in great force. Yang Shanhui intercepted them with a thousand elite soldiers, defeating them and was promoted to the position of a high official. After a brief rest, Zhang Jincheng dispatched a small contingent to raid Guanshi County. Yang Shanhui and Yang Yuanhong, the magistrate of Pingyuan, led tens of thousands of cavalry and infantry to mount a surprise attack on Zhang Jincheng's camp. The army led by General Wang Bian also arrived, and Zhang Jincheng abandoned Guanshi to come to the rescue. However, he faced setbacks in the battle against Wang Bian, until Yang Shanhui selected five hundred elite soldiers to reinforce, reversing the tide and significantly boosting the morale of Wang Bian's troops. The bandits retreated to their camp, and the allied forces subsequently withdrew.
At that time, chaos reigned throughout Shandong, with people joining the bandit ranks in droves, and the counties were weak and fell one after another to attacks. The only one capable of resisting the bandits was Yang Shanhui. He fought more than seven hundred battles, never suffered a defeat, but he always felt outnumbered and unable to wipe them out entirely. Later, Taipu Yang Yichen launched an attack against Zhang Jincheng but was defeated by the bandits and had to retreat to Linqing. Yang Yichen used Yang Shanhui's strategy to battle Zhang Jincheng multiple times, forcing Zhang Jincheng to flee. Yang Yichen pursued him and crushed his camp, capturing all his men and horses. Zhang Jincheng fled with a few hundred followers, but Yang Shanhui caught up and took him down, presenting his head to the emperor. The emperor honored him with a treasured sword and armor and appointed him as the magistrate of Qinghe.
That same year, Yang Shanhui accompanied Yang Yichen to take down the bandit Gao Shida in Zhangnan and presented his head at the Jiangdu palace. The emperor commended him. Gao Shida's subordinate, Dou Jiande, who called himself the King of Changle, launched an attack on Xindu. Wang Anzhu, the bandit leader from Linqing, led thousands of troops to back Dou Jiande. Yang Shanhui launched a surprise attack on Wang Anzhu, killing him. After Dou Jiande seized Xindu, he began to harass Qinghe, and Yang Shanhui put up a resistance but was ultimately defeated and forced to defend the city. The city endured a siege for forty days before Yang Shanhui was captured when it finally fell. Dou Jiande set him free, treated him with respect, and appointed him as the governor of Beizhou. Yang Shanhui shouted, "Old bandit, how dare you compare yourself to the backbone of the nation! I curse my own weakness for not being able to capture you! I am not one of your butchers—how dare you try to make me your official!" In the face of death, Yang Shanhui showed no fear. Dou Jiande initially considered sparing his life, but his men insisted on killing him, and Dou Jiande realized that Yang Shanhui would never be loyal to him, so he had him executed. The people of Qinghe mourned deeply.
Dugu Sheng is the younger brother of Dugu Kai, the Chief Minister. He has a strong personality and great courage. When Emperor Yang of Sui was still the Governor of Yangzhou, Dugu Sheng served by his side and eventually rose through the ranks to the position of General of Chariots and Cavalry. When Emperor Yang ascended the throne, he became closer to Dugu Sheng because they had known each other from his time in the fief, and promoted him to General of the Right Garrison.
During the rebellion led by Pei Qiantong, soldiers guarding the Chengxiang Hall abandoned their weapons. Dugu Sheng questioned Pei Qiantong about the unusual situation, to which Pei Qiantong replied that it was no longer his concern. Dugu Sheng, without wearing armor, led a counterattack with a few of his men and was ultimately killed by the rebels. Later, Emperor Yang Tong posthumously honored Dugu Sheng as a Grand Master of Rites, Duke Ji, and bestowed upon him the posthumous title of Martial Virtue.
Yuan Wendu is the nephew of Duke Xiaozhuang of Xunyang. His father, Yuan Xiaozhe, had served as a Minor Minister and the Governor of Jiangling during the Zhou Dynasty. Wendu was known for his straightforwardness, intelligence, and leadership abilities. He rose to the rank of Right Attendant Officer during the Zhou Dynasty. During the reign of Emperor Wen of Sui, he was appointed as an Attendant Imperial Secretary, and later served as a Gentleman of the Imperial Library and a Gentleman of Merit, where he excelled in both roles. He was then promoted to Deputy Director of the Imperial Secretariat and further promoted to Junior Minister of the Imperial Treasury. After Emperor Yang ascended the throne, he was appointed as Junior Minister of Household Affairs and later became Grand Historian. However, he was later dismissed due to an error. Shortly after, he was reappointed as Minister of the Imperial Treasury, and Emperor Yang gradually came to trust him, which earned him praise from contemporaries.
In the thirteenth year of the Daye era, Emperor Yang of Sui arrived at the Jiangdu Palace and ordered Wendo, Duan Da, Huangfu Wuyi, Wei Jin, and others to stay in the eastern capital. After Emperor Yang of Sui passed away, Wendo, Duan Da, Wei Jin, and others supported Prince Yue Yang Dong as Emperor. Yang Dong appointed Wendo as the Minister of the Interior, the Grand Marshal of the Court, the Grand Master of Splendor, the General of the Left Valiant Guard, the Acting General of the Right Guard, and the Duke of Lu, holding high official ranks.
Later, Yuwen Huaji supported Prince Qin Yang Hao as Emperor, leading an army to Pengcheng, with a grand display that reverberated throughout the land. Wendo advised Yang Dong to send envoys to contact Li Mi, the leader of the Wagang Army. Li Mi then requested surrender, and Yang Dong granted him a title, warmly receiving his envoys. Wang Chong was quite displeased with this, which created a rift between him and Wendo. Knowing Wang Chong's dissatisfaction, Wendo secretly plotted to get rid of him. Yang Dong wanted Wendo to take on the role of Grand Master of the Imperial Secretariat, but Wang Chong strongly opposed, preventing it from happening. Lu Chu told Wendo, "Wang Chong is merely an external general, not someone who was originally meant to stay. How can he participate in our affairs? Moreover, he can't escape his blame from the defeat in the Battle of Luokou. Now he has the audacity to be arrogant and meddle in court matters. If he isn't dealt with, he could become a serious threat to the state!" Wendo concurred with Lu Chu and prepared a memorial to present to the Emperor.
As events were about to take a turn, someone informed Wang Chong about it. Wang Chong was in the court at that time, and upon hearing the news, he was alarmed and quickly fled back to Hanjia City to plot a rebellion. Emperor Wendi sent people to call him multiple times, but Wang Chong lied that he was sick and couldn't go. In the evening, Wang Chong rebelled, broke through the East Sun Gate, entered the palace, and paid his respects to Yang Dong at the Ziwei Pavilion. Yang Dong's men asked him, "What is the meaning of this?" Wang Chong said, "Yuan Wendi and Lu Chu conspired to kill me. Please eliminate Wendi and shift the blame to the Minister of Justice." Seeing Wang Chong's increasing military strength, Yang Dong knew he would eventually meet his end, so he told Wendi, "Go meet General Wang yourself." Wendi hesitated, cried, and Yang Dong sent his general Huang Taoshu to escort Wendi out. Wendi turned back to Yang Dong and said, "I will die today; Your Majesty won't live much longer either." Yang Dong sorrowfully sent him off, and those around felt great sorrow. Upon reaching the Xingjiao Gate, Wang Chong ordered his men to execute Wendi in a brutal manner, and his sons were also killed.
Lu Chu, hailing from Zhuojun's Fanyang district, displayed remarkable talent from a young age. However, he was straightforward, had a slight stutter, and was not very articulate. During the reign of Emperor Yang of Sui, he became the Right Assistant Secretary of the Ministry of Personnel and was always upright in the court, instilling fear in many officials and ministers. Later, when Emperor Yang went to Jiangdu, most officials in the Eastern Capital did not follow the laws, but Lu Chu always insisted on correcting them without fail.
When King Yang Dong of Yue declared himself emperor, he appointed Lu Chu as the Minister of Internal Affairs, General of the Left Guard, Acting Left Chancellor of the Ministry of Rites, and Right Grand Minister of Ceremonies. He also bestowed upon him the title of Duke of Zhuojun, entrusting him to assist the young emperor alongside other officials. Later, when Wang Shichong rebelled and the army attacked the Taiyang Gate, General Wuwei Huangfu Wuyi broke through the city gate and fled, calling on Lu Chu to flee with him. Lu Chu told him, "I have made a vow with Yuan Gong that if the country is in danger, we will die together. Escaping now would be dishonorable!" As the rebels stormed the city, Lu Chu took refuge in the Tai Guanshu and was ultimately captured and brought before Wang Shichong. Enraged, Wang Shichong ordered his execution, and as the sword struck, Lu Chu's body was cleaved apart.
Liu Ziyi hailed from Congting Village in Pengcheng. His father, Liu Bian, was the Sima of Xuzhou in the Qi Kingdom. Liu Ziyi had a thirst for knowledge from a young age, was talented in writing, of upright character, and possessed the qualities to serve as an official. He served as the General of the Palace in the Qi Dynasty. In the early years of Emperor Wen of Sui's reign, he was appointed magistrate of Nanhe County, and steadily advanced to the position of Military Judge of Qinzhou. In the eighteenth year of the Kaihuang era, he took part in the imperial examination, and the Right Deputy Director of the Ministry of Rites, Yang Su, quickly recognized his potential and recommended him to become an Imperial Historian. At that time, the magistrate of Yongning County, Li Gongxiao, lost his mother at the age of four, was remarried at nine, and his stepfather remarried after his father's death. When the stepfather passed away, a man from Hejian, Liu Xuan, argued that Li Gongxiao had failed to honor his stepfather and proposed that he be dismissed. Liu Ziyi refuted:
Ancient books say, "A stepmother is like a birth mother; there's no difference from a birth mother." Stepmothers should be treated as fathers' wives and treated like one’s own mother, with all kinds of etiquette systems being the same as those for birth mothers. The book also states, "To observe mourning for the deceased, one should observe mourning for their parents." Observing mourning is based on blood relations, not on whether they are biological. Even if the father remarries, the feelings towards the son should still prioritize the birth mother. So the book says, "To observe mourning for the deceased, one should mourn for their parents together, expressing grief. Even if the father dies and the mother remarries, those who observe mourning for the father should still express grief, even if they don't follow the rules. But there is no need to observe mourning for a stepmother who remarries." This is only for the case of remarriage. The meaning is that as long as the stepmother is still in the father's house, the etiquette is the same as that of a birth mother. If there is no nurturing relationship, then this idea doesn't hold water! Since mourning should be observed, how can grief be different? The meaning of these three principles is quite clear, and now some people say that mourning can be omitted, which is completely misguided! Furthermore, observing mourning for the deceased, one should observe mourning for their parents; this has never changed due to any differences between birth mothers and stepmothers. Since birth mothers and stepmothers have equal status, grief should naturally be the same. In "The Book of Rites," it says, "After the mother remarries, mourning should be observed for the stepmother." Isn't this because the mother's family relationship has been severed, so the relationship has grown distant, while the stepmother is the father's wife, so the relationship has become closer? Confucius said, "To treat a concubine as a wife is to treat her as a mother. To treat a concubine as a wife is not the same as treating her as a mother." This indicates that the mourning etiquette is based on social status, and feelings arise because of the father, so the sages emphasize filial piety and kindness, promoting the importance of propriety. In this way, the son observes mourning according to status, just like he would for his birth mother, using filial piety to repay the stepmother, just like he would for his birth mother. If the stepmother came after the son was born, the mourning etiquette might differ in its strictness, but I couldn't find any such statement in the scriptures.
Take, for instance, a situation where the biological mother dies shortly after the son is born. That’s when the stepmother comes along. Can you really ignore your filial duties just because there was no bond of care?
Long ago, there was a man named Wang Bi in Changsha. During the late Han Dynasty, he went to the capital to take care of some business. Later, Wu and Wei cut off ties, and Wang Bi married again in the capital and had a son named Chang. After Wang Bi died, his son became the governor of Dongping. He only found out about his mother's death in Wu after his father's death, which left him heartbroken and unable to concentrate on his duties. At that time, no one saw anything wrong with it. Therefore, it can be said that there is no emotional difference between a stepmother and a biological mother. If the mourning etiquette system is based on upbringing, how do we explain Wang Chang's situation? Also, during the Jin Dynasty, General Yang Hu, known as Zhen Nan, had no son, so he adopted his disciple Yi as his child. When Yang Hu passed away, Yi didn’t follow the heavy mourning customs. Yang Hu's wife reported this to the court, and Yi said, "My uncle raised me during his lifetime, and I wouldn’t dare to go against what he wanted. However, since I don’t have my father’s permission, I will return to my biological parents." Shangshu Peng Quan said, "If a son is adopted, it must be with the father's consent. Leaving without consent is considered unfilial." The court sided with Peng Quan. Therefore, it can be said that mourning customs can't be swayed by personal feelings. An old man said, "Rituals are based on human feelings, relying on morality for education." He used this idea to explain the other person's point of view. What's called "respecting feelings" is like treating a mother; the so-called "upholding righteousness" is like being filial to a son. Once the roles and moral values are clear, one can respect and obey their father, uphold rituals, and be respectful and filial. If the mother-son relationship is only about the mother's care, then that care comes from the mother, while obedience is something you choose to do. In this case, a kind mother would just be like any other mother, so how can you still follow your father's orders?
He said again: "Stepmothers and birth mothers are fundamentally different people, but since she raised you, it is the same as your own flesh and blood." If this is the case, the son will not listen to his father; even if there is the kindness of raising you, can it ever compare to that of a birth mother? Although filial piety to a stepmother is not as strong as to a birth mother, it is greater than the respect shown to ordinary people. This is how etiquette dictates that filial piety should be in accordance with human feelings. The funeral rites for a stepmother are determined by her status, not the depth of affection. As for the son of a brother, although he is also a son, the level of kinship differs, but the funeral etiquette is the same. Some believe that "yi" (以) carries less weight than "ru" (如), thinking that the two are not the same. In fact, the term "ru" means "like," indicating similarity; if the weight is different, how can the word "ru" be used? In legal terms, "zhun wang fa" refers to convicting based on the facts of the crime, while "yi wang fa lun" refers to treating it the same as the actual crime. The law punishes crimes with penalties, while etiquette uses education to regulate behavior. "Zhun" means comparison, "yi" means the same. The usage of "ru" and "yi" is essentially the same; both etiquette and law aim to address similar issues. Applying this principle to clarify that concept suffices to convey its meaning, just like chopping down a tree with an axe; it's straightforward, so what's so hard to grasp?
Moreover, some people say, "Making your son the heir is to let him carry on the family line, serve you directly, and not allow the eldest son to return to his original family, allowing him to serve his father's widow in the capacity of a son." However, the widow of the father is referred to as such because of the father. If according to your argument, can the father really disregard the funeral rites? How can it be said that it is only the father's widow? Some also say, "According to etiquette, calling him 'former ruler', can he still be regarded as a ruler? He has already lost his status, is no longer a true minister, so the word 'former' is used to distinguish. There is another form of respect that is not purely filial piety, so the word 'his' is used to indicate. The term 'his father' carries a different meaning." This is not a universally accepted view. Why say that? Because the meanings of 'his' and 'former' are distinct, and their usage is also different. "Former" is a term that distinguishes between old and new, while "his" is a term used based on the other person's identity. How can they be confused? For instance, the 'Book of Rites' states, "If his father cuts the firewood, his son cannot bear the load." The 'Zuo Zhuan' says, "Even though Wei is small, its ruler is present." If "his father" has a special meaning, does "his ruler" also have a special meaning? Of course not, of course not! Now you are violating etiquette, insulting the emperor, breaking the law, causing your son to disregard his biological parents, creating a sense of indebtedness, and damaging customs. You are employing sophistry to twist the classics; even though you might be trying to showcase your talent, you are unwittingly making statements that defy reason.
After submitting the memorial, Ziyi's opinions were ultimately adopted. During the reign of Ren Shou, he served as the magistrate of Xinfeng County and achieved great political success. In the third year of Daye, he was appointed as the Chief Justice of Dali and was quite renowned at the time. He was later promoted to the position of Imperial Secretary, and whenever there were disputes in the court, Ziyi was able to provide insightful analyses, often exceeding everyone's expectations. He once followed the emperor to Jiangdu. During a time of great turmoil, the emperor remained oblivious, and Ziyi took the opportunity to advise him directly, which angered the emperor and resulted in his assignment to Danyang as a resident official. He was soon sent to Shangjiang to supervise the transportation of military provisions but was captured by the rebel forces of Wu Qizi. Ziyi employed his wits to persuade them and subsequently secured the heads of many rebel soldiers. He was then sent to Qingjiang to eliminate the leader and unexpectedly learned of the assassination of Yang Guang from the rebel soldiers. Ziyi dismissed it as false and executed the informant. The rebel soldiers then sought to make him their leader, but Ziyi refused. A group of rebel soldiers marched Ziyi to the outskirts of Linchuan City and asked him to announce to the people inside the city that "the emperor is dead." However, Ziyi boldly declared the opposite and was subsequently executed. He was seventy years old at the time of his death.
Yao Jun was originally from Tangyin, Wei County. When Emperor Yang of Sui was the Prince of Jin, Jun served by his side. After Emperor Yang ascended the throne, Jun was promoted all the way to the rank of Eagle-Strike General. In the late years of the Sui Dynasty, bandits were rampant and the common people fled, but Jun's forces remained unscathed. Later, he followed General Qu Tutong to resist the rebel forces in Hedong. Not long after, Qu Tutong fled south with his troops, appointing Jun as the acting Prefect of Hedong because of his bravery. The rebel forces dispatched generals like Lv Shaozong and Wei Yijie to attack, yet they were unable to breach the city. When Qu Tutong's army was defeated and he called for Jun to surrender, Jun cried when he saw Qu Tutong, tears streaming down his cheeks. Qu Tutong, also in tears, told Jun, "My army has been defeated, and wherever the rebel army goes, there is no resistance. Given the current situation, you should surrender early to attain wealth and honor." Jun replied, "You are the emperor's trusted confidant, a high-ranking minister of the state. The emperor entrusted Guanzhong to you, and the king entrusted the state to you. The fate of the state rests in your hands. Why do you not think of serving the country and end up in this situation? Even if I cannot spare the emperor's disappointment, the horse you ride is a gift from the king. How can you still ride it with dignity?" Qu Tutong said, "Alas, Jun, I came because of insufficient strength." Jun retorted, "If your strength is still lacking now, what more is there to say?" Qu Tutong, feeling ashamed, retreated. At the time, the city was under tight siege, and the supply lines were cut off. Jun crafted a wooden goose, tied a memorial detailing the situation around its neck, and let it float down the Yellow River. The defending general in Heyang received the memorial and forwarded it to the Eastern Capital. Prince Yangtong sighed upon reading it and appointed Jun as a high-ranking official, secretly sending someone to comfort him.
Pang Yu, the gatekeeper, and General Huangfu Wuyi both defected to the rebel army from the Eastern Capital and arrived at the city. They explained the pros and cons to Jun Su. The Tang Dynasty even sent a golden voucher promising not to kill him. However, Jun Su had no intention of surrendering. His wife came to the city and advised him, "The Sui Dynasty has already perished, and heaven's mandate has been determined. Why do you persist in bringing disaster upon yourself?" Jun Su replied, "Great affairs of the state are not something a woman can understand." After speaking, he shot his wife with an arrow. Jun Su knew that things would not succeed, but he was resolute in his commitment to die with honor. Whenever national affairs were discussed, he was deeply grieved. He once told his soldiers, "I am an old court official, who has been repeatedly promoted and trusted by the emperor. Now, I have no choice but to die for the country. The food can sustain us for a few more years. When the food runs out, we will know what fate awaits us. If the Sui Dynasty has truly perished, and heaven's mandate has been determined, I will come to meet you all with my head held high!" At that time, the people had suffered under the rule of the Sui Dynasty for a long time. When the rebel army rose up, they saw hope for liberation. However, Jun Su was skilled at leading the army, and none of his subordinates betrayed him. Over a year later, some food was brought into the city, and the people in the city had a vague sense that Jiangdu, the Sui Dynasty's capital, had fallen. However, food was still very scarce, and people could not survive. Cannibalism even occurred, and fear gripped the people. A rainbow appeared over the city gate, and the tips of weapons glowed at night. A month later, Jun Su was killed by his own men.
Chen Xiaoyi, a native of Hedong, had great aspirations from a young age and was well-known for his integrity. In the early years of the Sui Dynasty, he held a minor official position in Lu County as a judicial assistant and was known among locals for his integrity and fairness. When the magistrate of Lu County, Su Wei, wanted to execute a criminal, Chen Xiaoyi strongly dissuaded him, even offering to be killed in the criminal's place. Eventually, Su Wei abandoned his plan, apologized to Chen Xiaoyi, and grew to respect him more. Later, Su Wei became a minister and recommended Chen Xiaoyi to be an imperial censor.
After his father passed away, Chen Xiaoyi resigned from his position to mourn at home. He observed mourning with great sincerity, going above and beyond the customary mourning rites. A gentle white deer appeared in his home, which people believed was a symbol of his filial devotion. Shortly after, he was appointed as the governor of Yanmen County.
In Yanmen County, he lived a simple life, following a vegetarian diet, and cried at his father's grave every morning and evening. His sorrowful weeping made his hair turn white and left him frail, drawing sympathy from those who witnessed his grief. During a time of increasing chaos in the court and rampant corruption among officials, Chen Xiaoyi remained upright and honest, uncovering wrongdoers and bringing criminals to justice. He was praised by both the people and fellow officials. When Emperor Yang of Sui went to Jiangdu, Liu Wuzhou of Mayi killed the prefect Wang Rengong and rebelled. Chen Xiaoyi led an army with the military officer Wang Zhibian to quell Liu Wuzhou’s rebellion, but they suffered defeat in a battle at Xiaguan City.
Liu Wuzhou continued to attack the nearby counties, causing panic among the common people, who were on the verge of rebellion. The former magistrate of Yanmen County, Yang Changren, the county magistrate Wang Que, and others were all cunning individuals who had many scoundrels at their beck and call, secretly plotting to support Liu Wuzhou. Chen Xiaoyi secretly learned of their conspiracy and eliminated their entire families, instilling fear in the county's residents, who dared not entertain any doubts. Not long after, Liu Wuzhou led his troops to attack Yanmen, but Chen Xiaoyi stood his ground and achieved victory in every encounter. However, Yanmen City was besieged, with no reinforcements in sight. Chen Xiaoyi resolved to defend the city to the last breath. He sent messengers to Jiangdu for help, but the roads were blocked, and there was no reply. Chen Xiaoyi realized the emperor would not send troops to their aid. Every day, he would weep in the court over the imperial decree, touching the hearts of those around him with his sorrowful demeanor. After enduring the siege for over a hundred days, their food supplies ran out, and Captain Zhang Lun ultimately killed Chen Xiaoyi, resulting in Yanmen City falling into Liu Wuzhou's hands.
Zhang Jixun, a native of Jingzhao, was the son of Zhang Xiang. He was highly regarded by Emperor Gaozu when he was young and later promoted to be the military advisor to the prime minister. During the reign of Emperor Wen of the Sui Dynasty, Zhang Xiang rose through the ranks to become the Sima of Bingzhou. During the reign of Emperor Yang of the Sui Dynasty, Prince Han Yang Liang rebelled and sent General Liu Jian to attack the Yan and Zhao regions. Liu Jian reached Jingxing, and Zhang Xiang led the troops to defend. Liu Jian launched a fierce attack, even setting fire to the city walls. Seeing the people terrified, there was a temple dedicated to the Queen Mother of the West at the edge of the city. He climbed the city wall, bowed twice to the temple, and cried out, "What have the common people done to deserve this fire? If you, the immortals, are indeed powerful, please send rain to save us!" Just as he finished speaking, dark clouds gathered over the temple, and soon heavy rain fell, putting out the fire. The soldiers were moved by his sincerity and obeyed his orders. The city was besieged for over a month, and Li Xiong's reinforcements arrived, causing the rebels to retreat. Zhang Xiang was rewarded for his merit with the title of Kaifu, then later served as the governor of Ruzhou, the commandant of Lingwu, and finally as the supervisor of the capital's waterworks, where he died in office.
Zhang Jixun was ambitious and heroic from a young age. During the reign of Emperor Yang of Sui, he became the Eagle Strike General, taking Jishan as a stronghold that linked to Luokou. Later, Li Mi and Zhai Rang attacked Cangcheng and sent someone to demand Zhang Jixun's surrender. Zhang Jixun shouted curses at Li Mi, who became angry and sent troops to attack him, but they couldn't capture him for years. At that time, Li Mi had tens of thousands of soldiers besieging his city, while Zhang Jixun only had a few hundred men, yet he remained steadfast, vowing not to surrender. After three years, they had run out of food and could no longer find firewood. They tore down houses to cook and lived in underground caves, yet Zhang Jixun continued to conduct regular inspections, keeping everyone united. When the food was completely gone and the soldiers were exhausted and ill, they could no longer fight, and the city fell. Zhang Jixun sat there calmly in the government office as Li Mi sent soldiers to arrest him.
A group of brigands seized Zhang Jixun and demanded he kneel before Li Mi, but Zhang Jixun said, "Although I am a defeated general, I am still a subject of the emperor. How can I kneel to you brigands!" Li Mi was taken aback by his spirit and let him go. Zhai Rang, who, after failing to extort money from Li Mi, then killed Zhang Jixun, who was only 28 years old at the time.
His younger brother, Zhang Zhongyan, became the magistrate of Luo during the reign of Emperor Yang of Sui. When the rebels rose up, his subordinates killed him and surrendered to the rebels. Another younger brother of Zhang Jixun, Zhang Cong, who was a guard by the emperor's side, was killed during Yuwen Hu's rebellion. The Zhang family had always been loyal and devoted, with several brothers laying down their lives for the country, earning the admiration of the people.
It is said that Song Yun, a Beihai native, had a strong and valiant character, valuing reputation highly. He served as a captain in Shimen Prefecture. Near the end of Emperor Yang of Sui's Daye era, a bandit called Yang Hou led a rebellion and attacked Beihai County. Song Yun joined the local troops to fight back against the rebellion. He went on a reconnaissance mission alone and was captured by Yang Hou. Yang Hou intended to use him as a pawn and ordered Song Yun to enter the city and tell everyone that the county's army had been defeated and to surrender quickly. Song Yun agreed on the surface.
When they arrived at the city gates, he suddenly shouted, "I am Song Yun, sent to scout the enemy's situation. I was captured by chance, not because I couldn't defeat them! The main force of the official army will arrive soon. The bandits are outnumbered and outmatched. They will be quickly eliminated, so there is no need to worry!" Yang Hou, furious, slashed Song Yun across the mouth, dragged him off, beating him all the while. As he cursed Yang Hou, Song Yun shouted, "You old bandit, daring to humiliate loyal and righteous people, you’re sealing your own fate!" Before he could finish speaking, Yang Hou cut off his waist. The people in the city, upon seeing this scene, wept and beat their chests in despair. Yet, their spirits were lifted, and Beihai City was ultimately saved.
Emperor Yang of Sui dispatched Guo Zijian, a minor official from the household department, to suppress Yang Hou, re
Historical records comment: the ancients believed that the world was the most important, making individuals seem insignificant. While life is important, compared to righteousness, life is light as a feather. Therefore, some deaths are heavier than Mount Tai when they are for justice; some lives are lighter than a feather when lived cowardly. However, death is irreversible, life only happens once, so the key is to not lose one's integrity, which is the most difficult. The rebellion led by Yang Liang, Xuan Gan, and Li Mi has already taken shape, with their power at its peak. Huangfu Dan, You Yuan, and Feng Ciming, on the other hand, faced danger without fear, welcoming death as if returning home, bravely sacrificing their lives for justice. Dugu Sheng, Yuan Wendo, Lu Chu, and Yao Junsu, were they unaware that the situation was already lost, and individual efforts could not change the tide? They willingly faced death to uphold their loyalty, even though they did not achieve merit for the country or save it from peril, in contrast to those who lived cowardly, they stood upright, and their names will be remembered in history. Xuduo and Shan Hui embodied the virtues of gentleness, humility, and frugality, while Ziyi and Song Yun performed the heroic act of sacrificing their lives for righteousness. Even in times of national chaos, loyal subjects still exist!
