Han Qin, courtesy name Zitong, was a native of Dongyuan, Henan Province, but later his family relocated to Xin'an. His father, Han Xiong, was famous for his outstanding martial arts skills and served as a high-ranking official in the Northern Zhou Dynasty, holding titles including Grand General and Governors of Luozhou and Yuzhou, among others. Han Qin had a bold and righteous personality from a young age, with exceptional courage and wisdom, earning him widespread praise. He was tall and imposing, clearly a heroic figure. He also enjoyed reading a variety of books, including classics and historical texts, and had a solid grasp of their content. The founding emperor of the Northern Zhou Dynasty immediately recognized his extraordinary potential and allowed him to play with his own sons to build a relationship. Eventually, Han Qin was appointed Commander and Governor of Xin'an for his military accomplishments, gradually rising to the rank of Yitong Sanqi and inheriting his father's title as Duke of Xinyi County.
During the Northern Zhou Emperor's campaign against Qi, the Qi general Dugu Yongye defended the city of Jinyong, and Han Qin employed tactics to convince him to surrender. Subsequently, he pacified Fanyang, received a promotion to Yitong, and was appointed Governor of Yongzhou. Later, when the Chen army approached Guangzhou, Han Qin was appointed as the General of the Army, leading his troops to a decisive victory over the Chen army. He also assisted Yuwen Xin in pacifying Hezhou. When Yang Jian became Prime Minister, Han Qin was promoted to Governor of Hezhou. The Chen generals Zhen Qing, Ren Mannu, and Xiao Moha allied to harass the northern territories of Northern Zhou, frequently invading the borders. Han Qin defeated them multiple times, gradually weakening the Chen army.
In the early years of the Kaihuang era, Yang Jian had long desired to annex Jiangnan. Recognizing Han Qin's exceptional military prowess and good reputation, he appointed him as the General of Luzhou and tasked him with pacifying the Chen Dynasty, instilling fear in his enemies.
When the large-scale attack on the Chen Dynasty began, Han Qinhui was to lead the vanguard. Han Qinhui crossed the Yangtze River at night with five hundred men, attacked Caishi, where the Chen army guarding the city was completely drunk, so he captured Caishi City. He then launched an attack on Gushu and captured it within half a day, and then stationed at Xinlin. The people of Jiangnan had long heard of Han Qinhui's reputation and came to pay their respects to him day and night. The Chen Dynasty's people were terrified, and generals Fan Xun, Lu Shizhen, Tian Rui, and others surrendered. Prince Jin Yang Guang reported the situation to Yang Jian, who was overjoyed and hosted a banquet for his courtiers.
Prince Jin sent the marching general Du Yan to join forces with Han Qinhui, a combined force of twenty thousand infantry and cavalry. Chen Shubao sent the army commander Cai Zheng to guard Zhuque Hang. Upon hearing that Han Qinhui was approaching, the soldiers panicked and the army scattered. Ren Mannu was defeated by He Ruobi and also surrendered to Han Qinhui. Han Qinhui led five hundred elite cavalry directly into Zhuque Gate. The Chen Dynasty's forces attempted to resist, but Ren Mannu urged them, saying, "I have surrendered, so why continue to fight!" Everyone scattered and fled. As a result, Jinling City fell, and Chen Shubao was taken prisoner. At that time, He Ruobi also had merit.
Yang Jian issued a decree to Prince Jin, stating, "These two men possess remarkable foresight. I had originally entrusted them with quelling the rebellion in the southeast, and they successfully calmed the people and acted in accordance with my wishes. The Nine Provinces have not been unified for hundreds of years. With the merits of these two famous ministers, the great cause of unification has been accomplished. What could be more glorious than this in the world! I am thrilled to hear this news and deeply comforted. The stabilization of Jiangbiao was accomplished thanks to the efforts of these two!" They were each rewarded with ten thousand bolts of cloth.
He issued another edict of grace to Han Qinh and He Ruobi, saying, "You have shown the country's majesty from thousands of miles away, spread the court's teachings in distant regions, and freed the people of the southeast from the suffering of war. You managed to quell centuries of rebellion in just a few days, all thanks to your efforts! Your achievements have echoed throughout the land, and your great deeds shine brightly across the realm. Few can match your accomplishments, both past and present. As you return to the capital, I know I will see you soon. I miss you greatly; every moment feels like years have passed."
Upon arriving in the capital, He Ruobi and Han Qinh competed for credit in front of the emperor. He Ruobi said, "I fought fiercely at Jiangshan, defeated the elite forces of the Chen army, captured their brave generals, and subdued the Chen kingdom in the end. Han Qinh barely took part in the fighting; how can he compare to me?" Han Qinh replied, "I was ordered to act simultaneously with He Ruobi, attacking the capital of the Chen dynasty together. He Ruobi acted prematurely, engaging the enemy in battle, resulting in many casualties. I led five hundred light cavalry and didn’t lose a single man, directly capturing Jinling, accepting the surrender of the enemies, capturing Chen Shubao, seizing his treasury, and destroying his lair. He Ruobi only attacked the North Gate at night; I was the one who opened the gate for him to enter. He should be thanking me, not trying to compare himself to me!" Yang Jian said, "Both generals have made significant contributions." He then promoted Han Qinh to the rank of Shangzhuguo (Senior Pillar of the State) and rewarded him with eight thousand rolls of cloth. Later, someone accused Han Qinh of letting his soldiers run wild, causing chaos in the Chen palace, and as a result, he didn’t receive any further promotions or titles.
Once upon a time, there was a folk song circulating in Jiangdong: "A yellow-spotted black horse, from Shouyang it came. Arriving at the end of winter, departing with the beginning of spring." Back then, no one understood what this folk song meant. Later on, people realized that the song was about Han Qinhu. When he pacified the Chen Dynasty, he rode a black horse as well, and his comings and goings matched the song's lyrics, which made people understand the meaning of the song.
Later, a Turkic envoy came to see the emperor. The emperor asked him, "Have you heard of the Emperor of Chen Kingdom from the south of the Yangtze River?" The envoy replied, "I have heard of it." The emperor then had the guards bring the Turkic envoy in front of Han Qinhu, saying, "This is the man who captured the Emperor of Chen Kingdom." Han Qinhu suddenly turned to glare at the envoy, and the Turkic envoy was so scared that he dared not lift his head. Han Qinhu's presence was truly intimidating! Later, the emperor appointed Han Qinhu as the Duke of Shouguang County, with a fief of a thousand households, and appointed him as the military commander stationed in Jincheng to defend against Turkic invasions. He was later appointed as the governor of Liangzhou. Not long after, Han Qinhu was summoned back to the capital. The emperor held a banquet for him in the palace, lavishing him with favor and generosity.
Not long after, Han Qinhu's neighbor saw a grand procession in front of his house, like the emperor's, and the neighbor was very curious and asked what was going on. Han Qinhu's family replied, "We're here to welcome the king." After saying this, they disappeared. Another seriously ill person suddenly rushed to Han Qinhu's house and said, "I want to go see the king." The guards asked him, "Which king?" He said, "King Yama!" Han Qinhu's descendants wanted to hit him, but Han Qinhu stopped them and said, "To be a pillar of the state in life and King Yama in death—that's enough." After that, Han Qinhu fell ill and died a few days later at fifty-five. His son, Han Shie, succeeded him.
Han Shi'e inherited his father's bravery and skill in battle; he was quite a formidable character. When Yang Xuangan rebelled, he recruited Han Shi'e as a general, and every time they went to war, Han Shi'e led the charge. After Yang Xuangan's failure, Han Shi'e was captured by the authorities. At that time, the emperor was in Gaoyang City, and Han Shi'e was escorted there. Han Shi'e asked his guards to buy wine and food so he could have a hearty drink and loudly declared, "I could die at any time, so why not drink heartily!" He slowly poured wine for his guards, and as they relaxed their vigilance, he managed to get them drunk. Han Shi'e took the opportunity to escape and joined a group of bandits, and his whereabouts were unknown thereafter.
Seng Shou, whose courtesy name was Xuanqing, once captured his own brother and was known for his bravery and skill in battle. During the reign of Emperor Wu of Zhou, he was a senior official in the court. After Emperor Gaozu came to power, he followed Wei Xiaokuan in suppressing the rebellion of Wei Jiong, and he distinguished himself in every battle. He was appointed as Grand General, conferred the title of Changle Duke, and granted a fief of one thousand households.
In the early years of the Kaihuang era, he was appointed as the Inspector of Anzhou. At that time, he captured the person serving as the governor of Luzhou, and the court did not want them in the Huainan region, so he was reassigned as the Inspector of Xiongzhou. Later, he was transferred to be the Inspector of Weizhou, and his title was elevated to Duke of Guangling County. Not long after, he defeated the Turks at Jitou Mountain while serving as the Commander of the Army. However, he lost his position due to an error. After a few years, he was reappointed as the Inspector of Weizhou. The Turks greatly feared him.
In the seventeenth year of Daye, he stationed in Lanzhou to guard against the invasion of the Turks. The next year, the Liaodong Campaign began, and he served as the Commander of the Army, and afterward, he also served as the Governor of Lingzhou. He fought alongside Yang Su against the Turks and achieved victory, and was promoted to Senior Pillar State and granted the title of Jiangdu County Duke. After Emperor Yang of Sui ascended the throne, he was renamed to Duke of Xincai County. After that, he never held a significant position again.
In the fifth year of Daye, he followed the emperor to Taiyuan. There was a concubine named Wang in the household of Daxi Tong, a man from Jingzhao, whose singing was enchanting. All the ministers in the court went to watch, and Monk Shou also attended, which led to his dismissal from office. He was reinstated shortly thereafter. In the eighth year of Daye, he died in the capital at the age of sixty-five. He had a son named Xiaoji.
Han Hong, courtesy name Shuming, was very powerful; he even apprehended his own younger brother. He was especially brave when he was young, excelling in archery and having unmatched strength. He first served as a junior officer during the Zhou dynasty and was promoted to Grand Commander for his military achievements. When Gaozu was the prime minister, he followed Wei Xiaokuan to defeat Yu Jing in Xiangzhou and was subsequently promoted to the title of Kaifu, Marquis of Gantang County, with a fief of eight hundred families. After Gaozu became emperor, Han Hong was promoted to duke. Soon after, he was appointed General of the Cavalry.
In the ninth year of Kaihuang, during the campaign against the Chen dynasty, he was appointed as the commander of the marching army. After the fall of the Chen dynasty, the Prince of Jin went on a hunt in Jiangshan, and a fierce beast ran out of the hunting circle, scaring everyone. Han Hong rode his horse and shot an arrow, bringing the fierce beast down. The Chen dynasty generals watched from nearby and were thoroughly impressed. The Prince of Jin was especially pleased and rewarded him with a hundred bolts of silk. Later, due to his military successes, he was further appointed as the Pillar of the State and appointed as the Governor of Jiangzhou. A few years later, he was transferred to the position of Governor of Lianzhou.
At that time, the Turks frequently raided the borders. The court believed Han Hong to be brave and skilled in battle, so they appointed him as the governor of Shuozhou. Later, he was also appointed as the governor of Daizhou. In the first year of the Renshou era, the Turkic Khan invaded with his troops. Han Hong led the governor of Weizhou, Liu Long, and the Grand General Li Yaowang to resist. They encountered the Turkic army at Heng'an, with our forces outnumbered by the enemy. Han Hong was surrounded on all sides, seriously injured, and the soldiers' morale was low. The Turkic army surrounded them, and arrows rained down like a storm. Han Hong feigned negotiations with the Turks, and when the enemy relaxed their guard slightly, he led the remaining soldiers to break through. In the battle, most of the soldiers perished, but they managed to kill twice as many enemies. Han Hong and Li Yaowang were dismissed from their posts and returned to common life, while Liu Long was eventually sentenced to death. Emperor Yang of Sui went on a northern tour and arrived at Heng'an, where he saw bones scattered across the ground. He asked his attendants what had happened, and they replied, "This is where Han Hong fought the Turks." Emperor Yang of Sui was very saddened and ordered the bones to be collected. He also ordered monks from five counties to conduct Buddhist rites for the departed souls and posthumously granted Han Hong the title of Prefect of Longxi. Not long after, the affluent rebel Wang Wanchang from Zhuyai staged a rebellion, and the court sent Han Hong to suppress the rebellion. Han Hong successfully quelled the rebellion and was promoted to the esteemed rank of Jinyin Guanglu Dafu, continuing to serve as the Prefect of Longxi. However, not long after, Wang Wanchang's brother Wang Zhongtong rebelled again, and the court once again sent Han Hong to suppress the rebellion. Before Han Hong could make his way back to the capital, he fell ill and died at the age of sixty-three.
He Ruobi, styled Fubo, was a native of Luoyang, Henan. His father, He Ruodun, was famous for his martial achievements and served as the governor of Jinzhou in the Northern Zhou dynasty, but was ultimately murdered by the powerful minister Yuwen Hu. On his deathbed, He Ruodun called his son He Ruobi and said, "I have always wanted to pacify the south, but that wish will now go unfulfilled. You must fulfill this wish for me! I died this time because of offending someone with my words, so you must remember to be cautious in your words and actions!" After saying this, he used an awl to pierce He Ruobi's tongue, causing him to bleed, as a warning.
He Ruobi had great ambitions from a young age, excelled in horseback archery, was eloquent, knowledgeable, and well-known in his time. When the Prince of Qi of the Northern Zhou dynasty, Yuwen Xian, heard about him, he respected him greatly and appointed him as a secretary. Not long after, he was granted the title of Duke of Danting County, and later promoted to a minor official. During the reign of Emperor Wu of the Northern Zhou dynasty, the minister Wuman Gui told the emperor, "The crown prince is not fit to be emperor; I have discussed this with He Ruobi." The emperor summoned He Ruobi to inquire, and He Ruobi, knowing that the crown prince's position was secure and not wanting to put himself at risk, cleverly replied, "The crown prince's virtue improves day by day; I see no faults." Emperor Wu did not say anything. After returning, Wuman Gui complained that He Ruobi had betrayed him, but He Ruobi replied, "A leader's carelessness can cost them their subordinates; a subordinate's carelessness can cost them their life. Therefore, I dare not casually comment!" Later, when Emperor Xuan succeeded to the throne, Wuman Gui was killed, and He Ruobi was spared.
Later, He Ruobi joined forces with Wei Xiaokuan to attack the Chen dynasty, capturing several dozen cities, many of which were captured using strategies devised by He Ruobi. He was appointed as the governor of Shouzhou and later granted the title of Duke of Xiangyi County. When Yang Jian, Emperor Wen of Sui, was serving as prime minister, Yu Jing rebelled in Ye city. Yang Jian was worried that He Ruobi might defect, so he sent Changsun Ping to swiftly replace him.
After Emperor Wen of Sui, Yang Jian, became emperor, he secretly wanted to unify Jiangnan and searched for suitable candidates. Gao Qiang said, "Among the civil and military officials in the court, there is no one more suitable than He Ruobi." Yang Jian said, "You are right!" He then appointed He Ruobi as the governor of Wuzhou, entrusting him with the important task of pacifying the Chen dynasty. He Ruobi gladly accepted the appointment. He and the governor of Shouzhou, Yuan Xiong, together guarded the border, becoming an important military force. He Ruobi also wrote a poem for Yuan Xiong: "The cavalry camp at Jiahe and the naval camp at Hepu, do not let the horses trample, our names will not be forgotten."
Yang Su presented ten strategies, which the emperor was very satisfied with and rewarded him with a precious sword. In the ninth year of the Kaihuang era, the Sui Dynasty launched a major attack on the Chen dynasty, and Yang Su was appointed as the commander of the army.
When preparing to cross the river, Yang Su offered a toast to the river and prayed, "I, Yang Su, faithfully follow the emperor's strategic deployment, to uphold the glory of the nation, punish evil, pacify the people, eliminate the wicked, and eradicate tyranny. Both Heaven and the Yangtze River can witness my determination. If I accumulate virtue and do good deeds, the army will be able to cross the river smoothly; if my actions go against the will of Heaven, I would gladly meet my end in the belly of a fish, dying without regrets!"
Previously, Yang Su requested that the garrison troops along the river gather at Liyang every time they changed shifts. As a result, the Sui army formed a large encampment in Liyang, with tents covering the plain. The people of the Chen dynasty thought that the main contingent of the Sui army had arrived, so they mobilized all their troops nationwide. When they realized it was just a garrison shift, the Chen army dispersed and returned. Later, the Chen army became accustomed to this tactic and stopped being vigilant.
When Yang Su led the army to cross the river, the Chen army did not notice at all. Yang Su attacked Southern Xu Province of the Chen dynasty, captured the city, and caught the Chen dynasty's governor Huang Ke. The Sui army maintained strict discipline and did not commit any offenses. A soldier was found drinking in civilian areas, and Yang Su killed him on the spot.
The Sui army stationed at Baitugang in Jiangshan, led by generals Lu Da, Zhou Zhian, Ren Manna, Tian Rui, Fan Yi, Kong Fan, Xiao Moha, and others, who commanded elite troops in resistance. Tian Rui first attacked Yang Su's army and was driven back by Yang Su. Lu Da and others launched successive attacks, forcing Yang Su's forces to retreat several times. Yang Su recognized the Chen army's arrogance and the soldiers' complacency, so he urged his troops to fight to the death, ultimately achieving a great victory. Yang Su's subordinate, Yuan Ming, captured Xiao Moha, and Yang Su ordered that Xiao Moha be dragged out and executed. Xiao Moha remained composed, and Yang Su chose to release him, treating him with great courtesy.
Yang Su entered Jiankang City through the Beiyemen Gate. By this time, Han Qinhu had already captured Chen Shubao. When Yang Su arrived, he made Chen Shubao look at him. Chen Shubao was so terrified that he broke out in a sweat, trembled uncontrollably, and repeatedly kowtowed. Yang Su said to him, "As the ruler of a small country who has become a vassal of a great country, it is only fitting that you bow. Once you enter the court, you will be granted the title of Marquis of Guiming, so there is no need to be afraid."
Later, because Yang Su did not personally capture Chen Shubao and his achievements came after Han Qinhu's, he felt quite disgruntled and confronted Han Qinhu, drawing his blade.
The emperor heard that Yang Su had made great contributions and was very happy. He issued an edict to reward him, the details of which are recorded in the "Biography of Han Qinhu." Prince Jin believed that Yang Su had violated military orders by engaging in battle too early, so he demoted Yang Su to a lower rank. The emperor urgently summoned Yang Su. Upon meeting him, the emperor warmly praised Yang Su, saying, "You are the one who pacified the Three Wu!" The emperor invited Yang Su to sit in the imperial seat, rewarded him with 8,000 bolts of silk, promoted him to the rank of Upper Pillar State, granted him the title of Duke of Song, a fief of three thousand households, and also granted him a precious sword, a belt, a golden jar, and a golden plate, as well as a pheasant tail fan, a curved hat, and 2,000 bolts of assorted cloth. He was also given two music bands, and the emperor even granted him Chen Shubao's sister as a concubine. Yang Su was appointed as the Grand General of the Right Leading Army, and soon promoted to the Grand General of the Right Martial Guard.
He Ruobi was a powerful and influential figure. His brother, He Ruolong, held the title of Duke of Wudu County, and his younger brother, He Ruodong, was the Duke of Wanrong County. Both brothers were governors and generals. He Ruobi's family treasures were countless, with hundreds of maids and concubines adorned in luxurious fabrics. People at the time envied him greatly. He believed his accomplishments surpassed those of the court officials and constantly dreamed of becoming a prime minister. Later, when Yang Su was appointed as the Right Deputy, He Ruobi was still a general and felt very dissatisfied. He displayed his displeasure openly and was dismissed from his position, which only deepened his resentment.
After a few years, the emperor arrested him for questioning, saying, "I appointed Gao Qiang and Yang Su as prime ministers, but you always say they only know how to eat. What do you mean by that?" He Ruo Bi said, "Gao Qiang is my old friend, and Yang Su is my brother-in-law. I know them well and have indeed said such things." The ministers claimed that He Ruo Bi harbored resentment towards the court and deserved the death penalty. The emperor, taking his past contributions into account, stripped him of his position and reduced him to commoner status. Over a year later, his title was restored. However, the emperor still feared him and did not reinstate him, but always treated him with special favor at every banquet. In the 19th year of the Kaihuang reign, the emperor went to the Renshou Palace and hosted a banquet for the nobles, asking He Ruo Bi to compose a five-character poem. The poem expressed deep resentment, yet the emperor remained silent after reading it.
Once, when Turkic envoys came to the court, the emperor challenged them to an archery contest, and the Turkic people struck the bullseye with a single arrow. The emperor said, "No one else can achieve this like He Ruo Bi." So he asked He Ruo Bi to try. He Ruo Bi bowed twice and said, "If I am loyal, I will hit the target with one arrow; if I have ulterior motives, I will miss." He shot an arrow and hit the bullseye! The emperor was very pleased and pointed at He Ruo Bi, saying to the Turkic envoys, "This man is a gift from the heavens!"
When Yang Guo was still in the Eastern Palace, he once asked He Ruobi: "Yang Su, Han Qinhu, and Shi Wansui, these three people are all said to be famous generals, who is the most capable?" He Ruobi said: "Yang Su is a fierce warrior, not a strategist; Han Qinhu is a brave general who charges into battle, not a strategist; Shi Wansui is a cavalry commander, not the great general." The Crown Prince asked: "Then who is the great general?" He Ruobi replied: "Only Your Highness can decide." He Ruobi secretly thought that he himself was the great general. After Yang Guo became emperor, he became even more suspicious of him. In the third year of Daye, the emperor went on a northern tour and arrived in Yulin. The emperor set up a large tent that could accommodate thousands of people and hosted the Qimin Khan of the Turks. He Ruobi felt that it was too extravagant and wasteful, so he privately discussed the matter with Gao Feng, Yuwen Bi, and others. Ultimately, he was denounced and executed at the age of sixty-four. His wife and children were all enslaved by the government, and his relatives and friends were all exiled to the border. He Ruobi, known for his heroic spirit, was directly appointed to a position equivalent to a pillar of the state. Unfortunately, for acting as an insider for Yang Jian, he was killed later, which is truly unfortunate.
The history books say: when the world is unsettled, smart people need to come forward to sort things out; when the borders are unstable, strong generals need to lead the charge. Look, in the Zhou Dynasty there were Fang Shu and Shao Gong, in the Han Dynasty there were Han Xin and Peng Yue; heroes like these don’t just pop up overnight in every dynasty. Since the decline of the Jin Dynasty, the Central Plains have been in pieces, and the country has been divided for almost three hundred years. The Chen Dynasty relied on the natural barriers of the Yangtze River and the lucky land of Jinling, thinking that the world should be like this and no one could touch them. But then our founding ancestor Yang Jian rose to fulfill destiny, with the goal of unifying the whole country. He Luobi was incredibly bold, proposing a winning strategy, and Han Qinhui was even more courageous, as fast as lightning and completely unstoppable! The Sui Dynasty shook the world with this battle.
From the perspective of fate, the rise and fall are a natural part of life; from the perspective of human affairs, this is all down to the achievements of He Luobi and Han Qinhui. When it comes to talent and strategy, He Luobi had the edge; in terms of courage and prestige, Han Qinhui excelled. Compared to Wang Dao and Du Yu of the Jin Dynasty, their accomplishments were not inferior. However, after He Luobi found success, he got too full of himself and ended up dying inexplicably. If he had heeded his father's last words, maybe he wouldn't have met such a fate. Han Qinhui, from a family of generals for generations, with a renowned reputation, always came out on top and safe, really lucky.
Then there were Prince Guangling and Gantang, both exceptional warriors, brave and skilled in battle, with unmatched bravery and wisdom; they were among the fiercest of their time, true pillars of the nation, truly remarkable comrades!
