Lu Kai, courtesy name Changren, was from Fanyang, Zhuo Commandery in Hebei. His father, Lu Rou, eventually became the Central Secretary of the Wei Kingdom. Lu Kai was filial, amiable, and friendly, with a cheerful disposition and sharp intellect. He had some knowledge of writing and documents, and was quite skilled in writing articles. The Prince of Qi of the Northern Zhou dynasty, Yuwen Xian, appointed him as a record keeper. Later, he inherited the title of Count of Rongcheng, with a fief of 1,100 households. When accompanying Yuwen Xian in the campaign against Northern Qi, Lu Kai proposed a strategy that led to the capture of Baidu Town. He was later promoted to a high-ranking official in the Ministry of Personnel Affairs, with his fief increased by 700 households.
There was a worker in a dyeing workshop named Wang Shenhuan, who had previously ingratiated himself with the powerful through bribery. The Prime Minister at the time, Yuwen Hu, promoted him to a high-ranking official in the Ministry of Finance. Lu Kai advised, "In ancient times, only those with true talent could serve as officials. It is crucial to carefully select and appoint officials. Wang Shenhuan, who comes from a dyeing workshop, does not possess any exceptional talent. His rise to power is solely due to his family's wealth, which is concerning. It is feared that he may act like a scavenger, feeding off others' resources, and tarnish the country's reputation if he were to be sent abroad." In the end, Yuwen Hu did not appoint Wang Shenhuan. During the Jiande period, Lu Kai's fief was increased by another 200 households. Over a year later, he was promoted to a high-ranking official in the Ministry of Interior.
Emperor Wu of Northern Zhou issued an order from Yunyang Palace for all farming colonies to select old oxen to be used to reward the soldiers. Lu Kai advised, "The story of Tian Zifang redeeming an old horse in the past has been regarded as a beautiful tale by later generations. Now, Your Majesty's order to use old oxen to reward the soldiers would undermine the reputation of benevolent governance!" Emperor Wu appreciated his words and rescinded the order. Lu Kai was later promoted to a high-ranking official in the Ministry of Rites and was sent as a deputy envoy to the state of Chen. Previously, envoys mostly followed the customs of Chen when visiting, but Lu Kai insisted on following the etiquette of Northern Zhou, leaving the people of Chen with no alternative.
In the autumn of the fourth year of the Daxiang era, Li Mu captured the towns of Zhiguan and Baiya, and ordered Lu Kai to write a battle report. Emperor Wu was very pleased after reading it, saying, "Lu Kai's writing has improved greatly; he is truly the son of such a talented person as Xun Jingqian!" Shortly after, Lu Kai was appointed as the Chief Secretary of Xiangzhou and later promoted to the position of Zhong (治中). In the first year of Daxiang, he was summoned to be the Grand Master of Personnel in the Eastern Capital. In the early years of the Kaihuang era, he was appointed as Deputy Minister of Personnel, promoted to a marquis, and also served as the Deputy Supervisor of the Left in the Ministry of Personnel. Whenever he submitted a memorial, he maintained a dignified demeanor and a serious expression; even when faced with the emperor's unpredictable moods, he remained steadfast in his demeanor.
The Emperor appreciated Lu Kai's ability to handle government affairs, rewarding him with 200,000 coins, 300 pieces of various silk fabrics, and appointing him as a Cavalier Attendant. Eight years later, the Emperor personally assessed all officials and deemed Lu Kai the best. Lu Kai was hesitant to accept. Emperor Gaozu said, "I have heard about your diligent work in the Ministry of Personnel. Now that the assessment results are out and everyone agrees, you should accept it. Why be so modest? I have this in mind; there's no need for humility." More than a year later, Lu Kai was appointed as the Minister of Rites (礼部尚书), concurrently serving as the Minister of Personnel.
At this time, the Grand Scholar He Tuo and the Right Minister Su Wei were at odds. He Tuo submitted a memorial accusing Su Wei of misconduct. Lu Kai was implicated due to his association with Su Wei. The supervisory department charged Lu Kai, stating, "Fang Gongyi is a supporter of Yu Chi Jiong and should not be allowed to hold office. Su Wei and Lu Kai recommended each other for promotion, and both eventually were appointed as the governor of Haizhou. Additionally, many candidates had been selected by the Ministry of Personnel, but Lu Kai did not appoint them to positions right away. Instead, he marked them and sent them away. Su Wei's cousins Su Che and Su Su were both summoned to the Ministry of Personnel. Su Che's documents arrived late but he was appointed first, while Su Su had a disability and was mediocre. Lu Kai, because of his relationship with Su Wei, appointed him as an official. Lu Kai formed cliques and engaged in private dealings; the situation is quite clear."
The Emperor was furious and said, "Lu Kai dares to treat imperial appointments as personal favors!" Lu Kai took off his hat, bowed, and apologized, saying, "The Crown Prince wanted to promote the Attendant Su Kui to a Gentleman. Su Kui is Su Wei's son; I believe Su Kui is not worthy of promotion, so I strongly opposed it. If I had a private relationship with Su Wei, why would I do this?" The Emperor said, "Su Wei's son, everyone in the court knows, but you insist on opposing it to curry favor with me. However, when it comes to matters you are unaware of, you readily form cliques and engage in private dealings; this is the behavior of a treacherous minister!" Therefore, the Emperor dismissed Lu Kai from his position and sent him home to live as a commoner. Not long after, Lu Kai passed away at home. Since the Zhou Dynasty, there have been no clear criteria for selecting officials. During Lu Kai's tenure as Minister of Personnel, he, along with Xue Daoheng, Lu Yanshi, and others, selected talents, which led to offending some individuals who then falsely accused him, ultimately resulting in his downfall. His son Lu Yigong inherited his title.
Linghu Xi, styled Changxi, was from Dunhuang. His family in Xizhou was one of the most prominent aristocratic families. His father, Linghu Zheng, served as a general, governor of Shizhou, and commander during the Northern Zhou dynasty. Linghu Xi was serious and dignified; even at home, he maintained an upright posture all day. He was not casual in his interactions and only associated with reputable scholars of the time. He was well-versed in various texts, especially in the "Three Rituals," skilled in archery, and had knowledge of music theory.
Initially appointed as a scholar-official due to his expertise in Confucian classics, he was soon promoted to commander, assistant general, and later transferred to the Summer Palace as a scholar-official, excelling in each position. When his mother passed away, he was consumed by grief. His father advised him, "The greatest filial piety is to let parents enjoy their later years and continue the family line. I am still here, you have already established a family and career; how can you mourn excessively and worry me?" From then on, Linghu Xi gradually recovered.
After the mourning period, he was appointed as a junior officer in the Imperial Guard. When his father passed away, he was so grief-stricken that he could hardly stand even with a cane. People who heard his cries couldn't help but cry along with him. During the He Yin Incident, the court ordered him to continue wearing mourning attire while performing his duties. Afterwards, he was appointed as a senior official in the local government, inheriting the title of Duke of Pengyang with a fief of 2,100 household units. After Emperor Wu pacified the Qi state, Linghu Xi was awarded an additional 600 household units for his contributions during his time in office. He was promoted to the position of Yitong Sanqi, a title equivalent to "Assistant Minister," serving as a senior official in the Department of Works and the Ministry of Personnel, earning a solid reputation during his tenure.
When Emperor Gaozu Yang Jian ascended the throne, Linghu Xi participated in handling political affairs in his official capacity. Shortly after, he was appointed as Left Chief Historian and granted the additional title of Grand Supervisor, being promoted to the rank of Duke of Henan Commandery. At the time, the Tuyuhun tribe invaded the border, and he followed Marshal Yuan Xie to lead a campaign against them as Chief Historian of the Marching Army, and was promoted to Upper Household Official in recognition of his achievements. Later, when Prince Yang Xiu was stationed in Shu, he needed to select capable and upright individuals, so Linghu Xi was appointed as Chief Historian of Yizhou. However, before he could take up the position, he was appointed as Inspector of Cangzhou.
At that time, the Shandong region had just experienced the chaos of the Qi dynasty, with many household registrations being inaccurate. Linghu Xi explained the situation with reason and moved the people with emotion, encouraging them to voluntarily report their information, resulting in ten thousand households voluntarily registering. During his tenure in Cangzhou for several years, local conditions greatly improved, and people praised him as a good official. In the fourth year of the Kaihuang era, when the emperor visited Luoyang, Linghu Xi went to the capital to pay his respects. The people feared he would be reassigned and cried as they bid him farewell along the way. When Linghu Xi returned to Cangzhou, the people all came out of the city to welcome him, with cheers that echoed loudly. During his tenure, auspicious signs such as white crows and white deer appeared in Cangzhou, and blessed dew fell on the willow tree in front of the state office.
In the eighth year of the Kaihuang era, he was reassigned to Hebei as Minister of Revenue. The local people greatly missed him and erected a monument together to honor his contributions. After the treasury was disbanded, he was appointed as Chief Inspector of Bingzhou. He was later summoned to serve as Attendant for Yongzhou, soon promoted to Chief Historian, and then further promoted to Minister of Ceremonies. Later, he also concurrently served as Minister of Personnel in his official capacity, responsible for handling the operations of the Five Departments, and was praised for his efficiency in handling matters, earning the emperor's trust. When the emperor returned from sacrificing to Mount Tai and passed by Bianzhou, he found it prosperous yet plagued by corruption, so he appointed Linghu Xi as Governor of Bianzhou.
After Linghu Xi took office, he immediately banned idle people, cracked down on unscrupulous businessmen, and stopped ordinary folks from setting up shop on the streets. If boat travelers anchored outside the city, he made them settle in a designated area. He commanded outsiders to return to their places of origin and dealt with pending cases promptly. His measures were considered effective governance. The emperor was delighted and remarked to his courtiers, "Ye Du (referring to Bianzhou) is the most difficult place to govern in the world!" The emperor also ordered the governor of Xiangzhou, Dou Lu Tong, to learn Linghu Xi's governing methods. That year, Linghu Xi reported to the capital, and his governance ranked first nationwide. The emperor rewarded him with three hundred bolts of silk and issued a decree proclaiming his achievements to the realm.
Upon hearing of multiple rebellions in the Lingnan region, the emperor summoned Linghu Xi to serve as the governor of Guizhou, overseeing military affairs across seventeen states. He was granted the authority to act as he deemed appropriate and could appoint officials below the rank of governor. The court assigned him five hundred guards, rewarded him with five hundred bolts of silk, and sent an escort to ensure his family's safe passage to Guizhou. His title was also elevated to Duke of Wukang County. Once in Guizhou, Linghu Xi enacted benevolent policies. Local tribal leaders remarked to one another, "Past governors relied on force to intimidate us, but General Linghu persuades us with his teachings. How could we possibly resist?" They subsequently pledged their loyalty.
In the past, the management of counties in Guizhou was chaotic, and most local officials were incompetent, with all government affairs controlled by the governor's office. Linghu Xi sent these officials back, built cities, and established schools. People from all ethnic groups in the region greatly admired him and praised his good governance. At that time, there was a man named Ning Mengli who was born on the same day as Emperor Chen. He boasted of his extraordinary looks and had occupied Nanhai during the Chen Dynasty. After the Chen Dynasty fell, Emperor Yang Jian pacified him and appointed him as the governor of Anzhou. However, he was arrogant and never paid visits to his superiors, relying on the area's natural defenses. Linghu Xi personally wrote to him, explaining that they should get along in a friendly manner. When Ning Mengli's mother fell ill, Linghu Xi even sent medicine to her. Ning Mengli was very touched and went to Linghu Xi's office to pay his respects, and from then on, he dared not act recklessly.
Linghu Xi found that many counties shared the same names, so he petitioned the court for name changes. Anzhou was changed to Qinzhou, Huangzhou to Fengzhou, Lizhou to Zhizhou, Dezhou to Huanzhou, Dongning to Rongzhou, and the emperor granted his requests. After serving in Guizhou for several years, Linghu Xi requested retirement in a memorial to the court, saying, "I have been the governor of Lingnan for four years. I am sixty-one years old and my abilities are limited. I am unable to shoulder such a heavy responsibility. I have always wished to resign and escape criticism. However, the area I oversee is vast, making it very difficult to bring peace to the people. Although I have not been able to completely change the local customs, I have at least helped the local people appreciate the court's grace. But I have long been afflicted by diabetes, and my condition is getting worse. My physical and mental strength are declining. When I was young, my abilities were not as good as others, let alone now that I am burdened by illness. How can I still bear such a heavy responsibility? I request to be relieved of my duties." The emperor's decree denied his request, but he also provided him with medicine.
Linghu Xi was ordered to command Li Fuzi, the canal chief of Jiaozhou, to come to the capital for an audience. Li Fuzi, intending to rebel, requested to delay his departure until midwinter. Linghu Xi agreed, hoping to keep him in check. Someone filed a complaint with the court, alleging that Linghu Xi had accepted bribes from Li Fuzi before letting him go. The emperor grew suspicious upon hearing this. Later, Li Fuzi did rebel, and the emperor, in a fit of rage, believed the report and sent people to bring Linghu Xi to the capital in custody. Linghu Xi was known for his integrity, but he had long been frustrated in his career.
Xue Zhou, also known by his courtesy name Shaoxuan, was from Fenyin, Hedong, Shanxi. His father, Xue Duan, was the governor of Caizhou during the Northern Zhou dynasty. Xue Zhou was intelligent from a young age, able to grasp whatever he read quickly. He often lamented that commentary writers misunderstood the sages' true intentions, which earned him praise from many scholars. He was open-minded, ambitious, and determined to make a name for himself. During the reign of Northern Zhou's Emperor Ming, he inherited the title of Marquis of Wencheng. He gradually rose through the ranks, becoming the Commander of the Imperial Guards and Minister of Works, and eventually was appointed as a Duke. After Emperor Yang Jian of Sui declared himself emperor, he appointed Xue Zhou as the governor of Luzhou, and before he could assume that position, he was temporarily appointed as acting governor of Luzhou. Shortly thereafter, he was appointed as the governor of Yanzhou.
After arriving in Yanzhou to take up his new post, there were hundreds of prisoners detained in the prison. Xue Zhao completed all the cases in just over ten days, and the prison was left empty. There was a man from Chenzhou named Xiang Daoli, who was impersonating the magistrate of Gaoping County and was preparing to take office. Xue Zhao met him on the way and felt that something seemed amiss, so he wanted to detain him for questioning. However, his aide, Wang Junfu, strongly advised him against it, and Xue Zhao agreed to let him go to Gaoping. Later, Xue Zhao regretted his decision and immediately sent his clerk to capture Xiang Daoli. There was a man named Xu Juluo, who used to be the magistrate of Hailing County but had already been replaced by Xiang Daoli. When Xu Juluo's term ended, neither the officials nor the public noticed. Xu Juluo said to Wang Junfu, "Xiang Daoli replaced me as the magistrate, shouldn't you have been suspicious?" Wang Junfu told Xue Zhao what Xu Juluo had said and tried to persuade him. Xue Zhao reprimanded Wang Junfu, stating, "I have already determined that this man is a fraud! As a magistrate, you are complicit in sheltering the wicked and should be held accountable!" Wang Junfu finally stopped talking. So Xue Zhao went to arrest Xiang Daoli, who, frightened, confessed to his crimes. All the cases he resolved were of this nature, and people at the time remarked that he was like a god.
In the past, the Yi River and Si River in the east of Yanzhou City merged and flowed southward, which frequently led to devastating floods. Xue Zhou mobilized labor to stack stones and construct dams on the river channel, redirecting the river to flow westward, transforming the former marshland into arable land. He also cleared transportation routes, which benefited the communities around the Huai River and the Yellow Sea. The locals referred to this canal as "Xue Gong Feng Yan Qu." After the world was peaceful, Emperor Wen of Sui planned to hold a grand ceremony for enthronement and abdication to showcase the emperor's accomplishments. He dispatched scholars to Mount Tai to explore historical sites and compile the "Fengshan Diagram" and other relevant rituals. However, Emperor Wen of Sui graciously declined. Later, Xue Zhou was reassigned as the Inspector of Yingzhou, where he continued to perform many good deeds. He was later summoned by the court to take on the role of Minister of War, then transferred to the position of Minister of Justice, where he balanced kindness and firmness in enforcing the law, making significant contributions to governance. Later, he was promoted to Minister of Justice.
At that time, the Left Chancellor Gao Jiao was somewhat estranged from the emperor, and when Wang Shiji was killed, Gao Jiao was also implicated, as the emperor sought to punish Gao Jiao. However, Xue Zhou defended Gao Jiao, advocated for justice, and sought to clear Gao Jiao's name. This angered the emperor, resulting in his long imprisonment before eventual release. Later, he was temporarily appointed as the acting governor of Xiangzhou, and his political achievements were outstanding. Prince Yang Liang of Han rebelled in Bingzhou and sent the pretender general Qi Liang to attack from the east, approaching Cizhou. The Cizhou Inspector Shang Guan Zheng asked Xue Zhou for help, but Xue Zhou was reluctant to send troops. Qi Liang led his troops to attack Xue Zhou. Xue Zhou sought to devise a strategy to repel Qi Liang, so he sent his relative Lu Shifan to persuade Qi Liang, saying, "The outcome of events is still uncertain. As a courtier, whether to stay or leave depends on the situation. Why do we have to fight?" Qi Liang then withdrew his troops and went to attack Liyang. Later, Qi Liang was defeated by Shi Xiang, abandoned his armor and fled back to Xiangzhou to surrender to Xue Zhou. The court suspected Xue Zhou of having ulterior motives and brought him before the Dali Temple. The officials and people of Xiangzhou were very grateful to him, and more than a hundred people petitioned on behalf of Xue Zhou, but Xue Zhou was ultimately dismissed from his position and exiled to Lingnan, where he fell ill and died during the journey. He had two sons, Xue Jun and Xue Xian, both of whom gained considerable renown.
Yuwen Bi, styled Gongfu, hails from Luoyang, Henan. His ancestors were of the same lineage as the royal family of the Zhou Dynasty. His grandfather, Yuwen Zhi, served as the Prefect of Julu in the Wei Kingdom; his father, Yuwen Zhen, served as the Governor of Dangzhou in the Zhou Dynasty. Yuwen Bi was generous, principled, knowledgeable, and served as a senior official in the Ministry of Rites during the Zhou Dynasty. He was once sent on a mission to the Dengzhi State and the Qiang tribal areas of Heishui and Longheng, where over thirty tribes submitted. Upon his return, he was tasked with revising the "Five Rites," and after completing the manuscript, he was rewarded with twelve hectares of land and one hundred shi of grain by the emperor. He steadily rose through the ranks to become the Minister of Personnel, promoted eight individuals to the position of county magistrates, all of whom later achieved remarkable political accomplishments, which earned him a reputation for being adept at recognizing talent. He was later promoted to Senior Interior Officer.
Emperor Wu was preparing to attack the Qi Kingdom in Heyang and consulted his ministers on battle plans. Yuwen Bi proposed, "The Qi Kingdom has been established for many generations, and although they may not be reasonable, as a vassal state, they still have talented individuals. When launching an attack, we must choose the right battlefield. Heyang is a strategic pass with elite troops stationed there; besieging it with full force may prove difficult. In my opinion, the bend of the Fen River, with its small mountains and plains, would be easier to conquer. There is no better place for military action than there, and I hope Your Majesty will consider this carefully." The emperor did not heed his advice, resulting in a defeat. In the fifth year of Jiande, a large-scale attack on the Qi Kingdom was launched, ultimately using Yuwen Bi's strategy. He recruited hundreds of brave young men from the Sanfu region to form a special forces unit, following the emperor to attack Jinzhou. Despite being hit by three arrows, he continued to fight bravely, earning the emperor's admiration and praise. He later accompanied the emperor in pacifying the Qi Kingdom and was ennobled as Duke of Yitong, Duke of Wuwei, with a fief of 1,500 households, received 1,500 bolts of cloth, 150 slaves, and over a thousand cattle, sheep, and horses. He later served as the Governor and Recorder of Sizhou.
After Emperor Xuan succeeded to the throne, Yuwen Bi was appointed as the Left Minister of the Imperial Ancestral Temple. At that time, the Turks launched an invasion of Ganzhou, and the Emperor ordered Hou Mochen Chang to lead the troops to fight, with Yuwen Bi appointed as the military supervisor. He said to Hou Mochen Chang, "Catching up with them will be difficult if we pursue. It's best to select elite cavalry and head directly towards the west of Qilian Mountain. If the enemy retreats, they will likely pass north of Liaoquan, where the terrain is rugged and marshy; it will take them three days to get through. We can pursue them slowly and surely catch up. This way, they will be exhausted while we are energetic, and defeating them should be easy. Ambushing them on this route is the best strategy." However, Hou Mochen Chang ignored his advice and attacked Heli Mountain to the west. The army moved slowly, allowing the Turks to escape beyond the border. That year, Yuwen Bi led troops to capture Shouyang following Liang Shiyi, then was appointed as the Duke of Anle County, with an increase of six hundred households and six hundred bolts of cloth as rewards, along with slaves and horses. He was appointed Governor of Huizhou and was soon promoted to Governor of Nansizhou. Later, Sima Xiaonan defected to the Chen Kingdom, and Yuwen Bi pursued him but encountered Chen's general Fan Yi at Zhangkou. They fought from morning until noon, winning three battles and capturing three thousand soldiers. He was appointed Governor of Huangzhou, and then promoted to Governor of Nandingzhou.
In the early years of the Kaihuang era, due to his previous merits, he was appointed as the Duke of Pingchang, with an additional 1,200 households, and entered the court as the Right Chancellor of the Ministry of Personnel. At that time, the Western Qiang people surrendered, and the court ordered Yuwen Bi to pacify them, establish the Yanze and Puchang counties, and then return. He was promoted to the Left Chancellor of the Ministry of Personnel, known for his integrity in the officialdom, and was respected by all officials. Three years later, the Turks invaded Ganzhou, and he served as the marching general, following the marshal Dou Rongding to defeat the enemy. Upon his return, he was appointed as the Junior Minister of the Imperial Household and then promoted to the Ministry of Personnel. In the war to pacify the Chen Kingdom, Yang Su departed from Xinzhou and ordered Yuwen Bi to lead and command the various armies, and also serve as the marching general. Liu Ren'en defeated the Chen Kingdom general Lv Zhongsu, with numerous suggestions from Yuwen Bi. He was granted the title of Imperial Counselor, promoted to the Minister of Justice, and also appointed as the Prince's Guard Leader.
The Emperor personally attended the sacrificial ceremony, and Yuwen Bi and the scholars discussed together. His words were clear and fluent, drawing admiration from everyone present. The Emperor was very pleased and said to his attendants, "Today I have seen the rituals set by the Duke of Zhou, and heard the teachings on filial piety by Confucius, which brings me great joy." He then rewarded everyone, with varying rewards. At that time, the court regarded Jinyang as an important military stronghold, and the governor of Bingzhou must be a member of the imperial clan, with the prefect and marshal being senior officials of the time. After the previous prefect Wang Shao passed away, Yuwen Bi, being both civil and military talented, was appointed as the prefect of Bingzhou. Shortly after, he resigned due to his father's passing, but was soon reinstated by an imperial decree. In the eighteenth year, during the Liaodong campaign, he was appointed as the marshal of the Han Prince's Mansion, while still serving as the marching general. After the war ended, he successively served as the governors of Shuozhou, Daizhou, and Wuzhou, all of whom achieved notable political successes.
After Emperor Yang ascended the throne, he summoned Yuwen Bi to serve as the Minister of Justice, while still serving as Inspector of Hebei. Upon returning, he was appointed Governor of Quanzhou. A little over a year later, he again took on the role of Minister of Justice, and shortly after was promoted to the Minister of Rites. His exceptional talents and esteemed reputation in key positions garnered him much praise, but the Emperor had become somewhat wary of him. At that time, the Emperor had become increasingly enamored with indulgent pleasures and military campaigns. Yuwen Bi remarked to Gao Feng, "In the past, the Zhou Dynasty's emperors enjoyed pleasure-seeking activities, and as a result, the country perished. Isn't the current situation strikingly similar to that of the past?" He also said, "Fortunately, the battle at the Great Wall is not an urgent matter." Someone reported these words to the Emperor, resulting in Yuwen Bi's execution at the age of sixty-two. People everywhere felt he had been wronged. He authored more than two hundred thousand words of poetry, and works like the "Book of Documents" and "Annotations on the Classic of Filial Piety" were widely circulated during that time. He was the father of two sons, Yuwen Jian and Yuwen Yuan.
Zhang Heng, courtesy name Jianping, was a native of Henei. His grandfather Zhang Yi served as the governor of Heyang in the Wei Kingdom, and his father Zhang Guang served as the governor of Wanzhou during the Zhou Dynasty. Zhang Heng had lofty aspirations from a young age and was known for his integrity and determination. At the age of fifteen, he enrolled in the Imperial Academy, where he earned the admiration of his classmates for his diligence and seriousness. When Emperor Wu of the Zhou Dynasty went hunting with his guards after the Empress Dowager's death, Zhang Heng, dressed in mourning clothes under the blazing sun, stopped the emperor's horse and advised him. The emperor appreciated him and rewarded him with clothing and horses, promoting him to be the Prince of Han's reader. Zhang Heng later studied the "Three Rites" under Shen Zhong and mastered the main content. He was later promoted to be the Minister of State. When Emperor Gaozu ascended the throne, Zhang Heng was appointed as the Minister of the Interior. When Prince Jin, Yang Guang, served as the governor of Hebei, Zhang Heng served successively as an official in the Ministry of Justice and the Ministry of Revenue. After the abolition of the governorship, he was appointed as an aide to the Governor of Bingzhou. Later, when Yang Guang was appointed as the governor of Yangzhou, Zhang Heng followed him as his assistant, and Yang Guang trusted him greatly. Zhang Heng wholeheartedly supported Yang Guang, and many strategies for conquering the world were devised by Zhang Heng.
After his mother's death, Zhang Heng resigned from his position to mourn at home. Over a year later, he was appointed as the Governor's Marshal of Yangzhou, and the court rewarded him with three hundred bolts of cloth. During the Kaihuang period, Li Yinglin of Xizhou rebelled, claiming to represent the officials. The court appointed Zhang Heng as the commander of the expedition, leading fifty thousand troops to quell the rebellion. He was then granted the title of Duke, rewarded with one hundred and thirty slaves, five hundred bolts of cloth, as well as gold, silver, livestock, and other rewards. When Yang Guang became the Crown Prince, Zhang Heng was appointed as the Right Imperial Secretary and concurrently served as the Yellow Gate Attendant. After Emperor Yang of Sui ascended the throne, Zhang Heng continued to serve as the Yellow Gate Attendant and was granted the title of Grand Master of the Silver Seal. He was soon promoted to the Grand Master of the Imperial Secretariat and was held in high esteem by the emperor.
In the third year of the Daye era, Emperor Yang of Sui visited Yulin County, and on his way back, he passed through Taiyuan. He said to Zhang Heng, "I would like to visit your home; please get ready to host me." Zhang Heng rushed back to his family home in Henan and, together with his family, prepared a feast of beef and wine to welcome the Emperor. Emperor Yang of Sui crossed the Taihang Mountains, creating a straight path of ninety li to reach Zhang Heng's home. The Emperor liked the spring water at their home, so he stayed there for three days and said to Zhang Heng, "When I accompanied the late Emperor to Mount Tai for sacrifices, we passed through Luoyang, and I have always wanted to come here. I didn't expect to fulfill this wish today." Zhang Heng quickly thanked the Emperor and raised a toast to his long life. The Emperor was delighted and rewarded Zhang Heng with thirty mu (about five acres) of land near his home, a good horse, a golden belt, six hundred pieces of silk, a fine garment, and a set of imperial tableware. Zhang Heng humbly declined, but the Emperor insisted, "When the Emperor visits a place for inspection, rewards are appropriate; there is no need to decline." Zhang Heng then threw a banquet for the Emperor and ordered the leftover food to be distributed among the ministers, including the guards, ensuring everyone received their share.
Because of his long-standing friendship with the royal family, Zhang Heng enjoyed greater favor than others, so he was somewhat arrogant. The following year, Emperor Yang of Sui visited the Fenyang Palace and hosted a banquet for the officials, specially rewarding Zhang Heng with five hundred bolts of silk. At that time, Emperor Yang of Sui wanted to expand the Fenyang Palace and tasked Zhang Heng and Ji Hong with designing the plans and memorials. Zhang Heng seized the opportunity to offer advice, saying, "The labor has been heavy in recent years, and the people are exhausted. I hope you can show some compassion for the people and ease the workload a little." The emperor was not pleased at all. Later, Emperor Yang of Sui said in front of his attendants, "Zhang Heng believes that it was his clever plans that helped me gain control of the realm." At that time, Prince Qi Yang Jian had fallen out of favor, and the emperor secretly dispatched people to uncover Yang Jian's wrongdoings. Some accused Yang Jian of breaking the rules and implicated the Yique official Huang Fuxu. Others exposed that when Emperor Yang of Sui went to Zhuo County and worshipped Mount Hengshan, the local elders came to pay their respects, but their attire was disheveled. The emperor reprimanded Zhang Heng, stating that as a magistrate, he had failed to address these issues, and demoted Zhang Heng to the role of Prefect of Yulin.
In the second year of his reign, Emperor Yang of Sui visited the Fenyang Palace again, where Zhang Heng was overseeing the construction of Loufan City and also went to see the Emperor. The Emperor saw that Zhang Heng hadn't lost any weight and thought he showed no signs of remorse, so he said to him, "You ought to return to your county." Zhang Heng returned to Yulin. Soon after, the Emperor ordered Zhang Heng to supervise the construction of Jiangdu Palace. Someone approached Zhang Heng to report the palace guards' crimes, but Zhang Heng chose not to act. Instead, he handed the report to the guards, who subsequently subjected the informant to severe punishment. The Minister of Rites, Yang Xuangan, sent someone to Jiangdu, where the informant complained to him. Yang Xuangan believed Zhang Heng mishandled the situation. When Yang Xuangan met with Zhang Heng, before Yang could say anything, Zhang Heng said, "Xue Daocheng was truly wronged." Yang Xuangan reported this incident, and Wang Shichong, the prefect of Jiangdu, also reported that Zhang Heng had been withholding construction funds. The Emperor, furious, ordered Zhang Heng to be escorted to Jiangdu, where he was sentenced to execution. After some time, he was released, stripped of his official position, and sent back to his hometown to farm. The Emperor also often dispatched trusted individuals to covertly monitor Zhang Heng. Eight years later, when the Emperor returned from Liaodong to the capital, Zhang Heng's concubine accused him of harboring resentment towards the court and defaming the government. Ultimately, the Emperor ordered his property confiscated and his execution. Before he died, Zhang Heng loudly exclaimed, "What wrongs have I committed in my life that I deserve such a short life!" The executioners covered his ears and hastened to carry out the execution. In the Yining era, the court later deemed Zhang Heng's death unjust and posthumously granted him the titles of Grand General and Duke of Nanyang, and bestowed upon him the posthumous title of "Loyal." He was survived by a son, Zhang Xixuan.
Yang Wang, styled Yuandu, is from Hongnong Huayin. His great-grandfather Yang Shun moved to Hedong. His father, Yang Chen, became an official of the rank equivalent to Yitong Sanqi, and when Yang Wang became successful, his father was posthumously granted the title of Duke of Pingxiang. Yang Wang was quite a handful in his youth, enjoying fights with others. No one he fought could hold their ground against him. As he grew up, he changed his ways, studied diligently, immersed himself in the "Zuo Zhuan," and was well-versed in the "Three Rites." He started his official career as the attendant reader for King Ji of Zhou. King Ji held him in high regard, often saying, "Attendant Yang possesses deep virtue and knowledge; he is both my esteemed teacher and friend!" Later, he studied etiquette under Shen Zhong and the "Book of Han" under Liu Zhen, both of whom praised him, saying, "We are not as good as him!" As a result, Yang Wang gained fame and advanced to a senior position in the Xia government.
Later, Yang Guang became the prime minister and appointed him in charge of military affairs, promoting him to Chief Military Officer. After Yang Guang became emperor, he appointed him as the County Earl of Pingxiang, with a fief that included two hundred households. He later served as the Minister of Works and the Assistant Minister of the Ministry of War, the Chief Historian of Qinzhou, and was considered to be highly capable. He was later promoted to Left Deputy of the Ministry of Works but was dismissed due to a minor infraction. He then served as the Chief Historian of Jingzhou and Luozhou, where he would gather students for lectures during his spare time, earning accolades from his peers. Several years later, Yang Guang asked the Adviser Wang Da to find a good Left Deputy. Wang Da secretly told Yang Wang, "I will recommend you for the position of Left Deputy, and if you succeed, I will give you a good piece of land!" Yang Wang informed Yang Guang of Wang Da's words, leading to Wang Da's disgrace, and Yang Wang ultimately became the Left Deputy of the Ministry of Works. Yang Wang was well-acquainted with legal texts, made decisive rulings, and was regarded as highly competent by all.
After Yang Guang became emperor, Yang Wang became the Chief Justice. He took office for two days, and Yang Guang personally inspected the prison. At that time, there were more than two hundred prisoners detained, and Yang Wang interrogated all the prisoners overnight, and reported back the next morning with all the details, leaving nothing out. Yang Guang was very pleased with his thoroughness. A year later, he was appointed as the Minister of Rites. Yang Guang ordered all officials to study at the National University, engaging in discussions with Yang Wang. Famous scholars from all over the country gathered there for vigorous debates, but none could outargue Yang Wang. Yang Guang ordered the censors to record their debates for his review. After reading them, he was delighted and rewarded him with a fine horse. During the Daye period, he was promoted to the rank of Yinqing Guanglu Daifu.
Later, Yang Xuangan rebelled in Henan, and Yang Wang assisted Pei Hongce in leading troops to quell the rebellion. They were defeated, and Pei Hongce withdrew his troops and met with Yang Wang on the way back, where they held a private discussion. Later, Fan Zigai killed Pei Hongce and reported the situation to Yang Wang. Yang Guang grew suspicious of Yang Wang and demoted him to the post of Governor of Liangjun. At this point, Li Mi's forces were approaching the Eastern Capital and frequently attacked Liangjun. Yang Wang led the defense and successfully repelled Li Mi's forces on several occasions. After Yang Guang's death, Wang Shichong installed Prince Yue Yang Dong as emperor and appointed Yang Wang as the Minister of Personnel, placing great trust in him. When Wang Shichong declared himself emperor, Yang Wang continued to serve him. After Wang Shichong was overthrown, Yang Wang was killed for being associated with Wang Shichong.
Historical records indicate that Lu Kai's counsel was sound, Luhu Xi governed the region well, Xue Zhou served fairly, Yu Wenbi was highly respected, Zhang Heng was famous for his integrity, and Yang Wang was known for his knowledge. However, these individuals all started strong, but few managed to endure until the end, like a mountain built nine ren high, only to eventually collapse from a small crack; it's truly a shame!
Loyalty is a commendable virtue, even if loyalty is directed toward the wrong person, it may not yield results, let alone when you’re treading a crooked path and looking for the wrong person. As the saying goes, "Don't seek power, or you’ll have to face the consequences." Another saying warns, "Don’t stir up trouble; don’t create chaos." Since Zhang Heng has stirred up the root of the trouble, he essentially embodies that power leader, and with his improper actions, how can he escape this fate?
