Zhou Luohou, style name Gongbu, was from Jiujiang, Jiangxi. His father, Zhou Fahao, served as General of Champions, Shixing Prefect, Cavalry Commandant of the Imperial Secretariat, and Nan'kang Interior Minister during the Liang Dynasty, and was granted the title of Marquis of Linzheng County, holding a high official position. At the age of fifteen, Luohou was particularly skilled in horseback riding and archery, enjoyed raising hunting falcons and dogs, was known for his sense of justice, and even gathered a band of misfits to privately study military tactics. His grandfather's brother, Zhou Jingyan, once advised him, "Our Zhou family has always been well-behaved, but you are so wild and unruly. If you continue like this, our family will be in danger! Even if you don't lose your life, you will definitely bring disaster to our Zhou family!" However, Luohou paid no attention to the advice.
During the reign of Emperor Chen Xuan, Luohou was appointed as the General of Kaiyuan and the Prefect of Jurong County due to his military achievements. Later, he fought alongside the Grand Commandant Wu Mingche against the Qi army in Jiangyang and was struck in the left eye by a stray arrow. The Qi army besieged Wu Mingche in Suyu. At that time, the soldiers of the Chen army exchanged glances, lacking any fighting spirit. However, Luohou bravely charged into the enemy ranks, sending the enemy into disarray. The Minister of Works, Xiao Moha, held him in high regard and appointed him as his deputy. They fought together and gained countless victories. Later, when the army marched to Xuzhou and fought against the Zhou dynasty general Liang Shiyi in Pengcheng, Xiao Moha was unseated from his horse on the battlefield. Luohou bravely plunged into the fray to save him, pulling Xiao Moha out of the siege. His bravery earned him the respect of the entire army. After Wu Mingche's defeat, Luohou safely led the remaining soldiers in retreat and was subsequently promoted to General of Guangyuan and Prefect of Zhongli.
After eleven years, he was appointed the Commissioner and Military Governor of Huozhou. He quelled the rebellion of the twelve bandit strongholds and was granted the title of General of the Right Army, Count of Shi'an County, with a fief consisting of four hundred households. He was also appointed the Inspector of Military Affairs for both internal and external matters in Yangzhou. The court rewarded him with three thousand taels of gold and silver, which he generously distributed among his soldiers, especially rewarding the brave ones. Emperor Chen Xuan praised him greatly. Later, he was appointed the Prefect of Jinling, enfeoffed as a Marquis with an additional fief of one thousand households. He was then promoted to Minister Steward, with an additional fief of six hundred households, totaling one thousand six hundred households. He was then appointed the General of Xiongxin, Commissioner and Commander of Military Affairs in the ten counties of Yuzhang, and the Interior Minister of Yuzhang. He personally handled cases without delegating to others, and the common people expressed their gratitude by erecting steles in his honor.
During the reign of Emperor Chen Zhide, he was appointed the Commissioner and Commander of Military Affairs in Nanchuan. Wu Shixing, the Sima of Jiangzhou, secretly reported to Emperor Chen Xuan that Luo Hou had gained much popularity in Lingnan, gathered a large force, and harbored suspicious intentions. This left Emperor Chen Xuan puzzled. Xiao Moha, Lu Guangda, and others vouched for Luo Hou. Some people, upon learning of this, advised Luo Hou to rebel, but he refused. After the troops returned, he was appointed the Left Guard of the Crown Prince, and the Emperor trusted him greatly, often inviting him to court banquets. Emperor Chen Xuan once said, "Zhou Zuo is a military commander, but he can write poetry as swiftly as he charges into battle on horseback. Why can't literary men compare to him?" Kong Fan, the Minister of the Court, replied, "Zhou Luo Hou writes poetry as swiftly as he charges into battle on horseback, never falling behind anyone!" From that point on, Emperor Chen Xuan grew even closer to Luo Hou. Later, Luo Hou was appointed the Commissioner of Military Affairs in Xiangzhou, and upon returning to court, he was appointed as a Cavalier Attendant.
When Prince Jin Guang attacked the State of Chen, he served as the overall commander of the military in the area along the Ba and Xia Gorge, with the aim of resisting the army of Prince Qin Jun. As a result, the army was unable to cross the river, resulting in a stalemate that lasted over a month. Later, the city of Danyang fell, and the Emperor of Chen was captured. However, the upstream army still refused to surrender. Prince Jin Guang sent a letter of surrender personally written by the Emperor of Chen. Luo Hou and his generals deliberated for three days before allowing the soldiers to disperse, after which they surrendered.
The Emperor (referring to Prince Jin Guang) comforted and advised him, promising him wealth and honor. Luo Hou responded tearfully, "I am grateful for the Emperor of Chen's kindness. Now that the country has been destroyed, I really don't know how to proceed. I am extremely grateful that Your Majesty has allowed me to keep my life; as for wealth and honor, I do not dare to hope for such things." The Emperor valued him greatly. He Ruo Bi remarked to Luo Hou, "I heard that you fought battles in Yingzhou and Hanzhong, so I knew you would surely capture Yangzhou. The Jin army's successful crossing of the river was indeed as you had predicted." Luo Hou replied, "If I had the chance to face you in battle, the outcome would still be anyone's guess!"
That autumn, Prince Jin Guang conferred the official position of San Si to Luo Hou and sent a grand procession to escort him home. Prior to this, General Yang Xiang of the Chen Kingdom surrendered to us and was appointed as a Kaifu, holding a rank higher than Luo Hou. Han Qin once jokingly asked Luo Hou in court, "You are so inflexible, with a rank lower than Yang Xiang, don't you feel ashamed?" Luo Hou replied, "When I was in Jiangnan, I had long admired your reputation and thought of you as one of the few loyal and righteous men in the world. What you said today is hardly what a loyal subject would say." Han Qin immediately looked ashamed. That winter, Luo Hou was appointed as the Governor of Binzhou, and shortly after was transferred to Jingzhou as governor. Later, he resigned due to his mother's passing. Not long after, he was reappointed as Governor of Binzhou and made significant achievements during his tenure.
When he was eighteen years old, the War of Liaodong broke out, and he was summoned to serve as the commander of the navy. Setting off from Laizhou, Shandong, he set sail for Pyongyang but encountered a strong wind halfway, causing many ships to be scattered. Ultimately, he returned without any accomplishments.
At the age of nineteen, the Turkic Khan invaded the border with his troops, and he followed Yang Su to battle. With the Turkic forces being overwhelming, Luo Hou said to Yang Su, "The enemy formation is not yet ready, let's attack now!" Yang Su agreed and led twenty light cavalry directly into the enemy camp. From Shen to You (3 PM to 6 PM), they fought fiercely and won. As a result, he was promoted to the rank of great general.
In the first year of Renshou, he was appointed as the Right Guard Commander of the Eastern Palace, and the Emperor bestowed upon him the title of Duke of Yining County, with a fief of fifteen hundred households. Shortly after, he was promoted to Right Guard Commander. After Emperor Yang of Sui ascended the throne, he was granted the position of Grand General of the Right Martial Guard. Later, when Prince Liang of Han rebelled, the Emperor sent him to aid Yang Su in suppressing the rebellion. After the war, he was promoted to Grand General.
That winter, the Emperor went to Luoyang. Chen Shubao died, and Luo Hou requested to pay his respects. The Emperor granted his request. He donned mourning attire, attended to Chen Shubao's burial, and only returned to court after removing his mourning attire. The Emperor greatly appreciated him, and people at the time praised him for his politeness. At that time, the remnants of Prince Liang's forces still occupied Jinzhou, Jiangzhou, and Lvzhou, which had not been pacified. The Emperor appointed Luo Hou to lead the military in besieging these three states.
In the end, he was hit by a stray arrow on the battlefield and died a heroic death at the age of sixty-four. As his coffin was being transported back to the capital, the horses abruptly halted, refusing to move no matter how much they were urged, and a whirlwind began swirling around the coffin. Guo Ya, the Prefect of Jiangzhou, quickly knelt down and prayed to the coffin, saying, "General, are you still resentful that those bandits have not been subdued? Rest assured, they will be eliminated soon. Do not linger in this world any longer!" After he finished speaking, the wind stopped, the horses moved, and everyone present could not help but express their sorrow.
In the seventh month of autumn that year, Luo Hou's son Zhongyin dreamed that his father told him, "I will be going to battle tomorrow." At the same time, the bows, arrows, knives, and swords that Luo Hou had once wielded began to move as if animated. The next day, Jinzhou City was indeed breached. The court posthumously honored him as a pillar of the state, Grand General of the Right Yiwu Guard, with the posthumous title "Zhuang," and bestowed upon him one thousand rolls of silk. His son Zhong'an later attained the rank of Chief Minister.
Zhou Fashang, courtesy name Demai, was a native of Ancheng in Runan. His grandfather, Zhou Lingqi, served as General of the Direct Pavilion, Yiyang Prefect, and Governor of Luzhou and Guizhou during the Liang Dynasty; his father, Zhou Jiong, served as the Prefect of Dingzhou and General of Pingbei. Fashang was brave and had leadership qualities from a young age, and he enjoyed reading military books. At the age of eighteen, he became a junior military officer under Chen Shi, the King of Chixing, and soon was promoted to General Fubo. After his father's death, he took over the affairs of Dingzhou and commanded his father's original army. He achieved many military successes and was later promoted to General of Steadfastness and Integrity, Cavalry Commandant, while also serving as the Prefect of Qichang County, and was granted the title of Marquis of Shanyin County with a fief of five thousand households. Later, he had his brother, Zhou Faseng, succeed him as the Prefect of Dingzhou.
Fashang had a bad relationship with Prince Chen Shujian of Changsha, who claimed he was plotting a rebellion. Emperor Chen Xuan then arrested his brother Zhou Faseng and sent troops to seize Fashang. His generals advised him to flee to Northern Zhou, but he hesitated. His Chief of Staff, Yin Wen, said, "General Yue Yi left the Yan state in the past because of hesitation. The situation is now the same, please make your decision quickly!" Fashang then fled to Northern Zhou. Emperor Chen Xuan treated him very well, appointing him as the Prefect of Kaifu and Shunzhou, and bestowing upon him the title of Duke of Guiyi County with a fief of one thousand households. He also rewarded him with five fine horses, five singing girls, five hundred pieces of silk, and a golden waistband.
General Fan Meng of the Chen dynasty crossed the river to attack him. Fa Shang sent his subordinate Han Ming to feign betrayal and run to join the Chen army. Han Ming told Fan Meng, "The soldiers under Fa Shang are unwilling to submit to the Northern Zhou dynasty. They are all discussing in private and want to defect and return. If your army comes, they will definitely not resist and will definitely turn against you on the spot!" Fan Meng believed him and quickly led his army forward. Fa Shang pretended to be afraid and hid along the riverbank. Fan Meng set up his formation and challenged him. Fa Shang had hidden lightweight boats by the river in advance and had elite soldiers ambushed to the north of the ancient village. He raised his banners and held his ground against the current. After several skirmishes, he feigned a retreat and ran towards the ancient village. Fan Meng abandoned his boat to chase him, and Fa Shang ran quickly. After running for several miles, he met up with the soldiers to the north of the village and turned back to attack Fan Meng. Fan Meng retreated towards the boats, but the concealed boats ambushed and seized his vessels, raising the flags of the Northern Zhou dynasty. Fan Meng was defeated and escaped alone, with eight thousand men captured.
During Lao Gao's tenure as prime minister, Sima Xiaonan rebelled. He secretly dispatched Duan Xun, a trusted associate of the emperor, to lead troops. On the surface, he said he was going to help defend the city, but he actually wanted to take over the city. Fa Shang saw through his scheme and closed the city gates, preventing him from entering. Duan Xun then besieged Fa Shang. At that time, the situation was urgent, and the soldiers were scattered outside. Fa Shang defended with five hundred officials and civilians for twenty days. With no reinforcements arriving, Fa Shang realized he could no longer hold out and fled the city with his men. Sima Xiaonan captured his mother, brother, and over three hundred family members as hostages and returned them to the Chen dynasty.
After the emperor ascended the throne, he appointed Fa Shang as the prefect of Bazhou. He defeated the rebel forces of San Ya who had revolted at Tie Shan, and later accompanied Zhuguo Wang Yi to defeat the army of Chen Guo. He was later promoted to the governor of Hengzhou, in charge of the military of four states, and was also granted the title of Duke of Qiao County, with a fief of two thousand households. When the emperor reached Luoyang, he summoned Fa Shang and rewarded him with gold, silver treasures, and sets of wine vessels, five hundred pieces of brocade, fifteen fine horses, three hundred slaves, and a band of musicians. Fa Shang initially declined, but the emperor insisted, saying, "You have made great contributions to the country. Rewarding you with a music band is to let your fellow villagers know of my favor for you." In the end, he accepted the rewards. Over a year later, Fa Shang was promoted to the governor of Huangzhou.
The emperor secretly issued a decree for him to go to Jiangnan to gather information. When the war against Chen Guo began, Fa Shang served as the marching general and set out from Fankou with thirty thousand naval troops under Prince Qin Xiao. The prefect of Chen Guo's city-state, Xiong Men, led his troops out to resist but was swiftly defeated and captured by Fa Shang. Fa Shang was promoted to the prefect of Ezhou, and shortly after to the governor of Yongzhou, restoring peace in the Lingnan region. The prefects of Chen Guo, including Qian Jiqing of Guizhou, Liu Xuan of Nankang, Deng Hao of Xihengzhou, and Maoshuang of Yangshan, all surrendered to Fa Shang one after another.
The prefect of Dingzhou in Chen Guo, Lv Zikuai, rebelled and retreated to a mountain cave. Fa Shang led his troops across the mountains to confront him. Lv Zikuai's forces dwindled day by day, and in the end, with over a thousand men, he fled to the mountains to hide. His own men killed him and surrendered to Fa Shang. The emperor rewarded him once more with five hundred pieces of brocade, fifty slaves, silver urns, treasure belts, and ten fine horses. Ten years later, Fa Shang was promoted to the governor of Guizhou and appointed as the ambassador for pacification in Lingnan.
Wow, after a few years, he was promoted and worked in the court, in charge of palace security. The emperor rewarded him with a lot of stuff, like 300 pieces of colored satin, 500 measures of rice, and 500 pieces of silk, which was a really generous haul! Not long after, a guy named Li Guangshi from Guizhou led a rebellion with his troops. The emperor sent Fashang and Grand Preceptor Wang Shiji to put down the rebellion. Fashang quickly arrived in Guizhou and gathered the troops from Lingnan; Shiji set out from Yuezhou with the troops from Lingbei, and the two armies joined forces in Yinzhou. They fought against Li Guangshi, defeated his army and sent them packing. However, a lot of Shiji's soldiers got sick from miasma and couldn't go on, so they hung back in Hengzhou. Meanwhile, Fashang went after Li Guangshi on his own. Li Guangshi and his best troops held up in Baishidong, but Fashang captured Li Guangshi's brothers, Guanglue and Guangdu, and a bunch of their family members. If the rebels gave up, Fashang promised to send their wives and kids back. In just a few days, thousands of people gave up. Fashang got his troops ready for a showdown with Li Guangshi. He personally led a crack team and set up an ambush in the woods. As soon as the two armies engaged, Fashang fiercely attacked Li Guangshi's camp, sending everyone inside into a panic. Li Guangshi's army got wiped out and scattered, and Fashang caught up with and killed Li Guangshi. The emperor then rewarded him with 150 servants, 150 taels of gold, and 150 pounds of silver, which was just crazy generous!
During the Renshou era, the Liao people of Suizhou rebelled once more, and the emperor once again appointed Fa Shang as the commander to quell the uprising. He successfully pacified the rebellion. Later, the Wuman people in Guizhou also revolted and breached the city. The emperor ordered Fa Shang to go and attack them. As Fa Shang's army was nearing, the Wuman fled the city and retreated into the mountains. Fa Shang pursued them but was unable to catch them. So, Fa Shang sent people to negotiate with them, offering them official positions while feigning a troop withdrawal, and only advancing twenty miles each day. After two days, Fa Shang discreetly sent scouts and discovered that the Wuman leaders had returned to their camp and were celebrating with drinks! Fa Shang quickly assembled thousands of infantry and cavalry and launched a surprise attack, defeating the Wuman, capturing thousands of their leaders and tens of thousands of men and women. The emperor rewarded him with a hundred slaves, three hundred bolts of fabric, and twenty Shu horses. Following the successful suppression of the rebellion, Fa Shang was appointed as the military commander of Luzhou.
After Yang Guang became the emperor, he was initially appointed as the governor of Yunzhou. Three years later, he was promoted to be the Prefect of Dingxiang, and his title was elevated to Jinyin Ziguanglufu. At that time, when the emperor went to Yulin, as per tradition, the ministers were required to visit the palace to pay their respects. Yuan Shou, the Minister of the Interior, advised the emperor: "Emperor Wu of Han went out to fight on the frontier, and his flags could be seen extending for miles. Now, Your Majesty is outside the military camp; you could divide into twenty-four army units, sending out one unit each day, with thirty miles between each unit, flags visible to each other, drums audible to each other, connected end to end, stretching for miles; this would also demonstrate the grandeur of this military expedition!"
Fa Shang still disagreed. He said, "No, the army shouldn't be stretched across a thousand miles, having to cross mountains and hills in between. If unexpected situations arise, the army will be fragmented. If there are issues at the rear, the front line won't be informed; the distance is far, and mutual support is difficult. Although this is an old military rule, it's actually a recipe for disaster!" The emperor was not happy and asked him, "So what do you think should be done?" Fa Shang said, "We should form a square formation for the army, with vigilance on all sides. The six palaces and the families of the officials should all be housed in the center of the formation. In case of unexpected situations, we can face the enemy, mobilize internal forces, and launch a fierce counterattack from the outside, using wagons to build defensive structures and setting up defenses layer by layer. How is this any different from defending a city? If we win, we can send cavalry to pursue the enemy; if we lose, we can hold our ground in the camp. I believe this is a sound and thorough strategy." The emperor said, "Good!" So he promoted Fa Shang to the position of Left Guard General and also rewarded him with a good horse and three hundred bolts of silk. The following year, the Anyi people in Qianzhou rebelled once more; they killed General Luyuan and besieged Governor Xiaozao. The court sent Fa Shang and General Li Jing to lead troops to suppress them. Fa Shang defeated Sido at Qingjiang, killing three thousand enemies. After that battle, he also took part in the campaign against Tuyuhun. Fa Shang took an alternate route from Songzhou, chasing the scattered enemies all the way to Qinghai. The court rewarded him with one hundred servants, two hundred bolts of fabric, and seventy horses. Later, he was appointed as the Governor of Dunhuang, and shortly thereafter, he was promoted to the Governor of Huining.
During the battle in Liaodong, he led the naval forces to advance from the direction of Korea. Just as Yang Xuangan's rebellion broke out, he and General Yu Wenshu, Lai Huer, and others together suppressed the rebel army. Due to his significant contributions, he was promoted to Right Minister of Rites, and the court granted him nine hundred bolts of cloth. At that time, Wang Bo, Meng Rang, and others from Qi County also revolted, commanding over ten thousand troops and occupying Changbai Mountain. Fa Shang fought against them many times, each time weakening their morale. The court also granted him one hundred servants.
The following year, he went to Canghai (referring to the Liaodong region) with troops. As a result, he fell gravely ill while in the field, and said to the Chief Historian Cui Junsu, "I have led troops to Canghai twice, but have not achieved significant military achievements. It seems the timing wasn't on my side; I am nearing the end of my time. My lifelong ambitions have gone unfulfilled; it is fate." After saying these words, he passed away at the age of fifty-nine. The court posthumously honored him as Wudai General, with the posthumous title of Xi. He left behind six sons, the eldest named Shaoji, who later served as the magistrate of Ling Shou County; the youngest son named Shaofan, who was the most renowned.
Li Jing, styled Daoxing, was a retired official hailing from Tianshui. His father, Li Chao, served as the governor of Zhouzhou and Rongzhou. Li Jing was tall and strong, significantly stronger than most, boasting a handsome beard and being both brave and skilled in archery. He excelled in the campaign to pacify Qi and was later appointed as an official of Yitong Sanqi. Due to his significant contributions in quelling Wei Jiong's rebellion, he was promoted to Kaifu, enfeoffed as Pingkou County Duke, with a fief consisting of fifteen hundred households.
In the ninth year of the Kaihuang era, he followed Wang Shiji to attack the Chen dynasty. After breaking through the Chen dynasty, he was promoted to Senior Minister, rewarded with sixty servants and 1,500 bolts of fabric. Later, when Gao Zhihui rebelled in Jiangnan, he followed Yang Su to put down the rebellion. He also single-handedly put down the rebellion in Cangling and was later appointed as the governor of Fuzhou Prefecture. In the seventeenth year of the Kaihuang era, he served as the cavalry commander in Liaodong. Upon his return, he was assigned to serve under the Prince of Han. The Emperor Gaozu greatly admired his bravery, even had him strip to show off his physique and skills, saying, "With your appearance and talent, you should be elevated to the highest rank among subjects." Later, he followed Shi Wansui to attack the Turks at Dajin Mountain, outflanking the enemy and scoring a decisive victory. Afterwards, he and Yang Ji escorted Princess Yicheng to the Turks. Upon reaching Heng'an, they ran into a Turkic invasion. At that time, Han Hong, the governor of Daizhou, was defeated by the Turks, so Li Jing led a few hundred troops to his rescue. They fought hard for three days, killing many Turks. As a result, Li Jing was rewarded with 3,000 bolts of fabric and appointed as the governor of Hanzhou. However, for various reasons, he did not take the position. In the Renshou era, he was appointed governor of Daizhou.
Prince Yang Liang of Han rebelled in Bingzhou, and Li Jing led troops to resist. Yang Liang sent Liu Hao to attack Li Jing, and the two sides clashed east of the city. Li Jing climbed the city tower, fired arrows, hitting enemies one after another. He then selected elite soldiers to attack the enemy, nearly wiping out the enemy forces. Yang Liang then sent the Lanzhou Governor, Qiao Zhongkui, to lead thirty thousand elite soldiers to attack. Li Jing had just a few thousand soldiers, and the city was weak, so the enemy attacked fiercely, leading to the constant collapse of the city walls. Li Jing fought while repairing the city walls, and the soldiers fought valiantly, repelling the enemy's attacks multiple times. His Marshal Feng Xiaoci, Judicial Officer Lv Yu, and Hou Mochen Yi, who held the title of Yitong Sanqi, were all brave and skilled in battle, with Hou Mochen Yi being particularly good at defense. Li Jing knew that these generals were capable, so he delegated all authority to these three, managing the overall strategy from behind the scenes and encouraging the soldiers from time to time.
A month later, the Governor of Shuozhou, Yang Yichen, led troops to support them, and together they launched an attack, defeating the enemy. Before this, lotus-like flowers bloomed on the well's walls, and a dragon appeared, which later transformed into an armored warrior. A giant figure appeared beneath the city, leaving footprints that measured four feet five inches long. Li Jing consulted the wizard, who said, "This is an ominous sign; it wants to drink human blood." Furious, Li Jing expelled the wizard. Ten days later, the enemy arrived, and tens of thousands of people died. Li Jing was later recalled to the capital, designated as a pillar of the state, and named the Right Martial Guard General, rewarded with nine thousand bolts of silk, a musical ensemble, and numerous treasures.
Li Jing, with mediocre military talent, was loyal and principled, earning the emperor's deep trust. He defeated the rebel barbarian Xiang Siduo and was granted eighty slaves by the emperor. The following year, he defeated the Tuyuhun in Qinghai, was promoted to Grand Minister of Splendor, and received sixty slaves and two thousand bolts of silk as rewards from the emperor.
Five years later, the emperor visited Tianshui, where Li Jing hosted a banquet for him. The emperor happily said, "You are the host!" and even had him sit in the honored position, above Prince Qi, Yang Yan. At Longchuan Palace, the emperor planned a large hunting event. Due to some undisclosed reasons, Li Jing and General Guo Yan of the Left Guard were falsely accused. The emperor was furious and ordered an investigation, which ultimately resulted in Li Jing's dismissal. Over a year later, he was reinstated and involved in selecting officials.
The following year, he led an attack on Wuli City in Goryeo and won the battle! The emperor granted him the title of Marquis of Yuanqiu and one thousand rolls of cloth. Eight years later, he led troops to Hunmi Road; nine years later, he led troops to Liaodong. On the way back, with Li Jing covering the rear, Goryeo pursuers attacked, but he defeated them. The emperor rewarded him with three thousand rolls of cloth and promoted him to Duke of Huaguo. During the rebellion of Yang Xuangan, many court officials' children participated, but Li Jing remained upright. The emperor said, "You are truly naturally upright, a pillar of the state!" and gifted him beautiful women. The emperor always directly called Li Jing "General Li," showing his high regard for him.
In the twelfth year, the emperor tasked Li Jing with preparing military supplies for Liaodong in Beiping and gifted him a royal horse named "Shizi." At this time, over ten thousand bandits, led by Yang Zhongxu, attacked Beiping, but Li Jing skillfully commanded his troops, defeating them and killing Yang Zhongxu. With bandits rampant and roads blocked, Li Jing recruited soldiers to be prepared. A conflict arose between Li Jing and military officer Luo Yi, who falsely accused Li Jing of plotting a rebellion. The emperor sent his son to comfort Li Jing, saying, "Even if someone says you are plotting to take over the palace and occupy the capital, I will not doubt you!" Later, Li Jing was besieged by Gao Kaidao, defending the city alone without outside support. Over a year, most soldiers died from swollen feet, but Li Jing comforted them and prevented any betrayal. Most of the military supplies in Liaodong were in his hands, with food and cloth stacked high, but Li Jing did not engage in any corruption.
When the emperor passed away in Jiangdu, the governor of Liaoxi, Deng Hao, led troops to their aid, and Li Jing returned to Liucheng. Later, he planned to return to Youzhou but was ambushed and killed by bandits on the way. The Khitan and Mohe tribes, who had benefited from his kindness, all wept bitterly upon hearing the news. The people of Youzhou and Yandi still mourn him today. He had a son named Li Shimu.
Murong Sanzang hailed from the state of Yan. His father, Murong Shaozong, was the Minister of the Left and the Grand Secretary of the Southeast Road in the Qi state, a position of significant power! Sanzang displayed intelligence and military talent from an early age, completely inheriting his father's strengths.
He served in the Qi state, starting as a military officer at the Taiwei's office, and quickly rose to Deputy Commander of the Bodyguards. During the Wuping era, he succeeded to his father's title and became the Duke of Yanzhou, governing eight hundred households. That year, he defeated the armies of Western Wei at Xiaoshui and defeated the forces of Chen at Shouyang, and was promoted to General of the Imperial Guards. Later, he defeated the armies of Western Wei at Heyang and was directly promoted to Grand General of the Guards. He was subsequently appointed as Right Guard General and also granted the title of Duke of Fanyang, with a fief of one thousand households.
When the armies of Western Wei attacked Ye City, the last emperor of the Qi state fled eastward, leaving Ye City to Murong Sanzang and a few others to defend. The nobles of the Qi state surrendered, but Murong Sanzang and his troops held Ye City against the Western Wei forces. After the fall of the Qi state, Emperor Wen of Sui summoned him and treated him well, decreeing, "Murong Sanzang and his son are loyal and renowned; they should be given higher official positions!" He was then appointed as General of the Household. That same year, the Ji tribes rebelled, and Emperor Wen of Sui sent him to suppress the rebellion, which he swiftly quelled.
In the first year of the Kaihuang era, he was appointed as the governor of Wuzhou. Nine years later, he was appointed as the chief envoy of the Liangzhou region. That year, the chieftain Wang Zhongxuan in Lingnan rebelled, surrounding the city of Guangzhou, and the court sent General Wei Guang, Duke of Xiangyang, as the commander of the marching army, with Murong Sanzang as his deputy. After arriving in Guangzhou, they fought against the rebels, and Wei Guang was shot by a stray arrow and died in battle. The court then appointed Murong Sanzang to take over military affairs in the Guangzhou region. Ten years later, the rebels surrounded Guangzhou city from all sides, and Murong Sanzang defended it for over a month. With food running low and arrows depleted, Murong Sanzang knew that they couldn't hold out much longer, so he led his elite troops to break through under the cover of night and fought valiantly. The rebels suffered a crushing defeat, and Guangzhou city was saved. Because of this great victory, he was promoted to Grand General and was rewarded with a hundred slaves, as well as many treasures of gold and silver.
In the twelfth year, he was appointed as the governor of Kuozhou province. Kuozhou was at the westernmost border, bordering Tuyuhun territory, and many criminals were exiled there, and many attempted to escape. After Murong Sanzang took office, he brought peace to the refugees, earning the deep affection of the people. Every day, many people came to seek refuge with him, and officials and common folk alike praised him. Emperor Wen of Sui heard of his achievements and inquired about him multiple times. That year, animal husbandry in Kuozhou thrived, and they presented a special type of butter, for which Emperor Wen of Sui rewarded him with a hundred rolls of cloth. In the thirteenth year, the Lianyun Mountain in Kuozhou rang three times, interpreted as an auspicious sign of longevity. The court ordered it to be announced throughout the empire and sent people to the mountain to perform sacrifices. That day, auspicious signs appeared in the sky, and wild chickens and rabbits ran to the altar on the mountain. The messenger reported this to Emperor Wen of Sui, who was greatly pleased.
Fifteen years later, he was appointed as the governor of Diezhou. The Dangxiang and Qiang ethnic groups often rebelled, but Murong Sanzang quickly suppressed the rebellions, and both the Han and minority ethnic groups in his jurisdiction lived and worked in peace. In the first year of Renshou, he was reappointed as the Marquis of Henei County. In the first year of Daye, he was appointed as the Inspector of Hezhou. Three years later, he was promoted to the Prefect of Huainan Commandery, where he implemented benevolent governance in various places. That year, he was appointed as the Grand Master of Golden Purple and Prosperity. He passed away in the seventh year of Daye.
Tang Sanzang's disciple Zixia once served as the county magistrate of Chanzhou. Later, when the Han Prince rebelled, Zixia refused to surrender because of his steadfast loyalty, earning him a great reputation.
After talking about Zixia, let's talk about Xue Shixiong. Xue Shixiong, whose courtesy name was Shiying, hailed from Fenyin in Hedong, but his ancestors settled in Guanzhong. His father, Xue Hui, styled Daohong, held an official position in the Northern Zhou Dynasty and became the governor of Jingzhou. During the reign of Emperor Wen of Sui, he was granted the title of Duke of Wuyin County and was also in charge of canal supervision. Later, due to his old age, he retired and enjoyed his retirement. Xue Shixiong stood out from other kids from a young age. When playing games with his friends, he would often draw cities in the dirt and have everyone play the roles of attackers and defenders. If anyone dared not to follow his command, he would give them a good thrashing! The children were all afraid of him, and they all fell in line. His father, upon seeing this, was amazed and remarked to others, "This kid is destined to make us proud!" At the age of seventeen, Xue Shixiong followed Emperor Zhou to battle and pacified the state of Qi. For his accomplishments, he was made a commander.
During the reign of Emperor Wen of Sui, Xue Shixiong garnered numerous military victories and gradually rose through the ranks, eventually rising to the rank of General of the Right Guard. After Emperor Yang of Sui ascended the throne, the Yi and Lao tribes in Panyu united in rebellion, and the court dispatched Xue Shixiong to quell the rebellion. After successfully quelling the uprising, he was promoted to the rank of General of the Right Gate. Later, he also accompanied Emperor Yang of Sui in campaigns against the Tuyuhun tribes, achieving the rank of Grand Master of Counsel.
Xue Shixiong is exceptionally diligent and cautious. Every time he goes to battle, no matter where, he is impeccable in his conduct. The emperor holds him in high regard. One day, while chatting with his ministers, the emperor said, "I want to promote a good person, do you have any suggestions?" The ministers replied, "How could we guess your thoughts?" The emperor said, "I want to promote Xue Shixiong." The ministers all nodded in agreement. The emperor continued, "Shixiong is honest and upright, exuding the gravitas of ancient renowned statesmen." So he immediately promoted him to Right Wing Guard General.
More than a year later, the emperor appointed Xue Shixiong as the Commander-in-Chief of Yumen Road, leading troops to fight against the Turks. When the army arrived at Yumen Pass, the Khan of the Turks breached the agreement and failed to appear. Shixiong ventured deep into the desert with his troops. At first, the people of Yiwu assumed the Sui army wouldn't arrive, so they were unprepared. But when they heard that Xue Shixiong's army had crossed the desert, they were panicked and hastily surrendered, offering cattle and wine to the camp as tokens of their submission. Shixiong then built a city east of the old Yiwu city, called New Yiwu, leaving behind Wang Wei, the Silver Blue Grand Master, and over a thousand soldiers to guard it before returning to the court. The emperor was delighted and promoted him once more, granting him two thousand bolts of cloth.
During the battle in Liaodong, Xue Shixiong was appointed as the Commander-in-Chief of Wozhu Road, and alongside Yuwen Shu, they faced defeat in Pyongyang. When retreating to Baishishan, they were heavily surrounded by the enemy, with arrows raining down from all directions. Shixiong formed a formation with the remaining soldiers and selected two hundred elite cavalry to charge first. The enemy slightly retreated, and he seized the opportunity to pursue, ultimately defeating the enemy and safely retreating. However, the losses were significant, and he was ultimately relieved of his command.
In the second year, the emperor once again campaigned in Liaodong, appointing Xue Shixiong as the Right Guard General, aiming for Tadun Road. When the army arrived at Wugucheng, Yang Xuangan rebelled, forcing the army to return to the capital. The emperor arrived in Liucheng and appointed Xue Shixiong as the Envoy of Northeast Province, and also served as the Prefect of Yanzhou, stationed in Huaiyuan. At that time, the Turks frequently raided, causing significant suffering to the border counties. The emperor ordered Xue Shixiong to patrol the border with troops from twelve counties before returning. Ten years later, he accompanied the emperor to Liaodong, where he was promoted to Left Imperial Guard General, and also served as the Prefect of Zhuo County.
Not long after, Li Mi attacked the Eastern Capital, resulting in chaos in the Central Plains. The emperor ordered Xue Shixiong to lead the elite troops of Youzhou and Jizhou to suppress Li Mi. The army arrived in Hejian, established camp south of the county town, and the counties of Hejian gathered their troops to join Xue Shixiong's army in preparation to fight Dou Jiande together. Dou Jiande moved his family away and selected a few hundred elite soldiers to launch a night attack on Xue Shixiong's camp. They first attacked the soldiers of Hejian, who retreated into Xue Shixiong's camp. At that time, a thick fog blanketed the area, preventing the army from forming ranks, and everyone scrambled to escape, leading to a significant defeat. Xue Shixiong and dozens of cavalry escaped into Hejian City, overcome with shame and anger. He fell ill, returned to Zhuo County, and passed away shortly thereafter at the age of sixty-three. He left behind four sons: Wanshu, Wanshu, Wanjun, and Wanche, all renowned for their valor in battle.
Wang Rengong, courtesy name Yuanshi, hailed from Tianshui, Gansu. His grandfather Wang Jian was the Prefect of Fengzhou in the Zhou Dynasty, and his father Wang Meng was the Prefect of Shanzhou. Wang Rengong exhibited a strong and cautious demeanor from a young age, excelling in horseback riding and archery. In his youth, he was appointed as the chief clerk of the prefecture, recruited as a secretary by Prince Qin Xiaowang, and later promoted to Changdao Ling, and further promoted to General of Chariots and Cavalry.
He followed Yang Su to Lingwu to fight against the Tujue, achieved merit, and was appointed as Senior Minister, rewarded with three thousand bolts of cloth. Later, he became the General of the Brave Cavalry, in charge of the military affairs of the Prince of Shu. At that time, the Liao tribes in the mountains rebelled, and the Prince of Shu sent Wang Rengong to suppress the rebellion. He won the battle, and the Prince of Shu rewarded him with three hundred servants. When the Prince of Shu was deposed for making mistakes, many officials under him were implicated, but the Emperor believed Wang Rengong to be an honorable man, so he did not hold him accountable.
After Emperor Yangdi ascended the throne, Prince Han Liang rebelled, and Wang Rengong helped Yang Su to quell the rebellion. For his achievements, he was promoted to Grand General, appointed as the Governor of Lu Province, and rewarded with four thousand bolts of cloth and ten courtesans. Over a year later, he was transferred to the Inspector of Wei State, and shortly after, to the Prefect of Jiji County. He had notable accomplishments and was greatly loved by the people.
Later, the court summoned him back to the capital, and the Emperor called him to the palace to comfort and encourage him, rewarding him with six hundred bolts of multicolored silk and two good horses. After that, he was appointed as the Prefect of Xindu, and when the people of Jiji County learned of this, they blocked his carriage on the way, crying bitterly and unable to send him off for several days, showing how well-liked he was.
During the Liaodong campaign, Wang Rengong served as a commander. When the Emperor returned to the capital, Wang Rengong stayed behind and encountered enemies on the road, driving them away. The Emperor promoted him to Left Minister of Rites, rewarding him with six thousand bolts of silk and forty horses.
The following year, he was appointed as a commander again, in charge of military operations in the Fuyu region. The Emperor said to him, "Many armies have not been successful in battle before, only your army has defeated the enemy. The ancients said that defeated generals cannot speak of bravery, can any other generals take on such a heavy responsibility? Now I entrust the vanguard to you, hoping you will live up to expectations!" The Emperor also rewarded him with ten good horses and one hundred taels of gold.
Wang Rengong led his troops forward, reaching Xincheng, where he faced tens of thousands of enemy troops arrayed outside the city. Wang Rengong charged into battle with a thousand elite cavalry, defeating the enemy. The enemy retreated to the city, and Wang Rengong surrounded it from all sides. The emperor was very pleased when he heard about this and sent envoys to the military camp to congratulate and reward Wang Rengong with many treasures. Wang Rengong was promoted to Minister of Rites and rewarded with five thousand rolls of silk.
Consequently, Wang Rengong was relieved of his duties when Yang Xuangan rebelled, and Yang Xuangan's nephew, General Wuben Yang Zhongbo, also participated in the rebellion. Shortly after, the Turks invaded multiple times. Considering Wang Rengong's status as a veteran with many military achievements, the emperor reinstated his position and appointed him as the Prefect of Mayi.
That year, the Western Turkic Khan led tens of thousands of cavalry to invade Mayi and sent two special forces to attack from the south. At that time, the garrison had less than three thousand troops. Wang Rengong selected elite soldiers to take the initiative and defeated the enemy. The two special forces were also defeated, and Wang Rengong pursued them in victory, capturing thousands of enemy soldiers' heads and eliminating the two special forces commanders. The emperor was very pleased and rewarded him with three thousand rolls of silk.
Later, the Turks invaded Dingxiang again, and Wang Rengong led four thousand troops to attack, killing more than a thousand enemies and returning with a large number of livestock.
At this time, the country was in chaos, the people were starving, and the roads were impassable. Wang Rengong abandoned his previous principles and started accepting bribes, and he did not dare to easily open the granaries to help the people. His subordinate, Colonel Liu Wuzhou, had an affair with Wang Rengong's maid and feared exposure, so he planned a rebellion. He spread rumors everywhere, saying, "The elders and villagers are freezing and starving to death, with bodies piling up in ditches, while the lord of the Wang family keeps the granaries closed and does not help the people. What kind of lord does this?" This incited the people, and they harbored grievances against Wang Rengong.
Later, Wang Rengong was working in the main hall when Liu Wuzhou burst in with dozens of followers and killed him. He was sixty years old at the time. Liu Wuzhou then opened the granary to help the people, and the people of the county rallied to his cause. He proclaimed himself emperor, appointed officials, and then attacked nearby counties.
Quan Wu, styled Wunan, was from Tianshui. His grandfather Quan Chao was the Qinzhou governor of Northern Wei. His father Quan Xiqing was an official of Northern Zhou and had fought under Emperor Wu of Northern Zhou against the army of the Qi state in Bingzhou, but found himself surrounded by enemy forces. Quan Xiqing fought desperately; after exhausting his arrows, he engaged the enemy in close combat, killing many foes. His swords and spears broke, so he took off his helmet and threw it on the ground, shouting curses at the enemy: "Why don't you come and cut off my head!" The enemy ultimately killed him.
Quan Wu, being a loyal minister, was appointed to a noble position from the outset, inheriting the title of Duke of Qijun with a fief of 1,200 households. Quan Wu was brave and strong from a young age, with immense strength, capable of riding a horse in full armor. Legend has it that he once fell into a well, but before reaching the bottom, he sprang back out, demonstrating his remarkable agility. He fought alongside Wang Qian, capturing five cities belonging to the Qi state, and was rewarded with an additional 800 households in fief. During the pacification of the Qi state, he captured Shaozhou and six other cities, earning him an additional 300 households in fief for his military accomplishments.
During the reign of Emperor Xuan, he was appointed as the Senior Officer of the Jinge Left Brigade and later promoted to the position of Grand Chancellor. When Gaozu was the Prime Minister, he kept him by his side. After Gaozu ascended the throne, he increased his land grant to five hundred households. Six years later, he was appointed as the Governor of Xizhou. During the war against the Chen Kingdom, he served as the Commander-in-Chief of the campaign, following Prince Jin in the expedition to Liuhe. Upon his return, he was appointed as the Governor of Yuzhou. He served as the Governor of Yuzhou for several years, and due to his contributions to the founding of the country, he was promoted to Grand General and also appointed as the Governor of Tanzhou. In that year, Li Shixian from Guizhou led a rebellion. Quan Wu, as the General-in-Chief, along with General Wuhou Yu Qingze, suppressed the rebellion. However, Yu Qingze was later killed for misconduct, while Quan Wu's merits were not recognized, and he returned to his position in the province.
Quan Wu often minted gold belts to give to the chieftains in Lingnan, and these chieftains returned the favor with treasures, all of which Quan Wu accepted, making him quite wealthy. Later in his old age, Quan Wu had a son. One day, during a gathering with relatives and friends where they drank too much, he granted amnesty to the prisoners in his jurisdiction. Quan Wu often said that the remote areas of Nanyue required governance that respects local customs, prioritizing convenience over strict adherence to the law. He also frequently mentioned that the current laws were overly harsh and being an official was extremely challenging. The Emperor ordered an investigation into his actions, which substantiated the claims. The Emperor, infuriated, ordered his execution. Quan Wu wrote a letter from prison, citing his father's sacrifice for Emperor Wuyuan as a plea for clemency. As a result, the Emperor stripped him of his rank and reduced him to commoner status.
During the Ren Shou era, he was appointed as the Grand General once again, with the same fief as before. Not long after, he was appointed as the Right Guard Commander of the Crown Prince. After Emperor Yang of Sui ascended the throne, he was appointed as the Grand General of the Right Garrison, but was later dismissed for misconduct and appointed as the Governor of Gui Zhou. Shortly after, he was transferred to be the Prefect of Shi An. After some time, he was summoned again and appointed as the Grand General of the Right Garrison, but was soon dismissed for misconduct. He ultimately passed away at home. He had a son named Quan Hong.
Tu Wan Xu, styled Chang Xu, was a Xianbei from Dai Commandery. His father was Tu Tong, who served as the Governor of Yingzhou during the Zhou Dynasty. Chang Xu demonstrated military talent from a young age, and during the Zhou Dynasty, he initially served as the General of the Guards, later inheriting the title of Duke of Yuanshou. He participated in numerous military campaigns, rising through the ranks, and eventually became the Grand General and Minister of War.
After the founding emperor ascended the throne, he appointed Tu Wan Xu as the Governor of Xiangzhou, and enfeoffed him as the Duke of Gucheng County, with a fief of 2,500 households. Not long after, he was transferred to be the Governor of Qingzhou, where he governed effectively. Over a year later, the Turkic tribes invaded the border, and due to Chang Xu's reputation and military talent, the court transferred him to be the Governor of Shuozhou, which the northern ethnic groups greatly feared. Later, the founding emperor secretly plotted to annex the Chen Dynasty, so he transferred Chang Xu to be the Governor of Xuzhou to prepare the military. When the army crossed the Yangtze River, Chang Xu was appointed as the Marching General, stationed alongside Duke Xi.
During the time when Prince Yang Guang was a feudal prince, he had a good relationship with Chang Xu. Later, when Yang Guang became the Crown Prince, he appointed Chang Xu as the Left Yuhou General. After Emperor Yang of Sui ascended the throne, Prince Yang Liang was stationed in Bingzhou. Emperor Yang of Sui was worried that Yang Liang would rebel, so he sent Chang Xu to serve as the Inspector of Jinzhou and Jiangzhou, and urgently provided him with documents to hurry on his way. Before Chang Xu had a chance to depart, Yang Liang had already sent troops to occupy Puban, cutting off the bridges on the Yellow River and preventing Chang Xu from entering. The court then ordered Chang Xu to lead troops to assist Yang Su in attacking Yang Liang, which resulted in Yang Liang's defeat and Chang Xu's appointment as the Left Wuhou General.
In the early years of the Daye period, Chang Xu was promoted to the position of Minister of Rites. Later, due to false accusations against He Ruobi, the court asked Chang Xu to testify. Chang Xu proved He Ruobi's innocence, but he was dismissed himself. Shortly thereafter, he was appointed as the Prefect of Dongping. Not long after, Emperor Yang of Sui passed by Dongping on his way to Jiangdu, and Chang Xu welcomed him on the roadside. Emperor Yang of Sui allowed him to board the imperial barge, and Chang Xu seized the opportunity to recount past events to the Emperor. Emperor Yang of Sui was pleased and appointed him as Jinziguanglu Dafu, keeping his position as Prefect unchanged.
During the Liaodong campaign, Chang Xu requested to serve as the vanguard. Emperor Yang of Sui appreciated him and appointed him as the Left Tunwei General, leading tens of thousands of troops to Gaima Road. After the campaign, he remained stationed in Huaiyuan, with his official rank rising to Left Guanglu Dafu. At that time, Liu Yuanjin rebelled in Jiangnan and attacked Runzhou. Emperor Yang of Sui sent Chang Xu to suppress the rebellion. Chang Xu led his troops to Yangzijin, where Liu Yuanjin was preparing to cross the Yangzi River from Maopu, and Chang Xu successfully defeated him.
After Zhang Xu crossed the Yangtze River, he built a camp with the river at his back. The next morning, Liu Yuanjin came to attack but was again defeated by Zhang Xu. Liu Yuanjin lifted the siege of Runzhou and escaped. Zhang Xu stationed his forces at Qu'a, and Liu Yuanjin built a camp to resist. Zhang Xu took the initiative to challenge, and Liu Yuanjin went out to battle, but before Liu Yuanjin could set his formation, Zhang Xu led the cavalry to charge, leading to a rout of the rebel army. Tens of thousands drowned in the river. Liu Yuanjin escaped at night and returned to his stronghold. The false Protector Zhu Xie, Guan Chong, and others were stationed at Piling, with their camps extending for over a hundred miles. Zhang Xu pursued and defeated them again, forcing the rebels to retreat to Huangshan. Zhang Xu surrounded Huangshan, and the rebels had no choice but to surrender. Liu Yuanjin and Zhu Xie managed to escape narrowly. Zhang Xu killed over 5,000 enemy generals, including Guan Chong and Lu Yi, and captured more than 30,000 of their children, whom he sent to the Jiangdu Palace. He also lifted the siege of Kuaiji Province. Liu Yuanjin occupied Jian'an again, and Emperor Yang of Sui commanded Zhang Xu to launch an attack. Zhang Xu reported that his soldiers were exhausted and requested to wait until the next spring to go to war. Emperor Yang of Sui was displeased and discreetly sought out Zhang Xu's faults. The authorities reported that Zhang Xu was cowardly and had defied the emperor's orders. Therefore, Zhang Xu was demoted to the status of a commoner and sent to guard Jian'an. Shortly thereafter, the court issued a decree summoning Zhang Xu to the capital. Frustrated and disheartened, Zhang Xu fell ill and died shortly after returning to Yongjia.
Dong Chun, courtesy name Dehou, was from Chengji, Gansu. His grandfather Dong He was the Left Guard Commander of the Wei Kingdom, and his father Dong Sheng was the Grand General of the Zhou Dynasty. Dong Chun was strong since childhood and skilled in archery and horseback riding. He served as a high-ranking official in the Zhou Dynasty, holding positions such as Chief Bodyguard and Master of the Stables, and was granted the title of Lord of Gushi County with a fief consisting of two hundred households. He served under Emperor Wu in subduing the Qi Kingdom, and in recognition of his achievements, he was granted the title of Yitong, elevated to Marquis of Daxing County with a fief of eight hundred households. After Emperor Yang of Sui proclaimed himself emperor, Dong Chun was further granted the title of Duke of Hanqu County, and gradually rose to the rank of General of the Valiant Cavalry. Later, due to his military achievements, he was promoted to Chief of the Imperial Guards. Towards the end of the Sui Dynasty, in acknowledgment of his previous contributions, Dong Chun was promoted to the rank of Left Guard General, and shortly after was subsequently granted the title of Duke of Shunzheng County.
Han Wangliang staged a rebellion in Bingzhou, and the court appointed Dong Chun as the commander of the marching army and the Deputy Inspector of Hebei to quell the rebellion alongside Yang Su. Due to his achievements in this campaign, Dong Chun was honored as a pillar of the state, promoted to Duke of a county, and his fief was increased to two thousand households. He was later promoted to the position of Left General of the Reserve while also serving as the garrison commander of Pengcheng. When Prince Qi, Yang Jian, erred, Dong Chun, who had close dealings with him, was called to account by the Emperor: "How did you, from a lowly official to such a high-ranking official, collude with my son to sow discord between us?" Dong Chun replied, "I originally hailed from humble beginnings and was promoted by Your Majesty's favor. The late Emperor appreciated my diligence and caution, and his favor was beyond measure. You also placed your trust in me, allowing me to rise to the rank of general. I merely wish to repay the nation's kindness with the time I have remaining. I visited Prince Qi several times because the late Emperor and Empress would often hold Prince Yuande and Prince Qi on their laps in Renshou Palace and would say to me, 'Look after these two boys well and remember my words.' Following the late Emperor's orders, I would visit the two princes every time I had a break in the court. I truly cannot forget the late Emperor's instructions. At that time, Your Majesty was also by the late Emperor's side." The Emperor's expression softened, and he remarked, "Ah, I see now." Thus, Dong Chun was pardoned.
A few days later, Dong Chun was appointed Governor of Wenshan. Over a year later, the Turkic tribes invaded the border, and due to Dong Chun's status as an experienced general, the court transferred him to Yulin as Governor. Whenever the Turkic tribes threatened the border, Dong Chun immediately led his troops to repel them. At that time, the bandit chieftains Zhang Dabiao and Zong Shimu led tens of thousands of troops to occupy Xuanbo Mountain, burning, pillaging, and slaughtering in the areas of Xuzhou and Yanzhou. The Emperor ordered Dong Chun to suppress them. Initially, Dong Chun refrained from engaging in battle, despite repeated provocations from the bandits. Believing Dong Chun to be cowardly and unprepared, the bandits looted freely. Dong Chun selected elite troops and decisively defeated the bandits in Changlu, killing over ten thousand and piling their heads into a mound. The bandit leader Wei Qilin and over ten thousand men occupied Shanfu, but Dong Chun attacked and defeated them once again. Later, the Emperor launched another campaign in Liaodong and appointed Dong Chun as the Governor of Pengcheng. The pirate Peng Xiaocai and his men raided Huairan County, fled to Yishui, and occupied Wubuji Mountain. Dong Chun led his elite soldiers to pursue them, capturing Peng Xiaocai alive on the battlefield and executing him by tearing him apart. The remaining bandits scattered and fled. At that time, the people were in chaos, with more and more bandits emerging. Despite Dong Chun'
Zhao Cai, courtesy name 'Xiaocai', was from Zhangye and Jiuquan. His grandfather, Zhao Kui, was the Silver and Green Grand Master of the Wei Kingdom and the Prefect of Lelang; his father, Zhao Shou, was the Prefect of Shunzheng during the Zhou Dynasty. When Zhao Cai was young, he was brave and skilled in battle, being a top-notch horseman and archer. He had a rough and tough personality and did not pay much attention to etiquette. During the Zhou Dynasty, he served as the Chief of the Imperial Carriage Department. After Emperor Yang Jian of the Sui Dynasty declared himself emperor, Zhao Cai was promoted due to his military achievements, eventually rising to the rank of Sanqi Yitong. He later served Prince Jin, Yang Guang, and after Jin became the Crown Prince, Zhao Cai was appointed as the Right Yuhou General. When Yang Guang became Emperor (Emperor Yang of Sui), Zhao Cai was promoted to the Left Biaoqi General and later to the Right Xiaowei General. As Zhao Cai was a former vassal of the Emperor's mansion, Emperor Yang of Sui became increasingly close to him, and Zhao Cai worked diligently, demonstrating exceptional performance. Over a year later, he was promoted to the Right Houwei General. When Emperor Yang of Sui campaigned against the Tuyuhun, he appointed Zhao Cai as the chief commander, leading Liu Quan, the Minister of War, and others. Departing from Hehe Road, he encountered and defeated the Tuyuhun army. For this military achievement, Zhao Cai was promoted to the title of Jinziguang Grand Master. Later, in the campaign in Liaodong, he launched two campaigns from Jieshi Road. After returning to the court, he was appointed as the Left Houwei General, and shortly after, he was promoted to the Right Houwei Grand General. At that time, whenever Emperor Yang of Sui went on tours, Zhao Cai always served as the scout, strictly enforcing laws and regulations without favoritism. If he encountered the violation of orders by the families of officials and nobles on the road, Zhao Cai would not hesitate to reprimand them harshly, even implicating others. Although many people at the time thought he was being too harsh, no one could challenge him because he enforced the law fairly.
Ten years later, Emperor Yang of Sui visited Fenyang Palace and left Zhao Cai to guard the Eastern Capital. Twelve years later, Emperor Yang of Sui was in Luoyang, preparing to go to Jiangdu. Seeing that the people were suffering, the treasury was depleted, banditry was rampant, and the laws had fallen into disuse, Zhao Cai urged the emperor to return to the capital to restore stability. Emperor Yang of Sui was furious and turned Zhao Cai over to his officials. Ten days later, when Emperor Yang's anger subsided, he ordered that Zhao Cai be released. Emperor Yang of Sui still went to Jiangdu and grew even closer to Zhao Cai. When they ran out of food in Jiangdu and the soldiers were losing morale, officials like Yu Shiji and Yuan Chong repeatedly advised Emperor Yang of Sui to go to Danyang. During a court discussion, Zhao Cai strongly advocated for a return to the capital, while Yu Shiji advocated for crossing the river to safety. Emperor Yang of Sui remained silent, and Zhao Cai and Yu Shiji argued and left. At the time of Yuwen Huaji's usurpation, Zhao Cai was in the northern gardens. Yuwen Huaji dispatched Xie Defang with a forged decree to apprehend him. Zhao Cai came out upon hearing the decree, and Xie Defang ordered his men to capture him and bring him before Yuwen Huaji. Yuwen Huaji said to Zhao Cai, "This is how things must end today; I hope you won’t take it to heart." Zhao Cai remained silent. Irritated by Zhao Cai's silence, Yuwen Huaji contemplated killing him but ultimately released him three days later. Zhao Cai remained in his original position, feeling increasingly frustrated and unfulfilled.
Zhao Cai once requested toasts at a banquet hosted by Yuwen Huaji, urging eighteen of Yuwen Huaji's accomplices, including Yang Shilan and others, to drink together. Yuwen Huaji agreed. Zhao Cai raised his glass and said, "These eighteen people can only drink together, and they shouldn't drink alone anymore." The others remained silent. When they arrived in Liaocheng, Zhao Cai fell ill. Shortly after, Yuwen Huaji was defeated by Dou Jiande, and Zhao Cai was captured again. Feeling deeply frustrated, he died a few days later at the age of seventy-three.
During the Ren Shou and Da Ye periods of the Sui Dynasty, there were two generals named Lan Xingyu and Helan Fan, both Martial Marquis Generals renowned for their integrity, outspoken nature, and readiness to stand up to the powerful. They were considered competent and had a good reputation.
Historical records state that Luo Hou, Fa Shang, Li Jing, Shi Xiong, and Murong Sanzang relied on their bravery and skill in battle to make contributions during times of national conflict, thereby earning wealth and status through their own merit. Ren Gong, initially an official in Ji County, was promoted due to his integrity and competence, but later met his downfall in Mayi due to greed and stinginess. It's truly a pity that few people can see things through to the end! Tu Wanxu and Dong Chun both obtained high positions and rewards for their past contributions. Tu Wanxu was criticized for requesting an end to the war, while Dong Chun was falsely accused and subsequently killed.
In the later years of the Da Ye period, thieves were rampant and governance was impossible! Brutal punishments were widespread, with people feeling utterly powerless to fight back! Zhao Cai, though not particularly imposing in appearance, had noble aspirations and integrity, resolutely rejecting suggestions from Shi Ji, never compromising or conforming! Quan Wu, who usually behaved recklessly and disregarded laws and regulations, was ultimately dismissed and humiliated, which ultimately led to his own downfall!
