Yang Xuan-gang is the son of Situ Yang Su. He is tall and strong, with a handsome beard. He was seen as slow-witted in his youth, and many people thought he was foolish, but his father often told relatives and friends, "This child is not foolish!" As he grew up, Yang Xuan-gang enjoyed reading and was skilled in horseback riding and archery. With his father's military achievements, he rose to the rank of Grand General, and both he and his father were high-ranking officials in the court, standing side by side during court sessions. Later, the Emperor ordered Yang Xuan-gang to be demoted by one rank, to which Yang Xuan-gang expressed his gratitude to the Emperor, saying, "I didn't expect Your Majesty to value your ministers so much, allowing me to show my personal respect in court." Initially appointed as the Governor of Yingzhou, he secretly built an intelligence network to investigate the abilities and virtues of local officials. He was able to uncover the achievements or corrupt practices of officials, and frequently exposed their crimes, making it impossible for anyone to deceive. Both the people and officials admired him, praising his abilities. He was later promoted to Inspector of Songzhou, and following his father's passing, he resigned to observe a period of mourning. Over a year later, he was appointed Minister of Ceremonies, inheriting the title of Duke of Chu, and later promoted to Minister of Rites. Although he had a proud and arrogant demeanor, he valued literature greatly, and many famous literati were willing to join him. Feeling that his family was prominent for generations and that many civil and military officials in the court were once his father's subordinates, combined with the increasing chaos in court affairs and the Emperor's growing suspicion, he felt increasingly uneasy. He secretly plotted with his brothers to overthrow the Emperor and support Prince Qin Yang Hao. Once, he accompanied the Emperor on a campaign against the Tuyuhun, and on the return journey to the capital, they reached Doudoubagu. The accompanying officials were exhausted, and Yang Xuan-gang considered seizing the opportunity to attack the Emperor's residence. His uncle, Yang Shen, advised him, "The soldiers' loyalty is still intact, and the country is stable. Now is not the right time." Yang Xuan-gang ultimately decided against his plan.
At that time, the emperor had a penchant for warfare, and Yang Xuangan saw this as an opportunity to earn military merit and secretly sought the chance to lead troops. He said to the Minister of War, Duan Wenzhen, "My Yang family has been favored by the emperor for generations, and the favor has surpassed all bounds. If I cannot make military achievements on the border, how can I repay this favor! If there is a war on the border, I hope to be granted the chance to lead troops into battle, even if I can only make a small contribution. You oversee military affairs; please help recommend me to the emperor." Duan Wenzhen told the emperor about this, and the emperor was delighted and remarked to his courtiers, "Generals come from general families, and prime ministers from prime ministerial families. This is indeed correct!" So he rewarded him with a large amount of wealth, treated him even more respectfully, and allowed him to participate in court affairs.
The emperor wanted to send troops to conquer Liaodong and let Yang Xuangan be responsible for transporting military supplies in Liyang. At that time, the common people were being heavily burdened by forced labor, and the people's morale was in turmoil. Yang Xuangan conspired with military officers Wang Zhongbo, Zhao Huaiyi, and others to intentionally stall the emperor's army from departing, leading to their starvation. The emperor became impatient and sent messengers to urge them. Yang Xuangan said, "There are many bandits on the waterway; we cannot depart at the same time." His younger brother, Yang Xuangang, and his subordinate, Wan Shuo, followed the emperor to Liaodong, yet Yang Xuangan covertly summoned them back. General Lai Huer was commanding the navy as they set sail from Donglai, preparing to march to Pyongyang, but the army had yet to mobilize. Yang Xuangan couldn't devise a plausible excuse to instigate a mutiny, so he dispatched a household servant to impersonate a messenger from the east, falsely alleging that Lai Huer had breached military orders and was plotting a rebellion.
Yang Xuangan then entered Liyang County, closed the city gates, and recruited strong men. He crafted canvas armor, appointed officials in accordance with the old practices from the Kaihuang era. He wrote to the nearby counties under the pretext of avenging the late Emperor Yang, ordering them to assemble their troops at the granaries. He appointed Yuan Wuben as the governor of Lizhou, Zhao Huaiyi as the governor of Weizhou, and Tang Yi as the governor of Huaizhou. He amassed over ten thousand troops, preparing to attack Luoyang. Tang Yi arrived in Henan and rushed to report to the Eastern Capital. Prince Yang Tong, Minister of the Ministry of Civil Affairs Fan Zigai, and others were alarmed and swiftly mobilized troops for defense. The residents of Xiuwu County banded together to defend Linqing Pass. Yang Xuangan couldn't cross the Yellow River, so he crossed south of Jicounty, where his followers gathered in large numbers.
A few days later, Yang Xuangan stationed his army at Shangchun Gate, with his ranks swelling to over one hundred thousand men. Fan Zigai sent Pei Hongce, the governor of Henan, to resist, but Pei Hongce faced defeat. The people on both banks of the Chen River and Luo River hurried to bring offerings of cattle and wine. Yang Xuangan set up his camp at the Ministry of Personnel, swearing an oath to the soldiers each time, "As a Senior Pillar of the State, I have accumulated immense wealth and glory, wanting for nothing. Today, I risk my life not for personal gain but to save the nation from peril and rescue the lives of our people!" The soldiers were delighted, with thousands flocking to the camp daily to enlist. Yang Xuangan wrote to Fan Zigai:
Speaking of ways to establish loyalty and righteousness, there are many methods, depending on the situation; it's not a uniform method. In the past, Yi Yin sent Tai Jia to Tong Gong, and Huo Guang deposed Liu He in Changyi. These are public examples, and I won't go into detail one by one. Our founding emperor was destined by heaven; he created this land, governing the country as the stars govern the heavens, and by doing nothing, the world found peace on its own. This is called "governing without action." But now, the emperor, inheriting the ancestors' legacy, should properly consolidate this land, but instead he has severed his connection with heaven, corrupting the morals of the people! In recent years, proclamations are everywhere, bandits and thieves are increasing, and construction projects are everywhere; the common people are worn out. The emperor is obsessed with wine and women; even his children are affected. He indulges in hunting with hawks and hounds, and even the beasts suffer. Those factions flatter one another, bribery is rampant, and the emperor listens only to the words of the wicked, muffling the voices of the righteous. In addition, there is endless distant corvée; soldiers are dying in the trenches, leaving corpses scattered everywhere. North of the Yellow River, there is a thousand miles of barren land; between the Yangtze and Huai Rivers, it has all become wasteland.
General Xuan Gan, always filled with gratitude, holds a high position as a general. His father's dying wish was: "Good descendants help me assist the country, bad descendants get rid of me!" So General Xuan Gan follows his father's will, aligns with the will of the people, to depose this foolish emperor and install a wise ruler. The whole country is united, responding to the call; soldiers are working hard, like avenging a personal grudge, and the common people also respond; acts of justice are evident. The will of heaven and the people's will are unmistakable! General, how long can you endure alone in this isolated city? I hope you think of the people, think of the state; don’t get bogged down by trivialities, risking disaster for yourself. Who could have imagined the country would come to this? As I write this, tears stream down my face, and I can hardly find the words.
So, General Xuan Gan led his troops to approach the capital city. Wei Xuan, the Minister of Justice, brought tens of thousands of troops from Guanzhong to reinforce the Eastern Capital. With twenty thousand infantry and cavalry, he crossed the Chan River and Jian River to confront Xuan Gan. Xuan Gan pretended to retreat north, and when Wei Xuan caught up, hidden troops suddenly launched an ambush, causing the vanguard to be completely wiped out. A few days later, Wei Xuan fought with Xuan Gan again. As soon as the two armies clashed, Xuan Gan tricked them by having someone shout loudly, "The official army has captured Xuan Gan!" Wei Xuan's forces relaxed slightly, and Xuan Gan led a few thousand cavalry to charge, resulting in a major defeat for Wei Xuan's forces, who fled with eight thousand troops.
Xuan Gan was a fierce and skilled warrior, with great strength. He personally wielded a long spear in every battle, leading the charge, shouting fiercely, and instilling fear in his enemies. He was compared to Xiang Yu. He was also adept at rallying his soldiers, who were willing to fight to the death for him, which contributed to his victories. Wei Xuan's army dwindled day by day, running out of food, so they decided to have a final battle with Xuan Gan at Beimang, establishing their battle lines. They clashed more than ten times in one day. Xuan Gan's younger brother, Xuan Ting, was killed by a stray arrow, causing Xuan Gan to pull back momentarily. Fan Zigai then sent troops to assault the Ministry of Justice, resulting in the deaths of several hundred soldiers.
The emperor sent General Wu Ben to attack Yuan Wuben in Liyang, stationed General Wu Weitong in Heyang, sent General Yu Wenshu to reinforce the troops, and sent General You Huer to support Lai'er. Xuan Gan consulted with Li Zixiong, the former Minister of Civil Affairs, who said, "Wu Weitong understands military affairs very well. If he crosses the river, the outcome would be uncertain. It's better to divide the troops to intercept him. If Wu Weitong cannot cross the river, Fan Zigai and Wei Xuan will lose their support." Xuan Gan thought it made sense and planned to intercept Wu Weitong. Fan Zigai learned of Xuan Gan's plan and attacked his camp several times, preventing Xuan Gan from advancing successfully. Wu Weitong finally crossed the Yellow River and stationed his army in Poling. Xuan Gan found himself caught between two armies, having to confront Wei Xuan in the west and resist Wu Weitong in the east. Fan Zigai led his troops to attack, resulting in a major battle in which Xuan Gan's army faced repeated defeats.
Xuan Gan sought advice from Li Zixiong again, who said, "The reinforcements from the Eastern Capital are increasing, our army has suffered repeated defeats, we can't remain here for much longer. It's better to directly enter Guanzhong, open the Yongfeng Granary to provide relief to the poor, and easily control the Sanfu region. Occupy the government treasury, then compete for the world in the east; this is also the ambition of a hegemon!" At this point, the Yang family from Huayin offered to guide us. Xuan Gan then abandoned Luoyang, attacked Guanzhong from the west, and declared to everyone, "I have captured the Eastern Capital and am going to take over the West!" Yu Wenshu and other troops pursued closely. When they reached Hongnong Palace, the local elders advised Xuan Gan, "The palace is deserted, and there's plenty of food; it would be easy to take. Attacking can cut off the enemy's food supply, and retreating can occupy the Yiyang area." Xuan Gan agreed and left the army to attack Hongnong Palace. The city was not captured after three days, and the enemy forces caught up.
Xuangan fled to Linxiang in the west, set up his formation in the mountains, and his battle line extended for fifty miles. He fought and retreated at the same time, losing three times in one day. He then set up his formation at Dongduyuan, where various armies attacked him. Xuangan suffered a major defeat and fled into the woods with just a dozen cavalrymen, planning to escape to Shangluo. When the pursuers caught up to him, Xuangan shouted at them, causing them to flee in fear. When they reached Jialushu, Xuangan found himself trapped, so he and his brother Xu Jishan fled on foot. Knowing he could not escape, Xuangan said to Xu Jishan, "This has all gone wrong; I refuse to be humiliated. Please, kill me!" Xu Jishan killed him with a knife, but his attempt to take his own life failed. He was captured by the pursuers, and their heads were both sent to the emperor. Xuangan's body was displayed in the Eastern Capital for three days before being dismembered and burned. The rest of his followers were all subdued. His brother Xu Jiang, who was the Prefect of Yiyang, intended to join Xuangan but was killed by the county magistrate Zhou Yunyu. Xuangan's other brother, Xu Wanshuo, escaped from the emperor and fled to Gaoyang, where he was captured by the stationmaster Xu Hua and soldiers from the county and killed in Zhuojun. Xu Wanshuo's brother Xu Minxing, who was a court physician, was killed in Chang'an. Their bodies were all displayed as a warning. The officials petitioned to have Xuangan's surname changed to Xiao, and the emperor agreed. At the beginning, when Xuangan besieged the Eastern Capital, the people of Liang County rallied to his cause, and Xuangan appointed Han Xiangguo as the Marshal of Henan. Soon after, the army grew to over a hundred thousand, attacking and plundering counties everywhere. When they reached Xiangcheng, they encountered Xuangan's defeat, and the army gradually dispersed. Han Xiangguo was also captured by the officials, and his head was sent to the Eastern Capital.
Li Zixiong is from Lixian County, Bohai. His ancestor was an Adviser to the Wei Dynasty. His father, Li Taozhi, served as the Prefect of Dongping. Li Zixiong sought refuge in Northern Zhou with his fellow villager, Gao Zhongmi, and eventually became the Governor of Jizhou. Li Zixiong was ambitious and valiant from a young age, and at the age of twenty, he followed Emperor Wu of Zhou in pacifying the Qi Kingdom and was appointed as a General for his achievements. After Sui Wendi became Emperor, Li Zixiong, along with Wei Xiaokuan, defeated Yu Jiong in Xiangzhou and was granted the title of Duke of Jianchang. When Sui Wendi became Emperor, Li Zixiong was appointed as General of Cavalry. In the war against the Chen Kingdom, he was promoted to Grand General and successively served as the Governors of Chenzhou and Jiangzhou, distinguishing himself. During the Ren Shou period, he was dismissed due to an offense.
When Prince Liang rebelled, Sui Yangdi prepared to send troops from Youzhou to suppress him. At that time, Dou Kang was the Governor of Youzhou, and the Emperor worried that Dou Kang might have ulterior motives, so he asked Yang Su for a reliable candidate. Yang Su recommended Li Zixiong, appointed him as Grand General, and made him the Governor of Lianzhou, urging him to quickly arrive in Youzhou. After Li Zixiong arrived in Youzhou, he stayed at the post station and recruited over a thousand soldiers quickly. Dou Kang, relying on his good relationship with Yang Su, continued to avoid meeting Li Zixiong. Li Zixiong sent someone to inform him. Two days later, Dou Kang arrived with two thousand cavalry to see Li Zixiong. Li Zixiong set an ambush for him, invited Dou Kang to meet, and then captured him. As a result, Li Zixiong led thirty thousand infantry and cavalry from Youzhou to march against Prince Liang's forces. At that time, Prince Liang sent Grand General Liu Jian to attack the Yan and Zhao regions, and they encountered Li Zixiong's army at Bao Du Mountain in Jingxing, resulting in a fierce battle that Li Zixiong won. Li Zixiong was promoted to the Governor of Youzhou, and shortly after, he was summoned back to the court and appointed as Minister of Civil Affairs.
Zixiong was a smart and capable man, known for his eloquence, and highly trusted by the emperor. Once, when an envoy from Silla came to present tribute, Zixiong chatted with the envoy in the court and asked about the origin of the hats in Silla. The envoy replied, "This is a style left by our ancestors. How can people from such a big country like China not know about this?" Upon hearing this, Zixiong retorted, "We might have to learn from you barbarians!" The envoy said, "Since I arrived here, apart from what you just said, I really haven't found any rudeness in your people." The supervising official thought Zixiong's remarks were too inappropriate, which led to Zixiong being dismissed.
After some time, Zixiong was reinstated and accompanied the emperor to Jiangdu. The emperor noticed that the army's discipline was lacking and looked at Zixiong's troops. Zixiong immediately commanded the soldiers to line up, and the troops quickly fell into order. The emperor was thrilled and remarked, "You are truly cut out to be a great general!" Therefore, Zixiong was quickly promoted to Right Wuhou General. Later, he was dismissed from his position for various reasons.
Later, a war broke out in Liaodong, and the emperor sent him to join the army and prove himself. Zixiong set out from Dongping, heading east towards Canghai. Just then, Yang Xuangan started a rebellion in Liyang, and the emperor suspected Zixiong of being in cahoots with Yang Xuangan and ordered him to be arrested and taken to the imperial palace. In the end, Zixiong killed the envoy who was escorting him, escaped, and fled to Yang Xuangan for refuge. Yang Xuangan often sought advice from Zixiong, and these events are documented in "The Biography of Yang Xuangan." Ultimately, Yang Xuangan was defeated and killed, and Zixiong's family was also looted.
Zhao Yuanshu's father, whose ancestors were from Boling, had served as officials for generations. Zhao Yuanshu initially followed Gao Baoning and later joined the Zhou Dynasty. He was appointed to a high office, living near Chang'an in Yunyang. When Emperor Wen of Sui became emperor, Zhao Yuanshu was responsible for palace security. Later, he followed the Prince of Jin to fight against the Chen Dynasty and heroically fell in battle while leading the vanguard. In recognition of his sacrifice for the country, the court permitted his son Zhao Yuanshu to inherit his father's position and also rewarded him with two thousand pieces of cloth.
Zhao Yuanshu, a laid-back person, was not very concerned about affairs at home, and the family was so poor they could barely get by. After a few years, he was promoted to the position of General of the Cavalry. However, even with his official position, he still struggled financially. At that time, there was a wealthy man in Chang'an named Zong Lian, who was very rich and had served as the county magistrate of Sanyuan in the Zhou Dynasty. He had a beautiful and intelligent daughter whom he cherished dearly and wanted to find a good match for her. Hearing that although Zhao Yuanshu was poor, he was capable, Zong Lian thought of introducing them to each other.
Zong Lian was handsome and witty, and Zhao Yuanshu thought highly of him. When he visited Zong Lian's house, he was amazed by the grandeur and lavishness; it felt like he was in a general's mansion. There was even a band playing at the banquet, something Zhao Yuanshu had never experienced. After enough drinking, Zhao Yuanshu wanted to leave, but Zong Lian said, "If you have time, come again another day." A few days later, Zhao Yuanshu visited again, and this time the banquet was even more luxurious than before. After several visits like this, Zong Lian told Zhao Yuanshu, "I know you are usually poor, and I’d like to help you out." He then asked Zhao Yuanshu what he needed and got him everything.
When leaving, Zhao Yuanshu expressed her gratitude, and Zong Lian said, "I feel unworthy of the young lord, but I admire him. I have a daughter who is willing to be the young lord's concubine. What do you think?" Zhao Yuanshu felt both touched and embarrassed, so she agreed. Zong Lian also sent Zhao Yuanshu twenty servants, more than ten good horses, as well as various silk fabrics, gold, silver, and jewels. Now, Zhao Yuanshu was now considered prosperous.
Later, Emperor Yang of Sui ascended the throne, and Prince Liang of Han rebelled. Zhao Yuanshu followed Yang Su in quelling the rebellion. Because of his achievements, he was promoted to the position of Grand General. He initially served as the governor of Dezhou, and later was transferred to be the prefect of Yingchuan, where he performed well. Once when he returned to the court, he found that the Ministry of Agriculture had not collected the grain taxes from various regions in time. Zhao Yuanshu made a suggestion to the emperor. The emperor asked him, "According to your opinion, how many days will it take to collect all?" Zhao Yuanshu said, "Ten days are enough." The emperor immediately appointed him as the Minister of Agriculture to oversee grain collection. As a result, Zhao Yuanshu really completed the task in just ten days, which greatly pleased the emperor.
The Minister of Rites, Yang Xuangan, was secretly plotting a rebellion and believed he could win over Zhao Yuanshu. They conspired and presented him with a considerable amount of gold and silver. Later, during the war in Liaodong, Zhao Yuanshu commanded the troops tasked with guarding the imperial palace and was appointed Grand Master of Splendor, with the title of Duke Ge. The following year, the emperor went to attack Goguryeo, and Zhao Yuanshu stayed in Linyu. Yang Xuangan rebelled, and his brother Yang Xuangong escaped from the palace, passing through Linyu. Zhao Yuanshu summoned his concubine, Wei Shi, to host Yang Xuangong, and the two of them drank and plotted their rebellion together, with Zhao Yuanshu providing Yang Xuangong with a substantial amount of money.
After Yang Xuangan's rebellion failed, someone reported the actions of Zhao Yuanshu and Yang Xuangan. The emperor arrested Zhao Yuanshu for questioning, and Zhao Yuanshu said that he and Yang Xuangan were sworn brothers, and the gold and silver treasures they received were betrothal gifts from Yang Xuangan, with no other meaning. Wei Shi also claimed that she initially did not accept money from Yang Xuangan. The emperor personally interrogated them, yet they maintained their story. The emperor, furious, said to his ministers, "This is clearly treason—why even bother questioning them!" In the end, both Zhao Yuanshu and Wei Shi were beheaded in Zhuo County, and their properties were confiscated.
Now, let's talk about He Si Zheng from Henan. His ancestors were remarkable figures. His grandfather was the Grand Guardian and Minister of State during the Wei Dynasty, and was also titled as the King of Wenshen of Changshan! His father, Hui, also served as the Cavalier Attendant and Duke of Xincai. He Si Zheng was intelligent and capable from a young age. He began his career as a guard in the emperor's court, and later earned military accolades and was appointed as a General of the Right Commandant, with the powerful minister Yang Su showing special favor to him. When Emperor Yang of Sui was in power, He Si Zheng became the Gentleman of the Ministry of War. He had a dignified appearance, and whenever he reported to the emperor, he was spot on, pleasing Emperor Yang and gradually gaining his trust. He had a good relationship with the brothers Yang Xuangan.
During the war in Liaodong, the Minister of War Duan Wenzhen died, and the attendant Ming Ya was dismissed for making mistakes. The emperor then held He Si Zheng in higher regard and soon promoted him to the position of attendant of the Ministry of War. At that time, the Sui Dynasty needed to handle relations with various ethnic minorities externally, and there were also many military affairs domestically. He Si Zheng handled matters swiftly and efficiently, earning praise from everyone for his strong ability to get things done. During Yang Xuangan's rebellion, He Si Zheng was secretly in collusion with him. Later, when Yang Xuangan and his group fled to Goguryeo, it was also He Si Zheng who suggested it.
Emperor Yang was in Liaodong, preparing to return to the capital, and began to investigate the accomplices of Yang Xuangan. Husi Zheng was in a state of panic and secretly fled to Korea. The following year, Emperor Yang launched his campaign against Korea again. Korea actively sought peace and even said they were willing to hand over Husi Zheng. Emperor Yang agreed, and so Husi Zheng was captured and brought back. Upon returning to the capital, the emperor specifically reported Husi Zheng's case to the imperial ancestral shrine. At this time, General Yu Wenshu of the Left Yiwu Guard stepped forward and declared, "Husi Zheng's crimes are intolerable to heaven and earth, and anger both man and god! If punished according to standard procedures, how can those traitorous officials and disloyal and unfilial individuals be punished? I request an exceptional punishment!" The emperor agreed. They then dragged Husi Zheng to the Jingguang Gate, tied him to a pillar, and ordered the civil and military officials of the court to beat and shoot him, then dismembered his body. Many even resorted to eating his flesh... Afterward, they boiled the remaining bones, turned them to ashes, and scattered them to the winds.
There was a man named Liu Yuanjin in Yuhang, who was known for standing up against injustice from a young age. This man had remarkably long arms, each over a foot in length, hanging down past his knees. When Emperor Yang of Sui launched his campaign in Liaodong, the people were filled with fear, and Yuanjin, feeling different, secretly harbored rebellious thoughts and gathered a group of outlaws. Later, when Emperor Yang of Sui went to attack Liaodong again, recruiting soldiers from Wudi, the soldiers all said to each other, "Last year, our fathers and brothers followed the emperor to war during the time of national strength, and more than half of them died, their bodies never returned; now the world is in decline, if we go, we're done for!" So many people ran away, and the government officials pursued them tightly.
Just as Yang Xuangan was starting a rebellion in Liyang, Yuan Jin saw that people's hearts were in turmoil, so he also raised his troops in response. The people suffering in the Three Wus of Jiangnan all responded to him, and in less than a month, he had gathered tens of thousands of followers. Just as they were about to cross the river, Yang Xuangan was defeated. Zhu Xie from Wu County and Guan Chong from Jinling also rebelled, with seventy thousand followers, all rallying behind Liu Yuanjin as their leader. They took over Wu County, with Liu Yuanjin declaring himself the emperor, Zhu Xie and Guan Chong as his deputies, and even establishing a bureaucratic structure. Heroes from Piling, Dongyang, Kuaiji, and Jian'an all brought their officials to join him.
Emperor Yang of Sui sent General Tu Wanxu and Grand Master Yujuluo to lead troops to suppress the rebellion. Liu Yuanjin stationed himself in Maopu, resisting the imperial army and fighting many battles with mixed outcomes. Eventually, Liu Yuanjin retreated to Qu'a to defend it, joining forces with Zhu Xie and Guan Chong, amassing an army of one hundred thousand. Tu Wanxu's army approached, and the two sides were deadlocked for over a hundred days. In the end, Liu Yuanjin was ultimately defeated and retreated to Huangshan. Tu Wanxu defeated him again, Zhu Xie died in battle, and Liu Yuanjin retreated to Jian'an to regroup his forces. Tu Wanxu and Yujuluo, weary and aged, each fortified their positions and did not venture out.
Before long, both Tu Wanxu and Yujuluo committed errors, and Emperor Yang of Sui ordered the Chief Magistrate of Jiangdu, Wang Shichong, to bring troops from Huainan to attack. At that moment, a large meteor fell from the sky over Jiangdu, flying southward before landing in Wu County. Liu Yuanjin considered it a bad omen and ordered the ground to be dug up, revealing a stone over ten feet in diameter. But a few days later, the stone vanished.
After Wang Shichong crossed the Yangtze River, Liu Yuanjin led the troops to resist, inflicting heavy casualties, killing and wounding over a thousand. Wang Shichong grew increasingly anxious, so he withdrew to Yanling Stockade. Liu Yuanjin dispatched troops, each holding thatch, and ignited it using the wind. Wang Shichong was terrified and considered abandoning the camp to flee, but then encountered a shift in the wind. The fire spread towards him, and Liu Yuanjin's army, fearing being burned to death, retreated. Wang Shichong chose his elite soldiers to launch a counterattack, defeating Liu Yuanjin's army, killing and injuring more than half. From then on, Liu Yuanjin faced continuous defeats.
Liu Yuanjin turned to Guan Chong and said, "The situation is critical; we have no choice but to fight to the death!" So they went into battle together, but they were all slain by Wang Shichong. Liu Yuanjin's army surrendered, and Wang Shichong executed them all in Huangting Gully, resulting in the deaths of thirty thousand. The remaining forces scattered and became bandits. Later, Dong Daochong, Shen Faxing, Li Zitong, and others seized the opportunity to rise in rebellion, and the conflict persisted until the fall of the Sui Dynasty.
Li Mi, courtesy name Fazhu, is the grandson of Li Yan, the Duke of True Xiang. His grandfather, Li Yao, was the Duke of Xingguo during the Zhou Dynasty. His father, Li Kuan, was a brave and resourceful warrior who served as a general several times from the Zhou Dynasty to the Sui Dynasty, eventually rising to the rank of Zhuguo and Pushe Jun Duke, a well-known general. Li Mi was ambitious and gifted from a young age, excelling in both literary and martial arts. He always felt that he should do something for the country and the people. During the reign of Emperor Wen of Sui, he inherited his father's title, becoming the Duke of Pushan. He then gave away his family's wealth, took care of relatives and friends, made friends with wise scholars, and was generous to everyone. He had a brotherhood forged in life and death with Yang Xuangan. Later on, Li Mi shifted his lifestyle, focusing on studying, especially military texts, which he could recite from memory. He studied under the assistant instructor at the Imperial Academy, Bao Kai, dedicating himself to the "Records of the Grand Historian" and the "Book of Han." None of his peers could match his skills. In the early period of the reign of Emperor Yang of Sui, the court appointed him as the Grand Commander of the Imperial Bodyguards, but he disliked the position and feigned illness to return home.
Yang Xuangan rebelled in Liyang and secretly sent a servant to summon Li Mi in the capital, asking him and his brother Yang Xuang to come to Liyang together. When Li Mi arrived, Yang Xuangan was overjoyed and regarded him as a military advisor. Yang Xuangan discussed strategies with Li Mi, who replied, "I have three strategies; you can choose whichever you prefer. The Emperor is leading troops to distant Liaodong, a thousand miles away from Youzhou, with the sea to the south and nomadic tribes to the north, leaving only one road in the middle, a very dangerous situation. You have troops now, you can take them by surprise, directly attack Jizhou, and block their vital passageway. In front is Goguryeo, with no way back; in ten days or half a month, they will surely run out of food and supplies. All you need to do is wave your hand, and they'll surrender without a fight; this is the best strategy."
The second strategy is that Guanzhong is surrounded by mountains on all sides; it is the land of plenty, so there is no need to worry about the troops led by Wei Wensheng. Now we should lead the army, bypass the cities, traveling lightly and swiftly, and strive to enter Guanzhong as soon as possible. Even if the emperor returns to the capital, he will lose the strategic location of Guanzhong. By occupying the strategic high ground, we will definitely be able to win. This is a surefire strategy, a middle-ground approach. If we choose a nearby target and attack the Eastern Capital first, Tang Yi will definitely defend it to the death. In that case, the war will drag on for a long time, and the outcome will be unpredictable. This is the worst strategy." Yang Xuangan said, "No, your worst strategy is actually the best strategy! Now all the officials' families are in the Eastern Capital. If we don't capture the Eastern Capital, how can we intimidate the world? Furthermore, if we don't even attack the capital city, how can we show our strength?" So Li Mi's strategy was not adopted.
Yang Xuangan felt confident in the Eastern Capital, believing victory was just around the corner. Later, when Wei Fusun was captured, he was treated as a confidant, so the military affairs were no longer completely entrusted to Li Mi. Wei Fusun was not originally a conspirator, but he was captured in battle and always spoke ambiguously during discussions of battle plans. Later, when asked to write a proclamation, Wei Fusun refused firmly. Li Mi sensed his intentions and said to Yang Xuangan, "Wei Fusun is not on our side at all; he's been keeping an eye on us. You have just raised troops, and there are spies around you. If you take his words to heart, you'll be led astray. He should be killed to demonstrate our resolve and boost the troops' morale." Yang Xuangan said, "It's not necessary!" Li Mi knew his words were not being accepted, so he said to his confidant, "Duke Chu (Yang Xuangan) loves to stir up rebellion but doesn’t seem to care about winning. What should we do? Now we are all about to become prisoners!" Later, Yang Xuangan wanted to march west, and Wei Fusun finally escaped back to the Eastern Capital.
Li Zixiong has been urging Xuanguan to hurry up and declare himself king and emperor, and come up with a title. Xuanguan took this matter to consult his strategist Li Mi. Li Mi said, "Think about it, when Chen Sheng wanted to declare himself king, Zhang Er advised him not to rush, and as a result, Zhang Er was ignored; when Cao Cao wanted the emperor to grant him the Nine Bestowments, Xun Yu advised him not to do so, and as a result, Xun Yu was also alienated. If I were to give you direct advice now, I might end up like them, being cast aside by you. Besides, flattering and fawning is not my style. The key is, since we started the uprising, although we have won a few battles, the local counties haven’t really responded. The defense in the East Capital is still strong, and reinforcements from all over the country are arriving soon. You should lead the charge now, quickly take control of the Guanzhong region. Isn’t it a bit too hasty to think about declaring yourself king and emperor right now?" Xuanguan laughed and dispelled this idea.
Yuwen Shu and Lai Huer were on their way with their troops, and Xuanguan asked Li Mi again, "What should we do now?" Li Mi said, "Yuan Hong (referring to Yuan Hongsi) stationed troops in the Longyou area, with a strong force. We can publicly claim he’s rebelled, then send people to meet you, so you can enter Guanzhong with legitimacy and throw everyone off." Xuanguan followed Li Mi's plan, issued orders, and led the army westward. When they got to Shan County, he wanted to surround Hongnong Palace. Li Mi warned him again, "This time you’re tricking everyone into going west. Military operations must be swift, especially since the pursuers are about to catch up. How can we waste time here? If we don’t take the passes ahead and have nowhere to defend ourselves behind, everyone will scatter. How are we supposed to protect ourselves?" Xuanguan didn’t listen this time and went ahead to surround Hongnong Palace, but after three days of fighting, they still couldn’t take it, so they pulled back west. When they got to Wanzhen, the pursuers finally caught up with them.
The rebellion led by Xuangang failed. Mi (referring to a person named Mi) secretly slipped into Guanzhong and hid with Xuangang's uncle Xun in the house of Fengyi Xun's wife. It didn't take long before they were reported by neighbors, arrested, and thrown into the infamous prison of Jingzhao Prefecture. At that time, Emperor Yang of Sui was in Gaoyang, and Mi and his accomplices were all escorted to Gaoyang to see the emperor. On the way, Mi said to his subordinates, "Our lives are like morning dew, fleeting. If we make it to Gaoyang, we're definitely going to be executed. We are still on the road now; maybe we can find a way to escape. Why wait to be killed?" Everyone agreed with him. Many of his subordinates had money, so Mi secretly took out the money and showed it to the guards, saying, "If we die, all this money will be left to you. Please help us bury us. The rest can be considered as a thank you." The guards, tempted by the money, agreed. As they reached the outskirts, the vigilance gradually relaxed. Mi secretly had people buy food and wine, feasting every night, making a ruckus, and the guards did not pay attention. When they reached Handan, they stayed in a village at night. Mi and six others scaled the wall and made their escape, seeking refuge with the bandit leader Hao Xiaode in the plains. Hao Xiaode did not pay much attention to them, and they were reduced to eating tree bark just to survive. Wang Zhongbo secretly returned to Tianshui, while Mi went to Huaiyang, settled in a village, changed his name to Liu Zhiyuan, and recruited disciples to teach. A few months later, Mi, feeling discontented, penned a five-character poem:
The golden phoenix dances at the beginning of the festival,
The jade dew fades in the evening woods.
This evening, a poor scholar,
Empty heart, melancholy.
Looking out, feeling a lot,
Generous and alone.
What is the meaning of being alone?
Longing for ancient ideals.
The ways of the Qin are still unsettled,
What hopes for the Han way!
Fan Kuai in the market, mere commoners,
Xiao He with his pen and sword.
Once the fortunes align,
A legendary name for all time.
Sending a message to the world's heroes,
The emptiness of life is truly something to be ashamed of.
After he finished writing the poem, he cried several times. Some people found him strange and reported him to Prefect Zhao. The county sent officials to arrest him, but he managed to escape and sought refuge with his brother-in-law, Qiu Junming, the county magistrate of Yongqiu County. Later, Qiu Junming's nephew, Huaiyi, reported him, and the emperor ordered his arrest. He escaped once more, but as a consequence, Qiu Junming was sentenced to death.
Zhai Rang, the leader of this band of outlaws, gathered more than ten thousand followers. A man named Wang Bo secretly defected to him. Wang Bo was a subordinate of General Xuangang of the Wagang Army. He secretly urged Zhai Rang to eliminate Wang Bo. Terrified, Wang Bo quickly sought advice from his companion on how to persuade Zhai Rang.
Zhai Rang sent Wang Bo to negotiate with the smaller bands of outlaws. Wherever Wang Bo went, the bandits surrendered. Zhai Rang then began to take Wang Bo seriously and summoned him to discuss matters. Wang Bo said to Zhai Rang, "We have a large force now, but where will we get food? If we keep this up, both our men and horses will be worn out, and when the enemy shows up, we’ll be done for. Why don’t we head straight for Xingyang, rest the troops, stock up on supplies, and strengthen our forces, and then fight for territory against others?" Zhai Rang agreed to his suggestion. They then stormed Jindi Pass, raided several counties around Xingyang, and captured many cities.
The Governor of Yingyang, Xuan Qing, and Zhang Xuduo stationed in Yingyang led his troops to confront Zhai Rang. Zhai Rang was defeated several times by Zhang Xuduo. When he heard that Zhang Xuduo was coming again, he was frightened and sought to flee. Wang Bo said, "Zhang Xuduo may be brave, but he lacks smarts. He has been winning battles recently and has grown arrogant and ruthless. We can set up an ambush to capture him. You set up your formation and wait for him. I guarantee that I can help you defeat him!" Zhai Rang had no choice but to get ready for battle. Wang Bo ambushed more than a thousand soldiers in the woods. During the battle, Zhai Rang's forces were struggling, and the army began to retreat. Wang Bo ordered the ambushers to attack Zhang Xuduo's army from behind. Zhang Xuduo's army was defeated, and Wang Bo and Zhai Rang together attacked and completely defeated Zhang Xuduo, killing him right then and there.
Zhai Rang then appointed Wang Bo to command the camp and led a separate army. Wang Bo advised Zhai Rang, saying, "The foolish emperor is utterly incompetent, and the world is in turmoil. There are uprisings everywhere, and the whole country is suffering from famine. With your skills and command of such a powerful army, you should pacify the world, eliminate those villains, and not just remain a petty bandit waiting for the end! Now the people and officials in the Eastern Capital are turning against each other, and the officials left behind are each going their own ways. You should lead the army to attack Xingluo Granary head-on, distribute food to the starving, and nearby people will flock to you! We could muster a million troops in just one day. This is a chance we can't afford to miss!" Zhai Rang said, "I come from nothing and never really thought about all this. If it really works out like you say, you go lead the troops ahead, and I will lead the rear guard. Once we take the granary, we can talk more."
Wang Bo and Zhai Rang led seven thousand elite soldiers, setting out from Yangcheng in the spring of the thirteenth year of the Daye era. They crossed Fangshan and launched a surprise attack on Xingluo Granary from Luokou, capturing the granary. They opened the granary and allowed the people to take food freely. The elderly, weak, women, and children all carried food on their backs, with a constant stream of people coming and going on the road.
Liu Changgong led twenty-five thousand troops to attack Mizhou, but ended up being defeated by Mizhou, with only himself managing to escape. They had no choice but to support Zhai Rang of Mizhou as their leader. Zhai Rang resided in Luokou, where the city walls were forty li long. Fang Yanzao took over Yuzhou, causing panic in the Eastern Capital (Luoyang). Zhai Rang was given the title of Duke Wei. Initially, Zhai Rang declined, but after insistence from his soldiers, he reluctantly accepted. An altar was erected for sacrifices, and he officially ascended the throne as emperor, declared his reign name, and appointed a number of officials. Fang Yanzao was appointed as Left Chief Historian, Bing Yuanzhen as Right Chief Historian, Yang Defang as Left Sima, and Zheng Detao as Right Sima. Zhai Rang himself was appointed as Minister of Works and Duke of Dongju. Other generals were also rewarded accordingly.
During this time, the bandit Meng Rang from Changbai Mountain went to the Eastern Capital, burned Fengdu City, and then fled. Zhai Rang captured Gong County, seized the county magistrate Chai Xiaohu, and appointed him as the protector of the army. The military officer Pei Renji, along with the Wu Lao unit, surrendered to Zhai Rang, and Zhai Rang sent him and Meng Rang with over twenty thousand men to launch a surprise attack on Hualu Granary. They successfully took over Hualu Granary, burned Tianjin Bridge, and then looted extensively. The Eastern Capital sent troops to pursue, but Pei Renji and his men were defeated and barely managed to escape with their lives. Zhai Rang personally led thirty thousand troops to approach the Eastern Capital, while Duan Da, Gao Pi, and Liu Changgong commanded seventy thousand imperial troops in resistance. A battle took place in the former capital, with the imperial troops being defeated, and Zhai Rang reoccupied Hualu Granary. Shortly after, both Zheng Detao and Yang Defang died, prompting Zhai Rang to appoint Zheng Ting as Left Sima and Zheng Qianxiang as Right Sima.
Chai Xiahe said to Zhai Rang: "The Qin State's terrain is rugged, and West Chu fell because it was backed by Qin, and Han Gaozu rose to power by seizing Qin's territory. I believe Pei Renji should defend Huiluo Warehouse, you should guard Luokou, handpick elite soldiers, and attack Chang'an from the west. The common folks will surely come out to greet you, and you'll likely win without a fight. Once we capture Chang'an, with our territory secure and our forces strong, we can push straight through Jingluo, and then the world will be settled. But with so many heroes rising now, I'm worried someone else might beat us to it. If we miss this chance, we'll regret it!" Zhai Rang said: "I've thought about your idea for a long time too, and it really is the best plan. But the tyrant is still in charge, and his army is still powerful. My troops are all from Shandong—how can they be willing to follow me west when Luoyang hasn't even fallen yet? My generals are all former bandits, each one eager to prove themselves. If that happens, we could end up failing." Chai Xiahe said: "You're right; I didn't think this through. Since we can't move the main army west for now, I'll go scout the situation first." Zhai Rang agreed.
Chai Xiaohé led dozens of cavalry to Shan County, and along the way, tens of thousands of mountain robbers joined him. Zhai Rang was at the height of his power at that time, frequently infiltrating the official army camps and engaging in multiple battles with them. Later, Zhai Rang was hit by a stray arrow and lay in his tent. A few days later, troops from the Eastern Capital came to attack, and Zhai Rang's army was defeated, abandoning their provisions and fleeing back to Luokou. When Chai Xiaohé's troops learned of Zhai Rang's retreat, they also dispersed. Chai Xiaohé rode back to Luokou to find Zhai Rang. The Emperor sent Wang Shichong with fifty thousand elite soldiers from Jianghuai to subdue Zhai Rang, and Zhai Rang fought back but was defeated. Chai Xiaohé fell into the Lu River and drowned, which left Zhai Rang heartbroken. Wang Shichong camped on the west side of Luoyang and confronted Zhai Rang for more than a hundred days. The county magistrate of Wuyang, Yuan Baozang, the bandit leader of Liyang, Li Wenxiang, the bandit leader of Huanshui, Zhang Sheng, the bandit leader of Qinghe, Zhao Junde, and the bandit leader of Pingyuan, Hao Xiaode, all surrendered to Zhai Rang and together overran Liyang's supply depot and occupied the area. Zhou Faming surrendered the territory of Jianghuai to Zhai Rang, and other bandit leaders like Xu Yuanlang of Qi County, Xu Shiren of Rencheng, and Zhao Ta, the governor of Huaiyang, also surrendered one after another, totaling in the thousands. Zhai Rang's subordinate Wang Ruxin advised Zhai Rang to become the Grand Chancellor and consolidate all power to gain the upper hand. Zhai Rang's brother, Zhai Kuan, advised him, saying, "The Emperor's position can only be claimed through one's own efforts; how can it be given to someone else? If you can't do it, I will!" These words were overheard by Wang Shichong, who then plotted to eliminate Zhai Rang. Just as Wang Shichong arrived with his troops, Zhai Rang personally went to battle but was driven back several hundred paces by Wang Shichong. Wang Shichong and Shan Xiongxin rushed over with their elite soldiers to provide support, driving Wang Shichong away. Zhai Rang wanted to pursue his victory and break through Wang Shichong's camp, but as darkness fell, Wang Shichong resolutely halted him.
The next day, Zhai Rang brought hundreds of people to Wang Shichong's camp to celebrate with a meal. Wang Shichong prepared a feast to entertain him, and his men were all arranged to eat. Ambushes were laid at every gate, and Zhai Rang was completely oblivious. Wang Shichong invited Zhai Rang to take a seat, produced a fine bow, and asked Zhai Rang to take a shot. Just as Zhai Rang was about to shoot with a full bow, Wang Shichong had his warrior Cai Jian kill Zhai Rang from behind, and Zhai Rang fell dead instantly. Next, Wang Shichong executed Zhai Rang's brother, Zhai Kuan, and Wang Ruxin, and many of Zhai Rang's followers were also killed.
Zhai Rang's general Xu Shijie was severely injured by the chaotic soldiers. Wang Shichong quickly ordered his men to intervene, and Xu Shijie barely survived. Shan Xiongxin and the others knelt and pleaded for mercy; Wang Shichong spared them all and offered them comfort. Wang Shichong then led hundreds of men to Zhai Rang's camp. Wang Bodang, Bing Yuanzhen, Shan Xiongxin, and others entered the camp, announced Zhai Rang's death, and no one in the camp dared to stir. Afterwards, Wang Shichong appointed Xu Shijie, Shan Xiongxin, and Wang Bodang to lead Zhai Rang's army.
Not long after, Wang Shichong launched a night attack on Cangcheng but suffered a crushing defeat at the hands of Dou Jiande's army, and the military officer Wu Benlang, Fei Qingnu, was also killed.
Wang Shichong moved his camp to the north of Luoyang, pitching camp towards Gong County. Later, he built a pontoon bridge on the Luo River and led all his troops to attack Dou Jiande. Dou Jiande only sent a thousand cavalry to resist, but they couldn't hold their ground against Wang Shichong and were forced to retreat. Wang Shichong pursued the retreating forces and closed in on Dou Jiande's city. Dou Jiande selected a few hundred elite soldiers and divided them into three teams to counterattack. The official army's lines broke, leading to friendly fire incidents, with many soldiers drowning, resulting in tens of thousands dead. Generals such as Yang Wei, Wang Bian, Huo Shiju, Liu Changgong, Liang Dezho, Dong Zhitong, and many others were killed in battle. Wang Shichong managed to escape alone and dared not risk returning to the Eastern Capital of Luoyang, fleeing to Heyang instead. That night, it poured rain and snow, with accumulations over a foot. Most of the people fleeing with Wang Shichong froze or starved to death.
Dou Jiande then restored the old site of Jinyong City and settled there with over three hundred thousand troops. He then launched an attack on Shangchun Gate, with Wei Jin, the city's defender, coming out to face him, only to be defeated and captured by Dou Jiande. His men urged Dou Jiande to claim the throne, but he declined. When Li Tang's righteous army surrounded the Eastern Capital of Luoyang, Dou Jiande led his troops to rescue them. After the two sides battled, Dou Jiande retreated once again.
After a while, Yuwen Huaji killed the emperor and led over a hundred thousand troops from Jiangdu heading north to Liyang. Li Mi personally led twenty thousand infantry and cavalry to resist him. At this time, Prince Yang Dong declared himself emperor and sent envoys to confer titles upon Li Mi, bestowing upon him high titles, including Grand Commandant, Prefect of the Masters of Writing, Grand Secretary of the Southeastern Circuit, Commander-in-Chief, and Duke of Wei, instructing him to first defeat Yuwen Huaji and then assist him in the capital. Li Mi dispatched envoys to convey his thanks.
Yuwen Huaji encountered Li Mi, and Li Mi knew that Yuwen Huaji's army was short of food. He aimed for a swift resolution, so he did not engage in battle with him, but cut off his escape route to the west. Li Mi dispatched Xu Shijie to defend the granary city, but Yuwen Huaji launched an attack on the city and was unable to take it. Li Mi and Yuwen Huaji spoke across the river, and Li Mi rebuked him: "You were once a slave of the Xiongnu, grew up in a small border area, and you and your family have enjoyed the Sui Dynasty's favor. You have been wealthy for several generations, your wife is still a princess, and your status is unparalleled in the court. You have enjoyed the great favor of the country; therefore, you ought to serve the country. How can you remain silent when the emperor goes astray, but instead choose to rebel, slaughter innocents, and execute your own kin, support collateral branches, proclaim yourself emperor without authorization, insult the empress, and harm the innocent? You are not loyal like Zhuge Zhan, but instead a traitor like Huo Yu! Heaven and earth do not tolerate, humans and gods abandon together! What do you hope to gain by oppressing the good? Surrender to me now, and you can still save your descendants!" Yuwen Huaji fell silent, staring down for a long moment, then glaring wide-eyed, he shouted, "If we are going to fight, let's fight. Why say all this?" Li Mi remarked to his subordinates, "Yuwen Huaji is so pathetic, yet he dares to aspire to be emperor. He’s nothing but a scoundrel, akin to Zhao Gao and Dong Zhuo. All I need to do is chase him off with a stick!"
Yuwen Huaji ramped up the production of siege weapons and launched a brutal assault on Liyang Cangcheng. Li Mi led five hundred light cavalry to rush over. The defenders of Cangcheng emerged from the city to assist, burning down Yuwen Huaji's siege weapons. The fire raged all night without being put out. Li Mi knew that Yuwen Huaji's food was running out quickly, so he pretended to negotiate with him, causing him to let his guard down. Yuwen Huaji was oblivious to this and felt quite pleased, letting his soldiers feast and even expecting Li Mi to send food to him. At this time, one of Li Mi's men committed an offense and defected to Yuwen Huaji, telling him all about Li Mi's situation. Yuwen Huaji was furious. As his supplies were running low, he crossed the Yongji Canal and engaged Li Mi in battle near Tongshan, from morning till night. Li Mi was struck by a stray arrow and halted in Jixian. Yuwen Huaji plundered Jijun, marched north toward Weixian, and his generals, Chen Zhilue and Zhang Tongren, surrendered their troops to Li Mi in succession. Initially, Yuwen Huaji left the supplies in Dongjun and appointed his Minister of Justice, Wang Gui, to guard them. By this time, Wang Gui brought the entire county to surrender to Li Mi, who then appointed him as the governor of Huazhou. Li Mi led his troops westward and sent his secretary Li Jian to the Eastern Capital, presenting the head of Yang Guang's killer to King Yang Dong. King Yang Dong appointed Li Jian as the Deputy Minister of Agriculture and sent him back to deliver the decree, summoning Li Mi to the capital. Upon arriving in Wenxian, Li Mi learned that Wang Shichong had already executed Yuan Wendu, Lu Chu, and others, so he made his way back to Jinyong City.
After Wang Shichong became the powerful official, he started to lavishly reward the soldiers, repair weapons and equipment, and morale rose accordingly. However, the elite soldiers under his command were short on clothing and food, and they couldn't even get enough provisions. So they wanted to trade food with the Wagang Army. Initially, the Wagang Army refused, but Bing Yuanzhen and others persuaded Li Mi continuously for their own gain, and Li Mi agreed. At first, the Eastern Capital was cut off from food supplies, and hundreds of people escaped to the Wagang Army every day. When the Wagang Army had food supplies, the number of defectors decreased, and Li Mi regretted his decision and halted the trade.
Although Li Mi controlled the granary, he did not have a treasury, and the soldiers received no rewards even after their victories. Li Mi treated the newly surrendered soldiers especially well, which caused resentment among the other soldiers. At that time, Li Mi sent Bing Yuanzhen to guard the Xingluo granary. Bing Yuanzhen, a greedy and stingy man from a humble background, was despised by Yuwen Wen. Yuwen Wen often warned Li Mi, "Your troubles won't be solved unless you get rid of Bing Yuanzhen." Li Mi brushed him off, but Bing Yuanzhen, knowing of Yuwen Wen's warning, was secretly plotting to betray Li Mi. Yang Qing caught wind of this and informed Li Mi, but Li Mi was skeptical.
At this point, Wang Shichong led all his troops to the final showdown. Li Mi left Wang Bo to defend Jinyong City and marched his elite troops to Yanshi, north of Mangshan, to await Wang Shichong. After Wang Shichong's army arrived, he sent hundreds of cavalry to cross the Yuh River, and Li Mi sent Pei Xingyan to lead the troops to meet them. By evening, both sides pulled back temporarily. Pei Xingyan, Sun Changle, Cheng Yaojin, and a dozen other brave generals were seriously injured, which infuriated Li Mi. Taking advantage of the night, Wang Shichong secretly crossed the river and established his formation the following morning. Li Mi discovered this too late and faced a crushing defeat, fleeing with over 10,000 troops to Luokou. Wang Shichong laid siege to Yanshi at night, and the defender Zheng Ting was betrayed by his own men, opening the city gates and surrendering to Wang Shichong. Just as Li Mi was about to enter Cang City in Luokou, Bing Yuanzhen had already dispatched agents to assist Wang Shichong secretly. Li Mi was aware of this but chose not to reveal it. He discussed with everyone and decided to wait until half of Wang Shichong's forces had crossed the Luo River before launching an attack. However, when Wang Shichong's army arrived, Li Mi's reconnaissance cavalry failed to spot them in time. When they were finally ready to fight, Wang Shichong's army had already crossed the Luo River. Realizing he could not hold out, Li Mi retreated with his cavalry. Bing Yuanzhen ultimately surrendered the city to Wang Shichong.
The people of Mizhou gradually dispersed, and the situation became just as dire as in Liyang. Someone said to Mizhou, "When you killed Zhai Rang back then, Xu Shijie was almost killed by you. Now that his wounds haven't healed, can he be trusted?" Mizhou decided to halt his actions. Meanwhile, Wang Bodang abandoned Jinyang City to defend Heyang. Mizhou led light cavalry to cross the Yellow River from Wulao to join him, and he said to Wang Bodang, "We’ve lost the battle! Everyone has suffered for so long; I will take my own life to atone for this!" Everyone burst into tears, unable to hold their heads up. Mizhou said again, "If you’re willing to stand by me, let’s return to Guanzhong together. I feel ashamed for not having accomplished anything, but you’ll all be able to keep your wealth and status." His advisor, Liu Xie, pointed out, "The region surrendered to the Han Dynasty and was responsible for the transport and distribution of food. You have strong ties with the clans in Chang'an. Even though you didn’t take part in the uprising, you blocked the army from the Eastern Capital, cut off the Sui Dynasty's retreat, and allowed the Tang Dynasty to take the capital without a fight. This is also to your credit!" Everyone also said, "Yes!" Thus, Mizhou surrendered to the Tang Dynasty and was appointed Duke of Xingguo and Guangluqing.
Pei Renji, from Hedong, courtesy name Deben. His ancestor Pei Bofeng was the Governor of Fenzhou in the Zhou Dynasty; his father Pei Ding was an official of the same level. Pei Renji was brave and skilled in battle from a young age, excelling in archery. During the reign of Emperor Wen of Sui, he became the emperor's personal guard. In the wars against the Chen Dynasty, he always led the charge, achieving great success, and he was appointed as Yitong, rewarded with a substantial amount of silk. Later, he became a trusted aide to Prince Han Liang. When Emperor Yang of Sui ascended the throne, Prince Han Liang rebelled, and Pei Renji tried hard to persuade him. Prince Han Liang was furious and had him imprisoned. After Prince Han Liang's defeat, Emperor Yang of Sui greatly appreciated him, promoting him to be a military commander. Several years later, he was appointed as a general and followed General Li Jing to defeat the rebellious barbarian leader Xiang Siduo in Qian'an, achieving victory, and he was promoted to Golden Purple Guanglu Daifu, also rewarded with many slaves and silk.
He defeated the Tuyuhun in Zhangye, and his official position was promoted to Jinzi Guanglu Daifu. He also eliminated the Mohe people who were raiding, and he was appointed as Zuo Guanglu Daifu. Later, he joined the campaign against Goguryeo, eventually rising to the rank of Guanglu Daifu.
The emperor went to Jiangdu, and Li Mi occupied Luokou. He then sent Wang Renji to serve as the envoy for the Henan Road, to hold off Li Mi at Wulao. Later, the defending general Zhang Xutiao was slain by Li Mi, and Wang Renji integrated Zhang Xutiao's troops. Every time they fought with Li Mi, they killed many enemies. In the turmoil of the Sui Dynasty, there were scant rewards for those who distinguished themselves. Seeing a strong enemy ahead and soldiers tired and suffering, Wang Renji rewarded his troops with seized military provisions. The inspector Xiao Huaijing consistently obstructed him, leading to widespread discontent among the troops. Xiao Huaijing secretly filed reports against Wang Renji, hoping to impeach him. Wang Renji, fearing for his life, killed Xiao Huaijing and defected to Li Mi with his troops. Li Mi appointed him as Duke of Hedong Commandery. Wang Renji's son, Wang Xingyan, was brave and skilled in battle. Li Mi also appointed him as Duke of Jiang Commandery, placing special trust in the father-son duo.
Wang Shichong couldn't find food in Dongdu, so he took all his troops to Yanshi to confront Li Mi. Li Mi asked the generals for strategies, and Wang Renji said, "Wang Shichong has emptied his stronghold; Luoyang must be left vulnerable. We should deploy troops to secure the key routes and prevent him from escaping eastward. Let’s select three thousand of our best soldiers and march west along the river to threaten Dongdu. If Wang Shichong retreats, we will hold back; if he comes out again, we will pressure him again. This way, we can preserve our strength and make him exhausted; this is known as 'he exits, I enter; he enters, I exit, tire him out with numerous battles, mislead him in multiple ways'!" Li Mi said, "You see only part of the picture, but not the crucial part. The Dongdu army has three unbeatable advantages: first, they have superior weapons; second, they are resolute in their determination to fight; and third, they are starving and must fight to the death. We should hold back and watch for their weaknesses; they won't find supplies, and even if they want to flee, they won't be able to. Within ten days at most, Wang Shichong's head will be hanging from my banner." Generals such as Shan Xiongxin underestimated the threat and all insisted on going into battle. Wang Renji strongly opposed, but his objections fell on deaf ears. Li Mi couldn't convince the generals, which resulted in a crushing defeat, leading to Wang Renji's capture by Wang Shichong.
Wang Shichong saw that both Wang Renji and his son were very formidable, so he treated them with great courtesy and even gave his niece in marriage to Wang Xingyan. Later, Wang Shichong proclaimed himself emperor, appointing Wang Renji as the Minister of Rites and Wang Xingyan as the General of the Left. Wang Xingyan was invincible in battle, earning the moniker "The One Who Defeats Ten Thousand." Wang Shichong, fearing his reputation, became increasingly suspicious and wary of him. Wang Renji, aware of Wang Shichong's thoughts, grew increasingly uneasy and conspired with others appointed by Wang Shichong to rebel, planning to have Chen Qian hold a dagger to Wang Shichong during a meal, with Wang Xingyan poised to support from the bottom of the stairs. After the successful event, they planned to crown Yue Wang Dong as emperor. However, General Zhang Tongren learned of their plan and informed Wang Shichong, resulting in the deaths of Wang Renji and his accomplices at the hands of Wang Shichong.
It is said that in historical records, the prosperous emperors of ancient times did not depend merely on luck, but rather on their noble character, profound kindness, and great achievements that earned the favor of the heavens. They resolved countless difficulties and benefited the world; otherwise, how could they have succeeded? After the decline of the Zhou Dynasty, the Sui Dynasty began to prosper. Yang Jian and his son Yang Guang made great contributions to the royal family, pacifying the southern states, defeating enemies to the east, taking control of the government, and stabilizing the world, leading to peace and prosperity.
At that time, the Xiongnu were arrogant and the Wu Kingdom did not pay tribute. They competed for dominance in the Huangchi and drank horses in the Qingwei River, creating quite a scene. Yang Jian focused on both domestic and foreign affairs, entrusting important matters to capable officials who collaborated effectively. As a result, they defeated the barbarians, suppressed rebellions, secured the nation's borders, and extended their benevolence across the realm, earning a great reputation.
Yang Guang inherited his father's foundation; his territory was stable, occupying the Yiluo River Valley, controlling the Xiaohan Pass, and commanding various regions across the country. He believed he was divinely ordained but overlooked the challenges of ruling, neglected governing with morality and righteousness, and only wanted to show off military power and expand overseas. He refused to listen to advice from others, defended his mistakes, did not learn from the lessons of past dynasties, and failed to prioritize virtue and benevolence.
As a result, he launched large-scale construction projects, dug canals, constructed roads, planted willows and mulberries, and adorned them with gold. From the Yumen Pass in the west to the Jieshi Mountain in the east, he cut through mountains, filled valleys, and created waterways that reached the sea. The common people were exhausted; the forced labor seemed endless, and people across the country were in a state of panic, like startled birds taking flight and fish scattering.
He wanted to attack Yancai in the west and subdue Liuqiu in the south, leading his army to conquer territories in all directions and repeatedly stepping foot on the Korean Peninsula. He fancied himself majestic, believing the world bowed to him, and thought of himself as a wise monarch whose achievements surpassed those of all previous emperors. He neither relied on relatives nor was he held back by ministers, believing he could surpass the Xia, Shang, Zhou, and Han dynasties, and that his descendants for generations to come would enjoy blessings, with no one able to rival him, truly a one-of-a-kind emperor in history.
However, he alienated talented generals, distrusted loyal ministers, feared hearing of theft, and detested news of war. In battle, he disregarded the balance of power between friend and foe. Those with inadequate forces were executed out of fear, while those who won battles were secretly assassinated due to their great achievements. Rewards were not granted based on merit, and punishments were inflicted even on the innocent. The ministers lived in a perpetual state of fear and uncertainty.
Those thieves from Shandong, most of them come from a background of hard labor, with little to no family wealth; they have no ambitions like Chen Sheng to overthrow the Qin Dynasty or plans to rebel like Zhang Jiao! They rise up because the emperor is insatiable, and the common people can't bear the suffering, hungry and cold, so they are compelled to revolt. They don't know anything about military organization or military strategy; they just fight for survival, and the people's grievances boil over, making it difficult to control. Therefore, there are chaotic battles everywhere, with no intact cities and no organized army, only scattered troops numbering in the thousands. Those heroes and warriors, seizing the opportunity to rise up, even with brave soldiers and wise generals, were defeated one after another, unable to put up a fight.
Yang Guang, terrified, fled the capital, trying to escape to seclusion in the rivers and lakes, imitating the turmoil of the Yongjia period of the Jin Dynasty. As a result, disaster struck while he was on a boat; he wanted to report it sooner, but it was too late; he could only request execution. Ultimately, he died in the wilderness of Nanchao, his head hung on a white flag, his descendants all killed, and the ancestral temple destroyed.
It is said that during the reign of Emperor Yang of the Sui Dynasty, compared to the reign of Emperor Yang of the Sui Dynasty, in terms of territorial size, population, troop numbers, and grain reserves, the differences were staggering! The Nine Tripods in the hands of the founding emperor were as light as a feather, while in the hands of Emperor Yang, they were as heavy as Mount Tai; the difference was too great! In terms of dangerous terrain, the rugged terrain of Liaodong pales in comparison to that of the Yangtze River; in terms of strategic deployment of personnel, Goryeo cannot compare to the Chen Kingdom either.
Emperor Wen of Sui, the dynasty's founder, subdued Jiangnan and unified the country, while Emperor Yang of Sui's expedition to Liaodong led to the downfall of the nation. Why is this so? Their actions may seem similar, but their intentions are markedly different! Emperor Wen fought against the Turks in the north and pacified the Baiyue in the south. Over more than ten years of continuous warfare, the people were exhausted, but he always had the people's well-being in mind in his military campaigns. The people lived in peace and the army was content because Emperor Wen loved the people like his own children, which is why the Sui Dynasty prospered.
Emperor Yang inherited a peaceful era, ruling over a stable empire, but he indulged in wine and pleasures, cruelly mistreated the people, treated ministers as enemies, squandered resources in pursuit of distant glory, stationed the army near the capital, ignored the country's imminent danger, and even leisurely played while Yanmen Pass was under siege. As fate turned against him, the people suffered even more, with banditry and disasters rampant. He completely lost the people's support, leading to the rapid downfall of the Sui Dynasty.
We ask the elders, examine historical events - this explains why Emperor Wen prospered while Emperor Yang fell, doesn't it? The rise and fall of the Sui Dynasty closely mirrors that of the Qin Dynasty. Qin Shi Huang unified the six states, Emperor Wen unified the country, Qin Er Shi was tyrannical, and Emperor Yang was cruel and paranoid. Both dynasties fell due to uprisings and both met their end at the hands of commoners. From prosperity to decline, it is almost identical!
Xuange is the son of the prime minister, benefiting from the state's generosity. Your Majesty, you have made an error. He should have wholeheartedly assisted you. Instead of thinking about how to repay the country, he first thought about seizing power, taking cues from the legacies of Yi Yin and Huo Guang, while aspiring to emulate the ambitions of Wang Mang and Zhuo Wangsun. As a result, he provoked the wrath of heaven and the people's anger, and quickly failed. His brothers were all killed, and the graves of his ancestors were also destroyed. What a tragedy!
Li Mi seized the opportunity of chaos in the world, gaining the chance to expand his power. He aimed to occupy the Hangu Pass, divide the territory along the Honggu Canal, and establish his own influence. In just a few months, he gathered tens of thousands of troops, defeated Wang Shichong, became famous, and struck fear across the four corners of the realm. Although he ultimately fell short due to misfortune and facing a formidable opponent, his noble deeds earned the people's support, and his reputation spread far and wide. It was truly remarkable! However, his capricious and crafty nature ultimately brought about his downfall. Can his strategies and character truly measure up to those of Xiang Yu and Liu Bang?
