The "Book of Changes" says: "The greatest treasure of a sage is their position. So how can one maintain this position? The answer is ren." It also says: "The fundamental principles of human interaction are ren and yi." Therefore, scholars' ability to navigate society and achieve fame relies entirely on ren and yi. If the principles of benevolence and righteousness are not distant from us, then sacrificing one's life for ren and yi would be done willingly; if righteousness is more important than life, then sacrificing one's life for righteousness would be worth it. Therefore, Long Feng sacrificed himself for the tyrant Xia Jie, Bi Gan devoted his loyalty to the despotic Shang Zhou, Shen Kuai severed his arm for the noble Duke Zhuang of Qi, and Hong Yan offered his liver for the compassionate Duke Yi of Wei. In the Han Dynasty, there were Ji Xin and Luan Bu; in the Jin Dynasty, there were Xiang Xiong and Ji Shao. All those who aspire to achieve something have learned from them.
Speaking of facing danger without fear and sacrificing oneself for righteousness, although these noble virtues have been passed down, few can truly embody these ideals. From this, it can be seen that what scholars value most are indeed these qualities! Without a heart of steel, without a spirit as resolute as frost, who can achieve the mindset of facing death with equanimity and righteousness without hesitation? People like Huangfu Dan, in turbulent times, facing certain death with a knife at their necks, remain unwavering, like evergreen pines standing proudly in winter, like wild grass resilient in the fierce wind; their spirits remain admirable even a thousand years later. Is it only people like Boyi who can embody this? In fact, as long as one is courageous and has aspirations, they hope that future gentlemen can learn from them. Therefore, I have collected and compiled these stories I have heard, and written this book "The Transmission of Integrity."
Liu Hong, style name Zhongyuan, was a native of Congting in Pengcheng, Xuzhou, and the grandson of Liu Fang, the Grand Minister of the Wei Dynasty. He loved learning from a young age, had upright conduct, and was deeply committed to loyalty and righteousness.
He first served as an official in the Southern Qi government, and later became the governor of Xiangcheng, Pei County, and Guyang County, before finally becoming the Inspector of Xichu. After the fall of Southern Qi, Emperor Wu of Northern Zhou appointed him as the governor of his home county.
Later, Wei Jiong rebelled and sent his general Xi Pi to plunder Xuzhou and Yanzhou. Liu Hong led his troops to resist and won the battle, thus being appointed as the Yitong Sanqi official, and later became the governor of Yongchang and the Prefect of Qizhou. However, he had greater ambitions and wanted to achieve more than just serving as these officials.
When the battle to pacify the Chen Dynasty began, Liu Hong petitioned to join the war, taking on the role of Chief Military Officer and crossing the Yangtze River alongside the commander Tu Wanxu. Due to his military achievements, he was promoted to the rank of Yitong Sanqi, granted the title of Duke of Huoze, and transferred to the post of Governor of Quanzhou.
Eventually, Gao Zhihui rebelled and attacked Quanzhou. Liu Hong held out against the siege for over a hundred days, but reinforcements did not arrive. After several battles resulting in heavy casualties and depletion of food supplies, he and a few hundred soldiers had to resort to boiling down rhinoceros armor and belts for food, even stripped tree bark for sustenance, but no one betrayed him.
The enemy, knowing they were starving, tried to persuade them to surrender, but Liu Hong resisted even more firmly. The enemy launched a fierce attack, and the city was eventually breached, resulting in Liu Hong's heroic sacrifice.
Upon hearing this, the emperor praised his bravery for a long time and bestowed upon him two thousand bolts of cloth. His son, Liu Changxin, inherited his official position and title.
Huangfu Dan, with the courtesy name Xuanlv, was a native of the Wushi clan in Anding. His grandfather, Huangfu He, was the Governor of Jiaozhou in the Wei Kingdom, and his father, Huangfu Fan, served as a provincial governor during both the Zhou and Sui Dynasties. Since childhood, Huangfu Dan was strong-willed and capable of leadership. During the Zhou Dynasty, King Bi appointed him as a military officer. After Emperor Yang of Sui ascended the throne, he became an official in the Ministry of War. Several years later, he was transferred to Luzhou as the Chief Historian. During the Kaihuang era, he returned to the court and successively served as Deputy Minister of the Ministry of Works and Deputy Minister of the Ministry of Justice, performing excellently in both positions. He was later promoted to Imperial Secretary, and none of the court officials dared to show him disrespect.
Emperor Yang of Sui was troubled by the rising number of refugees, so he sent Huangfu Dan to Henan Province as an envoy to investigate the situation. After returning and reporting his findings to the Emperor, which greatly pleased him, Huangfu Dan was appointed as Junior Justice Minister. The following year, he was promoted to the Deputy Director of the Ministry of Personnel, but soon stepped down following his mother's death. Not long after, he was soon reappointed and then transferred back to the Deputy Director of the Ministry of Personnel.
At that time, King Yang Liang of Han served as the Governor of Bingzhou, and the court carefully selected many officials to assist him. Those who had previously served as Chief Historians and Sima were all renowned scholars of the time. Emperor Wen of Sui believed Huangfu Dan to be an upright man, so he appointed him as the Sima of Bingzhou, responsible for managing the government affairs of the prefecture, and all matters were consulted with him. Yang Liang held him in high regard. When Emperor Yang Guang of Sui ascended the throne, he summoned Yang Liang back to the palace. Yang Liang followed Wang Gui's advice and rebelled. Huangfu Dan advised Yang Liang many times, but Yang Liang ignored him. Huangfu Dan wept and said, "I fear that Your Highness's military strength is insufficient to confront the capital. Moreover, the roles of ruler and subject have been established, and the dynamics of loyalty and rebellion are entirely different. Even if the troops are well-trained, it is difficult to win. I hope that Your Highness will return to the court as ordered, fulfill the duties of a subject, and will definitely have a long life and prosperity for generations like Song Qiao. If you continue to delay and get involved in rebellion, once convicted, even commoners cannot evade punishment. I hope Your Highness will heed my sincere advice and devise a comprehensive plan; I would stake my life on it!" Yang Liang, in a fit of anger, had him thrown into prison.
When Yang Su's army was about to arrive, Yang Liang stationed his army at Qingyuan to resist. Yang Liang's chief scribe, Dou Lu Yu, freed Huang Fudan from prison, and they discussed strategies together, closing the city gates to resist Yang Liang. Yang Liang breached the city gates, and Huang Fudan remained loyal and unyielding, ultimately being killed. Emperor Yang of Sui believed that Huang Fudan had given his life for the country and mourned him for a long time. He issued a decree saying, "It is the country's custom to honor distinguished names and to generously bury the deceased, which is also the established practice. Sima Huang Fudan, the Governor of Bingzhou, with profound knowledge, upright aspirations, and outstanding achievements, diligently carried out his duties. During Yang Liang's rebellion, he remained loyal and did not follow the rebels. Although imprisoned by the rebel army, his noble aspirations became even firmer, secretly joined forces with the loyal army to resist the rebels. Due to being outnumbered by the enemy, he was unfortunately killed. He was posthumously honored as a Marquis, titled Hongyi Gong, and posthumously named Ming." His son, Huang Fu Wuyi, succeeded him in his title. Wuyi became the Prefect of Yuyang, with remarkable political achievements and a strong reputation. Later, the "Daye Edict" was issued, canceling all previous titles. Because of Wuyi's integrity and loyalty, the Emperor bestowed upon him the title of Pingyu Marquis. He was subsequently promoted to Minister of Justice while also serving as the Right Guard General.
At first, when Han Wangliang staged his rebellion, various states and counties responded to him; only Sima Tao Mo and Fanzhi Ling Jingzhao of Lanzhou stood firm and refused to surrender. Tao Mo was an intelligent and capable man from Jingzhao. He served as the Sima of Lanzhou during the Renshou period. After Han Wangliang rebelled, the governor Qiao Zhongkui led troops to prepare to suppress him, but Tao Mo stopped him and said, "Han Wang's intentions are treacherous. You enjoy the emperor's great grace and favor, holding the position of a marquis. You should do everything in your power to be loyal to the court in order to repay the emperor's kindness. How can you even think of rebelling while the emperor's coffin is still unburied?" Qiao Zhongkui was shocked and asked, "Is the Sima planning to rebel?" Even though Qiao Zhongkui tried to pressure him with force, Tao Mo remained resolute and unwavering. Impressed by his integrity, Qiao Zhongkui ultimately decided to let him go. The military officials remarked, "If we don't kill Tao Mo, how can we deter others?" So they imprisoned Tao Mo, seized all his possessions, and distributed them among the rebels. After Han Wangliang was defeated, Emperor Yang of Sui admired Tao Mo and appointed him as Kaifu and later as Daxing Ling.
Later, when Yang Xuangan rebelled, Tao Mo followed Wei Xuan to suppress him. Thanks to his military accomplishments, he was promoted to Yinqing Guanglu Dafu and ultimately died in his official position. Jingzhao, styled Jishan, was from Puzhou, Shanxi. His father was named Yuanyue and had served as a middle official in Northern Zhou, holding a considerable official position. During the Renshou period of Sui, Jingzhao served as the Fanzhi county magistrate and performed excellently, earning a good reputation. Later, when bandits attacked, Jingzhao resisted desperately, but the city ultimately fell. The leader of the bandits, Mo Bi, looted his belongings and pointed a sword at him, saying, "You're finished!" Jingzhao showed no fear and stood his ground. Impressed by Jingzhao's demeanor, Mo Bi decided to spare him and handed him over to the pseudo-general Qiao Zhongkui. Qiao Zhongkui wanted to give him an official position as the Sima of Daizhou, but Jingzhao firmly turned him down three times.
Qiao Zhongkui was furious and said, "Either accept the official position or I'll have you killed!" Jing Zhao firmly replied, "I was a county magistrate before. In this chaotic world, I couldn't protect the city or sacrifice myself for the country. That's embarrassing enough. How dare you use an illegitimate official position to pressure me? Life and death are fated; I have never heard of such a thing!" Qiao Zhongkui became even angrier, staring at Jing Zhao and said, "Aren't you afraid to die?" He was ready to kill him.
Coincidentally, at this time, Yang Yichen's army arrived. Qiao Zhongkui hurried out to battle and was defeated, allowing Jing Zhao to save his life. In the third year of the Daye reign of Emperor Yang, while he was vacationing at Fenyang Palace, Liu Quan, the Changshi of Daizhou, and Sima Cui Bao submitted a memorial to the court requesting rewards for Jing Zhao. However, Yu Shiji intervened and the matter was dismissed. Later, Jing Zhao became the county magistrate of Chaoyi, but he passed away shortly thereafter.
You Yuan, styled Chu Ke, was from Guangping and was the great-grandson of Wei Dynasty's Wugeng Minggen. His father, You Baozang, held the position of governor. You Yuan was intelligent and quick-witted from a young age. At the age of sixteen, the Minister of Works of Qi State, Xu Xianshou, recommended him to join the military. After Emperor Wu of Zhou pacified Qi State, You Yuan successively served as the county magistrate of Shouchun and Sima of Qiaozhou, earning a good reputation. During the Kaihuang reign of Emperor Wen of Sui, he became an imperial censor. When Prince Jin, Yang Guang, served as the Governor-General of Yangzhou, he appointed You Yuan as a military officer, but he resigned following his father's death. He later took on the role of an imperial guard. After Emperor Yang ascended the throne, You Yuan was promoted to the position of Lang in the Ministry of Revenue.
During the Liaodong Campaign, You Yuan served as the Chief of the Left Vanguard and as the Supervisor of the Gaimu Road, being granted the official position of Court Official, while also serving as an Imperial Censor. Nine armies led by Yu Wenshu were defeated, and Emperor Yang of Sui ordered You Yuan to investigate their cases. Yu Wenshu was extremely powerful at the time, whose son had married the Princess of Nanyang, extending his influence to the court. Yu Wenshu sent a household servant to see You Yuan, hoping for leniency. However, You Yuan did not see him at all. Several days later, Yu Wenshu reproached You Yuan, saying, "You hold a prominent position and are a trusted confidant of the emperor. You should reflect on yourself and advise the emperor. Instead, you send someone to beg me. What are you trying to do?" Yu Wenshu became increasingly agitated as he spoke, and You Yuan ultimately reported him in a memorial. Emperor Yang of Sui greatly admired You Yuan's integrity and rewarded him with a set of court attire.
Nine years later, You Yuan was ordered to go to Liyang to supervise the transportation of military provisions. Around this time, Yang Xuangan launched a rebellion, and he said to You Yuan, "Emperor Yang of Sui is tyrannical and oppressive. All the scholars and officials in the world have become sacrifices, let alone us in remote areas with the military provisions cut off. It is time for heaven to end his reign! I am leading a rebellion to kill the tyrant. What do you
Feng Ciming, courtesy name Wuyi, was a native of Changle in Xindu. His father Feng Cong held a high position in the Northern Qi dynasty, reaching the rank of Right Deputy Minister of the Imperial Secretariat. When Feng Ciming was young, due to his family's connection with the Northern Qi imperial family, he became a military advisor to the Prince of Huaiyang at the age of fourteen. He later rose through the ranks, serving as the Chief Clerk of Sizhou and then as an Attendant of the Imperial Library.
After the Sui dynasty conquered the Northern Qi, he was appointed as a military governor under the Sui dynasty. When Emperor Wen of Sui, Yang Jian, declared himself emperor, he established the Three Departments, and Feng Ciming was appointed as a military officer in the Ministry of Works and the Ministry of Finance. He continued to rise in ranks, eventually becoming the Deputy Minister of Rites. Later, Prince Jin, Yang Guang, became the Governor-General of Bingzhou and recruited talents, inviting Feng Ciming to serve as a military advisor. He then served as a Deputy Minister of Personnel and concurrently as an Attendant of the Imperial Library.
After Emperor Yang Guang ascended to the throne, Feng Ciming resigned from his post following his mother's death. Yang Guang held a grudge against Feng Ciming for his past service in the imperial court and sent him to serve as a Deputy General in Yiwu. Before he had a chance to assume his new position, he was reassigned to serve as the Magistrate of Jiaozhi. In the ninth year of Daye, he was summoned back to the court. At that time, the then-Minister of War, Husi Zheng, defected to Goguryeo. Yang Guang summoned Feng Ciming, offering him words of comfort and encouragement. Shortly after, Feng Ciming was appointed as a Court Official of the Ministry of War and was also granted the title of Courtier. In the thirteenth year of Daye, he served as the Acting Magistrate of Jiangdu.
When Li Mi attacked the Eastern Capital, the court ordered Feng Ciming to stabilize the area of Chan and Luo and lead troops to pursue Li Mi. When they arrived at Yanling, they were captured by Li Mi's subordinate Cui Shu. Li Mi invited Feng Ciming to his seat, comforted him with kind words, and then said, "The Sui Dynasty's fate is sealed, the world is in turmoil, and I lead a righteous army, undefeated in battle. The Eastern Capital is in imminent danger and will soon be captured. I intend to rally uprisings from across the nation to take down Yang Guang. What do you think?" Feng Ciming replied, "I, Feng Ciming, have always lived with integrity. Even if it costs me my life, so be it. I cannot condone such treasonous talk." Li Mi was displeased, but he thought that Feng Ciming might change his mind later, so he treated him with even more respect.
Feng Ciming secretly sent a memorial to Jiangdu (the location of Emperor Yang of Sui) and sent a letter to the garrison commander of the Eastern Capital, analyzing the situation regarding Li Mi. When Li Mi found out about this, he chose to release him. Feng Ciming walked to the camp gate, and Li Mi's general, Zhai Rang, angrily said, "As an envoy, you were captured by our forces. Duke Wei (referring to Li Mi) treated you so well, yet you show no gratitude. Are you not afraid?" Feng Ciming was furious and said, "The Emperor sent me here to eliminate you rebels, not to let you capture me. Why would I beg for my life from you? If you want to kill, just kill; there's no need to curse me!" He then said to those bandits, "You didn't have bad intentions; you only came here to rob because of the famine. The official army is about to arrive, so you better plan for yourselves!" Zhai Rang became even angrier and ordered Feng Ciming to be killed with swords. He was sixty-eight at the time of his death.
The Prefect of Liangjun, Yang Wang, reported this matter, and Emperor Yang of Sui was very regretful. He posthumously honored Feng Ciming as a Grand Mas
The eldest son is named Chen; he had been in the Eastern Capital. Wang Chong defeated Li Mi, and Chen was also in the army. He sent a servant to carry his father's coffin back to the Eastern Capital, without even attending the funeral himself. Not long after, he held an extravagant wedding. At that time, many people said that he did not do well; it was simply outrageous.
This guy, his father had just died, and he was in the military camp. For his father's funeral, he actually only sent a servant to send the coffin back, without showing up himself. And not long after, he held a grand wedding, which many found hard to stomach. Many people criticized him at that time, thinking that he was too unfilial.
Zhang Xuduo was from Wanhua Township in Hongnong, strong-willed, courageous, and strategic. When he was young, he followed Shi Wansui to campaign against the Western Cuan, made military achievements, was awarded an official rank equivalent to Yitong Sanqi, and was rewarded with three hundred bolts of cloth. After Emperor Yang of Sui ascended the throne, Han Wang Liang rebelled in Bingzhou. Zhang Xuduo followed Yang Su to suppress the rebellion and was promoted to Kaifu. During the Daye period, he served as the magistrate of Qijun. Just as troops were sent to Liaodong, the common people were left without work, facing disasters and famine, leading to skyrocketing food prices. Zhang Xuduo wanted to open the granary to help the suffering people, but his subordinates insisted, "We can't just do our own thing; we must wait for the emperor's decree." Zhang Xuduo said, "The emperor is currently far away in Liaodong; sending messengers back and forth will definitely take a long time. The common people can't survive much longer, and if we wait for the imperial decree, they will all starve to death in the ditches. If I get in trouble for this, I won't complain or regret it!" So he first opened the granary to help the people and then reported to the court. When the emperor found out, he didn't hold it against him.
In the second year, the rebel leader Wang Bo gathered tens of thousands of outlaws and plundered the Qi Prefecture. The officials and soldiers engaged him in battle but suffered repeated defeats. Zhang Xuduo led the troops to resist, and Wang Bo led his army south to plunder the Lu commandery. Zhang Xuduo relentlessly pursued them and caught up with them at the foot of Mount Tai. Taking advantage of their previous victory, Wang Bo was unprepared. Zhang Xuduo selected his elite troops and launched a surprise attack, resulting in a major defeat for Wang Bo's army. Zhang Xuduo pursued the fleeing enemy and killed thousands of them. Wang Bo regrouped his remaining troops, which numbered over ten thousand, and attempted to cross the Yellow River to escape north. Zhang Xuduo pursued them to Linyi, defeated them again, killed over five thousand, and captured countless livestock. At that time, the world had enjoyed a long period of peace, and many people were unfamiliar with warfare. Only Zhang Xuduo was brave, decisive, and skilled in battle. He was also skilled at comforting his soldiers, earning their support and admiration as a great general.
Wang Bo once again marched north to engage in battle, joining forces with bandits such as Sun Xuanya, Shi Zhida, and Hao Xiaode, launching an attack on Zhangqiu with over a hundred thousand troops. Zhang Xuduo sent naval forces to cut off their supply routes and personally led twenty thousand cavalry and infantry to launch an attack, defeating the enemy and causing the bandits to flee. When they reached the river crossing, they were blocked by the navy, trapped between enemies and in disarray. Zhang Xuduo seized a substantial amount of wealth and supplies, reporting to the court. The emperor was greatly pleased, praising him in an edict and sending him a portrait as a token of appreciation. In the same year, bandits like Pei Changcai and Shi Zihe suddenly arrived with twenty thousand troops, plundering everywhere. Zhang Xuduo didn’t have time to assemble his troops, so he personally led five cavalrymen to confront them. The bandits swarmed and surrounded him on all sides, inflicting many wounds, but his courage only grew stronger. Just then, reinforcements from the city arrived, prompting the bandits to pull back slightly. Zhang Xuduo urged his troops to attack again, and Pei Changcai was defeated and fled.
After several weeks, the bandit leader Qin Junhong, Guo Fangyu, and others surrounded Beihai with their troops, the soldiers were highly skilled. Zhang Xuduo said to his subordinates, "The bandits are overconfident, believing we won’t come to their aid. Let’s strike quickly; we can definitely defeat them!" So he selected elite soldiers, marched day and night, and indeed the bandits were taken by surprise and decisively defeated by Zhang Xuduo, resulting in the deaths of tens of thousands and the capture of over three thousand carts. Pei Cao, the governor of Sili Province, reported to the court, and the emperor sent envoys to commend him. Ten years later, the bandit Zuo Xiaoyou camped at Crouching Dog Mountain with an army of one hundred thousand. Zhang Xuduo pressed them with the Eight Winds formation and strategically positioned troops to secure key points. Zuo Xiaoyou had no choice but to surrender. His accomplices Jie Xiang, Wang Liang, Zheng Dabiao, Li Han, and others, each with tens of thousands of troops, were all subdued by Zhang Xuduo, and his reputation struck fear on both sides. Due to his military accomplishments, he was promoted to governor of Qijun while also serving as the special envoy overseeing the twelve counties of Henan Province.
Before long, the bandit Lu Mingyue commanded an army of over 100,000 and was stationed in Zhu'a, preparing to attack Hebei. Zhang Xuduo took the initiative to attack and killed thousands of them. Bandits like Lu Mingxing, Shuai Rentai, and Huo Xiaohan commanded tens of thousands of troops each, harassing Jibei. Zhang Xuduo led his forces to drive them off. He was later promoted to Prefect of Yingyang. At this point, Li Mi urged Zhai Rang to attack the Luokou Granary. Zhai Rang, fearing Zhang Xuduo, did not dare to act recklessly. Li Mi persuaded him, and Zhai Rang and Li Mi advanced their forces towards Yingyang, where Zhang Xuduo resisted them. Zhai Rang was scared and retreated, and Zhang Xuduo pursued them for over ten miles. Meanwhile, Li Mi had set an ambush with thousands of men in the woods, attacking Zhang Xuduo's forces, resulting in his defeat. Li Mi and Zhai Rang encircled him with their forces. Zhang Xuduo broke out of the encirclement, but not all the troops on the flanks could retreat. Zhang Xuduo rode in to save them. After several back-and-forth attempts, the army scattered, so he sighed, "After such a defeat, how can I face the emperor?" He dismounted and fell in battle at the age of fifty-two. His subordinates wept through the night and continued for several days. King Dong of Yue dispatched Pei Renji, the Left Guanglu Doctor, to pacify his subordinates and settled them in Wulao. The emperor ordered his son Zhang Yuanbei to take command of his father's army, but at that time, Zhang Yuanbei was in Qijun, where he encountered bandits and ultimately could not complete the mission.
Yang Shanhui, known by his courtesy name Jingren, hailed from Huayin in Hongnong. His father served as the Prefect of Piling. During the Daye era, Yang Shanhui became the magistrate of Shu County, gaining a reputation for his honesty and integrity.
Not long after, Shandong suffered from famine, and the common people revolted, looting everywhere. Yang Shanhui led hundreds of men to capture them, achieving success each time. Later, the bandit leader, Zhang Jincheng, set up camp near Shuxian with tens of thousands of troops, burning, killing, and pillaging. Local officials and soldiers were powerless against him. Yang Shanhui motivated his troops to confront Zhang Jincheng, winning multiple battles in a single day and defeating the enemy's morale each time. Emperor Yang of Sui sent General Duan Da to suppress Zhang Jincheng, and Yang Shanhui provided Duan Da with a good idea, but Duan Da ignored it, which led to the army's defeat. Duan Da later thanked Yang Shanhui. Yang Shanhui fought against the bandits again, planning each operation in advance and achieving resounding victories each time. Zhang Jincheng then joined forces with the Bohai bandits Sun Xuanya, Gao Shida, and others, leading hundreds of thousands of troops to assault Liyang before retreating in a show of overwhelming force. Yang Shanhui led a thousand elite soldiers to intercept them, defeating them and resulting in his promotion to the position of official and magistrate of Qinghe County. Zhang Jincheng made minor adjustments to his troop deployments, using a small number of troops to plunder Guanshi County. Yang Shanhui and Yang Yuanhong, the magistrate of Pingyuan, led tens of thousands of cavalry and infantry to attack Zhang Jincheng's main camp. The army of General Wang Bian also arrived, and Zhang Jincheng abandoned Guanshi County to provide assistance but ultimately lost to Wang Bian. Yang Shanhui selected five hundred elite soldiers as reinforcements, achieving significant success, and Wang Bian's forces also rallied. The bandits retreated to their main camp, and all the forces withdrew.
At that time, Shandong was full of chaos, with people joining the bandit ranks as plentiful as customers in a market. Each state and county was weak, falling one after another to conquest. Only Yang Shanhui was able to stand against the bandits, fighting over seven hundred battles without a single defeat. However, he often lamented his insufficient troops to fully eradicate the bandits. Later, Taifu Yang Yichen went to suppress Zhang Jincheng, but was defeated by the bandits and retreated to Linqing. He adopted Yang Shanhui's strategies and engaged the bandits in several battles, which ultimately forced their retreat. Yang Yichen pursued the victory, stormed the bandits' stronghold, and captured all the bandits. Zhang Jincheng escaped with a few hundred followers, eventually making his way to Zhangnan to recruit more soldiers. Yang Shanhui pursued and executed Zhang Jincheng, presenting his head to the emperor. The emperor honored him with a Shangfang sword, armor, a long spear, and a bow with arrows, and promoted him to the position of Qinghe Tongshou.
In the same year, Yang Shanhui followed Yang Yichen to kill the rebel leader Gao Shida in Zhangnan and delivered his head to the Jiangdu Palace. The emperor issued a decree to commend him. Gao Shida's subordinate, Dou Jiande, who proclaimed himself the King of Changle, came to attack Xindu. The bandit leader Wang Anzhu from Linqing brought thousands of troops to support Dou Jiande. Yang Shanhui attacked Wang Anzhu and killed him. After Dou Jiande captured Xindu, he harassed Qinghe, where Yang Shanhui put up a resistance but was ultimately defeated and forced to defend the city. The bandits besieged the city for forty days, and when the city fell, Yang Shanhui was captured. Dou Jiande released him, treated him well and appointed him as the governor of Beizhou. Yang Shanhui cursed, "Old bandit, how dare you compare yourself to the pillars of the country! I curse my own inability to capture you. I am not like you butchers who slaughter pigs and sheep! How dare you make me your official!" Facing the enemy's weapons, he spoke without fear. Dou Jiande wanted to spare his life, but his subordinates requested to kill him. Knowing that Yang Shanhui would not eventually serve him, Dou Jiande had him killed. The people of Qinghe were deeply saddened.
Dugu Sheng, the younger brother of the Grand Marshal Dugu Kai, was strong and courageous. When Emperor Yang of Sui was still the Governor of Yangzhou, Dugu Sheng served alongside him and rose to the rank of General of Chariots and Cavalry. When Emperor Yang ascended to the throne, he became closer to Dugu Sheng because of their prior acquaintance at the fief and promoted him to Right Tunwei General.
During the rebellion of Yuwen Huaji, Pei Qiantong led his troops to Chengxiang Hall. The guards abandoned their posts and fled. Dugu Sheng said to Pei Qiantong, "What kind of army is this? This is outrageous!" Pei Qiantong replied, "It is what it is, General; there's no need for you to concern yourself with it." Dugu Sheng shouted, "What nonsense are you spouting, you old crook!" Without wearing armor, he rushed up with a dozen of his men to resist, but was killed by the rebels.
Later, Prince Yang Tong became emperor and posthumously bestowed the titles of Guanglu Daifu and Duke of Jiguo upon Dugu Sheng, with the posthumous title of Wujie.
Yuan Wendu was the nephew of Yuan Xiaozhu, Duke of Xunyang. His father, Yuan Xiaozhe, had served as the Minister of the Imperial Tombs and the General Manager of Jiangling during the Zhou Dynasty. Wendu was upright, straightforward, intelligent, capable, and very skilled. He served as a Senior Right Attendant in the Zhou Dynasty. During the reign of Emperor Wen of Sui, he was appointed as an Attendant Imperial Secretary, and later served as a Gentleman of the Palace Library and a Gentleman of Merit, earning a solid reputation. He was later promoted to Deputy Left Secretary of the Ministry of Rites, and then transferred to the position of Junior Minister of the Imperial Household. After Emperor Yang of Sui ascended the throne, he was promoted to Junior Minister of Agriculture and Grand Master of Works, and shortly after was appointed as Grand Master of Records. However, he was dismissed from office for committing errors. Not long after, he was appointed as Minister of the Imperial Household, and Emperor Yang gradually trusted him, and he was widely praised.
In the thirteenth year of the Daye era, Emperor Yang of Sui went to Jiangdu Palace and ordered Wendu, Duan Da, Huangfu Wuyi, Wei Jin, and others to stay in the Eastern Capital. After Emperor Yang's death, Wendu, Duan Da, Wei Jin, and others supported Prince Yang Tong as emperor. Yang Tong appointed Wendu as the Attendant Imperial Secretary, Governor of the Palace, Guanglu Daifu, General of the Left Valiant Guard, Acting General of the Right Wing Guard, and Duke of Lu, holding high official positions.
Later, Yu Wenkai supported Prince Yang Hao of Qin as emperor, leading his troops to Pengcheng with great force, causing a stir across the regions. Wen Du advised Yang Dong to send envoys to contact Li Mi of the Wagang Army. Li Mi then requested to submit, and Yang Dong granted him a title, warmly receiving his envoys. Wang Chong was displeased and consequently fell out with Wen Du. Aware of this, Wen Du secretly plotted to eliminate Wang Chong. Yang Dong intended for Wen Du to be appointed Grand Master of the Palace, but Wang Chong strongly opposed it, and the plan fell through. Lu Chu said to Wen Du, "Wang Chong is merely an external military commander, not someone who has stayed in the eastern capital. Why should he be involved in our affairs? Besides, he lost the battle at Luokou, deserving of death, yet he has the audacity to be arrogant and meddle in court affairs. If he is not eliminated, he will become a national disaster!" Wen Du agreed with Lu Chu's opinion and prepared to report to the emperor. Just as things were about to be settled, someone told Wang Chong about it. At that moment, Wang Chong was in court; upon hearing this news, he was terrified and rushed back to Hanjia City to prepare for rebellion. Wen Du sent people to call him many times, but Wang Chong lied that he was sick and did not go. In the evening, Wang Chong launched his rebellion, breaching the East Taiyang Gate, entered the palace, and paid his respects to Yang Dong at the Purple Microscope. Yang Dong sent someone to ask him, "What’s going on?" Wang Chong said, "I ask that the emperor execute Wen Du and pin the blame on the Minister of Justice!" Seeing Wang Chong's growing strength, Yang Dong knew he would ultimately not escape death, so he told Wen Du, "You should go meet General Wang yourself." Wen Du hesitated for a moment, then began to cry. Yang Dong sent his appointed general Huang Taoshu to escort Wen Du out. As Wen Du was leaving, he said to Yang Dong, "I die today, Your Majesty, you won't live much
Lu Chu, from Fanyang in Zhuo County, was the grandson of Lu Jingzuo, the Minister of Works in the Wei State. Since childhood, Lu Chu was talented but spoke bluntly and stuttered, making it difficult for him to express himself. During the reign of Emperor Yang of the Sui Dynasty, he became the Right Secretary of the Ministry of Personnel, and he always maintained an upright demeanor in court, instilling fear in many officials and ministers. When Emperor Yang moved to Jiangdu, many officials in the Eastern Capital did not follow the laws, but Lu Chu consistently insisted on correcting and holding them accountable without hesitation.
Later, Prince Yang Tong proclaimed himself emperor and appointed Lu Chu as the Prefect of the Palace Interior, Left Guard General, Acting Left Deputy of the Ministry of Personnel, and Right Guanglu Minister, bestowing upon him the title of Duke of Zhuo County. He, along with Yuan Wendou and others, wholeheartedly assisted the young emperor. When Wang Chong rebelled and his army attacked the Taiyang Gate, General Huángfǔ Wúyì opened the city gates and fled, urging Lu Chu to flee with him. Lu Chu replied, "Yuan Gong and I have agreed that if the country is in danger, we will die together. It would be unjust to flee now!" When the rebels entered the city, Lu Chu hid in the Imperial Palace but was captured and taken to Wang Chong. Enraged, Wang Chong ordered Lu Chu to be executed, and thus Lu Chu met his end.
Liu Ziyi, from Congtingli in Pengcheng, was the son of Liu Bian, the Commander of Xuzhou in the Qi State. Liu Ziyi was studious from a young age and excelled in writing. Possessing a strong and upright character, he had the talent to be an official. He served as the Palace General in the Qi court. In the early years of Emperor Wen of the Sui Dynasty, he became the County Magistrate of Nanhe and gradually rose to the position of Military Judge in Qinzhou. In the eighteenth year of Emperor Wen's reign, he took part in the central examination, where the Right Deputy Director of the Secretariat, Yang Su, immediately recognized his abilities and recommended him to the court to be appointed as an Imperial Censor. At that time, Li Gongxiao, the County Magistrate of Yongning, lost his mother at the age of four, remarried at nine, and then his stepfather remarried after his death. When his stepfather passed away, Liu Xuan from Hejian believed that Li Gongxiao had not received the care of his stepfather and suggested his dismissal from office. Liu Ziyi objected:
In ancient books it is said, "A stepmother is just like a biological mother, with no difference." A stepmother should be regarded as the father's wife, treated like a mother, and all kinds of etiquette and rules should be the same as for a biological mother. In addition, "those who mourn for the deceased should mourn for their parents." The mourners refer specifically to their biological parents, not their step-parents. Although the father may value the stepmother more, in the son's emotions, the position of the biological mother is still paramount. Therefore, the law stipulates: "those who mourn for the deceased should mourn for both parents at the same time, to show their grief. If the father passes away and the mother remarries, even if the mourner chooses not to mourn for the stepmother, they should still express grief. But after the stepmother remarries, there's no need to mourn anymore." This rule only applies to the case of the mother remarrying. Therefore, as long as the stepmother is still in the father's house, her position is the same as that of the biological mother. If it's said that one cannot be treated equally without nurturing care, then how can we even talk about mourning? Since mourning is required, how can grief for the stepmother be different? The meaning of these three laws is quite clear. Now some people say that the law allows for not mourning, which seems quite absurd! Furthermore, those who mourn for the deceased should mourn for their parents, and this has never changed because of the difference between biological mothers and stepmothers. Since the positions of biological mothers and stepmothers are equal, then grief for them should not be different.
In "Questions and Answers about Mourning," it says: "After the mother remarries, mourning should be observed for the stepmother." Is this not because the mother's family has been cut off, so she becomes distanced, while the stepmother is the father's wife, so she is close to her? Confucius said: "The wife of the deceased father is not considered the son’s mother. Since she is the wife of the deceased father, she is not the mother of the son." This indicates that mourning is based on nominal relationships, and emotions arise from the father, so sages emphasize filial piety and love, promoting nominal relationships. As a result, the son mourns based on nominal relationships, treating the stepmother and biological mother equally, showing filial piety towards the stepmother, and treating her as though she were his biological mother. If the stepmother came after the son was born, there would be variations in mourning practices, but a review of the classics and scriptures reveals no such distinctions. For example, if the biological mother passed away after the son was born and the stepmother came, can we really say that mourning should not be observed for her simply because she did not provide nurturing care?
In the past, Wang Bi, a native of Changsha, went to the capital to handle affairs during the end of the Han Dynasty. Later, the ties between the states of Wu and Wei were severed. Wang Bi married again back home and had a son named Wang Chang. After Wang Bi's death, Wang Chang became the Dongping Minister and only then found out that Wu (referring to Wang Chang's biological mother) had passed away. This news hit him hard, and he struggled to work. People at the time didn’t see anything wrong with his actions. Therefore, it can be said that there is no emotional difference between a stepmother and a birth mother. If we’re going to use upbringing as a basis for mourning customs, what does that say about Wang Chang's actions? Also, during the Jin Dynasty, General Yang Hu, the Zhen Nan, had no sons, so he adopted his disciple Yi as his son. After Yang Hu's death, Yi didn't follow the mourning customs. Yang Hu's wife reported this to the court, and Yi said, "I can’t go against his wishes. But without my father's orders, I will return to my birth parents." Peng Quan, the Shangshu, argued, "If a son is adopted, it must be with the father's consent. Without consent, leaving is considered unfilial." Therefore, the court issued a decree agreeing with Peng Quan's opinion. Mourning customs can’t just be based on the kindness of upbringing. An old man said, "Etiquette is shaped by human relationships and is grounded in moral education." He used this principle to explain the other person's viewpoint. The term "respecting emotions" means treating someone as you would your mother; the term "upholding righteousness" refers to fulfilling a son's filial duty. Once roles and relationships are clear, one can honor the father, follow obediently, uphold etiquette, and be respectful and filial. If it is said that only the grace of a mother's upbringing can establish the mother-son relationship, then the kindness comes from the mother, and the obedience is willingly given. In this case, a caring stepmother is just like a biological mother, so why would there be a need to listen to the father's orders?
He said again: "Stepmothers and biological mothers are originally unrelated passers-by, but if she raises you, she becomes just like your own flesh and blood." If this is the case, the son will not listen to the father; even if there is the debt of gratitude for upbringing, can it compare to a biological mother? Although the duration of filial piety towards a stepmother may not match that towards a biological mother, it is longer than that towards ordinary relatives. Etiquette has its rules, and funeral etiquette should be determined according to human feelings. A stepmother is originally the nominal mother; how can it change due to the depth of kindness? As for the son of a brother, although he is also a son, the feelings of proximity and distance do differ; however, the funeral system of etiquette remains the same. The other party says "light" is different from "heavy," thinking that the two are not the same. The meaning of "如" is "like," which conveys similarity; if the weight is different, how can the word "如" be used? The law says "准枉法" refers to convicting based on the facts of the crime, while "以枉法论" refers to dealing with it the same as the actual crime. The law uses punishment to penalize crimes, while etiquette uses education to regulate behavior; "准" means comparison, and "以" means the same. There is no difference in usage between "如" and "以"; both etiquette and law seek to address similar issues. Using this principle to explain that principle is sufficient to convey its meaning; it is like the analogy of cutting trees—what is so far away about it?
Someone said again: "Establishing your son as the heir is to let him inherit the family line, serve you, and not let the eldest son return to his birth family, allowing him to serve your father's stepmother as a son." However, the father's stepmother is called so because of the father; shouldn't the father also mourn for her? Why is it that she is specifically referred to as the father's stepmother?
Some people also say, "In terms of etiquette, referring to the 'old ruler,' does he still count as a monarch? He has already left his position and is no longer a pure subject, so the word 'former' is used to distinguish. Another individual is respected, but is no longer purely filial, so the term 'his' is used to denote. Using the title 'his father,' this is the difference." But this is not a universally applicable statement. Why say this? The explanations of 'his' and 'old' are different, and their usage is also different. 'Old' is a comparison of old and new, while 'his' is based on the other person's identity; how can they be confused? For example, the Book of Rites states, "If his father gathers firewood, his son cannot carry the load." The Zuo Zhuan says, "Although Wei is small, his lord is there." If 'his father' has a specific meaning, does 'his lord' also have a specific meaning? Of course not, of course not! Now you are violating etiquette and insulting the emperor, violating the law, causing your son to be unfilial to his biological parents, diminishing his status, and harming societal customs. By distorting the classics in this enlightened age, although you may want to show off your outstanding talent, you are unwittingly speaking words that defy reason.
After submitting the memorial document, Ziyi's opinions were ultimately adopted. During the Renshou period, he served as the magistrate of Xinfeng County and achieved notable achievements in governance. In the third year of Daye, he was appointed as the Chief Justice of Dali and was quite renowned at that time. He was later promoted to the position of Zhishu Shiyushi. Whenever there were disputes in the court, Ziyi was able to mediate and analyze more thoroughly than others. He once accompanied the emperor to Jiangdu. At a time of great chaos in the world, the emperor still did not repent. Ziyi took the opportunity to advise the emperor directly, which angered him. He was then assigned to Danyang as a caretaker. Shortly after, he was sent to supervise the transportation of military supplies in Shangjiang but was captured by bandits under the command of Wu Qizi. Ziyi appealed to their sense of reason and eventually won over the leader of the bandits. He was then sent to eliminate the bandits along the river. When he encountered the news of Yang Guang's death, the bandits informed him. Ziyi, doubting the news, executed the informant. The bandits then wanted him to be their leader, but Ziyi declined their offer. A group of bandits took Ziyi to the outskirts of Linchuan City and asked him to announce to the people inside the city that "the emperor is dead." Instead, Ziyi proclaimed the contrary and was subsequently killed at the age of seventy.
Yao Jun was originally from Tangyin, Weijun. When Sui Yangdi was the Prince of Jin, Jun served by his side. After Yangdi became emperor, Jun was promoted all the way to become a Langjiang General. During the decline of the Sui Dynasty, there were thieves everywhere, and the common people fled, but the area under Jun's jurisdiction remained safe. Later, he followed the General of the Agile Cavalry, Qutu Tong, in resisting the rebel army in Hedong. Shortly after, Qutu Tong led his troops to flee south, recognizing Jun's courage and strategic acumen, he appointed him as the acting Prefect of Hedong. The rebel army sent Lü Shaozong, Wei Yijie, and others to attack, but they were unsuccessful. When Qutu Tong's army was defeated and arrived at the city, they summoned Jun to surrender.
Jun Su saw Qu Tutong, crying inconsolably, filled with sorrow. Those around him were in tears, and Qu Tutong was also crying. He said to Jun Su, "My army has already failed; wherever the rebel army goes, they are met with support. In this situation, you should surrender early to gain wealth and honor." Jun Su replied, "You are the emperor's trusted aide, a high-ranking official of the country. The emperor entrusted Guanzhong to you, and the prince entrusted the state to you. The fate of the country rests in your hands. Why haven’t you thought about serving the country to prevent this situation? Even if I can't meet the emperor's expectations, the horse you ride was a gift from the prince. How can you still have the face to ride it?" Qu Tutong said, "Ah! Jun Su, I came because my strength was not enough." Jun Su said, "Your strength hasn't reached its limit yet. What's the point of saying all this?" Qu Tutong left in shame.
At that time, the city was under tight siege, and food and supplies had been cut off. Jun Su crafted a wooden goose, tied the memorial around its neck, wrote a detailed account of the current situation, and let it float down the Yellow River. The commander at Heyang received the memorial and reported it to the Eastern Capital. King Yang Dong of Yue was deeply moved upon seeing it, so he appointed Jun Su as a Grand Master of the Golden Purple Light and secretly sent someone to comfort him. The gatekeeper Pang Yu and the military commander Huangfu Wuyi surrendered to the rebel army from the Eastern Capital and came to the city walls, persuading Jun Su to surrender. The Tang Dynasty even sent a golden pardon certificate, but Jun Su refused to surrender. His wife also came to the city walls to advise him, saying, "The Sui Dynasty has already perished; the fate has been sealed. Why do you insist on enduring this and bringing disaster upon yourself?" Jun Su said, "The affairs of the world are beyond a woman's understanding." He then shot his wife with an arrow.
Jun Su also knew that the situation was hopeless, but he wanted to persist until death. Whenever discussing national affairs, he would cry incessantly. He once said to his soldiers, "I am an old minister in the palace, promoted and trusted by the emperor many times. Now, at this critical moment, I have to die for the country. We still have a few years' worth of food left. Once we finish this food, the fate of the realm will become clear. If the Sui Dynasty really falls, and the mandate of heaven goes to someone else, I will bring my head to you all!" At that time, the people had long been under Sui Dynasty rule. When the rebel army rose up, everyone saw hope. However, Jun Su was skilled at leading the army, and the people in the city did not betray him. Over a year later, some people outside the city surrendered, and the people inside the city had an inkling that Jiangdu (the Sui Dynasty's capital) had already fallen. However, the food was completely insufficient, and people could not survive. Cannibalism even occurred, and people were in a state of panic. A white arc appeared over the government gate, and the tips of weapons shimmered in the night. One month later, Jun Su was killed by his own men. In Hedong, a man named Chen Xiaoyi lived, who had lofty aspirations since childhood. He gained a reputation for his integrity and honesty from a young age. During the reign of the Sui Dynasty, he became a minor judicial officer in Lu County and was known for his honesty and fairness. The Prefect of Lu County, Su Wei, once wanted to kill a prisoner, but Chen Xiaoyi vehemently opposed it. After several attempts to dissuade him, Su Wei still did not listen. Chen Xiaoyi stripped off his clothes and asked to be executed first. After a long time, Su Wei changed his mind, apologized to Chen Xiaoyi, and released him, thereafter showing him greater respect. Later, Su Wei became an important official in the court and recommended Chen Xiaoyi to be an imperial censor.
Chen Xiaoyi later resigned from his position and returned home to mourn for his father after his passing. He observed filial piety with utmost seriousness, going above and beyond the customary rites. It was said that at that time, there were white deer gracefully roaming near his home, and people said that his filial piety touched the heavens. Not long after, he was appointed as the magistrate of Yanmen County. He lived a simple life in Yanmen County, ate vegetarian food, resided in a modest house, mourned his father deeply every day, and each time he cried out in pain, his hair turned white and his frame grew frail, evoking sadness in those who saw him.
At that time, the government's decrees became increasingly chaotic, as many local officials fell into corruption. However, Chen Xiaoyi held steadfastly to his principles of integrity, uncovered wrongdoers, apprehended criminals, and acted with determination, as though aided by divine forces. Both the common folk and officials sang his praises. When Emperor Yang of Sui went to Jiangdu, Liu Wuzhou of Mayi killed the governor Wang Rengong and rebelled. Chen Xiaoyi led his army and the military officer Wang Zhibian to quell Liu Wuzhou's rebellion, but they were defeated in the battle at Xiaguan City.
Liu Wuzhou pursued his victory and attacked the nearby counties, instilling panic among the populace, who were on the brink of revolt. The former magistrate of Yanmen County, Yang Changren, the county magistrate Wang Que, and others were all cunning villains, and the nefarious characters all gathered around them, plotting to support Liu Wuzhou. Chen Xiaoyi secretly learned of their conspiracy and eliminated their entire families, instilling such fear in the county that the people dared not harbor any dissent.
Not long after, Liu Wuzhou led troops to attack Yanmen, and Chen Xiaoyi resolutely resisted, achieving victory after victory. However, Yanmen City was isolated, with no reinforcements coming to their aid. Chen Xiaoyi resolved to defend the city at all costs. He sent messengers to Jiangdu for help several times, but Liu Wuzhou had blocked all the routes, and there was no news coming back. Chen Xiaoyi also knew that the court would definitely not send troops to rescue them. Every day, he cried over the emperor's edict, and his sad appearance moved those around him.
Yanmen City was besieged for more than a hundred days, the food ran out, and was ultimately taken by Colonel Zhang Lun, falling into the hands of Liu Wuzhou.
Zhang Jixun from Jingzhao, whose father was Zhang Xiang, was held in high regard by Emperor Gaozu in his youth and was later promoted to serve as an advisor to the Prime Minister. During the reign of Sui Emperor Wen, Zhang Xiang was promoted all the way to the Sima of Bingzhou. During the reign of Emperor Yang of Sui, Prince Han Yang Liang rebelled and dispatched General Liu Jian to launch an attack on the Yan and Zhao regions. Liu Jian reached Jingxing, and Zhang Xiang led the troops to resist. Liu Jian fiercely attacked, even setting fire to the base of the city walls. Seeing the terrified people, there was a temple to Xi Wangmu near the city; he climbed the city wall, bowed before the temple, and cried out, "What sins have the people committed to suffer such a fire? If you deities are merciful, please send rain to save them!" As soon as he finished speaking, dark clouds covered the temple, and soon it started to rain heavily, putting out the fire. The soldiers were deeply moved by his sincerity and followed his lead. After the city was besieged for more than a month, Li Xiong's reinforcements arrived, and the rebels retreated. Zhang Xiang was rewarded for his achievements and appointed as Kaifu, and later served as the Inspector of Ruzhou and the Prefect of Lingwu, finally serving as the Director of the Capital Waterways in the capital, where he passed away while in office.
Zhang Jixun was generous and spirited from a young age, with ambition and integrity. During the late years of the Sui Dynasty, he became the Eagle Strike General, stationed at Ji Mountain for defense, in coordination with Luo Kou. When Li Mi and Zhai Rang breached the granary city, they sent a messenger to demand Zhang Jixun's surrender. Zhang Jixun shouted insults at Li Mi, who then sent troops to attack him, but they were unable to capture him for several years. Even though he was surrounded by tens of thousands of Li Mi's troops while commanding only a few hundred men, Zhang Jixun remained steadfast and refused to surrender. After three years of fighting, running out of supplies and even firewood, they had to burn down houses for cooking and ended up living in caves, yet Zhang Jixun remained loyal. Eventually, with food gone and soldiers tired and sick, they could no longer fight, and the city fell. Zhang Jixun sat calmly in his office when Li Mi's soldiers came to arrest him. A group of bandits tried to make him kneel before Li Mi, but Zhang Jixun declared, "Although I am a defeated general, I am still a subject of the emperor. How can I kneel before you bandits!" Li Mi, impressed by his courage, decided to release him. However, Zhai Rang, having failed to extort money from Li Mi, had Zhang Jixun killed. He was only twenty-eight years old at the time.
His younger brother, Zhang Zhongyan, became the magistrate of Luo in the final years of the Sui Dynasty. When the rebel army rose up, his subordinates killed him and surrendered to the rebels. Another brother of Zhang Jixun, Zhang Cong, was killed during Yuwen Huaji's rebellion. The Zhang family had always been loyal and valiant, with several brothers sacrificing their lives for their country, earning the admiration of the people.
Once upon a time in Beihai, Song Yun was a fiercely loyal man serving as a captain in Shimen Prefecture. Towards the end of Emperor Yang of Sui's Daye era, a bandit named Yang Hou led a rebellion against Beihai County. Song Yun joined the county troops to quell the uprising. He went to gather intelligence on horseback and was captured by Yang Hou's men. Yang Hou wanted to use Song Yun to persuade the people of Beihai City to surrender, so he asked him to tell the people in the city that the imperial army had been defeated and they should surrender quickly. Song Yun pretended to agree.
When he reached the city gates, he suddenly shouted, "I am Song Yun, sent here to gather intelligence on the enemy, and I was accidentally captured, not because I was unable to defeat them! Now the main forces of the imperial army have arrived, the rebel forces are weak and will soon be eliminated, so don't worry!" In a fit of rage, Yang Hou slashed Song Yun's mouth, dragged him away, mercilessly beating him along the way. While being beaten, Song Yun shouted curses at Yang Hou, "You old thief, how dare you humiliate a loyal and righteous man, you're sealing your own fate!" Before he could finish speaking, Yang Hou cut him down. The people in the city saw this scene, and not a single one could hold back their tears or refrain from beating their chests, but their spirits soared even higher, and Beihai City was ultimately saved.
Emperor Yang of Sui dispatched Guo Zijian, a military officer, to deal with Yang Hou, and soon defeated him. The emperor, upon hearing of Song Yun's sacrifice for the country, was filled with deep sorrow and regret, took special note of his deeds, and issued a decree to honor him, posthumously conferring upon him the title of court gentleman and appointing him as the magistrate of his county.
The historical commentary says: The ancients believed that the world was the greatest, making individuals seem insignificant. While living is certainly important, compared to justice, life feels trivial. Therefore, dying for justice carries more weight than Mount Tai; living for justice gives life meaning; living just to survive is as light as a feather; dying for justice is a fitting death. However, death is irreversible, and we only live once, so staying true to one's principles in tough times is the hardest thing. The rebellion led by Yang Liang, Xuan Gan, and Li Mi has taken shape and is gaining momentum. Huangfu Dan, You Yuan, and Feng Ciming showed no fear at the critical moment, facing death like it's going home, bravely sacrificing themselves for justice. Dugu Sheng, Yuan Wendo, Lu Chu, and Yao Junsu knew the situation was beyond saving; human effort cannot change fate. They willingly accepted their fate, knowing they would be killed to uphold their loyalty. Even though their efforts didn’t save the country or turn things around, compared to those who live dishonorably, their spirit will shine for generations. Xuduo and Shanhui carried on Wen Xu's legacy, while Ziyi and Song Yun inherited Jie Yang's heroism. It's truly heartwarming to see loyal subjects in such chaotic times!
