Chen Mao is a man from Yishi, Shanxi. He came from a very poor family, but he was honest, respectful, and cautious, and the villagers held him in high regard. His grandfather, Yang Jian, was the Duke of Sui. Yang Jian brought him to his side as a counselor, treating him just as well as his own son. Every time he was asked to handle family affairs, he did so to Yang Jian's approval, and Yang Jian greatly appreciated him. Eventually, he accompanied Yang Jian to Jinzhou to fight the Qi army. The enemy forces were numerous, and Yang Jian wanted to personally challenge them. Chen Mao vehemently tried to dissuade him, even grabbing the reins of Yang Jian's horse. Yang Jian was very angry and slashed Chen Mao's forehead with his sword, causing blood to stream down his face, but Chen Mao stood his ground. Yang Jian was touched by his loyalty, apologized to him, and showed him even more respect. Eventually, Chen Mao rose to the rank of Senior Officer. After Yang Jian became Prime Minister, he placed great trust in him. When Yang Jian became emperor, he appointed Chen Mao as the Attendant of the Yellow Gate, granted him the title of Baron of Weicheng County, and often tasked him with handling confidential matters. He held this position for more than a decade, and was subsequently promoted to the Governor of Yizhou, and then to the Minister of the Imperial Household, with his title elevated to Count. A few years later, Chen Mao passed away. His son, Chen Zheng, succeeded him in his title.
Chen Zheng, also known as Hongdao, was a very talented individual, skilled in both literary and martial arts, as well as music and archery. He grew up in the palace from a young age, and at the age of seventeen, he became a bodyguard for the crown prince. The famous knight-errant Liu Jushi in the capital at that time admired Chen Zheng's talent and often played with him. The son of Yuantong, Xiaochang, also had a good relationship with Chen Zheng, and they interacted with Liu Jushi together. Later, when Liu Jushi was arrested and killed, Chen Zheng and Xiaochang were implicated and were to be punished for their association with Liu Jushi. However, the emperor, considering Chen Zheng's father was a meritorious official, pardoned them after administering two hundred lashes. After this incident, Chen Zheng found it increasingly difficult to advance in rank. During the reign of Emperor Yang of Sui, Chen Zheng was appointed as a Xie Lulang (Assistant Music Director), later promoted to Tongshi Yezhe (Court Interpreter), and then to Bing Cao Chengwulang (Assistant to the Minister of War). Emperor Yang of Sui admired his talent and valued him greatly. When the rebellion led by the Yuwen clan occurred, Chen Zheng was appointed as the Taichangqing (Minister of Rites). Later, he defected to the Tang Dynasty and eventually died while serving as the general in charge of Liangzhou.
Zhang Dinghe, also known as Chumi, was a native of Chang'an. He grew up in a poor family but was determined to rise above his circumstances. He started as a low-ranking official. During the war to pacify the Chen Dynasty, Zhang Dinghe wanted to join the battle but lacked the funds. His wife still had her wedding dress, and Zhang Dinghe wanted to sell it, but his wife refused. He had no choice but to go alone. Due to his military achievements, he was appointed as the Yitongsansi (Assistant to the Three Departments), rewarded with thousands of bolts of silk, and ultimately abandoned his wife. Later, due to his military merits, he was promoted several times and eventually became the Kaifu Yitongsansi (Governor of the Secretariat) and the Biaoqi Jiangjun (General of the Cavalry).
Following General Li Chong to attack the Turks, he always led the charge. He was shot in the neck by an arrow from a Turk, but Zhang Dinghe stuffed grass into the wound and continued fighting without showing any panic. In the end, the Turks were defeated. The Emperor was very impressed and sent medicine, personally visiting him. Zhang Dinghe was promoted to General and granted the title of Marquis of Wu'an, rewarded with two thousand pieces of cloth, two good horses, and one hundred taels of gold. After Emperor Yang of Sui ascended to the throne, Zhang Dinghe was appointed as the Inspector of Yizhou, and soon transferred to the Prefect of Henei, where he achieved notable success. Over a year later, he was summoned to be the General of the Left Guard.
Following the Emperor to campaign against the Tuyuhun, they reached Fuyuanchuan. At that time, the leader of the Tuyuhun fled with a few cavalry soldiers. A man named Wang impersonated the Tuyuhun leader and hid on Chawozhen Mountain. The Emperor ordered Zhang Dinghe to lead the troops to attack him. During the battle, Zhang Dinghe perceived the enemy to be outnumbered, so he called for them to surrender, but the enemy refused. Zhang Dinghe, without wearing armor, charged up the mountain, only to be ambushed in the valley, where he was shot and fell. His deputy Liu Wujian continued the battle and killed all the enemies. The Emperor was saddened and shed tears, posthumously honoring Zhang Dinghe with the title of Grand Master of Splendor. Since the old system of titles was abolished, he was regranted the title of Marquis of Wu'an, posthumously honored with the name Zhuangwu. He was also rewarded with over a thousand pieces of silk and over a thousand shi of rice. His son succeeded him and later also attained the title of Grand Master of Splendor.
Zhang Yan, style name Wenyi, identified himself as being from Qinghe and lived in Huaiyin. He had a strong passion for reading military texts and was particularly adept at wielding knives and shields. During the Zhou Dynasty, a fellow townsman named Guo Ziyi secretly invited bandits from the Chen Kingdom. Zhang Yan's father wanted to lead his brothers in battle against them but felt hesitant and indecisive. Zhang Yan actively supported his father's plan and successfully defeated the bandits, earning a stellar reputation for his bravery and decisiveness. He initially served as the county registrar. After Gaozu ascended to the position of prime minister, he promoted Zhang Yan to be a grand commander, overseeing local militia. When He Ruobi was stationed in Shouchun, Zhang Yan often acted as a spy for him and made notable contributions in suppressing the conflict with the Chen Dynasty. He was later promoted to the position of governor and granted the title of Lord of Wenyi County, awarded 2,500 pieces of cloth and 2,500 measures of grain.
More than a year later, he led a naval force and defeated the rebel Zuo Ziyu in Jingkou and Xue Zijian in Hezhou. The court summoned him back to the capital and appointed him Grand General. Emperor Gaozu also invited him to share a meal at the imperial table, saying, "You are like a son to me, and I am like a father to you. Today, we gather like this to demonstrate that there are no barriers between us." He was then awarded over a thousand pieces of brocade, along with a complete set of green armor and animal-patterned gear. He subsequently accompanied Yang Su in campaigns against the Jiangbei region, defeating Gao Zhihui in Kuaiji and Wu Shihua in Linhai. He was promoted to Grand General and rewarded with sixty slaves and three hundred pieces of silk. He also served as the governor of Fuzhou, Xianzhou, and Qizhou, excelling in each of these roles.
In the 18th year of the Kaihuang era, he was appointed as the march general and accompanied Prince Yang Liang on the campaign against Liaodong. While other troops faced heavy losses, Zhang Yan's forces emerged unscathed. Emperor Gaozu held him in high regard and rewarded him with 250 pieces of cloth. During the Renshou period, he was reassigned as the general of Tanzhou, and three years later, he passed away while serving in office. His son also earned the title of Filial and Incorrupt.
Mai Tiezhang is from Shixing, Guangdong. He is especially good at fighting, very strong, can walk five hundred miles in a day, and run faster than a horse could. He has a rugged personality, loves drinking, enjoys making friends, values loyalty, and he makes his living fishing and hunting, completely ignoring his household duties. During the Taizheng era of the Chen Dynasty, he gathered a group of followers and turned to banditry. Ouyang Wei, the Governor of Guangzhou, captured him and brought him to court. Mai Tiezhang became an official and was assigned the job of a parasol carrier.
After the morning court session ended each day, he would walk over a hundred miles and arrive in Southern Xuzhou at night, sneak into the city to commit robbery, return before dawn, then go back to carrying his parasol. After doing this over a dozen times, the victims recognized him, and Southern Xuzhou reported to the court. The court ministers saw Mai Tiezhang every day and found it hard to believe. After several reports, the Minister Cai Zheng said, "This is worth investigating!" So, after the morning court session, Cai Zheng offered a bounty of a hundred taels of gold to anyone who could deliver the imperial edict to the Governor of Southern Xuzhou. When Mai Tiezhang heard about the bounty, he quickly went to claim the imperial edict and brought it to the emperor early the next morning. The emperor said, "Indeed, he is a bandit, the evidence is solid!" The emperor admired his bravery and speed, just giving him a few words of warning before letting him go.
After the collapse of the Chen Dynasty, Yang Su's officer, Tie Zhang, moved to Qingliu County. Later, when a rebellion broke out in Jiangdong, Yang Su sent Tie Zhang, wearing a straw hat, to secretly cross the Yangtze River under the cover of night to gather information about the rebel army. After he gathered the situation, he returned to report. Later, while gathering information again, he was captured by the rebel army. The rebel leader Li Leng sent thirty soldiers to guard him, bound him, and sent him to Gao Zhihui. When they reached Qingting County, the soldiers guarding him rested and ate, and Tie Zhang, hungry, had his ropes untied so he could eat with them. Seizing the opportunity, Tie Zhang snatched a soldier's knife, killed all the guards, and cut off their noses to take back with him. Yang Su was deeply astonished by this incident.
Later, during the reward distribution, Tie Zhang was not credited for his actions. Yang Su hurried back to the capital, and Tie Zhang followed on foot, staying with Yang Su every night. Yang Su finally realized Tie Zhang's abilities and formally petitioned the court to appoint Tie Zhang as a Yitong Sansi official. As Tie Zhang was illiterate, he was later allowed to return to his hometown. Li Che (Chengyang Gong) greatly admired Tie Zhang's bravery. In the sixteenth year of the Kaihuang era, the court summoned Tie Zhang to the capital and appointed him as General of Cavalry and Chariots. He accompanied Yang Su northward to campaign against the Turks and was later granted the title of Kaifu.
After Emperor Yang of Sui ascended the throne, Prince Liang of Han rebelled in Bingzhou, and Tie Zhang followed Yang Su to suppress the rebellion, always leading the charge in battles. Tie Zhang rose to the rank of 'Zhukuo' (柱国). He was later appointed as the Inspector of Laizhou, but he didn't accomplish much during his tenure. He was then transferred to the position of Prefect of Runan, gradually becoming familiar with legal texts, which led to the local bandits vanishing. One time during court, the official Dou Wei made fun of him, saying, "Your surname is Mai, what kind of surname is that?" Tie Zhang quick-wittedly replied, "Mai and Dou are no different, why are you so surprised?" Dou Wei turned red and had nothing to say, with everyone present at the time thinking Tie Zhang was very clever. Later, Tie Zhang was appointed as the Grand General of the Right Garrison, and Emperor Yang of Sui had a special trust in him. Old Tie Zhang felt a deep sense of gratitude for the emperor’s kindness and always wanted to risk his life for the country and serve the court. When it was time to fight in Liaodong, he volunteered to be the vanguard, and even told his doctor Wu Jingxian, "A man's life and death have their own reasons. How can one die at the hands of their children due to a minor illness, using treatments like moxibustion or putting melon seeds in his nose?" When preparing to cross the Liao River, Tie Zhang told his three sons, "Anu, prepare a light yellow garment. I've received the emperor's favor, and today may be my last. If I die in battle, you'll definitely have a prosperous future. Remember, you must be honest and filial, you must work hard!" When they arrived at the bank of the Liao River, the bridge was not yet completed, and the enemy was already charging from the other side. Tie Zhang jumped onto the shore, fought valiantly against the enemy, and heroically gave his life. The military officers Qian Shixiong and Meng Jincha also died in battle, with others not having time to react.
After hearing this news, the emperor was deeply saddened and wept. He even sent someone to bring back General Tiezhang's remains. The emperor issued an imperial decree, saying: "General Tiezhang was brave and has long served the court with distinction. This time, in the expedition against the enemy, he fought bravely in battle, demonstrating unparalleled loyalty. Although he died in battle, his achievements will be remembered forever. I am deeply moved by his loyalty and bravery, and he should be given the highest honors to recognize his contributions. He is posthumously awarded the titles of Grand Master of Splendor and Duke of Suguogong, and given the posthumous title of Wulie." His son Mengcai inherited his title and was later also awarded the title of Grand Master of Splendor. Mengcai also had two brothers, Zhongcai and Jicai, who were both appointed as Chief Ministers. The court granted them substantial rewards, including chariots and a ceremonial escort of feathered banners and drums.
Over a hundred officials, including the defeated generals of the Pyongyang Battle such as Yuwenshu, came to pay their respects at his funeral, with officials of all ranks accompanying the procession to the outskirts of the city. Qian Shixiong was posthumously awarded the titles of Left Grand Master of Splendor, Right Tuenwei General, and Marquis Wuqiang, and given the posthumous title of Gang. His son Qian Jie inherited his title; Meng Jinchai was posthumously awarded the title of Right Grand Master of Splendor, and his son Meng Shanyi succeeded him in his position.
Meng Cai, courtesy name Zhileng, was a bold and fierce individual, completely inheriting his father's excellent qualities. The emperor, because Meng Cai gave his life for the country, showed exceptional kindness to his family, and even appointed his son as a military general. When chaos broke out in Jiangdu, Meng Cai was consumed by a desire for revenge. He had always been close friends with Qian Jie, a military general, and they said to each other, "Our generations have received the country's favor, and our family has always been known for loyalty and integrity. Now that traitorous officials are murdering the emperor and defying heaven, destroying the country and its people, what honor is left for us? What face do we have to live in this world?" After saying this, both of them cried and beat their chests, planning to gather their old comrades and ambush Yuwen Huaji at Xianfu Palace. Just as they were about to take action, Chen Qian, the son of the Prince of Chen, learned of their plan and went to inform Yuwen Huaji. As a result, he and his accomplice Shen Guang were killed by Yuwen Huaji, leaving those loyal and righteous men in deep grief.
Shen Guang, courtesy name Zongchi, was from Wuxing. His father, Shen Jundao, served as an official in the Chen dynasty, and after the downfall of the Chen dynasty, their family lived in Chang'an. Shen Guang was once recommended by the Crown Prince to work in the Academy of Scholars. Later, he became a secretary in the household of Han Prince Li Liang. After Li Liang's defeat, Shen Guang was removed from office. Shen Guang was agile from a young age, especially skilled in horseback riding performances, the finest in the realm. He had some knowledge of writing and recording, as well as literature and art, and he longed to achieve great things but often overlooked the finer points. His family was very poor, with his father and brother making a living by copying books. Only Shen Guang was more unrestrained, mingling with some young delinquents in the capital and rising to become their leader. Many people supported him, enabling him to support his parents, often eating good food and wearing good clothes, never knowing what hardship was.
When the Chan Ding Temple was first built, there was a flagpole in the temple, more than ten zhang tall. The rope broke, and the monks couldn’t reach it. Shen Guang saw this and said to the monks, "Give me the rope; I will help you put it back up." The monks were both surprised and delighted, and quickly gave him the rope. Shen Guang bit the rope with his mouth and climbed up the flagpole all the way to the top. After tying the rope, he quickly slid down using both hands and feet, landing on his hands and then walking backwards for several steps. The onlookers were in awe, and at that time, people called him "the flying immortal."
During the Daye period, Emperor Yang of Sui gathered elite soldiers from all over the country to attack Goguryeo, and Li Guang also participated in this war. Among the tens of thousands who went to war with him, none were as impressive as he was. Li Guang was escorted by over a hundred guests to the imperial palace, and when they arrived at Ba Bridge, Li Guang raised his wine cup and swore, "If I don’t make a name for myself on this journey, I will die in Goguryeo and will not see you again!"
Then, he followed the emperor to attack Liaodong, using a siege tower with a pole fifteen zhang long. Li Guang climbed to the top of the pole, fought with the enemy on the city wall, and killed over a dozen enemies single-handedly. The enemies attacked him together, knocking him down, but before he hit the ground, there happened to be a rope hanging from the pole, which Li Guang grabbed onto and climbed back up. Emperor Yang of Sui saw this and thought highly of him, quickly summoned him for a conversation, very pleased. That day, he appointed him as a court official, rewarded him with a precious sword and a good horse, often keeping him close and increasingly valuing him.
Before long, Li Guang was promoted to the rank of Zhechong Langjiang, with excellent rewards and treatment. The emperor often rewarded him with his own food and clothes, making it impossible for his peers to compare.
Shen Guang felt a deep sense of gratitude towards the emperor and always wanted to repay his kindness. When chaos broke out in Jiangdu, he secretly recruited warriors, preparing to take revenge for the emperor. Earlier, the emperor had a great deal of trust in a palace servant named Gei Shi. Yuwen Huaji, knowing that Shen Guang was brave and skilled in battle, promoted him to lead the Forbidden Army camp. At that time, Meng Cai, Qian Jie, and others secretly planned to kill Yuwen Huaji. They said to Shen Guang, "We have all received great kindness from the country. We cannot just watch the country perish without fighting to defend it. This is something that would draw the scorn of our ancestors. Now we are serving our enemies with our heads bowed, listening to their commands. We've lost our dignity; what’s the point of living? We must kill him. Even if we die, we’ll have no regrets. You are a righteous man; will you join us?" Shen Guang was moved to tears and said, "This is exactly what I’ve been hoping you would do, General! I command hundreds of Gei Shi, all of whom have received the late emperor's favor, and they are all in Yuwen Huaji's camp now. It will be easy to take revenge using this opportunity, just like an eagle swooping down on its prey. The great accomplishments for generations hinge on this moment. I hope you will strive hard, General!" Meng Cai was a general at the time, leading several thousand troops in Jianghuai. When it was time to execute our plan, they launched a surprise attack on Yuwen Huaji at dawn.
Shen Guang betrayed the plan, and Chen Qian informed Yu Wenhua. Yu Wenhua was very scared and said, "This Shen Guang is as tough as iron. He and Meng Cai are both very brave and decisive people, hard to contend with. We must steer clear of their prowess!" That night, Yu Wenhua escaped from the camp with his confidant, leaving someone behind to inform Sima Dekan and his men, sending them to arrest Meng Cai. Shen Guang heard the noise in the camp, knowing that things had been exposed. Without time to put on armor, he immediately launched an attack on Yu Wenhua's camp, but found it deserted. He encountered Shen Yuanmin and killed him. At this time, Sima Dekan's army arrived and surrounded Shen Guang from all sides. Shen Guang shouted and broke out of the encirclement. His men bravely fought the enemy together, decapitating dozens of enemies, causing the rest to flee. Sima Dekan dispatched cavalry armed with bows and crossbows to attack from both flanks. Shen Guang was unarmored and was ultimately killed by arrows. Hundreds of his men died in battle, with not a single one surrendering. Shen Guang was only twenty-eight at the time. When the heroes learned of this, they all felt deep sorrow and shed tears.
Lai Huer, whose courtesy name was Chongshan, was a native of Jiangdu. He had been independent-minded and had a penchant for daring deeds since he was young. When he first read the Book of Songs, he read the two lines "Beat the drum and dance, leap and use the army" and "Wear a goat fur coat with leopard trim, martial and powerful," he immediately put down the book and exclaimed, "A great man should live like this in the world! One should fight for the country and achieve greatness; how can one waste his days toiling in the fields?" His friends were all stunned and impressed by his ambition.
Lai Huer resided in Baitu Village, very close to the river. At that time, the situation in the Jiangnan region was somewhat unstable. He Ruo Bi was stationed in Shouzhou and frequently sent Lai Huer as a spy. Later, he was promoted to Grand Governor. In the campaign to pacify the Chen dynasty, Lai Huer made great contributions, and his official rank was elevated to Upper Kaifu. Later, he followed Yang Su to Zhejiang to fight Gao Zhihui. Gao Zhihui's forces occupied the riverbank, with camps extending over a hundred miles, warships densely covering the river, and the sounds of battle echoing across the land. Yang Su had Lai Huer lead hundreds of light boats to land directly from the river bank, catching them off guard and seizing their camp. Gao Zhihui had previously fought and lost to Yang Su; now stripped of a base, his forces dissolved. Gao Zhihui tried to escape to the sea, but Lai Huer relentlessly pursued him to Quanzhou. With no options left, Gao Zhihui fled to the Minyue region. Lai Huer was promoted to Grand General and appointed as the Governor of Quanzhou.
At that time, there was a man named Sheng Daoyan who led a rebellion that troubled Quanzhou. Lai Huer swiftly led his troops to suppress the rebellion. Later, he allied with Li Kuan, the Duke of Pushan, to defeat Wang Wenjin in Yixian and Shexian, which elevated his rank to Pillar State. In the third year of Renshou, he was appointed Governor of Yingzhou and granted the title of Duke of Huangxian, with a fief comprising three thousand households. Shortly after, he was subsequently promoted to Upper Pillar State and appointed as the Right Imperial Guard General. After Emperor Yang of Sui ascended the throne, Lai Huer was promoted to the Right Valiant Guard Grand General, held in high esteem by the emperor. In the sixth year of Daye, he followed Emperor Yang to Jiangdu, where he received a reward of a thousand bolts of cloth, and was granted permission to pay respects at his ancestors' graves, hosting a banquet for the village elders, and the entire province felt honored. A few years later, he was promoted to the Right Support Guard Grand General.
During the Battle of Liaodong, Lai Huer led the warships, navigating the wind and waves as they entered from the Ba River, where they encountered the Goryeo army just sixty miles from Pyongyang. He led his troops to launch a fierce attack, defeating the Goryeo army, pursuing them in victory, and advancing to the outskirts of Pyongyang, breaking through the defensive works outside the city. He then ordered the entire army to plunder, which caused some chaos among the troops. Gao Yuan, the younger brother of King Jianwu of Goryeo, recruited five hundred brave warriors to intercept Lai Huer. Lai Huer had to retreat and set up camp by the sea, waiting for a chance. Later, upon hearing that Yu Wenshu and his army had been defeated, he returned to the capital city. The following year, he led his troops from Canghai, stationed in Donglai, and found himself facing Yang Xuangan's rebellion in Liyang, as his troops approached Gong County and Luoyang. Lai Huer led his troops alongside Yu Wenshu and others to defeat Yang Xuangan. He was awarded the title of Duke of Rongguo, with a fief of two thousand households. Ten years later, he led his troops across the sea, arriving at Beishe City. The entire Goryeo kingdom launched an attack, but Lai Huer achieved a great victory, beheading over a thousand foes. Just as they were on the verge of capturing Pyongyang, Goryeo King Gao Yuan became afraid and sent someone to escort the rebel Husi Zheng to surrender at the gates of Liaodong, submitting a formal request for surrender. Emperor Yang of Sui agreed and sent a decree for Lai Huer to return to the capital.
General Lai Hu'er gathered the soldiers and said, "We have gone to war three times, but we have not been able to completely eliminate the enemy. This time, when we go back, we might not have another chance. Korea is already very weak; the fields are barren, with not a blade of grass in sight. If we fight one more battle, we can quickly defeat them. I propose we continue the attack and directly surround Pyongyang, capture their king, and come back triumphant!" He reported back to the emperor, requesting to continue the attack and defying the emperor's orders. Chief Minister Cui Junsu strongly advised against it, but Lai Hu'er did not listen. Lai Hu'er said, "The enemy's power has already collapsed; we can handle it on our own. I am leading the troops outside; I should make decisions myself. How can I go thousands of miles away to seek approval from the court? A slight delay will result in missing the opportunity, wasting efforts in vain. I would rather capture Pyongyang and come back to face the consequences than give up this chance of success!" Cui Junsu told everyone, "If we follow the marshal in disobeying the imperial decree, it will definitely be reported to the court, and everyone will be punished!" The soldiers were all afraid and advised him to go back; only then did he obey the imperial decree.
In the 13th year of Daye, Lai Hu'er was promoted to the position of General of the Left Yiyiwei and was granted the title of Yitong Sanqi, receiving countless rewards and promotions. Later, during the Jiangdu Incident, Yuwen Huaji resented him and had him killed.
The eldest son is named Kai; due to his father's military achievements, he was directly appointed as a Cavalry Officer and Court Official. His younger brother Hong rose to become a Commandant of Gouyi and a Grand Master of Purple Light. Hong's son Zheng became a Commandant of Wuben and a Grand Master of Right Light. Zheng was particularly brave and skilled in leading troops, winning every battle against bandits. The bandits feared him greatly and even wrote a song about him: "At Changbai Mountain's Hundred Battlefields, with long spears of ten to fifteen feet, we don't fear the hundred thousand official troops, only fear Lord Rong's Sixth Son." Later, a rebellion occurred, and their entire family faced tragedy; only the two youngest sons, Heng and Ji, survived.
Yu Juluo is a local from Fengyi. He is more than eight feet tall, immensely strong, and has a booming voice that carries for hundreds of meters. When he was young, he served as the emperor's personal guard and later rose through the ranks to become a grand commander. He fought alongside Prince Jin in battles, distinguished himself, was bestowed the title of Kaifu, and rewarded with 1,500 bolts of cloth. Not long after, when Shen Xuantui, Gao Zhihui, and their allies rebelled in Jiangnan, Yang Su, impressed by Yu Juluo's impressive skills, invited him to help suppress the rebellion. He proved himself in every battle and was eventually promoted to Kaifu, made Count of Gaotang, and appointed Governor of Diezhou. After his mother passed away, he resigned from his official position to mourn at home. On his way back home, he ran into Yang Su, who was leading troops to Lingzhou to fight the Turks, and Yang Su was delighted to have him join the expedition.
When they encountered the enemy, Yu Juluo charged forward with a few cavalrymen, shouting loudly and intimidating the enemy into a rout. He fought bravely and swiftly, like a bird in flight. For his valor in this battle, he was promoted to Zhuguo and made Governor of Fengzhou. Initially, the Turks frequently raided the border, but Yu Juluo consistently captured or killed them. After that, the Turks grew fearful and no longer dared to come to the border to graze.
At the beginning, when Emperor Yang of Sui was still a prince, Juluo Dizan followed him as a guard and later rose through the ranks to become a Grand General. After Yang became emperor, he appointed him as General of Chariots and Cavalry. This Dizan was particularly ruthless and cruel, especially towards his subordinates. He would have people roasted, and if it didn't meet his standards, he would poke their eyes out with a skewer; if someone didn't serve him wine at the right temperature, he would cut off their tongues. Despite growing up together, Yang couldn't bear to kill him due to their childhood bond, so he gave Juluo a stern reprimand, imprisoned him, and left him to fend for himself. Dizan returned home and took poison, ending his life.
Worried that Juluo might be plotting rebellion, Yang transferred him to Anzhou as a governor. Over a year later, he promoted him to be the Governor of Zhao Commandery. Later, at a court assembly in the Eastern Capital, Juluo attended. He was acquainted with General Liang Boyin, and they were often in touch. Juluo also regularly sent tributes from the commandery to the court, but Yang rejected them, so he gave them to the powerful. The Imperial Censor accused Juluo and Liang of colluding with court officials, which infuriated Yang, resulting in their dismissal and an investigation.
Not long after, the Yue Xi Mountain tribes rebelled and attacked Zhao County. The court ordered Ju Luo to lead troops dressed in civilian clothes, along with the commander of Shu County, Duan Zhongkui, to quell the rebellion. In the ninth year of Daye, Emperor Yang of Sui again sent troops to attack Goguryeo and appointed Ju Luo as the commander of the Jieshi Dao Army. Upon his return, Liu Yuanjin in Jiangnan rebelled again, and the court sent Ju Luo to lead troops to suppress the rebellion in Kuaiji. At that time, the common people were eagerly anticipating chaos, and they joined the uprising one after another, as if they were going to a market. Ju Luo achieved victory in every battle, defeating the rebel leaders Zhu Xie, Guan Chong, and others. However, the rebel forces continued to swell and regroup after each defeat. Ju Luo worried about his sons who were in Luoyang and Chang'an, seeing the world becoming more chaotic and fearing he might not be able to return home in the future.
The eastern capital was experiencing a famine, and food prices soared. Ju Luo sent his servants to transport their family's grain to the eastern capital for sale, while also dealing in other goods on the side and secretly bringing his sons over. The court sensed that something was off and suspected he had ulterior motives, so they sent people to investigate. The investigators uncovered no evidence of wrongdoing. Emperor Yang then sent the Grand Justice Liang Jingzhen to escort Ju Luo to the eastern capital. Ju Luo was known for his unique appearance, with two pupils in his eyes, which Emperor Yang regarded as an ill omen and always avoided him. Liang Jingzhen flattered the emperor and falsely claimed that Ju Luo's army had been routed, resulting in the massacre of Ju Luo's entire family and the confiscation of their assets.
Chen Ling, courtesy name Changwei, is from Xiang'an, Lujiang. His grandfather Chen Shuo earned a living as a fisherman. His father Chen Xian was a valiant young man, serving as an advisor to Zhang Dabao. After Zhang Dabao's rebellion, Chen Xian was appointed as the governor of Qiaozhou. After the Chen dynasty fell, Chen Xian retired. Later, Gao Zhihui and Wang Wenjin rebelled in Jiangnan, and the heroes of Lujiang rallied to his side. Because Chen Xian used to be their leader, everyone unanimously elected him as their leader. Chen Xian was hesitant to accept, but Chen Ling advised him, saying, "Since everyone has rebelled, refusing them will bring trouble upon ourselves. It's better to feign agreement for now and devise another plan later." Chen Xian listened to his words. At this time, Li Che, a key figure in the state, arrived in Dangtu. Chen Xian secretly sent Chen Ling to see Li Che, requesting to act as an informant. Li Che reported this to the court, and the court appointed Chen Ling as Grand General, bestowed upon him the title of Duke of Qiao, with a fief comprising one thousand households, and instructed Li Che to treat him with honor.
Li Che's army had not arrived yet, but the plan was leaked. Chen Xian was killed by his accomplices, while Chen Leng luckily escaped. In recognition of his father's merits, the emperor appointed him as Governor, and soon after put him in charge of the local militia. After Emperor Yang of Sui ascended the throne, he appointed Chen Leng as the General of the Cavalry. In the third year of Daye, he was appointed as the General of the Imperial Guard. Three years later, he and the courtier Zhang Zhenzhou led more than 10,000 soldiers from Dongyang, setting out from Yian, and attacked the country of Liuqiu by boat, arriving one month later. When the people of Liuqiu initially mistook the ships for merchant vessels, they flocked to the military camp to do business. Chen Leng led the army ashore and sent Zhang Zhenzhou as the vanguard. The king of Liuqiu, Huansi Keduo, sent troops to resist, but Zhang Zhenzhou repeatedly defeated them. Chen Leng fought his way to Dimo Tan Cave, where the young king of Liuqiu, Huansi Laomo, led the troops to resist. Chen Leng defeated him and killed Laomo. On a foggy and rainy day, the soldiers were all very afraid, so Chen Leng offered a white horse as a sacrifice to the sea god. After that, the weather cleared up, and Chen Leng split the army into five divisions, heading straight for the capital of Liuqiu. Keduo led several thousand troops to resist, but Chen Leng sent Zhang Zhenzhou as the vanguard and routed them. Chen Leng pursued them to their camp, where
The emperor was very happy, promoting Chen Leng to the position of Right Minister of Rites, while the position of Commander of the Imperial Guards remained unchanged, and Zhang Zhenzhou was granted the title of Jinzi Guanglu Daifu. During the Battle of Liaodong, Chen Leng was promoted to Left Guanglu Daifu for his contributions in palace defense. The following year, the emperor again campaigned in Liaodong, appointing Chen Leng as the acting governor of Donglai. When Yang Xuangan rebelled, Chen Leng led over ten thousand men to quell the unrest in Liyang, killing Yuan Wuben, the governor appointed by Yang. He was then ordered to construct warships in Jiangnan. Upon reaching Pengcheng, the rebel leader Meng Rang commanded an army of one hundred thousand to seize Duliang Palace and defend it with the Huai River. Chen Leng crossed the river downstream to Jiangdu, leading troops to attack Meng Rang and defeat him. Due to his accomplishments, Chen Leng was promoted to Guanglu Daifu and granted the title of Marquis Xin'an. Later, when the emperor arrived at Jiangdu Palace, Li Zitong occupied Hailing, Zuo Caixiang plundered north of the Huai River, and Du Fuwei stationed troops in Liuhe, with tens of thousands of troops in various factions. The emperor sent Chen Leng to lead the imperial guards to suppress them, achieving successive victories. Chen Leng was promoted to Right Imperial Guard General. He then crossed the Qingjiang River to suppress the rebels in Xuancheng. Soon after, the emperor was assassinated, and Yuwen Huaji led his troops north, summoning Chen Leng to guard Jiangdu. Chen Leng assembled his troops, in mourning garb, performed the funeral rites for Emperor Yang of Sui, and relocated the emperor's tomb to Wugongtai. He walked with a cane in mourning, and his sorrowful demeanor touched passersby, prompting people to praise him for his loyalty. Later, Chen Leng was defeated by Li Zitong and fled to Du Fuwei, who, wary of his influence, soon had him killed.
Wang Bian, also known as Jinglüe, was from Pucheng, Fengyi. His ancestors were successful merchants. During the Northern Wei dynasty, Wang Bian donated food to support the army and was appointed as the Jia Qinghe Prefect. He studied military strategy at a young age, excelled in equestrian archery, and was generous and ambitious. During the Zhou dynasty, he was appointed as the Commander-in-Chief based on his military achievements. In the Kaihuang period of the Sui dynasty, he was promoted to Grand Commander; during the Renshou period, he was further promoted to General of Chariots and Cavalry.
When Han Wang Liang rebelled, Wang Bian followed Yang Su to suppress the rebellion and was granted the title of Baron of Wuning County with a fief of three hundred households. Three years later, he was promoted to the position of Shang She Fengyu Officer. Later, he accompanied the army to campaign against the Tuyuhun and was appointed as a court gentleman. Several years later, he was promoted to the rank of Langjiang General. In the Battle of Liaodong, he was further promoted to the rank of Tongyi Grand Master, and soon after to Wubeng Langjiang.
During a period of rampant banditry in Shandong, a man named Wei Daoer, self-styled as "Lishan Fei," led over ten thousand men and frequently raided the Yan and Zhao regions. The Emperor summoned Wang Bian and asked for strategies to quell the rebellion. Wang Bian analyzed the situation of the bandits, which impressed the Emperor greatly. The Emperor then sent three thousand infantry and cavalry to follow Wang Bian into battle, resulting in the swift defeat of Wei Daoer, and rewarding Wang Bian with two hundred taels of gold.
The following year, the pirate chief Gao Shida, who called himself "Donghai Gong," also had tens of thousands of soldiers under his command. The Emperor once again commanded Wang Bian to attack, and Wang Bian defeated Gao Shida's army multiple times. When the Emperor heard of this while in Jiangdu Palace, he immediately summoned Wang Bian. During the audience, the Emperor presented Wang Bian with numerous gifts and ordered him to lead an expedition to Xindu. Gao Shida was defeated once again in battle, and the Emperor issued a royal decree praising Wang Bian's contributions.
At that time, bandit leaders such as Hao Xiaode, Sun Xuanya, Shi Jikang, Dou Jiande, and Wei Dao'er each occupied their own territories, with some having a few thousand troops and others even reaching up to one hundred thousand, often looting and pillaging in the Hebei region. Wang Bian led troops to suppress them, winning every battle and instilling fear in these bandits. Later, Zhai Rang instigated chaos in Xuzhou and Yuzhou, and Wang Bian went to suppress him, defeating Zhai Rang's army multiple times. Zhai Rang later joined forces with Li Mi to occupy Luokou Granary, and Wang Bian allied with Wang Shichong to confront Li Mi. The two sides were at a stalemate at Luoshui for over a year.
Wang Bian led his soldiers to break through Li Mi's camp, pursued them in their victory, and broke through the outer fence. Li Mi's army was already in disarray, and Wang Bian's army was preparing to attack the city, but Wang Shichong, unaware of this, feared that the soldiers were too exhausted and ordered a retreat. This decision allowed Li Mi's army to seize the opportunity for a counterattack. The official army suffered a major defeat that was irretrievable. Wang Bian fled to the banks of Luoshui, only to find the bridge destroyed, preventing him from crossing the river. He waded into the river, but when he reached the middle, the current swept him away, causing him to drown after falling off his horse. Wang Bian was wearing heavy armor at the time, and as the defeated soldiers crowded together, he could not mount his horse again. He ultimately drowned at the age of fifty-six, and his soldiers mourned him deeply.
Legend has it that Hushi Wan Shan from Henan was both brave and decisive, comparable to Wang Bian in reputation. During the Daye period, he followed Wei Xuan to fight against Yang Xuange and achieved significant victories in every battle. When Yang Xuange was defeated and fleeing, Wan Shan and a few cavalrymen caught up to him, forcing him into a corner, leading him to commit suicide. This incident catapulted Wan Shan to fame, and he was granted the title of military officer.
Later, the Turks besieged Yanmen Pass, and Wanshan charged into battle, making the Turks flee in all directions. Whenever the enemy approached, he would be the first to charge forward to fight; sometimes he would even dismount and sit on the ground, pulling out his powerful bow to shoot arrows, taking down one after another. In this way, the Turks were scared to approach the city walls, and after more than ten days, they withdrew in disgrace, all thanks to Wanshan's merit! After that, he repeatedly pacified bandits, rose through the ranks, and eventually became a general.
At that time, there were several generals, Lu Yuan, Fan Gui, and Feng Xiaoci, who were also military leaders, frequently leading troops into battle and gaining some reputation. Unfortunately, most of their achievements have been lost to history, and there is not much recorded in historical texts.
Historical records say: during the Chu-Han contention, Marquis Zhang Bo and Guan Ying were able to achieve great success; during the power struggle between Cao Cao and Liu Bei, Guan Yu and Zhang Fei were able to make a name for themselves. This shows that fame is often made when the world is in its early stages of peace, while opportunities for success are found during turbulent times. There has always been the practice of climbing the social ladder and seizing opportunities.
People like Yuantong, Huer, Dinghe, and Tie Zhang were all brave warriors of that time, but were trapped in poverty and low status. When they were young, they were just unknown faces—who could have guessed they harbored such great ambitions? In the end, they fought their way out of the mud, rose to success, fulfilled their ambitions, and satisfied their lifelong wishes, all depending on whether they had the opportunity!
Though Julo was wrongfully accused, it wasn't his fault; Wang Bian sacrificed himself for the country, demonstrating his unwavering loyalty; Chen Leng, dressed in mourning clothes, moved passersby on the road—his loyalty and sense of friendship are truly admirable! Meng Cai, Qian Jie, Shen Guang, and others remained grateful and did not forget their old friends, and did not forget to preserve their lives in times of danger. Even though they may not have achieved great success, their aspirations are equally worthy of praise!
