Erzhu Chang, styled Qianluo, was a Xiu Rong Qihu people and a descendant of Erzhu Rong. His father, Erzhu Yanbo, held the position of Grand Minister and Prince of Boling. Later, Emperor Wen of Qi won a battle at Hanling and exterminated the entire Erzhu clan. Erzhu Chang was still young at the time; thus, he was raised in the palace by his mother.
When he was twelve years old, he secretly slipped out of the palace and onto the streets, where he saw a group of children playing. Erzhu Chang took off his luxurious silk and gold clothing, changed into ordinary clothes, and ran away. The pursuers caught up, initially failing to recognize him and only grabbing his fancy clothing. When they realized their mistake, it was almost dark, so he escaped.
He then ran to a village and saw an elderly woman named Changsun sitting on a Hu bed. Erzhu Chang bowed deeply and pleaded for her assistance. The compassionate old lady concealed him within her wall. After three years, the manhunt intensified, and the pursuers drew closer. Changsun told him, "The situation is critical; I can no longer shelter you." She gave him some money and told him to leave.
So Erzhu Chang disguised himself as a Taoist, changed his name, and took refuge on Mount Song, studying various classical texts. Over the years, people started to regard him with newfound respect. Once, he sat alone under a rock and couldn't help but cry, lamenting, "Is this truly my fate? What kind of man was Wu Zixu?" So he disguised himself and sneaked westward, returning to the realm of the Zhou dynasty.
During the reign of Emperor Taizu of the Northern Zhou Dynasty, he showed great respect for him, appointed him as Grand Commander and Chamberlain, and bestowed upon him the title of Count of Lingshou County, with a fief of 1,500 households. Later on, he was promoted to the position of Regular Cavalry Attendant, then further promoted to General of Chariots and Cavalry Forces, with the title of Marquis. During the Baoding era, he was promoted to the position of Imperial Envoy, General of the Valiant Cavalry, and Supervisor of the Palace. In the Tianhe era, his fief was increased by another 500 households, and he successively served as the Inspector of Xinzhou, Linzhou, Xiongzhou, and Tongzhou, with his title being elevated to Duke.
During Emperor Wudi of the Northern Zhou Dynasty's eastern expedition, Erzhu Chang submitted a request to follow along, which was granted. He conquered cities and territories, winning every battle, and his official position was further elevated to Senior Palace Supervisor. Later, he served as the Inspector of Guangzhou Province, then returned to the court as the Grand General of the Army Guard. Over a year later, he was reassigned as the Inspector of Jiaozhou. At this time, he brought Lady Changsun and his younger brother to his home, caring for them properly.
After the abdication of the Emperor, Erzhu Chang was renamed Duke of the Border City. When the Qian'an barbarians rebelled, the court ordered Erzhu Chang to suppress the rebellion. Upon his victorious return, he was appointed as Governor of Jinzhou, and soon after transferred to the position of Governor of Xuzhou. He served in these positions for several years, known for his strict and solemn demeanor, with both the people and officials showing great respect for him. As he grew older, he requested retirement, and the court granted him two horses and a cart, allowing him to return to his hometown in Henei. He passed away at home at the age of 72. His son, Erzhu Zhi, inherited his title.
Zhou Yao, style name Shi'an, descended from the same line as the imperial family of the Northern Wei Dynasty. He originally had the surname Punai, but later changed it to Zhou after moving to Luoyang. His great-grandfather was named Babba, and his grandfather was Right Sixth Arm (You Liu Gong), both of whom were Prince of Beiping. His father, Shuyan, served as Chamberlain and Inspector of Southern Jingzhou. Zhou Yao was firm and decisive from a young age, skilled in martial arts, and was known for his cautious and upright nature, always following the law. During his tenure in the Northern Wei Dynasty, he rose to the high position of Supervisor of the Palace.
After Emperor Zhou Min usurped the throne and proclaimed himself emperor, he was given the name Che Fei and granted the title of Duke of Jinshui Commandery. He had previously served as the Governor of Suzhou and Chuzhou, and the people all supported him. He assisted the emperor in quelling the rebellion against the Qi dynasty, distinguishing himself in every battle. He was promoted to the rank of Pillar of State and then enfeoffed as the Duke of Kuiguo. Not long after, he was appointed as the Governor of Jinzhou. At that time, Yang Jian (Emperor Gaozu) was the Governor of Dingzhou. Empress Wenxian went from the capital to Dingzhou to visit Yang Jian, passing through the area under Zhou Yao's jurisdiction. Zhou Yao received the empress with modest hospitality. Later, Zhou Yao explained to the empress, "Although the government has a lot of money, I dare not violate the law and use it casually. As a subject, I cannot take matters into my own hands or use public funds for personal affairs." He was so upright! Yang Jian held Zhou Yao in high regard for his integrity.
Later, Zhou Yao became the Prime Minister, was renamed as the Duke of Jibei Commandery, and then served as the Governor of Yuzhou. After Yang Jian proclaimed himself emperor, Zhou Yao restored his Zhou surname. In the early years of the Kaihuang era, the Turkic tribes invaded the border, causing significant suffering in the Yan and Ji regions. The previous Governor, Li Chong, was killed by the Turks. Emperor Yang Jian pondered in the court on how to defend the border and said, "No one is more suitable than Zhou Yao!" So he appointed Zhou Yao as the Governor of Youzhou, in charge of military affairs in six prefectures and fifty garrisons. Zhou Yao repaired the passes, strengthened scouts and vigilance, ensuring that the border residents could live in peace and security. Six years later, Zhou Yao was transferred to Shouzhou.
At first, Zhou Yao felt that he was getting old and requested to retire. The emperor summoned him back to the capital. The emperor met him, praised him for his integrity and uprightness during his service across three dynasties, and said, "You have finally achieved wealth and honor, and lived to such a ripe old age. It is truly wonderful!" The emperor also gave him a seat cushion and allowed him to rest at home. Over a year later, Zhou Yao passed away at home at the age of eighty-four, posthumously honored with the title Gong.
Dugu Kai, styled Xiuzhe, originally had the surname Li. His father, Li Tun, followed Emperor Qi Shenwu in fighting against the army of the Zhou Dynasty in Shayuan. When the Qi army lost, he was captured by the Zhou Dynasty's pillar, Dugu Xin, and became a soldier under Dugu Xin's command. Over time, he became close to Dugu Xin, who bestowed upon him the surname Dugu.
Dugu Kai was steady and trustworthy from a young age, skilled in horseback riding and using a lance. He later served as a guard for Yuwen Hu and gradually rose in rank to become General of Chariots and Cavalry. After participating in several battles, he was granted the title of Duke of Guanga County with a fief of one thousand households, and later promoted to Right Minister. In the late Sui Dynasty, he assisted Wei Xiaokuan in pacifying Huainan, and for his achievements, his son, Dugu Jingyun, was titled Duke of Xihe County. When Emperor Wen of Sui was the Prime Minister, he promoted Dugu Kai to be the Grand Marshal, often leading the emperor's trusted troops. After Emperor Wen became the emperor, Dugu Kai was appointed General of the Right Guard and further ennobled as Duke of Ruyang Commandery. Several years later, he was promoted to General of the Right Guard.
During the Renshou period, Dugu Kai was appointed as the Governor of Yuanzhou. At that time, Prince Yang Xiu was stationed in Yizhou, and the court wanted to recall him, but he was hesitant to depart. The court feared Yang Xiu might rebel, so they urgently dispatched Dugu Kai to replace him in Yizhou. Yang Xiu did indeed have rebellious intentions, and after many persuasions from Dugu Kai, he finally set off. Dugu Kai noticed that Yang Xiu still had regrets, so he took strict precautions. When Yang Xiu reached Xingle, about forty miles from Yizhou, he contemplated attacking Dugu Kai but first sent scouts to assess the situation. Seeing that Dugu Kai was not easy to deal with, he abandoned the idea. Dugu Kai's administration in Yizhou was highly effective, and the people of Shu continue to praise him to this day.
After Emperor Yang ascended the throne, Dugu Kai was appointed the Governor-General of Bingzhou. Later, he fell ill and lost his sight, so he submitted a request for retirement to the court. Emperor Yang said, "You are a veteran minister from the previous dynasty; you have served under two emperors, you have a noble character and a high reputation. Let's allow you to rest at home peacefully, without having to toil any longer." He then sent his eldest son, Dugu Lingyun, to act as the acting Governor-General of Bingzhou. It is evident how much Emperor Yang valued Dugu Kai! Several years later, Dugu Kai was appointed as the Prefect of Changping, but he passed away before taking office. He was posthumously honored with the title 'Gong.' His sons, Dugu Lingyun, Dugu Pingyun, and Dugu Yanyun, all became well-known figures. Dugu Kai's brother, Dugu Sheng, is recorded in the "Cheng Jie Zhuan."
Qifu Hui, whose courtesy name was Linghe, was a Xianbei person from Mayi, Shanxi. His grandfather, Qifu Zhou, was the Grand Master of Ceremonies in the Wei Kingdom, and his father, Qifu Zuan, was the Grand Master of Ceremonies in the Jin dynasty. For three generations, they led the Xianbei tribe. Qifu Hui was ambitious from a young age, upright in character, skilled in mounted archery, and fond of raising hunting falcons and hounds. During the reign of Emperor Wenxuan of Northern Qi, he became the Left Deputy of the Council of State, later rising to the rank of General of Bandit Suppression, and gradually advancing to the position of Right Guard General and Minister of Imperial Carriages. He was eventually titled as Duke of Yongning County and later promoted to Prince of Yimin Commandery. His brother, Qifu Guihe, was also ennobled as a prince for his military achievements, making the two brothers prominent figures in their clan.
When Emperor Wu of Northern Zhou destroyed Northern Qi, Qifu Hui was appointed as the General of the Chariots and Cavalry, then as the Right Cavalry Prefect, and later transferred to the position of Grand Commander of Xiongqu. When Emperor Wen of Sui was the Prime Minister, Qifu Hui followed Wei Xiaokuan and defeated Yu Dun in Wuzhi, achieving victory in every battle and was therefore awarded eight hundred rolls of cloth. After pacifying the rebellion of Wei Jiong, he was promoted to the title of Pillar of the State, granted the title of Duke of Xihe County, with a fief of three thousand households, and rewarded with two thousand three hundred rolls of cloth. He requested to pass on his official title to his older brother, but the court did not approve his request, and many people at the time thought that his actions were very loyal.
After Emperor Yang Jian of Sui claimed the throne, he appointed him as the Inspector of Caozhou. The customs of Caozhou were not good before, and many commoners concealed their numbers and assets, and the household registration records were often inaccurate. After Qifu Hui took office, he conducted a thorough investigation and found tens of thousands of unregistered individuals. Later, he was transferred to serve as the Governor of Liangzhou. At that time, the Turks frequently raided the border, so Qifu Hui strengthened border vigilance and patrols, and sent people to scout the enemy situation from afar. The Turks feared him greatly, so they did not dare to invade easily. More than a year later, he was transferred to serve as the Inspector of Qizhou and found thousands of unregistered individuals. Afterwards, he was promoted to the Governor of Shouzhou.
That year, he was transferred to serve as the Inspector of Qizhou, and after a few years, he was promoted to the Governor of Xuzhou. By this time, he was already in his seventies, and he submitted a petition to retire, but the court did not approve. Not long after, he was transferred to serve as the Governor of Jingzhou, also in charge of Tanzhou, Guizhou, and military affairs in thirty-one other states. The customs in Jingzhou were quite rugged, and the people were known for their toughness. Qifu Hui led by example, promoting thrift and simplicity, and the local atmosphere improved dramatically. It is said that he once saw someone catching fish with a bamboo basket, so he bought the fish using cloth and then released the fish, demonstrating his kind-hearted nature! The locals held him in high regard and referred to his fief as "Xihugong Valley."
Later, he was reassigned as the governor of Qinzhou. After Emperor Yang of Sui ascended the throne, he was appointed as the governor of Tianshui. In the fifth year of the Daye era, Emperor Yang of Sui launched a campaign against the Tuyuhun. Because Tianshui was close to the border, the people were suffering greatly. During Emperor Yang of Sui's western tour, the roads in Tianshui were in disrepair, and the food presented was meager. Emperor Yang of Sui was furious and ordered him to be beheaded. However, seeing that his hair had turned white, he spared his life and demoted him. In the end, Qifu Hui passed away at home.
So, who exactly is Zhang Wei? Not much is known about him. His father was named Zhang Chen, who once served as the governor of Hongnong in the Wei Kingdom. From a young age, Zhang Wei was strikingly handsome and full of ambition, proficient in horseback riding and archery, and exceptionally strong. During the Western Wei Dynasty, he participated in battles multiple times, rising to the position of Zhuguo (a title indicating a high-ranking military official), Jingzhao Yin, and was even granted the title of Duke of Changshou County, with an estate supporting a thousand households. Later, when Wang Qian rebelled, the Emperor appointed Zhang Wei as the commander of the army, following General Liang Rui to suppress him.
When the army arrived at the Tonggu, Wang Qian's general Li Sanwang led elite soldiers to defend. Liang Rui ordered Zhang Wei to lead the vanguard. At first, Li Sanwang kept the camp gates tightly closed and refused to fight. Zhang Wei deliberately provoked them with insults, which infuriated Li Sanwang, prompting him to charge out. Zhang Wei ordered the warriors to bravely engage the enemies, and Li Sanwang's army was defeated, with the main forces capturing and killing over four thousand enemy soldiers.
The army marched into Kaiyuan, and Wang Qian's general Zhao Yan led a hundred thousand troops, setting up camp thirty miles away. Zhang Wei came up with a plan to dig through the mountains and attack Zhao Yan from behind by circling around the West Ridge. Zhao Yan was soundly defeated and fled in disarray to Chengdu. Zhang Wei pursued Zhao Yan to Chengdu and engaged in a fierce battle against Wang Qian, personally commanding the central army. After Wang Qian's defeat and surrender, Zhang Wei was promoted to the rank of Shang Zhuguo and appointed as the governor of Luzhou. After the founding emperor took the throne, Zhang Wei successively served as the governor of Youzhou and Luozhou, and was granted the title of Marquis of Jinxi. Not long after, he was appointed as the Supervisor of the Hebei Circuit, and later supervised the affairs of the Prince of Jin's military residence. After a few years, he was appointed as the governor of Qingzhou, and the emperor rewarded him with eighty thousand coins, five hundred stones of rice, and three hundred bolts of silk.
While serving as an official in Qingzhou, Zhang Wei was also quite good at business, even sending his household servants to sell turnips in the local market. However, his servants exploited their power and oppressed the local populace. When the emperor found out, he was furious and harshly reprimanded Zhang Wei, dismissing him from his position and ordering him to reflect on his actions at home. Later, when the emperor went to Mount Tai to offer sacrifices and passed through Luoyang, he said to Zhang Wei, "Since I have been conquering the world, I have consistently entrusted you with important positions; I have placed my full trust in you. Why do you not pay attention to your reputation and character, only thinking about making money? You have betrayed my trust and tarnished your own reputation!" The emperor then asked Zhang Wei, "Where is the tablet you use in court?" Zhang Wei bowed and admitted his guilt, saying, "I have committed a crime; I am ashamed before Your Majesty, and I dare not use it anymore; I have hidden it at home." The emperor said, "Bring it to me to see." The next day, Zhang Wei presented the tablet to the emperor. The emperor said, "Though you have not adhered to the rules, your contributions are noteworthy; I will not overlook your contributions. Now I return the tablet to you." Thus, the emperor appointed Zhang Wei as the governor of Luozhou, and later granted him the title of Marquis of Xuancheng. Shortly after, he was transferred to serve as the governor of Xiangzhou, and ultimately passed away in office. His son, Zhang Zhi, during the Daye era, achieved the rank of Wubeng Langjiang.
He Hong is from Runan. He has been exceptionally strong since he was young, with remarkable courage and strength, far surpassing that of ordinary people. During the Northern Zhou Dynasty, he participated in multiple battles, gradually rising through the ranks based on his military achievements. Eventually, he became the General of Chariots and Cavalry and the General of the Right Division, reaching a high-ranking official position.
At that time, the tribal chieftains of Longzhou, Ren Gongxin and Li Guoli, gathered troops to rebel, and the local governor Dugu Shan was unable to quell them. The court acknowledged He Hong's military prowess and sent him to replace Dugu Shan as the governor. Within a month, he captured and executed Ren Gongxin and Li Guoli and pacified their followers.
Later, he fought bravely alongside the emperor in attacking Heyin, storming the west gate of Heyin City. The emperor admired him greatly and rewarded him with numerous rewards, including a thousand pieces of cloth! He then helped the emperor pacify the Qi Kingdom, rising to the position of the General of the Right Division, being appointed as the Marquis of Beiping, receiving eight hundred households as his fiefdom, and becoming the Lower Minister of the Left. In the campaign against Wu Mingche under General Wang Gui, He Hong also made great contributions, leading to further promotions to the position of the Director of the Palace and then to the Senior Officer of the Chariot Division.
When Yu Jiǎng rebelled in Xiangzhou, the court appointed He Hong as the Commander of the Marching Army, and he followed Wei Xiaokuan to suppress the rebellion. When the army reached Heyang, Yu Jiǎng's troops surrounded Huaizhou, but He Hong, along with the Commander Yu Wenshu and others, routed Yu Jiǎng's forces. He also defeated Yu Dong, one of Yu Jiǎng's generals, in Wuzhi. After pacifying Xiangzhou, in recognition of his outstanding contributions in every battle, he was honored with the title of Pillar State, granted the title of Duke of Guangwu County, and received two thousand households as his fiefdom. In total, the emperor rewarded him with ten thousand pieces of cloth, fifty slaves, one hundred pounds of gold, one hundred pounds of silver, and one hundred horses and cattle, truly amassing great wealth!
At that time, the Eastern Xia had just been pacified, and the people's sentiments were still unsettled. Emperor Gaozu valued He Hong's prestige and put him in charge of the affairs in Jizhou. He did very well and won the hearts of the people. After a few years, the court recalled him to the capital and appointed him as the Grand Canal supervisor, later promoting him to governor of Sizhou. At the time of the Turkic invasion on the border, the court appointed He Hong as the commander of the Northern Army, and he successfully drove the Turks back, pursuing them all the way to the desert before returning. He was subsequently promoted to governor of Xuzhou, and he passed away at sixty-four.
Hou Mochen Ying, styled Zundao, was from Daijun. His family migrated south with the Wei state, and his ancestors had served as high-ranking military officers for generations. His father, Hou Mochen Chong, held numerous significant positions during the Wei and Zhou dynasties, eventually becoming the Grand Minister of Works. From a young age, Hou Mochen Ying exhibited the demeanor of a great general, possessing remarkable qualities that earned him the respect of his peers. As the Wei Dynasty was nearing its end, thanks to his father's military accomplishments, he was granted the title of Marquis of Guangping and later elevated to the role of Supervisor of the Palace Attendants.
During the reign of Emperor Wu of Zhou, he accompanied King Teng, Xiao You, to suppress the Hu people's rebellion in Longquan and Wencheng. He and General Dou Luji led their armies to attack from different routes. General Hou Mo Chen Ying led his troops deep into enemy territory for more than five hundred miles, capturing three enemy strongholds. Prior to this, the Ji Hu people had rebelled, often plundering innocent civilians on the border and capturing them as slaves. At that time, the court ordered that if any Hu person dared to harbor innocent civilians, their entire family would be killed and their property confiscated. Someone reported that a Hu village was hiding innocent civilians. Dou Luji intended to execute everyone in the village, but Hou Mo Chen Ying advised him, "General, in the field, some orders can be handled flexibly according to the actual situation. Not all of these Hu people are truly rebellious; many are simply forced into rebellion. Now that the army is pressing forward, the leaders of the rebellion are frightened, and those forced to participate in the rebellion want to surrender. We should gradually reassure them now to achieve victory without bloodshed. If we act swiftly to kill them, it will only instill greater fear, and the situation will become more complicated. It is better to call their leaders, hand over the hidden innocent civilians to them, and allow them to surrender voluntarily. This way, all the Hu people can find peace." Dou Luji followed his advi
Hou Mo Chen Ying was later promoted to be the Governor of the Military and bestowed the title of Zhenwei Zhongdafu. When Emperor Wen of Sui became Chancellor, he appointed him as the Governor of Changzhou. When Emperor Wen of Sui ascended the throne, instead of assuming his official position, Hou Mo Chen Ying was promoted to Duke of Shengping. Shortly after, he was appointed as the Governor of Yanzhou. Several years later, he was reassigned as the Governor of Chenzhou. In the war to pacify the Chen Dynasty, he served as the overall commander of the army and followed Prince Qin Yang Jun to march out from Lushan Road. After the surrender of Chen Dynasty generals Xun Fashang and Chen Ji, Hou Mo Chen Ying and army commander Duan Wenzhen crossed the Yangtze River to reassure the newly surrendered populace. He was then appointed as the Governor of Raozhou, but before taking up the post, he was transferred to Yingzhou as the Governor, where he implemented benevolent policies. After serving for several years, he was dismissed due to his close ties with Prince Qin Yang Jun. The people tearfully bid him farewell, and together they erected a monument in his honor, celebrating his integrity and virtue. Not long after, he was appointed as the Acting Governor of Fenzhou, and shortly after became the Governor of Xingzhou.
During the Renshou period, the Minister of Personnel Niu Hong was ordered to inspect Shandong, and he believed that Hou Mo Chen Ying was the finest official in Shandong. Emperor Wen of Sui was very pleased and issued a decree praising him. At that time, the court believed that most of the governors and county magistrates in Lingnan were greedy and despicable, leading to resentment and rebellion among the local populace. Therefore, they carefully selected upright officials to pacify Lingnan. The court summoned Hou Mo Chen Ying to the capital. When he arrived at the capital to pay his respects, Emperor Wen of Sui talked with him about his life experiences, and they had a very pleasant conversation. A few days later, Emperor Wen of Sui elevated him to Grand General, appointed him as the Commander of Guizhou, overseeing military affairs across seventeen provinces, and rewarded him with many gifts before letting him go. Upon taking up his post, Hou Mo Chen Ying greatly valued benevolence and trustworthiness, and the local populace and ethnic minorities willingly submitted to him, with mountain-dwelling minorities also coming to pledge their allegiance.
After Emperor Yang of Sui ascended to the throne, Hou Mochen Ying's brother, the Duke of Liang, Hou Mochen Rui, was exiled to the border due to a crime. The court was worried that Hou Mochen Ying would be disturbed by this, so they summoned him back to the capital. Several years later, he was appointed as the governor of Hengshan. In that year, many areas in the Lingnan and Minyue regions resisted the court's authority. Emperor Yang of Sui remembered that Hou Mochen Ying had achieved good results in Guizhou before, earning the trust of the local people, so he appointed him as the governor of Nanhai once more. Four years later, he passed away while in office and was given the posthumous title of "Ding." His son, Hou Mochen Qianhui, also gained recognition.
Historical records say that Du Yandong achieved great military accomplishments in Xiazhou and the southern regions, later guarding the northern frontier, where the northern Hu people did not dare to act recklessly. Gao Mei, when he died, still maintained high spirits and left behind a good reputation, harboring disdain for the wicked. Look at Erzhu Chang, who had extraordinary talent from a young age but was content with the status quo, rebuilding his fallen achievements. Doesn't this exemplify benevolence and wisdom?
Zhou Yao was recognized for being trustworthy, while Dugu Xin gained widespread fame for his compassion towards the people. Qifu Huineng handed over the country, and the areas governed by the Hou Mochen family were effectively governed. Some of these individuals knew how to govern the people, while others embodied benevolence and righteousness, all deserving of praise. Yiyi was dismissed from office due to the simplicity of his tent, but he entered the court at a young age, where he served in three dynasties, ultimately enjoying wealth and honor, passing away peacefully in old age, likely due to his genuine and unpretentious nature.
