Huangfu Dan, courtesy name Xuanlv, was a man from the Wushi clan from Anding. His grandfather Huangfu He served as the Governor of Jiaozhou during the Wei Kingdom, and his father Huangfu Fan served as the Governor during the Zhou and Sui Dynasties. Huangfu Dan had a strong-willed and decisive character from a young age, showing great leadership skills. During the reign of King Bi of the Zhou Dynasty, he was appointed as a military officer in the Cangcao department. After Emperor Yang Jian of the Sui Dynasty ascended the throne, Huangfu Dan became the Deputy Minister of War. Several years later, he was transferred to Lu Zhou as the Chief Historian. During the reign of Emperor Kaihuang, he returned to the court and successively served as the Deputy Minister of Rites and the Deputy Minister of Justice, performing exceptionally well. He was later promoted to the position of Imperial Censor, and none of the officials in the court dared not to respect him.
The Emperor felt that there were too many refugees among the people, so he sent Huangfu Dan to Henan Province as an ambassador to investigate and verify the situation. After Huangfu Dan returned and reported his work to the Emperor, the Emperor was very pleased and appointed him as the Junior Minister of Justice. The following year, he was promoted to Deputy Minister of Personnel, but soon resigned due to his mother's passing. Not long after, he was reappointed to his position. He was then transferred to the Deputy Minister of Personnel. At that time, Prince Yang Liang was appointed as the Military Strategist of Bingzhou, and the court carefully selected many assistants, with the former Chief Historian and Military Strategist being well-known scholars of the time. The Emperor believed that Huangfu Dan was upright, so he appointed him as the Military Strategist of Bingzhou, and all political matters in the Military Strategist's office had to consult him first. Yang Liang also held him in high regard.
When Yang Guang ascended the throne, he summoned Yang Liao back to the court. Yang Liao followed the advice of his counselor Wang Gui and rebelled. Huangfu Dan advised him several times, but Yang Liao did not listen. Huangfu Dan cried and said, "I fear that your forces are insufficient to challenge the capital. Moreover, the bond between ruler and subject has been firmly established, and rebellion and submission are completely different situations. Even with well-equipped troops, victory will be challenging. I hope you will return to the court as ordered, fulfill your duties as a subject, and surely live a long life like a sturdy pine. Your family will also prosper for generations. If you continue to delay and get involved in the rebellion, once you are executed, you won't even be able to live as a commoner. I hope you will consider my advice, come up with a foolproof strategy, and I am willing to stake my life on it!" Yang Liao, angry, imprisoned him.
When Yang Su's army was about to arrive, Yang Liao stationed his troops at Qingyuan to resist. Yang Liao's chief scribe, Dou Lu Yu, released Huangfu Dan from prison, and the two discussed strategies together, closing the city gates to resist Yang Liao. Yang Liao breached the city gates, and Huangfu Dan died in battle. The emperor recognized Huangfu Dan's sacrifice for the nation and felt regret for a long time. He issued a decree saying, "It is customary to honor notable acts of loyalty with grand funerals. Sima Huangfu Dan, the governor of Bingzhou, was knowledgeable, upright, diligent in his official duties, and made remarkable achievements. During Yang Liao's rebellion, he remained loyal and did not follow the rebels. Although imprisoned by the enemy, his noble aspirations remained firm, and he secretly resisted in the city with the righteous army. Unfortunately, he died in battle due to outnumbered enemies. He is posthumously honored with the title of Marquis of Ming." His son Huangfu Wuyi inherited his title.
Wuyi became the Prefect of Yuyang and performed exceptionally well in his work, earning praise from all. Later, following the enactment of the "Daye Order," all prior titles were rescinded. However, due to Wuyi's integrity and loyalty, the emperor conferred upon him the title of Marquis of Pingyu. He was later promoted to Minister of Justice and also served concurrently as the General of the Right Military Guard.
At the beginning, when Han Wangliang rebelled, many states and counties followed suit, except for Sima Tao Mo and Ling Jingzhao of Fanzhi County in Lanzhou. Tao Mo, a clever and capable man, was from Jingzhao. He became the Sima of Lanzhou during the Renshou period. After Han Wangliang rebelled, the governor Qiao Zhongkui led troops to suppress the rebellion. Tao Mo stopped him and said, "Han Wang is rebelling. You enjoy the court's favor and hold a high position. You should be loyal and repay the emperor's grace. How can you rebel at this time when the emperor's coffin has not been buried yet?" Qiao Zhongkui was taken aback and asked, "Is the Sima planning a rebellion?" Even when faced with force, Tao Mo stood his ground and did not back down. Recognizing his determination, Qiao Zhongkui chose not to press him further. His subordinates said, "If we don't kill him, how can we deter others?" So they imprisoned Tao Mo, seized his property, and distributed it to those who supported the rebellion. Once Han Wangliang was subdued, the emperor recognized Tao Mo's loyalty and appointed him as Kaifu, later promoting him to Daxing Ling. Later, when Yang Xuangan rebelled, Tao Mo followed Wei Xuan to suppress the rebellion. Thanks to his military achievements, he eventually rose to prominence and left behind a good reputation after his death. Jingzhao, whose courtesy name was Jishan, hailed from Puzhou in Shanxi. His father, Yuan Yue, held a mid-level official position in Northern Zhou and was well-respected. During the Renshou period of the Sui Dynasty, Jingzhao became the Fanzhi County Magistrate and performed exceptionally well, gaining a solid reputation. Later, when bandits attacked, he fought to the death, but the city still fell. The bandit leader, Mobo, raided his home and threatened him with a sword. Jingzhao showed no fear and stood his ground. Impressed by his integrity, Mobo let him go and handed him over to the false general Qiao Zhongkui. Qiao Zhongkui wanted to appoint him as the Sima of Daizhou. Jingzhao resolutely declined several times.
Qiao Zhongkui was furious and said, "If you don't become an official, I will kill you!" Jing Zhao replied, "I was previously a county magistrate. Now that the country is in chaos, I have not been able to defend the city or sacrifice my life for the country. That's already embarrassing enough. Why do you still want to force me to become an official for you? Life and death are in fate's hands. I've never heard of anything like this!" Qiao Zhongkui became even angrier and stared at Jing Zhao, saying, "Aren't you afraid of death?" and was ready to kill him.
Coincidentally, at that moment, 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 of Sui, he was spending the summer in Fenyang Palace. The Prefect of Daizhou, Liu Quan, and the Sima, Cui Bao, submitted a memorial to the court detailing Jing Zhao's deeds, hoping to reward him. However, Yu Shiji blocked it. Later, Jing Zhao was appointed as the county magistrate of Chaoyi, but soon passed away.
You Yuan, styled Chu Ke, was from Guangping and was the great-grandson of Xuan from the Wei Dynasty's Five Geng Ming. His father, You Baozang, served as a governor. You Yuan was smart from a young age. At the age of sixteen, the Situ of Qi, Xu Xianshou, recruited him as an aide. After Emperor Wu of Zhou pacified the state of Qi, You Yuan successively served as the county magistrate of Shouchun and the Sima of Qiaozhou, doing an excellent job. During the Kaihuang period of Emperor Wen of Sui, he was appointed as an attendant censor in the palace. When Prince Jin, Yang Guang, became the general of Yangzhou, he appointed You Yuan as a military legal officer. After his father passed away, he resigned and returned home to fulfill his mourning duties. After the mourning period, he became an internal supervisor. After Emperor Yang of Sui ascended the throne, You Yuan was promoted to Lang in the Ministry of Revenue.
During the Liao Dong Campaign, You Yuan served as the Chief Historian of the Left Valiant Guard and as the Military Supervisor of Gai Mou Dao. He was awarded the position of Court Official and also served as an Imperial Secretary. Yu Wenshu and nine other armies were defeated, and Emperor Yang of Sui ordered You Yuan to try their cases. Yu Wenshu was very influential at the time; his son Yu Wenshi had even married the Princess of Nanyang, and his influence extended throughout the court. Yu Wenshu sent a servant to see You Yuan, attempting to bribe him. You Yuan refused to see him at all. After a few days, Yu Wenshu found You Yuan and said, "You have a prominent position, deeply trusted by the emperor; you should lead by example and advise the monarch. Why did you send someone to bribe me?" You Yuan questioned Yu Wenshu even more sternly and reported him for misconduct. 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 supervise the military provisions in Liyang. At this time, Yang Xuangan initiated a rebellion. Yang Xuangan said to You Yuan, "Emperor Yang of Sui is tyrannical and oppressive; the scholars and officials throughout the country are being slaughtered like livestock. Not to mention us in the remote areas, with the military provisions cut off, it is time for him to die! I am now leading a righteous army to overthrow the tyrant; what do you think?" You Yuan replied solemnly, "Your father received great imperial favor, made significant contributions, and held a high position; this is rare in history. Your brothers are also high-ranking officials; you should be loyal and repay the imperial favor. It is inappropriate for you to rebel right after your father's death! I hope you can consider the consequences. I would rather die than comply; I dare not obey your orders!" Yang Xuangan was furious; he imprisoned You Yuan and threatened him with force multiple times, but You Yuan remained steadfast and was eventually killed by Yang Xuangan. Emperor Yang of Sui greatly praised You Yuan, posthumously awarding him the title of Senior Grand Master of Ceremonies, rewarding him with five hundred rolls of silk, and appointing his son You Renzong as a Senior Consultant and the Prefect of Yiyang County.
Feng Ciming, also known as Wuyi, was a native of Changle in Xindu. His father, Feng Cong, served in the Northern Qi government, eventually reaching the high rank of Right Deputy Supervisor of the Imperial Secretariat. When Feng Ciming was fourteen years old, because of his family's connections to the Northern Qi royal family, he became a military advisor for the Prince of Huaiyang. He later served as the Registrar of Sizhou and was then promoted to Gentleman of the Imperial Library.
After Emperor Wu of Zhou defeated Northern Qi, Feng Ciming was appointed as a commander. When Emperor Wen of Sui, Yang Jian, proclaimed himself emperor, he established three offices, and Feng Ciming was appointed as a military advisor to the Minister of Works and Granaries. He continued to rise through the ranks, eventually rising to the position of Assistant Minister of Rites. Later, Prince Jin, Yang Guang, became the governor of Bingzhou and carefully selected officials under him, appointing Feng Ciming as one of his personal attendants. Feng Ciming later served as an official in the Ministry of Personnel and concurrently as a Gentleman of the Interior. After Emperor Yang of Sui ascended the throne, Feng Ciming resigned from his post due to his mother's passing. Emperor Yang of Sui had always held some reservations about Feng Ciming, who had previously served in the vassal and imperial courts, so he demoted him to Deputy General in Yiwu Town. Before he could assume this post, he was reassigned as a magistrate in Jiaozhi County.
In the ninth year of the Daye era, Feng Ciming was summoned back to the court. At that time, the Minister of War, Husi Zheng, had fled to Goryeo. Emperor Yang of Sui summoned Feng Ciming, offering him words of consolation and encouragement. Shortly after, Feng Ciming was appointed as a Gentleman of the Ministry of War and was also granted the title of Courtier. In the thirteenth year of Daye, he acted as the magistrate of Jiangdu County. When Li Mi launched an attack on the Eastern Capital, Luoyang, Emperor Yang of Sui ordered Feng Ciming to pacify the people living in the Chanshui and Luoshui River basins and to lead troops in pursuit of Li Mi.
Feng Ciming arrived in Yanling and was captured by Li Mi's subordinate Cui Shu. Li Mi invited Feng Ciming to sit down, comforted him with kind words, and then said, "The rule of the Sui Dynasty has come to an end, the world is in chaos, and I lead the righteous army, and we are unstoppable. The Eastern Capital is about to be captured soon. I now want to lead armies from all over the country to attack Emperor Yang of Sui; what do you think?" Feng Ciming replied, "I, Feng Ciming, have lived a righteous life; I would rather die than speak unjustly." Li Mi was displeased and hoped Feng Ciming would eventually change his attitude, so he treated him even more politely. Feng Ciming secretly sent a message to Emperor Yang of Sui in Jiangdu and wrote a letter to the garrison in the Eastern Capital, analyzing Li Mi's troop deployments. When Li Mi learned of this, he chose to release Feng Ciming out of a sense of honor.
Feng Ciming walked to the entrance of the camp, and Li Mi's subordinate Zhai Rang angrily said, "You were captured by us, and Duke Wei (referring to Li Mi) treated you kindly, yet you do not appreciate it; are you not afraid?" Feng Ciming was furious and said, "The Emperor sent me here to eliminate you bandits, but unexpectedly I was captured by you. Why would I beg for my life from you? If you want to kill me, just do it; there's no need to insult me!" He then said to the bandits, "You originally did not have evil intentions; you came here to pillage out of desperation due to famine. The official army is about to arrive; you better plan for yourselves!" Zhai Rang, now even angrier, ordered Feng Ciming to be executed by the soldiers. He was sixty-eight years old at the time. The Prefect of Liangjun, Yang Wang, reported this matter, and Emperor Yang of Sui was very regretful. He posthumously honored Feng Ciming with the title of Senior Grandee of Silver Seal and appointed his two sons, Feng Dun and Feng Peng, as Gentlemen of the Imperial Secretariat. Later, Wang Chong enthroned Prince Yang Dong as Emperor and posthumously honored Feng Ciming as a Pillar of State, Minister of Revenue, and Duke of Changli Commandery, with the posthumous title of 'Valiant and Martial.'
The guy's name is Chen; he used to be in the East Capital. Wang Chong defeated Li Mi, and Chen was also in the military camp. Then he sent a servant to carry his father's coffin to the East Capital, without personally seeing him off. Before long, he went and got married in a big way. People back then thought he was out of line and called him shameful. This guy, his dad had just died, but he did not personally attend the funeral, instead sending a servant to take the coffin to the East Capital. Then he turned around and got hitched, making it such a big deal that it was hard to watch! Many people criticized him at the time, thinking he was too unfilial and lacked responsibility.
Zhang Xuduo was from Hongnong Wanxiang and had a fiery personality, plus a lot of guts and smarts. When he was young, he followed Shi Wansui to fight against the Western Cuan, earned military honors, and got appointed as an official of Yitong Sanqi, along with being rewarded with three hundred bolts of cloth. After Emperor Yang of Sui ascended the throne, Han Prince Liang rebelled in Bingzhou, and Zhang Xuduo followed Yang Su to suppress the rebellion, getting promoted to Kaifu. During the Daye era, he was the magistrate of Qijun. Just as troops were sent to Liaodong, the folks were out of work and dealing with disasters and famine, causing food prices to soar. Zhang Xuduo wanted to open the granary to help the folks in need, but his subordinates were all like, "We have to wait for the emperor's orders before we can open the granary." Zhang Xuduo said, "The emperor is now far away in Liaodong, sending messengers back and forth will definitely take a long time. The common people are in a critical situation; if we wait for the emperor's orders, they'll all starve! If I get in trouble for this, I won't regret it!" So he opened the granary first, and then reported to the court. When the emperor found out, he didn't blame him.
In the second year, the bandit leader Wang Bo gathered tens of thousands of outlaws and plundered Qi County. The imperial forces suffered several defeats. Zhang Xuduo led the troops to resist, and Wang Bo fled south with his army to plunder the Lu region. Zhang Xuduo relentlessly pursued and caught up with them at the foot of Mount Dai. Confident from his earlier victories, Wang Bo was caught off guard. Zhang Xuduo handpicked his elite troops and launched a surprise attack, leading to a crushing defeat for Wang Bo's forces. Zhang Xuduo relentlessly pursued them, beheading thousands. Wang Bo regrouped his remaining troops, around ten thousand, and planned to cross the Yellow River to escape north. Zhang Xuduo chased them to Linyi, defeated them again, beheaded over five thousand enemies, and captured numerous livestock. At that time, the realm had enjoyed peace for many years, and many people were unfamiliar with warfare. Only Zhang Xuduo stood out as brave, decisive, a skilled warrior, and adept at rallying his troops. He was deeply respected by the soldiers, and people praised him as a famous general.
Wang Bo made another desperate retreat north, allying with bandit leaders like Douzi, Sun Xuanya, Shi Zhe, and Hao Xiaode, totaling over a hundred thousand troops, to attack Zhangqiu. Zhang Xuduo deployed his naval forces to sever their supply lines and personally led twenty thousand cavalry to attack them, defeating the enemy and causing the bandits to scatter. As they reached the river crossing, they were ambushed by Zhang Xuduo's naval forces, surrounded, resulting in the capture of vast amounts of wealth and supplies. Zhang Xuduo reported the battle to the court. The emperor was extremely pleased, issued a decree praising him, and sent someone to paint his portrait to present to the court. That same year, bandits such as Pei Changcai and Shi Zihe led twenty thousand troops to suddenly arrive at the city and plundered in all directions. Zhang Xuduo had no time to assemble his forces, so he personally led five cavalrymen to confront them. The bandits closed in on him from all sides, and he sustained many injuries, but his resolve only strengthened. When the city's army arrived, the bandits retreated slightly, and Zhang Xuduo urged the army to attack again, resulting in Pei Changcai's defeat and hasty retreat.
After several days, the bandit leader Qin Junhong, Guo Fangyu, and others joined forces to besiege Beihai, their forces were extremely formidable. Zhang Xuduo told his subordinates, "The bandits are arrogant, thinking we won't come to their rescue. Let's quickly rush over now; we will definitely defeat them!" He then selected elite troops and marched day and night, and the enemy was caught off guard, suffering a major defeat, with tens of thousands killed and three thousand supply carts captured. The Governor of Sili, Pei Cao, reported the situation, and the emperor sent envoys to commend him. Ten years later, the bandit Zuo Xiaoyou led a hundred thousand troops and camped at Crouching Dog Mountain. Zhang Xuduo used the Eight Wind Formation to pressure them and divided his troops to guard key points. Zuo Xiaoyou had no choice but to capitulate. His accomplices Jie Xiang, Wang Liang, Zheng Dabiao, Li Jian, and others, each led over ten thousand troops, were all defeated by Zhang Xuduo, whose reputation intimidated both sides. For his military achievements, he was promoted to the position of Prefect of Qi County, while also serving as the Chief Officer for appointments and military actions across the twelve counties of Henan.
Before long, the bandit leader Lu Mingyue led more than 100,000 troops, intending to attack Hebei, stationed at Zhu A. Zhang Xuduo set an ambush that resulted in the deaths of thousands. The bandits Lu Mingxing, Shuai Rentai, Huo Xiaohan, and others each commanded over 10,000 troops to harass Jibei. Zhang Xuduo led his forces to defeat them. Then he led troops to resist the bandit Zhai Rang in Dongjun, fighting more than 30 battles and defeating them every time. He was subsequently promoted to Yingyang Tongshou. At this point, Li Mi convinced Zhai Rang to attack the Luokou Warehouse, but Zhai Rang was afraid of Zhang Xuduo and did not dare to act rashly. Li Mi persuaded him, so Zhai Rang and Li Mi led troops to approach Yingyang, and Zhang Xuduo resisted them. Fearful, Zhai Rang retreated, and Zhang Xuduo pursued them for over ten miles. Meanwhile, Li Mi had previously set an ambush with thousands of men in the woods, attacking Zhang Xuduo's army, resulting in Zhang Xuduo's defeat. Li Mi and Zhai Rang surrounded him with their troops. Zhang Xuduo broke through, but some of his soldiers on either side were unable to escape in time. Zhang Xuduo rode back to rescue them. After several back-and-forths, the soldiers scattered, so Zhang Xuduo looked up to the heavens and sighed, "With such a defeat, how can I face the emperor?" He then dismounted and fell in battle at the age of 52. His subordinates wept throughout the night and continued for several days. King Dong of Yue dispatched Pei Renji, the Left Guanglu Doctor, to pacify his men and relocate them to Wulao for garrison duty. At that time, Zhang Yuanbei was in Qijun, where he encountered bandits but ultimately failed to succeed.
Later, the bandit leader Zhang Jincheng led tens of thousands of troops to camp near Shu County, committing arson, murder, and pillaging, leaving local officials powerless to stop him. Yang Shanhui motivated his soldiers, engaging in multiple battles with Zhang Jincheng's army, each time managing to deflate the enemy's morale. Emperor Yang Guang sent General Duan Da to suppress Zhang Jincheng, and although Yang Shanhui offered Duan Da valuable advice, it was not heeded, resulting in the army's defeat. Duan Da later regretted not following Yang Shanhui's advice and apologized to him. Yang Shanhui continued to battle the bandits, employing clever strategies to secure decisive victories each time.
Zhang Jincheng then joined forces with the Bohai pirates Sun Xuanya, Gao Shida, and others, leading hundreds of thousands of troops to attack and capture Liyang before retreating, with immense force. Yang Shanhui led a thousand elite soldiers to intercept and defeat them, earning a promotion to the position of magistrate of Qinghe County. Zhang Jincheng made minor adjustments to his troop placements and sent a small force to plunder Guanshi County. Yang Shanhui and the Prefect of Pingyuan, Yang Yuanhong, led tens of thousands of cavalry and infantry to launch a surprise attack on Zhang Jincheng's main camp. The army of General Wang Bian also arrived, forcing Zhang Jincheng to abandon Guanshi County to provide assistance, only to be defeated by Wang Bian. Yang Shanhui selected five hundred elite soldiers to reinforce, achieving a resounding success that lifted the morale of Wang Bian's troops. The bandits retreated to their main camp, and all the other troops subsequently withdrew as well.
At that time, Shandong was full of turmoil, with people flocking to join the bandits like shoppers at a market. Each state and county was quite weak, and one after another was captured. Only Yang Shanhui could resist the bandits, fighting more than seven hundred battles without losing once, but he often lamented having too few troops to completely eliminate the bandits. Later, Grand Marshal Yang Yichen went to attack Zhang Jincheng but was also defeated and retreated to Linqing. He employed Yang Shanhui's strategies and fought the bandits several times, finally forcing them to retreat. Yang Yichen pursued and stormed the bandit camp, capturing all the bandits. Zhang Jincheng fled with a few hundred followers, later escaping to Zhangnan, where he recruited more people. Yang Shanhui caught up with him and killed him, sending his head to the emperor. The emperor rewarded him with a precious sword, armor, spear, and appointed him as the governor of Qinghe.
That same year, Yang Shanhui and Yang Yichen together killed the bandit leader Gao Shida of Zhangnan and sent his head to the Jiangdu Palace, and the emperor issued a decree to honor him. Gao Shida's follower, Dou Jiande, who declared himself the King of Changle, came to attack Xindu. The bandit Wang Anzhu in Linqing led several thousand soldiers and horses, coordinating with Dou Jiande. Yang Shanhui ambushed Wang Anzhu and killed him. After Dou Jiande captured Xindu, he harassed Qinghe again. Yang Shanhui resisted but was defeated and could only defend the city. The bandits besieged the city for forty days until it fell, and Yang Shanhui was captured. Dou Jiande released him, treated him with respect, and made him the magistrate of Beizhou. Yang Shanhui scolded him, "You old bandit, how dare you compare yourself to the nation's pillars! I regret my lack of ability to catch you. I'm not like you lot, a bunch of butchers and slaughterers—do you dare to let me serve as an official for you?" Faced with the enemy's weapons, Yang Shanhui remained upright and fearless. Dou Jiande wanted to keep him, but his subordinates requested to kill him. Dou Jiande understood that Yang Shanhui would not ultimately be used by him, so he killed him. The people of Qinghe mourned deeply.
Dugu Sheng, the younger brother of Dugu Kai, the Grand Minister, was headstrong and bold. He served as a guard by the side of Emperor Yang of Sui when he was still a prince, and eventually rose to the rank of General of Chariots and Cavalry. After Emperor Yang ascended the throne, he continued to rise in ranks and eventually became General of the Right Tuenwei.
During the rebellion led by Pei Qiantong, when soldiers responsible for guarding the palace abandoned their posts, Dugu Sheng exclaimed, "What kind of army is this? This is too strange!" Despite being told not to act rashly by Pei Qiantong, Dugu Sheng rushed into battle with a dozen or so followers, but was ultimately killed by the rebel forces. He was posthumously granted the title of Duke and given the posthumous name Wujie by Emperor Yang.
Yuan Wendo, the nephew of the Duke of Xunyang, was known for his integrity and sharp tongue. He held several important positions during the Zhou Dynasty and later held significant roles under Emperor Wen of the Sui Dynasty. Despite facing setbacks and being dismissed for an error, he was eventually reappointed to the prestigious position of Minister of the Imperial Household. Gradually gaining Emperor Yang's trust, he earned a reputation for his competence.
In the 13th year of the Daye era, Emperor Yang of Sui left Jiangdu Palace and ordered Wendu, Duan Da, Huangfu Wuyi, Wei Jin, and others to remain in Dongdu. After Emperor Yang of Sui died, Wendu, Duan Da, Wei Jin, and others supported Prince Yue, Yang Dong, as emperor. Yang Dong appointed Wendu to several high-ranking positions, including Minister of the Interior, Supervisor of the Imperial Household, Grand Master of Ceremonies, General of the Left Guard, Acting General of the Right Guard, and Duke of Lu. Later, Yuwen Huaji supported Prince Qin Yang Hao as emperor, leading an army to Pengcheng, causing widespread panic. Wendu advised Yang Dong to send envoys to reach out to Li Mi of the Wagang Army. Li Mi then requested to surrender, and Yang Dong bestowed upon him official titles and positions, receiving his envoys with great respect. Wang Chong was very unhappy about this, resulting in conflicts with Wendu. Wendu, recognizing Wang Chong's discontent, secretly plotted to kill him. Yang Dong subsequently appointed Wendu as the Grand Minister of Justice, but Wang Chong strongly opposed the move, preventing it from happening.
Lu Chu said to Wendo, "Wang Chong is just an outsider general, not even from the Eastern Capital. Why should he be involved in our affairs? Moreover, the defeat at the Battle of Luokou is on him, and now he dares to act so arrogantly and interfere in court affairs. If we don’t get rid of him, he’ll be a disaster for the country!" Wendo agreed with Lu Chu's opinion and decided to report to the emperor. Just when things were about to go down, someone told Wang Chong about it. Wang Chong was in the court at that time. When he heard this, he panicked and rushed back to Hanjia City to prepare for rebellion. Wendo sent messengers to summon him several times, but Wang Chong pretended to be sick and refused to go. In the evening, Wang Chong rebelled, broke through the East Sun Gate and entered the palace, where he confronted Yang Dong at the Ziwei Pavilion. Yang Dong asked him, "What are you doing?" Wang Chong said, "Yuan Wendo and Lu Chu conspired to kill me. Please kill Wendo and pin the blame on the Minister of Justice." Seeing Wang Chong's growing strength, Yang Dong realized he wouldn’t escape death, so he told Wendo, "Go see General Wang yourself." Wendo hesitated for a moment before breaking down in tears. Yang Dong sent his general Huang Taoshu to take Wendo away. Wendo turned back to Yang Dong and said, "I will die today, and Your Majesty won't live long either." Yang Dong tearfully said goodbye to Wendo, and everyone around felt sympathetic. As they reached the Xingjiao Gate, Wang Chong ordered his men to take Wendo down with their swords, and his sons were killed too.
Lu Chu, hailing from Fanyang in Zhuo County, had a grandfather named Lu Jingzuo, who was the Minister of Works of the Wei Kingdom. Lu Chu displayed talent from a young age, but he was straightforward and had a slight stutter, making his speech not very fluent. During the reign of Emperor Yang of the Sui Dynasty, he became the Right Minister of the Ministry of Personnel, always maintained his integrity in court, which made many officials fear him. When the emperor moved to Jiangdu, most officials in the Eastern Capital did not follow the laws, but Lu Chu consistently insisted on correcting them without flinching. Later, Prince Yang Dong proclaimed himself emperor and appointed Lu Chu as the Prefect of the Palace Library, Left Guard General, Acting Left Deputy of the Ministry of Rites, Right Grandee of the Light Court, and also granted him the title of Duke of Zhuo County. He, along with others, diligently assisted the young emperor. Later, Wang Chong rebelled, and the army attacked the Taiyang Gate. General Huangfu Wuyi opened the city gates and fled, asking Lu Chu to escape with him. Lu Chu said to him, "I made a pact with Yuan Gong. If the country is in trouble, we swear to live and die together. It would be dishonorable to flee now!" After the rebels took the city, Lu Chu hid in the Tai Guan House, but was captured by the rebels and taken to Wang Chong. Wang Chong was furious and ordered him to be beheaded. With the sword falling, Lu Chu met his end.
Liu Ziyi, hailing from Congtingli in Pengcheng, had a father named Liu Bian, who was the Sima of Xuzhou in the Qi Kingdom. Liu Ziyi was studious from a young age, skilled at writing, upright and capable in his official duties. He served as the General of the Palace in the Qi Dynasty. In the early years of the Sui Dynasty under Emperor Wen, he was appointed as the County Magistrate of Nanhe, and later gradually rose to the position of Military Judge of Qinzhou. In the eighteenth year of Kaihuang, he participated in the official examination. The Right Deputy of the Ministry of Rites, Yang Su, quickly recognized his talent and recommended him for the position of Imperial Historian. At that time, the magistrate of Yongning County, Li Gongxiao, lost his mother at the age of four, remarried at the age of nine, and later his stepfather remarried. When the stepfather passed away, Liu Xuan from Hejian believed that Li Gongxiao failed to fulfill his filial duties toward his stepfather and suggested that he should be removed from his position. Liu Ziyi refuted:
The ancient books say: "The stepmother is just like the biological mother, with no difference." So the status of the stepmother is the same as that of the biological mother, and the etiquette should be the same as that for the biological mother. In addition, "those who mourn for others should mourn for their parents." Mourning is based on blood relations, regardless of whether they are biological or not. Although the father may be closer to the stepmother, in the son's emotions, the biological mother should still be prioritized. So the ancient books say: "Those who mourn for others should mourn for their parents together, expressing their grief. When the father dies and the mother remarries, even if the person mourning for the father does not comply, they should still express their grief. But if the stepmother remarries, mourning is not required." This rule only applies to the mother who remarries. Therefore, as long as the stepmother is still in the father's house, her status is the same as that of the biological mother. If it is argued that without a nurturing relationship they cannot be treated equally, what does that mean for mourning? The meaning of these three principles is clear. Now someone says that the laws allow not mourning, which is simply absurd! Furthermore, those who mourn for others should mourn for their parents, which does not yet address the difference between the biological mother and the stepmother. Since the biological mother and the stepmother have equal status, grief naturally should be the same. In "Fu Wen," it says: "If the mother remarries, one should mourn for the stepmother." Isn't this because the mother's family ties have been severed, causing a distant relationship, while the stepmother marries the father, thus creating a closer relationship? Confucius said: "If a woman gives birth to a son, she is the mother of the child; if she does not give birth to a son, she is not the mother of the child." This indicates that mourning is determined by status, and emotions arise from the father, so the sages emphasize filial piety and promote propriety and righteousness. Therefore, children mourn based on their status, just as one would for a biological mother, and then repay with filial piety, just as one would for a biological mother. If the stepmother came after the son was born, there may be differences in mourning etiquette, but even after a thorough search of ancient texts, no such statement can be found.
For example, when a child is born and their biological mother passes away, and a stepmother arrives, does that mean the child is off the hook when it comes to filial piety just because the biological mother didn’t raise them? Isn't that a bit unfair?
Once, in Changsha, there was a man named Wang Bi. He went to the capital during the late Han Dynasty to conduct business. Later, the ties between the Wu and Wei kingdoms were severed. Wang Bi married a second wife in the capital and had a son, Wang Chang. It was only then that he learned of the death of the Wu Kingdom's queen, so he was deeply saddened and took this matter very seriously, even missing work because of it. At that time, no one thought he did anything wrong. Therefore, stepmothers and birth mothers are no different emotionally. If one must use upbringing to determine mourning etiquette, then what can be said about Wang Chang's behavior?
Also, during the Jin Dynasty, General Yang Hu, known as the Defender of the South, had no son, so he adopted his disciple Yi. After Yang Hu passed away, Yi was reluctant to observe mourning. Yang Hu's wife reported this to the court, and Yi said, "Uncle raised me during his lifetime, and I cannot go against his wishes. However, without my father's order, I will return to my birth parents." Shangshu Peng Quan stated, "An adopted son must have his father's approval. Without consent, leaving is considered unfilial." So the court ordered the consent. Therefore, mourning customs cannot be determined solely by gratitude.
An elder remarked, "Rituals are established rules based on human sentiments, relying on morality for education." He used this principle to explain the other person's thoughts. The term "consideration" refers to treating others as one would treat their mother; the concept of "righteousness" is akin to being filial to one’s son. When roles and status are determined, one can respect their father, obey their duties, uphold rituals, and show filial piety. If a mother and child relationship is established solely due to the mother's nurturing, then the nurturing comes from the mother, and obedience and filial piety are voluntary. In that sense, a kind mother is simply like any other mother; how can one wait for a father's command to show filial piety?
He said again: "Stepmothers and biological mothers are originally strangers, but they raised you, just like your own flesh and blood." If this is the case, the son may not heed his father's words; even if there is a debt of gratitude for raising you, can it be the same as a biological mother? Although the duration of filial piety towards a stepmother is shorter than that towards a biological mother, it is greater than the respect shown to ordinary people. Etiquette has its own rules, and obedience to filial piety should conform to human relations. Stepmothers are originally meant to serve according to their status; how can this change based on the depth of gratitude? As for a brother's son, although he is also a son, the closeness is different, but the etiquette of service remains the same. The other party claims that "yi" is light and "ru" is heavy, thinking that the two are different. In fact, the meaning of "ru" is equal; if the weights are unequal, how can "ru" be applicable? In law, "zhun wangfa" refers to judging based on the crime, while "yi wangfa lun" refers to treating it the same as a real crime. The law uses punishment to hold criminals accountable, while etiquette uses education to regulate behavior; "zhun" has a comparative meaning, and "yi" has the same meaning. There is no distinction in how "ru" and "yi" are used; etiquette and law aim to prevent the same thing. Using this principle to clarify that principle is quite straightforward; it's akin to the metaphor of chopping down trees—what's so hard to understand about that?
First of all, someone said, "Appointing your son as the heir is meant to ensure that he continues the family line, serves you, and prevents the eldest son from returning to his original family, allowing him to serve your father's widow in the capacity of a son." However, the term 'father's widow' exists solely because of the father, so doesn't that mean the father can’t also be saddened? Why is only the father's widow mentioned? Others say, "In terms of etiquette, when referring to him as the 'former lord,' does he still hold the dignity of a ruler? He has already lost his status and is no longer merely a minister, thus the term 'former' is used for distinction. He is no longer solely dependent, so the term 'his' is used to indicate. Referring to him as 'his father' carries a different meaning." However, this is not a universally applicable statement. Why say this? Because 'his' and 'former' have different meanings and usage. 'Former' is a term of succession, while 'his' is a word used according to the other person's status. How can they be confused? For example, in the Book of Rites, it states, "His father gathers firewood; his son cannot bear the load," and "Even though Wei is small, its lord is there" in the Zuo Zhuan. If 'his father' carries a special meaning, does 'his lord' also? Of course not! Now you are violating the rites and offending the imperial decree, separating your son from his original family, leaving him with a sense of indebtedness in name, and corrupting customs. During the Ming Dynasty, you resorted to sophistry and distorted the classics, and even though you intended to showcase your talents, you unwittingly spoke words that contradicted reason.
After the memorial was reported, Ziyi's opinions were ultimately adopted. During the Renshou period, he served as the magistrate of Xinfeng County and achieved great political success. In the third year of Daye, he was appointed as the Dali Zheng, and at that time he had a strong reputation. He was later promoted to the position of Imperial Secretary. Whenever there was a dispute in the court, Ziyi could provide analysis that often exceeded everyone's expectations. He once accompanied the emperor to Jiangdu. At that time, the world was in chaos, and the emperor still did not understand the situation. Ziyi took the opportunity to advise the emperor multiple times, which angered the emperor, resulting in his being sent to Danyang as a garrison commander. Shortly after, he was sent to Shangjiang to supervise the transportation of grain and grass, but was captured by the bandit leader Wu Qizi. Ziyi persuaded him to surrender and recruited his band. He was then sent to Qingjiang to suppress the rebellion. Upon hearing the news of the emperor's death, Ziyi did not believe it and killed the messenger. The bandits then tried to persuade him to become their leader, but Ziyi refused. A group of bandits brought Ziyi to the outskirts of Linchuan City and asked him to announce to the people inside the city that "the emperor is dead." However, Ziyi declared the opposite and was subsequently executed. He was seventy years old at the time.
Yao Jun was originally from Tangyin, Weijun. When Sui Emperor Yang became the Prince of Jin, Jun was already serving by his side. After Yang became emperor, Jun was promoted all the way to become the Eagle Strike General. During the late Sui Dynasty, with bandits running rampant and the people in flight, only the troops under Jun's command remained unscathed. Later, he followed General Qu Tutong to resist the rebel army in Hedong. Not long after, Qu Tutong led his troops to flee south, but because he believed Jun had courage and insight, he appointed him as the acting prefect of Hedong. The rebel army sent generals such as Lv Shaozong and Wei Yijie to attack Hedong, but they were unable to capture it. When Qu Tutong's army was defeated and arrived at the city gates, they demanded Jun's surrender.
Jun Su saw Qu Tutong and couldn't help but feel sad. He cried uncontrollably, and the people around him choked up as well. Qu Tutong also cried and said to Jun Su, "My army has already failed. Wherever the rebels appear, there is no shortage of support. Given the current situation, you should surrender early to preserve your wealth and status." Jun Su replied, "You are the emperor's trusted aide, a key minister of the state. The emperor entrusted Guanzhong to you; the Prince entrusted the country's fate to you. The fate of the country rests entirely on your shoulders. Why do you not think of serving the country and end up in this situation? Even if I cannot prevent the emperor's disappointment, the horse you ride was a gift from the Prince. How can you still bear to ride it?" Qu Tutong said, "Alas, Jun Su, it's because I feel powerless." Jun Su said, "Your strength has not reached its limit yet. Why say these things now?" Qu Tutong left in shame.
At that time, the city was tightly besieged, and the food supplies had been severed. Jun Su made a wooden gander, tied a memorial on its neck detailing the current situation, and then released the wooden gander into the Yellow River to flow downstream. The commander of the Heyang garrison received the memorial and immediately sent it to the Eastern Capital. Prince Yang Tong sighed after seeing the memorial and appointed Jun Su as the Grand Master of Golden Purple. He also secretly sent someone to comfort him. The gatekeeper Pang Yu and the general Huangfu Wuyi both defected to the rebels from the Eastern Capital and came to the city to persuade Jun Su to surrender, explaining the pros and cons. The Tang Dynasty even sent a golden pardon certificate, promising not to kill him. However, Jun Su never intended to surrender. His wife also came to the city and advised him, "The Sui Dynasty has already perished; fate now belongs to others. Why persist in this way and bring disaster upon yourself?" Jun Su said, "The great affairs of the world are beyond a woman's understanding." With that, he shot his own wife with a bow.
Jun Su also knew that things were doomed to fail, but he was determined to uphold his principles even at the cost of his life. Whenever national affairs were mentioned, he was filled with sorrow and cried uncontrollably. He once said to his soldiers, "I used to be an old servant of the royal family, repeatedly promoted and trusted by the emperor. Now, at this critical moment that concerns the survival of the country, I must die. We still have a few years' worth of food reserves. When the food runs out, the fate of the world will become clear. If the Sui Dynasty really falls, the Mandate of Heaven will pass to others, and I will present my head to you all." The people had long suffered under Sui rule, and when the rebel army rose up, everyone saw hope. But because Jun Su was skilled in leading, none of his subordinates betrayed him. Over a year later, some food was brought into the city from the outside, and the people in the city were dimly aware that Jiangdu, the capital of the Sui Dynasty, had fallen. However, food was still very scarce, and the people could not survive. There were even incidents of cannibalism, and people were in a state of panic. A white rainbow appeared above the government gate, and the tips of weapons glinted ominously in the night. A month later, Jun Su was killed by his own subordinates.
In Hedong, there was a man named Chen Xiaoyi, who had high aspirations from a young age and was renowned for his uprightness. During the reign of Emperor Yang of the Sui Dynasty, he became a minor judicial official in Lu County and was known for his honesty. The county magistrate Su Wei once wanted to kill a prisoner, but Chen Xiaoyi strongly objected, repeating his stance several times, but to no avail. Chen Xiaoyi then took off his clothes and requested to be executed first. After a while, Su Wei changed his mind, apologized to Chen Xiaoyi, released him, and came to respect him increasingly. Later, when Su Wei became an important official in the court, he recommended Chen Xiaoyi to be an imperial censor. Chen Xiaoyi resigned from his position after his father's death and devoted himself entirely to mourning. A gentle white deer appeared in his home, which people regarded as a sign of his filial piety. Shortly after, he was appointed as the magistrate of Yanmen County.
In Yanmen County, he lived a simple life, ate vegetarian food, resided in a modest home, and went to worship his parents every morning and evening. Every time he cried out, he would sob uncontrollably, shaking violently, with his hair standing on end, bringing deep sorrow to those who witnessed him. At that time, the social and political situation was chaotic, with many corrupt officials, but Chen Xiaoyi stood firm in his integrity, exposing wrongdoers, arresting criminals, and earning the people's admiration like a hero. Later, Emperor Yang of Sui went to Jiangdu, and Liu Wuzhou from Mayi killed Prefect Wang Rengong and revolted. Chen Xiaoyi led troops with the military officer Wang Zhibian to suppress Liu Wuzhou and was defeated in the battle at Xiaguan City. Liu Wuzhou then attacked the nearby counties, causing panic among the people, who were on the verge of rebellion. The former county magistrate Yang Changren, Yanmen county magistrate Wang Que, and others were all cunning and deceitful characters, and the wrongdoers flocked to them as they conspired to support Liu Wuzhou. Chen Xiaoyi secretly discovered their conspiracy and wiped out their entire families, leaving the county's people with no doubts. Not long after, Liu Wuzhou led his troops to attack Yanmen, and Chen Xiaoyi mounted a resolute defense, always achieving victory. However, Yanmen City was completely surrounded, with no reinforcements in sight. Chen Xiaoyi resolved to defend the city at all costs. He sent messengers to Jiangdu many times, but the roads were severed, and no response came. Chen Xiaoyi also knew that the emperor would not send troops to rescue them. Every morning and evening, he knelt and wept bitterly before the emperor's decree, deeply moving his soldiers. After being besieged for more than a hundred days, the supplies ran dry, and he was ultimately betrayed and killed by Colonel Zhang Lun, and Yanmen City fell to Liu Wuzhou.
Zhang Jixun, a man from Jingzhao, was the son of Zhang Xiang. He was highly valued by Emperor Gaozu when he was young and later promoted to a military officer under the prime minister. During the reign of Emperor Wen of the Sui Dynasty, Zhang Xiang was promoted all the way to the position of Sima of Bingzhou. During the reign of Emperor Yang of the Sui Dynasty, Prince Han Yang Liang rebelled and sent General Liu Jian to attack the Yan and Zhao regions. When Liu Jian reached Jingxing Pass, Zhang Xiang led his troops in defense of the city. Liu Jian launched a fierce attack, even setting fire to the city walls. Seeing the people terrified, there was a temple dedicated to the Western Queen Mother near the city wall. Zhang Xiang climbed the city wall, bowed twice before the temple, and cried out, "What sins have the people committed to suffer such a fire? Immortals, if you truly have the power, please send rain to save us!" No sooner had he finished speaking than dark clouds gathered over the temple, and soon heavy rain poured down, extinguishing the fire. The soldiers were moved by his sincerity and obeyed his commands. The city endured a siege for over a month until reinforcements led by Li Xiong arrived, and the rebels finally retreated. Zhang Xiang was rewarded for his valor and appointed as Kaifu, later serving as the Inspector of Ruzhou, the Prefect of Lingwu, and ultimately as the Director of Waterworks in the capital, where he passed away while in office.
When Zhang Jixun was young, he was very ambitious and generous. During the waning years of the Sui Dynasty, he became the Eagle Strike General, occupying Jishan as a defensive stronghold, linking up with Luokou. Later, Li Mi and Zhai Rang broke through the city and sent someone to ask him to surrender. Zhang Jixun railed against Li Mi, who became angry and sent troops to attack him, but was unable to capture him for several years. At that time, Li Mi's army surrounded his city with tens of thousands of soldiers, with only a few hundred men under Zhang Jixun. Despite being surrounded, he remained resolute and refused to surrender. After three years, they had run out of food and firewood, resulting in them having to burn down houses to cook. They lived in makeshift underground tunnels, yet Zhang Jixun continued to patrol, and no one betrayed him. When food ran out completely and the soldiers were tired and sick, they could no longer fight, and the city was finally breached. Zhang Jixun sat in the government office, his face calm as usual, as Li Mi's troops took him prisoner.
A group of bandit soldiers dragged Zhang Jixun before Li Mi, demanding that he kneel, to which he replied, "Although I am a defeated general, I am still a loyal subject of the emperor. How can I kneel to you bandits!" Li Mi was impressed by his spirit and released him. However, Zhai Rang, who had sought money from Li Mi in vain, ultimately killed Zhang Jixun. He was only twenty-eight years old at the time.
His brother, Zhang Zhongyan, became the magistrate of Luo during the waning years of the Sui Dynasty. When the uprising began, his own subordinates killed him, leading him to join the rebels. Another brother of Zhang Jixun, Zhang Cong, was killed during the uprising against the Yuwen family. The Zhang family has long been known for their loyalty and righteousness, with several brothers laying down their lives for their country, earning the admiration of the people.
Let me tell you about Song Yun from Beihai, a man of strong character who emphasized righteousness, serving as a team leader in Shimen Prefecture. Towards the end of the Daye era of Emperor Yang of Sui, a bandit named Yang Hou launched an attack on Beihai County. Song Yun followed the county's army to suppress him. Song Yun went out on light cavalry to scout the enemy and was captured by Yang Hou. Yang Hou intended to use Song Yun to convince the townspeople to surrender, so he let him shout to the city, saying that the county's army had been defeated and they should surrender quickly. Song Yun pretended to agree.
When they reached the city walls, Song Yun suddenly shouted, "I am Song Yun, ordered to scout the enemy, and unfortunately captured not because of my poor combat ability! The main forces of the imperial army have arrived and will soon attack the city! The bandits are few and weak; they will be eliminated soon, so there is no need to worry!" Yang Hou, furious, slashed at Song Yun's mouth with a knife, dragged him away, and beat him along the way. While being beaten, Song Yun cursed Yang Hou, "You old bandit, dare to humiliate loyal and righteous men; you will meet your demise!" Before he could finish speaking, Yang Hou ordered Song Yun's waist to be cut off. The people in the city saw this scene; there wasn't a dry eye in the crowd, and many were pounding their chests in grief, but their morale rose even higher, and Beihai City was ultimately saved.
Emperor Yang of Sui sent
Yang Liang, Xuan Gan, Li Mi and others launched a large-scale rebellion, while Huangfu Dan, You Yuan, Feng Ciming and others remained fearless at the critical moment, facing death unflinchingly, sacrificing themselves for the sake of righteousness. Dugu Sheng, Yuan Wendo, Lu Chu, Yao Junsu and others, were they not aware that the situation was already lost, that no human effort could change the outcome? They would rather die than compromise their loyalty and integrity. Although their efforts did not save the country, their spirit outshines that of those who live in cowardice. Xuduo and Shanhui carried on the legacy of Wen Xu, and Ziyi and Song Yun inherited the aspirations of Jie Yang. There truly are loyal subjects even in times of national chaos!
