Linghu Xi, courtesy name Changxi, hails from Dunhuang. His family was one of the most prominent aristocratic families in Xizhou. His father, Linghu Zheng, held high positions during the Northern Zhou dynasty, including Grand General and Governor of Shifeng and Erzhou. Linghu Xi was known for his seriousness and dignity, maintaining a proper and meticulous demeanor even at home. He did not engage in casual socializing, preferring to associate only with the renowned scholars of his time. He was well-read, especially in the "Three Rituals," skilled in archery and knowledgeable in music theory. Beginning his career as a scholar-official, he was appointed as a senior officer by the Ministry of Personnel thanks to his expertise in the classics. He was subsequently appointed as a commander, then as an Assistant General, and eventually promoted to a senior officer in the Xia government, excelling in all these positions. When his mother passed away, he was heartbroken and nearly overwhelmed. His father advised him, "The greatest filial piety is to let parents enjoy their later years and ensure the continuation of the family line. I am still alive, and you have already established a family and career. How can you grieve excessively and cause me concern?" From then on, Linghu Xi gradually improved. After the mourning period, he was appointed as a junior official and later rose to a high-ranking position, inheriting the title of Duke of Pengyang County with a fief comprising 2,100 households. For his contributions during the rebellion in Heyin, he was awarded an additional 600 households. He was promoted to the position of Tri-Simultaneous Director, serving as a chief official in the Ministry of Rites and Ministry of Personnel, gaining considerable renown. When Emperor Wu of the Sui Dynasty ascended the throne, Linghu Xi took part in political affairs in his official capacity. He was later appointed as the Left Chief Historian of the Ministry of Works and was further elevated to the rank of Duke of Henan Commandery.
At that time, the Tuyuhun invaded the border. He followed Marshal Yuan Xie as the Chief Military Historian to suppress the invasion. Due to his achievements, he was promoted to Senior Prefect. When Prince Yang Xiu was sent to guard Shu, he sought out upright officials, so Linghu Xi was appointed as the Chief Historian of Yizhou. Before he even assumed his post in Yizhou, he was appointed as the Governor of Cangzhou. At that time, remnants of the Qi Dynasty's corruption still plagued Shandong, with chaotic and inaccurate population registration. Linghu Xi explained the situation with reason and moved people with emotion, encouraging the people to come forward to register their information, resulting in ten thousand households doing so. After serving as the governor of Cangzhou for several years, the local customs saw a significant improvement, and people praised him as a good official. In the fourth year of the Kaihuang era, the emperor went to Luoyang, and Linghu Xi went to pay his respects. The people were worried he would be transferred and cried along the way. When Linghu Xi returned, the people poured out of the city to welcome him, cheering loudly in the streets. During his tenure, auspicious signs such as white crows and white deer appeared in Cangzhou, and nourishing dew fell upon the willow tree in front of the state office. In the eighth year of the Kaihuang era, he was transferred to the position of Minister of Revenue in Hebei Province. The people deeply missed him and joined together to erect a stele in his honor, praising his achievements.
After the abolition of the 行台 (Xingtai), he was appointed as the Governor of Bingzhou and later summoned as the Deputy Prefect of Yongzhou. Shortly after, he was promoted to Chief of Staff, and then promoted to Minister of Rites. Later, he concurrently served as the Minister of Personnel in his capacity as Minister of Rites, responsible for handling the affairs of the five ministries. Everyone said he was efficient in handling matters, and the Emperor also trusted him very much. When the Emperor returned from sacrificing to Mount Tai and passed by Bianzhou, he felt that Bianzhou was too prosperous and there were many evil people, so he appointed Linghu Xi as the Governor of Bianzhou. After Linghu Xi took office, he cracked down on vagrants, targeted corrupt businessmen, and sealed off the doors of households facing the streets; he ordered all boatmen who anchored outside the city to move to a designated area; he ordered all migrants to return to their places of origin; and he resolved all outstanding cases. He enforced the law strictly, maintained effective governance, and was considered to have achieved good governance. The Emperor was very pleased when he heard about this and told his courtiers, "Yedu (referring to Bianzhou) is the hardest place to govern in the empire!" The Emperor also ordered the Governor of Xiangzhou, Dou Lu, to study Linghu Xi's governance methods. That year, when Linghu Xi reported to the court on his administration, his governance performance was ranked first in the empire, and the Emperor rewarded him with three hundred rolls of silk and issued a decree to the entire empire.
The emperor heard that the Yi and Yue tribes in Lingnan had rebelled multiple times, so he appointed Linghu Xi as the governor of Guizhou, in command of the military across seventeen provinces, granting him the authority to act as he deemed appropriate and to appoint officials beneath the rank of governor. The court also bestowed upon him five hundred staff members, rewarded him with five hundred pieces of silk, and sent people to escort his family to Guizhou. His title was also elevated to Duke of Wukang County. Upon arriving in Guizhou, Linghu Xi enforced a policy of kindness and trust. Local leaders in the mountains remarked to one another, "Previous governors used force to threaten us, but this governor persuades us through education. How can we resist?" They all willingly submitted. Previously, the counties in Guizhou were in disarray, as most local officials were ineffective, and all affairs were handled by the governor's office. Linghu Xi reassigned these officials to various counties, built cities, established schools, and the local populace expressed immense gratitude, praising him for bringing about great changes. At that time, there was a man named Ning Mengli, who was born on the same day as the last emperor of the Chen dynasty. He boasted of his remarkable looks and had occupied Nanhai during the Chen dynasty. After the Chen dynasty fell, Emperor Yang Jian pacified him and appointed him as the governor of Anzhou. However, he was arrogant and refused to pay his respects to his superiors, exploiting the region's rugged terrain. Linghu Xi took the initiative to write to him, outlining the principles of their relationship. When Ning Mengli's mother fell ill, Linghu Xi even sent medicine to him. Moved by this kindness, Ning Mengli went to the prefectural government to pay his respects to Linghu Xi and never dared to behave recklessly again. Linghu Xi discovered that many counties shared the same name, so he submitted a report to the court, and the emperor approved the changes, renaming Anzhou to Qinzhou, Huangzhou to Fengzhou, Lizhou to Zhizhou, Dezhou to Huanzhou, and Dongning to Rongzhou.
Linghu Xi had served in Guizhou for several years and submitted a memorial to the court saying: "I have been serving as the Governor of Lingnan for four years. I am already sixty-one years old, aging and frail, lacking the ability to bear such a heavy responsibility. I hope to resign from my official position to prevent any criticism. However, the region I govern is quite remote, and it is very difficult to pacify the people. Although the local customs have not completely changed, the court's policies have gradually been put into effect. But I have long suffered from a chronic illness, and now the condition has worsened, and my physical and mental strength has declined. When I was young, my abilities were not as good as others, let alone now that I am burdened by illness. How can I still hold such an important position? Please allow me to resign from my post." The Emperor did not approve his resignation but instead rewarded him with medicine. Linghu Xi followed the imperial decree and ordered the Governor of Jiaozhou, Li Fuzi, to come to the capital for an audience. Li Fuzi wanted to rebel, so he requested to wait until midwinter to set out. Linghu Xi agreed to keep him in check. Someone reported to the court that Linghu Xi had been bribed by Li Fuzi and let him go, which raised the Emperor's suspicions. Later, Li Fuzi did indeed rebel, and the Emperor was furious, believing the report was true. He sent people to bring Linghu Xi to the capital. Linghu Xi was upright and had been frustrated for a long time.
Xue Zhao, styled Shaoxuan, was from Fenyin, Hedong. His father, Xue Duan, had served as the Inspector of Caizhou in the Zhou Dynasty. Xue Zhao was exceptionally bright from a young age, quickly grasping the meaning of any book he picked up. He often lamented that those writing commentaries missed the profound meanings of the sages, so he would explain them himself, and many scholars admired his talent. He was straightforward in character, with lofty ambitions and a determination to make a name for himself.
During the reign of Emperor Ming of Zhou, Xue Zhou inherited the title of Duke of Wencheng. He rose through the ranks and became the Grand Master of Ceremonies and the Minister of Works, and was later appointed as Kaifu. After Emperor Yang Jian of the Sui Dynasty declared himself emperor, he promoted Xue Zhou to be the Governor of Lu Province, and before he even assumed his post, he was also temporarily put in charge of the affairs of Luzhou. Shortly after, he was appointed as the Inspector of Yanzhou. Upon taking office, he found hundreds of prisoners in the prison, and Xue Zhou managed to review all the cases in just over ten days, effectively emptying the prison.
There was a man named Xiang Daoli from Chenzhou, who impersonated the Prefect of Gaoping County and was preparing to take office. Xue Zhou encountered him on the road and had a suspicion that something was amiss, so he intended to detain and interrogate him. However, his Marshal Wang Junfu strongly advised against it, and Xue Zhou reluctantly allowed him to proceed to the county. Later, Xue Zhou regretted his earlier decision and immediately dispatched his registrar to apprehend Xiang Daoli. There was a man named Xu Juluo, who had previously served as the Prefect of Hailing County and had been impersonated by Xiang Daoli before. When his term was up, neither the authorities nor the locals noticed. Xu Juluo said to Wang Junfu, "Xiang Daoli pretended to be me as the Prefect, how could you suspect me?" Wang Junfu told Xue Zhou what Xu Juluo said and pleaded for Xiang Daoli. Xue Zhou admonished Wang Junfu, saying, "I have already found out that this man is a fraud! You are protecting the wicked and should be punished together!" Wang Junfu then stopped. So Xue Zhou went to arrest Xiang Daoli, who, in fear, confessed to his crimes. The cases he resolved were all similar in nature, and people at the time said he was as formidable as a deity.
Before, the Yishui and Sishui Rivers east of Yanzhou City converged and flowed south, often leading to devastating floods. Xue Zhou organized manpower to pile up stones on the river channel to build a dam, changed the direction of the river, and diverted the water to the west. As a result, the original marshland turned into fertile fields. He also dredged transportation channels, benefiting the Huaihai region, and the people all benefited from it. The river was named "Xue Gong Fengyan Channel" by the people. After the world was peaceful, Emperor Wen of Sui planned to hold a grand ceremony of worship at Mount Tai to showcase the emperor's accomplishments. He also sent scholars to Mount Tai to investigate historical sites, compile the "Enthronement Diagram," and related ceremonies. Gaozu humbly refused. Later, Xue Zhou was transferred to the position of governor of Yingzhou, and he performed well during his tenure. The court summoned him to be the Minister of Guard, and shortly after he was transferred to the position of Minister of Justice. He administered justice with fairness and leniency, achieving notable results. He was later promoted to Minister of Justice. At that time, for unspecified reasons, the Left Deputy Gao Feng was suspected by the emperor. After Wang Shiji was killed, the emperor wanted to charge Gao Feng with a crime because of his tenuous connection to Wang Shiji. Xue Zhou made a reasoned defense for Gao Feng and cleared him of any wrongdoing. This angered the emperor, and Xue Zhou was imprisoned for a considerable time before finally being released.
Xue Zhou later served as the magistrate of Xiangzhou, with outstanding achievements. Han Prince Yang Liang rebelled in Bingzhou and sent the pretender general Qi Liang to attack, closing in on Cizhou. The governor of Cizhou, Shangguan Zheng, sought help from Xue Zhou, who feared Yang Liang's army and was reluctant to resist. Qi Liang led his troops to attack Xue Zhou, who tried to use a strategy to outsmart him. He sent his relative Lu Shifan to persuade Qi Liang, saying, "The outcome of this situation is still uncertain. As a subject, whether to stay or leave depends on the circumstances. Why must we fight?" Qi Liang then withdrew his troops and redirected his attack to Liyang. Later, Qi Liang was defeated by Shi Xiang and abandoned his army to surrender to Xue Zhou. The court suspected that Xue Zhou had ulterior motives, so he was taken to the Dali Temple for questioning. The officials and people of Xiangzhou had always appreciated Xue Zhou's contributions, with over a hundred people writing petitions on his behalf. However, Xue Zhou was ultimately dismissed and exiled to Lingnan, where he fell ill and died during the journey. He had two sons, Xue Jun and Xue Xian, both of whom gained considerable renown.
Yu Wenbi, styled Gongfu, was a native of Luoyang, Henan. His family traced its roots back to the Zhou royal family. His grandfather, Yu Wenzhi, held the position of Prefect of Julu in the Wei Kingdom, and his father, Yu Wenzhen, served as the governor of Dangzhou during the Zhou Dynasty. Yu Wenbi was known for his generosity, integrity, and vast knowledge, serving as a senior official in the Ministry of Rites during the Zhou Dynasty. He was dispatched on a mission to the Dengzhi State and the Qiang tribal regions of Heishui and Longheng, resulting in the submission of over thirty tribes. Upon his return, he was ordered to revise the "Five Rites," and after submitting the completed manuscript, the Emperor granted him twelve hectares of public land and one hundred measures of grain. He was later promoted to the position of Senior Secretary of the Ministry of Personnel, promoting eight individuals to county magistrate, all of whom later made significant contributions to governance. He was considered adept at judging people by his contemporaries. He was subsequently promoted to Senior Officer of the Interior Department.
Emperor Wu was preparing to send troops to Heyang to attack the State of Qi, consulting his ministers for their opinions. Yuwen Bi proposed, "The State of Qi has been established for many generations; although they have governed poorly, they still have some talented individuals within. When deploying troops, we must choose the right location. Heyang is a strategic point, where elite forces are concentrated. A full-scale assault and siege would likely face challenges. I believe the meandering stretch of the Fen River, surrounded by gentle hills and plains, would be easier to conquer. There is no better place for military action; I hope Your Majesty will consider this carefully." Emperor Wu did not adopt his advice, and as a result, the army met with no success. In the fifth year of Jiande, a major offensive against the State of Qi was initiated, ultimately adopting Yuwen Bi's strategy. Yuwen Bi then recruited hundreds of daring young warriors from the Guanzhong region to form a special force, accompanying the Emperor in the conquest of Jinzhou. He was wounded by three arrows, fought bravely, and the Emperor held him in high regard. Later, he followed the Emperor to pacify the State of Qi, and for his merits, he was granted the title of Shang Yitong, Duke of Wuwei County, with a fief comprising 1,500 households, awarded 1,500 bolts of cloth, 150 servants, and over 1,000 livestock, including cattle, sheep, and horses. He later took on the role of Chief Secretary of Sizhou.
After Emperor Xuan ascended to the throne, Yuwen Bi was promoted to the position of Left Minister of the Imperial Ancestral Temple. At that time, the Turkic tribes invaded Ganzzhou, and the emperor ordered Hou Mochen Chang to lead the troops to attack, with Yuwen Bi serving as the military inspector. He said to Hou Mochen Chang, "The Turkic army is formidable and quick. It will be difficult to catch up with them if we pursue. We should select elite cavalry and head straight west toward the Qilian Mountains. If the enemy retreats, they will definitely pass north of Liaoquan, where the terrain is rugged and marshy. It is estimated that their army and horses will take three days to pass through. If we pursue at a steady pace, we will definitely catch up with them. This will tire out the enemy and secure our victory; defeating them will not be a problem. Setting an ambush on this route is the best strategy." Hou Mochen Chang dismissed his advice and instead launched an attack on Heli Mountain to the west. The army advanced slowly, and the Turks had already escaped the border. That same year, Yuwen Bi led the troops to capture Shouyang following Liang Shiyan, and was then appointed as the Marquis of Anle County, with an additional six hundred households, six hundred bolts of cloth, along with slaves, maids, and horses. He was appointed as the Prefect of Huizhou, and soon after was promoted to the Prefect of Nansizhou. Later, when Sima Xiaonan fled to Chen Guo, Yuwen Bi pursued but was unable to catch up. He engaged in battle with Fan Yi, the general of Chen Guo, at Zhangkou from morning until noon, achieving victory three times and capturing three thousand prisoners. He was appointed as the Prefect of Huangzhou, and soon after was promoted to the Prefect of Nandingzhou.
In the beginning of the Kaihuang era, due to his previous achievements, he was granted the title of Duke of Pingchang, with an additional grant of land for 1,200 households, and appointed as the Right Chancellor of the Ministry of Personnel. At that time, the Western Qiang surrendered, and the court ordered Yuwen Bi to pacify them, establish the counties of Yanzhe and Puchang, and then return. He was promoted to the Left Minister of the Ministry of Personnel, renowned for his integrity and respected by his peers. Three years later, when the Turks invaded Ganzhou, he followed Marshal Dou Rongding as a military advisor to defeat them. Upon returning to the court, he was appointed as the Junior Minister of the Imperial Stable and later promoted to the Deputy Minister of Personnel. During the Battle of Pingchen, Yang Su led troops through Xinzhou Road and ordered Yuwen Bi to command the armies and serve as the overall commander. Liu Ren'en defeated the Chen army led by Lv Zhongsu, with many of Yuwen Bi's suggestions. He was promoted to Duke, appointed as the Minister of Justice, and designated as the Prince's Protector.
The Emperor personally participated in the sacrificial activities, and Yuwen Bi discussed with the scholars. His words were clear and fluent, capturing the attention of all listeners. The Emperor was very pleased and told his attendants, "I now see the rituals established by the Duke of Zhou, and hear the essence of Confucius' teachings on filial piety, which greatly pleases me." He then rewarded everyone, with rewards of varying degrees. At that time, the court considered Jinyang an important strategic location, and the Governor of Bingzhou was required to be a member of the imperial family, with positions such as Chief Clerk and Marshal being high-ranking officials. After the previous Chief Clerk Wang Shao passed away, Yuwen Bi, being both literate and martially skilled, was appointed as the Chief Clerk of Bingzhou. He resigned shortly after his father's death but was reinstated soon after by imperial decree. In the 18th year, during the Liaodong War, he was appointed as the Marshal of the Han Prince's Mansion, still serving as the overall commander. After the war, he successively served as the Governor of Shuozhou, Daizhou, and Wuzhou, making significant political contributions.
After Emperor Yang of Sui ascended to the throne, he summoned Yuwen Bi to serve as the Minister of Justice, and he was tasked with inspecting the Hebei region. After returning to the capital, he was appointed as the Governor of Quanzhou. More than a year later, he took up the role of Minister of Justice again, and shortly thereafter was promoted to Minister of Rites. Due to his outstanding abilities, Yuwen Bi held prominent positions and enjoyed high prestige. While many praised him, the Emperor viewed him with suspicion. At that time, the Emperor became increasingly engrossed in indulgence and military campaigns. Yuwen Bi remarked to Gao Feng, "In the past, the Zhou dynasty perished due to the Emperor's obsession with pleasure and military affairs. Isn't the situation today strikingly similar?" He also said, "The battle at the Great Wall is fortunately not an urgent task." These remarks were reported to the Emperor, and ultimately, Yuwen Bi was executed at sixty-two, leaving many feeling he had been wronged. He authored over two hundred thousand words of poetry, and his works, including the "Book of Documents" and the "Classic of Filial Piety," were widely circulated at the time. He had two sons: Yuwen Jian and Yuwen Yuan.
Zhang Heng, styled Jianping, was from Hanoi. His grandfather Zhang Yi served as the Governor of Heyang during the Wei state, and his father Zhang Guang served as the Governor of Wanzhou during the Zhou Dynasty. Zhang Heng had lofty ambitions from a young age, possessing a strong sense of integrity. At the age of fifteen, he went to the Imperial Academy to study, studying diligently and earning deep respect from his classmates. When Emperor Wu of the Zhou was mourning the death of the Empress and went hunting with his ministers, Zhang Heng, dressed in mourning attire, halted the Emperor's horse to offer earnest counsel. The Emperor appreciated him and rewarded him with clothes and horses, promoting him to be the Han Prince's scholarly attendant. Later, Zhang Heng studied the "Three Rites" with Shen Zhong, gaining a solid grasp of its core principles. He steadily rose through the ranks, ultimately becoming a high-ranking official. When Emperor Gaozu ascended the throne, he was appointed as the Minister of the Imperial Gate. When Prince Jin Guang was appointed as the Governor of Hebei, Zhang Heng held the position of Lang in both the Ministry of Justice and the Ministry of Revenue. After the Governor's office was abolished, he was appointed as the advisor to the Governor of Bingzhou. Later, when Prince Jin was transferred to be the Governor of Yangzhou, Zhang Heng followed him there and earned the Prince's trust. Zhang Heng wholeheartedly assisted Prince Jin, and many key decisions were influenced by his counsel. After his mother passed away, Zhang Heng resigned from his official position to fulfill his mourning duties at home. Over a year later, he was appointed as the Sima of the Governor of Yangzhou, and the court granted him three hundred bolts of cloth. During the Kaihuang period, Li Yinglin in Xizhou led a rebellion, proclaiming himself an official. The court appointed Zhang Heng as the Commander of the Campaign, leading fifty thousand troops to suppress the rebellion, which was swiftly suppressed. After that, Zhang Heng was granted the title of Kaifu, and the court rewarded him with one hundred and thirty servants, five hundred bolts of cloth, as well as a large amount of gold, silver, and livestock. When Prince Jin ascended to the position of Crown Prince, Zhang Heng was appointed as the Right Imperial Secretary while also serving as the Yellow Gate Attendant. After Emperor Yang of Sui ascended the throne, Zhang Heng continued to serve as the Yellow Gate Attendant and was promoted to Grand Master of Splendid Happiness, soon rising to the position of Grand Master of the Imperial Secretariat, held in high regard by the Emperor.
In the third year of the Daye era, Emperor Yang of Sui made an inspection tour to Yulin County, and on his way back passed through Taiyuan. He said to Zhang Heng, "I want to visit your home, so please prepare to be my host." Zhang Heng quickly returned to his family home in Henei and prepared a feast of beef and wine with his family to welcome the emperor. The emperor crossed the Taihang Mountains and created a straight road stretching ninety miles to reach Zhang Heng's home. The emperor was quite taken with the mountain spring at Zhang Heng's home and stayed there for three days. The emperor said, "When I followed the late emperor to Mount Tai for sacrifices, we passed through Luoyang, and I always wanted to come here. I never thought that today I would finally fulfill this wish." Zhang Heng quickly expressed his gratitude and offered wine and water to toast the emperor's health. The emperor was very happy and bestowed upon Zhang Heng thirty hectares of land near his home, a good horse, a golden belt, six hundred pieces of silk, a piece of clothing, and a set of imperial tableware. Zhang Heng firmly declined, but the emperor insisted, "It is customary for the emperor to reward his subjects during his inspection tours, so you shouldn't refuse." Zhang Heng then shared the imperial provisions with the court officials, and even the guards, so that everyone got a piece.
Because Zhang Heng had a close relationship with the royal family and was highly favored, he gradually grew arrogant. The following year, Emperor Yang of Sui visited Fenyang Palace and entertained his ministers, specially rewarding Zhang Heng with five hundred rolls of silk. At that time, the emperor wanted to expand Fenyang Palace and asked Zhang Heng and Ji Hong to devise a plan for it. Taking the opportunity, Zhang Heng suggested, "In recent years, the people have been overworked and exhausted. I hope Your Majesty can have compassion for the people and reduce some of the construction work." The emperor was not pleased at all. Later, in front of his ministers, the emperor pointed at Zhang Heng and said, "Zhang Heng thinks his idea is what gave me control over the realm." At that time, Prince Qi fell out of favor with the emperor, who secretly sent agents to dig up dirt on Yang Jian. Some accused Yang Jian of breaking the rules and implicated the official Yique, Huangfu Xu. Others revealed that when the emperor visited Zhuo County and worshipped Mount Heng, the common people who came to see him were poorly dressed. The emperor blamed Zhang Heng, saying that as a magistrate, he should have fixed these problems, leading to his demotion to Prefect of Yulin.
In the second year, the emperor made another visit to Fenyang Palace. Zhang Heng was responsible for supervising the construction of Loufan City, and therefore had the opportunity to meet the emperor. The emperor saw that Zhang Heng was still fat and thought he had not repented, so he said to him, "You are still so fat; you should go back to Yulin." Zhang Heng then returned to Yulin. Shortly after, the emperor ordered Zhang Heng to supervise the construction of Jiangdu Palace. Someone went to Zhang Heng to report the crimes of the palace guards. Instead of addressing the issue, Zhang Heng passed the report directly to the palace guards, and the accuser was subjected to severe torture by them. The Minister of Rites, Yang Xuangan, sent someone to Jiangdu, where the accuser told Yang Xuangan about the injustice. Yang Xuangan felt Zhang Heng's actions were clearly wrong. When Yang Xuangan met with Zhang Heng, before he could say a word, Zhang Heng said to him, "Xue Daocheng was truly wronged." Yang Xuangan reported this to the emperor. Wang Shichong, the magistrate of Jiangdu, also reported that Zhang Heng had repeatedly cut the resources needed for the project. The emperor was furious and ordered Zhang Heng to be taken to Jiangdu for execution. He was eventually released after a long time, stripped of his title, and sent back to his hometown to farm. The emperor often dispatched trusted agents to keep a close watch on Zhang Heng's actions. Eight years later, when the emperor returned to the capital city from Liaodong, Zhang Heng's concubine accused him of harboring resentment toward the court and slandering the government, leading the emperor to order the execution of Zhang Heng and his family. Just before his execution, Zhang Heng shouted, "What evil have I done in my life, that I cannot live much longer!" The executioners plugged his ears and urged the executioner to act quickly. During the Yining period, the court later deemed Zhang Heng's death unjust and posthumously awarded him the titles of Grand General and Duke of Nanyang County, and granted him the posthumous title of "Loyal." His son was called Zhang Xixuan.
Yang Wang, courtesy name Yuandu, was originally from Hongnong Huayin. His great-grandfather Yang Shun moved to Hedong. His father, Yang Chen, held the title of Yitong Sansi, and when Yang Wang rose to prominence, his father was posthumously granted the title of Duke of Pingxiang. Yang Wang was quite a handful in his youth; he had a penchant for fighting, and those who were beaten by him were no match for him. As he grew up, he mellowed out, studied diligently, specialized in the "Zuo Zhuan," and was well-versed in the "Three Rites." He initially served as a court scholar under King Ji of Zhou, who held him in high regard and often said, "Scholar Yang's virtue and knowledge are profound; he is my good teacher and friend!" Later, he studied etiquette with Shen Zhong and learned the "Book of Han" from Liu Zhen, both of whom praised him, saying, "We can't hold a candle to him!" As a result, Yang Wang's reputation grew, and he rose through the ranks to become a senior official in the Xia government. When Sui Wendi became the Prime Minister, he brought Yang Wang on board for military affairs and promoted him to a chief official position. After Sui Wendi became Emperor, he appointed Yang Wang as the Earl of Pingxiang, granting him a fief of two hundred households. Later, he served as the Left Minister of the Ministry of Works and also served as the Assistant Minister of the Ministry of War, and also served as the Chief Historian of Qinzhou. Everyone regarded him as efficient and capable. He later became the Left Minister of the Ministry of Works but was let go due to a minor infraction. He then served as the Chief Historian of Jingzhou and Luozhou, and after wrapping up his official duties, he would teach his students, which earned him praise from his peers. After a few years, Sui Wendi instructed Councillor Wang Da to find a suitable Left Minister. Wang Da privately told Yang Wang, "I want to recommend you for the position of Left Minister; if successful, I will give you a good piece of land!" Yang Wang told the Emperor about Wang Da's words, which led to Wang Da's downfall, but Yang Wang eventually became the Left Minister of the Ministry of Works. Yang Wang was proficient in legal texts, made decisive judgments, and was widely regarded as competent.
After Emperor Yang of Sui ascended the throne, Yang Wang became the Grand Chancellor. Just two days into his new position, the emperor wanted to personally inspect the prison. At that time, there were over two hundred prisoners detained, and Yang Wang interrogated them overnight, and the next morning, he reported to the emperor with a thorough investigation, leaving no detail overlooked. The emperor was very pleased. A year later, he was appointed as the Grand Scholar. The emperor ordered all officials to study at the National University, engaging in scholarly discussions with Yang Wang. Prominent scholars from across the country gathered there, engaging in heated debates, yet none could best him. The emperor even had the records of their discussions presented to him by the censor, and he was very pleased with what he saw, rewarded Yang Wang with an excellent horse. During the Daye period, he held the position of Silver Seal Grand Master.
Later, Yang Xuangan launched a rebellion in Henan, and Yang Wang participated in military operations led by Pei Hongce to suppress the rebellion. However, they were defeated, and Pei Hongce returned, having a private conversation with Yang Wang. Subsequently, the acting governor, Fan Zigai, assassinated Pei Hongce and reported the situation to Yang Wang. The emperor grew suspicious of the incident and sent Yang Wang to serve as the governor of Liangjun. By this time, Li Mi had already approached the eastern capital, as his army frequently raided Liangjun. Yang Wang led his troops to resist, successfully fending off their attacks several times. After the death of Emperor Yang of Sui, Wang Shichong supported Prince Yang Tong's claim to the throne, placing great trust in him. After Wang Shichong seized power, Yang Wang continued to serve him loyally. However, after Wang Shichong was defeated, Yang Wang was executed for his allegiance to Wang Shichong.
The historical records say that Lu Kai's counsel was commendable, Linghu Xi managed the region effectively, Xue Zhou administered justice fairly, Yuwen Bi had a high reputation, Zhang Heng was known for his integrity, and Yang Wang prided himself on his knowledge. However, although these people all did quite well at the beginning, few managed to see it through to the end. It's like a mountain built up to nine ren high, only to collapse at the last moment due to a single basket of dirt. What a shame! Loyalty is a good virtue, even if loyalty is misplaced, let alone if you’re on the wrong path and with the wrong people. As the saying goes, "Don’t seek power, or you’ll have to bear the responsibility." And also: "Don’t provoke trouble, don’t cause chaos." Since Zhang Heng stirred up trouble, he essentially became the one in power, and his timing was off; how could he avoid this fate?
In short, these ministers all started out quite well, but unfortunately all gave up halfway. Building a legacy is like stacking a mountain nine ren high, just shy of success, but ultimately ruined by a small misstep, what a waste! This highlights that loyalty matters, but it has to be directed appropriately, towards the right people. If you choose the wrong path and the wrong people, you’re bound to fail. As the ancients wisely put it, "Don’t seek leadership, because it comes with responsibility," and "Avoid trouble and chaos." This kid Zhang Heng caused trouble himself, became a leader, didn't listen, and in the end, of course, he had to suffer.
