Yin Shou, whose courtesy name was Luo Yun, was from Wuwei. His father, Song, once served as the governor of Xiazhou during the Zhou Dynasty. Yin Shou was brave and talented in military affairs from a young age. He was also cautious and honest, always keeping his promises. During the Zhou Dynasty, he was honored with the title of Yitong due to his numerous military achievements. Later, he followed Emperor Zhou Wu in pacifying the Qi Dynasty, and his official rank rose to Kaifu. He was rewarded with a thousand bolts of cloth, a hundred servants, and twenty musicians.
After Gaozu became Chancellor, he brought Yin Shou on as his advisor. Later, Wei Jiong rebelled, and Gaozu appointed Wei Xiaokuan as the marshal to suppress the rebellion, with Yin Shou overseeing the military operations. At that time, Wei Xiaokuan fell ill and could not personally command the troops, often lying in the tent and letting his wife relay orders. The discipline of the entire army depended on Yin Shou's leadership. For his achievements in this campaign, Yin Shou was promoted to Shangzhuguo. Not long after, he was appointed as the marching general to guard Youzhou, and later directly appointed as the governor of Youzhou, and further ennobled as the Duke of Zhao.
At that time, there was a man named Gao Baoning, a distant relative of the Qi Dynasty, who was cunning and adept at scheming. He had long been stationed at Huanglong during the Qi Dynasty. After the Qi Dynasty fell, Emperor Zhou Wu appointed him as the governor of Yingzhou. He was adept at winning over both the local Han people and minority groups, gaining their trust. When Gaozu was the prime minister, Gao Baoning joined forces with the Khitans and Mohe to rebel. Due to the ongoing warfare in the Central Plains, Gaozu did not have time to suppress him, so he wrote letters to persuade him, but was unsuccessful. In the early years of the Kaihuang era, Gao Baoning colluded with the Turks and surrounded Beiping.
Therefore, Emperor Gao ordered Yin Shou to lead tens of thousands of troops, both infantry and cavalry, to march out of Lulong Pass to attack Gao Baoning. Gao Baoning sought help from the Turks, but at that time, General Wei Wangshuang and other commanders were advancing north from multiple routes to launch an attack, leaving the Turks unable to provide assistance. Gao Baoning was forced to abandon Huanglong City and flee to the northern edge of the desert, resulting in the pacification of Huanglong and surrounding areas. Yin Shou returned to the capital following the campaign, leaving Kaifu Chengdao Ang to defend Huanglong. Gao Baoning sent his son Sengjia to launch a surprise attack on the city before fleeing. He then allied with the Khitan and Mohe forces for an assault, and Chengdao Ang endured a grueling battle for days before finally repelling them. Yin Shou grew increasingly concerned about the situation, so he offered a substantial reward for the capture of Gao Baoning and sent agents to secretly persuade Gao Baoning's confidants Zhao Shimu, Wang Wei, and others against him. One month later, Zhao Shimu surrendered with his men, and Gao Baoning fled to the Khitan, where he was ultimately killed by Khitan General Zhao Xiuluo, finally restoring peace to the north. The court rewarded him with a thousand bolts of fabric. Shortly thereafter, Yin Shou passed away and was posthumously honored with the title of Sikong. His son, Yin Shishi, succeeded him in his title.
This master (Shishi), since childhood, was known for his integrity and strong character, honest and loyal, and a formidable martial artist. At the age of twenty, he was appointed as Yitong thanks to his father's merits, and later rose through the ranks to become a General of the Cavalry. After Emperor Yang of Sui ascended the throne, he was appointed as the chief mason in the Eastern Capital, and three years later was promoted to the position of Prefect of Zhangye. At that time, the Tuyuhun and the Qiang tribes often raided the area. When the master arrived in Zhangye, whenever enemies attacked, he personally led the troops to fight back, capturing and beheading them, striking fear into the hearts of the barbarians. Later, he returned to the capital and was promoted to the rank of military general. During the Liaodong campaign, he departed from Xiangping. The following year, Emperor Yang of Sui attacked Goguryeo, and the master stayed behind in Zhuojun. At that time, banditry was rampant, and the master pursued them everywhere, achieving remarkable victories. When the emperor returned to the capital, he lavished rewards upon him and appointed him as the Prefect of Loufan.
One time, while Emperor Yang of Sui was at Fenyang Palace, the master learned that the Turkic Khan, Shibi Khan, was planning an invasion, so he advised the emperor to flee to Taiyuan for refuge. However, the emperor did not listen, and the Yanmen Incident took place. Later, the master was promoted to General of the Left Guard and stayed in the capital with the Prince of Dai. When the rebel army attacked, the master felt indebted to the Sui Dynasty and had old ties with the royal family, so he led his troops in defense. After a month of siege, the city fell, and he was killed alongside Gu Yi, the magistrate of Jingzhao County, and others. He was fifty-three at the time of his death.
Gu Yi was a native of Chang'an, with a strong and righteous personality and a firm will. During the reign of Emperor Wen of the Sui Dynasty, he served as an Imperial Censor, enforcing the law fairly and never changing his stance for power and profit. After Emperor Yang of the Sui Dynasty ascended to the throne, he was promoted to the position of Right Assistant Secretary of the Ministry of Personnel. At that time, the government was becoming increasingly corrupt, with rampant bribery, and those in high positions, regardless of their rank, were plundering the people's resources and amassing great wealth. Almost all the scholars and officials had compromised their integrity, but Gu Yi remained steadfast in his principles and maintained his integrity. Emperor Yang of the Sui Dynasty appreciated his integrity and promoted him to the position of magistrate of Jingzhao County, boosting his reputation. The Minister of Justice, Wei Xuan, who also served as the Intendant of Jingzhao, often engaged in conspiracies and tricks, but Gu Yi consistently opposed him. Although Wei Xuan was unhappy, he could not retaliate. When the rebel army attacked, Wei Xuan, fearing for his own safety, pretended to be ill and ignored everything. Gu Yi and his mentor shared the same beliefs, and in the end, both father and son were killed, resulting in the downfall of their family. However, the son of his mentor, Hongzhi, was spared because of his youth.
Dou Rongding was from Pingling, Fufeng. His father, Dou Shan, was the Grand Minister of the Zhou Dynasty, and his uncle, Dou Chi, became the Grand Tutor during the reign of Emperor Wen of the Sui Dynasty. Dou Rongding was a calm and experienced individual with strong leadership skills. He was tall, handsome, had a beautiful beard, and was adept at mounted archery. During the reign of Emperor Wen of the Wei Dynasty, he became an Imperial Guard. Later, Emperor Taizu of the Zhou Dynasty saw his potential and appointed him as the General of Pingdong, bestowing upon him the title of Marquis of Yijun County and a fief of three hundred households. He accompanied Taizu in battles against the people of Qi in Beimang, where the Zhou army faced initial setbacks. However, Dou Rongding and the Duke of Runan, Yuwen Shenqing, led two thousand elite cavalry to counterattack, effectively repelling the Qi army. In recognition of his achievements, he was promoted to Yitong.
Next, he followed Emperor Wuyuan to Bingzhou and fought alongside the Tujue Mugan tribe against the Qi state. The emperor rewarded him with three hundred bolts of cloth. He inherited the title of Duke of Yongfu County, and his fief was expanded to include one thousand households. His official position was promoted to Chancellor, and he was appointed as the Inspector of Zhongzhou. Later, when Emperor Wu pacified the Qi state, he was promoted to Chancellor again and became the General and Zhong Dafu of the Jifei. His wife was Princess Ancheng, the sister of Gaozu. Gaozu and he shared a close bond during their youth, and Dou Rongding also saw that Gaozu would become the emperor in the future, so their relationship was always good.
When Gaozu became the Prime Minister and was in charge of the palace's left and right imperial guards, he was assigned to guard Tiantai, overseeing the security of both the inner and outer palace guards, and often lived in the palace. When the rebellion of Wei Jiong was just suppressed, the court was deeply concerned about the situation in Shandong, so Dou Rongding was sent to be the Governor of Luozhou to guard there. The court rewarded him with four thousand bolts of silk and a troupe from Western Liang.
After Li Yuan ascended the throne as Emperor Tang Gaozu, Dou Rongding came to pay his respects. Li Yuan looked at the civil and military officials in the court and said, "When I was young, I hated frivolous people. The only one who is similar to my character is Dou Rongding." Then he rewarded him with three hundred horses, eighty households as his personal troops, and sent him back.
Later, Dou Rongding was dismissed for some wrongdoing. But because he was a relative of Princess Chang, not long after, Gaozu appointed him as the Right General of Wuhou. Gaozu often visited his home as a guest, extending him significant favor, even having the Imperial Kitchen deliver a sheep to him daily, along with various delicacies. Because Dou Rongding had made great contributions when Li Yuan rose in rebellion, he was appointed as the Senior Minister and the Inspector of Ningzhou. Shortly after, he was reinstated as the Right General of Wuhou. He was later promoted to the Governor of Qinzhou and awarded a set of musical instruments from Wu.
The Turkic Shabo Lue led troops to invade the border. Emperor Gaozu appointed Dou Rongding as the Grand Marshal, commanding nine generals and leading thirty thousand infantry and cavalry to march from Liangzhou. They fought against the Turkic army at Gaoyueyuan, with both sides in a stalemate. The area was water-scarce, and the soldiers were extremely thirsty, with some even resorting to cutting the veins of horses to drink their blood, which led to the deaths of thousands. Dou Rongding sighed, and to his surprise, rain began to fall, lifting the spirits of the troops. Dou Rongding then led the troops to launch fierce attacks, defeating the Turkic army several times. The terrified Turks requested peace talks and withdrew their forces. Emperor Gaozu rewarded him with ten thousand bolts of silk, appointed him as the Duke of Anfeng County, expanded his fief to include sixteen hundred households, and appointed his son Dou Xian as the Duke of Ankang County, rewarding him with five thousand bolts of silk.
Over a year later, Dou Rongding was appointed as the Grand General of the Right Imperial Guard, and soon promoted to the Grand General of the Left Imperial Guard. Emperor Gaozu intended to elevate him to one of the Three Excellencies, but Dou Rongding sent a letter stating, "I often reflect on the examples of Wei Qing and Huo Qubing of the Western Han, Liang Ji and Deng Zhi of the Eastern Han. They all rose to great heights because of their close relationship with the emperor, but ultimately fell from grace due to their arrogance. If those wise men could be a little more humble, stay away from the center of power, and decline fame and fortune, then their families could prosper forever. How could they end up in ruin? I frequently study historical records and feel a deep sense of dread." Emperor Gaozu listened to his words and dropped the idea.
Dou Rongding was showered with numerous rewards throughout his life. In the sixth year of Kaihuang, Dou Rongding passed away at the age of fifty-seven. Emperor Gaozu observed a three-day mourning period for him, with General Yuan Min overseeing the funeral arrangements, and rewarded him with three thousand bolts of silk. Emperor Gaozu told his attendants, "I had always intended to promote Dou Rongding to the rank of Three Excellencies, but he always declined. Now I want to posthumously confer upon him the titles of Inspector of Jizhou and Duke of Chen, and bestow upon him the posthumous title of 'Yi'. His son, Dou Kang, succeeded him in his titles."
This man, Yuan Jingshan, whose courtesy name is Baoyue, hails from Luoyang in Henan province. His ancestors included the Prince of Anding from the Wei Dynasty, and his father was the Prince of An from the Song Dynasty. From a young age, he was tall and strong, displaying exceptional leadership skills that set him apart from his peers. During the reign of Emperor Min of Zhou, he followed the Grand Marshal Helan Xiang to fight against the Tuyuhun, earned merit and was appointed General of the Army. Later on, he fought in many battles, and his rank rose higher and higher, eventually rising to the rank of Yitong Sanqi, where he served as the Duke of Wenchang and as the defense chief of Weichuan.
On one occasion, he fought against the forces of the Qi state at Beimangshan, where he killed countless enemies, gained significant merit, and was promoted in rank, appointed Governor of Jianzhou and also titled Duke of Song'an, with a fiefdom comprising three thousand households. Later, after Emperor Wen of Sui conquered the Qi state, he always led the charge in battles, achieving remarkable military feats, was appointed Grand General and later became Duke of Pingyuan, with a fiefdom of two thousand households. The emperor also rewarded him with a full set of musical instruments, six thousand bolts of silk, two hundred and fifty slaves, and thousands of cattle and sheep! He later served as the Governor of Bozhou.
At that time in Bozhou, there were two individuals named Wang Huiluo and Zhang Jizhen, who led a gang of bandits that robbed indiscriminately, and previous officials had been unable to handle them. Upon Yuan Jingshan's arrival in Bozhou, he immediately organized a pursuit; Wang Huiluo and Zhang Jizhen fled to Jiangnan, and Yuan Jingshan captured hundreds of their accomplices, all of whom were executed. He enforced strict governance in Bozhou, and the thieves no longer dared to cause trouble; the common people praised his governance.
Let's talk about Zhang Jingzun of Chen Guo. The Huainan region submitted to Chen Guo, resulting in several strongholds being seized by Chen Guo's general Ren Mannu. Yuan Jingshan led troops from Qiaoxian and Yingchuan to their aid, and when Ren Mannu saw reinforcements coming, he quickly fled. Later, Yuan Jingshan was summoned by the court and became a houzheng. After Emperor Sui Xuan ascended the throne, he followed the state's pillar, Wei Xiaokuan, to pacify the chaos in Huainan. Yunzhou governor Yu Wenliang wanted to rebel and led troops to attack Wei Xiaokuan by surprise; Wei Xiaokuan was caught off guard and found himself in a critical situation. Yuan Jingshan led three hundred cavalry to charge up, defeating Yu Wenliang, decapitating him, and sending his head to the court. Due to this significant achievement, he was appointed as the governor of Bozhou.
The previous part was about Yuan Jingshan; now let's talk about his family. His ancestor, named Yuan Kang, was handsome, intelligent, and clever. After his father died, the emperor treated him with great favor, rewarding him with countless treasures of gold and silver. Yuan Kang became the governor of Dingzhou and also the governor of Youzhou. When Emperor Sui Yang ascended the throne, Prince Han Liang rebelled, and Emperor Sui Yang suspected that Yuan Kang was colluding with Prince Han Liang, so he removed Yuan Kang's official position and allowed his brother Yuan Qing to succeed him as Chen Gong.
Yuan Qing was also handsome, gentle in nature, and proficient in cursive calligraphy. He was initially appointed as the Duke of Yongfu County and later served as the governor of Hedong and the Minister of Guard. As the Sui Dynasty neared its end, he was sent to serve as the governor of Nan County but was ultimately killed by bandits. Yuan Qing also had a brother named Yuan Xuan, who was also proficient in cursive calligraphy and had a keen understanding of music. He served as the governor of Yingchuan, Nan County, and Fufeng.
During the time when Yang Jian, the founding emperor of the Sui Dynasty, was the prime minister, Wei Jiong rebelled. The governor of Xingzhou, Yu Wen Zhou, colluded with Wei Jiong and secretly sent a letter to Jingshan, attempting to entice him to join the rebellion. Jingshan caught the messenger sent by Yu Wen Zhou and brought the letter to the prime minister's residence. Yang Jian was very pleased and immediately promoted Jingshan, appointing him as the Grand General.
Later, Sima Xiaonan launched an attack on the Chen Dynasty, and the Chen Dynasty sent Fan Yi and Ma Jie to provide reinforcements. Jing Shan led five hundred light cavalry units to rush over. Upon seeing Jing Shan approach, Fan Yi and the others were scared, so they quickly plundered the possessions of the civilians and fled. Jing Shan pursued them relentlessly, covering over three hundred miles in a day and a night, and engaged Fan Yi in battle at Zhangkou, winning both encounters. Fan Yi had no choice but to retreat to Zengshan Town to make a stand. Jing Shan recaptured all the towns occupied by Sima Xiaonan. Yang Jian appointed him as the Governor of Anzhou, promoted him to the rank of Senior Zhuguo, and rewarded him with two thousand bolts of silk. During that time, the tribes on Tongbai Mountain also stirred up trouble, and Jing Shan pacified them as well.
After Yang Jian became emperor, he appointed Jing Shan as the Grand Marshal. The following year, the Sui Dynasty launched a large-scale offensive against the Chen Dynasty, appointing Jing Shan as the commander-in-chief, leading Han Yan, Lv Zhe, and other generals to set out from Hankou. At the same time, Deng Xiaoru commanded four thousand elite troops to attack Zengshan Town of the Chen Dynasty. The Chen Dynasty dispatched Lu Lun with a naval force to provide assistance, but was decisively defeated by Deng Xiaoru. The Chen Dynasty's generals Lu Da and Chen Ji set up defenses at Yankou, but Jing Shan sent troops to drive them away. The people of the Chen Dynasty were terrified, and the defenders of Zengshan and Dunyang towns abandoned their posts and fled. Jing Shan was preparing to cross the river when Chen Shubao, the Emperor of the Chen Dynasty, died, and the Sui Dynasty ordered the troops to return to the imperial capital. Jing Shan's reputation spread far and wide, and his enemies were greatly intimidated by him. Several years later, Jing Shan was dismissed for a minor infraction, and he passed away at his home at the age of fifty-five. He was posthumously honored as the Governor of Liangzhou, rewarded with one thousand bolts of silk, and bestowed with the posthumous title of Xiang. His son, Cheng Shou, succeeded him in his title.
Cheng Shou was skilled in archery and horse riding from a young age, initially serving as a Qian Niu Beishen in the palace. He later inherited the title of his father as a pillar of the state and was appointed as an Equestrian Officer. He then served as a cavalry commander under Prince Qin Ku Zhen. After Emperor Yang Guang of the Sui Dynasty ascended to the throne, Cheng Shou was appointed as the Lieutenant of the Left Guard. When Yang Xuangan rebelled, Cheng Shou followed Wei Xuan, the Minister of Justice, to suppress the rebellion. For his achievements, he was promoted to Senior Counselor and appointed as the Prefect of Xiping County.
Yuan Xiong, styled Shi Lue, was from Ledu in Xiping County. His grandfather Yuan Huai and father Yuan Zuan were both princes of Longxi in the Kingdom of Wei. Yuan Xiong was known for his generosity and imposing stature from a young age. He initially served as a secretary in the Wei Kingdom and was soon promoted to General of the Barbarian Conquest. Later, his father was killed by the Gao clan, which forced Yuan Xiong to flee, change his name, and eventually settle in Chang'an. Emperor Taizu of Northern Zhou took notice of him and bestowed upon him the title of Duke of Longxi. He later accompanied Emperor Wu of Zhou in campaigns against the Qi Kingdom, which earned him the title of Kaifu and the title of Duke of Shuofang, as well as the post of Governor of Jizhou. Due to frequent attacks by the Turks on the border, the court appointed Yuan Xiong as the Governor of Pingzhou to defend the frontier. Not long after, he was appointed Governor of Xuzhou.
After Gaozu became Chancellor, Wei Jiao rebelled. At that time, Yuan Xiong's family was in Xiangzhou, and Wei Jiao secretly wrote a letter to lure him, but Yuan Xiong completely ignored him. Gaozu wrote to Yuan Xiong, saying, "Your family is in Ye City. Although they are currently separated, the rebel forces will soon be defeated, and you will easily be able to reunite with them. Starting today, you will be able to reunite with them in just a few months. Don't worry, I will do my best to comfort you. Xuzhou is crucial, serving as the gateway to the southeast, bordering the state of Wu, and needs to be properly pacified. I trust in your skills and strategy, and I am appointing you to manage border affairs, hoping that you will make great achievements and not disappoint the court's expectations." Wei Jiao sent his general Bi Yixu to occupy Lanling, while Xi Pi captured Changluo and Xiayi. Yuan Xiong dispatched Liu Ren'en, the Governor of Xuzhou, to confront Bi Yixu, and sent Yitong Liu Hong and Li Yan to subdue Xi Pi, finally pacifying them all. Chen Guojian saw the continuous war in the Central Plains, so he sent generals such as Chen Ji, Xiao Mohe, Ren Manna, Zhou Luohou, and Fan Yi to invade the northern region of the Yangtze River, from Jiangling all the way to Shouyang, where many common people rallied to their cause, and the Chen army captured numerous towns. Yuan Xiong, along with the Governor of Wuzhou, Yu Yi, the Governor of Yangzhou, He Ruobi, and the Governor of Huangzhou, Yuan Jingshan, together drove back the Chen forces and reclaimed their lost territory. Cao Xiaoda, the Governor of Dongtongzhou, rebelled in the region, and Yuan Xiong sent forces to eliminate him. Yuan Xiong was elevated to Grand General and continued to serve as the Governor of Xuzhou. Several years later, he was reassigned as the Governor of Huaizhou, and shortly after, he was promoted to the Governor of Shuozhou. Whenever the Turks attempted to raid, Yuan Xiong would capture and execute them, and the Turks were very afraid of him.
It is said that when the founding emperor attacked the state of Chen, he issued a decree: "Ah! You, the Grand General and Duke of Shuofang, truly possess vast knowledge, extraordinary wisdom, and remarkable courage! Previously, I sent you to govern Xuzhou just as the enemy was causing chaos. You raised the military banners in Mayi, pacifying the various northern tribes. Your ingenious strategies neutralized border threats and quelled the enemy's arrogance. The tribes north of the desert have all benefited from your generosity, and the people in the Luoyang Mountains area are especially grateful to you. Now, the small state of Chen in the Jianghuai region dares to rebel. I shall lead a large army to quell the rebellion in the southeast, so I appoint you as the commander of the march. Go! So it is decreed!" Qin Wang Jun then set off from Xinzhou. Later, Chen Ping was promoted to Senior Pillar of State for his great achievements. His son was also appointed as Count of Duanshi County, while Chen Ping himself was honored as Count of Anhua County and given five thousand bolts of cloth to continue guarding Shuozhou. After two years, he requested retirement, returned to the capital, and passed away at seventy. His son Qin Wang Jun inherited his title and rose to the rank of Yitong official. During the Sui Dynasty, he was summoned from the Shangdang region to serve as a Minister in the Ministry of Justice. Later, during a time of great turmoil, he led troops to suppress rebels in Beihai and died in battle against the enemy, posthumously honored with the title of Senior Minister.
Speaking of Dou Luji, his courtesy name was Ding Dong, and he was from Tuhe in Changli. His original surname was Murong, and he was a descendant of Murong Jing, the King of Northern Yan. After the defeat in the Zhongshan Battle, he surrendered to Northern Wei. At that time, people in the north referred to those who surrendered to the Wei dynasty as "Doulu," a term for surrenderers, so he changed his surname to Doulu. His grandfather Doulu Chang was a great general in the Ruxuan Garrison of Northern Wei, and his father Doulu Ning was a prominent official and Grand Guardian. When Dou Luji was born, Emperor Zhou personally came to his house to congratulate him, after having just defeated the Qi army, so Emperor Zhou gave him the courtesy name "Ding Dong." Dou Luji was intelligent and had great leadership abilities. When he was young, he studied at the Imperial Academy and had some knowledge of literature and calligraphy. In the twelfth year of the Great Unity of Northern Wei, Emperor Zhou granted him the title of Marquis of Yi'an due to his status as a meritorious official. After Emperor Zhou abdicated in favor of Emperor Min, he was appointed as a slightly higher-ranking official and an official with equivalent ceremonial rank, and his title was changed to Duke of Danyang, with a fief of 1,500 households. During the reign of Emperor Ming of Zhou, he served as the Left Wubo Grand Master. Dou Luji believed that his knowledge was not profound enough, so he requested to resign from his official position and study at the Lu Gate Academy. The emperor admired his dedication to learning and ordered him to continue his studies while retaining his original position. Shortly after, Prince Xian of Qi took Dou Luji's sister as a concubine, which further increased his favor.
After Wudi became emperor, he appointed him as the governor of Qiongzhou. Before he even took office, the Shuodang Qiang people in Weiyuan rebelled because of famine. Since everyone believed he was very capable and strategic, he was transferred to serve as the governor of Weizhou. He governed Weizhou excellently, earning the support of all ethnic groups. His benevolence was widely recognized by the people, and many auspicious signs began to appear. Bird Mouse Mountain, locally known as Gaowulong, is the source of the Wei River. The mountain is steep and inaccessible, and it had long suffered from water scarcity, causing hardship for the Qiang people. However, as he rode past, a spring suddenly gushed forth from where his horse's hooves had struck the ground! Additionally, a white bird flew to his office and laid eggs before departing, while a white wolf also appeared in Xiangwu. The common folk composed a song: "We have Danyang, where jade milk flows from the mountain. Saving our people and ethnic minorities, divine birds soar here." They named this spring "Jade Milk Spring." Later, after his father's death, he was so overwhelmed with grief that his health deteriorated, exceeding the prescribed mourning period. In the second year of Tianhe, he was appointed governor of Shaozhou and inherited the title of Duke of Chu. Later, he was summoned by the court to serve as the head of the Celestial Officials Office and subsequently as the governor of Xinzhou, Xiazhou, and Xiangzhou. When his mother passed away, he returned to the capital to mourn. In the second year of Xuandi Daxiang, he was appointed governor of Lizhou and promoted to Grand General. One month later, he was also named a Pillar of the State.
When Gaozu became Prime Minister, Wang Qian, the governor of Yizhou, rebelled. He defended the city and held out against the siege. Wang Qian sent his generals Daxi Ji, Gao Anagong, and Yifu Qian, leading a hundred thousand troops to attack him. They built earthen mounds, dug over seventy breaches in the city wall, and even flooded the city using river water. At that time, he had just over two thousand soldiers under his command, but they resisted day and night. After more than forty days of fighting, the situation grew increasingly dire. At this time, he employed a surprise strategy to defeat the enemy, killing thousands and capturing another two thousand. Just as Liang Rui's army was about to arrive, the rebels quickly fled. Gaozu sent Zhao Zhongqing to commend him and even issued a decree saying, "He possesses exceptional talent and insight, along with a broad vision and foresight. He has achieved remarkable success in governing the border regions. When the rebellion broke out in Bashu, the rebels suddenly besieged him. He was able to defend the city and take the initiative to attack, delivering a heavy blow to the rebels. His loyalty, integrity, and exceptional military skills have made significant contributions to this. Therefore, he is granted the title of Chief Envoy and the rank of Marquis of Zhuguo, and his son is granted the title of Duke of Zhongshan County."
In 582 AD, the Turks invaded the border, and the court appointed Yang Su as the Northern Marches' Marshal to defend against foreign invaders. A year later, Yang Su was promoted to the governor of Xiazhou. The emperor highly valued Yang Su's distinguished lineage and remarkable military accomplishments, and held him in high regard. Later, Prince Han Yang Liang married Yang Su's daughter as his concubine, further deepening the emperor's favor towards Yang Su.
In the year 587 AD, the emperor issued a decree stating: "Yang Su, the Grand Minister and Duke of Chu, during the rebellion in Shu, was able to defend the city and resist the rebels as if he were facing a foreign enemy. His contributions were significant, and his loyalty and integrity were commendable, and he was awarded a thousand households of land and people in Linjin County, Shizhou." In the year 589 AD, Yang Su was recalled to the capital due to illness. The emperor commanded all the princes to visit Yang Su's residence, and eunuchs were sent repeatedly to inquire about his condition. In the same year, Yang Su passed away at the age of fifty-five. The emperor was deeply saddened by this and remained in mourning for a long time, specially bestowing honors, and the Ministry of Rites was responsible for his funeral, posthumously bestowing upon him the title "Xiang." His son Yang Xian inherited his title and rose to the rank of Inspector of Xianzhou, Junior Minister of Justice, and Wuben Langjiang. Yang Su also had a younger brother named Yang Yu. It is said that Mr. Yu was ambitious and had a strong character from a young age. He was later appointed as a registrar in the household of Han Wang Liang, who was sent to serve as Inspector of Bingzhou. As Mr. Yu was the brother-in-law of Han Wang Liang, he accompanied General Zhao Zhongqing north to fight the Turks, distinguished himself, and was appointed as a Sima of the Righteous Guards.
When Emperor Gaozu passed away and Yang Guang became the emperor, he summoned Han Wang Liang back to the court. Han Wang Liang trusted the counsel of the advisor Wang Kui and actually rebelled. Mr. Yu earnestly tried to dissuade him, but Han Wang Liang completely ignored him. So Mr. Yu said to his brother Yi, "I can return to the court alone on horseback and definitely save my own life. But this is only for my own survival, not for the country. For now, let's feign compliance and then devise a plan." Mr. Yu's elder brother, Xian, who was the governor of Xianzhou at the time, told the emperor, "My brother Yu has always upheld his principles and would never engage in rebellion. He is just forced to do so and has no choice. Please let me join the army, coordinate with my brother, and there is no need to worry about Han Wang Liang." The emperor found this convincing and granted the request. Xian secretly sent a family member to deliver the imperial edict to Mr. Yu and discussed countermeasures together.
When Han Wang Liang left the city, preparing to go to Jiezhou, he left Mr. Yu and the general Zhu Tao to guard the city. Mr. Yu urged Zhu Tao, "Han Wang's rebellion is about to fail soon. How can I sit idly by and betray both our country and our family? We should resist him together!" Zhu Tao was shocked and said, "The prince entrusted such an important matter to us, how can you say that!" With that, he stormed off. Mr. Yu pursued him and took his life. At that time, Han Wang Liang's Sima Huangfu Dan was imprisoned for advising Han Wang Liang, so Mr. Yu freed Huangfu Dan and strategized with him. They also allied with officials including Suiwu, Panshihou Su Qinqu, Yutong Cheng Duan, Changsunkai, Cheqi Anchenghou Yuanshiya, and Yuanwuling Huangfu Wenhao to fortify the city and mount a defense against Han Wang Liang.
The situation was still uncertain, and someone informed on Han Wangliang, who then launched an attack. Mr. Yu saw Han Wangliang coming and tricked his soldiers by saying, "That’s the enemy!" Han Wangliang attacked the south gate of the city, and at that time Mr. Yu sent the Jihu people to guard the city wall. The Jihu people did not recognize Han Wangliang and shot arrows at him, with arrows raining down. Han Wangliang then attacked the west gate, and the soldiers defending the city were all from Binzhou and recognized Han Wangliang, so they opened the gate to welcome him. Mr. Yu was ultimately killed at the age of only twenty-eight.
After Han Wangliang was subdued, Emperor Yang decreed, "Honoring distinguished deeds aligns with the principles of the state, giving the highest respect, and honoring laws and regulations. Mr. Yu understood righteousness deeply, put aside family ties, and took great risks to offer his advice first. He sacrificed personal gain for the sake of the country and died for righteousness, and should be given higher honors and generous treatment. Posthumously appointed as Grand General, titled Duke of Zhengyi County, granted two thousand bolts of silk, and posthumously named Min."
The son wanted to inherit his father's title, so he went to pay his respects to the Yitong Sanxi. In the early years of the Daye reign of Emperor Wen of Sui, a new system of titles was implemented, and the five ranks of titles were abolished at the same time. Shortly thereafter, the emperor issued another decree, "The late Grand General Yang Yu, Duke of Zhengyi Min, who steadfastly held his position at the border, sacrificed himself for the country; his deeds serve as an enduring example worthy of remembrance. His son, Yang Yuan, virtuous and distinguished, deserves to be worshipped, so he is posthumously titled as Marquis of Yongqiu Min." Thus, Yang Yuan inherited his father's title. In the late years of the Daye reign, Yang Yuan was appointed as the Commander of the Left and Right of the Thousand Cattle.
Yang Tong, Yang Yuan's elder brother, who was also called Yang Hui, was generous and had great leadership abilities. During the Northern Zhou period, due to his father's achievements, he was granted the title of Marquis of Linzhen County, with a fief of one thousand households. He was soon appointed as Grand General and quickly promoted to the position of Minister of Ceremonies. The Prime Minister at that time, Yuwen Hu, recognized his talents and appointed him to lead his trusted troops, and re-titled him Duke of Woye County, with a fief of four thousand seven hundred households. He was later appointed as Kaifu, a position of military leadership, serving as the Governor of Northern Xuzhou. When Sui Wendi became Prime Minister, Wei Jiong rebelled, and he sent the appointed Governor of Juzhou, Wuman Ni, to lead troops to attack. Yang Tong counterattacked and defeated the rebels. Sui Wendi rewarded him with eight hundred rolls of cloth and promoted him to Grand General. In the early years of Kaihuang, Yang Tong was promoted to Duke of Nanchen County. Shortly after, he was summoned back to the court to oversee the guards in his original position. Over a year later, he was appointed as the Governor of Dingzhou. He was later transferred to be the Governor of Xiangzhou. He married Princess Changle, the sister of Emperor Sui Wendi, and from that point forward, he enjoyed increasing favor with the emperor. He was later promoted to be the Governor-General of Xiazhou and Hongzhou. He was renowned for his generosity and benevolence in all his positions. Yang Tong passed away in the seventeenth year of Kaihuang, at the age of fifty-nine, and was posthumously honored with the title An. He had a son named Yang Kuan.
He Ruo Yi, with the courtesy name Daoji, was from Luoyang, Henan. His grandfather, He Ruo Fuli, served as the Governor of Yunzhou during the Northern Wei period; his father, He Ruo Tong, was the General of the Right Guard. He Ruo Yi was decisive and exceptionally talented. During Northern Wei, due to his ancestors' achievements, he was titled as the Count of Rongcheng County. He gradually rose through the ranks, rising to the position of General of the Straight Pavilion, Grand Commander, Imperial Attendant of the Palace Library, and Director of the Imperial Banquet.
Zhou Taizu occupied the Guanzhong region and summoned him to serve at his side. On one occasion, Zhou Taizu sent him to Xingcheng. At that time, there were internal conflicts within the Ruru tribe, with some members stationed north of the Yellow River. He reasoned with them and persuaded them to submit to the Zhou. As a result, more than ten thousand people surrendered. Zhou Taizu greatly appreciated him, rewarding him with one hundred taels of gold and silver. Later, Northern Qi sent their envoy, Yang Chang, to establish relations with the Ruru tribe. Zhou Taizu was worried that they would unite and become a threat on the border, so he sent He Ruoyi to negotiate with the Ruru tribe. He Ruoyi offered substantial bribes to gain their trust, and the Ruru tribe believed him and allied with the Zhou dynasty, even handing over Yang Chang to He Ruoyi. Zhou Taizu was very pleased and appointed him as the General of Chariots and Cavalry, as well as the Secretary of the Palace of the Marquis Bearing the Mace and the Prefect of Lueyang.
After Emperor Zhou Min ascended the throne, he appointed He Ruoyi as the Master of Archery, changed his title to Marquis of Bache, and later promoted him to the position of Count of the Left Palace, soon after to the rank of Kaifu. He later successively served as the Inspector of Lingzhou and Shaozhou, the Governor of Yuanzhou and Xinzhou, excelling in every position. His brother He Ruodun once served as the Governor of Jinzhou but was later executed based on false accusations. Because of this incident, He Ruoyi was also dismissed from his position.
After Emperor Wu assumed power, he summoned He Ruoyi to serve as the Inspector of Xiongzhou. During the war to pacify Northern Qi, He Ruoyi led his troops out of Hangu Pass, first capturing the city of Luoyang. He was then appointed as the Inspector of Luozhou and granted the title of Marquis of Jianwei County. Northern Qi's Prince of Fanyang, Gao Shaoyi, fled to the Turks, and He Ruoyi pursued him. He engaged in battle with Gao Shaoyi at Mayi and ultimately captured him alive. In recognition of this military achievement, he was promoted to Grand General. After Gaozu assumed the role of Prime Minister, he appointed He Ruoyi as the Governor of Bozhou and instructed him to promptly take up his post. He stopped Sima Xiao's rebellion in the west and resisted Yu Jiong in the east. Later, when Li Hui, the Inspector of Shenzhou, rebelled, He Ruoyi went to suppress it, resulting in his ennoblement as the Duke of Fanyang Commandery and appointment as the Grand General.
During the reign of Emperor Kaihuang, he was appointed as the General of the Right Guard at the beginning. Later, Prince Hong of Hejian went to the north on an expedition against the Turks, and he was made the Vice Marshal. After the war ended, he was promoted to the position of General of the Left Guard. However, he was dismissed from his post later due to certain matters. Over a year later, he was appointed as the Governor of Huazhou, then shortly thereafter transferred to Fuzhou as its Governor, and he was also granted the title of Duke of Hailing. He was then transferred to Jingzhou as the Governor.
During that time, the Turks frequently harassed the border. The court valued his past reputation and appointed him as the Governor of Lingzhou, further promoting him to the rank of Grand General. By then, he was already old, but still physically strong, able to wear heavy armor and ride a horse, which instilled fear in the Turks. After a few years, he submitted a request for retirement to the emperor, which was approved. He was wealthy and constructed a villa in the countryside, planting many fruit trees. He often invited friends for gatherings, featuring music and dance performances, enjoying leisurely gatherings together. He passed away at home at the age of seventy-seven. His son inherited his title.
His eldest son, Xie, became the General of Cavalry; Xie's younger brother was named Xiang, who attained the rank of Commandant of the Imperial Carriage; Xiang's younger brother was named Yu, who became the General of Chariots and Cavalry; his nephew Bi has a separate biography recorded.
In historical records, it is said that figures like Yu Yi and Dou Rongding had connections with Nanyang's elite, some through marriage ties and others through old friendships in Fengyi. They were favored at opportune moments, secured the country through their military accomplishments, received generous rewards for their merits, maintained their official ranks and titles, and benefited their descendants. Like a fire continuously stoked, they continuously strengthened their positions, which is truly impressive! Dou Lu Yu gave his life for the nation during a time of crisis; Yin Shishi stayed loyal during the nation's hardships. If those who gave their lives for the nation were aware, it would surely bring comfort to the king and their families.
