Chen Xiaoyi, a native of Hedong, was quite ambitious in his youth. In his early twenties, he gained a reputation for his integrity and incorruptibility. During the Sui Dynasty, he took on a minor judicial position in Lu County and was known for his honesty and fairness. The county governor, Su Wei, once wanted to kill a prisoner, but Chen Xiaoyi strongly counseled against it. After several attempts to persuade Su Wei, he remained unyielding. Chen Xiaoyi simply stripped off his clothes and insisted that he be killed first. After a long time, Su Wei changed his mind, apologized to Chen Xiaoyi, released him, and increasingly respected him. Later, Su Wei became a central official and recommended Chen Xiaoyi to be an imperial censor.
After his father's death, Chen Xiaoyi resigned to fulfill his mourning duties. He observed mourning with utmost seriousness, even surpassing the customary rituals. At this time, a white deer frequently roamed near his home, and people believed it was a sign of his filial piety. Not long after, he was appointed as the county magistrate of Yanmen. He lived a simple life in Yanmen County, visiting his father's grave every morning and evening. Every time he cried at the grave, he cried so hard that he fainted, his hair burned, and his body became as thin as firewood, evoking deep sympathy from onlookers.
Amidst political turmoil and lax enforcement of laws, many local officials were corrupt. Nevertheless, Chen Xiaoyi remained unwavering in his integrity, exposed wrongdoers, captured criminals, and acted swiftly and decisively, as if he were under divine favor. The people praised him. When Emperor Yang of the Sui Dynasty traveled to Jiangdu, Liu Wuzhou of Mayi assassinated Governor Wang Rengong and incited a rebellion. Chen Xiaoyi led troops with the military officer Wang Zhibian to suppress Liu Wuzhou. They clashed with Liu Wuzhou at Xiaguan City, resulting in their defeat.
Liu Wuzhou continued to attack the nearby counties, causing panic among the people, who were nearly ready to revolt. Former county magistrate Yang Changren, Yamen county magistrate Wang Que, and others were all cunning and deceitful individuals, drawing in many rogues as they conspired to support Liu Wuzhou. Chen Xiaoyi secretly learned of their plot and eliminated their whole families, leaving the townspeople too frightened to think of rebellion.
Soon, Liu Wuzhou led his troops to attack Yamen, but Chen Xiaoyi held firm and won every time. However, Yamen City was surrounded and isolated, with no reinforcements coming. Chen Xiaoyi was determined to defend the city at all costs. He sent messengers to Jiangdu multiple times for help, but Liu Wuzhou's army had blocked all the routes, and they never received a response. Chen Xiaoyi knew the court would not send troops to rescue them, so he knelt before the imperial edict storehouse every day, weeping, his sorrow infecting those around him.
After being besieged for over a hundred days and running out of food, Chen Xiaoyi was ultimately killed by his subordinate, Zhang Lun, and Yamen City fell to Liu Wuzhou.
Zhang Jixun, a native of Jingzhao, was the son of Zhang Xiang. He was favored by Emperor Gaozu in his youth and later promoted to serve as a military advisor to the prime minister. During the reign of Emperor Wen of the Sui Dynasty, Zhang Xiang rose through the ranks to become the Sima of Bingzhou. During the reign of Emperor Yang of the Sui Dynasty, Prince Han Yang Liang staged a rebellion and sent General Liu Jian to attack the Yan-Zhao region. Liu Jian advanced to Jingxing, and Zhang Xiang led troops to resist. Liu Jian launched a fierce attack and even set fire to the city walls. Seeing the terrified civilians, there was a temple dedicated to the Queen Mother of the West near the city wall. He climbed up the city wall, bowed twice to the temple, and cried out, "What crime have the people committed to deserve such a disaster! If the immortals truly have spirits, please hurry and send rain to save us!" As soon as he finished speaking, dark clouds gathered over the temple, and soon it started to rain heavily, quickly extinguishing the fire. The soldiers were deeply moved by his sincerity and followed his orders. The city endured a siege for over a month until reinforcements led by Li Xiong arrived, and the rebels finally retreated. Zhang Xiang was honored for his achievements and appointed as Kaifu, later serving as the Governor of Ruzhou, the Prefect of Lingwu, and finally as the Director of the Capital Water Bureau, where he served until his death.
Zhang Jixun has been bold and generous since childhood, with a strong sense of integrity. During the reign of the Sui Dynasty, he became a general known as the Eagle Strike General and occupied Jishan as a stronghold, coordinating with the forces at Luokou. Later, Li Mi and Zhai Rang broke through Cangcheng and sent people to persuade him to surrender. Zhang Jixun cursed Li Mi, who then sent troops to attack him, but failed to capture him for several years. At that time, Li Mi had tens of thousands of soldiers surrounding his city, while Zhang Jixun only had a few hundred men. Despite being outnumbered, he remained resolute, swearing to fight to the death. After three years, with their military supplies exhausted and even firewood running out, they had to burn down houses for warmth, while they sheltered in caves. Zhang Jixun continued to patrol and reassure his men, none of whom betrayed him. Eventually, with no more food and exhausted soldiers, the city was conquered. Zhang Jixun sat calmly in his official residence as Li Mi's troops arrested him.
A group of soldiers dragged Zhang Jixun to kneel before Li Mi, but he refused and declared, "Although I am a defeated general, I am still a servant of the emperor. How can I kneel before you bandits!" Li Mi was moved by his spirit and released him. Zhai Rang demanded money, and when he was denied, he had Zhang Jixun killed. He was only twenty-eight years old at the time.
His younger brother, Zhang Zhongyan, became a local official towards the end of the Sui Dynasty. When the rebels rose up, his subordinates killed him and surrendered to the rebels. Another brother of Zhang Jixun, Zhang Cong, was killed during Yuwen Huaji's uprising. The Zhang family has long been celebrated for their loyalty and patriotism, with several brothers laying down their lives for their country, winning the admiration of the people.
It is said that Song Yun, a man from Beihai, had a strong and valiant personality, especially valuing righteousness. He served as a team leader in Shimen Prefecture. During the final years of the Sui Dynasty under Emperor Yang, a bandit called Yang Hou led a rebellion and attacked Beihai County. Song Yun followed the troops from the county to suppress the rebellion. He went to scout the enemy on horseback but was captured by Yang Hou. Yang Hou wanted to trick the townspeople into believing the official troops had been defeated and that they should surrender quickly. Song Yun pretended to agree. Upon reaching the city, he suddenly shouted, "I am Song Yun, sent to scout the enemy, accidentally captured, not because I couldn't defeat them! The main force of the official troops has arrived and will be here soon! The bandits are few and weak; they will be quickly eliminated, so do not worry!" Yang Hou, furious, slashed his mouth with a knife, dragged him away, and beat him mercilessly. Song Yun cursed Yang Hou while being beaten, "You old bandit, how dare you insult loyal and righteous men? You are digging your own grave!" Before he could finish speaking, Yang Hou cut off his waist. The people in the city, seeing this scene, couldn't help but weep and beat their chests, yet their morale soared even higher. Beihai City was ultimately saved. Emperor Yang of Sui Dynasty sent Guo Zijian, a clerk, to suppress Yang Hou, and they defeated him. The emperor was deeply regretful and mourned Song Yun's sacrifice for the country, and he petitioned the court to honor him. The emperor decreed to reward him, posthumously awarding him the title of Grand Master and appointing him as the magistrate of his county. Historical accounts suggest: The ancients believed that the world was paramount, and individuals were insignificant. While living is important, compared to righteousness, life is as light as a wisp of air. Therefore, some deaths are heavier than Mount Tai because they are dying for justice; some lives are lighter than a feather because they are living in fear. However, death cannot be reversed, and life only happens once, so staying true to one's principles in any situation is the hardest thing to do.
The rebellion led by Yang Liang, Xuan Gan, and Li Mi has already taken on a large-scale form, with growing ferocity. Huangfu Dan, You Yuan, and Feng Ciming, however, remain undaunted in this critical moment, valiantly sacrificing themselves for the sake of righteousness. Dugu Sheng, Yuan Wendo, Lu Chu, and Yao Junsu, aren't they aware that the situation is beyond saving? They willingly embrace the fate of death in order to uphold loyal integrity. Though their contributions couldn't save the nation, and their strength couldn't turn the tide, in contrast to those who cower, their integrity transcends both heaven and earth, reaching even to the depths of the underworld. Xuduo and Shanhui embody the virtues of gentleness, humility, and self-restraint, while Ziyi and Songyun exemplify the heroism of self-sacrifice for righteousness. Even in times of national chaos, loyal ministers still arise; this is undeniably true!
