Yang Chugang was a distant cousin of the founding emperor. He grew up in the north and developed exceptional horsemanship and archery skills from a young age. During the Zhou Dynasty, he was appointed as Shang Yitong due to his military achievements. After the founding emperor took the throne, Yang Chugang's father, Yang Zhongkui, was posthumously honored with the titles of Zhuguo, Shangshu Ling, and Duke of Yicheng, with Yang Chugang inheriting the title. He was later appointed as Kaifu, in charge of overseeing military matters. Shortly after, he was promoted to the position of Prince's Guard Commander, and later to the position of Left Gate General. Several years later, he was further promoted to Right Army General. Although Yang Chugang did not possess exceptional talents, he was known for his integrity and efficiency in his official duties, earning praise from his contemporaries. He was later appointed as the Governor of Puzhou, where he was well-regarded by the locals. He eventually rose to the position of Grand General before being reassigned as the Governor of Qinzhou, where he passed away. He was posthumously granted the title "Gong."
His younger distant cousin, Yang Chule, served as the Inspector of Luozhou. However, during the rebellion led by Prince Liu Liang of Han, the court suspected Yang Chule of disloyalty, resulting in his demotion and the revocation of his title.
Yang Zichong was the younger distant cousin of the founding emperor. His father, Yang Pensheng, was posthumously honored as the Inspector of Jingzhou. Yang Zichong was known for his passion for learning and extensive reading, and for his polite and cultured demeanor. He also enjoyed making friends with talented individuals. During the reign of Emperor Wen of Sui, he was appointed as Yitong and served as the General of Chariots and Cavalry, guarding the palace. He later became the Minister of Doors. After Emperor Yang of Sui ascended the throne, Yang Zichong was promoted several times, eventually becoming the General of the Imperial Guard. However, he was dismissed due to a mistake. Soon after, he was appointed as an Acting General.
Once, Emperor Yang of Sui went to Fenyang Palace for a visit, and Yang Zichong had a premonition that the Turks would definitely attack, so he repeatedly requested the emperor to return to the capital early, but the emperor did not listen to him. As a result, the siege of Yanmen Pass indeed happened. After the enemy retreated, Emperor Yang of Sui was very angry and said, "Yang Zichong is timid and fearful, making baseless requests, disrupting the morale of everyone, and cannot be allowed to hold an important position again!" So, Yang Zichong was demoted to the position of prefect of Lishi County. Although demoted, he was still very capable and well-regarded in governing the local area.
Since then, the Turks frequently harassed the border, and a man named Liu Liuer from the Hu ethnic group even led a group of people and horses to rob Lishi County. Yang Zichong submitted a memorial to the court requesting troops to suppress them. The emperor was furious again and ordered Yang Zichong to inspect the Great Wall. Yang Zichong traveled more than a hundred miles and found that all roads were blocked on all sides, trapped with no way to advance or retreat, so he had to return. At that time, the common people were facing famine, and many people gathered to rob. Yang Zichong captured and executed the families of these deserters.
Over a year later, Liang Shidu in Shuofang and Liu Wuzhou in Mayi rebelled, and the Hu people in Lishi County also responded one after another. Yang Zichong felt the s
It is said that this King De Xiong, originally named Hui, was a descendant of Emperor Gaozu. His father was named Shao, who served in various official positions in the Zhou Dynasty and was titled Duke of Tangcheng County. The emperor bestowed upon him the surname Chilüyin. King De Xiong was handsome and dignified, with a graceful demeanor that revealed his noble character.
During Emperor Wu of Zhou’s reign, King De Xiong held the position of a junior official in the Crown Prince's residence. Once, when the emperor went to Yunyang Palace, Prince Wei rebelled and attacked the Suzhang Gate with his troops. King De Xiong bravely rushed forward and repelled them. Due to his bravery, he was promoted to Yitong and was also titled Duke of Wuyang County with a fief of one thousand households. He continued to rise in ranks and eventually became the Chief Officer of the Right Guard. During the reign of Emperor Daixiang, he was subsequently promoted to Duke of Hangguo with a fief of five thousand households.
When Gaozu became the Prime Minister, the Governor of Yongzhou, Bi Wangxian, planned to rebel. At that time, King De Xiong served as a personal attendant, and he quickly informed Gaozu of Bi Wangxian's conspiracy. As a result, Bi Wangxian was executed, and King De Xiong was honored with the titles Pillar of the State, Governor of Yongzhou, and also served as the Minister of the Imperial Palace. When Emperor Xuandi died, the court feared that other princes might stir up trouble, so King De Xiong was tasked with leading six thousand cavalry to escort the emperor to his tomb for burial. Afterward, King De Xiong received another promotion and became the Chief Pillar of the State.
After Gaozu became emperor, he appointed Prince De Xiong as the General of the Left Guard and also the Grand Minister of the Ancestral Cult. Not long after, he was promoted to the Grand General of the Right Guard and participated in court affairs. Later, he was granted the title of Prince of Guangping, with a fief of five thousand households, and the title of Marquis of Hangguo was conferred upon one of his sons. Prince De Xiong also requested the emperor to appoint his brother Shigui as an official, and the emperor consented. Someone accused Gao Feng of being in league with Prince De Xiong, so the emperor asked Prince De Xiong directly. Prince De Xiong replied, "I am in the palace every day serving, Your Majesty is always around; if there were really any factions, how could I not know! Your Majesty is wise and personally oversees state affairs, Gao Feng acts justly and abides by the law; this is merely your personal preferences, please investigate clearly." Gaozu felt that what he said made sense. At that time, Prince De Xiong held significant power and was one of the most prominent figures, he, along with Gao Feng, Yu Qingze, and Su Wei, were known as the "Four Nobles."
Yang Xiong was a generous and kind person, and everyone in the court paid attention to him. Emperor Gaozu, however, felt somewhat wary of him, fearing his growing influence and did not want him to have control over the military again. So he issued an imperial edict appointing him as Minister of Works and Public Projects, which stated, "In the ninth year of the Kaihuang reign, on the first day of the eighth month, I, the emperor, declare: Listen here, Grand Preceptor, Grand General of the Right Guard, Grand Minister of the Ancestral Cult, Prince of Guangping, you are known for your generosity and magnanimity, and hold a prominent position, having commanded the imperial guards for over ten years. In the court, you are the emperor's confidant; outside, you are the state's right-hand man, working tirelessly and diligently. In consideration of your past merits, I grant you a promotion and title. You bear the heavy responsibility of assisting the ministers; the people are all looking up to you, you must strive to live up to this title. Therefore, I appoint you as Minister of Works and Public Projects. Go, do well! Honorably accept this favor, do not disappoint my expectations!" While it appeared to be a promotion on the surface, it was, in fact, a means to strip him of his military command.
Yang Xiong had little real power left, so he shut himself away and turned away all visitors. Not long after, he was granted the title of King of Qingzhang. In the Renshou era, Emperor Gaozu said, "The name Qingzhang does not match his status and reputation." So he had a map brought in and pointed to Ande County, saying to his officials, "The name of this place is more fitting for his achievements and reputation." And so, Yang Xiong was renamed as the King of Ande.
During the Daye era, he was appointed Grand Tutor of the Crown Prince. After Crown Prince Yuande passed away, he served as the acting Inspector of Zhengzhou. Over a year later, he was appointed Inspector of Huaizhou. He then rose to become the Intendant of Jingzhao. Later, when the Emperor personally led an expedition against the Tuyuhun, he appointed Yang Xiong to command the troops in the Jiaohedao region. Upon returning from the battle, Yang Xiong was further honored with the title of Prince Guan. He submitted a memorial to express his gratitude, saying, "I was fortunate to grow up in a prosperous era, yet I have always been just a minor figure. To have reached my current position is all thanks to the changing times and circumstances. I possess neither talent nor virtue, yet I have risen to a high official position in the court. I am deeply grateful for the special favor of the late Emperor and the exceptional promotion by Your Majesty. Having long held a high position, I have always feared becoming arrogant and complacent, and how am I to continue to enjoy undeserved glory and wealth, or usurp this honor? I am truly ashamed and do not dare to rely on precedent. I am ignorant and unworthy of such great love, and fear that I cannot bear the responsibility. In the past, Liu Jia was ennobled as a prince without holding a position higher than the third rank, and Cao Hong became a general without exceeding the fifth rank. Moreover, my position is even higher than that of a prince, and the position of Intendant of Jingzhao is second only to the imperial family. If I were to become a vassal king and be granted the Golden Seal of Founding, how am I to conduct myself? Others would say that I am insatiable. Therefore, I boldly express my foolishness and humbly request Your Majesty's permission to remain in the capital. I hope Your Majesty can appreciate my loyalty and sincerity. I have repeatedly offended Your Majesty, and my heart is filled with trepidation." After reading this, the Emperor granted his request and did not agree to his resignation.
It is said that this general, during the war in Liaodong, was appointed as the General of the Left Imperial Guard, leading the troops in Liaodong. He passed away due to illness in Luhe Town at the age of seventy-one. The emperor suspended court for one day and assigned the Honglu Temple to take care of his funeral arrangements. After reviewing his life achievements, the relevant authorities suggested the posthumous title of "Yi." The emperor said, "He was upright and noble, with morals that surpassed those of ordinary people." Therefore, he was posthumously granted the title of "De" and was also posthumously granted ten county magistrate titles, namely SITU, Xiangguo, Wu'an, Bohai, Qinghe, Shangdang, Hejian, Jibei, Gaomi, and Jiyin.
His son, Gongren, held the position of Ministry of Personnel. Gongren had a brother named Chen, who was gentle, kind, and cultured, and served as the Governor of Yizhou and the Prefect of Huainan. After his father's death, Chen was appointed as the Grand Master of the Imperial Guard. During the Liaodong campaign, the emperor also sent him to garrison in Linhai to supervise the war. Later, Yang Xuangan rebelled, and Xuangan's brother Xuzong escaped from the palace and sought refuge with his brother. Along the way, he met Chen. Chen and Xuzong hid and had a long conversation, meeting several times in secret. The Grand Master of the Imperial Guard, Liu Xiuwen, reported this to the emperor. At that time, Chen's brother Gongren, the Ministry of Personnel, was leading troops outside. Given the circumstances, the emperor chose to suppress the matter temporarily and did not pursue an investigation. Chen, feeling fearful, fell gravely ill. Chen also had a brother named Xu, who later became a Gentleman of the Cavalry.
He also had a younger brother named Da, whose courtesy name was Shida. He was bright and clever since childhood, knowledgeable, and of good character. During the Zhou Dynasty, he held various official positions, eventually rising to the rank of Yitong and Neishi Xia Daifu, and was also granted the title of Marquis of Suining County. After the founding emperor ascended the throne, he was appointed as Assistant Minister of the Yellow Gate, and his title was also elevated. At that time, when the Tuyuhun invaded the borders, the emperor appointed Yuan Xie as the marshal and Da as the general. After the war ended, Da also served as Deputy Minister of Personnel and was also appointed to the position of Yitong Sanqi. Over a year later, he was promoted to Neishi Shilang and then was sent to serve as the governor of Shan, Zheng, and Zhao provinces, where he excelled. After the Chen Dynasty was pacified and the country was at peace, the emperor sought to select the finest officials, and Da was ranked first. The emperor rewarded him with five hundred bolts of colorful silk, a gold belt, promoted him to Minister of Works, and his title was elevated to Yitong Sanqi. Da was known for his generosity and impressive demeanor. Yang Su often said, "There is only Yang Da who embodies the demeanor and character of a true gentleman." He also participated in the planning and design of the mausoleums of the Empress Xian and the founding emperor. After Emperor Yang of Sui took the throne, Yang Qing was promoted to Counselor and also served as Deputy Supervisor of the Eastern Capital. The emperor held him in high regard. Later, Emperor Yang of Sui campaigned in Liaodong, and Yang Qing took on the role of Right Martial Guard General and was eventually promoted to Left Guanglu Daifu. He died in battle at the age of sixty-two. The emperor mourned for a long time, posthumously appointed him Minister of Personnel and Marquis of Shi'an, bestowed upon him the posthumous title of "Gong," and awarded him three hundred and fifty lengths of cloth.
Historical records state that Emperor Yang Jian of the Sui Dynasty initially moved the capital to Chang'an, and the people's loyalty was not fully secured. In order to consolidate his rule, he promoted relatives of the same clan to solidify his rule. Therefore, Prince Yang Hong of Hejian and Prince Yang Xiong of Guande both played significant roles in establishing the dynasty. Yang Qing, on the other hand, was favored solely because of his connection to the emperor, rather than any notable abilities, which allowed him to enjoy high positions and wealth until the end, remaining by the emperor's side throughout. Yang Qing's character was merely average, focused solely on survival, easily discarding his clan members, and showing indifference toward his birth mother as if she were a discarded item. Ultimately, he faced a tragic fate: death and the extinction of his clan, a fate entirely of his own making! Consider those who rise to high positions and enjoy wealth and glory for generations; this is all due to their benevolent and tolerant nature!
