Murong Sanzang is from the Yan Kingdom. His father, Murong Shaozong, was the Left Minister of the Qi Kingdom's Secretariat and also the Grand Chancellor of the Southeastern Circuit, a very powerful figure. Sanzang was intelligent and talented in military affairs from a young age, a veritable copy of his father. He started off as a military officer in the Grand Commandant’s office in the Qi Kingdom and was soon promoted to the Commander of the Imperial Guard. During the reign of Wu Ping, he inherited the title of Marquis of Yan County and was awarded a fief consisting of eight hundred households. That year, he defeated the Zhou forces at Xiaoshui, then defeated the Chen army at Shouyang, and was promoted to General of the Imperial Guards. Later, he defeated the Zhou forces at Heyang and was directly promoted to Grand General of the Imperial Guards. He was later appointed as the General of the Right Guard and was also granted the title of Marquis of Fanyang, with his fief increased to one thousand households. When the Zhou army attacked Ye City, the last ruler of Qi abandoned the city, leaving Ye City in the hands of Murong Sanzang and his men to defend. After the fall of Qi, Emperor Wen of Sui summoned him and treated him well, decreeing that "Murong Sanzang and his father are renowned for their loyalty and righteousness; they should be given higher official positions." Thus, he was appointed as the Grand General of the Household Affairs. In that year, when the Ji Hu tribes revolted, the Emperor sent Murong Sanzang to suppress the rebellion, which he quickly accomplished. In the first year of Kaihuang, he was appointed as the Inspector of Wuzhou. Nine years later, the Emperor sent him as the Inspector of Liangzhou. In the same year, the chief of Lingnan, Wang Zhongxuan, instigated a rebellion and besieged Guangzhou. The court appointed Wei Guang, the Duke of Xiangyang, as the Commander of the Expedition, with Murong Sanzang as his deputy. Upon their arrival in Guangzhou, they engaged the rebels, and Wei Guang was struck by an arrow and perished. The Emperor then appointed Murong Sanzang to assume command of military operations in the Guangzhou region.
Ten years later, rebels besieged Guangzhou from all sides, and Murong Sanzang defended the city for over a month. As food ran low and arrows ran out, Murong Sanzang realized he could no longer hold out. He led his best troops to break through under the cover of darkness, defeated the rebels, and saved Guangzhou. For his achievements in this battle, he was appointed as the Grand Marshal, awarded a hundred slaves, and received many treasures of gold and silver.
Twelve years later, he was appointed as the Inspector of Kuozhou. Kuozhou was located at the westernmost border, adjacent to the Tuyuhun tribe, where criminals were exiled and many of them escaped. After Murong Sanzang took office, he won them over and brought them peace, earning the love and respect of the people. Officials and citizens praised him, and Emperor Wen of Sui sent people to inquire about his situation. That year, livestock farming thrived in Kuozhou, and they offered butter to the emperor, who rewarded him with a hundred rolls of cloth.
Thirteen years later, Lianyun Mountain in Kuozhou echoed three times, which locals regarded as an auspicious sign. The emperor ordered the news to be announced nationwide and sent people to the mountain for sacrifices. That day, auspicious clouds appeared in the sky, and the wild chickens and rabbits on the mountain grew unusually tame. The emissaries reported these events to the emperor, who was very pleased. In the fifteenth year, he was appointed as the Governor of Diezhou. Murong Sanzang quickly suppressed the frequent uprisings of the Xianbei and Qiang tribes, bringing stability to the region for both Han and minority ethnic groups.
In the first year of Renshou, he was titled as the Baron of Henei County. In the first year of Daye, he was appointed as the Inspector of Hezhou. Three years later, he was promoted to the Prefect of Huainan Commandery, where he implemented effective governance. That year, he was appointed as the Grand Master of Glorious Happiness. In the seventh year of Daye, he passed away.
Tang Sanzang's disciple, Zixia, once served as the county magistrate of Chanzhou. When the Han prince staged a rebellion, Zixia refused to surrender because of his steadfast loyalty, earning him a reputation as a man of loyalty and righteousness.
Now that we've talked about Zixia, let's talk about Xue Shixiong. Xue Shixiong, courtesy name Shiying, hailed from Fenyin in Hedong, but his family later settled in Guanzhong. His father, Xue Hui, courtesy name Daohong, served as an official during the Northern Zhou Dynasty, eventually becoming the Governor of Jingzhou. During the Kaihuang period of the Sui Dynasty, he was granted the title of Duke of Wuyin County and also managed the transportation canal. As he grew older, he retired and returned home to enjoy his retirement. Xue Shixiong stood out from other children from a young age. When playing games with his friends, he would draw city walls in the dirt and assign everyone roles as attackers or defenders. If anyone dared to disobey him, he would give them a good beating! The children were all afraid of him and obediently listened to him. His father was astonished by this and said to others, "This child will surely bring honor to his ancestors in the future!" At the age of seventeen, he accompanied Emperor Wu of Zhou to pacify the Qi Kingdom, earned recognition, and was appointed as a commanding general. Throughout the Kaihuang period of the Sui Dynasty, Xue Shixiong distinguished himself in battle and gradually rose in ranks, eventually rising to the rank of General of the Right Guard of the Imperial Chariot and Cavalry. After Emperor Yang of Sui ascended the throne, the Yi and Liao tribes in Panyu rebelled, so the Emperor dispatched Xue Shixiong to quell the rebellion. After successfully quelling the rebellion, he was promoted to General of the Right Guard of the Palace Gates. Later, he followed the Emperor to campaign against the Tuyuhun and rose to the rank of Senior Consultant. Xue Shixiong was known for his integrity and caution. He never harmed civilians during battles, earning the Emperor's high regard. Once, the Emperor was chatting with his ministers and said, "I want to promote someone good. Does anyone have a suitable candidate?" The ministers replied, "How could we possibly know what you're thinking?" The Emperor said, "The person I'm considering is Xue Shixiong." The ministers all agreed. The Emperor continued, "Shixiong is honest and upright, embodying the qualities of renowned ancient ministers." As a result, the Emperor promoted him directly to General of the Right Wing Guard.
One year later, the emperor appointed Xue Shixiong as the Grand General of the Yumen Dao Army, alongside Turkic Khan Qimin, to fight against Yiwu. When the army arrived at Yumen Pass, Qimin Khan broke the pact and failed to send his troops, so Xue Shixiong marched deep into the desert alone. At first, the people of Yiwu believed the Sui army would not arrive and were unprepared. However, when they heard that Xue Shixiong's army had crossed the desert, they panicked and quickly surrendered, even sending cattle and wine to the military camp as a gesture of submission. Xue Shixiong then built a new city called Xin Yiwu to the east of the old Yiwu city, leaving the Silver Imperial Official Wang Wei and over a thousand soldiers to guard it before returning. The emperor was very pleased and promoted Xue Shixiong to the position of Zhengyi Daifu, rewarding him with two thousand bolts of cloth.
In the battle in Liaodong, Xue Shixiong served as the General of the Woju Dao Army and faced defeat in Pyongyang with Yu Wenshu. When retreating to Baishishan, they were heavily surrounded by the enemy and faced a rain of arrows. Xue Shixiong led the exhausted army to form a square formation, selected two hundred elite cavalry to charge first, and when the enemy began to withdraw, he pursued and ultimately defeated them, safely retreated. However, due to heavy losses, Xue Shixiong was eventually dismissed.
The following year, the emperor launched another campaign in Liaodong and appointed Xue Shixiong as the Right Houwei General, with the aim of targeting the Tadun Dao. When the army reached Wugucheng, Yang Xuangan rebelled, forcing the army to retreat back to the capital. While in Lucheng, the emperor appointed Xue Shixiong as the Ambassador of the Northeast Dao, concurrently serving as the Prefect of Yanjun, to defend Huaiyuan. At that time, the Turks regularly raided the border, inflicting hardship on the border counties. The emperor ordered Xue Shixiong to lead troops from twelve counties to patrol the border before returning to the capital. Ten years later, Xue Shixiong followed the emperor to Liaodong again, and he was promoted to Left Imperial Guard General, concurrently serving as the Garrison Commander of Zhuojun.
Not long after, Li Mi attacked Dongdu, throwing the Central Plains into chaos. The Emperor ordered Xue Shixiong to lead the elite troops from Youzhou and Jizhou to attack Li Mi. The army arrived at Hejian and set up camp on the southern edge of the county town. The counties around Hejian assembled their forces to join Xue Shixiong's main force, preparing to attack Dou Jiande together. Dou Jiande relocated his family and selected a few hundred elite soldiers to launch a night attack on Xue Shixiong's army. They first attacked the Hejian army, which was defeated and fled to Xue Shixiong's camp. At that time, a thick fog enveloped the area, rendering it impossible for the army to form ranks. They all scrambled to flee, leading to a crushing defeat. Xue Shixiong fled into Hejian City with dozens of cavalrymen. Overcome with shame and anger, he fell ill and died shortly after returning to Zhuojun, at the age of sixty-three. He left behind four sons, Wanshu, Wan Shu, Wan Jun, and Wan Che, all known for their bravery and skill in battle.
Wang Rengong, whose courtesy name was Yuanshi, was a native of Shanggui County in Tianshui Commandery. His grandfather, Wang Jian, served as the Prefect of Fengzhou during the Zhou Dynasty, and his father, Wang Meng, was the Prefect of Shanzhou. Wang Rengong was known for his strong and cautious nature from a young age, skilled in horseback riding and archery. As a young man, he was appointed Chief Clerk of the prefecture, summoned by Prince Xiao of Qin to serve as a secretary, later promoted to Changdao Ling, and eventually became General of Chariots and Cavalry.
He followed Yang Su to fight against the Turks in Lingwu, achieving great merit, he was appointed Upper Imperial Chancellor and rewarded with three thousand bolts of silk. Later, he served as General of the Valiant Cavalry, in charge of the military affairs of the Prince of Shu. At that time, the Liao people in the mountains rebelled, and the Prince of Shu sent Wang Rengong to suppress the rebellion. He won the battle, and the Prince of Shu rewarded him with three hundred slaves. Later, the Prince of Shu committed a crime and was deposed; many who had served the Prince of Shu were implicated. However, the Emperor believed that Wang Rengong was of upright character, so he did not investigate his responsibility.
After Emperor Yang of Sui ascended to the throne, Han Prince Liang rebelled, and Wang Rengong followed Yang Su to suppress the rebellion. For his achievements, he was promoted to Grand General, appointed as the Inspector of Lvzhou, and rewarded with four thousand bolts of fabric and ten courtesans. Over a year later, he was transferred to be the Inspector of Weizhou, and shortly after was appointed as the Prefect of Jijun, where he achieved significant political accomplishments and earned a strong reputation.
Later, the court summoned him back to the capital, where the Emperor called him to the palace, offered his condolences and encouragement, and rewarded him with six hundred bolts of multicolored silk and two fine horses. He was then appointed as the Prefect of Xindu, and the officials and citizens of Jijun stopped his carriage on the way, crying uncontrollably and preventing him from departing for several days, showing how well-liked he was!
During the Liaodong campaign, Wang Rengong took on the role of military commander. When the Emperor returned to the capital, Wang Rengong, who was at the rear, encountered bandits on the road and chased them off. The Emperor promoted him to Left Guanglu Daifu and rewarded him with six thousand bolts of silk and forty horses.
The following year, he was appointed as a military commander again, responsible for the direction of Fuyu Road. The Emperor said to him, "Many military campaigns in the past have not been successful; only the army led by you has defeated the enemy. As the ancients say, a general who has lost cannot speak of bravery; can other generals be entrusted with important tasks? Now I place the vanguard in your hands, hoping you will not disappoint the people's expectations!" The Emperor also rewarded him with ten fine horses and one hundred taels of gold.
Wang Rengong then led his army forward, reaching Xincheng where he faced tens of thousands of enemy troops arrayed at the city. Wang Rengong led a thousand elite cavalry to charge into battle and rout the enemy. The enemy retreated to the city, and Wang Rengong laid siege to them from all directions. The Emperor was thrilled to hear this, sent envoys to the military camp to congratulate him, and bestowed upon him many treasures. Wang Rengong was promoted to Guanglu Daifu and rewarded with five thousand bolts of silk.
Later, Yang Xuangan rebelled, and his nephew, Yang Zhongbo, also participated in the rebellion, causing Wang Rengong to be dismissed. Not long after, the Turks repeatedly invaded and harassed the border. The emperor, considering Wang Rengong's extensive experience and numerous military achievements, reinstated him and appointed him as the Prefect of Mayi. That year, the Turkic Khan led tens of thousands of cavalry to invade Mayi and also sent two special commanders to lead troops to attack from the south. With fewer than three thousand troops in the county, Wang Rengong selected an elite force to counterattack and defeated the enemy. The two special commanders' armies were also defeated, and Wang Rengong pursued them, capturing thousands of enemy soldiers' heads and killing the two special commanders. The emperor was very pleased and rewarded him with three thousand bolts of silk. Later, the Turks invaded Dingxiang, and Wang Rengong led four thousand troops to attack, killing over a thousand enemies and returning triumphantly with many livestock. At that time, the realm was in chaos, the people were starving, and the roads were blocked. Wang Rengong changed his previous conduct, began accepting bribes, and was hesitant to open the granaries to assist the people. His subordinate, Captain Liu Wuzhou, was involved with Wang Rengong's maid and feared exposure, so he planned a rebellion. He spread discontent everywhere, saying, "The elders and villagers are freezing and starving to death, w
Quan Wu, courtesy name Wunang, is from Tianshui. His grandfather, Quan Chao, was the Governor of Qinzhou during the Northern Wei dynasty. His father, Quan Xiqing, was an official of the Northern Zhou dynasty who once fought against the Qi army in Bingzhou under Emperor Wuyuan and was besieged for over a hundred days. Quan Xiqing fought desperately, exhausting his arrows and engaging in close combat, injuring many enemies until all his weapons were broken. He took off his helmet and threw it down, shouting at his enemies, "Why don’t you come and take my head?" In the end, he was killed by the enemies.
As a loyal descendant, Quan Wu was appointed as an official from the outset, inheriting the title of Duke of Qijun with a fief of 1,200 households. Quan Wu was resolute and fierce from a young age, exceptionally skilled in martial arts, and could ride a horse in full armor. He once jumped into a well and sprang back out before hitting the bottom, showcasing his agility. He fought alongside Wang Qian, capturing five cities of the Qi state, which raised his fief to 800 households. During the campaign to pacify the Qi state, he captured Shaozhou and six other cities, earning an additional 300 households in his fief.
During the reign of Emperor Xuan, he was appointed Chief Officer of the Jingjie Left Regiment and later promoted to Chief Military Officer. When Emperor Gao served as Prime Minister, he kept Quan Wu close. After Emperor Gao ascended the throne, he increased Quan Wu's fief by an additional 500 households. Six years later, he was appointed Governor of Xizhou. During the campaign against the Chen state, he served as Commander-in-Chief, accompanying the Prince of Jin in an attack on Liuhe. After his return, he was appointed Governor of Yuzhou. After serving for several years, for his contributions to the founding of the country, he was promoted to Grand General and simultaneously appointed Commander of Tanzhou. That year, a rebellion led by Li Shixian in Guizhou broke out. Quan Wu served as Commander-in-Chief and, together with General Wuhou Yu Qingze, suppressed the rebellion. Later, Yu Qingze was executed for his crimes, but Quan Wu's contributions went unrecognized, and he returned to his position in the province.
Quan Wu mass-produced gold belts and returned them to the chieftains in Lingnan. Those chieftains also returned many treasures to him, which Quan Wu accepted and thus became very wealthy. Later in life, Quan Wu fathered a son. Once, while drinking with relatives and friends, he became drunk and pardoned the prisoners in his jurisdiction without proper authority. Quan Wu often said that the remote areas of Nanyue required governance that adhered to local customs, emphasized convenience and practicality, and did not need to adhere strictly to the law. He also frequently complained that the current laws were too strict. Being an official was too difficult. The emperor ordered an investigation into his actions, which substantiated the allegations against him. The emperor, enraged, ordered his execution. Quan Wu wrote a letter from prison, mentioning that his father had died in battle for Emperor Wuyuan and requesting mercy from the emperor. As a result, his official position was revoked, and he was reduced to commoner status.
During the Renshou era, he was appointed as Grand Marshal and given a fiefdom as before. Not long after, he was appointed as the Crown Prince's Right Guard. After Emperor Yang of Sui ascended the throne, he was assigned as the Right Grand Marshal of the Wuwei, but later dismissed for misconduct and assigned as the Governor of Guizhou. Shortly after, he was reassigned as the Administrator of Shi'an. Much later, he was summoned back to the court and appointed as the Right Guard of the Garrison, but was soon dismissed once more for misconduct. He eventually died at home. He had a son, Quan Hong.
Tu Wanxu, style name Changxu, was a Xianbei from Dai Commandery. His father, Tu Tong, served as Inspector of Yingzhou during the Zhou Dynasty. Changxu demonstrated military talent from a young age and rose through the ranks from General of the Household and inherited the title of Count Yuanshou. He participated in numerous battles and steadily ascended the ranks, eventually achieving the rank of Grand Marshal and Minister of War.
After the founding emperor ascended the throne, he appointed him as the governor of Xiangzhou, granted him the title of Duke of Gucheng, and provided him with a landholding of 2,500 households. Not long after, he was transferred to be the governor of Qingzhou, where he earned a reputation for his impressive governance and accomplishments. Over a year later, the Turks invaded the border, and the court valued Chang Xu's prestige and military talent, so he was appointed as the governor of Shuozhou, making the northern ethnic minorities feared him. Later, the founding emperor secretly plotted to annex the Chen dynasty, so he transferred Chang Xu to be the governor of Xuzhou, instructing him to prepare military supplies.
When the army crossed the river to attack the Chen dynasty, Chang Xu was appointed as the commander, stationed north of the river with Duke Gedouling of Xihe and Hong Jing. After the fall of the Chen dynasty, he was appointed as the governor of Xiazhou. When Prince Jin Yang Guang was in the fief, he highly valued Chang Xu, and when Yang Guang became emperor, he appointed him as the Left Guard Leader. After Yang Guang became emperor, Prince Han Yang Liang was guarding Bingzhou at the time. Yang Guang was worried that Yang Liang would rebel, so he sent Chang Xu to serve as the governor of Jinzhou and Jiangzhou, dispatching urgent documents for him to expedite his departure. Before Chang Xu could leave the pass, Yang Liang had already sent troops to occupy Puban and even cut off the river bridge, preventing Chang Xu from entering.
The emperor commanded Chang Xu to lead troops in support of Yang Su's campaign against Yang Liang. After defeating Yang Liang, Chang Xu was appointed as the General of the Left Martial Guard. In the early years of Daye, he was promoted to Guangluqing. When He Ruobi was wrongfully accused, the emperor summoned Chang Xu to testify, and Chang Xu proved He Ruobi's innocence, but he himself was dismissed from office. Over a year later, he was appointed as the Prefect of Dongping. Not long after, the emperor went to Jiangdu, passing through Dongping, where Chang Xu welcomed him by the roadside. The emperor asked him to board the dragon boat, and Chang Xu bowed in thanks, recounting his past experiences. The emperor was pleased and appointed him as a Grand Master of the Golden Purple Guanglu, with his position as prefect remaining unchanged.
During the Liaodong Campaign, Zhang Xu volunteered to take the lead. The emperor appreciated him and appointed him as the Grand General of the Left Garrison, commanding tens of thousands of cavalry and infantry towards Gaima Road. After the battle, he remained stationed in Huaiyuan and was promoted to Left Guanglu Dafu. At this time, Liu Yuanjin launched a rebellion in Jiangnan, targeting Runzhou. The emperor sent Zhang Xu to suppress him. Zhang Xu's forces reached Yangzijin just as Liu Yuanjin was preparing to cross the river at Maopu. Zhang Xu led his troops to repel him. After crossing the Yangtze River, Zhang Xu established his camp with the river at his back.
The next day, Liu Yuanjin launched another attack but was once again defeated by Zhang Xu. Liu Yuanjin lifted the siege of Runzhou and fled. Zhang Xu marched to Qu'a, where Liu Yuanjin set up camp to resist. Zhang Xu took the initiative to attack, and before Liu Yuanjin could organize his formation, Zhang Xu led his cavalry to charge, leading to a rout of the enemy, with tens of thousands jumping into the river to their deaths. Liu Yuanjin escaped back to his camp under cover of night. The fake officials Zhu Xie, Guan Chong, and others were stationed in Pilin, with a continuous camp of over a hundred miles. Zhang Xu pursued and defeated them again, forcing the enemy to fall back to Huangshan. Zhang Xu besieged Huangshan, and the enemy found themselves cornered and ultimately surrendered. Liu Yuanjin and Zhu Xie managed to slip away. Zhang Xu killed over 5,000 enemy generals on the battlefield, captured over 30,000 of their family members, and sent them to Jiangdu Palace.
Next, Zhang Xu lifted the siege of Kuaiji. Liu Yuanjin occupied Jian'an again, and the emperor commanded Zhang Xu to quell him. However, Zhang Xu felt that his soldiers were too exhausted and requested to wait until the following spring to launch another campaign. The emperor was displeased and secretly sought out Zhang Xu's shortcomings. The relevant departments reported that Zhang Xu was cowardly and disobedient, so he was dismissed from his position and exiled to Jian'an. Shortly after, the emperor ordered him to return to the court. Frustrated, Zhang Xu returned to Yongjia, where he eventually died from illness.
Dong Chun, courtesy name Dehou, was from Chengji in Longxi. His grandfather Dong He was the Left Guard of the Crown Prince of the Wei Kingdom; his father Dong Sheng was a key figure in the Zhou Dynasty. Dong Chun was exceptionally strong and skilled in horseback archery from a young age. In the Zhou Dynasty, he held various official positions such as Senior Officer of the Imperial Guards and Chief Stablemaster, and was granted the title of Baron of Gushi County with a fief consisting of two hundred households. He accompanied Emperor Wu in pacifying the Qi Kingdom and was awarded the title of Yitong for his contributions, with his title raised to Marquis of Daxing County and his fief increased to eight hundred households. After Emperor Gaozu ascended the throne, Dong Chun's title was further elevated to Duke of Hanqu County, and he gradually rose to the rank of General of Chariots and Cavalry due to his military achievements. Subsequently, he was promoted to Chief Minister due to his military merits. During the later years of the Kaihuang period of the Sui Dynasty, as Dong Chun was an old minister, the emperor promoted him to General of the Left Guard, and shortly after, he was subsequently granted the title of Duke of Shunzheng County.
Han Wang Liang staged a rebellion in Bingzhou, and the emperor appointed Dong Chun as the commander of the army and deputy envoy for pacifying Hebei, following Yang Su to suppress the rebellion. For his achievements in this campaign, Dong Chun was appointed as a pillar of the state, his title was elevated to Duke, and his fief was increased to two thousand households. He was later promoted to Left Guard General, and the emperor also bestowed upon him ten singing girls and five thousand bolts of silk. Several years later, he was promoted to Left Valiant Guard General and appointed as the defender of Pengcheng. When Prince Qi, Yang Jian, erred, Dong Chun, who was closely associated with the prince, was questioned by the emperor: "You rose from humble beginnings to attain such a high position in the palace. Why did you attempt to sow discord between my son and me?" Dong Chun replied: "I originally came from humble beginnings and was mediocre in ability. It is thanks to your recognition and promotion, as well as the late emperor's appreciation for my cautious and careful work, that I received excessive favor. You valued me even more, allowing me to reach the position of general. I only wish to repay the country's kindness with the time I have left. As for my frequent visits to Prince Qi, it is because the late emperor and empress used to hold Prince Yunde and Prince Qi in their laps at Renshou Palace, telling me, 'Watch over these two children well and do not forget my words.' Following the late emperor's decree, whenever I had free time in the palace, I never failed to visit Prince Qi. I truly cannot forget the late emperor's instructions. At that time, you were also serving by the late emperor's side." Hearing this, the emperor's expression softened, and he replied, "I see now." He then granted Dong Chun a pardon.
After a few days, Dong Chun was appointed governor of Wenshan. Over a year later, the Turks invaded the frontier, and the court, considering Dong Chun to be an old general, transferred him to Yulin to serve as governor. Whenever the enemy dared to cross the border, Dong Chun would immediately lead his troops to repel them. At that time, the bandit leaders from Pengcheng, Zhang Dabiao and Zong Shimu, along with tens of thousands of troops, occupied Xuanbo Mountain, plundering Xuzhou and Yanzhou. The emperor ordered Dong Chun to attack them. At first, Dong Chun kept his gates closed and did not engage in battle with the enemy. Despite repeated provocations from the bandits, Dong Chun refused to fight, leading the bandits to believe he was timid and unprepared, allowing them to plunder at will. Dong Chun selected elite troops and engaged in a decisive battle with the bandits at Changlu, achieving a resounding victory, killing over 10,000 enemy soldiers and piling their heads into a mound known as a "jingguan." The bandit leader Wei Qilin led over 10,000 troops to occupy Shanfu, but Dong Chun led his troops to attack and once again routed them.
When the emperor launched another campaign against Liaodong, Dong Chun was appointed as the governor of Pengcheng. The bandit Peng Xiaocai from Donghai led a few thousand men to plunder Huairen County, fleeing to Yishui and occupying Wubuji Mountain. Dong Chun led his elite soldiers to attack, capturing Peng Xiaocai alive on the battlefield and hav
Zhao Cai, also known by his courtesy name Xiaocai, was originally from Zhangye in Gansu Province. His grandfather, Zhao Kui, held the title of Silver Qing Guanglu Daifu in the Wei Kingdom and served as the Prefect of Lelang; his father, Zhao Shou, served as the Prefect of Shunzheng during the Zhou Dynasty. When Zhao Cai was young, he was known for his bravery and combat skills, excelling in both horseback riding and archery. He had a rough and tough demeanor and was not particularly concerned with etiquette. During the Zhou Dynasty, he served as a Yuzheng Shangshi (a high-ranking official). After Emperor Yang Jian of the Sui Dynasty proclaimed himself emperor, Zhao Cai, due to his numerous military achievements, rose through the ranks to the position of Sanji Yitong. He once served Prince Jin Yang Guang, and after Prince Jin became the Crown Prince, he was appointed as the Right Yuhou commander. After Yang Guang became the emperor (Emperor Yang of Sui), Zhao Cai was promoted to the rank of Left Beishen Biaoqi, and later promoted to the rank of Right Xiaowei General. Being a former subordinate of the emperor, Emperor Yang of Sui became increasingly close to him, and Zhao Cai worked diligently and excelled in his duties. A year later, he was promoted to the position of Right Houwei General. Later, when Emperor Yang of Sui campaigned against the Tuyuhun, he appointed Zhao Cai as the marching general, leading Weiwei Qing Liu Quan and Bingbu Shilang Ming Ya and others to set off from Hehedao, encountering and defeating the Tuyuhun army. As a result, Zhao Cai was promoted to the rank of Jinzi Guanglu Daifu. During the Liaodong campaign, he led his troops on two campaigns from Jieshidao, and upon his return, he was appointed as the Left Houwei General, and shortly after promoted to the rank of Right Houwei Grand General. At that time, whenever Emperor Yang of Sui went on an inspection tour, Zhao Cai always served as a scout, strictly enforcing the law against illegal and disorderly conduct, never showing favoritism or bending the law. If he encountered officials' family members violating the ban, Zhao Cai would sternly reprimand them without mercy, which led to him offending many people. While many people found his rudeness off-putting, they all recognized his integrity and felt powerless to change it.
Ten years later, Emperor Yang of Sui went to Fenyang Palace for inspection, leaving Zhao Cai to guard the Eastern Capital, Luoyang. Twelve years later, Emperor Yang of Sui was in Luoyang, preparing to go to Jiangdu. Zhao Cai saw that the situation in the country was not good, worried that a major crisis was imminent, felt deeply indebted to the emperor, and could not bear to watch the country perish. So he advised, "The people are exhausted, the treasury is empty, bandits are rampant, and the laws are not enforced. I hope Your Majesty will return to the capital to stabilize the people. Although I am ignorant and incompetent, I dare to stake my life on this request!" Emperor Yang of Sui was furious and handed Zhao Cai over to his officials for punishment. Ten days later, Emperor Yang of Sui calmed down somewhat and decided to release him. Emperor Yang of Sui still went to Jiangdu, showing Zhao Cai even more favor.
As the provisions in Jiangdu were running out and the soldiers' morale had plummeted, the Minister of Interior Yu Shiji and the Secretary Yuan Chong repeatedly urged Emperor Yang of Sui to go to Danyang. When Emperor Yang of Sui discussed this matter in court, Zhao Cai strongly urged a return to the capital, while Yu Shiji strongly advocated crossing the river. Emperor Yang of Sui remained silent, and Zhao Cai and Yu Shiji argued and departed. When Yuwen Huaji staged a coup, Zhao Cai was in the northern part of the palace grounds. Yuwen Huaji sent Xiaoguo Xide Fang to forge an edict to apprehend him. Upon hearing about the edict, Zhao Cai stepped forward, and Xide Fang ordered his subordinates to capture him and bring him to Yuwen Huaji. Yuwen Huaji addressed Zhao Cai, "Today's events can only end like this. I hope you won’t hold it against me." Zhao Cai remained silent. Yuwen Huaji considered executing him due to Zhao Cai's silence, but released him three days later. Zhao Cai continued to serve in his original position, feeling disheartened and unappreciated.
Zhao Cai once persuaded Yu Wenhua and eighteen of his co-conspirators (including Yang Shilan) to drink at a banquet, and Yu Wenhua agreed. Zhao Cai raised his glass and said, "Eighteen people, enough for one round, no need to drink more." The others said nothing. When they reached Liaocheng, Zhao Cai fell seriously ill. Soon after, Yu Wenhua was defeated by Dou Jiande, and Zhao Cai was captured once more. He was deeply dissatisfied and passed away just a few days later at the age of 73.
During the Reign of Renshou and Daye, there were two people named Lan Xingyu and Helan Fan, both were generals. They were upright and outspoken, unafraid of those in power, and renowned for their outstanding abilities.
Records show that Luo Hou, Fa Shang, Li Jing, Shi Xiong, and Murong Sanzang relied on their bravery and skill in battle to make contributions during times of national conflict, earning their wealth and status through their own efforts. Ren Gong, who initially served as an official in Jijun due to his integrity and competence, later went to Mayi but ultimately fell from grace due to his greed and stinginess. Few people manage to see things through to the end; it's a real shame! Tu Wanxu and Dong Chun both obtained high positions and wealth for their past achievements. Tu Wanxu was rebuked for requesting an end to war, while Dong Chun was falsely accused by villains and killed.
In the later years of the Daye period, bandits ran rampant, making it difficult to maintain order! Harsh punishments were being meted out everywhere, and people's abilities could not be fully utilized! Zhao Cai, although lacking a dignified appearance, had noble aspirations, was upright, and firmly resisted the suggestions of corrupt officials, showing himself to be a principled person. Quan Wu, on the other hand, behaved recklessly and disregarded laws and regulations, ultimately being dismissed from his position, which was the result of his own actions.
