Shi Xiang, courtesy name Shi Xiu, hailing from Shuofang, was the son of Ning, the Minister of Works during the Zhou Dynasty. Shi Xiang showed talent in both literature and martial arts from a young age, serving as a Junior Officer to the Crown Prince during the Zhou Dynasty, and later inherited the title of Duke of Wusu County.
After the founding emperor ascended the throne, Shi Xiang was appointed as Grand Minister, tasked with managing affairs in Jiaozhou. His title was elevated, and he was made the Duke of Yangcheng County. Shi Xiang performed well in his official duties in Jiaozhou, gaining the affection and respect of the people. After a few years, he was promoted to General of the Cavalry.
In the war against the Chen Dynasty, Shi Xiang followed Wang Shiji, the Duke of Yiyang, leading the naval forces from Jiujang. As the vanguard, Shi Xiang engaged in battle with the Chen army, defeating the enemy and capturing Jiangzhou. The emperor was thrilled by the news and issued a decree commending Shi Xiang for his accomplishments. He was promoted to Grand Chancellor and later appointed as the General of Qizhou.
Subsequently, Shi Xiang served as the Grand Marshal, accompanying Prince Jin, Yang Guang, to Lingwu in a campaign against the Turks, defeating their army. He was then promoted to General of the Right Guard.
During the reign of Emperor Yang of Sui, Shi Xiang led his troops stationed at the border year-round to guard against the invasion of the Turks. While Emperor Yang was still in the Eastern Palace, he once wrote a letter to Shi Xiang, which read:
This general, who has been guarding the border all year, has cleaned up the barbarians completely. After the fighting subsided, he often organized hunts, with such heroism that even Li Guang and Wei Shang would be humbled! Only you can compare to them in terms of achievements. I recommended you to lead troops before, and you distinguished yourself, striking fear into the enemy forces along the border and driving those barbarians deep into the desert. At that time, we were together in the army, experiencing all kinds of hardships. Seeing the Dragon City stirred our blood, and we were consumed by rage when we saw the Wolf's Lair. General, you are truly talented, invincible, and brave, but unfortunately, circumstances have forced you to settle for the status quo. Every time I think of this, I feel sorry for you.
Your loyalty to me has been unwavering, and I have always respected you greatly. Our relationship is as harmonious as fish in water. Recently, I followed the emperor on a trip and heard that we are returning to the capital. Originally, I was supposed to go to the southern border to report on my duties and declare the imperial will to the vassal states, but unexpectedly, the emperor assigned me to the Shaoyang Palace. I’m on edge, as if I’m walking on thin ice. If I could achieve great deeds on the border as I did before, conquer all directions, and govern the people as the wise ministers of old did, that’s what I truly want and am willing to do. I admire those ancient wise ministers and aspire to serve my country as they did. But now, being tasked with helping the emperor govern the realm, with such a heavy responsibility, I feel utterly inadequate! I can only hope my old friends will help me overcome my shortcomings.
During this period, I have been busy with state affairs and also unwell, so I can only recuperate in the palace. I am tired of the cold and lonely atmosphere of the North Pavilion and have also given up hunting activities in South Pi. In Bowang Garden, there is a lack of talents like you, and the banquets in Feigai Garden have lost their former joy. My relatives and friends have all left me, with only music and books for company. I often miss you, feeling as if I were gravely ill.
Xiang replied:
Ah, I received the order and was deeply grateful. I will always remember this kindness, as I’ve written in my letter. I never expected to be suddenly transferred from the icy north to the warm south; it is both surprising and joyful! I have never learned how to fight since I was young, and I have lived in a peaceful era all my life. Thanks to the legacy left by my ancestors, I can serve in the palace. I worry that my abilities are lacking and that I can't shoulder heavy responsibilities; who am I to compare myself to the famed generals of old?
Some time ago, our army went on an expedition, and with divine favor, we scored great victories, with our flags flying on the frontiers and our reputation spreading far and wide. At that time, there were many valiant generals and countless strategists. As for me, I’m just one of the common soldiers, fortunate enough to keep up with the main army and not get left behind. Therefore, I always look up to Generals Lei and Chen, learn from the scholars Liu and Ge, and believe in the humble attitude of the sages, which isn’t something ordinary folks can easily imitate. Why is that? Just like how dirty water flows into rivers; the tall pine and cypress trees will also be climbed by vines. You must understand my humble thoughts, Lord Meng.
You, with your noble character and brilliant light, are truly virtuous. Your cultivating oneself, regulating the family, governing the state, and bringing peace to the world contribute to the peace of the world. This is the realm of sages, a level of understanding beyond us ordinary people! I've heard that you now have more leisure time, dedicating yourself to self-improvement, studying the classics, exploring various schools of thought, and frequently meeting guests in the Western Garden and visiting Nanpi. I will always remember your kindness. Although I am just a small official, facing the harsh conditions on the border, my heart has always been with the court. In the quiet of the night, under the moonlight, I recall the scenes of our past travels together and yearn for the opportunity to serve you again. The border and the capital are thousands of miles apart, with high mountains and long roads. As I gaze at the clouds above, I feel a swirl of emotions. The Crown Prince has also been very kind to me.
After Emperor Yang of Sui ascended the throne, Prince Liang of Han rebelled. General Qi Liang was dispatched from Fukou to assault Liyang, blocking Bai Majin, and General Yugu Li came down from Taihang Mountain to attack Henan. The emperor appointed Yang Su as the commander of the campaign, stationed in Heyin, but for a long time, he could not cross the Yellow River. Yang Su remarked to his officers, "Yugu Li is reckless and incompetent. He just won a small victory and now thinks his large army can be trusted. A large army is prone to arrogance and conceit. Moreover, the people in northern Hebei lack military experience; they are merely a group of civilians hastily assembled for battle. In my view, they pose no real threat." So Yang Su ordered the army to make siege weapons. Yugu Li's scouts reported Yang Su's movements, so he stationed troops in the inner city of Heyang to guard against Yang Su. Yang Su ordered the boats to dock on the south bank, while Yugu Li gathered his forces to defend. Yang Su selected elite troops to secretly cross the river downstream, while Yugu Li led the main army to resist. When Yang Su reached Xushui, the two armies faced off. Before Yugu Li could arrange his troops, Yang Su ordered a fierce attack and secured a decisive victory.
Then Yang Sude marched east to Liyang to confront Qi Liang and his allies. Qi Liang established his formation and waited; however, before the two armies clashed, Qi Liang abandoned his troops and made a hasty retreat. Consequently, his army fell apart, and Yang Sude led his troops to pursue, killing more than ten thousand people. Yang Sude was promoted to the position of Grand General, and the Emperor rewarded him with seven thousand bolts of silk, ten courtesans, and twenty fine horses, and appointed him as the Minister of Works (Taipu Qing). The Emperor personally penned a poem for Yang Sude:
"Bo Jue delivers a significant gift at dawn,
Xiahou meets deeply in person.
Noble ears hear only the past,
While common eyes cannot perceive the present,
Early cliffs have strong grass quality,
Long having a back facing the Huai's heart.
Sweeping the rebels outside Li Mountain,
Rousing the troops in the shadows of the river.
Your achievements are already inscribed in the royal records,
Leaving sentiments in the 'Minister of Works Maxims.'"
Yang Sude submitted a thank-you memorial, and the Emperor issued a decree saying: "Last year, you tirelessly led the army to quell the rebellion in Heshuo. At that time, the rebels blocked the passes, occupied the granaries, and cut off the Yellow River, forcing the populace into rebellion in large numbers. You devoted yourself, fought bravely, and quickly quelled the rebellion. Isn't it said in the Book of Songs: 'After the chaos and disorder, there is peace and tranquility.' If it weren't for your remarkable talent, exceptional skill, and strategic acumen, who else could have accomplished this! So I just wrote a few lines to express my gratitude; there's no need for you to thank me excessively."
First, let me talk about my father. He first became a Hongluqing (the Minister of Ceremonies). At that time, the Turkic Qimin Khan wanted to visit the emperor, so the emperor sent my father to welcome him. Later, he went on an expedition against the Tuyuhun; my father led his troops along a hidden path to ambush the enemy, won the battle, and captured over a thousand men and women. The emperor rewarded him with sixty servants, three hundred horses, and promoted him to a higher office. He first served as the Left Guanglu Dafu, and later as the Left Xiaowei General. In the battle in Liaodong, he took the Tadun Road, but was ultimately defeated, so the emperor dismissed him and allowed him to return home as a commoner. Not long after, he was appointed as the Prefect of Yanjun, but was besieged by bandits led by Gao Kaidao. My father feigned illness and neglected government affairs. When the city fell, Gao Kaidao treated him with courtesy. Later, after reconciling with Luo Yi, Gao Kaidao sent my father to Zhuo County, where my father passed away during the journey.
My father also had a son—me—named Yilong, who serves as the county magistrate in Yongnian County. My father also had a brother named Yun, whose courtesy name was Shigao; and a younger brother named Wei, whose courtesy name was Shi Yi, and all of them were quite capable. My uncle Yun served as the Governor of Laizhou and the Duke of Wuping County, while my uncle Wei became the Wubeng Langjiang and the Duke of Wudang County.
Let me talk about my maternal grandfather Yuanshou, whose courtesy name was Changshou; he hailed from Luoyang, Henan. His grandfather was the Minister of the Interior and the Prince of Shaoling in the Wei Dynasty; his father served as the Governor of Liangzhou during the Zhou Dynasty. My maternal grandfather lost his father at a young age and was exceptionally filial. When he was nine years old, his father passed away, and he was so heartbroken that he became emaciated. His entire family and the villagers held him in high regard. He was especially filial to his mother, and his reputation spread far and wide. As he grew older, he was upright and well-read. When Emperor Wu of the Zhou Dynasty had just ascended the throne, he was appointed as the Marquis of Longcheng County with a fief of one thousand households; by the fourth year of Baoding, he was further appointed as the Marquis of Yilong County and held the title of Yitong Sanqi. At the beginning of the Sui Dynasty's Kaihuang era, preparations were being made to attack the Chen Dynasty, and because my maternal grandfather was full of ideas and capable, he was sent to supervise shipbuilding in Huaipu and became famous for his shipbuilding expertise. In the fourth year of Kaihuang, he also took part in supervising canal construction and was appointed Assistant Minister of the Ministry of Rites. In the eighth year of Kaihuang, he accompanied the Prince of Jin in the campaign against the Chen Dynasty and was appointed Deputy Left of the Xingtai, while also managing the Marshal's Office affairs. After the fall of the Chen Dynasty, he was appointed Deputy Left of the Ministry of Rites. Once, when the Emperor was practicing archery in the Imperial Garden, all civil and military officials followed suit. The wife of the Duke of Kaifu, Xiaomaha, was on the brink of death, and Xiaomaha requested the Emperor's permission for his son to go to Jiangnan to collect the family property. The Censorate officials noticed this but chose to remain silent. My maternal grandfather then submitted a memorial to accuse him, stating:
I have heard that the workings of the heavenly Dao are silent and imperceptible, all things follow the rules of growth and change in spring, summer, autumn, and winter, and the wise Emperor governs by delegating political affairs to his officials. The duty of the Censorate is to check the faults of the officials, and if honest individuals do not step forward, who can the dignity of the law be entrusted to?
On the fifth day of this month, the emperor's carriage moved to the archery range. Xiao Moha, who held the title of Minister of Works and concurrently served as Minister of War, actually requested the emperor's permission for his son Xiao Shilue to go to Jiangnan to recover the family assets while the emperor was personally present at the archery range to observe the ceremony. His wife was gravely ill in bed and had little time left. Even if his wife were to die, Xiao Shilue still shouldn't have gone to Jiangnan at this time! I pondered that the bond and responsibilities between husband and wife are paramount. Husbands and wives should support each other, just like crows caring for their elderly; they should care for each other without any sense of obligation. But this old fool, Xiao Moha, for the sake of money, actually forgot the love and duty between husband and wife and let his son leave his critically ill mother to seek wealth! As soon as he said this, the principles of morality were completely disregarded! What's even more infuriating is that the officials in the palace, like Han Weizhi, who witnessed it with their own eyes, did not impeach him! If they knew it was wrong but didn't do anything, that's complicity; if they thought it was okay, then their rationality and insight are too poor! I carefully examined the background of Liu Xingben, the Minister of Works and concurrently the Taizi Left Privy Councillor and the Acting Imperial Historiographer. He enjoyed the emperor's deep trust, having been in charge of the Imperial Historiographer's Office for a long time. He should have been capable of improving the atmosphere of the bureaucracy and purifying social customs. Yet, as a legal official, he violated the principles of the law and lost face; what more can be said? Although my position is not high, I am in the court and cannot sit idly by, so I took the liberty of writing this memorial to bring it to attention. As for Liu Xingben, Han Weizhi, and others, I believe they should be referred to the Dali Temple for investigation.
The emperor happily accepted my memorial. Later, I was appointed as the Assistant Minister of the Imperial Clan. Several years later, I was appointed as the Inspector of Jizhou, renowned for my integrity during my tenure. Upon returning to the court, I served as the Assistant Minister of the Imperial Clan and was promoted to the rank of General-in-Chief. After Emperor Yang of Sui ascended the throne, Prince Liang of Han rebelled, with the Minister of Works Yang Su serving as the Commander-in-Chief and I serving as the Chief Clerk. Whenever encountering the enemy, I always led the soldiers from the front, thus earning military honors and being granted the title of Grand General, later promoted to the Minister of the Imperial Clan. Four years later, I was appointed as the Prefect of the Palace Secretariat, accompanying the emperor on the Western Expedition against the Tuyuhun. I led the army to camp at Jinshan, with camps extending over three hundred miles to the east and west, besieging the leader of the Tuyuhun. After the battle, I was appointed as the Grand Master of Splendid Happiness. Seven years later, I also served as the General of the Left Guard, following the emperor in the campaign against Liaodong. When marching to Zhuojun, I died from illness at sixty-three. The emperor was deeply saddened and wept bitterly. The court posthumously appointed me as the Right Minister of the Masters of Writing, Grand Master of Splendid Happiness, and conferred the posthumous title of "Jing."
As for Zimin, he was quite talented and eloquent, but reckless, fond of taking risks, and liked to play tricks. After his death, the emperor still missed him and promoted him as an attendant in the Interior Ministry. However, he ended up associating with some gamblers and often leaked palace secrets. Later, during the rebellion, Zimin became involved in the plotting and even pretended to be appointed as the Assistant Minister of the Interior, only to be killed by Shen Guang.
In short, Zimin was a capable but unreliable person. The emperor promoted him out of old feelings, but he betrayed the emperor's trust, associated with gamblers, leaked palace secrets, and ultimately participated in the rebellion, ultimately being killed. Ultimately, his cleverness led to his own downfall.
Yang Yichen, a native of Daizhou, originally had the surname Yuchi. His father Yuchi Chong served as the General of the Right Wing in the Northern Zhou Dynasty, stationed with troops at Mount Heng. At that time, Yang Jian (Emperor Gaozu) was the Governor of Dingzhou, and Yuchi Chong was impressed by Yang Jian's extraordinary appearance, taking the initiative to befriend him. Yang Jian also grew quite fond of him. Later, when Yang Jian became Chancellor, Yuchi Jiao rebelled. Because Yuchi Chong was related to Yuchi Jiao, he chose to confine himself and sent someone to ask Yang Jian for forgiveness. Yang Jian sent him a letter of comfort, promptly sent for him to return to court, and often had him at his side. In the early years of the Kaihuang reign, Yang Jian granted Yuchi Chong the title of Duke of Qinxing County. Over a year later, Yuchi Chong accompanied the military commander Daxi Zhangru to engage the Turks at Zhoupan, fought valiantly, and was killed in action. The court posthumously promoted him to General and Governor of Yuzhou, and permitted his son Yang Yichen to inherit his title.
At that time, Yang Yichen was still young and had grown up in the palace. At less than twenty years old, he was ordered to serve as a palace guard for several years. The emperor bestowed many rewards upon him. One time, when the emperor was chatting casually, he talked about his former subordinates. He looked at Yang Yichen and sighed deeply, then proclaimed, "When I first became emperor, the world was not peaceful, and many malefactors caused unrest. Those who were wise and capable were of great importance to me. Yuchi Chong and Yuchi Jiong were originally relatives. Yuchi Jiong rebelled in Ye City, while Yuchi Chong was in Changshan at the time, in charge of the army. They were neighbors and relatives. Yuchi Chong understood the principles of right and wrong and the ways of the world; he voluntarily confessed to me, fearing he might be implicated, handed himself over to the authorities, and requested to return to my side. Later, when the Turks invaded, he fought bravely against the enemy, unafraid of sacrifice, and eventually died in battle. He was fiercely loyal and dedicated to his country. Although I had awarded him high official positions and generous rewards, it still fell short of expressing his loyalty to me and honoring his righteousness. Therefore, I grant Yang Yichen the surname Yang, give him thirty thousand coins, thirty jars of wine, one hundred bushels of rice and wheat each, incorporate him into the imperial family tree, and make him my imperial grandson." Shortly thereafter, Yang Yichen was appointed Governor of Shanzhou.
Yang Yichen was cautious and kind, skilled in horseback archery, and had military talent, so the emperor valued him highly. Later, the Turkic Khagan invaded the border, and Yang Yichen, as the commander, launched an attack from the White Road, encountering the enemy and winning a great victory. The following year, the Turkic forces invaded again, causing significant devastation in the Yanmen and Mayi regions. Yang Yichen led his troops to battle, driving the Turkic forces out of the border, and even pursued them to Dajin Mountain, where they encountered the enemy again. At this time, General Taiping, Shiwansui, also arrived with his troops, and Yang Yichen and Shiwansui joined forces to defeat the Turkic army. Unfortunately, Shiwansui was later framed and executed by Yang Su, and Yang Yichen's contributions were overlooked. In the early years of Renshou, Yang Yichen was appointed as the governor of Shuozhou, and the emperor also rewarded him with imperial armor. Just after Emperor Yang of Sui ascended the throne, Prince Yang Liang rebelled in Bingzhou. At that time, the governor of Timezhou, Li Jing, was besieged by Prince Yang's general Qiao Zhongkui, so the emperor ordered this loyal minister (not named in the text) to rescue him. The loyal minister set off with twenty thousand cavalry and infantry from Xixing at night, and by daybreak had already covered several dozen miles. Qiao Zhongkui saw that the loyal minister's forces were few, so he mounted a desperate defense.
Qiao Zhongkui's loyal minister, Wang Ba, was particularly valiant and adept with a spear. No one could hit him, and he often led a few cavalry soldiers to charge into the enemy's formation. Yichen was very troubled by this problem, so he openly recruited people who could deal with Wang Ba. General Cheqi Yang Si'en volunteered. Yichen saw Yang Si'en's imposing and exceptional bravery and said to him, "Well done, brave warrior!" He rewarded him with a cup of wine. When Yang Si'en saw Wang Ba standing behind the formation, he shattered the wine cup on the ground and charged towards him. After two unsuccessful charges, he was unable to defeat Wang Ba, so Yichen sent a dozen cavalry soldiers to follow him. Yang Si'en finally broke through the enemy's formation, killed several people, and fought his way to Wang Ba's banner.
When the two sides were engaged in close combat, the cavalry supporting Yang Si'en fell back, and Yang Si'en was killed by Wang Ba. Wang Ba pursued the victory, and Yichen's army fled north for more than ten miles. Later, Yichen spent a lot of money to buy back Yang Si'en's body, wept inconsolably, and his soldiers joined in his mourning. Those fleeing cavalry soldiers were all put to death. Due to insufficient troops, Yichen gathered thousands of cattle and donkeys from the camp, mobilized hundreds of soldiers, with each soldier carrying a drum, quietly herded the cattle and donkeys into the valley, before launching a surprise attack.
In the afternoon, Yichen once again fought against General Qiao Zhongkui's army. As the battle commenced, Yichen ordered the drivers of cattle and donkeys to charge quickly. For a moment, the drums thundered, dust flew, and General Qiao Zhongkui's army did not know what had happened, thinking that it was an ambush, leading to a rout. Yichen relentlessly pursued them, achieving a decisive victory. Because of this military achievement, Yichen was promoted to Grand General, awarded substantial riches, including two thousand bolts of cloth, five hundred rolls of assorted silk, ten songstresses, and twenty good horses. Soon after, he was appointed as the Prefect of Xiangzhou. Three years later, he was summoned back to the court to serve as the Minister of Rites, and shortly after, he was promoted to Minister of Works.
Later, Yichen followed the army to campaign against the Tuyuhun, being ordered to guard Pipa Gorge, establishing a camp that stretched eighty li, bordered to the south by Yuanshou and to the north by Duan Wenzhen, jointly besieging the king of Tuyuhun at Fuyuanchuan. He then participated in the war against Liaodong, serving as the vanguard commander responsible for the Suishen Road. Upon reaching the Yalu River, he fought against Yizhi Wende, winning seven battles daily. Later, he was ultimately defeated alongside other armies and was eventually dismissed. Shortly after, he was reinstated. The following year, he was appointed as the Deputy General, and together with Grand General Yu Wenshu, they launched an attack on Pyongyang. Upon reaching the Yalu River, they encountered a rebellion led by Yang Xuange, prompting their return to the capital, and Yichen was appointed as the acting Prefect of Zhao County.
Later, the bandits gathered a large number of troops to cause chaos, burning, killing, and looting in the areas of Fufeng and Anding. The loyal official was tasked with quelling the rebellion. Later, he followed the emperor to campaign again in Liaodong and was promoted to Left Guanglu Dafu. At that time, Gaoshida of Bohai and Zhang Jincheng of Qinghe joined forces as bandits, gathering tens of thousands of troops and capturing many counties. The emperor sent General Duanda to suppress them, but he was unsuccessful. Therefore, the emperor ordered the loyal official to lead tens of thousands of soldiers who withdrew from Liaodong to suppress them. The loyal official defeated Gaoshida, killed Zhang Jincheng, persuaded many rebels to surrender, entered Douzi, suppressed Ge Qian, captured him, and reported the victory to the court.
The emperor disliked his growing reputation, leading to a resurgence of the rebels. The loyal official was promoted to Guanglu Dafu for his contributions in battle, and soon after, he passed away.
Wei Xuan, style name Wensheng, was from Luoyang, Henan. His grandfather Wei Yue served as the Minister of Agriculture of Wei State, and his father Wei Piao served as the Attendant and General of the Left Wuwei. Wei Xuan showed great insight and talent from an early age. When Emperor Wu of Zhou was still a prince, he invited Wei Xuan to serve as his secretary. Later, Wei Xuan was promoted to a higher office, inherited the title of Xingshi Gong, with a fief that included four thousand households, and was transferred to Xuan Na Daifu.
After Emperor Wu personally took power, he appointed Wei Xuan as the Chief Administrator of Yizhou and rewarded him with a treasure belt adorned with ten thousand studs. Wei Xuan was later promoted to Sanyi of the Household, Grand Master of the Tai Fu, in charge of managing internal affairs, and also served as the Intendant of Jingzhao. It was said that he was capable in his duties. During the reign of Emperor Xuan, Wei Xuan was dismissed from his post for offending the emperor.
After Emperor Wen of Sui became Chancellor, he sent Wei Xuan to handle political affairs in Xiongzhou. Later, the tribes in Hezhou rebelled, and Wei Xuan was appointed as the General to quell the rebellion. After Emperor Wen of Sui ascended the throne, Wei Xuan was promoted to the Governor of Huaizhou and granted the title of Duke of Tonggui. However, he was later dismissed from his position due to certain matters. Shortly after, he was appointed as the Governor of Lanzhou. During the construction of the Great Wall, the court sent Wei Xuan to supervise the project. Not long after, he was appointed as the Commander of Shuozhou. Later, he became the Assistant Minister of the Guard.
During the Reign of Renshou, the Liao people in the mountains rebelled, and Wei Xuan was sent to serve as the Inspector of Zizhou to pacify the rebellion. Upon his arrival, the Liao people were besieging Daliao Town. Wei Xuan only took one horse and went to the Liao people's camp, saying to them, "I am the Inspector, sent by the Emperor to pacify you. Do not be afraid!" The bandits did not dare to act rashly. Wei Xuan appealed to their reason and emotions. The leaders were touched and lifted the siege, leaving peacefully. More than a hundred thousand people surrendered to the court.
Emperor Wen of Sui was very pleased and rewarded him with two thousand bolts of silk, appointing him as the Governor of Suizhou and tasking him with pacifying the Jian Nan region. After Emperor Yang of Sui ascended the throne, he summoned Wei Xuan back to the court to serve as the Assistant Minister of the Guard. The Yi and Liao tribes were saddened to see him go, escorting him for hundreds of miles. Wei Xuan said to them, "I cannot disobey the Emperor's orders, and I must not linger." He bid them farewell, and the Yi and Liao tribes tearfully bid him farewell.
More than a year later, Wei Xuan was promoted to Minister of Construction. He later served as the Governor of Weijun while retaining his position as Minister of Construction. Emperor Yang of Sui told Wei Xuan, "Weijun is a famous large city and an important strategic location. There are many villains among the people, which is why I am sending you there. Weijun is not far from the capital, so you should return frequently to report on state matters." He then rewarded him with five hundred rolls of cloth and sent him on his way.
Not long after, Wei Xuan was appointed as the Grand General of the Right Imperial Guard, concurrently in charge of the affairs of the Left Guard. In the eighth year of Daye, he was promoted to the Minister of Punishments. During the Liaodong campaign, he was appointed as the Grand General of the Right Imperial Guard, leading troops to reinforce the tunnels. Many armies were defeated at the time, but only the army led by Wei Xuan returned intact. He was later titled as the Grand Minister of Golden Purple Radiance.
In the ninth year of Daye, the Emperor went to Liaodong, leaving Wei Xuan and Prince Dai Yang You to guard the capital, appointing Wei Xuan as the Governor of Jingzhao, while retaining his position as Minister. The Emperor granted him the authority to act as he deemed appropriate and ordered Prince Dai to treat him as he would a teacher.
Yang Xuan initiated a rebellion and surrounded the eastern capital of Luoyang. Yang Wensheng led seventy thousand infantry and cavalry to rescue. Upon reaching Huayin, he had Yang Su's tomb opened, burned his remains, leveled his grave, to inspire the soldiers to fight to the last man.
After passing Tongguan, some expressed concerns about potential ambushes at Mount Xiaoshan and Hangu Pass, suggesting following the Yellow River downstream to directly attack the enemy from behind at Heyang. Yang Wensheng said, "In my opinion, this plan is not something a child could come up with." So he ordered his troops to continue moving forward. After passing Hangu Pass, as he had predicted, there were indeed no ambushes. He sent the valiant General Zhang Jun to lead a feigned attack with a small detachment along the southern route, while he personally led the main force directly toward the northern part of the city.
Yang Xuangan resisted head-on, fighting while retreating, and finally stationed the army in Jingu. In the military camp, Yang Wensheng swept the floor and offered sacrifices to the ancestors, saying, "I, Minister Wei Wensheng, dare to announce to the spirit of Emperor Wen of the ancestors: Since the founding of the dynasty, more than thirty years have passed; with military prowess and civil administration, our grace has spread overseas. Yang Xuangan betrayed the holy grace, leading a rabble of rebels akin to snakes and pigs to invade our great Sui Dynasty. I, Wei Wensheng, have been favored by the emperor for two generations, dedicated to serving the court, leading the soldiers, and determined to eradicate these traitors. If Heaven blesses our state, these traitors must be vanquished; if the fate of the great Sui has come to an end, please let me die first." His speech was impassioned, and the soldiers were moved to tears.
At that time, the forces were significantly outmatched, suffering over fifty percent casualties in several battles. Yang Xuangan launched a full-scale attack, while Yang Wensheng fought hard to support, and the enemy gradually retreated. Yang Wensheng took position in Beimang. At this time, the reinforcements led by Yu Wenshu, Lai Huer, and others arrived; Yang Xuangan, fearing defeat, fled westward. Yang Wensheng sent the chief minister Husi Wanshan and the gate supervisor Pang Yu to lead the vanguard in pursuit, catching up with Yang Xuangan at Wenxiang, and, alongside Yu Wenshu and others, they defeated him.
The emperor arrived in Gaoyang and summoned Yang Wensheng to the palace. The emperor commended him, saying, "You are a loyal minister of the state! Thanks to you, we are free from worries." Then he issued a decree stating, "Recent disturbances in the Guanzhong and Hedong regions have caused unrest. Wensheng, you led your soldiers valiantly, responded in time, and crushed the rebellion from both within and without. You deserve a promotion and substantial rewards. You are hereby promoted to Right Guanglu Daifu!" The emperor rewarded him with fertile lands, luxurious mansions, and considerable wealth.
Yang Wensheng returned to the capital, and the emperor said to him, "The important task in Guanzhong is entrusted to you. Your safety ensures the safety of the state; your peril endangers the state. You must have guards with you whenever you go out or return, and you must be vigilant even when you sleep. This is very important. I am giving you a thousand soldiers as your guards." He also bestowed upon him the jade qilin token.
Eleven years later, the emperor sent Yang Wensheng to pacify Guanzhong. At that time, bandits were rampant, the people were starving, and Yang Wensheng was unable to provide effective aid to the people. Furthermore, corruption was rampant in the government. Realizing he was getting older, Yang Wensheng submitted a request for retirement. The emperor sent an official, De Yi, to persuade him, "The capital is the foundation of the country, the cornerstone of the monarchy, and the ancestral tombs are all there, requiring an old minister like you to be in charge. For the sake of the country's great plan, I cannot grant your request, so I have sent De Yi to explain the situation to you." Yang Wensheng reluctantly agreed to stay.
When the rebel army entered Guanzhong, Yang Wensheng knew he could not hold on, so he grew increasingly anxious and ceased to attend court, nor did he inquire about political affairs. After the city was captured, he returned home. He died in the Yining era at the age of seventy-seven.
Liu Quan, style name Shilue, was a native of Fengxian County in Pengcheng. His grandfather, Liu Gui, had served as the magistrate of Luo Prefecture of the Qi state. Liu Quan had a strong sense of righteousness and integrity from a young age, kept his promises, acted justly, and even sheltered fugitives, so officials dared not come to his doorstep. Later, he changed his ways, studied diligently, and followed the rules. He started as the registrar in the prefecture, served in the Qi dynasty, and rose to positions such as secretary to the court and Langzhong of the imperial court. After the fall of the Qi dynasty, Emperor Wu of the Zhou dynasty appointed him as the provisional governor of Huai Prefecture. After Emperor Yang Jian of the Sui dynasty ascended the throne, he appointed Liu Quan as the General of Chariots and Cavalry, commanding local troops. Later, he followed Prince Jin Yang Guang in pacifying the Chen dynasty, and in recognition of his military achievements, he was appointed as the Governor of the Palace with the title 'San Si,' and was rewarded with three thousand bolts of cloth. Duke Hè Ruòbì of the Song state held him in high esteem.
In the twelfth year of the Kaihuang reign, he was appointed as the prefect of Suzhou and was conferred the title of Duke of Zongcheng County. At that time, Jiangnan had just been pacified, and the people's sentiments were still unsettled. Liu Quan governed the people with benevolence and trust, winning their hearts. After Emperor Yang of Sui ascended the throne, he was appointed as the Minister of the Imperial Guard, and later promoted to the position of Silver and Blue Grand Chancellor. In the fifth year of Daye, he followed Emperor Yang of Sui to campaign against the Tuyuhun. Liu Quan led the army out from Yiwu Road and encountered the Tuyuhun army, defeating them. He pursued them all the way to Qinghai, capturing over a thousand people, and continued on to reach Fusicheng. Emperor Yang of Sui then ordered Liu Quan to pass through Mantou and Chishui, establish Heyuan County and Jishi Town, and implement large-scale land reclamation projects, leaving him to guard the western border. He remained stationed on the frontier for five years, as all the tribes submitted to him, paying tribute every year, and the remnants of the Tuyuhun fleeing far and wide, with the roads unobstructed.
He was later summoned back to the court, appointed as the Minister of Agriculture, and promoted to the position of Golden Purple Grand Master. Shortly after, he was appointed as the Governor of Nanhai. On his way to Nanhai, when he reached Poyang Lake, he encountered a group of rebels and was unable to advance. The court ordered him to recruit troops to deal with them. Liu Quan led his troops to meet the rebels, but instead of directly engaging in battle, he went alone to their camp by boat, reasoning with them and appealing to their feelings, explaining the stakes. The rebels were moved by his words and surrendered. Upon hearing this, Emperor Yang of Sui praised him highly.
After arriving to the South China Sea, Liu Quan implemented many effective policies. Several years later, he faced repeated attacks from thieves on the county city. Many local strongmen were willing to elect Liu Quan as their leader, but he steadfastly defended against them. His son, Liu Shiche, secretly sent a letter to him, stating that the world was in chaos, heroes were rising, and he should not miss the opportunity, urging him to rebel. Liu Quan summoned his subordinates and executed the messenger on the spot, remaining loyal to his post until his death at seventy. His son, Liu Xiaozhe, held the positions of Attendant Officer and Military Department Officer, but unfortunately passed away at a young age.
It is said that Shiche was a distinctive individual who was unconcerned with trivialities, and he was quite popular at the time. By the end of the Sui Dynasty, chaos reigned across the land, and warlords vied for power. Wherever Shiche went, people were wary of him and frequently had him detained, until he was ultimately killed by the bandit leader Xu Yuanlang in Yanzhou.
His brother, Quan, inherited his father's courage. His style name was Zijiang; he was tall and strong, and had great leadership abilities, eventually becoming the Eagle-Soaring General. His son, Dewei, also gained considerable renown.
The history books say: Quan, truly a person of responsibility and capability, upright in character, quick to respond, with a sense of justice, able to make decisive choices in critical moments, who defended the entire city, truly diligent and accomplished! When Yang Liang revolted, Shi Xiang single-handedly achieved victory; when bandits were causing trouble, Quan made three significant contributions, all of whom were renowned figures of their time and are remembered in history. When Yuanshou submitted a memorial, he aimed to uphold Confucian values, but in terms of accomplishments, he still fell short of Quan. It was already commendable for the court to reward him with such a high official position. Wensheng lifted the siege in the eastern capital and earned some merit, but in the western capital, he resorted to bribery, which was utterly despicable and hardly worth mentioning! Liu Quan hailed from an old family in the Huai-Chu region, known for its long-standing reputation. Amidst the chaos, he resisted the temptations of evil forces while guarding Weituo, showing no greed. Although he did not heed the court's call to defend the king, he can still be regarded as a hero of integrity.
