Tu Wanxu, whose courtesy name was Changxu, was a Xianbei of Dai Commandery. His father was named Tu Tong and served as the Inspector of Yingzhou during the Zhou Dynasty. Changxu showed great military talent from a young age. He started as the General of the Fuchun and later inherited his father's title, becoming the Duke of Yuanshou. He participated in numerous military campaigns and gradually rose in ranks to become the Grand General and then the Shaosiwu. After Emperor Gaozu ascended the throne, he appointed Changxu as the Commander of Xiangzhou, elevated his title to Duke of Gucheng, and granted him a fief of 2,500 households. Shortly after, he was transferred to Qingzhou as the Commander, where he achieved notable success. Over a year later, when the Turks invaded the border, the court valued Changxu's prestige and abilities, and transferred him to Shuozhou as the Commander, where the northern tribes greatly feared him.
Later, when Emperor Gaozu secretly planned to annex the Chen Dynasty, he appointed Changxu as Commander of Xuzhou to prepare military supplies. When the time came to launch a large-scale crossing to attack the Chen Dynasty, Changxu was appointed as the Commander of the Expedition, stationed in the north of the river alongside Gedouling, the Duke of Xihe, and Hongjing. After the fall of the Chen Dynasty, Changxu was appointed as the Commander of Xiazhou. When Prince Jin Yang Guang was a vassal king, he shared a good rapport with Changxu. Later, when Yang Guang became the Crown Prince, he appointed Changxu as his Left Yuhou.
After Emperor Yangdi ascended the throne, Prince Han Yang Liang was garrisoned in Bingzhou. The emperor feared Yang Liang might rebel, so he sent Changxu to serve as the Inspectors of Jinzhou and Jiangzhou, with urgent orders to expedite his arrival at his post. Before Changxu could depart, Yang Liang had already sent troops to occupy Puban, severing the river bridge, preventing Changxu from entering. The emperor ordered Changxu to lead troops to support Yang Su in confronting Yang Liang. After defeating Yang Liang, Changxu was appointed as the Left Martial Guard General.
During the reign of Emperor Daye, Chang Xu was promoted to the post of Guangluqing. Later, He Ruobi was framed by malicious individuals, and the emperor asked Chang Xu to testify. Chang Xu proved that He Ruobi was innocent, but he was subsequently dismissed from his post. More than a year later, he was appointed as the Prefect of Dongping. Shortly thereafter, as the emperor was passing through Dongping on his way to Jiangdu, Chang Xu welcomed the emperor by the roadside. The emperor invited Chang Xu to board the dragon boat, and Chang Xu bowed in thanks and recounted the previous events. The emperor was pleased and appointed him as Jinsi Guanglu Dafu, while retaining his previous position as Prefect. During the Liaodong campaign, Chang Xu requested to serve as the vanguard. The emperor recognized his talents and appointed him as Left Tunwei General, leading tens of thousands of troops, including cavalry and infantry, to advance from Gaima Road. After the battle, Chang Xu remained stationed in Huaiyuan and was promoted to Left Guanglu Dafu.
Meanwhile, Liu Yuanjin rebelled in Jiangnan and attacked Runzhou. The emperor sent Chang Xu to suppress the rebellion. Chang Xu led his troops to Yangzijin, just as Liu Yuanjin was preparing to cross the river from Maopu. Chang Xu successfully defeated him. Chang Xu crossed the Yangtze River and camped with his back to the river. The next morning, Liu Yuanjin attacked again but was defeated by Chang Xu. Liu Yuanjin was forced to lift the siege of Runzhou and retreat. Chang Xu camped in Qu'a, where Liu Yuanjin set up his defenses. Chang Xu launched a proactive attack, and Liu Yuanjin, before he could properly form his battle lines, was charged by Chang Xu's cavalry. Liu Yuanjin's army was defeated, and tens of thousands of people jumped into the river and drowned. Liu Yuanjin escaped at night and returned to his camp. The false court officials Zhu Xie, Guan Chong, and others were stationed in Piling, with their camp stretched over a hundred li. Chang Xu pursued them and defeated them again, forcing the enemy to retreat to Huangshan. Chang Xu surrounded Huangshan, and the enemy, finding themselves cornered, surrendered. Liu Yuanjin and Zhu Xie managed to escape, but Chang Xu killed more than 5,000 enemies, including Guan Chong and his general Lu Yi, and captured over 30,000 of their family members, whom he sent to the palace in Jiangdu. Chang Xu also successfully lifted the siege of Kuaiji.
Liu Yuanjin reoccupied Jian'an. The emperor ordered Zhang Xu to attack, but Zhang Xu said the soldiers were exhausted and requested to wait until spring to go to battle. The emperor was displeased and secretly had people find faults with Zhang Xu. The court officials reported that Zhang Xu was cowardly and disobeyed imperial orders, so Zhang Xu was stripped of his title and exiled to Jian'an as a commoner. Later, an edict was issued summoning Zhang Xu to the imperial court. Feeling disheartened, Zhang Xu returned to Yongjia and died of illness.
Dong Chun, whose courtesy name was Dehou, was from Chengji, Gansu. His grandfather Dong He was the Commander of the Left Guard of the Wei Kingdom, and his father Dong Sheng was the Grand General of the Zhou Dynasty. Dong Chun was strong from a young age and skilled in horseback archery. He held various positions in the Zhou Dynasty, such as Senior Officer of the Imperial Guards and Junior Official of the Imperial Chariot. He was titled as the Lord of Gushi County with a fief comprising two hundred households. He served under Emperor Wu to pacify the Qi Kingdom and was promoted to the title of Yitong and made Marquis of Daxing County, with his fief increased to eight hundred households. During the reign of Emperor Yang of the Sui Dynasty, Dong Chun was further promoted to Duke of Hanqu County and eventually to General of the Cavalry. Due to his military achievements, he was elevated to the position of Minister of Works. Towards the end of the Kaihuang reign of the Sui Dynasty, Dong Chun, as a senior official, was promoted to Left Guard General and shortly thereafter was reappointed as Duke of Shunzheng County.
Han Wangliang rebelled in Bingzhou, and the court appointed Dong Chun as the commander of the army and Deputy Governor of Hebei. Together with Yang Su, they suppressed the rebellion. Due to his contributions, he was honored as a pillar of the state, promoted to Duke of a Commandery, and his fiefdom increased to two thousand households. Later, he was promoted to the Left Guard General, and the emperor also granted him ten singing girls and five thousand bolts of silk. Several years later, Dong Chun was promoted to Left Valiant Guard General and concurrently served as the Governor of Pengcheng. Prince Qi, Yang Jian, committed an error, and Dong Chun was rebuked by the emperor for associating with him, saying, "You have relied on your position in the palace to gradually rise to such a high rank. Why did you go to flatter my son and attempt to create discord between us?" Dong Chun replied, "I come from humble beginnings and have limited abilities. Thanks to Your Majesty's appreciation and promotion, the late emperor valued my careful management of affairs and showed me excessive favor. You also valued me more, allowing me to reach the position of general. I just want to use the time I have left to repay the kindness shown to me by the state. I visited Prince Qi on several occasions because when the late emperor and empress were still at Renshou Palace, they held Prince Yuande and Prince Qi on their knees and said to me, 'Take good care of these two boys and remember my words.' I followed the late emperor's orders and whenever I had a break, I would always visit the two princes in the palace. I truly cannot forget the late emperor's instructions. At that time, you were also in service to the late emperor." The emperor's expression softened, and he said, "So that's how it is." Thus, Dong Chun was granted a pardon.
A few days later, Dong Chun was appointed as the prefect of Wenshan. Over a year later, the Turks threatened the border, and because Dong Chun was an old general, the court reassigned him to Yulin as a prefect. Whenever the Turks invaded the border, Dong Chun immediately led troops to repel them. At this time, the bandit leaders Zhang Dabiao and Zong Shimu from Pengcheng led tens of thousands of troops to occupy Xuanboshan, burning, killing, and looting in the areas of Xuzhou and Yanzhou. The emperor ordered Dong Chun to attack them. Dong Chun initially kept his camp gates tightly shut and did not engage the bandits in battle. Despite repeated provocations by the bandits, Dong Chun refused to fight, which led the bandits to perceive him as cowardly and unprepared, resulting in their unchecked plundering. Dong Chun selected elite troops and engaged the bandits in battle at Changlu, securing a decisive victory, beheading more than ten thousand and stacking their severed heads into a mound. The bandit leader Wei Qilin led over ten thousand men to defend Danfu, but Dong Chun led an attack and defeated them once again. Later, the emperor launched another campaign against Liaodong and appointed Dong Chun as the prefect of Pengcheng. The notorious bandit Peng Xiaocai from Donghai led a few thousand men to plunder Huairen County, fleeing to Yishui and occupying Wubuji Mountain. Dong Chun led elite soldiers to pursue them, capturing Peng Xiaocai alive on the battlefield and ordering him to be torn apart by chariots, causing the remaining bandits to scatter and flee. At that time, the common people longed for stability, as banditry continued to rise. Although Dong Chun had won several battles, bandits continued to rise up in various regions. Some falsely claimed Dong Chun was cowardly and unable to pacify the bandits. The emperor, furious, had Dong Chun escorted to the eastern capital. Seeing the emperor's fury, the court officials followed his wishes and sentenced Dong Chun to death, which ultimately resulted in his execution.
Zhao Cai, courtesy name 'Xiaocai', was from Zhangye, Jiuquan. His grandfather Zhao Kui was the Silver Green Grand Master of the Kingdom of Wei and the Prefect of Lelang; his father Zhao Shou was the Prefect of Shunzheng during the Zhou Dynasty. When Zhao Cai was young, he was brave and skilled in battle, with exceptional skills in horseback riding and archery, but he had a rough personality and did not pay much attention to etiquette. During the Zhou Dynasty, he served as a Yuzheng Officer. After Emperor Yang Jian of the Sui Dynasty declared himself emperor, Zhao Cai rose through the ranks due to his military achievements, eventually becoming the Right General of the Three Excellencies. Later, he served Prince Jin Yang Guang, and after Prince Jin became Crown Prince, he was appointed the Right Guard Commander. After Emperor Yang Guang ascended the throne, Zhao Cai was promoted to the Left Guard General, and later to the Right Valiant Guard General. As an old retainer of the emperor from the fief, Yang Guang became increasingly close to him, and Zhao Cai was diligent and performed exceptionally well. Over a year later, he was promoted to the Right Guard Grand General. When Emperor Yang Guang campaigned against the Tuyuhun, he appointed Zhao Cai as the Commander of the Campaign, leading officials such as Liu Quan, the Guards Minister, and Ming Ya, the Minister of War, starting from the Hehe Road, encountering and achieving a significant victory against the Tuyuhun army. Due to this military achievement, Zhao Cai was promoted to the rank of Golden Purple Grand Master. Later, in the Battle of Liaodong, he led two expeditions from the Jieshi Road. Upon his return to the court, he was appointed the Left Guard General, and shortly after, he was promoted to the Right Guard Grand General. Whenever the emperor went on inspection tours, Zhao Cai always served as the scout, strictly enforcing the rules without favoritism. Even when he encountered violations by the families of high-ranking officials, Zhao Cai would reprimand them sternly. He offended many, and while some disliked his lack of manners, everyone recognized his integrity and found it difficult to take action against him.
In the tenth year, Emperor Yang of Sui left Zhao Cai to guard the Eastern Capital, Luoyang, while he was in Fenyang Palace. Twelve years later, Emperor Yang of Sui was in Luoyang preparing to go to Jiangdu. Zhao Cai saw that the situation in the realm was critical, with the people weary, the treasury depleted, bandits on the rise, and laws in disarray. He advised the emperor to return to the capital to stabilize the situation, vowing to stake his life on his advice, despite feeling incompetent. Emperor Yang of Sui was enraged and turned Zhao Cai over to the officials. Ten days later, his anger subsided, and he released Zhao Cai. Eventually, Emperor Yang of Sui went to Jiangdu, demonstrating even greater favor towards Zhao Cai.
As supplies ran out in Jiangdu and the soldiers' morale waned, officials such as Yu Shiji and Yuan Chong repeatedly urged Emperor Yang of Sui to go to Danyang. During a discussion in the court, Zhao Cai strongly advocated for returning to the capital, while Yu Shiji insisted on crossing the river. Emperor Yang of Sui remained silent, leading to a heated argument between Zhao Cai and Yu Shiji, who then stormed out in anger. When Yuwen Huaji rebelled and killed the emperor, Zhao Cai was in the northern park. Xie Defang, sent by Yuwen Huaji with a forged edict, was sent to arrest him. Zhao Cai came out upon hearing the edict, and Xie Defang ordered his men to capture him and bring him before Yuwen Huaji. Yuwen Huaji said to Zhao Cai, "This is how it must be today; I hope you won't take it personally." Zhao Cai remained silent. Due to his silence, Yuwen Huaji contemplated killing him but ultimately released him three days later. Zhao Cai continued in his original position, feeling disheartened and unappreciated.
Zhao Cai once requested at a banquet hosted by Yuwen Huaji to urge the eighteen people involved in the rebellion (including Yang Shilan) to drink. Yuwen Huaji agreed. Zhao Cai raised his glass and said, "These eighteen people can only do this once; there should not be a next time!" The others remained silent. When they reached Liaocheng, Zhao Cai fell ill. Shortly after, Yuwen Huaji was defeated by Dou Jiande, and Zhao Cai was captured again. Feeling even more resentful, he died a few days later at the age of seventy-three.
During the Ren Shou and Da Ye periods, there were two generals named Lan Xingyu and Helan Fan, both Martial Marquises known for their integrity, their willingness to speak out, and their fearlessness of the powerful. They earned a reputation for their dedication and sense of duty.
Historical records mention several individuals such as Luo Hou, Fa Shang, Li Jing, Shi Xiong, and Murong Sanzang, who earned wealth and status through their bravery and military achievements during times of conflict. Ren Gong, who started as an official in Ji County because of his honesty and competence, rose through the ranks. However, his greed and stinginess led to his downfall in Mayi. It's a real shame that few can see things through to the end! Tu Wanxu and Dong Chun both received high positions and rewards for their past accomplishments. Tu Wanxu was later punished for requesting a ceasefire, while Dong Chun was falsely accused by villains and murdered.
In the later years of the Da Ye period, bandits were rampant, making it difficult to maintain order. Corruption and tyranny prevailed, leaving people unable to fight back. Although Zhao Cai's behavior was sometimes questionable, his aspirations were noble, and he was upright in refusing the suggestions made by Shi Ji. Quan Wu, on the other hand, disregarded rules and laws, resulting in his dismissal from office, which was a consequence of his own actions.
