Li Mu, courtesy name Xianqing, identified as being from Chengji in Longxi and was a descendant of Li Ling, a cavalry commander of the Han Dynasty. Li Ling was defeated in battle and captured by the Xiongnu, resulting in his descendants living in the northern regions inhabited by ethnic minorities. They later migrated south with the Wei Kingdom before eventually returning to the Qian and Long regions. His grandfather, Li Bin, served as a military governor and settled in Gaoping. His father, Li Wenbao, passed away early, and when Li Mu became successful, the court posthumously conferred the title of Minister of Works on his father. Li Mu was a charismatic man with a free-spirited nature and a strong sense of integrity.
When Emperor Taizu first rose in rebellion, Li Mu joined him, put on military garb, and led troops into battle. During the Yongxi era, Li Mu was ordered to welcome Emperor Wu of Wei and was appointed as a military governor, granted the title of Marquis of Yongping County with a fief of three hundred households. He also commanded local troops and, due to his repeated military achievements, was continuously promoted, eventually attaining the rank of count. Once, when following Taizu in a battle against the Qi army at Mangshan, Taizu fell off his horse on the battlefield. Li Mu rushed into the enemy lines, struck Taizu with his horsewhip, scolded him, and then escorted him back onto his horse; together they broke through the encirclement. The enemy, witnessing his disrespect towards Taizu, relaxed their guard, allowing Taizu to escape danger.
Later, Taizu and Li Mu cried in front of each other. Taizu turned to the people beside him and said, "The one who can help me accomplish great things is him!" So Li Mu was sent to pacify the Guanzhong area, and wherever Li Mu went, peace was restored. Later, Li Mu was promoted to General of the Imperial Guard, and Yitong San Si, and was granted the title of Duke of Anwu County, with his fief expanded to include 1,700 households. He was also given an iron certificate that granted him immunity from execution ten times. Shortly after, he was further appointed as Kaifu and served as a court official. During the battle at Mangshan, Li Mu gave his steed to Taizu. In return, Taizu bestowed upon Li Mu all the steeds from his stable and also granted Li Mu's sisters the title of county lords. His family and relatives received corresponding honors.
Li Mu was later reassigned as the Minister of Rites. After defeating the enemies in Jiangling with Yu Jin, his fief expanded by another thousand households, and his rank was elevated to Grand General. He then defeated the barbarians in the Qumian area, was appointed Governor of Yuanzhou, and his legitimate son Li Dun was appointed as Yitong San Si. Li Mu had two older brothers, Li Xian and Li Yuan, who were both instrumental in assisting the Zhou Dynasty. His descendants also held high positions. Li Mu feared that his achievements might overshadow the ruler, so he wanted to resign. However, Taizu refused to accept his resignation. Shortly after, Li Mu was appointed Governor of Yongzhou and also took on the role of Minister of the Imperial Stables. In the first year of the Zhou Dynasty, Li Mu's fief grew by three thousand households, bringing the total to three thousand seven hundred. Taizu also granted a noble title to one of his sons. Li Mu conferred this title upon his nephew Li Xiaogui, which was approved by Taizu.
When Yuwen Hu was in power, both Mu Xiong and his son Mu Zhi were beheaded, and Mu Dang was also caught up in this. Earlier, Mu Dang had felt that Mu Zhi was not capable of carrying on the family legacy and had repeatedly urged Mu Yuan to dispose of Mu Zhi, but Mu Yuan did not listen to him. When Mu Yuan was about to be beheaded, he cried to Mu Dang, "Xianqing, I didn't listen to you, that's why I ended up like this. What can I do about it now?" Because of this statement, Mu Dang narrowly escaped disaster, was dismissed from his official position and became a commoner, and his descendants, previously dismissed from their positions, also had their titles restored.
Mu Zhi's younger brother, Mu Ji, the governor of Xizhou, was also to be killed. Mu Dang offered his two sons as substitutes for Mu Ji's death sentence. Yuwen Hu considered this a noble act and allowed the two of them to go. Not long after, Mu Dang was appointed as the Left Supervisor of the Household, the governor of Zhizhou, and his title as Duke of Anwu County was restored. During the Wucheng period, his descendants who had been dismissed from their official positions also had their titles restored. He was then appointed Grand Guardian and promoted to Grand General. More than a year later, he was promoted to Junior Tutor, elevated to Duke of Zhuguo, and later transferred to the position of Grand Minister of Works, assigned the task of building Tongluo City.
During the Tianhe era, he was granted the title of Duke of Shenguo, and under the emperor's orders, he pacified the eastern border, establishing several strategic military towns such as Wushen, Danfu, Cijian, Chongde, Anmin, Jiaocheng, and Lulu. During the Jiande era, he was appointed Grand Protector. More than a year later, he was transferred to Yuanzhou as the Commander-in-Chief. Several years later, he was promoted to Senior Pillar of the State, and then transferred to the position of Commander of Bingzhou. During the Daxiang era, his fiefdom expanded to encompass nine thousand households, and he was appointed Grand Tutor, while his position as Commander remained unchanged.
When Gaozu became the Chancellor, Wei Jiong rebelled, so Gaozu sent someone to ask Mu Tipa for help. Mu Tipa captured the messenger and wrote a letter to Gaozu himself. Mu Tipa's son, Mu Shirong, was aware that his father commanded the elite forces of the nation, so he secretly urged his father to rebel and declare himself king. However, Mu Tipa firmly refused and instead presented the thirteen-ringed golden belt symbolizing the emperor to Gaozu. Later, Mu Tipa sensed that the tide of the world had turned in favor of Gaozu, so he secretly advised Gaozu to proclaim himself emperor. Gaozu accepted the counsel and issued a decree saying, "You have great merits and are of my father's generation. You advise me to become emperor, so I naturally have to agree. On the thirteenth day of this month, I will officially accept the mandate of heaven." Not long after, Mu Tipa came to pay his respects at court, and Gaozu personally welcomed him, appointed him as Grand Tutor, allowed him not to bow when meeting, and granted him the fief of three thousand households in Cheng'an County. Even Mu Tipa's descendants still in swaddling clothes were all granted official titles equivalent to Yitong San Si, and over a hundred members of his family held official positions, wielding ivory tablets. At that time, the power of Mu Tipa was unmatched. Later, Mu Tipa requested retirement in a memorial, and Gaozu issued a decree saying, "I have just become emperor and need old ministers like you to assist me. I truly wish you wouldn't retire at seventy, as that is the norm for ordinary people. Like Lv Shang, who assisted the Zhou dynasty well into his hundredth year, and Zhang Cang, who served as the prime minister of the Han dynasty at a very old age, are rare talents and should not be bound by conventions. I understand your thoughts and respect your wishes, so I will relieve you of the duty of attending court. But if there are any major issues, I will still seek your counsel and send attendants to consult with you at your home." Having just become emperor, Gaozu found this matter quite challenging. Mu Tipa then submitted yet another memorial:
Speaking of the place where the emperor resides, the rise and fall are commonplace; this is both fate and the nature of human affairs, and it has always been this way since ancient times. Starting from the Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors to the period of the Two Hans, no dynasty has escaped major upheavals, and no capital has remained unchanged. Cao Cao and Sima Yan both built their capitals near Luoyang, while Wei and Zhou established theirs near Chang'an; these four dynasties are well-known to all. During Cao Cao's time, the Three Kingdoms were locked in a stalemate; after Sima Yan unified the country, he divided the feudal lords. The Wei and Zhou dynasties finally pacified the realm, but they had little time to heed the ancient rules.
When the Zhou dynasty was on the verge of collapse, chaos began within the royal family. The court ministers were rife with corruption, and upright individuals were scarce. The populace turned on each other like ravenous wolves, with rebellions erupting in various places, and few regions remained peaceful. Your Majesty, you have been chosen by heaven and have inherited the ancestral foundation. You have demonstrated the benevolence befitting a king and respected the opinions of the ministers. By first rooting out corruption at home, you will soon restore stability to the realm; then, by exterminating rebellions externally, you will soon bring peace to the world. Ensure the people can live in peace and happiness, may the spirits and deities rejoice, and may the sun, moon, and stars shine all the more brilliantly. You strive to emulate the deeds of ancient wise rulers, in accordance with the requests of the ministers and the people. Since ascending the throne, you have been diligent in state affairs and educating the populace; your virtues resonate with the natural order of heaven and earth, and your blessings spread to all the people in the world.
In the beginning of all things, when the world was at peace, your governance has given the people a fresh perspective, and customs have also changed accordingly. However, the imperial palace remains in its original location and has not been reconstructed, which contrasts with the idea of a fresh start. This place has been chaotic since the Han Dynasty, and all emperors have built their capital here since modern times. You have neither used divination nor observed the stars to select the capital's location; how does this demonstrate your wise decision-making and great virtues? I believe that the land of China is vast and filled with many auspicious locations; therefore, a new auspicious location should be selected for the royal family to establish their palace, for surely the heavens have a greater plan.
Therefore, I hope Your Majesty will follow the will of heaven, carefully consider, choose an auspicious day, and move the capital to a new location, thus strengthening the foundation of the dynasty, allowing the people to live in peace and happiness, and ensuring the dynasty's continuity for eternity. May the new imperial palace stand in the place of the North Star, filling the realm with peace and prosperity, ensuring that the people live in peace and prosperity, and guaranteeing national prosperity and the well-being of the people, along with eternal peace. I am old, and although I hold a high position, I feel that I am still lacking in my ability to govern the country and ensure its security. I have been increasingly anxious and could no longer hold my tongue.
The emperor had already felt that the capital was too small, the system was flawed, and the palace was said to be haunted. Su Wei had once advised the emperor to relocate, but the emperor did not heed his counsel. Eventually, a court official submitted a memorial that caused the emperor to waver. At this point, after seeing the memorial from Mu Biao (the content of which is not provided in the original text), the emperor said, "Heaven is indeed wise; there are already signs and omens, and the people support the request; therefore, we shall proceed with it." So the emperor agreed.
More than a year later, the emperor issued another decree, stating: "The rules of etiquette and law are binding on ordinary people to deter wrongdoing, but for noble individuals, they do not need to be so strict. Grand Preceptor, Chief Pillar of the State, Duke of Shen, you are highly respected and virtuous; you are the country's esteemed officials and among its finest. With high status and great abilities, you are exceptional and profound, having withstood countless trials, you remain steadfast and unyielding. You have not committed the mistakes of Boyi and Shuqi, nor have you erred like Yan Hui, so you are able to rise above the constraints of the law. However, as the emperor, I still need to set an example, commend good people, reduce the constraints of laws, promote morality, and advocate the virtues of the elderly. From now on, even if you make mistakes, as long as it is not treason, even if you commit a capital offense, I will not pursue it."
In the sixth year of Kaihuang, he passed away at home at the age of seventy-seven. His last words were: "I have been blessed by the country; my official position has reached its peak. Now I must return to the grave; I have no regrets. It's just that I couldn't accompany the emperor to Mount Tai to offer sacrifices, nor could I receive rewards from the emperor like Liang Fu; it's truly regrettable!" The emperor sent the Grand Chamberlain to handle his funeral, rewarding him with four horses, two thousand bushels of grain, and one thousand pieces of cloth. He was posthumously appointed as the Governor of Jizhou, with the posthumous title "Ming." He was also given a stone tomb, feathered banners, drums, and music, and a carriage. All the court officials accompanied him outside the city. The emperor also sent the Minister of Ceremonies to deliver a eulogy and perform sacrifices in his honor. His grandson Sun Yun inherited his title.
Junfu, whose name was Dun, styled Shixian, was the eldest son of Mu. He held official positions in the Zhou Dynasty and eventually became the Duke of Anle and the Governor of Fengzhou, outliving his father Mu. Due to his father's achievements, Jun was bestowed the title of Yitong. In the eighth year of the Kaihuang era, he inherited his grandfather's title. In the early years of the Renshou era, his uncle Hun was irritated by his stinginess and secretly sent his cousin Shanheng to kill him. When the murderer was never caught, Emperor Gaozu was furious and rounded up all their relatives. Earlier, Jun had a dispute with his cousin Qutan. At that time, Hun was very powerful and accused Qutan of killing Jun. Consequently, Qutan was sentenced to death, while Shanheng got away scot-free. Four years later, when it came time to appoint a successor, Duke Pi Suwei claimed that Jun was unprincipled and that brothers were killing each other, calling for the revocation of his title. The Emperor refused.
Dun's younger brother Yi, who was granted the title of Yitong, died young and was posthumously appointed as the Governor of Weizhou. Yi's younger brother Ya, who showed intelligence and courage from a young age, was granted the title of marquis of Xi'an County and appointed as Grand Commander for his military achievements during the Zhou Dynasty. During the Tianhe period, he accompanied Yuan Ding in the campaign against Jiangxi and was trapped when other armies were defeated. After safely returning, he was appointed as the Governor of Kaifu and Yitong San Si and led the left and right armies. That year, he followed the prince on a campaign against the Tuyuhun, leading two thousand infantry and cavalry at the Tao River, where he was responsible for the army's supplies. When they were attacked by the enemy, a stalemate ensued for several days. Ya pretended to negotiate with the enemy, causing their guard to relax, and then launched a surprise attack to defeat them. The emperor rewarded him with one hundred servants and appointed his son as a marquis. He was later appointed as the Governor of Qizhou and was soon recalled to the capital. Years later, he was appointed as the Governor of Yingzhou. When Gaozu was Prime Minister, he defended Lingzhou against northern nomadic tribes. Upon his return, he was appointed as Grand General, then promoted to Governor of Jingzhou and granted eight hundred households. In the early years of the Kaihuang reign, he was promoted to Duke.
Heng, Ya's younger brother, held the position of Governor of Yanzhou and was appointed as the Marquis of Yangqu. Rong, Heng's younger brother, served as the Governor of Hezhou and the Count of Changcheng County. Zhi, Rong's younger brother, was appointed as the General of Chariots and Cavalry and the Marquis of Guizheng County. Xiong, Zhi's younger brother, held the position of Pillar of the State, Duke of Miguo, and General of the Valiant Cavalry. Hun, Xiong's younger brother, was the most renowned of them all.
Hun Jincai, the tenth son of King Mu Jing, was tall and handsome with a beautiful beard. He initially served as a senior left minister in the Zhou Dynasty. Later, when Wei Jiong rebelled in Ye City, King Mu Jing was in Bingzhou. Emperor Yang Jian was worried that Wei Jiong would win over King Mu Jing, so he sent Hun Jincai to Bingzhou on a swift horse to deliver his message to King Mu Jing. King Mu Jing immediately summoned Hun Jincai to the capital city and offered a flatiron to Emperor Yang, saying, "I hope to wield this authority to bring peace to the realm." Emperor Yang was greatly pleased. He then sent Hun Jincai to meet Wei Xiaokuan to convey King Mu Jing's intentions. Just as the rebellion in Ye City was pacified, Hun Jincai was rewarded for his achievements with the official position of Sanji Yitong (an official rank), and was granted the title of Duke of Anwu County. In the early years of the Kaihuang reign, he was promoted to the Cavalry General of Xiangcheng Prefecture. When Prince Jin, Yang Guang, was appointed as a feudal lord, Hun Jincai, as a trusted aide to the Cavalry General, accompanied him to Yangzhou.
In the first year of the Renshou era, Hun Jincai served under the Left Protector Yang Su as the Commander-in-Chief of the Expeditionary Force, marched three hundred miles north of Xiazhou, and defeated the Tujue Awuqijin at the Nayan River, and killed five hundred of the enemy. As a result, he was promoted to Grand General, appointed as the Left Guard General, and also took on the role of Tai Zi Zongwei. Initially, the grandson of King Mujing, Mu Yun, had passed away, and Emperor Yang Jian needed to decide who would inherit King Mujing's title. Hun Jincai intended to inherit the title himself, so he spoke to his brother-in-law, Yu Wenshu, the Left Guard General of the Crown Prince: "If I inherit the title, I will contribute half of the national tax revenue to the court each year." Yu Wenshu thought this was a sound proposal, so he went to the palace and told the Crown Prince: "The title should go to the eldest son; if that’s not possible, then to the wisest. Now that the descendants of Shenming Gong (King Mujing) have ended, none of his descendants are capable or deserving of this honor. Only Jincai has made significant contributions to the country, and I believe that no one else can inherit the title except him." The Crown Prince agreed, so he petitioned Emperor Yang Jian to appoint Hun Jincai as the Duke of Shenguo, allowing him to inherit King Mujing's title. In the early years of Daye, Hun Jincai was promoted to Right Valiant Guard General. Six years later, the court issued an edict posthumously elevating King Mujing to Duke of Chenguo, and Hun Jincai continued to inherit this title. He later attained the position of Guanglu Daifu. Nine years later, he was promoted to Right Valiant Guard Grand General.
Li Hun inherited his father's title, and over time, he lived an increasingly lavish lifestyle, with a harem of hundreds of concubines. Two years later, Li Hun stopped giving his younger brother, Li Shu, his salary. Li Shu was furious about this, and after getting drunk, he told his friend Yu Xiangxian: "In the end, I was ultimately betrayed by Li Hun; I’ll never forget this, even if it kills me!" Li Hun was aware of Li Shu's comments, and this led to a bitter enmity between them.
Later, the emperor wanted to attack Liaodong. There was a sorcerer named Angiadao who claimed to understand prophecies. He told the emperor, "In the future, there will be someone surnamed Li who will become emperor." He suggested that all people with the surname Li be killed. Li Shu found out about this and falsely accused Li Hun to the emperor, saying, "Angiadao's words do seem to have some signs. I have always been close with Li Hun, but recently I have noticed his behavior is very unusual. He often meets in private day and night with Li Min, Li Shanheng, and others, sometimes even staying up all night. Li Hun is a high-ranking official in the court, with a prominent family lineage and control over the imperial guards; he shouldn't be acting this way. I hope Your Majesty will investigate!" The emperor said, "You are right, this matter should be investigated."
Li Shu then sent General Wuben Lang to inform the emperor that Li Hun was plotting treason. That day, over a thousand guards were dispatched to surround Li Hun’s home. Left Minister Yuan Wendu and Grand Imperial Secretary Pei Yun were sent to conduct the interrogations. After several days of questioning, no evidence of Li Hun's treason was found, so Li Shu reported the findings to the emperor honestly. The emperor did not believe it and ordered Li Shu to continue the investigation. Li Shu brought Li Min's wife, Yuwen Shi, to the prison and said to her, "You are the emperor's niece. Are you afraid of not finding a good husband? Li Min, Li Hun, their names happen to fulfill the prophecy. The state wants to execute them, and there's no turning back now. You should look out for yourself. If I tell you what to say, you should say it, then you will be safe." Li Min's wife said, "I don't know what to do; I’ll do whatever you say."
Li Shu said, "You should say the Li family is plotting treason. Li Hun once told Li Min, 'You are destined to be the emperor. The current emperor is warlike, wasting resources and hurting the people. This is also when the Sui Dynasty is bound to fall. We should overthrow him together. If we cross the Liao River again, both you and I will surely become great generals. Each army has more than twenty thousand soldiers, totaling fifty thousand. We should also rally their brothers, sons, nephews, and all relatives to enlist soldiers together. Our family members should take command, leading troops and dispersing among the various armies, waiting for the right moment to strike and coordinating both inside and out. You and I will launch the initial attack, raiding the imperial palace camp, while the younger generation acts together, killing all the commanders. In one day, we can bring peace to the realm." Li Shu dictated this to Li Min's wife, who wrote it as a memorial and sealed it as "Top Secret." Li Shu presented the memorial, saying, "I have found evidence of Li Hun's treason, as well as a secret report from Li Min's wife." After reading it, the emperor wept and exclaimed, "My kingdom was nearly ruined, all thanks to my father-in-law!" Therefore, Li Hun, Li Min, and 32 other family members were all executed, while the rest, regardless of age, were exiled to Lingnan.
His father and brothers were quite powerful. In the early years of the Kaihuang reign, for their achievements in pacifying the southern ethnic minorities, they rose to the rank of Grand Preceptor and Duke of Li.
His name was Yang Xiaoxun, with the courtesy name Xiaoxun. His father was formidable, a great general of the Zhou Dynasty. Yang Xiaoxun was calm, strategic, and well-read. During the Northern Zhou Dynasty, he first served as an Imperial Secretary, then was promoted to an Imperial Secretary of the Interior, and also oversaw the Ministry of Personnel because of his strong administrative skills. In the third year of Jiande, Emperor Wu went to Yunyang Palace and appointed him as an imperial guard, in charge of guarding the palace. Later, when the rebel Zhou Prince Yuwen Zhi torched the Su Zhang Gate, Yang Xiaoxun fought fiercely to extinguish the flames in the palace, preventing the rebels from breaking in. The emperor was thrilled when he heard about this and appointed him as Director of Tri-Simultaneous Affairs, then promoted him to the position of Chang'an Prefect, and eventually rising to the position of Yinguo Zhong Daifu. He was promoted several times based on his military achievements, eventually being granted the title of Grand General and conferred the title of Duke of Pinggao County.
During the time when Gaozu was the Chancellor, Wei Jiao rebelled and sent Wei Xiaokuan to fight. He appointed Yang Xiaoxun as the Chief Historian, and he placed great trust in him. When the army reached Yongqiao, the generals had different opinions. Yang Xiaoxun secretly wrote a letter to Gaozu, suggesting sending senior officials to supervise the army. Gaozu sent Gao Feng to supervise the army. Only Yang Xiaoxun and Gao Feng could work together in the army; others could not. After suppressing Wei Jiao's rebellion, Yang Xiaoxun was promoted to the rank of Senior Minister and was renamed Duke of Longxi, rewarded with a thousand bolts of silk and many treasures.
In the first year of Kaihuang, he was responsible for the project to divert the Du Yang River for the irrigation of Sanziyuan, benefiting the people. Later, he went to Xiangzhou as the governor, and more than a year later, he was promoted to the governor of Xianzhou. Several years later, he was recalled to the capital due to illness, and many visitors came to see him. He died at home at the age of forty-nine, and the emperor mourned his passing for a long time. After his death, he was posthumously honored as Duke of Xiang, and his son Yang Yuanfang inherited his title.
Chongzi Yonglong was a remarkably intelligent and brave individual. In the first year of Zhou, he was bestowed the title of Marquis of Naile County in recognition of his father's accomplishments. At that time, he was still very young. On the day of his enfeoffment, relatives and friends came to congratulate him, yet he found himself crying alone. His father was surprised and asked him why he was crying. Chong said, "I have not made any contributions to the country, but I have become a marquis at a young age. I should repay the emperor's kindness, but I cannot fulfill my filial duties to my parents, so I am sad." His father was taken aback by this.
At first, he was assigned the position of a provincial registrar, but he declined as he did not like it, and instead requested to be a military governor. Later, he followed Yuwen Hu to attack the Qi state, and due to his remarkable military achievements, he was promoted to the position of Equestrian Official of the Third Rank. He then served as a Junior Officer of Military Supplies, responsible for managing military equipment. In the early years of Jiande, he was promoted to Junior Attendant of the Imperial Court, and then further promoted to Junior Attendant of the Imperial Guard, serving as the Prince's Chief Attendant. After Emperor Wu of Zhou pacified the Qi state, he was allowed to participate in military planning, and due to his young age, he was granted the position of Minister and titled as the Count of Xiangyang County, with a fief of 1,000 households. Shortly after, he was re-titled as the Count of Guangzong County, and successively served as a Taifu Zhong Dafu, Gongbu Zhong Dafu, and finally promoted to Right Supervisor of the Imperial Chariots.
After Gaozu became the Prime Minister, Chong was promoted to Left Siwu Shang Dafu, and was also granted the title of Shang Kaifu Yitong Dajiangjun. Later, he served as the Governor of Huaizhou, and his title was elevated to Duke of the County, with his fief increased to two thousand households. When Wei Jiao rebelled, the court sent envoys to persuade him to surrender. Chong initially wanted to agree, but later heard that his uncle, Mu Shi, had already surrendered to Gaozu with Bingzhou. He sighed deeply and said, "Our entire family has dozens of wealthy and prominent individuals, yet when the country is in danger, we cannot contribute to saving it. What right do I have to live in this world?" Wei Xiaokuan also had suspicions about him, and they stayed together. His brother, Xun, was the Chief of Staff to the Marshal, and often advised him, which led Chong to change his mind. After defeating Wei Jiao, he was appointed as the Grand General. Following the suppression of Wei Jiao's rebellion, he was appointed as the Governor-General of Xuzhou, and shortly after, he was promoted to Governor-General.
In the year 583 AD, Yang Su was appointed as the Governor-General of Youzhou. At that time, the Turks invaded the border, and Yang Su immediately led his troops to attack, defeating them decisively. The Xian, Xi, and Khitan tribes were all frightened by his bravery and expressed their willingness to pledge allegiance to the Great Sui.
Later, the Turks launched another large-scale invasion, this time with fierce determination. Yang Su only led three thousand infantry and cavalry to meet the enemy. They fought for more than ten days, suffering heavy casualties among the soldiers. In the end, they were forced to retreat to Sha City. The Turkic army surrounded Sha City completely, and it was already in a dilapidated state and could not be defended. Day and night, they had to fight desperately and were deprived of food. Every night, Yang Su led his troops to raid the Turkic camp to steal cattle and sheep, barely maintaining the army's food supply.
The Turks were frightened by Yang Su's bravery and did not dare to let their guard down, forming battle lines every night in anticipation of his attacks. Yang Su's army was both hungry and exhausted, and every attack would result in heavy casualties. By daybreak, the soldiers who could return to the city were only a few hundred, many of them gravely wounded and unable to fight again. The Turks thought that Yang Su could not hold on any longer, so they sent envoys to urge his surrender, saying, "If you surrender, we will grant you the position of special envoy!"
Yang Su knew that he would not survive this time, so he said to his soldiers, "I, Yang Su, have faced defeat and deserve to die. Today, I will give my life for the nation. When you see me fall, surrender to the enemy without delay, find an opportunity to escape, and strive to return to your hometown. If you meet the em
During the Kaihuang era, Princess Le Ping of Emperor Xuan of Zhou had a daughter named E Ying, who was beautiful and needed to choose a good son-in-law. The princess summoned a large number of noblemen and their sons to gather at the Hongsheng Palace, with hundreds of young men coming to compete every day. The princess herself hid behind the curtains, allowing these suitors to introduce themselves and display their talents. Those who didn't measure up were promptly dismissed. Ultimately, only Li Min won the princess's approval, and the two were married. Li Min's wedding was grand, akin to marrying the emperor's daughter.
Later, Li Min accompanied the princess to attend a court banquet. The princess said to him, "I have given you the entire world and the emperor, with only one daughter marrying you in return. I must help you ask for a high official position. If the emperor grants you an official position, you must not thank him." In front of the emperor, the emperor himself played the pipa and had Li Min perform. The emperor was very pleased and asked the princess, "What official position does Li Min hold now?" The princess replied, "He is just a commoner." The emperor then said, "I will appoint you as a Yitong." Li Min did not respond. The emperor then asked, "Are you not happy with that? Then I will appoint you as a Kaifu!" Li Min still did not thank him. The emperor remarked, "The princess has done me a great favor; how could I be stingy with titles for her husband? I now appoint you as a Zhuguo." Only then did Li Min express his gratitude, joyfully singing and dancing. The emperor promptly issued a decree, appointing him as a Zhuguo and allowing him to continue to stay in the palace as a guard. Later, due to avoiding taboos regarding the emperor's name, he was renamed as the Duke of Jingcheng County, with a fief of one thousand households.
He later served as the governor of Puzhou, Binzhou, Jinzhou, Huazhou, and Fuzhou, but he mostly chose not to take up the posts, preferring to stay in the capital for years, frequently visiting the court and enjoying leisure and banquets with the emperor, and receiving more favors from the emperor than many of the distinguished ministers. Later, when the emperor visited Renshou Palace, he appointed him as the governor of Qizhou.
During the early days of the Sui Dynasty, Yang Su was appointed as the Minister of Defense. Princess Le Ping was on her deathbed and said to Emperor Yang of Sui, "I have no sons, only one daughter. I am not worried about my own death, but I deeply pity her. Now my Tangmu County, I want to give it to my daughter Yang Min." Emperor Yang of Sui agreed to her request. In the end, Yang Min inherited the five thousand households of Tangmu County and was appointed as the acting General of the Imperial Guards. Later, Yang Xuangan rebelled and defended Daxing City, which was all Yang Min's idea. She was later promoted to the position of Chief of the Imperial Workshops and accompanied Emperor Yang of Sui in the conquest of Goguryeo, serving as the commander of the Xincheng army and was later promoted to Grand Master of Splendor. Ten years later, Emperor Yang of Sui launched another campaign against Liaodong and sent Yang Min to Liyang to supervise the transportation of military supplies. At that time, it was said that Yang Min's nickname was Hong'er, with "Hong" meaning "flood." Emperor Yang of Sui suspected this was an ominous sign and asked Yang Min directly to take care of it herself. Yang Min was terrified and often held secret discussions with Jin Cai, Shan Heng, and others. Yuwen Shu found out about this and reported it to Emperor Yang of Sui, which led to the execution of both Yang Min and Hun Tong. She was only thirty-nine at the time. Her wife, Lady Yuwen, was also given poisoned wine and passed away a few months later.
Liang Rui, style name Shide, was a man of the Wu family from Anding. His father, Liang Yu, was the Grand Commandant of the Western Wei. Liang Rui was calm and intelligent from a young age, exhibiting good character. During the reign of Emperor Taizu of the Zhou dynasty, because of his father's achievements, he was raised in the palace for several years. Later, Emperor Taizu ordered his sons to play and study together with Liang Rui, forming a very harmonious brotherly relationship. At the age of seven, Liang Rui inherited the title of Duke of Guangping County, and later was promoted to the position of Yitong Sanqi (Minister of State Affairs) with a fief of five hundred households. Shortly after, he was appointed as the Chief of Central Affairs. During the reign of Emperor Gong of Wei, he was granted the title of Duke, changed to the Duke of Wulong County, and appointed as the Governor of Weizhou. After Emperor Min of Zhou ascended the throne, he summoned Liang Rui to the capital to serve as a court official. Not long after, he was sent to the province as an Inspector, stationed in Xin'an to guard against the invasion of the Qi state. Whenever the Qi army launched an invasion, Liang Rui was able to defeat them, earning the admiration of Emperor Min of Zhou. Later, Liang Rui was appointed as the Grand General, promoted to the Duke of Jiangguo, and entered the court as the Minister of Rites. Afterwards, he followed the Prince of Qi, Yuwen Xian, to resist the Qi general Helu Mingyue in Luoyang, earning accolades in every battle and being promoted to Xiaozongzai. During the reign of Emperor Wu of Zhou, he successively served as the Inspector of Fuzhou, the Governor of Liangzhou, and the Governor of Anzhou, implementing benevolent policies in the local areas, and eventually reached the rank of Zhuguo (Chief Minister).
When Emperor Wen of Sui, Yang Jian, was in power, his son Yang Guang became the Prince of Dai and was later appointed as the Governor of Yizhou. When Yang Guang went to take up his post in Yizhou, he faced a rebellion led by a man named Yang Qian in Hanchuan! Yang Qian attacked Shizhou with his troops, trapping Yang Guang and leaving him in a difficult position. Upon hearing this, Yang Jian swiftly appointed Yang Guang as the Commander-in-Chief, along with several great generals, including Yu Yi, Zhang Wei, Daxi Changru, Liang Sheng, and Shi Xiaoyi, to command two hundred thousand troops to quell Yang Qian.
Yang Qian sent Li Sanwang and his men to guard Tonggu, trying to block Yang Guang's army. As a result, Yang Guang dispatched Zhang Wei to launch an attack, who easily won and captured thousands of prisoners, advancing all the way to Longmen. Next, Yang Qian sent Zhao Yan and Qin Hui with a hundred thousand troops to camp at Xian Mountain, setting up camp as if they were prepared to fight to the death. Yang Guang was undeterred; he ordered his soldiers to grit their teeth, sneak around the enemy, and launch attacks from the flanks, surrounding him on all sides and catching Yang Qian off guard, achieving a great victory. The people of Shu were terrified, and Yang Guang pursued the victory, advancing triumphantly.
Yang Qian's generals, Jing Hao and Liang Yan, one guarding Jiange and the other guarding Pinglin, seeing the situation was lost, surrendered. Yang Qian then sent Gao Anagong and Daxi Ji to assault Lizhou. Before they could take action, they learned that Yang Guang's army was on the way, and Daxi Ji quickly divided his troops to defend Kaiyuan in an attempt to halt Yang Guang's advance. Noticing Daxi Ji's position, Yang Guang said to his troops, "This kid has occupied a strategic position, trying to block our momentum; let’s employ a surprise tactic to secure victory; we will definitely defeat him!" So he sent Tuoba Zong to attack Jiange, sent Yu Wenxian to Ba Xi, and sent Zhao Da's naval forces to march from Jialing River. Yang Guang himself commanded Zhang Wei, Wang Lun, He Ruozhen, Yu Yi, Han Xianggui, Ana Hui, and others to attack Daxi Ji separately, from noon until the afternoon, ultimately defeating Daxi Ji, who fled back to Yang Qian.
Yang Guang relentlessly pursued, approaching Chengdu. Yang Qian ordered Daxi Ji and Yifei Qian to hold Chengdu at all costs, while he led fifty thousand elite soldiers to establish a battle formation outside the city, preparing for a decisive battle. As a result, Yang Guang defeated Yang Qian in a series of engagements. Yang Qian wanted to escape back to the city, but Daxi Ji and Yifei Qian opened the city gates and surrendered, leaving Yang Qian stranded outside the city. Yang Qian managed to escape with thirty cavalrymen, only to be captured by Wang Bao, the magistrate of Xindu. Yang Guang beheaded Yang Qian as a public example, finally bringing peace to the Jianan region. Yang Guang was rewarded for his accomplishments in quelling the rebellion, being appointed as a senior state official, continuing in his role as commander, and receiving generous rewards: five thousand bolts of cloth, one thousand slaves, two thousand taels of gold, three thousand taels of silver, and a thousand households' worth of land.
Legend has it that when the Xichuan region had been pacified, the Yi and Liao tribes all submitted to the imperial authority, except for Chief Cuan Zhen of Nanning, who, taking advantage of its remote location, refused to submit. Zhuge Liang petitioned the emperor, stating: "I believe that it is the emperor's duty to govern distant tribes, and changing their customs has been a policy upheld by all dynasties. Nanning Prefecture, referred to as Niuyangke in the Han Dynasty, has recently been divided into four counties: Xinggu, Yunnan, Jianning, and Zhuti. The region boasts a large population, with its rivers yielding fine horses and pearls, while the Yining area is known for its salt wells and rhino horns. In the seventh year of the Taishi period of the Jin Dynasty, Ningzhou was established due to the sparse population of Yizhou. During the era of the so-called Liang Dynasty, the governor of Nanning, Xu Wensheng, was reassigned to Jingzhou to participate in the eastern expedition, and as a result, Nanning was neglected due to the ongoing war in the Dongxia region. The local indigenous leader Cuan Zan seized the opportunity and was reluctantly appointed as governor by the imperial court. His son, Cuan Zhen, inherited his position and continues to hold power today. However, Cuan Zhen has shown disrespect for the court's protocols and has failed to pay his tributes. The number of horses he sends as tribute each year barely reaches a few dozen. Nanning lies a thousand miles from Yizhou, and it shares a northern border with Xingrongzhou. Local people are reportedly suffering under Cuan Zhen's oppressive rule and yearn for the governance of the imperial court.
I earnestly request the Prime Minister to assist the Emperor in governing the world, bringing glory to our ancestors, benefiting future generations, and expanding our territory; now is the right time. While the army is still in Shu after pacifying the region, there's no need to mobilize the army again. After pacifying the Lao tribe, we should then move to pacify Nanning. Starting from Luzhou and Rongzhou, the court needs to supply the army with food and supplies. After that, we can collect taxes from the local tribes to support the army. We can merge Ningzhou, Zhuti, Yunnan, and Xicuan and establish a central command. Collecting taxes from these familiar tribal regions should provide enough resources for the city's defenses and military supplies. This approach will not only deter the local tribes but also benefit our nation. I have detailed reports regarding the situation and my thoughts on the counties within Nanning Prefecture. General Du Shenjing has been there before and knows the situation very well. I have sent him there now to assess the situation." The Emperor had not yet replied when Zhuge Liang submitted another memorial saying, "I believe that pacifying distant areas can stabilize nearby regions, as have been the lessons learned from our ancestors. It's the emperor's duty to expand our territory. Nanning Prefecture, which was known as Niuyangke County during the Han Dynasty, has fertile land, many Han people, abundant treasures, and good horses. If we send troops to conquer and establish new prefectures, it will not only boost the court's reputation but also benefit the country. It's not far from there, and it is adjacent to Jiaozhou and Guangzhou. The Han Dynasty originally opened this area to strategize against the Yue. We can also take advantage of this opportunity during the conquest of Chen, so I believe that we must seize that place." Emperor Gaozu strongly agreed with him, but since the realm had just been pacified and he was worried about public unrest, he didn't approve. Eventually, Shi Wansui was dispatched to conquer and stabilize Nanning, thanks to Zhuge Liang's strategy.
Yang Su, with great power and influence, was respected by both the common people and ethnic minorities; even the founding emperor, Yang Jian, felt a bit wary of him. At that time, Xue Daoheng was serving in the Shu region, and once at a banquet, he told Yang Su, "Right now, everyone's hopes are pinned on you!" He then privately advised Yang Su to accept the position of emperor. Yang Jian was very pleased to hear this. After Yang Su accepted the throne, Yang Jian treated him with even greater generosity.
Yang Su also proposed a strategy to Yang Jian for pacifying the Chen state, which Yang Jian greatly admired, and he even issued a decree stating, "Your reputation has made waves across the realm, your strategies are superb, and it feels like pacifying Jiangnan is just around the corner. I've gone over your memorial several times, and I'm really pleased. You are talented, and if you were to lead the army, quickly pacifying the Chen state would definitely be no problem. However, I've just taken the throne, and my rule isn't fully stable yet. Jumping into military action right away might not be the best move. Previously, Gongsun Shu and Wei Xiao were rebels of the Han Dynasty, yet Emperor Guangwu still made peace with them and even enfeoffed them as emperors! The King of Nanyue, Wutuo, initially did not submit to the Han Dynasty, and Sun Hao's letter to Emperor Wen of Jin was still quite arrogant. Some people eventually submitted, while others were destroyed. As emperor, you have to keep the bigger picture in mind, focusing on appeasement. Although the Chen state has not fully submitted, it is not yet at the point where severe punishment is necessary, so for now, let's hold off for a bit. The region south of the Huai River is not yet pacified, and military force will certainly be necessary. If you can lead the troops into battle, you'll definitely come out on top. You have already offered your talents to the country, and there is no need to say more." Yang Su then stopped his plans for advancing the troops.
Yang Su saw the formidable power of the Turks at that time and was worried that they would become a border threat. He proposed more than ten strategies to defend against the Turks and wrote to report: "I believe that the barbarians have always been a border threat, and they have always been a challenge to defend against. The Zhou Dynasty did not have good strategies, and the Han Dynasty took a poor strategy, because the barbarians appear and disappear without a trace, as unpredictable as clouds and mist. When they are strong, they invade the border, but when they are weak, they cannot be completely eliminated, and that is why. Now that the dynasty has just been established and the realm has been unified, only the Turks are still like a thorn in our side at the border. Therefore, I worry day and night, unable to find peace in sleep or food. Before the Xiongnu were pacified, Wei Qing resigned from his official position at home, and when the Xianbei and Qiang were still in rebellion, Zhao Chongguo even requested to be punished. My ability cannot compare to those famous generals of ancient times, but my ambitions are no less than theirs. I have carefully devised plans for the northern border towns, beacon towers, personnel, military horses, provisions, operations, and defense matters, and have attached diagrams for your consideration." Yang Jian looked at it for a long time, praised it, and gave Yang Su generous rewards.
Li Rui felt that he was after all an old minister of the Zhou Dynasty, holding important positions in the local area for a long time. He always felt uneasy in his heart, so he repeatedly requested the court to summon him back to the capital. Later, the court really summoned him back to the capital. The emperor was very happy to see him and even specially let him enter the court; the two chatted for a long time, holding hands, and the atmosphere was very pleasant. Li Rui came out and told his trusted friends: "My achievements have been made; now is the time for me to retire." So he retired to his home on the pretext of illness, shut himself away, and avoided the current powerful figures. The emperor also rewarded him with a beautifully decorated carriage, and every time he went to court, the palace guards carried his carriage into the palace.
When Li Rui initially pacified Wang Qian's rebellion, because he was too well-known, he was worried about being resented by the court, which tarnished his reputation. Therefore, many entries in his record of achievements were false, and there were over a hundred people who accused him of wrongdoing in front of the court. The Emperor ordered an investigation into the matter, which led to the punishment of many officials. Li Rui was quite frightened and quickly submitted a memorial of apology, requesting the court to allow him to serve at the Dali Temple as a form of penance. The Emperor comforted him and then sent him there.
Fifteen years later, Li Rui followed the Emperor to Luoyang, where he died at the age of sixty-five. After his death, he was posthumously granted the title Duke Xiang. His son Li Yang inherited his title and held the positions of Governor of Songzhou, Governor of Xuzhou, and Wubeng Langjiang. In the sixth year of Daye in the Sui Dynasty, the court posthumously conferred upon Li Rui the title Duke Dai and allowed Li Yang to inherit the title of Duke Dai.
Historical records note that Li Mu and Liang Rui were both loyal officials of the Zhou Dynasty. In the early days of the founding of the dynasty by Emperor Gaozu of the Sui Dynasty, they were both held in high regard and trusted by the Emperor. As a result, Li Mu was appointed to important positions, including Grand Tutor, and Li Rui eventually received high honors as well. They were able to take appropriate actions according to changing circumstances, demonstrating foresight. However, compared to the loyal and valiant figures of the Northern Wei period, like Wang Ling, they appeared inferior; compared to loyal ministers of the Jin Dynasty, such as Xu Guang, they ultimately felt somewhat ashamed. Li Mu's descendants prospered greatly, with dozens of officials and nobles riding in lavish carriages and horses, but due to court resentment at the time, they soon encountered misfortune. The wealth and glory they attained were not achieved through legitimate means; shouldn't this raise some caution?
