Liang Shiyi, styled Xiangru, was a man from the Wushi clan in Anding. He had a strong sense of chivalry from a young age and was unwilling to hold an official position in the government. He had a strong and decisive personality and enjoyed pointing out right and wrong to others. He loved to read military treatises and also studied many historical and classical works. During the Zhou Dynasty, he was granted the title of Yitong Sanqi due to his military achievements.
Emperor Wu was preparing to send troops to attack Dongxia, and upon hearing of Liang Shiyi's bravery and decisiveness, he promoted him from Governor of Fufeng County to General of Jiuyu Town, then to Shangkaifu, and awarded him the title of Duke of Jianwei County. The people of Qi were very wary of him. Shortly after, he was transferred to the post of Governor of Xiongzhou. Later, he followed Emperor Wu in attacking Jinzhou and was promoted to Zhuguo, serving as the commander of the military affairs of Jin and Jiao states and the Governor of Jinzhou.
When Emperor Wu returned to the capital after the campaign, the last king of Qi personally led six armies to surround Jinzhou City. Jinzhou was a besieged city with no reinforcements outside, and the soldiers inside the city were filled with fear, except for Liang Shiyi, who remained calm and resolute. The enemy concentrated their forces and launched a fierce attack; the city towers and walls were almost completely destroyed, leaving only a few feet of the walls. The two sides engaged in close combat, with cavalry charging inside the city. Liang Shiyi said to his soldiers, "Today we are destined to die; I will die first!" So the soldiers bravely fought the enemies; the battle cries were deafening, and each of them could face a hundred enemies alone. The Qi forces withdrew momentarily. Liang Shiyi ordered his wife, children, and the citizens to work day and night to repair the city walls, and the walls were repaired within three days.
Emperor Wu arrived with a large army, and the Qi army retreated, camping more than ten miles east of the city. Upon seeing Emperor Wu, Liang Shiyi grabbed his beard and cried out, "I thought I would never see Your Majesty!" Emperor Wu was also moved to tears. At that time, with the soldiers exhausted, Emperor Wu wanted to return to the capital. Liang Shiyi dismounted and urged, "Now that the Qi army has fled and morale is high, we should strike while they are fearful; we will surely achieve complete victory." Emperor Wu heeded his advice, and the army pressed on. Emperor Wu held his hand and said, "I secured Jinzhou thanks to your defense of the city, which is crucial for pacifying the Qi state. If you had not held your ground, we wouldn't have succeeded. I didn't think it all through; I just feared future troubles; you must guard this place well for my sake." After the pacification of the Qi state, Liang Shiyi was appointed as the Duke of Chengguo, promoted to Shangzhuguo, and the Registrar of Yongzhou.
After Emperor Xuan ascended the throne, Liang Shiyi was appointed as the Acting Governor of the Southeast Road, with imperial authority, the Governor of Xuzhou, the military governor of thirty-two states, and the Governor of Xuzhou. He and Wu Wanguai captured the Chen generals Wu Mingche and Pei Ji at Luliang, and then attacked Huangling, pacifying the Huainan region.
Lao Gao began as a low-ranking official and later rose to the General of Bozhou, responsible for military affairs across twenty-four states. Later, Wei Jiong rebelled, and Lao Gao was appointed as the General of the March, following Wei Xiaokuan to battle. Upon reaching Heyang, they faced Wei Jiong's army. He dispatched his servants, including Liang Mo, to lead the vanguard, and then had Shiyi and his men follow, engaging in battle all the way and defeating the enemy. They pursued them to Caoqiao, where Wei Jiong's army regrouped, leading to another battle, resulting in a resounding victory for our forces. They later laid siege to Ye City, entered through the northern gate, opened the western gate, allowing Yu Wenxin's army to enter as well.
After Wei Jiong was pacified, Lao Gao was appointed as the governor of Xiangzhou. However, Lao Gao felt a bit apprehensive about him, and before long, he was summoned back to the capital and ordered to stay at home doing nothing. Feeling resentful despite his significant contributions, Lao Gao conspired with Yu Wenxin and Liu Fang to stage a rebellion. He planned to take his household servants and make a move when the emperor's chariot made its appearance during a sacrificial ceremony. He also planned to raise troops in Puzhou, first to seize control of Hebei, occupying Liyang Pass, cutting off the route to Heyang, seizing cloth to make armor, and recruiting bandits as soldiers. His nephew, Pei Tong, learned of the plan and reported it to the emperor. Before Lao Gao could act, the emperor appointed him as the governor of Jinzhou to gauge his true intentions. Shi Yan joyfully said to Liu Fang and the others, "God bless us!" He also requested that Yitong Xue Mo'er be his chief of staff, and the emperor agreed.
Later, Shi Yan and the ministers went to meet the emperor. The emperor ordered the guards to arrest Shi Yan, Yu Wenxin, and Liu Fang, asking them, "How dare you think of rebelling?" Initially, they denied the accusations, but when Xue Mo'er was arrested, it coincidentally worked in their favor, so they confronted each other in court. Xue Mo'er recounted the entire story, stating, "Shi Yan's second son just cried and earnestly advised, and his third son Shu Xie said, 'If you want to be a fierce beast, you must first grow stripes.'" Shi Yan's face went pale upon hearing this, and he turned to Xue Mo'er, saying, "You've killed me!" He was subsequently executed at the age of seventy-two.
He fathered five sons. The eldest was named Cao, with the courtesy name Mengde, and was adopted by his paternal uncle. He achieved the rank of Upper Prefect, Duke of Yixiang County, and Cavalry General of the Changning Royal House before dying young. The second son was named Gang, styled Yonggu, and at a young age became a Yitong official. He was promoted to Upper Prefect for his achievements in pacifying Wei Jiong. He also distinguished himself in battles against the Turks, rising to the rank of Grand General, County Duke of Tongzheng, and Inspector of Jingzhou. When Shi Yan was executed, he was spared from execution for advising his father and was exiled to Guazhou. The third son, who was named Shuxie, achieved the rank of Upper Yitong, County Duke of Guangping, and General of Chariots and Cavalry. The fourth son was named Zhiyuan, granted the title of Earl of Anding; the fifth son was named Wu, granted the title of Earl of Jianwei. Both brothers were drawn into the troubles surrounding Shi Yan.
As for Liang Mo, he was a household servant of the Shi Yan family with exceptional martial skills, truly an exceptional talent. Every time Shi Yan went to battle, Liang Mo would charge into battle alongside him. Later, Liang Mo served in the Zhou Dynasty and achieved the position of Upper Prefect. Towards the end of the Kaihuang era, he followed Yang Su to the north to confront the Turks, rising to the rank of Grand General. When Prince Han Liang rebelled, he followed Yang Su once again to suppress the rebellion, earning another promotion to the rank of Pillar of the State. In the fifth year of Daye, he accompanied Emperor Yang of Sui to fight against the Tuyuhun, sacrificing himself heroically in battle and posthumously honored with the title of Grand Master of Splendid Happiness.
Yuwen Xin, courtesy name Zhongle, originally from Shuofang, later relocated to Jingzhao. His grandfather Yuwen Modou was the Anping Duke of the Wei Dynasty. His father Yuwen Gui was the Grand Marshal of the Zhou Dynasty and the Duke of Xuguo. Yuwen Xin was clever and sharp from a young age. When playing games with his friends, he always took the lead, organized the team to march in an orderly manner, and maintained discipline, impressing those who were wise. At the age of twelve, he could shoot arrows from horseback with remarkable speed and precision. He often said to his close ones, "Throughout history, only Han Xin, Bai Qi, Wei Qing, and Huo Qubing have been praised as great generals. But after studying their achievements carefully, I don't think they are that remarkable. If they were alive in my time, I wouldn't let these young punks steal my thunder!" He had great ambitions and was full of heroic spirit from a young age. At the age of eighteen, he followed the Prince of Qi of the Zhou Dynasty, Yuwen Xian, to fight against the Turks and earned military honors. He was appointed as Yitong Sanqi (a title equivalent to 'Senior Advisor') and granted the title of Duke of Xinggu County. Later, Wei Xiaokuan was stationed at Yubi and, recognizing Yuwen Xin's bravery, requested him to accompany him. Yuwen Xin excelled in battles at Yubi, rising to the rank of Kaifu, the General of Valiant Cavalry, and his title was elevated to Duke of Huazheng County with a fief that included two thousand households.
It is said that when Emperor Wu attacked the State of Qi and captured Jinzhou, the Emperor of Qi personally commanded a formidable army. Emperor Wu felt a bit intimidated and considered retreating. At this moment, General Xin stepped forward and persuaded, "Your Majesty, you are both wise and powerful. The enemy is currently relaxed. Where can you not succeed in battle? If the State of Qi had a capable ruler and united hearts of monarch and ministers, even with the might of Shang Tang and King Wu of Zhou, it would not be easy to pacify Qi. Currently, the Emperor of Qi is incompetent, the ministers are foolish, and the soldiers lack fighting spirit. Even with a million troops, they're just handing you heads on a platter!" Emperor Wu listened to his words and continued the battle, achieving a great victory.
Later, Emperor Wu attacked Binzhou and initially achieved victories, but later found himself cornered by the enemy. All his men were killed in battle, so Emperor Wu had no choice but to escape alone. Many generals advised Emperor Wu to retreat. General Xin was immediately incensed and exclaimed loudly, "Since Your Majesty conquered Jinzhou, defeated Gao Wei, and pursued the victory all the way here, forcing the Emperor of Qi to flee in all directions and shaking the entire eastern territories. In the history of warfare, we have never encountered such a formidable enemy! Yesterday, during the siege, our soldiers were a bit careless and suffered a minor setback. What's there to worry about? A true man seeks survival in adversity and fights for victory in defeat! We are currently like splitting bamboo, with strong momentum; how can we give up halfway?" Emperor Wu accepted his advice and continued the battle the next day, eventually capturing Jinyang.
After the fall of the Qi state, General Xin was appointed as Grand General and rewarded with a substantial amount of cloth. Later, he and Wumar Gui defeated the Chen state general Wu Mingche in Luliang and were promoted to Pillar General, rewarded with two hundred slaves, and appointed as the governor of Yuzhou.
Emperor Gaozu had a close, brotherly relationship with Yang Su before ascending the throne. Later, when Gaozu became Prime Minister, he showered even more favor on Yang Su.
Later, Wei Jiong rebelled, and Gaozu appointed Yang Su as the commander of the marching army to go to war with Wei Xiaokuan. At that time, the army was stationed in Heyang, and no other generals dared to make the first move. The Emperor ordered Gao Feng to supervise the army quickly, and the only person allowed to discuss battle strategy privately with Gao Feng was Yang Su. Wei Jiong sent his son Wei Dun to station troops in Wuzhi, and Yang Su led the vanguard and drove them away.
The army advanced to Xiangzhou, and Wei Jiong sent three thousand elite soldiers to ambush at Yemagang, hoping to ambush the imperial army. Yang Su only led five hundred cavalry to charge up and almost wiped out the ambushing troops. When they reached the grass bridge, Wei Jiong defended the grass bridge again, but Yang Su led the elite soldiers to defeat them and headed straight for Ye City. Wei Jiong set up a formation in the city and fought a fierce battle with the imperial army, which found itself at a disadvantage for a while. At that time, tens of thousands of spectators gathered in Ye City. Yang Su, Gao Feng, and Li Xun discussed and concluded, "The situation is critical; we need to use some tactics." So they launched an attack on the spectators, who were scared and ran around, pushing and shoving each other, causing chaos and a deafening uproar. Yang Su shouted loudly, "The enemy is defeated!" The morale of the officials and soldiers soared, and they attacked fiercely together, leading to a decisive defeat for Wei Jiong's forces.
After capturing Ye City, Yang Su was elevated to the rank of Senior Pillar of the State for his great achievements, awarded two hundred servants, and thousands of cattle, horses, and sheep. Emperor Gaozu turned to Yang Su and remarked, "Wei Jiong exhausted the military power of Shandong and mobilized a million-strong army, but you were able to strategize and win from afar, never losing a battle. You are truly a hero of the world!" He then conferred Yang Su the title of Duke of Ying and increased his fiefdom by three thousand households. Since then, Yang Su often participated in the emperor's military meetings, entered the emperor's court, and played a crucial role during Emperor Gaozu's abdication. He was later appointed as the Grand General of the Right Leading Army, and the emperor's favor towards him grew stronger.
Xin was particularly skilled in military strategy and commanded his troops with great organization. Whenever something good happened in the army at that time, even if it wasn't his doing, people would say, "This must be a strategy devised by Duke Ying (referring to Xin)!" Everyone held him in high regard. He was later granted the title of Duke of Qi.
The emperor once wanted General Xin to lead troops to attack the Tujue, but Gao Kun told the emperor, "General Xin may have ulterior motives and cannot be entrusted with heavy troops." The emperor abandoned this idea after hearing this. General Xin was a great contributor to the founding of the country and had served as a general many times, which earned him considerable respect at the time. The emperor was therefore somewhat apprehensive of him and found an excuse to dismiss him.
General Xin had a close relationship with Liang Shiyan, and they frequently corresponded. Liang Shiyan was discontent with the court and secretly planned a rebellion. General Xin said to Liang Shiyan, "No emperor remains unchanged forever. Mutual support is the proper course of action. If you can raise troops in Puzhou, I will definitely lead troops to help you. When our armies confront each other, we can coordinate inside and outside, and the world can be conquered!" As a result, their conspiracy was exposed, and they were both killed. General Xin died at the age of sixty-four, and his property was confiscated.
General Xin's brother, Xin Shan, was generous and a formidable warrior. He held high positions in the Northern Zhou Dynasty, achieving the rank of Grand Master and Duke of Xu. After Emperor Yang Jian of the Sui Dynasty proclaimed himself emperor, he showed great favor towards Xin Shan and promoted his son, Xin Ying, to the position of Chief of the Imperial Clan. After General Xin was killed, his family faced repercussions as well. Shortly thereafter, Xin Shan also passed away. Xin Ying was appointed Assistant Minister of Agriculture during the Daye era. When Li Mi attacked the eastern capital of Luoyang, Xin Ying defected to Li Mi. General Xin's younger brother, Xin Kai, has a separate record.
Wang Yi, courtesy name Yijun, is from Luoyang, Henan. His father, Wang Xian, once held the position of governor of Fengzhou during the Zhou Dynasty. Wang Yi was known for his straightforwardness from a young age, ambitious, skilled in archery, and well-read. During the reign of Emperor Zhou Min, he became a Left Central Attendant. At that time, Yuwen Hu wielded immense power in the court, and the emperor dared not say anything, pretending to be oblivious. One day, a court official showed disrespect to the emperor, which infuriated Wang Yi, prompting him to rush forward and strike the official. The court official quickly apologized, terrified, and Wang Yi stopped. Since then, no court officials dared to be disrespectful again. Over a year later, Wang Yi was promoted to the position of Grand Master of the Palace. After his father passed away, Wang Yi was overwhelmed with grief. He built a shed next to the grave to watch over his father's spirit and personally carried soil to mound the grave, surpassing the customary standards of filial piety. A year later, the court appointed him as the assistant of Yongzhou, but he declined the appointment, despite the court's insistence.
After Emperor Wu of Sui ascended the throne, he appointed Wang Yi as an official with the title of Yitong San Si, later promoting him to Grand Minister of the Interior and granting him the title of Duke of Yang. When Emperor Wu led a campaign against the Qi state, Wang Yi followed him to Bingzhou. After Emperor Wu entered the city, he was defeated by the Qi army, resulting in many of his men being killed. Wang Yi led his elite soldiers to rescue him, allowing Emperor Wu to escape safely. At that moment, Emperor Wu considered retreating due to the army's defeat, but Wang Yi strongly urged him to continue, and Emperor Wu followed his advice. After the Qi state was pacified, Wang Yi was appointed as the Governor of Xiangzhou. Shortly after, he was summoned back to the court to serve as the Grand Interior Minister. When the Jihu people in Fenzhou rose in rebellion, Wang Yi led troops to suppress the rebellion. Although Emperor Wu's brothers, Prince Yue Yangsheng and Prince Qiao Yangjian, were in charge, they both followed Wang Yi's lead, demonstrating Wang Yi's significant influence at that time. After quelling the rebellion, Wang Yi was rewarded generously with 5,000 bolts of cloth and the title of Duke of Kaiguo for his son. Before he died, Emperor Wu told the crown prince, "Wang Yi is a vital asset to the state and should be included in sensitive government matters, rather than being sent off to distant posts."
The Crown Prince ascended to the throne, later known as Emperor Xuan of Sui. He feared Wang Yi's upright and incorruptible nature, so he appointed him as governor of Xiangzhou. Later, after Yang Jian became Prime Minister, he transferred Wang Yi to Zhengzhou to serve as governor. Sima Xiaonan rebelled and gathered an army, and Yang Jian appointed Wang Yi as the commander-in-chief, leading four governors to suppress him. When the army reached the outskirts of the city, Sima Xiaonan fled to the state of Chen. At that time, the region stretched over two thousand miles from Shangluo in the north to the Jianghuai River in the south, and east to west, the tribes in the Ba and Shu regions all revolted, electing Qu Shuai, the leader from Lanluo state. Lanluo claimed the title of King of Henan, allied with Sima Xiaonan, and colluded with Yu Ji. Wang Yi led commanders Li Wei, Feng Hui, Li Yuan, and others to quell the rebellion, and within about a month, they had quelled the rebellion. Yang Jian held Wang Yi in high regard because he was a long-serving minister, sending envoys to offer him congratulations continuously. He even married his fifth daughter to Wang Yi's son, Wang Fengxiao, and later appointed Wang Yi as the Grand Chancellor. Wang Yi, having been loyal to Yang Jian in the past, genuinely supported him.
After the Emperor ascended the throne, he treated Yang Su with exceptional kindness, even visiting Yang Su's home in person and enjoying himself. At that time, the Minister of Ceremonies Su Wei proposed that with the increasing population, there was not enough farmland to go around, suggesting reclaiming the lands of the meritorious officials to redistribute them to the common people. Yang Su opposed this in a formal memorial, stating, "All officials have obtained their titles and lands through the merits of their ancestors over several generations. It wouldn’t be appropriate to suddenly reclaim them now. In my view, rather than worrying about insufficient land, it would be better to focus on whether court officials are striving to achieve anything!" The Emperor found Yang Su's argument reasonable and decided to shelve Su Wei's proposal.
During the early period of the Kaihuang reign, the emperor planned to make an inspection of Qizhou. Yang Su advised, "Your Majesty, you have just ascended the throne, and the people’s sentiments have not fully settled. What’s the need for you to go?" The emperor smiled and said, "I used to hold a position similar to yours, and now I've suddenly become your subject. You must feel a bit constrained, right? This time I am going to demonstrate my authority, so that you can feel reassured!" Yang Su smiled and took his leave. Later, when Yang Su was sent as an envoy to the Turkic people, the emperor was very satisfied with his work and granted him the title of Duke of Yingguo.
Not long after, Yang Su's son, Yang Fengxiao, died. Over a year later, Yang Su petitioned the emperor, claiming that the princess was still young and requesting to be exempted from wearing mourning attire. The Imperial Censor accused Yang Su, stating: "I have heard that there are five types of mourning attire, differing by kinship, and the mourning period is also different; there are four types of funeral systems, varying by rank, and the ceremonies are also distinct. These are rules followed by emperors of the past, so it can be said that this is an unchanging law. Therefore, virtuous people dare not exceed it, and those who are not virtuous dare not violate it. However, the son of Yang Su, Yang Fengxiao, married Princess Lanling. Fengxiao passed away in May of last year, and only a little over a year has passed since then, yet Yang Su is requesting exemption from mourning attire. I believe that, although it is a princess who married down, she is, after all, the wife of her husband, which aligns with the natural order. Moreover, the three-year mourning period has been a longstanding tradition, and mourning attire is only removed after the period is over; there is no detailed provision in the rites. However, the bond between husband and wife is fundamental to human relationships, and funeral ceremonies are the basis of humanity. If this is taken lightly, it will surely invite ridicule from society. Therefore, there are ancient stories criticizing the short mourning period and tales of morning songs and evening dances that admonish forgetting grief too quickly. Although Yang Su himself has not made any efforts, his title is already very high, and he wishes to violate the rites; is that possible? He shows a lack of respect for etiquette, rushes through the funeral arrangements, and tarnishes his wife's reputation. If he is allowed to go unchecked, it could lead to the corruption of social customs, and he should be dealt with according to the law." The emperor ordered not to investigate, but also reduced the favor towards Yang Su. Yang Su felt deep resentment.
A report was made against Yang Su for treason, and the emperor ordered an investigation into the matter. The investigating official reported that Yang Su had made disrespectful remarks; however, there was no evidence of treason. The emperor offered him wine and released him. At that time, the senior official Yuan Xie was also in disfavor, and Yang Su often associated with him, engaging in crude and disrespectful talk. A monk of Hu descent accused him, and the court officials petitioned, claiming that Yang Su had committed the grave crime of treason and deserved the death penalty. The emperor summoned Yang Su and lamented, "We were classmates before, and I sympathize with you, but what of the laws of the land?" He then decreed, "Yang Su, since the Zhou Dynasty, you have long been entangled in matters of ethics. We studied together in school, so we were very close. But he possesses a wicked nature, his family steeped in sorcery, and he constantly spouts nonsense, claiming to have divine communication. When I first ascended the throne, I warned him repeatedly. He said he would change, but he did not truly repent. He preached the doctrine of the Four Heavenly Deities, claiming he was divinely appointed, with prophecies about himself and stars in the sky, with rivers and mountains bearing his name. In the years of Chen and Si, he would rise to establish an imperial career. He secretly had people divine and inquire about calamities in the court. He claimed to be the future wise king, engaging in superstition and wreaking havoc everywhere, claiming to be divinely appointed to become emperor, and no one doubted him. If he were pardoned, he could potentially rebel in the future. To prevent any potential rebellion and eradicate evil, he must be executed." The emperor also had the Minister of Justice, Zhao Chuo, convey to Yang Su, "It is fate, what can you do about it?" Thus, Yang Su was executed at home, at the age of forty-six.
Yuan Xie, from Luoyang, Henan, hails from a prominent and affluent family. He is generous and righteous, with great integrity. When he was young, he studied at the Imperial College with Gao Zu, and they were good friends. With his military achievements, Yuan Xie gradually rose through the ranks and eventually became a general. After Gao Zu became prime minister, he brought Yuan Xie on as his trusted advisor. Yuan Xie cautioned Gao Zu about the risks of lacking political backing, comparing his situation to a wall submerged in water. When a rebellion led by Wei Jiong broke out, Gao Zu sent Yuan Xie to suppress the rebel forces, and he quickly defeated them.
After Gao Zu became emperor, he inquired about the "wall in water" metaphor, referring to the previous warning. He then hosted a banquet to celebrate Yuan Xie's success. Yuan Xie was promoted to Grand General, bestowed the title of Duke of Le'an, awarded a fief of a thousand households, and entrusted with the task of revising laws.
When the Tuyuhun invaded Liangzhou, the imperial court appointed Yuan Xie as the commander-in-chief, leading an expedition against the invasion. The Emperor specifically instructed Yuan Xie to prioritize the stability and welfare of the people over the pursuit of land. Confronting the Tuyuhun forces commanded by Dingcheng Wang Zhonglifang, Yuan Xie led his troops to intercept their retreat. The two armies clashed at Fengli Mountain, where Yuan Xie's forces decisively defeated the Tuyuhun army, compelling them to retreat.
The Tuyuhun army retreated to Qinghai and then sent Crown Prince Kebohan to lead fifty thousand elite cavalry to launch a surprise attack on the imperial army. Yuan Xie took the initiative to attack, defeated them, and pursued them for over thirty miles, killing and capturing tens of thousands of enemies, striking fear into the Tuyuhun forces. Yuan Xie then wrote a letter to urge their surrender, and seventeen tribal leaders and thirteen nobles of the Tuyuhun surrendered along with their followers. The emperor was very happy and issued a decree saying: "Commend the meritorious officials and record them in history books. Yuan Xie has clear insight, quick response, and is talented in both civil and military affairs, renowned both in the court and among the people. He has made achievements on the frontier, established merits on the battlefield, and is deeply loyal and upright, winning my favor. In order to commend his achievements, he should be rewarded generously. He is appointed as a pillar of the state, and his son is granted the title of County Duke." Yuan Xie was appointed as the governor of Ningzhou, governing honestly and earning the people's trust. However, he was stubborn and critical of others, not skilled at winning over those around him. He once told the emperor, "I serve Your Majesty with complete loyalty, never resorting to flattery." The emperor said, "You should always adhere to this." Later, due to negligence in official duties, Yuan Xie was dismissed.
It is said that in the past, Prime Minister Wang Yi had made significant contributions to the country and had a good relationship with Yang Xie, often interacting with each other. Later, a monk from the Hu ethnic group went to report that Wang Yi and Yang Xie were planning a rebellion. The emperor investigated and found no evidence of rebellion, reassuring them and allowing them to go free. Not long after, Wang Yi was killed, and Yang Xie gradually came under the emperor's suspicion. However, because Yang Xie had a good relationship with the emperor before, the emperor still frequently permitted him to attend court sessions, and his status remained unchanged.
Once, the emperor hosted a grand banquet for his ministers. Yang Xie unexpectedly proposed, "Your Majesty, your reputation is widely known. I think we can confer the title of Governor upon the Turkic Khan, and appoint Chen Shubao as the Historiographer." The emperor replied, "I pacified the Chen Kingdom to punish wrongdoers and bring peace to the people, not to show off military might and intimidate the world. What you are suggesting is completely contrary to my intentions. The Turks are not even familiar with the geography of our land; how can we appoint him as Governor? Chen Shubao, that foolish and drunken man, is even more unbearable to command!" Upon hearing this, Yang Xie did not say a word and silently withdrew.
A few years later, someone accused Yang Xie and his cousin, as well as the officials Yang Pang, Tian Luan, and Qi Xu of plotting rebellion. The emperor ordered an investigation into the matter. The relevant department reported, "Yang Xie planned for Qi Xu to lead the Tangut army to directly attack Ba Shu. At that time, Prince Guangping Yang Xiong and Left Supervisor Gao Feng were in power. Yang Xie wanted to frame them, saying, 'The Left Supervisor's Star has been in motion for four years; as long as we file a report and accuse, Gao Feng will surely die.' He also said, 'The Tai Bai Star is offending the Moon, with their lights intertwined; this is an omen of killing a minister, Yang Xiong is definitely in trouble.' Once, Yang Xie and Yang Pang went to the palace to see the emperor together. Yang Xie privately told Yang Pang, 'I am the master; those people in court are all traitors.' Then he asked Yang Pang to look at the atmosphere in the palace, and Yang Pang said, 'The fortunes of those people resemble crouching dogs and running deer, not as good as ours.' The emperor was furious upon hearing this, and Yang Xie, Yang Pang, Tian Luan, and Qi Xu were all killed, and their properties were confiscated.
Wang Shiji, from Xinzheng, his hometown was in Chanxi. His father, Wang Ya, was a high-ranking official in the Zhou Dynasty, holding the title of Imperial Commissioner, Prefect, and General of the Household. Wang Shiji was tall and strong, with a waist so thick it seemed almost impossible. He had an extraordinary presence, clearly an extraordinary individual.
During the Zhou Dynasty, he achieved military merits and was appointed as a Senior Official of the Same Rank, as well as the Duke of Changzi. Later, when Emperor Wen of Sui became emperor, Wei Jiaokuan rebelled, and Wang Shiji followed Wei Jiaokuan into battle, demonstrating exceptional bravery and achieving significant victories in every battle, leading to his promotion to Shang General. After Emperor Wen of Sui became the emperor, Wang Shiji was further appointed as the Duke of Yiyang. Gao Ji especially appreciated his abilities and treated him well. Once, Wang Shiji privately said to Gao Ji, "We are all subjects of the Zhou Dynasty, and now that the Zhou Dynasty has perished, what are we to do?" Upon hearing this, Gao Ji directly refused to discuss this topic with him. Not long after, Wang Shiji was appointed as the governor of Qizhou Province.
The war to pacify the Chen Dynasty began, and Wang Shiji led the navy from Qishui straight to Jiujiang. He fought against Chen Dynasty's general Ji Tian at Qikou, inflicting a crushing defeat on Ji Tian's forces. At this time, Prince Jin Yang Guang had already captured Danyang; therefore, Wang Shiji wrote to inform Yang Guang and sent Qianjing Gong Quan Shizhang to capture Xinchai. Seeing the situation was lost, Chen Dynasty's Jiangzhou Sima Huang Sai directly fled, and Shizhang managed to successfully occupy Jiangzhou. Wang Shiji arrived later, and the prefects of Yuzhang, Luxu, Xunyang, Bashan, Taiyuan, Qichang, Ancheng, as well as the defenders of Poyang and Linchuan, all surrendered to Wang Shiji one after another.
Due to his great achievements, Wang Shiji was promoted to Zhuguo, Governor of Jingzhou, rewarded with five thousand bolts of silk, given a precious belt, and granted a land grant supporting three thousand households. Several years later, Li Guangshi from Guizhou rebelled, and Wang Shiji was appointed as the marching general to suppress the rebellion, quickly quelling the uprising. The emperor sent the official Xin Kaiqing to commend him. Upon his triumphant return, Wang Shiji was promoted to Senior Zhuguo and rewarded with two thousand bolts of silk. The emperor held him in high regard.
The emperor felt that Yuan Shiji was too harsh and bitter; even if his contributions were great, he easily offended people. So Yuan Shiji spent his days drinking to drown his sorrows and no longer discussed national affairs with officials. The emperor suspected he had developed a drinking problem, so he kept him in the palace and had doctors treat him. Yuan Shiji feigned recovery and was then allowed to return home.
Later, during the battle in Liaodong, Yuan Shiji served as a military commander alongside the Prince of Han. Upon reaching Liucheng, they encountered an outbreak of plague and had to turn back. After that, he was appointed as the governor of Liangzhou, and the emperor even sent seven hundred cavalry to escort him to his post. Not long after, one of his trusted subordinates, Huang Fuxiaoxie, also known as An Dingren, committed a crime, and the authorities wanted to arrest him. Huang Fuxiaoxie fled to Yuan Shiji's place. Yuan Shiji refused to hand him over, which made him feel conflicted. Eventually, Huang Fuxiaoxie was sent to serve in Guizhou under General Linghu Xi, who treated him poorly. Huang Fuxiaoxie then tried to discredit Yuan Shiji by claiming he consulted a fortune teller who predicted he would become emperor and his wife would become empress. He also claimed that when Yuan Shiji's men suggested plotting in Hexi, Yuan Shiji dismissed the idea, saying that Liangzhou was not a suitable place for war.
As a result, Yuan Shiji was summoned back to the capital for investigation. The relevant authorities reported, "Left General Yuan Min, Right General Yuan Zhou, and Left Supervisor Gao Feng all had dealings with Yuan Shiji and received valuable horses from him." Ultimately, Yuan Shiji was executed, Yuan Min and Yuan Zhou were dismissed from their positions, while Huang Fuxiaoxie was surprisingly promoted to Grand General.
Yu Qingze, from Linyang in Shaanxi, had ancestors who bore the surname Yu. His ancestors served under the Helian clan and later settled in Lingwu, becoming powerful figures in northern China for generations. His father, Yu Xiang, was the Prefect of Lingwu in the Zhou Dynasty. Yu Qingze stood eight feet tall, was tall and strong since childhood, and had a bold and forthright personality. He was courageous, could speak the language of the Xianbei, wore heavy armor, carried two bows and arrows, and was skilled at horseback archery. Local renowned heroes both respected and feared him. Initially earning a living as a hunter, he later changed his course and started studying seriously, admiring historical figures like Fu Jiezi and Ban Chao.
He served as an official in the Zhou Dynasty, starting as a military officer in the Central and Outer Military Bureau. He was later promoted to the military officer of the Outer Army and inherited the title of Count of Qinyuan. In the first year of Xuanzheng, he was appointed as the General of the Right Army and served as the Chief of Staff in Bingzhou. The following year, he was promoted to the rank of Kaifu. During this period, the Jihu people frequently rebelled, and Prince Yue Sheng and the Interior Minister Gao Feng suppressed the rebellion. When the army was about to return to the capital, Gao Feng and Prince Yue Sheng discussed the need for a capable leader, both civil and martial, to secure the region. They recommended Yu Qingze, who was subsequently appointed as the Governor of Shizhou. Yu Qingze governed Shizhou well, was deeply beloved by the local people, and restored stability to the region. Many Jihu people submitted to his authority, amounting to over 8,000 households.
In the first year of the Kaihuang era, Yu Qingze was promoted to Grand General, later serving as the Minister of the Interior, Minister of Personnel, Intendant of Jingzhao, and was granted the title of Duke of Pengcheng County. He also served as the overall supervisor for the construction of the new capital. In the second year of winter, the Turks invaded, and Yu Qingze was appointed as the Marshal to fight against them. However, there were issues during the battle, with many soldiers suffering from frostbite, including over a thousand who lost fingers. General Daxi Changru led two thousand cavalry to intercept the enemy from another route but ended up surrounded by them. Despite the dire circumstances, Yu Qingze stayed composed in the camp and did not send any reinforcements. As a result, Daxi Changru was left to fight alone, and most of his soldiers were killed. However, the Emperor did not blame Daxi Changru. Shortly after, he was promoted to the position of Deputy Chief of the Right of the Imperial Secretariat.
Later, the Turkic leader Shetou sought to submit to the Great Sui Dynasty, requesting the dispatch of a senior official. The Emperor sent Yu Qingze as an envoy to the Turks. Shetou, initially trying to show his power, was scolded by Yu Qingze for his past actions, which Shetou resented. Yu Qingze's deputy, Zhangsun Cheng, persuaded him, and both Shetou and his brother Yehu accepted the Sui Dynasty's decree, submitting to the dynasty, offering tribute, and pledging eternal loyalty to the Sui. Before Yu Qingze went on the mission, the Emperor instructed him, "I want the Turks to remain a power. When they bring tribute horses, you only need to accept a third of the total." Shetou presented Yu Qingze with a thousand horses upon meeting him and even married his daughter to him. Because of Yu Qingze's significant contributions, the Emperor did not question him. He was granted the title of Duke of Lu, with a fief of one thousand households in Rencheng, and his son Yu Yi received the title of Duke of Pengcheng County.
After Emperor Wen of the Sui Dynasty destroyed the Chen Dynasty, he joyfully hosted a banquet in the Jin royal palace, inviting his ministers to drink and celebrate. Gao Qiang and the others raised their glasses to toast, and Emperor Wen said, "Gao Qiang conquered the south of the Yangtze River, and Yu Qing defeated the Turks; these are truly great accomplishments!" Yang Su said, "These are all thanks to Your Majesty's favor!" Yu Qing also followed, saying, "Yang Su led troops in battles in Wulao and Xiashi before; if not for Your Majesty's favor, we might not have emerged victorious." The ministers began to boast about each other's accomplishments. The censors had initially intended to impeach them, but Emperor Wen said, "Today, everyone is happily counting their achievements, so let's hold off on that today." Emperor Wen watched the ministers enjoying their feast, drinks, and archery, and Yu Qing spoke again, "Your Majesty rewards us with food and drink, allowing us to enjoy ourselves, but the censors are here; I'm worried that if I get drunk, the censors might impeach me!" Emperor Wen then offered the censors some wine and sent them on their way. Yu Qing then raised his glass for another toast, and everyone was very happy. Emperor Wen said to everyone, "After we drink this cup of wine, I hope that I and all our future generations will continue to enjoy wealth and prosperity." Nine years later, Yu Qing was promoted to Right Guard General and soon after was appointed Right Martial General.
In the seventeenth year of the Kaihuang era, the Lingnan native Li Xian rebelled and seized control of several states and counties. Emperor Wen of Sui planned to send troops to suppress the rebellion. Several generals volunteered, but were all rejected. Emperor Wen turned to Yu Qingze and said, "You are the prime minister, with the title of Duke. The country is facing a bandit threat, yet you do not want to send troops at all; what is going on?" Yu Qingze, startled, quickly expressed his gratitude, and Emperor Wen then sent him to suppress the rebellion. He was appointed as the commander of the expedition in Guizhou and brought his brother-in-law Zhao Shizhu as the chief historian. Zhao Shizhu had an affair with Yu Qingze's favorite concubine before, and fearing exposure, he spread rumors everywhere: "Yu Qingze does not want to go to war at all." This news quickly reached Emperor Wen's ears. In the past, when ministers went to war, Emperor Wen would host a banquet, give rewards, and many gifts. But when it was Yu Qingze's turn to go south to suppress the rebellion, Emperor Wen's face was not good, which left Yu Qingze feeling discontented and unappreciated.
After suppressing Li Xian's rebellion and arriving at Lingui Town in Tanzhou, Yu Qingze observed the local terrain and said, "This terrain is treacherous; as long as there is enough food and the defenders are reliable, the enemy cannot attack." So he sent Zhao Shizhu to ride back to the capital at full speed to report on the situation and also to see the Emperor's reaction. When Zhao Shizhu arrived in the capital, he betrayed him by accusing Yu Qingze of treason. After an investigation, Yu Qingze was killed. Emperor Wen named Zhao Shizhu the Pillar of the State.
Qingze, this young man was both filial and righteous, possessing a bold and chivalrous spirit in his youth. Later, he became a trusted confidant of the Prince of Jin as an official of Yitong Sanqi. Unfortunately, he was dismissed from his post due to his father's misdeeds.
When Yang Guang became emperor, he gave positions to Qingze because he had followed him when he was the crown prince of Prince Jin. Yang Guang appointed him as the Chief of the Imperial Guards and also put him in charge of managing the imperial gardens. Qingze was quite resourceful, and the emperor favored him. In the ninth year, during the Sui Dynasty's campaign against the Liao Kingdom, he was appointed as the Director of Waterways, responsible for supervising transportation, and he made significant contributions. However, he led a lavish lifestyle, even using camels to transport boxes filled with water to keep fish for his own meals!
In the eleventh year, someone reported Qingze for conspiring against the emperor, and he was subsequently killed. His younger brother, Chengdao, who was serving as a court gentleman in the Eastern Palace, was also removed from his position due to this incident.
Yuanzhou was from Luoyang, Henan, and was the sixth generation grandson of Emperor Zhaocheng of Wei. His grandfather was the Prince of Puyang in Wei, and his father was the Prince of Wuling. Yuanzhou was courageous and highly skilled in martial arts from a young age, with striking features and piercing eyes that intimidated others. King Xian of the Zhou Dynasty admired him greatly and often brought him along into battle. Later, Yuanzhou rose to the rank of Grand General.
When Gaozu was summoned to the palace for an important new role, he first called for Yuanzhou and then for Tao Cheng, regarding them as trusted confidants and often letting them stay overnight in the inner palace. When Gaozu became the Prime Minister, he always brought Yuanzhou's younger brother, Yuanwei, as a guard whenever he led troops into the palace. When King Zhao of the Zhou Dynasty learned that Gaozu was planning to move the tripod used for Zhou rituals, he invited Gaozu to his mansion as a guest. King Zhao took Gaozu to his bedroom, excluding everyone else, allowing only Yang Hong and the Yuanzhou brothers to sit at the door. King Zhao said to his two sons, Yuan and Guan, "You two will bring the melons later, and I will seize the opportunity to kill him." After three rounds of drinks, King Zhao was ready to strike, picking up a dagger to slice the melon while keeping a watchful eye on Gaozu, preparing to make his move.
At this time, Yuan Zhao said, "The Prime Minister's residence still has matters to attend to; I cannot stay long." King Zhao scolded him, "I am talking to the Prime Minister, who do you think you are!" and pushed him away. Yuan Zhao's eyes widened, seething with anger, and he drew his sword, ready to defend the Emperor. King Zhao asked for his name, and Yuan Zhao answered honestly. King Zhao said, "Aren't you the one who used to work for Prince Qi? You're quite the hero, aren't you?" So he poured him a drink and said, "Why would I have any bad intentions? Why are you so vigilant?" King Zhao pretended to gag, wanting to go into the inner room. Yuan Zhao, afraid that he was playing tricks, helped him back to his seat, repeating this several times. King Zhao said his throat was dry and asked Yuan Zhao to get wine from the kitchen, but Yuan Zhao didn’t budge. At this time, Prince Teng Yu arrived, and the Emperor stepped down to greet him. Yuan Zhao whispered to the Emperor, "The situation is not right; let's leave quickly!" The Emperor hadn’t caught on yet and said, "He has no soldiers or horses; what can he do?" Yuan Zhao said, "All the soldiers and horses belong to his family. If he strikes first, it'll be disastrous. Even if I die, it won’t matter!" The Emperor sat down again. Yuan Zhao heard the sound of armor behind the house and hastily said, "There are many matters at the Prime Minister's residence; why are you still here?" Then he helped the Emperor out of bed and quickly left. King Zhao wanted to chase after them, but Yuan Zhao blocked the door with his body, keeping King Zhao from getting out. When the Emperor reached the door, Yuan Zhao caught up. King Zhao was furious, snapping his fingers so hard they bled. Later, King Zhao was executed, and Yuan Zhao was showered with rewards.
After the founding emperor ascended the throne, Yuan Zhou was promoted to the position of Shang Zhu Guo (Grand Minister) and was granted the title of Duke of Wuling County, with a fief consisting of three thousand households. Later, he became the Left Guard General and soon after was promoted to the Right Guard Grand General. The founding emperor lightly remarked, "Protecting my safety has achieved today's accomplishments, all thanks to your efforts, Yuan Zhou!" After a few years, Yuan Zhou was sent to serve as the Inspector of Yuzhou, and later successively served as the Inspector of Bozhou and the Inspector of Xizhou. At that time, the Turks often troubled the borders, and because of Yuan Zhou's reputation, the court appointed him as the Commander of Lingzhou, which made the northern tribes fear him. Later, he was summoned back to the court to serve as the Right Guard Grand General, and the emperor grew to trust and value him even more. Once on the fifteenth day of the first month, the emperor and his courtiers climbed a high vantage point to take in the view, and Yuan Zhou happened to be on duty. The emperor called for him urgently. When Yuan Zhou saw the emperor, the emperor said, "Wouldn't you be happier being by my side than climbing with the others?" Then he hosted a banquet where everyone had a wonderful time. Prince Jin, Yang Guang, also often greeted him with respect. When Prince Fangling was deposed, Yuan Zhou was part of the plot. Later, when the emperor was busy handling matters in the Eastern Palace, the Left Guard Grand General Yuan Min earnestly advised against the emperor's actions, but Yang Su undermined him behind the scenes. The emperor was furious and promptly arrested Yuan Min. Yuan Zhou, who was on duty at the time, stayed at his post and instead reported, "The reason I did not leave my post was to guard against Yuan Min!" This statement only served to anger the emperor, and he ultimately executed Yuan Min and rewarded Yuan Zhou with a thousand bolts of silk. Later, Prince Shu, Yang Xiu, committed an offense, and because of his association with him, he was dismissed from his position.
After Yang Guang became emperor, Yuan Zhou was never given a significant role. At that time, the Cizhou governor, Shangguan Zheng, was exiled to Lingnan for his crimes, and General Qiu He was dismissed from his position due to his misdeeds. Yuan Zhou and Qiu He knew each other before and often went out together. One time, after drinking too much, Yuan Zhou said to Qiu He, "Shangguan Zheng is a powerful figure; now that he has been exiled to Lingnan, will there be any major incidents?" Then he patted his belly and said, "If I were like him, I wouldn't give up so easily!" Qiu He reported this to the emperor the following day, resulting in Yuan Zhou's execution. Later, Shangguan Zheng was appointed as the General of the Valiant Cavalry, and Qiu He was appointed as the governor of Daizhou.
Historical records indicate that if Han Xin had not missed his chance at Gaixia, Xiang Yu might not have faced defeat; if Ying Bu had not caused trouble in Huainan, the power of the Han Dynasty would not have developed so greatly. These two made significant contributions, yet they ended up facing tragic deaths. Not to mention especially those with no real contributions who still harbored thoughts of rebellion!
Liang Shiyi and Yu Wenxin were famous warriors at that time. In troubled times, they became renowned for their bravery and cunning, believing they had made great contributions solely based on their own abilities. Those who owed them favors had grown weary, but they were not satisfied and still wanted to rise higher, fulfill their ambitions, only to ultimately bring about their own downfall.
Wang Yi, Yuan Xie, Wang Shiji, Yu Qingze, Yuan Zhou, and others, some experienced hardships, some had close relationships with the emperor, but when they achieved success, they were gradually forgotten by the emperor, which bred resentment, leading them to constantly seek attention. Although the emperor was indeed harsh at that time, they also acted impulsively; wasn't that a recipe for disaster? You see, those who helped the founding emperor build the empire, few of them ended well, and even fewer were honored in the ancestral halls; most of them remained unknown.
This is mainly because in the early days of the dynasty's establishment, many things were done out of expediency, and there was a lack of unity among the people, so over time, feelings naturally faded. Those who tilled the fields, even if they had done wrong, the manner in which their land was taken was too oppressive; how could they not feel resentment? They were convicted on vague charges, and Emperor Gaozu was narrow-minded and overly suspicious; this is well known. It's very difficult for their descendants to enjoy any blessings!
