Yu Shiji, courtesy name Maoshi, was from Yuyao, Zhejiang. His father, Yu Li, was a middle-ranking official in the Chen dynasty. Yu Shiji was calm and quiet from a young age, his emotions were not easily read on his face. He was also exceptionally knowledgeable and talented, especially excelling in cursive and clerical calligraphy. When Kong Huan, the Minister of Personnel of the Chen dynasty, saw him, he exclaimed, "The precious gold of the south pales in comparison to this man!" Grand Tutor Xu Ling had heard of Yu Shiji's illustrious reputation and wanted to invite him, but Yu Shiji declined the invitation. Later, at an official gathering, Xu Ling was taken aback by Yu Shiji's extraordinary talent and told those around him, "In this era, only Pan Yue and Lu Ji can compare to him!" Xu Ling then married his daughter to Yu Shiji.
During his time in the Chen dynasty, Yu Shiji initially served as a military advisor under Prince Jian'an, then was promoted to the Ministry of Rites and the Palace Department, and later became a junior official in the Crown Prince's residence. He was later promoted to the position of a subordinate official, a cavalier attendant, and the Deputy Minister of the Left, rising in rank. One time, while the emperor of the Chen dynasty was hunting at Mofu Mountain, he asked Yu Shiji to write a military poem on the spot. Yu Shiji then recited it aloud for everyone present: "Those who only seek comfort and pleasure cannot speak on the great achievements of governing a nation; only those who can adapt to changing circumstances can demonstrate the emperor's grand strategies. Why do I say this? Because society has times of refinement and times of crudeness, governing a nation requires adapting strategies to the circumstances, sometimes lenient, sometimes strict. Even wise rulers who follow the natural order, like the ancient monarchs who observed the clouds and the sun, must train soldiers at such as Banzhuan and drill armies at Danpu. Thus, civil governance and military might must be applied simultaneously based on the situation at hand; the governance of a nation and the creation of systems must also evolve with the times. To establish immortal achievements, leave behind great teachings, lead the people of the four directions, and control the world, only true sages can accomplish this!"
In a certain year B.C., the emperor had been on the throne for four years. The realm is peaceful, the people live and work in harmony, and life is good with no concerns about food or clothing. However, the emperor still has some worries in his heart, feeling that the foundation of the nation is still somewhat shaky and there are many challenges for future development. Look, the distant countries of Kunwu and Shushen continue to present treasures, and the national treasury has never been empty, indicating the nation's robust power. Our weapons and armor are top-notch as well, boasting fine armor, bows, arrows, and exquisite swords filling our arsenal. The army is incredibly powerful, boasting a million strong soldiers who command the four corners of the realm.
The emperor also places great emphasis on agricultural production, personally inspecting the fields every spring, evaluating the officials' performance, and maintaining clarity in rewards and punishments, ensuring the common people understand what is expected of them. This prosperous era is truly a rarity, occurring once in hundreds, if not thousands, of years! In the past, when the emperor hunted in Shanglin Garden, Sima Xiangru wrote poems praising his achievements; when the emperor hunted in Changyang Palace, Yang Xiong also wrote poems praising his achievements. Although the poems written by the two literary giants have different styles, they both express praise for the emperor's prosperous era, and their works have been passed down to this day, sufficient to illustrate the grandeur of that era. Their poems are as follows:
(The original poems are retained here without translation)
Speaking of our emperor, he inherited the legacies of ancient emperors, governing the nation with remarkable order from the outset. He demonstrated extraordinary talent as soon as he ascended the throne, ruling the nation with the wisdom of a great monarch. He is both generous and strict, skilled in both civil governance and military affairs. The northern rebellions were swiftly quelled under his command; the southern rebels were similarly defeated. Compared to the stories of war between the Zhou Dynasty and the Xia Dynasty in the past, the emperor's accomplishments are truly extraordinary.
The founding emperor of the Da Chen Dynasty rose from the chaos of war, forging a bloody path, using military might to bring peace to the land and unify the realm. He overcame numerous hardships and ultimately established this flourishing age. Diligent in governance and caring for the people, he accumulated merits, followed the rules of his ancestors, and governed with dedication and wisdom reminiscent of Duke Huan of Qi. His remarkable achievements benefited the people throughout the nation, managing the country effectively and winning the loyalty of people from all corners. He not only solved national issues but also ensured lasting peace. The court was brimming with talent across various departments. His meticulous governance, with extensive knowledge of astronomy and geography, spread joy among the people. He started each day early, tackling state affairs and constantly seeking ways to better govern the country. Drawing lessons from history, he summarized experiences, earning great achievements and a lasting legacy. Drawing on the virtues of sages and harnessing the talents of the people, the country thrived with rituals and music, alongside transparent governance. His influence extended from Xizhi in the west to Panmu in the east, bringing peace and prosperity to the people. While ensuring the people's well-being, he stayed vigilant in strengthening national defense. Selecting elite soldiers from six counties and enhancing training in five military camps, his army was both courageous and strategic, fiercely loyal and undaunted in battle.
He trained the common people during the farming off-season and held military drills in the spring. He ordered Sima to enforce military law and instructed the officials in charge of public order to maintain public safety. He personally led the troops into battle, walking at the forefront of the team, commanding with confidence. The army's banners waved proudly, their formation was orderly, and their momentum was majestic. He rode in a magnificent war chariot, leading the army in a grand procession. He guided the way, the army marched in perfect formation, like a long dragon gracefully winding forward. He led a large army on expeditions, unstoppable in their advance, breaking through wherever they went. Everywhere he went, he left behind a trail of glory.
It was springtime, the sun was shining brightly, and the scenery was beautiful. The rivers were calm, the sky was clear, creating a peaceful scene. The emperor issued military orders in the Taiji Hall, formulating battle strategies. He strategized for victory from afar, leading the army to the battlefield. He led the troops to attack Shu and Yuyang, invincible in every battle. He ordered the soldiers to draw their bowstrings taut, preparing for battle. The banners fluttered, drums thundered, and the army lined up in formation, ready for battle. They breached the enemy's fortress, climbed the city walls, and the fighting was fierce. Some soldiers charged straight into the enemy lines, while others cooperated with each other, maintaining order in the combat. They were agile like snakes, fierce like eagles, and the combat was intense. They captured Meng Huo on seven occasions, captured Kanzhuang twice, and ultimately achieved victory.
They were proud as cranes, orderly like geese, their momentum was majestic. They swept through thousands of troops, radiating brilliance, victorious wherever they went. Although the war situation was unpredictable, with unpredictable advances and retreats, they remained calm and courageous, pressing onward. Some hurled stones in competition, some were brave and invincible, every one a valiant warrior. Even heroes like Ren Bi, Ben, and Yu could not match them. After nine attacks, a thorough battle plan was devised, and victory was ultimately secured.
After the battle, the emperor hosted a grand victory banquet, rewarding those who had made contributions and commending the victorious soldiers. The banquet was filled with singing and dancing, creating a joyous atmosphere. The soldiers sang and danced in celebration of the victory. They were willing to sacrifice themselves for the country, facing death fearlessly. Leading the army to sweep through enemy forces, the emperor eventually achieved victory. He captured Yanshan, eliminated the rebels, and quelled the uprising. He led the army to the Hanhai Sea, killed the rebel leader, and ultimately achieved victory. He ascended to the Yunting, offering sacrifices to heaven and earth to celebrate the victory. The emperor's bravery and martial prowess will be remembered in history, earning admiration from all!
The Emperor of the Chen Dynasty rewarded Yang Shiji with a horse. After the fall of the Chen Dynasty, Yang Shiji returned to the Sui Dynasty and became an Assistant Minister, working in the Ministry of Interior. Coming from a poor family with no means, he often copied books for others to support his parents, feeling frustrated. He wrote a five-character poem expressing his dissatisfaction, which resonated deeply with many and was widely praised. Soon after, he was promoted to Neishi Sheren.
After Yang Guang ascended to the throne, he held Yang Shiji in even higher regard. The Minister of Rites, Liu Guyan, was exceptionally knowledgeable and talented, with few rivals. When Yang Guang saw Yang Shiji, he exclaimed, "Throughout the country, only he can compare to Liu Guyan. We are far inferior to him!" Shortly after, Yang Shiji was promoted to Neishi Shilang. However, he resigned after his mother's death, grieving deeply and becoming severely emaciated. The court ordered him to return to office, but on the day he was to attend court, he could barely stand and needed support. Noticing his frail condition, the emperor ordered food to be brought to him, but Yang Shiji choked on every bite, unable to eat. The emperor urged him, "I am about to entrust you with important duties. You should take care of your health for the sake of the country!" The emperor repeatedly comforted him.
The emperor highly valued Yang Shiji's talent, showed him great favor, and entrusted him with important affairs, allowing him to participate in court politics alongside Su Wei, the Minister of Ceremonies; General Yu Wen Shu of the Left Guard; Pei Ju, the Chamberlain for the Imperial Clan; and Pei Yun, the Grand Master of the Palace Library. At that time, there were many important matters throughout the country, with more than a hundred memorials from various regions received daily. The emperor handled state affairs very carefully, often not making immediate decisions. Only after entering the cabinet would he summon Yang Shiji to dictate replies. When Yang Shiji arrived at the Ministry of Personnel, he would start drafting edicts, writing over a hundred pages each day, and never making mistakes. He was exceptionally efficient and accurate in his work. During the Liaodong Campaign, he was promoted to the rank of Grand Minister of the Golden Purple Light. Later, when the emperor went on an inspection tour to Yanmen and was surrounded by Turkic forces, many soldiers were in disarray. Yang Shiji advised the emperor to revise the reward system, personally comforted the soldiers, and issued an edict to halt the Liaodong Campaign. The emperor followed his advice, and the morale of the army was restored. However, after the siege was lifted, the previous promises of rewards were not fulfilled, and the emperor ordered another attack on Liaodong. This led many to view the emperor as fickle, creating discord both in the court and among the populace. When the emperor went to Jiangdu for leisure and passed through Gong County, Pei Shiji observed a rise in bandit activity and suggested that the emperor station troops at Luokou Warehouse as a precaution. The emperor disagreed, saying, "You’re just a scholar; how can you be so timid?" During a time of great chaos, Pei Shiji knew that he could not persuade the emperor, especially after Gao Feng and Zhang Heng were killed. He feared for his own safety, so even though he served by the emperor's side, he could only nod in agreement, afraid to oppose the emperor's wishes.
Banditry is becoming increasingly rampant, and many counties have fallen. Pei Shiji knew that the emperor hated hearing bad news frequently, so when someone reported news of defeat later, he deliberately concealed and minimized the scale of the defeat, without revealing the true situation to the emperor. As a result, the emperor remained completely oblivious to the events unfolding outside. Once, the emperor sent the Grand Preceptor Yang Yichen to suppress bandits in Hebei. Yang Yichen managed to persuade hundreds of thousands of bandits to surrender and reported his military achievements. The emperor lamented, "I had no idea there were so many bandits before. Yichen actually surrendered so many!" Pei Shiji replied, "Even if there are many mice stealing, it’s not something to be overly concerned about. Yang Yichen won a victory, holding a considerable force in his hands, leading troops outside for a long time, which is quite concerning." The emperor said, "You're right." He immediately ordered the recall of Yang Yichen and disbanded his army.
Later, King Yue Yang Dong sent the Minister of Rites Yuan Shanda to secretly run to the bandit camp, and then ran to Jiangdu to report to the emperor, saying that Li Mi had a million troops, was surrounding the capital, the bandits occupied Luokou Warehouse, and the city was running out of food. If Your Majesty hurried back, these unruly people would disperse; otherwise, the Eastern Capital would surely fall. Yuan Shanda cried as he spoke, and the emperor's face changed as well. Noticing the emperor's troubled expression, Pei Shiji remarked, "King Yue is still young; these people are deceiving him. If it were true, how could Yuan Shanda still be alive?" The emperor was immediately furious, "This Yuan Shanda, a mere commoner, dares to insult me!" So he sent him through the bandit camp to Dongyang to expedite the delivery of grain, where Yuan Shanda was ultimately killed by the bandits. From that point on, no one dared to bring news of banditry to the emperor.
Pei Shiji was calm and composed, and his words resonated well with the emperor, so he was especially favored by him; no minister in the court could compare to him. His wife, Lady Sun, was arrogant and licentious, and Pei Shiji was infatuated with her, indulging her extravagant lifestyle. Their attire was extremely luxurious, a far cry from that of an ordinary scholar-official. Lady Sun even brought her ex-husband, Xiahou Yan, to live in Pei Shiji's house, and Xiahou Yan was a crass and unscrupulous man who aided Lady Sun in amassing wealth. They sold offices and accepted bribes, and Pei Shiji's house was a hive of activity, with mountains of gold, silver, and treasures. On the other hand, Pei Shiji's younger brother, Pei Shinan, was a renowned upright official, yet he lived in poverty, and Pei Shiji never helped him. Therefore, Pei Shiji faced criticism from many people, and both the court and the public were critical of him. Later, the rebellion led by Yuwen Huaji broke out, and Pei Shiji was also killed.
His eldest son, Su, was a gifted and diligent young man, and people at the time said that he inherited the good traditions of the family. Unfortunately, he died young, which was truly unfortunate. His younger brother, Xi, served as an imperial clerk during the Daye period. He had two other brothers as well, Rou and Hui, who served as junior officials. On the night before the Chen dynasty was about to fall, a relative named Yu Bi knew that the situation was dire, so he told Xi, "Given the current situation, I plan to take you south to escape; what good would it do for us to die together?" Xi replied to Yu Bi, "Abandoning our father and betraying the monarch, where else can we go to survive? I appreciate your kindness, but we must part ways here." When the disaster truly came, the brothers vied to be the first to die, and the executioner killed them first.
Pei Yun is from Wenshi in Hedong. His grandfather, Pei Zhiping, was a military general of the Liang Dynasty. His father, Pei Ji, was the Minister of Personnel of the Chen Dynasty and was killed alongside Wu Mingche by the Zhou Dynasty. They were posthumously granted the title Duke of Jiangxia and served in the Sui Dynasty for over ten years before his death. Pei Yun is intelligent and capable, with considerable talent for governance. During the Chen Dynasty, he held the positions of General of the Direct Hall and Prefect of Xingning. Because his father was in the north, Pei Yun secretly submitted a petition to Emperor Gaozu of Sui, requesting to serve as an insider. After the fall of the Chen Dynasty, Emperor Gaozu wanted to inspect the nobles of Jiangnan. When it was Pei Yun's turn, Emperor Gaozu felt that he had long wanted to submit to the court, so he promoted him to the rank of Yitong despite the usual protocols. The Left Chancellor, Gao Feng, did not understand Emperor Gaozu's intentions and protested against it, saying, "Pei Yun has no merit to the country, but is favored more than others. I think this is inappropriate." Emperor Gaozu then promoted Pei Yun to Shang Yitong. Gao Feng protested again, and Emperor Gaozu said, "Then grant him the title of Kaifu!" Gao Feng dared not say anything more. Pei Yun was appointed as the Kaifu Yitong of the Three Departments that day and received generous rewards. He successively served as the Governor of Yangzhou, Zhizhou, and Lizhou, all performing excellently. In the early period of Daye, he consistently ranked among the top in political performance evaluations. Emperor Yang of Sui heard that he governed the localities well, so he summoned him to be the Deputy Minister of Rites. Initially, Emperor Gaozu of Sui disapproved of extravagant music, so he sent Niu Hong to rectify the music, canceling all irregular music and dances. By this time, Pei Yun understood the emperor's intentions and proposed that the musicians and descendants of the Zhou, Qi, Liang, and Chen dynasties be registered in the national music registry. Officials below the sixth rank, as well as common people who excelled in music and acrobatics, were directly registered with the Ministry of Rites. From then on, a variety of unique skills and extravagant music were collected in the music bureau, with doctoral disciples assigned to teach each other. The number of musicians grew to over 30,000. Emperor Yang of Sui was very pleased and promoted Pei Yun to the Ministry of Personnel.
At that time, it was during a peaceful period after the death of Emperor Gaozu, and the management of the country was relatively relaxed, leading to chaotic population registration. Some people lied about their age, claiming to be children even when they were adults; some evaded taxes and labor duties even before reaching old age. After Pei Yun became the governor, he understood this situation and reported to the court, suggesting a thorough verification of the population. If anyone was found to be cheating, the implicated officials would be dismissed, and village leaders would be exiled to remote areas. He allowed common people to report each other, and if someone was caught lying, their family would have to pay the taxes and duties. In the fifth year of the Deyuan era, the results reported by various counties showed: 243,000 newly registered residents and 641,500 newly affiliated residents. The emperor, upon hearing these reports, praised Pei Yun, saying, "Previous dynasties did not have officials like Pei Yun, which is why there were so many cases of fraud. Now, thanks to Pei Yun's diligence, the population registration is now accurate. The ancients said 'governing with virtuous officials,' and this is absolutely true!" From then on, the emperor trusted Pei Yun more and promoted him to the role of Intendant of Henan. Pei Yun was meticulous and strict in his work, earning the respect and fear of both officials and common people.
Not long after, he was promoted to the position of Grand Master of Remonstrance, alongside Pei Ju and Yu Shiji, overseeing confidential matters. He was particularly skilled at understanding the emperor's intentions. If the emperor wanted to convict someone, he would twist the law to suit the emperor's wishes. If the emperor wanted to pardon someone, he would reduce the punishment and secure their release. Later on, all cases were handed over to him, and even officials at the Ministry of Justice dared not challenge him. They had to seek his approval before making a decision, and only when he agreed could the case be judged. He was eloquent and persuasive, articulating legal provisions clearly and persuasively, leaving no room for anyone to dispute him.
When Yang Xuan rebelled, the emperor sent him to investigate Yang Xuan's associates. The emperor said, "With one call from Xuan, there are 100,000 people following him. This further shows that people are unwilling to live honest lives. When there are too many people, it's easy for them to band together and become thieves. If they aren't dealt with harshly, no one will obey in the future." So he strictly enforced the law, killed tens of thousands of people, and seized their properties. The emperor was very happy and rewarded him with fifteen servants. The censor, Xue Daoheng, was demoted for offending the emperor. He knew that the emperor disliked him, so he reported, "Xue Daoheng is arrogant and relies on his talent, showing disregard for the emperor. Every time he sees an imperial decree, he secretly grumbles, complains about the court, fabricates rumors, and causes trouble. Although the charges may seem vague on the surface, from his mindset, it's nothing short of treason!" The emperor said, "Yes! I worked with him when I was a child. He looked down on me back then, and he, along with Gao Feng, He Ruobi, and others, abused their power. He knows he deserves to be punished. After I became emperor, he was always on edge; fortunately, the world was peaceful, so he didn't dare to rebel. What you've said aligns perfectly with his character." So, Xue Daoheng was executed.
Once, the Emperor asked Su Wei for a strategy to attack the Liao Dynasty. Su Wei did not want the Emperor to go to war again and wanted to make him aware of the many bandits in the world, so he deliberately replied: "In the current situation, I suggest not to send troops, but to issue a decree to pardon these bandits, and we could rally hundreds of thousands. Then send the bandits from within the borders, as well as people like Lishan Fei from Shandong and Zhang Jincheng, to form another army and attack from the west of Liao; and give ships to the bandits from Henan, like Wang Bo and Meng Rang, and let them launch their attack by sea. They will surely be eager for a pardon and will definitely be eager to prove themselves; within a year, they will be able to destroy Goryeo." The Emperor replied with displeasure: "I couldn't even succeed in fighting by myself; where do so many bandits exist in the world?" After Su Wei departed, the Emperor reported: "Su Wei is too audacious; that old fox is quite cunning, trying to threaten me with bandits. I must endure this; it’s quite challenging." He understood the Emperor's intentions, so he sent Zhang Xingben to inform on Su Wei's alleged crimes. The Emperor entrusted this matter for resolution and ultimately sentenced Su Wei to death. The Emperor said: "I truly hesitate to execute him immediately." So Su Wei, his son, and his grandson were all stripped of their titles.
He wanted to increase his power again, so he had Yu Shiji request the dismissal of officials below the Inspector of the Capital and increase the number of Censors by more than a hundred. This attracted many deceitful individuals who formed factions and secretly plotted against those who did not obey them. At that time, there were many important national affairs, and all military operations, defense of the capital, and foreign trade were supervised by the Censors. His guests and subordinates were everywhere, oppressing the populace, all while the emperor was oblivious. Because he participated in the war against the Liao dynasty, he was promoted to the position of Grand Master of Ceremonies. Later, Sima Dekan wanted to rebel, and the magistrate of Jiangyang County, Zhang Huishao, came to report the news in the middle of the night. He and Zhang Huishao discussed a plan to forge an imperial edict, mobilize the soldiers and civilians in the Guoxia area, seize military control from Rong Gong's son to safeguard the child, capture external rebels, including Yuwen Huai, mobilize the Imperial Guards, and send Fan Fulu and others to enter the palace from the West Park to arrest the Prince of Liang and the King of Yan, and protect the emperor. Once the plan was finalized, he informed Yu Shiji. Yu Shiji doubted the authenticity of the rebellion news and stopped his plan. Shortly thereafter, the plot was uncovered, and he sighed, "I disclosed everything to Yu Shiji, which ultimately harmed us all." In the end, he was killed. His son, Yi, was also killed on the same day.
Pei Ju, styled Hongda, was from Wenzhi in Hedong. His grandfather, Pei Ta, served as the Minister of the Imperial Clan in the Wei Kingdom, and his father, Pei Nezhi, served as the Prince's Attendant in the Qi Kingdom. Pei Ju lost his parents when he was young and grew up an orphan. He was very studious, had a deep passion for literature, and was both intelligent and shrewd. His uncle, Pei Rang, recognized Pei Ju's potential and said to him, "I see great talent in you, and you are bound to achieve great success in the future. If you want to make your mark in politics, you need to pay attention to national affairs." From then on, Pei Ju started paying attention to current affairs.
During the time when Gao Zhen, the Beiping King of Qi, was the governor of Sizhou, he hired Pei Ju as an assistant in the military department and later promoted him to the position of Literati of the Gaoping King. After the downfall of the Qi kingdom, Pei Ju struggled to find work. Later, when Emperor Wen of Sui, Yang Jian, became the governor of Dingzhou, he sent for Pei Ju to return urgently as his secretary and highly valued him. Later, Pei Ju resigned from his position due to his mother's death. After Emperor Wen became the chancellor, he sent someone to urgently bring Pei Ju back to serve as a secretary in the chancellor's office. After Emperor Wen ascended to the throne, Pei Ju was promoted to the position of Lang in the Ministry of Rites and resigned from his position as a gentleman.
During the Sui Dynasty's attack on the Chen Dynasty, Pei Ju served as a secretary in the Marshal's headquarters. After the fall of the Chen Dynasty, Prince Jin Yang Guang asked Pei Ju and Gao Feng to organize the records of the Chen Dynasty. The following year, the court issued an edict assigning Pei Ju to a mission in Lingnan, but before he could depart, Gao Zhihui, Wang Wenjin, and others rebelled, blocking the roads in the Wu and Yue regions. The Emperor had no choice but to postpone Pei Ju's departure. Pei Ju requested to depart as soon as possible, and the Emperor agreed. He traveled to Nankang and recruited thousands of soldiers. At that time, the Lishuai, Wang Zhongxuan, was besieging Guangzhou and sent his general Zhou Shiju to attack Dong Hengzhou. Pei Ju and the Grand General Lu Yuan rushed to the rescue, but Wang Zhongxuan's army had set up nine checkpoints in the mountains to provide mutual support.
Pei Ju led the army in a fierce attack, defeated the enemy, and caused them to panic, abandoning Dong Hengzhou and retreating to their original position at Changling. Pei Ju defeated them once more and killed Zhou Shiju, then went to rescue Guangzhou from the Nanhai region. Wang Zhongxuan, in fear, fled in a panic. Pei Ju pacified more than twenty states and even appointed some leaders as governors and county magistrates without proper authorization. When he returned to report his work, the emperor was very pleased and specially summoned him to the palace to commend his hard work. The emperor pointed to Gao Feng and Yang Su, saying, "Wei Guang led 20,000 troops but couldn't cross the mountains in time. I have been worried about insufficient troops. Pei Ju only took 3,000 defeated soldiers straight to Nankang. With such a loyal subject, I have nothing to worry about!" Because of his merits, Pei Ju was granted the title of Kaifu, awarded the title of Duke of Wenxi County, and rewarded with a large amount of wealth. Later, he was appointed as the Minister of Civil Affairs and soon promoted to the Minister of the Interior.
At that time, the Turkic power was quite formidable, and the Khan's wife, Princess Dayi, was actually a daughter of the Yuwen family, causing frequent trouble on the border. Later, the princess had an affair with a Turkic man, and Changsun Cheng was the first to discover this. He suggested to the emperor to send him to negotiate with the Khan and to eliminate the Yuwen family. The emperor agreed. Consequently, the princess was killed, just as Changsun Cheng had predicted.
After that, the Khan fell out with the Turkic Khan and frequently launched incursions across the border. The court appointed Taiping Gong Shi Wansui as the commander of the expedition, starting from Dingxiang, with Changsun Cheng as the chief of staff. They defeated the Khan outside the pass. Unfortunately, Shi Wansui was killed, and Changsun Cheng's contributions went unrecognized. The emperor dispatched Changsun Cheng to pacify Qimin Khan, and upon his return, he was promoted to the Deputy Left Minister. That year, Empress Wenxian passed away, and there were no established ceremonial norms at court. Changsun Cheng and Niu Hong then developed the funeral procedures based on the etiquette of the Qi state.
Later, Changsun Cheng was promoted to the role of Minister of Personnel, and everyone felt that he was doing a great job. After Emperor Yang of Sui ascended to the throne, he enthusiastically began construction on the Eastern Capital, and Changsun Cheng was responsible for building the palaces and government offices. He completed the construction in just nine months. At that time, many countries from the Western Regions came to Zhangye to do business with China. The emperor assigned Changsun Cheng to oversee this matter. Changsun Cheng knew that the emperor was preparing to use military force in the Western Regions, so he subtly encouraged those merchants to share more about their countries' customs and geography, and then he compiled this information into a three-volume work titled "Records of the Western Regions" and presented it to the emperor. The book's preface states:
I have heard that even Yu the Great, who controlled the waters and diverted the Yellow River, could not make the river flow over the Jishi Mountains; and Qin Shi Huang, who unified the six states, could only set up defenses up to Lintao. So I know that those various barbarian tribes in the Western Regions, living in remote areas where etiquette cannot reach, are rarely recorded in historical books.
Since the establishment of the Han Dynasty and the opening of the Hexi Corridor, records exist of thirty-six named countries in the Western Regions, which later split into fifty-five smaller countries. The Han Dynasty also established Colonels and Protectors to pacify them. However, the rebellions and alliances of these countries were in constant flux, and the Han Dynasty repeatedly sent troops to conquer them. By the time of the Eastern Han Dynasty, these official positions were often abolished. Although the population of the Western Regions has been somewhat understood since Dayuan, the names of the mountains and rivers in each country are not well-documented. As for the surnames, customs, clothing, and specialties of the ethnic groups, there are no records at all, and the world remains largely unaware.
Furthermore, the long passage of time, continuous annexation, and warfare among nations have led to constant rise and fall. Some regions have changed names despite being originally recognized as countries; some individuals have kept old names despite not belonging to the original ethnic groups. In addition, various ethnic groups coexist in close proximity, boundaries are constantly changing, languages are different, and this makes investigation difficult. Historical records indicate that there were over thirty countries north of Yutian and east of Congling. Later, these countries engaged in conflict with one another, leaving only about a dozen survivors. The remaining countries were destroyed, leaving only ruins that are now forgotten.
Your Majesty, you are kind and love the people, regardless of whether they are of the Han or non-Han peoples. The people of the world all admire your benevolence, which knows no bounds. Your grace extends from sunrise to sunset, with countries from the Western Regions coming to pay tribute, without distinction of distance. I am responsible for managing the border markets, so I have consulted historical texts and engaged with the non-Han peoples, asking many questions repeatedly. Based on their clothing and appearance, I have illustrated the likenesses of both rulers and commoners, compiling the "Records of the Western Regions" in three volumes, detailing forty-four countries. I have also created maps, marking important locations.
The distance from the Western Regions to the southern part of the North Sea spans approximately twenty thousand li. Thanks to the regular journeys of affluent merchants, they have a good understanding of the situation in the Western Regions. However, some remote areas are still difficult to investigate thoroughly, so there may be gaps in the records. During the Han Dynasty, countries with populations of merely a few tens of thousands were regarded as kingdoms in the Western Regions, only in name.
The book I am writing now records countries with a population exceeding one thousand households, mostly located near the Western Sea and producing rare treasures. Small tribes in the mountains with populations too small to be recorded are not included. There are three routes from Dunhuang to the Western Sea, each possessing unique features.
The northern route starts from Yiwu, traversing the Pulei Sea, the Tiele people, and the court of the Turkic Khan, crossing the Beilu River, reaching the Fuli country, and finally arriving at the Western Sea. The central route starts from Gaochang, Yanqi, Kucha, and Shule, crossing the Congling Mountains, passing through Bohan, Suiduoshana, Kangguo, Caoguo, Heguo, Daxiaoanguo, and Muguo, reaching Persia, and finally arriving at the Western Sea. The southern route starts from Shanshan, Yutian, Zhujubo, and Hepantuo, crossing the Congling Mountains, passing through Humi, Tuhuoluo, Yida, Fuyan, Caoguo, reaching Beipuoluomen, and finally arriving at the Western Sea. The nations along these three routes each exhibit distinct traits and are interconnected north and south. Countries like Dongnü and Nanpoluomen are also located along these routes. Therefore, Yiwu, Gaochang, and Shanshan are all gateways to the Western Regions, while Dunhuang is the strategic gateway to the Western Regions.
With the nation's formidable strength and the bravery of our soldiers, we are marching westward, crossing the Kunlun Mountains effortlessly. There’s no place we can’t conquer! However, the Turks and Tuyuhun control many Qiang and Hu nations, preventing them from paying tribute. Now we are secretly sending gifts through merchants to demonstrate our sincerity, and they also hope to submit to us. Your Majesty is kind and benevolent, bestowing your grace upon the world. We will pacify them and seek peaceful coexistence. Therefore, with the dispatch of envoys by Your Majesty, without needing to resort to military force, all the nations of the Western Regions will submit, and the Turks and Tuyuhun can also be conquered. Unifying the Central Plains and the Western Regions is within reach! If these achievements of our civilization are not recorded, our great achievements will remain unrecognized.
The Emperor was very pleased and granted Pei Ju five hundred bolts of silk. He had Pei Ju report to him every day, asking him for detailed updates on the situation in the Western Regions. Pei Ju bragged about the wealth in the Western Regions and how easily Tuyuhun could be conquered. The Emperor was delighted to hear this and decided to open up the passage to the Western Regions, preparing to use force against the foreign tribes, entrusting all matters to Pei Ju. Pei Ju was promoted to Assistant Minister of the Ministry of Civil Affairs, and before taking office, he was promoted to Assistant Minister of the Yellow Gate.
The Emperor sent Pei Ju to Zhangye to invite the various nations of the Western Regions, and over ten nations responded. In the third year of Daye, the Emperor went to Mount Heng to conduct sacrificial rites, and all the nations of the Western Regions participated. The Emperor planned to inspect the Hexi Corridor and sent Pei Ju to Dunhuang. Pei Ju sent envoys to persuade King Qubo Ya of Gaochang and others, enticing them with generous incentives to come and pay their respects to the Emperor.
When the emperor went on a western tour and arrived at Yan Zhi Mountain, the King of Gaochang and Yi Wushe, along with twenty-seven other countries from the Western Regions, were all there to greet him along the road. They were all adorned with gold and jade ornaments, draped in brocade, burning incense, playing music, singing, and dancing. The emperor also ordered the men and women of Wuwei and Zhangye to dress up and watch this grand scene. The throng of riders filled the roads for miles on end, demonstrating the might of the Great Sui. The emperor was very pleased to see this spectacle.
In the end, the Sui army defeated the Tuyuhun, expanded the land by thousands of miles, and stationed troops there. The annual tribute from there totaled in the millions, instilling fear in the Western Regions, prompting them all to come and pay tribute. The emperor believed that Pei Ju had a strategy to pacify the border; therefore, he promoted him to Yinqing Guanglu Dafu.
That winter, the emperor arrived in the eastern capital of Luoyang. Due to the influx of tribute from various foreign nations, Pei Ju advised the emperor to hold a large-scale performance in Luoyang. They gathered a variety of talents and skills from across the country for a showcase on Duomen Street, with over a hundred thousand people in embroidered clothing adorned with gold and silver jewelry. Officials and citizens were instructed to sit in tents to watch. Everyone wore bright clothes, and the event lasted for a month.
He also ordered tents to be set up in three markets, filled with food and wine, for the officials in charge of foreign affairs and the foreign envoys to trade together. Everyone who came was invited to sit down, eat, and drink their fill before leaving. The foreign envoys marveled, exclaiming that the Great Sui was a realm of immortals.
The emperor praised Pei Ju's sincerity, saying to Yu Wen Shu and Niu Hong, "Pei Ju truly understands my intentions. His suggestions align perfectly with my long-held plans. He anticipates things before they happen. Who else could achieve this if not someone utterly devoted to the realm?"
The emperor sent General Xue Shixiong to build city walls in Yiwu and ordered Pei Ju to lead the expedition. Pei Ju explained to the countries of the Western Regions, "The emperor is building these city walls to facilitate trade with you, the distant tribes, which is why we are constructing them in Yiwu." Everyone found this convincing and stopped fighting each other. After returning to Chang'an, the emperor granted Pei Ju a reward of 400,000 coins. Pei Ju then suggested employing a strategy of sowing discord between Shaki and Chuluo, secretly attacking Chuluo, as recorded in the "Chronicles of the Turks." Later, Chuluo was pressured by Shaki and eventually followed the envoy to Chang'an to meet the emperor. The emperor was greatly pleased and rewarded Pei Ju with a sable coat and treasures from the Western Regions. When the emperor was inspecting the northern border, he accidentally arrived at the camp of Qimin Khan. At that time, the Goryeo envoy had already contacted the Turks, and Qimin Khan dared not conceal this and brought the Goryeo envoy before the emperor. Yang Ju then reported, "Goryeo was originally part of the Guzhu Kingdom. It was bestowed upon Jizi during the Zhou Dynasty, divided into three commanderies during the Han Dynasty, and governed by Liaodong during the Jin Dynasty. Now it has declared independence and become a frontier state. Our late emperor always wanted to conquer it, but Yang Liang's incompetence led to failure in military campaigns. Now that you are the emperor, can you allow this situation to persist and let this once-civilized region descend into wilderness? Now that the Goryeo envoy has gone to pay respects to the Turks and was seen by Qimin Khan, the entirety of Goryeo will align with the Turks. They will surely fear the might of the Tang Dynasty and be concerned about potential annihilation. We must apply pressure to compel them to pay tribute, and I am confident we will succeed."
The emperor asked, "What should we do?" Yang Ju said, "Please confront the Goryeo envoy in person, then send them back to their country. Send someone to inform the Goryeo king to quickly come and pay tribute. If they don't listen, march with troops and immediately attack them together with the Turks!" The emperor accepted his suggestion. When the Goryeo king Gao Yuan refused to listen, the court started devising a plan to attack Goryeo. When the emperor led troops to attack Goryeo, Yang Ju was appointed as the General of the Imperial Guards. The following year, he followed the emperor to Liaodong. The Minister of War, Hosi Zheng, defected to Goryeo, so the emperor appointed Yang Ju to oversee the Ministry of War. Because of his participation in the battles across the Liao River, Yang Ju was promoted and became the Right Grand Master of the Court.
At that time, the court's discipline was in decline; many people were defecting and siding with the enemy. General Yuwenshu of the Left and Minister Yushi Ji of the Interior were in power, and many civil and military officials in the court relied on bribery to advance. Only Yang Ju adhered to principles, was upright and clean, and there were no rumors of corruption or bribery surrounding him, earning him widespread praise.
Upon returning to Zhuo County, the emperor ordered Zhang Ye to go and stabilize the Longyou region. Zhang Ye arrived in Huining, assured the Hesa tribe, and sent people to attack the Tuyuhun tribe, repeatedly capturing spoils of war and bringing prosperity to the tribe. Upon returning and reporting on the situation, the emperor greatly rewarded him. Later, he followed the army to Huaiyuan Town, where he was assigned to oversee military affairs concerning the northern ethnic minorities. Zhang Ye felt that the power of the Khagan Shibi Khan was growing, so he proposed a plan to weaken him, suggesting to marry the princess to Shibi Khan's brother Chijishe and appoint him as the Southern Khagan. Chijishe dared not accept, and when Shibi Khan heard about it, he began to harbor resentment.
Zhang Ye also said to the emperor: "The Turks are naturally simple and easily swayed, but they have many other cunning nomads among them, and we just need to make good use of them. I’ve heard that Shishu Hu Xi is especially crafty and has gained Khan Shibike's deep trust; we can use him to get rid of him." The emperor said, "Good idea!" Zhang Ye sent someone to tell Hu Xi: "The emperor has brought many treasures and is now in Mayi, wanting to trade with various tribes on the border. If you come, you will get good things." Greedy and gullible, Hu Xi didn’t inform Khan Shibike but led his tribe, rounded up all their livestock, and hurried over, hoping to be the first to arrive at the market for trade. Zhang Ye set an ambush in Mayi, lured Hu Xi in, and killed him. He then sent a messenger to Khan Shibike: "Shishu Hu Xi suddenly brought his tribe here, saying that he had betrayed you and asked us to take him in. Since the Turks are my subjects, if he betrays you, I will help you get rid of him. I have already killed him and sent someone to inform you." Khan Shibike was aware of the truth and stopped paying tribute.
Eleven years later, the emperor toured the north, and Khan Shibike surrounded the emperor with hundreds of thousands of cavalry at Yanmen. The emperor ordered Zhang Ye and Yu Shiji to stand by in court every night, ready to receive consultation at any time. Once the siege was lifted, Zhang Ye followed the emperor to the eastern capital. At that time, Khan Shekhi sent his grandson to lead various western minority groups to pay tribute, and the emperor instructed Zhang Ye to host a banquet for them.
I accompanied the emperor to Jiangdu Palace. At that time, there were uprisings of bandits in various places, and the reports from various counties were countless. I spoke some uncomfortable truths, which angered the emperor. He sent me to the capital to receive foreign envoys, but I feigned illness to avoid going. Later, when the rebel army broke through Hangu Pass, the emperor sent Yu Shiji to my house to ask for my strategy. I said, "There is chaos in Taiyuan, and the capital region is also unstable. Giving orders from such a distance might miss the opportunity for battle. Only if the emperor returns to Chang'an quickly can he pacify the world." I then resumed my duties. Not long after, I received news of General Qu Tutong's defeat, and I promptly reported it to the emperor, whose expression darkened.
I have always been diligent and cautious, never contradicting others. Seeing the great chaos in the world, I was afraid of attracting trouble to myself, so I treated people exceptionally well, better than they anticipated, making even the most ordinary servants happy. Many of the elite soldiers who had accompanied the emperor fled, which greatly concerned him. He asked me what to do. I replied, "The emperor has been here for two years now. These elite soldiers have no families and are alone, so of course they cannot stay. I suggest that the soldiers be allowed to settle down and start families here." The emperor was very pleased and said, "You are truly clever; this is a brilliant plan!" He then put me in charge of overseeing the marriages of the soldiers.
I gathered all the widows and unmarried women from Jiangdu and brought them to the palace, permitting the generals and soldiers to choose freely. I also allowed them to come forward voluntarily, and those who had had improper relationships with women, nuns, or female Taoists were also matched. As a result, the elite soldiers were all very pleased, saying to one another, "This is Minister Pei's grace!"
Pei Ju got up early in the morning to get ready for court. When he reached the gate of the neighborhood, he encountered a few rebels who took his horse to Meng Jing. The rebels shouted, "This has nothing to do with Pei Huangmen!" Soon after, Yuwen Huaji arrived with over a hundred soldiers. Pei Ju hurried to pay his respects, and Yuwen Huaji offered him some words of comfort. Then, Yuwen Huaji involved him in establishing the ceremonial system, backed Prince Hao of Qin as the emperor, appointed Pei Ju as the Minister of Interior Affairs, and took him to Hebei. After Yuwen Huaji became emperor, he bestowed upon him the title of Guanglu Daifu, named him Duke of Cai, and appointed him as the Ambassador of Hebei Province.
Later, the Yuwen clan was defeated, and Pei Ju was captured by Dou Jiande. Dou Jiande, knowing he was a loyal minister of the Sui Dynasty, treated him with great respect and appointed him as the Minister of Personnel, shortly promoting him to the Minister of the Right of the Ministry of Personnel, specifically in charge of selecting officials. Dou Jiande rose from a bandit and lacked formal protocols, so Pei Ju helped him set up court ceremonies. In less than a month, the court's rules and regulations were nearly perfected, looking similar to an established dynasty. Dou Jiande was very pleased and often sought his advice. Later, Dou Jiande crossed the river to fight against Meng Haigong, while Pei Ju and others stayed in Mingzhou to defend the city. As a result, Dou Jiande was defeated in the Battle of Wulao.
The generals were at a loss for what to do. Cao Dan's chief of staff Li Gongyan, the Tang envoy Wei Zheng, and others advised Cao Dan and Qi Shanxing to surrender to the Tang Dynasty. Cao Dan agreed and sent Pei Ju, Wei Zheng, and Li Gongyan with Cao Dan and the eight imperial seals to surrender the Shandong region to the Tang Dynasty. The Tang court appointed Pei Ju as the Left Secretary and later promoted him to Zhan Shi and Minister of Civil Affairs.
The historical records say: Pei Ju was known for his integrity and detachment when he was young, and he was also valued for his outstanding literary talent. Even after facing great upheaval, he was still highly regarded. He participated in political affairs, was involved in major military matters, and never thought of preserving himself during times of national crisis; even when the emperor was incompetent, he found himself powerless to advise. He engaged in selling official positions and exploiting his power for personal gain, ultimately bringing upon himself his downfall. Pei Yun was known for his cunning and deceit, good at flattery and self-serving behavior, only concerned with his own interests, and ultimately brought about his own downfall. Pei Ju was well-versed in history and had remarkable talent, dedicating himself tirelessly to the public good, a rare trait in ancient times. He participated in political affairs for many years, maintaining honesty and prudence even in times of chaos, which is commendable in a time like that. However, his attempts to interpret the emperor's intentions and relay messages in a timely manner led to Gaochang coming to court, Yiwu surrendering territory, and Ande hoarding food. Troops marched out of Yumen Pass, inciting panic in the Guanzhong region, all of which were somewhat related to Pei Ju.
