Yang Shangxi hails from Hongnong. His grandfather, Yang Zhen, served as the governor of Wei, in charge of the Tianshui area. His father, Yang Chengbin, held a significant official position, having served as the governor of three states—Shangzhou, Zhizhou, and Xizhou. Yang Shangxi became an orphan at a young age after losing his father.
When he was eleven years old, he told his mother that he wanted to go to Chang'an to study. In Chang'an, Lu Bian, a man from Zhuojun, immediately took a liking to him and thought the boy was extraordinary, so he admitted him to the Imperial College. Yang Shangxi studied very diligently, never slacked off, and his classmates admired him greatly. Emperor Taizu of Northern Zhou once personally went to the Imperial College to participate in a ceremony, and at that time, Yang Shangxi was eighteen years old. The Emperor asked him to discuss the "Classic of Filial Piety," and he did it exceptionally well, with great insight.
Emperor Taizu greatly admired him, not only bestowing upon him the surname Pu Liuru, but also promoting him to be a National Scholar. Later, he went on to hold several official positions, serving as a scholar at the Imperial College, Prince's Palace Intendant, and Minister of the Department of Accounts, and he was ennobled as the Marquis of Gaodu County. He later became the Grand Master in the Eastern Capital, and his official rank continued to rise.
During the reign of Emperor Xuan, the Emperor sent Yang Shangxi to Shandong and Hebei to bring peace to the people. But when he arrived in Xiangzhou, the Emperor suddenly died. At that time, Yang Shangxi and the governor of Xiangzhou, Wei Jiong, handled the funeral affairs together at an inn. Yang Shangxi confided in his companions, "Wei Jiong's crying is not genuine, and his demeanor seems off. He must have other intentions. If I don't leave, there might be danger." So, under the cover of night, Yang Shangxi quietly slipped away via a back route.
After dawn, Wei Jiong discovered that Yang Shangxi was missing, so he quickly sent dozens of cavalry to chase along the official road, but they were unable to catch up. Yang Shangxi had already fled back to the capital. Emperor Gaozu regarded Yang Shangxi as a royal relative and valued him highly for escaping from Wei Jiong's hands at great risk. Later, Wei Jiong stationed his troops in Wuzhi, and Emperor Gaozu first appointed Yang Shangxi to command three thousand troops to guard Tongguan, and also appointed him as a minister of the central government.
Emperor Gaozu appointed Shangxi as an official, first as the Minister of Revenue, and then promoted him to Duke. Over a year later, he was sent to Henan Province to serve as the Minister of War and was granted the title of Grand Master of Ceremonies. Shangxi felt that there were too many counties in the country, so he wrote to the emperor: "Since the unification of the country by the Qin Dynasty, the abolition of the feudal states and the establishment of counties began, the organization of states has changed during the Han, Wei, and Jin dynasties. I’ve noticed that there are now far more counties than there used to be; some places are only a hundred miles, but there are several counties, and some counties have less than a thousand people, but fall under the jurisdiction of two different counties. There are too many officials, and expenses keep rising; the number of officials and soldiers has doubled, but taxes decrease year by year. Finding honest and capable people is a challenge; it takes tens of thousands of people to do a little work. Where can we find them? This is called 'few people, many officials, ten sheep for nine shepherds.' The ancient qin needs regular tuning, while the se shouldn't be rigidly fixed to just one pillar. Now, some redundant institutions need to be cut, and small ones should be merged into larger ones, so that the country can save food and textiles, and it will be easier to select talents. I humbly share my thoughts and ask for your decision." After reading the memorial, the emperor valued his suggestion and ordered the abolition of many counties nationwide.
Next, Shang Xi was appointed governor of Yingzhou Prefecture. Before taking office, he was tasked with inspecting Huainan. Upon his return, he was appointed Minister of War. Shortly after, he was promoted to Minister of Rites and granted the title of Upper Yitong official. Shang Xi was generous, knowledgeable, and highly respected, receiving favor from the court. The Emperor diligently attended court each day, and Shang Xi advised him, saying, "King Wen of Zhou shortened his life due to excessive labor, while King Wu lived long due to ease and enjoyment. I hope Your Majesty can focus on the big picture and delegate responsibilities to your ministers. Trivial matters should not be handled personally by the ruler." The Emperor happily said, "You truly have my best interests at heart!" Shang Xi had a foot ailment, and the Emperor told him, "Puzhou is known for its fine wine, which is ideal for recuperation. Go to Puzhou as governor and take good care of your health." Thus, Shang Xi was appointed governor of Puzhou while also serving as the commander of the local clan cavalry. During his tenure in Puzhou, Shang Xi did many benevolent deeds for the people, including diverting the Fen River, building embankments, and cultivating thousands of acres of paddy fields, benefiting the people. In the tenth year of the Kaihuang reign, Shang Xi passed away at the age of fifty-seven and was posthumously honored with the title "Ping." His son, Shang Min, inherited his title and was later appointed as the Duke of Danshui County, eventually becoming the magistrate of Anding County.
Chang Sun Ping, styled Chujun, was from Luoyang in Henan Province. His father, Chang Sun Jian, was a grand general of the Northern Zhou dynasty. Chang Sun Ping was handsome, capable, and well-educated. He served as the attendant scholar to the Prince of Wei in Northern Zhou. During that time, Emperor Wu of Northern Zhou was heavily controlled by Yuwen Hu, and he and the Prince of Wei conspired to eliminate Yuwen Hu, often sending Chang Sun Ping to deliver messages. After Yuwen Hu was killed, Chang Sun Ping was promoted and became Palace Supervisor and Minister of Music.
After Emperor Xuan ascended the throne, he established an office in the Eastern Capital and appointed Changsun Ping as the Junior Minister of Justice, managing the affairs of the six ministries of government together with another official, Zhao Fen. When the founder Emperor Yang Jian was still an insignificant figure, he had a good relationship with Changsun Ping. Later, after Yang Jian became the Chancellor, he favored Changsun Ping even more. Subsequently, Wei Jiong, Wang Qian, Sima Xiaonan, and a few others rebelled, and Yang Jian was very worried about the situation in the Huainan region. At that time, He Ruobi was stationed in Shouyang, and Yang Jian feared that he might have other intentions, so he sent Changsun Ping to replace him as quickly as possible. Sure enough, He Ruobi refused to obey Yang Jian's orders, so Changsun Ping commanded soldiers to arrest He Ruobi and escort him to the capital city.
In the third year of the Kaihuang era, Changsun Ping was promoted to Minister of Finance. He saw that many states and counties across the country were suffering from floods and droughts, and the people were living in hardship. Therefore, he suggested that the common people should set aside some grain every autumn, varying in amount according to their wealth, and store it in the villages for emergencies. These grain warehouses were called "emergency granaries." He also wrote: "I have heard that the country regards the common people as the foundation, and the common people regard grain as their lifeline. Therefore, promoting agriculture and prioritizing grain production has been a longstanding principle of emperors throughout history. In ancient times, three years of cultivation could produce surplus for one year, and nine years of cultivation could store grain for three years. Even in the event of floods and droughts, the common people would not suffer from hunger and cold because of proper guidance and proactive preparation. Last year, many people starved to death in the Guanzhong region due to drought. Your Majesty transported grain from Shandong, established the Changping granary, and distributed grain to aid the disaster victims. Your generosity is truly unmatched! However, effective governance requires long-term planning, so I suggest instructing the governors and county magistrates of each state to prioritize encouraging agriculture and saving grain." The Emperor greatly appreciated his suggestion and adopted his advice. Since then, there have been abundant harvests across the country, and the common people have reaped significant benefits from it.
After a few years, he was promoted to Minister of Works and performed exceptionally well. At that point, someone reported that Grand Commander Bing Shao had slandered the court, saying that the court was inept. The emperor was furious and sought his execution. Fang Xuanling promptly advised, saying, "Rivers and lakes can accommodate filth, thus becoming deep and wide; mountains can contain hidden diseases, thus becoming tall and magnificent. I hope Your Majesty will emulate the tolerance of mountains and seas and demonstrate magnanimity. As the saying goes, 'Without being foolish or deaf, one is not fit to be a great patriarch.' While this may seem like a mere saying, it explains a great truth. Bing Shao's words should never have been reported, and yet Your Majesty seeks his death. I fear that future generations may perceive a deficiency in Your Majesty's virtuous wisdom." The emperor heeded his counsel and pardoned Bing Shao. He further decreed that officials should refrain from bringing slanderous accusations in the future.
Later, the Turkic Khans, Datou Khan and Dulankhan, fought each other, and both sent envoys to request assistance from the court. The Emperor dispatched Fang Xuanling to mediate and persuade them to reconcile, and bestowed upon them three hundred pieces of silk and a fine horse. Fang Xuanling arrived among the Turks and explained the stakes involved, which led to both sides agreeing to a ceasefire. The two Khans graciously gifted him two hundred horses. Upon returning to the court, Fang Xuanling presented all the horses he received to the Emperor. Not long after, he was demoted and appointed as the Minister of Personnel, tasked with overseeing the affairs of Bianzhou. Over a year later, he was promoted to the governor of Bianzhou. He later successively served as the governors of Xuzhou and Beizhou, achieving remarkable success in governance in these regions. Given the challenging customs of Yedou, which were notoriously difficult to govern, most previous governors had proven to be ineffective. Because of Fang Xuanling's outstanding performance in various regions, the court transferred him to Xiangzhou as the governor. He also excelled in Xiangzhou and earned a solid reputation. After serving in Xiangzhou for several years, during the Lantern Festival, the locals celebrated in the streets dressed in garments adorned with armor motifs. The Emperor was infuriated by this sight and subsequently dismissed Fang Xuanling. Not long after, the Emperor recalled Fang Xuanling's notable contributions during his tenure in Huainan, so he promoted him to Grand General, appointed him as the Minister of Rites, and let him act as the acting Minister of Personnel. He passed away during the Renshou era and was posthumously granted the honorific title "Kang."
His son, Fang Shixiao, was known for his frivolous and cunning nature, driven by greed, and repeatedly engaged in criminal activities. Because of Fang Xuanling, the Emperor even dispatched envoys to pay their respects at his funeral. Later, Fang Shixiao became the registrar of Bohai County. During the Daye era, a time marked by court corruption and social upheaval, Fang Shixiao acted recklessly, embezzled, and abused the law, inflicting immense suffering upon the county's populace. Ultimately, he met his demise at the hands of Wang Shichong.
Yuanhui, styled Shu Ping, was a native of Luoyang, Henan. His grandfather Yuan Chen served as the Inspector of Hengzhou and Inspector of Shuozhou during the Northern Wei Dynasty. His father Yuan Yi held the position of Left Deputy Director of the Imperial Secretariat. Yuanhui was strikingly handsome, graceful, and had a strong passion for learning, having read extensively. He became well-known in the capital at a young age, and Emperor Zhou treated him with great importance, allowing him to play and study together with his sons, establishing a close relationship. At around twenty years old, he was recruited into the Ministry of Works as a military officer and soon rose to the rank of Junior Grand Master of Military Affairs. At that time, the Turks frequently engaged in warfare, and the court intended to form an alliance with them, so Yuanhui was dispatched as an envoy to the Turks, carrying a hundred thousand bolts of silk. Yuanhui explained the benefits clearly to the Turkic Khan and expressed the court's sincerity, which delighted the Khan, who even sent his own prince to accompany Yuanhui back with numerous gifts. Subsequently, Yuanhui was appointed as the Deputy Director of State Affairs and the Ministry of Rites. During the reign of Emperor Bao Ding of the Northern Zhou Dynasty, the Prime Minister, Yuwen Hu, promoted him to the role of Chief Historian. When the State of Qi sent envoys to form an alliance, Yuanhui, renowned for his eloquence, was sent along with the Marquis of Qiancheng, Cui Mu, as envoys to Qi. He was later promoted to the position of Grand Master of Valor. When Emperor Wu of Northern Zhou married a Turkic princess, Yuanhui was also sent to pay respects. Subsequently, Yuanhui was promoted to the position of Grand Master of the Palace, and later appointed as the Grand Master of Justice. After quelling disturbances in the eastern regions, the court sent Yuanhui to pacify the people in Hebei and bestowed upon him the title of Yiningzi, along with a fief of four hundred households.
After the founding emperor Yang Jian of the Sui Dynasty came to power, he appointed Yuan Hui as a high official and bestowed upon him the title of Duke. During the reign of Emperor Kaihuang of the Sui Dynasty, Yuan Hui was appointed as the Minister of Personnel and also served as the Grand Minister of the Imperial Stable. He submitted a proposal to the court to excavate the Duyang Canal to irrigate thousands of acres of saline-alkali land, benefiting the common people. The following year, he was promoted to the position of General of the Left Wing and continued to hold the position of Grand Minister of the Imperial Stable. Not long after, he was further promoted to Minister of War, responsible for supervising the construction of canals. However, he was dismissed from his position shortly after due to a minor infraction. After a period of time, he was appointed as the Inspector of Weizhou and did many good deeds. He served as the inspector of Weizhou for several years before resigning from his position due to illness. More than a year later, he passed away in the capital at the age of sixty. Emperor Wen of the Sui Dynasty was very saddened by his death and ordered the Ministry of Rites to take charge of his funeral, posthumously honoring him with the title of "Yuan." His son, Yuan Su, inherited his title and later rose to the position of Gentleman of the Imperial Court. Yuan Su's younger brother, Yuan Renqi, was bright and capable, and eventually became an official of Jinan County.
Wei Shi, styled as Gongying, was a native of Duling in Chang'an. His father, Wei Zhen, was the Grand General of the Bei Zhou. Wei Shi was calm and mature from a young age, with a kind heart. When he first started studying, he read the "Classic of Filial Piety" and exclaimed, "Perhaps the highest realm of moral teachings lies here!" When he was young, his parents passed away one after another, and he devoted himself wholeheartedly during the mourning period, earning praise from the villagers for his filial piety. As he grew older, he dabbled in the classics and histories, and excelled in horseback riding and archery.
During the Northern Zhou Dynasty, Dazongzai Yúwén Hù valued his talent and recruited him to serve as a registrar in the Ministry of Interior. Later, he was promoted to the position of a military officer in the Bureau of Guests. Wèi Shī was very knowledgeable about the customs and geography of various ethnic groups. Whenever a minority group came to pay tribute, he personally received them, inquired in detail about their national customs, and had a firm grasp of their information. These minority groups were very respectful of him and dared not hide anything. Later, when Prince Qí Yáng Xiàn became the governor of Yōng Province, he invited him to be the registrar while keeping his original position. When Emperor Wén of Sui took power, Wèi Shī was promoted to the position of Grand Master of the Household. After the Sui Dynasty pacified the Gāo clan, the court sent him to Shāndōng to pacify the people, and then reassigned him as the Grand Master of Rites.
After Emperor Yáng Jiān of Sui ascended the throne, he appointed Wèi Shī as the Deputy Minister of the Ministry of Rites, granting him the title of Marquis of Jǐngxíng with a fief of five hundred households. Several years later, he was promoted to be the Minister of War in the Héběi Circuit and was appointed as the pacification envoy for the eighteen prefectures of Shāndōng and Hénán. He always pleased the Emperor with his work and was rewarded with three million coins, and also served as the Marshal of Prince Jìn Yáng Guǎng. His kinsman Wèi Shìkāng became the Minister of Personnel and had long harbored a rivalry with Wèi Shī, constantly competing in secret. At that time, Prince Jìn Yáng Guǎng had a great influence in Yōng Province, with notable figures like Yáng Xióng, Gāo Fēng, and others holding positions as provincial governors, and he also invited Wèi Shī to be the registrar. Meanwhile, Wèi Shìyuē, the younger brother of Wèi Shìkāng, worked as a legal assistant under Wèi Shī. Wèi Shìkāng was very angry about this, couldn't eat, felt humiliated, and harshly reprimanded Wèi Shìyuē: "Why did you go to work as an officer?" He then physically punished Wèi Shìyuē.
Later, Emperor Wen of Sui went to Liquan Palace, summoned Wei Shi, Left Deputy Gao Feng, Senior Pillar of State Han Qinhu, and others, and hosted a banquet in the sleeping palace for them to talk about past events and have a good time. During the war to pacify the Chen Dynasty, Wei Shi served as a marshal in his official capacity, and he was entrusted with managing all the assets of the Chen Dynasty's treasury. He was honest and upright, without any wrongdoing, and everyone praised him for his integrity. Later, Emperor Wen of Sui married his daughter to Prince Yang Yan of Changning, while Wei Shi's daughter married Emperor Wen of Sui. Wei Shi was later appointed as the governor of Bianzhou and achieved remarkable success during his tenure, ultimately dying while in office and posthumously honored with the title "Ding." His son Wei Dezhen served as a court official during the reign of Emperor Yang of Sui.
Yang Yi, styled Wenshu, was from Huayin, Hongnong. His grandfather Yang Jun served as the Minister of Works in the Wei Kingdom, and his father Yang Jian served as a Palace Attendant. Yang Yi was handsome, composed, and exhibited strong leadership skills. He loved learning from a young age and could recite over a thousand characters daily, impressing all who knew him. When he was nine years old, his father passed away, and he was so overwhelmed with grief that he nearly lost his life. After the mourning period was over, he declined all celebrations and condolences and shut himself away to focus on his studies. Over the years, he immersed himself in countless books.
During the reign of Emperor Min of Zhou, Yang Yi was appointed as the Prefect of Ningdu, who achieved remarkable feats and earned a stellar reputation. The court also granted him the title of Marquis of Changle. Later, due to his many military achievements, he was further honored. When Gaozu became Chancellor, he sent him to Jizhou to handle affairs. After Gaozu ascended the throne, Yang Yi was appointed as the Deputy Minister of the Imperial Clan and was also elevated to the rank of Kaifu. When Prince Xiu of Shu served as the Inspector of Yizhou, the court carefully selected officials to supervise and manage the region. Due to Yang Yi's integrity, he was appointed as the Chief Historian of Yizhou, and the court rewarded him with 200,000 coins, three hundred pieces of silk, and fifty horses. Shortly after, he was promoted to Minister of War for the Southwest Region. Several years later, he returned to his position as Deputy Minister of the Imperial Clan. Shortly after, he was promoted to the Minister of Justice. A year later, he was appointed as the Prefect of Wuzhou, notable for his outstanding achievements and respected for his reputation. At that time, Prince Guang of Jin was stationed in Yangzhou, and the court ordered Yang Yi to visit Prince Guang once a year to discuss current affairs and provide counsel. Several years later, Yang Yi passed away at the age of sixty-two. His son was named Yang Qianxun.
Su Xiaoci was from Fufeng. His father, Su Wuzhou, served as the Inspector of Yanzhou during the Northern Zhou dynasty. Su Xiaoci was calm, capable, and good-looking from a young age. In the early years of the Northern Zhou dynasty, he served as a Senior Attendant Officer. Later, he was appointed as a Commander and sent on a mission to the state of Qi. For his outstanding performance, he was promoted to Grand Commander. In the same year, he was sent on another mission to Qi, and upon his return, he was appointed as Senior Attendant of Xuan Na. Later, he followed Emperor Wu in the campaign against the state of Qi and was appointed as Kaifu for his meritorious service, granted the title of Duke of Wen'an County, and given a fief of fifteen hundred households. Shortly after, he was reappointed as Duke of Linshui County, with his fief increased to 2,700 households. He was promoted several times and eventually became the Senior Officer of the Ministry of Works.
The founding emperor granted him a title, naming him the Duke of Anping, and appointed him as the Minister of Works. At that time, the country had just been established, and many things had to start from scratch. The emperor gathered skilled craftsmen from all over the country, and various sophisticated techniques were brought together. Xiaoci was responsible for coordinating these matters, and everyone thought he did a good job. Not long after, he was promoted to Grand Minister of Agriculture, and over a year later, he became the Minister of War, with an improved status. At that time, the Crown Prince Yong also understood politics fairly well, and the emperor wanted to elevate the status of the court officials, so many ministers were given multiple important positions. Therefore, Xiaoci was appointed as the Right Protector of the Crown Prince, while still retaining the position of Minister of War.
The following year, the emperor ordered the construction of Changping Granary in Shanzhou to transport grain from various places to the capital. Due to the sandy flow of the Wei River, with water levels fluctuating, transportation was very difficult. Therefore, the emperor decided to dig a canal from the Wei River to the Yellow River and put Xiaoci in charge of this project. After the project was completed, the emperor was very satisfied. He was then appointed as the Crown Prince's Right Chief Clerk, later promoted to Left Guard, and concurrently held the positions of Minister of Works and Minister of Civil Affairs, with significant power and influence over everything.
Several years later, he was promoted to Grand General and then transferred to Minister of Works, while retaining his other positions. Previously, due to insufficient funds for the various ministries, each department had set up their own lending institutions to collect interest to subsidize expenses. Xiaoci believed that this competition for profit between officials and the common people hindered the country's development, so he submitted a memorial requesting the abolition of this practice and suggested distributing different grades of official lands to court officials. The emperor accepted his suggestion.
In the eighteenth year of the Kaihuang era, the emperor decided to remove the Crown Prince, fearing that the Crown Prince's influence in the Eastern Palace was too great, so he sent him to Xizhou as the Inspector. The Crown Prince was very unhappy about Xiaoci's departure, his face showing clear discontent. This clearly shows how highly Xiaoci was regarded at that time!
During the Renshou period, he was transferred to Hongzhou as the governor, and his political achievements were very good. Later, the Shanyue people in Guilin rebelled, and the emperor appointed Xiaoci as the military general to suppress the rebellion. He successfully quelled the rebellion but died in office later that year. He had a son named Huichang.
Sha Luo, also known as Zicui, was the son of the governor of Meizhou in the Zhou Dynasty. Sha Luo served as an official in the Zhou Dynasty, starting as a commander. Later, he followed Wei Xiaokuan to defeat Yu Jiong and achieved notable contributions, and was appointed as the Governor of the Left in the Department of State Affairs, as well as being appointed as the Duke of Tongqin County. During the Kaihuang period of the Sui Dynasty, Prince Yang Xiu of Shu guarded Yizhou, and Sha Luo followed him and was later appointed as the governor of Zizhou.
Eight years later, the Rangmang Qiang tribe rebelled, launching attacks on Wenshan and Jinchuan. Sha Luo led his troops to defeat them and was then appointed as the governor of Qiongzhou. After a few years, he was appointed as the deputy governor of Lizhou. Later, he followed Shi Wansui to fight against the Xicuan forces, achieved many victories, and was promoted to Grand General, receiving many rewards. Shortly after, he was appointed as the chief secretary of the governor of Yizhou.
At this time, the Yue Xi people, led by Wang Feng, rebelled, and Sha Luo, along with Duan Wenzhen, suppressed the rebellion. The emperor rewarded him with a hundred servants. As a result, Prince Yang Xiu of Shu was deposed, and someone accused Sha Luo: "Wang Feng was killed by his slaves, but Yang Xiu pretended that it was done by his subordinates. Furthermore, Yang Xiu mobilized the Shuliao and let them release the slaves, but Sha Luo concealed this." Because of this, Sha Luo was dismissed and ultimately died at home. He had a son named Kang.
Li Xiong, courtesy name (字) Pilu, was from Gaoyi in Zhao commandery. His grandfather was the Grand Minister of the Palace during the Wei dynasty, and his father was the Governor of Shanzhou during the Qi dynasty. After the Qi dynasty was overthrown by the Zhou dynasty, Li Xiong followed the army into Chang'an. Li Xiong had lofty ambitions from a young age. Although his family had been scholars for generations, he preferred horseback riding and archery. His nephew advised him, "Abandoning study to pursue martial arts isn’t what a scholar should do!" Li Xiong replied, "I might not be the brightest, but I've read some history books; I just do not adhere to those rigid rules. Being skilled in both literature and martial arts, so what’s there to worry about, brother!" His brother was left speechless by his words.
During the reign of the Emperor Taizu of the Zhou dynasty, this character took off his civilian clothes and became the General Who Aids the State. He, along with General Daxi, pacified Hanzhong, stabilized Xingzhou, and defeated the rebellious Hu people in Fenzhou. For his achievements, he was appointed as the Grand General of the Valiant Cavalry and was appointed as the General of All Purposes. Later, during the reign of Emperor Min, he was promoted and granted the title of duke, and transferred to work in the Ministry of Works.
Subsequently, he battled the Qi forces at Mangshan with General Daxi, where all other armies were defeated, but the troops he led remained unscathed. During the reign of Emperor Wudi, he accompanied Prince Chen to welcome the Empress back from the Turks and was granted the title of Viscount, appointed as the Governor of Xiazhou. After a few years, he was summoned back to the court and named Grand Minister of the Palace. Not long after, he was dispatched to Liangzhou as the Chief Secretary. Later, he followed Prince Tengyu to defeat the Tuyuhun in Qinghai, and for his military achievements, he was further appointed to a higher official position.
After Emperor Xuan ascended to the throne, he followed the military commander Wei Xiaokuan to pacify the Huainan region. With only a few hundred light cavalrymen, he arrived at Xiashe and managed to persuade more than ten cities to surrender, thus being appointed as the governor of Haozhou. After Emperor Gaozu took control of the court, he summoned him back and appointed him as a minister of the Secretariat. Due to his contributions in Huainan, his official position was further elevated to Governor. After Emperor Gaozu ascended the throne, he was appointed as the Minister of Ceremonies, promoted to Duke of Gaodou, and granted a fief of two thousand households.
After a few years, Prince Jin Guang was sent to guard Bingzhou, and he was appointed as the Minister of War of the Hebei Military Headquarters. Emperor Gaozu said to him, "My son is still young and lacks experience, while you excel in both civil and military matters. I now give you this important task, so I don't have to worry about the north." He bowed and thanked the Emperor, saying, "Your Majesty, you do not despise my lack of ability and give me such an important task. Although I am foolish, I’m not heartless. I will do my best to repay your kindness!" As he spoke, he was brought to tears, and the Emperor comforted him before letting him leave.
He was known for his integrity and upright attitude during his tenure, earning great respect from Prince Jin and high praise from the people. Over a year later, he passed away, and his son Gong Ting inherited his title. Zhang Ji, styled Shihong, was a native of Mao County, Hejian, Hebei. His father, Zhang Xian, was particularly fond of learning in his youth and later became a general in the Wei Kingdom. He fought under Emperor Wu of Wei, rising through the military ranks and eventually becoming a Grand Master of Rites.
Later, Emperor Taizu of the Zhou Dynasty recognized his talent and appointed him as a chamberlain, bestowing upon him the surname Chiluo. He later served as an official of high rank, Yongzhou Administrator, Yongzhou governor, and Yitong San-si, and was granted the title of Duke of Yuxiang County. He held a significant position in the government. Later, he returned to the court and was tasked with compiling the national history. At that time, most of the ministers of the Zhou Dynasty were military generals, but Zhang Xian, drawing on his extensive knowledge, held a prominent status in the court and earned the respect of all. As he grew older, he retired and returned home.
When Emperor Wen of the Sui Dynasty, Yang Jian, became emperor, he greatly respected Zhang Xian's virtue and reputation and specifically wrote a letter asking him to come out of retirement to serve as an official. The letter read: "Having just ascended to the throne, I am contemplating governance, recalling the names of the virtuous and eagerly seeking their counsel. Yitong, who served in the Zhou Dynasty, is known for his virtue and achievements. Though retired, he remains vigorous. It is appropriate for you to enter the court and fulfill my expectations." This means that as a new emperor, I want to govern the country well, and I have always wanted to ask for your help! When you were an official in the Zhou Dynasty, you were very capable. Although you have retired, you are still in good health and should come out to help me!
When Zhang Xian visited Emperor Wen of the Sui Dynasty, Emperor Wen specifically instructed that he should not kneel, personally helped him up to the hall, then got off the dragon throne, held his hand and sat down with him, chatted with him for a long time, and even gave him a cane. Later, when the capital was moved to Luoyang, Zhang Xian counseled Emperor Wen to practice frugality, and Emperor Wen issued a special decree in response. Not long after, Zhang Xian passed away at the age of eighty-four. He was posthumously named governor of Cangzhou and was posthumously given the title "Ding." He also wrote commentaries on "Laozi" and "Zhuangzi" titled "Dao Yan," consisting of a total of fifty-two chapters.
Mr. Jiong, who loved learning since childhood, completely inherited his father's excellent qualities. He served as a court official in the Wei Dynasty, starting as a court official and later being promoted to Assistant Minister of the Imperial Household. Emperor Zhou valued his talents and transferred him to the Ministry of War. When Emperor Min ascended the throne, Mr. Jiong was promoted to the rank of General. During the reigns of Emperor Ming and Emperor Wu of the Northern Zhou Dynasty, he successively held the positions of Minister of Rites and Chief Secretary to the Prime Minister, and was also granted the title of Viscount of Beiping County with a fief of four hundred households. During the reign of Emperor Xuan, he was promoted to the rank of Yitong (仪同) and his title was upgraded to Count.
After Grand Chancellor Gao became prime minister, Mr. Jiong proactively built a strong rapport with him. Grand Chancellor Gao also recognized Mr. Jiong's abilities and held him in high regard. After Grand Chancellor Gao became emperor, he appointed Mr. Jiong as the Deputy Minister of Personnel and bestowed upon him the title of Marquis. Not long after, he was promoted to the position of Junior Minister of the Imperial Treasury and concurrently served as the director of the Yingxindu Garrison. Later, when his father passed away, he resigned from his official position to observe mourning at home, demonstrating profound grief. After completing the mourning period, the court wanted him to return to his post, but he firmly declined. Eventually, the court bestowed upon him the position of Yitong Sanqi (仪同三司) and allowed him to inherit the title of Count of Yuxiang County, with his fief expanded to fifteen hundred households. Shortly after, he was promoted to the position of Senior Minister of the Imperial Treasury, ultimately achieving the esteemed position of Minister of Civil Affairs.
When Prince Jin Yang Guang served as the governor of Yangzhou, he appointed Mr. Jiong as the Sima and granted him the title of Grand Master of Ceremonies (银青光禄大夫). Mr. Jiong was renowned for his integrity and wisdom and had a good reputation at the time. He was later appointed as the Governor of Jizhou, and Prince Jin Yang Guang repeatedly requested for him to return to his side as his chief secretary and oversee the administration of Jiangzhou. When Prince Jin ascended to the throne as Crown Prince, Mr. Jiong was once again appointed as the Governor of Jizhou, ultimately attaining the rank of Grand General, beloved by the people who regarded him as an exemplary official. In the fourth year of the Renshou era (仁寿), Mr. Jiong passed away at the age of seventy-four. His son, Huibao, rose to the position of magistrate of Jiang County.
During the Kaicheng era, there was a man named Liu Ren'en, about whom historical records do not specify his birthplace, but he was generous and talented in both civil and military affairs. He initially served as the governor of Maozhou, with achievements that ranked among the best in the country, and was later promoted to the position of Minister of Justice. He also served as a general under Yang Su in campaigns against the Chen dynasty. In the Battle of Jingmen, he and Yang Su together defeated the Chen dynasty general Lv Zhongsu, with Liu Ren'en's strategies being pivotal. He was subsequently granted the title of Grand General, gaining considerable fame at the time. Guo Jun from Fengyi and Feng Shiji from Shangdang were both intelligent and strategic, and successively served as the Minister of War. Di Qing from Dai, known for his generosity and insight, rose to the position of Minister of Civil Affairs. These four individuals were well-known, but their specific deeds were recorded only briefly in historical texts.
Historical records indicate that the two Zhao brothers (Prince Zhao Ren of Zhao and Prince Zhao Kai) were quite familiar with historical references and were regarded as impressive by their peers. However, once they held high positions, they did not have any particularly outstanding achievements. This illustrates that everyone has their own limits in talent and ability, and one should not force themselves beyond their capabilities.
Chang Sun Ping advised the emperor to pardon those accused of slander, a truly noble act! Emperor Gaozu was very pleased and followed his advice, resulting in significant benefits. Yuan Hui gained prominence through his intelligence, Wei Shi was known for his integrity, and Yang Shangxi and Yang Yi were elite members of the royal family with high status and reputation. Su Xiaoci, Li Xiong, and Zhang Jiong all demonstrated great integrity and competence both in and out of the court. These individuals were all highly valued in the early years of Emperor Kaicheng, representing the finest talents of the era!
