You Yuan, courtesy name Chu Ke, was a native of Guangping and was the great-grandson of Xuan Gen from the Wei Dynasty. His father You Baozang became a governor. You Yuan was intelligent and clever from a young age. At the age of sixteen, he was recruited by the Minister of Works of the Qi Kingdom, Xu Xianshou, to serve in the military. After Emperor Wu of Zhou pacified the Qi Kingdom, You Yuan successively served as the county magistrate of Shouchun and the Sima of Qiaozhou, making notable achievements and earning a strong reputation. During the Kaihuang era, he became an imperial censor. When Prince Jin Yang Guang served as the Grand Administrator of Yangzhou, he appointed You Yuan as a military officer in the office of law, but later resigned due to his father's death. He later served as an internal supervisor. After Emperor Yang of Sui ascended the throne, You Yuan was promoted to the position of Lang in the Ministry of Revenue. During the Liaodong Campaign, You Yuan served as the Chief Historian of the Left Valiant Guards and was appointed as a military supervisor of Gaimu Road, also concurrently serving as an Imperial Secretary of the Palace Library. When the nine armies led by Yuwen Shu were defeated, the Emperor tasked You Yuan with investigating their cases. At that time, Yuwen Shu was immensely powerful; his son Yuwen Shi Ji had even married the Princess of Nanyang, and his influence spread throughout the court. Yuwen Shu sent a servant to approach You Yuan, hoping to enlist his help. You Yuan flatly refused to see him. After a few days, Yuwen Shu rebuked You Yuan, saying, "You have a prominent position and are a trusted confidant of the Emperor. You ought to reflect on your position and advise the Emperor. Why did you send someone to seek my help? What do you want to do?" He interrogated Yuwen Shu with increasing severity and ultimately submitted an accusation against him to the Emperor. The Emperor appreciated You Yuan's integrity and bestowed upon him a set of court robes.
Nine years later, You Yuan was ordered to oversee the military provisions in Liyang, when Yang Xuangan rebelled. Yang Xuangan said to You Yuan, "This tyrant is cruel and unjust; all the scholars and officials have become his victims. We are trapped in a remote area, and the military provisions have been cut off; it is time for him to perish! I am going to lead the righteous army to attack the tyrant. What do you think?" You Yuan replied solemnly, "Your father received great grace from the emperor, with great achievements, high position and power, enjoying unprecedented glory and wealth. Your brothers also hold high positions. You should be loyal and repay the emperor's grace. But your father has just passed away, and you want to rebel. I truly believe this is not worth it. I hope you can think carefully about the consequences. I would rather die than obey; I dare not follow your orders!" Yang Xuangan was furious; he imprisoned You Yuan and repeatedly threatened him with force, but You Yuan remained unyielding and was eventually killed by Yang Xuangan. The emperor praised You Yuan's loyalty highly, posthumously promoting him to the rank of Grand Master of the Palace Attendants, Silver and Blue, and granting him five hundred pieces of silk. He also appointed his son You Renzong as a Grand Master of the Palace Attendants and as the Prefect of Yiyang County.
Feng Ciming, styled Wuyi, was from Changle in Xindu. His father, Feng Cong, held a senior position in Northern Qi, eventually becoming the Supervisor of the Right of the Secretariat. During the Northern Qi period, Feng Ciming, due to his connection with the royal family, became the Chief Military Advisor to the Marquis of Huaiyang at the age of fourteen. He later rose to the role of Chief Scribe of Sizhou, and then to the Gentleman of the Palace Library.
After Emperor Wu of Zhou conquered Northern Qi, Feng Ciming was appointed as a commander. After Emperor Wen of Sui, Yang Jian, declared himself emperor, he established three offices, and Feng Ciming was appointed as a military advisor in the Ministry of Works and Granaries. He rose to the position of Assistant Minister of Rites. Later on, Prince Jin, Yang Guang, was appointed as the governor of Bingzhou, selecting his subordinates with care, and took Feng Ciming with him to serve as a military officer. Feng Ciming later held the positions of Assistant Minister of Personnel while also serving as an official in the Internal Historiography. After Emperor Yang of Sui ascended the throne, Feng Ciming resigned from his position due to his mother's passing. Emperor Yang of Sui felt that Feng Ciming had served both in the fiefdom and the court previously and had mixed feelings about him, so he demoted him to deputy general in Yiwu Town. Before he could take up the post, he was transferred as a magistrate in Jiaozhou.
In the ninth year of Daye, Feng Ciming was summoned back by the court. At that time, the Minister of War, Husi Zheng, had fled to Goguryeo. Emperor Yang of Sui met with Feng Ciming and offered him great comfort and encouragement. Not long after, Feng Ciming was appointed as a Court Gentleman in the Ministry of War and was also granted a title of a courtier. In the thirteenth year of Daye, he acted as the magistrate of Jiangdu County. When Li Mi attacked Luoyang, the eastern capital, the court ordered Feng Ciming to quell unrest among the people in the Chan River and Luo River basins and to pursue Li Mi. When Feng Ciming arrived in Yanling, he was captured by Cui Shu, a subordinate of Li Mi.
Li Mi invited Feng Ciming to take a seat, expressed condolences to him, and then said, "The realm of the Sui Dynasty has come to an end, the world is in chaos. I am leading the righteous army, undefeated in battle. The Eastern Capital is in imminent danger and will soon be breached. I now want to lead the national army to overthrow Emperor Yang of Sui. What do you think?" Feng Ciming replied, "I have always been an upright person; even if I die, it doesn't matter. I won't speak any unjust words." Li Mi was not very happy but hoped that he would change his mind in the future, so he was very polite to him. Feng Ciming secretly sent a memorial to Emperor Yang of Sui and wrote a letter to the defenders of the Eastern Capital, analyzing Li Mi's situation. When Li Mi learned of this, he decided to release him out of a sense of duty.
As soon as Feng Ciming left the camp gate, Li Mi's general, Zhai Rang, angrily said, "You were captured by us. General Wei (referring to Li Mi) treated you so well, yet you are not grateful at all. Aren't you afraid?" Feng Ciming was furious and said, "The Emperor sent me here to eliminate you rebels, but unexpectedly I was captured by you. Will I beg for mercy from you? If you want to kill, then kill; why curse me!" Then he said to the rebels, "You didn't have evil intentions originally; you only came here to loot because of the famine. The official army is about to arrive; you should start thinking about your own future." Zhai Rang became even angrier and killed Feng Ciming with a sword. He was sixty-eight years old at the time. The Governor of Liang Province, Yang Wang, reported this matter. Emperor Yang of Sui was very regretful and posthumously awarded him the title of Grand Master of Ceremonies, and appointed his two sons, Feng Dun and Feng Peng, as Associate Secretaries of the Imperial Secretariat. Later, Wang Chong supported Prince Yang Dong as Emperor and posthumously appointed Feng Ciming as a pillar of the state, Minister of Revenue, and Marquis of Changli County, and he was posthumously honored with the title of Zhuangwu.
The boss was named Chen and had previously been in the Eastern Capital. Wang Chong defeated Li Mi, and Chen was also present in the military camp. Then he sent a servant to carry his father's coffin to the Eastern Capital, but he didn't attend the funeral himself. Not long after, he held a lavish wedding. Many people at the time criticized him for this, finding it quite unacceptable.
Just after his father's death, he had someone send the coffin back to his hometown, but he didn't attend, and immediately went ahead with a high-profile wedding. Isn't this incredibly unfilial? At that time, people were talking about it, feeling that he did something wrong.
Zhang Xudo was from Wanxiang in Hongnong, known for his strong and courageous character. In his youth, he accompanied Shi Wansui on campaigns against the Western Cuan, achieved notable success, was granted the official title of Yitong, and received three hundred bolts of cloth as a reward. After Emperor Yang of the Sui Dynasty ascended the throne, Prince Lang of Han instigated a rebellion in Bingzhou, and Zhang Xudo helped Yang Su to suppress the rebellion, and was subsequently promoted to the position of Kaifu. Just as the campaign against Liaodong began, the common people were struggling with unemployment and famine, and food prices skyrocketed. Zhang Xudo wanted to open the granary to aid the disaster victims, but his subordinates insisted, "We must wait for the emperor's decree; we can't act independently." Zhang Xudo said, "The emperor is currently far away in Liaodong; sending messengers back and forth will definitely take a long time. The people are in desperate need now; if we wait for the imperial decree, people will starve to death. If I face punishment for this, I won't have any complaints or regrets!" So he opened the granary to help the people first and then reported to the court. When the emperor learned of this, he did not hold it against him.
In the second year, the bandit leader Wang Bo gathered tens of thousands of outlaws to plunder the Qi commandery. The official army fought against him but suffered repeated defeats. Zhang Xuduo led the troops to resist, and Wang Bo led his army south to plunder the Lu commandery. Zhang Xuduo pursued relentlessly, chasing them to the foot of Mount Tai. Taking advantage of Wang Bo's overconfidence from his previous victories, Zhang Xuduo selected elite troops and launched a surprise attack. Wang Bo's army was defeated, and Zhang Xuduo pursued the fleeing enemy, killing thousands and capturing countless others. Wang Bo regrouped his remaining troops, totaling around ten thousand men, and planned to cross the Yellow River to escape to the north. Zhang Xuduo caught up to them in Linyi, defeated them again, beheading over five thousand and capturing a large number of livestock. At that time, the realm had enjoyed a long period of peace, and many people were unfamiliar with warfare. Only Zhang Xuduo was brave and decisive, while also being skilled in combat. Moreover, he was good at motivating soldiers and won their hearts, earning the title of a famous general.
Wang Bo then allied with bandits like Douzi Zei Sun Xuanya, Shi Zhida, and Hao Xiaode in the north, launching an attack on Zhangqiu with over a hundred thousand men. Zhang Xuduo sent naval forces to cut off their water and land routes, personally leading twenty thousand cavalry into battle to launch an attack, defeating the enemy and scattering the bandits. When they reached the ferry bridge, they were ambushed by the navy and attacked from both sides, resulting in complete disarray. Zhang Xuduo captured a large amount of wealth and supplies. He then reported these successes to the court. The emperor was extremely pleased and praised him through an imperial edict, sending envoys to present a portrait of him. In the same year, bandits like Pei Changcai and Shi Zihe suddenly arrived with twenty thousand men, plundering everywhere. Zhang Xuduo, unable to gather his troops in time, personally led five cavalrymen into battle. The bandits surrounded him, wounding him multiple times, yet he fought valiantly. When reinforcements arrived, the bandits retreated, and Zhang Xuduo urged the army to attack again, forcing Pei Changcai to flee in disgrace.
After several dozen days, the notorious bandit Qin Junhong, Guo Fangyu, and others united their armies to surround Beihai, with a formidable army. Zhang Xuduo said to his subordinates, "The bandits are overconfident and think we won't come to rescue. Let’s move quickly; we can definitely defeat them!" So he recruited elite troops, traveled day and night, and indeed the bandits were caught off guard. Zhang Xuduo defeated the enemy army, killing tens of thousands of enemies and capturing 3,000 supply wagons. Pei Cao, the governor of Sili, reported to the court, and the emperor sent envoys to congratulate him. Ten years later, the bandit Zuo Xiaoyou led an army of 100,000 troops stationed at Dongou Mountain. Zhang Xuduo deployed the Eight Winds formation to approach the enemy and divided his troops to guard key points. Zuo Xiaoyou was left with no choice but to surrender. His associates—Jie Xiang, Wang Liang, Zheng Dabiao, Li Han, and others—were all defeated by Zhang Xuduo in turn, and his name became known throughout the land. As a result of his military successes, he was promoted to Qijun Tongshou while also serving as the special envoy overseeing the twelve counties of Henan.
Not long after, the bandit Lu Mingyue led an army of over 100,000 men, preparing to launch an attack on Hebei. While stationed at Zhu A, Zhang Xuduo intercepted them and killed thousands. Bandits such as Lv Mingxing, Shuai Rentai, and Huo Xiaohan each led tens of thousands of troops to harass Jibei. Zhang Xuduo launched an offensive to drive them away. He then led his troops to resist the bandit Zhai Rang in Dongjun, fought more than thirty battles, and defeated them each time. He was later promoted to the position of Supervisor of Yongyang. At that time, Li Mi urged Zhai Rang to attack the Luokou Granary, but Zhai Rang feared Zhang Xuduo and was hesitant to act. Li Mi persuaded him again, so Zhai Rang and Li Mi led their troops to approach Yongyang, where Zhang Xuduo resisted them. Out of fear of Zhang Xuduo, Zhai Rang retreated, and Zhang Xuduo pursued them for more than ten miles. At this time, Li Mi had already ambushed thousands of people in the woods, attacking Zhang Xuduo's army, which led to Zhang Xuduo's defeat. Li Mi and Zhai Rang surrounded Zhang Xuduo, who led his remaining soldiers to break through. The soldiers on both flanks were unable to fully break through, so Zhang Xuduo rode in to rescue them. He did this several times, but the soldiers scattered, leading him to exclaim, "With such a defeat, how can I face the emperor?" He then dismounted and fell in battle at the age of fifty-two. His subordinates wept all night long, mourning for several days. King Dong of Yue sent Pei Renji, the Left Guanglu Doctor, to pacify his troops and relocate them to Wulao for garrison. The emperor ordered Zhang Yuanbei, his son, to take command of his father's army, but Zhang Yuanbei encountered bandits in Qijun and ultimately failed to take command. Yang Shanhui, whose courtesy name was Jingren, hailed from Huayin in Hongnong. His father had been the Prefect of Piling. During the Daye era, Yang Shanhui was appointed magistrate of Shu County and gained a reputation for his honesty and integrity.
Not long after, Shandong faced a famine, and the common people took up arms, looting everywhere. Yang Shanhui led hundreds to capture them, winning every battle. Later, the leader of the bandits, Zhang Jincheng, camped near Shu County with tens of thousands of troops, burning, killing, and looting. The local officials and soldiers couldn't handle him. Yang Shanhui motivated his troops to engage with Zhang Jincheng several times, defeating the enemy each time. Emperor Yangdi sent General Duan Da to attack Zhang Jincheng, and Yang Shanhui gave Duan Da some advice, but Duan Da ignored it, and the army was defeated. Duan Da later apologized to Yang Shanhui. Yang Shanhui continued to battle the bandits, planning each operation carefully and achieving decisive victories every time.
Zhang Jincheng then joined forces with the Bohai bandits Sun Xuanya, Gao Shida, and others, leading hundreds of thousands of troops. After capturing Liyang, they withdrew with overwhelming force. Yang Shanhui intercepted them with a thousand elite troops and routed them, earning the title of Court Gentleman and Magistrate of Qinghe County. Zhang Jincheng adjusted his troop deployment slightly and sent a small force to plunder Guanshi County. Yang Shanhui and the Prefect of Pingyuan, Yang Yuanhong, led tens of thousands of cavalry and infantry to launch a surprise attack on Zhang Jincheng's camp. General Wang Bian's army also arrived, and Zhang Jincheng abandoned Guanshi County to rescue them, but ended up suffering another defeat at the hands of Wang Bian. Yang Shanhui selected five hundred elite soldiers to reinforce them, achieving a resounding success and lifting the spirits of Wang Bian's troops. The bandits retreated to their camp, and the different armies pulled back. At that time, Shandong was in chaos, with crowds joining the bandits, and the counties were weak, falling one after another. The only one who could stand up to the bandits was Yang Shanhui. He fought over seven hundred battles, never losing once, but he always felt regret over the imbalance in forces and was unable to completely eliminate the bandits.
Later, General Yang Yichen went to attack Zhang Jincheng, but was defeated by the bandits and was forced to retreat to Linqing. Yang Yichen employed Yang Shanhui's strategy and engaged the bandits in several battles, which eventually forced them to retreat. Yang Yichen pursued his victory, stormed the bandits' camp, and captured all their soldiers. Zhang Jincheng fled with a few hundred people, later escaping to Zhangnan, where he began recruiting soldiers and gathering resources. Yang Shanhui pursued and killed Zhang Jincheng, and presented his head to the emperor. The emperor rewarded him with a precious sword, armor, and a spear, and promoted him to the position of magistrate of Qinghe. That same year, Yang Shanhui followed Yang Yichen to kill the bandit Gao Shida in Zhangnan, and sent his head to the Jiangdu Palace. The emperor issued a decree to commend him. Gao Shida's subordinate Dou Jiande claimed to be the King of Changle and attacked Xindu. The bandit Wang Anzu from Linqing rallied several thousand soldiers to support Dou Jiande. Yang Shanhui ambushed Wang Anzu and killed him. After Dou Jiande captured Xindu, he harassed Qinghe, and Yang Shanhui resisted but was defeated and was forced to defend the city. The bandits besieged the city for forty days, and the city fell, and Yang Shanhui was captured.
Dou Jiande released Yang Shanhui and treated him courteously, appointing him as the governor of Beizhou. Yang Shanhui scolded him, "Old bandit, how dare you impersonate an official appointed by the court! I curse my lack of strength for not being able to capture you. I am not like you butchers and tavern keepers, daring to appoint officials among yourselves!" Confronted with swords and spears, Yang Shanhui stood his ground, unafraid. Dou Jiande wanted to spare his life, but his subordinates requested to kill him. Dou Jiande also understood that Yang Shanhui would not ultimately serve him, so he killed him. The people of Qinghe mourned deeply.
Dugu Sheng is the younger brother of Dugu Kai, the Grand Chancellor. He is bold and courageous. When Emperor Yang of Sui was still the Governor of Yangzhou, Dugu Sheng served by his side and eventually rose through the ranks to become a General of the Chariots and Cavalry. After Emperor Yang ascended to the throne, their previous acquaintance at the fief led to a closer relationship, resulting in several promotions for Dugu Sheng, who eventually became the General of the Right Tunwei.
During the rebellion led by Pei Qiantong, when soldiers guarding the Chengxiang Hall abandoned their posts and fled, Dugu Sheng asked Pei Qiantong, "What kind of army is this? This situation is too unusual!" When advised not to act rashly, Dugu Sheng, without even donning his armor, led a dozen followers in resistance and was ultimately slain by the rebel forces. Later, Emperor Yang Tong posthumously granted Dugu Sheng the title of Grand Master of Splendor, Duke of Ji, and bestowed upon him the posthumous title of Martial Integrity.
Yuan Wendu, the nephew of Duke Xiaojun of Xunyang, was known for his honesty, outspoken nature, and capability. His father, Xiaoze, had served as a junior official in the Zhou Dynasty and as the Governor of Jiangling. Yuan Wendu held various positions in the Zhou Dynasty, including Right Attendant Officer. During the reign of Emperor Wen of Sui, he was appointed as an Inner Historian, and later served as a Gentleman of the Library Department and a Gentleman of Merit, performing exceptionally well in both positions. He was then promoted to Deputy Director of the Imperial Secretariat and later to Deputy Minister of the Imperial Treasury. Under Emperor Yang, he held the positions of Assistant Minister of Agriculture and Imperial Household Officer before being appointed as Grand Master of the Imperial Secretariat. Despite being dismissed for an offense, he was soon reappointed as Deputy Minister of the Imperial Treasury, as Emperor Yang increasingly relied on him, gaining widespread praise from his peers.
In the thirteenth year of the Daye era, Emperor Yang of Sui departed from the Jiangdu Palace and ordered Yuan Wendu, Duan Da, Huangfu Wuyi, Wei Jin, and others to stay in the Eastern Capital. After Emperor Yang of Sui's death, Yuan Wendu, Duan Da, Wei Jin, and others supported Prince Yue, Yang Tong, as the Emperor. Yang Tong appointed Yuan Wendu to several high-ranking positions, including Minister of the Interior, General of the Household, Grandee of the Palace, General of the Left Valiant Cavalry, Acting General of the Right Guard, and Duke of Lu. Later, Yuwen Huaji supported Prince Qin, Yang Hao, as the Emperor and arrived at Pengcheng with impressive force. Yuan Wendu advised Yang Tong to send envoys to reach out to Li Mi, the leader of the Wagang Army. Li Mi subsequently requested to surrender, and Yang Tong granted him a title and gave a warm reception to his envoys. Wang Chong was quite displeased and fell out with Yuan Wendu. Aware of this, Yuan Wendu secretly plotted to eliminate Wang Chong. Yang Tong subsequently appointed Yuan Wendu as Grand Minister of State, but Wang Chong strongly opposed it, and the matter was dropped.
Lu Chu said to Yuan Wendu: "Wang Chong is just a peripheral general, not someone who stays behind. How can he participate in our affairs! Besides, he was defeated in the Battle of Luokou, and his guilt is hard to escape. Now he still has the audacity to act so arrogantly and interfere in court affairs. If we don't get rid of him, he will become a national disaster!" Yuan Wendu agreed with Lu Chu's opinion, so he prepared to report this to the emperor. Just as their plan was about to unfold, someone told Wang Chong about it. Wang Chong was in the court at that time. When he heard this, he was scared and hurried back to Hanjia City to plot a rebellion. Yuan Wendu sent people to call him many times, but Wang Chong claimed to be ill and did not go. In the evening, Wang Chong rebelled, broke through the East Taiyang Gate, and entered the palace, paying his respects to Yang Dong at the Zhiwei Pavilion. Yang Dong sent someone to ask him, "What are you doing?" Wang Chong said, "I request permission to kill Yuan Wendu and shift the blame onto the Siko." Seeing Wang Chong's growing military power, Yang Dong realized he was ultimately doomed and said to Yuan Wendu, "You should go see General Wang yourself." Yuan Wendu hesitated, tears streaming down his face, and Yang Dong sent his general Huang Taoshu to escort Yuan Wendu out. Yuan Wendu turned back to Yang Dong and said, "I will die today; Your Majesty will not live long either." Yang Dong cried sorrowfully as he sent him away, and everyone around couldn't help but feel sorry. When they reached Xingjiaomen, Wang Chong ordered his men to slaughter Yuan Wendu indiscriminately, and several of Yuan Wendu's sons were brutally murdered as well.
Lu Chu, from Zhuo County in Fanyang, was the grandson of Lu Jingzuo, the Minister of State in the Wei Kingdom. Lu Chu was talented from a young age, but he was straightforward, had a stutter, and was not very articulate. During the reign of Emperor Yang of the Sui Dynasty, he became the Right Secretary of the Imperial Secretariat, and he always stood upright in the court, striking fear into many officials and ministers. When the Emperor moved to Jiangdu, most officials in the Eastern Capital ignored the laws, but Lu Chu always insisted on correcting them without hesitation. Later, when Prince Yang Dong declared himself emperor, he appointed Lu Chu as the Prefect of the Palace Interior, Left General, Acting Deputy Minister of the Imperial Secretariat, and Right Guanglu Daifu, granting him the title of Duke of Zhuo County, and tasked him with assisting the young emperor alongside Yuan Wendu and others. When Wang Chong rebelled and the army attacked the Taiyang Gate, the General of the Guards Huangfu Wuyi broke through the city gate and fled, asking Lu Chu to escape with him. Lu Chu said to him, "Yuan Gong and I have agreed that if the country is in trouble, we will die together. Escaping now is not righteous!" When the rebels stormed the palace, Lu Chu hid in the Tai Guan Office, but was captured by the rebels and taken to Wang Chong. Wang Chong was furious and ordered him to be brutally dismembered on the spot.
Liu Ziyi, from Congtingli in Pengcheng, was the son of Liu Bian, the Sima of Xuzhou in the Qi Kingdom. Liu Ziyi was studious from a young age, skilled at writing, upright in character, and had the ability to be an official. He served as the General of the Palace in the Qi Dynasty. In the early years of Emperor Wen of the Sui Dynasty, he became the County Magistrate of Nanhe and gradually rose to become the Judicial Officer of Qinzhou. In the eighteenth year of Kaihuang, he participated in the official examination, and the Right Deputy Director Yang Su immediately recognized his talent and recommended him to be an Imperial Censor. At that time, the County Magistrate of Yongning, Li Gongxiao, lost his mother at the age of four, was remarried at the age of nine, and his stepfather remarried again after that. Liu Xuan from Hejian argued that Li Gongxiao had not been properly cared for by his stepfather and suggested that his official position should not be revoked. Liu Ziyi argued:
Ancient texts state, "A stepmother is just like a biological mother, with no difference." A stepmother should be treated as a father's wife and regarded as a mother, with all the proper etiquette being the same as that for a biological mother. Furthermore, "Those who observe mourning should do so for their biological parents, not because there is a distinction between a stepmother and a biological mother." Even though the father marries a stepmother and their status changes, the affection for the son should still prioritize the biological mother. Thus, the ancient texts state, "Those who mourn for others should also resign from their official positions to express their grief." When the father passes away and the mother remarries, even if those mourning for the father are dissatisfied, they should still express their grief. However, if the stepmother remarries, there is no need to resign from official positions. This is only a rule regarding remarriage. In conclusion, as long as the stepmother remains in the father's household, the etiquette should mirror that of a biological mother. If there is no nurturing relationship, then there shouldn't be a need to observe mourning; how could that be justified? The meaning of these three laws is very clear. Some people now say that the laws allow not resigning from official positions, which is absurd! Furthermore, those who mourn for their parents have never heard of altering their mourning based on the relationship between a biological mother and a stepmother. Since the biological mother and the stepmother hold equal status, it follows that the grief is the same. In the "Questions and Answers on Mourning," it says, "When the mother passes away, mourning attire is worn for the stepmother." This doesn't imply that the mother's family has been severed and distanced; rather, it suggests that the stepmother, as the father's wife, holds a closer position, doesn't it? Confucius stated, "The wife of the father's younger brother is like a biological mother." This indicates that mourning is determined by titles, with emotions stemming from the father, which is why sages emphasize filial piety and kindness, upholding these titles. This allows children to mourn according to the title, the same as for a biological mother, repaying with filial piety, the same as for a biological mother. If it is claimed that when the stepmother joins the family after the children have grown up, there exists a distinction in etiquette, then search through ancient texts, and you will find no such statement.
For example, when a person grows up and their birth mother passes away first, and then a stepmother arrives, can they truly disregard their filial duties simply because they didn't have a nurturing relationship with the stepmother?
In the past, a man named Wang Bi from Changsha came to the capital to handle affairs at the end of the Han Dynasty. Later, relations between the Wu Kingdom and the Wei Kingdom were cut off. Wang Bi remarried in his own country and had a son named Wang Chang. After Wang Bi's death, Wang Chang became the Prime Minister of Dongping. He was deeply saddened to hear that his stepmother in the Wu Kingdom had passed away and was unable to handle official duties. At that time, people did not think he did anything wrong at all. Therefore, it can be said that there is no difference in emotional attachment between a stepmother and a biological mother. If filial piety etiquette is determined by upbringing, how does one explain Wang Chang's case? Also, during the Jin Dynasty, General Zhen Nan Yang Hu had no sons, so he adopted his disciple Yi as his son. When Yang Hu died, Yi did not observe the mourning period properly. Yang Hu's wife reported this to the court, and Yi said, "My uncle raised me during his lifetime, and I dare not go against his wishes. However, since there was no order from my father, I will return to my biological parents." The Minister of Personnel, Peng Quan, said, "Children who are adopted must have their father's orders. Without orders, leaving is an act of rebellion." Therefore, the court issued an order agreeing with this decision. It can be said that the customs of filial piety shouldn't be swayed by feelings of gratitude. An old man said, "Etiquette is established based on human relationships, relying on morals for education." He used this principle to clarify the opposing viewpoint. The term "love" refers to the kind of affection a mother has for her children; "righteousness" refers to the filial piety children should have towards their parents. Once the roles and principles are established, one can show respect to their father, follow their roles, uphold etiquette, and show filial piety. If it is said that only the nurturing grace of a mother can establish the mother-son relationship, then the grace comes from the mother, while the filial piety comes from the children, so even if a mother is nurturing, she must still heed the father's wishes!
He said again: "Stepmothers and birth mothers are inherently different, but as long as she raised me, it is as if she were my own flesh and blood." If this is the case, the son will not listen to the father's words. Even if the stepmother has the kindness of raising, can she truly be compared to the birth mother? Although the time spent showing filial piety to a stepmother may not match that of a birth mother, it is still longer than that typically shown to others. There are rules for etiquette, and filial piety should also be based on human relations. The stepmother is originally the nominal mother; how can it be changed because of the depth of her kindness? As for the son of the brother, although he is also a nephew, the closeness of blood relations does matter, but the mourning customs are the same. The other party claims that 'yi' is light and 'ru' is heavy, thinking that the two are different. The meaning of 'ru' is that of equivalence; if the weight is not the same, how can the word 'ru' be used? In law, 'zhun wang fa' refers to sentencing based on the severity of the crime, and 'yi wang fa lun' refers to treating it the same as the actual crime. The law uses punishment to address crimes, and etiquette uses education to regulate behavior. 'Zhun' means comparison, 'yi' means the same. The uses of 'ru' and 'yi' are fundamentally similar; the purpose of the articles in etiquette and law is the same. Understanding one principle helps clarify the other, just like using the metaphor of cutting down trees. Is there really anything difficult to grasp?
Someone remarked: "To establish your son as the heir is to allow him to inherit the family legacy and serve you, preventing the eldest son from returning to his original family to serve the father's widow as a son." However, the term 'father's widow' exists solely because of the father. If the father has passed away, does she still need to be referred to that way? How can she be simply referred to as the father's widow? Some also say: "Etiquette states 'former ruler'; can he still be considered a ruler? He has already left that position and is no longer merely a minister, so the term 'former' is employed to distinguish. There is also respect, not purely filial piety, so the term 'its' is used. The title 'its father' carries a different connotation." But this is not a universally accepted view. Why is this said? Because 'former' and 'its' have distinct meanings and usages. How can these terms be conflated? As stated in the Book of Rites: "When its father gathers firewood, its son cannot bear the burden." The Zuo Commentary also says: "Although Wei is small, its ruler is there." If 'its father' carries a special meaning, does 'its ruler' also hold a unique significance? Of course not, of course not! You are now violating the rites and offending the emperor, rendering the legitimate son disrespectful to his biological mother, damaging familial status and corrupting societal customs. You are concealing the truth in broad daylight, employing fallacious arguments, distorting the classics, all in an attempt to showcase your talent, yet you unknowingly speak words that are harmful and unreasonable.
After submitting the memorial, Ziyi's advice was ultimately accepted. During the Renshou period, he was appointed as the magistrate of Xinfeng County and achieved notable success. During the Daye era, he was promoted to Dali Zheng, and he had a strong reputation at that time. Later, he rose to the role of Imperial Secretary, and whenever there was a dispute in the court, Ziyi was known for his insightful analyses that often exceeded expectations. He once followed the emperor to Jiangdu. At that time, the world was in chaos, but the emperor was still not aware of it. Ziyi took the opportunity to advise the emperor directly, which angered the emperor, resulting in his appointment as the governor of Danyang. Shortly afterwards, he was sent to oversee the transport of grain and supplies in Shangjiang and was captured by the bandit Wu Qizi. Ziyi appealed to both reason and emotion, ultimately winning over Wu Qizi and his men. He was then sent to pacify the bandits in Qingjiang. Just as Emperor Yang was assassinated, the bandits informed him of the event. Ziyi did not believe it and killed the informant. The bandits then wanted him to be their leader, but Ziyi refused. A group of bandits took Ziyi to the outskirts of Lincang and asked him to announce to the people in the city that "the emperor is dead." Ziyi contradicted them and was subsequently executed. He was seventy years old at the time.
Yao Junsu, from Tangyin, Weijun. When Emperor Yang of Sui was the Prince of Jin, Junsu served alongside him. After Emperor Yang ascended the throne, Junsu rose through the ranks to become a Langjiang General. In the late Sui Dynasty, bandits were rampant and the people fled, but the troops under Junsu's command remained unscathed. Later, he followed General Qu Tutong to combat the rebel forces in Hedong. Shortly after, Qu Tutong led his troops to flee south, but recognizing his courage and insight, he left Junsu to guard Hedong. The rebel army led by Lv Shaozong and Wei Yijie attacked Hedong but failed to capture it. When Qu Tutong was defeated and came to the city to demand Junsu's capitulation.
Jun Su saw Qu Tutong and cried uncontrollably, overwhelmed with grief. The people around him also choked up. Qu Tutong cried too and said to Jun Su, "My army has already failed. Wherever the rebel army appears, they receive widespread support. Given the current situation, you should surrender early to gain wealth and prosperity." Jun Su replied, "You are the emperor's trusted aide, a key minister of the state. The emperor has entrusted Guanzhong to you, and the Prince has entrusted the state to you. The fate of the country rests on your shoulders. Why are you not considering serving the country and instead ending up like this? Even if you cannot repay the emperor, the horse you are riding now was a reward from the Prince. How can you still have the gall to ride it?" Qu Tutong said, "Alas, Jun Su, I find myself in this position due to my limitations." Jun Su said, "Your strength has not yet reached its limit. Why say more?" Qu Tutong left in shame.
At that time, the city was under siege, and supplies were cut off. Jun Su made a wooden goose, tied the memorial around its neck, detailed the current situation, and then placed the wooden goose in the Yellow River to float downstream. The commander of Heyang received the memorial and quickly sent it to the eastern capital. Upon seeing the memorial, Prince Yang Dong sighed and appointed Jun Su as the Grand Minister of Golden Purple Light, secretly sending people to comfort him. The gatekeeper Pang Yu and the military guard Huangfu Wuyi from the eastern capital both joined the rebel army and came to the city to persuade Jun Su to surrender, explaining the pros and cons. The Tang Dynasty even sent a pardon, promising to grant him clemency. However, Jun Su had no intention of surrendering. His wife also came to the city to persuade him, saying, "The Sui Dynasty has already perished, the mandate of heaven has shifted to others. Why do you insist on enduring this suffering and seeking your own death?" Jun Su said, "The affairs of the world are not something a woman can understand." He then drew his bow and shot his wife.
Jun Su knew that things were bound to fail, but he insisted on upholding his principles and meeting his end with honor. Whenever he talked about national affairs, he would weep uncontrollably. He once said to his soldiers, "I was a former servant of the palace, repeatedly promoted and trusted by the emperor. Now that the time has come for righteousness, I must meet my end. We still have a few years of food reserves, but once the food runs out, we will know the fate of the realm. If the Sui Dynasty truly falls, and destiny belongs to others, I will offer my head to you all!" At that time, the people had long endured the Sui Dynasty's rule, and when the rebel army rose, everyone saw hope. However, Jun Su was skilled in leading the army, and the soldiers did not betray him. Over a year later, some people outside the city secretly sent food, and the people inside the city vaguely knew that Jiangdu (the Sui Dynasty capital) had already fallen. But food was still very scarce, people could not survive, and even cannibalism occurred, leading to widespread panic. A white arc appeared above the city gate, and the tips of weapons glimmered in the night. A month later, Jun Su was killed by his own subordinates.
Chen Xiaoyi, a native of Hedong, showed ambition from a young age. In his early twenties, he earned a reputation for his integrity and honesty. During the reign of the Sui Dynasty, he became a minor official in Lu County, known for his honesty and fairness. The county magistrate, Su Wei, once wanted to kill a prisoner, but Chen Xiaoyi strongly advised against it, even offering to sacrifice himself. After a long time, Su Wei changed his mind, apologized to Chen Xiaoyi, and let him go, eventually growing to respect him more. Su Wei later became a central official and recommended Chen Xiaoyi to become an imperial censor. After his father passed away, Chen Xiaoyi resigned from his position to observe mourning at home. He observed mourning with utmost seriousness, and even a white deer ran near his home, which was regarded by people at the time as a sign of his filial piety. After completing his mourning period, he was appointed magistrate of Yanmen County.
In Yanmen County, he lived a simple life and maintained a vegetarian diet, visiting his father's grave every morning and evening to honor him. Each time he cried during the rituals, he fainted from grief and grew extremely thin. Those who witnessed his sorrow felt deep compassion for him. Despite this, Chen Xiaoyi maintained high standards for himself, exposing corruption, fighting crime, and handling matters swiftly. It was as if he had divine assistance, and the people greatly admired him. When Emperor Yang of Sui visited Jiangdu for leisure, Liu Wuzhou from Mayi killed the governor Wang Rengong and rebelled. Chen Xiaoyi led his army and the military officer Wang Zhibian to suppress Liu Wuzhou. They fought at Xiaguan City and were defeated. Liu Wuzhou then attacked the nearby counties, causing the people to panic and almost rebel. The former county magistrate Yang Changren and the Yanmen County magistrate Wang Que were treacherous and duplicitous, with many rascals joining them. They were plotting to support Liu Wuzhou. Chen Xiaoyi secretly learned of their conspiracy and exterminated their entire clans, instilling fear in the county's people, ensuring their loyalty. Not long after, Liu Wuzhou led his troops to attack Yanmen County. Chen Xiaoyi resolutely resisted and achieved victory every time. However, Yanmen City was isolated, with no reinforcements in sight. Chen Xiaoyi made up his mind to defend the city to the death. He sent messengers to Jiangdu for help, but the roads were blocked, and he received no response. Chen Xiaoyi knew that the court would not send troops to rescue them. Every morning and evening, he wept before the emperor's edict, moving those around him with his sorrowful appearance. After enduring a siege for more than a hundred days, their food supply was exhausted, and ultimately, he was slain by Colonel Zhang Lun, resulting in the fall of Yanmen County to Liu Wuzhou.
Zhang Jixun, a native of Jingzhao, was the son of Zhang Xiang. He was highly regarded by Emperor Gaozu when he was young and later promoted to be a military advisor to the Prime Minister. During the reign of Emperor Wen of the Sui Dynasty, Zhang Xiang was promoted to be the Sima of Bingzhou. During the reign of Emperor Yang of the Sui Dynasty, Prince Han Yang Liang rebelled and sent General Liu Jian to attack the Yan and Zhao regions. When Liu Jian arrived at Jingxing, Zhang Xiang led the troops to resist. Liu Jian launched a fierce assault, even setting fire to the city walls. Seeing the terrified people, he noticed a temple dedicated to the Queen Mother of the West at the edge of the city. Zhang Xiang climbed the city wall, bowed twice towards the temple, and cried out, "What sins have the common people committed to deserve such suffering! If the immortals truly have spirits, please bring down rain to save us!" Just as he finished speaking, dark clouds gathered over the temple, and shortly after, a heavy rain fell, extinguishing the fire. The soldiers were deeply moved by his sincerity and obeyed his commands. The city was besieged for over a month until reinforcements led by Li Xiong finally arrived, forcing the rebels to retreat. Zhang Xiang was honored for his achievements and appointed as Kaifu, and later served as the Inspector of Ruzhou, the Prefect of Lingwu, and finally as the Director of Waterways in the capital, where he passed away in office.
When Zhang Jixun was young, he harbored great ambitions and had a strong sense of integrity. During the reign of Emperor Yang of Sui in the Daye era, he became the Eagle-Striking General, taking Jishan as a stronghold and coordinating with Luokou. Later, Li Mi and Zhai Rang breached the city and sent someone to ask him to surrender. Zhang Jixun cursed Li Mi loudly. This infuriated Li Mi, who then sent troops to attack, but they were unable to capture him for several years. At that time, Li Mi had hundreds of thousands of troops surrounding his city, and Zhang Jixun was surrounded on all sides with only a few hundred men under his command. Despite this, he remained steadfast and refused to yield. After three years, the military supplies ran out, and they couldn't even find firewood and had to dismantle houses for fuel. The soldiers lived in dugouts, and Zhang Jixun often checked on them and offered comfort, and not a single person betrayed him. When the food was entirely gone and the soldiers were worn out and ill, they could no longer fight, and the city was eventually breached. Zhang Jixun sat calmly in his official residence while Li Mi's soldiers took him prisoner. The rebels demanded that Zhang Jixun kneel before Li Mi, but he refused, saying, "Although I am a defeated general, I am still a loyal subject of the emperor. How can I kneel to you bandits!" Li Mi was impressed by his spirit and released him. However, Zhai Rang came to extort money, and when he didn't receive it, he had Zhang Jixun killed. At that time, he was only twenty-eight years old. His younger brother, Zhang Zhongyan, became the magistrate of Luo during the late years of Emperor Yang's reign. When the rebel army rose, his subordinates killed him and surrendered. Another younger brother, Zhang Cong, who was a commander of a thousand troops, was killed during the uprising led by Yuwen Huaji. The Zhang family had always been known for their loyalty and integrity, with all the brothers perishing in the service of their country, earning them the admiration of the people.
It is said that Song Yun, a hot-headed man who valued honor from Beihai, served as the captain of the Shimen garrison. As the Daye era of Emperor Yang of Sui was coming to an end, a bandit named Yang Hou rallied a group to rebel and besiege Beihai County. Song Yun rode out to scout the enemy and was captured by Yang Hou. Yang Hou aimed to use Song Yun to convince the people of Beihai City to surrender, so he let him go inside to tell them that the county army had been defeated and they should surrender quickly. Song Yun pretended to agree.
Upon reaching the city gates, Song Yun suddenly shouted, "I am Song Yun, sent to scout the enemy; I was captured, not because I couldn't defeat them! Now the main force of the official army has arrived, the bandits are few and weak, they will be quickly eliminated, there is no need to worry!" Furious, Yang Hou slashed Song Yun across the mouth, dragged him off, beating him along the way. As he was being beaten, Song Yun shouted curses at Yang Hou, "You old bandit, dare to humiliate loyal and righteous people; you're digging your own grave!" Before he could finish, Yang Hou struck him down. The people in the city witnessed this, and they all wept and beat their chests in despair. Their morale soared, and Beihai City was ultimately saved.
Emperor Yang dispatched Guo Zijian, a court official, to deal with Yang Hou, who ultimately defeated him. Emperor Yang was deeply saddened by Song Yun's sacrifice for the country and specifically informed the court. The court issued a decree to honor Song Yun, posthumously appointing him as a court official and granting him the title of county protector.
The historical records comment that in ancient times, people believed that the world was the most important, making individuals appear insignificant. While living is of course important, when compared to righteousness, life feels trivial. Therefore, some deaths carry more weight than Mount Tai because they are for justice; some lives are as light as a feather because they are lived in a cowardly manner. However, death is irreversible, and we only live once, so it is extremely difficult to uphold one's principles in any situation. The rebellions led by Yang Liang, Xuan Gan, and Li Mi have taken form, with a fierce momentum. Huangfu Dan, You Yuan, and Feng Ciming remain fearless in critical moments, facing death without hesitation, bravely sacrificing themselves for the sake of righteousness. Dugu Sheng, Yuan Wendou, Lu Chu, and Yao Junsu, surely they know that fate is sealed and cannot be changed? They willingly accept their fate of death to preserve their loyalty and integrity. Although their efforts did not save the nation and their strength could not rescue the crisis, compared to those who live in a cowardly manner, their spirit shines brightly, even in the afterlife. Xuduo and Shanhui carry on the legacy of Wen Xu, and Ziyi and Songyun inherit the heroism of Jieyang. When the country is in chaos, there are still loyal subjects; this saying holds true!
