Yu Julo was from Fengyi (now Dali, Shaanxi). He was tall, standing a full eight feet tall (about 1.8 meters), significantly stronger than most men, with a booming voice that could be heard clearly from hundreds of paces away. When he was young, he served as a personal guard to the emperor and gradually rose through the ranks to eventually become a grand commander. He fought alongside the Prince of Jin to pacify the Chen Dynasty and was granted the title of Kaifu and received fifteen hundred bolts of cloth for his military achievements. Shortly after, when Shen Xuantui and Gao Zhihui led a rebellion in Jiangnan, Yang Su recognized Yu Julo's bravery and requested him to join the expedition. He distinguished himself in every battle and was later promoted to Kaifu, Count of Gaotang, ultimately rising to the governor of Diezhou. After his mother passed away, he resigned from his position to return home and mourn.
On his way home, passing through Fufeng, he unexpectedly encountered Yang Su, who was leading troops to Lingzhou to fight the Turks. Yang Su was thrilled to see Yu Julo and requested him to join the campaign. When facing the enemy, Yu Julo charged forward with a few cavalrymen, shouting loudly with wide eyes, sending the enemy fleeing in all directions. He showed unmatched bravery, charging back and forth, and was promoted to Zhuguo and appointed governor of Fengzhou for his accomplishments in this battle. Previously, the Turks regularly raided the borders, but each time, Yu Julo managed to capture or kill them. From that point on, the Turks were too afraid to approach the borders or even graze their livestock near them.
Initially, when Emperor Yang of Sui was still a prince, Yu Qulo's younger brother, Yu Zan, served as his guard. He was later promoted to Grand Commandant. When Emperor Yang of Sui became emperor, he appointed Yu Zan as General of Chariots and Cavalry. However, Yu Zan was exceptionally cruel and ruthless, showing extreme brutality towards his subordinates. He would roast people, and if he was not satisfied with the result, he would blind them with a skewer; if someone served him wine at the wrong temperature, he would simply cut off their tongue. Emperor Yang of Sui, recalling their past when Yu Zan was in the prince's residence, couldn't bear to kill him. He said to his ministers, "If my own brother has become like this, how can I expect my other brother to be any better?" So he reprimanded Yu Qulo and imprisoned Yu Zan, leaving him to figure out his own fate. When Yu Zan returned home, he drank poison and took his own life.
Emperor Yang of Sui was concerned that Yu Qulo might feel uneasy, fearing that he might cause trouble, so he reassigned him to Anzhou as a governor. Over a year later, he transferred him to Zhaojun as a magistrate. Later, during a conference in the Eastern Capital, Yu Qulo was present. He knew General Liang Boyin well, and they often exchanged visits. Yu Qulo brought many gifts from the county to offer to the emperor, but the emperor confiscated them, so he distributed them among influential ministers. The censor charged Yu Qulo and local officials with colluding with courtiers, angering the emperor, who dismissed Yu Qulo and Liang Boyin from their positions.
Shortly after, the barbarians in the Yueyi region revolted, creating chaos. The court dispatched Qulo to lead troops dressed in civilian clothes, along with the Commandant of Shu County, Duan Zhongkui, to quell the uprising.
In the ninth year of the Dàyuè period, the court once again sent troops to attack Goryeo, and Jùluó was appointed as the general of Jièshí Dao. After returning, Liu Yuanjin in Jiangnan rebelled again, and the court sent Jùluó to lead troops to capture him in the Kuaiji area. At that time, the common people were looking forward to chaos, following the rebels like it was a market day. Jùluó defeated the rebel leaders Zhu Xie, Guan Chong, and others, winning every battle. However, the bandits only grew stronger, regrouping after every defeat.
Jùluó felt that this war would not be resolved in a few years. His sons were all in the capital city of Luoyang, and seeing the increasing chaos in the world, he worried he might not be able to return home again. At that time, the Eastern Capital was suffering from famine, and food prices were skyrocketing. Jùluó sent his household servants to haul food from his home to the Eastern Capital to sell, also engaging in some business, secretly bringing his sons there. The court vaguely sensed that something was amiss and feared that Jùluó might have ulterior motives, so they sent people to investigate. The envoys arrived and conducted a thorough investigation but found no evidence against him.
The emperor then sent the Chief Justice Liáng Jìngzhēn to escort Jùluó to the Eastern Capital. Jùluó had a somewhat unusual appearance, with eyes rumored to be heterochromatic, which made the emperor feel uneasy about him. Liáng Jìngzhēn buttered up the emperor, claiming that Jùluó's army had been defeated, and then had Jùluó killed in the Eastern Capital, seized his estate, and confiscated his wealth.
Chén Léng, style name Chángwēi, was from Xiāng'ān County in Lùjiāng Commandery. His grandfather Chén Shuò made a living by fishing, and his father Chén Xiàn was brave and skilled in battle when he was young, serving as an aide to Zhāng Dàbǎo. Later, when Zhāng Dàbǎo rebelled, Chén Xiàn was appointed as the Inspector of Qiáozhōu. After the Chén Dynasty fell, Chén Xiàn returned home and lived a quiet life.
Later, Gāo Zhìhuì, Wāng Wénjìn, and others rebelled in Jiangnan, and the heroes of Lùjiāng rallied to his side because Chén Xiàn had been their leader before. They all chose him as their leader. Chén Xiàn wanted to refuse, but Chén Léng urged him, saying, "Everyone has already rebelled. If we refuse them, the trouble will come back to haunt us. It’s better to play along for now and come up with another plan later." Chén Xiàn followed his advice.
At that time, General Li Che's army arrived in Dangtu, and Chen Xian secretly sent Chen Leng to meet Li Che, requesting to act as a mole. Li Che reported this to the court, and the court appointed Chen Leng as the Grand General, Governor of Xuanzhou, and granted him the title of Duke of Qiao County with a fief of one thousand households, also ordering Li Che to receive him well. However, before Li Che's army arrived, the plan was leaked, Chen Xian was killed by his accomplices, and Chen Leng luckily escaped.
The Emperor remembered the merits of Chen Leng's father and appointed him as a Chamberlain, shortly after letting him command the local militia. After Sui Yangdi ascended the throne, he appointed Chen Leng as the General of the Flying Cavalry. In the third year of Daye, he was promoted to the rank of Martial General. Three years later, Chen Leng and the court official Zhang Zhenzhou led more than ten thousand Dongyang soldiers, departed from Yian County, sailed to sea, and arrived to attack Liuqiu country a month later.
At first, the people of Liuqiu mistook the ships for merchant vessels and came to the camp to trade. Chen Leng led the soldiers ashore and sent Zhang Zhenzhou as the vanguard. The King of Liuqiu, Huansi Keladou, sent troops to resist, but Zhang Zhenzhou defeated them multiple times. Chen Leng fought until reaching Dimu Tan Cave, where the young king of Liuqiu, Huansi Laomu, led the defense. Chen Leng defeated him and killed Laomu. On a foggy and rainy day, the soldiers were all very scared, so Chen Leng offered a white horse as a sacrifice to the sea god.
After the weather cleared, Chen Leng divided the army into five routes and marched directly toward the capital of Liuqiu. Keladou led several thousand people to resist, but Chen Leng sent Zhang Zhenzhou as the vanguard to drive them away. Chen Leng pursued them to their camp, where Keladou's forces assembled behind the camp. Chen Leng concentrated his forces and attacked fiercely, fighting from dawn until dusk. When Keladou saw that his troops were exhausted, he retreated into the camp. Chen Leng then filled in the moat, broke through the camp, killed Keladou, captured his son, Daotui, and also captured thousands of men and women before triumphantly returning.
Emperor Yang of Sui was very happy, promoting Chen Leng to Right Minister of Rites, keeping the position of General of the Imperial Guards unchanged, and also promoting Zhang Zhenzhou to Jinzi Guanglu Daifu. During the Battle of Liaodong, Chen Leng was promoted to Left Minister of Rites for serving as a guard.
The following year, Emperor Yang of Sui once again campaigned in Liaodong, with Chen Leng serving as the military governor of Donglai. When Yang Xuangan rebelled, Chen Leng led over ten thousand soldiers to quell the rebellion in Liyang, and executed Yuan Wuben, the governor appointed by Yang Xuangan. Shortly after, he was ordered to construct warships in Jiangnan.
Arriving in Pengcheng, the rebel leader Meng Rang commanded an army of a hundred thousand, occupying the Duliang Palace and holding it with the Huai River as a defensive line. Chen Leng crossed the Huai River downstream and reached Jiangdu, leading troops to attack Meng Rang and defeating him. For his military achievements, Chen Leng was promoted to Guanglu Daifu and titled as Marquis Xin'an.
Later, Emperor Yang of Sui arrived at Jiangdu Palace, shortly after Li Zitong occupied Hailing, Zuo Caixiang plundered Huainorth, and Du Fuwei stationed troops in Liuhe, each with tens of thousands of troops. Emperor Yang of Sui sent Chen Leng to lead the guards to suppress them, achieving victory after victory. Chen Leng was promoted to Right Imperial Guard General. He then crossed the Qing River to attack the rebel forces in Xuancheng.
Shortly after, Emperor Yang of Sui was killed, and Yuwen Huaji led his troops north, summoning Chen Leng to take charge of the defense of Jiangdu. Chen Leng gathered the people, dressed in mourning clothes, held a funeral for Emperor Yang, performing the necessary rites, and reburied Emperor Yang at Wugongtai. He walked with a cane during the funeral, his grieving appearance moved those who passed by, and people praised his loyalty and righteousness. Later, Chen Leng was defeated by Li Zitong and fled to Du Fuwei, who grew jealous and soon had him killed.
Wang Bian, styled Jinglue, was from Pucheng in Fengyi. His ancestors made a fortune in business. During the Northern Wei Dynasty, he donated grain to support the army and was appointed as the Acting Prefect of Jiaqinghe. Wang Bian studied military strategy at a young age, excelling in equestrian archery, known for his generosity and great ambition.
During the Northern Zhou Dynasty, he was appointed as a general due to his military achievements. In the Kaihuang period of the Sui Dynasty, he was promoted to Grand General; during the Renshou period, he was further promoted to the rank of Eagle-Soaring General. When Prince Liang of Han rebelled, he followed Yang Su in suppressing the rebellion and was granted the title of Marquess of Wuning County, with a fief of three hundred households. Three years later, he was promoted to the position of Shangshe Palace Attendant.
Later, he accompanied the army in subduing the Tuyuhun and was appointed as a court official. Several years later, he was promoted to the rank of Langjiang. During the campaign in Liaodong, he was granted the title of Tongyi Dafu for his military achievements, and shortly after, he was promoted to the rank of Langjiang.
When bandits were rampant in Shandong, a man named Wei Dao'er from Shanggu proclaimed himself as "Fei of Lishan," commanding over ten thousand men and plundering the Yan and Zhao regions. The Emperor summoned Wang Bian to inquire about strategies to pacify the rebellion. Wang Bian analyzed the situation of the bandits, and the Emperor approved, saying, "If we follow your plan, what do the bandits have to worry about?" Therefore, the Emperor commanded him to lead three thousand soldiers to subdue the bandits, achieving a decisive victory, for which the Emperor generously bestowed rewards upon him, including two hundred taels of gold.
The following year, the pirate leader Gao Shida from Bohai proclaimed himself as "Duke of Donghai," commanding tens of thousands of men. The Emperor once again commanded Wang Bian to lead a campaign, and Wang Bian defeated Gao Shida's army multiple times. When the Emperor learned of this while at Jiangdu Palace, he immediately summoned Wang Bian back. Upon meeting Wang Bian, the Emperor rewarded him generously and sent him to govern Xindu. Gao Shida fought against Wang Bian again and was defeated, leading the Emperor to issue an edict praising Wang Bian's achievements.
At that time, bandit chieftains such as Hao Xiaode, Sun Xuanya, Shi Jikang, Dou Jiande, and Wei Dao'er each occupied territories with forces ranging from tens of thousands to a few thousand, plundering the Hebei region. Wang Bian led his troops against them, achieving victory in every battle and instilling fear in the bandits. Later, Zhai Rang rebelled in areas around Xuzhou and Yuzhou, and Wang Bian went on campaigns, defeating Zhai Rang's army multiple times.
Zhai Rang later took control of the Luokou Warehouse with Li Mi, while Wang Bian and Wang Shichong joined forces to attack Li Mi. The two sides faced off along the Luo River for over a year. Wang Bian led his soldiers to defeat Li Mi's army, pursued them in their retreat, and broke through the outer fence of Li Mi's camp. Li Mi's army began to collapse, and Wang Bian led his troops to attack the city, but Wang Shichong, unaware of the situation and worried about the tired soldiers, ordered the retreat, allowing Li Mi's army to counterattack. The official army suffered a devastating defeat. Wang Bian ran to the edge of the Luo River; the bridge was destroyed, making it impossible for him to cross, so he had to wade through the water. When he reached the center of the river, the panicked soldiers pulled him off his horse. Wang Bian was wearing heavy armor at the time, and as defeated soldiers crowded around him, he was unable to mount his horse again, ultimately drowning at the age of fifty-six. His death was deeply mourned by his soldiers.
Husi Wanshan, a native of Hunan, was known for his bravery and decisiveness, comparable to Wang Bian in fame. During the Daye period, he followed Wei Xuan to attack Yang Xuangan and achieved significant victories in numerous battles. When Yang Xuangan fled in defeat, Husi Wanshan and a few others caught up to him, cornering him until he had no choice but to commit suicide. This incident catapulted Husi Wanshan to fame, and he was promoted to the rank of military officer.
Later, when the Turks besieged Yanmen Pass, Husi Wanshan led the charge and routed the Turkish forces. Every time the enemy approached, he was the first to rush forward to meet them, sometimes dismounting and sitting on the ground to shoot his strong bow, hitting every target. As a result, the Turks dared not approach the city walls, and after more than ten days, they withdrew their troops, thanks to Husi Wanshan's efforts. He later pacified bandits multiple times, earning numerous military honors, and eventually attained the rank of general.
Back then, there were several generals, including Lu Yuan, Fan Gui, and Feng Xiaoci, who were military leaders known for frequently leading troops into battle. However, most of their exploits have been lost to history, so they are not well documented in historical texts. Historical records state that during the Chu-Han conflict, Marquis Zhang Bo and Guan Ying were able to pursue their ambitions; during the struggle for dominance between Cao Cao and Liu Bei, Guan Yu and Zhang Fei were able to rise to fame. Thus, it is said that to gain fame, one must seize opportunities during chaotic times, while achieving great things often requires taking advantage of a nation's turmoil. The notion of climbing the social ladder by ingratiating oneself with the powerful has always been around. Figures like Yuan Tong, Hu Er, Ding He, and Tie Zhang were valiant warriors of their time, yet they found themselves trapped in poverty and lowly status. In their youth, they faced frustration and were unable to realize their ambitions. Who would have guessed that they harbored such grand aspirations? Ultimately, whether they could break free from hardship, rise to prominence, fulfill their ideals, and achieve their life’s desires depended on the opportunities they encountered!
Though Ju Luo was wronged, it was not his fault; Wang Bian sacrificed himself for his country, bravely facing powerful enemies; his loyalty and dedication were truly admirable. Chen Leng donned mourning attire for his funeral, moving passersby to tears with his loyalty, truly earning their respect! Meng Cai, Qian Jie, and Shen Guang were individuals who repaid kindness, never forgetting their friends in times of peril. Though they may not have achieved great things, their spirit is certainly worthy of praise!
