Yuwen Xin, courtesy name Zhongle, was born in Shuofang but later moved to Jingzhao. His grandfather was Yuwen Modouyu, the Duke of Anping in the Wei Dynasty; his father was Yuwen Gui, the Grand Marshal of the Zhou Dynasty and Duke of Xuguo. Yuwen Xin was intelligent and quick-witted from a young age. When playing games with his friends as a child, he always acted as the commander, strategically organizing his friends like troops. At the age of twelve, he was already skilled in archery and horseback riding, fast and accurate, like an arrow in flight. He often said to those close to him, "The famous generals in history, such as Han Xin, Bai Qi, Wei Qing, and Huo Qubing, are only worthy of praise. I have carefully studied their deeds and find them not perfect enough. If they were contemporaries of mine, I would never let those youngsters hog all the glory!" He had great ambitions from a young age.
At the age of eighteen, he followed the Prince of Qi of the Zhou Dynasty, Yuwen Xian, in the campaign against the Turks and made great achievements. He was appointed as Yitong Sanqi and granted the title of Duke of Xinggu County. When Wei Xiaokuan was stationed at Yubi, he noticed Yuwen Xin's bravery and skills in battle and requested him to join the expedition. Yuwen Xin won numerous battles and was promoted to Kaifu, General of Light Cavalry, and the Duke of Huazheng County with a fief of two thousand households.
Later, he followed Emperor Wu of the Zhou Dynasty in the campaign against Northern Qi and attacked Jinzhou. The last emperor of Northern Qi himself personally led a powerful army, making Emperor Wu a bit apprehensive and contemplate retreat. Yuwen Xin advised, "Your Majesty, you are brave and skilled in battle. The enemy is overconfident and underestimating our strength. There is nowhere they cannot be defeated! If Northern Qi gets a capable emperor and unites the officials and soldiers, even with the might of Emperor Shang Tang or King Wu of Zhou, they may not easily defeat them. Currently, the Emperor of Northern Qi is incompetent, the ministers are foolish, and the soldiers lack morale. Even with a million troops, they are essentially sending themselves to Your Majesty!" Emperor Wu accepted his advice, and the campaign culminated in a resounding victory.
When Emperor Wu attacked Bingzhou, he initially won but later faced defeat. With no escape and all his companions dead, Emperor Wu had to flee alone. Many generals advised him to retreat. Yuwen Xin became very angry and loudly said, "Ever since Your Majesty captured Jinzhou, defeated Gao Wei, and pursued victory, we have fought all the way here. The pretender Emperor of Qi has been fleeing in all directions, causing a major stir in the Guandong region. There’s never been such momentum in warfare throughout history! Yesterday, the soldiers were a bit careless during the siege, leading to a slight setback. What is there to worry about? A true warrior seeks to survive in desperate times and find victory in defeat. We're like splitting bamboo, unstoppable, and gaining the advantage. How can we give up halfway?" Emperor Wu followed his advice, fought again the next day, and finally captured Jinyang. After the fall of Northern Qi, Yuwen Xin was promoted to Grand General and rewarded with a significant reward. Shortly after, he and Wu Wan together defeated the Chen dynasty general Wu Mingche in Lüliang, and Yuwen Xin was promoted to Pillar of the State, rewarded with two hundred slaves, and appointed as the Governor of Yuzhou.
When the Emperor was still an unknown figure, he shared a close and harmonious relationship with Yang Su. Later, when the Emperor became Prime Minister, he extended even greater favor to Yang Su.
Later, Wei Jiao rebelled, and the Emperor appointed Yang Su as the Commander of the Expeditionary Forces to accompany Wei Xiaokuan in battle. At that time, the army was stationed in Heyang, and no other generals dared to attack first. The Emperor even dispatched Gao Feng to oversee the army, discussing battle plans privately with Yang Su alone. When Wei Jiao sent his son Wei Dun to station troops in Wuzhi, Yang Su led the vanguard and swiftly routed them.
The army advanced to Xiangzhou, and Wei Jiong sent three thousand elite soldiers to ambush at Yemagang, planning to attack the imperial army. Yang Su only took five hundred cavalry and charged up, decimating most of the ambushed troops. Upon reaching the Grass Bridge, Wei Jiong established a defensive formation in the city and engaged in a fierce battle with the imperial forces. The imperial forces initially found themselves at a disadvantage. At that time, tens of thousands of onlookers, including men, women, and children, gathered to witness the spectacle in Ye City. Yang Su discussed with Gao Feng and Li Xun, saying, "The situation is critical, we need to employ some strategies." So they fiercely attacked the crowd watching the excitement, causing panic and a chaotic stampede, resulting in a deafening uproar. Yang Su shouted, "The enemy is defeated!" The soldiers' morale surged, and they all attacked fiercely, completely defeating Wei Jiong's army.
After capturing Ye City, in recognition of Yang Su's contributions, he was appointed as the Grand Minister, awarded two hundred servants and tens of thousands of cattle, horses, and sheep. Emperor Gaozu personally told Yang Su, "Wei Jiong mobilized the entire army of Shandong and used a million troops, but you were able to strategize and win from a thousand miles away. In each battle, there was no complete formation. You are truly a hero of our time!" He then appointed Yang Su as the Duke of England and added three thousand households to his fiefdom. Since then, Yang Su regularly participated in the emperor's military councils, entered and exited the palace, and when Emperor Gaozu abdicated, Yang Su played a crucial role. Later, Yang Su was promoted to the Grand General of the Right, and the emperor's favor towards him grew heavier.
At that time, whenever something positive occurred in the army, even if it wasn't his doing, his subordinates would remark, "This must be a strategy devised by the Duke of England!" Everyone held him in high regard! Later, he was also appointed as the Duke of Qiguo.
The emperor once wanted to send Xin to fight against the Turks, but Gao Jiang told the emperor, "Xin is very ambitious; we cannot entrust him with a large army." The emperor then abandoned this idea. Xin was a key figure in helping the emperor achieve his successes and had served as a general multiple times, gaining great fame. The emperor was somewhat wary of him, so he found an excuse to demote him.
Xin had a close relationship with Liang Shiyan, and they often interacted. Liang Shiyan was dissatisfied with the court at the time and secretly planned a rebellion. Xin said to Liang Shiyan, "No emperor remains unchanged forever. Mutual support is the right path. If you raise troops in Puzhou, I will definitely lead troops to support you. When our two armies confront each other, we can coordinate our efforts from within and without to seize control of the realm!" Their plan was leaked, and both of them were killed. At that time, Xin was sixty-four years old, and all his possessions were seized.
Xin's brother, Xin Shan, was generous and skilled in martial arts. He held high positions in the Northern Zhou, reaching the rank of Grand Preceptor and Duke of Xu. After the founding emperor ascended the throne, he treated Xin Shan very well and even granted his son, Xin Ying, the title of Senior Yitong official. After Xin's execution, his family faced persecution. Not long after, Xin Shan passed away as well. Xin Ying later became the Deputy Minister of Agriculture during the Daye period. When Li Mi launched an attack on the Eastern Capital, Xin Ying defected and sided with him. Xin also had another brother named Xin Kai, whose deeds are recorded separately.
Wang Yi, courtesy name Yijun, was from Luoyang, Henan. His father, Wang Xian, once held the position of governor of Fengzhou during the Zhou Dynasty. Wang Yi had a bold and ambitious personality from a young age, skilled in archery and well-read. During the reign of Emperor Min of the Zhou Dynasty, Wang Yi was appointed as a senior court official. At that time, the powerful Grand Chancellor Yuwen Hu wielded significant influence and authority, even surpassing the imperial family, with the emperor turning a blind eye to it. One day, a court official disrespected the emperor, which provoked Wang Yi, who nearly confronted him. The court official quickly apologized, and Wang Yi backed down. From then on, no court official dared to misbehave. Over a year later, Wang Yi was promoted to the position of Imperial Secretary. After his father's death, Wang Yi was deeply grieved and personally built a shed next to his father's grave, even took it upon himself to fill the grave with soil, showing great filial piety. After mourning for a year, the court appointed him as the deputy governor of Yongzhou, which he declined, but the court insisted on his appointment. Later, when Emperor Yang Jian ascended the throne as Emperor Wen of the Sui Dynasty, he bestowed upon Wang Yi the title of Yitong Sansi, and he gradually rose through the ranks, eventually becoming the Minister of the Interior and being granted the title of Duke of Yangguo. When Emperor Wen of Sui attacked the Qi Kingdom, Wang Yi accompanied the troops to Bingzhou. However, after the Sui army entered the city, they suffered a defeat at the hands of the Qi army, with many soldiers and generals killed. Wang Yi led his elite troops to rescue the emperor, ensuring his safe escape. At that time, Emperor Wen of Sui wanted to retreat due to the army's defeat, but Wang Yi strongly urged him to stay, and the emperor followed his advice. After the Qi Kingdom was pacified, Wang Yi was appointed governor of Xiangzhou. Shortly after, he was summoned back to court and appointed Minister of the Interior.
The Jihu people of Fenzhou rebelled, and Wang Yi led troops to suppress the rebellion. Although the King of Yue, Yang Sheng, and the King of Qiao, Yang Jian, were in charge, they both followed Wang Yi's command, which indicates Wang Yi's significant standing at the time. After quelling the rebellion, Wang Yi received generous rewards, including five thousand rolls of silk and the title of Duke of Kaiguo for his son. Before his death, Emperor Wen of Sui told his crown prince, "Wang Yi is a loyal minister to the state; he should be involved in sensitive matters and not sent far away."
The crown prince succeeded to the throne as Emperor Xuan of Sui. He felt a bit intimidated by Wang Yi's strong principles, so he sent Wang Yi away to take up the position of governor in Xiangzhou. Later, when Yang Jian became the prime minister, he transferred Wang Yi to serve as a governor in Zhengzhou. When Sima Xiaonan launched his rebellion, Yang Jian appointed Wang Yi as the commander-in-chief to lead four governors to confront him. When the army reached the outskirts, Sima Xiaonan fled. At that time, spanning over two thousand miles east to west, there were many rebellions by various tribes in the Ba-Shu region, who chose the governor of Lanluo Prefecture as their leader. Lanluo Prefecture declared itself the King of Henan, joined Sima Xiaonan, and conspired with Yu Jiong. Wang Yi led the commanders Li Wei, Feng Hui, Li Yuan, and others to suppress the rebellion, and within a month, the rebellion was quelled.
Because Wang Yi was an old courtier, Yang Jian respected him greatly and sent people to visit him continuously. He even married his fifth daughter to Wang Yi's son, Wang Fengxiao, and later appointed Wang Yi as the Grand Minister of Works. Wang Yi, because of his old relationship with Yang Jian, wholeheartedly pledged his loyalty to him.
After the emperor ascended the throne, he treated Yang Su especially well, even personally visiting his home and having a great time with him. The Minister of Ceremonies, Su Wei, proposed that with the increasing population and insufficient farmland, the lands of the meritorious officials should be taken back and redistributed to the common people. Yang Su submitted a petition stating, "All officials have obtained their titles and lands through the merits of their ancestors. It's not really fair to take them back all of a sudden. In my opinion, instead of stressing about not having enough land, we should be more concerned about whether the court officials are working hard enough!" The emperor found Yang Su's reasoning sound and set aside Su Wei's proposal.
In the early years of the Kaihuang reign, the emperor planned to inspect Qizhou. Yang Su advised, "Your Majesty has just ascended the throne, and people's feelings aren't fully settled yet. Why go to such a distant place?" The emperor jokingly said, "I was once in a similar position as you, but now I have suddenly become your subject. Are you a little uncomfortable with that? This time I am going mainly to show off my authority, intimidate those who are not convinced, and also to make you feel more at ease." Yang Su smiled and withdrew. Later, when Yang Su was sent on a mission to the Turks, the emperor was really pleased with his work and elevated him to the Duke of Yingguo.
Not long after, Yang Su's son died. A year later, Yang Su submitted a memorial to the court, saying that the princess was still young and requesting to be exempted from mourning attire. The Imperial Censor Yang Su accused him, saying: "I have heard that mourning has five categories, with different degrees of kinship and different mourning customs; there are four types of funeral systems, with different ranks and different ceremonies. These are principles that all emperors have followed throughout history, so it is said to be an unchanging truth. Therefore, virtuous people will not exceed the regulations, and those who are not virtuous cannot fall short of the regulations. Moreover, the son of Yang Su, who married Princess Lanling, passed away in May last year, and it has not yet been a full year, but Yang Su is asking for an exemption from wearing mourning attire. Privately, although the princess married someone of lower status, she ultimately married someone else, and the princess's father is the emperor, which is still a major event. Not to mention the three-year mourning period, which must be observed by everyone, from the highest rank to the lowest, and mourning must continue until the period is over, without detailed regulations in the rites. However, marital relationships are the beginning of human relationships, and funeral rites are the most important thing in humanity. If they are underestimated, it will be ridiculed by gentlemen. Therefore, using the metaphor of kindling a fire to illustrate the brevity of the mourning period; using singing in the morning and evening to describe forgetting sorrow too early. Although Yang Su is not a strong person, his title is already high; can he get away with not following the rules? He despises customs, corrupts education, and is not fulfilling his duties as a father; he disregards rites, rushes through mourning affairs, and puts his wife in an unjust position. If he is allowed to continue without correction, it may lead to a deterioration of morals and customs, and it is requested that he be dealt with according to the law." The emperor ordered not to investigate, but reduced Yang Su's favor. Yang Su felt deeply resentful.
Someone accused Yang Su of treason, and the emperor ordered an investigation. The officials in charge reported that Yang Su had made disrespectful comments, but there was no evidence of treason. The emperor gave him wine and released him. At that time, the Grand Preceptor Yuan Xie was also somewhat neglected, and Yang Su often associated with him, making very inappropriate remarks. A foreign monk reported them, and the court officials reported that Yang Su had committed a grave offense and deserved death. The emperor summoned Yang Su and said with sadness, "We were classmates before, and I sympathize with you, but what about the laws of the country?" He then issued a proclamation: "Yang Su was involved in moral affairs early on during the Zhou Dynasty, and we studied together at school, so we had a good relationship. But his nature is wicked, with sorcerers frequently visiting his home, spouting nonsense while claiming to be a divine figure. When I first ascended the throne, I admonished him many times, and although he verbally claimed to repent, he never truly did. He promotes the Four Heavenly Ways, saying that Yang Su should be appointed by heaven, with prophecies recorded in books and constellations in the sky. He secretly divines to inquire about disasters in the palace. He claims to be an enlightened ruler, engaging in superstitious and malevolent practices, spouting nonsense everywhere, claiming to have a mandate from heaven and believing wholeheartedly in his destined rule. If pardoned, he may rebel in the future, so to prevent any potential rebellion and eliminate evil, justice must be served." The emperor also had the Minister of Justice Zhao Chuo tell Yang Su, "It is fate; what else can you do?" Thus, Yang Su was executed at home at the age of forty-six. Yuan Xie, hailing from Luoyang in Henan, came from a distinguished and affluent family. He was known for his generosity, righteousness, and remarkable courage. In his youth, he studied at the Imperial Academy alongside the dynasty's founder, and they had a very good relationship as close friends. Later, Yuan Xie rose through the ranks with military achievements and eventually became a general. After the founder assumed the role of prime minister, he invited Yuan Xie to serve by his side. Yuan Xie said to the founder, "You currently lack any power of your own, much like a wall in water, which is quite perilous! You must work hard!"
Later, Wei Jiong rebelled and sent troops to attack some small towns. Gaozu sent Yuan Xie to defeat them. After Gaozu became emperor, he smiled and said to Yuan Xie, "How's that wall in the water coming along?" Then he threw a banquet, and everyone celebrated joyfully. Yuan Xie was promoted to Grand General, granted the title of Marquis of Le'an County, along with a fief of a thousand households, and was ordered to participate in the revision of the laws.
At that time, the Tuyuhun launched an invasion of Liangzhou, prompting the emperor to appoint Yuan Xie as the commander-in-chief, leading generals like Helou Zigang, Guo Jun, Yuan Hao, and others to command tens of thousands of troops to attack them. The emperor specifically instructed Yuan Xie, "You have been entrusted by the court to lead the army on a western expedition. My goal is to stabilize the border, protect the people, not to covet useless land, and harm the people of the border areas. The army of the king should prioritize benevolence and righteousness. If the Tuyuhun army reaches the border, you should reason with them, appeal to their feelings, and educate them. Who would dare to defy us?" At that time, the Tuyuhun general Ding Chengwang Zhong Lifu led three thousand cavalry across the Yellow River and made contact with the Tangut. Yuan Xie led his army from Shanzhou, heading straight for Qinghai to cut off their escape. The Tuyuhun forces attempted to intercept Yuan Xie, leading to a confrontation at Fengli Mountain. The Tuyuhun fielded twenty thousand iron cavalry, and after a fierce battle against Yuan Xie, they were defeated and fled in all directions.
The Tuyuhun army was stationed in Qinghai, and their prince, Kebohan, led fifty thousand elite cavalry to launch a surprise attack on the imperial forces. Yuan Xie took the initiative to engage them, defeated them, and pursued them for over thirty miles, killing and capturing tens of thousands of Tuyuhun soldiers, terrifying the Tuyuhun forces. Yuan Xie subsequently wrote to inform them of their predicament, and seventeen Tuyuhun tribal leaders and thirteen nobles led their own people to surrender. The emperor was very pleased and issued a decree: "To reward those who have made contributions is a tradition since ancient times. Yuan Xie has shown great insight and agility, excelling in both civil and military affairs, gaining renown both in the court and among the people. He expanded the territory and achieved significant victories on the battlefield, demonstrating deep foresight and loyalty, winning my favor. To commend his contributions, he shall receive a grand reward. He shall be appointed as a pillar of the state, and his son shall be appointed as a county duke." Yuan Xie was appointed as the Inspector of Ningzhou, renowned for his integrity and benevolence, deeply loved by the people. However, he was strong-willed, often critical of others, and lacked the ability to curry favor with those around him. He once told the emperor, "I serve Your Majesty wholeheartedly, never resorting to flattery." The emperor said, "You should always maintain this attitude." However, he was later dismissed from his position due to official matters. Historically, Wang Yi, the former pillar of the state, had rendered significant service to the country and maintained a close relationship with Yang Su, often interacting with each other. A Hu monk reported to the emperor that Yang Su and Wang Yi were plotting treason. After investigation, no evidence of rebellion was found; thus, the emperor reassured them and set them free. Not long after, Wang Yi was killed, and Yang Su began to be gradually ignored. However, because of his previous good relationship with the emperor, he remained able to attend court sessions, where the emperor continued to treat him favorably.
Once the emperor hosted a grand banquet for his ministers, and Yang Su suggested, "Your Majesty, your virtue is renowned far and wide. I suggest appointing the Turkic Khan as the Chief of the Guards and Chen Shubao as the Chief Clerk." The emperor replied, "I subdued the Chen Kingdom to punish the wicked and bring peace to the people, not to show off military power and intimidate others. What you propose is completely contrary to my intentions. The Turks are not familiar with our terrain; how could they serve as guards? Chen Shubao is foolish and has a penchant for drinking; how can he handle affairs?" Yang Su remained silent and quietly withdrew.
A few years later, a report was made accusing Yang Su, his cousin Yang Pang, Marquis Tian Luan of Linze, and Qi Xu of plotting rebellion. The emperor ordered an investigation. The investigating authorities reported, "Yang Su conspired to have Qi Xu lead the Tangut soldiers to swiftly seize Bashu. At that time, Prince Guangping Yang Xiong and Left Supervisor Gao Feng were in power, and Yang Su sought to implicate them, saying, 'The Left Law Star has been in motion for four years; as long as it is reported, Gao Feng will surely die.' He also said, 'The Tai Bai star is in conflict with the moon, shining brightly; this is an omen of ministerial bloodshed; Yang Xiong is surely doomed.' On one occasion, Yang Su visited the palace with Yang Pang, and privately told Yang Pang, 'I am the master; those in the court are all traitors.' Then he let Yang Pang see the luck of the ministers in the palace, and Yang Pang said, 'The luck of those people is like squatting dogs and running deer, not as fortunate as us.'" The emperor was enraged, leading to the execution of Yang Su, Yang Pang, Tian Luan, and Qi Xu, and their properties were seized.
Wang Shiji is from Xinzheng, Henan. His father, Wang Ya, was a high-ranking official of the Zhou Dynasty, holding the positions of "Shichijie" (Commissioner) and "Kaifu Yitong Sansi" (a high-ranking official with special privileges). Wang Shiji was tall and strong, with a waist so thick it could wrap around him ten times. He had an extraordinary temperament and looked like a hero. During the Zhou Dynasty, he achieved many military merits and was appointed as Senior Commissioner, and later as the Duke of Changzi County. After Gaozu ascended to the throne and Yu Jiao rebelled, Wang Shiji followed Wei Xiaokuan to fight in the battles, always leading the charge and securing significant victories, eventually being promoted to Grand General. After Gaozu became emperor, he was further appointed as the Duke of Yiyang County. Gao Feng greatly admired his talents and favored him. Once, Wang Shiji privately inquired of Gao Feng, "We are all subjects of the Zhou Dynasty; now that the Zhou Dynasty has perished, what should we do?" Upon hearing this, Gao Feng immediately dismissed his concerns. Not long after, Wang Shiji was appointed as the governor of Qizhou. The Battle of Ping Chen erupted, and Wang Shiji set out with the navy from Qishui, heading straight to Jiujiang. He fought against Chen Dynasty's general Ji Zhen at Qikou, defeating him decisively. At that time, Prince Jin Yu Wenguang had already captured Danyang. Wang Shiji wrote to inform Yu Wenguang and sent Qianjin Gong Quanshizhang to take over Xinchai. Realizing the situation was turning against them, Chen Dynasty's Governor of Jiangzhou, Huang Si, directly abandoned the city, and Quanshizhang successfully occupied Jiangzhou. Wang Shiji arrived later, and the officials of the Chen Dynasty, including the governors of Yuzhang, Luxian, Xunyang, Bashan, Taiyuan, Qichang, and Ancheng, as well as the defenders of Poyang and Linchuan, all surrendered to Wang Shiji. As a result of this significant victory, Wang Shiji was promoted to Zhuguo, governor of Jingzhou, rewarded with 5,000 pieces of silk, a precious belt, and a food estate of 3,000 households.
Several years later, Li Guangshi, a local from Guizhou, rebelled, and Wang Shiji was appointed as the chief commander to quell the rebellion, quickly pacifying the uprising. The emperor sent the official Xinkaiqing to offer him condolences. After Wang Shiji returned, he was promoted to the title of Grand Marshal and rewarded with two thousand pieces of silk. The emperor held him in high regard.
The emperor felt that Yuan Shiji was known for his harsh demeanor, and knowing that many meritorious officials had been punished due to the emperor's suspicion, Yuan Shiji spent his days drowning his sorrows in drink and no longer discussing current affairs with those in power. The emperor thought he might be addicted to alcohol, so he confined him to the palace and had the royal physician attend to him. Yuan Shiji feigned recovery from his illness and was then allowed to return home.
Later, the court decided to dispatch troops to Liaodong, and Yuan Shiji and the Prince of Han were appointed as marshals. Upon reaching Liucheng, they faced an outbreak of plague and returned to the capital. Afterwards, he was appointed as the governor of Liangzhou, and the court sent seven hundred cavalry to escort him to his post. Not long after, his trusted subordinate An Dingren, Huang Fuxiaoxie, committed a crime, and the authorities sought to apprehend him. Huang Fuxiaoxie fled to Yuan Shiji. Yuan Shiji refused to hand him over, which led to some resentment on his part. Later, Huang Fuxiaoxie was exiled to serve in Guizhou, where he was under the command of Linghuxi. Linghuxi was also unkind to him, and Huang Fuxiaoxie lived a difficult life. So he took a gamble and informed the emperor, saying, "Yuan Shiji once consulted a Taoist who foretold that he would one day become a ruler, and that his wife would become an empress." He also said that when Yuan Shiji led troops to Liangzhou, his advisors urged him, "The Hexi region is a place with elite soldiers; we can plan great things here!" However, Yuan Shiji replied, "Liangzhou is vast and sparsely populated, not the right place for warfare."
In this way, Yuan Shiji was summoned back by the court for an investigation into his case. The authorities reported: "Left Guard General Yuan Min, Right Guard General Yuan Zhou, and Left Minister Gao Feng all had dealings with Yuan Shiji, and had even accepted fine horses from him." Ultimately, Yuan Shiji was sentenced to death, Yuan Min, Yuan Zhou, and others were dismissed from their positions, while the informant Huangfu Xiaoxie was appointed as the Grand General.
Yu Qingze, a native of Liyang, Shaanxi, whose family name was Yu. His ancestors served under the Helian clan and later settled in Lingwu, becoming powerful families in the north for generations. His father, Yu Xiang, was the Prefect of Lingwu in the Zhou Dynasty. Yu Qingze was brave and decisive from a young age, with a straightforward personality, standing at eight feet tall, possessing extraordinary bravery and intelligence. He also spoke the Xianbei language, wore heavy armor, carried two bows and arrows at his waist, and was skilled in archery. Local heroes greatly admired him. Initially, he made a living by hunting, but later decided to study diligently, always admiring figures like Fu Jiezhi and Ban Zhongsheng.
He later served as an official in the Zhou Dynasty, starting as a military officer in an external prefecture, gradually rising to the position of military officer overseeing external troops, and inheriting the title of Duke of Qinyuan County. In the first year of Xuanzheng, he was appointed as the General of the Righteousness, serving as the Chief Secretary of Bingzhou. The following year, he was promoted to Kai Fu. At that time, the Jihu people were frequently in rebellion, and Prince Yue Sheng and the Interior Minister Gao Feng went to suppress the rebellion. Just before their return to court, Gao Feng and Prince Yue Sheng discussed the need for someone who was both civil and military to suppress the rebellion, so they recommended Yu Qingze, who was appointed as the General Manager of Shizhou. Yu Qingze was highly respected there, governing with kindness, stabilizing the region, and with over eight thousand households submitting to him.
In the first year of the Kaihuang reign, Yu Qingze was promoted to Grand General and later served as the Minister of Internal Affairs, Minister of Personnel, and Prefect of Jingzhao, and was granted the title of Duke of Pengcheng. He also served as the supervisor for the construction of the new capital. In the second year during winter, the Tujue invaded, and Yu Qingze was appointed as the commander to attack. However, due to insufficient food and supplies, many soldiers suffered frostbite, with over a thousand losing fingers. General Daxi Changru led two thousand cavalry to intercept the enemy along another route, but ended up surrounded and in a dire situation. Yu Qingze remained in camp and failed to send reinforcements. Consequently, Daxi Changru fought alone and incurred heavy casualties, with nearly ninety percent of his men killed. However, the Emperor did not hold him accountable. Shortly afterwards, he was promoted to the position of Minister of the Right in the Ministry of Personnel. Later, the Tujue leader Shetou wanted to submit and requested a senior official to be sent over. The Emperor sent Yu Qingze to negotiate with the Tujue. Shetou, initially overconfident because of his power, was chastised by Yu Qingze for his past mistakes, which infuriated Shetou. Yu Qingze's deputy Changsun Cheng persuaded him, and Shetou and his brother Yehu both accepted the imperial edict, paying homage to the court and offering tribute, requesting to be permanent vassals of the Sui Dynasty. Before Yu Qingze went on the mission, the Emperor specifically instructed him: "I want the Tujue to continue to exist. When they send tribute horses, you should only accept one-third of the total." Shetou met Yu Qingze, presenting him with a thousand horses and marrying his daughter to him. Due to Yu Qingze's great achievements, the Emperor did not inquire about these matters. Yu Qingze was later appointed as a Senior State Counselor, bestowed the title of Duke of Lu, and awarded a fief of one thousand households in Rencheng County. The title of Duke of Pengcheng was conferred upon Yu Qingze's second son, Yu Yi.
After Emperor Wen of Sui defeated the Chen Dynasty, he happily hosted a banquet for the ministers in Jin Palace. Gao Qiang and the others raised their glasses and wished him longevity. Emperor Wen said, "Gao Qiang pacified the south of the Yangtze River, and Yu Qing subdued the Turks. These are all significant contributions!" Yang Su said, "These are all thanks to Your Majesty's benevolence!" Yu Qing also said, "Yang Su fought battles at Wulao and Xia'shi. Without Your Majesty's benevolence, we wouldn't have emerged victorious." Then they started to flatter each other. The censor wanted to bring charges against them, but Emperor Wen said, "Today is a celebration of victory, so let’s hold off on that today." Emperor Wen watched the ministers drinking and practicing archery. Yu Qing said, "Your Majesty has rewarded us with food and wine to enjoy, but the censor is nearby. I’m worried I might get drunk and face charges." Emperor Wen offered the censor some wine and then sent him away. Yu Qing toasted and wished for long life, enjoying themselves thoroughly. Emperor Wen said to the ministers, "After drinking this cup of wine, I hope that both I and all of your descendants can enjoy prosperity and wealth for generations." Nine years later, Yu Qing was promoted to General of the Right Guard, and shortly thereafter, he was appointed as the Right Martial Marquis.
In the 17th year of the Kaihuang era, Li Xian from Lingnan rebelled, and Emperor Wen of Sui intended to launch a campaign against him. Several generals offered to lead the campaign, but all were turned down. Emperor Wen of Sui looked at Yu Qingze and said, "What’s going on here? You hold a high position, with a noble title; the country is being invaded by enemies, yet you do not want to send troops. What is the meaning of this?" Yu Qingze was taken aback and hurriedly offered his apologies. Emperor Wen of Sui then sent him to quell the rebellion. He was appointed General in charge of military operations in Guizhou and brought along his brother-in-law Zhao Shizhu to serve as his chief aide. Zhao Shizhu had previously been involved with Yu Qingze's concubine and, fearing exposure, circulated rumors that Yu Qingze was reluctant to go to Lingnan. This news quickly reached Emperor Wen of Sui. When ministers went to war in the past, Emperor Wen of Sui would host a banquet and reward them generously. However, when it was Yu Qingze's turn to go south to suppress the rebellion, Emperor Wen of Sui's demeanor was sour, making Yu Qingze feel sidelined. After defeating Li Xian's rebellion and arriving at Lingui Town in Tanzhou, Yu Qingze assessed the terrain and remarked, "This terrain is treacherous; as long as we have sufficient supplies and capable defenders, the enemy will not be able to break through." He then dispatched Zhao Shizhu back to the capital on a swift horse to report the situation and check the Emperor's mood. Upon arrival in the capital, Zhao Shizhu outright accused Yu Qingze of treason. Following an investigation by Emperor Wen of Sui, Yu Qingze was sentenced to death. Zhao Shizhu was subsequently appointed as a pillar of the state.
Qingze was known for his filial piety, righteousness, and bravery. He was filled with ambition and a strong sense of justice from a young age. Eventually, he ascended to the position of Secretary of the Three Offices and even became a trusted advisor to the Prince of Jin. Unfortunately, he was dismissed from office due to his father's actions.
When Yang Guang became the emperor, since Qingze had previously served under the Prince of Jin, he was appointed as the Chief of the Imperial Guards and also took on the role of supervisor of Jingu, in charge of managing the royal gardens. Qingze was quite resourceful, and Yang Guang appreciated him. In the ninth year of his reign, during the campaign against the Liao Kingdom, he was appointed as the Director of Imperial Transport, responsible for logistics, and he earned significant merit. However, he led a lavish lifestyle; he even had camels carry boxes filled with water to raise fish, which he then consumed himself!
In the eleventh year, he was accused of treason by someone, and he was killed by Yang Guang. His younger brother, Chengdao, was serving as a palace attendant in the Eastern Palace at the time and was dismissed from his position due to this incident.
Yuanzhou hailed from Luoyang, Henan, and was a sixth-generation descendant of Emperor Zhaocheng of Wei. His grandfather was the Prince of Puyang in Wei, and his father was the Prince of Wuling. Yuanzhou was brave and skilled in martial arts from a young age, handsome, with an air of invincibility about him. King Xian of Qi during the Zhou Dynasty greatly admired him and kept him close, often taking him along on military campaigns. Eventually, he rose to the rank of Grand General.
Gaozu had just been summoned to the palace, preparing to assume an important role. He first summoned Yuanzhou and then called for Tao Cheng, considering them both as trusted confidants and often allowing them to stay overnight in the inner palace. After Gaozu became the prime minister, every time he brought troops into the palace, he would bring his younger brother Yuanwei to guard him. When the Zhao King of the Zhou Dynasty learned that Gaozu intended to relocate the sacrificial vessels of the Zhou Dynasty, he invited Gaozu to his residence as a guest. The Zhao King took Gaozu into his bedroom, not allowing anyone else to follow; only Yang Hong and the brothers Yuanzhou remained at the door. The Zhao King said to his two sons, Yuan and Guan, "You will bring in the melon later, and I'll take the opportunity to assassinate him!" After three rounds of drinks, the Zhao King decided to make his move, grabbing a dagger to stab the melon while eating and watching Gaozu, preparing to strike. Yuanzhou quickly said, "There are still matters at the Prime Minister's Mansion; we can't stay long." The Zhao King scolded him, "I’m talking to the Prime Minister; who do you think you are!" and shoved him aside. Yuanzhou's eyes widened in anger as he drew his sword to defend Gaozu.
Zhao Wang asked him his name, and Yuan Zhou answered truthfully. Zhao Wang said, "Aren't you the person who used to work under King Qi? You really are a brave man!" So he gave him wine and said, "I don't have any bad intentions; why are you so vigilant?" Zhao Wang pretended to gag, trying to go inside, but Yuan Zhou, worried he was up to something, helped him back to his seat, repeating this several times. Zhao Wang said his throat was dry and asked Yuan Zhou to get something to drink from the kitchen, but Yuan Zhou didn't move. Just then, Prince Teng Yu showed up, and Gaozu went down the steps to greet him. Yuan Zhou whispered to Gaozu, "The situation is not right; let's leave quickly!" Gaozu, still processing this, said, "He has no soldiers or horses; what can he do?" Yuan Zhou replied, "The soldiers and horses belong to him; if he strikes first, it’s game over. Even if I die, it won’t matter!" Gaozu sat back down. Yuan Zhou heard the clinking of armor behind the house and quickly said, "The Prime Minister's residence has a lot going on; why are you still here?" Then he helped Gaozu off the bed and quickly left. Zhao Wang tried to chase after them, but Yuan Zhou blocked the door, stopping him from getting out. Gaozu reached the door, followed by Yuan Zhou. Zhao Wang was furious, threw down what he was holding, and his fingers were bleeding. Eventually, Zhao Wang was killed, and Yuan Zhou was showered with rewards.
After Emperor Gaozu abdicated the throne, Yuan Zhou was promoted to Senior State Pillar, enfeoffed as Duke of Wuling Commandery, with a fief of three thousand families. Later, he became Left Guard General, and soon after, he was promoted to Right Guard Grand General. Emperor Gaozu casually remarked, "Protecting my safety and achieving this foundation, it's all thanks to Yuan Zhou!" A few years later, Yuan Zhou was assigned as Inspector of Yuzhou, and later served as Inspectors of Bozhou and Xizhou. At that time, the Turks frequently harassed the border, and due to Yuan Zhou's reputation, the court appointed him as the Governor of Lingzhou, causing the northern minority tribes to fear him. He was later called back to court to serve as Right Guard Grand General, and the Emperor trusted and valued him even more.
Remember one year on the Lantern Festival, the emperor and his courtiers climbed to a high vantage point to take in the view. Yuan Zhao happened to be on duty at that time, so the emperor urgently summoned him. After Yuan Zhao arrived, the emperor said, "There’s nothing better than climbing high with me!" and then he hosted a feast where everyone had a great time. Prince Jin, Yang Guang always came to pay his respects to Yuan Zhao. Later, Prince Fangling was deposed, and Yuan Zhao was involved in the plotting.
Once, the emperor was busy dealing with matters in the Eastern Palace, and General Yuan Min of the Left Guard earnestly advised, but Yang Su slandered Yuan Min behind his back. The emperor was furious and immediately arrested Yuan Min. At that time, Yuan Zhao was on duty and did not abandon his post. Instead, he reported, "The reason I didn't leave work was to guard against Yuan Min!" This only infuriated the emperor, who ultimately killed Yuan Min and rewarded Yuan Zhao with a thousand bolts of silk. Later, Prince Shu Yang Xiu was exiled for misconduct, and Yuan Zhao was dismissed for his association with Yang Xiu.
After Yang Guang became emperor, Yuan Zhao never regained favor. At that time, the Governor of Cizhou, Shangguan Zheng, was exiled to Lingnan for committing a crime, and General Qiu He was dismissed for his offenses. Yuan Zhao and Qiu He knew each other before and often went out together. One time, Yuan Zhao got drunk and said to Qiu He, "Shangguan Zheng is a powerf
Liang Shiyan and Yu Wenxin, both famous warriors at the time, became well-known for their bravery and cunning during the chaotic era. However, they grew arrogant and took all the credit for themselves. Those who tried to repay their kindness grew weary, but they were never satisfied and always wanted to climb higher to satisfy their own desires. And what was the outcome? They brought about their own downfall, and they had it coming! Wang Yi, Yuan Xie, Wang Shiji, Yu Qingze, Yuan Zhou—some of them experienced hardships, some had old friendships with the founding emperor, but what happened later? Gradually, they were forgotten by the emperor, feeling deeply wronged and constantly bragging about their achievements. Although the founding emperor had a harsh side, they themselves were also inconsiderate in their words and actions, which ultimately led to their downfall! Just think about it: how many of those great contributors who helped the founding emperor build his dynasty ended well? How many could be honored in the ancestral temple and have their names remembered in history? This is all because, in the early days of the dynasty, things were handled roughly, everyone did not have the same goals, and over time, feelings faded. Even if using a stolen ox to plow someone else's field is a crime, you shouldn’t resort to unfair means to take what isn’t yours. Isn't that bound to cause resentment? The founding emperor often punished these people with baseless accusations; his paranoia is genuinely frightening! It seems nearly impossible to secure lasting blessings!
