Yuan Wendu, Duke of Xunyang, was his uncle. His father, Yuan Xiaozhe, once served as the Junior Tomb Administrator of the Zhou Dynasty and the Governor of Jiangling. Yuan Wendu was straightforward, was outspoken, and was very capable. He served as a Senior Attendant of the Right in the Zhou Dynasty. During the reign of Emperor Wen of Sui, he was appointed as an Attendant Officer of the Interior, and later served as a Gentleman of the Imperial Library and a Gentleman of Merit Evaluation, performing excellently in both positions. He was later promoted to Left Deputy of the Imperial Secretariat and then transferred to the position of Junior Minister of the Imperial Household Affairs. After Emperor Yang of Sui ascended the throne, he served as a Junior Minister of Agriculture, a Grand Master of Records, and was later appointed as the Grand Master of the Imperial Library, but he was later dismissed due to errors. Not long after, he was appointed as Minister of the Imperial Household Affairs and gradually gained the trust of Emperor Yang, and he was regarded as highly capable by everyone at the time. In the thirteenth year of the Daye era, Emperor Yang of Sui went to Jiangdu Palace and ordered Yuan Wendu, along with Duan Da, Huangfu Wuyi, Wei Jin, and others, to stay in the Eastern Capital. After Emperor Yang's death, Yuan Wendu, Duan Da, Wei Jin, and others supported Prince Yue Yang Dong as the emperor. Yang Dong appointed Yuan Wendu as the Prefect of the Palace Library, the General of the Household of Illustrious Grandees, the Household Counsellor, the General of the Valiant Guards on the Left, the Acting General of the Right Wing Guard, and the Duke of Lu, holding high positions. Later, Yuwen Huaji supported Prince Qin Yang Hao as the emperor, leading his army to Pengcheng with great momentum, causing widespread panic. Yuan Wendu advised Yang Dong to send envoys to negotiate with Li Mi. Li Mi then requested to surrender, and Yang Dong granted him an official title and warmly welcomed his envoys. Wang Chong was displeased with this and clashed with Yuan Wendu. Yuan Wendu, knowing this, secretly plotted to eliminate Wang Chong. Yang Dong then appointed Yuan Wendu as the Grand Master of the Imperial Secretariat, but Wang Chong vehemently opposed it, and the plan ultimately fell through.
Lu Chu and Yuan Wendou said, "Wang Chong is just a peripheral general, not someone who stays behind; why should he participate in our affairs? Moreover, he was defeated in the Battle of Luokou, deserving to die, yet he still has the audacity to act arrogantly and interfere in court affairs. If he isn't dealt with, he will become a threat to the nation!" Yuan Wendou agreed with Lu Chu's opinion, so he prepared to take action to report to the emperor. Just as they were about to take action, someone informed Wang Chong about this. Wang Chong was in the court at that time. When he heard this, he was terrified and rushed back to Hanjia City, preparing to rebel. Yuan Wendou sent people to call him multiple times, but Wang Chong said he was sick and refused to meet. In the evening, Wang Chong rebelled, stormed through the East Taiyang Gate, and entered the palace, kneeling before Yang Dong at the Zhiwei Pavilion. Yang Dong sent someone to ask him, "What are you doing?" Wang Chong said, "Yuan Wendou and Lu Chu conspired to kill each other. I ask to have Yuan Wendou killed and to pin the blame on the Minister of Justice." Seeing Wang Chong's growing military power, Yang Dong knew that he would eventually be killed, so he told Yuan Wendou, "You should go see General Wang yourself." Yuan Wendou hesitated, tears welling up in his eyes. Yang Dong sent his general Huang Taoshu to escort Yuan Wendou out. Yuan Wendou turned back and said to Yang Dong, "I will die today, Your Majesty; you won't live much longer either." Yang Dong sorrowfully sent him off, and all felt a deep sense of sorrow. When they reached the Xingjiao Gate, Wang Chong ordered Yuan Wendou to be hacked to death by a frenzied mob, and his sons were also killed together.
Lu Chu, from Zhuojun Fanyang, was the grandson of Lu Jingzuo, the Minister of Works for the Wei Kingdom. Lu Chu was talented from a young age, but he was straightforward and had a slight stutter, which affected his fluency in speech. During the reign of Emperor Yang of the Sui Dynasty, he became the Right Assistant Secretary of the Imperial Secretariat, and he was always dignified in court, causing many officials to be wary of him. When the Emperor moved to Jiangdu, most officials in the Eastern Capital did not abide by the laws, but Lu Chu persistently reported illegal activities without hesitation. Later, when Prince Yang Dong proclaimed himself emperor, he appointed Lu Chu as the Prefect of the Palace Interior, General of the Left Guard, Acting Left Chancellor of the Imperial Secretariat, Right Grand Minister of the Palace, and granted him the title of Duke of Zhuojun. He and his fellow officials supported the young emperor. When Wang Chong rebelled and the army attacked the Taiyang Gate, the General of the Guards, Huangfu Wuyi, chopped through the city gate and fled, calling for Lu Chu to escape with him. Lu Chu told him, "I made a pact with Yuan Gong that if the country is in trouble, we will die together. Escaping now is not righteous!" When the rebels entered the city, Lu Chu hid in the Tai Guan Mansion and was ultimately captured and brought before Wang Chong. Wang Chong was furious and ordered him to be killed immediately, and he was chopped to pieces.
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, with a strong and upright personality, and possessed the talent for official service. He served as the General of the Palace in the Qi Dynasty. Later, during the early years of Emperor Wen of the Sui Dynasty, he became the County Magistrate of Nanhe and gradually rose to become the Military Judge of Qinzhou. In the eighteenth year of Kaihuang, he participated in the imperial examination, and the Right Chancellor of the Imperial Secretariat, Yang Su, immediately saw his talent and recommended him to be the Imperial Censor. At that time, Li Gongxiao, the County Magistrate of Yongning, lost his mother at the age of four, was taken in by others at the age of nine, and his adoptive father remarried, but by the time his adoptive father passed away, Liu Xuan from Hejian believed that Li Gongxiao had not benefited from his adoptive father's care and suggested that he be removed from his position. Liu Ziyi argued:
The ancient books say: "A stepmother is just like a birth mother and should be treated the same as a birth mother." Therefore, a stepmother should enjoy the same honorable status as a birth mother, and the mourning rituals should be the same as those for a birth mother. In addition, the ancient books also say: "When mourning for a father's remarried wife, it must be done in the same way as mourning for biological parents." This means that mourning for a father's remarried wife is a filial duty that must be fulfilled, regardless of whether she is a birth mother or not. Even though the status of the remarried wife may be different when a father remarries, the feelings toward the son should still prioritize the birth mother. Therefore, the ancient books say: "When mourning for a father's remarried wife, it should be done in the same way as mourning for biological parents, resign from their official duties, and express sorrowful feelings. If the father passes away and the mother remarries, sorrow should still be expressed, even if the father's remarried wife does not mourn. However, if the father's remarried wife remarries, there is no need to resign from their official duties." This passage mainly addresses the situation of a remarried mother. In other words, if the stepmother is still in the father's house, then the mourning rituals should be the same as for a birth mother. If there is no nurturing bond, then mourning may not be necessary, but how can mourning be explained in this case? If mourning is required, then how can the feelings of sorrow be different? The intent of these three regulations is unmistakably clear, and now some people say mourning is not necessary, which is utterly ridiculous! Moreover, mourning for a father's remarried wife is not influenced by the relationship between a birth mother and a stepmother. Since the status of a birth mother and a stepmother is equal, there should be no difference in the feelings of sorrow during mourning. The "Questions and Answers on Mourning" state: "If the mother remarries, mourning should be observed for the stepmother." Is this not because the mother's family ties have been cut, resulting in a distant relationship, while the stepmother's relationship has become close because she married the father? Zisi said: "The wife of one's father is like a birth mother. If she is just the wife of one's father, then she is not a birth mother." This indicates that mourning rituals should be based on relationships, and emotions stem from the father. Therefore, sages emphasize filial piety and compassion, and use relationships to regulate interactions. This way, children can mourn according to their relationships, just like they would for a birth mother, repaying the stepmother with filial piety, just like they would for a birth mother. If a stepmother arrives after the birth of the children, the mourning rituals may be different, but even after consulting scriptures and classics, no such practices can be found.
Take this example: if a person is born after their parents' death, should they mourn for a stepmother who came into their life later? Does the absence of a parental bond mean they don't have to mourn? Is that really fair?
Once, a man named Wang Bi from Changsha traveled to the capital on official business during the late Han Dynasty. Later, as war broke out between Wu and Wei, Wang Bi married in the capital and had a son named Wang Chang. After Wang Bi died, Wang Chang became the governor of Dongping and only then learned that Wu’s mother had passed away. He was deeply saddened and unable to carry out his duties. People at the time didn’t see anything wrong with his actions. This shows that there is little emotional difference between stepmothers and biological mothers. If mourning etiquette is based on upbringing, how can we explain Wang Chang's actions?
During the Jin Dynasty, General Yang Hu, known as Zhen Nan, had no sons, so he adopted his disciple Yi. After Yang Hu died, Yi did not observe the mourning period. Yang Hu's wife reported this to the court, and Yi explained, "My uncle raised me, and I can’t go against his wishes." The Minister of Personnel, Peng Quan, stated, "For adopted children, the father's consent is essential." As a result, the court issued an order to approve this. This shows that mourning etiquette cannot be determined solely by kindness.
I believe that etiquette is based on human emotions and is taught through moral principles. I use this principle to clarify his words. What we call 'affection' is the deep bond a mother has with her children; and 'righteousness' refers to the filial piety that children owe to their parents. Once roles and principles are established, one can honor their father, adhere to their roles, respect etiquette, and practice filial piety. If the mother-son relationship is based solely on the mother’s kindness, and kindness comes from her while filial piety comes from the children, then how can a loving mother, like any other, still obey her husband's commands?
He said, "Both stepmother and birth mother were originally strangers, but since they raised me, they are just like my own flesh and blood." If we follow his logic, the son would not listen to his father; even if there is the obligation of upbringing, can it truly be compared to that of a biological mother? Although the period of filial piety owed to a stepmother (three years) is shorter than that owed to a birth mother, it is longer than that for relatives of the same generation during the mourning period. Rituals have their rules, and filial piety should conform to social norms. Stepmothers originally observe mourning according to their status; how can it differ based on the depth of kindness? As for the son of a brother, although he is still considered a son, the emotional ties of closeness and distance do differ, but the mourning system in rituals is the same. He said, "light in the term 'yi' and heavy in the term 'ru'," believing that the two are different. The meaning of the word "ru" indicates the same meaning, that is, the same standard. If the lightness and heaviness are different, how can the word "ru" be used? In law, "zhun wang fa" refers to sentencing based on the severity of the crime, while "yi wang fa lun" refers to treating it the same as a real crime. The law punishes criminals, while rituals educate to regulate behavior. "Zhun" means comparison, while "yi" means the same. The usage of "ru" and "yi" is essentially the same. The provisions of rituals and laws aim to prevent the same thing. Using this principle to explain that principle is enough to illustrate its meaning, just like using the example of cutting trees to explain a principle; it's not difficult to understand, is it?
It is said that someone else said: "To marry off your son as the heir is to let him carry on the family line, serve you, and prevent the eldest son from returning to his original family, allowing him to serve his father’s concubine in the role of a son." However, the father’s concubine is called that only because of the father. If according to your argument, would the father no longer care about the funeral? How can you only refer to the father’s concubine? Someone else said: "In terms of etiquette, when we say ‘former ruler,’ does his dignity still compare to that of a monarch? He has already left his position and is no longer merely a minister, so the term ‘former’ is used to make a distinction. In addition, when there is a particularly important figure, it goes beyond mere filial piety, so the word 'its' is used. The phrase ‘its father’ carries a different meaning." This is not a universally accepted view. Why say that? The meanings of ‘its’ and ‘former’ differ, as do their usages. ‘Former’ compares old and new, while ‘its’ refers to the identity of the other party. For example, in the Book of Rites, it says: "When its father divides the firewood, its son cannot bear the load." In the Zuo Zhuan, it says: "Although the state of Wei is small, its ruler is there." If ‘its father’ has a special meaning, does ‘its ruler’ have one too? Of course not, of course not! Now you are violating the rituals and laws, insulting the emperor, making your son disrespectful towards his parents, resulting in losses both in reputation and customs. In this enlightened age, you are spreading falsehoods, distorting the classics with your twisted reasoning. Although you might be trying to showcase your talent, unknowingly you have said things that go against reason.
After the memorial was submitted, Ziyi's suggestions were ultimately accepted. During the Renshou period, he served as the magistrate of Xinfeng County and made notable achievements. In the third year of Daye, he was appointed as the Chief Justice of Dali and was quite well-known then. He was later promoted to the position of Imperial Secretary, and whenever there were disputes in the court, Ziyi was able to analyze them, often exceeding everyone's expectations. He once accompanied the emperor to Jiangdu. At that time, the world was in chaos, and the emperor still did not understand the situation. Ziyi took the opportunity to offer advice repeatedly, which angered the emperor, resulting in his appointment as the governor of Danyang. Shortly after, he was sent to oversee the transport of supplies in Shangjiang but was captured by bandits under Wu Qizi's command. Ziyi reasoned with them and touched their hearts, eventually winning over the leader of the bandits. He was then sent to eliminate the bandits along the river. When the bandits informed him of Emperor Yang's death, Ziyi doubted their claim and executed the messenger. The bandits then offered him leadership, but Ziyi declined. A group of bandits dragged Ziyi to the outskirts of Linchuan City and asked him to tell the people inside the city that "the emperor is dead." However, Ziyi contradicted them and was subsequently executed. He was seventy years old at the time.
Yao Junsu, from Tangyin, Wei County, served as an attendant to Emperor Yang of Sui when he was the Prince of Jin. After Emperor Yang became emperor, Junsu rose through the ranks to become Eagle Strike Langjiang. Towards the end of the Sui Dynasty, there were bandits everywhere, and the people were fleeing, but the area he governed remained safe. Later, he followed the General of the Brave Guard, Qutu Tong, in resisting the rebel army in Hedong. Not long after, Qutu Tong led the army to flee south, and because of his courage and strategy, he named Junsu as the acting governor of Hedong. The rebel army dispatched generals like Lv Shaozong and Wei Yijie to attack, but they all failed. After Qutu Tong's army was defeated and reached the city, they called for Junsu to surrender.
Jun Su saw Qu Tutong, crying inconsolably, filled with grief. Those around him were also in tears, and Qu Tutong cried, saying to Jun Su, "My army has been defeated. Wherever the rebels appear, people rally to them. In this situation, you should surrender soon to secure wealth and status." Jun Su replied, "You are the emperor's trusted aide, a senior minister of the state. The emperor entrusted Guanzhong to you, and the king entrusted the nation to you. The fate of the nation rests in your hands. Why haven’t you considered serving the nation, leading to this predicament? Even if I cannot spare the emperor from disappointment, the horse you ride was a gift from the king. How can you still have the gall to ride it?" Qu Tutong said, "Oh, Jun Su, I am here because of my own shortcomings." Jun Su said, "Your strength hasn’t run out yet. Why say more?" Qu Tutong left in shame.
At that time, the city was under heavy siege, and supplies were running low. Jun Su crafted a wooden goose, tied the memorial around its neck, outlined the current situation, and set it adrift in the Yellow River. The defending general at Heyang received the memorial and immediately sent it to the eastern capital. King Yang Dong sighed upon reading it and then appointed Jun Su as a Grand Master of the Golden Purple Lu. He also discreetly sent someone to offer him comfort. The gatekeeper Pang Yu and the military general Huangfu Wuyi both surrendered to the rebel army from the eastern capital and came to the city, urging Jun Su to surrender. The Tang Dynasty even sent a golden amnesty, promising him safety. However, Jun Su had no intention of surrendering. His wife came to the city as well, urging him, "The Sui Dynasty has already perished; the fate of the realm lies in others' hands. Why cling to this stubbornness and invite disaster upon yourself?" Jun Su said, "Matters of great importance are beyond a woman's understanding." With that, he drew his bow and shot his wife.
Jun Su also knew that things were bound to fail, but he was determined to stick to it until death. Whenever national affairs were mentioned, he couldn't help but cry. He once said to his soldiers, "I am an old servant of the palace, promoted by the emperor many times. Now, at a critical moment, I have to die for the country. We still have a few years of food reserves. When the food runs out, the fate of the world will become clear. If the Sui Dynasty really perishes, the mandate of heaven will belong to someone else, and I will present my head to you all!" At that time, the people had been under the rule of the Sui Dynasty for a long time. When they witnessed the uprising of the righteous army, hope blossomed among the people. However, Jun Su was an adept military leader, and his soldiers remained loyal. More than a year later, some individuals outside the city secretly delivered food, and the people in the city vaguely knew that Jiangdu (the capital of the Sui Dynasty) had already fallen. However, food was still very scarce, and the people could not survive. There were even horrific instances of cannibalism, and people were in panic. A white arc appeared above the gates, and the tips of the weapons shimmered at night. A month later, Jun Su was killed by his own men. Chen Xiaoyi, from Hedong, was very ambitious when he was young. In his early twenties, he became famous for his integrity. During the reign of the Sui Dynasty, he became a small judicial officer in Lu County, known for his
In Yanmen County, he lived a simple life, followed a vegetarian diet, and wept and paid respects at his father's grave every morning and evening. Each time he wept and paid respects, he cried so hard that he fainted, his hair was singed, his bones were gaunt, and onlookers were filled with pity. At that time, there was political chaos and the legal system was in turmoil, with many local officials being corrupt and unjust. However, Chen Xiaoyi strictly adhered to the principle of integrity, uncovered the wrongdoers, arrested criminals, and acted decisively, almost like a deity. The common people praised him. When Emperor Yang of Sui went to Jiangdu, Liu Wuzhou of Ma Yi killed the prefect Wang Rengong and rebelled. Chen Xiaoyi led the army and the valiant Wang Zhibian to suppress Liu Wuzhou. They engaged Liu Wuzhou in battle at Xiaguan City and were defeated.
Liu Wuzhou then attacked the nearby counties, creating widespread panic among the populace, pushing them to the brink of rebellion. The former county magistrate of Yanmen, Yang Changren, and the county magistrate Wang Que, were cunning and deceitful, and many ruffians flocked to their cause, plotting to support Liu Wuzhou. Chen Xiaoyi secretly learned of their conspiracy and annihilated their entire families, instilling such fear in the people of Yanmen County that they dared not entertain any disloyalty. Soon, Liu Wuzhou brought his troops to attack Yanmen City. Chen Xiaoyi resolutely resisted and was able to win every time. However, Yanmen City was cut off from any reinforcements. Chen Xiaoyi resolved to defend the city at all costs. He dispatched messengers to Jiangdu repeatedly seeking assistance, but the routes were obstructed, and there was no news back. Chen Xiaoyi also knew that the court was unlikely to dispatch troops for their rescue. Every morning and evening, he wept before the imperial edict in the court, drawing the sorrow of those around him. The city endured a siege lasting over a hundred days, their supplies were exhausted, and ultimately, he was slain by Captain Zhang Lun, and Yanmen City succumbed to Liu Wuzhou.
Zhang Jixun was from Jingzhao, and his father was named Zhang Xiang. He was favored by Emperor Gaozu when he was young and later promoted to military adviser to the Prime Minister. During the reign of Emperor Wen of the Sui Dynasty, Zhang Xiang was eventually promoted to 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 defend. Liu Jian launched fierce attacks and even set fire to the city walls. Seeing the terrified civilians, Zhang Xiang climbed the city wall, bowed twice to the Western Queen Mother’s temple, and cried out, "What sins have the people committed to suffer from such fires? If the immortals truly have spirits, please bring down rain to save them!" As soon as he finished speaking, dark clouds gathered over the temple, and soon a heavy rain fell, extinguishing the fire. The soldiers were deeply moved by his sincerity and obeyed his orders. The city endured a siege for over a month until reinforcements led by Li Xiong arrived, and the rebels retreated. Zhang Xiang was rewarded for his achievements and appointed as Kaifu, and later served as the Governor of Ruzhou, Prefect of Lingwu, and finally as the Director of the Capital Water Bureau, where he passed away in office.
When Zhang Jixun was young, he was very spirited and had a strong sense of integrity. During the reign of the Sui Dynasty, he was appointed the Eagle Strike General, establishing a stronghold at Jishan and coordinating with Luokou. Later, Li Mi and Zhai Rang captured the city and sent people to ask him to surrender. Zhang Jixun shouted curses at Li Mi, who then sent troops to attack him, yet they failed to capture him for several years. At that time, Li Mi had tens of thousands of soldiers surrounding his city, with Zhang Jixun commanding only a few hundred men, but he still persisted in resisting and refused to surrender. After three years, they ran out of military supplies, couldn't even find firewood and had to tear down houses for firewood. The soldiers were living in caves, while Zhang Jixun continued to patrol, and no one betrayed him. Eventually, they ran out of food, the soldiers were exhausted and sick, unable to fight, and the city was breached. Zhang Jixun sat quietly in his office, and Li Mi sent soldiers to arrest him.
A group of rebels seized Zhang Jixun and demanded he kneel before Li Mi. Zhang Jixun said, "Although I am a defeated general, I am still a subject of the emperor. How can I kneel to you bandits!" Li Mi was impressed by his integrity and released him. Zhai Rang sought a ransom, but when it was not forthcoming, he killed Zhang Jixun, who was just twenty-eight at the time.
His younger brother, Zhang Zhongyan, was appointed magistrate of Luo during the Sui Dynasty. When the uprising occurred, he led officials and civilians to defend the city, but his own subordinates betrayed him and surrendered to the rebels. Another younger brother of Zhang Jixun, Zhang Cong, was killed during Yuwen Huai's rebellion. The Zhang family had always been loyal and courageous, with brothers who died for their country, earning the admiration of the people.
Song Yun from Beihai, who had a strong and resolute character and valued honor, served as a captain in the Shimen Prefecture. During the waning days of the Daye reign of Emperor Yang of Sui, a bandit named Yang Hou rallied a group to rebel and attacked Beihai County. Song Yun joined the county soldiers to confront him. Song Yun rode out to scout the enemy and was captured by Yang Hou. Yang Hou intended to use Song Yun to coerce the people in the city into surrendering, so he forced him to shout to the city, saying that the county army had been defeated and they should surrender quickly. Song Yun feigned compliance.
When they reached the city walls, Song Yun suddenly called out, "I am Song Yun, sent to scout the enemy. I was captured by accident, not because I was unable to defeat them! Now the main force of the imperial army has arrived; the bandits are outnumbered and weak, they will soon be wiped out, no need to worry!" Yang Hou, furious, slashed Song Yun across the mouth with a knife, dragged him away while beating him. As he cursed Yang Hou, Song Yun shouted, "You old bandit, this is the consequence of your own actions!" Before he could finish speaking, Yang Hou delivered a fatal blow. The people in the city, witnessing this act, wept and beat their chests, yet their morale soared. Beihai County was finally saved.
Emperor Yang of Sui dispatched Guo Zijian, a bureaucrat, to defeat Yang Hou, and he succeeded. Because Song Yun gave his life for the country, Emperor Yang of Sui was v
The rebellion led by Yang Liang, Xuan Gan, and Li Mi has gained significant momentum and influence. Huangfu Dan, You Yuan, and Feng Ciming show no fear in the face of danger and bravely face death for the sake of righteousness. Dugu Sheng, Yuan Wendo, Lu Chu, and Yao Junsu willingly embrace death to uphold their loyalty and integrity. Although their efforts could not save the country or alter its fate, they are remembered as honorable, especially in contrast to those who compromise their principles for survival. Sudu and Shanhui exemplify the virtues of kindness, humility, and respect, while Ziyi and Songyun exemplify self-sacrifice for the sake of righteousness. Indeed, there are still loyal ministers even in chaotic times!
