Zhang Jixun from Jingzhao, his father's name was 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 rose through the ranks to become the Sima of Bingzhou. During the reign of Emperor Yang of the Sui Dynasty, Prince Han Yang Liang rebelled and sent his general Liu Jian to attack the Yan and Zhao regions. Liu Jian advanced to Jingxing, and Zhang Xiang led his troops to defend the city. Liu Jian launched a fierce attack and even set fire to the base of the city walls. Seeing the people terrified, there was a Temple of the Queen Mother of the West near the city. Zhang Xiang climbed the city wall, bowed before the temple, crying and shouting, "What sin have the people committed to suffer this torment of fire! Oh gods, if you can hear our plea, please send rain to save us!" No sooner had he finished speaking than dark clouds gathered over the temple, and soon it started to rain heavily, extinguishing the fire was immediately extinguished. The soldiers were deeply moved by his sincerity and followed his command. The city was under siege for over a month until reinforcements from Li Xiong finally arrived, and the rebels retreated. Zhang Xiang was granted the title of Kaifu in recognition of his achievements and later served as the Inspector of Ruzhou, the Prefect of Lingwu, and finally as the Director of Capital Waterways, where he died in office.
When Zhang Jixun was young, he was very principled and ambitious. During the reign of Emperor Yang of the Sui Dynasty, he became the Eagle Strike General, occupying Jishan as a defensive stronghold, responding to Luokou. Later, Li Mi and Zhai Rang broke through the city and sent messengers to demand his surrender. Zhang Jixun cursed Li Mi, who then sent troops to attack him, but for several years, he could not be captured. At that time, Li Mi had tens of thousands of troops surrounding his city, while Zhang Jixun only had a few hundred men, but he remained resolute and refused to surrender. After three years, with supplies exhausted and his soldiers weary and ill, they were unable to resist any longer, and the city was finally breached. Zhang Jixun sat in his official office, his expression calm, and Li Mi had him arrested. The rebels seized Zhang Jixun and demanded he kneel before Li Mi, but he refused, declaring, "Although I am a defeated general, I am still a loyal servant of the Great Sui Emperor. How can I kneel to you bandits!" Impressed by his spirit, Li Mi let him go. However, Zhai Rang came demanding money, and when he didn't get any, he killed Zhang Jixun, who was just twenty-eight at the time.
His younger brother, Zhang Zhongyan, was the magistrate of Luoyang during the reign of Emperor Yang. When the rebel army rose, he rallied officials and civilians to defend the city, but his own men betrayed him, killing him and surrendering to the rebels. Another brother of Zhang Jixun, Zhang Cong, who served as a commander in the Sui Dynasty, was killed during Yuwen Huaji's rebellion. The Zhang family had always been loyal and valiant, with several brothers giving their lives for their country, gaining the respect of the people.
Song Yun, a native of Beihai, had a strong character and held a strong sense of honor. He served as a team leader in Shimen Prefecture. Towards the end of Emperor Yang of Sui's Daye reign, a bandit named Yang Hou led a rebellion and attacked Beihai County. Song Yun followed the county's army to suppress the rebellion. While scouting the enemy on horseback, he was captured by Yang Hou. Yang Hou wanted to use him to persuade the people in the city to surrender, so he had Song Yun shout to the city, claiming that the county's army had been defeated and they should surrender quickly. Song Yun pretended to agree.
When they reached the city, he suddenly shouted, "I am Song Yun, sent to scout the enemy, and was captured by chance, not because I was unable to fight them! The main force of the imperial army will arrive soon; the bandits are outnumbered and weak, and they will be quickly eliminated, so there is no need to worry!" Yang Hou, furious, slashed his mouth with a knife, dragged him away, and beat him along the way. While cursing, Song Yun said, "Old bandit, you dare to humiliate loyal and righteous people; disaster will come to you sooner or later!" Before he could finish speaking, Yang Hou cut him in half. The people in the city, witnessing this scene, were all in tears, beating their chests and stamping their feet, but their morale rose even higher, and Beihai City was ultimately saved.
Emperor Yang of Sui sent Guo Zijian, a junior official of the household department, to suppress Yang Hou, and they defeated him. The emperor was deeply moved by Song Yun's sacrifice for the nation and posthumously recognized his bravery, issuing an imperial decree to commend him and posthumously appointing him as a Grand Master of the Imperial Attendants and the magistrate of his hometown.
In historical records, it is said: The ancients believed that the world is the greatest, making individuals seem insignificant. While living is certainly important, in comparison to righteousness, life is as light as a feather. Therefore, dying for righteousness carries more weight than Mount Tai; living for personal gain is lighter than a feather. However, death is irreversible, and life comes only once, so the most difficult thing is to maintain integrity in any situation. Yang Liang, Xuan Gan, and Li Mi have rebelled; they have gained significant momentum. Huang Fu Dan, You Yuan, and Feng Ci Ming show no fear in the face of crisis, confronting death without fear, bravely dying for righteousness. Dugu Sheng, Yuan Wendo, Lu Chu, and Yao Junsu, don't they realize that the situation is beyond saving, that individuals cannot change the course of events? They willingly endure torture to demonstrate their loyalty and integrity. Although their accomplishments may not be celebrated by the nation, their strength cannot alter the dire situation; in contrast to those who live cowardly, they stand upright and honorable, their spirits will live on forever! Xu Tuo and Shan Hui embody the virtues of warmth and humility, while Zi Yi and Song Yun perform the heroic act of sacrificing themselves for righteousness. Even in times of national turmoil, there are still loyal subjects; this is indeed true!
