Zhang Xudo was a man from Hongnong Wanxiang, with a strong and courageous personality, and was quite strategic. When he was young, he followed Shi Wansui to fight against the Xicuan, achieving notable success, was appointed to the official position of Yitong, and was also rewarded with three hundred bolts of cloth. After Emperor Yang of Sui ascended the throne, Prince Liang of Han rebelled in Bingzhou. Zhang Xudo followed Yang Su in suppressing the rebellion and was promoted to Kaifu. During the Daye period, he served as the Prefect of Qijun. While he was dealing with the war in Liaodong, the people were all unemployed, and there was a famine, leading to skyrocketing food prices. Zhang Xudo wanted to open the granary to help the people, but his subordinates insisted, "We must wait for the emperor's order and cannot act on our own." Zhang Xudo said, "The emperor is far away in Liaodong, and sending messengers back and forth will definitely take a long time. The people are in urgent need now. If we wait for the imperial edict, people will die of starvation. If I am punished for this, I will have no regrets!" So he opened the granary first, and then reported to the court. When the emperor learned of this, he did not blame him.
The next year, the bandit leader Wang Bao rallied tens of thousands of outlaws to rob the people in the counties. The officials and soldiers were unable to defeat them. Zhang Xudo led the troops to resist, and Wang Bao led his army south to plunder Lu County. Zhang Xudo pursued him relentlessly and caught up with him at the foot of Mount Tai. Wang Bao, relying on his previous victories, was caught off guard. Zhang Xudo selected his best troops and launched a surprise attack. Wang Bao's army was defeated, and Zhang Xudo continued the pursuit, killing thousands. Wang Bao regrouped his defeated soldiers, with over ten thousand soldiers remaining, and attempted to cross the Yellow River to flee north. Zhang Xudo caught up with him again in Linyi and defeated him, killing over five thousand and capturing countless livestock. There had been a long period of peace, and many were inexperienced in warfare. Only Zhang Xudo stood out as brave, decisive, and skilled in battle. Moreover, he excelled at reassuring his soldiers, winning their trust, and people hailed him as a renowned general.
Wang Bo launched another campaign to the north, joining forces with the bandits Dou Zize, Sun Xuanya, Shi Zhida, Hao Xiaode, and others, totaling over 100,000 troops to attack Zhangqiu. Zhang Xuduo dispatched his navy to sever their supply lines, personally leading 20,000 infantry and cavalry to attack them, defeating the enemy army and causing the bandits to scatter in disarray. Upon reaching the river crossing, they encountered an ambush from the navy, surrounded by enemies on both sides and in a dire predicament. Zhang Xuduo captured countless treasures and supplies and subsequently reported to the court. The emperor was extremely pleased, issuing an edict to commend him and sending someone to present his portrait. That year, bandits Pei Changcai, Shi Zihe, and their cohorts suddenly appeared with 20,000 troops at the city gates, looting everywhere. With no time to assemble his forces, Zhang Xuduo took the initiative and personally led five cavalrymen to confront the enemy. The bandits charged forward and surrounded him in multiple layers; he sustained numerous injuries, yet his resolve only grew stronger. Just then, reinforcements from the city arrived, prompting the bandits to retreat slightly, resulting in Pei Changcai's retreat in defeat.
After several days, the bandit leader Qin Junhong, Guo Fangyu, and others surrounded Beihai with their troops; their forces were formidable. Zhang Xuduo said to his subordinates, "The bandits think they are very powerful, thinking that I won't come to their aid. I'm going to rush over now and I'll definitely beat them!" So he selected elite soldiers, marched day and night, and indeed the bandits were completely unprepared. Zhang Xuduo defeated the enemy forces, killing tens of thousands, and captured three thousand loads of supplies. The governor of Sili, Pei Cao, reported to the emperor, and the emperor sent envoys to commend his achievements. Ten years later, the bandit Zuo Xiaoyou led a hundred thousand troops and set up camp at Dog Squatting Mountain. Zhang Xuduo deployed the Eight Winds Formation to put pressure on them and divided his troops to guard their key points. Zuo Xiaoyou had no option but to surrender. His accomplices—Jie Xiang, Wang Liang, Zheng Dabiao, Li Han, and others, each with tens of thousands of troops, were all defeated by Zhang Xuduo. His reputation resonated throughout the land. For his achievements, he was promoted to governor of Qijun while also serving as the chief envoy for the twelve counties of Henan.
Before long, the bandit Lu Mingyue led more than 100,000 troops to attack Hebei, stationed at Zhu'a. Zhang Xuduo took the initiative to attack and killed thousands of enemy soldiers. Bandits such as Lu Mingxing, Shuai Rentai, and Huo Xiaohan each had tens of thousands of soldiers and horses, raiding Jibei. Zhang Xuduo led troops to attack and drove them away. He then led troops to resist the bandit Zhai Rang in Dongjun, fought more than thirty battles, and defeated them every time. Later, he was promoted to the position of magistrate of Xingyang. At this time, Li Mi persuaded Zhai Rang to attack Luokou Warehouse, but Zhai Rang feared Zhang Xuduo and was hesitant to attack. Li Mi persuaded him, so Zhai Rang and Li Mi led troops to approach Xingyang. Zhang Xuduo resisted them. Zhai Rang was afraid and retreated. Zhang Xuduo pursued them for over ten miles. At this time, Li Mi had already ambushed thousands of people in the woods and ambushed Zhang Xuduo's army, which led to Zhang Xuduo's defeat. Li Mi and Zhai Rang surrounded him, but Zhang Xuduo managed to break through the encirclement. However, the soldiers on both flanks were not able to fully escape, so Zhang Xuduo rode his horse to save them. After several back and forth attempts, the soldiers dispersed, and Zhang Xuduo sighed, "After fighting like this, how can I face the emperor?" He then dismounted and fell in battle at the age of fifty-two. His subordinates cried throughout the night and continued for several days. King Dong of Yue sent the Left Guanglu Doctor, Pei Renji, to pacify his troops and move them to Wulao for stationing. The emperor ordered his son, Zhang Yuanbei, to take command of his father's army, but Zhang Yuanbei, stationed in Qijun at the time, encountered bandits and ultimately failed to take action.
Yang Shanhui, style name Jingren, was from Huayin, Hongnong. His father, Yang Chu, had served as the Prefect of Piling. During the reign of Emperor Yang of Sui in the Daye era, Yang Shanhui became the magistrate of Shu County and became known for his integrity and honesty. Not long after, a severe famine occurred in Shandong, and the common people, having no food to eat, gathered together and became bandits. Yang Shanhui led a few hundred men to capture them, and succeeded every time.
Later, the bandit leader Zhang Jincheng led tens of thousands of troops to camp near Shu County, burning, pillaging, and killing, with the local officials powerless to stop him. Yang Shanhui inspired his soldiers to fight against Zhang Jincheng's army multiple times, each time successfully undermining the enemy's morale. Emperor Yang Guang sent General Duan Da to suppress Zhang Jincheng, and Yang Shanhui even offered Duan Da a good idea, but Duan Da did not adopt it, resulting in the army's defeat. Duan Da later apologized to Yang Shanhui. Yang Shanhui fought Zhang Jincheng again, carefully planning each action in advance and achieving a resounding victory every time.
Zhang Jincheng then joined forces with bandits from the Bohai region, such as Sun Xuanya and Gao Shida, leading hundreds of thousands of troops to break through Liyang and returning with great ferocity. Yang Shanhui led a thousand elite soldiers in ambush, defeating them and being promoted to Court Official and magistrate of Qinghe County. Zhang Jincheng made slight adjustments to the deployment of his forces and sent a small number of troops to raid Guanshi County. Yang Shanhui and the magistrate of Pingyuan, Yang Yuanhong, led tens of thousands of cavalry and infantry to surprise attack Zhang Jincheng's main camp. General Wang Bian's army also arrived, forcing Zhang Jincheng to abandon Guanshi County to assist his troops, only to suffer defeat at the hands of Wang Bian. Yang Shanhui selected five hundred elite soldiers as reinforcements, achieving great success and boosting the morale of Wang Bian's army. The bandits retreated to their main camp, and all other forces retreated.
At that time, Shandong was in chaos everywhere, with as numerous people joining the bandits as there were at a market. The counties were weak, and fell one after another. Only Yang Shan-hui managed to resist the bandits, fighting more than seven hundred battles without losing once. However, he always felt regret over the disparity in forces and couldn't completely eradicate the bandits. Later, the Grand Preceptor Yang Yi-chen set out to subdue Zhang Jincheng, but was forced to retreat to Linqing after being defeated by the bandits. Yang Yi-chen implemented Yang Shan-hui's tactics and engaged the bandits in several battles before they finally fled. Yang Yi-chen pursued them, stormed their main camp, and captured all of them. Zhang Jincheng fled with a few hundred followers to Zhangnan, where he gathered more troops. Yang Shan-hui caught up to him and killed Zhang Jincheng, and sent his head to the emperor. The emperor rewarded him with a fine sword and armor and promoted him to Qinghe Prefect.
In the same year, Yang Shanhui followed Yang Yichen in killing the bandit leader in Zhangnan, Gao Shida, and delivered his head to the Jiangdu Palace. The emperor issued a decree commending him. Gao Shida's subordinate, Dou Jiande, self-proclaimed King of Changle, came to attack Xindu. The bandit leader Wang Anzu of Linqing conspired with Dou Jiande. Yang Shanhui launched a surprise attack on Wang Anzu and killed him. After capturing Xindu, Dou Jiande harassed Qinghe, and Yang Shanhui put up a resistance but was ultimately defeated and had to defend the city. The bandits besieged the city for forty days, and the city eventually fell. Yang Shanhui was captured. Dou Jiande released him, treated him honorably, and appointed him as the governor of Beizhou. Yang Shanhui scolded him, "You old thief, dare to compare yourself with the pillars of the country! I regret not being able to capture you. I'm not like you lot, a bunch of butchers and liquor sellers, how dare you make me an official for you!" In the face of danger, Yang Shanhui stood his ground. Dou Jiande wanted to keep him, but his subordinates requested to kill him. Dou Jiande knew that Yang Shanhui would not ultimately serve him, so he killed him. The people of Qinghe mourned deeply.
Dugu Sheng is the younger brother of Grand Marshal Dugu Kai. He was known for his strong character and great courage. When Emperor Yang of Sui was still in command of Yangzhou, Dugu Sheng was by his side as a guard. He was promoted all the way to become General of Chariots and Cavalry. When Emperor Yang of Sui ascended the throne, he became closer to Dugu Sheng because they had known each other from the mansion, and promoted him to General of the Right Guard.
During the rebellion of Yuwen Huaji, Pei Qiantong led his troops to Chengxiang Palace. The soldiers responsible for guarding the palace abandoned their posts and fled. Dugu Sheng said to Pei Qiantong, "What kind of army is this? This is outrageous!" Pei Qiantong replied, "The situation is already like this; this is no concern of yours, General. Please do not act recklessly." Dugu Sheng shouted angrily, "You old thief, what nonsense are you talking!" Without having time to put on armor, he and a dozen followers launched a counterattack but were ultimately overpowered by the rebels. Later, Prince Yang Dong proclaimed himself emperor and posthumously honored Dugu Sheng with the title Guanglu Dafu and Jiguo Gong, with the posthumous title of Wujie.
Yuan Wendo was the nephew of Yuan Xiaozhu, the Duke of Xunyang. His father, Yuan Xiaozhe, had held the position of Xiaozongzai during the Zhou Dynasty and served as the governor of Jiangling. Wendo was upright and outspoken, eloquent, and very capable. During the Zhou Dynasty, he became the Right Attendant Officer. During the reign of Emperor Wen of Sui, he was appointed as an imperial secretary, later serving as a lang (junior official) in the Ministry of Works and a lang in the Bureau of Evaluation, and excelled in each role. He was then promoted to Left Deputy of the Ministry of Personnel and later transferred to be a junior officer in the Imperial Household Department. After Emperor Yang of Sui ascended the throne, he was promoted to be a junior officer in the Ministry of Agriculture and a Grand Master of the Slaves, before long, he was appointed as the Grand Master of the Imperial Secretariat, but was later removed from his position due to misconduct. Not long after, he was appointed as the Minister of the Imperial Household, and Emperor Yang gradually came to trust him, given his strong reputation at the time.
In the 13th year of the Daye era, Emperor Yang of Sui arrived at the Jiangdu Palace and ordered Wendu, Duanda, Huangfu Wuyi, Weijin, and others to remain in Dongdu. After Emperor Yang's death, Wendu, Duanda, Weijin, and others proclaimed Prince Yue, Yang Dong, as emperor. Yang Dong appointed Wendu as the Minister of the Interior, the Governor of the Left, the General of the Valiant Guard, the Acting General of the Right Guard, and the Duke of Lu. Later, Yuwen Huaji supported Prince Qin, Yang Hao, as emperor and led troops to Pengcheng, creating a significant disturbance everywhere. Wendu advised Yang Dong to send envoys to reach out to Li Mi of the Wagang Army. Li Mi then requested to surrender, and Yang Dong granted him an official title while treating his envoys with great respect. Wang Chong was displeased by this, resulting in a rift between him and Wendu. Wendu, realizing this, secretly plotted to assassinate Wang Chong. Yang Dong intended for Wendu to serve as the Grand Master of Imperial Carriages, but Wang Chong strongly opposed it, so the appointment did not go through.
Lu Chu said to Wendu, "Wang Chong is merely a general of the foreign army, not someone who should remain behind. How can we let him participate in our affairs! Moreover, he bears full responsibility for the failure of the Battle of Luokou. He has the audacity to be so arrogant and meddle in court affairs. If we don't eliminate him, he will become a calamity for the nation!" Wendu agreed with Lu Chu's opinion and prepared to report to the emperor. As the incident was about to unfold, someone informed Wang Chong about it. Wang Chong was in the court at that time. When he heard the news, he was frightened and quickly fled back to Hanjia City to conspire a rebellion. Wendu sent people to call him several times, but Wang Chong falsely claimed to be sick and refused to go. In the evening, Wang Chong staged a rebellion, breached the East Taiyang Gate, entered the palace, and paid his respects to Yang Dong at the Zhiwei Pavilion. Yang Dong sent someone to inquire, "What is the meaning of this?" Wang Chong said, "Yuan Wendu and Lu Chu conspired to kill each other. Please kill Wendu and blame the crime on the Sikou." Realizing Wang Chong's increasing power, Yang Dong understood he was in imminent danger. He said to Wendu, "Go see General Wang yourself." Wendu hesitated, tears streaming down his face. Yang Dong sent his appointed general Huang Taoshu to escort Wendu out. Wendu turned back to Yang Dong, saying, "If I die today, Your Majesty will not last much longer." Yang Dong sadly bid farewell to him, and everyone around felt sorrowful. When they reached the Xingjiao Gate, Wang Chong ordered his men to kill Wendu with random knives, and his sons were also killed. Lu Chu, hailing from Fanyang in Zhuojun, was the grandson of Lu Jingzuo, who served as the Chief Minister of Wei. Lu Chu was talented from a young age, but he was straightforward and had a slight stutter, making his speech not very fluent. During the reign of Emperor Yang of Sui, he became the Right Assistant Minister of the Ministry of Rites and was always upright in court, causing many officials to fear him. When Emperor Yang went to Jiangdu, most officials in the Eastern Capital did not follow the laws, but Lu Chu consistently insisted on correcting them without faltering.
Later, Emperor Yang Dong of Yue declared himself emperor and appointed Lu Chu as the Grand Minister of the Interior, Left General of the Reserve, Acting Left Deputy of the Ministry of Personnel, and Right Grand Minister of Ceremony. He was conferred the title of Duke of Zhuojun and was tasked with assisting the young emperor alongside Yuan Wendou and others. Later, Wang Chong rebelled, and his forces besieged the Taiyang Gate. General Wuwei Huangfu Wuyi opened the city gate and fled, encouraging Lu Chu to flee with him. Lu Chu said to him, "Yuan Gong and I have made a pact that if the country is in trouble, we will die together. It would be dishonorable to flee now." When the rebels entered the city, Lu Chu hid in the Grand Minister's Office, but was captured and taken to Wang Chong. Wang Chong, filled with rage, ordered Lu Chu's execution. As the sword descended, Lu Chu's body was mangled.
Liu Ziyi hailed from Congtingli in Pengcheng. His father, Liu Bian, was the Inspector of Xuzhou in the Qi State. Liu Ziyi was studious from a young age, skilled in writing, upright, and had the talent for government service. He served as the Palace General in the Qi Dynasty. During the early years of Emperor Wen of Sui's reign, he became the County Magistrate of Nanhe, and later rose to the position of Military Judge in Qinzhou. In the eighteenth year of Emperor Kaihuang's reign, he took part in the imperial examination, where the Right Deputy of the Ministry of Personnel, Yang Su, took notice of him and recommended him to be an Imperial Censor. At that time, Liu Xuan from Hejian believed that Li Gongxiao, the County Magistrate of Yongning, who lost his mother at the age of four, remarried at nine, and then had his stepfather remarry, should not be dismissed from his position. Liu Ziyi countered:
Ancient texts state: "A stepmother is just like a biological mother; there is no difference." Therefore, the status of a stepmother is equal to that of a biological mother, and the etiquette and rituals that should be observed are the same as those for a biological mother. The ancient texts also state: "Those who mourn for their deceased parents must manage their funeral rites and express their sorrow." Those who mourn refer specifically to biological children, not stepchildren. Even though the father remarries and the status is different, the feelings towards the children should still prioritize their biological parents. Therefore, the ancient texts say: "Those who mourn for their deceased parents must manage their funeral rites and express their sorrow. If the father passes away and the mother remarries, even if the children are not satisfied, they should still express their grief; however, if the stepmother remarries, there is no need to conduct funeral rites again." This refers to the situation where the mother remarries. Therefore, as long as the stepmother is in the father's house, her status is equivalent to that of a biological mother. If it is claimed that one cannot be treated the same without nurturing grace, then where does the concept of filial piety begin? Since filial piety must be observed, how can grief be different? The meaning of these three principles is quite clear, and now some people say that the laws allow for not observing filial piety, which is utterly absurd! Furthermore, those who mourn for their deceased parents have never differentiated between biological parents and step-parents, since biological parents and step-parents have equal status, grief naturally should be the same. The ancient texts state: "When the mother remarries, one should don mourning attire for the stepmother." This does not imply that the biological mother's lineage has been severed, resulting in estrangement, but because the stepmother married the father, that is why they became close? Zisi stated: "Bestowing gifts upon a wife does not equate to bestowing gifts upon a mother." This indicates that the level of mourning attire is determined by status, with feelings arising from the father, so the sages emphasize filial piety and love, promoting righteousness. Therefore, children wear mourning clothes based on status, just like for a biological mother; showing filial piety to a stepmother is equivalent to that towards a biological mother. If it is claimed that the stepmother arrived after the children had grown up, thus altering the level of mourning attire, then even after consulting ancient texts, no such statements can be found.
In traditional culture, for example, when the children have grown up and the biological mother has passed away, the stepmother comes into the home only then. Can someone really neglect their filial responsibilities just because there was no care involved.
Once upon a time, there was a man named Wang Bi from Changsha. In the late Han Dynasty, he went to the capital city for official business. Later, the Wu and Wei kingdoms cut ties. Wang Bi remarried and had a son named Chang. It was only then that he learned of the Wu Kingdom's mother’s passing, so he was heartbroken and skipped work. At that time, people did not think he did anything wrong. This shows that there’s no emotional difference between a stepmother and a biological mother. If we use upbringing to define filial piety, then what can be said about Wang Chang's behavior? Also, during the Jin Dynasty, General Zhen Nan Yang Hu did not have a son, so he adopted his disciple Yi as his son. After Yang Hu passed away, Yi did not observe deep mourning. Yang Hu's wife reported to the court, and Yi said, "Uncle raised me when he was alive, and I dare not go against his wishes. However, without my father's command, I will return to my biological parents." The Minister of Personnel, Peng Quan, said, "Children who are adopted must have the father's consent. Without consent, leaving is considered unfilial." Therefore, the court issued an order to approve. Therefore, the standard of filial piety cannot be judged solely on the basis of nurturing. I say, rites and ceremonies are established based on human relationships, relying on morality for education. I use this principle to explain his statement. What’s called "affection" refers to heartfelt feelings, like a mother's love for her children; the so-called "righteousness" means to be as filial as children are to their parents. Once roles and statuses are clear, one can respect the father, obey the roles, uphold rites, and be respectful and filial. If only a mother’s nurturing can define the mother-son bond, then how can she possibly follow the father's orders?
He also said, "Stepmothers and birth mothers were originally strangers, but since she raised me, it is as if she is my own flesh and blood." If that's the case, then children might ignore their father's words, even if they owe their upbringing to him. Can this kindness of upbringing compare to that of a birth mother? Although a stepmother's filial piety is not as great as that of a birth mother, it is certainly greater than that of an ordinary person. Rituals have their ethical norms, and filial piety should be determined based on reason. Stepmothers are supposed to fulfill their filial duties according to their status; how can their worth be judged based on the depth of kindness? As for a brother's son, although he is treated as one's own son, the feelings of closeness and detachment are certainly different. The mourning rituals are the same for everyone. He believed that '如' carries less weight than '以,' but I think they are different. I said, the word '如' here means equality, treating equally. If the importance is different, how can we use the word '如'? In legal terms, '准枉法' refers to convicting someone based on their actual crimes, while '以枉法论' treats them as if they committed the crime. The law punishes offenders, while rituals guide behavior through education. '准' means comparison, '以' means the same. The usage of '如' and '以' is not different; both in rituals and law, they prevent the same thing. Using this reasoning to explain his statement is enough to understand his meaning. What's so far-fetched about using cutting down trees as an analogy?
First of all, someone said, "Making your son the heir is to let him inherit the ancestral line, serve you directly, and not allow the eldest son to return to his original family to serve his deceased father's widow as a son." However, the widow of the deceased father is called that because of him; according to your statement, does the deceased father not care about the funeral? How can it be said that it is only the deceased father's widow? Another person said, "In terms of etiquette, when we say 'former ruler,' is he still regarded as a ruler? He has lost his position and is no longer a pure minister, thus the term 'former' is used for distinction. Moreover, it emphasizes that this is not solely about filial piety, hence the use of 'its.' The term 'its father' signifies something different." This is not a universally applicable statement. Why say so? The explanations of "its" and "former" are different, and their usage is also different. "Former" is used to refer to old and new, while "its" is used according to the other party's status; how can they be confused? For instance, the "Book of Rites" states that "When its father divides the firewood, its son cannot bear the load." The "Zuo Zhuan" says, "Although the state of Wei is small, its ruler is among them." If "its father" carries a special meaning, does "its ruler" also? Of course not, of course not. Now you dare to violate rites, insult the emperor, and break the law, allowing your descendants to have no feelings for their birth father; these nominal distinctions damage traditional customs. You, in the Ming Dynasty, use flawed arguments to misinterpret the classics, and while attempting to showcase your talent, you inadvertently make unreasonable statements.
After the memorial was reported, Ziyi's opinions were ultimately adopted. During the Renshou period, he served as the magistrate of Xinfeng County and made significant achievements in governance. In the third year of Daye, he was appointed as the Chief Justice of Dali and was very famous at that time. He was later promoted to the position of Imperial Secretariat, and whenever there were disputes at court, Ziyi could clearly analyze them, often exceeding the expectations of others. He once accompanied the emperor to Jiangdu. During a time of great chaos in the country, the emperor still did not understand the situation. Ziyi took the opportunity to advise the emperor multiple times, which angered the emperor, resulting in his appointment as the Commandant of Danyang. Shortly after, he was sent to oversee the transportation of military provisions along the Yangtze River but was captured by the bandits under the command of Wu Qizi. Ziyi persuaded them to surrender and recruited the leaders of these bandits. He was then sent to eliminate the bandits along the river. When he received the news of Emperor Yang's death, the bandits informed him. Ziyi, doubting the claim, killed the messenger. The bandits then sought to make him their leader, but Ziyi refused. A group of bandits took Ziyi to the outskirts of Linchuan and asked him to announce to the people in the city: "The emperor is dead." However, Ziyi contradicted them and was subsequently executed at the age of seventy.
Yao Jun was origin
When the army of Qu Tutong was defeated, they arrived at the city gates and called for Jun Su to surrender. Jun Su saw Qu Tutong and cried in sorrow, tears flowing uncontrollably. Those around them choked up as well, and Qu Tutong cried with tears streaming down his face. He said to Jun Su, "My army has already been defeated; wherever the righteous army goes, there is an enthusiastic response. This is the situation; you should surrender early to gain wealth and honor." Jun Su replied, "You are the emperor's trusted aide, a high-ranking minister of the state. The emperor entrusted Guanzhong to you, and the king entrusted the nation to you. The rise and fall of the nation rests on your shoulders. Why do you not think of serving the country and end up in this situation? Even if you cannot repay the emperor, the horse you ride was a reward from the king. How can you still bear to ride it?" Qu Tutong said, "Alas! Jun Su, I came here because of a lack of strength." Jun Su said, "Your strength is not yet insufficient; why say more?" Qu Tutong left in shame.
At that time, the city was tightly surrounded, with food supplies cut off. Jun Su made a wooden goose, tied the written memorial to its neck, detailed the current situation, then placed a wooden goose in the Yellow River to float downstream. The officials guarding the city of Heyang received the memorial and hurriedly sent it to the eastern capital, Luoyang. Prince Yang Tong of Yue sighed after reading the memorial and appointed Jun Su as the Golden Purple Grand Minister, secretly sending people to comfort him. The gatekeeper Pang Yu and the general Huangfu Wuyi both defected from the eastern capital to join the righteous army, coming to the city gates to persuade Jun Su to surrender and explain the pros and cons to him. The Tang Dynasty also sent a golden pardon, promising not to kill him. However, Jun Su never had the intention to surrender. His wife also came to the city gates to persuade him, saying, "The Sui Dynasty has already perished; the mandate of heaven now belongs to others. Why do you persist in this way and bring disaster upon yourself?" Jun Su said, "The affairs of the world are beyond a woman's understanding." He then shot his wife with an arrow.
Jun Su also knew that things would definitely not succeed, but he insisted on adhering to his principles and facing death. Whenever he talked about national affairs, he was overwhelmed with sorrow and wept continuously. He once said to his soldiers, "I have served the emperor in the palace as an old official and have been rewarded and promoted by the emperor many times. Now that the country's great righteousness is at stake, I must face death. We still have a few years of food reserves. When the food runs out, we will know the situation in the world. If the Sui Dynasty really perishes, the mandate of heaven will belong to others, and I must present my head to you." At that time, the people had endured long suffering under Sui rule. When the rebel army rose, everyone saw a glimmer of hope for liberation. But because Jun Su was good at leading the army, the soldiers did not betray him. Over a year later, some people outside the city secretly sent food to the city. The people in the city vaguely heard that Jiangdu (the capital of Emperor Yang of Sui) had fallen. However, food was still very scarce, and the people were on the brink of starvation. There were even horrific acts of cannibalism, and people were in panic. A pale rainbow appeared on the city gate, and weapons gleamed ominously, all of which were ominous signs. A month later, Jun Su was murdered by his own men. There was a man named Chen Xiaoyi in Hedong, who had high aspirations from a young age and was renowned for his integrity and honesty. During the reign of the Sui Dynasty, he became a minor judicial officer in Lu County and was celebrated for his integrity and fairness. The county magistrate Su Wei once wanted to kill a prisoner, but Chen Xiaoyi fervently opposed it. After several attempts, Su Wei still did not listen. Chen Xiaoyi stripped off his clothes and demanded to be executed first. After a long time, Su Wei was deeply moved by his unwavering resolve, apologized, released him, and increasingly respected him. Later, when Su Wei became an important official in the court, he recommended Chen Xiaoyi for the position of imperial censor.
Chen Xiaoyi later resigned from his job to observe a mourning period after his father passed away. He took his filial duties very seriously, even going above and beyond the customary practices. It was said that a white deer often appeared near his home at that time, and people believed it was a sign of his devotion. After the period of mourning, he was appointed as the magistrate of Yanmen County. He lived a simple life in Yanmen County, eating vegetarian food, living in a modest house, and grieving for his father every day. He would faint when he cried, which saddened those around him. During that time, the court was in chaos, with many officials being corrupt, but Chen Xiaoyi stayed honest, exposing corruption and punishing wrongdoers. He was admired by the people like a hero.
When Emperor Yang of Sui visited Jiangdu on a trip, Liu Wuzhou from Mayi killed the prefect Wang Rengong and rebelled. Chen Xiaoyi led an army and the martial officer Wang Zhibian to suppress Liu Wuzhou, but faced a crushing defeat at Xiaguan City. Liu Wuzhou pursued the victory, attacking nearby counties and sparking panic among the people, who were ready to revolt. The former magistrate Yang Changren and the county magistrate Wang Que were cunning and deceitful, with many rogues flocking to their side. They were plotting to surrender to Liu Wuzhou. Chen Xiaoyi secretly learned of their conspiracy and eliminated their entire households, terrifying the locals, who no longer dared to betray him.
Shortly thereafter, Liu Wuzhou led his troops to attack Yanmen County, but Chen Xiaoyi resolutely resisted and achieved repeated victories. However, Yanmen County was an isolated city with no reinforcements outside. Chen Xiaoyi resolved to defend the city at all costs. He sent people to Jiangdu several times to ask for help, but the roads were cut off, and he never received a reply. Chen Xiaoyi also knew that the emperor would definitely not send troops to rescue them. Every morning and evening, he wept before the imperial edict in court, touching the hearts of those around him with his sorrow. After being besieged for more than a hundred days, the supplies ran out, and ultimately, he was killed by Colonel Zhang Lun, and Yanmen County fell into the hands of Liu Wuzhou.
Zhang Jixun from Jingzhao, whose father was named Zhang Xiang, was held in high esteem by Emperor Gaozu in his youth and was later promoted to be a military officer. 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 General Liu Jian to attack the Yan and Zhao regions. When Liu Jian reached Jingxing, Zhang Xiang led his troops to resist, but Liu Jian mounted a fierce assault and even set fire to the base of the city walls. Seeing the people in panic, Zhang Xiang ascended the city wall, bowed twice in the direction of the Western Queen Mother’s temple, and cried out, saying, "What sins have the people committed to suffer such a fire! Oh spirits, if you truly are real, please send rain to save us!" As soon as he finished speaking, dark clouds gathered over the temple, and soon a heavy rain fell, extinguishing the fire. The soldiers were moved by his sincere attitude and followed his orders. After being besieged for over a month, Li Xiong's reinforcements arrived, and the rebel forces retreated. Zhang Xiang was rewarded for his valor and appointed as a Kaifu official, later becoming the Governor of Ruzhou and the Prefect of Lingwu, and finally served as the Director of Waterways in the capital, where he passed away while in office.
When Zhang Jixun was young, he was generous and ambitious, with integrity and principles. During the reign of Emperor Yang of Sui, he became the Eagle Strike General, stationed at a residence near Ji Mountain, which served as a defensive position connected to Luokou. Later, Li Mi and Zhai Rang breached the granary city and sent people to ask him to surrender. Zhang Jixun cursed at Li Mi, who then sent troops to attack him, but for several years, they were unable to capture him. Despite being surrounded by tens of thousands of Li Mi's troops with only a few hundred men under his command, Zhang Jixun remained resolute and vowed to resist to the death. After three years of siege, with supplies depleted and soldiers exhausted and ill, the city was ultimately breached. Zhang Jixun, calmly seated in the official residence, was captured by Li Mi's troops.
A group of soldiers seized Zhang Jixun and demanded he kneel before Li Mi. Zhang Jixun said, "Although I am a defeated general, I am still a loyal servant of the Emperor of the Great Sui; how can I kneel before you bandits!" Li Mi was impressed by his courage and released him. Zhai Rang, who failed to extort money from Zhang Jixun, had him killed. Zhang Jixun was only twenty-eight years old. His younger brother, Zhang Zhongyan, became the magistrate of Luo in the later years of Emperor Yang of Sui. During the uprising of the rebels, his subordinates killed him and surrendered to the rebels. Another younger brother of Zhang Jixun, Zhang Cong, a Left General of the Sui Dynasty, was killed during Yuwen Huaji's rebellion. The Zhang family was renowned for their loyalty and sacrifices for the country, earning them the admiration of the people.
Once upon a time, there was a man named Song Yun from Beihai, known for his fiery temperament and strong sense of honor. He served as a captain in Shimen Prefecture. As the Sui Dynasty was nearing its end, a bandit named Yang Hou led a rebellion and attacked Beihai County. Song Yun joined the local troops to suppress the rebellion. He went to scout the enemy on horseback and was captured by the bandit Yang Hou. Yang Hou wanted to use him to deceive the defenders of the city by sending him to tell them that the imperial army had been defeated and they should surrender quickly. Song Yun pretended to agree.
As he reached the city gates, he suddenly shouted, "I am Song Yun, sent to scout the enemy, unfortunately captured, but it's not because I couldn't defeat them! The main force of the imperial army will arrive soon; the bandits are few in number and weak; they will soon be wiped out, so there is no need to worry!" Yang Hou, furious, slashed his mouth with a knife, dragged him away, and beat him mercilessly along the way. Song Yun cursed, "You old bandit, dare to humiliate loyal and righteous people; you will suffer for it!" Before he could finish speaking, Yang Hou cut him in half at the waist. The people in the city witnessed this scene, and they all wept and beat their chests in despair, their morale even higher, and Beihai City was ultimately saved.
Emperor Yang of Sui sent Guo Zijian, a clerk, to defeat Yang Hou, and he succeeded. Upon hearing the news of Song Yun's sacrifice for the country, Emperor Yang of Sui was deeply saddened, and he commended him in a memorial, posthumously awarding him the title of Grand Master and appointing him as the local governor. Historical records note: The ancients held that the world was of utmost importance, rendering individual lives insignificant. While life is important, it pales in comparison to righteousness. Thus, dying for righteousness carries more weight than Mount Tai; living for righteousness gives life meaning; living against righteousness is as light as a feather; dying for righteousness is in accordance with righteousness. However, death is irreversible and life is fleeting, making it incredibly challenging to uphold integrity consistently.
The rebellion of Yang Liang, Xuan Gan, and Li Mi has gained significant scale and momentum. Huangfu Dan, You Yuan, and Feng Ciming showed no fear in the face of danger, courageously dedicating themselves to the cause of righteousness. Did Dugu Sheng, Yuan Wendo, Lu Chu, and Yao Junsu not realize that the tide had turned and the situation was beyond saving? Yet they willingly accepted the punishment of 'ju gai' (a form of brutal torture) to maintain their steadfast loyalty. Although their contributions did not preserve the nation or alter the unfolding disaster, their noble deeds will be celebrated for centuries. It is truly moving to see such loyal subjects in times of upheaval!
