Zhao Fen, courtesy name Shimao, hails from the western part of Tianshui. His father, Zhao Yan, once served as Governor of Qinzhou during the Zhou Dynasty. Zhao Fen was intelligent and knowledgeable from a young age, having read many classics. Emperor Zhou recognized his talent and appointed him as a military officer in the Prime Minister's office. He gradually ascended to the position of Governor of Xiongzhou. He successfully pacified many surrendered individuals and recovered two thousand households, leading to his appointment as an official of high rank.
Later, Grand Chancellor Yuwen Hu transferred him to the Ministry of the Interior as a clerk, and shortly after, he was promoted to a senior official in the Ministry of Personnel. Zhao Fen excelled wherever he went. When Emperor Wu took the throne, he promoted Zhao Fen to the position of Senior Imperial Secretary, and later to a junior minister. Zhao Fen was well-versed in the court's rules and regulations, frequently offering sound judgments when discussions hit a deadlock. He was appointed as the Minister of Justice and served as Chief of Staff under Li Mu during the campaign against the Qi state. He was granted the title of Marquis of Huai'an, with a fief of five hundred households. He later served as the Governor of Xizhou and was later promoted to Duke of Xiaozong, stationed in Luoyang.
After Gaozu became Prime Minister, Wei Jiong and Sima Xiaonan secretly conspired, which Zhao Fen detected and swiftly reported to Gaozu. Consequently, Gaozu held him in high regard and placed great trust in him, promoting him to the Left Deputy of the Capital and granting him the title of County Duke. In the early years of the Kaihuang reign, the court eliminated official positions in the capital, appointing him as the Left Deputy of the Imperial Secretary, where he collaborated with Duke Wang Yi of Yingguo to revise laws and regulations. Shortly after, he also served as the Minister of the Interior, gaining the emperor's confidence. Due to his advancing age and deteriorating health, he requested retirement and was appointed as the Governor of Puzhou, and was conferred the title of Golden Purple Lu Doctor. He was also tasked with overseeing grain transportation in the eastern region, and the court rewarded him with one million coins and five thousand stones of grain.
Years later, he submitted another request for retirement. The court summoned him back to the capital, bestowed upon him two horses, a carriage, a cane, bedding, and other essentials, granting him permission to retire at home. The Crown Prince also gave him clothes. Years later, Zhao Fen passed away. The Emperor sent people to mourn him and entrusted the Honglu Temple with his funeral arrangements. His son, Zhao Yuanke, inherited his title and became the Marshal of Yangzhou, later being demoted to the Chief of the Imperial Guards. Zhao Fen's other son, Zhao Yuankai, was as capable and astute as his brother. During the Daye period, Zhao Yuankai became the magistrate of Liyang County, and he and the magistrate of Lujiang County, Xu Zhongzong, extorted money from the people to present as tribute to the Emperor. Later, Xu Zhongzong was promoted to magistrate of Nanchun, while Zhao Yuankai was exceptionally promoted to magistrate of Jiangdu County, also serving as the Palace Superintendent of Jiangdu.
Yang Shangxi is from Hongnong. His grandfather, Yang Zhen, was the governor of Wei State, overseeing the Tianshui area. His father, Yang Chengbin, served as the governor of three states: Shangzhou, Zhizhou, and Xizhou, holding a prominent official position. Yang Shangxi lost his father at a young age and became an orphan.
When he was eleven years old, he told his mother that he wanted to leave home and go to Chang'an to study. In Chang'an, a man named Lu Bian from Zhuojun instantly recognized his potential and allowed him to enter the Imperial College to study. Yang Shangxi studied diligently and seriously, and his classmates admired him greatly. Emperor Wu of Northern Zhou once personally visited the Imperial College to participate in a sacrifice ceremony. At that time, Yang Shangxi was eighteen years old, and Emperor Wu asked him to explain the "Classic of Filial Piety," which he explained exceptionally well. Emperor Wu appreciated him greatly and bestowed upon him the surname Pu and the given name Luru, promoting him to the position of National Scholar. Later, his career continued to flourish, and he served as an imperial attendant.
During the reigns of Emperor Ming and Emperor Wu of the Northern Zhou Dynasty, he successively held the positions of Imperial Academy Scholar, Minister of the Crown Prince's Court, and Minister of the Department of Accounts. He was also granted the title of Marquis of Gaodou County and later became the Grand Master of the Eastern Capital's Court. During the reign of Emperor Xuan of the Northern Zhou Dynasty, Emperor Xuan sent Yang Shangxi to Shandong and Hebei to pacify the people. However, when they reached Xiangzhou, Emperor Xuan passed away. At that time, the governor of Xiangzhou, Wei Jiong, was conducting the funeral rites for Emperor Xuan at the inn. Yang Shangxi told his companions, "Wei Jiong is crying inappropriately and his demeanor seems off. If I don't leave, I will be in danger!" So, in the middle of the night, he secretly took a shortcut and ran away. By the time it was almost dawn, Wei Jiong discovered that Yang Shangxi had fled and quickly sent dozens of cavalry units to chase after him on the main road, but they did not catch up. Yang Shangxi made it back to the capital safely. Emperor Wen of the Sui Dynasty thought highly of Yang Shangxi for his boldness in betraying Wei Jiong. Later, when Wei Jiong stationed his troops in Wuzhi, Emperor Wen sent Yang Shangxi to lead three thousand royal troops to guard Tongguan. Shortly after, Yang Shangxi was promoted to the position of Grand Master of the Ministry. The founding emperor appointed Shangxi as an official, first appointing him as the Minister of Revenue, then promoting him to a duke. A year later, he was sent to Henan Province as the Minister of War of the Xing Tai and was also elevated to the rank of Grand Master of Silver Qinglu. His official position continued to rise.
Shang Xi believed that there were too many prefectures and counties, so he wrote to the emperor, saying: "Since the unification of the country by the Qin Dynasty, the abolition of vassal states, and the establishment of prefectures and counties, the local administrative divisions have changed throughout the Han, Wei, and Jin Dynasties. Now, I believe there are far more prefectures and counties now than in ancient times. In some areas, which are only about a hundred miles in size, several counties have been established; in some areas, there are fewer than a thousand households, yet they are under the jurisdiction of two prefectures. There are too many officials, leading to huge expenses; the number of officials, soldiers, and personnel has doubled, while taxes have decreased year by year. Finding honest and capable individuals is extremely difficult; out of a hundred, you can hardly find even one. It takes tens of thousands of people to do even a little work. Where can so many people be found? This is what they call 'few people and many officials, nine sheep for every pasture.' The guqin can adjust its strings as needed, but the se cannot just focus on the tuning pegs. We should now streamline the organization by merging the smaller units into larger ones, so that the country can save on food and resources, making it easier to select talented individuals. I humbly present my suggestions and seek Your Majesty's judgment." After reading the memorial, the emperor appreciated his suggestions and ordered the abolition of numerous prefectures and counties across the country.
Subsequently, Shang Xi was appointed as the Governor of Yingzhou. Before he even took office, he was ordered to inspect the Huainan region. Upon his return, he was appointed as the Minister of Military Affairs. Shortly thereafter, he was promoted to the Minister of Rites and granted the title of Upper Yitong official. Shang Xi was generous, knowledgeable, and highly esteemed, enjoying high regard at court. The Emperor attended court diligently every day, never slackening. Shang Xi advised, "King Wen of Zhou shortened his life through excessive toil, while King Wu lived long due to ease and indulgence. I hope Your Majesty can focus on the bigger picture and delegate responsibilities to the chancellors. Trivial matters shouldn't be dealt with personally by the emperor." The Emperor happily responded, "You truly have my best interests at heart!" Shang Xi, who already had a foot ailment, was told by the Emperor, "Puzhou produces good wine, suitable for recuperation. You should go to Puzhou as the Inspector to take care of your health." As a result, Shang Xi was appointed as the Inspector of Puzhou while also serving as the local military commander. During his tenure in Puzhou, Shang Xi was highly effective in governance, digging irrigation canals, building embankments, and cultivating thousands of acres of paddy fields, benefiting the people. In the tenth year of the Kaihuang era, Shang Xi passed away at the age of fifty-seven and was posthumously honored with the title "Ping." His son Shang Min inherited his title, later being enfeoffed as the Duke of Danshui County and rising to the position of Magistrate of Anding Commandery.
Changsun Ping, styled Chujun, was a native of Luoyang, Henan. His father, Changsun Jian, was a Grand General of the Pillar of the State in the Northern Zhou dynasty. Changsun Ping was not only handsome but also capable and well-educated. He served in the Northern Zhou dynasty, initially as an attendant to Prince Wei (Yuwen Zhi). At that time, Emperor Wu of Northern Zhou was under heavy suppression from Yuwen Hu and wanted to eliminate him with Prince Wei, frequently sending Changsun Ping to convey messages. Later, after Yuwen Hu was killed, Changsun Ping was promoted to Household Counselor and Director of Music.
After Emperor Wen of Sui, Yang Jian, ascended the throne, he established government offices in the eastern region and appointed Changsun Ping as the Junior Minister of Justice and another official named Zhao Fen to manage the affairs of the six ministries. When Yang Jian was still a commoner, he had a very good relationship with Changsun Ping. Later, when Yang Jian became the Prime Minister, he favored Changsun Ping even more than before.
Later, several rebels, including Wei Jiong, Wang Qian, and Sima Xiaonan, emerged, causing Yang Jian to worry about the situation in the Huainan region. At that time, He Ruobi was stationed in Shouyang, and Yang Jian feared he might have ulterior motives, so he sent Changsun Ping to quickly replace him. Sure enough, He Ruobi refused to obey the order, so Changsun Ping commanded the soldiers to arrest him and take him to the capital.
In the third year of the Kaihuang reign, Changsun Ping was promoted to Minister of Revenue. He saw that many states and counties across the country were suffering from floods and droughts, causing hardship for the people. He presented a memorial to the court, suggesting that the common people should set aside some grain every autumn, varying from one stone to larger amounts depending on their wealth, to be stored in the villages for emergencies. These grain storehouses were called "emergency granaries." He also wrote: "I understand that the state views the people as its foundation, and the people regard grain as life. Advising the people to focus on farming and grain production is the governance strategy of ancient emperors. In ancient times, after three years of cultivation, there would be surplus grain for one year, and after nine years of cultivation, there would be enough grain stored for three years. Even in the event of floods and droughts, the people would not starve thanks to proper guidance and early preparations. Last year, there was a drought in the Guanzhong region, causing famine. Your Majesty transported grain from Shandong, established the Changping granary, and opened the granary to aid the disaster victims. Your Majesty's grace is truly profound! However, governing the country requires long-term planning, so I suggest that all provincial governors and county magistrates prioritize advising the people on farming and grain storage." Emperor Yang Jian greatly appreciated his suggestion and implemented his advice. From then on, there was plenty of food and clothing across the country, and the people greatly benefited from it.
After a few years, he was promoted to Minister of Public Works, and everyone considered his performance to be commendable. At this time, someone reported that Grand Commandant Bing Shao had spoken ill of the court, claiming that the emperor was incompetent. The emperor was furious and wanted to execute him. Fang Xuanling quickly interjected, saying, "Rivers and lakes can hold mud, which is why they can become deep and wide; mountains can accommodate diseases, which is why they can grow tall and large. I hope Your Majesty can be as accommodating as the mountains and seas, demonstrating magnanimity. There is a saying: 'One who is neither foolish nor deaf is unfit to be a leader.' While this saying may seem simple, it conveys a profound truth. Bing Shao's words should not have been reported in the first place. Your Majesty wishes to execute him, and I am afraid that future generations will think you are not wise enough." After hearing this, the emperor pardoned Bing Shao. He also ordered the officials not to present him with such slanderous remarks about the court in the future.
Later, the Turkic Khans, Dato and Dulankhan, fought, and both sides sent envoys to request help from the court. The emperor sent Fang Xuanling to convey the imperial decree, asking them to reconcile, and rewarded them with three hundred pieces of silk and a good horse. Fang Xuanling went to the Turks and clearly explained the stakes to them, leading both sides to stop fighting. The Khan also gave him two hundred horses as a token of gratitude. Upon returning to the court, Fang Xuanling presented all the horses to the emperor, who rewarded him handsomely. Not long after, he was demoted for unspecified reasons and appointed as the governor of Bianzhou on an interim basis. Over a year later, he was promoted to the governor of Bianzhou. Later, he successively served as the governors of Xuzhou and Beizhou, achieving notable successes. The situation in Yedou was dire and challenging to manage, and the previous governors had not been able to do a good job. Because Fang Xuanling had a good reputation everywhere, the court reassigned him to Xiangzhou as governor. He performed extremely well in Xiangzhou. After serving in Xiangzhou for several years, on the Lantern Festival, the people were playing in the streets dressed in clothes resembling armor, which angered the emperor and resulted in his dismissal. After some time, the emperor reflected on his achievements in Huainan and promoted him to Grand General, appointed him as the Minister of Rites, and let him act as the Minister of Personnel. He passed away during the Renshou era and was posthumously named "Kang."
His son, Fang Shixiao, was frivolous and cunning, as well as being greedy and fond of profit, often committing crimes. Because Fang Xuanling had passed away, the emperor sent someone to express condolences. Fang Shixiao later became the registrar of Bohai County. During the Daye era, when the court was corrupt, he engaged in rampant corruption, causing immense suffering to the county's residents. In the end, he was killed by Wang Shichong.
Yuanhui, courtesy name Shuping, hailed from Luoyang in Henan province. His grandfather, Yuan Chen, served as the Intendant of Hengzhou and Shuozhou in the Wei Kingdom. His father, Yuan Yi, was the Left Minister in the Ministry of Personnel. Yuanhui was strikingly handsome and graceful, with a passion for learning and a well-read background. He was well known in the capital at a young age, and Emperor Wu of Northern Zhou held him in high regard, allowing him to play and study together with his sons, forming a close relationship. When he was around twenty years old, he was summoned by the court to serve as a military officer in the mansion, and soon rose to the position of Deputy General of Wubo.
At that time, the Turks frequently raided the border, and the court intended to form an alliance with them. Yuanhui was sent as an envoy to the Turks with one hundred thousand bolts of silk. Yuanhui clearly articulated the mutual interests to the Khan of the Turks, demonstrated the court's sincerity, and presented many gifts. The Khan was very pleased and even sent his prince to accompany Yuanhui back, along with many gifts. Subsequently, Yuanhui was appointed as a Secretary of the Office of Rites and a Senior Official of the Ministry of Rites. During the reign of Emperor Xiaomin of Northern Zhou, the Grand Chancellor Yuwen Hu regarded him as his assistant. When the State of Qi came to form an alliance with Northern Zhou, Yuanhui, known for his eloquence and debating skills, was sent as an envoy along with the Marquis of Qiancheng, Cui Mu. He was later promoted to Senior General of Zhenwei. When Emperor Wu of Northern Zhou married a Turkic princess, Yuanhui was also sent to handle the matter. He was subsequently promoted to the title of Marquis of Kaifu and later transferred to the position of Minister of Archives. After restoring peace in the east, the court sent Yuanhui to pacify the people in Hebei, bestowing upon him the title of Lord of Yining along with a fief of four hundred households.
After Emperor Yang Jian of the Sui Dynasty took power, he granted Yuan Hui the title of Duke and appointed him as the Minister of Personnel while concurrently serving as the Grand Master of the Horse. Yuan Hui petitioned the court to excavate the Du Yang River to irrigate the Sanzhi Plain, turning thousands of hectares of saline-alkali land into fertile fields, benefiting the common people. The following year, he was promoted to General of the Left Military Guard, while retaining his position as Grand Master of the Horse. However, he was dismissed from his post not long after. After some time, he was appointed as the Inspector of Weizhou and did many good deeds in the local area. He served as the Inspector of Weizhou for several years before resigning due to illness. Over a year later, he passed away in the capital at the age of sixty. Emperor Wen of Sui was saddened by his death and ordered the Honglu Temple to handle his funeral, bestowing upon him the posthumous title of "Yuan." His son Yuan Su inherited his title and eventually rose to the rank of a high-ranking official. Yuan Su's younger brother, Yuan Renqi, was intelligent and capable, rising to the position of Magistrate of Jinan County.
Wei Shi, styled Gongying, was from Duling in Chang'an. His father, Wei Zhan, was a General of the Northern Zhou. Wei Shi was calm and mature from a young age, with a kind heart. When he first began his studies and read the "Classic of Filial Piety," he sighed and said, "This is probably the highest realm of moral teachings!" He experienced the loss of both parents at a young age and was praised by the villagers for his exemplary filial piety during the mourning period. As he grew older, he extensively studied various classical texts and was particularly adept at horse riding and archery.
During the Northern Zhou dynasty, the Grand Chancellor Yǔwén Hù valued Wèi Shī's talents and appointed him as a secretary in the Ministry of State Affairs. He was later promoted to the position of Military Officer in the Ministry of Rites. Wèi Shī had a deep understanding of the customs and geography of various ethnic groups. Whenever minority groups came to pay tribute, he could accurately assess their national conditions as clearly as he could read his own palm. The members of these minority groups were all impressed by him and dared not conceal any information. When Yǔwén Xiàn, the Prince of Qí, was appointed as the Governor of Yōng Province, he invited Wèi Shī to be his chief secretary, allowing him to keep his original position. After Emperor Wǔ of Northern Zhou assumed power, Wèi Shī was further promoted to the position of Grand Minister of Ceremonies. After pacifying the Gāo clan rebellion, the court dispatched him to Shāndōng to reassure the populace, and later transferred him to the Ministry of Interior. After Emperor Yáng Jiān established the Sui dynasty, he appointed Wèi Shī as the Deputy Minister of the Ministry of Justice, granting him the title of Marquis of Jǐngxíng with a fief of five hundred households. Several years later, he was promoted to Minister of War for the Héběi Circuit and appointed as the Grand Ambassador for the eighteen provinces of Shāndōng and Hénán. He performed his duties in line with the Emperor's expectations and received rewards totaling three million coins. He also held the position of Marshal for Prince Jìn Yáng Guǎng. Wèi Shīkāng, a relative of his, rose to the position of Minister of Personnel and had always been in competition with Wèi Shī. At that time, Prince Jìn Yáng Guǎng held great power as the Governor of Yōng Province, with officials like Yáng Xióng serving as Minister of Works and Gāo Fēng as Left Deputy Minister of State serving as provincial governors. He also invited Wèi Shī to serve as his chief secretary. Meanwhile, Wèi Shìyuē, the younger brother of Wèi Shīkāng, served as a legal officer under Wèi Shī. This infuriated Wèi Shīkāng, who lost his appetite and felt humiliated that his own brother was working under Wèi Shī. He summoned Wèi Shìyuē and reprimanded him sternly, demanding to know why he had taken that position. He then went on to physically reprimand Wèi Shìyuē.
Later, Emperor Wen of Sui went to Liquan Palace, summoned Wei Shi, Left Minister Gao Ke, Han Qinhu, and others, and hosted a banquet in the palace, encouraging them to share stories from the past for enjoyment. During the campaign to pacify the Chen dynasty, Wei Shi served as the Marshal's aide in an official capacity, and he was put in charge of all the treasury assets of the Chen dynasty. He was upright and incorruptible, and everyone praised him for his integrity. Later, Emperor Wen of Sui married his daughter to Prince Yang Yan of Changning, and Wei Shi was appointed Prefect of Bianzhou. He made significant political contributions and died in office, being posthumously honored with the title "Ding." His son Wei Dezhen later served as an official during the reign of Emperor Yang of Sui, known as the Daye era.
Yang Yi, courtesy name Wenshu, was from Huayin, Hongnong. His grandfather, Yang Jun, served as the Minister of Construction in the Wei Kingdom; his father, Yang Jian, served as a Chamberlain. Yang Yi was handsome, composed, and had great leadership abilities. He started studying at a young age, able to recite thousands of words every day, impressing everyone with his talents. When he was nine years old, his father passed away, which plunged him into deep grief that almost took his life. After the mourning period, he declined all celebrations and condolences, choosing to focus on his studies. Over the years, he read many books. During the reign of Emperor Zhou Min, he became the Prefect of Ningdu, gaining a stellar reputation for his remarkable achievements and even being appointed as the Marquis of Changle County. Later, he was elevated to the rank of marquis due to his military accomplishments. During the time when Gaozu was the Prime Minister, Yang Yi was in charge of the affairs in Jizhou. After Gaozu ascended to the throne, Yang Yi was appointed as the Junior Minister of the Imperial Clan and was also granted the title of Kaifu. When Prince Shu Xiu was stationed in Yizhou, the court carefully selected officials to supervise the administration, and due to Yang Yi's integrity, he was appointed as the Chief Supervisor of Yizhou, receiving a reward of two hundred thousand coins, three hundred rolls of silk, and fifty horses. Shortly after, he was promoted to the Minister of War of the Southwest Dao. Several years later, he returned to his previous position as the Junior Minister of the Imperial Clan. Not long after, he was further promoted to the Minister of Justice. Over a year later, he was appointed as the Prefect of Wuzhou, where he garnered significant political success and a strong reputation. At that time, Prince Jin Guang was stationed in Yangzhou, and the court mandated Yang Yi to meet with him annually to discuss political affairs and provide mutual feedback. Several years later, Yang Yi passed away at the age of sixty-two. He was survived by his son, Yang Qianxun.
Su Xiaoci hails from Fufeng. His father, Su Wuzhou, served as the Governor of Yanzhou during the Zhou Dynasty. Su Xiaoci was steady and cautious from a young age, exceptionally capable and quite handsome. In the early Zhou Dynasty, he served as a Senior Attendant to the Emperor. Later, he was appointed as a military commander and sent to the Qi state, and because of his outstanding performance, he was given the title of grand commander. In the same year, he was sent to the Qi state again, and upon his return, he was appointed as a senior imperial announcer. Later, he followed Emperor Wu to campaign against the Qi state, and for his military achievements, he was granted the title of Kaifu and titled Duke of Wen'an County, with a fief consisting of 1,500 households. Shortly after, he was further enfeoffed as Duke of Linshui County, with a fief increased to 2,700 households, and his official rank gradually rose to that of Senior Official in the Ministry of Works.
After the Emperor ascended the throne, he was granted the title of Duke of Anping County and appointed as the Minister of the Imperial Household. At that time, the country was newly established, and everything needed to be built from the ground up. The Emperor ordered all skilled craftsmen from all over the country to be gathered, regardless of how small the technical work was. Mr. Xiaoci was tasked with coordinating this effort, and everyone thought he did a good job. Not long after, he was promoted to Grand Minister of Agriculture, and over a year later, he directly became the Minister of War, with a generous salary.
At that time, Crown Prince Yong was politically astute, and the Emperor wanted to elevate the status of the palace officials, so many ministers were appointed to key positions within the palace. Therefore, Mr. Xiaoci was appointed as the Right Guard of the Crown Prince, while retaining his position as Minister of War. The following year, the Emperor built the Changping Granary in Shaanzhou and had to transport grain to the capital. However, the Wei River had a lot of sand and the water level fluctuated, making it difficult to transport the grain. So the Emperor decided to dig a canal to connect to the Wei River, and Mr. Xiaoci was appointed to oversee this project. After the project was completed, the Emperor was highly pleased. He was also appointed as the Right Chamberlain of the Crown Prince, later promoted to Left Guard, and simultaneously managed the positions of Minister of Works and Minister of People, holding significant power. Several years later, he was promoted to Grand General and then reassigned as Minister of Works, maintaining a high position of power.
Before, because the funds of the officials were insufficient, each department set up its own departmental slush funds, earning interest to cover expenses. Xiaoci Daren felt that this would cause officials and the people to compete for profits, which hindered the country's development, so he wrote to the emperor proposing to abolish this system and replace it with a distribution of official lands of varying grades. The emperor accepted his suggestion. In the eighteenth year of Kaihuang, the emperor wanted to remove the crown prince, fearing that the crown prince had too much influence in the Eastern Palace, so he assigned him as governor of Xizhou. The crown prince was quite displeased by Xiaoci Daren's departure from the Eastern Palace, his face betraying his annoyance. This shows how significant Xiaoci Daren was to the crown prince!
During the Renshou period, he was promoted to be the governor of Hongzhou, achieving notable political success. Later, the Shanyue people in Guilin revolted, launching attacks on Wenshan and Jinchuan. The emperor appointed Xiaoci Daren as the commander to suppress the rebellion, and he successfully completed the task. That year, he died in office, leaving behind a son named Huichang.
Shaluo, styled Zicui, his father served as the governor of Meizhou during the Zhou Dynasty. Shaluo started his career as a commander in the Zhou Dynasty. Later, he followed Wei Xiaokuan to defeat Yu Jiong, and was honored for his achievements with the title of Kaifu Yitong Sansi, and was also appointed as the Duke of Tongqin County. During the Kaihuang era of the Sui Dynasty, Prince Yang Xiu guarded Yizhou, and Shaluo followed him and was subsequently appointed as governor of Zizhou.
Eight years later, the Ranmao Qiang tribe revolted, launching attacks on Wenshan and Jinchuan. Shaluo led his troops to victory against them and was subsequently appointed as governor of Qiongzhou. After a few years, he later served as the deputy governor of Lizhou. He fought alongside Shi Wansui against the Xicuan, winning many battles, and he was promoted to be a general, receiving numerous rewards, estimated to be around a thousand rolls of cloth. Later, he became the chief historian under the governor of Yizhou.
During this period, Wang Feng, a member of the Yuechi tribe, rebelled, and Sha Luo, along with Duan Wenzhen, helped to suppress the rebellion. The emperor rewarded him with a hundred servants. Consequently, Prince Yang Xiu of Shu was deposed. Someone accused Sha Luo, claiming, "Wang Feng was killed by his own slaves, but Yang Xiu pretended to have killed Wang Feng's slaves. He even mobilized the Shu people to let Wang Feng's slaves escape, but Sha Luo chose to conceal the truth." Because of this, Sha Luo was dismissed from his post and eventually died at home. He had a son named Kang, who would later play a significant role in his own right.
Li Xiong, styled Pilu, was from Gaoyi in Zhaojun. His grandfather was a high-ranking official of the Wei Dynasty, and his father was the governor of Shanzhou in the Qi Dynasty. After the Qi Dynasty was overthrown by the Zhou Dynasty, Li Xiong joined the army and entered Chang'an. Li Xiong was ambitious and harbored great aspirations from a young age. His family had been scholars for generations, yet he had a preference for horseback riding and archery. His brother advised him, "Give up studying and practice martial arts. This isn't what a scholar-official is supposed to do!"
Li Xiong replied, "I have read many books and know that throughout history, to achieve great things as a loyal minister or a capable general, one must possess both literary and martial skills. Though my abilities are limited, I’ve read many historical texts and don’t stick rigidly to the rules. I can study and practice martial arts. Brother, what do you have to worry about?" His brother was left speechless.
During the reign of Emperor Zhou Taizu, Li Xiong initially served as an assistant general. He followed Daxi Wuping in pacifying Hanzhong, stabilizing Xingzhou, and defeating the rebellious Hu people in Fenzhou. Due to these military achievements, he was promoted to Grand General of the Cavalry and appointed as a Director of Three Affairs. His rank continued to climb. Later, when Emperor Min proclaimed himself emperor, Li Xiong was further elevated to Duke and transferred to the Ministry of Small Affairs. He then fought alongside Daxi Wuping in battles against the Qi army at Mangshan, where even though the other armies were defeated, the troops under his command returned unscathed.
When Emperor Wu was in power, he accompanied Chen Wangchun to meet the Queen Mother returning from the Turks, was promoted to Xibo (奚伯), and was appointed as the governor of Xia Prefecture (硖州). Several years later, he was summoned back to the court and became a Central Grandee (中大夫) of the local government. Not long after, he was sent to Liangzhou as the Chief of Staff (总管长史). Later, he accompanied Prince Tengyou to defeat the Tuyuhun in Qinghai, and because of his achievements, he was given the title of Yitong. After Emperor Xuan succeeded to the throne, he followed the march general Wei Xiaokuan to pacify Huainan. Remarkably, with only a few hundred light cavalry, he easily persuaded over a dozen cities to surrender at Haishi, and was then appointed as the governor of Hao Prefecture (濠州).
After Emperor Gaozu took control of the court, he was summoned back to the court and became the Grand Minister of Rites (司会中大夫). Due to his merits in Huainan, his rank was further promoted to Shang Kaifu (上开府). After Emperor Gaozu became emperor, he was appointed as the Minister of Ceremonies (鸿胪卿), and his title was also raised to the Duke of Gaodu County, with a fief of two thousand households, a high official with a generous salary. After a few years, when Prince Jin Guang was sent to guard Bingzhou, he was appointed as the Minister of War in Hebei. Emperor Gaozu said to him, "My son is still young and inexperienced; you possess both civil and military talents. I entrust this important task to you wholeheartedly, so I don't have to worry about the north." He quickly thanked him and said, "Your Majesty, you do not despise my lack of ability, and even entrust me with such an important task. Although I am foolish, I am not heartless; I will do my utmost to repay your kindness!" Overcome with emotion, he began to cry, and Emperor Gaozu comforted him before letting him go. He was upright and incorruptible in office; no one dared to cross him, Prince Jin respected him, and the people spoke highly of him. He passed away over a year later, and his son Gongting succeeded him.
Zhang Xian, with the courtesy name Shihong, was a native of Mao County, Hejian, Hebei. His father, Zhang Xian, was particularly fond of studying when he was young and was very knowledgeable. He served as a general in the Wei Kingdom. He followed Emperor Wu of Wei in battles and rose through the ranks, eventually becoming a Grand Master of Ceremonies. Later, Emperor Taizu of Northern Zhou recruited him as an official and bestowed upon him the title of Chiluo. He later served as a Minister of Works, Prefect of Yongzhou, Governor of Yongzhou, and was appointed as the Marquis of Yuxiang County. He later returned to the court and served as a Senior Clerk of the Ministry of Works, responsible for compiling national history.
At that time, most of the court officials in Northern Zhou were former military generals, but Zhang Xian was highly valued for his deep scholarship. As he grew older, he retired and returned home. After Emperor Wen of Sui, Yang Jian, ascended the throne, he greatly respected Zhang Xian's reputation and personally wrote a letter inviting him to serve in his court. The letter stated: "As I embark on governing the realm, I am focused on establishing sound policies. I have always missed esteemed seniors like you! You held the position of Minister of Works in Northern Zhou, and your virtues and achievements were well-known. Although you have retired, you are still full of vigor. You should return to the court to fulfill my wishes."
After meeting Emperor Wen of Sui, the emperor ordered that Zhang Xian did not need to kneel in greeting, personally helped him up to the hall, descended from his throne to sit with him, conversed for a long time, and even rewarded him with a walking stick. Later, when the Sui Dynasty planned to move the capital to Longshou (modern-day Xi'an, Shaanxi), Zhang Xian advised the emperor to be frugal, and the emperor specifically wrote a decree in response to him. Shortly after, Zhang Xian passed away at the age of 84. The court posthumously granted him the title of Inspector of Cangzhou and conferred upon him the posthumous title "Ding." He also wrote commentaries on "Laozi" and "Zhuangzi," titled "Dao Yan," which consists of fifty-two chapters.
Mr. Xiong, who loved studying since childhood, completely inherited his father's excellent qualities. He served as an official in the Wei Dynasty, starting as a court official and later being promoted to the position of Assistant Minister. Emperor Zhou valued his talents and transferred him to the position of an officer in the Ministry of Foreign Military Affairs. When Emperor Min ascended the throne, Mr. Xiong was promoted to the rank of General. During the reigns of Emperor Ming and Emperor Wu of the Northern Zhou Dynasty, he successively served as the Grand Master of the Imperial Kitchen, the Grand Secretary of the Imperial Mausoleum, and was also granted the title of Marquis of Beiping County, with a fief of four hundred households. During the reign of Emperor Xuan, he was further promoted to the title of Yitong, and his title was elevated to Count.
After the Grand Ancestor became Prime Minister, Mr. Xiong actively maintained a good relationship with him. The Grand Ancestor thought highly of Mr. Xiong's abilities and held him in high regard. After the Grand Ancestor became emperor, he appointed Mr. Xiong as the Right Minister of Personnel and bestowed the title of Marquis upon him. Not long after, Mr. Xiong was promoted to the position of junior minister of the Ministry of Works and also concurrently served as the Supervisor of the New Capital. Later, when his father passed away, he resigned from his official duties to observe mourning at home, showing deep sorrow. After the mourning period ended, the court requested his return to office, but he firmly declined. Eventually, the court conferred upon him the title of Yitong Sanqi and permitted him to inherit the title of Duke of Yuxiang County, with his fief increased to one thousand five hundred households. Shortly after, he was promoted to the position of senior minister of the Ministry of Works and later served as the Minister of Civil Affairs.
When Prince Yang Guang was appointed as the commander of Yangzhou, he appointed Mr. Xiong as the Sima and further elevated him to the rank of Silver and Blue Grand Gentleman of the Palace. Mr. Xiong was known for his loyalty, honesty, and wisdom, and enjoyed an excellent reputation at the time. He was subsequently appointed as the Governor of Jizhou, and Prince Yang Guang repeatedly petitioned the court to have him return; therefore, he once again served as Prince Yang's Chief Historian and also managed the affairs of Jiangzhou. When Prince Yang ascended to the position of Crown Prince, Mr. Xiong was once again appointed as the Governor of Jizhou, with his rank elevated to Upper Prefectural Governor, and he was greatly respected by the local populace, who hailed him as an outstanding official of the second rank. He passed away in the fourth year of the Renshou era at the age of seventy-four. His son, Huibao, eventually attained the position of Prefect of Jiang County.
During the Kaihuang period, there was a man named Liu Ren'en. His exact origins are unknown, but he was known for his exceptional talent in both civil and military affairs. He initially served as the governor of Maozhou and achieved remarkable accomplishments, later being promoted to the role of Minister of Justice. He also served as a military commander under Yang Su in campaigns against the Chen dynasty. In the Battle of Jingmen, he and Yang Su defeated the Chen dynasty general Lv Zhongsu, with Liu Ren'en's strategies playing a crucial role. He was subsequently appointed as Grand General, gaining great fame at the time. Guo Jun from Fengyi and Feng Shiji from Shangdang, both intelligent and strategic, successively served as Ministers of War. Di Qin from Dai, who was known for his generosity and insight, rose to the position of Minister of Personnel. These four individuals were quite famous at the time, but their specific achievements are only briefly recorded in historical accounts.
Historical records mention that two officials named Zhao were well-versed in historical allusions, held in high regard by many. However, once they held high positions, they did not achieve any outstanding accomplishments. This illustrates that everyone's talents and abilities have their limits, each serving a distinct purpose that shouldn't be forced.
Changsun Ping suggested to the emperor to pardon those who were falsely accused, a truly noble act! Emperor Gaozu was pleased with this suggestion and implemented it, resulting in significant benefits. Yuan Hui gained prominence due to his intelligence and capabilities, Wei Shi was renowned for his integrity and honesty, and Yang Shangxi and Yang Yi were elite members of the royal family, enjoying high status and reputation. Su Xiaoci, Li Xiong, and Zhang Jiong all excelled in both court affairs and local governance, receiving praise for their outstanding work. They were all highly valued during the early Kaihuang period, representing the most talented individuals of that era!
