Zhou Yao, style name Shi'an, was of the same lineage as the Northern Wei dynasty. Originally bearing the surname Punai, they later lived in Luoyang and changed their surname to Zhou. His great-grandfather was named Babo, his grandfather was named Youliugong, and both were lords of Beiping. His father was named Shuyan, who held the positions of Minister of Works and Governor of Southern Jingzhou. From a young age, Zhou Yao had a strong and decisive personality, excelled in martial arts, was known for his caution and integrity, and always followed the law in his actions. He served as a high official in the Wei dynasty, achieving the rank of the Three Excellencies. After Emperor Zhou Min usurped the throne and declared himself emperor, he bestowed upon Zhou Yao the surname Che Feishi and the title of Duke of Jinshui County. He later served as the Inspector of Suzhou and Chuzhou, and was highly respected by the people. He followed the emperor in suppressing the rebellion of the Qi dynasty, distinguishing himself in every battle, and was promoted to the rank of Duke of Kuiguo. Not long after, he was appointed as the Governor of Jinzhou. At that time, Yang Jian (Emperor Gaozu) was the Governor of Dingzhou, and Empress Wenxian came from the capital to visit Yang Jian, passing through the area under Zhou Yao's jurisdiction. Zhou Yao welcomed the empress with humble hospitality. Later, Zhou Yao explained to the empress, "The government's finances are relatively abundant, but I cannot bring myself to spend recklessly against the law. As a subject, I cannot squander public funds at will." He was a man of great integrity. Yang Jian held Zhou Yao in high regard for his strict adherence to the law. Eventually, Zhou Yao rose to the position of Prime Minister, was re-titled Duke of Jibei, and then served as the Governor of Yuzhou. After Yang Jian became emperor, Zhou Yao returned to his original surname, Zhou.
During the early years of the Kaihuang period, the Turks frequently invaded the border areas, causing significant suffering to the Yanzhou and Jizhou regions. The previous commander, Li Chong, had been killed by the Turks. Emperor Yang Jian contemplated in court how to secure the borders, saying, "No one is more suitable than Zhou Yao!" He then appointed Zhou Yao as the commander of Youzhou, commanding the troops across six provinces and fifty garrisons. Zhou Yao fortified the city defenses and closely monitored enemy movements, allowing the border residents to enjoy peace and stability. Six years later, Zhou Yao was transferred to Shouzhou. Feeling his age, he requested retirement, and the emperor summoned him back to the imperial capital. The emperor met with him and praised him, saying, "You have served with integrity throughout your career, serving in three dynasties, achieving success and fame, and enjoying a long life. You are truly admirable!" The emperor also granted him a seat cushion and allowed him to return home to rest. Over a year later, Zhou Yao passed away at home at the age of eighty-four, posthumously bestowed the title of Gong.
Dugu Kai, style name Xiuzhe, was originally named Li and came from an unknown region. His father, Li Tun, fought alongside Emperor Wen of Qi in Sha Yuan against the Zhou army. When the Qi army was defeated, they were captured by Dugu Xin, a key figure of the Zhou Dynasty, and he became a soldier and served in the household of Dugu Xin. Over time, he grew close to Dugu Xin, who granted him the Dugu surname.
Dugu Kai was steady and upright from a young age, skilled in horseback riding and spear wielding. He later served as a bodyguard for Yuwen Hu and rose through the ranks to attain the rank of General of Chariots and Cavalry. After several battles, he was granted the title of Duke of Guang'a County, with a fief comprising one thousand households, and was later promoted to Right Assistant Minister. In the late years of the Zhou Dynasty, he accompanied Wei Xiaokuan in quelling the rebellion in Huainan, and due to his contributions, his son Dugu Jingyun was granted the title of Duke of Xihe County.
When Gaozu became Prime Minister, he promoted Dugu Kai to be the Commander-in-Chief, often letting him lead trusted troops. After Gaozu became emperor, Dugu Kai was appointed as the General of the Right Gate Guard and was also titled the Duke of Ruyang. Several years later, he was promoted to General of the Right Guard. During the Renshou period, he was sent to serve as the governor of Yuanzhou. At that time, Prince Yang Xiu was stationed in Yizhou, and the court wanted to summon him back, but he was hesitant to return. The court was worried that Yang Xiu might rebel, so they quickly sent Dugu Kai to Yizhou as the governor, swiftly replacing Yang Xiu.
Yang Xiu indeed harbored rebellious intentions. Dugu Kai spent a long time trying to persuade him, and Yang Xiu finally set out. Dugu Kai found that Yang Xiu still had some regrets, so he prepared his troops. When Yang Xiu arrived in Xingle, still more than forty miles away from Yizhou, he planned to ambush Dugu Kai. He secretly sent people to find out the situation, realizing that Dugu Kai was formidable, so he gave up. Dugu Kai did many good deeds while serving in Yizhou, and the people of Shu still speak highly of him.
After Emperor Yang of Sui ascended the throne, Dugu Kai was transferred to Bingzhou as the governor. Later, he fell ill and lost his eyesight, so he submitted a formal request to retire. The emperor said, "You are a veteran minister of the previous dynasty, having served under two emperors, and are highly respected. Just rest at home and don’t concern yourself with trivial matters anymore." He then sent his eldest son, Dugu Lingyun, to Bingzhou to act as the acting governor. This shows how much the emperor valued him! Several years later, he was appointed as the Prefect of Changping, but passed away before taking office. He was posthumously granted the title of Gong. His sons Dugu Lingyun, Dugu Pingyun, and Dugu Yanyun were all well-known. His brother, Dugu Sheng, is mentioned in the "Chengjie Zhuan."
Qifu Hui, styled Linghe, was a Xianbei individual from Mayi, Shanxi. His grandfather, Qifu Zhou, was the Silver-Green Palace Attendant of the Wei Kingdom, and his father, Qifu Zuan, was the Golden-Purple Palace Attendant. Both served as leaders of the Xianbei tribe. Qifu Hui had a bold and charismatic personality from a young age, excelling in horseback archery and enjoying falconry and hunting with hounds.
During the reign of Emperor Wenxuan of Northern Qi, he became the Left Deputy of the Imperial Secretariat, later promoted to General Who Pacifies Insurgents, gradually rising to Right Guard General, Minister of Ceremonies, and was eventually titled Duke of Yongning County, later promoted to Prince of Yimin Commandery. His brother, Qifu Guihe, was also enfeoffed as a prince for his military achievements, making them both princes, a prestigious status.
After Northern Zhou Emperor Wu conquered Northern Qi, he appointed Qifu Hui as Commissioner Bearing Credentials and General of Chariots and Cavalry, initially serving as a Junior Official in the Jifei Right Regiment and later transferred to the Senior Official of the Xiongqu Central Regiment. During the time when Emperor Wen of Sui was Chancellor, Qifu Hui, along with Wei Xiaokuan, defeated Yu Dun in Wuzhi, achieving a decisive victory. He was then granted the position of Grand General and rewarded with 800 rolls of cloth. After suppressing the rebellion of Wei Jiong, he was promoted to Duke of Xianghe Commandery, with a fief consisting of three thousand households, and was given 2300 rolls of cloth as a reward. He wanted to pass on his title to his brother, but the court did not agree, and many people at the time admired his sense of righteousness.
After Emperor Yang Jian of Sui proclaimed himself emperor, he appointed Qifu Hui as the Inspector of Caozhou. The local customs in Caozhou were problematic, with many common people hiding their population and wealth, leading to discrepancies in the household registration records. Qifu Hui carried out a thorough investigation upon his arrival in office and discovered tens of thousands of unreported individuals. He was later transferred to Liangzhou as the Commander. At that time, the Turks frequently raided the area, so Qifu Hui bolstered border defenses and increased patrols, sent out scouts to gather intelligence, and the Turks feared him, which deterred them from crossing the border easily.
More than a year later, he was appointed as the governor of Qizhou and identified thousands of households with unreported populations. Then he was appointed as the governor of Shouzhou. That year, he was appointed as the governor of Qizhou, and after a few years, he was promoted to governor of Xuzhou. By then, he was over seventy years old, and he submitted a request for retirement to the emperor, but it was not approved. Later, he was appointed as the governor of Jingzhou, also overseeing Tanzhou and Guizhou, managing the military of thirty-one states overall. The people of Jingzhou had a reputation for being frivolous and prone to theft, but Qifu Hui set an example, living simply and influencing them through his actions, which greatly improved the local atmosphere.
Once, he saw someone using a bamboo cage to catch fish, so he bought the bamboo cage with cloth and released the fish, demonstrating his kindness. The people all loved and respected him, referring to the area he governed as "Xihe Gonggu." Later, he was appointed as the governor of Qinzhou. After Emperor Yang of Sui ascended the throne, he was appointed as the governor of Tianshui. In the fifth year of Daye, Emperor Yang of Sui campaigned against the Tuyuhun. Because Tianshui was close to the border, the people bore a heavy burden, and with the emperor's tour to the west, the roads were not well maintained and the tribute was insufficient. Emperor Yang of Sui was enraged and ordered his execution. Upon seeing that his hair had turned white, he was spared execution and dismissed from office. In the end, he died at home.
Regarding Zhang Wei, his identity is somewhat elusive. His father was named Zhang Chen, the governor of Hongnong County in Northern Wei. From a young age, Zhang Wei was tall, strong, and ambitious, skilled in horseback riding and archery, and significantly stronger than most. During Western Wei, he participated in multiple wars, rising to the rank of General of the Chuguoguo, Intendant of Jingzhao, and was bestowed the title of Duke of Changshou County, holding a fief of one thousand households. Later, when Wang Qian rebelled, the emperor appointed Zhang Wei as the general in charge of the campaign, leading the campaign against Wang Qian under Marshal Liang Rui's command.
The army arrived at Tonggu, and Wang Qian's general Li Sanwang led elite troops to hold the position. Liang Rui then appointed Zhang Wei as the vanguard. Initially, Li Sanwang kept the camp gates tightly shut and refused to engage. Zhang Wei had his men loudly insult them, provoking them into battle. Li Sanwang was tricked and led his troops into battle. Zhang Wei ordered his warriors to fight valiantly against the enemy, and Li Sanwang's army was routed, resulting in the capture and death of over four thousand soldiers. The army continued to advance and reached Kaiyuan, where Wang Qian's general Zhao Yan commanded an army of one hundred thousand, with camps extending for thirty miles. Zhang Wei ordered his men to carve a path through the mountains, flanking Zhao Yan from behind. Zhao Yan was soundly defeated and fled in a panic. Zhang Wei pursued all the way to Chengdu, where he fought a major battle against Wang Qian, personally commanding the center army. After Wang Qian was pacified, Zhang Wei was promoted to the rank of Grand Commandant and appointed Governor of Luzhou. After the founding emperor took the throne, Zhang Wei served in succession as the Governor of Youzhou and Luozhou, and was later granted the title of Duke of Jinxu County. He then served as the Chief Secretary of the Hebei Administrative Circuit, and later managed the affairs of the Prince of Jin's military office. Several years later, he was appointed as the Governor of Qingzhou, and the court rewarded him with eight hundred thousand coins, five hundred measures of rice, and three hundred bolts of various silks.
During Zhang Wei's time as an official in Qingzhou, he also engaged in business and established many businesses. He sent his servants to sell radishes in the marketplace, but these servants abused their power and oppressed the people. The Emperor was furious about this and harshly criticized him, dismissing him from his position and sending him home. Later, on his way back to Luoyang after offering sacrifices at Mount Tai, the Emperor said to Zhang Wei, "Since I founded this empire, I have entrusted you with key military strongholds time and again, showing great trust in you. Why do you not pay attention to your reputation and behavior, only focusing on making money? You have not only betrayed my trust but also damaged your own reputation." The Emperor then asked Zhang Wei, "Where is the tablet you use in court?" Zhang Wei bowed and apologized, saying, "I have committed a crime and violated the law. I am too ashamed to carry it and have hidden it at home." The Emperor said, "Bring it to me." The next day, Zhang Wei presented the tablet to the Emperor. The Emperor said, "Although you have not followed the rules, your contributions are considerable. I will not forget your merits. Now I return the tablet to you." The Emperor then appointed Zhang Wei as the governor of Luozhou and later granted him the title of Duke of Xuancheng. Shortly after, he was transferred to be the governor of Xiangzhou and passed away while in office. His son, Zhang Zhi, rose to the rank of Wuben General during the Daye period.
He Hong was from Runan. He had exceptional martial skills and was exceptionally brave from a young age. During the reign of Emperor Wu of Zhou, he participated in many military campaigns and steadily rose through the ranks based on his military achievements, eventually becoming the General of Chariots and Cavalry and the Yitong Sanji.
At that time, the tribal leaders of Longzhou, Ren Gongxin and Li Guoli, gathered their forces in rebellion, and Governor Dugu Shan could not control the situation. After deliberation, the court recognized He Hong's exceptional military talent and appointed him as the governor in place of Dugu Shan. Within a month, he captured Ren Gongxin and Li Guoli and had them executed as a warning, pacifying the remaining rebels.
Later, he followed the emperor to attack Heyin, bravely fought alongside Hong Fen, and captured the enemy's west gate. The emperor admired him greatly and rewarded him with a substantial gift of one thousand pieces of cloth. He later followed the emperor to pacify the Qi state, was promoted to the rank of Shang Yitong, granted the title of Marquis of Beiping, with a fief comprising eight hundred households, and appointed as the Left Xuncao Xia Daifu. When Zhuguo Wang Gui captured Wu Mingche, He Hong also made great contributions, and his official position was promoted to Kaifu, later transferring to Zhechong Zhong Daifu.
When Yu Jing instigated a rebellion in Xiangzhou, the court appointed He Hong as the commander of the army, sending him with Wei Xiaokuan to suppress the rebellion. When the army arrived at Heyang, Yu Jing sent troops to surround Huaizhou. He Hong, General Yu Wenshu, and their forces drove away the enemy troops. He also defeated Yu Dun in Wuzhi. After pacifying Xiangzhou, due to his consistent meritorious service in every battle, he was appointed as Zhuguo, Duke of Guangwu, with a fief of two thousand households. In total, the emperor rewarded him with ten thousand pieces of cloth, fifty servants, one hundred pounds of gold, one hundred pounds of silver, and one hundred livestock.
At that time, Dong Xia had just been subdued, and the people's sentiments were still unsettled. Emperor Gaozu recognized He Hong's prestige and appointed him to oversee the administration of Jizhou, where he performed exceptionally well and gained the people's favor. After a few years, he was summoned back by the court to serve as the supervisor of the canal, and later promoted to the post of governor of Sizhou. Just as the Turks launched an invasion at the border, the court appointed He Hong as the commander of the northern army, and he repelled the Turks, fighting all the way to the desert region before returning. He was subsequently promoted to the governor of Xuzhou, and ultimately passed away at the age of sixty-four.
Hou Mo Chen Ying, whose courtesy name was Zundao, was a native of Daijun. His family had been high-ranking generals for several generations. His father, Hou Mo Chen Chong, held many important official positions during the transition between the Wei and Zhou dynasties, eventually becoming the Grand Minister of Construction. From a young age, Hou Mo Chen Ying showed the demeanor of a great general, and he was also handsome and admired by his peers. Towards the end of the Wei Dynasty, due to his father's military achievements, he was granted the title of Marquis of Guangping, and later rose through the ranks to become Supervisor of the Imperial Household and Deputy Director of the Secretariat.
During the reign of Emperor Wu of the Zhou Dynasty, he followed Prince Teng You on campaigns against the rebellious Hu tribes in Longquan and Wencheng. He and General Dou Lu Xi led their troops to attack from different routes. Hou Mo Chen Ying led his troops over five hundred miles into enemy territory, capturing three enemy camps. Previously, those Qiang Hu people had rebelled, often plundering innocent civilians along the border and enslaving them. At that time, the court ordered that any Hu person who dared to hide innocent civilians would be killed, and their wives, children, and property confiscated. Some people reported that some Hu people were hiding innocent civilians in the villages, and Dou Lu Xi wanted to kill them all. Hou Mo Chen Ying advised him, saying, "General, when leading troops outside, some orders can be flexibly handled according to the actual situation. These Hu people are not all sincere rebels; many are forced to rebel out of necessity. With our army pressing into their territory, the rebel leaders are already frightened, and those who were forced to join will also want to surrender. We should first pacify them to quell the rebellion without resorting to violence. If we kill them directly, it will only make them more frightened, and things will become more complicated. We should call in their leaders, hand over the hidden innocent civilians to them, and allow them to surrender willingly, so that all the Hu people can settle down." Dou Lu Xi followed his advice. The Hu people were very moved and came to surrender one after another, resulting in stability along the northern border. Later, Hou Mo Chen Ying was promoted to Military Officer and awarded the title of Senior Officer of Tremendous Valor.
After Sui Wendi became Chancellor, he appointed him as the Governor of Changzhou. When Sui Wendi ascended to the throne and became emperor, Hou Mo Chen Ying declined the appointment and was promoted to Kaifu, elevated to the rank of Duke of Shengping. Shortly after, he was appointed as the Governor of Yanzhou. Several years later, he was transferred to be the Governor of Chenzhou. In the war to pacify the Chen Dynasty, he served as the commander of the marching army and followed Prince Qin Yang Jun to set out from Lushan Road. After Chen Dynasty generals Xun Fashang and Chen Ji surrendered, Hou Mo Chen Ying and the marching army commander Duan Wenzhen crossed the Yangtze River together to reassure those who had just surrendered. He was then appointed as the Governor of Raozhou, but before he could take office, he was reassigned to Yingzhou as Governor, where he did many good deeds for the people. After serving in Yingzhou for several years, he was relieved of his duties because of his close association with Prince Qin Yang Jun. The people sent him off, crying uncontrollably, and together they erected a stele to praise his integrity and virtue. Not long after, he was appointed as the temporary head of Fenzhou, and shortly after that, he became the Governor of Xingzhou.
During the Renshou period, the Minister of Personnel Niu Hong was ordered to inspect Shandong and ranked Hou Mo Chen Ying as the top official. Sui Wendi greatly appreciated this and issued an edict praising him. At that time, the court felt that most of the officials and county magistrates in Lingnan were corrupt, and the people of the barbarian tribes were full of grievances, often rebelling. Therefore, they carefully selected honest officials to pacify the area, which is why they summoned Hou Mo Chen Ying to the capital. When Hou Mo Chen Ying went to the palace to meet the emperor, Sui Wendi talked with him about the past, and the two of them had a lively conversation. A few days later, Hou Mo Chen Ying was promoted to Grand General, appointed as the Commander of Guizhou, in charge of military affairs in seventeen provinces. Sui Wendi also rewarded him with many gifts before allowing him to leave. After taking office, Hou Mo Chen Ying paid great attention to benevolence and trustworthiness, and the people and barbarian tribes were very pleased with him. Many minority groups in the mountains came to pledge their allegiance to him.
After Emperor Yang of Sui ascended to the throne, Hou Mochen Ying's brother, the Duke of Liang, Hou Mochen Rui, was exiled to the borderlands for committing a crime. The court was concerned that Hou Mochen Ying might be troubled by this, so they summoned him back to the capital. After a few years, he was appointed as the governor of Hengshan. That year, many regions in Lingnan and Minyue were defying the court's authority. Emperor Yang of Sui remembered the good deeds that Hou Mochen Ying had done in Guizhou before, earning the trust of the local people, so he appointed him as the governor of Nanhai again. Four years later, Hou Mochen Ying passed away during his tenure, posthumously honored with the title "Ding." His son, Hou Mochen Qianhui, was also well-known.
Historical records state: Du Yandong served in the Xia and Nan regions, achieving numerous military merits, guarding the northern border, bringing peace to the Xiongnu territories. Gao Mei, filled with resolve even on his deathbed, despised the treacherous villains, ultimately leaving behind a lasting reputation. Erzhu Chang, with extraordinary talent from a young age, was able to be content with the status quo, rebuilding the collapsed foundation; isn't this a testament to benevolence and wisdom? Zhou Yao was appreciated for his honesty and reliability, Dugu Xin became famous for his kindness, Qifu Huineng prioritized the interests of the country and stepped down, and the regions governed by the Hou Mochen family were well-ordered. Some of these individuals understood the ways of shepherding the people, some practiced the path of benevolence and righteousness, all worthy of praise.
Huiyi was dismissed due to the simplicity of his tent, but he entered the court from a young age, served under three successive dynasties, and eventually enjoyed wealth and honor, passing away peacefully at an old age, perhaps because he acted naturally and never pretended.
