Real Histories
Mai Tiezhang is from Shixing, Guangdong. This dude is something else—brave and strong; he can cover five hundred miles in a day, even faster than a horse! He’s a straightforward guy who loves to drink, make friends, and values loyalty. He usually gets by fishing and hunting and doesn't bother with household chores.
During the Taijian era of the Chen Dynasty, he pulled together a crew and turned into a bandit. The Governor of Guangzhou, Ouyang Wei, caught him and handed him over to the court. Mai Tiezhang became a registered resident of the court and was assigned to the palace as an umbrella holder. It sounds like an easy gig, but he took advantage of his position to go back to his old ways. After the morning court session, he walked over a hundred miles, sneaked into South Xuzhou at night, went on a robbing spree, and hurried back before dawn to continue his job as an umbrella holder.
After pulling this stunt several times, the victims recognized him, and South Xuzhou officials reported it to the court. The court officials saw Mai Tiezhang at the palace every day and didn’t believe he was involved. After a few reports, Minister Cai Zheng said, "We should look into this!" So, after the morning court session, the court offered a reward of one hundred gold coins and sent a decree to the Governor of South Xuzhou to arrest Mai Tiezhang. When Mai Tiezhang heard about the reward, he jumped at the chance, took the decree from the court, and showed up in South Xuzhou early the next morning to report to the Governor.
When the Emperor heard this, he said, "So it’s true—this guy really is a bandit!" But the Emperor also admired his quickness, so he gave him a warning and then let him go.
After the fall of the Chen Dynasty, there was a subordinate of Yang Su named Tie Zhang who moved to Qingliu County. Later, a rebellion erupted in Jiangdong, and Yang Su sent Tie Zhang, wearing a straw hat, to secretly cross the Yangtze River at night to scout the enemy. He gathered intelligence and reported back to Yang Su. Later, he went to scout again and was captured by the rebels. The rebel leader Li Leng sent thirty soldiers to guard him, tied him up, and sent him to Gao Zhihui. When they reached Qingting, the soldiers guarding him took a break to eat and saw that Tie Zhang was hungry, so they untied him to eat together. Tie Zhang took the opportunity to grab a soldier's knife, killed all the guards, mutilated their noses, and brought them back. Yang Su was taken aback by this.
Later, when rewards were given out, Tie Zhang was not promoted. Yang Su urgently returned to the capital, riding his horse quickly, and Tie Zhang followed him on foot, staying with Yang Su every night. Yang Su finally understood Tie Zhang's abilities and formally petitioned the court to appoint him as an official with the title of Yitong Sansi. Because Tie Zhang couldn't read, he was eventually sent back to his hometown.
Li Che, the Duke of Chengyang, held Tie Zhang's bravery in high regard. In the sixteenth year of the Kaihuang reign, the court summoned Tie Zhang to the capital and appointed him as the General of Chariots and Cavalry. He accompanied Yang Su north to combat the Turks and was later promoted to the position of Kaifu Yitong Sansi. After Emperor Yang of Sui ascended the throne, Prince Liang rebelled in Bingzhou, and Tie Zhang followed Yang Su to suppress the rebellion, consistently at the forefront of battles. He was promoted again and became a pillar of the state. He was then appointed as the Governor of Laizhou, but his governance left much to be desired. Later, he was transferred to be the Prefect of Runan, slowly became well-versed in laws and regulations, resulting in the disappearance of thieves in the area.
One time during court, the official Dou Wei intentionally mocked Tie Zhang, saying, "Your surname is Mai, what kind of name is that?" Tie Zhang cleverly replied, "There's no difference between wheat and beans, why are you so surprised?" Dou Wei blushed and fell silent. At that time, everyone thought Tie Zhang was very clever. Later, Tie Zhang was appointed as the General of the Right Guard, and Emperor Yang of Sui trusted him especially.
Tie Zhang felt a deep sense of gratitude towards the court and always wanted to sacrifice for his country. When it came time to fight in Liaodong, he stepped up to lead the charge. He then said to his doctor Wu Jingxian, "A man's life and death follow their own course; how can I rely on moxibustion and other treatments for such minor ailments? If the illness cannot be cured and I end up dying at the hands of my children, wouldn't that be too pathetic?"
When preparing to cross the Liao River, Tie Zhang said to his three sons, "Anu, prepare a light yellow garment. I have been favored by the country; today could very well be my last. If I fall in battle, you’ll be sure to live a life of wealth and honor. Remember, you must be honest and filial; you must strive to achieve it!" When they reached the bank of the Liao River, the bridge wasn't finished yet, and the enemy was coming at them from across the river. Tie Zhang leaped ashore and fought fiercely against the enemy, ultimately falling in battle. The military officers Qian Shixiong and Meng Jinchai also died in battle, and the others barely had time to react.
The emperor shed tears over this, sent someone to retrieve the body of Iron Staff, and issued an edict saying: "Iron Staff was brave and resolute, with remarkable military accomplishments. He always led the troops into battle; his integrity was noble, and his loyalty steadfast. Although he died in battle, his merits will last forever. I am deeply moved and remember his loyalty. I hereby posthumously confer upon him a high-ranking official position and generous rewards to commend his virtues. He is posthumously awarded the title of *Guanglu Daifu*, Duke of *Sui Guo*, and the posthumous title of *Wulie*." His son Meng Cai inherited his title and was later appointed as a *Guanglu Daifu*. Meng Cai also had two younger brothers, Zhong Cai and Ji Cai, who were both granted the title of *Zhengyi Daifu*. The court also rewarded them with a substantial amount of money, carriages, and ceremonial escorts with feathered banners and drums. Over a hundred generals defeated in the Pyongyang campaign, including Yu Wen Shu, came to pay their respects to his coffin, and officials of lower rank escorted him to the outskirts. Qian Shixiong was posthumously awarded the title of Left *Guanglu Daifu*, General of the Right *Tun Wei*, Marquis of *Wuqiang*, and the posthumous title of *Gang*. His son Jie inherited his title. Meng Jincha was posthumously awarded the title of Right *Guanglu Daifu*, and his son Shanyi inherited his official position.
Meng Cai, also known by his courtesy name Zhileng, was a bold and valiant man who fully embodied his father's noble qualities. The Emperor bestowed generous rewards upon Meng Cai's family for his loyalty and sacrifice to the country, and even granted his son the title of military officer. When chaos broke out in Jiangdu, Meng Cai was consumed by a burning desire for revenge. He had a strong bond with Qian Jie, a fellow military officer, and they both said to each other, "Our generations have received the country's favor, and our family has always been known for loyalty and integrity. Now that traitors have murdered the emperor and usurped the throne, the nation and its people are in ruins. We can't even express our loyalty. What right do we have to continue living in this world?" After discussing, both of them wept and strategized to rally their old comrades to ambush Yuwen Huaji at Xianfu Palace. Just as they were poised to strike, Chen Qian, the son of the Prince of Chen, learned of their plan and betrayed their plans to Yuwen Huaji. As a result, he and his accomplice Shen Guang were both killed by Yuwen Huaji, leaving their fellow loyalists devastated.
Shen Guang, whose courtesy name was Zongchi, hailed from Wuxing. His father, Shen Jundao, served as a deputy minister in the Ministry of Personnel during the Chen Dynasty. After the fall of the Chen Dynasty, his family then settled in Chang'an. Shen Guang once held the position of scholar under Crown Prince Yong, and later became an aide to King Liang of Han. After King Liang of Han was defeated, Shen Guang was dismissed from his position. Shen Guang was exceptionally agile from a young age, particularly skilled in horseback riding and acrobatics, earning the title of the best in the world. He had a basic understanding of literature and was somewhat skilled in calligraphy and painting. He was eager to make achievements and did not care much about trivial matters. His family was very poor, with his father and brother making a living by copying books. Only Shen Guang was more carefree, mingling with some unruly youths in the capital and rising to become their leader. Many people supported him, enabling him to provide for his parents, enjoy good food, and wear fine clothes, never knowing poverty. During the construction of the Chan Ding Temple, there stood a flagpole in the temple that soared over ten zhang high, and the rope broke, and no one could reach it. The monks were in great distress. Shen Guang saw this and said to the monks, "Give me the rope, I will help you put it back up." The monks were both surprised and delighted, and quickly gave him the rope. Shen Guang clamped the rope in his mouth, climbed up the flagpole, tied the rope, and then used his hands and feet to swiftly slide down from the top, landing on his palms and then walking backward for several paces. The onlookers were left in awe, and everyone was astonished. At that time, he was known as the "Flying Immortal". During the Daye era, Emperor Yang of Sui summoned the finest soldiers from across the nation to launch an attack on Goguryeo, and Li Guang also participated. Tens of thousands of people set out together, and his skills ranked among the best. Li Guang was on his way to the emperor's palace, and over a hundred guests accompanied him to Ba Bridge. He raised his wine cup and made a vow over it, "If I fail to achieve fame this time, I will die in Goguryeo and will not return to see you again!"
Then, he followed the emperor to attack Liaodong. Using a siege engine to attack the city, the pole of the siege engine was a full fifteen zhang long. Li Guang climbed to the top of the pole and fought the enemy on the city wall in close combat, single-handedly killing over a dozen enemies. The enemies swarmed him and knocked him down, but just before he hit the ground, he spotted a rope hanging from the pole, grabbed it, and climbed back up. Emperor Yang of Sui saw this and found him remarkable and was astonished, so he quickly sent someone to call him over to talk, very happy, and on that day appointed him as a court official, rewarded him with a fine sword and an excellent horse, and often kept him by his side, increasingly valuing him.
Not long after, Li Guang was promoted to a cavalry officer, with very good rewards and treatment. The emperor often rewarded him with the food and clothes he ate and wore, and his peers simply couldn't hold a candle to him.
Shen Guang felt deeply grateful for the emperor's kindness, always wanting to repay that kindness to the best of his ability. When turmoil broke out in Jiangdu, he secretly gathered loyal men, preparing to take revenge for the emperor.
Before, the emperor was very fond of a eunuch in the palace named Yuwen Huaji. Yuwen Huaji recognized Shen Guangxiao's bravery and military prowess, so he appointed him to command the imperial guards based in the palace. At that time, Meng Cai, Qian Jie, and others were secretly plotting to eliminate Yuwen Huaji. They said to Shen Guangxiao, "We have all received the country's favor and cannot watch the country perish without fighting to defend it. This would be a disgrace according to the teachings of our ancestors! Now we find ourselves serving the enemy with our heads down, taking his orders, which is truly humiliating. What is the point of living? We must kill him, even if it means we die without regrets. You are a righteous man; will you join us?" Shen Guangxiao was moved to tears and said, "This is what I have been hoping for you to do, General! I command hundreds of eunuchs who have all been favored by the late emperor and are now in Yuwen Huaji's camp. It will be as easy as shooting fish in a barrel to use these people for revenge. The legacy of our great achievements depends on this moment. I hope you'll give it your all, General!" At that time, Meng Cai was a general, leading several thousand troops in Jianghuai. They agreed to launch their attack on Yuwen Huaji at dawn, just as the camp was set to move out.
Shen Guang leaked the plan, and Chen Qian informed Yuwen Huaji about it. Yuwen Huaji was very afraid and said, "This Shen Guang, like a forged iron rod, is both strong and decisive. He's unstoppable; we must steer clear of his sharpness!" That night, he escaped from the camp with his trusted followers, leaving a messenger to inform Sima Dekan and others, sending them to capture Meng Cai. Shen Guang heard the noise in the camp, knowing that the situation had been exposed. Without time to put on armor, he immediately attacked Yuwen Huaji's camp, but returned with nothing. He unexpectedly ran into Yuan Min and killed him. At this time, Sima Dekan's army arrived and surrounded Shen Guang. Shen Guang shouted and broke through the encirclement. His men bravely fought the enemy, cutting off the heads of dozens of foes, sending the enemy into disarray. Sima Dekan then sent cavalry with bows and arrows to shoot from the side. Shen Guang, without any armor, was ultimately shot dead. His hundreds of men all died in battle, with not a single one of them surrendering. Shen Guang was only 28 years old at the time. When the warriors learned of this, they were overcome with grief.
Lai Huer, courtesy name Chongshan, was from Jiangdu. He had been exceptionally talented since childhood and had a passion for doing extraordinary deeds. When he first read the Book of Songs and came across the lines "Drumming the drums, leaping into battle" and "Wearing a goat-hair coat and leopard skin, martial and powerful," he put down the book and exclaimed, "A true hero should aspire to this! We should eliminate enemies for the country, make achievements; how can we just spend our lives toiling away in the fields!" His friends were shocked and inspired by his ambition.
Lai Huer resided in Baitu Village, which was located very close to the river. At that time, the Jiangnan region was quite unstable. He Ruobi was stationed in Shouzhou and often sent Lai Huer to act as a spy. Later, he was promoted to the rank of Grand Governor. During the campaign to pacify the Chen Dynasty, Lai Huer made significant contributions and was promoted to the position of Kaifu. Following Yang Su to Zhejiang to fight Gao Zhihui, Gao Zhihui's army occupied the riverside, with camps extending over a hundred miles and warships densely packed along the river, with the deafening sounds of battle. Yang Su ordered Lai Huer to lead hundreds of light warships to directly land on the riverbank and attack the enemy camp, crushing them in one fell swoop. Gao Zhihui had previously failed in battle with Yang Su and had nowhere to hide, so his army dispersed. Gao Zhihui tried to escape to the sea, but Lai Huer pursued him all the way to Quanzhou. With no way out, Gao Zhihui fled to the Minyue region. Lai Huer was promoted to Grand General and appointed Prefect of Quanzhou. At that time, a man named Sheng Daoyan led a rebellion that troubled Quanzhou. Lai Huer dispatched troops to defeat him. Later, he joined Li Kuan, the Duke of Pushan, in defeating Wang Wenjin in Yixian and Shexian and was promoted to the rank of Zhuguo. In the third year of Renshou, he was appointed as the Prefect of Yingzhou and was enfeoffed as the Duke of Huangxian with a food estate of three thousand households. Shortly after, he was promoted to Senior Zhuguo and took on the role of Right Imperial Guard General. After Emperor Yang of Sui ascended the throne, Lai Huer was promoted to the Right Valiant Guard General, and the Emperor held him in high regard. In the sixth year of Daye, he followed the Emperor to Jiangdu and was granted a thousand bolts of cloth as a reward. He was also allowed to offer sacrifices at his ancestors' tombs, host a banquet for the village elders, and the entire province took pride in him. A few years later, he was elevated to the position of Right Wing Guard General.
In the Battle of Liaodong, Lai Huer led the fleet and navigated the waves, entering from Ba Shui and encountering the Goryeo army about sixty miles from Pyongyang. He led his troops in a fierce attack, winning a decisive victory, and pursued the enemy to the city gates, breaking through Goryeo's defenses. Then he allowed his soldiers to plunder everywhere, leading to some disarray among his troops. Gao Yuan, the King of Goryeo's brother, Jianwu, organized five hundred brave soldiers to intercept them. Lai Huer had to retreat and camp by the seaside, waiting for the right moment. Later, upon hearing that Yu Wenshu and his forces were defeated, he led his troops back. The next year, he set out again from Canghai, stationed his army in Donglai, and encountered Yang Xuange's rebellion in Liyang, with his troops closing in on Gongzhou and Luozhou. Lai Huer, along with Yu Wenshu and others, defeated them. He was granted the title Duke of Rongguo, with a fief consisting of two thousand households. Ten years later, he led his troops across the sea to Beishe City, where the whole of Goryeo came to fight. Lai Huer scored a major victory, with more than a thousand enemy soldiers killed.
As they were about to capture Pyongyang, Gao Yuan grew anxious and sent someone to escort the traitor Huosi Zheng to the gates of Liaodong City, where he submitted a formal request for surrender. The emperor consented and dispatched a decree ordering Lai Huer to return to the capital. Lai Huer gathered his soldiers and said, "We have already launched three campaigns, but have yet to subdue the rebels. If we return this time, we may never have another chance. Now Goryeo is very weak, with not a blade of grass in the fields. If we fight one more battle, we can quickly defeat them. I propose we continue the attack, directly surround Pyongyang, capture their false king, and return in triumph." He replied, insisting on continuing the fight, refusing to accept the decree. The Chief Historian Cui Junsu strongly advised against it, but he remained resolute. Lai Huer said, "The enemy's power has already collapsed. If you leave it to me, I can handle it. I am in command on the front lines and should be the one making decisions. How can I seek orders from the court when I’m so far away? Delaying for a moment will waste our efforts and miss our chance. I’d rather seize Pyongyang and face any punishment than miss this opportunity!" Cui Junsu told everyone, "If you follow the marshal in disobeying the imperial decree, it will definitely be reported to the court, and everyone will be punished!" The soldiers were afraid and persuaded him to return, so he reluctantly accepted the decree. Thirteen years later, Lai Huer was promoted to Grand General of the Left Yiwu Guard and elevated to the rank of Duke. The emperor entrusted him with significant responsibilities and rewarded him generously. Later, during the Jiangdu Incident, Yuwen Huaji, feeling threatened by him, orchestrated his assassination.
The eldest son is called Kai, because his father's military achievements directly conferred him the titles of Sanqi Lang and Chaosan Daifu. His younger brother, Hong, held the positions of Guoyi Langjiang and Jinzi Guanglu Daifu. Hong's son, Zheng, became Wuben Langjiang and Right Guanglu Daifu. Zheng was particularly brave and adept at pacifying soldiers, defeating bandits in battle, always emerging victorious. The bandits were so afraid of him that they even composed a song for him: "In the Hundred Battlefields of Changbai Mountain, with long spears ten by fifteen, not fearing the hundred thousand imperial troops, only fearing the sixth son of Lord Rong." Later, a rebellion broke out and most of their family fell victim, with only the youngest two sons, Heng and Ji, surviving.
Yu Juluo was from Fengyi. He was very tall, standing at a full eight feet, with astonishing strength and a loud voice that could be heard hundreds of steps away. When he was young, he served as the emperor's personal guard, and rose through the ranks to become a grand marshal. He fought alongside Prince Jin, and for his military achievements, he was appointed as Kaifu (Minister) and rewarded with fifteen hundred bolts of cloth. Not long after, Shen Xuantui, Gao Zhihui, and others rebelled in Jiangnan. Seeing Yu Juluo's bravery, Yang Su requested his participation in the campaign. He earned merits in every battle, and was later promoted to Kaifu and Duke of Gaotang, as well as appointed as the governor of Diezhou. After his mother passed away, he resigned from his official position to fulfill his mourning duties at home.
When he returned to Fufeng, he coincidentally met Yang Su leading troops to Lingzhou to fight the Turks, and Yang Su was delighted to have him join the expedition. When they came face to face with the enemy, Yu Juluo led a few cavalrymen to charge forward, shouting loudly with eyes wide open. The enemy was thrown into disarray by his charge, as he moved back and forth like a flying bird. Due to his achievements in this battle, he was promoted to Lord of the Pillar and appointed as the governor of Fengzhou. Initially, the Turks frequently raided the border, but Yu Juluo captured and killed them, instilling fear in them, effectively halting their raids along the border.
Initially, when Yang Guang was still a prince, Juluozan followed him as a guard and later rose through the ranks to become a Grand General. After Yang became emperor, he appointed Juluozan as General of Chariots and Cavalry. Juluozan was a ruthless character, especially cruel, often abusing his soldiers. It is said that he would roast meat, and if it was not cooked properly, he would blind them with a skewer; if someone did not warm his wine properly, he would have their tongues cut out. Since Yang and Juluozan were fellow villagers and brothers, Yang could not bring himself to kill him, so he rebuked him harshly in front of his ministers and had Juluozan imprisoned to let him fend for himself. Juluozan returned home and took poison to end his life.
Yang was worried that Juluozan would stir up trouble and revolt, so he transferred him to Anzhou as a governor. Over a year later, he was reassigned to Zhao County as a prefect. Later, at a conference in the Eastern Capital, Juluozan attended. He was good friends with General Liang Boyin, and they often socialized together. Juluozan brought many gifts from the prefecture to offer to the emperor, but they were confiscated, so he gave them to other officials. The imperial censor accused Juluozan of colluding with local officials and powerful ministers, which infuriated Emperor Yang and resulted in the dismissal and investigation of both Juluozan and Liang Boyin.
Not long after, the Yuechi barbarian tribes rose in rebellion and attacked the county. The court ordered Ju Luo to lead troops in civilian attire, together with the commander of Shu County, Duan Zhongkui, to quell the uprising. In the ninth year of Daye, Emperor Yang of Sui launched yet another campaign against Goguryeo, appointing Ju Luo as the military commander of Jieshi Road. Upon his return, Liu Yuanjin in Jiangnan rebelled, and the court sent Ju Luo to capture him in places like Kuaiji. At that time, the common people were contemplating rebellion, joining the ranks of bandits as casually as one would go to a market. Ju Luo defeated the bandit leaders Zhu Xie, Guan Chong, and others, winning every battle. However, the bandits grew stronger, regrouping after each defeat. Ju Luo realized that this war wouldn’t end anytime soon, and his sons were in Luoyang and Chang'an. Seeing the chaos spreading, he worried he might never return.
At that time, there was a famine in the Eastern Capital, and food prices skyrocketed. Ju Luo sent his household servants to transport grain by boat to the Eastern Capital for sale, and also smuggling other goods while secretly bringing back his sons. The court became suspicious of his actions and feared his rebellious intentions, sending people to investigate. Despite their repeated inquiries, they found no evidence of wrongdoing. The emperor then ordered the Chief Justice Liang Jingzhen to arrest Ju Luo and bring him to the Eastern Capital. Ju Luo was an unusual man, rumored to have two irises in each eye, which Emperor Yang regarded as an ominous sign and always avoided him. Liang Jingzhen sought to curry favor with the emperor, reporting that Ju Luo's army had been defeated, resulting in the execution of Ju Luo's entire family and the confiscation of his property.
Chen Leng, styled Changwei, was from Xiang'an County in Lujiang Commandery. His grandfather Chen Shuo made a living by fishing, leading a modest life. His father Chen Xian was notably brave in his youth and served as an aide to Zhang Dabao. Later, when Zhang Dabao rebelled, Chen Xian was appointed as the Governor of Qiaozhou. After the fall of the Chen Dynasty, Chen Xian returned home to live a life of leisure.
In the Jiangnan region, Gao Zhihui, Wang Wenjin, and others rebelled, and the heroes of Lujiang rallied in support because Chen Xian was their former general, and everyone elected him as their leader. Chen Xian was reluctant to accept, but Chen Leng advised him, "Everyone is rebelling. If we refuse, we'll be in trouble. It's better to play along for now and then think of another way." Chen Xian followed his advice. At that time, the army of Zhuguo Li Che arrived in Dangtu. Chen Xian discreetly sent Chen Leng to meet with Li Che to seek cooperation from both inside and outside. Li Che reported this to the court, and the court appointed Chen Leng as Grand General, Governor of Xuanzhou, and Duke of Qiao County, granting him a thousand households of land, and ordered Li Che to treat him well. Before Li Che's troops arrived, the plan was compromised, and Chen Xian was assassinated by his own men, while Chen Leng managed to escape. The emperor, in recognition of his father's contributions, appointed him as Kaifu and soon assigned him to lead the local militia. After Emperor Yang of Sui ascended the throne, he appointed him as General of the Valiant Cavalry. In the third year of Daye, he was promoted to Wubeng Langjiang. Three years later, Chen Leng and the court physician Zhang Zhenzhou set out from Yi'an, sailed out to sea, and launched an attack on the country of Liuqiu, arriving a month later. When the people of Liuqiu first saw the ships, they mistook them for merchant ships and came to the camp to trade.
Chen Ling led the army ashore and sent Zhang Zhenzhou as the vanguard. The king of Liuqiu, Huan Si, sent troops to resist, but Zhang Zhenzhou defeated them multiple times. Chen Ling reached Didan Cave, where Prince Huan Si Laomo led the resistance. Chen Ling defeated him and killed Laomo. On a foggy and rainy day, the soldiers were all very scared, so Chen Ling offered a white horse in sacrifice to the sea god. After that, the weather cleared, and Chen Ling divided the army into five routes, heading straight for the capital of Liuqiu. Prince Huan Si Laomo led several thousand men to resist, but Chen Ling sent Zhang Zhenzhou as the vanguard and drove them away. Chen Ling pursued them to their camp, where Prince Huan Si Laomo set up a defense. Chen Ling concentrated his forces and launched a fierce attack, fighting from dawn until dusk. Seeing his troops exhausted, Prince Huan Si Laomo retreated into the camp. Chen Ling then filled in the moat, broke through the camp, killed Prince Huan Si Laomo, captured his son Daotui, and took thousands of men and women captive, returning triumphantly.
The emperor was very pleased and promoted Chen Ling to Right Minister of Rites, while maintaining the position of Wuben Langjiang for Zhang Zhenzhou, who was also appointed as Jinzi Guanglu Dafu. During the Liaodong campaign, Chen Ling was promoted to Left Minister of Rites for his service as a palace guard. The following year, during another campaign in Liaodong, Chen Ling was appointed as the governor of Donglai. When Yang Xuangang rebelled, Chen Ling led over ten thousand troops to pacify Liyang, killing the governor Yang Xuangang had appointed, Yuan Wuben. He was then ordered to build warships in Jiangnan. Upon reaching Pengcheng, the rebel leader Meng Rang commanded an army of a hundred thousand to occupy Duliang Palace and defend it with the Huai River. Chen Ling crossed the river downstream to Jiangdu, where he engaged Meng Rang in battle and defeated him.
Because of his meritorious deeds, Chen Leng was promoted to the title of Guanglu Daifu and titled the Marquis of Xin'an. Later, the Emperor traveled to Jiangdu Palace, Li Zitong occupied Hailing, and Zuo Caixiang's forces plundered Huaibei, while Du Fuwei stationed troops in Luhe, each with tens of thousands of soldiers. The Emperor sent Chen Leng to lead the palace guards to attack them, and he achieved victory after victory. Chen Leng was promoted to Right Imperial Guard General. He crossed the Qing River and attacked the rebel forces in Xuancheng. Shortly after, the Emperor was killed, Yuwen Huaji led his troops north, and summoned Chen Leng to guard Jiangdu. Chen Leng gathered his soldiers, dressed in white mourning clothes, held a funeral for Emperor Yang of Sui, organized the funeral rites, and relocated the Emperor's tomb to Wugongtai. He walked with a cane to the burial site, and his sorrowful demeanor touched the hearts of passersby, who praised him for his loyalty. Later, Chen Leng was besieged by Li Zitong, escaped to Du Fuwei, who soon killed him.
Wang Bian, also known as Jinglue, was a native of Pucheng, Fengyi. His ancestors made a fortune in business. During the Northern Wei period, he donated food to support the army and was appointed Acting Prefect of Qinghe. Wang Bian studied military tactics at a young age, excelled in equestrian archery, was generous and had grand ambitions. During the Northern Zhou period, he was appointed as a commander due to his military achievements.
During the Sui Dynasty's Kaihuang period, he was promoted to Grand Commander; during the Renshou period, he was later promoted to General of Chariots and Cavalry. When Prince Han Liang rebelled, he followed Yang Su in suppressing the rebellion and was granted the title of Baron of Wuning with a fief of 300 households. Three years later, he was appointed Shang She Fengyu. He later participated in the war against the Tuyuhun and was appointed Court Gentleman. Several years later, he was promoted to the title of Langjiang.
During the campaign in Liaodong, he was promoted to the rank of Counselor for his achievements, and soon after was promoted to General of the Imperial Guard. Later, banditry was rampant in Shandong, led by a man from Shanggu named Wei Dao'er, who proclaimed himself "Lishan Fei" and commanded over ten thousand men to plunder in the Yan and Zhao regions. The emperor summoned Wang Bian to his presence to inquire about strategies to suppress the rebellion. Wang Bian analyzed the situation of the enemy, and the emperor was greatly impressed, saying, "There's nothing to fear from these bandits!" Therefore, the emperor sent three thousand troops under Wang Bian's command, which resulted in a decisive victory, and the emperor rewarded him generously with two hundred taels of gold.
The following year, the pirate leader Gao Shida claimed to be "Donghai Gong" with tens of thousands of men under him. The emperor again sent Wang Bian to suppress them, and Wang Bian repeatedly defeated Gao Shida's army. At that time, the emperor was in Jiangdu Palace and immediately summoned Wang Bian upon hearing the news, rewarding him generously and assigning him to command in Xindu. Gao Shida engaged Wang Bian again but was defeated, prompting the emperor to issue an imperial decree in praise of Wang Bian.
At that time, bandit leaders like Hao Xiaode, Sun Xuanya, Shi Jikang, Dou Jiande, and Wei Dao'er gathered their forces, some boasting as many as one hundred thousand men while others had several thousand, wreaking havoc, killing, and plundering throughout the Hebei region. Wang Bian led his troops against them, achieving victory in every battle, and the bandits feared him greatly. Later, Zhai Rang instigated a rebellion in the regions of Xuzhou and Yuzhou, and Wang Bian went to suppress him, defeating Zhai Rang's army multiple times.
Zhai Rang later took control of the Luokou Warehouse with Li Mi, while Wang Bian and Wang Shichong joined forces to attack Li Mi. The two sides faced off at Luoshui for over a year. Wang Bian led the soldiers to breach Li Mi's forces, pursued them in victory, and broke through Li Mi's outer camp. Li Mi's army had begun to collapse, and Wang Bian was about to take advantage of the victory to attack the city. However, Wang Shichong, unaware and concerned that the soldiers were too fatigued, ordered the retreat by sounding the horn. As a result, Li Mi's forces took the opportunity to counterattack. The imperial forces were defeated and could not be saved. Wang Bian fled to the riverbank of Luoshui, but the bridge had been destroyed, leaving him unable to cross, so he had to wade across the river. When he reached the center of the river, he was swept off his horse by the turbulent flow and fell into the river. Wang Bian was wearing heavy armor at the time, and with the defeated soldiers crowded together, he was unable to rise and ultimately drowned at the age of fifty-six. The soldiers all felt sorry for him.
Huo Siwan, hailing from Henan, was a brave and decisive man, comparable to Wang Bian in fame. During the reign of Emperor Yang of the Sui Dynasty, he followed Wei Xuan to attack Yang Xuangan and fought many battles, all of which earned him merit. When Yang Xuangan was defeated and fled, Huo Siwan and a few others caught up with him, cornering him until he ultimately took his own life. This incident catapulted Huo Siwan to fame, and he was appointed as a military officer.
Later, the Turkic Khan laid siege to Yanmen Pass, and Huo Siwan charged into battle, causing the Turkic forces to scatter. Every time the enemy approached, he was the first to charge forward to fight, occasionally dismounting to sit on the ground, pulling out a strong bow to shoot and kill the enemy, one by one. Consequently, the Turkic forces were too intimidated to approach the city walls, and more than ten days later, they retreated in disgrace, all thanks to Huo Siwan's valor! After that, he repeatedly quelled rebellions, achieved numerous military victories, and was eventually elevated to the rank of general.
Back then, there were a few generals: Lu Yuan, Fan Gui, and Feng Xiaoci. They were all military leaders who often led troops to battle and were quite famous. Unfortunately, most of their deeds have been lost to history, and there isn’t much documentation about them in historical records. Historical records state that during the Chu-Han contention, Marquis Zhou Bo of Jiangzhou and Guan Ying made significant contributions in battle; during the struggle for supremacy between Cao Cao and Liu Bei, Guan Yu and Zhang Fei became famous for their achievements. So, if you want to gain fame, you need to seize the moment during chaotic times; to earn merit, you must be in a time of war; and climbing the social ladder has always been the way of things. Individuals like Yuantong, Hu'er, Dinghe, and Tie Zhang were all heroes of their era, yet sadly, they were stuck in poverty and lowly conditions. When they were young and unnoticed, who could have guessed the grand ambitions they held in their hearts? Ultimately, they managed to overcome adversity, rise to success, achieve their dreams, and fulfill their aspirations. This isn’t something you can achieve alone; it also requires being in the right place at the right time!
Even though Julo was wrongfully accused, it wasn’t his fault; Wang Bian died on the battlefield for his country, and his loyalty was unwavering! Chen Leng donned mourning clothes for Wang Bian, and people along the way were moved to tears. Such loyalty is truly commendable! Meng Cai, Qian Jie, and Shen Guang understood the value of gratitude, remembered their old friends, and made sure to protect themselves in times of danger. While they may not have accomplished much, their aspirations are still worthy of praise!
Zhang Yan, styled Wenyi, self-identified as being from Qinghe and lived in Huaiyin. He particularly enjoyed reading military books and was particularly skilled with the sword and shield. During the Zhou Dynasty, a man from his hometown, Guo Ziyi, secretly attracted bandits from the State of Chen. Zhang Yan's father wanted to lead the people of their clan to fight, but he hesitated. Zhang Yan supported his father's plan, which earned him a reputation for being brave and decisive. He later became the chief registrar of the province.
After Gaozu became prime minister, he promoted Zhang Yan to be the grand commander, in charge of the local militia. While He Ruobi was stationed in Shouchun, Zhang Yan often acted as a spy for him and made significant contributions in the war against the Chen Dynasty. He was promoted to the rank of General of the Armies, granted the title of Viscount of Wen'an County, and awarded a fief of 800 households, along with 2,500 bolts of silk and 2,500 measures of grain. A year later, he led the navy to defeat the rebel Zuo Ziyou in Jingkou and Xue Zijian in Hezhou.
The court summoned him back to the capital and appointed him as the Grand General. Emperor Gaozu even invited him to share a meal together at the imperial table, saying, "You are like my son, and I am your father. Today, we gather like this to show that we are like family." He was further rewarded with 1,000 pieces of silk, green armor, and full-body armor adorned with animal motifs. He then accompanied Yang Su to conquer the Jiangnan region, defeating Gao Zhihui in Kuaiji and Wu Shihua in Linhai. He was promoted to Grand General and given 60 slaves and 300 bolts of silk as rewards.
He successively served as the Inspector of Fuzhou, Xianzhou, and Qizhou, performing exceptionally well in each place. In the 18th year of the Kaihuang era, he was appointed as the Commander of the Expedition and followed Prince Yang Liang to conquer Liaodong. While other armies sustained heavy losses, Zhang Yan's army remained intact. Emperor Gaozu greatly admired him and rewarded him with 250 bolts of cloth. During the Ren Shou era, he was transferred to Tanzhou as the Commander and passed away three years later. His son also became a respected and loyal official.
Mai Tiezhang is from Shixing, Guangdong. This guy is something else—tough, brave, and strong as an ox. He can cover five hundred miles in a day, running like the wind. He's got a rough edge, loves to drink, enjoys making friends, and is fiercely loyal. He usually lives by fishing and hunting, not much of a businessman. During the Taijian era of the Chen Dynasty, he rounded up a crew and turned into a mountain bandit. The governor of Guangzhou, Ouyang Pinyu, caught him and handed him over to the court. Mai Tiezhang was registered by the government and was given the job of a royal umbrella holder.
After the morning court session, he walked more than a hundred miles and could reach South Xuzhou at night, sneaking into the city to pull off some heists. The next morning, he rushed back and continued his duties as a royal umbrella holder. After doing this back and forth more than ten times, the victims recognized him, and South Xuzhou reported to the court. The ministers of the court saw Mai Tiezhang every day and thought this was too outrageous to be true. After a few reports, Minister Cai Zheng said, "We need to look into this!" So, after the morning court session, the court forked out a hundred gold coins to bribe someone to take the imperial decree to the governor of South Xuzhou. As soon as Mai Tiezhang caught wind of the reward, he was off to deliver the decree first thing the next morning.
The emperor said, "So it's true, this kid is really a thief!" But the emperor also thought he was quick on his feet and pretty talented, so he gave him a warning and then let him off the hook.
After the fall of the Chen Dynasty, Yang Tiezhang relocated to Qingliu County. When a rebellion broke out in Jiangdong, Yang Su sent him to secretly cross the Yangtze River at night, donning a straw hat and leaning on an iron staff to gather intelligence on the rebel forces. He reported the details of what he had learned to Yang Su. Later, when he went to gather information again, he was captured by the rebels. The rebel leader Li Leng assigned thirty soldiers to guard him, bound him, and took him to see Gao Zhihui. Upon reaching Qingting, the soldiers on guard took a break to eat, and noticing he was starving, they untied him and offered him food. As a result, Yang Tiezhang seized a soldier's knife, killed all his guards, severed their noses, and took them back home. Yang Su was particularly astonished by this turn of events.
Later, when it was time to award honors, Yang Tiezhang's contributions went unrecognized. Yang Su raced back to the capital, and Yang Tiezhang followed him for several days, spending each night with him. Yang Su finally recognized Yang Tiezhang's talents and formally petitioned the emperor to appoint him as a Yitong Sanji official. Due to his illiteracy, he was eventually sent back to his hometown. Li Che (Chengyang Duke) held his bravery in high regard. In the sixteenth year of the Kaihuang era, the court summoned him to the capital and appointed him as a General of Chariots and Cavalry. He accompanied Yang Su northward to campaign against the Turks, and later was promoted to the position of Kaifu Yitong Sanji.
After Emperor Yang of Sui ascended the throne, Prince Liang of Han rebelled in Bingzhou. He followed Yang Su to suppress the rebellion, always charging at the forefront in battles. Later, he was promoted to the position of Zhu Guo. He was then appointed as the Inspector of Laizhou, but he didn't accomplish much in his role. He was later transferred to be the Prefect of Runan, gradually becoming familiar with legal texts, which made the thieves in the area vanish. Once during court, Scholar Dou Wei teased him, saying, "Is your surname Mai? What kind of surname is Mai?" Yang Tiezhang cleverly replied, "There's no difference between wheat and beans, why are you so surprised?" Dou Wei blushed and had nothing to say; everyone at the time thought he was very clever. Later, he was appointed as the Grand General of the Right Garrison, and the Emperor had special trust in him.
Old Iron Rod felt that he had received great grace from the court and always wanted to fight for the country. When it came time to fight in Liaodong, he volunteered to be at the forefront, even telling his doctor Wu Jingxian, who was treating him, "A man's life and death have their own logic; how can I let a minor illness cause my death at the hands of my children?"
When preparing to cross the Liao River, he said to his three sons, "Anu, prepare a pale yellow robe. I have received the grace of the country; today is my day of death. If I die in battle, you will be prosperous and esteemed in the future. Remember, you must be honest and filial; make sure to work hard!" By the river, with the bridge still under repair and several yards from the opposite bank, the enemy came rushing over. Iron Rod leaped onto the bank, engaged the enemy, and fell in battle. The military officers Qian Shixiong and Meng Jinchai also fell in battle, and those around them were unable to keep up.
The emperor cried for a long time over this and sent people to retrieve his body. He also issued a decree saying: "Iron Staff showed remarkable bravery and distinguished military accomplishments. In the battle in Liaodong, he charged into battle with unmatched bravery; although he died in battle, his contributions will be remembered forever. I am deeply moved and remember his loyalty; he should be given the highest honor to recognize his contributions. He is posthumously awarded the titles of Grand Master of Splendor and Duke of Sui Guo, with the posthumous title of Martial Excellence." His son Meng Cai succeeded him in his title and later became a Grand Master of Splendor. Meng Cai also had two brothers, Zhong Cai and Ji Cai, who both became Counselors. The court lavishly rewarded them and granted them a ceremonial procession with feathered banners and drums. Over a hundred defeated generals from the Battle of Pyongyang, including Yu Wen Shu, came to pay their respects, and officials below the rank of nobles were sent outside the city. Qian Shi Xiong was posthumously awarded the titles of Left Grand Master of Splendor, Right Garrison General, and Marquis of Wuqiang, with the posthumous title of Resolute. His son Jie succeeded him in his title; Meng Jin Cha was posthumously awarded the title of Right Grand Master of Splendor, and his son Shan Yi succeeded him in his position.
Meng Cai, with the courtesy name Zhileng, was a brave and resolute man, completely inheriting his father's excellent qualities. The emperor, grateful for Meng Cai's sacrifice for the country, showed exceptional kindness to his family and even bestowed the title of military officer upon his son. When turmoil broke out in Jiangdu, Meng Cai was consumed with the desire to avenge his country. He had a good relationship with Wu Yalang Qian Jie, and they remarked to one another, "Our generations have received the country's favor, and our family has always been known for loyalty and integrity. Now that treacherous officials have assassinated the emperor in defiance of heaven, the nation and its people are in ruins. We can't even show our loyalty and righteousness. What right do we have to continue living in this world?" With that, they wept and beat their chests, planning to rally their old comrades to ambush Yuwen Huaji at Xianfu Palace. Just as they were about to act, the son of Prince Chen Qian of the Chen Dynasty caught wind of their plan and tipped off Yuwen Huaji. Consequently, he and his accomplice Shen Guang were both slain by Yuwen Huaji, leaving their fellow loyalists heartbroken.
Shen Guang, courtesy name Zongchi, was a native of Wuxing. His father, Shen Jundao, served as a minister in the Chen dynasty, and after the Chen dynasty fell, the whole family moved to Chang'an. Shen Guang was recommended to work at the Imperial Academy by the Crown Prince Yong. Later, he served as an aide to Prince Liang of Han, but was dismissed after Prince Liang's defeat. Shen Guang was brave and skilled in battle from a young age, excelling in horseback riding and acrobatics, making him one of the most formidable figures in the country. He had some knowledge of literature and was eager to make a name for himself, not overly concerned with trivialities. His family was very poor, while his father and brother earned a living by copying books. Shen Guang, on the other hand, was more carefree, associating with some rowdy young men in the capital. Many people gave him money and gifts, which he used to support his parents, making sure they had decent food and clothing. During the construction of the Chan Ding Temple, a flagpole over ten zhang tall suddenly snapped, and Shen Guang, biting onto the rope, climbed up the pole to secure it, astonishing the onlookers with his daring feat. During the Daye period, Emperor Yang of Sui called upon the most elite soldiers to campaign against Goguryeo, and Li Guang also participated in the war. Among the tens of thousands who went with him, his skills were among the best. Li Guang, accompanied by over a hundred guests, made a solemn vow at Baqiao Bridge before heading to the imperial palace, declaring that if he didn’t earn any fame in the war, he’d rather die in Goguryeo than return to face them again.
When he arrived at the Liaodong battlefield, the Sui army attacked the city, with Li Guang in charge of using the battering ram to breach the walls. The battering ram's long pole measured fifteen zhang, and Li Guang climbed to the top of the pole, fighting the enemy on the city wall in close combat and killing more than ten people. The enemy attacked him together, knocking him down, but before he hit the ground, he happened to grab the rope hanging down from the pole of the battering ram and climbed back up. Emperor Yang of Sui saw this scene and was very surprised and impressed. He immediately sent someone to call him over to speak, very happy, and that day he appointed him as an Imperial Attendant, rewarding him with a precious sword and a good horse, often keeping him close and placing greater trust in him.
Before long, Li Guang was promoted to the rank of Zhechong Langjiang, with generous rewards and favorable treatment. The emperor often shared his own meals and clothing with him, far exceeding what others in his cohort received.
Li Guang felt a profound gratitude towards the emperor and always wanted to repay his kindness to the fullest. When there was unrest in Jiangdu, he secretly recruited warriors, preparing to seek vengeance for the emperor. Previously, the emperor favored a eunuch named Yuwen Huaji in the palace. Because Li Guang was brave and skilled in battle, Yuwen Huaji relied heavily on him, putting him in charge of the soldiers and horses in the Forbidden Army camp.
At that time, Meng Cai, Qian Jie, and others secretly planned to get rid of Yuwen Huaji, saying to Li Guang, "We have all received immense kindness from the empire. We cannot sit back and watch the country perish without doing anything. This is a disgrace to our ancestors! Now we have to bow our heads and serve our enemies, obeying their orders. It truly feels like we have lost all dignity. What’s the point of living like this? We must kill Yuwen Huaji. Even if we die, we will die without regrets. You are a man of honor; will you join us?"
Shen Guang was moved to tears and said, "This is exactly what I have been hoping for you, General, to do! I lead hundreds of followers who have all been favored by the late emperor and are now in Yuwen Huaji's camp. Avenge them will be as easy as an eagle catching a chick with these men. The legacy of future generations hinges on this one chance. I hope you can make a firm decision!" At that time, Meng Cai was a general, leading thousands of troops in the Jianghuai region. They agreed to wait until the camp was ready to depart and then launch a surprise attack on Yuwen Huaji in the early morning.
Shen Guang leaked the plan, and Chen Qian informed Yuwen Huaji. Yuwen Huaji was very afraid and said, "This Shen Guang is like a sharp iron rod; he and his men are all brave and decisive, difficult to resist. We must avoid their sharpness!" That night, Yuwen Huaji, along with his trusted confidants, fled the camp, leaving someone behind to inform Sima Dekan and the others to capture Meng Cai.
Shen Guang heard the commotion in the camp, knowing that the plan had been exposed. He didn't have time to put on armor, so he immediately attacked Yuwen Huaji's camp, but returned empty-handed. He ran into his colleague Yuan Min and killed him. At that moment, Sima Dekan's army arrived and surrounded Shen Guang from all sides. Shen Guang shouted as he fought to break through the encirclement, and his followers bravely fought the enemy, decapitating dozens of enemies, forcing the rest to retreat. Sima Dekan then sent cavalry with bows and crossbows to shoot Shen Guang from the side. Shen Guang, without any armor, was ultimately shot dead. All of his hundreds of followers fought to the death, with none surrendering. Shen Guang was only twenty-eight at the time. When the warriors heard this news, they were overwhelmed with grief and shed tears.
Lai Huer, whose style name is Chongshan, is from Jiangdu. He has always had unique ideas since he was young, enjoying doing things differently and aspiring to make great achievements. When he first read the Book of Songs and came across the lines "Drumming on the drum, eagerly using weapons" and "Dressed in a lambskin robe and leopard fur, showcasing his martial prowess," he put down the book and exclaimed, "A real man should be like this! One should fight for the country and make a name for oneself; how can one just stay in the countryside farming all the time?" His friends were shocked by his words, but also admired his ambition.
Lai Huer lived in Baitu Village, very close to the river. At that time, the Jiangnan region was still unstable, with He Ruobi stationed in Shouzhou, often sending Lai Huer to work as a spy, and later even making him a general. During the war to pacify the Chen dynasty, Lai Huer made great achievements and was promoted to the position of Shang Kaifu. Later, he followed Yang Su to Zhejiang to fight against Gao Zhihui. Gao Zhihui's army occupied the riverbank, with camps stretching over a hundred miles and warships dominating the river, creating an imposing sight. Yang Su ordered Lai Huer to lead hundreds of light boats to land directly and assault the enemy camp, which they successfully captured. After suffering defeat against Yang Su, Gao Zhihui found himself with nowhere to retreat, causing his army to disperse. Gao Zhihui tried to escape to the sea, but Lai Huer pursued him to Quanzhou. With no way out, Gao Zhihui fled to the Minyue region. Lai Huer was promoted to Grand General and appointed as the governor of Quanzhou.
At that time, there was a man named Sheng Daoyan who led a rebellion and harassed Quanzhou, but Lai Huda defeated him. He then joined Li Kuan, the Duke of Pushan, in defeating Wang Wenjin in Yixian and Shexian, and was promoted to the rank of Zhu Guo. In the third year of Renshou, he was appointed as the governor of Yingzhou and was granted the title of Duke of Huangxian, with a fief supporting three thousand households. Shortly after, he was further promoted to senior Zhu Guo and appointed as the general of the right imperial guard. After Emperor Yang of Sui ascended the throne, he was promoted to the general of the right valiant guard, and the emperor held him in high regard. In the sixth year of Daye, he followed the emperor to Jiangdu, where the emperor bestowed upon him a thousand bolts of cloth, allowed him to worship his ancestors' tombs, and host a feast for the village elders. The people of the entire province greatly respected him. Several years later, he was promoted to the general of the right wing guard.
During the Liaodong Campaign, Lai Huda led warships, braved the wind and waves, entered from Basha, and encountered the Goryeo army sixty miles from Pyongyang. He led the troops in a fierce attack, defeated the Goryeo army, pursued them in victory, and approached the outskirts of Pyongyang, breaking through the defense works outside the city. He then ordered the troops to plunder everywhere, resulting in some disorder among the ranks. Goryeo King Gao Yuan's brother Jianwu recruited five hundred elite troops to attack them. Lai Huda was forced to retreat and establish camp by the sea, waiting for an opportunity. Later, upon hearing that Yu Wenshu and their forces had been defeated, he returned to the court. The following year, he departed from Canghai, and his army reached Donglai. At this time, Yang Xuangan rebelled in Liyang, attacking Gongxian and Luoyang. Lai Huda led the troops along with Yu Wenshu and others to defeat Yang Xuangan. He was titled Duke of Rongguo with a fief of two thousand households. Ten years later, he led his troops across the sea to reach Beishecheng. The Goryeo forces mobilized for battle, but Lai Huda achieved a decisive victory over the Goryeo army, killing over a thousand enemies.
As the fall of Pyongyang seemed imminent, Gao Yuan, fearing defeat, sent someone to bring the traitor Huosi Zheng to surrender at the gates of Liaodong, pleading for the court's mercy. The emperor consented and issued a decree for General Lai Huer to return to the capital. Lai Huer gathered his soldiers and said, "We have failed to completely defeat the enemy in three previous battles. This might be our final opportunity. Goguryeo is now weak, the fields are barren. If we attack now, we can quickly defeat them. I propose that we continue the assault, directly surround Pyongyang, capture their king, and return in triumph!" He petitioned the court to allow the campaign to continue, defying the imperial decree. Chief Clerk Cui Junsu strongly urged him to reconsider, but he refused to listen. Lai Huer said, "The enemy's strength has already collapsed, and we can defeat them on our own. I must make decisions on the battlefield myself, rather than await orders from the court! Delaying even a moment will cause us to miss the opportunity, waste our efforts, and achieve nothing. I would rather seize Pyongyang and accept punishment upon my return than forfeit this opportunity for victory!" Cui Junsu warned everyone, "If we follow the general and disobey the imperial decree, we will surely be reported to the court and punished!" The soldiers were afraid and persuaded him to return, and he finally obeyed the imperial decree.
In the thirteenth year of the Daye era, he was promoted to Left Yiwuwei General, and subsequently promoted to the rank of Kaifu Yitong Sanqi. The emperor entrusted him with significant responsibilities and conferred numerous rewards. Later, during the Jiangdu Crisis, Yuwen Huaji envied him and orchestrated his demise.
The eldest son is called Kai. Because of his father's military achievements, he was directly appointed as a scattered cavalry attendant and a court gentleman. His younger brother Hong rose to the rank of a valiant cavalier and a grand master of the right court. Hong's son Zheng also became a valiant cavalier and a grand master of the right court. Zheng was particularly brave and had a knack for leading troops, defeating bandits in battle. The bandits feared him so much that they even composed songs in his honor: "At the battlefields of Changbai Mountain, with long spears ten by fifteen, not afraid of a hundred thousand government troops, only fearing the sixth son of Lord Rong." Later, a rebellion broke out, and their entire family was killed, leaving only the two youngest sons, Heng and Ji, to survive.
Yu Juluo was from Fengyi. He was tall and strong, standing at eight feet tall, with a powerful voice that could be heard hundreds of meters away. When he was young, he became a personal guard of the emperor and later rose to the position of a grand commander. He fought alongside the Prince of Jin, made significant contributions, was granted the title of marquis, and rewarded with fifteen hundred rolls of cloth. Not long after, Shen Xuantui, Gao Zhihui, and others rebelled in Jiangnan. Yang Su recognized Yu Juluo's formidable strength and asked him to help suppress the rebellion. He distinguished himself in every battle and was promoted to marquis and Duke of Gaotang County, eventually becoming the governor of Diezhou. After his mother passed away, he resigned from his post to observe a period of mourning at home. On his way back home, he met Yang Su, who was leading troops to Lingzhou to fight the Turks. Yang Su was thrilled to see Yu Juluo and requested him to join the expedition. When facing the enemy, Yu Juluo led a few cavalrymen charging forward, shouting loudly, and he routed the enemy, moving with agility and speed. Because of his achievements in this campaign, he was promoted to a key military leader and became the governor of Fengzhou. Previously, the Turks often raided the border, but Yu Juluo was able to capture and kill them every time. Since then, the Turks were too frightened to graze near the border.
At the beginning, when Emperor Yang of Sui was still a prince, Juluo Dizan served as his attendant and eventually rose to the position of Grand Commander. After Yang became emperor, he appointed him as General of Chariots and Cavalry. Dizan had a particularly short temper and was ruthless towards his subordinates. He would order people to roast meat, and if it wasn't done to his liking, he would blind them by poking their eyes out with a skewer; if someone didn't warm his wine properly, he would have their tongues sliced off. Because Dizan and Yang were from the same hometown, and out of old friendship, Yang couldn't bring himself to execute him, so he criticized him harshly and imprisoned him, leaving him to fend for himself. Dizan returned home and took poison to end his life.
Fearing that Dizan might be plotting rebellion, Yang transferred him to Anzhou as the governor. A year later, he was reassigned to Zhaojun as its prefect. Later, during a court assembly in the eastern capital, Dizan attended. He was good friends with General Liang Boyin, and they often interacted. Dizan also brought many tributes from the prefecture to offer to the emperor, which the emperor seized and then distributed among the nobles. The imperial censor accused Dizan of colluding with court officials, which infuriated Yang, resulting in the dismissal and investigation of both Dizan and Liang Boyin.
Not long after, the Yue Xi tribes rebelled and attacked the county. The court ordered Ju Luo to lead troops in civilian clothes, along with Duan Zhongkui, the commander of Shu County, to suppress the rebellion. In the ninth year of the Daye era, the Sui Dynasty launched another expedition against Goguryeo, and Ju Luo was appointed as the military commander of Jieshi Dao. Upon his return, Liu Yuanjin in Jiangnan rebelled, and the court sent Ju Luo to capture him in various counties. At that time, the common people were yearning for chaos, and many joined the ranks of bandits, as if it were a market day. Ju Luo defeated bandit leaders such as Zhu Xie and Guan Chong, winning every battle. However, the bandits grew in numbers and regrouped after defeat. Ju Luo realized the war would drag on, and his sons were in the capital city of Luoyang, witnessing the increasing chaos in the world and fearing they might never return home.
During a famine in the eastern capital, food prices soared, so Ju Luo sent his servants to transport rice to the capital for sale, secretly bringing back his sons. The court became aware of this and feared Ju Luo's intentions, so they sent investigators. After much investigation, no evidence of wrongdoing was found. The emperor then had Ju Luo escorted to the eastern capital by Liang Jingzhen, the Grand Justice. Ju Luo had a unique appearance with heterochromia, whom Emperor Yang of Sui secretly feared. Liang Jingzhen flattered the emperor, reporting that Ju Luo's army had been defeated, resulting in Ju Luo's execution in the eastern capital and his home being confiscated.
Chen Leng, also known as Changwei, was from Xiang'an, Lujiang. His grandfather Chen Shuo earned his living as a fisherman, and his father Chen Xian was notably brave in his youth, serving as an aide to Zhang Dabao. After the rebellion led by Zhang Dabao, Chen Xian was appointed as the governor of Qiaozhou. After the fall of the Chen Dynasty, Chen Xian returned home to live a life of retirement.
In the Jiangnan region, Gao Zhihui, Wang Wenjin, and others led a rebellion, and the heroes of Lujiang also joined in, as Chen Xian was their former general, and they unanimously elected him as their leader. Chen Xian was reluctant to accept, but Chen Leng urged him, saying, "Everyone has already rebelled. If you refuse them, you'll be in trouble too. It's better to pretend to agree first and then think of another way." Chen Xian followed his advice. At that time, the army of Zhuguo Li Che arrived in Dangtu. Chen Xian secretly sent Chen Leng to see Li Che, offering to act as an insider. Li Che reported this matter to the court, and the court appointed Chen Leng as Grand General, the Governor of Xuanzhou, and granted him the title of Duke of Qiao County, along with a land grant of one thousand households, also ordering Li Che to take good care of him.
Before Li Che's army could arrive, the plan was leaked, and Chen Xian was killed by his accomplices, while Chen Leng luckily escaped. The Emperor, recognizing his father's contributions, appointed him as Kaifu (Minister), and soon after put him in charge of the local militia. After Emperor Yang of Sui ascended the throne, he appointed him as General of the Valiant Cavalry. In the third year of Daye, he was promoted to Wubeng General. Three years later, Chen Leng and the court official Zhang Zhenzhou led over ten thousand soldiers from Dongyang, setting sail from Yi'an to attack Liuqiu. They arrived a month later.
When the people of Liuqiu first spotted the ships, they mistook them for merchant vessels and came to the camp to do business. Chen Leng led the army ashore and sent Zhang Zhenzhou as the vanguard. The king of Liuqiu, Huansi Keladou, dispatched troops to resist, but Zhang Zhenzhou repeatedly defeated them. Chen Leng fought his way to Didan Cave. The small king of Liuqiu, Huansi Laomu, led troops to resist, but Chen Leng defeated him and killed Laomu. On that foggy, rainy day, the soldiers were quite frightened, so Chen Leng offered a white horse as a sacrifice to the sea god.
Afterwards, the weather cleared up, and Chen Ling divided the army into five routes, heading straight for the capital of the Liuguo Kingdom. Kela Dou led a few thousand people to resist, but Chen Ling sent Zhang Zhenzhou as the vanguard to drive them away. Chen Ling pursued them all the way to their camp, where Kela Dou positioned his troops behind the camp. Chen Ling concentrated his forces and attacked, fighting fiercely from dawn until dusk. Seeing the exhaustion of the troops, Kela Dou retreated into the camp. Chen Ling then filled in the moat, broke through the camp, defeated Kela Dou, captured his son Daotui, and also captured thousands of civilians, returning in triumph.
Emperor Yang of Sui was very pleased and promoted Chen Ling to Right Minister of Rites, keeping his position as Wubenlangjiang unchanged, and also promoted Zhang Zhenzhou to Jinzi Guanglu Daifu. In the battle of Liaodong, Chen Ling was promoted to Left Minister of Rites for his service in the palace. The following year, Emperor Yang of Sui again campaigned in Liaodong, while Chen Ling stayed in Donglai. When Yang Xuangan rebelled, Chen Ling led over ten thousand men to pacify Liyang, killing the governor appointed by Yang Xuangan, Yuan Wuben. He was then ordered to build warships in Jiangnan.
Upon reaching Pengcheng, the rebel leader Meng Rang commanded an army of one hundred thousand and occupied the Duliang Palace, using the Huai River as a natural barrier, firmly holding their position. Chen Ling secretly crossed the river downstream towards Jiangdu and attacked Meng Rang, defeating him. For his achievements, Chen Ling was promoted to Guanglu Daifu and titled as the Marquis of Xin'an. Later, when Emperor Yang of Sui arrived at Jiangdu Palace, Li Zitong occupied Hailing, Zuo Caixiang plundered north of the Huai River, and Du Fuwei stationed troops in Liuhe, each with tens of thousands of soldiers. Emperor Yang of Sui sent Chen Ling to lead the Imperial Guard to subdue them, securing one victory after another, and Chen Ling was promoted to Right General of the Imperial Guard. He then crossed the Qing River and launched an offensive against the rebel forces in Xuancheng.
Before long, Sui Yangdi was killed, and Yuwen Huaji led his troops north and summoned Chen Leng to defend Jiangdu. Chen Leng gathered his troops, dressed in mourning clothes, held a funeral for Sui Yangdi, following the proper rituals. He reburied Sui Yangdi under Wugongtai, leaning on a cane in mourning, touching the hearts of passersby along the way. People praised his loyalty. Later, Chen Leng was defeated by Li Zitong and fled to Du Fuwei, who feared him and soon killed him.
Wang Bian, courtesy name Jinglue, was from Pucheng, Fengyi. His family had prospered through trade. During the Northern Wei period, he supported the army with food donations and was appointed Acting Prefect of Qinghe. From a young age, Wang Bian studied military strategy, excelled in horsemanship, was generous, and harbored great ambitions.
During the Northern Zhou period, he was appointed commander-in-chief in recognition of his military achievements. During the Kaihuang era of the Sui Dynasty, he was promoted to Grand Commandant; during the Renshou period, he was further promoted to General of Chariots and Cavalry. When Han Prince Liang rebelled, he followed Yang Su in quelling the rebellion and was granted the title of Baron of Wuning County, with a fief of three hundred households. Three years later, he was promoted to Attendant of the Imperial Stables.
Later, he joined the campaign against the Tuyuhun and was appointed an Imperial Secretary. A few years later, he was promoted to the rank of Langjiang. During the Battle of Liaodong, he earned the title of Grand Master of Ceremonies for his achievements, and shortly after, he was promoted to Langjiang of Wuben.
When banditry was rampant in Shandong, a man named Wei Dao'er from Shanggu who called himself "Fei of Lishan" had over ten thousand men under his command, raiding and plundering the Yan and Zhao regions. The Emperor summoned Wang Bian to discuss strategies for suppressing the rebellion. Wang Bian analyzed the enemy's situation, earning the Emperor's admiration, who said, "If we follow your plan, what do we have to fear from the bandits?" Therefore, the Emperor dispatched three thousand infantry and cavalry to support Wang Bian's campaign, quickly defeating Wei Dao'er and rewarding him with two hundred taels of gold.
In the second year, the pirate chief Gao Shida from Bohai proclaimed himself the "Lord of the East Sea," with a following of tens of thousands. The Emperor again ordered Wang Bian to launch an attack, and Wang Bian repeatedly defeated Gao Shida's forces. At that time, the Emperor was in the Jiangdu Palace. Upon hearing this, he immediately sent for Wang Bian, rewarded him generously, and sent him to govern Xindu. Gao Shida fought against Wang Bian again and was defeated. The Emperor issued a decree praising Wang Bian's military achievements.
At that time, the bandit chieftains Hao Xiaode, Sun Xuanya, Shi Jikang, Dou Jiande, Wei Dao'er, and others each occupied territories with armies ranging from tens of thousands to a few thousand, wreaking havoc across the Hebei region. Wang Bian led his troops in a campaign and remained undefeated, instilling fear in the various bandits.
Later, Zhai Rang instigated a rebellion in Xuzhou and Yuzhou. Wang Bian led his troops to attack and defeated Zhai Rang's army multiple times. Zhai Rang later occupied Luokou Warehouse with Li Mi. Wang Bian and Wang Shichong then joined forces to attack Li Mi, and the two sides were locked in a standoff at Luoshui for over a year.
Wang Bian led his soldiers to break through Li Mi's army, pursued them in victory, and broke through the outer fence of Li Mi's camp. With the enemy's army scattered, Wang Bian prepared to storm the city, but Wang Shichong, fearing exhausted soldiers, sounded the retreat signal, granting Li Mi's forces a chance to regroup. The official army was defeated, and Wang Bian, unable to turn the tide, arrived at Luoshui, where the bridge had been destroyed. Unable to cross, he dismounted and waded into the water. As he reached the center of the river, he was swept away by the current and fell off his horse, drowning. At that moment, clad in heavy armor and surrounded by defeated soldiers, he was unable to remount and ultimately drowned.
Wang Bian passed away at the age of fifty-six, leaving his soldiers and officers in deep mourning.
Hosiman from Henan was a bold and resolute figure, whose fame rivaled that of Wang Bian. During the reign of Emperor Yang of the Sui Dynasty, he accompanied Wei Xuan on a campaign against Yang Xuangan, won many battles, and earned considerable merit. When Yang Xuangan was defeated and fled, Hosiman led a few cavalry soldiers to catch up with him, driving Yang Xuangan to desperation and eventually taking his own life. This brought Hosiman into the limelight, and he was directly appointed as a Wuben General.
Later, the Turkic Khagan laid siege to Yanmen Pass, and Hosiman charged into battle, sending the Turkic forces into a rout. Every time the enemy approached, he was the first to charge forward and fight, sometimes even dismounting and sitting on the ground, drawing a powerful bow to shoot down the enemy, each of whom fell instantly. As a result, the Turks dared not approach the city walls, and more than ten days later, they retreated—a testament to Hosiman's prowess! He then continued to fight against bandits, constantly achieving success, and eventually rose to the rank of general.
At that time, there were several other generals, such as Lu Yuan, Fan Gui, and Feng Xiaoci, who were also celebrated commanders in their own right. However, most of their exploits have faded into obscurity, so they are not well recorded in historical accounts.
Historical accounts remark: only during the eras of Zhang Hou, Zhou Bo, and Guan Ying could they realize their ambitions; during the struggle between Cao Cao and Liu Bei for supremacy, it was only during the time of Guan Yu and Zhang Fei that they could become famous. Therefore, achieving fame requires seizing the moment when a nation is being shaped, and building a career must coincide with the turmoil of the country. This act of climbing the social ladder and achieving success has always existed. People like Yuantong, Hu'er, Dinghe, and Tiezhang were all heroes of their time, but were confined by poverty and insignificance. They were largely unnoticed in their youth; who would have guessed they harbored such lofty ambitions? In the end, they all emerged from the mire, attained success, realized their dreams, and fulfilled their life aspirations. Without the right timing, how could they have accomplished this?
Although Juluo was wronged, it was not his fault; Wang Bian sacrificed himself for his country, demonstrating unwavering loyalty; Chen Leng donned mourning attire for Wang Bian's funeral, touching the hearts of all who passed by; such profound loyalty! Meng Cai, Qian Jie, Shen Guang, and others, who repaid kindness and never forgot their friends in times of peril, even though they may not have accomplished great deeds, their spirit deserves recognition!
Zhang Dinghe, courtesy name Chumi, was from Chang'an. He grew up in poverty but had big dreams. He started out as a minor official. During the campaign against the Chen Dynasty, Zhang Dinghe wanted to join the battle, but he didn't have any money. His wife had the dress she wore on their wedding day, and Zhang Dinghe wanted to sell it, but his wife wouldn’t let him. So he decided to go by himself. Thanks to his military successes, he was given the title of Yitong Sanqi and was rewarded with thousands of pieces of silk, which ultimately led him to leave his wife.
Later, because of his numerous military exploits, he was promoted and became the Kaifu Yitong Sanqi and the Biaoqi Jiangjun. He fought the Turks alongside General Li Chong, always leading from the front. He got shot in the neck by a Turk, but he stuffed grass into the wound to stop the bleeding and kept fighting calmly, eventually driving the Turks away. The emperor was really impressed and sent medicine, even coming to check on him himself. Zhang Dinghe was promoted to Grand General of the Zhuguo, given the title of Marquis of Wu'an County, and rewarded with two thousand pieces of cloth, two good horses, and one hundred taels of gold.
After Emperor Yang of Sui ascended the throne, Zhang Dinghe was appointed as the Governor of Yizhou, then transferred to be the Prefect of Henan. He did a great job as a governor and was loved by the locals. A little over a year later, he was called back to court and appointed as the Grand General of the Left Garrison. He then went with the emperor to fight the Tuyuhun, and they reached Fuyuanchuan. The Tuyuhun leader ran away with a handful of cavalry, and a guy named Wang pretended to be the Tuyuhun leader, hiding out on Chawozhen Mountain. The emperor told Zhang Dinghe to take the army and go after him.
When fighting the enemy, Zhang Dinghe felt that the enemy was few in number, so he shouted for them to surrender, but the enemy refused. Zhang Ding did not wear armor and rushed directly up the mountain, but the enemy lay in ambush in the valley, shooting arrows indiscriminately. Zhang Ding was struck by an arrow and died. His deputy, Liu Wujian, continued to fight and killed all the enemies. The emperor was very sad about this and cried, posthumously bestowing upon Zhang Ding the title of Grand Master of Splendor. When the feudal system was reformed, he was granted the title of Marquis of Wuan, posthumously named Zhuangwu. The court also rewarded his family with one thousand pieces of silk and one thousand shi of rice. His son succeeded to the title and later became a Grand Master of Splendor as well.
Zhang Xuan, whose courtesy name was Wenyi, claimed to be from Qinghe and lived in Huaiyin. He especially liked to read military books and was particularly skilled in using knives and shields. During the Zhou Dynasty, a fellow townsman named Guo Ziyi secretly summoned bandits from the State of Chen. Zhang Xuan's father originally wanted to lead the clan to fight but hesitated a bit. Zhang Xuan supported his father's plan, and they successfully defeated the bandits, earning him a reputation for bravery and decisiveness. Later, he became a chief scribe.
When Gaozu became Chancellor, he appointed Zhang Xuan as the Grand Commander, responsible for local militias. When He Ruobi was stationed in Shou Chun, Zhang Xuan often acted as a spy for him and made notable contributions during the campaign to subdue the Chen Dynasty. He was promoted to the position of General of the Guards, granted the title of Marquis of Wen'an County, with a fief consisting of eight hundred households, awarded two thousand five hundred pieces of silk and two thousand five hundred shi of grain. A year later, he commanded the navy and defeated the rebel Ze Ziyu at Jingkou and the rebel Xue Zijian in Hezhou.
The court summoned him to the capital and appointed him to the Grand General. Emperor Gaozu also let him sit at the imperial table to eat together, saying to him, "You are like my son, and I am your father. Today we gather together to show that we're like family." Later, he was rewarded with thousands of bolts of silk, as well as green armor and full-body armor adorned with animal motifs. He then followed Yang Su to campaign in the Jiangbiao region, defeating Gao Zhihui in Kuaiji and Wu Shihua in Linhai.
He was promoted to Grand General and rewarded with sixty slaves and three hundred pieces of silk. He successively served as the governor of Fuzhou, Xianzhou, and Qizhou, serving with distinction. In the 18th year of the Kaihuang era, he was appointed as the commander of the campaign and followed Prince Yang Liang to campaign in Liaodong. While other armies sustained heavy casualties, only Zhang Yuan's army remained unscathed. Emperor Gaozu held him in high regard and rewarded him with 250 pieces of cloth. During the Renshou era, he was transferred to the position of governor of Tanzhou and passed away three years later while in office. His son was known for his filial piety.
Mai Tiezhang was from Shixing, Guangdong. He was especially skilled in fighting, very strong, and could walk 500 miles in a day, running faster than a horse. He had a rugged personality, loved drinking, enjoyed making friends, was loyal, and lived by fishing and hunting, without much concern for his family's affairs. During the Taizhen era of the Chen Dynasty, he gathered a group of people and became a bandit. The Governor of Guangzhou, Ouyang Pin, captured him and presented him to the court. Mai Tiezhang became officially registered with the government and was assigned to a position as an umbrella bearer.
After the morning court session every day, he would walk more than a hundred miles and arrive in South Xuzhou at night to sneak into the city and rob. Before dawn, he would hurry back, still holding an umbrella. After doing this back and forth several times, the victims recognized him, and the local authorities reported to the court. The court officials saw Ma Tie Zhang every morning and found it hard to believe he could be a robber. Later, after several complaints, Minister Cai Zheng remarked, "This can be verified!" So, after the morning court session, the court offered a reward of one hundred taels of gold for someone to deliver an imperial decree to the governor of South Xuzhou. Ma Tie Zhang immediately went upon hearing this, set off with the decree, and arrived the next morning to report to the emperor.
The emperor said, "It's true; he has indeed become a robber!" However, the emperor also recognized his agility and found it quite a pity, so he warned him and then released him. After the fall of the Chen Dynasty, Tie Zhang moved to Qingliu County. Later, when a rebellion broke out in Jiangdong, Yang Su sent him with his iron rod, wearing a straw hat, to secretly cross the Yangtze River at night and investigate the situation and report back. He went again later but was captured by the rebels. The rebel leader Li Leng sent thirty soldiers to guard him, tied him up, and sent him to Gao Zhihui. When they reached Qingting, the guards took a break to eat and, seeing that Tie Zhang was starving, untied him to join them. Seizing the opportunity, Tie Zhang grabbed a rebel's knife, killed all the guards, cut off their noses, and brought them back to Yang Su. Yang Su was shocked by his actions.
When it was time for rewards and recognition, Tie Zhang was not promoted. Yang Su hurried back to the capital, and Tie Zhang followed him on foot, staying with Yang Su every night. Yang Su saw his loyalty and specially recommended him to the court, granting him the position of Equivalence to the Three Excellencies. Because Tie Zhang was illiterate, he was eventually sent back to his hometown. Li Che, the Duke of Chengyang, admired his bravery, and in the 16th year of Kaihuang, he was summoned to the capital and appointed as the General of the Grand Army. He followed Yang Su to the north to campaign against the Turkic tribes, and later was promoted to Kaifu.
After Emperor Yang of Sui ascended the throne, Prince Liang rebelled in Bingzhou, and Tie Zhang followed Yang Su to suppress the rebellion, always at the forefront of battles. He was promoted to Grand General. Shortly after, he was appointed as the Inspector of Laizhou, but he had little success. He was later transferred to the position of Governor of Runan, gradually becoming familiar with legal texts, resulting in the disappearance of thieves in the area. Once at court, the official Dou Wei mocked him, asking, "Are you surnamed Mai?" Tie Zhang cleverly replied, "There's not much difference between wheat and beans, why are you suddenly so curious?" Dou Wei was left red-faced and speechless, with people at the time admiring Tie Zhang's intelligence. He was later appointed as the Grand General of the Right Garrison, with the emperor placing great trust in him.
Feeling deeply indebted to the court, Tie Zhang always wanted to serve the country and repay the court. During the war in Liaodong, he volunteered to be the vanguard and told the doctor Wu Jingxian who was treating him, "A man's life and death are in fate's hands; how can one fear death and resort to mugwort for treatment, only to end up dying at the hands of his children?"
When preparing to cross the Liao River, he said to his three sons, "Anu, prepare a light yellow robe. I am grateful for the country's kindness; today is my day of reckoning. If I fall in battle, you will enjoy wealth and honor in the future. Remember, you must be honest and filial; you must work hard!" When they arrived at the bank of the Liao River, the bridge was not yet built, and the enemy was already approaching from the other side. Tie Zhang jumped ashore with his iron staff, fought with the enemy, and eventually died in battle. Wu Benlang, Qian Shixiong, and Meng Jinchai also died in battle, while others did not have time to react.
The emperor shed tears and sent someone to retrieve Tie Zhang's body. He issued a decree saying, "Tie Zhang was high-spirited, brave, and skilled in battle. He made great contributions in this campaign, charging into battle with unmatched bravery. Although he died in battle, his merits will always be remembered. I am deeply moved, and in memory of his loyalty and bravery, he should be given the highest honor to commend his achievements. He is posthumously granted the title of Grand Master of Splendor and Duke of Sui Guo, with the posthumous title of 'Wulie.'" His son Meng Cai inherited his title and was later appointed as Grand Master of Splendor. Meng Cai also had two brothers, Zhong Cai and Ji Cai, who were both appointed as Counselors. The court also rewarded them with a large sum of money, bestowed ornate carriages upon them, and provided them with ceremonial escorts and musical bands. Over a hundred defeated generals, including Yu Wenshu, escorted his coffin, with officials of all ranks escorting him to the outskirts. Qian Shixiong was posthumously honored with the titles of Left Grand Master of Splendor, Right Garrison General, and Marquis of Wuqiang, with the posthumous title of Gang. His son Jie succeeded him in his title. Meng Jinchai was posthumously granted the title of Right Grand Master of Splendor, and his son Shanyi inherited his office.
Meng Cai, courtesy name Zhileng, was a brave and resolute man, completely inheriting his father's excellent qualities. The emperor favored Meng Cai for his loyalty and sacrifice for the country, and appointed his son as General of the Imperial Guards. When chaos broke out in Jiangdu, Meng Cai's son was overwhelmed by a thirst for revenge. He and his friend Qian Jie, the Wuyalang, declared to one another, "Our ancestors have all received the emperor's grace for generations, and our family has always upheld loyalty and integrity as our family motto. Now that this traitor has killed the emperor and seized the throne, the country has fallen. What honor is left to us? What face do we have to show in this world?" As they spoke, they both cried, beat their chests and stomped their feet, and then conferred, contacting their former subordinates, planning to ambush Yuwen Huaji at Xianfu Palace. Just as they were about to take action, Chen Qian, the son of Chen Shu, a prince of the Chen Dynasty, learned of their plan and ran to inform Yuwen Huaji, which led to him and his accomplice Shen Guang being killed by Yuwen Huaji. The deaths of these loyal and righteous men were profoundly lamented.
Shen Guang, whose courtesy name was Zongchi, was from Wuxing. His father, Shen Jundao, served as an assistant minister of the Ministry of Personnel during the Chen Dynasty. After the fall of the Chen Dynasty, their family moved to Chang'an. Shen Guang once served as a scholar under Crown Prince Li Yong and later became an aide to Prince Han Liu Liang. After Liu Liang's defeat in battle, Shen Guang was also dismissed. Shen Guang had been agile since childhood, especially skilled in horseback riding and acrobatics, ranking among the top in the country. He had a bit of literary flair and always dreamed of making achievements, but was not overly fixated on the small stuff. His family was very poor, with his father and brother earning a living by copying texts. Only Shen Guang was more free-spirited, often hanging out with some rowdy youths in the capital. Many people gave him money and gifts, allowing him to support his parents, eat good food, and wear fine clothes, never experiencing poverty. When the Chan Temple was being built, there was a flagpole in the temple that stood over ten zhang tall, and the rope broke, too high for anyone to reach. The monks were in a panic. Shen Guang saw this and said to the monks, "Give me the rope, I will help you put it up." The monks were both surprised and delighted and quickly gave him the rope. Shen Guang clutched the rope in his mouth, climbed up the flagpole, tied the rope, let go with both hands and feet, leapt straight down from the top, landing on his palms and then walking backward for dozens of steps. The onlookers were all amazed and admired him, dubbing him "Flying Immortal." During the Daye period, Emperor Yang of Sui summoned elite soldiers and strong generals from all over the country to attack Goguryeo, and Li Guang also participated in this expedition. Tens of thousands of soldiers set out together, and he stood out among them. Li Guang was going to the imperial palace, and over a hundred riders rode with him to Ba Bridge. He raised his cup and swore over his drink, "If I don't make a name for myself on this journey, I will die in Goguryeo and will not see you again!"
When he arrived at the Liaodong battlefield, the Sui army attacked the city, with Li Guang in charge of using the battering ram to hit the city walls. The battering ram's pole was a full fifteen zhang high, and Li Guang climbed to the top of the pole, fighting in close quarters and killing over ten enemies. The enemy rushed up to attack him together, knocking him off. Just as he was about to hit the ground, he noticed a rope hanging from the pole. Li Guang grabbed the rope and climbed back up. Emperor Yang of Sui saw this scene, was very surprised and impressed, immediately had him summoned to speak, very happy, and appointed him as a court official that day, rewarded him with a precious sword and fine horse, and often had him serve by his side, increasingly valuing him.
Before long, Li Guang was promoted to the position of Zhechong General, and the rewards and privileges he received improved significantly. The emperor frequently shared his own meals and clothes with him, and his colleagues couldn't compare with him at all. Shen Guang felt immense gratitude towards the emperor and always wanted to repay his kindness with all his might. When there was turmoil in Jiangdu, he secretly gathered righteous men, intending to avenge the emperor. Previously, the emperor had favored a eunuch in the palace named Yuwen Huaji. Because Shen Guang was brave and skilled in battle, Yuwen Huaji employed him, put him in charge of the Imperial Guards, and stationed him in the palace. At this time, Meng Cai, Qian Jie, and others secretly planned to eliminate Yuwen Huaji, saying to Shen Guang, "We have all received great kindness from the country. We can't just stand by and watch our country fall without fighting back. This is something the ancients would be ashamed of! Now we are bowing our heads serving our enemies, listening to his commands, feeling that we have lost face. What's the point of living like this? We must kill him. Even if we die, we will have no regrets. You’re a man of honor; will you join us?"
Shen Guang was so moved that tears streamed down his face, saying, "This is exactly what I hoped you, General, would do! I command hundreds of Imperial Guards, who all enjoyed the late emperor's favor, and they are now in Yuwen Huaji's camp. Avenge with these men would be as easy as an eagle catching a small bird. This one action could lead to a great achievement for generations to come; I hope you will strive for it!" At that time, Meng Cai was a general, leading several thousand soldiers in the Jianghuai region. It was agreed that when the camp was about to depart, they would launch a surprise attack on Yuwen Huaji at dawn. Unfortunately, Shen Guang leaked the plan, and Chen Qian told Yuwen Huaji about it. Yuwen Huaji was filled with fear and said, "This Shen Guang is a formidable opponent; I have faced him in battle before, and his bravery and decisiveness are unmatched. We must avoid his edge!" That night, he fled the camp with his trusted confidants, leaving someone to inform Sima Dekan and others, ordering them to lead troops to capture Meng Cai.
When Shen Guang heard the commotion in the camp, he realized the plan had been compromised. Without time to put on armor, he rushed into Yuwen Huaji's camp but returned empty-handed. He unexpectedly encountered his friend Yuan Min and killed him. At that moment, Sima Dekan's forces arrived and surrounded Shen Guang completely. Shen Guang shouted loudly and broke out of the encirclement. His Imperial Guards bravely fought the enemy, decapitating dozens of enemy soldiers and forcing the enemy to retreat in panic. Sima Dekan then sent cavalry, armed with bows and crossbows, to shoot arrows from the side. Without armor, Shen Guang was ultimately shot and killed. All of his men fought bravely and perished in battle; not one surrendered. Shen Guang was only twenty-eight years old at the time. When the warriors learned of this, not a single one could hold back their tears for him.
Lai Huer, whose courtesy name is Chongshan, is a native of Jiangdu. He has always been very capable since he was young and enjoys doing extraordinary things. When he first read the Book of Songs, he came across the lines "Drumming the big drums, leaping and using weapons" and "Dressed in a lamb-fur robe and leopard skin, strong and powerful," and he put down the book and exclaimed, "A great man should be like this! One should eliminate enemies for the country, make achievements, how can a man spend his whole life just farming the land!" The people around him were shocked by his words and inspired by his ambition.
Lai Huer lived in Baitu Village next to the river. Back then, the situation in Jiangnan was quite unstable. He Ruobi was stationed in Shouzhou and often sent Lai Huer on spy missions. Later, he was even appointed as a grand commander. In the war to pacify the Chen dynasty, Lai Huer made great achievements and was promoted to the position of Shang Kefu. Later, he followed Yang Su to Zhejiang to fight against Gao Zhihui. Gao Zhihui's army occupied the river bank, with camps stretching for over a hundred miles, warships densely covering the river surface, and the battle cries echoing through the heavens. Yang Su ordered Lai Huer to lead hundreds of light boats to directly land on the river bank and attack the enemy camp, leading to a resounding victory. Before that, Gao Zhihui had fought against Yang Su and failed, with nowhere to hide, his army dispersed. Gao Zhihui tried to escape to the sea, but Lai Huer chased him to Quanzhou. With nowhere left to run, Gao Zhihui fled to the Minyue region. Lai Huer was promoted to Grand General and appointed as the governor of Quanzhou.
At that time, there was a man named Sheng Daoyan who led a rebellion and harassed Quanzhou. Lai Huda brought his troops to defeat him. He then joined Li Kuan, the Duke of Pushan, to defeat Wang Wenjin in Yixian and Shexian, and was promoted to the rank of Zhu Guo. In the third year of Renshou, he was appointed as the governor of Yingzhou, granted the title of Duke of Huangxian, with a fief that included three thousand households. Shortly after, he was promoted to the rank of Zhu Guo and became the Right Imperial Guard General. After Emperor Yang of Sui ascended the throne, he was promoted to the Right Valiant Guard Grand General, and the emperor held him in high regard. In the sixth year of Daye, he followed the emperor to Jiangdu, where the emperor rewarded him with a thousand bolts of cloth, permitted him to pay respects at his ancestors' graves, and feasted the local elders, which brought honor to the entire province. A few years later, he was promoted to the Right Wing Guard Grand General.
In the Liaodong Campaign, Lai Huda led the fleet to the sea, entered from Ba Shui, and encountered the Goryeo army, located sixty miles from Pyongyang. He led the troops in a fierce attack, defeated the Goryeo army, pursued them, and approached the outskirts of Pyongyang, breaking through the external defenses. The army then began to plunder recklessly, resulting in some disarray among the ranks. The brother of Goryeo King Gao Yuan, Jianwu, recruited five hundred brave warriors to intercept them. Lai Huda was forced to retreat and set up camp by the sea, waiting for an opportunity. Later, upon hearing that Yu Wenshu and others were defeated, he withdrew his troops and returned home. The following year, he launched an expedition from Canghai, and his army advanced towards Gong County and Luoyang. At this time, Yang Xuangan rebelled in Liyang, and Lai Huda led his troops together with Yu Wenshu and others to defeat them. He was granted the title of Duke of Rongguo, with a fief of two thousand households. Ten years later, he led his troops across the sea to Baesha City, where the entire Goryeo nation mobilized for battle. Lai Huda defeated the Goryeo army, with over a thousand enemy soldiers captured.
As soon as Pyongyang was about to be captured, Gao Yuan felt apprehensive. He sent someone to escort the traitor Hu Si Zheng to the gates of Liaodong City and submitted a memorial requesting surrender. The emperor agreed and sent a decree ordering Lai Huer to return to the capital. Lai Huer called everyone together and said, "We have gone to war three times and have not been able to suppress the rebellion. This time, going back, we may not have another chance. Now Goguryeo is already very weak; the fields are barren. We can overpower them with our forces, and we could take them down in just a few days. I propose we continue the assault and surround Pyongyang directly, capturing their king and returning in triumph." He reported back to the emperor, insisting on continuing the attack and refusing to comply with the decree. Chief Historian Cui Jun Su strongly advised against it, but was unsuccessful. Lai Huer said, "The enemy's forces have already crumbled; as long as I am fully in charge, I can handle it. I am leading the troops outside; I should have the power to make decisions. How can I ask the court for everything from afar? If we delay for a while, we will lose the opportunity; it will be a waste of effort. I would rather seize Pyongyang and return to face punishment than give up this opportunity for success!" Cui Jun Su warned everyone, "If you follow the marshal in defying the imperial edict, you will definitely be reported to the court, and everyone will be punished!" The soldiers, fearful, urged him to return, and he finally obeyed the decree. Thirteen years later, he was promoted to General of the Left Yiwuwei and appointed as a General of the Household of the Prince. The emperor entrusted him with significant responsibilities and rewarded him handsomely. Later, during the Jiangdu Incident, Yuwen Huaji, harboring resentment, had him executed.
The eldest son is named Kai. Because of his father's military achievements, he was directly appointed as a Scattered Cavalry Officer and a Court Attendant. His younger brother, Hong, rose to the rank of Brave General and Noble Court Official. Hong's son, Zheng, became a Valiant General and a Right Noble Court Official. Zheng was exceptionally brave and a skilled leader, always defeating bandits in battle. The bandits feared him so much that they even wrote songs about him: "On the Changbai Mountain, a hundred battles were fought, wielding long spears in groups of ten and fifteen. Not afraid of the hundred thousand imperial troops, only afraid of Rong Gong's Sixth Lang." Eventually, a rebellion erupted, and the entire family was slaughtered, leaving only the two youngest sons, Heng and Ji, to survive.
Yu Juluo, a native of Fengyi, was over eight feet tall, immensely strong, and had a loud voice that could be heard hundreds of steps away. He became a personal guard to the Emperor while still young, gradually rising through the ranks to become a Grand Marshal. He fought alongside the Prince of Jin, where he achieved great success, earning the title of Kaifu and a reward of fifteen hundred rolls of cloth. Soon after, Shen Xuantui, Gao Zhihui, and others rebelled in Jiangnan. Yang Su, seeing Yu Juluo's impressive bravery, requested his assistance in suppressing the rebellion. Yu Juluo distinguished himself in every battle, earning further promotions to Kaifu, Duke of Gaotang County, and eventually becoming the Governor of Diezhou. After his mother passed away, he resigned from his official duties to mourn at home. When he returned to Fufeng, he encountered Yang Su leading troops to Lingzhou to fight the Turks, and Yang Su was delighted to have him join the expedition. In battle, Yu Juluo led a few cavalrymen, shouting loudly and intimidating the enemy, sending them into disarray. Due to his achievements in this campaign, he was promoted to Zhuguo and made Governor of Fengzhou. Previously, the Turks often raided the border, but after Yu Juluo captured or killed them in every encounter, they became so scared that they didn’t dare to return to the border to graze their livestock.
At first, when Emperor Yang of Sui was still a prince, Zan Jurodi followed him as a guard, rising through the ranks to eventually become a Generalissimo. After Yang became emperor, he appointed Zan as the General of Chariots and Cavalry. Zan was a ruthless character, especially cruel, often abusing his subordinates. It is said that he would roast people, and if it didn't meet his standards, he would poke their eyes out with a skewer; if someone didn't warm his wine properly, he would slice off their tongue! Since Yang had known him for a long time and couldn't bear to kill him, he said to his ministers, "If his younger brother is like this, how much worse could his older brother be?" He then gave Zan a severe reprimand, imprisoned him, and left him to fend for himself. Zan returned home and took poison to end his life.
Yang was worried about Zan's discontent and any potential rebellious thoughts, so he appointed him governor of Anzhou. Over a year later, he transferred him to Zhaojun as a prefect. Later, at a conference in the eastern capital, Zan attended. He had often met General Liang Boyin previously, and they had frequent interactions. Zan also brought many gifts from his prefecture to present to the emperor, which the emperor confiscated and distributed among the nobles. The imperial censor accused Zan of colluding with officials in the court, which infuriated the emperor, who then dismissed both Zan and Liang from their posts.
Not long after, the Yue Xiu Fei Shan rebellion broke out, and they came to attack the county. The court ordered Ju Luo to wear civilian clothes while leading troops, along with the Shu Jun prefect Duan Zhongkui, to jointly quell the rebellion. In the ninth year of the Daye era, Emperor Yang of Sui again launched a campaign against Goguryeo, appointing Ju Luo as the general of the Jieshi Dao forces. Upon his return, Liu Yuanjin in Jiangnan rebelled, and the court again ordered Ju Luo to lead troops to capture the rebels in the Kuaiji area. During this period, many common people were considering rebellion, joining the ranks of bandits as if they were heading to a market. Ju Luo defeated bandit leaders such as Zhu Xie and Guan Chong, winning every battle. However, the bandit forces continued to swell and regroup despite their defeats. Ju Luo felt the war was never-ending, with his sons still in the capital, Luoyang, and seeing the world becoming increasingly chaotic, he feared he may never be able to return home.
The eastern capital was experiencing a famine, and food prices soared. Ju Luo dispatched household servants to transport food from his estate to sell in the eastern capital, while also secretly arranging for his sons to come. The court grew suspicious and feared that Ju Luo harbored rebellious intentions, so they sent people to investigate. Despite their repeated inquiries, they found no evidence of wrongdoing. The Emperor then commanded Grand Justice Liang Jingzhen to apprehend Ju Luo and escort him to the eastern capital. Ju Luo had a distinctive appearance due to his heterochromia, which made the Emperor wary of him. Liang Jingzhen sought the Emperor's favor by claiming that Ju Luo had suffered military defeats, resulting in Ju Luo's execution in the eastern capital and the confiscation of his estate.
Chen Leng, also known as Changwei, was a native of Xiang'an County in Lujiang Commandery. His grandfather Chen Shuo earned a living as a fisherman. His father Chen Xian was a valiant warrior in his youth and once served as an aide under Zhang Dabao. After Zhang Dabao rebelled, Chen Xian was appointed as the Governor of Qiaozhou. After the Chen dynasty fell, Chen Xian returned home and lived a life of leisure. Later, Gao Zhihui, Wang Wenjin, and others rebelled in Jiangnan, and the heroes of Lujiang rallied to the cause. Since Chen Xian was their former leader, they chose him as their leader. Chen Xian wanted to refuse, but Chen Leng urged him, "Since everyone is rebelling, refusing them will only bring trouble upon ourselves. It’s wiser to feign agreement for now and devise a different plan later." Chen Xian followed his advice.
At that time, the forces of Grand General Li Che, known as the Pillar of the State, arrived in Dangtu. Chen Xian secretly sent Chen Leng to see Li Che, asking for his cooperation. Li Che reported this to the court, and the court appointed Chen Leng as the Grand General, Inspector of Xuanzhou, and granted him the title of Duke of Qiao County, with a fief comprising one thousand households. The court also ordered Li Che to receive him well. However, before Li Che's army arrived, the plan was compromised, and Chen Xian was murdered by his associates, while Chen Leng managed to escape by chance. Due to Chen Xian's relationship, the court appointed Chen Leng as a Palace Official, and soon after assigned him to lead the local militia. When Emperor Yang of Sui ascended the throne, he appointed Chen Leng as General of the Valiant Cavalry. In the third year of Daye, he was appointed as the Marquis of Wuben.
Three years later, Chen Ling and court official Zhang Zhenzhou led over ten thousand soldiers from Dongyang, departing from Yian by boat to attack the Kingdom of Liukiu, arriving one month later. When the people of Liukiu first spotted the ships, they thought they were merchant vessels and came to the military camp to trade. Chen Ling led the troops ashore, with Zhang Zhenzhou as the vanguard. The king of Liukiu, Huan Sikela Dou, sent troops to resist, but Zhang Zhenzhou repeatedly defeated them. Chen Ling fought until reaching Dimaitang, where the prince Huan Silaomo mounted a defense. Chen Ling defeated him and slain Silaomo. On a foggy, rainy day, the soldiers were filled with fear, so Chen Ling sacrificed a white horse to the Sea God. Afterward, the weather cleared, and Chen Ling divided the army into five divisions, heading directly for the capital of Liukiu. Huan Sikela Dou led several thousand men to resist, but Chen Ling sent Zhang Zhenzhou as the vanguard to drive them away. Chen Ling pursued them all the way to their camp, where Huan Sikela Dou prepared his defenses. Chen Ling concentrated his forces to attack, engaging in fierce combat from dawn until dusk. Noticing his troops were exhausted, Huan Sikela Dou retreated into the camp. Chen Ling then filled the moat and breached the camp, killed Huan Sikela Dou, captured his son Daotui, and returned with thousands of men and women as prisoners.
Emperor Yang of Sui was very pleased, promoting Chen Leng to the position of Right Guanglu Dafu, while the position of Wubeng General remained unchanged, and Zhang Zhenzhou was appointed as Jinzi Guanglu Dafu. During the Liaodong Campaign, Chen Leng was promoted to Left Minister of Guanglu for his service in the palace guard. The following year, Emperor Yang of Sui once again campaigned in Liaodong, leaving Chen Leng in charge of Donglai. When Yang Xuangan rebelled, Chen Leng led over ten thousand troops to pacify Liyang, killing the governor appointed by Yang Xuangan. He was then ordered to build warships in Jiangnan. Upon reaching Pengcheng, the rebel leader Meng Rang, commanding an army of a hundred thousand, occupied Duliang Palace, relying on the Huai River for defense. Chen Leng crossed the Huai River downstream, reached Jiangdu, and attacked Meng Rang, defeating him. For his military achievements, Chen Leng was promoted to Guanglu Dafu and granted the title of Marquis of Xin'an.
Later, Emperor Yang of Sui arrived at Jiangdu Palace, but Li Zitong occupied Hailing shortly after, Zuo Caixiang plundered Huainan, and Du Fuwei stationed troops in Liuhé, with tens of thousands of troops from various factions. Emperor Yang of Sui sent Chen Leng to lead the palace guards to suppress them, achieving victory after victory. Chen Leng was promoted to Right Yùwèi General. He crossed the Qing River and attacked the rebels in Xuancheng. Shortly after, Emperor Yang of Sui was killed, and Yuwen Huaji led his army north, summoning Chen Leng to guard Jiangdu. Chen Leng gathered the people to mourn Emperor Yang of Sui, wearing mourning clothes, preparing the funeral procession, moving Emperor Yang of Sui's remains to Wugongtai, and escorting the funeral with a cane, his grief and loyalty moved the passersby. People praised him for his loyalty. Later, Chen Leng was defeated by Li Zitong and fled to Du Fuwei, who soon grew wary of him and had him executed.
Wang Bian, with the style name Jinglue, was a native of Pucheng, Fengyi. His ancestors became wealthy through business. During the Northern Wei period, Wang Bian donated grain to support the army and was appointed as the acting Governor of Qinghe. Wang Bian studied military strategy from a young age, excelled in mounted archery, was generous, and had great ambitions.
During the Northern Zhou period, he was awarded the position of Supreme Commander based on his military achievements. During the reign of Emperor Yang of the Sui Dynasty, he was promoted to Grand General; during the Renshou period, he was further promoted to General of Cavalry and Chariots. When Prince Liang of the Han Dynasty rebelled, he followed Yang Su in suppressing the rebellion and was granted the title of Marquis of Wuning County with a fief of three hundred households. Three years later, he was promoted to the position of Master of the Imperial Stables.
Later, he accompanied the army in conquering the Tuyuhun and was appointed as a Court Counselor. Several years later, he was promoted to the rank of General of Eagle Standard. During the Battle of Liaodong, he was awarded the title of Grand Councilor for his meritorious deeds, and shortly after was promoted to the rank of General of Eagle Standard. At that time, bandits were rampant in the Shandong region, with a bandit named Wei Dao'er who called himself "Li Shanfei" leading over ten thousand men to plunder in the Yan and Zhao regions. The Emperor summoned Wang Bian to his side and, while seated on the imperial couch, asked for strategies to quell the rebellion. Wang Bian analyzed the situation of the enemy, and the Emperor praised him highly, saying, "If we follow your plan, what is there to fear from these bandits!" Therefore, the Emperor sent three thousand infantry and cavalry to accompany Wang Bian on the expedition, which led to a resounding victory, and the Emperor bestowed numerous gifts upon him, including two hundred taels of gold.
The following year, the pirate leader Gao Shida of Bohai self-proclaimed as "Donghai Gong," with tens of thousands of men under his command. The Emperor once again ordered Wang Bian to campaign against him, and Wang Bian defeated Gao Shida's army multiple times. At that time, the Emperor was in Jiangdu Palace, and upon hearing the battle reports, immediately summoned Wang Bian back. Upon meeting, the Emperor rewarded him with many gifts and sent him to oversee military operations in Xindu. Gao Shida once again faced off against Wang Bian and was ultimately defeated, leading the Emperor to issue a decree praising Wang Bian's contributions.
At that time, bandit leaders such as Hao Xiaode, Sun Xuanya, Shi Jikang, Dou Jiande, and Wei Dao'er each occupied their own territories, with some commanding a few thousand troops and others as many as a hundred thousand. They were wreaking havoc through burning, killing, and plundering across Hebei. Wang Bian led his troops to quell them, winning every battle and causing these bandits to tremble in fear. Later, Zhai Rang rebelled in the areas of Xuzhou and Yuzhou. Wang Bian was dispatched to quell him, achieving multiple victories against Zhai Rang's forces. Zhai Rang later took control of the Luokou Warehouse alongside Li Mi. Wang Bian and Wang Shichong joined forces to attack Li Mi, and the two sides confronted each other at Luoshui for over a year.
Wang Bian led his soldiers to storm Li Mi's camp, pursued them relentlessly, and broke through the outer barriers. Li Mi's army was already in disarray, and Wang Bian was about to attack the city with triumph, but Wang Shichong, worried that the soldiers were too fatigued, ordered a retreat by sounding the gong. This allowed Li Mi's forces to regroup and gain a critical advantage. The imperial forces suffered a crushing defeat and were scattered. Wang Bian rushed to the bank of Luoshui and found that the bridge was broken, rendering it impassable, so he was forced to wade through the river. When he reached the river's midpoint, he was knocked off his horse by the turmoil, and his horse was startled. Wang Bian, wearing heavy armor and surrounded by defeated soldiers, was unable to mount again and tragically drowned in Luoshui. He was just fifty-six when he died, and the troops mourned deeply.
Husi Wanshan was from Henan, notably brave and decisive, with a reputation that rivaled Wang Bian's. During the reign of Emperor Yang of the Sui Dynasty, he accompanied Wei Xuan in the campaign against Yang Xuangan and achieved numerous victories. After Yang Xuangan fled, Husi Wanshan pursued him with a small contingent, and Yang Xuangan, with no escape, took his own life. Following this event, Husi Wanshan's fame skyrocketed, and he was appointed as a Wubeng Langjiang.
Later, the Turks besieged Yanmen Pass, and Husiman Shan bravely fought the enemy, causing the Turkic army to scatter. Whenever the enemy charged, he would lead the way, sometimes even dismounting to sit on the ground, drawing his powerful bow to shoot down the enemy, and every enemy he hit fell. In this way, the Turks, deterred from approaching the city walls, retreated after more than ten days, all thanks to Husiman Shan's efforts. After that, he repeatedly attacked bandits, made many contributions, and finally rose to the rank of general.
At that time, there were several renowned generals, Lu Yuan, Fan Gui, and Feng Xiaoci. They were all generals who had fought in many battles and were famous throughout the world. However, most of their exploits have been lost to history, so they are not recorded in the history books.
Historians note that during the Chu-Han conflict, Marquis Zhang Bo and Guan Ying were able to display their talents; when Cao Cao and Liu Bei were fighting for the world, Guan Yu and Zhang Fei became famous. Thus, one must seize fame when the world is at peace, and achievements must be made when the country is in turmoil. This is like fish that ride on the back of a dragon; there are examples of this for generations.
People like Yuantong, Huer, Dinghe, and Tie Zhang were famous warriors at the time but were trapped in poverty and obscurity. Who would have guessed at their lofty ambitions while they remained unknown? In the end, they were able to overcome adversity, find success, realize their dreams, and fulfill their ambitions, all because they seized the opportunity!
Julu sought to blame him, though it was not his fault; Wang Bian sacrificed himself for the country, his loyalty was unwavering; Chen Leng wore mourning clothes to mourn for him, moving the passersby on the road; this act of righteousness is genuinely moving! Meng Cai, Qian Jie, Shen Guang, and others repaid kindness, never forgetting their friends in times of danger. Although they did not achieve any merit, their spirit deserves recognition!
Chen Mao is a man from Yishi, Shanxi. He came from a very poor family, but he was honest, respectful, and cautious, and the villagers held him in high regard. His grandfather, Yang Jian, was the Duke of Sui. Yang Jian brought him to his side as a counselor, treating him just as well as his own son. Every time he was asked to handle family affairs, he did so to Yang Jian's approval, and Yang Jian greatly appreciated him. Eventually, he accompanied Yang Jian to Jinzhou to fight the Qi army. The enemy forces were numerous, and Yang Jian wanted to personally challenge them. Chen Mao vehemently tried to dissuade him, even grabbing the reins of Yang Jian's horse. Yang Jian was very angry and slashed Chen Mao's forehead with his sword, causing blood to stream down his face, but Chen Mao stood his ground. Yang Jian was touched by his loyalty, apologized to him, and showed him even more respect. Eventually, Chen Mao rose to the rank of Senior Officer. After Yang Jian became Prime Minister, he placed great trust in him. When Yang Jian became emperor, he appointed Chen Mao as the Attendant of the Yellow Gate, granted him the title of Baron of Weicheng County, and often tasked him with handling confidential matters. He held this position for more than a decade, and was subsequently promoted to the Governor of Yizhou, and then to the Minister of the Imperial Household, with his title elevated to Count. A few years later, Chen Mao passed away. His son, Chen Zheng, succeeded him in his title.
Chen Zheng, also known as Hongdao, was a very talented individual, skilled in both literary and martial arts, as well as music and archery. He grew up in the palace from a young age, and at the age of seventeen, he became a bodyguard for the crown prince. The famous knight-errant Liu Jushi in the capital at that time admired Chen Zheng's talent and often played with him. The son of Yuantong, Xiaochang, also had a good relationship with Chen Zheng, and they interacted with Liu Jushi together. Later, when Liu Jushi was arrested and killed, Chen Zheng and Xiaochang were implicated and were to be punished for their association with Liu Jushi. However, the emperor, considering Chen Zheng's father was a meritorious official, pardoned them after administering two hundred lashes. After this incident, Chen Zheng found it increasingly difficult to advance in rank. During the reign of Emperor Yang of Sui, Chen Zheng was appointed as a Xie Lulang (Assistant Music Director), later promoted to Tongshi Yezhe (Court Interpreter), and then to Bing Cao Chengwulang (Assistant to the Minister of War). Emperor Yang of Sui admired his talent and valued him greatly. When the rebellion led by the Yuwen clan occurred, Chen Zheng was appointed as the Taichangqing (Minister of Rites). Later, he defected to the Tang Dynasty and eventually died while serving as the general in charge of Liangzhou.
Zhang Dinghe, also known as Chumi, was a native of Chang'an. He grew up in a poor family but was determined to rise above his circumstances. He started as a low-ranking official. During the war to pacify the Chen Dynasty, Zhang Dinghe wanted to join the battle but lacked the funds. His wife still had her wedding dress, and Zhang Dinghe wanted to sell it, but his wife refused. He had no choice but to go alone. Due to his military achievements, he was appointed as the Yitongsansi (Assistant to the Three Departments), rewarded with thousands of bolts of silk, and ultimately abandoned his wife. Later, due to his military merits, he was promoted several times and eventually became the Kaifu Yitongsansi (Governor of the Secretariat) and the Biaoqi Jiangjun (General of the Cavalry).
Following General Li Chong to attack the Turks, he always led the charge. He was shot in the neck by an arrow from a Turk, but Zhang Dinghe stuffed grass into the wound and continued fighting without showing any panic. In the end, the Turks were defeated. The Emperor was very impressed and sent medicine, personally visiting him. Zhang Dinghe was promoted to General and granted the title of Marquis of Wu'an, rewarded with two thousand pieces of cloth, two good horses, and one hundred taels of gold. After Emperor Yang of Sui ascended to the throne, Zhang Dinghe was appointed as the Inspector of Yizhou, and soon transferred to the Prefect of Henei, where he achieved notable success. Over a year later, he was summoned to be the General of the Left Guard.
Following the Emperor to campaign against the Tuyuhun, they reached Fuyuanchuan. At that time, the leader of the Tuyuhun fled with a few cavalry soldiers. A man named Wang impersonated the Tuyuhun leader and hid on Chawozhen Mountain. The Emperor ordered Zhang Dinghe to lead the troops to attack him. During the battle, Zhang Dinghe perceived the enemy to be outnumbered, so he called for them to surrender, but the enemy refused. Zhang Dinghe, without wearing armor, charged up the mountain, only to be ambushed in the valley, where he was shot and fell. His deputy Liu Wujian continued the battle and killed all the enemies. The Emperor was saddened and shed tears, posthumously honoring Zhang Dinghe with the title of Grand Master of Splendor. Since the old system of titles was abolished, he was regranted the title of Marquis of Wu'an, posthumously honored with the name Zhuangwu. He was also rewarded with over a thousand pieces of silk and over a thousand shi of rice. His son succeeded him and later also attained the title of Grand Master of Splendor.
Zhang Yan, style name Wenyi, identified himself as being from Qinghe and lived in Huaiyin. He had a strong passion for reading military texts and was particularly adept at wielding knives and shields. During the Zhou Dynasty, a fellow townsman named Guo Ziyi secretly invited bandits from the Chen Kingdom. Zhang Yan's father wanted to lead his brothers in battle against them but felt hesitant and indecisive. Zhang Yan actively supported his father's plan and successfully defeated the bandits, earning a stellar reputation for his bravery and decisiveness. He initially served as the county registrar. After Gaozu ascended to the position of prime minister, he promoted Zhang Yan to be a grand commander, overseeing local militia. When He Ruobi was stationed in Shouchun, Zhang Yan often acted as a spy for him and made notable contributions in suppressing the conflict with the Chen Dynasty. He was later promoted to the position of governor and granted the title of Lord of Wenyi County, awarded 2,500 pieces of cloth and 2,500 measures of grain.
More than a year later, he led a naval force and defeated the rebel Zuo Ziyu in Jingkou and Xue Zijian in Hezhou. The court summoned him back to the capital and appointed him Grand General. Emperor Gaozu also invited him to share a meal at the imperial table, saying, "You are like a son to me, and I am like a father to you. Today, we gather like this to demonstrate that there are no barriers between us." He was then awarded over a thousand pieces of brocade, along with a complete set of green armor and animal-patterned gear. He subsequently accompanied Yang Su in campaigns against the Jiangbei region, defeating Gao Zhihui in Kuaiji and Wu Shihua in Linhai. He was promoted to Grand General and rewarded with sixty slaves and three hundred pieces of silk. He also served as the governor of Fuzhou, Xianzhou, and Qizhou, excelling in each of these roles.
In the 18th year of the Kaihuang era, he was appointed as the march general and accompanied Prince Yang Liang on the campaign against Liaodong. While other troops faced heavy losses, Zhang Yan's forces emerged unscathed. Emperor Gaozu held him in high regard and rewarded him with 250 pieces of cloth. During the Renshou period, he was reassigned as the general of Tanzhou, and three years later, he passed away while serving in office. His son also earned the title of Filial and Incorrupt.
Mai Tiezhang is from Shixing, Guangdong. He is especially good at fighting, very strong, can walk five hundred miles in a day, and run faster than a horse could. He has a rugged personality, loves drinking, enjoys making friends, values loyalty, and he makes his living fishing and hunting, completely ignoring his household duties. During the Taizheng era of the Chen Dynasty, he gathered a group of followers and turned to banditry. Ouyang Wei, the Governor of Guangzhou, captured him and brought him to court. Mai Tiezhang became an official and was assigned the job of a parasol carrier.
After the morning court session ended each day, he would walk over a hundred miles and arrive in Southern Xuzhou at night, sneak into the city to commit robbery, return before dawn, then go back to carrying his parasol. After doing this over a dozen times, the victims recognized him, and Southern Xuzhou reported to the court. The court ministers saw Mai Tiezhang every day and found it hard to believe. After several reports, the Minister Cai Zheng said, "This is worth investigating!" So, after the morning court session, Cai Zheng offered a bounty of a hundred taels of gold to anyone who could deliver the imperial edict to the Governor of Southern Xuzhou. When Mai Tiezhang heard about the bounty, he quickly went to claim the imperial edict and brought it to the emperor early the next morning. The emperor said, "Indeed, he is a bandit, the evidence is solid!" The emperor admired his bravery and speed, just giving him a few words of warning before letting him go.
After the collapse of the Chen Dynasty, Yang Su's officer, Tie Zhang, moved to Qingliu County. Later, when a rebellion broke out in Jiangdong, Yang Su sent Tie Zhang, wearing a straw hat, to secretly cross the Yangtze River under the cover of night to gather information about the rebel army. After he gathered the situation, he returned to report. Later, while gathering information again, he was captured by the rebel army. The rebel leader Li Leng sent thirty soldiers to guard him, bound him, and sent him to Gao Zhihui. When they reached Qingting County, the soldiers guarding him rested and ate, and Tie Zhang, hungry, had his ropes untied so he could eat with them. Seizing the opportunity, Tie Zhang snatched a soldier's knife, killed all the guards, and cut off their noses to take back with him. Yang Su was deeply astonished by this incident.
Later, during the reward distribution, Tie Zhang was not credited for his actions. Yang Su hurried back to the capital, and Tie Zhang followed on foot, staying with Yang Su every night. Yang Su finally realized Tie Zhang's abilities and formally petitioned the court to appoint Tie Zhang as a Yitong Sansi official. As Tie Zhang was illiterate, he was later allowed to return to his hometown. Li Che (Chengyang Gong) greatly admired Tie Zhang's bravery. In the sixteenth year of the Kaihuang era, the court summoned Tie Zhang to the capital and appointed him as General of Cavalry and Chariots. He accompanied Yang Su northward to campaign against the Turks and was later granted the title of Kaifu.
After Emperor Yang of Sui ascended the throne, Prince Liang of Han rebelled in Bingzhou, and Tie Zhang followed Yang Su to suppress the rebellion, always leading the charge in battles. Tie Zhang rose to the rank of 'Zhukuo' (柱国). He was later appointed as the Inspector of Laizhou, but he didn't accomplish much during his tenure. He was then transferred to the position of Prefect of Runan, gradually becoming familiar with legal texts, which led to the local bandits vanishing. One time during court, the official Dou Wei made fun of him, saying, "Your surname is Mai, what kind of surname is that?" Tie Zhang quick-wittedly replied, "Mai and Dou are no different, why are you so surprised?" Dou Wei turned red and had nothing to say, with everyone present at the time thinking Tie Zhang was very clever. Later, Tie Zhang was appointed as the Grand General of the Right Garrison, and Emperor Yang of Sui had a special trust in him. Old Tie Zhang felt a deep sense of gratitude for the emperor’s kindness and always wanted to risk his life for the country and serve the court. When it was time to fight in Liaodong, he volunteered to be the vanguard, and even told his doctor Wu Jingxian, "A man's life and death have their own reasons. How can one die at the hands of their children due to a minor illness, using treatments like moxibustion or putting melon seeds in his nose?" When preparing to cross the Liao River, Tie Zhang told his three sons, "Anu, prepare a light yellow garment. I've received the emperor's favor, and today may be my last. If I die in battle, you'll definitely have a prosperous future. Remember, you must be honest and filial, you must work hard!" When they arrived at the bank of the Liao River, the bridge was not yet completed, and the enemy was already charging from the other side. Tie Zhang jumped onto the shore, fought valiantly against the enemy, and heroically gave his life. The military officers Qian Shixiong and Meng Jincha also died in battle, with others not having time to react.
After hearing this news, the emperor was deeply saddened and wept. He even sent someone to bring back General Tiezhang's remains. The emperor issued an imperial decree, saying: "General Tiezhang was brave and has long served the court with distinction. This time, in the expedition against the enemy, he fought bravely in battle, demonstrating unparalleled loyalty. Although he died in battle, his achievements will be remembered forever. I am deeply moved by his loyalty and bravery, and he should be given the highest honors to recognize his contributions. He is posthumously awarded the titles of Grand Master of Splendor and Duke of Suguogong, and given the posthumous title of Wulie." His son Mengcai inherited his title and was later also awarded the title of Grand Master of Splendor. Mengcai also had two brothers, Zhongcai and Jicai, who were both appointed as Chief Ministers. The court granted them substantial rewards, including chariots and a ceremonial escort of feathered banners and drums.
Over a hundred officials, including the defeated generals of the Pyongyang Battle such as Yuwenshu, came to pay their respects at his funeral, with officials of all ranks accompanying the procession to the outskirts of the city. Qian Shixiong was posthumously awarded the titles of Left Grand Master of Splendor, Right Tuenwei General, and Marquis Wuqiang, and given the posthumous title of Gang. His son Qian Jie inherited his title; Meng Jinchai was posthumously awarded the title of Right Grand Master of Splendor, and his son Meng Shanyi succeeded him in his position.
Meng Cai, courtesy name Zhileng, was a bold and fierce individual, completely inheriting his father's excellent qualities. The emperor, because Meng Cai gave his life for the country, showed exceptional kindness to his family, and even appointed his son as a military general. When chaos broke out in Jiangdu, Meng Cai was consumed by a desire for revenge. He had always been close friends with Qian Jie, a military general, and they said to each other, "Our generations have received the country's favor, and our family has always been known for loyalty and integrity. Now that traitorous officials are murdering the emperor and defying heaven, destroying the country and its people, what honor is left for us? What face do we have to live in this world?" After saying this, both of them cried and beat their chests, planning to gather their old comrades and ambush Yuwen Huaji at Xianfu Palace. Just as they were about to take action, Chen Qian, the son of the Prince of Chen, learned of their plan and went to inform Yuwen Huaji. As a result, he and his accomplice Shen Guang were killed by Yuwen Huaji, leaving those loyal and righteous men in deep grief.
Shen Guang, courtesy name Zongchi, was from Wuxing. His father, Shen Jundao, served as an official in the Chen dynasty, and after the downfall of the Chen dynasty, their family lived in Chang'an. Shen Guang was once recommended by the Crown Prince to work in the Academy of Scholars. Later, he became a secretary in the household of Han Prince Li Liang. After Li Liang's defeat, Shen Guang was removed from office. Shen Guang was agile from a young age, especially skilled in horseback riding performances, the finest in the realm. He had some knowledge of writing and recording, as well as literature and art, and he longed to achieve great things but often overlooked the finer points. His family was very poor, with his father and brother making a living by copying books. Only Shen Guang was more unrestrained, mingling with some young delinquents in the capital and rising to become their leader. Many people supported him, enabling him to support his parents, often eating good food and wearing good clothes, never knowing what hardship was.
When the Chan Ding Temple was first built, there was a flagpole in the temple, more than ten zhang tall. The rope broke, and the monks couldn’t reach it. Shen Guang saw this and said to the monks, "Give me the rope; I will help you put it back up." The monks were both surprised and delighted, and quickly gave him the rope. Shen Guang bit the rope with his mouth and climbed up the flagpole all the way to the top. After tying the rope, he quickly slid down using both hands and feet, landing on his hands and then walking backwards for several steps. The onlookers were in awe, and at that time, people called him "the flying immortal."
During the Daye period, Emperor Yang of Sui gathered elite soldiers from all over the country to attack Goguryeo, and Li Guang also participated in this war. Among the tens of thousands who went to war with him, none were as impressive as he was. Li Guang was escorted by over a hundred guests to the imperial palace, and when they arrived at Ba Bridge, Li Guang raised his wine cup and swore, "If I don’t make a name for myself on this journey, I will die in Goguryeo and will not see you again!"
Then, he followed the emperor to attack Liaodong, using a siege tower with a pole fifteen zhang long. Li Guang climbed to the top of the pole, fought with the enemy on the city wall, and killed over a dozen enemies single-handedly. The enemies attacked him together, knocking him down, but before he hit the ground, there happened to be a rope hanging from the pole, which Li Guang grabbed onto and climbed back up. Emperor Yang of Sui saw this and thought highly of him, quickly summoned him for a conversation, very pleased. That day, he appointed him as a court official, rewarded him with a precious sword and a good horse, often keeping him close and increasingly valuing him.
Before long, Li Guang was promoted to the rank of Zhechong Langjiang, with excellent rewards and treatment. The emperor often rewarded him with his own food and clothes, making it impossible for his peers to compare.
Shen Guang felt a deep sense of gratitude towards the emperor and always wanted to repay his kindness. When chaos broke out in Jiangdu, he secretly recruited warriors, preparing to take revenge for the emperor. Earlier, the emperor had a great deal of trust in a palace servant named Gei Shi. Yuwen Huaji, knowing that Shen Guang was brave and skilled in battle, promoted him to lead the Forbidden Army camp. At that time, Meng Cai, Qian Jie, and others secretly planned to kill Yuwen Huaji. They said to Shen Guang, "We have all received great kindness from the country. We cannot just watch the country perish without fighting to defend it. This is something that would draw the scorn of our ancestors. Now we are serving our enemies with our heads bowed, listening to their commands. We've lost our dignity; what’s the point of living? We must kill him. Even if we die, we’ll have no regrets. You are a righteous man; will you join us?" Shen Guang was moved to tears and said, "This is exactly what I’ve been hoping you would do, General! I command hundreds of Gei Shi, all of whom have received the late emperor's favor, and they are all in Yuwen Huaji's camp now. It will be easy to take revenge using this opportunity, just like an eagle swooping down on its prey. The great accomplishments for generations hinge on this moment. I hope you will strive hard, General!" Meng Cai was a general at the time, leading several thousand troops in Jianghuai. When it was time to execute our plan, they launched a surprise attack on Yuwen Huaji at dawn.
Shen Guang betrayed the plan, and Chen Qian informed Yu Wenhua. Yu Wenhua was very scared and said, "This Shen Guang is as tough as iron. He and Meng Cai are both very brave and decisive people, hard to contend with. We must steer clear of their prowess!" That night, Yu Wenhua escaped from the camp with his confidant, leaving someone behind to inform Sima Dekan and his men, sending them to arrest Meng Cai. Shen Guang heard the noise in the camp, knowing that things had been exposed. Without time to put on armor, he immediately launched an attack on Yu Wenhua's camp, but found it deserted. He encountered Shen Yuanmin and killed him. At this time, Sima Dekan's army arrived and surrounded Shen Guang from all sides. Shen Guang shouted and broke out of the encirclement. His men bravely fought the enemy together, decapitating dozens of enemies, causing the rest to flee. Sima Dekan dispatched cavalry armed with bows and crossbows to attack from both flanks. Shen Guang was unarmored and was ultimately killed by arrows. Hundreds of his men died in battle, with not a single one surrendering. Shen Guang was only twenty-eight at the time. When the heroes learned of this, they all felt deep sorrow and shed tears.
Lai Huer, whose courtesy name was Chongshan, was a native of Jiangdu. He had been independent-minded and had a penchant for daring deeds since he was young. When he first read the Book of Songs, he read the two lines "Beat the drum and dance, leap and use the army" and "Wear a goat fur coat with leopard trim, martial and powerful," he immediately put down the book and exclaimed, "A great man should live like this in the world! One should fight for the country and achieve greatness; how can one waste his days toiling in the fields?" His friends were all stunned and impressed by his ambition.
Lai Huer resided in Baitu Village, very close to the river. At that time, the situation in the Jiangnan region was somewhat unstable. He Ruo Bi was stationed in Shouzhou and frequently sent Lai Huer as a spy. Later, he was promoted to Grand Governor. In the campaign to pacify the Chen dynasty, Lai Huer made great contributions, and his official rank was elevated to Upper Kaifu. Later, he followed Yang Su to Zhejiang to fight Gao Zhihui. Gao Zhihui's forces occupied the riverbank, with camps extending over a hundred miles, warships densely covering the river, and the sounds of battle echoing across the land. Yang Su had Lai Huer lead hundreds of light boats to land directly from the river bank, catching them off guard and seizing their camp. Gao Zhihui had previously fought and lost to Yang Su; now stripped of a base, his forces dissolved. Gao Zhihui tried to escape to the sea, but Lai Huer relentlessly pursued him to Quanzhou. With no options left, Gao Zhihui fled to the Minyue region. Lai Huer was promoted to Grand General and appointed as the Governor of Quanzhou.
At that time, there was a man named Sheng Daoyan who led a rebellion that troubled Quanzhou. Lai Huer swiftly led his troops to suppress the rebellion. Later, he allied with Li Kuan, the Duke of Pushan, to defeat Wang Wenjin in Yixian and Shexian, which elevated his rank to Pillar State. In the third year of Renshou, he was appointed Governor of Yingzhou and granted the title of Duke of Huangxian, with a fief comprising three thousand households. Shortly after, he was subsequently promoted to Upper Pillar State and appointed as the Right Imperial Guard General. After Emperor Yang of Sui ascended the throne, Lai Huer was promoted to the Right Valiant Guard Grand General, held in high esteem by the emperor. In the sixth year of Daye, he followed Emperor Yang to Jiangdu, where he received a reward of a thousand bolts of cloth, and was granted permission to pay respects at his ancestors' graves, hosting a banquet for the village elders, and the entire province felt honored. A few years later, he was promoted to the Right Support Guard Grand General.
During the Battle of Liaodong, Lai Huer led the warships, navigating the wind and waves as they entered from the Ba River, where they encountered the Goryeo army just sixty miles from Pyongyang. He led his troops to launch a fierce attack, defeating the Goryeo army, pursuing them in victory, and advancing to the outskirts of Pyongyang, breaking through the defensive works outside the city. He then ordered the entire army to plunder, which caused some chaos among the troops. Gao Yuan, the younger brother of King Jianwu of Goryeo, recruited five hundred brave warriors to intercept Lai Huer. Lai Huer had to retreat and set up camp by the sea, waiting for a chance. Later, upon hearing that Yu Wenshu and his army had been defeated, he returned to the capital city. The following year, he led his troops from Canghai, stationed in Donglai, and found himself facing Yang Xuangan's rebellion in Liyang, as his troops approached Gong County and Luoyang. Lai Huer led his troops alongside Yu Wenshu and others to defeat Yang Xuangan. He was awarded the title of Duke of Rongguo, with a fief of two thousand households. Ten years later, he led his troops across the sea, arriving at Beishe City. The entire Goryeo kingdom launched an attack, but Lai Huer achieved a great victory, beheading over a thousand foes. Just as they were on the verge of capturing Pyongyang, Goryeo King Gao Yuan became afraid and sent someone to escort the rebel Husi Zheng to surrender at the gates of Liaodong, submitting a formal request for surrender. Emperor Yang of Sui agreed and sent a decree for Lai Huer to return to the capital.
General Lai Hu'er gathered the soldiers and said, "We have gone to war three times, but we have not been able to completely eliminate the enemy. This time, when we go back, we might not have another chance. Korea is already very weak; the fields are barren, with not a blade of grass in sight. If we fight one more battle, we can quickly defeat them. I propose we continue the attack and directly surround Pyongyang, capture their king, and come back triumphant!" He reported back to the emperor, requesting to continue the attack and defying the emperor's orders. Chief Minister Cui Junsu strongly advised against it, but Lai Hu'er did not listen. Lai Hu'er said, "The enemy's power has already collapsed; we can handle it on our own. I am leading the troops outside; I should make decisions myself. How can I go thousands of miles away to seek approval from the court? A slight delay will result in missing the opportunity, wasting efforts in vain. I would rather capture Pyongyang and come back to face the consequences than give up this chance of success!" Cui Junsu told everyone, "If we follow the marshal in disobeying the imperial decree, it will definitely be reported to the court, and everyone will be punished!" The soldiers were all afraid and advised him to go back; only then did he obey the imperial decree.
In the 13th year of Daye, Lai Hu'er was promoted to the position of General of the Left Yiyiwei and was granted the title of Yitong Sanqi, receiving countless rewards and promotions. Later, during the Jiangdu Incident, Yuwen Huaji resented him and had him killed.
The eldest son is named Kai; due to his father's military achievements, he was directly appointed as a Cavalry Officer and Court Official. His younger brother Hong rose to become a Commandant of Gouyi and a Grand Master of Purple Light. Hong's son Zheng became a Commandant of Wuben and a Grand Master of Right Light. Zheng was particularly brave and skilled in leading troops, winning every battle against bandits. The bandits feared him greatly and even wrote a song about him: "At Changbai Mountain's Hundred Battlefields, with long spears of ten to fifteen feet, we don't fear the hundred thousand official troops, only fear Lord Rong's Sixth Son." Later, a rebellion occurred, and their entire family faced tragedy; only the two youngest sons, Heng and Ji, survived.
Yu Juluo is a local from Fengyi. He is more than eight feet tall, immensely strong, and has a booming voice that carries for hundreds of meters. When he was young, he served as the emperor's personal guard and later rose through the ranks to become a grand commander. He fought alongside Prince Jin in battles, distinguished himself, was bestowed the title of Kaifu, and rewarded with 1,500 bolts of cloth. Not long after, when Shen Xuantui, Gao Zhihui, and their allies rebelled in Jiangnan, Yang Su, impressed by Yu Juluo's impressive skills, invited him to help suppress the rebellion. He proved himself in every battle and was eventually promoted to Kaifu, made Count of Gaotang, and appointed Governor of Diezhou. After his mother passed away, he resigned from his official position to mourn at home. On his way back home, he ran into Yang Su, who was leading troops to Lingzhou to fight the Turks, and Yang Su was delighted to have him join the expedition.
When they encountered the enemy, Yu Juluo charged forward with a few cavalrymen, shouting loudly and intimidating the enemy into a rout. He fought bravely and swiftly, like a bird in flight. For his valor in this battle, he was promoted to Zhuguo and made Governor of Fengzhou. Initially, the Turks frequently raided the border, but Yu Juluo consistently captured or killed them. After that, the Turks grew fearful and no longer dared to come to the border to graze.
At the beginning, when Emperor Yang of Sui was still a prince, Juluo Dizan followed him as a guard and later rose through the ranks to become a Grand General. After Yang became emperor, he appointed him as General of Chariots and Cavalry. This Dizan was particularly ruthless and cruel, especially towards his subordinates. He would have people roasted, and if it didn't meet his standards, he would poke their eyes out with a skewer; if someone didn't serve him wine at the right temperature, he would cut off their tongues. Despite growing up together, Yang couldn't bear to kill him due to their childhood bond, so he gave Juluo a stern reprimand, imprisoned him, and left him to fend for himself. Dizan returned home and took poison, ending his life.
Worried that Juluo might be plotting rebellion, Yang transferred him to Anzhou as a governor. Over a year later, he promoted him to be the Governor of Zhao Commandery. Later, at a court assembly in the Eastern Capital, Juluo attended. He was acquainted with General Liang Boyin, and they were often in touch. Juluo also regularly sent tributes from the commandery to the court, but Yang rejected them, so he gave them to the powerful. The Imperial Censor accused Juluo and Liang of colluding with court officials, which infuriated Yang, resulting in their dismissal and an investigation.
Not long after, the Yue Xi Mountain tribes rebelled and attacked Zhao County. The court ordered Ju Luo to lead troops dressed in civilian clothes, along with the commander of Shu County, Duan Zhongkui, to quell the rebellion. In the ninth year of Daye, Emperor Yang of Sui again sent troops to attack Goguryeo and appointed Ju Luo as the commander of the Jieshi Dao Army. Upon his return, Liu Yuanjin in Jiangnan rebelled again, and the court sent Ju Luo to lead troops to suppress the rebellion in Kuaiji. At that time, the common people were eagerly anticipating chaos, and they joined the uprising one after another, as if they were going to a market. Ju Luo achieved victory in every battle, defeating the rebel leaders Zhu Xie, Guan Chong, and others. However, the rebel forces continued to swell and regroup after each defeat. Ju Luo worried about his sons who were in Luoyang and Chang'an, seeing the world becoming more chaotic and fearing he might not be able to return home in the future.
The eastern capital was experiencing a famine, and food prices soared. Ju Luo sent his servants to transport their family's grain to the eastern capital for sale, while also dealing in other goods on the side and secretly bringing his sons over. The court sensed that something was off and suspected he had ulterior motives, so they sent people to investigate. The investigators uncovered no evidence of wrongdoing. Emperor Yang then sent the Grand Justice Liang Jingzhen to escort Ju Luo to the eastern capital. Ju Luo was known for his unique appearance, with two pupils in his eyes, which Emperor Yang regarded as an ill omen and always avoided him. Liang Jingzhen flattered the emperor and falsely claimed that Ju Luo's army had been routed, resulting in the massacre of Ju Luo's entire family and the confiscation of their assets.
Chen Ling, courtesy name Changwei, is from Xiang'an, Lujiang. His grandfather Chen Shuo earned a living as a fisherman. His father Chen Xian was a valiant young man, serving as an advisor to Zhang Dabao. After Zhang Dabao's rebellion, Chen Xian was appointed as the governor of Qiaozhou. After the Chen dynasty fell, Chen Xian retired. Later, Gao Zhihui and Wang Wenjin rebelled in Jiangnan, and the heroes of Lujiang rallied to his side. Because Chen Xian used to be their leader, everyone unanimously elected him as their leader. Chen Xian was hesitant to accept, but Chen Ling advised him, saying, "Since everyone has rebelled, refusing them will bring trouble upon ourselves. It's better to feign agreement for now and devise another plan later." Chen Xian listened to his words. At this time, Li Che, a key figure in the state, arrived in Dangtu. Chen Xian secretly sent Chen Ling to see Li Che, requesting to act as an informant. Li Che reported this to the court, and the court appointed Chen Ling as Grand General, bestowed upon him the title of Duke of Qiao, with a fief comprising one thousand households, and instructed Li Che to treat him with honor.
Li Che's army had not arrived yet, but the plan was leaked. Chen Xian was killed by his accomplices, while Chen Leng luckily escaped. In recognition of his father's merits, the emperor appointed him as Governor, and soon after put him in charge of the local militia. After Emperor Yang of Sui ascended the throne, he appointed Chen Leng as the General of the Cavalry. In the third year of Daye, he was appointed as the General of the Imperial Guard. Three years later, he and the courtier Zhang Zhenzhou led more than 10,000 soldiers from Dongyang, setting out from Yian, and attacked the country of Liuqiu by boat, arriving one month later. When the people of Liuqiu initially mistook the ships for merchant vessels, they flocked to the military camp to do business. Chen Leng led the army ashore and sent Zhang Zhenzhou as the vanguard. The king of Liuqiu, Huansi Keduo, sent troops to resist, but Zhang Zhenzhou repeatedly defeated them. Chen Leng fought his way to Dimo Tan Cave, where the young king of Liuqiu, Huansi Laomo, led the troops to resist. Chen Leng defeated him and killed Laomo. On a foggy and rainy day, the soldiers were all very afraid, so Chen Leng offered a white horse as a sacrifice to the sea god. After that, the weather cleared up, and Chen Leng split the army into five divisions, heading straight for the capital of Liuqiu. Keduo led several thousand troops to resist, but Chen Leng sent Zhang Zhenzhou as the vanguard and routed them. Chen Leng pursued them to their camp, where
The emperor was very happy, promoting Chen Leng to the position of Right Minister of Rites, while the position of Commander of the Imperial Guards remained unchanged, and Zhang Zhenzhou was granted the title of Jinzi Guanglu Daifu. During the Battle of Liaodong, Chen Leng was promoted to Left Guanglu Daifu for his contributions in palace defense. The following year, the emperor again campaigned in Liaodong, appointing Chen Leng as the acting governor of Donglai. When Yang Xuangan rebelled, Chen Leng led over ten thousand men to quell the unrest in Liyang, killing Yuan Wuben, the governor appointed by Yang. He was then ordered to construct warships in Jiangnan. Upon reaching Pengcheng, the rebel leader Meng Rang commanded an army of one hundred thousand to seize Duliang Palace and defend it with the Huai River. Chen Leng crossed the river downstream to Jiangdu, leading troops to attack Meng Rang and defeat him. Due to his accomplishments, Chen Leng was promoted to Guanglu Daifu and granted the title of Marquis Xin'an. Later, when the emperor arrived at Jiangdu Palace, Li Zitong occupied Hailing, Zuo Caixiang plundered north of the Huai River, and Du Fuwei stationed troops in Liuhe, with tens of thousands of troops in various factions. The emperor sent Chen Leng to lead the imperial guards to suppress them, achieving successive victories. Chen Leng was promoted to Right Imperial Guard General. He then crossed the Qingjiang River to suppress the rebels in Xuancheng. Soon after, the emperor was assassinated, and Yuwen Huaji led his troops north, summoning Chen Leng to guard Jiangdu. Chen Leng assembled his troops, in mourning garb, performed the funeral rites for Emperor Yang of Sui, and relocated the emperor's tomb to Wugongtai. He walked with a cane in mourning, and his sorrowful demeanor touched passersby, prompting people to praise him for his loyalty. Later, Chen Leng was defeated by Li Zitong and fled to Du Fuwei, who, wary of his influence, soon had him killed.
Wang Bian, also known as Jinglüe, was from Pucheng, Fengyi. His ancestors were successful merchants. During the Northern Wei dynasty, Wang Bian donated food to support the army and was appointed as the Jia Qinghe Prefect. He studied military strategy at a young age, excelled in equestrian archery, and was generous and ambitious. During the Zhou dynasty, he was appointed as the Commander-in-Chief based on his military achievements. In the Kaihuang period of the Sui dynasty, he was promoted to Grand Commander; during the Renshou period, he was further promoted to General of Chariots and Cavalry.
When Han Wang Liang rebelled, Wang Bian followed Yang Su to suppress the rebellion and was granted the title of Baron of Wuning County with a fief of three hundred households. Three years later, he was promoted to the position of Shang She Fengyu Officer. Later, he accompanied the army to campaign against the Tuyuhun and was appointed as a court gentleman. Several years later, he was promoted to the rank of Langjiang General. In the Battle of Liaodong, he was further promoted to the rank of Tongyi Grand Master, and soon after to Wubeng Langjiang.
During a period of rampant banditry in Shandong, a man named Wei Daoer, self-styled as "Lishan Fei," led over ten thousand men and frequently raided the Yan and Zhao regions. The Emperor summoned Wang Bian and asked for strategies to quell the rebellion. Wang Bian analyzed the situation of the bandits, which impressed the Emperor greatly. The Emperor then sent three thousand infantry and cavalry to follow Wang Bian into battle, resulting in the swift defeat of Wei Daoer, and rewarding Wang Bian with two hundred taels of gold.
The following year, the pirate chief Gao Shida, who called himself "Donghai Gong," also had tens of thousands of soldiers under his command. The Emperor once again commanded Wang Bian to attack, and Wang Bian defeated Gao Shida's army multiple times. When the Emperor heard of this while in Jiangdu Palace, he immediately summoned Wang Bian. During the audience, the Emperor presented Wang Bian with numerous gifts and ordered him to lead an expedition to Xindu. Gao Shida was defeated once again in battle, and the Emperor issued a royal decree praising Wang Bian's contributions.
At that time, bandit leaders such as Hao Xiaode, Sun Xuanya, Shi Jikang, Dou Jiande, and Wei Dao'er each occupied their own territories, with some having a few thousand troops and others even reaching up to one hundred thousand, often looting and pillaging in the Hebei region. Wang Bian led troops to suppress them, winning every battle and instilling fear in these bandits. Later, Zhai Rang instigated chaos in Xuzhou and Yuzhou, and Wang Bian went to suppress him, defeating Zhai Rang's army multiple times. Zhai Rang later joined forces with Li Mi to occupy Luokou Granary, and Wang Bian allied with Wang Shichong to confront Li Mi. The two sides were at a stalemate at Luoshui for over a year.
Wang Bian led his soldiers to break through Li Mi's camp, pursued them in their victory, and broke through the outer fence. Li Mi's army was already in disarray, and Wang Bian's army was preparing to attack the city, but Wang Shichong, unaware of this, feared that the soldiers were too exhausted and ordered a retreat. This decision allowed Li Mi's army to seize the opportunity for a counterattack. The official army suffered a major defeat that was irretrievable. Wang Bian fled to the banks of Luoshui, only to find the bridge destroyed, preventing him from crossing the river. He waded into the river, but when he reached the middle, the current swept him away, causing him to drown after falling off his horse. Wang Bian was wearing heavy armor at the time, and as the defeated soldiers crowded together, he could not mount his horse again. He ultimately drowned at the age of fifty-six, and his soldiers mourned him deeply.
Legend has it that Hushi Wan Shan from Henan was both brave and decisive, comparable to Wang Bian in reputation. During the Daye period, he followed Wei Xuan to fight against Yang Xuange and achieved significant victories in every battle. When Yang Xuange was defeated and fleeing, Wan Shan and a few cavalrymen caught up to him, forcing him into a corner, leading him to commit suicide. This incident catapulted Wan Shan to fame, and he was granted the title of military officer.
Later, the Turks besieged Yanmen Pass, and Wanshan charged into battle, making the Turks flee in all directions. Whenever the enemy approached, he would be the first to charge forward to fight; sometimes he would even dismount and sit on the ground, pulling out his powerful bow to shoot arrows, taking down one after another. In this way, the Turks were scared to approach the city walls, and after more than ten days, they withdrew in disgrace, all thanks to Wanshan's merit! After that, he repeatedly pacified bandits, rose through the ranks, and eventually became a general.
At that time, there were several generals, Lu Yuan, Fan Gui, and Feng Xiaoci, who were also military leaders, frequently leading troops into battle and gaining some reputation. Unfortunately, most of their achievements have been lost to history, and there is not much recorded in historical texts.
Historical records say: during the Chu-Han contention, Marquis Zhang Bo and Guan Ying were able to achieve great success; during the power struggle between Cao Cao and Liu Bei, Guan Yu and Zhang Fei were able to make a name for themselves. This shows that fame is often made when the world is in its early stages of peace, while opportunities for success are found during turbulent times. There has always been the practice of climbing the social ladder and seizing opportunities.
People like Yuantong, Huer, Dinghe, and Tie Zhang were all brave warriors of that time, but were trapped in poverty and low status. When they were young, they were just unknown faces—who could have guessed they harbored such great ambitions? In the end, they fought their way out of the mud, rose to success, fulfilled their ambitions, and satisfied their lifelong wishes, all depending on whether they had the opportunity!
Though Julo was wrongfully accused, it wasn't his fault; Wang Bian sacrificed himself for the country, demonstrating his unwavering loyalty; Chen Leng, dressed in mourning clothes, moved passersby on the road—his loyalty and sense of friendship are truly admirable! Meng Cai, Qian Jie, Shen Guang, and others remained grateful and did not forget their old friends, and did not forget to preserve their lives in times of danger. Even though they may not have achieved great success, their aspirations are equally worthy of praise!
Li Yuantong hails from Jingyang, Shaanxi. His father, Li Jing, served as a soldier under Emperor Wu of Northern Zhou and fell in love with a dark-skinned maid in the household, who gave birth to Li Yuantong. Li Jing did not acknowledge his son, so Li Yuantong grew up in isolation and poverty, and later went to serve Yang Jian (later Emperor Wen of Sui). After Yang Jian became Duke of Sui, he promoted Li Yuantong to the position of a military officer.
At first, when Yang Jian was young, he would always assign Li Yuantong to oversee the kitchen whenever he hosted guests for meals. Li Yuantong was diligent and serious, and the kitchen staff held him in high regard and dared not overstep. Only the wet nurse of the crown prince, who was favored, held Li Yuantong in contempt. Before the guests had been served, she would often come to the kitchen demanding things, and when Li Yuantong refused, she would insist. Li Yuantong got angry and had the cook give her a severe beating, leading her to wail loudly, that echoed throughout the house, terrifying the officials and servants. After the guests left, Yang Jian learned of the incident, called Li Yuantong over, and had him sit down to eat, bestowing special favor upon him from that point forward, believing him to be capable of great responsibilities. After Yang Jian became Prime Minister, he appointed Li Yuantong to the title of Marquis of Huaichang.
After some time, Li Yuantong was appointed to the position of commander and promoted to the title of Xin'anzi. Yang Jian had great trust in him, considering him a close confidant. Li Yuantong was strong, agile, and skilled in martial arts. The princes of the Zhou dynasty were all wary of Yang Jian and constantly sought to harm him, but it was Li Yuantong who consistently protected him and aided him in evading danger on multiple occasions. Yang Jian was very grateful to him, so he included him in political matters, first appointing him as the Commander of Xiangzhou, and later also as the Left Trusted Aide, and then promoted him to Shang Yitong. After Yang Jian became emperor, he appointed Li Yuantong as the Minister of the Interior, concurrently serving as the Left Guard Colonel, and bestowed upon him the title of Count. Li Yuantong later held positions such as Left and Right Privy Councillor, Yellow Gate Attendant, Left Minister of the Ministry of Personnel, and even acted as the acting Minister of Justice, gaining the emperor's trust. He later served as the General of the Left Yiwu Guard as well.
During the Sui Dynasty's attack on the Chen Dynasty, Li Yuantong served as the commander and followed Yang Su to lead troops from Xinzhou. Due to his achievements, he was promoted to Grand General, appointed as the Marquis of Wan'an County, and appointed as the Chief of Staff in Yangzhou, later transferred to the Chief of Staff in Bingzhou. Prince Yang Jun of Qin was kind-hearted but made decisions slowly, so many matters in the mansion were decided by Li Yuantong. Later, Li Yuantong returned to the court and served as the Minister of Agriculture and Commerce, the Inspector of Granaries, and then promoted to Minister of Justice. Several years later, he returned to Bingzhou as the Chief of Staff. Prince Yang Jun of Qin was reprimanded by the emperor for his extravagance, and Li Yuantong was dismissed from his position as a result. Shortly after, he was appointed as the acting Minister of Justice. During the Reign of Ren Shou, he was ennobled as a Duke for his merits. When Emperor Yang of Sui ascended the throne, he appointed him as the Minister of War. When Emperor Yang of Sui went to Yangzhou, he left Li Yuantong to defend the capital. Li Yuantong dealt with the issue of Yu Wenshu encroaching on farmland, and Yu Wenshu accused Li Yuantong of accepting bribes. Emperor Yang of Sui was infuriated, summoned Li Yuantong to the capital, Luoyang, and thus dismissed him from his official position. Li Yuantong became overly anxious, fell ill, and passed away. After his death, he was posthumously granted the title of Duke, and his title remained unchanged. His son, Li Xiaochang, served as the magistrate of Huayin County during the Daye era.
Chen Mao, a native of Yishi, Shanxi, was from a poor family. He was known for his integrity, respectfulness, and caution, and was greatly respected by his fellow villagers. His grandfather served as a Duke of Sui and took him in as his aide, treating him just as well as Yuantong. Whenever he was tasked with family matters, he managed them to the Duke's satisfaction, who admired him greatly. Later, he followed the Duke to Jinzhou to fight against the Qi army. Facing numerous enemies, the Duke planned to confront them personally, but Chen Mao prevented him by grabbing the reins of the Duke's horse. The Duke was angry and slashed his forehead with his sword, causing blood to stream down his face, but Chen Mao refused to back down. The Duke was touched by his loyalty, apologized to him, and respected him even more. Eventually, Chen Mao rose to the rank of Senior Officer.
After the Duke became the Prime Minister, he trusted Chen Mao very much and treated him as a confidant. When the Duke became the Emperor, he conferred the title of Baron of Weicheng County upon Chen Mao and often tasked him with handling confidential affairs. Chen Mao held this position for more than a decade, later being transferred to the governorship of Yizhou, promoted to Minister of Imperial Stables, and his title was raised to Count. Several years later, Chen Mao passed away while in office. His son, Chen Zheng, inherited his title.
Chen Zheng, known as Hongdao, was a talented individual, skilled in both literature and martial arts, and proficient in music and archery. He grew up in the palace and, at the age of seventeen, became a guard to the Crown Prince. At that time, there was a famous hero in the capital named Liu Jushi, who admired Chen Zheng's abilities and often played with him. Yuan Tong, the son of Yuantong, also shared a close friendship with Chen Zheng, and they interacted with Liu Jushi together. Later, when Liu Jushi committed a crime and was executed, Chen Zheng and Yuan Tong were implicated due to their association with him and faced punishment. The Emperor, in light of Chen Mao’s contributions, merely received two hundred lashes before pardoning them. After this incident, Chen Zheng had few opportunities for advancement.
During the reign of Emperor Yang of Sui, Chen Zheng was appointed as an Assistant Minister, later promoted to Director of the Bureau of Military Affairs. The Emperor admired his talents and held him in high regard. When the rebellion led by Yuwen Huaji occurred, Chen Zheng was appointed as Minister of Ceremonies. Later, he sought refuge in the Tang Dynasty and eventually died while serving as the Governor of Liangzhou.
Zhang Dinghe, known as Chumi, was a native of Chang'an for ten thousand years. He came from a poor family but was very ambitious. He started as a low-ranking official. During the campaign to subdue the Chen Dynasty, Zhang Dinghe wanted to join the fight but lacked the funds. His wife still possessed the wedding dress she wore, and Zhang Dinghe wanted to sell it, but his wife refused. With no other options, Zhang Dinghe set off to war by himself.
Zhang Dinghe was promoted to the rank of Equivalent to the Rank of Three Officials for his military achievements and was rewarded with a massive reward of one thousand bolts of cloth! However, he later left his wife. He continued to excel in military accomplishments and was promoted to the position of Governor with the Rank of Three Officials and Biaoqi Jiangjun. During a battle against the Turks led by Li Chong, Zhang Dinghe was shot in the neck by the enemy, but he bravely continued fighting, which impressed the emperor so much that he personally sent medicine and visited him. Zhang Dinghe was further promoted to the rank of Zhuguo, appointed as the Marquis of Wu'an, and rewarded with more cloth, horses, and gold. He served as the Governor of Taiyuan and later as the General of the Left Imperial Guard. In a battle against the Tuyuhun, Zhang Dinghe was killed in action while leading his troops against the enemy. The enemy leader, Wang Ming, was impersonating the Tuyuhun leader. The emperor was deeply saddened by his death and posthumously awarded him the title of Guanglu Dafu. His son, Shili, inherited his title and later also became a Guanglu Dafu.
Zhang Jian, courtesy name Wenyi, claimed to be a native of Qinghe and lived in Huaiyin. He had a particular fondness for military texts and excelled in using sword and shield. During the Zhou Dynasty, a man from his hometown, Guo Ziyi, secretly lured bandits from the State of Chen. Zhang Jian's father wanted to lead his sons to fight, but was hesitant. Zhang Jian supported his father's plan and successfully defeated the bandits, earning a reputation for his bravery and decisiveness. He started as a low-ranking official in the provincial government.
After Gaozu became Prime Minister, he promoted Zhang Jian to Grand Commander, leading the local army. When He Ruobi was stationed at Shouchun, Zhang Jian frequently acted as a spy for him, making significant contributions in the campaign against the Chen Dynasty. He was later promoted to the position of Scribe of the Bureau of Military Affairs, bestowed the title of Viscount of Wen'an, with a fief comprising 800 households, and rewarded with 2,500 pieces of cloth and 2,500 dan of grain. More than a year later, he led the navy and defeated the rebel Zuo Ziyou in Jingkou, where he also defeated Xue Zijian in Hezhou.
The court summoned him back to the capital and appointed him as the Grand General. Emperor Gaozu invited him to share a meal and said, "You are like my son, and I am like your father. Today, we gather like this to demonstrate that we are like family." He was then rewarded with more than a thousand bolts of silk, as well as exquisite green armor and intricately patterned gear. He then followed Yang Su to campaign in the Jiangbei area, where he defeated Gao Zhihui in Kuaiji and Wu Shihua in Linhai.
He was promoted to the position of Grand General and was rewarded with sixty servants and three hundred rolls of silk. He had also served as the governor of Fuzhou, Xianzhou, and Qizhou, performing exceptionally well in each of these posts. In the eighteenth year of the Kaihuang era, he was appointed as the commander of the army, accompanying Prince Yang Liang on a campaign to Liaodong. While other armies suffered heavy losses, Zhang Tiezhang's army remained unscathed. The Emperor appreciated him and bestowed upon him two hundred and fifty rolls of fabric. During the Renshou era, he was transferred to Tanzhou as the commander and died three years later. His son later became a Xiaolian.
Mai Tiezhang was from Shixing, Guangdong. He was exceptionally strong and skilled in combat, capable of walking five hundred miles in a day, running like a racehorse. He had a rough personality, loved drinking, enjoyed making friends, valued loyalty, and lived by fishing and hunting, neglecting his household affairs. During the Taijian era of the Chen Dynasty, he gathered a gang and turned to a life of banditry. The Governor of Guangzhou, Ouyang Pin, captured him and presented him to the court, where Mai Tiezhang was registered as a government subject and assigned to be a parasol bearer.
After the morning court session ended each day, he walked over a hundred miles and by nightfall would arrive in South Xuzhou, sneaking into the city under the cover of night to carry out robberies. The next morning, he would hurry back and continue his duties as a parasol bearer. After repeating this process more than ten times, the robbed victims recognized him, and South Xuzhou reported to the court. The ministers of the court saw Mai Tiezhang every day and found the situation absurd. After several complaints were made, the Minister Cai Zheng said, "This can be easily verified!" So, after the morning court session, the court issued a bounty of one hundred taels of gold to find someone to deliver an edict to the Governor of South Xuzhou. Mai Tiezhang volunteered, took the edict, and went to South Xuzhou, reporting back to the Emperor first thing the next morning. The Emperor said, "It's true, he did indeed act as a thief!" However, the Emperor recognized his agility and talent, so he gave him a warning and let him go.
After the fall of the Chen Dynasty, Yang Tiezhang relocated to Qingliu County. Later, during a rebellion in Jiangdong, Yang Su sent him to wear a straw hat and carry an iron staff, sneaking across the Yangtze River at night to gather intelligence on the rebels. He meticulously recorded the information he gathered and brought it back to report. He went to gather more information later, but was eventually captured by the rebels. The rebel leader Li Leng sent thirty soldiers to guard him, tied him up, and sent him to see Gao Zhihui. When they reached Qingting, the guards took a break to eat, and upon seeing Yang Tiezhang starving, they untied him and allowed him to eat with them. Yang Tiezhang seized the opportunity to grab a soldier's knife, killed all the guards, cut off their noses and brought them back. Yang Su was particularly taken aback by this incident.
When it came time for the rewards to be distributed, Yang Tiezhang was not mentioned. Yang Su hurried back to the capital, riding his horse at full speed. Yang Tiezhang followed him on foot, staying with him every night. Yang Su finally realized what was happening and specifically reported to the emperor, granting Yang Tiezhang the official title of Yitong Sanqi. Since Yang Tiezhang couldn't read, he was later sent back to his hometown.
Li Che, also known as Chengyang Gong, praised Yang Tiezhang for his bravery and skill in battle. In the sixteenth year of the Kaihuang era, Yang Tiezhang was summoned to the capital and appointed as the General of Chariots and Cavalry, accompanying Yang Su on a northern campaign against the Turks. He was later promoted to the rank of Marquis. When Emperor Yang of Sui became emperor, Prince Liang rebelled in Bingzhou, and Yang Tiezhang fought alongside Yang Su, always at the forefront of battle. He was promoted to Duke. He was then appointed as the Governor of Laizhou, but did not accomplish much during his tenure. Later, he was transferred to the position of Prefect of Runan, gradually familiarizing himself with the laws and regulations, leading to a significant decline in local theft.
Once during court, the official Dou Wei teased Yang Tiezhang, saying, "Your surname is Mai, what kind of surname is that supposed to be?" Yang Tiezhang witfully replied, "There is no difference between wheat and beans, why are you surprised?" Dou Wei turned red and was speechless. Everyone at the time thought Yang Tiezhang was very clever. Later, Yang Tiezhang was appointed as the General of the Right Stables, and the emperor had great trust in him.
Feeling deeply indebted to the court, Yang Tiezhang always wanted to be willing to lay down his life for the country. When it was time to fight in Liaodong, he volunteered for the position of vanguard. He then said to the doctor Wu Jingxian, who was treating him, "A man's life and death follow their own course. How can we use moxibustion and other methods to treat this trivial ailment and end up dying at the hands of our children?"
When preparing to cross the Liao River, he said to his three sons, "Anu, prepare a light yellow robe. I have received the country's favor, and today is the day of my death. If I die in battle, you will definitely be prosperous in the future. Remember, you must be honest, filial, and work hard!" When they arrived at the bank of the Liao River, the bridge wasn't finished yet, and the enemy was already approaching from several feet away. Yang Tiezhang jumped onto the shore, fought valiantly against the enemy, and ultimately fell in battle. The warriors Qian Shixiong and Meng Jinchai also died in the battle, and none of their comrades survived.
The emperor wept over this, sent someone to bring back Tie Zhang's body, and issued a decree saying: "Tie Zhang was high-spirited, brave, skilled in battle, and accomplished. During this campaign, he charged forward valiantly and was unmatched. Though he made the ultimate sacrifice, his legacy will endure. I am deeply touched by his loyalty and bravery. He deserves the highest honor to acknowledge his accomplishments. He is posthumously awarded the title of Guanglu Daifu and Duke of Sui Guo, and was given the posthumous title of Wulie." His son Meng Cai inherited his titles and was later appointed as Guanglu Daifu as well. Meng Cai also had two brothers, Zhong Cai and Ji Cai, both appointed as Zhengyi Daifu. The court granted them substantial rewards, including chariots, feathered banners, and ceremonial instruments. More than a hundred people, including the defeated General Yu Wen Shu from Pyongyang, came to bear his coffin, and officials of lower rank escorted them to the outskirts. Qian Shixiong was posthumously granted the titles of Left Guanglu Daifu, Right Tunwei General, and Marquis of Wuqiang, and was given the posthumous title of Gang. His son Jie inherited his titles, while Meng Jinchai was posthumously granted the title of Right Guanglu Daifu, and his son Shanyi succeeded him in his official position.
Meng Cai, also known as Zhileng, was a courageous and resolute person, fully embodying his father's admirable traits. The Emperor rewarded Meng Cai's family generously because of his loyalty and sacrifice for the country, even bestowing the title of General of the Imperial Guards on his son. When chaos broke out in Jiangdu, a fire of vengeance ignited within Meng Cai. He had a close relationship with his comrade Qian Jie, and they privately said, "Our family has always been loyal and upright for generations, and we have always enjoyed the Emperor's favor. Now that traitors have murdered the Emperor and usurped the throne, the nation is in turmoil. We can't even demonstrate our loyalty and righteousness. What right do we have to continue living in this world?" As they spoke, they wept and pounded their chests, resolved to contact old friends and plan an ambush on Yuwen Huaji at Xianfu Palace. Just as they were ready to act, Chen Qian, a member of the Chen royal family, rushed to inform Yuwen Huaji of their plan. As a result, he and his accomplice Shen Guang were both killed by Yuwen Huaji, leaving their loyal comrades in deep sorrow.
Shen Guang, courtesy name Zongchi, was a native of Wuxing. His father, Shen Jundao, served as a deputy minister of the Ministry of Civil Affairs during the Chen dynasty. After the fall of the Chen dynasty, the entire family relocated to Chang'an. Shen Guang was recommended by the Crown Prince Yong to serve in the Imperial Academy. Later, he became an aide to Prince Han Liang. After Prince Han Liang's defeat, Shen Guang was dismissed as well. Shen Guang was agile since childhood, especially skilled in horseback riding performances, being one of the top performers in the country. He had some knowledge of literature and was eager to make achievements, not overly concerned with trivial matters. His family was very poor, with his father and brother making a living by copying books. Only Shen Guang was more free-spirited, associating with some unruly young men in the capital. Many people helped him, enabling him to take care of his parents, eat good food, wear good clothes, and never experience poverty. While the Meditation Temple was being built, there was a flagpole over ten zhang tall in the temple. When the rope suddenly broke, the monks were worried because they couldn't reach it by themselves. Shen Guang saw this and told the monks, "Give me the rope, I will help you put it up." The monks were both surprised and delighted, and quickly handed him the rope. Shen Guang bit down on the rope, climbed up the flagpole, and tied the rope at the top. After securing the rope, he used his hands and feet to leap down from the height, landing on his palms and then walking backward for several steps. The onlookers were all amazed, praising him, and nicknaming him "Flesh-Flying Immortal." During the Daye period, Emperor Yang of Sui summoned brave and skilled soldiers from all over the country to attack Goguryeo, and Li Guang also participated in this war. Among the tens of thousands who went with him, none were as impressive as he was. Li Guang was accompanied by over a hundred riders to the imperial palace, and upon reaching Baqiao, he raised his wine cup and vowed, "If I cannot establish a reputation on this journey, I will die in Goguryeo and never see you again!"
Then, he followed the emperor to besiege Liaodong, using battering rams to attack the city. The battering ram's pole was fifteen zhang long. Li Guang climbed to the top of the pole, engaged the enemy atop the city wall, and killed over ten enemy soldiers in hand-to-hand combat. The enemy launched a coordinated attack and knocked him down, but before he hit the ground, he managed to grab the rope on the battering ram's pole and climbed back up. Emperor Yang of Sui saw this and was both surprised and impressed. He immediately sent for him to speak, was very happy, and that day appointed him as a court official, rewarding him with a fine sword and an excellent horse, often having him serve by his side, placing increasing importance on him.
Before long, Li Guang was promoted to the rank of Zhechong Langjiang, with generous rewards and treatment. The emperor often rewarded him with his own food and clothes, which his peers could not hope to match. Li Guang felt deeply grateful for the emperor's kindness and was determined to repay it with all his efforts. When turmoil erupted in Jiangdu, he secretly began recruiting warriors, preparing to avenge the emperor.
Earlier, the emperor favored a eunuch in the palace named Yuwen Huaji. Yuwen Huaji viewed Shen Guang as brave and promoted him to lead the soldiers in the Imperial Guard camp. At that time, Meng Cai, Qian Jie, and others secretly planned to eliminate Yuwen Huaji. They said to Shen Guang, "We have all received great favors from the country. We cannot just sit back and watch our country perish. This would be a disgrace to our ancestors! Now we are bowing our heads in service to our enemies, following their orders. We feel ashamed and our lives feel meaningless. We must kill him. Even if we die, we won't have any regrets. You are a righteous man; will you join us?" Shen Guang was moved to tears and said, "This is exactly what I've been hoping you would do, General! I command hundreds of eunuchs, all of whom have received favors from the former emperor and are now in Yuwen Huaji's camp. Using these people for revenge will be as easy as an eagle catching a small bird. The great achievements of future generations hinge on this one moment. I hope you will do your best, General!" At that time, Meng Cai was a general commanding thousands of troops in Jianghuai. They planned to launch their attack on Yuwen Huaji at dawn, just as the camp was set to move out.
Shen Guang leaked the details of the plan, and Chen Qian informed Yuwen Huaji about it. Yuwen Huaji was terrified and said, "This Shen Guang is truly a man of steel. He and his soldiers are all brave and decisive, difficult to resist. I must steer clear of his might!" That night, Yuwen Huaji fled the camp with his trusted aide, leaving someone to inform Sima Dekan and others, asking them to arrest Meng Cai. Shen Guang heard the noise in the camp and knew that the situation had been exposed. Without time to put on armor, he immediately launched an attack on Yuwen Huaji's camp, but achieved nothing. He encountered his friend Yuan Min and killed him. At that moment, Sima Dekan's forces charged in and surrounded Shen Guang on all sides. Shen Guang shouted fiercely and broke free from the encirclement, bravely fighting alongside his men, cutting off the heads of dozens of enemies, causing the enemy to flee. Sima Dekan sent cavalry over, armed with bows and crossbows, shooting arrows from the side. Shen Guang was not wearing armor and was eventually shot dead. His hundreds of men all died in battle; not one of them surrendered. Shen Guang was only twenty-eight at the time. When the warriors heard the news, every one of them wept in sorrow.
Lai Huer, courtesy name Chongshan, was from Jiangdu. He was headstrong from a young age and aspired to accomplish great deeds. When he first encountered the Book of Songs and came across the lines "Drumming on the bronze drums, leaping and using weapons" and "Wearing goat fur and leopard skins, martial and powerful," he set the book aside and exclaimed, "A great man should live like this in the world! He should eliminate enemies for the country, achieve greatness; how can he remain in the fields, toiling away!" His friends were surprised by his words and admired his aspirations.
Lai Huer resided in Baitu Village, which was located close to the river. At that time, Jiangnan was still in turmoil; He Ruobi was stationed at Shouzhou and frequently dispatched Lai Huer as a spy. Later, he was promoted to Grand Commandant. During the campaign to suppress the Chen Dynasty, Lai Huer distinguished himself and was promoted to Governor. Later, he followed Yang Su to Zhejiang to fight against Gao Zhihui. Gao Zhihui's army occupied the riverbank, with encampments extending over a hundred miles and warships crowding the river, attacking with drums and gongs. Yang Su ordered Lai Huer to command hundreds of small, swift boats to land directly on the riverbank and raid the enemy camp, achieving a resounding victory. Gao Zhihui's forces, having previously suffered defeat against Yang Su, found themselves with nowhere to retreat and scattered. Gao Zhihui tried to escape to the sea, but Lai Huer pursued him all the way to Quanzhou. With no escape routes left, Gao Zhihui fled to the Minyue region. Lai Huer was promoted to Grand General and appointed as the Governor of Quanzhou.
At that time, a man named Sheng Daoyan led a rebellion that troubled Quanzhou. Lai Huer led his forces to crush him. Later, he joined Li Kuan, the Duke of Pushan, to defeat Wang Wenjin in Yixian and Shexian, and was elevated to the rank of Duke. In the third year of Renshou, he was appointed as the Governor of Yingzhou, titled as the Duke of Huangxian, with a fief comprising three thousand households. Shortly after, he received another promotion to Duke and was elevated to Grand General of the Right Imperial Guards. After Emperor Yang of Sui ascended the throne, Lai Huer was elevated to Grand General of the Right Vanguard, and the Emperor highly esteemed him. In the sixth year of Daye, he followed the Emperor to Jiangdu, where the Emperor bestowed upon him a thousand bolts of cloth, permitted him to pay respects at his ancestors' graves, and host a banquet for the elders of the village; the locals held him in high regard. A few years later, he was promoted to Grand General of the Right Guard.
The Battle of Liaodong, with Lai Huer leading the warships, set sail towards the sea, entering from the Ba River, sixty miles from Pyongyang, where they encountered the Goryeo army. He launched a fierce attack, decisively defeating the Goryeo forces and advancing directly to the outskirts of Pyongyang, breaching the city's outer defenses. He then ordered his troops to pillage indiscriminately, causing some disarray among his ranks, and Goryeo King Gao Yuan's younger brother, Jianwu, rallied five hundred brave warriors to intercept them. Lai Huer had no choice but to retreat and camp by the sea, waiting for an opportunity. Upon hearing that Yu Wenshu and his forces had been defeated, he returned to the court. The following year, he set out from Canghai again, with the army stationed in Donglai, just as Yang Xuangan rebelled in Liyang, attacking Gong County and Luoyang. Lai Huer led the troops to defeat Yang Xuangan together with Yu Wenshu and others. He was granted the title of Duke of Rongguo, with a fief of two thousand households. Ten years later, he led the army across the sea, arriving at Beishe City, where the entire Goryeo nation mobilized for battle. Lai Huer defeated the enemy army, claiming over a thousand enemy heads. As they were on the verge of capturing Pyongyang, Goryeo King Gao Yuan was filled with dread, sending envoys to bring the traitor Husi Zheng to the outskirts of Liaodong to formally request surrender. The Emperor consented, dispatching an envoy with an edict commanding Lai Huer to return to court.
General Lai Huer gathered everyone and said, "We have conducted three military campaigns but have not been able to completely eliminate the enemy. This time, when we return, we might not get another opportunity. The Kingdom of Goryeo is already very weak; there's not even a blade of grass in the wilderness. If we continue to attack, we can quickly defeat them. I suggest we keep pressing the attack, directly surround Pyongyang, capture their king, and return in triumph." He wrote a letter requesting to continue the attack, refusing to obey the royal command. Chief Cui Junsu strongly advised against it, but he did not listen. Lai Huer said, "The enemy's power has already collapsed. Just leave it to me, and I'll take care of it. I am leading the troops outside, so I should be the one in charge. How can I follow the court's orders from afar! If we delay a little, we will miss the opportunity, waste our efforts, and have no merit. I would rather take Gao Yuan, return and accept punishment, than give up this chance for success!" Cui Junsu told everyone, "If you follow the marshal in defying the royal command, it will be reported to the court, and everyone will be punished!" The soldiers were afraid and advised him to return, and he finally obeyed the royal command.
In the 13th year of Daye, Lai Huer was promoted to General of the Left Yiwu Guard and was appointed as the Governor of the Palace with the title of Specially Advanced Three Excellencies. The emperor entrusted him with important tasks and bestowed countless honors upon him. Later, during the Jiangdu Incident, Yuwen Huaji resented him and had him killed.
The eldest son is Kai, who was granted the official positions of Sanqi Lang and Court Gentleman due to his father's military achievements. His younger brother Hong became a Guoyi Langjiang and a Jinsiguanglu Dafu. Hong's son Zheng rose to the ranks of Wuben Langjiang and Right Guanglu Dafu. Zheng was particularly brave and skilled at pacifying soldiers, winning battles against bandits with unmatched success. The bandits were especially afraid of him and even wrote a song about him: "On the Changbai Mountain battlefield, with ten fifteen-foot long spears, not fearing an army of ten thousand, only fearing Lord Rong's sixth son." Later, during a rebellion, the entire family met a tragic fate, except for his two youngest sons, Heng and Ji, who miraculously escaped.
Yu Juluo is from the Fengyi region. He was eight shaku tall, remarkably strong, with a voice that could be heard from hundreds of paces away when speaking. He became a personal guard of the emperor at a young age, gradually rising in rank to be granted the title of Duke and awarded fifteen hundred bolts of cloth. Not long after, when Shen Xuantuo and Gao Zhihui incited a rebellion in Jiangnan, Yang Su, impressed by Yu Juluo's bravery, requested that he join the campaign. He distinguished himself in every battle, earning further promotions to Duke and Count of Gaotang, ultimately becoming the governor of Diezhou Province. After his mother passed away, he resigned from his post to fulfill his mourning duties at home. On his way back, he happened upon Yang Su, who was leading troops to Lingzhou to fight the Turks. Yang Su was overjoyed to see him and requested his participation in the campaign. In battle, Yu Juluo charged forward with a few cavalrymen, shouting at the top of his lungs and intimidating the enemy, sending them fleeing in disarray. Due to his achievements, he was promoted to Pillar of the State and appointed as the governor of Fengzhou Province. Initially, the Turks often launched raids along the border, but Yu Juluo always managed to capture and execute them. From then on, the Turks came to fear him and no longer dared to graze their livestock near the border.
At the beginning, when Yang Guang was still a prince, Juro Dizan followed him as a guard and later rose through the ranks to become a Grand General. After Yang Guang became emperor, he appointed him as General of Chariots and Cavalry. This Dizan was a ruthless character, especially cruel, often abusing his subordinates. He would torture people, and if it didn't meet his standards, he would poke their eyes out with a skewer; if someone didn't warm his wine to his liking, he would cut off their tongues! Yang Guang, being his old master, out of old loyalty, couldn't bear to kill him, so he said to those around him, "If his brother is like this, how good can his older brother be?" So he called Juro to reprimand him, imprisoned Dizan, and left him to his own devices. Dizan returned home and took poison and ended his life.
Yang Guang was worried Juro might rebel, so he appointed him as governor of Anzhou. Over a year later, he appointed him as prefect of Zhaojun. Later, when Yang Guang convened a meeting in the Eastern Capital, Juro often visited General Liang Boyin since they were acquaintances from before. He also brought many tributes from his prefecture to present to the emperor, but Yang Guang seized them, so Juro distributed these items among the nobles. The imperial censor charged Juro and Liang Boyin with colluding with court officials, which infuriated Yang Guang, and he dismissed and investigated both of them.
Not long after, the barbarian tribes of Yuechi rebelled and invaded Zhao Jun. The court ordered Ju Luo to lead troops in plain clothes, along with the commander of Shu Jun, Duan Zhongkui, to quell the rebellion. In the ninth year of the Daye era, the court sent troops to Goguryeo and appointed Ju Luo as the commander of the Jieshi Dao Army. After returning from the war, Liu Yuanjin from Jiangnan rebelled again, and the court sent Ju Luo to lead troops to capture the rebels in the area of Kuaiji. At that time, the common people were eager for chaos, and many joined the rebel forces, as if it were a festival. Ju Luo defeated rebel leaders such as Zhu Xie and Guan Chong, winning every battle. However, the rebel forces grew stronger and regrouped after being defeated. Ju Luo feared that the war might drag on for several years, and his sons were in Luoyang and Chang'an. Seeing the chaos in the world increasing, he feared he might never return home. The eastern capital was experiencing a famine, and food prices soared. Ju Luo sent his servants to transport grain from his ships to the eastern capital to sell, along with other goods, secretly bringing back his sons. The court caught wind of something unusual and suspected Ju Luo of treason, so they sent people to investigate. After the envoy arrived and conducted inquiries, no evidence of guilt was found. The emperor then ordered the Grand Justice Liang Jingzhen to escort Ju Luo to the eastern capital. Ju Luo had a striking appearance, with mismatched eyes, which Emperor Yang Guang viewed as an ill omen and always suspected him. Liang Jingzhen flattered the emperor and reported that Ju Luo's army had collapsed like a house of cards. As a result, Ju Luo was executed in the eastern capital, and his estate was seized.
Chen Leng, courtesy name Changwei, was from Xiang'an, Lujiang. His grandfather Chen Shuo earned a living as a fisherman. His father Chen Xian was brave and skilled in battle when he was young and served as an aide to Zhang Dabao. After Zhang Dabao rebelled, Chen Xian was appointed as the Prefect of Qiaozhou. After the fall of the Chen dynasty, Chen Xian returned home and lived a life of leisure. Later, Gao Zhihui, Wang Wenjin, and others rebelled in Jiangnan, and the heroes of Lujiang rallied to the cause. Because Chen Xian was their former leader, they nominated him as their leader. Chen Xian was reluctant to accept, but Chen Leng advised him, saying, "Everyone is joining the rebellion; refusing will only bring trouble to yourself. It's better to pretend to agree first and then think of a solution." Chen Xian listened to his words. At this time, the army of Zhuguo Li Che arrived in Dangtu. Chen Xian secretly sent Chen Leng to see Li Che, requesting to be an informant. Li Che reported this to the court, and the court appointed Chen Leng as the Grand General, governor of Xuanzhou, Duke of Qiao, with a fief of a thousand households, and ordered Li Che to treat him well.
Li Che's army had not yet arrived, but the plan leaked. Chen Xi was killed by his accomplices, but Chen Leng managed to escape. The Emperor, considering his father's merits, appointed him as a Prefect and soon put him in command of local troops. After Emperor Yang of Sui ascended the throne, he appointed Chen Leng as the General of Cavalry. In the third year of the Daye era, he was promoted to Wubeng Langjiang. Three years later, he led over ten thousand Dongyang soldiers with the court official Zhang Zhenzhou from Yi'an to attack Liuqiu. They reached their destination a month later. The people of Liuqiu mistook the ships for merchant vessels and came to the camp to trade. Chen Leng led everyone ashore and sent Zhang Zhenzhou as the vanguard. The king of Liuqiu, Huan Sikela, sent troops to resist, but Zhang Zhenzhou repeatedly defeated them. When Chen Leng arrived at Ditan Cave, the Liuqiu prince, Huan Silaomo, led his troops to resist, but Chen Leng defeated him and killed him. On a foggy rainy day, the soldiers were afraid, so Chen Leng offered a white horse as a sacrifice to the sea god. The weather cleared up afterwards, and Chen Leng divided his army into five routes, heading straight for the capital of Liuqiu. Huan Sikela led thousands of men to resist, but Chen Leng sent Zhang Zhenzhou as the vanguard to drive them away. Chen Leng pursued them to their camp, where Huan Sikela set up his defenses. Chen Leng concentrated his forces and attacked, fighting fiercely from morning unti
Emperor Yang of Sui was very pleased, promoting Chen Leng to the position of Right Minister of Rites, while Wuben Langjiang remained unchanged, and Zhang Zhenzhou was also promoted to Jinzi Guanglu Daifu. During the Liaodong campaign, Chen Leng was promoted to Left Minister of Rites for his service as a guard. The following year, Emperor Yang once again campaigned against Liaodong, while Chen Leng stayed behind in Donglai. During the rebellion of Yang Xuangan, Chen Leng led over ten thousand troops to pacify Liyang, killing Yuan Wuben, the governor appointed by Yang Xuangan. He was later commanded to build warships in Jiangnan. Upon reaching Pengcheng, the rebel leader Meng Rang commanded a hundred thousand troops, occupied Duliang Palace, blocked the Huai River and held their position. Chen Leng secretly crossed the Huai River at a lower point, arrived in Jiangdu, attacked Meng Rang, and defeated him. For his accomplishments, Chen Leng was promoted to Guanglu Daifu and granted the title of Marquis of Xin'an. Later, Emperor Yang arrived at the Jiangdu Palace; shortly after, Li Zitong occupied Hailing, Zuo Caixiang raided the areas north of the Huai River, and Du Fuwei stationed troops in Liuhe, each with tens of thousands of soldiers. Emperor Yang sent Chen Leng to lead the guards to suppress them, achieving multiple victories. Chen Leng was promoted to Right General of the Imperial Guards. He crossed the Qing River and attacked the rebels in Xuancheng. Soon after, Emperor Yang was killed, Yuwen Huaji led his troops north, and summoned Chen Leng to guard Jiangdu. Chen Leng gathered the people, dressed in white, he mourned for Emperor Yang, arranged the funeral procession, and reburied Emperor Yang at Wugongtai. He walked with a cane, mourning along the way, touching passersby with his grief, and he received praise from people for his loyalty. Later, Chen Leng faced defeat at the hands of Li Zitong and fled to Du Fuwei, who, wary of him, soon had him killed.
Wang Bian, courtesy name Jinglue, was from Pucheng in Fengyi. His ancestors made a fortune in business. During the Northern Wei period, he donated grain to support the army and was appointed as the acting Taishou of Qinghe. Wang Bian studied military tactics at a young age, especially excelling in equestrian archery, and was known for his generosity and ambition.
During the Northern Zhou period, he was appointed as a military commander due to his military achievements. During the reign of Emperor Wen of the Sui Dynasty, he was promoted to Grand Commander; during the Renshou period, he was further promoted to General of Cavalry and Chariots. When Prince Liang of Han rebelled, he followed Yang Su in suppressing the rebellion and was granted the title of Lord of Wuning County, with a fief of three hundred households. Three years later, he was promoted to Chief of the Imperial Stables.
Later, he accompanied the army in campaigns against the Tuyuhun and was appointed as a court official. Several years later, he was promoted to the rank of Eagle Soaring General. In the battle of Liaodong, he was awarded the title of Grand Counselor for his achievements, and shortly after was promoted to General of Martial Prowess.
When bandits were rampant in Shandong, a man named Wei Dao'er from Shanggu claimed to be "Fei of Lishan," with over ten thousand men under his command, pillaging in the Yan and Zhao regions. The Emperor summoned Wang Bian to discuss strategies for suppressing the rebellion. Wang Bian analyzed the situation of the bandits, and the Emperor was very impressed, saying, "If we follow your plan, what do we have to fear from these bandits?" Therefore, the Emperor appointed him to lead three thousand troops to suppress the bandits, leading to a decisive victory, and the Emperor generously rewarded him with two hundred taels of gold.
The following year, the pirate leader Gao Shida of Bohai proclaimed himself as the "Duke of the East Sea," with tens of thousands of men under his command. The Emperor once again sent Wang Bian to suppress him, and Wang Bian defeated Gao Shida's army multiple times. The Emperor, who was in Jiangdu Palace at the time, immediately summoned him back upon hearing the news. After meeting with Wang Bian, the Emperor rewarded him generously and sent him to lead the campaign in Xindu. Gao Shida was defeated once again in battle against Wang Bian, and the Emperor issued a decree praising Wang Bian's merit.
At that time, bandit leaders like Hao Xiaode, Sun Xuanya, Shi Jikang, Dou Jiande, and Wei Dao'er each controlled their own territories, with some having only a few thousand troops and others as many as one hundred thousand, all engaging in pillaging in the Hebei region. Wang Bian led the troops in campaigns, winning every battle, striking fear into these bandits.
Later, Zhai Rang stirred up trouble in the Xuzhou and Yuzhou regions. Wang Bian went to put him down and managed to defeat Zhai Rang's forces several times. Eventually, Zhai Rang and Li Mi occupied Luokou Warehouse together. Wang Bian teamed up with Wang Shichong to take on Li Mi, and the two sides faced off at Luoshui for more than a year.
Wang Bian led his troops to break through Li Mi's forces, pursued them in triumph, and smashed through the outer defenses of Li Mi's camp. Li Mi's army was already crumbling, and Wang Bian's forces were on the verge of storming the city in victory. However, Wang Shichong, not realizing the situation and worried that his soldiers were too exhausted, ordered a retreat by sounding the horn. As a result, the remaining soldiers of Li Mi seized the opportunity and launched a counterattack. The imperial army was in complete disarray, unable to regroup. Wang Bian rushed to the bank of Luoshui, but the bridge was destroyed, leaving him no choice but to wade through the river. As he reached the middle of the river, the current swept his warhorse away. Wang Bian, clad in heavy armor and surrounded by retreating soldiers, found himself unable to get back up. Ultimately, he drowned. He was fifty-six at the time. His soldiers mourned him deeply.
Hus Wan Shan from Henan was a brave and decisive warrior, just as famous as Wang Bian. During the reign of Emperor Yang of the Sui Dynasty, he accompanied Wei Xuan in the campaign against Yang Xuange, fought numerous battles, and earned great accolades. When Yang Xuange was defeated and fled, Hus Wan Shan and a handful of others caught up, cornering him until he had no choice but to take his own life. This incident catapulted Hus Wan Shan to fame, and he was appointed as the Wubeng Lang General.
Later, the Turkic Khagan besieged Yanmen Pass, and Husi Wanshan led the charge, sending the Turkic army into a rout. Every time the enemy charged, he was the first to meet them in battle, sometimes even dismounting and sitting on the ground, pulling his strong bow to shoot and kill the enemy, hitting every target. In this way, the Turkic forces dared not approach the city walls, and after more than ten days, they retreated, all thanks to the credit of Husi Wanshan! After that, he repeatedly attacked mountain bandits, earned military accolades, and finally rose to the rank of general.
At that time, there were a few other notable generals, Lu Yuan, Fan Gui, and Feng Xiaoci, who were also famous military leaders and participated in battles many times. However, their deeds have been forgotten by history, so there is no record of them in historical books.
Historical records note that during the Chu-Han conflict, it was only during this time that Zhou Bo, the Marquis of Jiang, and Guan Ying were able to realize their ambitions; during the struggle between Cao Cao and Liu Bei for dominance, it was only then that Guan Yu and Zhang Fei became famous. Therefore, gaining fame must align with the times when the world is settling, and making accomplishments must align with periods of national upheaval. There are many historical figures who attached themselves to the powerful. Individuals like Yuantong, Huer, Dinghe, and Tiezhang were all elite warriors of their time, yet they found themselves trapped in poverty and obscurity. In their youth, when they were still unknown, who could have guessed they harbored such great ambitions? In the end, they were able to overcome adversity, rise to prominence, fulfill their wishes, and satisfy their ambitions, all depending on whether they had the opportunity!
Although Julo was wronged, it was not his fault; Wang Bian sacrificed himself for the country, with high aspirations to serve the nation; Chen Leng, dressed in plain clothes, mourned Wang Bian's death, moving passers-by with his grief, demonstrating admirable loyalty. Meng Cai, Qian Jie, and Shen Guang were grateful and loyal, always remembering their master in times of peril. Although they did not achieve great feats, their loyalty and righteousness are equally commendable!
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