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Written by: Realhistories

Category: Book of Sui （隋書）

Published: 10 January 2025

Created: 10 January 2025

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Han Qin, courtesy name Zitong, was a native of Dongyuan, Henan Province, but later his family relocated to Xin'an. His father, Han Xiong, was famous for his outstanding martial arts skills and served as a high-ranking official in the Northern Zhou Dynasty, holding titles including Grand General and Governors of Luozhou and Yuzhou, among others. Han Qin had a bold and righteous personality from a young age, with exceptional courage and wisdom, earning him widespread praise. He was tall and imposing, clearly a heroic figure. He also enjoyed reading a variety of books, including classics and historical texts, and had a solid grasp of their content. The founding emperor of the Northern Zhou Dynasty immediately recognized his extraordinary potential and allowed him to play with his own sons to build a relationship. Eventually, Han Qin was appointed Commander and Governor of Xin'an for his military accomplishments, gradually rising to the rank of Yitong Sanqi and inheriting his father's title as Duke of Xinyi County.

During the Northern Zhou Emperor's campaign against Qi, the Qi general Dugu Yongye defended the city of Jinyong, and Han Qin employed tactics to convince him to surrender. Subsequently, he pacified Fanyang, received a promotion to Yitong, and was appointed Governor of Yongzhou. Later, when the Chen army approached Guangzhou, Han Qin was appointed as the General of the Army, leading his troops to a decisive victory over the Chen army. He also assisted Yuwen Xin in pacifying Hezhou. When Yang Jian became Prime Minister, Han Qin was promoted to Governor of Hezhou. The Chen generals Zhen Qing, Ren Mannu, and Xiao Moha allied to harass the northern territories of Northern Zhou, frequently invading the borders. Han Qin defeated them multiple times, gradually weakening the Chen army.

In the early years of the Kaihuang era, Yang Jian had long desired to annex Jiangnan. Recognizing Han Qin's exceptional military prowess and good reputation, he appointed him as the General of Luzhou and tasked him with pacifying the Chen Dynasty, instilling fear in his enemies.

When the large-scale attack on the Chen Dynasty began, Han Qinhui was to lead the vanguard. Han Qinhui crossed the Yangtze River at night with five hundred men, attacked Caishi, where the Chen army guarding the city was completely drunk, so he captured Caishi City. He then launched an attack on Gushu and captured it within half a day, and then stationed at Xinlin. The people of Jiangnan had long heard of Han Qinhui's reputation and came to pay their respects to him day and night. The Chen Dynasty's people were terrified, and generals Fan Xun, Lu Shizhen, Tian Rui, and others surrendered. Prince Jin Yang Guang reported the situation to Yang Jian, who was overjoyed and hosted a banquet for his courtiers.

Prince Jin sent the marching general Du Yan to join forces with Han Qinhui, a combined force of twenty thousand infantry and cavalry. Chen Shubao sent the army commander Cai Zheng to guard Zhuque Hang. Upon hearing that Han Qinhui was approaching, the soldiers panicked and the army scattered. Ren Mannu was defeated by He Ruobi and also surrendered to Han Qinhui. Han Qinhui led five hundred elite cavalry directly into Zhuque Gate. The Chen Dynasty's forces attempted to resist, but Ren Mannu urged them, saying, "I have surrendered, so why continue to fight!" Everyone scattered and fled. As a result, Jinling City fell, and Chen Shubao was taken prisoner. At that time, He Ruobi also had merit.

Yang Jian issued a decree to Prince Jin, stating, "These two men possess remarkable foresight. I had originally entrusted them with quelling the rebellion in the southeast, and they successfully calmed the people and acted in accordance with my wishes. The Nine Provinces have not been unified for hundreds of years. With the merits of these two famous ministers, the great cause of unification has been accomplished. What could be more glorious than this in the world! I am thrilled to hear this news and deeply comforted. The stabilization of Jiangbiao was accomplished thanks to the efforts of these two!" They were each rewarded with ten thousand bolts of cloth.

He issued another edict of grace to Han Qinh and He Ruobi, saying, "You have shown the country's majesty from thousands of miles away, spread the court's teachings in distant regions, and freed the people of the southeast from the suffering of war. You managed to quell centuries of rebellion in just a few days, all thanks to your efforts! Your achievements have echoed throughout the land, and your great deeds shine brightly across the realm. Few can match your accomplishments, both past and present. As you return to the capital, I know I will see you soon. I miss you greatly; every moment feels like years have passed."

Upon arriving in the capital, He Ruobi and Han Qinh competed for credit in front of the emperor. He Ruobi said, "I fought fiercely at Jiangshan, defeated the elite forces of the Chen army, captured their brave generals, and subdued the Chen kingdom in the end. Han Qinh barely took part in the fighting; how can he compare to me?" Han Qinh replied, "I was ordered to act simultaneously with He Ruobi, attacking the capital of the Chen dynasty together. He Ruobi acted prematurely, engaging the enemy in battle, resulting in many casualties. I led five hundred light cavalry and didn’t lose a single man, directly capturing Jinling, accepting the surrender of the enemies, capturing Chen Shubao, seizing his treasury, and destroying his lair. He Ruobi only attacked the North Gate at night; I was the one who opened the gate for him to enter. He should be thanking me, not trying to compare himself to me!" Yang Jian said, "Both generals have made significant contributions." He then promoted Han Qinh to the rank of Shangzhuguo (Senior Pillar of the State) and rewarded him with eight thousand rolls of cloth. Later, someone accused Han Qinh of letting his soldiers run wild, causing chaos in the Chen palace, and as a result, he didn’t receive any further promotions or titles.

Once upon a time, there was a folk song circulating in Jiangdong: "A yellow-spotted black horse, from Shouyang it came. Arriving at the end of winter, departing with the beginning of spring." Back then, no one understood what this folk song meant. Later on, people realized that the song was about Han Qinhu. When he pacified the Chen Dynasty, he rode a black horse as well, and his comings and goings matched the song's lyrics, which made people understand the meaning of the song.

Later, a Turkic envoy came to see the emperor. The emperor asked him, "Have you heard of the Emperor of Chen Kingdom from the south of the Yangtze River?" The envoy replied, "I have heard of it." The emperor then had the guards bring the Turkic envoy in front of Han Qinhu, saying, "This is the man who captured the Emperor of Chen Kingdom." Han Qinhu suddenly turned to glare at the envoy, and the Turkic envoy was so scared that he dared not lift his head. Han Qinhu's presence was truly intimidating! Later, the emperor appointed Han Qinhu as the Duke of Shouguang County, with a fief of a thousand households, and appointed him as the military commander stationed in Jincheng to defend against Turkic invasions. He was later appointed as the governor of Liangzhou. Not long after, Han Qinhu was summoned back to the capital. The emperor held a banquet for him in the palace, lavishing him with favor and generosity.

Not long after, Han Qinhu's neighbor saw a grand procession in front of his house, like the emperor's, and the neighbor was very curious and asked what was going on. Han Qinhu's family replied, "We're here to welcome the king." After saying this, they disappeared. Another seriously ill person suddenly rushed to Han Qinhu's house and said, "I want to go see the king." The guards asked him, "Which king?" He said, "King Yama!" Han Qinhu's descendants wanted to hit him, but Han Qinhu stopped them and said, "To be a pillar of the state in life and King Yama in death—that's enough." After that, Han Qinhu fell ill and died a few days later at fifty-five. His son, Han Shie, succeeded him.

Han Shi'e inherited his father's bravery and skill in battle; he was quite a formidable character. When Yang Xuangan rebelled, he recruited Han Shi'e as a general, and every time they went to war, Han Shi'e led the charge. After Yang Xuangan's failure, Han Shi'e was captured by the authorities. At that time, the emperor was in Gaoyang City, and Han Shi'e was escorted there. Han Shi'e asked his guards to buy wine and food so he could have a hearty drink and loudly declared, "I could die at any time, so why not drink heartily!" He slowly poured wine for his guards, and as they relaxed their vigilance, he managed to get them drunk. Han Shi'e took the opportunity to escape and joined a group of bandits, and his whereabouts were unknown thereafter.

Seng Shou, whose courtesy name was Xuanqing, once captured his own brother and was known for his bravery and skill in battle. During the reign of Emperor Wu of Zhou, he was a senior official in the court. After Emperor Gaozu came to power, he followed Wei Xiaokuan in suppressing the rebellion of Wei Jiong, and he distinguished himself in every battle. He was appointed as Grand General, conferred the title of Changle Duke, and granted a fief of one thousand households.

In the early years of the Kaihuang era, he was appointed as the Inspector of Anzhou. At that time, he captured the person serving as the governor of Luzhou, and the court did not want them in the Huainan region, so he was reassigned as the Inspector of Xiongzhou. Later, he was transferred to be the Inspector of Weizhou, and his title was elevated to Duke of Guangling County. Not long after, he defeated the Turks at Jitou Mountain while serving as the Commander of the Army. However, he lost his position due to an error. After a few years, he was reappointed as the Inspector of Weizhou. The Turks greatly feared him.

In the seventeenth year of Daye, he stationed in Lanzhou to guard against the invasion of the Turks. The next year, the Liaodong Campaign began, and he served as the Commander of the Army, and afterward, he also served as the Governor of Lingzhou. He fought alongside Yang Su against the Turks and achieved victory, and was promoted to Senior Pillar State and granted the title of Jiangdu County Duke. After Emperor Yang of Sui ascended the throne, he was renamed to Duke of Xincai County. After that, he never held a significant position again.

In the fifth year of Daye, he followed the emperor to Taiyuan. There was a concubine named Wang in the household of Daxi Tong, a man from Jingzhao, whose singing was enchanting. All the ministers in the court went to watch, and Monk Shou also attended, which led to his dismissal from office. He was reinstated shortly thereafter. In the eighth year of Daye, he died in the capital at the age of sixty-five. He had a son named Xiaoji.

Han Hong, courtesy name Shuming, was very powerful; he even apprehended his own younger brother. He was especially brave when he was young, excelling in archery and having unmatched strength. He first served as a junior officer during the Zhou dynasty and was promoted to Grand Commander for his military achievements. When Gaozu was the prime minister, he followed Wei Xiaokuan to defeat Yu Jing in Xiangzhou and was subsequently promoted to the title of Kaifu, Marquis of Gantang County, with a fief of eight hundred families. After Gaozu became emperor, Han Hong was promoted to duke. Soon after, he was appointed General of the Cavalry.

In the ninth year of Kaihuang, during the campaign against the Chen dynasty, he was appointed as the commander of the marching army. After the fall of the Chen dynasty, the Prince of Jin went on a hunt in Jiangshan, and a fierce beast ran out of the hunting circle, scaring everyone. Han Hong rode his horse and shot an arrow, bringing the fierce beast down. The Chen dynasty generals watched from nearby and were thoroughly impressed. The Prince of Jin was especially pleased and rewarded him with a hundred bolts of silk. Later, due to his military successes, he was further appointed as the Pillar of the State and appointed as the Governor of Jiangzhou. A few years later, he was transferred to the position of Governor of Lianzhou.

At that time, the Turks frequently raided the borders. The court believed Han Hong to be brave and skilled in battle, so they appointed him as the governor of Shuozhou. Later, he was also appointed as the governor of Daizhou. In the first year of the Renshou era, the Turkic Khan invaded with his troops. Han Hong led the governor of Weizhou, Liu Long, and the Grand General Li Yaowang to resist. They encountered the Turkic army at Heng'an, with our forces outnumbered by the enemy. Han Hong was surrounded on all sides, seriously injured, and the soldiers' morale was low. The Turkic army surrounded them, and arrows rained down like a storm. Han Hong feigned negotiations with the Turks, and when the enemy relaxed their guard slightly, he led the remaining soldiers to break through. In the battle, most of the soldiers perished, but they managed to kill twice as many enemies. Han Hong and Li Yaowang were dismissed from their posts and returned to common life, while Liu Long was eventually sentenced to death. Emperor Yang of Sui went on a northern tour and arrived at Heng'an, where he saw bones scattered across the ground. He asked his attendants what had happened, and they replied, "This is where Han Hong fought the Turks." Emperor Yang of Sui was very saddened and ordered the bones to be collected. He also ordered monks from five counties to conduct Buddhist rites for the departed souls and posthumously granted Han Hong the title of Prefect of Longxi. Not long after, the affluent rebel Wang Wanchang from Zhuyai staged a rebellion, and the court sent Han Hong to suppress the rebellion. Han Hong successfully quelled the rebellion and was promoted to the esteemed rank of Jinyin Guanglu Dafu, continuing to serve as the Prefect of Longxi. However, not long after, Wang Wanchang's brother Wang Zhongtong rebelled again, and the court once again sent Han Hong to suppress the rebellion. Before Han Hong could make his way back to the capital, he fell ill and died at the age of sixty-three.

He Ruobi, styled Fubo, was a native of Luoyang, Henan. His father, He Ruodun, was famous for his martial achievements and served as the governor of Jinzhou in the Northern Zhou dynasty, but was ultimately murdered by the powerful minister Yuwen Hu. On his deathbed, He Ruodun called his son He Ruobi and said, "I have always wanted to pacify the south, but that wish will now go unfulfilled. You must fulfill this wish for me! I died this time because of offending someone with my words, so you must remember to be cautious in your words and actions!" After saying this, he used an awl to pierce He Ruobi's tongue, causing him to bleed, as a warning.

He Ruobi had great ambitions from a young age, excelled in horseback archery, was eloquent, knowledgeable, and well-known in his time. When the Prince of Qi of the Northern Zhou dynasty, Yuwen Xian, heard about him, he respected him greatly and appointed him as a secretary. Not long after, he was granted the title of Duke of Danting County, and later promoted to a minor official. During the reign of Emperor Wu of the Northern Zhou dynasty, the minister Wuman Gui told the emperor, "The crown prince is not fit to be emperor; I have discussed this with He Ruobi." The emperor summoned He Ruobi to inquire, and He Ruobi, knowing that the crown prince's position was secure and not wanting to put himself at risk, cleverly replied, "The crown prince's virtue improves day by day; I see no faults." Emperor Wu did not say anything. After returning, Wuman Gui complained that He Ruobi had betrayed him, but He Ruobi replied, "A leader's carelessness can cost them their subordinates; a subordinate's carelessness can cost them their life. Therefore, I dare not casually comment!" Later, when Emperor Xuan succeeded to the throne, Wuman Gui was killed, and He Ruobi was spared.

Later, He Ruobi joined forces with Wei Xiaokuan to attack the Chen dynasty, capturing several dozen cities, many of which were captured using strategies devised by He Ruobi. He was appointed as the governor of Shouzhou and later granted the title of Duke of Xiangyi County. When Yang Jian, Emperor Wen of Sui, was serving as prime minister, Yu Jing rebelled in Ye city. Yang Jian was worried that He Ruobi might defect, so he sent Changsun Ping to swiftly replace him.

After Emperor Wen of Sui, Yang Jian, became emperor, he secretly wanted to unify Jiangnan and searched for suitable candidates. Gao Qiang said, "Among the civil and military officials in the court, there is no one more suitable than He Ruobi." Yang Jian said, "You are right!" He then appointed He Ruobi as the governor of Wuzhou, entrusting him with the important task of pacifying the Chen dynasty. He Ruobi gladly accepted the appointment. He and the governor of Shouzhou, Yuan Xiong, together guarded the border, becoming an important military force. He Ruobi also wrote a poem for Yuan Xiong: "The cavalry camp at Jiahe and the naval camp at Hepu, do not let the horses trample, our names will not be forgotten."

Yang Su presented ten strategies, which the emperor was very satisfied with and rewarded him with a precious sword. In the ninth year of the Kaihuang era, the Sui Dynasty launched a major attack on the Chen dynasty, and Yang Su was appointed as the commander of the army.

When preparing to cross the river, Yang Su offered a toast to the river and prayed, "I, Yang Su, faithfully follow the emperor's strategic deployment, to uphold the glory of the nation, punish evil, pacify the people, eliminate the wicked, and eradicate tyranny. Both Heaven and the Yangtze River can witness my determination. If I accumulate virtue and do good deeds, the army will be able to cross the river smoothly; if my actions go against the will of Heaven, I would gladly meet my end in the belly of a fish, dying without regrets!"

Previously, Yang Su requested that the garrison troops along the river gather at Liyang every time they changed shifts. As a result, the Sui army formed a large encampment in Liyang, with tents covering the plain. The people of the Chen dynasty thought that the main contingent of the Sui army had arrived, so they mobilized all their troops nationwide. When they realized it was just a garrison shift, the Chen army dispersed and returned. Later, the Chen army became accustomed to this tactic and stopped being vigilant.

When Yang Su led the army to cross the river, the Chen army did not notice at all. Yang Su attacked Southern Xu Province of the Chen dynasty, captured the city, and caught the Chen dynasty's governor Huang Ke. The Sui army maintained strict discipline and did not commit any offenses. A soldier was found drinking in civilian areas, and Yang Su killed him on the spot.

The Sui army stationed at Baitugang in Jiangshan, led by generals Lu Da, Zhou Zhian, Ren Manna, Tian Rui, Fan Yi, Kong Fan, Xiao Moha, and others, who commanded elite troops in resistance. Tian Rui first attacked Yang Su's army and was driven back by Yang Su. Lu Da and others launched successive attacks, forcing Yang Su's forces to retreat several times. Yang Su recognized the Chen army's arrogance and the soldiers' complacency, so he urged his troops to fight to the death, ultimately achieving a great victory. Yang Su's subordinate, Yuan Ming, captured Xiao Moha, and Yang Su ordered that Xiao Moha be dragged out and executed. Xiao Moha remained composed, and Yang Su chose to release him, treating him with great courtesy.

Yang Su entered Jiankang City through the Beiyemen Gate. By this time, Han Qinhu had already captured Chen Shubao. When Yang Su arrived, he made Chen Shubao look at him. Chen Shubao was so terrified that he broke out in a sweat, trembled uncontrollably, and repeatedly kowtowed. Yang Su said to him, "As the ruler of a small country who has become a vassal of a great country, it is only fitting that you bow. Once you enter the court, you will be granted the title of Marquis of Guiming, so there is no need to be afraid."

Later, because Yang Su did not personally capture Chen Shubao and his achievements came after Han Qinhu's, he felt quite disgruntled and confronted Han Qinhu, drawing his blade.

The emperor heard that Yang Su had made great contributions and was very happy. He issued an edict to reward him, the details of which are recorded in the "Biography of Han Qinhu." Prince Jin believed that Yang Su had violated military orders by engaging in battle too early, so he demoted Yang Su to a lower rank. The emperor urgently summoned Yang Su. Upon meeting him, the emperor warmly praised Yang Su, saying, "You are the one who pacified the Three Wu!" The emperor invited Yang Su to sit in the imperial seat, rewarded him with 8,000 bolts of silk, promoted him to the rank of Upper Pillar State, granted him the title of Duke of Song, a fief of three thousand households, and also granted him a precious sword, a belt, a golden jar, and a golden plate, as well as a pheasant tail fan, a curved hat, and 2,000 bolts of assorted cloth. He was also given two music bands, and the emperor even granted him Chen Shubao's sister as a concubine. Yang Su was appointed as the Grand General of the Right Leading Army, and soon promoted to the Grand General of the Right Martial Guard.

He Ruobi was a powerful and influential figure. His brother, He Ruolong, held the title of Duke of Wudu County, and his younger brother, He Ruodong, was the Duke of Wanrong County. Both brothers were governors and generals. He Ruobi's family treasures were countless, with hundreds of maids and concubines adorned in luxurious fabrics. People at the time envied him greatly. He believed his accomplishments surpassed those of the court officials and constantly dreamed of becoming a prime minister. Later, when Yang Su was appointed as the Right Deputy, He Ruobi was still a general and felt very dissatisfied. He displayed his displeasure openly and was dismissed from his position, which only deepened his resentment.

After a few years, the emperor arrested him for questioning, saying, "I appointed Gao Qiang and Yang Su as prime ministers, but you always say they only know how to eat. What do you mean by that?" He Ruo Bi said, "Gao Qiang is my old friend, and Yang Su is my brother-in-law. I know them well and have indeed said such things." The ministers claimed that He Ruo Bi harbored resentment towards the court and deserved the death penalty. The emperor, taking his past contributions into account, stripped him of his position and reduced him to commoner status. Over a year later, his title was restored. However, the emperor still feared him and did not reinstate him, but always treated him with special favor at every banquet. In the 19th year of the Kaihuang reign, the emperor went to the Renshou Palace and hosted a banquet for the nobles, asking He Ruo Bi to compose a five-character poem. The poem expressed deep resentment, yet the emperor remained silent after reading it.

Once, when Turkic envoys came to the court, the emperor challenged them to an archery contest, and the Turkic people struck the bullseye with a single arrow. The emperor said, "No one else can achieve this like He Ruo Bi." So he asked He Ruo Bi to try. He Ruo Bi bowed twice and said, "If I am loyal, I will hit the target with one arrow; if I have ulterior motives, I will miss." He shot an arrow and hit the bullseye! The emperor was very pleased and pointed at He Ruo Bi, saying to the Turkic envoys, "This man is a gift from the heavens!"

When Yang Guo was still in the Eastern Palace, he once asked He Ruobi: "Yang Su, Han Qinhu, and Shi Wansui, these three people are all said to be famous generals, who is the most capable?" He Ruobi said: "Yang Su is a fierce warrior, not a strategist; Han Qinhu is a brave general who charges into battle, not a strategist; Shi Wansui is a cavalry commander, not the great general." The Crown Prince asked: "Then who is the great general?" He Ruobi replied: "Only Your Highness can decide." He Ruobi secretly thought that he himself was the great general. After Yang Guo became emperor, he became even more suspicious of him. In the third year of Daye, the emperor went on a northern tour and arrived in Yulin. The emperor set up a large tent that could accommodate thousands of people and hosted the Qimin Khan of the Turks. He Ruobi felt that it was too extravagant and wasteful, so he privately discussed the matter with Gao Feng, Yuwen Bi, and others. Ultimately, he was denounced and executed at the age of sixty-four. His wife and children were all enslaved by the government, and his relatives and friends were all exiled to the border. He Ruobi, known for his heroic spirit, was directly appointed to a position equivalent to a pillar of the state. Unfortunately, for acting as an insider for Yang Jian, he was killed later, which is truly unfortunate.

The history books say: when the world is unsettled, smart people need to come forward to sort things out; when the borders are unstable, strong generals need to lead the charge. Look, in the Zhou Dynasty there were Fang Shu and Shao Gong, in the Han Dynasty there were Han Xin and Peng Yue; heroes like these don’t just pop up overnight in every dynasty. Since the decline of the Jin Dynasty, the Central Plains have been in pieces, and the country has been divided for almost three hundred years. The Chen Dynasty relied on the natural barriers of the Yangtze River and the lucky land of Jinling, thinking that the world should be like this and no one could touch them. But then our founding ancestor Yang Jian rose to fulfill destiny, with the goal of unifying the whole country. He Luobi was incredibly bold, proposing a winning strategy, and Han Qinhui was even more courageous, as fast as lightning and completely unstoppable! The Sui Dynasty shook the world with this battle.

From the perspective of fate, the rise and fall are a natural part of life; from the perspective of human affairs, this is all down to the achievements of He Luobi and Han Qinhui. When it comes to talent and strategy, He Luobi had the edge; in terms of courage and prestige, Han Qinhui excelled. Compared to Wang Dao and Du Yu of the Jin Dynasty, their accomplishments were not inferior. However, after He Luobi found success, he got too full of himself and ended up dying inexplicably. If he had heeded his father's last words, maybe he wouldn't have met such a fate. Han Qinhui, from a family of generals for generations, with a renowned reputation, always came out on top and safe, really lucky.

Then there were Prince Guangling and Gantang, both exceptional warriors, brave and skilled in battle, with unmatched bravery and wisdom; they were among the fiercest of their time, true pillars of the nation, truly remarkable comrades!

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Written by: Realhistories

Category: Book of Sui （隋書）

Published: 10 January 2025

Created: 10 January 2025

Hits: 41

Chang Sun Lan, courtesy name Xiu Yin, was a native of Luoyang, Henan. His grandfather, Chang Sun Zhi, was the Grand Preceptor of the Wei Kingdom and was also granted the ceremonial Yellow Battle-axe, being titled Prince Wenxuan of Shangdang; his father, Chang Sun Shaoyuan, was a Lesser Noble of the Zhou Dynasty, titled Duke of Shangdang. Chang Sun Lan had a cheerful personality, was dignified, had some knowledge of history and literature, and was especially proficient in musical theory and tuning. During the reign of Emperor Da Tong of Northern Wei, he started serving as a trusted advisor in the Eastern Palace. By the time of Emperor Ming of Northern Zhou, he had become the Grand Commandant. When Emperor Wu of Northern Zhou was still in the vassal state, he shared a close relationship with Chang Sun Lan. After Emperor Wu ascended the throne, he especially favored Chang Sun Lan, directly promoting him to General of the Chariots and Cavalry. Whenever officials submitted memorials, Emperor Wu always had Chang Sun Lan review them first. Chang Sun Lan was eloquent, with a loud and powerful voice, and when he read the memorials, all officials would look at him, and Emperor Wu would always praise him. Chang Sun Lan's original name was Chang Sun Shan, but Emperor Wu said, "I entrust you to review all important state matters first," and bestowed upon him the name "Lan." Later, Chang Sun Lan was involved in the downfall of Yuwen Hu, and for his contributions, he was titled Duke of Xueguo. He later served as Minister of Public Works. After helping to pacify the Qi Kingdom, he was promoted to Duke of Xueguo. His second son, Chang Sun Kuan, was granted the title Duke of Guanguo.

During the reign of Emperor Wen of Sui, Changsun Lan was promoted to the positions of Upper Pillar Minister and Grand Minister, and shortly after served as the governor of Tongzhou and Jingzhou. When Emperor Wen of Sui was Prime Minister, Changsun Lan was transferred to be the governor of Yizhou. In the second year of Kaihuang, Emperor Wen of Sui wanted to send troops to Jiangnan and summoned Changsun Lan to serve as the Marshal of the Southeastern Expedition, leading eight generals to march from Shouyang, advancing by land and water. When the army reached the bank of the Yangtze River, the people of the Chen dynasty were very afraid. Coincidentally, Emperor Xuan of Chen passed away, and Changsun Lan wanted to take advantage of the situation to destroy the Chen dynasty, but the military advisor Gao Jiong believed it was not right to take advantage of someone's crisis, so the troops were ordered to return. Emperor Wen of Sui often gathered Changsun Lan, Prince Ande Yang Xiong, Upper Pillar Minister Yuan Xie, Li Chong, Left Supervisor Gao Jiong, Right Guard General Yu Qingze, Governor of Wuzhou He Ruobi, and others to dine together, saying, "During the Zhou dynasty, even though I worked hard, I was always suspected and felt cold in my heart. If even officials are like this, what can I rely on? I consider you like a son. I intend to enjoy my later years alongside you; as long as you don’t commit treason, I won’t pursue other matters. I know you are loyal and trustworthy, so I entrust you to the Crown Prince. You should visit him frequently to gradually get closer. The position of Upper Pillar Minister actually belongs to you; you should understand my meaning." This was how Emperor Wen of Sui favored Changsun Lan. He also arranged for his daughter to marry Prince Yang Xiu of Shu. Later, Changsun Lan resigned from his position due to his mother's passing. Over a year later, he was reinstated. Shortly after, he was transferred to be the governor of Jingzhou, where he achieved success in various roles. In the end, he passed away while in that position. His son, Changsun Hong, later became the governor of Songzhou, Shunzhou, Linzhou, the Minister of Agriculture, and the Prefect of Beiping.

Chizhi Zhongguang, the great-grandson of Wang Zhizhi, the Lord Wen Xuan of Shangdang, was a descendant of his grandfather Yu, who held the position of Grand Minister in the Wei Kingdom and Inspector of Jizhou; and his father Si, who served as the Minister of Works and the Inspector of Xiong and Jiangzhou, and also held the title of Marquis of Pingyuan. Chizhi was smart and good-looking from a young age, well-read, and skilled in martial arts.

At the beginning of the Jiande period, Emperor Wu had a particular admiration for Daoist thought and metaphysics, and liked to appoint those knowledgeable in the classics and adept at debate as scholars in the Tongdao Institute. Chizhi was selected and studied together with many outstanding individuals, expanding his horizons. In the second year of Jiande, he was appointed as the County Magistrate of Cangcheng in Yongzhou, and later transferred to be the Magistrate of Zhoupai County. His performance in these two positions was excellent, which led to his promotion as the County Governor of Xiaojun. He later returned to the court and became a Senior Imperial Officer.

After Gaozu became Prime Minister, he promoted Chizhi to Deputy Chief Clerk in the Prime Minister's Office, bestowing upon him the title of Viscount of Yangping and a fief of two hundred households. He was later promoted to a junior official. In the year of Wang Qian's rebellion, Chizhi accompanied Wang Changshu, the General Manager of Xinzhou, upriver to quell the rebellion. Chizhi commanded the vanguard, defeated one of Wang Qian's armies, brought peace to five states, including Chuzhou and Hezhou, and captured the pretender Yuan Zhen. In recognition of his outstanding achievements, he was appointed Minister of Works.

After the founding emperor ascended the throne, Chi led his subordinates to enter the imperial palace first. That day, he was appointed as an official of the Ministry of Internal Affairs and was also granted the title of Grand Commandant of the Right Division. Shortly after, he also took on the role of Right Scholar of the Eastern Palace, frequently entering and leaving the palace, earning the trust and favor of the emperor. He was praised by the founding emperor for his meticulous attention to detail. Later, he was appointed as the Left Chief Military Advisor and was sent on a mission to the thirty-six provinces of the Southeastern Road to adjust the county setup and inspect local customs and practices. Upon his return, he was appointed as an attendant to the Crown Prince, granted the title of Counselor of State, and also took on the role of the magistrate of Chang'an County. He and Liang Pi, the magistrate of Daxing County, were both considered competent officials. However, Liang Pi was known for his severity, while Chi was known for his generosity and kindness; their governing styles and local atmospheres were different.

Next, Chi served as the Right Supervisor of Changping and later transferred to be the Governor of Yongzhou, with the title of Marquis of Raoliang County. He was then promoted to the Junior Minister of Rites. Several years later, he was promoted to the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court and was granted the title of Grand Commandant of the Right Division once again. He was then appointed as the Grand Inspector of the twenty-eight provinces of Henan Road, and during his inspection, he was appointed as the Deputy Minister of Personnel. In the first year of Daye, he was promoted to the Chief Justice, once again serving as the Grand Inspector of the Southwest Road to inspect local customs. He was later promoted to the Minister of Finance.

When the Tuyuhun invaded Zhangye, the court ordered Chi to lead five thousand elite soldiers to confront the enemy, defeating them and pursuing them all the way to Qinghai before returning. For his achievements in this battle, he was granted the title of Grand Master of Silver and Happiness. In the sixth year of Daye, the emperor went to Jiangdu Palace, leaving Chi as the acting governor of the Eastern Capital, and also appointing him as the General of the Left Guard. That same year, Chi died at the age of sixty-two and was posthumously granted the title "Jing." His son Anshi served as a court official.

Ji Cheng, courtesy name Cheng, was bright and quick-witted, with a bit of book knowledge. He was especially skilled in archery and horseback riding, with agility surpassing ordinary people. During the Zhou Dynasty, which advocated for military might, noble youths showed off their skills to one another, but no one could match him in horseback archery competitions. At the age of eighteen, he became a senior officer in the Imperial Guards. Not well-known at first, it was only after Emperor Gaozu (Yang Jian) saw him that he was astonished and praised him, saying, "Changsun Cheng's martial arts are outstanding. You can learn many clever strategies just by talking to him. Isn't he destined to be a famous general?"

During the reign of Emperor Xuan, the Turkic Khaganate sought a marriage alliance with the Zhou Dynasty, wanting to marry the daughter of the King of Zhao. Both the Zhou Dynasty and the Turkic Khaganate bragged and carefully selected brave and skilled individuals as envoys. Therefore, Changsun Cheng was sent to assist the Duke of Runan, Yuwen Shenqing, in escorting the princess to the Turkic camp. Previous envoys sent by the Zhou Dynasty were mostly disrespected by the Turkic Khaganate, but they held a special fondness for Changsun Cheng, often hunted with him and even kept him around for a whole year. Once, two eagles were fighting over a piece of meat in the air, and the Khaganate gave Changsun Cheng two arrows, saying, "Go shoot them down." Changsun Cheng immediately bent his bow, ran over, and shot both eagles with one arrow while they were distracted. The Khaganate was thrilled and ordered his princes, nobles, and confidants to be close to Changsun Cheng, hoping he would teach them how to shoot. The Khaganate's brother, the Chuluhou Tuli She, was especially popular with the troops but feared by the Khaganate. Therefore, he secretly formed an alliance with Changsun Cheng. When Changsun Cheng and Tuli She hunted together, they secretly observed the Turkic terrain and the strengths and weaknesses of various tribes, getting a good sense of them.

At that time, Gaozu (Yang Jian) was serving as the Chancellor, and Changsun Cheng reported these situations to Gaozu. Gaozu was very happy and promoted him to be the Carriage Attendant Officer. In the year 605 AD, the first year of the Kaihuang era of the Sui Dynasty, Yang Su said to Emperor Wen of Sui, "Our Zhou Dynasty and the Turks are like relatives; now that you have become the emperor of Sui but cannot control them, how will you show your face to Khagan Qaghan in the future?" Therefore, Yang Su and Gao Baoning together seized Linyu Town and teamed up with various tribes to plan a southern invasion. Emperor Wen of Sui, who had just taken the throne, was quite alarmed by this, so he ramped up the construction of the Great Wall, stationed troops on the northern border, appointed Yin Shou to defend Youzhou and Yu Qing to defend Bingzhou, with tens of thousands of troops stationed to fend off any Turk invasions.

Yang Su had long known the uncles and nephews She Tu, Diao Jue, A Bo, and Tu Li, each controlling a different territory and all called khans. They distrusted each other internally but pretended to get along on the surface. While it is difficult to conquer them through force, sowing discord among them is much easier. So Yang Su wrote to Emperor Wen of Sui, saying, "I have heard that when chaos reaches its peak, peace is bound to follow. Heaven will give people a sign, and the sage will accomplish this great task. Your Majesty ascended the throne after a hundred rulers, at a once-in-a-thousand-years opportunity. Although the Central Plains are stable, the border areas are still restless. It is not yet the right time to raise troops for war. If we leave them unchecked, they will inevitably harass us again. Therefore, we should secretly devise a strategy to gradually weaken them. If the strategy fails, the people will be uneasy. If the strategy succeeds, it will benefit generations to come. Success or failure hinges on this one move. I hope Your Majesty will consider it carefully. In the late Zhou Dynasty, I served as an envoy and was very familiar with the situation of the Xiongnu. Diao Jue's military strength is stronger than She Tu's, but their status is lower. They appear to depend on each other, but there are already cracks within. If we can incite their emotions, they will certainly turn on one another. Then there's Chu Luo Hou, She Tu's brother, who is both cunning and weak, yet well-liked by the people. She Tu fears him, and Chu Luo Hou is always uneasy. A Bo is indecisive, stuck in the middle, and fearful of She Tu's manipulation, only allying with the strong without a firm stance. We should make distant friends and close attacks, create divisions among the strong and unite the weak, send envoys to contact Diao Jue, and persuade A Bo. This way, She Tu will return to defend the right wing. Then we should win over Chu Luo Hou and unite the Xi and Xi tribes. This will lead them to distrust one another and sow internal discord, and in a decade or so, we can seize the opportunity to strike and eliminate them in one decisive blow."

Emperor Wen of Sui was very pleased after reading the memorial report, so he summoned Yang Su. Yang Su explained the situation in detail at the time, and drew the mountains and rivers on the table with his hands, depicting the truth and falsehood of the Turks as if he had seen it with his own eyes. Emperor Wen of Sui was very surprised and adopted his suggestion. Therefore, Emperor Wen of Sui sent the Grand Minister of Ceremonies Yuan Hui to set out from Yiwu Road to visit the Turks, presenting them with a wolf head flag (a type of military flag) as a sign of great respect, with great courtesy. The Turks sent envoys to meet Emperor Wen of Sui and brought the envoy from Shetou's tribe. The divisive strategy was successfully implemented, and indeed they became suspicious of each other, causing a rift. Emperor Wen of Sui appointed Yang Su as the General of Chariots and Cavalry, allowing him to set out from Yellow Dragon Road with gifts to reward the Xi, Xi, and Khitan tribes, and letting them serve as guides, finally arriving at Chulouhou's place, where Yang Su engaged in a meaningful discussion with Chulouhou, successfully convincing him to join the Sui Dynasty. The next year, Shetou set out from Lanzhou with four hundred thousand cavalry, arriving at Zhoupan, defeating the army of Da Xi Changru, and intended to continue south. Zhanjue refused to follow him and left with his troops. At this time, Yang Cheng informed Shetou's men that the Tiele had rebelled and were planning to attack their camp. Shetou was frightened and quickly withdrew his troops from the border.

After a few months, the Turks launched a large-scale invasion, and the Sui Dynasty sent out eight marshals to resist. When Abo arrived in Liangzhou, he fought a battle with Dou Rongding, the enemy commander-in-chief, who was defeated and forced to retreat repeatedly. At that time, Yang Sheng was a deputy general. He said to Abo, "Every time Shetu comes to fight, he wins big victories. You, Abo, have just arrived and already suffered a defeat. This is a disgrace for your people. Don't you feel ashamed? Besides, Shetu and Abo have similar military strength, but Shetu keeps winning battles and earning respect, while you, Abo, keep losing battles and bringing shame to the country. Shetu will definitely use this opportunity to shift the blame onto you and achieve his goal of eliminating Beiya. Think about it: can you still hold your ground?" Abo sent envoys to see Yang Sheng, who said to the envoys, "Datu has now allied with the Sui Dynasty, but Shetu cannot control them. Why doesn't the Khan align himself with the Emperor and unite with Datu, so they can become stronger? This is the best strategy! Do you want to lead a defeated army, bear the guilt, surrender to Shetu, and endure his humiliation?" Abo took the advice and remained at the border, sending people to enter the court with Yang Sheng.

At that time, Shetu's and Wei Wang's armies met and fought at Baidao. Shetu was defeated and fled to Qi. Hearing that Abo had second thoughts, he launched a surprise attack on Beiya, captured everyone, and even killed Abo's mother. Having nowhere else to turn, Abo ran to Chuijie and requested an army of over 100,000 to join forces against Shetu, reclaiming their lost territory and gathering tens of thousands of scattered troops to continue fighting Shetu. Abo achieved a series of victories, and his power grew. Shetu sent envoys to pay tribute, and the Turkic princess willingly changed her surname, requesting to be recognized as a princess of the Sui Dynasty, which Emperor Wen of Sui accepted.

In the fourth year, Emperor Wen of Sui sent Yang Cheng to assist Yu Qingze in presenting tribute to the Turks, giving the princess the surname Yang and conferred upon her the title of Princess Dayi. When Yu Qingze received the imperial edict, he refused to rise and express his gratitude, but Yang Cheng said, "Both the Turks and the Sui Dynasty are great nations, both are ruled by emperors. If the Khan does not get up to thank, how dare he disobey the imperial edict? Moreover, the Khan's daughter has become a princess of the Sui Dynasty. You are now a son-in-law of the great Sui; how can you be so rude and disrespectful to your father-in-law?" Yu Qingze smiled and said to his ministers, "Since I have to pay respects to my father-in-law, I will do it!" So he got up to thank the imperial edict. After Yang Cheng returned to the court, he was appreciated by the emperor and was appointed as the Yitong Sanqi and the Left Guard Cavalry General.

Seven years ago, Yu Qingze died, and the emperor sent Cheng with the imperial token to confer the title of Moho Khan to Chuluohou and his son Yonglu as Yehu Khan. When Chuluohou submitted a memorial when Cheng came to the court, he stated, "Apo has already been destroyed by the heavens. Now, the remaining five or six thousand cavalry are hiding in the valleys, waiting for the emperor's orders. We can capture them and bring them before the emperor." So the emperor summoned civil and military officials to discuss this matter.

Yuan Xie of Le'an County said, "Let’s just go and eliminate them; kill the chicken to scare the monkey, as a warning to others!" Li Chong of Wuyang County said, "I think we should capture them alive and execute them publicly, killing one to warn a hundred, so that the people can witness it!" The emperor asked Cheng, "What do you think?" Cheng replied, "If the Turks are indeed fickle and unpredictable, then we must certainly apply strict measures to govern them. But now they are fighting among themselves, and Apo's wrongdoing is not intentionally against our country. They are already very poor, so it may not be wise to capture and execute them at this time. It would be better to allow the two brothers to live." The emperor said, "Okay."

Eight years later, Chuluohou passed away, and the emperor sent Cheng to offer his condolences, bringing treasures from the Kingdom of Chen as gifts for Yonglu.

Thirteen years ago, the exiled Yang Qin made his way to the Turks. He tricked the Turks into believing that Liu Chang, the Prince of Pengcheng from our Great Sui Dynasty, was conspiring with the Yuwen clan's princess to rebel, and claimed to be Liu Chang's secret envoy. King Yonglu of the Turks believed him and stopped paying tribute altogether. Our court then sent Yang Cheng to the Turks as an envoy to investigate the situation discreetly. As a result, Princess Yuwen met with Yang Cheng, was extremely arrogant and disrespectful, and conspired with her Turk lover, An Suiga, to mislead King Yonglu. After returning to the capital, Yang Cheng reported everything to the emperor.

The emperor once again sent Yang Cheng to the Turks to demand Yang Qin. King Yonglu was reluctant to hand over Yang Qin and cleverly argued, "I don't have anyone by that name here!" Yang Cheng then bribed the Turk officials and nobles, discovered Yang Qin's hiding place, secretly captured him at night, and brought him before King Yonglu, exposing the princess's affair, which embarrassed the entire Turkic community. King Yonglu arrested An Suiga and the others, handing them over to Yang Cheng for return to the Great Sui Dynasty. The emperor was delighted and promoted Yang Cheng to a high office, sending him to handle Princess Yuwen. King Yonglu later proposed a marriage alliance with the Great Sui Dynasty. The court officials were all inclined to accept.

But Yang Sheng also reported to the emperor, saying, "Your Majesty, I see that Yonglu Wang is untrustworthy and capricious. He is only aligned with us, the Sui Dynasty, due to his conflicts with Dujue. Marrying the princess to him now will only embolden him, and Dujue and Ranggan will definitely be attacked by him. When he becomes stronger and rebels again, we will have a hard time dealing with him. Moreover, Ranggan is the son of Lord Luo, and our two countries have been friendly for generations. I have previously met Ranggan and sought a marriage alliance. It is better to marry the princess to him, allowing him to migrate south; his forces are few and weak, making him easier to manage. This way, we can use him to restrain Yonglu Wang and defend the border." The emperor said, "Good!" So he sent someone to appease Ranggan and promised to marry the princess to him.

In the seventeenth year, Ranggan sent five hundred cavalry to accompany Yang Sheng to meet the princess. The Sui Dynasty married a royal princess named Anyi to him. Yang Sheng persuaded Ranggan to lead his people to migrate south and settle in the old town of Dunjin. Yonglu Wang was furious and came to plunder several times. Ranggan was always able to anticipate Yonglu Wang's movements and report to the court in time, so he was always prepared.

In the nineteenth year, Ranggan and Sheng rebelled; they made weapons and wanted to attack Datong City. The emperor dispatched six generals to command the troops, and the Han King to lead the army, to march out of the pass to suppress them. Ranggan was filled with dread, and he allied with Datou, together ambushing Sheng and engaging in a fierce battle at the foot of the Great Wall. Ultimately, Ranggan faced defeat; his brothers, sons, and nephews were all killed, and the tribe scattered and fled. Ranggan and Sheng fled south with only five cavalrymen under the cover of night; by daybreak, they had already covered over a hundred miles and gathered a few hundred cavalrymen. They discussed, "Now that we have been defeated, we can only surrender and return to the court. Will the Sui emperor show us mercy? Although Dujue has come to attack us, we have no grievances with him. If we go to seek refuge with him, he will definitely accept us."

Sheng knew that Rangan had ulterior motives, so he secretly sent people to set up an ambush in a remote border town and ordered them to quickly light the beacon fires. When Rangan saw all four beacon fires lit, he asked Sheng, "Why are the beacon fires on the city walls also lit?" Sheng deceived him, saying, "The city is high and far, so we can definitely see the enemy coming from afar. It is our country's rule that if there are few enemies, we light two beacon fires; if there are many, we light three; if they are numerous and approaching, we light four to signal their closeness." Rangan was very scared and told his subordinates, "The pursuers are getting closer, let's retreat to the city!" Upon arriving at the border town, Sheng left Rangan's officials in charge of the army and hurried back to the capital with Rangan on fast horses. The emperor was very pleased and promoted Sheng to the position of General of the Left Xunwei, appointing him as the escort for the envoy to the Turks.

Sheng sent defectors to gather intelligence on Yonglu's situation and learned that disasters were happening in Yonglu's military camp one after another. At night, they saw a red rainbow light illuminating hundreds of miles, a celestial dog falling from the sky, three days of blood rain, and meteors falling in the military camp, sounding like thunder. Yonglu was so scared every night that he couldn't sleep, saying that the Sui army was coming. The defectors reported these situations to Sheng, who then requested to march against the Turks. Dusu and others also defected to Rangan, with more than ten thousand men and women surrendering overall, and Sheng settled them. From then on, the Turks expressed friendship and submission to the Sui Dynasty. Later, the emperor appointed Rangan as the Khan of Yili Zhendouqi and granted him the opportunity to practice archery at Wuan Palace.

The emperor selected twelve skilled archers and divided them into two teams to compete. Qiren said, "I was able to see the emperor today thanks to Grand Ambassador Changsun's efforts. I am willing to join his team for the archery contest." The emperor agreed. The emperor gave Sheng six arrows, and Sheng struck all the deer, leading Qiren's team to victory. At that moment, a group of birds flew by, and the emperor said, "Your archery skills are excellent; help me shoot them down." Sheng shot ten arrows in unison, hitting all the birds, which fell from the sky, arrows still embedded in them. On that day, all the officials received rewards, with Sheng receiving the largest reward. Afterwards, the emperor sent Sheng to lead fifty thousand people to build Dali City in Shuozhou, permitting the Ranggan people to live there. After Princess Anyi passed away, Sheng was ordered to escort Princess Yicheng and married her. Sheng then submitted a memorial saying, "There are many people from the Ranggan tribe who have surrendered. Although they live inside the Great Wall, they are still harassed by the Yonglu. It is difficult for them to travel back and forth, making it difficult for them to establish a stable life. I respectfully request their relocation to Wuyuan, with the Yellow River as a barrier, between Xiacheng and Shengzhou, four hundred miles north and south, digging a horizontal moat for them to live in, allowing them to graze freely and be free from harassment, so that they can settle down." The emperor agreed to his request.

Twenty years later, the Tuyuhun tribe fell into chaos, with their leaders killed by their own subordinates. Li Sheng then submitted a memorial saying, "Our army is now advancing into their territory, winning many battles. The enemy has internal conflicts; their leaders have been killed. Now is an opportune moment for them to surrender; I am confident they will comply." The emperor agreed, and indeed they all surrendered.

Da Tou, another leader of the Tuyuhun tribe, was afraid, so he gathered a large army. The emperor ordered Li Sheng to lead these defeated soldiers, appointing him as the Grand Marshal of the Qin Chuan campaign, and sent him to attack Prince Guang of Jin, another power of the Tuyuhun tribe. Da Tou confronted Prince Guang, and Li Sheng suggested, "The Turks love to drink spring water; it is very easy to poison the water." So they used various drugs to poison the upstream water source. After Da Tou's people and livestock drank it, many died. Da Tou was very panicked and said, "Heaven has poisoned the water; they want to destroy us!" So he fled at night. Li Sheng pursued them, beheading over a thousand, capturing more than a hundred people, and seizing thousands of livestock. Prince Guang was overjoyed, invited Li Sheng into the palace, and hosted a grand banquet to celebrate their victory. At that time, some Turkic officials came to surrender and also attended the banquet. They said the Turks were very afraid of General Changsun; when they mistook the sound for thunder, and when they saw him riding, they thought it was lightning. Prince Guang laughed and said, "General, when you get angry, you are as powerful as thunder and lightning; you are really amazing!" After the war, Li Sheng was appointed as the Upper Left Commandant and then sent back to Dali City to pacify the newly surrendered populace.

In the first year of Renshou, Li Sheng reported, "I climbed the city tower at night and saw a red mist to the north of the desert, stretching for more than a hundred miles, descending from the sky like rain. I carefully consulted military texts; this phenomenon is known as 'blood rain.' A country that experiences such a phenomenon is destined to perish. If we want to eliminate the Xiongnu, now is the time!" The emperor then appointed Yang Su as the marshal and Li Sheng as the envoy for surrender, leading the army in a northern campaign.

In the second year, the army arrived at Beihai and encountered the bandit leader Sili Sijin and his followers who were leading their troops in resistance. Li Cheng and General Liang Mo together defeated them, pursued them for over sixty miles, and many enemies surrendered. Li Cheng then ordered his men to send envoys to persuade the Iron Le and other tribes in the north to surrender. In the third year, over ten tribes, including Iron Le, Sijie, Fuli Ju, Hun, Husa, Aba, and Pugu, all betrayed Datou and requested to surrender. Datou's forces were utterly defeated and fled to Tuyuhun. Li Cheng resettled these surrendered tribes in Qikou. After the matter was completed, he went to the palace to meet the emperor, but unexpectedly, the emperor had passed away. Thus, he chose to keep this matter secret and did not announce it publicly. Emperor Yang summoned Yang Su to the imperial palace and assigned him to oversee the palace guards' duties, promoting him to the rank of Left General that very day. Later, when Yang Liang rebelled, the emperor ordered him to retain his original position as the governor of Xiangzhou, leading troops to Shandong to quell the rebellion alongside Li Xiong and others. Yang Su declined, saying, "My son is currently in the rebels' territory. Being suddenly assigned to this position makes me genuinely uneasy." The emperor said, "I have always known of your loyalty. Xiangzhou is of strategic importance; it was once the capital of the Qi state. The local populace is impulsive and easily stirred up. We need you to suppress them. You are thinking of the country; you cannot abandon your duty because of your son's actions, that's why I've appointed you; please don't decline." He was then dispatched to pacify Xiangzhou. After Yang Liang's defeat, Yang Su was recalled and promoted to Military Guard General.

In the third year of the Daye era, Emperor Yang of Sui went to Yulin to display his military prowess, with a vast army passing through the territory of the Turks and heading straight to Zhuojun. Worried that the Turks might panic, he first sent Yang Su to explain the emperor's intentions and purpose. After hearing Yang Su's explanation, the Turkic leader, Ranggan, summoned the leaders of his various tribes, including dozens from the Xi, Xian, and Shiwei tribes. Seeing the overgrown grass in Ranggan's encampment, Yang Su suggested that Ranggan personally clean it up to set an example for the other tribes and demonstrate his authority. Pointing at the grass in front of the tent, Yang Su said, "This grass smells very fragrant." Ranggan quickly smelled it and said, "It doesn't smell fragrant at all!" Yang Su said, "When the emperor travels, all vassals must personally clean and clear the roads to show the highest respect. Now, your camp is overgrown with grass, which you refer to as fragrant grass." Ranggan then understood and said, "I was mistaken. My people are all bestowed upon me by the emperor, and I dare not refuse to serve the emperor. It's just that the people on the border don't understand the rules, thanks to the general's benevolence and guidance. The general's favor is my fortune." He then drew his sword and personally cleared the grass, and his nobles and people from various tribes followed suit. From Yulin in the north to his camp, and extending east to Jixian, a distance of three thousand li and one hundred steps wide, the entire nation mobilized to clear the imperial road. Upon learning of Yang Su's strategy, the emperor held him in even higher regard. Later, he was appointed Prefect of Huaiyang, but before he could assume office, he was appointed Right Valiant Guard General.

Five years later, Changsun Cheng died at the age of fifty-eight. The emperor was extremely saddened and regretful, bestowing many honors upon him. Later, the Turks surrounded Yanmen Pass, and the emperor sighed, lamenting, "If only Changsun Cheng were still here, the Xiongnu wouldn't be so bold!" Changsun Cheng was highly strategic and driven. He was especially filial, and his grief over his mother's death took such a toll on him that he grew frail, earning the admiration of the court ministers. During the Zhenguan period, he was posthumously honored with the titles of Sikong, Shangzhuguo, and Duke of Qi, with the posthumous title 'Xian'. His youngest son, Changsun Wuji, inherited his titles.

His eldest son, Changsun Xingbu, also inherited his father's intelligence and strategic thinking. He initially worked in Prince Li Liang of Han's warehouse, who was quite fond of him. Later, when Li Liang rebelled in Bingzhou and led his army south to resist the imperial army, he left Changsun Xingbu to defend the city. Changsun Xingbu, along with Dou Lu Yu and others, mounted a defense against Li Liang from within the city, but the city was overrun, and he fell in battle. Changsun Cheng's second son, Changsun Hengan, was appointed to the position of Eagle Rising Langjiang in recognition of his brother's achievements.

The historical records say: The Changsun family originated from Daiyin and later settled in Luoyang, the capital, becoming prominent for generations, like ancestral treasures passed down through generations, vowing to defend the nation's lands. The accomplishments of the eight feudal lords of the Han Dynasty pale in comparison to those of the Changsun family; even the seven generations of the Zhang family cannot match the brilliance of the Changsun family. Changsun Lan was known for his eloquence and talent from a young age; both brothers held positions in the Ministry of Rites and commanded armies, one became a duke and the other a marquis, excelling in both civil and military affairs. Changsun Cheng was brave and skilled in battle, with great strategic insight, capable of adapting his tactics to confront the barbarians. The enemy forces were utterly defeated, falling to their knees in surrender, and the borderlands fell silent, free from the sound of arrows. The Chanyu knelt before him on Wei Bridge, pledging his allegiance. His benevolence benefited the border regions, his accomplishments were remarkable, and he retained his title and salary. Isn't that only to be expected?

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Written by: Realhistories

Category: Book of Sui （隋書）

Published: 10 January 2025

Created: 10 January 2025

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Li An, courtesy name Xuande, was a native of Dizhou in Gansu. His father, Li Wei, served as the governor of three states, Shuozhou, Yanzhou, and Hengzhou, during the Northern Zhou period, and was granted the title of Duke of Xiangwu County. Li An was handsome and skilled in horseback riding and archery. During the Tianhe period of the Northern Zhou dynasty, Li An gave up his commoner status and became the Right Senior Attendant, inheriting his father's title as the Duke of Xiangwu. Not long after, he was promoted to Yitong and Shoushi Senior Attendant. Later, when Gaozu became the prime minister, he summoned Li An to work by his side, promoting him to a high-ranking official position. Gaozu also promoted Li An's younger brother Li Che to Yitong.

Li An's uncle, Li Zhang, who was the governor of Liangzhou at the time, was in the capital city and conspired with the Prince of Zhao of the Northern Zhou dynasty to harm Gaozu, even persuading Li Che to be an insider. Li Che said to Li An, "If we don't speak up about this, we are being disloyal; if we do speak up, we are being unjust. If we lose loyalty and righteousness, how can we stand tall in the world?" Li An replied, "Gaozu is like a father figure to us; how can we betray him?" Thus, Li An discreetly informed Gaozu of the conspiracy. Later, the Prince of Zhao and others were executed, and Gaozu sought to promote Li An and bestow rewards upon him. Li An hurriedly knelt down and thanked him, saying, "My brother and I have done nothing to merit such great rewards. Our whole family is grateful beyond words and doesn't know how to repay you. I never expected my uncle to be so foolish, deceived by bad people, nearly leading to the end of our family line. It's even more painful than eating bitter herbs! You have already saved our entire family, which is an immense kindness. How can I ask for a promotion because of my uncle's actions?" With that, Li An knelt on the ground, crying uncontrollably. Gaozu was moved by his actions and said, "For you, I have spared Li Zhang's life." He then ordered that only Li Zhang be punished, and Gaozu kept the matter under wraps, choosing not to publicize it. Shortly after, Gaozu appointed Li An as Kaifu and bestowed the title of Duke of Zhaojun upon him, while Li Che was promoted to Yitong and titled as a male of Huangtai County.

After Emperor Wen of Sui ascended to the throne, he arranged official positions for the An brothers. The elder brother, An Shi, was first appointed as the Assistant Minister of An, then promoted to the Deputy Left Minister of the Ministry of Works and the Yellow Gate Official. During the war against the Chen dynasty, An Shi was appointed as the deputy of Yang Su and also served as the overall commander, leading the troops from Shu down the river. At that time, the Chen army was camped at Baisha, and An Shi told the generals, "Water warfare is not our forte as northerners. Currently, the Chen army is anchored in a strategic location, surely underestimating us and caught off guard. If we launch a night attack, we can take them down!" Everyone thought his idea was excellent. An Shi led the vanguard and defeated the Chen army.

Emperor Wen of Sui was thrilled and issued a commendation decree, stating, "The Chen rebels thought they were good at water warfare and believed the imperial army wouldn't dare to attack in such risky territory. You led the palace guards and launched a night attack with the navy, defeated the enemy, captured many prisoners, boosted our army's morale, and instilled fear in the enemy. You have completely fulfilled the task entrusted to you by me, and I am very pleased to hear this news!" Subsequently, An Shi was promoted to Grand General and assigned as the Inspector of Yingzhou. In a few days, he was transferred to be the Inspector of Dengzhou. An Shi asked to return to court for a position within the inner circle, but Emperor Wen of Sui valued him greatly and didn't grant his request, instead appointing him as the General of the Left and Right Guards. Not long after, he was promoted to the General of the Right Guards and appointed as the Palace Attendant of the Three Excellencies and the General of Readiness. Both An brothers commanded the Imperial Guards, and the emperor held them in high regard and trusted them deeply.

Eight years later, the Turks invaded the frontier. An's older brother was appointed commander and accompanied Yang Su in his campaign against them. An's older brother took an alternative route and set out from Changchuan, which led to a resounding victory when he encountered the Turks crossing the river. In the first year of the Renshou period, An's older brother was appointed governor of Ningzhou, and An's younger brother was appointed governor of Weizhou. An's son Qiong and An's brother's son Wei grew up in the palace from a young age and were only permitted to return home at around eight or nine years old. This shows just how much the emperor valued them.

Emperor Gaozu once spoke of his time as prime minister, recalling how the Li brothers sacrificed their own kin for the greater good of the nation. He issued a decree saying, "The rules established by our predecessors prioritize righteousness over familial bonds. For the sake of the monarch's great cause, one can sacrifice family ties in order to promote noble character and demonstrate selflessness. The Zhou Dynasty's fate has come to an end, and the mandate of heaven is about to descend upon us. I have just begun to rule; the royal enterprise is still in its infancy, and it is during this chaotic era, with many deceitful characters. The Grand General, the Governor of Ningzhou, and the Duke of Zhaojun, Li An, whose uncle Li Zhang secretly colluded with the clan's power, incited Li An's sons, and plotted evil deeds. Li An and his brother, the Chief Minister of the Imperial Guards, the Governor of Weizhou, and the Lord of Huangtai County, Li Che, were deeply principled and unwaveringly loyal, exposing Li Zhang's conspiracy, which led to the capture of the criminals. I have always admired their loyalty and have been wanting to reward them generously. However, because this matter involves their relatives, I have been hesitant and wanted them to follow the rules of propriety and have a reasonable solution, so I have delayed addressing this until now. Now that I have carefully examined the classics of the sages and consulted history, the dynamics of father-son relationships show that filial piety and loyalty do not always align, let alone the bonds between uncles and nephews are inherently less strong than those between fathers and sons. Etiquette distinguishes between personal feelings and national interests; prioritizing the latter is the rightful path. Their contributions should be acknowledged and they ought to be richly rewarded."

Therefore, the emperor appointed Li An and Li Jie as Dukes, each giving them 5,000 rolls of silk, 100 horses, and 1,000 sheep. He also promoted Li Jie to be the General of the Guard and conferred upon him the title of Duke of Shunyang. Li An said to his relatives, "Although our whole family has been saved, my uncle has suffered as a result. Now that I have accepted this imperial decree, I feel a deep sorrow and guilt, truly overwhelmed by mixed emotions." With that, he began to cry, overcome with grief. He was already suffering from edema, which worsened, and he passed away shortly thereafter at the age of fifty-three. He was posthumously honored with the title Duke Huai, and his son Li Qiong inherited his title. Li An's younger son, Li Xiaogong, became the most renowned. Li Jie, on the other hand, was later dismissed for misconduct and exiled to Lingnan, where he died on the way.

Historical records say that individuals like Yuwen Qing had previously enjoyed a close relationship with Yang Jian; some were old friends, while others had shared a bond of life and death since their youth. Having benefited from the emperor's favor, they rose with the emperor, gaining high positions and generous salaries, ensuring the benefits were passed down to their descendants. Yuwen Huaji grew up in the palace without receiving a proper education. Yang Guang treated him specially, not following the rules. What kind of future could he possibly have? Thinking about Yang An and Yang Jie's lack of respect for Yang Jian, they were killed by Yang Jian, which is seen as "sacrificing family for the greater good," entirely different from the tales we typically hear. Though it's tragic, what can we do?

To put it bluntly, people like Yuwen Qing had close ties with Yang Jian in the past. Some were old friends, while others had built mutual trust over the years, relying on one another. They benefited from Yang Jian's rise to emperor, advancing in rank and wealth together, and attaining high status and power. Their descendants also enjoyed a life of luxury, which made others envious! Yuwen Huaxiong grew up in the palace from a young age, received little education and was particularly spoiled by Yang Guang. With his disregard for rules, what could he possibly achieve? Consider the attitude of the brothers Yang An and Yang Jie towards Yang Jian; they completely disregarded the ruler-subject relationship, and in the end, they were both killed by Yang Jian. This truly exemplifies "sacrificing family for the greater good," completely different from the stories we usually hear. While this incident is indeed tragic, what difference does it really make?

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Written by: Realhistories

Category: Book of Sui （隋書）

Published: 10 January 2025

Created: 10 January 2025

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Pang Huang, style name Yuan Xian, is from Yulin. His father, Pang Qiu, was the Grand General of the Cavalry of the Zhou Dynasty. Pang Huang came from a good family background since he was young. Governor Du Da took a liking to him and appointed him as the provincial governor. After Zhou Taizu took control of Guanzhong, he appointed Pang Huang as the Grand Commander, entrusting him to lead a loyal army and often accompany Taizu. As a result, Pang Huang moved to Guanzhong. Later, he was promoted to the General of the Cavalry and inherited the title of Marquis Biyang.

When Prince Wei, Yu Wen Zhi, was stationed in Xiangzhou, Pang Huang followed him with his original position. Not long after, he and Lord Changhu, Yuan Ding, launched an attack on Jiangnan together and met his end in battle. Several years later, Prince Wei sent Pang Huang's younger brother, General of Chariots and Cavalry, Pang Yuanjun, to bring back 800 pieces of silk to redeem Pang Huang's body. Pang Huang then returned to the court. The court conferred upon him the title of Upper Yitong, rewarded him with 200 pieces of colored silk, and he continued to serve Prince Wei.

When Gaozu was first appointed as the Governor of Suizhou, he passed through Xiangyang, where Prince Wei, Li Huang, came to visit him. Li Huang felt that Gaozu was not an ordinary person and befriended him. Later, when Gaozu retired and returned to the capital, Li Huang welcomed him in Xiangyi. Gaozu was delighted, and Li Huang remarked, "You possess an extraordinary presence and are destined to be remembered in history. When you become emperor in the future, please don't forget me!" Gaozu laughed and said, "What nonsense are you talking about?"

Later, a rooster crowed in the courtyard, and Gaozu asked Li Huang to shoot it, saying, "If you hit it, there will be a reward. When I become wealthy and noble, I will take this as an omen." Li Huang hit the rooster, and Gaozu clapped and laughed, saying, "This is fate; your hitting it signifies that you are in harmony with heaven and earth!" He then gifted him two maids, and their bond grew very close.

During the reign of Emperor Wu, Li Huang was the Governor of Changshan, while Gaozu served as the Commander of Dingzhou. The two of them often interacted with each other. Shortly after, Gaozu was transferred to be the Commander of Bozhou, and he felt quite discontented. Li Huang advised him, "The regions of Yan and Dai are known for their elite troops. If we mobilize the army now, it will be difficult to control the situation." Gaozu held Li Huang's hand and said, "The time isn't right yet." Later, Li Huang was also promoted and became the General of Chariots and Cavalry.

When Gaozu became the Commander of Yangzhou, he requested Li Huang to join him. Later, when Gaozu became the Prime Minister, he promoted Li Huang to the position of Palace Supervisor, demonstrating significant trust in him. After Gaozu ascended the throne, he said to Li Huang, "The tale of shooting the heroic rooster has now come true, hasn't it?" Li Huang thanked him, saying, "Your Majesty, by aligning with the will of heaven, caring for the people, and unifying the world, and remembering what you said before, I am truly delighted!" Gaozu smiled and said, "How could I forget those words you said!"

Furthermore, Gaozu granted Li Huang the title of Palace Supervisor, appointed him as the General of the Right Guard, elevated him to a duke, and bestowed upon him a fief of 1,500 households. When Prince Li Hong of Hejian attacked the Turks, Li Huang accompanied him as the March Commander. They took an alternate route through the Helan Mountains and defeated the enemy, killing over a thousand of them.

Li Huang was known for his strong character. At that time, Prince Li Xiong of Guangping held great power, and Li Huang was consistently confrontational with him. Once, when Li Huang was sleeping in the military camp, Li Xiong came by, but Li Huang did not get up, which fostered resentment in Li Xiong. Li Huang also had conflicts with Gao Feng, and these two often spoke ill of Li Huang in front of the Emperor. Therefore, Li Huang served as a palace guard for over ten years without a promotion. Later, he was sent to serve as the Inspector of Huaizhou, and a few years later, he was promoted to be the Commander of Yuanzhou. During the Reign of Renshou, Li Huang died in office at the age of seventy-two. Gaozu mourned his passing, granting him three hundred bolts of cloth, three hundred shi (a traditional unit of measure for rice) of rice, and posthumously honored him with the title Jing. His son, Li Changshou, also became famous and eventually attained the rank of General of the Agile Cavalry.

Li An, styled Xuande, was from Dadao in Gansu. His father, Li Wei, served as an official in the Northern Zhou dynasty, acting as governor of the three provinces: Shuozhou, Yanzhou, and Hengzhou, and was granted the title of Duke of Xiangwu. Li An was handsome and skilled at horseback riding and archery. During the Tianhe period of the Northern Zhou dynasty, Li An renounced his commoner status to become a senior attendant, inheriting his father's title as Duke of Xiangwu. Not long after, he was promoted to Yitong and Right Senior Master. Later, when Yang Jian became Chancellor, he summoned Li An to serve him and promoted him to a high-ranking official position. Yang Jian also promoted Li An's brother, Li Che, to the position of Yitong. At that time, Li An's uncle, Li Zhang, served as the governor of Liangzhou and conspired with Prince Zhao of Northern Zhou in the capital against Yang Jian, even coercing Li Che into becoming an accomplice.

Li Che told Li An, "If we say nothing, we are disloyal; if we speak up, we are unjust. If we lose loyalty and righteousness, how can we stand in the world?" Li An replied, "Yang Jian is our Chancellor; how can we betray him?" Thus, Li An discreetly informed Yang Jian of the plot. When Prince Zhao and his followers were executed, Yang Jian was about to reward Li An with a promotion, but Li An quickly knelt and said, "My brother and I have done nothing to deserve such promotion. My whole family has strived to repay your kindness, but it will never suffice. I never expected my uncle to be so foolish and be deceived by evil people, almost leading to the extinction of our family. It is more distressing than eating bitter herbs! You have spared our lives, which is already a tremendous blessing. How can I possibly seek a promotion due to my uncle's actions?" With that, Li An collapsed to the ground in tears, overcome with grief.

Yang Jian was touched by his words; his expression shifted, and he said, "For your sake, I have spared your cousin's life." He then ordered punishment solely for Li Zhang, and Yang Jian kept this incident confidential. Later, Yang Jian appointed Li An as a palace official, bestowing upon him the title of Duke of Zhaojun, and promoted Li Che to Yitong and conferred upon him the title of Lord of Huangtai County.

After the founding emperor of the Sui Dynasty ascended the throne, he arranged official positions for the An brothers. The elder An brother was first appointed as the Deputy Minister of the Interior, then promoted to Deputy Minister of the Imperial Secretariat and Chamberlain of the Yellow Gates. In the battle against the Chen Dynasty, he was appointed as the deputy general under Yang Su, also serving as the overall commander, leading the troops from Shu down the river. At that time, the Chen Dynasty's troops were stationed at Baisha. The elder An brother addressed the other generals, saying, "Water battles are not our specialty as northerners. The Chen troops are currently anchored in a strategic location; they are likely underestimating us and are unprepared. If we attack them at night, we can defeat the enemy!" Everyone thought he made sense.

So, the elder An brother led the vanguard troops and soundly defeated the Chen troops. Emperor Wen of Sui was very pleased and issued a decree praising him, stating, "The Chen rebels thought they were skilled in water battles, and in a strategic location, they believed that the official army would not dare to attack easily. You led the imperial guards, launched a night attack with the navy, defeated the enemy, captured many prisoners, greatly boosted the morale of our army, and struck fear into the enemy. You have completely fulfilled the task I assigned to you, and I am very pleased to hear this news!" Afterwards, he was promoted to Grand General and transferred to the post of Governor of Yingzhou. Not long after, he was transferred to the post of Governor of Dengzhou. The elder An brother requested to return to the court for an internal position, but Emperor Wen of Sui valued him greatly and did not agree to his request. Instead, he appointed him as the General of the Left and Right Flanks. Shortly after, he was promoted to General of the Right-Leaning Army and was once again appointed as Palace Attendant of Equal Rank and General of the Guard. Both An brothers were in charge of the Imperial Guards, and the emperor held them in high regard and trusted them deeply.

Eight years later, the Turks invaded the borders. An Shi's elder brother was appointed as the military commander and joined Yang Su in resisting the Turks. An Shi's elder brother took an alternate route, setting out from Changchuan, and unexpectedly encountered the Turkish army crossing the river. They engaged in battle and emerged victorious. In the first year of the Renshou period, An Shi's elder brother became the governor of Ningzhou, and his younger brother became the governor of Weizhou. An Shi's son, Qiong, and An Shi's brother's son, Wei, grew up in the palace since they were little, and it wasn't until they were about eight or nine that they were finally allowed to return home. It can be seen how thoughtful the emperor was in looking after the An brothers.

The Emperor Gaozu once recalled his time as Prime Minister, remembering how the Li An brothers sacrificed their own uncle for the greater good of the country. He issued a decree saying: "The rule set by our ancestors is to resolve personal matters with righteousness, to sacrifice family ties for the sake of the country. This is the principle of loyalty to the monarch, which promotes noble integrity and demonstrates selflessness. The Zhou Dynasty has come to an end, and the mandate of heaven is now with our family. I have just taken office, and the royal business is just beginning, and this chaotic era is rife with treacherous villains. General Li An of Ningzhou and Duke of Zhao County, his uncle Li Zhang conspired to deceive Li An's son, plotting mischief and unrest. Li An and his brother, Li Jie, Governor of Weizhou and Lord of Huangtai County, had a deep understanding of righteousness, were loyal, and exposed Li Zhang's conspiracy, which led to the capture of the criminals. I have always admired their loyalty and have been considering rewarding them generously, but because this matter involves their relatives, I hesitated, hoping they would find a suitable solution within the bounds of propriety. I have been carefully contemplating this for several years. Now, after reviewing the classics and past cases, I have come to realize that sometimes filial piety and loyalty cannot coexist, especially in uncle-nephew relationships. Family ties are less significant than those between a father and son, and putting aside personal feelings for the sake of the country is the right course of action. Their merits deserve commendation, and they should be generously rewarded."

Therefore, the emperor conferred the titles of Grand Generals of the Pillar State upon the brothers Li An and Li Zhen, rewarding them with 5,000 bolts of silk, 100 horses, and 1,000 sheep each. Li Zhen was also promoted to General of the Bodyguard and granted the title of Duke of Shunyang County. Li An told his relatives, "Although our entire family has been saved, my uncle has suffered as a result. Now that I have received the imperial decree, my heart is filled with mixed feelings of guilt and sadness." As he spoke, tears streamed down his face, and he was overwhelmed with grief. He had long been suffering from edema, and his condition worsened, leading to his death at the age of 53. He was posthumously given the title "Huai." His son Li Qiong succeeded his title. Li An's youngest son, Li Xiaogong, was the most renowned. Li Zhen was later removed from his position for misconduct and exiled to Lingnan, where he died of illness on the way.

Historical records state: These people, such as Yuwen Qing, had close relationships with Yang Guang; some were old friends, and some had entrusted their lives to each other in their early years. They benefited from the power and influence of Yang Guang, enjoying wealth and prosperity, rising through the ranks alongside him. They held high positions, enjoyed generous salaries, and they truly enjoyed the envy of others! However, Yuwen Hao grew up in the palace since childhood and did not receive a formal education. Yang Guang favored him greatly, but this favoritism came without discipline, which limited Yuwen Hao's abilities. Who is to blame for this? Think about it: the brothers An and Zhen had no master-servant relationship with Yang Jian (the founder), yet he killed them; this is what one would call "justified extermination of kin"! This is completely different from the stories we have heard. Although we feel sorrow for them, can that change any of the historical facts? "Although there is mourning, what harm does it do to the truth?"