Details

Written by: Realhistories

Category: Book of Sui （隋書）

Published: 10 January 2025

Created: 10 January 2025

Hits: 46

Zhao Yao, courtesy name Xiantong, was from the western part of Tianshui. His grandfather Zhao Chaozong served as the Prefect of Hedong in the Wei Kingdom, and his father Zhao Zhongyi was the Left Chancellor. Zhao Yao lost his father at a young age, but he was especially filial to his mother. When he was fourteen years old, someone secretly went to chop trees at his father's grave. Zhao Yao was so distraught that he captured the tree thief and handed him over to the authorities. Later, when he met Zhou Huida, the Right Supervisor of the Wei Kingdom, he just bowed deeply without kneeling, and then he cried while sharing his childhood misfortunes. Zhou Huida was moved by him and cried and sighed for a long time.

As Zhao Yao grew up, he was composed, showed strong leadership qualities, and was well-read. Emperor Zhou took notice of him and appointed him as a military advisor in the Chancellor's Office. Later, he followed Emperor Zhou to attack Luoyang. When Emperor Zhou returned to the capital after the campaign, Zhao Yao requested to stay behind to reassure those who had surrendered but then rebelled, which Emperor Zhou agreed to. Zhao Yao led his troops against the Qi forces in five battles, killing five magistrates and military commanders, and capturing many prisoners. For his great achievements, he was granted the title of Lord of Pingding County with a fief of three hundred families. He was later promoted to Assistant Minister.

After Min Emperor ascended the throne, Zhao Jue was appointed governor of Shan Prefecture. At that time, a foreign leader rebelled against the Heavenly Sovereign and attacked Xinling and Zigui. With just five hundred men, he launched an unexpected ambush, defeated them, and successfully defended both Xinling and Zigui. During that time, the Zhou Dynasty built Anshu City on the south bank of the Yangtze River to guard against the Chen Kingdom. After days of heavy rain, the city walls collapsed by more than a hundred meters. The tribal leader Zheng Nanxiang betrayed his own people and colluded with the Chen Kingdom's general Wu Mingche to sneak attack Anshu City. Everyone thought they should strengthen the city defenses, but Zhao Jue said, "No need, I have a plan." He sent someone to communicate with the tribal leaders beyond the river, enabling them to attack Zheng Nanxiang's hometown, resulting in the capture of Zheng Nanxiang's parents, wife, and children. Upon hearing this news, Zheng Nanxiang's men scattered, and the Chen Kingdom's army had to retreat.

The following year, Wu Mingche came to harass again, and Zhao Jue led the troops to resist, engaging in sixteen battles and defeating Wu Mingche each time. They also captured three officials from the Chen Kingdom, Qin Jiong, Wang Zuzi, and Wu Lang, and executed one hundred sixty of them. Due to his outstanding military achievements, Zhao Jue was appointed to the position of Privy Seal of the Three Provinces, promoted to the Chief Secretary of Jingzhou, and later transferred back to the imperial court as a senior official in the Ministry of Personnel.

Emperor Hanwu led troops to attack Gong County and Luoyang, wanting to reclaim the territory of Henan. Gao Jue advised him, "Luoyang in Henan is surrounded by enemies on all sides. Even if we capture it, we won't be able to hold it! It would be better for us to advance from the north, directly attack Taiyuan, and capture their stronghold in one move!" The emperor did not listen to him, and as a result, the army returned without any gains.

Later, Gao Zhan followed Shang Zhuguo Yu Yi and led tens of thousands of soldiers to attack the state of Chen via Sanya Road. He captured nineteen cities of Chen in one fell swoop before returning. However, someone spoke ill of him behind his back, and his achievements went unrecognized. In the end, he was only appointed as the Chief Historian of Yizhou Province. Not long after, he was transferred back to the court and became a judge of the Ministry of Heaven, eventually rising to the position of Grand Master of Ceremonies.

Gao Zhan had always had a strained relationship with Zongbo Husi Zheng. Husi Zheng was later sent to Qizhou as a governor. However, Husi Zheng got into trouble and was imprisoned. Realizing the gravity of his situation, he escaped from prison. The emperor was enraged and ordered a manhunt for Husi Zheng. At that moment, Gao Zhan discreetly penned a memorial to the emperor, stating, "Husi Zheng, feeling guilty and fearing execution, escaped. If he doesn't flee to the Xiongnu in the north, he will go to Wuyue in the south. Although this old fool is somewhat simple-minded, he has served as an official before. If he flees to an enemy state, it wouldn't bode well for the court. There's a severe drought currently, so why not grant a general amnesty?" The emperor heeded his advice and declared a general amnesty, thus sparing Husi Zheng from disaster. However, Gao Zhan never revealed his role in this affair.

The Emperor appointed him as the Prime Minister, allowed him to establish his own residence, then appointed him as the head of the Tian Guan Supervisor, and soon promoted him to the rank of Grand Minister of Ceremonies. After the Emperor ascended to the throne, he granted him a seal and official robes, promoted him to Grand General, bestowed upon him the title of Duke of Jincheng County, granted him a fief of 2,500 households, and appointed him as the Governor of Xiangzhou. The court found him to be very knowledgeable and summoned him to be the Right Chancellor of the Secretariat. However, he did not last long in this position, as he fell out of favor with the Emperor and was then sent away as the Governor of Shanzhou, and later transferred to be the Governor of Jizhou, where he gained high prestige and won the hearts of the people. When he fell ill, the common people came to pray for him, showing how beloved he was by the people! Jizhou was a barren land with many unscrupulous merchants in the market, so he made copper measuring tools and iron rulers, which he placed in the market for everyone to use, making it convenient for the people. The Emperor was pleased to hear this and ordered it to be promoted nationwide as the standard for measurements. Once someone stole weeds from his land and was caught by the officials. He said, "This is because I, as the Governor, did not do well in setting a good example. What crime has he committed?" After saying this, he reassured the thief, released him, and even had someone send him a cart of weeds. The thief was so ashamed that he felt worse than if he had been severely punished. He used virtue to influence the people; this was his approach to governance. When the Emperor went to Luoyang, he went to pay his respects. The Emperor praised him, saying, "Jizhou is an important province, the people live in prosperity, and your governance has indeed met my expectations." He passed away in the 19th year of the Kaihuang era at the age of sixty-eight. His son, Zhao Yichen, inherited his title, achieved the position of Imperial Stableman, and later rebelled with Yang Liang, resulting in his death.

Zhao Fen, styled Shi Mao, is from the west side of Tianshui. His father, Zhao Yan, was the Prefect of Qinzhou during the Zhou Dynasty. Zhao Fen was intelligent from a young age and studied numerous classics and historical texts. Emperor Zhou summoned him to the court to serve as a military officer, and he eventually rose to the position of Prefect of Xiongzhou. He was skilled at pacifying surrendered individuals, which earned him an increase in his fief and the title of 'Three Excellencies.' The Chancellor Yuwen Hu summoned him to serve in the central administration, and he later became an official in the Ministry of Personnel. Zhao Fen consistently achieved outstanding results in every role. When Emperor Wu took power, he appointed Zhao Fen as a junior minister and later as the Supervisor of the Imperial Stables. Zhao Fen was knowledgeable in laws and regulations, often providing sound judgments in times of uncertainty. He earned the admiration of all. He later served as the Chief of Staff during the campaign against Qi and was granted the title of Marquis of Huai'an. He was then sent to serve as the Prefect of Xizhou and later as the Duke of Xiaozong in the Eastern Capital, guarding Luoyang.

During the reign of Emperor Wen of Sui as Prime Minister, Wei Jiong and Sima Xiaonan were conducting secretive schemes. Zhao Fen noticed this and secretly informed Emperor Wen. As a result, Emperor Wen trusted him greatly and promoted him to Left Deputy Director of the Eastern Capital, granting him the title of Duke of a County and further elevating his status.

During the Kaihuang era, the official positions in the Eastern Capital were abolished, and Zhao Fen was appointed as the Left Deputy Director of the Ministry of Personnel, responsible for revising laws and regulations with Duke Wang Yi of Ying. He also concurrently served as the Supervisor of the Imperial Stables, demonstrating the Emperor's profound trust in him. After a few years, due to his advancing age and deteriorating health, he retired to his hometown and was appointed as the Prefect of Puzhou, while also holding the title of Golden Purple Grand Master, overseeing the grain transport in the eastern region. The Emperor rewarded him with one million coins and five thousand stones of grain, enabling him to enjoy a comfortable retirement.

After a few years, he requested retirement again, and the emperor summoned him back to the capital, rewarding him with two horses, a carriage, and various daily necessities like walking sticks and bedding, allowing him to return home comfortably. The crown prince also gave him a magnificent piece of clothing. After a few more years, he passed away. The emperor sent people to mourn him and assigned officials from the Honglu Temple to handle his funeral, showing the emperor's high regard for him.

His son Yuan Ke inherited his position and became the Governor of Yangzhou, later being transferred to the somewhat lower position of Chief of the Imperial Guards. He also had a son named Yuan Kai, who, like his brother Yuan Ke, was quite capable and intelligent. During the reign of Emperor Yang of the Sui Dynasty, Yuan Kai became the magistrate of Liyang County and, together with Xu Zhongzong, the magistrate of Lujiang County, collected goods from the common people as tribute for the emperor. Xu Zhongzong later rose to become the magistrate of Nan County, while Yuan Kai was directly promoted to the magistrate of Jiangdu County, also serving as the palace steward, steadily rising in rank.

Yang Shangxi, from Hongnong, had a grandfather named Yang Zhen, who was the governor of Wei State, in charge of the Tianshui region. His father, Yang Chengbin, served as the governor of three states: Shangzhou, Zhizhou, and Xizhou, holding significant official positions. Yang Shangxi lost his father young and became an orphan.

At the age of eleven, he told his mother that he wanted to study in Chang'an. Upon arrival in Chang'an, Lu Bian, a man from Zhuojun, immediately recognized his potential and allowed him to enter the Taixue. Yang Shangxi studied diligently, earning the admiration of his classmates for his hard work. During a sacrificial event at the Taixue attended by Emperor Taizu of Northern Zhou, Yang Shangxi, at eighteen years old, was asked by the emperor to explain the "Classic of Filial Piety," which he did exceptionally well, demonstrating remarkable insight. Emperor Taizu admired him greatly, not only granting him the surname of "Pu Luru" but also appointing him as a National Scholar. Over time, he continued to rise in rank and served as a court official.

During the reigns of Emperor Ming and Emperor Wu of the Northern Zhou Dynasty, he successively served as Doctor of the Imperial Academy, Palace Minister of the Crown Prince, and Chief Minister of the Ministry of Revenue. He was also granted the title of Marquis of Gaoduxian County, and later became the Chief Officer of the Eastern Capital's Administration. His official rank kept rising. After Emperor Xuan ascended the throne, the Emperor sent Yang Shangxi to Shandong and Hebei to pacify the people. However, when they reached Xiangzhou, the Emperor suddenly passed away. Yang Shangxi confided to those around him, "Wei Jiong's tears are fake, his demeanor is not right; he must have ulterior motives. If I don’t leave, I’m definitely in trouble." So, in the middle of the night, he quietly took a back road and made his escape. It wasn't until dawn that Wei Jiong discovered Yang Shangxi had fled, and he quickly sent a dozen cavalrymen to chase along the official road, but they were unable to catch him. Yang Shangxi successfully returned to the capital. Emperor Gaozu held Yang Shangxi in high regard for being a member of the imperial family and for risking his life to escape from Wei Jiong. After Wei Jiong stationed his troops in Wuzhi, Emperor Gaozu sent Yang Shangxi to guard Tongguan with three thousand soldiers from the imperial family. Before long, Yang Shangxi was promoted once more, taking on the role of Chief Officer of the Ministry of Works.

Emperor Gaozu appointed Shang Xi to an official position, initially appointed as the Minister of Revenue, and subsequently promoted to Duke. Over a year later, he was assigned to Henan Province as the Minister of War, and was also given the title of Silver and Green Grand Chancellor. Shang Xi felt that there were too many provinces and counties in the country at that time, so he submitted a memorial to the Emperor saying: "Since the unification of the country by the Qin Dynasty, the feudal states were abolished, and counties were established. The Han, Wei, and Jin Dynasties all made changes to the provinces and counties. I believe, in my humble opinion, that the number of counties now exceeds twice that of ancient times, with some regions smaller than a hundred miles in size having multiple counties; some counties with fewer than a thousand people are jointly administered by two provinces. There are too many officials, spending more and more money; the number of officials and soldiers is rising, while taxes continue to decline each year. Truly honest and competent talents are hard to find, and it takes tens of thousands of people to handle things. Where can so many people be found? This illustrates the saying, 'few people and many officials, like ten sheep with only one shepherd'! The ancient zither has the principle of 'geng zhang', while the se cannot 'stick to the old ways'. It is essential to eliminate some redundant institutions, merging smaller ones into larger ones, to prevent waste of food and textiles, and it will be easier to select talents. I dare to express my opinion; please make a decision, Your Majesty." After reviewing the memorial, the Emperor greatly appreciated his suggestions and therefore ordered the abolition of many counties nationwide.

Next, Shang Xi was appointed governor of Yingzhou. Before he could take office, he was ordered to inspect the Huainan region. Upon his return, he was appointed Minister of War. Not long after, he was promoted to Minister of Rites and was granted the position of Senior Official. Shang Xi was kind and knowledgeable, highly respected, and deeply valued by the court. The emperor held court every morning, managing numerous affairs and working very hard. Shang Xi advised him, "King Wen of Zhou shortened his life due to excessive labor, while King Wu of Zhou lived long due to ease and enjoyment. I hope Your Majesty can focus on the bigger picture and delegate responsibilities to the prime ministers, as trivial matters shouldn't be handled personally by the ruler." The emperor happily replied, "You truly have my best interests at heart!" Shang Xi had a foot ailment, and the emperor told him, "Puzhou is known for its fine wine, which is great for recovery. Go to Puzhou as governor to take care of your health." Thus, Shang Xi was appointed governor of Puzhou, while also serving as the local garrison commander. During his tenure in Puzhou, Shang Xi made significant achievements in governance. He even dug irrigation canals, built embankments, and reclaimed thousands of acres of rice fields, benefiting the people. In the tenth year of the Kaihuang reign, Shang Xi passed away at the age of fifty-seven and was posthumously honored with the title "Ping." His son, Shang Min, inherited his title and was later elevated to Duke of Danshui County, eventually holding the position of Governor of Anding Commandery.

Chang Sun Ping, styled Chujun, was from Luoyang, Henan. His father, Chang Sun Jian, was a senior general of the Northern Zhou dynasty and held a high position. Chang Sun Ping was handsome, capable, and well-read. He initially served as the attendant reader to Prince Wei (Yuwen Zhi) in Northern Zhou, equivalent to being a tutor to the prince. At that time, Emperor Wu of Northern Zhou was pressured by Yuwen Hu and sought to eliminate him alongside Prince Wei, often sending Chang Sun Ping to discuss this with the emperor. After Yuwen Hu's death, Chang Sun Ping was promoted to Director of the Palace and Director of Music.

After Emperor Xuan ascended the throne, the court established some government offices in the eastern capital (Luoyang), appointing Changsun Ping as the Junior Minister of Justice, and together with Zhao Fen, managed the affairs of the six ministries. Before Emperor Yang Jian became emperor, he had a particularly good relationship with Changsun Ping. Later, when Yang Jian became chancellor, he favored Changsun Ping even more.

Later, Wei Jiong, Wang Qian, and Sima Xiaonan all rebelled, and Yang Jian was deeply concerned about the situation in Huainan. At that time, He Ruobi was stationed in Shouyang. Yang Jian was afraid that He Ruobi would also rebel, so he quickly sent Changsun Ping to Shouyang to replace He Ruobi. As feared, He Ruobi did not comply, so Changsun Ping directly commanded the soldiers to arrest He Ruobi and bring him back to the capital.

In the third year of the Kaihuang era, Changsun Ping was promoted to the Minister of Finance, in charge of finances. He found that there were frequent floods and droughts across the country, and the common people were facing food shortages. He suggested that every autumn, the common people should set aside some grain, varying in amount depending on their wealth, stored in the villages for use in case of famine in the future. These grain storehouses were called "public granaries." He wrote: "I understand that the state regards the common people as its foundation, and the common people consider eating as the root of life. Therefore, emperors of all generations have attached importance to agricultural production and encouraged everyone to store more grain. In ancient times, they emphasized three years of farming and leaving one year of grain; nine years of farming and leaving three years of grain. Even in the event of floods and droughts, the common people would not go hungry because rulers valued agriculture and made preparations in advance. Last year, due to severe drought, many people in the Guanzhong region starved to death. Your Majesty transported grain from Shandong and established the Changping granary to provide relief to the disaster victims. Your Majesty's generosity is truly profound! However, governing the country demands long-term consideration, so I suggest ordering the governors and county magistrates of each province to prioritize advising the common people to engage in farming and grain storage as their main task." The emperor greatly appreciated his suggestion and adopted his advice. Since then, there have been abundant harvests across the country, and the common people have reaped significant benefits from it.

After a few years, he was promoted to the position of Minister of Construction and did a pretty good job. At this time, someone accused General Bing Shao of slandering the court by claiming it was incompetent. The emperor was furious and wanted him dead. Ping quickly remonstrated, saying, "The river can accommodate mud, which is why it becomes deep and wide; mountains can contain diseases, which is why they become tall and majestic. I hope Your Majesty can be as tolerant as the mountains and the sea, showing great character. There is a saying: 'If you’re not a little foolish or deaf, you’re not cut out to be a leader.' Even though it’s a simple saying, it holds a lot of truth. Bing Shao's words shouldn't have been brought up at all; if you go ahead and kill him, I worry that people in the future will think you’ve damaged your wise reputation." After hearing this, the emperor pardoned Bing Shao. He also told the officials not to bring him any more slanderous reports.

Later, the Turkic Khans, Datou Khan and Dulan Khan, fought each other, and both sent envoys to request the court to appoint them as officials. The emperor sent Ping as an envoy to persuade them to make peace, rewarding them with three hundred pieces of high-quality silk and a good horse. Ping arrived in the Turkic lands, explained the pros and cons to them, and as a result, they both stopped fighting. The Khan gifted him two hundred horses. When Ping returned, he presented all the horses to the emperor, who rewarded him in turn. Not long after, he was demoted and appointed as a Shangshu to manage affairs in Bianzhou. Over a year later, he was promoted to the post of Governor of Bianzhou. He later served as Governors of Xuzhou and Beizhou, making significant achievements in these regions. The customs in Yedou were difficult to govern, and previous governors were mostly incompetent. Because of Ping's good governance in various places, the court transferred him to Xiangzhou as Governor. He also performed well in Xiangzhou and had a good reputation. After a few years in Xiangzhou, during the Lantern Festival, the people put on a large performance, dressing in costumes resembling armor, which angered the emperor, resulting in his dismissal. Not long after, the emperor remembered his achievements during his time in Huainan and promoted him to Grand General, appointing him as Taichang Qing and acting Minister of Personnel. He died during the Renshou era and was posthumously honored as "Kang." His son, Shixiao, was frivolous, deceitful, greedy, and corrupt, committing numerous offenses. Due to his father's merits, the emperor sent condolences. Shixiao later became the registrar of Bohai County during the Daye era, a time of court corruption and social turmoil. Shixiao acted recklessly, engaging in corruption, causing immense suffering among the county's residents. Eventually, he met his end at the hands of Wang Shichong.

Yuanhui, courtesy name Shuiping, was from Luoyang, Henan. His grandfather, Yuan Chen, served as the provincial governor of Hengzhou and Shuozhou during the Northern Wei dynasty. His father, Yuan Yi, held a high position as the Minister of Personnel. Yuanhui was handsome, graceful, and a keen learner, having read many books. He gained fame in the capital at a young age, catching the eye of Emperor Taizu of Northern Zhou, who invited him to join his sons in play and study, forming a close relationship.

Around the age of twenty, Yuanhui was summoned to the imperial court to serve as a military officer, quickly rising in rank to become a junior official. During that time, the Turks were frequently at war, and the court wanted to establish a diplomatic relationship with them, so Yuanhui was sent as an envoy with ten thousand pieces of silk to the Turks. Yuanhui reasoned with the Khan of the Turks and presented him with many gifts, which greatly pleased the Khan, who then sent his own prince with gifts. Subsequently, Yuanhui was promoted to the rank of Yitong Sansi. During the reign of Emperor Bao of Northern Zhou, the powerful minister Yuwen Hu appointed him as his chief historian. When the Kingdom of Qi sought an alliance with Northern Zhou, Yuanhui, known for his eloquence, was sent as an envoy alongside Cui Mu. He was later promoted to the rank of Zhenwei Zhong Dafu. When Emperor Wu of Northern Zhou married a Turkic princess, Yuanhui was dispatched to welcome her. He was later appointed as a palace attendant, then as a chief censor. After restoring order to the eastern regions, the court sent Yuanhui to pacify the people in Hebei, granting him the title of 'Yiningzi' and four hundred households as his fief.

During the reign of Emperor Yang Jian of the Sui Dynasty, Yuan Hui was promoted to the position of Grand Chancellor and was also granted the title of Duke. During the Kaihuang period of the Sui Dynasty, he was appointed as the Minister of the Interior and also served as the Grand Minister of Construction. He submitted a memorial to the court, suggesting the construction of water conservancy projects to irrigate the saline-alkali fields with the water of the Du Yang River, turning thousands of hectares of barren land into fertile fields, benefiting the common people. The following year, he was promoted to the position of General of the Left Guards, while retaining his position as Grand Minister of Construction. Shortly after, he was promoted to Minister of Military Affairs, responsible for overseeing the canal system's construction. However, he was later dismissed due to unspecified reasons. After a period of time, he was appointed as the Governor of Weizhou, where he did many good deeds and was held in high regard by the locals. After serving as the Governor of Weizhou for several years, he resigned from his position due to illness. Over a year later, he passed away in the capital city at the age of sixty. Emperor Wen of Sui was very saddened by his death and appointed officials from the Honglu Temple to handle his funeral, posthumously bestowing upon him the title "Yuan." His son, Yuan Su, inherited his title and later became the Chief of the Palace Attendants. Yuan Su's younger brother, Yuan Renqi, was intelligent and capable, and became the Magistrate of Jinan County.

Wei Shi, styled Gongying, was from Duling, a district in Chang'an. His father, Wei Zhen, was the Grand General of the Northern Zhou Dynasty. Wei Shi was known for his calm demeanor and maturity from a young age, with a kind heart. When he first started studying, he exclaimed as he read the Classic of Filial Piety, "Perhaps the highest realm of moral teachings lies here!" When he was young, his parents passed away one after another, and he devoted himself wholeheartedly during the mourning period, earning the villagers' praise for his filial piety. As he matured, he explored the classics and historical texts, excelling particularly in horseback riding and archery.

During the Northern Zhou dynasty, Grand Chancellor Yúwén Hù recognized his talent and brought him into the Ministry of Central Affairs as a clerk, later promoting him to a military aide. Wèi Shī had a deep understanding of the customs and geography of various ethnic groups, and whenever a minority group came to pay tribute, he personally received them, discussing their customs with the clarity of someone looking at their own palm. Members of minority groups were all amazed by him and dared not hide anything. Later, when Prince Qí Yúwén Xiàn was appointed as the Governor of Yōng Province, he recruited him as a registrar while keeping his previous position. When Emperor Wǔ personally took control, Wèi Shī was promoted to Grand Minister of Palace Supplies. After subduing the Gāo clan, the court sent him to Shāndōng to pacify the people, and he was appointed as a Grand Master of the Ministry of State Affairs.

After Emperor Gāozǔ of the Sui dynasty ascended the throne, he appointed Wèi Shī as the Deputy Director of the Ministry of Rites, ennobling him as the Marquis of Jǐngxíng with a fief of five hundred households. A few years later, he was promoted to Minister of War in Héběi Province, and the court also appointed him as the Grand Ambassador for the eighteen prefectures of Shāndōng and Hénán. He managed affairs in line with Emperor Gāozǔ's wishes, and the emperor rewarded him with three hundred thousand taels of silver, and appointed him as the Marshal for Prince Jìn, Yáng Guǎng. His kinsman Wèi Shìkāng was the Minister of Personnel at the time, and he and Wèi Shī had a longstanding rivalry. At that time, Prince Jìn, Yáng Guǎng, had great power as the Governor of Yōng Province, appointing Yáng Xióng as Minister of Works, Gāo Fēng as Chief Clerk of the Left, and Wèi Shī as registrar. Wèi Shìyuē, Wèi Shìkāng's younger brother, served under Wèi Shī as a legal officer. Wèi Shìkāng was very angry about this, lost his appetite, and felt humiliated because his brother was working under Wèi Shī. He called Wèi Shìyuē and berated him severely: "Why did you choose to work under him?" He then physically punished Wèi Shìyuē.

Later, Emperor Wen of Sui went to Liquan Palace and summoned Wei Shi, Left Chancellor Gao Qing, Han Qinhu, and others to host a banquet and invite them to share stories from the past for entertainment. During the war to pacify the Chen Dynasty, Wei Shi served as the Marshal's aide in an official capacity, managing the treasury of the Chen Dynasty with integrity and without any corruption, earning widespread praise for his uprightness. Later, Emperor Wen of Sui gave his daughter in marriage to Prince Changning, Yang Yan, and Wei Shi was appointed as the Governor of Bianzhou, where he made significant political achievements. He eventually passed away in office and was posthumously honored with the title "Ding." His son, Wei Dezhen, later became an official during the Daye era of Emperor Yang of Sui.

Yang Yi, courtesy name 'Wenshu,' was from Huayin, Hongnong. His grandfather, Yang Jun, served as the Minister of Works in the Wei state, while his father, Yang Jian, was a Palace Attendant. Yang Yi was handsome, calm in demeanor, and possessed strong leadership skills. He started studying from a young age, memorizing thousands of characters daily, impressing everyone with his talents. When he was nine years old, his father passed away, causing him profound grief that nearly cost him his life. Once the mourning period was over, he turned down all celebrations and condolences, preferring to stay home and focus on his studies. Over the years, he immersed himself in a wide range of books.

During the reign of Emperor Zhou Min, Yang Yi was appointed as the Prefect of Ningdu, achieving remarkable political accomplishments and gaining a stellar reputation for his outstanding governance. The court also granted him the title of Duke of Changle. Later, due to his numerous military achievements, he was promoted to marquis. When Gaozu became the Chancellor, he sent Yang Yi to work in Jizhou. After Gaozu ascended to the throne, Yang Yi was appointed as the Assistant Minister of the Imperial Clan and was also granted the title of Kaifu. "The Prince of Shu, Xiuzhi, was governing Yizhou, and the court recognized him for his integrity, appointing him as the Chief Secretary of Yizhou, granting him twenty thousand coins, three hundred pieces of silk, and fifty horses before sending him off." Later, he was promoted to Minister of War for the Southwest. Several years later, he returned to his position as Assistant Minister of the Imperial Clan. Not long after, he was promoted to the Minister of Justice. Over a year later, he was appointed as the Prefect of Wuzhou, where he achieved outstanding political accomplishments and gained a stellar reputation. At that time, Prince Jin Guang was stationed in Yangzhou, and the court mandated that Yang Yi visit Prince Jin annually to discuss political matters and remind each other of their shortcomings. Several years later, Yang Yi passed away at the age of sixty-two. He was survived by his son, Yang Qianxun.

Su Xiaoci was from Fufeng. His father, Su Wuzhou, served as the Inspector of Yanzhou during the Zhou Dynasty. Su Xiaoci was calm and prudent from a young age, very capable, and also handsome. In the early Zhou Dynasty, he served as a Senior Court Attendant. Later, he was appointed as a Commander and sent on a mission to the State of Qi. For his exemplary performance in the mission, he was promoted to Grand Commander. In the same year, he was sent on another mission to the State of Qi, and upon his return, he was appointed as a Senior Officer of Public Affairs. Later, he followed Emperor Wu in the campaign against the State of Qi, and due to his military achievements, he was granted the title of Kaifu and named Duke of Wen'an County, with a fief of fifteen hundred households. Shortly after, he was re-titled as the Duke of Linshui County, with his fief increased to twenty-seven hundred households. He was subsequently promoted multiple times, eventually becoming a Senior Official of the Ministry of Works.

After the abdication of the founding emperor, he was appointed as the Duke of Anping and later became the Minister of Works. At that time, the Sui Dynasty had just been founded, and there was much to accomplish. Skilled craftsmen from all over the country were summoned, and various skilled techniques were brought together. Xiaoci coordinated these efforts, and everyone thought he did a great job. Not long after, he was promoted to Grand Minister of Agriculture, and over a year later, he was appointed as the Minister of War, with increasingly favorable conditions. At that time, the Crown Prince Yong also had a good understanding of political affairs, and the emperor sought to elevate the status of court officials, so many ministers were appointed to important positions in the court. Therefore, Xiaoci was appointed as the Right Commander of the Crown Prince's Guard, while retaining the position of Minister of War.

The following year, the emperor established a granary in Shan Prefecture to transport grain to the capital. Due to the sandy conditions and fluctuating water levels of the Wei River, transportation was very difficult. Therefore, the emperor decided to dig a canal from the Wei River to the Yellow River and entrusted Xiaoci with overseeing this project. When the canal was successfully built, the emperor was greatly pleased. He was subsequently appointed as the Chief Scholar to the Crown Prince and later promoted to Commander of the Left Guard, while also holding the positions of Minister of Works and Minister of Civil Affairs, holding significant power and responsibility.

Several years later, he was promoted to Grand General and continued to serve as Minister of Works while retaining his other positions. Previously, due to insufficient funding for officials, government offices at all levels established "office funds" to subsidize their budgets through interest collection. Xiaoci believed that this practice caused officials and the people to compete for benefits, which undermined social stability. He therefore submitted a memorial requesting the cancellation of this practice and suggested distributing different grades of official fields to court officials. The emperor highly valued his suggestion and implemented it.

In the eighteenth year of the Kaihuang reign, the emperor wanted to depose the Crown Prince but was worried about the Crown Prince's considerable influence in the Eastern Palace, so he appointed him as governor of Xizhou. The Crown Prince was clearly displeased by Xiaoci's departure. This illustrates the high regard in which the emperor held Xiaoci at that time.

During the Renshou period, he was transferred to Hongzhou to serve as the governor, where he also did a lot of good deeds. Later, the Ranmang Qiang people in Guilin gathered to revolt, and the emperor appointed Xiaoci as the military commander to suppress the rebellion. In the same year, he died in office. He had a son named Huichang.

Sha Luo, styled Zicui; his father was the governor of Meizhou during the Zhou Dynasty. Sha Luo served as an official in the Zhou Dynasty, beginning his career as a commander. Later, he followed Wei Xiaokuan to defeat Yu Jiong, earned merit, and was appointed as the Chief of the Palace Attendants, and also granted the title of Duke of Tongqin County. During the Sui Dynasty's Kaihuang period, Prince Yang Xiu was stationed in Yizhou, and Sha Luo followed him, later being appointed as the deputy governor of Zizhou.

Eight years later, the Ranmang Qiang people revolted, attacking Wenshan and Jinchuan. Sha Luo led his troops to defeat them and was subsequently promoted to governor of Qiongzhou. After a few years, he was appointed as the deputy governor of Lizhou. Later, he followed Shi Wansui to fight against the Western Cuans, fought many battles, earned many merits, was promoted to Grand General, and was rewarded with many gifts. Shortly after, he was appointed as the chief aide to the governor of Yizhou.

At this time, the Yue Xi people, led by Wang Feng, rebelled, and Sha Luo, along with Duan Wenzhen, suppressed the rebellion, and the court rewarded him with one hundred slaves. However, later, Prince Yang Xiu was deposed, and someone accused Sha Luo of saying, "Wang Feng was killed by his slaves, but Yang Xiu pretended that it was done by his subordinates. He also mobilized the Shulao to release the slaves, but Sha Luo concealed this and failed to report it." Because of this incident, Sha Luo was dismissed from office and ultimately died at home. He had a son named Kang.

Li Xiong, courtesy name Pilu, was from Gaoyi, Zhao Prefecture. His grandfather was the Grand Minister of State in the Wei Dynasty, and his father was the Inspector of Shanzhou during the Qi Dynasty. After the Qi Dynasty was overthrown by the Zhou Dynasty, Li Xiong followed the army to Chang'an. Li Xiong was ambitious and full of aspirations from a young age. Although his family had been scholars for generations, he had a passion for horseback riding and archery. His nephew advised him, "A scholar shouldn't just give up studying to pursue martial arts!" Li Xiong replied, "In my view, loyal subjects throughout history who want to make their mark in the court need to master both literature and martial skills. Although I may be dull, I have read some historical texts. I just don't limit myself to rigid rules. What is there to worry about when I can both study and practice martial arts?" His nephew was speechless. Under Emperor Taizu of the Zhou Dynasty, he was appointed as the Assistant General. He followed Daxi Wuping to pacify Hanzhong, stabilize Xingzhou, and then went to suppress the rebellion of the Hu people in Fenzhou. Due to these achievements, he was appointed as the Grand General of the Cavalry and was granted the position of the Three Excellencies. Later, during the reign of Emperor Min, he was ennobled as a duke and transferred to work in the Ministry of the Interior. Later, he followed Daxi Wuping to fight against the people of Qi at Mangshan, where his troops were the only ones to emerge unscathed. When Emperor Wu came to power, he accompanied Prince Chen to meet the Empress from the Turks and was granted the title of baron, being appointed as the Governor of Xiazhou. After a few years, he was summoned back to the court and appointed as the Grand Minister of the local government. Shortly after, he was sent to Liangzhou as the Chief Steward. He defeated the Tuyuhun alongside Prince Tengyou in Qinghai and was promoted to the rank of the Three Excellencies. After Emperor Xuan ascended the throne, he followed the Military Commander Wei Xiaokuan to pacify the Huainan region. Arriving at Heshi with just a few hundred light cavalry, he successfully persuaded over ten cities to surrender and was appointed as the Governor of Haozhou.

After Gaozu took control of the imperial power, he summoned him back to the court and appointed him as a Grand Master of Ceremonies. Due to his achievements in Huainan, his official position was once again raised, and he was bestowed the title of Shang Kaifu. After Gaozu became emperor, he was appointed as the Minister of Rites, promoted to Duke of Gaodu, and granted a fief of two thousand households. Several years later, Prince Jin Guang was sent to guard Bingzhou, and he was appointed as the Minister of War in Hebei Province. Gaozu said to him, "My son is still young and inexperienced. You are both civil and military talents. I entrust you with all major matters so that I need not worry about the north." He bowed and thanked him, saying, "Your Majesty, you do not disdain my lack of ability and have entrusted me with important tasks. Although I am foolish, I am not heartless. I will definitely do my best to repay your grace." As he spoke, he broke down in tears, and the emperor comforted him before letting him leave. He was upright and serious in his position, unyielding, and Prince Jin respected him greatly, while the people praised him. Over a year later, he passed away, and his son Gong Ting inherited his title.

Zhang Zhuan, styled Shihong, was a native of Cangzhou, Hebei Province (also known as Hejian Mo). His father, Zhang Xian, was particularly fond of learning when he was young and had a wide range of knowledge. Later, he became the General Who Pacifies Rebellions in the Wei Kingdom. He followed Emperor Wu of Wei into Guanzhong, rose through the ranks, and eventually became a Gentleman of the Palace Attendants. Later, Emperor Taizu of Northern Zhou valued his talents and appointed him as a Gentleman of the Palace Attendants, also granting him the surname of Chiluo. He later served as a Grand Master of Ceremonies, the magistrate of Yongzhou, the governor of Yongzhou, the equivalent of the Three Excellencies, and was bestowed the title of Duke of Yuxiang County. He continued to rise in official rank. Later, he returned to the court and served as a Grand Master of Ceremonies, responsible for compiling national history. At that time, most of the high-ranking officials in the Zhou Dynasty were former military commanders, but Zhang Xian was highly valued for his solid scholarship, which was truly exceptional. As he grew older, he retired to his hometown.

When Emperor Yang Jian of the Sui Dynasty became emperor, he greatly respected the virtues and reputation of Zhang Xian and specially wrote a letter inviting him to serve as an official. The letter stated: "I have just ascended to the throne and am considering how to govern the country. You are a venerable elder of great virtue. I have long thought of you. You have made great contributions during the Zhou Dynasty. Though you are retired, you are still vigorous and should come forth to assist me." After Zhang Xian went to meet Emperor Yang Jian, the emperor ordered him to be exempt from the kneeling ritual, personally helped him up to the hall, descended from the dragon throne to take his hand, and invited him to sit beside him, where they conversed and shared a meal for an extended time. The emperor rewarded him with a cane and a seat. Later, when the capital was moved to Luoyang (modern-day Xi'an, Shaanxi), Zhang Xian advised the emperor to be frugal, and the emperor wrote him a warm and enthusiastic reply. Shortly thereafter, Zhang Xian passed away at the age of eighty-four. He was posthumously appointed as the Governor of Cangzhou and posthumously honored as "Ding." He also wrote commentaries on Laozi and Zhuangzi, titled "Dao Yan," totaling fifty-two chapters.

Mr. Jiong had a passion for learning from a young age and fully inherited the excellent qualities of his father. He served as an official in the Wei Dynasty, beginning his career as a low-ranking official and eventually rising to the position of minister. Emperor Zhou Taizu valued his talents and transferred him to the military department. Later, during the reign of Emperor Min, Mr. Jiong was promoted to the position of General. During the reigns of Emperor Ming and Emperor Wu of the Sui Dynasty, he held important positions such as Grand Master of the Palace Kitchen and Minister of Works, and was granted the title of Viscount of Beiping County, with a fief of four hundred households. During Emperor Xuan's reign, he was further ennobled as a Junior Grandee, and his title was elevated to Count.

After Gaozu became Chancellor, Jiong took the initiative to establish a good relationship with him. Gaozu also thought highly of his abilities and valued him greatly. After Gaozu became Emperor, he appointed him as the Right Chancellor and his title was elevated to Marquis. Not long after, he was promoted to the position of Junior Minister of the Imperial Household and also served as the Deputy Supervisor of the New Capital Construction. Later, his father passed away, and he resigned from his official position to observe a mourning period at home, showing great sorrow. After the mourning period ended, the court requested him to resume his duties, but he firmly declined. Eventually, the court bestowed upon him the title of Palace Attendant of the Three Excellencies and allowed him to inherit the title of Duke of Yuxiang County, with his fief increased to fifteen hundred households. Shortly after, he was promoted to Minister of the Imperial Household and eventually rose to the high position of Minister of Civil Affairs.

When Prince Yang Guang was appointed as the Governor of Yangzhou, he appointed Jiong as his Chief of Staff and also conferred upon him the title of Grand Master of Joy. Jiong was renowned for his gentle and kind nature, as well as his intelligence and strategic thinking, and he had a good reputation at the time. Later, he was appointed Governor of Jizhou. Prince Yang Guang repeatedly petitioned the court to have him return to his side as the Chief Historian and oversee the affairs of Jiangzhou. When Prince Yang became the Crown Prince, Jiong was once again appointed Governor of Jizhou, with his title elevated to Upper Prefect. He was greatly respected by the local people, and everyone regarded him as an outstanding second-rank official. In the fourth year of the Renshou reign, he passed away at the age of seventy-four. His son, Huibao, later served as the Magistrate of Jiang Prefecture.

During the Kaihuang period, there was a man named Liu Ren'en. His origins are unknown, but he was generous and talented in both civil and military affairs, and very capable. He initially served as the Prefect of Maozhou, with his achievements ranking among the best in the country. He was later promoted to Minister of Justice. He also served as the commander-in-chief under Yang Su in the campaign against the Chen dynasty. During the Battle of Jingmen, he and Yang Su defeated the Chen general Lv Zhongsu together. Liu Ren'en's strategies played a significant role, and he was later awarded the title of General-in-Chief, gaining significant renown at the time. Guo Jun from Fengyi and Feng Shiji from Shangdang were both intelligent and strategic, and they successively served as the Minister of War. Dai Ren She Di Yun was generous and insightful, rising to the position of Minister of Civil Affairs. These four individuals were well-known at the time. However, their specific deeds are recorded rather briefly, with no detailed accounts in historical texts.

Historical records indicate that the two Zhao brothers were well-versed in historical allusions, and everyone praised them at the time. However, once they attained high office, they lacked any particularly remarkable accomplishments. This illustrates that a person's talents and capabilities have inherent limitations, and they must be appropriate in size and measure, without forcing it.

Changsun Ping suggested pardoning those who were falsely accused, which was indeed an act of righteousness! The Emperor Gaozu was very pleased and followed his advice, yielding significant benefits! Yuan Hui became prominent for his intelligence and competence, Wei Shi was famous for his honesty and integrity, and Yang Shangxi and Yang Yi were talented members of the royal family, with a high reputation and considerable prestige. Su Xiaoci, Li Xiong, and Zhang Jie, whether serving in the court or in local positions, were considered upright and capable talents. They were all highly regarded at the outset of the Kaihuang period, recognized as the most outstanding candidates of that time!

Details

Written by: Realhistories

Category: Book of Sui （隋書）

Published: 10 January 2025

Created: 10 January 2025

Hits: 41

Gaozu had five sons, all born to Empress Wenxian. The eldest was Prince Fangling Yong, followed by Emperor Yang, then Prince Jun of Qin, followed by a commoner named Xiu, and finally a commoner named Liang. Prince Fangling Yong, also known as Xiandi Fa, was Gaozu's eldest son. During the Zhou Dynasty, he was granted the title of Marquis of Boping due to Gaozu's military achievements. When Gaozu seized power, he appointed Yong as Crown Prince, appointed him as Grand General, and to the position of Left Guard, and granted him the title of Duke of Changning Commandery. Later, he was sent to serve as the Governor of Luozhou and the Prefect of Dongjing, tasked with overseeing the territory of former Qi. He was later recalled to the capital, promoted to Grand Master and appointed Grand Marshal, responsible for the Imperial Guards and palace guards. After Gaozu became emperor, he appointed him as Crown Prince, entrusting Yong with significant state affairs and cases involving death sentences and lesser penalties in official documents.

The emperor felt that there were too many people in the Shandong region, which was causing numerous issues, so he sent officials to conduct an investigation and planned to move these people to the north to strengthen the border. A minister advised in a memorial: "I think changing the customs and practices should be done gradually, not all at once. People are attached to their homeland and have fond memories of their old homes; this is human nature. They flee out of necessity. At the end of the Qi dynasty, the last emperor was incompetent, and after the Zhou dynasty pacified the Eastern Xia, they implemented tyranny, causing the common people to flee. It's not that they hate their hometowns; they're simply forced to leave. In addition, last year there were rebellions in all directions; thanks to Your Majesty's benevolence and wisdom, peace was restored. Although the fighting has stopped, the scars remain. If the people are given a few more years to feel the imperial grace, those who have fled will naturally find their way back home. As for the minority ethnic groups in the north who are unruly and often invade the border, the cities are now strong and well defended, so why should we uproot the people and add to their burdens? My abilities are limited, but I have taken on the responsibility of the crown prince. These are just some humble opinions; I hope Your Majesty will pardon my boldness." The emperor appreciated the memorial and canceled the plan to move the people. Afterwards, whenever there were inappropriate political matters, the minister would propose modifications, most of which were accepted by the emperor.

The emperor once casually talked with his ministers and said, "The emperors of the past were overly fond of concubines, which often led to their downfall. I do not have any concubines, and my five sons are all born to the same mother; they can truly be called true brothers. Unlike in the past, when there were many concubines, the sons would fight amongst themselves, ultimately leading to the downfall of the dynasty!"

Gao Yong is particularly studious and very talented in writing poetry and essays. He has a kind and generous personality, is easygoing and down-to-earth, and not at all pretentious. He also befriends famous scholars such as Ming Kerang, Yao Cha, and Lu Kaiming. One time, Gao Yong decorated his armor with lavish Shu brocade, which displeased his father, Emperor Gaozu, who was worried that it would create a trend of extravagance. He warned him, saying, "I've heard that Heaven is just and impartial, and only virtue can receive the blessings of Heaven. Look at the emperors of the past, who could enjoy luxury and pleasure for a long time? In the future, you will inherit the throne. If you cannot conform to the will of Heaven and gain the support of the people, how can you bear the heavy responsibilities of our ancestors and lead the people of the world? I used to keep one of each piece of clothing I wore and would often take them out to remind myself. Now I am giving you this sword; you should understand my intentions."

After the Winter Solstice, all the officials went to congratulate Gao Yong, who hosted a banquet for them. When Emperor Gaozu learned about this, he asked the ministers, "I heard that during the Winter Solstice, all the officials from inside and outside the palace went to the Eastern Palace to pay respects to the Crown Prince. What's happening?" The Minister of Rites, Xin Dan, replied, "They are going to the Eastern Palace to offer congratulations; it cannot be called paying respects." Emperor Gaozu said, "Even if the ceremony is changed to congratulations, there should only be around thirty to forty people, each going on their own. How did they all gather at the Eastern Palace at once? The Crown Prince even wore formal clothing and arranged banquets and music to entertain them? This behavior at the Eastern Palace is a violation of proper etiquette!" He then decreed, "There are distinctions in rituals, and the relationship between ruler and subjects should not be confused. Since recent times, the teachings have been in decline, and everyone is only concerned with their own happiness, which has become a custom. Although the Crown Prince is the future emperor, he should still adhere to the etiquette expected of a subject. Officials from various regions going to pay respects during the Winter Solstice and present local specialties, but specifically going to the Eastern Palace is not in accordance with proper etiquette and should be stopped altogether." From that point on, Emperor Gaozu's favor for Gao Yong started to wane, and suspicions and estrangement gradually arose.

At that time, the Emperor Gaozu had to select officials from the royal family and the guards to stay in the palace. Gao Jiong reported that if only strong individuals were selected, the quality of the guards in the Eastern Palace would be compromised. The Emperor Gaozu became angry upon hearing this: "When I travel, the guards need to be strong and courageous. The Crown Prince is nurturing virtue in the Eastern Palace; why do the guards need to be so strong? This is contrary to the rules; it is not what I meant. In my opinion, during shifts, some should be assigned to guard inside and outside the Eastern Palace, with no distinction between the teams; wouldn't that be a better approach? I am well-versed in the history of previous dynasties; there is no need to adhere to old rules anymore." In fact, Emperor Gaozu suspected that Gao Jiong's son was going to marry Gao Yong's daughter, which is why he said this, as a precaution.

Gao Yong was highly favored, especially Lady Zhao Xunyun, who was particularly favored and held a position almost equal to the Empress. Lady Yongfei Yuan was not favored; she once had a heart attack and died within two days. The Empress Consort felt something was amiss and severely reprimanded Yong. Since then, Lady Zhao Xunyun monopolized the internal affairs, leading the Empress to feel increasingly unsettled, often secretly sending people to monitor and find faults with Yong. Prince Jin knew about this, so he became even more cautious, only residing with Lady Xiao Fei in the harem. As a result, the Empress held Yong in even greater disdain, but instead came to admire Prince Jin's character.

Later on, Prince Jin attended court, and when he traveled, the carriages and horses accompanying him were quite modest. He was very respectful and humble towards the court officials, with meticulous manners. His reputation was very good, ranking at the top among the princes. Before leaving for Yangzhou, he bid farewell to the Empress in the palace, saying, "I have been stationed outside for a long time and haven't seen you in a while. My thoughts as a subject have always been with you. It will be difficult to serve you after leaving the palace this time, and I don't know when we will meet again." As he spoke, he choked up and tears flowed, falling to the ground, unable to rise. The Empress also said, "You have been stationed outside, and I am getting older. This parting feels like a permanent separation." As she spoke, she also cried, and the two of them wept facing each other, overwhelmed with sorrow.

Prince Jin said, "I am foolish and have always treated you as if you were my brother. I don't know what mistake I made to lose your favor. You have always harbored resentment towards me, wanting to see me dead. I am always worried that someone will plot against me behind my back, poison my food, so I have been anxious, fearful of dying at any moment." The Empress angrily said, "I cannot tolerate your actions any longer! I arranged for you to marry the daughter of the Yuan family, hoping that you would achieve something, but you didn't treat her as a wife at all, instead favoring Ah Yun alone, treating her like a treasure. Your former wife was not sick, but suddenly died. You had someone poison her, leading to her untimely death. Given the circumstances, I cannot delve deeper. Why do you still talk about this in front of me? While I am alive, I can control you. After I am gone, do you intend to act as you wish? I have always been worried that the Eastern Palace has no legitimate wife. After I die and the Emperor lives long, will you and your brothers have to bow to Ah Yun again? How intolerable that would be!" Prince Jin kowtowed again, weeping inconsolably, and the Empress, too, was overwhelmed with grief.

After their separation, Prince Jin knew that the Empress's mind had changed, so he began to plan to usurp the throne. He asked Zhang Heng to help him strategize, sent Bao Gong Yuwen Shu to deepen his relationship with Yang Yue, and had Yang Yue convey the Empress's intentions to Duke Yang Su of Yueguo, detailing what the Empress had just said. Yang Su was surprised and said, "I just want to know what the Empress is really thinking." If it is true, then what should I do? A few days later, Yang Su attended a court banquet and casually mentioned that Prince Jin was filial, respectful, and frugal, much like the Emperor, in an attempt to test the Empress's intentions. The Empress cried and said, "You are right. My son is very filial. Every time he hears that the Emperor or I have sent eunuchs, he will meet them at the border. When it comes to parting, he always cries endlessly. His wife is also pitiful. The maids I sent always share her meals and bed. It's not like you and A Yun who drink and have fun together all day, getting cozy with the wrong crowd and pushing away family. The reason I love A Duo more is that I'm afraid he will be secretly killed by you." Yang Su understood the Empress's intentions, so he began to strongly argue against the Crown Prince. The Empress then gave Yang Su a lot of gold and silver treasures, which gave rise to the idea of deposing the Crown Prince.

Yongge was well aware of the Crown Prince's rebellion, feeling anxious, unable to come up with a good solution. He heard that there was a fortune-teller named Wang Fuxian in Xinfeng who was very accurate at fortune-telling, so he brought him in to ask. Wang Fuxian said, "Ah, I saw a white rainbow piercing through the main gate of the Eastern Palace, and the Tai Bai star blocking the moon. These are signs that the Crown Prince is about to be deposed!" He then crafted some talismans to ward off bad luck using copper and iron weapons and had a village of commoners built in the backyard of the Eastern Palace, with run-down, dilapidated houses, so that the Crown Prince could rest there during his free time, sleeping on straw mats and wearing coarse clothes, in hopes of averting disaster.

Emperor Gaozu knew that the Crown Prince was uneasy, so he stayed in the Palace of Benevolence and Longevity and sent Yang Su to observe the Crown Prince Yang Yong. When Yang Su arrived at the East Palace, he deliberately hesitated to enter, while Yang Yong had already dressed up and was waiting for him. Yang Su refused to enter, aiming to provoke Yang Yong. Yang Yong took the bait, his face changed, showing his displeasure. After returning, Yang Su complained to Emperor Gaozu, saying that Yang Yong was full of resentment and might cause trouble, suggesting that the emperor be more vigilant. The emperor, misled by Yang Su's slander, became more suspicious of Yang Yong. The empress also secretly sent people to monitor the East Palace, reporting all of Yang Yong's actions to the emperor. The empress also exaggerated Yang Yong's faults. Emperor Gaozu, confused by these rumors, began to alienate and marginalize Yang Yong.

He ordered a large number of soldiers to guard between the Xuanwu Gate and the Zhide Gate, keeping watch on the East Palace and reporting any incidents immediately. He also handed over a list of the East Palace guards and officials, from senior to junior, to the Guard Bureau. Those who were fit and capable were transferred away. Prince Jin, Yang Guang, secretly sent Duan Da to bribe the courtier Ji Wei in the East Palace, giving him a lot of money to snoop on the Crown Prince and report it to Yang Su. Now, both inside and outside the palace, rumors about Yang Yong's misdeeds were spreading, with his misdeeds piling up. Duan Da threatened Ji Wei, saying, "The emperor is already aware of the East Palace's wrongdoings and has issued a secret decree to depose the Crown Prince. If you help us, you will enjoy a life of luxury and power in the future!" Ji Wei, afraid, agreed.

In early September, the emperor returned to the capital from the Palace of Benevolence and Longevity. The next day at court, he said to the ministers, "I have just returned to the capital, and I should be feeling happy, but why am I so uneasy?" The Minister of Personnel, Niu Hong, replied, "It's because we, your loyal subjects, have not done well, causing Your Majesty to worry and tire yourself out."

The emperor had actually heard a lot of rumors about the Crown Prince's faults, suspecting that the courtiers were all hiding it, so he asked in this way, wanting to hear what faults the Crown Prince had. Niu Hong's response completely missed the mark. The emperor's face darkened and he said to the officials of the Eastern Palace, "Ren Shou Palace isn't far from here, but every time I return to the capital, it feels like a heavily fortified war zone, almost like stepping into enemy territory! I’m on edge all day, can’t even take off my clothes or get a good night's sleep. Last night, when I wanted to go to the toilet, I had to wait in the rear hall first, worried about any mishaps, and then returned to the front hall. Are you trying to bring down my empire?" So, he immediately arrested Tang Lingze and others, handing them over to the proper authorities for interrogation.

He also asked Yang Su to investigate the situation in the Eastern Palace and then report back to the courtiers. Yang Su stated candidly, "I was ordered to investigate the Crown Prince and Liu Jushi's remaining party. After receiving the imperial edict, the Crown Prince's expression darkened, furiously and excitedly told me, 'Liu Jushi's remaining party has all been punished, why should I have to investigate this? You are the Right Chief Minister, with great responsibility, you investigate yourself, what’s that got to do with me?' He also said, 'If I mess this up, I'll be the first to lose my head. Now I am the Crown Prince, but you treat me worse than my brothers; I can’t make any decisions for myself.' The Crown Prince sighed deeply and remarked, 'I feel like I’m living a really exhausting life.'"

The emperor said, "This child can no longer inherit the throne. The empress has been urging me to depose him, but I have been holding back because he is my eldest son born during my commoner days. I thought he would eventually change for the better, so I’ve tolerated him until now. When Yong (referring to the crown prince) came from Nanyanzhou before, he told Prince Wei, 'My mother won't find me a good wife, it's really annoying!' He even pointed to the empress's maidservants and said, 'These are all mine!' What nonsense he spouts! His first wife had just died, and he housed an old woman in a tent; when his new wife died, I suspected he had Ma Siming poison her. I once questioned him, and he actually defied me by saying, 'I will kill Yuan Xiaozhu!' He’s trying to harm me while deflecting the blame onto others. When Princess Changning was born, the empress and I raised her together, we both loved her dearly, yet he even sent people to take her away. He even said Dingxing's daughter was born out of wedlock; thinking about all these things, how can he possibly be worthy of being my successor!

In the past, the crown prince of the Jin Dynasty married a butcher's daughter, and his son enjoyed slaughtering pigs and sheep. If the crown prince is like this now, the country would fall into chaos. There is also Liu Jinlin, a flatterer who made Dingxing believe he was his father-in-law; Dingxing, that fool, actually believed his words. I dismissed Jinlin before because of this. Yong once drank and had fun with Cao Miaoda and Dingxing's daughter. Miaoda even said, 'I persuaded the consort to drink today.' He indulges those illegitimate sons out of fear they won't obey, wanting to buy the favor of the people. Although I may not be as virtuous as Yao and Shun, I cannot entrust the country to unworthy heirs! I've always been on guard against him, like watching for a great enemy; now I’ve decided to depose him to bring stability back to the realm."

General Zuo Wei and Duke Wuyuan, Yuan Min, directly advised the emperor, "Regarding the matter of deposing and appointing an emperor, the emperor must not waver. Once the decree is issued, it will be too late to change your mind. All that's being said now is negative; Your Majesty needs to be discerning!" Yuan Min spoke bluntly, with a forceful demeanor and a loud voice, but the emperor paid him no mind.

At this time, Ji Wei once again accused the Crown Prince of misconduct in a formal report. Gaozu asked Ji Wei, "Tell me about the things the Crown Prince has done." Ji Wei replied, "The Crown Prince always speaks arrogantly to the ministers, wanting to turn the area from Fanchuan to Sanguan into his own private domain. He also said, 'When Emperor Hanwu wanted to build Shanglin Park, Dongfang Shuo advised him, and Emperor Hanwu rewarded Dongfang Shuo with one hundred catties of gold, which is absurd. I don't have that much gold to reward people. If anyone dares to advise me, I’ll kill him—maybe even a hundred or so—so that no one will dare to speak up again.' When Su Xiaoci was dismissed from his position as Left Guard, the Crown Prince slammed the table and said, 'A true man will eventually make a name for himself. I will never forget this, and I will seek revenge in the future!' When the palace needed things, the officials from the Ministry of Personnel often disagreed with him due to the regulations, and he angrily said, 'I will kill several officials below the rank of Pushe to let them know the consequences of offending me!' He also built a small city in the park, working on it continuously in all seasons, building pavilions and palaces, completing them today and redesigning them the next day. He often said, 'The Emperor always says I have too many sons. Are Gao Wei and Chen Shubao not bad sons?' He also had the diviner predict his fortune and misfortune, telling the ministers, 'The Emperor's year of taboo is the eighteenth, and time is running short.' " Gaozu listened, his eyes moistened, and said, "Everyone is born of parents, how can it be like this! I sent a few palace maids to the Eastern Palace before, and they reported to me, 'Don't let the Prince of Guangping go to the Crown Prince's place. The Crown Prince hates those palace maids, and it was also instigated by the Prince of Guangping.' Yuan Zan also knew about the Crown Prince's treacherousness and advised me to send two more teams of soldiers to guard the east of the Left Treasury. After pacifying the Chen Dynasty, all the beautiful palace maids in the palace were given to Chunfang. I've heard he wasn't satisfied and was still searching for more outside. I recently read 'Book of Qi' and saw that Gao Huan indulged his son, which really angered me. How can I emulate him?" So, Yong and his sons were imprisoned, and some of his supporters were arrested. Yang Su cleverly distorted the facts, aggravated the crimes, and ultimately led to Yong's failure.

After a few days, the authorities reported to the emperor that General Yuan Min, who was usually in charge of guarding the palace, was trying to win favor with Yang Yong. It was obvious that he was aligning himself with Yang Yong. When he was in the Renshou Palace, Pei Hong even handed Yuan Min a letter from Yang Yong with the words "Do not let others see" written on the envelope. Emperor Gaozu said, "When I was in the Renshou Palace, as soon as there was a small matter, the East Palace would hear about it right away. The news spread faster than a speeding horse. I've been suspicious for a while. Isn't it these guys who are up to something?" So he sent soldiers to arrest Yuan Min and Pei Hong and dealt with them accordingly.

Can you believe this speed? It's faster than express delivery! The emperor had been suspicious for a while. The news spread too quickly. It turned out that these two were plotting behind the scenes! So, they were directly arrested and dealt with according to the law! This efficiency is excellent!

When Yang Yong returned from the Renshou Palace, he saw a dead locust tree on the road. The tree roots and trunk were twisted and thick enough to be hugged by five or six people. He asked the people around him, "What can this tree be used for?" Someone answered, "This old locust tree is perfect for firewood." At that time, the guards were carrying fire sickles, so Yang Yong had craftsmen make thousands of fire sickles to give out to those around him. In the end, those fire sickles were found in the warehouse. They also found several bushels of mugwort in the medicinal warehouse.

The generals found it strange and went to ask Ji Wei. Ji Wei said, "The Crown Prince has another purpose for doing this. Those under the King of Changning must ride swiftly and arrive in one night. He usually keeps thousands of horses, saying it is for quick entry into the city, but those horses ended up starving to death." Ji Wei told Yang Su about these words, and Yang Su disagreed. He said, "I heard that there are tens of thousands of horses in the court. As the Crown Prince, is keeping a thousand horses considered rebellion?" Yang Su also took out the lavish clothing and jewelry from the Eastern Palace, displayed them before the court, and showed them to the civil and military officials to prove the Crown Prince's guilt. Gaozu showed these things to Yang Yong and questioned him. The Empress also rebuked him for his wrongdoing. Gaozu sent people to question Yang Yong, yet Yang Yong still refused to acknowledge it. The Imperial Historian Yuan Chong advised, "I have observed celestial phenomena, and the Crown Prince should be deposed." Gaozu said, "The celestial phenomena have already manifested, but no one among the courtiers dared to speak." So he sent for Yang Yong. When Yang Yong saw the messenger, he was terrified and exclaimed, "You’re not here to kill me, are you?"

Emperor Gaozu was dressed in military attire, with his troops assembled, holding court in the Wude Hall. Both civil and military officials were gathered there, with Emperor Gaozu sitting to the east and the imperial relatives to the west. Yang Yong and his sons were brought to the front of the hall. The emperor ordered Xue Daoheng to read the decree deposing Yang Yong, which stated: "The position of the crown prince is the foundation of the country. If the right person isn't chosen, the position cannot remain vacant. Historically, there have been incompetent heirs who retained their titles despite their misconduct and lack of improvement, all because emperors indulged and favored them, which led to the downfall of the nation and the suffering of the people. It can be seen that the safety of the world depends on the heir, and the inheritance of the country's great cause cannot be taken lightly! Crown Prince Yang Yong, although the eldest son, was dearly loved by me. When he was first appointed as crown prince, I even had a spring palace built for him, hoping that he would progress and take on heavy responsibilities. However, he is dull-witted, lacking in benevolence and filial piety, and is close to villains, favoring flatterers, committing countless mistakes. The people are a blessing from heaven, and I must follow the will of heaven and nurture them well. Even if I want to protect my own son, I must also respect the will of heaven. How could I possibly disturb the realm with an unworthy son? Yang Yong and his descendants, whether they are princes or princesses, will all be demoted to commoners. I do this out of necessity, feeling profoundly guilty." Xue Daoheng then said to Yang Yong, "Your crimes have angered both heaven and earth. Do you still expect not to be deposed?" Yang Yong knelt and said, "I am willing to die in the capital as a warning to future generations. I hope Your Majesty will have mercy on me and spare my life." After speaking, Yang Yong cried and then danced away. Everyone present felt a deep sympathy for him.

Since ancient times, the unrest in the country has always been caused by those treacherous officials who stir up discord and ultimately bring disaster to the country, causing suffering to the people. If they are not severely punished, how can we achieve peace in the realm?

General Zuo Wei, Duke of Wuyuan, Yuan Min, who holds military power and is deeply trusted by the emperor, secretly engages in conspiracies and schemes to sow discord between the monarch and his subjects, leading this group of people. The Left Attendant of the Crown Prince, Tang Lingze, with a prominent position, flatters and indulges the prince, even going so far as to personally teach palace maids to sing and dance, fueling the prince's extravagance. The Prince's Household Manager, Zou Wenteng, superstitious and frequently divining national affairs, attempting to profit from national affairs. Left Guard Marshal Xiahou Fu, fawning on superiors and acting arrogantly towards subordinates, behaving recklessly in the palace. The Director of Food Supply, Yuan Yan, sowing discord and spreading rumors, and secretly practicing witchcraft. Former Assistant Minister of Personnel, Xiao Zibao, though not a court official, harbors ulterior motives and plots conspiracies to seek high positions and wealth. Former Master of the Imperial Seal, He Shang, under the pretense of astrology, spreads falsehoods to mislead the public, plotting misconduct, and even creating extravagant clothing, exacerbating the prince's extravagance.

These seven individuals committed egregious crimes and were all sentenced to death, with their assets confiscated.

The General of Chariots and Cavalry, Yan Pi, Duke of Dong County, Cui Junchuo, Deputy Commander, Shen Fubao, and Yizhou resident, Zhangqiu Taiyi, all acted against the law and should have been sentenced to death. However, taking into account their remaining humanity, I cannot bring myself to execute them all, so the death penalty is commuted to 100 strokes each, and their assets are confiscated.

Deputy Commander and Chief Architect, Gao Longyi, who illegally mobilized laborers to build pavilions for the prince; Deputy Commander Jin Wenjian and Attendant of the Imperial Stud Farm, Yuan Heng, who embezzled public funds and wasted national resources. These three individuals will also face severe punishment.

Goodness, under the Emperor's order, a large group of officials were summoned to Guangyang Gate to read the imperial edict, condemning Yang Yong to death. Prince Guangping, Yang Xiong, received the imperial edict and immediately expressed, "Your Majesty, you truly are willing to make sacrifices for the people! Abolishing the incompetent Yang Yong is a great thing for the country, and everyone should be happy!" Then, Yang Xiong transferred Yang Yong's military power to the Ministry of Interior and appointed Prince Jin, Yang Guang, as the Crown Prince, keeping Yang Yong imprisoned in the Eastern Palace. The Emperor also rewarded Yang Su with three thousand rolls of cloth, Yuan Zhou and Yang Yue with one thousand rolls each, and Yang Nandi with five hundred rolls, all because they participated in overthrowing Yang Yong.

At this moment, a courtier named Yang Xiaozheng submitted a memorial advising, "The Crown Prince has been misled by bad people; he should be properly educated, not abolished." The Emperor, upon hearing this, was furious and directly slapped him on the chest. Shortly after, the Prefect of Beizhou, Pei Su, submitted a report saying, "Yang Yong has been deposed for a long time; he should be given a chance to reform and be granted a small fiefdom." The Emperor realized that his decision to depose Yang Yong did not align with the will of the people, so he summoned Pei Su to the capital to carefully investigate the circumstances of deposing and appointing the Crown Prince.

Feeling unjustly deposed, Yang Yong sought an audience with the Emperor to plead his grievances. However, Crown Prince Yang Guang obstructed him at every turn, not allowing him to approach the Emperor. In desperation, Yang Yong climbed a tree and shouted loudly, hoping the Emperor would hear his voice and summon him. Seizing the opportunity, Yang Su reported to the Emperor, "Yang Yong is acting crazy, like he’s possessed, beyond help!" The Emperor believed this and ultimately did not see Yang Yong. Yang Su used the same tactics to frame and accuse others.

The founding emperor fell seriously ill and was residing in the Renshou Palace. He called the Crown Prince to serve him, but the Crown Prince got involved in a series of chaotic incidents in the palace. When the founding emperor found out, he struck the bed and said, "I wrongly accused my son!" He then sent people to fetch Yang Yong. Before they could do so, the founding emperor suddenly passed away, and this was initially kept a secret. The emperor immediately arrested Liu Shu and Yuan Yan, imprisoning them in the Dali Temple. He then forged the founding emperor's will and sentenced Yang Yong to death. He was posthumously granted the title of Prince of Fangling, but no successor was appointed for him.

Yang Yong had a total of ten sons: the eldest son Yang Yan was titled as the Prince of Changning, Yang Yu as the Prince of Pingyuan, and Yang Jun as the Prince of Ancheng, all of whom were born to Yun Zhaoxun. Yang Yi was titled as the Prince of Anping, Yang Ke as the Prince of Xiangcheng, born to Gao Liangdi. Yang Gai was titled as the Prince of Gaoyang, Yang Shao as the Prince of Jian'an, born to Wang Liangyuan. Yang Jue was titled as the Prince of Yingchuan, born to Cheng Ji. There were also two sons, Yang Xiaoshi and Yang Xiaofan, born to the palace concubines.

The Prince of Changning, Yang Yan, was Yang Yong's eldest son, a very brave child. When he was born, Yang Yong hurried to tell his grandfather Yang Jian (the founding emperor). Yang Jian said, "This child will be the future crown prince; how unfortunate that he was born at this time." Yun Dingxing quickly stepped in to defuse the situation, saying, "He was born from the dragon seed; that's why he arrived on the clouds." People at the time thought his response was very clever.

At the age of six, Yang Yan was titled as the Marquis of Changning County. Later, when Yang Yong was deposed due to defeat, Yang Yan also suffered and was dismissed. He wrote a letter to Yang Jian, requesting to stay in the palace to serve, writing with deep emotion. Yang Jian felt sympathetic after reading it. However, Yang Su interjected, saying, "I hope the emperor can quickly forget about this matter like a bee sting and not bother with it anymore."

After Yang Guang (Emperor Yang of Sui) became emperor, Yang Zhan often followed him on tours, but he died on the road, having been poisoned by someone. Yang Guang also sent several of Yang Zhan's younger brothers to the Lingnan region and ordered their execution. "Heaven breeds dragons, so they emerge from the clouds." This phrase was regarded as a clever retort at the time, and it now carries a deeper meaning.

Prince Xiao of Qin, named Yang Jun, styled A Zhi, was the third son of Emperor Gaozu Yang Jian. In the first year of the Kaihuang era, he was appointed as the Prince of Qin. In the spring of the second year, at the age of twelve, he became the Chief of the Upper Pillar, the Grand Secretary of the Henan Circuit, and the Inspector of Luozhou, holding prestigious positions. Later, he was also appointed as the General of the Right Wuwei, commanding the army in the eastern region. Three years later, he was promoted to the Governor of Qinzhou, overseeing the entire Longyou region.

Yang Jun was kind and benevolent, devout in Buddhism and Taoism, and once wanted to become a monk, but the emperor did not agree. Six years later, he was promoted to the Prefect of the Grand Secretary of the Mountain South Circuit. During the campaign against the Chen dynasty, he was appointed as the Commander-in-Chief of the Mountain South Circuit, leading thirty commanders and overseeing over one hundred thousand troops stationed in Hankou, responsible for military operations upstream. The Chen dynasty's generals Zhou Luohou, Xun Fashang, and others, with tens of thousands of elite soldiers stationed at Yingwuzhou, had General Cui Hongdu suggest attacking them. However, Yang Jun deemed the potential casualties too great and chose not to proceed. As a result, Zhou Luohou and his men voluntarily surrendered.

Later, Yang Jun sent envoys to report to the emperor, tearfully telling them, "I have been appointed to such an important position, yet I have not achieved anything; I am truly ashamed!" The emperor, upon hearing this, greatly appreciated his humility. As a result, Yang Jun was appointed Governor of Yangzhou, overseeing military matters in forty-four states, stationed in Guangling. Over a year later, he was transferred to the Governor of Bingzhou, overseeing military affairs in twenty-four states. Initially, he was quite diligent, which pleased the emperor greatly, prompting him to issue a decree commending Yang Jun.

However, later on, Yang Jun gradually became extravagant and wasteful, violating the rules, even engaging in usury, causing the people and officials to suffer greatly. The emperor sent people to investigate his affairs, and more than a hundred people were implicated with him. Yang Jun remained unrepentant and began large-scale construction projects, building luxurious palaces. He had a talent for design, often personally wielding an axe and chisel to create exquisite items adorned with pearls and jade. He built a magnificent palace decorated with seven treasures for his consort and also constructed a palace on the water, with walls coated in fragrant spices and decorative finishes, and stairs paved with jade and gold. The beams, pillars, doors, and windows were all inlaid with mirrors and precious pearls, exceedingly opulent. He frequently hosted singing and dancing parties with guests and entertainers in the palace.

Yang Jun favored his consort, Lady Cui, but filled with jealousy, she was discontented with Yang Jun's actions, so she decided to poison him. Yang Jun fell ill and was called back to the capital. The emperor, because of his extravagant and indulgent behavior, dismissed him from his official position and permitted him to reside in a mansion as a prince. General Liu Sheng of the Left Wuwei Guard advised, stating, "Prince Qin has no other faults; he only spent some official resources on building houses. I think he can be forgiven." The emperor replied, "The law must not be broken." Liu Sheng continued to counsel, but the emperor's expression darkened with anger, and Liu Sheng stopped advising. Later, Yang Su also offered counsel, saying, "Prince Qin's fault should not be punished in this way; I hope Your Majesty will give it careful consideration." The emperor said, "I am the father of five sons; if we follow your suggestion, why not establish a separate set of laws for the princes? Even someone like the Duke of Zhou had to execute Guan Shu and Cai Shu; I am certainly not as virtuous as the Duke of Zhou, how can I violate the law?" Ultimately, the emperor refused to acquiesce.

Wang Jun's health was very poor, unable to rise from bed, so he sent someone to submit a memorial to express his apologies. The Emperor said to his messenger, "I risked my life at the frontier to achieve this great feat, set rules as an example, hoping that my subjects would all abide by them and not mess it up. You are my son, yet you want to destroy it; how can I blame you for this?" Wang Jun felt ashamed and scared, and his condition worsened. The Grand General Huangfu Tong submitted a request to restore Wang Jun's title, but the Emperor did not agree. Over a year later, due to Wang Jun's severe illness, the Emperor appointed him as a Chancellor. In June of the twentieth year, Wang Jun died in the Qin Prince's residence. The Emperor wept only briefly. The Emperor ordered all of Wang Jun's extravagant possessions to be burned. The Emperor also ordered that Wang Jun's funeral be kept simple, as a lesson for future generations. Officials of the Wang family wanted to erect a monument, but the Emperor said, "If you want to leave a legacy, one history book is enough; why erect a monument? If future generations cannot preserve the family business, then the monument will become someone else's stepping stone."

Wang Jun's concubine, Lady Cui, was deposed by the Emperor for poisoning Wang Jun and was sentenced to death at home. Wang Jun's son, Hao, was born to Lady Cui. There was also an illegitimate son named Zhan. The ministers discussed, "According to the principles of the 'Spring and Autumn Annals,' a mother's status is elevated by her son's prominence, and a son's status is elevated by his mother's prominence. Since they were both prominent before, now that they have committed crimes, the consequences are all too predictable. During the Han Dynasty, Lady Li made a mistake, and her son was deposed; Empress Guo was deposed, and her son was also deposed. This principle holds true on both a grand and a small scale. Now the two sons of the Qin Prince, their mother has been deposed; they should not inherit the throne." Therefore, officials of the Qin state took charge of the funeral arrangements. Wang Jun's eldest daughter, Princess Yongfeng, was only twelve years old at the time of her father's death. She was very sad, observed the mourning period as per tradition, and did not eat fish or meat. On the anniversaries of his death, she would weep and refuse to eat.

There was a man called Wang Yan, a man of integrity and loyalty. He had been in charge of the trusted troops for over ten years, and Wang Jun respected him greatly. When Wang Jun fell ill, Wang Yan stayed by his bedside, not changing out of his clothes for several days and nights. After Wang Jun passed away, Wang Yan went several days without eating or drinking, growing as thin as a rake. The emperor, upon hearing this, felt a deep sympathy for him and gave him medicine from the imperial physician. He also appointed him General of the Cavalry, overseeing the imperial guards. On the day of Wang Jun's funeral, Wang Yan was overcome with grief and fainted. The emperor was taken aback and sent an envoy to pay his respects, and ordered that Wang Yan be buried next to Wang Jun's tomb.

After Emperor Yang of Sui ascended the throne, he appointed Yang Hao as the Prince of Qin, inheriting the title of Prince Xiao; and named Yang Zhan the Marquis of Jibei. Later, Yang Hao was transferred to Heyang as a Colonel. When Yang Xuan rebelled, the Grand General of the Left, Yuchi Shu, led troops to suppress the rebellion. When they reached Heyang, Yuchi Shu sent a letter to Yang Hao, who then went to Yuchi Shu's camp in person, leading to frequent interactions between the two. Some accused Yang Hao of colluding with noble families and court officials, which ultimately led to his dismissal. Yuchi Huajiji initially proclaimed Yang Hao emperor at the start of his rebellion. However, after Yuchi Huajiji was defeated at Liyang and retreated to Weixian, he declared himself emperor and ordered the execution of Yang Hao. Yang Zhan was renowned for his bravery and exceptional insight. During the early years of the Sui Dynasty, he served as the Governor of Xingyang and was executed by Yuchi Huajiji as a consequence of his ties to Yang Hao's dismissal.

Yang Xiu was the fourth son of the founding emperor of the Sui Dynasty. In the first year of the Kaihuang era, he was made the Prince of Yue. Shortly after, he was reassigned to Shu, where he was appointed Chief Minister, Governor of Yizhou, and Commander-in-Chief of the military in twenty-four provinces. The following year, he was promoted to Chief Minister, Prefect of the Southwest, and Minister of the Imperial Secretariat, while keeping his previous titles. He was dismissed after a year. In the twelfth year, he was appointed Minister of the Interior and Right Commander-in-Chief, and was soon dispatched back to Shu to oversee the region.

Yang Xiu has outstanding courage and intelligence, is tall and imposing in appearance, with a handsome beard, and is highly skilled in martial arts. The court ministers are all wary of him. Emperor Sui Yang often said to the empress, "Yang Xiu will definitely do something bad in the future. While I am alive, it's fine, but when I die, my brothers will definitely rebel." When Yuan Heng, the Minister of War, was dispatched to Shu, Yang Xiu was closely associated with him and requested the emperor to increase his personal guards several times. After Yuan Heng returned to the capital, Yang Xiu also requested the emperor to increase his guards, but the emperor did not agree. When General Liu Kui was attacking the Western Cuan, Emperor Sui Yang ordered Yang Wutong to lead troops to reinforce. Yang Xiu surprisingly appointed his favored official, Wan Zhiguang, as the army's chief of staff under Yang Wutong, which drew harsh criticism from the emperor, believing that Yang Xiu was mismanaging his personnel. He told the courtiers, "Will those who undermine my laws surely appear among my descendants? Just like a wild beast, external threats cannot harm it, but will be gradually eroded by the parasites in its fur!" Therefore, he reduced Yang Xiu's military power. Oh, Yang Xiu is becoming increasingly extravagant, utterly disregarding the rules; his clothing and belongings are almost the same as the emperor's! Later, Crown Prince Yong was deposed due to being framed by villains, and Prince Guang became the crown prince, which greatly displeased Yang Xiu. The crown prince feared that Yang Xiu might rebel, so he secretly instructed Yang Su to find evidence of Yang Xiu's crimes and report him. In the second year of the reign of Ren Shou, Yang Xiu was summoned back to the capital, and the emperor remained silent during their meeting. The following day, the emperor sent someone to deliver a stern reprimand. Yang Xiu said, "I am grateful for the emperor's favor, allowing me to serve as an official in various places, but I have failed to abide by the laws, and I deserve the harshest punishment!" The crown prince and other princes wept and pleaded for the emperor's forgiveness. The emperor said, "Some time ago, Prince Qin spent money recklessly, and I advised him as a father would. Now, Yang Xiu has harmed the people, so I must punish him as a ruler!" He then turned Yang Xiu over to the authorities for prosecution.

Kai Fuqing stepped forward to advise, saying, "Prince Yong has been deposed, the King of Qin is also dead, Your Majesty doesn’t have many sons to begin with, why do this? Besides, the Prince of Shu (Yang Xiu) is straightforward in character; now that he has received such a heavy punishment, he might not make it!" The Emperor was furious when he heard this, wanting to have Qing Zheng's tongue cut out! He then told the ministers, "Yang Xiu must be executed in public to apologize to the people!" So Yang Su, Su Wei, Niu Hong, Liu Shu, Zhao Chuo, and others were given the task of dealing with Yang Xiu. The Crown Prince secretly made a puppet with the names of Yang Xiu and the King of Han written on it, tied its hands, nailed its heart, and buried it under Huashan, then had Yang Su dig it out. The Crown Prince also wrote a proclamation saying, "This traitor Yang Xiu abuses his power, and Your Majesty knows nothing about it!" The proclamation also inflated the military strength, claiming to punish Yang Xiu. The evidence of Yang Xiu's crimes and the proclamation were presented to the Emperor. After reading it, the Emperor said, "How could this happen in the world!" Yang Xiu was then reduced to commoner status, confined to the Inner Palace, not allowed to see his wife and was only given two maidservants to attend to him. More than a hundred people were implicated with him.

Alas, Xiu, he was forced into a corner, feeling utterly frustrated, not knowing what to do. In the end, he wrote a memorial, stating: "Your servant has been incredibly fortunate, bathed in royal favor and enjoying a life of wealth and luxury since childhood. At the age of nine, I enjoyed a life of wealth and luxury, only knowing pleasure, never considering sorrow and fear. I was reckless and utterly foolish, falling into the clutches of the law, deeply sinful, not fearing death, willing to go to hell. I never expected Your Majesty to grant me a sliver of hope. It is only now that I realize how naive and unaware I was, how the laws of the country cannot be violated. I regret deeply, wishing to start anew, but it is too late. I still wish to repay Your Majesty's kindness, but my fortunes have faded, and heaven no longer favors me. My husband and I miss our child terribly; this longing is beyond words. I fear that my time in this world is coming to an end, returning to the earth. I beg Your Majesty to show mercy, pity me, and allow me to see my child before I pass away. Please grant me a burial site, a place where I can finally rest." The term "Claw" refers to his beloved son.

After reading the memorial, the emperor issued a decree outlining his offenses.

You were appointed to that position as an official, appearing to be a loyal subject, but in reality harboring thoughts of personal gain. The provinces of Yongzhou and Shuzhou are so important, I have entrusted them to your jurisdiction. Yet you consistently break the law and defy common sense, harbor ill intentions, yearn for chaos to ensue, secretly observe the palace, wait for the opportunity to cause trouble, shelter evildoers, form factions, and engage in those crooked ways. Whenever I feel even a bit unwell, you secretly observe, hoping for my downfall so you can usurp my position. The crown prince is your brother and should rightfully inherit the throne, but you spread rumors that he is unfit to be emperor. You spout nonsense about ghosts and spirits haunting you, claiming you cannot enter the palace, and boasting about your exceptional lineage, that you are capable of shouldering great responsibilities, falsely asserting that a sage will emerge in Qingcheng, wanting to portray yourself as the sage, and fabricating auspicious signs of dragons appearing in Yizhou, calling it an omen. You changed the surname of Mu Yi and rebuilt the palace in Chengdu; you falsely claimed the name of He Nai corresponds to the fortune of eight thousand years. You orchestrated strange occurrences in the capital, foretelling disasters for your family; and forged auspicious signs in Shu to fulfill the prophecy of your own ascension to the throne. Don't you desire the downfall of the nation and chaos to reign? You even fashioned a white jade tablet and crafted white feather arrows, not acting like a loyal subject whatsoever, and gathered those who practice unorthodox methods to suppress evil spirits with talismans. The Han prince is your younger brother, yet you painted his portrait, inscribed his name, bound his hands, pierced his heart, and shackled him. You also claimed you would summon the divine army of the Holy Mother of Mount Hua to arrest the soul of Yang Liang and detain him below Mount Hua, preventing him from causing trouble. As for me, your father, you said you would summon the divine army of the Holy Mother of Mount Hua to reconcile me with your mother, Yang Jian, so we could live happily together. You even painted my portrait, bound my hands, and covered my head, and said you would summon the divine army of Mount Hua to capture Yang Jian's soul.

What’s your goal with this? What’s exactly the connection between Yang Liangg and Yang Jian?

You harbor malice and plot treason; this is the behavior of a traitor. You hope for your father's misfortune so you can take his place; this reflects the mindset of a thief. You covet what you shouldn't have and even poison your brother; this is an act of unfiliality. You envy your younger brother and commit all sorts of evil deeds, showing no brotherly love. You violate the system and disrupt the court's order to an extreme degree. You kill innocents indiscriminately, as cruel as a jackal. You oppress the people, extremely cruel. You are only after wealth, like a petty commoner. You cling to superstitions, stubborn and unyielding. You lack the ability to shoulder heavy responsibilities.

These ten things go against morality and reason; you have done them all, that's incredibly unlucky! Still want to avoid disaster and be wealthy for a long time? How is that possible?

Later, I heard that he and his son were living together. After Emperor Yang of Sui ascended to the throne, he remained under house arrest just like before. After Yuwen Huaji rebelled and killed Yang Guang, he sought to install Yang Xiu as emperor, but no one supported him. So Yuwen Huaji killed him, along with his other sons.

Speaking of the Prince of Han, Yang Liang, style name Dezhang, nickname Jie, was made Prince of Han in the first year of Kaihuang. In the twelfth year, he became the governor of Yongzhou and was also appointed as the General of the Right Guard. A year later, he was promoted to General of the Left Guard. In the seventeenth year, he was sent to be the commander of Bingzhou, and the emperor personally sent him off to Wenshang. The area under his jurisdiction extended east to the sea and south to the Yellow River, encompassing fifty-two provinces. The emperor specially allowed him to act as he pleased, not bound by legal provisions. In the eighteenth year, due to the Liaodong war, he was appointed as the commander-in-chief, leading the army to the Liao River, but encountered an epidemic and had to retreat without achieving victory. In the nineteenth year, the Turks invaded the border, and he was appointed as the commander-in-chief again, but this time he chose not to go into battle. Emperor Gaozu held a particular fondness for him.

Yang Liang felt increasingly discontented, and when he heard that the crown prince had been deposed, he began secretly plotting a rebellion. So he advised Emperor Gaozu, saying, "The Turks are very powerful now; Taiyuan is an important military stronghold, and we should strengthen military preparations." Emperor Gaozu took his advice. He mobilized a large workforce, manufactured weapons, and stored them in Bingzhou. He also recruited some fugitives and his own confidants, commanding nearly ten thousand troops. Wang Kui, the son of Wang Sengbian, a general of the Liang Dynasty, was a gifted and resourceful strategist for Yang Liang. Xiao Moha, a former general of the Chen Dynasty, was overlooked and had been harboring resentment and contemplating rebellion, so both of them were very close to Yang Liang.

The King of Shu was deposed, and Dou Jiande felt anxious and insecure. Later, when Yang Guang died, the court summoned him, but he refused to go and chose to rebel instead. General Sima Huangfu Dan pleaded with him, but Dou Jiande got angry and had him arrested and dealt with harshly. Wang Kui suggested to Dou Jiande, "Your subordinates' families are all in the Guanzhong region. If you use these people, you should go straight in and seize the capital, like a bolt of lightning. If you only want to occupy the old Qi territory, then you should use more people from Shandong." Dou Jiande couldn't decide, so he opted for both approaches, and publicly declared, "Yang Su has rebelled; I will take action against him!"

Pei Wen'an, the chief military officer of Wenxi, suggested to Dou Jiande: "Everything west of Jingxing is under your command, and the troops of Shandong are also at our disposal; they should all be mobilized. Deploy some less experienced soldiers to secure key intersections, allowing them to adapt based on local conditions. Lead the elite troops directly to Pujin Pass. I ask to take the lead; you lead the army to follow, swift as the wind and fierce as lightning. Stationed in Ba Shang, we can easily capture the area east of Xianyang. The capital will surely descend into chaos, unable to assemble troops in time, with suspicion rife among court officials and the populace in panic. Once we display our army and issue orders, who would dare to defy us? We can resolve this within ten days!" Dou Jiande was very happy to hear this.

He then dispatched his appointed general, Yu Gongli, to attack Heyang from Taigu; General Qi Liang to attack Liyang from Fukou; General Liu Jian to attack the Yan-Zhao region from Jingxing; Zhuguo Qiao Zhongkui to set out from Yanmen; appointed Pei Wen'an as Zhuguo, Gedan Gui, Wang Dan, General Ruru Tianbao, and Houmo Chen Hui directly towards the capital. Before reaching Pujin Pass, over a hundred miles away, Dou Jiande suddenly had a change of heart, ordering Gedan Gui to sever the river bridge and secure Puzhou, and then recalled Pei Wen'an. Upon Pei Wen'an's return, he remarked, "Effective military strategy relies on surprise and speed. If you don't act now, and I return, allowing the enemy to succeed, it will spell disaster!" Dou Jiande dismissed him.

He appointed Wang Dan (王聃) as the prefect of Puzhou, Pei Wen'an (裴文安) as the prefect of Jinzhou, Xue Cui (薛粹) as the prefect of Jiangzhou, Liang Pusa (梁菩萨) as the prefect of Luzhou, Wei Daozheng (韦道正) as the prefect of Hanzhou, and Zhang Boying (张伯英) as the prefect of Zezhou. Emperor Yang of Sui sent Yang Su (杨素) to lead five thousand cavalry to attack Wang Dan and Ge Shangu's forces stationed in Puzhou, defeating them. Then, Yang Su led forty thousand infantry and cavalry to attack Taiyuan. Dou Jiande (窦建德) sent Zhao Zikai (赵子开) to defend Gaobi, but Yang Su defeated him. Dou Jiande was very afraid and resisted Yang Su in Haoze. Just as a heavy rain started, Dou Jiande wanted to retreat, but Wang Kui (王頍) advised him, saying, "Yang Su's army is exhausted, Your Majesty. If you lead the elite troops to attack them, you will surely defeat them. Running away at the sight of the enemy will make us look cowardly, demoralize the soldiers, and instead boost the morale of the Western Army. I hope Your Majesty will not retreat!" Dou Jiande did not listen and retreated to Qingyuan. Yang Su pursued, and Dou Jiande fought a major battle with his army and the officials, resulting in nearly twenty thousand deaths. Dou Jiande retreated to Binxian, and Yang Su besieged Binxian. With no way out, Dou Jiande surrendered to Yang Su. The officials requested Dou Jiande's execution, but Emperor Yang said, "I have no brothers in my lifetime, and I really cannot bear to kill him. I will spare his life against the law." So, Dou Jiande was stripped of his title and became a commoner, his household registration status was canceled, and he ultimately died in despair. His son Dou Hao (窦颢) was also imprisoned and later killed during the rebellion of Yuwen Huaji (宇文化及). The history books say: None of the five sons of the founding emperor had a good ending, which is indeed quite strange!

Prince Fangling, Yang Liang, while relying on familial bonds, fulfilled his duties as a subject to the emperor, participating in the country's affairs for twenty years. Although he accomplished many good deeds, he was far from perfect. However, his daily conduct was without error. As the emperor's favor shifted and corrupt officials sowed discord, Yang Liang's hopes of regaining his father's love were dashed, resulting in a complete breakdown of their father-son relationship. The signs of the Sui Dynasty's imminent collapse were evident to the people. Ultimately, Yang Liang's ambitions for the throne grew, which ultimately led to his rebellion against the throne. His death stemmed from his anxieties and growing ambitions. In the ensuing chaos, people were unwilling to assist one another, and Yang Liang's descendants faced lifelong imprisonment and poisonings. Ultimately, the ancestral temples and altars of the Sui Dynasty fell into ruin.

Historically, there have been countless examples of displacing the legitimate son in favor of the illegitimate one, leading to the ruin of families. However, in examining these calamities that brought about ruin, none was as brutal as the Sui Dynasty. The Book of Songs states: "The lessons of the Yin Dynasty are close at hand, just after the Xia Dynasty." Shouldn't future generations with nations and families heed this warning?

Details

Written by: Realhistories

Category: Book of Sui （隋書）

Published: 10 January 2025

Created: 10 January 2025

Hits: 48

Cai Wang Zhiji was the son of Gaozu's younger brother, Duke Zheng of Chenliu County. His father Zheng, during the reign of Emperor Ming of Zhou, was granted the title of Duke of Chenliu County due to the military achievements of Gaozu. He was later appointed as the Grand Marshal of the Palace and the Cavalry. Following Emperor Wu to fight against and pacify the Qi country, they fought all the way to Bingzhou, fighting bravely until his death. After Gaozu became Chancellor, he posthumously appointed him as the Pillar State, Grand Minister of State, and also posthumously granted him the governorship of eight states including Ji, Ding, Ying, Xiang, Huai, Wei, Zhao, and Bei. After Gaozu became emperor, he posthumously conferred upon him the title of King of Cai, with the posthumous title of King Jing. Zhiji inherited the title from his father. Gaozu also granted titles to his brothers Zhiming, Duke of Gaoyang, and Zhicai, Duke of Kaifeng. Shortly thereafter, Zhiji was appointed as the General of the Palace and also served as the governor of the same province, and the court sent a grand procession to escort him to his new post.

After a period of time, because Zhiji was prudent and had a good reputation, Gaozu appreciated him very much. He never played or hunted while serving as an official in the province. After handling government affairs, he would sit up straight and read. He never entertained private visitors at home. He had the attendant Gong Sun Shangyi, a Confucian scholar from Shandong, as well as the officials Yang Junying and Xiao Deyan in the mansion, who were all cultured individuals. Zhiji often invited them to his home, and the refreshments he offered were simple, just biscuits and fruit, and he limited himself to only three cups of wine. Although there were female entertainers at home, they played music for the Empress Dowager only during festivals and holidays. His life was so simple. When Gaozu was still a commoner, King Jing had a strained relationship with him. King Jing's Empress Wei and Empress Dugu also had a bad relationship, so Zhiji remained fearful and cautious. Gaozu knew his situation and sympathized with his plight.

Some people advised Zhi Ji to accumulate more wealth and invest in some industries. Zhi Ji replied, "Previously, the wealth of the Pingyuan family amounted to millions, but in the end, it all ended in the family's fortune being squandered. It was a hard lesson! Fortunately, I don't have much family property, so why bother to manage it?" He had five sons and allowed them to study the Analects and the Classic of Filial Piety only, without letting them interact with people outside. When asked why he did this, Zhi Ji replied, "You don't understand me." He feared that their talents might lead to disaster. In the twentieth year of the Kaihuang reign, Zhi Ji was summoned back to the capital, but he did not take on any official roles, choosing to stay at home and rarely going out except to pay respects to the emperor.

After Emperor Yang of Sui ascended the throne, Prince Teng and Prince Wei were both falsely accused and punished, and Duke Gao Yang Zhi Ming was deprived of his title due to poor relations with others, which made Zhi Ji deeply concerned. In the seventh year of the Daye reign, he was appointed as the Prefect of Hongnong, but he left all political matters to his subordinates, choosing to live a quiet life. Later, when Yang Xuangan rebelled and marched from the eastern capital towards the west, Zhi Ji told his subordinates, "Yang Xuangan has heard that the imperial army is approaching and wants to attack the Guanzhong region in the west. If he succeeds, his foundation will be secure. We should find a way to delay him and stop him from moving forward. In ten days, we will be able to capture him." When Yang Xuangan's army arrived at the city, Zhi Ji climbed the city wall and shouted insults at him. Yang Xuangan was very angry and ordered an attack on the city. The rebels set the city gates on fire, so Zhi Ji ordered the surrounding buildings to be set on fire, keeping the rebels out. After a few days, reinforcements under Yuwen Shu arrived, and together they launched an attack, defeating the rebels.

Twelve years later, Zhiji followed the emperor to Jiangdu and fell ill. Emperor Yang of Sui was cold towards his relatives at that time, which left Zhiji feeling unsettled. When he fell ill, he didn't even summon a doctor. On his deathbed, he said to his close ones, "Today I finally realize that being able to keep my head and be buried underground after death is considered fortunate." People at the time felt sorrow for him. Historical records indicate that during the Zhou Dynasty, the relatives of meritorious officials were enfeoffed as marquises, and in the Han Dynasty, meritorious officials were likened to the cornerstones of the nation, all to unify the imperial family internally and stabilize the populace externally, in order to strengthen the foundation and consolidate the position of the imperial family. In times of national stability, they can share in joy; in times of crisis, they can shoulder risks together. This practice has deep historical roots. After the Wei and Jin Dynasties, many dynasties did not adhere to this, disregarding ancestral customs and harboring personal ambitions. Suppressing them would make their power like that of ordinary people; promoting them would make their power equal to that of the emperor, which is not a problem that can be solved in a short period of time. The fortunes and misfortunes of past dynasties are documented in historical texts, so it will not be discussed in detail here. The bonds between the brothers of the Sui Dynasty's founding emperor were weak, and the conflicts in the palace were irreconcilable. When Emperor Yang of Sui ascended the throne, these issues became more pronounced. Therefore, when Prince Teng died violently, everyone discussed it privately; when Prince Cai faced death, he still regarded himself as fortunate. Only Prince Wei, who was raised by the empress dowager, received special favor, while the other princes roamed in different lands, not knowing where they would die, which was truly tragic. Though they were granted lands and referred to as the cornerstones of the nation, they lacked military protection and lived as commoners, with no internal or external security. With no hope for the future, how could they confront challenges with any optimism?

Details

Written by: Realhistories

Category: Book of Sui （隋書）

Published: 10 January 2025

Created: 10 January 2025

Hits: 34

Wei Zhao, styled Shi Ren and also known by the courtesy name Ming Da, was the half-brother of Gaozu. During the Zhou Dynasty, as a newborn, he was granted the title of Duke of Tong'an County in recognition of Gaozu's military achievements. At the age of six, his father, Gaozu, passed away, and he was raised by the Empress Dowager, which made Gaozu particularly fond of him among his many brothers. At the age of seventeen, he became a Senior Minister of Internal Affairs. After Gaozu took power, he appointed him as Grand General and Governor of Qinzhou. Before he could assume his new position, he was reassigned as the Governor of Puzhou and promoted to Marquis. After Gaozu ascended the throne, he was granted the title of King of Wei. Shortly after, he was reassigned as the Governor of Yongzhou, also serving as both Left and Right General. Not long after, he was promoted to Right Grand General, overseeing military and political affairs in Bingzhou. A little over a year later, he was promoted to Senior Marquis and reassigned as Governor of Liangzhou. Wei Zhao was handsome and talented, with great leadership abilities and high prestige in governing the region.

That year, the court appointed Wei Zhao as the Marshal of the Expedition, leading seventy thousand infantry and cavalry to guard against the Turks. Setting out from Pingliang, he returned without encountering any enemies. The following year, with a major expedition to the north, he was once again appointed as Marshal. Princes Hong of Hejian, Doulu Ji, Dou Rongding, Gao Feng, Yu Qingze, and others attacked from different routes, all following Wei Zhao's command. Wei Zhao personally led four generals, including Li Chongjie, from Shuozhou, encountering the Khan of the Rouran at the White Road. They engaged in battle, achieving a great victory, capturing over a thousand prisoners and seizing many horses, cattle, and sheep. The Khan of the Rouran was gravely injured and fled in a panic. Gaozu was very pleased and rewarded Wei Zhao with the land of a thousand households in Liang'an County. Six years later, Wei Zhao was appointed Marshal once again, leading fifteen thousand infantry and cavalry from Hechuan. The Turkic army was terrified and fled. The following year, he was summoned as a Counselor, and Gaozu held him in high regard.

Not long after, Prince Shuang fell ill. The emperor sent the shaman Xue Rongzong to see him, and Xue Rongzong said that there were many evil spirits causing mischief. Shuang ordered his attendants to drive away the evil spirits. A few days later, actual evil spirits attacked Xue Rongzong, and he fell down the stairs in fright, resulting in his death. That night, Shuang died at the age of twenty-five. The court posthumously elevated him to the titles of Grand Commandant and Governor of Jizhou. His son Ji inherited his title.

As for Ji, he was initially titled Prince Suian and later inherited the title of Prince Wei. During the reign of Emperor Yang of the Sui, the favor shown to the feudal lords diminished, and suspicions grew. Ji was anxious and fearful, not knowing what to do, so he sought out a fortune teller named Yu Puming and organized some kind of ritual for blessings. However, someone reported that Ji was cursing the emperor and colluding with officials in charge of criminal law to curry favor with the emperor. This was deliberately inflated, and it was reported that Ji had committed a grave crime and deserved death.

The emperor let the ministers discuss this matter. They said, "Ji Zi has been secretly dabbling in those underhanded practices, using sorcery to curse the emperor and his family. He even curses openly, showing no shame at all. He completely disregards human morality, violates the ancestral rules, and shows a grave disrespect to the sovereign and father, which is unforgivable and should be punished under the law!" At that time, Prince Teng and Ji Zi were on good terms. The emperor was hesitant to impose a harsh punishment on Ji Zi, so he issued an edict saying, "Teng and Ji are like flowers on the same branch; their relationship is as close as father and son. I granted them high positions and generous rewards, not due to their merits. They should stand by the country through thick and thin, yet they engage in witchcraft and evil deeds in secret, abandoning the fundamental principles of loyalty between ruler and subject. They have cast aside their love and respect for the monarch, demonstrating no loyalty during a national crisis. The ministers unanimously believe they should face severe punishment, and I feel troubled after reading the memorial. While everyone is equal under the law and favors must give way to justice, the law must also take the royal family into account, and etiquette must also honor family ties. I cannot bring myself to punish them completely." Therefore, ultimately, Ji Zi's title was stripped away, and he was exiled to a remote region. Later, when chaos engulfed the world, Ji Zi disappeared without a trace.

Cai Wang Zhiji, the son of Cai Zheng, who was the younger brother of Gaozu, the Duke of Chenliu. His father Cai Zheng, during the reign of Emperor Ming of Zhou, was granted the title of Duke of Chenliu for his military achievements alongside the founding emperor. He later held the titles of Grand Marshal and Chariots and Cavalry General. When fighting against the Qi state with Emperor Wu, he died bravely in Bingzhou. After Gaozu became Prime Minister, he posthumously honored Cai Zheng as the Minister of State and Grand Minister of Works, and put him in charge of the eight provinces of Jizhou, Dingzhou, Yingzhou, Xiangzhou, Huaizhou, Weizhou, Zhaozhou, and Beizhou. After Gaozu became emperor, he posthumously titled him as King Cai, with the posthumous name Jing. He then allowed Zhiji to inherit the title of King Cai. His brother Zhiming was appointed as Duke of Gaoyang County, and Zhicai as Duke of Kaifeng County. Not long after, Zhiji was appointed as the General of the Household and given the post of Provincial Governor, which was quite an impressive position. After some time, due to Zhiji's cautious nature, he became well-known and admired by Gaozu. While serving as the Provincial Governor, Zhiji never indulged in leisure activities like hunting and would sit upright reading after completing his official duties, never receiving private visitors at home. He had the Confucian scholar Gongsun Shangyi by his side, as well as the cultured officials Yang Junying and Xiao Deyan, whom he often invited to read together. The refreshments were simple, consisting only of cakes and fruits, with only three cups of wine being drunk. Although there were singing girls at home, they only performed during holidays after obtaining approval from the Empress Dowager, which reflected his simple lifestyle. When Gaozu was still powerless, King Jing had a bad relationship with him, and King Jing's mother Lady Wei did not get along with Gaozu's Empress Dowager Dugu, so Zhiji was always cautious. Gaozu understood his thoughts and sympathized with him.

Some people advised Zhi Ji to invest in property, but Zhi Ji said: "In the past, the Pingyuan family was incredibly wealthy, but in the end, it ended badly! Fortunately, I don't have much family property, so why bother to acquire more?" He had five sons and only allowed them to study the Analects and the Classic of Filial Piety, and he restricted their interactions with outsiders. When someone asked him why, Zhi Ji said: "You don't understand me." He meant that he feared his sons' talents might lead to trouble. In the twentieth year of the Kaihuang reign, Zhi Ji was called back to the capital, but he did not take on any official role; instead, he stayed home, rarely going out except to pay his respects to the emperor.

After Emperor Yang of Sui ascended the throne, Prince Teng and Prince Wei were framed by others and punished, and Duke Gaoyang Zhi Ming was also deprived of his title due to his poor relationships with others, which left Zhi Ji feeling very fearful. In the seventh year of Daye, Zhi Ji was appointed as the Prefect of Hongnong, delegating all political matters to his subordinates and leading a quiet life. Later, Yang Xuangan rebelled, leading his troops from the eastern capital to the west. Zhi Ji informed his subordinates: "Yang Xuangan heard that the imperial army is approaching and wants to attack Guanzhong in the west. If he succeeds, his foundation will be solid. We should find a way to stop him from advancing. Within ten days, we can capture him." As Yang Xuangan's army approached the city gates, Zhi Ji climbed the city wall and berated him. Yang Xuangan was very angry and ordered the city to be attacked. As the rebels set fire to the city gates, Zhi Ji ordered the city walls to be set on fire to keep the rebels out. After a few days, reinforcements under Yu Wenshu arrived and launched an attack together, defeating the rebels.

In the twelfth year, Zhi Ji followed the emperor to Jiangdu and fell seriously ill. Emperor Yang of Sui was quite indifferent to his relatives then, leaving Zhi Ji feeling insecure. Even in his illness, he refused to call for a doctor. Before his death, he said to his relatives: "Today I finally understand that being able to keep my head and be buried underground after death is considered fortunate." People at the time mourned for him. He had a son named Zhi Daoxuan.

The history books say: the Zhou Dynasty valued royal family members, the Han Dynasty compared royal family members to the cornerstone of the nation, living harmoniously within and ensuring peace for the people outside; only then can the foundation remain stable and the imperial family thrive. When the country is stable, everyone shares in the joy; when the country is in peril, everyone faces the danger together—this is a timeless truth. After the Wei and Jin Dynasties, many dynasties failed to achieve this, disregarding their ancestors' rules, each pursuing their own interests. Suppress them, their power is the same as ordinary people; indulge them, their power is the same as the emperor—restoring balance isn’t something that can be achieved overnight. The bond between the brothers of the Sui Dynasty's founding emperor was quite shallow, and the palace conflicts were irreconcilable. When Sui Yangdi took the throne, things took a turn for the worse. So when Prince Teng died unexpectedly, everyone whispered about it; when Prince Cai was on his deathbed, some considered it a stroke of luck. Only Prince Wei, who was favored by the Empress, received special treatment, while the other princes were in exile, uncertain of where they would meet their end—how tragic! They were given some land and titles, touted as the foundation of the nation, but in reality, they lack military protection and live just like commoners. With no internal or external worries, unable to secure their present, facing so many hardships, what can they possibly hope for?