Real Histories
Yuwen Xin, courtesy name Zhongle, was born in Shuofang but later moved to Jingzhao. His grandfather was Yuwen Modouyu, the Duke of Anping in the Wei Dynasty; his father was Yuwen Gui, the Grand Marshal of the Zhou Dynasty and Duke of Xuguo. Yuwen Xin was intelligent and quick-witted from a young age. When playing games with his friends as a child, he always acted as the commander, strategically organizing his friends like troops. At the age of twelve, he was already skilled in archery and horseback riding, fast and accurate, like an arrow in flight. He often said to those close to him, "The famous generals in history, such as Han Xin, Bai Qi, Wei Qing, and Huo Qubing, are only worthy of praise. I have carefully studied their deeds and find them not perfect enough. If they were contemporaries of mine, I would never let those youngsters hog all the glory!" He had great ambitions from a young age.
At the age of eighteen, he followed the Prince of Qi of the Zhou Dynasty, Yuwen Xian, in the campaign against the Turks and made great achievements. He was appointed as Yitong Sanqi and granted the title of Duke of Xinggu County. When Wei Xiaokuan was stationed at Yubi, he noticed Yuwen Xin's bravery and skills in battle and requested him to join the expedition. Yuwen Xin won numerous battles and was promoted to Kaifu, General of Light Cavalry, and the Duke of Huazheng County with a fief of two thousand households.
Later, he followed Emperor Wu of the Zhou Dynasty in the campaign against Northern Qi and attacked Jinzhou. The last emperor of Northern Qi himself personally led a powerful army, making Emperor Wu a bit apprehensive and contemplate retreat. Yuwen Xin advised, "Your Majesty, you are brave and skilled in battle. The enemy is overconfident and underestimating our strength. There is nowhere they cannot be defeated! If Northern Qi gets a capable emperor and unites the officials and soldiers, even with the might of Emperor Shang Tang or King Wu of Zhou, they may not easily defeat them. Currently, the Emperor of Northern Qi is incompetent, the ministers are foolish, and the soldiers lack morale. Even with a million troops, they are essentially sending themselves to Your Majesty!" Emperor Wu accepted his advice, and the campaign culminated in a resounding victory.
When Emperor Wu attacked Bingzhou, he initially won but later faced defeat. With no escape and all his companions dead, Emperor Wu had to flee alone. Many generals advised him to retreat. Yuwen Xin became very angry and loudly said, "Ever since Your Majesty captured Jinzhou, defeated Gao Wei, and pursued victory, we have fought all the way here. The pretender Emperor of Qi has been fleeing in all directions, causing a major stir in the Guandong region. There’s never been such momentum in warfare throughout history! Yesterday, the soldiers were a bit careless during the siege, leading to a slight setback. What is there to worry about? A true warrior seeks to survive in desperate times and find victory in defeat. We're like splitting bamboo, unstoppable, and gaining the advantage. How can we give up halfway?" Emperor Wu followed his advice, fought again the next day, and finally captured Jinyang. After the fall of Northern Qi, Yuwen Xin was promoted to Grand General and rewarded with a significant reward. Shortly after, he and Wu Wan together defeated the Chen dynasty general Wu Mingche in Lüliang, and Yuwen Xin was promoted to Pillar of the State, rewarded with two hundred slaves, and appointed as the Governor of Yuzhou.
When the Emperor was still an unknown figure, he shared a close and harmonious relationship with Yang Su. Later, when the Emperor became Prime Minister, he extended even greater favor to Yang Su.
Later, Wei Jiao rebelled, and the Emperor appointed Yang Su as the Commander of the Expeditionary Forces to accompany Wei Xiaokuan in battle. At that time, the army was stationed in Heyang, and no other generals dared to attack first. The Emperor even dispatched Gao Feng to oversee the army, discussing battle plans privately with Yang Su alone. When Wei Jiao sent his son Wei Dun to station troops in Wuzhi, Yang Su led the vanguard and swiftly routed them.
The army advanced to Xiangzhou, and Wei Jiong sent three thousand elite soldiers to ambush at Yemagang, planning to attack the imperial army. Yang Su only took five hundred cavalry and charged up, decimating most of the ambushed troops. Upon reaching the Grass Bridge, Wei Jiong established a defensive formation in the city and engaged in a fierce battle with the imperial forces. The imperial forces initially found themselves at a disadvantage. At that time, tens of thousands of onlookers, including men, women, and children, gathered to witness the spectacle in Ye City. Yang Su discussed with Gao Feng and Li Xun, saying, "The situation is critical, we need to employ some strategies." So they fiercely attacked the crowd watching the excitement, causing panic and a chaotic stampede, resulting in a deafening uproar. Yang Su shouted, "The enemy is defeated!" The soldiers' morale surged, and they all attacked fiercely, completely defeating Wei Jiong's army.
After capturing Ye City, in recognition of Yang Su's contributions, he was appointed as the Grand Minister, awarded two hundred servants and tens of thousands of cattle, horses, and sheep. Emperor Gaozu personally told Yang Su, "Wei Jiong mobilized the entire army of Shandong and used a million troops, but you were able to strategize and win from a thousand miles away. In each battle, there was no complete formation. You are truly a hero of our time!" He then appointed Yang Su as the Duke of England and added three thousand households to his fiefdom. Since then, Yang Su regularly participated in the emperor's military councils, entered and exited the palace, and when Emperor Gaozu abdicated, Yang Su played a crucial role. Later, Yang Su was promoted to the Grand General of the Right, and the emperor's favor towards him grew heavier.
At that time, whenever something positive occurred in the army, even if it wasn't his doing, his subordinates would remark, "This must be a strategy devised by the Duke of England!" Everyone held him in high regard! Later, he was also appointed as the Duke of Qiguo.
The emperor once wanted to send Xin to fight against the Turks, but Gao Jiang told the emperor, "Xin is very ambitious; we cannot entrust him with a large army." The emperor then abandoned this idea. Xin was a key figure in helping the emperor achieve his successes and had served as a general multiple times, gaining great fame. The emperor was somewhat wary of him, so he found an excuse to demote him.
Xin had a close relationship with Liang Shiyan, and they often interacted. Liang Shiyan was dissatisfied with the court at the time and secretly planned a rebellion. Xin said to Liang Shiyan, "No emperor remains unchanged forever. Mutual support is the right path. If you raise troops in Puzhou, I will definitely lead troops to support you. When our two armies confront each other, we can coordinate our efforts from within and without to seize control of the realm!" Their plan was leaked, and both of them were killed. At that time, Xin was sixty-four years old, and all his possessions were seized.
Xin's brother, Xin Shan, was generous and skilled in martial arts. He held high positions in the Northern Zhou, reaching the rank of Grand Preceptor and Duke of Xu. After the founding emperor ascended the throne, he treated Xin Shan very well and even granted his son, Xin Ying, the title of Senior Yitong official. After Xin's execution, his family faced persecution. Not long after, Xin Shan passed away as well. Xin Ying later became the Deputy Minister of Agriculture during the Daye period. When Li Mi launched an attack on the Eastern Capital, Xin Ying defected and sided with him. Xin also had another brother named Xin Kai, whose deeds are recorded separately.
Wang Yi, courtesy name Yijun, was from Luoyang, Henan. His father, Wang Xian, once held the position of governor of Fengzhou during the Zhou Dynasty. Wang Yi had a bold and ambitious personality from a young age, skilled in archery and well-read. During the reign of Emperor Min of the Zhou Dynasty, Wang Yi was appointed as a senior court official. At that time, the powerful Grand Chancellor Yuwen Hu wielded significant influence and authority, even surpassing the imperial family, with the emperor turning a blind eye to it. One day, a court official disrespected the emperor, which provoked Wang Yi, who nearly confronted him. The court official quickly apologized, and Wang Yi backed down. From then on, no court official dared to misbehave. Over a year later, Wang Yi was promoted to the position of Imperial Secretary. After his father's death, Wang Yi was deeply grieved and personally built a shed next to his father's grave, even took it upon himself to fill the grave with soil, showing great filial piety. After mourning for a year, the court appointed him as the deputy governor of Yongzhou, which he declined, but the court insisted on his appointment. Later, when Emperor Yang Jian ascended the throne as Emperor Wen of the Sui Dynasty, he bestowed upon Wang Yi the title of Yitong Sansi, and he gradually rose through the ranks, eventually becoming the Minister of the Interior and being granted the title of Duke of Yangguo. When Emperor Wen of Sui attacked the Qi Kingdom, Wang Yi accompanied the troops to Bingzhou. However, after the Sui army entered the city, they suffered a defeat at the hands of the Qi army, with many soldiers and generals killed. Wang Yi led his elite troops to rescue the emperor, ensuring his safe escape. At that time, Emperor Wen of Sui wanted to retreat due to the army's defeat, but Wang Yi strongly urged him to stay, and the emperor followed his advice. After the Qi Kingdom was pacified, Wang Yi was appointed governor of Xiangzhou. Shortly after, he was summoned back to court and appointed Minister of the Interior.
The Jihu people of Fenzhou rebelled, and Wang Yi led troops to suppress the rebellion. Although the King of Yue, Yang Sheng, and the King of Qiao, Yang Jian, were in charge, they both followed Wang Yi's command, which indicates Wang Yi's significant standing at the time. After quelling the rebellion, Wang Yi received generous rewards, including five thousand rolls of silk and the title of Duke of Kaiguo for his son. Before his death, Emperor Wen of Sui told his crown prince, "Wang Yi is a loyal minister to the state; he should be involved in sensitive matters and not sent far away."
The crown prince succeeded to the throne as Emperor Xuan of Sui. He felt a bit intimidated by Wang Yi's strong principles, so he sent Wang Yi away to take up the position of governor in Xiangzhou. Later, when Yang Jian became the prime minister, he transferred Wang Yi to serve as a governor in Zhengzhou. When Sima Xiaonan launched his rebellion, Yang Jian appointed Wang Yi as the commander-in-chief to lead four governors to confront him. When the army reached the outskirts, Sima Xiaonan fled. At that time, spanning over two thousand miles east to west, there were many rebellions by various tribes in the Ba-Shu region, who chose the governor of Lanluo Prefecture as their leader. Lanluo Prefecture declared itself the King of Henan, joined Sima Xiaonan, and conspired with Yu Jiong. Wang Yi led the commanders Li Wei, Feng Hui, Li Yuan, and others to suppress the rebellion, and within a month, the rebellion was quelled.
Because Wang Yi was an old courtier, Yang Jian respected him greatly and sent people to visit him continuously. He even married his fifth daughter to Wang Yi's son, Wang Fengxiao, and later appointed Wang Yi as the Grand Minister of Works. Wang Yi, because of his old relationship with Yang Jian, wholeheartedly pledged his loyalty to him.
After the emperor ascended the throne, he treated Yang Su especially well, even personally visiting his home and having a great time with him. The Minister of Ceremonies, Su Wei, proposed that with the increasing population and insufficient farmland, the lands of the meritorious officials should be taken back and redistributed to the common people. Yang Su submitted a petition stating, "All officials have obtained their titles and lands through the merits of their ancestors. It's not really fair to take them back all of a sudden. In my opinion, instead of stressing about not having enough land, we should be more concerned about whether the court officials are working hard enough!" The emperor found Yang Su's reasoning sound and set aside Su Wei's proposal.
In the early years of the Kaihuang reign, the emperor planned to inspect Qizhou. Yang Su advised, "Your Majesty has just ascended the throne, and people's feelings aren't fully settled yet. Why go to such a distant place?" The emperor jokingly said, "I was once in a similar position as you, but now I have suddenly become your subject. Are you a little uncomfortable with that? This time I am going mainly to show off my authority, intimidate those who are not convinced, and also to make you feel more at ease." Yang Su smiled and withdrew. Later, when Yang Su was sent on a mission to the Turks, the emperor was really pleased with his work and elevated him to the Duke of Yingguo.
Not long after, Yang Su's son died. A year later, Yang Su submitted a memorial to the court, saying that the princess was still young and requesting to be exempted from mourning attire. The Imperial Censor Yang Su accused him, saying: "I have heard that mourning has five categories, with different degrees of kinship and different mourning customs; there are four types of funeral systems, with different ranks and different ceremonies. These are principles that all emperors have followed throughout history, so it is said to be an unchanging truth. Therefore, virtuous people will not exceed the regulations, and those who are not virtuous cannot fall short of the regulations. Moreover, the son of Yang Su, who married Princess Lanling, passed away in May last year, and it has not yet been a full year, but Yang Su is asking for an exemption from wearing mourning attire. Privately, although the princess married someone of lower status, she ultimately married someone else, and the princess's father is the emperor, which is still a major event. Not to mention the three-year mourning period, which must be observed by everyone, from the highest rank to the lowest, and mourning must continue until the period is over, without detailed regulations in the rites. However, marital relationships are the beginning of human relationships, and funeral rites are the most important thing in humanity. If they are underestimated, it will be ridiculed by gentlemen. Therefore, using the metaphor of kindling a fire to illustrate the brevity of the mourning period; using singing in the morning and evening to describe forgetting sorrow too early. Although Yang Su is not a strong person, his title is already high; can he get away with not following the rules? He despises customs, corrupts education, and is not fulfilling his duties as a father; he disregards rites, rushes through mourning affairs, and puts his wife in an unjust position. If he is allowed to continue without correction, it may lead to a deterioration of morals and customs, and it is requested that he be dealt with according to the law." The emperor ordered not to investigate, but reduced Yang Su's favor. Yang Su felt deeply resentful.
Someone accused Yang Su of treason, and the emperor ordered an investigation. The officials in charge reported that Yang Su had made disrespectful comments, but there was no evidence of treason. The emperor gave him wine and released him. At that time, the Grand Preceptor Yuan Xie was also somewhat neglected, and Yang Su often associated with him, making very inappropriate remarks. A foreign monk reported them, and the court officials reported that Yang Su had committed a grave offense and deserved death. The emperor summoned Yang Su and said with sadness, "We were classmates before, and I sympathize with you, but what about the laws of the country?" He then issued a proclamation: "Yang Su was involved in moral affairs early on during the Zhou Dynasty, and we studied together at school, so we had a good relationship. But his nature is wicked, with sorcerers frequently visiting his home, spouting nonsense while claiming to be a divine figure. When I first ascended the throne, I admonished him many times, and although he verbally claimed to repent, he never truly did. He promotes the Four Heavenly Ways, saying that Yang Su should be appointed by heaven, with prophecies recorded in books and constellations in the sky. He secretly divines to inquire about disasters in the palace. He claims to be an enlightened ruler, engaging in superstitious and malevolent practices, spouting nonsense everywhere, claiming to have a mandate from heaven and believing wholeheartedly in his destined rule. If pardoned, he may rebel in the future, so to prevent any potential rebellion and eliminate evil, justice must be served." The emperor also had the Minister of Justice Zhao Chuo tell Yang Su, "It is fate; what else can you do?" Thus, Yang Su was executed at home at the age of forty-six. Yuan Xie, hailing from Luoyang in Henan, came from a distinguished and affluent family. He was known for his generosity, righteousness, and remarkable courage. In his youth, he studied at the Imperial Academy alongside the dynasty's founder, and they had a very good relationship as close friends. Later, Yuan Xie rose through the ranks with military achievements and eventually became a general. After the founder assumed the role of prime minister, he invited Yuan Xie to serve by his side. Yuan Xie said to the founder, "You currently lack any power of your own, much like a wall in water, which is quite perilous! You must work hard!"
Later, Wei Jiong rebelled and sent troops to attack some small towns. Gaozu sent Yuan Xie to defeat them. After Gaozu became emperor, he smiled and said to Yuan Xie, "How's that wall in the water coming along?" Then he threw a banquet, and everyone celebrated joyfully. Yuan Xie was promoted to Grand General, granted the title of Marquis of Le'an County, along with a fief of a thousand households, and was ordered to participate in the revision of the laws.
At that time, the Tuyuhun launched an invasion of Liangzhou, prompting the emperor to appoint Yuan Xie as the commander-in-chief, leading generals like Helou Zigang, Guo Jun, Yuan Hao, and others to command tens of thousands of troops to attack them. The emperor specifically instructed Yuan Xie, "You have been entrusted by the court to lead the army on a western expedition. My goal is to stabilize the border, protect the people, not to covet useless land, and harm the people of the border areas. The army of the king should prioritize benevolence and righteousness. If the Tuyuhun army reaches the border, you should reason with them, appeal to their feelings, and educate them. Who would dare to defy us?" At that time, the Tuyuhun general Ding Chengwang Zhong Lifu led three thousand cavalry across the Yellow River and made contact with the Tangut. Yuan Xie led his army from Shanzhou, heading straight for Qinghai to cut off their escape. The Tuyuhun forces attempted to intercept Yuan Xie, leading to a confrontation at Fengli Mountain. The Tuyuhun fielded twenty thousand iron cavalry, and after a fierce battle against Yuan Xie, they were defeated and fled in all directions.
The Tuyuhun army was stationed in Qinghai, and their prince, Kebohan, led fifty thousand elite cavalry to launch a surprise attack on the imperial forces. Yuan Xie took the initiative to engage them, defeated them, and pursued them for over thirty miles, killing and capturing tens of thousands of Tuyuhun soldiers, terrifying the Tuyuhun forces. Yuan Xie subsequently wrote to inform them of their predicament, and seventeen Tuyuhun tribal leaders and thirteen nobles led their own people to surrender. The emperor was very pleased and issued a decree: "To reward those who have made contributions is a tradition since ancient times. Yuan Xie has shown great insight and agility, excelling in both civil and military affairs, gaining renown both in the court and among the people. He expanded the territory and achieved significant victories on the battlefield, demonstrating deep foresight and loyalty, winning my favor. To commend his contributions, he shall receive a grand reward. He shall be appointed as a pillar of the state, and his son shall be appointed as a county duke." Yuan Xie was appointed as the Inspector of Ningzhou, renowned for his integrity and benevolence, deeply loved by the people. However, he was strong-willed, often critical of others, and lacked the ability to curry favor with those around him. He once told the emperor, "I serve Your Majesty wholeheartedly, never resorting to flattery." The emperor said, "You should always maintain this attitude." However, he was later dismissed from his position due to official matters. Historically, Wang Yi, the former pillar of the state, had rendered significant service to the country and maintained a close relationship with Yang Su, often interacting with each other. A Hu monk reported to the emperor that Yang Su and Wang Yi were plotting treason. After investigation, no evidence of rebellion was found; thus, the emperor reassured them and set them free. Not long after, Wang Yi was killed, and Yang Su began to be gradually ignored. However, because of his previous good relationship with the emperor, he remained able to attend court sessions, where the emperor continued to treat him favorably.
Once the emperor hosted a grand banquet for his ministers, and Yang Su suggested, "Your Majesty, your virtue is renowned far and wide. I suggest appointing the Turkic Khan as the Chief of the Guards and Chen Shubao as the Chief Clerk." The emperor replied, "I subdued the Chen Kingdom to punish the wicked and bring peace to the people, not to show off military power and intimidate others. What you propose is completely contrary to my intentions. The Turks are not familiar with our terrain; how could they serve as guards? Chen Shubao is foolish and has a penchant for drinking; how can he handle affairs?" Yang Su remained silent and quietly withdrew.
A few years later, a report was made accusing Yang Su, his cousin Yang Pang, Marquis Tian Luan of Linze, and Qi Xu of plotting rebellion. The emperor ordered an investigation. The investigating authorities reported, "Yang Su conspired to have Qi Xu lead the Tangut soldiers to swiftly seize Bashu. At that time, Prince Guangping Yang Xiong and Left Supervisor Gao Feng were in power, and Yang Su sought to implicate them, saying, 'The Left Law Star has been in motion for four years; as long as it is reported, Gao Feng will surely die.' He also said, 'The Tai Bai star is in conflict with the moon, shining brightly; this is an omen of ministerial bloodshed; Yang Xiong is surely doomed.' On one occasion, Yang Su visited the palace with Yang Pang, and privately told Yang Pang, 'I am the master; those in the court are all traitors.' Then he let Yang Pang see the luck of the ministers in the palace, and Yang Pang said, 'The luck of those people is like squatting dogs and running deer, not as fortunate as us.'" The emperor was enraged, leading to the execution of Yang Su, Yang Pang, Tian Luan, and Qi Xu, and their properties were seized.
Wang Shiji is from Xinzheng, Henan. His father, Wang Ya, was a high-ranking official of the Zhou Dynasty, holding the positions of "Shichijie" (Commissioner) and "Kaifu Yitong Sansi" (a high-ranking official with special privileges). Wang Shiji was tall and strong, with a waist so thick it could wrap around him ten times. He had an extraordinary temperament and looked like a hero. During the Zhou Dynasty, he achieved many military merits and was appointed as Senior Commissioner, and later as the Duke of Changzi County. After Gaozu ascended to the throne and Yu Jiao rebelled, Wang Shiji followed Wei Xiaokuan to fight in the battles, always leading the charge and securing significant victories, eventually being promoted to Grand General. After Gaozu became emperor, he was further appointed as the Duke of Yiyang County. Gao Feng greatly admired his talents and favored him. Once, Wang Shiji privately inquired of Gao Feng, "We are all subjects of the Zhou Dynasty; now that the Zhou Dynasty has perished, what should we do?" Upon hearing this, Gao Feng immediately dismissed his concerns. Not long after, Wang Shiji was appointed as the governor of Qizhou. The Battle of Ping Chen erupted, and Wang Shiji set out with the navy from Qishui, heading straight to Jiujiang. He fought against Chen Dynasty's general Ji Zhen at Qikou, defeating him decisively. At that time, Prince Jin Yu Wenguang had already captured Danyang. Wang Shiji wrote to inform Yu Wenguang and sent Qianjin Gong Quanshizhang to take over Xinchai. Realizing the situation was turning against them, Chen Dynasty's Governor of Jiangzhou, Huang Si, directly abandoned the city, and Quanshizhang successfully occupied Jiangzhou. Wang Shiji arrived later, and the officials of the Chen Dynasty, including the governors of Yuzhang, Luxian, Xunyang, Bashan, Taiyuan, Qichang, and Ancheng, as well as the defenders of Poyang and Linchuan, all surrendered to Wang Shiji. As a result of this significant victory, Wang Shiji was promoted to Zhuguo, governor of Jingzhou, rewarded with 5,000 pieces of silk, a precious belt, and a food estate of 3,000 households.
Several years later, Li Guangshi, a local from Guizhou, rebelled, and Wang Shiji was appointed as the chief commander to quell the rebellion, quickly pacifying the uprising. The emperor sent the official Xinkaiqing to offer him condolences. After Wang Shiji returned, he was promoted to the title of Grand Marshal and rewarded with two thousand pieces of silk. The emperor held him in high regard.
The emperor felt that Yuan Shiji was known for his harsh demeanor, and knowing that many meritorious officials had been punished due to the emperor's suspicion, Yuan Shiji spent his days drowning his sorrows in drink and no longer discussing current affairs with those in power. The emperor thought he might be addicted to alcohol, so he confined him to the palace and had the royal physician attend to him. Yuan Shiji feigned recovery from his illness and was then allowed to return home.
Later, the court decided to dispatch troops to Liaodong, and Yuan Shiji and the Prince of Han were appointed as marshals. Upon reaching Liucheng, they faced an outbreak of plague and returned to the capital. Afterwards, he was appointed as the governor of Liangzhou, and the court sent seven hundred cavalry to escort him to his post. Not long after, his trusted subordinate An Dingren, Huang Fuxiaoxie, committed a crime, and the authorities sought to apprehend him. Huang Fuxiaoxie fled to Yuan Shiji. Yuan Shiji refused to hand him over, which led to some resentment on his part. Later, Huang Fuxiaoxie was exiled to serve in Guizhou, where he was under the command of Linghuxi. Linghuxi was also unkind to him, and Huang Fuxiaoxie lived a difficult life. So he took a gamble and informed the emperor, saying, "Yuan Shiji once consulted a Taoist who foretold that he would one day become a ruler, and that his wife would become an empress." He also said that when Yuan Shiji led troops to Liangzhou, his advisors urged him, "The Hexi region is a place with elite soldiers; we can plan great things here!" However, Yuan Shiji replied, "Liangzhou is vast and sparsely populated, not the right place for warfare."
In this way, Yuan Shiji was summoned back by the court for an investigation into his case. The authorities reported: "Left Guard General Yuan Min, Right Guard General Yuan Zhou, and Left Minister Gao Feng all had dealings with Yuan Shiji, and had even accepted fine horses from him." Ultimately, Yuan Shiji was sentenced to death, Yuan Min, Yuan Zhou, and others were dismissed from their positions, while the informant Huangfu Xiaoxie was appointed as the Grand General.
Yu Qingze, a native of Liyang, Shaanxi, whose family name was Yu. His ancestors served under the Helian clan and later settled in Lingwu, becoming powerful families in the north for generations. His father, Yu Xiang, was the Prefect of Lingwu in the Zhou Dynasty. Yu Qingze was brave and decisive from a young age, with a straightforward personality, standing at eight feet tall, possessing extraordinary bravery and intelligence. He also spoke the Xianbei language, wore heavy armor, carried two bows and arrows at his waist, and was skilled in archery. Local heroes greatly admired him. Initially, he made a living by hunting, but later decided to study diligently, always admiring figures like Fu Jiezhi and Ban Zhongsheng.
He later served as an official in the Zhou Dynasty, starting as a military officer in an external prefecture, gradually rising to the position of military officer overseeing external troops, and inheriting the title of Duke of Qinyuan County. In the first year of Xuanzheng, he was appointed as the General of the Righteousness, serving as the Chief Secretary of Bingzhou. The following year, he was promoted to Kai Fu. At that time, the Jihu people were frequently in rebellion, and Prince Yue Sheng and the Interior Minister Gao Feng went to suppress the rebellion. Just before their return to court, Gao Feng and Prince Yue Sheng discussed the need for someone who was both civil and military to suppress the rebellion, so they recommended Yu Qingze, who was appointed as the General Manager of Shizhou. Yu Qingze was highly respected there, governing with kindness, stabilizing the region, and with over eight thousand households submitting to him.
In the first year of the Kaihuang reign, Yu Qingze was promoted to Grand General and later served as the Minister of Internal Affairs, Minister of Personnel, and Prefect of Jingzhao, and was granted the title of Duke of Pengcheng. He also served as the supervisor for the construction of the new capital. In the second year during winter, the Tujue invaded, and Yu Qingze was appointed as the commander to attack. However, due to insufficient food and supplies, many soldiers suffered frostbite, with over a thousand losing fingers. General Daxi Changru led two thousand cavalry to intercept the enemy along another route, but ended up surrounded and in a dire situation. Yu Qingze remained in camp and failed to send reinforcements. Consequently, Daxi Changru fought alone and incurred heavy casualties, with nearly ninety percent of his men killed. However, the Emperor did not hold him accountable. Shortly afterwards, he was promoted to the position of Minister of the Right in the Ministry of Personnel. Later, the Tujue leader Shetou wanted to submit and requested a senior official to be sent over. The Emperor sent Yu Qingze to negotiate with the Tujue. Shetou, initially overconfident because of his power, was chastised by Yu Qingze for his past mistakes, which infuriated Shetou. Yu Qingze's deputy Changsun Cheng persuaded him, and Shetou and his brother Yehu both accepted the imperial edict, paying homage to the court and offering tribute, requesting to be permanent vassals of the Sui Dynasty. Before Yu Qingze went on the mission, the Emperor specifically instructed him: "I want the Tujue to continue to exist. When they send tribute horses, you should only accept one-third of the total." Shetou met Yu Qingze, presenting him with a thousand horses and marrying his daughter to him. Due to Yu Qingze's great achievements, the Emperor did not inquire about these matters. Yu Qingze was later appointed as a Senior State Counselor, bestowed the title of Duke of Lu, and awarded a fief of one thousand households in Rencheng County. The title of Duke of Pengcheng was conferred upon Yu Qingze's second son, Yu Yi.
After Emperor Wen of Sui defeated the Chen Dynasty, he happily hosted a banquet for the ministers in Jin Palace. Gao Qiang and the others raised their glasses and wished him longevity. Emperor Wen said, "Gao Qiang pacified the south of the Yangtze River, and Yu Qing subdued the Turks. These are all significant contributions!" Yang Su said, "These are all thanks to Your Majesty's benevolence!" Yu Qing also said, "Yang Su fought battles at Wulao and Xia'shi. Without Your Majesty's benevolence, we wouldn't have emerged victorious." Then they started to flatter each other. The censor wanted to bring charges against them, but Emperor Wen said, "Today is a celebration of victory, so let’s hold off on that today." Emperor Wen watched the ministers drinking and practicing archery. Yu Qing said, "Your Majesty has rewarded us with food and wine to enjoy, but the censor is nearby. I’m worried I might get drunk and face charges." Emperor Wen offered the censor some wine and then sent him away. Yu Qing toasted and wished for long life, enjoying themselves thoroughly. Emperor Wen said to the ministers, "After drinking this cup of wine, I hope that both I and all of your descendants can enjoy prosperity and wealth for generations." Nine years later, Yu Qing was promoted to General of the Right Guard, and shortly thereafter, he was appointed as the Right Martial Marquis.
In the 17th year of the Kaihuang era, Li Xian from Lingnan rebelled, and Emperor Wen of Sui intended to launch a campaign against him. Several generals offered to lead the campaign, but all were turned down. Emperor Wen of Sui looked at Yu Qingze and said, "What’s going on here? You hold a high position, with a noble title; the country is being invaded by enemies, yet you do not want to send troops. What is the meaning of this?" Yu Qingze was taken aback and hurriedly offered his apologies. Emperor Wen of Sui then sent him to quell the rebellion. He was appointed General in charge of military operations in Guizhou and brought along his brother-in-law Zhao Shizhu to serve as his chief aide. Zhao Shizhu had previously been involved with Yu Qingze's concubine and, fearing exposure, circulated rumors that Yu Qingze was reluctant to go to Lingnan. This news quickly reached Emperor Wen of Sui. When ministers went to war in the past, Emperor Wen of Sui would host a banquet and reward them generously. However, when it was Yu Qingze's turn to go south to suppress the rebellion, Emperor Wen of Sui's demeanor was sour, making Yu Qingze feel sidelined. After defeating Li Xian's rebellion and arriving at Lingui Town in Tanzhou, Yu Qingze assessed the terrain and remarked, "This terrain is treacherous; as long as we have sufficient supplies and capable defenders, the enemy will not be able to break through." He then dispatched Zhao Shizhu back to the capital on a swift horse to report the situation and check the Emperor's mood. Upon arrival in the capital, Zhao Shizhu outright accused Yu Qingze of treason. Following an investigation by Emperor Wen of Sui, Yu Qingze was sentenced to death. Zhao Shizhu was subsequently appointed as a pillar of the state.
Qingze was known for his filial piety, righteousness, and bravery. He was filled with ambition and a strong sense of justice from a young age. Eventually, he ascended to the position of Secretary of the Three Offices and even became a trusted advisor to the Prince of Jin. Unfortunately, he was dismissed from office due to his father's actions.
When Yang Guang became the emperor, since Qingze had previously served under the Prince of Jin, he was appointed as the Chief of the Imperial Guards and also took on the role of supervisor of Jingu, in charge of managing the royal gardens. Qingze was quite resourceful, and Yang Guang appreciated him. In the ninth year of his reign, during the campaign against the Liao Kingdom, he was appointed as the Director of Imperial Transport, responsible for logistics, and he earned significant merit. However, he led a lavish lifestyle; he even had camels carry boxes filled with water to raise fish, which he then consumed himself!
In the eleventh year, he was accused of treason by someone, and he was killed by Yang Guang. His younger brother, Chengdao, was serving as a palace attendant in the Eastern Palace at the time and was dismissed from his position due to this incident.
Yuanzhou hailed from Luoyang, Henan, and was a sixth-generation descendant of Emperor Zhaocheng of Wei. His grandfather was the Prince of Puyang in Wei, and his father was the Prince of Wuling. Yuanzhou was brave and skilled in martial arts from a young age, handsome, with an air of invincibility about him. King Xian of Qi during the Zhou Dynasty greatly admired him and kept him close, often taking him along on military campaigns. Eventually, he rose to the rank of Grand General.
Gaozu had just been summoned to the palace, preparing to assume an important role. He first summoned Yuanzhou and then called for Tao Cheng, considering them both as trusted confidants and often allowing them to stay overnight in the inner palace. After Gaozu became the prime minister, every time he brought troops into the palace, he would bring his younger brother Yuanwei to guard him. When the Zhao King of the Zhou Dynasty learned that Gaozu intended to relocate the sacrificial vessels of the Zhou Dynasty, he invited Gaozu to his residence as a guest. The Zhao King took Gaozu into his bedroom, not allowing anyone else to follow; only Yang Hong and the brothers Yuanzhou remained at the door. The Zhao King said to his two sons, Yuan and Guan, "You will bring in the melon later, and I'll take the opportunity to assassinate him!" After three rounds of drinks, the Zhao King decided to make his move, grabbing a dagger to stab the melon while eating and watching Gaozu, preparing to strike. Yuanzhou quickly said, "There are still matters at the Prime Minister's Mansion; we can't stay long." The Zhao King scolded him, "I’m talking to the Prime Minister; who do you think you are!" and shoved him aside. Yuanzhou's eyes widened in anger as he drew his sword to defend Gaozu.
Zhao Wang asked him his name, and Yuan Zhou answered truthfully. Zhao Wang said, "Aren't you the person who used to work under King Qi? You really are a brave man!" So he gave him wine and said, "I don't have any bad intentions; why are you so vigilant?" Zhao Wang pretended to gag, trying to go inside, but Yuan Zhou, worried he was up to something, helped him back to his seat, repeating this several times. Zhao Wang said his throat was dry and asked Yuan Zhou to get something to drink from the kitchen, but Yuan Zhou didn't move. Just then, Prince Teng Yu showed up, and Gaozu went down the steps to greet him. Yuan Zhou whispered to Gaozu, "The situation is not right; let's leave quickly!" Gaozu, still processing this, said, "He has no soldiers or horses; what can he do?" Yuan Zhou replied, "The soldiers and horses belong to him; if he strikes first, it’s game over. Even if I die, it won’t matter!" Gaozu sat back down. Yuan Zhou heard the clinking of armor behind the house and quickly said, "The Prime Minister's residence has a lot going on; why are you still here?" Then he helped Gaozu off the bed and quickly left. Zhao Wang tried to chase after them, but Yuan Zhou blocked the door, stopping him from getting out. Gaozu reached the door, followed by Yuan Zhou. Zhao Wang was furious, threw down what he was holding, and his fingers were bleeding. Eventually, Zhao Wang was killed, and Yuan Zhou was showered with rewards.
After Emperor Gaozu abdicated the throne, Yuan Zhou was promoted to Senior State Pillar, enfeoffed as Duke of Wuling Commandery, with a fief of three thousand families. Later, he became Left Guard General, and soon after, he was promoted to Right Guard Grand General. Emperor Gaozu casually remarked, "Protecting my safety and achieving this foundation, it's all thanks to Yuan Zhou!" A few years later, Yuan Zhou was assigned as Inspector of Yuzhou, and later served as Inspectors of Bozhou and Xizhou. At that time, the Turks frequently harassed the border, and due to Yuan Zhou's reputation, the court appointed him as the Governor of Lingzhou, causing the northern minority tribes to fear him. He was later called back to court to serve as Right Guard Grand General, and the Emperor trusted and valued him even more.
Remember one year on the Lantern Festival, the emperor and his courtiers climbed to a high vantage point to take in the view. Yuan Zhao happened to be on duty at that time, so the emperor urgently summoned him. After Yuan Zhao arrived, the emperor said, "There’s nothing better than climbing high with me!" and then he hosted a feast where everyone had a great time. Prince Jin, Yang Guang always came to pay his respects to Yuan Zhao. Later, Prince Fangling was deposed, and Yuan Zhao was involved in the plotting.
Once, the emperor was busy dealing with matters in the Eastern Palace, and General Yuan Min of the Left Guard earnestly advised, but Yang Su slandered Yuan Min behind his back. The emperor was furious and immediately arrested Yuan Min. At that time, Yuan Zhao was on duty and did not abandon his post. Instead, he reported, "The reason I didn't leave work was to guard against Yuan Min!" This only infuriated the emperor, who ultimately killed Yuan Min and rewarded Yuan Zhao with a thousand bolts of silk. Later, Prince Shu Yang Xiu was exiled for misconduct, and Yuan Zhao was dismissed for his association with Yang Xiu.
After Yang Guang became emperor, Yuan Zhao never regained favor. At that time, the Governor of Cizhou, Shangguan Zheng, was exiled to Lingnan for committing a crime, and General Qiu He was dismissed for his offenses. Yuan Zhao and Qiu He knew each other before and often went out together. One time, Yuan Zhao got drunk and said to Qiu He, "Shangguan Zheng is a powerf
Liang Shiyan and Yu Wenxin, both famous warriors at the time, became well-known for their bravery and cunning during the chaotic era. However, they grew arrogant and took all the credit for themselves. Those who tried to repay their kindness grew weary, but they were never satisfied and always wanted to climb higher to satisfy their own desires. And what was the outcome? They brought about their own downfall, and they had it coming! Wang Yi, Yuan Xie, Wang Shiji, Yu Qingze, Yuan Zhou—some of them experienced hardships, some had old friendships with the founding emperor, but what happened later? Gradually, they were forgotten by the emperor, feeling deeply wronged and constantly bragging about their achievements. Although the founding emperor had a harsh side, they themselves were also inconsiderate in their words and actions, which ultimately led to their downfall! Just think about it: how many of those great contributors who helped the founding emperor build his dynasty ended well? How many could be honored in the ancestral temple and have their names remembered in history? This is all because, in the early days of the dynasty, things were handled roughly, everyone did not have the same goals, and over time, feelings faded. Even if using a stolen ox to plow someone else's field is a crime, you shouldn’t resort to unfair means to take what isn’t yours. Isn't that bound to cause resentment? The founding emperor often punished these people with baseless accusations; his paranoia is genuinely frightening! It seems nearly impossible to secure lasting blessings!
Liang Shiyi, styled Xiangru, was a man from the Wushi clan in Anding. He had a strong sense of chivalry from a young age and was unwilling to hold an official position in the government. He had a strong and decisive personality and enjoyed pointing out right and wrong to others. He loved to read military treatises and also studied many historical and classical works. During the Zhou Dynasty, he was granted the title of Yitong Sanqi due to his military achievements.
Emperor Wu was preparing to send troops to attack Dongxia, and upon hearing of Liang Shiyi's bravery and decisiveness, he promoted him from Governor of Fufeng County to General of Jiuyu Town, then to Shangkaifu, and awarded him the title of Duke of Jianwei County. The people of Qi were very wary of him. Shortly after, he was transferred to the post of Governor of Xiongzhou. Later, he followed Emperor Wu in attacking Jinzhou and was promoted to Zhuguo, serving as the commander of the military affairs of Jin and Jiao states and the Governor of Jinzhou.
When Emperor Wu returned to the capital after the campaign, the last king of Qi personally led six armies to surround Jinzhou City. Jinzhou was a besieged city with no reinforcements outside, and the soldiers inside the city were filled with fear, except for Liang Shiyi, who remained calm and resolute. The enemy concentrated their forces and launched a fierce attack; the city towers and walls were almost completely destroyed, leaving only a few feet of the walls. The two sides engaged in close combat, with cavalry charging inside the city. Liang Shiyi said to his soldiers, "Today we are destined to die; I will die first!" So the soldiers bravely fought the enemies; the battle cries were deafening, and each of them could face a hundred enemies alone. The Qi forces withdrew momentarily. Liang Shiyi ordered his wife, children, and the citizens to work day and night to repair the city walls, and the walls were repaired within three days.
Emperor Wu arrived with a large army, and the Qi army retreated, camping more than ten miles east of the city. Upon seeing Emperor Wu, Liang Shiyi grabbed his beard and cried out, "I thought I would never see Your Majesty!" Emperor Wu was also moved to tears. At that time, with the soldiers exhausted, Emperor Wu wanted to return to the capital. Liang Shiyi dismounted and urged, "Now that the Qi army has fled and morale is high, we should strike while they are fearful; we will surely achieve complete victory." Emperor Wu heeded his advice, and the army pressed on. Emperor Wu held his hand and said, "I secured Jinzhou thanks to your defense of the city, which is crucial for pacifying the Qi state. If you had not held your ground, we wouldn't have succeeded. I didn't think it all through; I just feared future troubles; you must guard this place well for my sake." After the pacification of the Qi state, Liang Shiyi was appointed as the Duke of Chengguo, promoted to Shangzhuguo, and the Registrar of Yongzhou.
After Emperor Xuan ascended the throne, Liang Shiyi was appointed as the Acting Governor of the Southeast Road, with imperial authority, the Governor of Xuzhou, the military governor of thirty-two states, and the Governor of Xuzhou. He and Wu Wanguai captured the Chen generals Wu Mingche and Pei Ji at Luliang, and then attacked Huangling, pacifying the Huainan region.
Lao Gao began as a low-ranking official and later rose to the General of Bozhou, responsible for military affairs across twenty-four states. Later, Wei Jiong rebelled, and Lao Gao was appointed as the General of the March, following Wei Xiaokuan to battle. Upon reaching Heyang, they faced Wei Jiong's army. He dispatched his servants, including Liang Mo, to lead the vanguard, and then had Shiyi and his men follow, engaging in battle all the way and defeating the enemy. They pursued them to Caoqiao, where Wei Jiong's army regrouped, leading to another battle, resulting in a resounding victory for our forces. They later laid siege to Ye City, entered through the northern gate, opened the western gate, allowing Yu Wenxin's army to enter as well.
After Wei Jiong was pacified, Lao Gao was appointed as the governor of Xiangzhou. However, Lao Gao felt a bit apprehensive about him, and before long, he was summoned back to the capital and ordered to stay at home doing nothing. Feeling resentful despite his significant contributions, Lao Gao conspired with Yu Wenxin and Liu Fang to stage a rebellion. He planned to take his household servants and make a move when the emperor's chariot made its appearance during a sacrificial ceremony. He also planned to raise troops in Puzhou, first to seize control of Hebei, occupying Liyang Pass, cutting off the route to Heyang, seizing cloth to make armor, and recruiting bandits as soldiers. His nephew, Pei Tong, learned of the plan and reported it to the emperor. Before Lao Gao could act, the emperor appointed him as the governor of Jinzhou to gauge his true intentions. Shi Yan joyfully said to Liu Fang and the others, "God bless us!" He also requested that Yitong Xue Mo'er be his chief of staff, and the emperor agreed.
Later, Shi Yan and the ministers went to meet the emperor. The emperor ordered the guards to arrest Shi Yan, Yu Wenxin, and Liu Fang, asking them, "How dare you think of rebelling?" Initially, they denied the accusations, but when Xue Mo'er was arrested, it coincidentally worked in their favor, so they confronted each other in court. Xue Mo'er recounted the entire story, stating, "Shi Yan's second son just cried and earnestly advised, and his third son Shu Xie said, 'If you want to be a fierce beast, you must first grow stripes.'" Shi Yan's face went pale upon hearing this, and he turned to Xue Mo'er, saying, "You've killed me!" He was subsequently executed at the age of seventy-two.
He fathered five sons. The eldest was named Cao, with the courtesy name Mengde, and was adopted by his paternal uncle. He achieved the rank of Upper Prefect, Duke of Yixiang County, and Cavalry General of the Changning Royal House before dying young. The second son was named Gang, styled Yonggu, and at a young age became a Yitong official. He was promoted to Upper Prefect for his achievements in pacifying Wei Jiong. He also distinguished himself in battles against the Turks, rising to the rank of Grand General, County Duke of Tongzheng, and Inspector of Jingzhou. When Shi Yan was executed, he was spared from execution for advising his father and was exiled to Guazhou. The third son, who was named Shuxie, achieved the rank of Upper Yitong, County Duke of Guangping, and General of Chariots and Cavalry. The fourth son was named Zhiyuan, granted the title of Earl of Anding; the fifth son was named Wu, granted the title of Earl of Jianwei. Both brothers were drawn into the troubles surrounding Shi Yan.
As for Liang Mo, he was a household servant of the Shi Yan family with exceptional martial skills, truly an exceptional talent. Every time Shi Yan went to battle, Liang Mo would charge into battle alongside him. Later, Liang Mo served in the Zhou Dynasty and achieved the position of Upper Prefect. Towards the end of the Kaihuang era, he followed Yang Su to the north to confront the Turks, rising to the rank of Grand General. When Prince Han Liang rebelled, he followed Yang Su once again to suppress the rebellion, earning another promotion to the rank of Pillar of the State. In the fifth year of Daye, he accompanied Emperor Yang of Sui to fight against the Tuyuhun, sacrificing himself heroically in battle and posthumously honored with the title of Grand Master of Splendid Happiness.
Yuwen Xin, courtesy name Zhongle, originally from Shuofang, later relocated to Jingzhao. His grandfather Yuwen Modou was the Anping Duke of the Wei Dynasty. His father Yuwen Gui was the Grand Marshal of the Zhou Dynasty and the Duke of Xuguo. Yuwen Xin was clever and sharp from a young age. When playing games with his friends, he always took the lead, organized the team to march in an orderly manner, and maintained discipline, impressing those who were wise. At the age of twelve, he could shoot arrows from horseback with remarkable speed and precision. He often said to his close ones, "Throughout history, only Han Xin, Bai Qi, Wei Qing, and Huo Qubing have been praised as great generals. But after studying their achievements carefully, I don't think they are that remarkable. If they were alive in my time, I wouldn't let these young punks steal my thunder!" He had great ambitions and was full of heroic spirit from a young age. At the age of eighteen, he followed the Prince of Qi of the Zhou Dynasty, Yuwen Xian, to fight against the Turks and earned military honors. He was appointed as Yitong Sanqi (a title equivalent to 'Senior Advisor') and granted the title of Duke of Xinggu County. Later, Wei Xiaokuan was stationed at Yubi and, recognizing Yuwen Xin's bravery, requested him to accompany him. Yuwen Xin excelled in battles at Yubi, rising to the rank of Kaifu, the General of Valiant Cavalry, and his title was elevated to Duke of Huazheng County with a fief that included two thousand households.
It is said that when Emperor Wu attacked the State of Qi and captured Jinzhou, the Emperor of Qi personally commanded a formidable army. Emperor Wu felt a bit intimidated and considered retreating. At this moment, General Xin stepped forward and persuaded, "Your Majesty, you are both wise and powerful. The enemy is currently relaxed. Where can you not succeed in battle? If the State of Qi had a capable ruler and united hearts of monarch and ministers, even with the might of Shang Tang and King Wu of Zhou, it would not be easy to pacify Qi. Currently, the Emperor of Qi is incompetent, the ministers are foolish, and the soldiers lack fighting spirit. Even with a million troops, they're just handing you heads on a platter!" Emperor Wu listened to his words and continued the battle, achieving a great victory.
Later, Emperor Wu attacked Binzhou and initially achieved victories, but later found himself cornered by the enemy. All his men were killed in battle, so Emperor Wu had no choice but to escape alone. Many generals advised Emperor Wu to retreat. General Xin was immediately incensed and exclaimed loudly, "Since Your Majesty conquered Jinzhou, defeated Gao Wei, and pursued the victory all the way here, forcing the Emperor of Qi to flee in all directions and shaking the entire eastern territories. In the history of warfare, we have never encountered such a formidable enemy! Yesterday, during the siege, our soldiers were a bit careless and suffered a minor setback. What's there to worry about? A true man seeks survival in adversity and fights for victory in defeat! We are currently like splitting bamboo, with strong momentum; how can we give up halfway?" Emperor Wu accepted his advice and continued the battle the next day, eventually capturing Jinyang.
After the fall of the Qi state, General Xin was appointed as Grand General and rewarded with a substantial amount of cloth. Later, he and Wumar Gui defeated the Chen state general Wu Mingche in Luliang and were promoted to Pillar General, rewarded with two hundred slaves, and appointed as the governor of Yuzhou.
Emperor Gaozu had a close, brotherly relationship with Yang Su before ascending the throne. Later, when Gaozu became Prime Minister, he showered even more favor on Yang Su.
Later, Wei Jiong rebelled, and Gaozu appointed Yang Su as the commander of the marching army to go to war with Wei Xiaokuan. At that time, the army was stationed in Heyang, and no other generals dared to make the first move. The Emperor ordered Gao Feng to supervise the army quickly, and the only person allowed to discuss battle strategy privately with Gao Feng was Yang Su. Wei Jiong sent his son Wei Dun to station troops in Wuzhi, and Yang Su led the vanguard and drove them away.
The army advanced to Xiangzhou, and Wei Jiong sent three thousand elite soldiers to ambush at Yemagang, hoping to ambush the imperial army. Yang Su only led five hundred cavalry to charge up and almost wiped out the ambushing troops. When they reached the grass bridge, Wei Jiong defended the grass bridge again, but Yang Su led the elite soldiers to defeat them and headed straight for Ye City. Wei Jiong set up a formation in the city and fought a fierce battle with the imperial army, which found itself at a disadvantage for a while. At that time, tens of thousands of spectators gathered in Ye City. Yang Su, Gao Feng, and Li Xun discussed and concluded, "The situation is critical; we need to use some tactics." So they launched an attack on the spectators, who were scared and ran around, pushing and shoving each other, causing chaos and a deafening uproar. Yang Su shouted loudly, "The enemy is defeated!" The morale of the officials and soldiers soared, and they attacked fiercely together, leading to a decisive defeat for Wei Jiong's forces.
After capturing Ye City, Yang Su was elevated to the rank of Senior Pillar of the State for his great achievements, awarded two hundred servants, and thousands of cattle, horses, and sheep. Emperor Gaozu turned to Yang Su and remarked, "Wei Jiong exhausted the military power of Shandong and mobilized a million-strong army, but you were able to strategize and win from afar, never losing a battle. You are truly a hero of the world!" He then conferred Yang Su the title of Duke of Ying and increased his fiefdom by three thousand households. Since then, Yang Su often participated in the emperor's military meetings, entered the emperor's court, and played a crucial role during Emperor Gaozu's abdication. He was later appointed as the Grand General of the Right Leading Army, and the emperor's favor towards him grew stronger.
Xin was particularly skilled in military strategy and commanded his troops with great organization. Whenever something good happened in the army at that time, even if it wasn't his doing, people would say, "This must be a strategy devised by Duke Ying (referring to Xin)!" Everyone held him in high regard. He was later granted the title of Duke of Qi.
The emperor once wanted General Xin to lead troops to attack the Tujue, but Gao Kun told the emperor, "General Xin may have ulterior motives and cannot be entrusted with heavy troops." The emperor abandoned this idea after hearing this. General Xin was a great contributor to the founding of the country and had served as a general many times, which earned him considerable respect at the time. The emperor was therefore somewhat apprehensive of him and found an excuse to dismiss him.
General Xin had a close relationship with Liang Shiyan, and they frequently corresponded. Liang Shiyan was discontent with the court and secretly planned a rebellion. General Xin said to Liang Shiyan, "No emperor remains unchanged forever. Mutual support is the proper course of action. If you can raise troops in Puzhou, I will definitely lead troops to help you. When our armies confront each other, we can coordinate inside and outside, and the world can be conquered!" As a result, their conspiracy was exposed, and they were both killed. General Xin died at the age of sixty-four, and his property was confiscated.
General Xin's brother, Xin Shan, was generous and a formidable warrior. He held high positions in the Northern Zhou Dynasty, achieving the rank of Grand Master and Duke of Xu. After Emperor Yang Jian of the Sui Dynasty proclaimed himself emperor, he showed great favor towards Xin Shan and promoted his son, Xin Ying, to the position of Chief of the Imperial Clan. After General Xin was killed, his family faced repercussions as well. Shortly thereafter, Xin Shan also passed away. Xin Ying was appointed Assistant Minister of Agriculture during the Daye era. When Li Mi attacked the eastern capital of Luoyang, Xin Ying defected to Li Mi. General Xin's younger brother, Xin Kai, has a separate record.
Wang Yi, courtesy name Yijun, is from Luoyang, Henan. His father, Wang Xian, once held the position of governor of Fengzhou during the Zhou Dynasty. Wang Yi was known for his straightforwardness from a young age, ambitious, skilled in archery, and well-read. During the reign of Emperor Zhou Min, he became a Left Central Attendant. At that time, Yuwen Hu wielded immense power in the court, and the emperor dared not say anything, pretending to be oblivious. One day, a court official showed disrespect to the emperor, which infuriated Wang Yi, prompting him to rush forward and strike the official. The court official quickly apologized, terrified, and Wang Yi stopped. Since then, no court officials dared to be disrespectful again. Over a year later, Wang Yi was promoted to the position of Grand Master of the Palace. After his father passed away, Wang Yi was overwhelmed with grief. He built a shed next to the grave to watch over his father's spirit and personally carried soil to mound the grave, surpassing the customary standards of filial piety. A year later, the court appointed him as the assistant of Yongzhou, but he declined the appointment, despite the court's insistence.
After Emperor Wu of Sui ascended the throne, he appointed Wang Yi as an official with the title of Yitong San Si, later promoting him to Grand Minister of the Interior and granting him the title of Duke of Yang. When Emperor Wu led a campaign against the Qi state, Wang Yi followed him to Bingzhou. After Emperor Wu entered the city, he was defeated by the Qi army, resulting in many of his men being killed. Wang Yi led his elite soldiers to rescue him, allowing Emperor Wu to escape safely. At that moment, Emperor Wu considered retreating due to the army's defeat, but Wang Yi strongly urged him to continue, and Emperor Wu followed his advice. After the Qi state was pacified, Wang Yi was appointed as the Governor of Xiangzhou. Shortly after, he was summoned back to the court to serve as the Grand Interior Minister. When the Jihu people in Fenzhou rose in rebellion, Wang Yi led troops to suppress the rebellion. Although Emperor Wu's brothers, Prince Yue Yangsheng and Prince Qiao Yangjian, were in charge, they both followed Wang Yi's lead, demonstrating Wang Yi's significant influence at that time. After quelling the rebellion, Wang Yi was rewarded generously with 5,000 bolts of cloth and the title of Duke of Kaiguo for his son. Before he died, Emperor Wu told the crown prince, "Wang Yi is a vital asset to the state and should be included in sensitive government matters, rather than being sent off to distant posts."
The Crown Prince ascended to the throne, later known as Emperor Xuan of Sui. He feared Wang Yi's upright and incorruptible nature, so he appointed him as governor of Xiangzhou. Later, after Yang Jian became Prime Minister, he transferred Wang Yi to Zhengzhou to serve as governor. Sima Xiaonan rebelled and gathered an army, and Yang Jian appointed Wang Yi as the commander-in-chief, leading four governors to suppress him. When the army reached the outskirts of the city, Sima Xiaonan fled to the state of Chen. At that time, the region stretched over two thousand miles from Shangluo in the north to the Jianghuai River in the south, and east to west, the tribes in the Ba and Shu regions all revolted, electing Qu Shuai, the leader from Lanluo state. Lanluo claimed the title of King of Henan, allied with Sima Xiaonan, and colluded with Yu Ji. Wang Yi led commanders Li Wei, Feng Hui, Li Yuan, and others to quell the rebellion, and within about a month, they had quelled the rebellion. Yang Jian held Wang Yi in high regard because he was a long-serving minister, sending envoys to offer him congratulations continuously. He even married his fifth daughter to Wang Yi's son, Wang Fengxiao, and later appointed Wang Yi as the Grand Chancellor. Wang Yi, having been loyal to Yang Jian in the past, genuinely supported him.
After the Emperor ascended the throne, he treated Yang Su with exceptional kindness, even visiting Yang Su's home in person and enjoying himself. At that time, the Minister of Ceremonies Su Wei proposed that with the increasing population, there was not enough farmland to go around, suggesting reclaiming the lands of the meritorious officials to redistribute them to the common people. Yang Su opposed this in a formal memorial, stating, "All officials have obtained their titles and lands through the merits of their ancestors over several generations. It wouldn’t be appropriate to suddenly reclaim them now. In my view, rather than worrying about insufficient land, it would be better to focus on whether court officials are striving to achieve anything!" The Emperor found Yang Su's argument reasonable and decided to shelve Su Wei's proposal.
During the early period of the Kaihuang reign, the emperor planned to make an inspection of Qizhou. Yang Su advised, "Your Majesty, you have just ascended the throne, and the people’s sentiments have not fully settled. What’s the need for you to go?" The emperor smiled and said, "I used to hold a position similar to yours, and now I've suddenly become your subject. You must feel a bit constrained, right? This time I am going to demonstrate my authority, so that you can feel reassured!" Yang Su smiled and took his leave. Later, when Yang Su was sent as an envoy to the Turkic people, the emperor was very satisfied with his work and granted him the title of Duke of Yingguo.
Not long after, Yang Su's son, Yang Fengxiao, died. Over a year later, Yang Su petitioned the emperor, claiming that the princess was still young and requesting to be exempted from wearing mourning attire. The Imperial Censor accused Yang Su, stating: "I have heard that there are five types of mourning attire, differing by kinship, and the mourning period is also different; there are four types of funeral systems, varying by rank, and the ceremonies are also distinct. These are rules followed by emperors of the past, so it can be said that this is an unchanging law. Therefore, virtuous people dare not exceed it, and those who are not virtuous dare not violate it. However, the son of Yang Su, Yang Fengxiao, married Princess Lanling. Fengxiao passed away in May of last year, and only a little over a year has passed since then, yet Yang Su is requesting exemption from mourning attire. I believe that, although it is a princess who married down, she is, after all, the wife of her husband, which aligns with the natural order. Moreover, the three-year mourning period has been a longstanding tradition, and mourning attire is only removed after the period is over; there is no detailed provision in the rites. However, the bond between husband and wife is fundamental to human relationships, and funeral ceremonies are the basis of humanity. If this is taken lightly, it will surely invite ridicule from society. Therefore, there are ancient stories criticizing the short mourning period and tales of morning songs and evening dances that admonish forgetting grief too quickly. Although Yang Su himself has not made any efforts, his title is already very high, and he wishes to violate the rites; is that possible? He shows a lack of respect for etiquette, rushes through the funeral arrangements, and tarnishes his wife's reputation. If he is allowed to go unchecked, it could lead to the corruption of social customs, and he should be dealt with according to the law." The emperor ordered not to investigate, but also reduced the favor towards Yang Su. Yang Su felt deep resentment.
A report was made against Yang Su for treason, and the emperor ordered an investigation into the matter. The investigating official reported that Yang Su had made disrespectful remarks; however, there was no evidence of treason. The emperor offered him wine and released him. At that time, the senior official Yuan Xie was also in disfavor, and Yang Su often associated with him, engaging in crude and disrespectful talk. A monk of Hu descent accused him, and the court officials petitioned, claiming that Yang Su had committed the grave crime of treason and deserved the death penalty. The emperor summoned Yang Su and lamented, "We were classmates before, and I sympathize with you, but what of the laws of the land?" He then decreed, "Yang Su, since the Zhou Dynasty, you have long been entangled in matters of ethics. We studied together in school, so we were very close. But he possesses a wicked nature, his family steeped in sorcery, and he constantly spouts nonsense, claiming to have divine communication. When I first ascended the throne, I warned him repeatedly. He said he would change, but he did not truly repent. He preached the doctrine of the Four Heavenly Deities, claiming he was divinely appointed, with prophecies about himself and stars in the sky, with rivers and mountains bearing his name. In the years of Chen and Si, he would rise to establish an imperial career. He secretly had people divine and inquire about calamities in the court. He claimed to be the future wise king, engaging in superstition and wreaking havoc everywhere, claiming to be divinely appointed to become emperor, and no one doubted him. If he were pardoned, he could potentially rebel in the future. To prevent any potential rebellion and eradicate evil, he must be executed." The emperor also had the Minister of Justice, Zhao Chuo, convey to Yang Su, "It is fate, what can you do about it?" Thus, Yang Su was executed at home, at the age of forty-six.
Yuan Xie, from Luoyang, Henan, hails from a prominent and affluent family. He is generous and righteous, with great integrity. When he was young, he studied at the Imperial College with Gao Zu, and they were good friends. With his military achievements, Yuan Xie gradually rose through the ranks and eventually became a general. After Gao Zu became prime minister, he brought Yuan Xie on as his trusted advisor. Yuan Xie cautioned Gao Zu about the risks of lacking political backing, comparing his situation to a wall submerged in water. When a rebellion led by Wei Jiong broke out, Gao Zu sent Yuan Xie to suppress the rebel forces, and he quickly defeated them.
After Gao Zu became emperor, he inquired about the "wall in water" metaphor, referring to the previous warning. He then hosted a banquet to celebrate Yuan Xie's success. Yuan Xie was promoted to Grand General, bestowed the title of Duke of Le'an, awarded a fief of a thousand households, and entrusted with the task of revising laws.
When the Tuyuhun invaded Liangzhou, the imperial court appointed Yuan Xie as the commander-in-chief, leading an expedition against the invasion. The Emperor specifically instructed Yuan Xie to prioritize the stability and welfare of the people over the pursuit of land. Confronting the Tuyuhun forces commanded by Dingcheng Wang Zhonglifang, Yuan Xie led his troops to intercept their retreat. The two armies clashed at Fengli Mountain, where Yuan Xie's forces decisively defeated the Tuyuhun army, compelling them to retreat.
The Tuyuhun army retreated to Qinghai and then sent Crown Prince Kebohan to lead fifty thousand elite cavalry to launch a surprise attack on the imperial army. Yuan Xie took the initiative to attack, defeated them, and pursued them for over thirty miles, killing and capturing tens of thousands of enemies, striking fear into the Tuyuhun forces. Yuan Xie then wrote a letter to urge their surrender, and seventeen tribal leaders and thirteen nobles of the Tuyuhun surrendered along with their followers. The emperor was very happy and issued a decree saying: "Commend the meritorious officials and record them in history books. Yuan Xie has clear insight, quick response, and is talented in both civil and military affairs, renowned both in the court and among the people. He has made achievements on the frontier, established merits on the battlefield, and is deeply loyal and upright, winning my favor. In order to commend his achievements, he should be rewarded generously. He is appointed as a pillar of the state, and his son is granted the title of County Duke." Yuan Xie was appointed as the governor of Ningzhou, governing honestly and earning the people's trust. However, he was stubborn and critical of others, not skilled at winning over those around him. He once told the emperor, "I serve Your Majesty with complete loyalty, never resorting to flattery." The emperor said, "You should always adhere to this." Later, due to negligence in official duties, Yuan Xie was dismissed.
It is said that in the past, Prime Minister Wang Yi had made significant contributions to the country and had a good relationship with Yang Xie, often interacting with each other. Later, a monk from the Hu ethnic group went to report that Wang Yi and Yang Xie were planning a rebellion. The emperor investigated and found no evidence of rebellion, reassuring them and allowing them to go free. Not long after, Wang Yi was killed, and Yang Xie gradually came under the emperor's suspicion. However, because Yang Xie had a good relationship with the emperor before, the emperor still frequently permitted him to attend court sessions, and his status remained unchanged.
Once, the emperor hosted a grand banquet for his ministers. Yang Xie unexpectedly proposed, "Your Majesty, your reputation is widely known. I think we can confer the title of Governor upon the Turkic Khan, and appoint Chen Shubao as the Historiographer." The emperor replied, "I pacified the Chen Kingdom to punish wrongdoers and bring peace to the people, not to show off military might and intimidate the world. What you are suggesting is completely contrary to my intentions. The Turks are not even familiar with the geography of our land; how can we appoint him as Governor? Chen Shubao, that foolish and drunken man, is even more unbearable to command!" Upon hearing this, Yang Xie did not say a word and silently withdrew.
A few years later, someone accused Yang Xie and his cousin, as well as the officials Yang Pang, Tian Luan, and Qi Xu of plotting rebellion. The emperor ordered an investigation into the matter. The relevant department reported, "Yang Xie planned for Qi Xu to lead the Tangut army to directly attack Ba Shu. At that time, Prince Guangping Yang Xiong and Left Supervisor Gao Feng were in power. Yang Xie wanted to frame them, saying, 'The Left Supervisor's Star has been in motion for four years; as long as we file a report and accuse, Gao Feng will surely die.' He also said, 'The Tai Bai Star is offending the Moon, with their lights intertwined; this is an omen of killing a minister, Yang Xiong is definitely in trouble.' Once, Yang Xie and Yang Pang went to the palace to see the emperor together. Yang Xie privately told Yang Pang, 'I am the master; those people in court are all traitors.' Then he asked Yang Pang to look at the atmosphere in the palace, and Yang Pang said, 'The fortunes of those people resemble crouching dogs and running deer, not as good as ours.' The emperor was furious upon hearing this, and Yang Xie, Yang Pang, Tian Luan, and Qi Xu were all killed, and their properties were confiscated.
Wang Shiji, from Xinzheng, his hometown was in Chanxi. His father, Wang Ya, was a high-ranking official in the Zhou Dynasty, holding the title of Imperial Commissioner, Prefect, and General of the Household. Wang Shiji was tall and strong, with a waist so thick it seemed almost impossible. He had an extraordinary presence, clearly an extraordinary individual.
During the Zhou Dynasty, he achieved military merits and was appointed as a Senior Official of the Same Rank, as well as the Duke of Changzi. Later, when Emperor Wen of Sui became emperor, Wei Jiaokuan rebelled, and Wang Shiji followed Wei Jiaokuan into battle, demonstrating exceptional bravery and achieving significant victories in every battle, leading to his promotion to Shang General. After Emperor Wen of Sui became the emperor, Wang Shiji was further appointed as the Duke of Yiyang. Gao Ji especially appreciated his abilities and treated him well. Once, Wang Shiji privately said to Gao Ji, "We are all subjects of the Zhou Dynasty, and now that the Zhou Dynasty has perished, what are we to do?" Upon hearing this, Gao Ji directly refused to discuss this topic with him. Not long after, Wang Shiji was appointed as the governor of Qizhou Province.
The war to pacify the Chen Dynasty began, and Wang Shiji led the navy from Qishui straight to Jiujiang. He fought against Chen Dynasty's general Ji Tian at Qikou, inflicting a crushing defeat on Ji Tian's forces. At this time, Prince Jin Yang Guang had already captured Danyang; therefore, Wang Shiji wrote to inform Yang Guang and sent Qianjing Gong Quan Shizhang to capture Xinchai. Seeing the situation was lost, Chen Dynasty's Jiangzhou Sima Huang Sai directly fled, and Shizhang managed to successfully occupy Jiangzhou. Wang Shiji arrived later, and the prefects of Yuzhang, Luxu, Xunyang, Bashan, Taiyuan, Qichang, Ancheng, as well as the defenders of Poyang and Linchuan, all surrendered to Wang Shiji one after another.
Due to his great achievements, Wang Shiji was promoted to Zhuguo, Governor of Jingzhou, rewarded with five thousand bolts of silk, given a precious belt, and granted a land grant supporting three thousand households. Several years later, Li Guangshi from Guizhou rebelled, and Wang Shiji was appointed as the marching general to suppress the rebellion, quickly quelling the uprising. The emperor sent the official Xin Kaiqing to commend him. Upon his triumphant return, Wang Shiji was promoted to Senior Zhuguo and rewarded with two thousand bolts of silk. The emperor held him in high regard.
The emperor felt that Yuan Shiji was too harsh and bitter; even if his contributions were great, he easily offended people. So Yuan Shiji spent his days drinking to drown his sorrows and no longer discussed national affairs with officials. The emperor suspected he had developed a drinking problem, so he kept him in the palace and had doctors treat him. Yuan Shiji feigned recovery and was then allowed to return home.
Later, during the battle in Liaodong, Yuan Shiji served as a military commander alongside the Prince of Han. Upon reaching Liucheng, they encountered an outbreak of plague and had to turn back. After that, he was appointed as the governor of Liangzhou, and the emperor even sent seven hundred cavalry to escort him to his post. Not long after, one of his trusted subordinates, Huang Fuxiaoxie, also known as An Dingren, committed a crime, and the authorities wanted to arrest him. Huang Fuxiaoxie fled to Yuan Shiji's place. Yuan Shiji refused to hand him over, which made him feel conflicted. Eventually, Huang Fuxiaoxie was sent to serve in Guizhou under General Linghu Xi, who treated him poorly. Huang Fuxiaoxie then tried to discredit Yuan Shiji by claiming he consulted a fortune teller who predicted he would become emperor and his wife would become empress. He also claimed that when Yuan Shiji's men suggested plotting in Hexi, Yuan Shiji dismissed the idea, saying that Liangzhou was not a suitable place for war.
As a result, Yuan Shiji was summoned back to the capital for investigation. The relevant authorities reported, "Left General Yuan Min, Right General Yuan Zhou, and Left Supervisor Gao Feng all had dealings with Yuan Shiji and received valuable horses from him." Ultimately, Yuan Shiji was executed, Yuan Min and Yuan Zhou were dismissed from their positions, while Huang Fuxiaoxie was surprisingly promoted to Grand General.
Yu Qingze, from Linyang in Shaanxi, had ancestors who bore the surname Yu. His ancestors served under the Helian clan and later settled in Lingwu, becoming powerful figures in northern China for generations. His father, Yu Xiang, was the Prefect of Lingwu in the Zhou Dynasty. Yu Qingze stood eight feet tall, was tall and strong since childhood, and had a bold and forthright personality. He was courageous, could speak the language of the Xianbei, wore heavy armor, carried two bows and arrows, and was skilled at horseback archery. Local renowned heroes both respected and feared him. Initially earning a living as a hunter, he later changed his course and started studying seriously, admiring historical figures like Fu Jiezi and Ban Chao.
He served as an official in the Zhou Dynasty, starting as a military officer in the Central and Outer Military Bureau. He was later promoted to the military officer of the Outer Army and inherited the title of Count of Qinyuan. In the first year of Xuanzheng, he was appointed as the General of the Right Army and served as the Chief of Staff in Bingzhou. The following year, he was promoted to the rank of Kaifu. During this period, the Jihu people frequently rebelled, and Prince Yue Sheng and the Interior Minister Gao Feng suppressed the rebellion. When the army was about to return to the capital, Gao Feng and Prince Yue Sheng discussed the need for a capable leader, both civil and martial, to secure the region. They recommended Yu Qingze, who was subsequently appointed as the Governor of Shizhou. Yu Qingze governed Shizhou well, was deeply beloved by the local people, and restored stability to the region. Many Jihu people submitted to his authority, amounting to over 8,000 households.
In the first year of the Kaihuang era, Yu Qingze was promoted to Grand General, later serving as the Minister of the Interior, Minister of Personnel, Intendant of Jingzhao, and was granted the title of Duke of Pengcheng County. He also served as the overall supervisor for the construction of the new capital. In the second year of winter, the Turks invaded, and Yu Qingze was appointed as the Marshal to fight against them. However, there were issues during the battle, with many soldiers suffering from frostbite, including over a thousand who lost fingers. General Daxi Changru led two thousand cavalry to intercept the enemy from another route but ended up surrounded by them. Despite the dire circumstances, Yu Qingze stayed composed in the camp and did not send any reinforcements. As a result, Daxi Changru was left to fight alone, and most of his soldiers were killed. However, the Emperor did not blame Daxi Changru. Shortly after, he was promoted to the position of Deputy Chief of the Right of the Imperial Secretariat.
Later, the Turkic leader Shetou sought to submit to the Great Sui Dynasty, requesting the dispatch of a senior official. The Emperor sent Yu Qingze as an envoy to the Turks. Shetou, initially trying to show his power, was scolded by Yu Qingze for his past actions, which Shetou resented. Yu Qingze's deputy, Zhangsun Cheng, persuaded him, and both Shetou and his brother Yehu accepted the Sui Dynasty's decree, submitting to the dynasty, offering tribute, and pledging eternal loyalty to the Sui. Before Yu Qingze went on the mission, the Emperor instructed him, "I want the Turks to remain a power. When they bring tribute horses, you only need to accept a third of the total." Shetou presented Yu Qingze with a thousand horses upon meeting him and even married his daughter to him. Because of Yu Qingze's significant contributions, the Emperor did not question him. He was granted the title of Duke of Lu, with a fief of one thousand households in Rencheng, and his son Yu Yi received the title of Duke of Pengcheng County.
After Emperor Wen of the Sui Dynasty destroyed the Chen Dynasty, he joyfully hosted a banquet in the Jin royal palace, inviting his ministers to drink and celebrate. Gao Qiang and the others raised their glasses to toast, and Emperor Wen said, "Gao Qiang conquered the south of the Yangtze River, and Yu Qing defeated the Turks; these are truly great accomplishments!" Yang Su said, "These are all thanks to Your Majesty's favor!" Yu Qing also followed, saying, "Yang Su led troops in battles in Wulao and Xiashi before; if not for Your Majesty's favor, we might not have emerged victorious." The ministers began to boast about each other's accomplishments. The censors had initially intended to impeach them, but Emperor Wen said, "Today, everyone is happily counting their achievements, so let's hold off on that today." Emperor Wen watched the ministers enjoying their feast, drinks, and archery, and Yu Qing spoke again, "Your Majesty rewards us with food and drink, allowing us to enjoy ourselves, but the censors are here; I'm worried that if I get drunk, the censors might impeach me!" Emperor Wen then offered the censors some wine and sent them on their way. Yu Qing then raised his glass for another toast, and everyone was very happy. Emperor Wen said to everyone, "After we drink this cup of wine, I hope that I and all our future generations will continue to enjoy wealth and prosperity." Nine years later, Yu Qing was promoted to Right Guard General and soon after was appointed Right Martial General.
In the seventeenth year of the Kaihuang era, the Lingnan native Li Xian rebelled and seized control of several states and counties. Emperor Wen of Sui planned to send troops to suppress the rebellion. Several generals volunteered, but were all rejected. Emperor Wen turned to Yu Qingze and said, "You are the prime minister, with the title of Duke. The country is facing a bandit threat, yet you do not want to send troops at all; what is going on?" Yu Qingze, startled, quickly expressed his gratitude, and Emperor Wen then sent him to suppress the rebellion. He was appointed as the commander of the expedition in Guizhou and brought his brother-in-law Zhao Shizhu as the chief historian. Zhao Shizhu had an affair with Yu Qingze's favorite concubine before, and fearing exposure, he spread rumors everywhere: "Yu Qingze does not want to go to war at all." This news quickly reached Emperor Wen's ears. In the past, when ministers went to war, Emperor Wen would host a banquet, give rewards, and many gifts. But when it was Yu Qingze's turn to go south to suppress the rebellion, Emperor Wen's face was not good, which left Yu Qingze feeling discontented and unappreciated.
After suppressing Li Xian's rebellion and arriving at Lingui Town in Tanzhou, Yu Qingze observed the local terrain and said, "This terrain is treacherous; as long as there is enough food and the defenders are reliable, the enemy cannot attack." So he sent Zhao Shizhu to ride back to the capital at full speed to report on the situation and also to see the Emperor's reaction. When Zhao Shizhu arrived in the capital, he betrayed him by accusing Yu Qingze of treason. After an investigation, Yu Qingze was killed. Emperor Wen named Zhao Shizhu the Pillar of the State.
Qingze, this young man was both filial and righteous, possessing a bold and chivalrous spirit in his youth. Later, he became a trusted confidant of the Prince of Jin as an official of Yitong Sanqi. Unfortunately, he was dismissed from his post due to his father's misdeeds.
When Yang Guang became emperor, he gave positions to Qingze because he had followed him when he was the crown prince of Prince Jin. Yang Guang appointed him as the Chief of the Imperial Guards and also put him in charge of managing the imperial gardens. Qingze was quite resourceful, and the emperor favored him. In the ninth year, during the Sui Dynasty's campaign against the Liao Kingdom, he was appointed as the Director of Waterways, responsible for supervising transportation, and he made significant contributions. However, he led a lavish lifestyle, even using camels to transport boxes filled with water to keep fish for his own meals!
In the eleventh year, someone reported Qingze for conspiring against the emperor, and he was subsequently killed. His younger brother, Chengdao, who was serving as a court gentleman in the Eastern Palace, was also removed from his position due to this incident.
Yuanzhou was from Luoyang, Henan, and was the sixth generation grandson of Emperor Zhaocheng of Wei. His grandfather was the Prince of Puyang in Wei, and his father was the Prince of Wuling. Yuanzhou was courageous and highly skilled in martial arts from a young age, with striking features and piercing eyes that intimidated others. King Xian of the Zhou Dynasty admired him greatly and often brought him along into battle. Later, Yuanzhou rose to the rank of Grand General.
When Gaozu was summoned to the palace for an important new role, he first called for Yuanzhou and then for Tao Cheng, regarding them as trusted confidants and often letting them stay overnight in the inner palace. When Gaozu became the Prime Minister, he always brought Yuanzhou's younger brother, Yuanwei, as a guard whenever he led troops into the palace. When King Zhao of the Zhou Dynasty learned that Gaozu was planning to move the tripod used for Zhou rituals, he invited Gaozu to his mansion as a guest. King Zhao took Gaozu to his bedroom, excluding everyone else, allowing only Yang Hong and the Yuanzhou brothers to sit at the door. King Zhao said to his two sons, Yuan and Guan, "You two will bring the melons later, and I will seize the opportunity to kill him." After three rounds of drinks, King Zhao was ready to strike, picking up a dagger to slice the melon while keeping a watchful eye on Gaozu, preparing to make his move.
At this time, Yuan Zhao said, "The Prime Minister's residence still has matters to attend to; I cannot stay long." King Zhao scolded him, "I am talking to the Prime Minister, who do you think you are!" and pushed him away. Yuan Zhao's eyes widened, seething with anger, and he drew his sword, ready to defend the Emperor. King Zhao asked for his name, and Yuan Zhao answered honestly. King Zhao said, "Aren't you the one who used to work for Prince Qi? You're quite the hero, aren't you?" So he poured him a drink and said, "Why would I have any bad intentions? Why are you so vigilant?" King Zhao pretended to gag, wanting to go into the inner room. Yuan Zhao, afraid that he was playing tricks, helped him back to his seat, repeating this several times. King Zhao said his throat was dry and asked Yuan Zhao to get wine from the kitchen, but Yuan Zhao didn’t budge. At this time, Prince Teng Yu arrived, and the Emperor stepped down to greet him. Yuan Zhao whispered to the Emperor, "The situation is not right; let's leave quickly!" The Emperor hadn’t caught on yet and said, "He has no soldiers or horses; what can he do?" Yuan Zhao said, "All the soldiers and horses belong to his family. If he strikes first, it'll be disastrous. Even if I die, it won’t matter!" The Emperor sat down again. Yuan Zhao heard the sound of armor behind the house and hastily said, "There are many matters at the Prime Minister's residence; why are you still here?" Then he helped the Emperor out of bed and quickly left. King Zhao wanted to chase after them, but Yuan Zhao blocked the door with his body, keeping King Zhao from getting out. When the Emperor reached the door, Yuan Zhao caught up. King Zhao was furious, snapping his fingers so hard they bled. Later, King Zhao was executed, and Yuan Zhao was showered with rewards.
After the founding emperor ascended the throne, Yuan Zhou was promoted to the position of Shang Zhu Guo (Grand Minister) and was granted the title of Duke of Wuling County, with a fief consisting of three thousand households. Later, he became the Left Guard General and soon after was promoted to the Right Guard Grand General. The founding emperor lightly remarked, "Protecting my safety has achieved today's accomplishments, all thanks to your efforts, Yuan Zhou!" After a few years, Yuan Zhou was sent to serve as the Inspector of Yuzhou, and later successively served as the Inspector of Bozhou and the Inspector of Xizhou. At that time, the Turks often troubled the borders, and because of Yuan Zhou's reputation, the court appointed him as the Commander of Lingzhou, which made the northern tribes fear him. Later, he was summoned back to the court to serve as the Right Guard Grand General, and the emperor grew to trust and value him even more. Once on the fifteenth day of the first month, the emperor and his courtiers climbed a high vantage point to take in the view, and Yuan Zhou happened to be on duty. The emperor called for him urgently. When Yuan Zhou saw the emperor, the emperor said, "Wouldn't you be happier being by my side than climbing with the others?" Then he hosted a banquet where everyone had a wonderful time. Prince Jin, Yang Guang, also often greeted him with respect. When Prince Fangling was deposed, Yuan Zhou was part of the plot. Later, when the emperor was busy handling matters in the Eastern Palace, the Left Guard Grand General Yuan Min earnestly advised against the emperor's actions, but Yang Su undermined him behind the scenes. The emperor was furious and promptly arrested Yuan Min. Yuan Zhou, who was on duty at the time, stayed at his post and instead reported, "The reason I did not leave my post was to guard against Yuan Min!" This statement only served to anger the emperor, and he ultimately executed Yuan Min and rewarded Yuan Zhou with a thousand bolts of silk. Later, Prince Shu, Yang Xiu, committed an offense, and because of his association with him, he was dismissed from his position.
After Yang Guang became emperor, Yuan Zhou was never given a significant role. At that time, the Cizhou governor, Shangguan Zheng, was exiled to Lingnan for his crimes, and General Qiu He was dismissed from his position due to his misdeeds. Yuan Zhou and Qiu He knew each other before and often went out together. One time, after drinking too much, Yuan Zhou said to Qiu He, "Shangguan Zheng is a powerful figure; now that he has been exiled to Lingnan, will there be any major incidents?" Then he patted his belly and said, "If I were like him, I wouldn't give up so easily!" Qiu He reported this to the emperor the following day, resulting in Yuan Zhou's execution. Later, Shangguan Zheng was appointed as the General of the Valiant Cavalry, and Qiu He was appointed as the governor of Daizhou.
Historical records indicate that if Han Xin had not missed his chance at Gaixia, Xiang Yu might not have faced defeat; if Ying Bu had not caused trouble in Huainan, the power of the Han Dynasty would not have developed so greatly. These two made significant contributions, yet they ended up facing tragic deaths. Not to mention especially those with no real contributions who still harbored thoughts of rebellion!
Liang Shiyi and Yu Wenxin were famous warriors at that time. In troubled times, they became renowned for their bravery and cunning, believing they had made great contributions solely based on their own abilities. Those who owed them favors had grown weary, but they were not satisfied and still wanted to rise higher, fulfill their ambitions, only to ultimately bring about their own downfall.
Wang Yi, Yuan Xie, Wang Shiji, Yu Qingze, Yuan Zhou, and others, some experienced hardships, some had close relationships with the emperor, but when they achieved success, they were gradually forgotten by the emperor, which bred resentment, leading them to constantly seek attention. Although the emperor was indeed harsh at that time, they also acted impulsively; wasn't that a recipe for disaster? You see, those who helped the founding emperor build the empire, few of them ended well, and even fewer were honored in the ancestral halls; most of them remained unknown.
This is mainly because in the early days of the dynasty's establishment, many things were done out of expediency, and there was a lack of unity among the people, so over time, feelings naturally faded. Those who tilled the fields, even if they had done wrong, the manner in which their land was taken was too oppressive; how could they not feel resentment? They were convicted on vague charges, and Emperor Gaozu was narrow-minded and overly suspicious; this is well known. It's very difficult for their descendants to enjoy any blessings!
He Ruo Yi, also known by his courtesy name Daoji, was a native of Luoyang, Henan. His grandfather, He Ruofu Lian, was the Governor of Yunzhou during the Wei Dynasty; his father, He Ruotong, was the Right Guard General. He Ruo Yi was known for his strong and decisive character, as well as his strategic thinking. During the Wei Dynasty, he was granted the title of Baron of Rongcheng due to his ancestors' contributions. He gradually rose through the ranks to become the General of the Direct Pavilion, Grand Commander, Imperial Secretariat of the Palace Attendants, and Director of the Imperial Food Supply.
Zhou Taizu occupied the Guanzhong region and summoned He Ruo Yi to his side for service. On one occasion, Zhou Taizu sent him to Xingcheng, where internal conflicts had arisen within the Ruru tribe, with some people stationed north of the Yellow River. He Ruo Yi persuaded them to submit to the Zhou Dynasty using both reason and emotion, which led to the surrender of over ten thousand people. Zhou Taizu greatly appreciated him and rewarded him with one hundred taels of gold and silver combined. Later, Northern Qi sent their attendant Yang Chang to establish relations with the Ruru tribe. Zhou Taizu was concerned that their alliance could pose a border threat, so he sent He Ruo Yi to negotiate with the Ruru tribe. By offering substantial bribes, He Ruo Yi gained the trust of the Ruru tribe, who subsequently allied with the Zhou Dynasty and surrendered Yang Chang to He Ruo Yi. Zhou Taizu was pleased and promoted him to Grand General of Chariots and Cavalry and Supervisor of the Left, and appointed him as the Chief Historian of Lueyang Manor.
After Emperor Min of the Zhou Dynasty ascended the throne, he appointed He Ruo Yi as the Master of Archery, changed his title to Viscount of Bacheeng, and soon after granted him the title of Kaifu. He subsequently served as the Governor of Lingzhou, Shaoshu, and General Manager of Yuanzhou and Xinzhou, excelling in every role he took on. His brother, He Ruodun, once served as the General Manager of Jinzhou but was later wrongfully accused and executed. As a result of this incident, He Ruo Yi was also relieved of his duties.
When Emperor Wu took power and took full control, he summoned He Ruoyi back and appointed him as the Prefect of Xiongzhou. During the campaign against Northern Qi, He Ruoyi led his troops out of Hangu Pass, first capturing Luoyang. He was subsequently appointed as the Prefect of Luozhou and granted the title of Marquis of Jianwei. Gao Shaoyi, the Prince of Fanyang in Northern Qi, fled to the Turks, and He Ruoyi pursued him and captured him in a battle at Mayi. In recognition of this achievement, he was promoted to Grand General. After Gaozu became Chancellor, he appointed He Ruoyi as the Governor of Bozhou and urged him to quickly take up his post. He defended against Sima Xiaonan in the west and intercepted Yu Jiong in the east. When the Governor of Shenzhou, Li Hui, rebelled, He Ruoyi quelled the rebellion and was ennobled as Duke of Fanyang County, and appointed as Grand General.
At the beginning of the Kaihuang era, he was appointed as the Right Martial General. Later, when Prince Hong of Hejian went to the north to campaign against the Turks, he was appointed as Vice Marshal. After the war ended, he was promoted to Left Martial Grand General. However, he was later dismissed due to some incidents. Over a year later, he was appointed as the Governor of Huazhou, shortly after transferred to the Governor of Fuzhou, and further ennobled as Duke of Hailing County. He was then reassigned as the Governor of Jingzhou. At that time, the Turks frequently harassed the border, and the court, knowing of his reputation and prestige, appointed him as the Governor of Lingzhou and promoted him to Grand General. By then, he was already quite old, but still in good health, able to wear full armor and ride a horse, causing fear among the Turks. After a few years, he requested retirement in a memorial to the emperor, which the emperor approved. He was wealthy and built a villa in the countryside, planting many fruit trees. He often invited friends for gatherings, featuring music and dance performances, enjoying leisure time together at the villa. He passed away at home at the age of seventy-seven. His son inherited his titles.
His eldest son is named Xie, who served as the General of Chariots and Cavalry; Xie's younger brother Xiang achieved the rank of Commandant of Chariots; Xiang's younger brother is named Yu, who became the General of Chariots and Cavalry; his older brother's son, Bi, is also noted in a separate biography.
Historical records state: individuals such as Yu Yi and Dou Rongding had family ties with the nobility of Nanyang, while others maintained friendships with old acquaintances from Fengyi. They all seized the opportunity, received important positions, made significant contributions to the country's stability, received generous rewards, retained their official positions, and secured prosperity for their descendants. They were like a fire constantly fueled, with a strong foundation that would not falter—truly remarkable! Dou Luyu sacrificed his life in a national crisis to uphold his integrity; Yin Shishi stayed loyal even after being deposed by the court, unwavering until his death. If these loyal subjects who have passed away were aware, they would have felt justified before the king and their parents.
Dou Luji, courtesy name Dingdong, was a native from Tuhe, Changli. He originally bore the surname Murong, a descendant of Murong Jing, the Prince of Beidi of the Yan Kingdom. After the defeat in the Zhongshan Battle, he sought refuge with Northern Wei. People in the north referred to those who surrendered to the Wei Dynasty as "Doulu," which led him to change his surname to Dou Lu. His grandfather Dou Lu Chang was a great general in the Northern Wei's Ruxuan Town, and his father Dou Lu Ning was a prominent official and Grand Guardian. When Dou Luji was born, Emperor Zhou personally went to congratulate Dou Luji's family. This occurred just after the defeat of the Qi army, so Emperor Zhou named him "Dingdong." Dou Luji was intelligent and insightful, with great leadership abilities. When he was young, he studied at the Imperial Academy and had some exposure to literature and the arts. In the twelfth year of the Northern Wei Dynasty, Emperor Zhou granted him the title of Marquis of Yi'an County due to his contributions. After Emperor Min of Zhou ascended to the throne, he was appointed to a slightly lower-ranking position, with the title of Marquis of Danyang County and an estate of 1,500 households. During the reign of Emperor Ming of Zhou, he served as the Left Wubozhong Dafu (a title for a senior official).
Dou Luji felt that he had not yet mastered his studies, so he requested to resign from his official position to study at Lu Men. The emperor held him in high regard, so he ordered him to retain his original official position while studying. Not long after, Prince Qi Yuwen Xian married Dou Luji's sister as his concubine, so Dou Luji was granted even greater favor. Later, Emperor Wu ascended to the throne and appointed him governor of Qiongzhou. Before he could take office, the Shanda Qiang in Weiyuan revolted due to famine. Due to Dou Luji's talent and strategic acumen, he was reassigned as the governor of Weizhou. He implemented good policies in Weizhou, bringing joy to both the local Han and minority ethnic groups. His benevolence was widely recognized, and many auspicious signs began to appear. The Niushan Mountain, known as Gaowulong by the locals, is where the Wei River originates. The mountain's cliffs are steep and sheer, previously lacking water, causing considerable distress among the Qiang people. Where Dou Luji's horse hooves stepped, a spring suddenly burst forth. A white bird came to his hall, laid its eggs, and then flew away, and a white wolf appeared in Xiangwu. The locals composed a song about it: "We have the Duke of Danyang County, with jade spring water gushing from the mountain, providing relief to us Han and Qiang communities, auspicious bird flying in." The people called this spring water Jade Spring. Later, his father passed away, and he was deeply saddened and mourned profoundly.
In the second year of Tianhe, he was appointed governor of Shaozhou, inheriting the title of Duke of Chu. Later, he was summoned back to the capital and appointed as Minister of the Heavenly Officials, and later as the governor of Xinzhou, Xiazhou, and Xiangzhou. Following his mother's passing, he returned to the capital. In the second year of Emperor Xuandi's reign, he was appointed governor of Lizhou and was promoted to Grand General. One month later, he was promoted to Duke.
Legend has it that when Emperor Yang Jian founded the Sui Dynasty, Wang Qian, the governor of Yizhou, staged a rebellion. Yang Su held the city under siege, and Wang Qian sent his generals Da Xi Ji, Gao Anagong, Yi Fu Qian, and others, leading an army of one hundred thousand to attack. They constructed earthen mounds and dug over seventy holes in the city walls, and even blocked the river to inundate the city. At that time, Yang Su commanded just over two thousand soldiers, resisting day and night. After over forty days of fighting, the situation grew increasingly dire. Yang Su devised a clever strategy and launched a surprise attack on the enemy, slaying thousands and capturing two thousand more. Just then, Liang Rui's army was also on the way, and the rebels hastily retreated. Emperor Yang Jian of the Sui Dynasty sent Zhao Zhongqing to commend Yang Su and issued an edict stating, "Yang Su is exceptionally talented and possesses an extraordinary demeanor, and has achieved remarkable success in commanding the frontier. In the face of the rebellion in the Bashu region and the siege of the city by the enemy, he successfully defended and counterattacked, defeating the rebel forces. His loyalty, integrity, courage, and strategic acumen have made significant contributions. He is appointed as the Grand General, granted a noble title for his son, and bestowed upon him the title of Duke of Zhongshan County."
In the second year of the Kaihuang era, the Turks invaded the frontier. Yang Jian appointed Yang Su as the Marshal of the Northern Expedition, tasked with defense. A year later, Yang Su was appointed as the Governor of Xiazhou. The Emperor highly valued him due to the prominence of the Yang family and his remarkable achievements. Later, Prince Han, Yang Liang, married his daughter to Yang Su, further solidifying the Emperor's favor towards him. In the seventh year of Kaihuang, the Emperor issued a decree stating: "The Grand Preceptor and Duke of Chu, Yang Su, defended the city against the rebel forces in Shu, holding the fort as if he were the enemy himself. His contributions were great, his integrity noble, and he is granted a thousand households in Linjin County, Shizhou." In the tenth year of Kaihuang, Yang Su was recalled to the capital due to illness. The Emperor ordered all princes to visit Yang Su's residence and sent eunuchs to convey greetings, with a continuous stream of visitors. That same year, Yang Su passed away at the age of fifty-five. The Emperor mourned deeply for a long time, increasing the funeral rewards and assigning the Honglu Temple to handle the arrangements, bestowing upon him the posthumous title of Xiang. His son, Yang Xian, inherited his titles and advanced to the positions of Governor of Xianzhou, Junior Minister of Justice, and Military General. Yang Su also had a younger brother named Yang Yu. Speaking of a man named Li Yu, he was known for his ambition and integrity from a young age. When Prince Han, Yang Liang, was sent to guard Bingzhou, Li Yu, as the brother of Yang Liang's consort, was appointed as the chief scribe in the prince's residence. Later, he followed Zhao Zhongqing to the north to fight against the Turks, distinguished himself, and was appointed as the equal of the Three Excellencies.
After Emperor Gaozu's death, Yang Guang ascended to the throne and summoned Yang Liang back to the court. Yang Liang, swayed by the counsel of Wang Kui, raised an army to rebel. Li Yu earnestly tried to dissuade him, but Yang Liang ignored his pleas. Thus, Li Yu said to his brother, Li Yi, "I will go back to the court alone on horseback and surely can save my life. This is purely for self-preservation, not for the sake of the country. For now, let's pretend to comply and then figure out a plan." Li Yi, who was serving as the governor in Xianzhou at the time, told the emperor, "My brother Li Yu has always been righteous and will not rebel with Yang Liang. He is just forced and has no choice. Please let me lead the troops to support my brother, and there's no need to worry about Yang Liang's rebellion." The emperor found this reasonable and agreed. Li Yi secretly sent a family member to deliver the emperor's orders to Li Yu to discuss a strategy together.
Yang Liang departed the city, intending to head to Jiezhou, leaving Li Yu and the general Zhu Tao behind. Li Yu told Zhu Tao, "The Han Prince's rebellion is on the verge of failure. How can I just sit here and wait to be killed, betraying both my country and my family! We should resist him together with the troops!" Zhu Tao was taken aback and replied, "The prince entrusted such an important matter to us, how can you say that!" He stormed off in anger. Li Yu caught up and killed him. At that time, Yang Liang's advisor, Sima Huangfu Dan, had been imprisoned for opposing him. Li Yu rescued Huangfu Dan, and together with him, the Marquis of Panshi, Hou Suqinwu, the Marquis of Yuwen Yongchang, Yitong Chengduan, Changsun Kai, the Marquis of Ancheng, Hou Yuanshiya, and the former military officer Huangfu Wenhao, they closed the city to resist Yang Liang.
Things were not fully settled, but someone snitched on Yang Liang, so Yang Liang decided to attack. When Li Yu saw Yang Liang coming, he tricked his soldiers, saying, "That is the enemy's army!" Yang Liang attacked the south gate of the city, and Li Yu then sent the Jihu to guard the city walls. The Jihu didn’t recognize Yang Liang and started shooting at him in a panic, arrows raining down. Yang Liang then attacked the west gate, where the guards were all from Bingzhou and knew Yang Liang, so they opened the gates to welcome him. Li Yu was eventually killed at just twenty-eight. After Yang Liang was subdued, Emperor Yang issued a decree, saying, "Commend his loyalty, according to the laws of the land, posthumously elevate his rank and grant him generous rewards. Li Yu understood righteousness, put aside family ties, and took great risks to first offer advice to persuade Yang Liang to submit to the court and sacrifice himself for the country. He should be posthumously promoted and rewarded generously. Posthumously promoted to the rank of Grand General, appointed as the Marquis of Zhengyi County, granted two thousand bolts of silk, and posthumously honored as Min." The young man wanted to inherit his father's title, so he went to see the emperor and was appointed to the position of Yitong Sansi. In the early years of Daye, new laws were introduced, and all five noble ranks were abolished. Not long after, the emperor issued another edict: "The late Grand General and Marquis of Zhengyi, Yang Yu, was able to hold his position in a critical situation, sacrificing himself for what was right, setting an example for the country; his legacy will be remembered forever. In order to honor his virtue and make sure his name lives on for generations, he is posthumously appointed as the Marquis of Yongqiu Min." Then, the young man took over his father's title. As the Daye period was coming to an end, he was appointed as the Commander of the Thousand Cavalry troops.
Yang Tong, Yang Ji's older brother, who was also known as Yang Hui, was generous and had great leadership abilities. During the Zhou Dynasty, due to his father's achievements, he was granted the title of Marquis of Linzhen with a fief of one thousand households. Soon after, he was appointed as Grand General and quickly promoted to Yitong Sanqi. At that time, the Prime Minister Yuwen Hu appreciated his abilities, allowing him to command a trusted army and changing his title to Duke of Woye with a fief of four thousand seven hundred households. Later, he was further ennobled, holding successive positions as Wubei Grand Minister and Governor of North Xuzhou. When Emperor Gaozu became Prime Minister, Wei Jiong rebelled and sent his subordinate Wuman Ni to lead troops to attack. Yang Tong counterattacked and defeated them. The Emperor rewarded him with eight hundred yards of silk and promoted his position to Grand General. In the early years of Emperor Kaihuang's reign, he was promoted to Duke of Nanchen. Shortly after, he was summoned back to court to serve in the imperial guard. Over a year later, he was appointed as Governor of Dingzhou and was later reassigned as Governor of Xiangzhou. He married Princess Changle of Gaozu and grew increasingly favored by the Emperor. He was later promoted to Governor of Xiazhou and Hongzhou. He was known for his generosity and kindness in all his positions. At the age of fifty-nine, after serving for seventeen years, he passed away and was posthumously granted the title of An. He had a son named Yang Kuan.
He Ruoyi, whose courtesy name was Daoji, was a native of Luoyang, Henan. His grandfather Heruofu Lian was the Governor of Yunzhou in Northern Wei, and his father Heruo Tong was the General of the Right Guard. He was known for his strong, decisive character and considerable talent. During Northern Wei, due to his ancestors' achievements, he was granted the title of Baron of Rongcheng County. He gradually rose through the ranks and became General Director, Grand Commandant, Tongzhi Sanki Changshi, and Imperial Food Supervisor.
Zhou Taizu occupied the Guanzhong region and summoned him to serve at his side. Once, Zhou Taizu sent him to Xingcheng, where some people of the Ruru tribe were stationed north of the Yellow River, who were indecisive. He appealed to their reason and emotions and persuaded them to submit to the Zhou Dynasty. As a result, over ten thousand households surrendered. Zhou Taizu greatly appreciated him and rewarded him with one hundred taels of gold and silver. Later, Northern Qi sent their retainer Yang Chang to form an alliance with the Ruru tribe. Zhou Taizu was concerned that their alliance would pose a threat to the border, so he sent He Ruoyi to meet with the leader of the Ruru tribe. He Ruoyi bribed them generously, and the Ruru tribe trusted him, thus allying with the Zhou Dynasty and turning Yang Chang over to He Ruoyi. Zhou Taizu was very pleased and appointed him as the General of Chariots and Cavalry, the Supervisor of the Left, and the Prefect of Lueyang.
After Zhou Mindi ascended the throne, he appointed him as the Grand Master of Archery, bestowed upon him the title of Marquis of Bache, and later promoted him to Earl of the Left Palace, soon adding the title of Kaifu. He then successively served as the Inspector of Lingzhou and Shaozhou, and the Commander of Yuanzhou and Xinzhou, performing excellently in these positions. His brother He Ruodun had previously served as the Commander of Jinzhou but was later wrongfully executed due to false accusations. As a consequence of this incident, He Ruoyi was also removed from his post.
When Emperor Wu personally took power, he recalled He Ruoyi and appointed him governor of Xiongzhou. In the campaign against Northern Qi, He Ruoyi led his troops from Hangu Pass, first capturing Luoyang. He was subsequently appointed governor of Luozhou and granted the title of Marquis of Jianwei. Northern Qi's Prince of Fanyang, Gao Shaoyi, fled to the Turks, and He Ruoyi gave chase. They clashed at Mayi, where He Ruoyi ultimately captured Gao Shaoyi. His success led to his promotion to Grand General. After Gaozu became Emperor, he appointed He Ruoyi as the governor of Bozhou and urged him to take up his post without delay. He stopped Sima Xiaonan in the west and fought against Yu Jiong in the east. Later, when Li Hui, the governor of Shenzhou, rebelled, He Ruoyi defeated him, leading to his promotion to Duke of Fanyang and appointment as Grand General.
At the beginning of the Kaihuang era, he was appointed Right General of Military Affairs. Later, when Prince Hong of Hejian went to the north to campaign against the Turks, he was appointed Vice Marshal. After the war, he was promoted to Left Grand General of Military Affairs. However, he was later dismissed for some misconduct. Over a year later, he was appointed governor of Huazhou, then transferred to Fuzhou as governor and granted the title of Duke of Hailing. He was then moved to Jingzhou as governor. At that time, the Turks frequently harassed the border. Due to his previous accomplishments, the court appointed him as the governor of Lingzhou and elevated him to Grand General of the Pillar State. Although he was old at the time, his body was still strong, and he could still ride a horse wearing armor, instilling fear in the Turks. After a few years, he requested retirement, which the Emperor granted. He was wealthy and built a villa with a beautiful garden outside the city, planting many fruit trees. He often invited friends for gatherings, along with song and dance performances. He passed away at the age of seventy-seven at home. His son succeeded him in his title.
His eldest son is named Xie and became a General of Chariots and Cavalry; Xie's younger brother is named Xiang, who is a Commandant of Carriages; Xiang's younger brother is named Yu, who serves as a General of Chariots and Cavalry; his older brother's son is named Bi, whose biography is also recorded.
Historical records state that individuals such as Yu Yi and Dou Rongding had family ties with influential figures in Nanyang, while others maintained friendships with old acquaintances in Fengyi. They all seized the opportunity and were highly valued, making significant contributions to the stability of the state. As a result, they were rewarded generously, maintained their official positions, and ensured endless benefits for their descendants. They were like a fire that was continually stoked, constantly consolidating their achievements. Their foundation did not decay, which is indeed remarkable! Dou Luyu sacrificed his life in the nation's time of crisis to uphold righteousness; Yin Shishi remained steadfast and loyal even in the face of national misfortune, until death. If those loyal martyrs who have passed could be aware, it would suffice to honor their monarchs and parents.
Yuan Xiong, styled Shilue, was a man from Le Du, a place in Xiping. His grandfather Yuan Huai and father Yuan Zuan both served as the Prince of Longxi in the Wei Kingdom. Yuan Xiong was generous and kind-hearted since childhood, and he was also tall and strong. He started as a secretary in the Wei Kingdom and soon rose to the rank of General of the Northern Campaign. Later, his father was killed by the Gao clan, so Yuan Xiong quickly escaped, changed his name, and fled to Chang'an. Emperor Taizu of Northern Zhou took a great liking to him and granted him the title of Duke of Longxi Commandery. He followed Emperor Wu of Zhou in the campaign against the Qi Kingdom, and for his achievements, he was appointed as a Palace Official and later as Duke of Shuofang Commandery, and then appointed as the Inspector of Jizhou. At that time, the Turks often troubled the borders, so the court assigned Yuan Xiong to Pingzhou as Inspector to secure the frontier. Shortly after, he was appointed as the Governor of Xuzhou.
When Gaozu became Chancellor, Wei Jiong rebelled. At that time, Yuan Xiong's family was in Xiangzhou, and Wei Jiong secretly sent letters to entice him, but Yuan Xiong was not moved at all. Gaozu wrote to Yuan Xiong, saying, "Your family is in Ye City. Although you are separated now, the rebels will soon be eliminated, and you will easily reunite. From today, it will only be a matter of months before you can meet again. Don't worry, I will figure something out. Xuzhou is very important, as it is the gateway to the southeast, close to the enemy of the Wu Kingdom, and needs to be well managed. I have great confidence in your abilities, entrusting you with the crucial responsibility of border defense, hoping you will achieve great things and live up to my expectations." Wei Jiong's general Bi Yixu occupied Lanling, while Xi Pi captured Changlu and Xiayi. Yuan Xiong sent the Inspector of Xuzhou, Liu Ren'en, to defeat Bi Yixu, and sent Yitong Liu Hong and Li Yan to attack Xi Pi, ultimately bringing them under control.
Seeing the ongoing chaos in the Central Plains, Chen Guojian sent generals such as Chen Ji, Xiao Moha, Ren Manna, Zhou Luohou, and Fan Yi to invade the regions north of the Yangtze River, stretching from Jiangling in the west to Shouyang in the east. Along the way, many common folks rallied to their cause, and the Chen army captured many towns. Yuan Xiong, together with the governors of Wuzhou, Yu Yi, Yangzhou, He Ruobi, and Huangzhou, Yuan Jingshan, defeated the invaders and reclaimed the lost territory. Cao Xiaoda, the governor of Dong Tongzhou, staged a local rebellion, and Yuan Xiong sent troops to kill him. Yuan Xiong was promoted to Grand General while continuing his role as the governor of Xuzhou. Several years later, he was transferred to the governor of Huaizhou, and soon promoted to the governor of Shuozhou. Whenever the Turks invaded and raided, Yuan Xiong was always able to catch and kill them, and the Turks were very afraid of him.
Legend has it that when Emperor Gaozu launched his campaign against Chen, he issued a special decree stating: "Oh! You, the Grand General and the Duke of Shuofang, you truly possess great insight, sound judgment, and remarkable courage! When you were the governor of Xuzhou, you encountered enemy disturbances; you raised your banners in Mayi and pacified the northern tribes. Your brilliant strategies eliminated external threats at the border, and your prowess in battle quelled the enemy's arrogance. The various tribes north of the desert all benefited from your grace, and the people around Mount Luoyang are especially grateful for your kindness. Now, the small Chen state in the Jianghuai region has dared to rebel, and I will lead the army to quell the rebellion. Therefore, I appoint you as the marching general; go! Remember my words!" So, the general set off from Xinzhou with Prince Qin Jun.
Later, due to his success in pacifying Chen, he was promoted to Upper Pillar State, his son was granted the title of Earl of Duanshi County, and he was also granted the title of Earl of Anhua County, receiving a reward of five thousand bolts of cloth and continuing to guard Shuozhou. After two years, he submitted a memorial requesting retirement, and the court called him back to the capital. He passed away at home, reaching the age of seventy.
His son inherited his title and achieved the rank of Yitong. During the Daye period of the Sui Dynasty, he was transferred from Shangdang to the capital, where he served as an official of the Yu Department. Later, during a time of chaos and rampant banditry, he led troops to suppress a rebellion in Beihai and met a tragic end in battle against the bandits. He was posthumously elevated to the rank of Zhengyi Dafu.
As for Dou Luqi, styled Dingdong, he was a native of Tuhe in Changli. He originally bore the surname Murong, as he was a descendant of Murong Jing, the king of Beiyand. After the Battle of Zhongshan, he defected to Northern Wei, and at that time, those who defected to Northern Wei were referred to as "Doulu." He subsequently adopted the surname Doulu. His grandfather, Doulu Chang, was a great general of Ruxuan Town in Northern Wei, and his father, Doulu Ning, was a prominent statesman and Grand Preceptor of Northern Zhou. When Dou Luqi was born, Emperor Taizu of Zhou personally visited his family to offer congratulations, coincidentally right after his victory over the Qi army, and bestowed upon him the courtesy name "Dingdong." Dou Luqi was exceptionally intelligent from a young age and exhibited remarkable leadership qualities. He studied at the Imperial College when he was young, exploring a wide range of literature and historical subjects. In the twelfth year of Northern Wei's Great Unity, Emperor Taizu bestowed upon him the title of Marquis of Yian County in recognition of his contributions. After Emperor Min of Zhou ascended the throne, he was appointed as Xiaobo Xia Dafu and Kaifu Yitong San Si, and his title was subsequently changed to Duke of Danyang County, with a fief comprising 1,500 households. During the reign of Emperor Ming of Zhou, he held the position of Left Wubo Zhong Dafu. Feeling that his knowledge was not deep enough, he requested to step down from his official position to study at the Lu Gate School. The Emperor appreciated his eagerness to learn and allowed him to continue his studies while keeping his original position. Not long after, Prince Qi Yuwen Xian married Dou Luqi's sister as his concubine, resulting in Dou Luqi receiving favorable treatment.
After Emperor Wu ascended to the throne, he appointed him as the Governor of Qiongzhou. Before he could take office, the Shuodang Qiang people in Weiyuan revolted due to famine. Because Li Xie was talented and strategic, he was reassigned as the Governor of Weizhou. He did an excellent job as the Governor; the people were loyal, and blessings were abundant, with signs of good fortune everywhere. Bird and Mouse Mountain, referred to as Gaowulong by the locals, is where the Wei River originates. The mountain is steep and nearly inaccessible, previously lacking water, causing considerable distress to the Qiang people. But when Li Xie's horse hooves struck the ground, a spring suddenly burst forth! A white bird flew to his office, fed briefly, and then flew away, and a white wolf appeared in Xiangwu. The people composed a song: "We have Danyang (Li Xie's fief), where jade milk flows from the mountain. Saving our people and the Qiang tribe, the divine bird comes to soar above." The people called the spring Jade Milk Spring. Later, his father passed away, and he mourned deeply, surpassing the prescribed mourning period.
In the second year of the Tianhe era, he was appointed as the Governor of Shaozhou and inherited the title of Duke of Chu. He was later summoned back to the court to serve as Minister of the Heavenly Officials, and successively served as the Governor of Xinzhou, Xiazhou, and Xiangzhou. After his mother's passing, he returned to the capital to mourn. In the second year of the reign of Emperor Xuan, he was appointed as Governor-General of Lizhou, promoted to Grand General a month later, and subsequently elevated to Duke.
When Gaozu was the prime minister, Wang Qian, the governor of Yizhou, rebelled. Li Ji defended the city, and Wang Qian sent his generals Daxi Chi, Gao Anagong, Yi Fuqian, and others to lead a hundred thousand troops to attack him, constructing earth mounds, digging over seventy holes in the city walls, and blocking the river to flood the city with water. Li Ji only had two thousand soldiers at the time, resisting day and night. After over forty days of fighting, the situation grew increasingly dire. Li Ji launched a surprise attack, killing thousands of enemy soldiers and capturing two thousand. Liang Rui's army was also approaching, prompting the rebels to withdraw. Gaozu sent Zhao Zhongqing to commend him and issued a decree stating, "Li Ji possesses exceptional insight, magnanimity, and effectiveness in leading the border regions. When the rebels invaded the Ba Shu region and surrounded the city, he was able to attack and defend, defeating the rebels. His loyalty and merits are great, so he is granted the titles of Jiedushi and Shangzhuguo. He is also granted the title of Duke of Zhongshan County for his son." In 582 AD, the Turks invaded the frontier, and Yang Su was appointed as the Northern Army's Marshal, responsible for defending against external enemies. A year later, he was promoted to governor of Xiazhou. The emperor valued his illustrious family background and outstanding achievements, esteemed him highly. Later, Prince Han Yang Liang married Yang Su's daughter as his consort, further deepening the emperor's favor for Yang Su.
In the year 587 AD, the emperor issued a decree saying: "Yang Su, the Grand Minister and Duke of Chu, during the rebellion in the Shu region, resolutely resisted the rebels and defended the border, repelling foreign enemies like an independent nation. His contributions were significant, and his loyalty and integrity were commendable; therefore, he was rewarded with a thousand households of land in Linjin County, Shizhou." In 590 AD, Yang Su was recalled to the capital due to illness. The emperor ordered all the princes to visit Yang Su's mansion and sent eunuchs to pay their respects. The following year, Yang Su passed away at the age of fifty-five. The emperor mourned deeply and granted him a lavish burial, with the Honglu Temple responsible for the funeral arrangements. He was posthumously given the title "Xiang." His son Yang Xian inherited his title, rising to the position of Governor of Xianzhou, Grand Master of Dali, and Lieutenant General of Wuben. Yang Su also had a younger brother named Yang Yu.
Yu, whose courtesy name was Daosheng, was ambitious and principled from a young age. When Prince Liang of Han was sent to guard Bianzhou, Yu, as the brother of Liang's consort, was appointed as the chief scribe of the prince's mansion. Later, he followed Zhao Zhongqing to the north to campaign against the Turks, where he distinguished himself and was appointed as a General of the Imperial Household.
After the death of the founding emperor, the Yang Emperor ascended the throne and summoned Prince Liang of Han back to the court. Liang rebelled, swayed by the counsel of Wang Kui. Yu tried to dissuade him, but Liang refused to listen. Yu told his brother Yi, "I’ll ride back to court alone; maybe I can save myself. This is for me, not for the country. For now, pretend to obey and then figure out a plan." Yu's elder brother, Xian, the Governor of Xianzhou, told the emperor: "My brother Yu has always been principled and won't take part in the rebellion. He’s just being forced and has no choice but to resist. Please let me join the army to coordinate with Yu; Liang should not be a concern." The emperor agreed, and Xian secretly sent a family member with the emperor's decree to meet Yu and discuss strategies.
Li Xucheng prepared to leave for Jiezhou, entrusting Yuhe and General Zhu Tao with the defense. Yuhe said to Zhu Tao, "How can I just sit back and wait to be killed, betraying my country and family? We should go to war together against him!" Tao was taken aback and replied, "How can you say something so important to us?" With that, he left in anger. Yuhe chased after him and killed Zhu Tao. At that time, Li's Sima, Huangfu Dan, had been imprisoned for advising him, and Yuhe rescued Huangfu Dan, along with Pan Shi Hou Suqinwu, Yuchang Yuwen Yongchang, Yitong Cheng Duan, Changsun Kai, Cheqi Ancheng Hou Yuanshiya, and Yuanwu Ling Huangfu Wenhao; they closed the city to resist Li.
Before the situation was settled, someone reported to Li, prompting him to attack. When Yuhe saw Li approaching, he misled his soldiers, shouting, "Those are enemy troops!" Li attacked the south gate of the city, and Yuhe sent the Jihu people to guard the city walls. The Jihu people could not recognize Li and shot arrows at him. Li then attacked the west gate, where the guards, recognizing him as one of their own from Bingzhou, opened the gate to let him in. Yuhe was ultimately killed, just 28 years old.
After Li was subdued, Emperor Yang issued a decree stating, "Honoring exceptional loyalty and integrity aligns with national principles, and rewards should be doubled while enforcing the law. Yuhe deeply understood righteousness, disregarded marital relations, took great risks, came up with a brilliant plan, abandoned rebellion, and surrendered to the court, dying for righteousness. He should be posthumously promoted to General, granted the title Duke of Justice County, awarded 2,000 pieces of silk, and given the posthumous title of Min."
The lad wanted to inherit his father's title, so he went to see the Yitong Sanqi. In the early days of Daye, new laws were rolled out, and the five ranks of titles were all abolished. Not long after, the emperor issued a decree saying, "The late General, the Righteous Duke Yang Yu, was able to hold his position in times of crisis, sacrifice himself for what was right and die for his country. His deeds have become a model and should be forever remembered. His son, virtuous and kind, inherited his virtues and should be posthumously honored and renamed as the Marquis of Yongqiu Min." So, the lad inherited his father's title. In the later years of Daye, he was appointed as the commander of the Qian Niu Left and Right.
Yang Tong, the brother of Yang Ji, who was also called Yang Hui, was known for his generosity and magnanimity. During the Zhou Dynasty, thanks to his father's achievements, he was granted the title of Marquis of Linzhen County, with a fief that included a thousand households. He was then made Grand Commander, and soon promoted to Yitong Sanqi. At that time, the Grand Chancellor Yuwen Hu valued him, allowing him to lead the trusted army and be renamed as the Duke of Woye County, with a fief of four thousand seven hundred households. Later, he was made Chief of the Imperial Guards, and served as the Military Officer of Wubei and the Governor of North Xuzhou. When Gaozu became the Prime Minister, Wei Jiao rebelled and sent his subordinate Wuman Ni to lead the army to attack. Yang Tong counterattacked and defeated them. The emperor rewarded him with eight hundred pieces of cloth and promoted him to Grand General. In the early days of Kaihuang, he was promoted to Duke of Nanchen County. Shortly after, he was summoned to the court to serve as the Imperial Guard. Over a year later, he was appointed as the Governor of Dingzhou. He was later transferred to be the Governor of Xiangzhou. He married Gaozu's sister, Princess Changle, and gained more and more favor from the emperor. He was later promoted to the Governor of Xiazhou and Hongzhou. He was well-known for his generosity and kindness in every role he held. In his seventeenth year in office, he passed away at fifty-nine and was posthumously honored with the title 'An.' He had a son, Yang Kuan.
He Ruoyi, courtesy name Daoji, was from Luoyang, Henan. His grandfather, He Ruofu Lian, served as the Governor of Yunzhou in Northern Wei, and his father, He Ruotong, was a General of the Right Guard. He Ruoyi was a decisive and talented individual. During the Northern Wei dynasty, due to his father's contributions, he was appointed as a noble of Rongcheng County. He gradually rose through the ranks and became the General of the Direct Command, Grand Commander, Imperial Guard Attendant, and Director of the Imperial Kitchen.
After Emperor Taizu of Zhou gained control of the Guanzhong region, he recruited He Ruoyi to work by his side. On one occasion, Emperor Taizu sent him to Xingcheng, where the Ruru tribe was experiencing internal conflicts, with some stationed north of the Yellow River. He Ruoyi persuaded them to align with the Zhou dynasty using both reason and emotional appeal, which led to the surrender of over ten thousand people. Emperor Taizu highly appreciated him and rewarded him with a hundred taels of gold and silver. Later, Northern Qi sent their retainer Yang Chang to build a good relationship with the Ruru tribe. Emperor Taizu was worried that their potential alliance could pose a threat to the border, so he sent He Ruoyi to establish contact with the Ruru tribe. He Ruoyi used a large amount of money to gain their trust, and the Ruru tribe believed in him, thus forming an alliance with the Zhou dynasty and handing over Yang Chang to He Ruoyi. Emperor Taizu was pleased and appointed him as Grand General of Chariots and Cavalry, Supervisor of the Left, and Chief Secretary of Lueyang County.
After Emperor Min of Zhou ascended the throne, he appointed He Ruoyi as the Chief Archer, renamed him Viscount of Bacheeng County, and later promoted him to Count of the Left Palace, and soon after was given additional titles, including Palace Attendant. He later served as the Governors of Lingzhou and Shaozhou, as well as the Governor-General of Yuanzhou and Xinzhou, and excelled in all these positions. His brother, He Ruodun, once served as the Governor-General of Jinzhou but was later wrongfully accused and executed. This incident resulted in He Ruoyi's dismissal.
After Emperor Zhou Wu came to power, he recalled He Ruoyi and appointed him as the governor of Xiongzhou. During the war to pacify Northern Qi, He Ruoyi led his troops out of Hangu Pass, first occupying Luoyang. He was then appointed as the governor of Luozhou and granted the title of Marquis of Jianwei. Northern Qi's Prince of Fanyang, Gao Shaoyi, fled to the Turkic tribes, and He Ruoyi pursued him and they clashed in Mayi, where He Ruoyi ultimately captured Gao Shaoyi. For his military achievements, He Ruoyi was promoted to General. After Emperor Gaozu of Zhou became Prime Minister, he appointed He Ruoyi as the commander of Bozhou and urged him to take up his post quickly. He stopped Sima Xiaonan in the west and resisted Yu Jiong in the east. Later, when Li Hui, the governor of Shenzhou, rebelled, He Ruoyi pacified the rebellion and was granted the title of Duke of Fanyang, as well as appointed as Grand General.
At the beginning of the Kaihuang era, he was appointed Right Martial Guard General. Later, when Prince of Hejian, Yang Hong, led troops to the north to fight the Turks, he was appointed Vice Marshal. After the war ended, he was promoted again and became Left Martial Guard Grand General. However, he was later dismissed due to some incidents. Over a year later, he was appointed governor of Huazhou, then shortly transferred to Fuzhou as governor, and enfeoffed as Duke of Hailing. He was later transferred to Jingzhou as governor.
At that time, the Turks frequently harassed the border. The court valued his past reputation and appointed him as the governor of Lingzhou, promoting him to Grand General of the Pillar State. By then, he was already quite old, yet still in good health, able to wear heavy armor and ride a horse, striking fear into the Turks. After a few years, he requested retirement and the Emperor granted it. He was wealthy and had a villa built outside the city, planting many fruit trees. He often invited friends over for gatherings, with performances of song and dance, where everyone enjoyed themselves. He passed away at the age of seventy-seven in his home. His son inherited his title.
His eldest son, Xie, served as the General of the Cavalry; Xie's younger brother, Xiang, held the position of Deputy Director of Carriages; Xiang's younger brother, Yu, became the General of Chariots and Cavalry; his brother's son, Bi, is mentioned in additional biographies.
Historical records indicate that figures like Yu Yi and Dou Rongding had connections with the powerful in Nanyang and friendships with old acquaintances in Fengyi. They helped stabilize the country through their military achievements, received generous rewards for their contributions, preserved their official positions, and benefited their descendants. They worked tirelessly, like chopping wood without rest; their achievements will stand the test of time—truly remarkable! Dou Lu Yu sacrificed his life during a national crisis, upholding his integrity; Yin Shishi remained loyal even as the country declined, steadfast until his death. If these loyal and righteous martyrs were aware of their legacy, they would have honored their monarchs and parents.
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