Feng Yi, courtesy name Gongsun, was from Fucheng in Henan. He loved reading and had a particular talent for "Zuo Zhuan" and "The Art of War" by Sun Tzu. When the army of the Han Dynasty began to rise, Feng Yi served as an official in the county, responsible for overseeing five counties. He joined the city magistrate Miao Meng in defending the city against the army of Wang Mang. Liu Xiu attacked Yingchuan, but could not capture Fucheng for a long time, so he stationed his troops in Jiche Township. Feng Yi took the opportunity to venture to other counties, but was captured by Liu Xiu's forces. At that time, Feng Yi's cousin Feng Xiao, along with Ding Chen and Lv Yan from the same county, were with Liu Xiu and recommended him. Feng Yi was then summoned. Feng Yi said, "I am just an ordinary person, with little strength. My mother is still in the city; I want to return to defend the five counties to repay Liu Xiu's kindness." Liu Xiu said, "Alright."
After returning, Feng Yi told Miao Meng, "These generals are all upstart warriors from humble backgrounds, mostly arrogant and overbearing. Only General Liu does not plunder the people wherever he goes. Look at how he speaks and acts; he is not an ordinary person. We can join him." Miao Meng said, "Life and death are of equal importance; I will follow your lead." After Liu Xiu headed south to Wancheng, several generals sent by the Gengshi regime to attack Fucheng were successfully held off by Feng Yi. When Liu Xiu became the Colonel-Director of Retainers and passed by Fucheng, Feng Yi and his men opened the city gates and welcomed him with offerings of cattle and wine. Liu Xiu appointed Feng Yi as chief scribe and Miao Meng as his assistant. Feng Yi also recommended fellow villagers Yiao Qi, Shu Shou, Duan Jian, and Zuo Long, all of whom Liu Xiu appointed as minor officials, and they all arrived in Luoyang together.
The Gengshi regime tried several times to send Liu Xiu to pacify the rebellion in Hebei, but many generals believed it was not a viable option. At that time, Cao Xing's son Cao Xu served as the Minister of Works, and father and son held great power. Feng Yi advised Liu Xiu to cultivate a good relationship with them. Later, when Liu Xiu went to Hebei, Cao Xu was indeed very helpful.
Since the defeat in the Battle of Kunyang, Emperor Guangwu Liu Xiu has been enduring his grief and daring not to show it. Whenever he is alone, he cannot eat or drink anything, and his pillow and bed are often soaked with tears. His counselor Deng Yu saw this and knelt down to comfort him, urging him to express his sadness. Liu Xiu stopped him and said, "Don’t say such gloomy things."
Deng Yu seized the opportunity and persuaded him again, "Now the people can no longer endure Wang Mang's rule and have long been longing for the revival of the Han Dynasty. Now the generals under Emperor Gengshi are acting tyrannically and brutally, looting wherever they go, and the common people are utterly disillusioned with them and have nowhere to turn. Now that you have been elected by everyone to lead the way, this is the perfect time to show mercy! Just as the tyrants Jie and Zhou paved the way for the achievements of Tang and Wu, those who have long suffered from hunger and thirst will appreciate the taste of fullness even more. You should quickly dispatch officials to oversee the counties, resolve wrongful cases, and show kindness to the people." Liu Xiu listened to his advice.
When they arrived in Handan, Liu Xiu sent Deng Yu and Yao Qi to ride fast horses to inspect the nearby county towns, document the prisoners, and assist the elderly and widowed. Fugitives who surrendered would have their crimes forgiven. They secretly submitted a list of two thousand officials loyal to the court or who had not sided with Wang Mang.
Later, Wang Lang rebelled, and Emperor Guangwu marched rapidly from Jixian southeast, resting in makeshift grass huts day and night until reaching Wulouting in Raoyang. At that time, the weather was extremely cold, and everyone was hungry and tired, so Deng Yu cooked bean porridge for everyone to eat. The next morning, Emperor Guangwu addressed his generals, saying, "Yesterday I ate Master Gongsun's bean porridge, and I felt neither hungry nor cold." Upon reaching Nangong, they encountered strong winds and heavy rain. Emperor Guangwu pulled the carriage to take shelter in an empty house by the road. Deng Yu gathered firewood, started a fire, and Emperor Guangwu dried his clothes by it. Deng Yu also brought wheat and rabbit meat. Later, they crossed the Hutuo River and arrived in Xindu. Emperor Guangwu sent Deng Yu to recruit soldiers in the Hejian area. After Deng Yu returned, he was named a deputy general. He later participated in the battle to pacify Wang Lang and was appointed as Yinghou.
Deng Yu was modest and cautious, never boasting about his accomplishments. When he met other generals, he always stepped aside for them. He was always measured in his words and actions, and he was praised in the army for his organized approach to tasks. Whenever they camped, other generals would gather to discuss their achievements, while Deng Yu would sit alone under a tree. The troops affectionately referred to him as "General Big Tree." After capturing Handan, the generals' duties were redistributed, each with their own jurisdiction. The soldiers all expressed their willingness to follow "General Big Tree," which further increased Emperor Guangwu's esteem for him. He later went on to defeat Tie Ling of Beiping and subdued the Xiongnu king Lin Xidun, participating in pacifying the Hebei region.
It is said that at that time, Emperor Gengshi dispatched Wang Yin King Li Yi, Linqiu King Tian Li, Grand Marshal Zhu Wei, and White Tiger Duke Chen Qiao, leading a so-called army of three hundred thousand, to guard Luoyang alongside Henan Governor Wu Bo. Meanwhile, Emperor Guangwu led his troops north to sweep through the Yan and Zhao regions. To their surprise, they faced little resistance in Wei and Henan, and the cities were fortified and well-supplied. Thus, Emperor Guangwu appointed Kou Xun as the Governor of Henan and Geng Yan as the General of Mengjin, allowing them to command the armies of the two counties stationed along the Yellow River to confront Zhu Wei and his forces.
Geng Yan wrote a letter to Li Yi, saying, "I’ve heard that a mirror reflects one's image, and past events can be used to understand the present. In the past, Weizi left the Yin and Shang dynasties to join the Zhou dynasty, Xiang Bo betrayed the Chu kingdom to join the Han dynasty. Zhou Bo welcomed the Prince Dai, deposed the young emperor, Huo Guang supported Emperor Xiaoxuan, and deposed the Changyi King. These people all revered fate, understood the signs of fortune and misfortune, and grasped the principles of rise and fall, which enabled them to succeed and establish a lasting legacy. If Chang'an can still hold out, just hold on a little longer, maintain distinctions between kin and non-kin, and order near and far, how could you, Li Yi, find yourself cornered? Now Chang'an is completely chaotic, the Red Eyebrow Army is outside the city, the nobles are at each other’s throats, the ministers are turning against each other, the court’s order has broken down, regions are starting to split, and various non-imperial forces are rising up. That's why King Xiao (referring to Emperor Guangwu) had to brave the wind and snow to manage Hebei. Now is the time for heroes to emerge, and the people are responding one after another. Even if Bindi and Qidi swear allegiance to the Zhou dynasty, it still cannot compare to the current situation. If you, Li Yi, can understand the key to victory or defeat, quickly make a plan, emulate the ancients to achieve merit, turn misfortune into opportunity—now is the time! If we let our elite troops advance directly, tightly surround Luoyang, even if you regret it later, it will be too late!"
At first, Geng Yan and Liu Xiu had a very good relationship. However, after Emperor Gengshi ascended the throne, they ended up conspiring against Bo Sheng together. Although Geng Yan knew that Chang'an was in imminent danger and wanted to surrender, he felt uneasy. So he wrote a letter to Liu Xiu, saying, "I initially conspired with Prince Xiao (Liu Xiu) to establish the Han Dynasty, making a pact of life and death, sharing both honor and disgrace. Now I am guarding Luoyang, while you are stationed in Mengjin. We both occupy important strategic positions; this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that we must seize! I hope you can understand my meaning; I’m willing to share my modest strategies to help you stabilize the country and calm the people."
After writing this letter, Geng Yan no longer competed with Liu Xiu for credit. Consequently, Liu Xiu was able to launch an attack on Tianjing Pass in the north, capture two cities in the Shangdang area, and seize thirteen counties east of Chenggao in Henan, along with other military bases, resulting in over 100,000 surrenders. General Wu Bo under Liu Xiu led over 10,000 troops to attack the rebels, and Liu Xiu personally crossed the Yellow River to fight Wu Bo in Shixiang, achieving a significant victory by defeating Wu Bo and capturing over 5,000 enemy soldiers. Yet, Geng Yan closed the city gates and didn’t send any reinforcements. Seeing that Geng Yan kept his promise, Liu Xiu reported the incident to the court. Liu Xiu intentionally showed Zhu Wei Geng Yan's letter, which angered Zhu Wei, leading to the assassination of Geng Yan. This caused chaos among the people in Luoyang, leading many to surrender. Zhu Wei sent General Su Mao with tens of thousands of troops to attack Wen County, while he himself led troops to attack Pingyin to distract Liu Xiu. Liu Xiu dispatched the Protectorate-General and Kou Xun to confront Su Mao, where they defeated him. Seizing the opportunity, Liu Xiu crossed the Yellow River and attacked Zhu Wei, who then fled. Liu Xiu chased him to the outskirts of Luoyang, circled the city once, and then turned back.
Liu Xiu sent out proclamations to report to the court, and all the generals came to congratulate him and advised Liu Xiu to claim the throne. Liu Xiu then summoned Geng Yan to his location in Hao County and inquired about the situation in various places. Geng Yan said, "The three kings have rebelled, the Emperor Gengshi has failed, there is no ruler in the world, and the safety of the state and the well-being of the people depend on you, Your Majesty. You should listen to everyone's opinions; you should think for the state and the people." Liu Xiu said, "I dreamed last night that I was riding a red dragon into the sky, and when I woke up, my heart was racing!" Geng Yan rose from his seat and congratulated him once more, saying, "This is a sign from heaven! Your Majesty, your heart is racing; this reflects your cautious nature!" Geng Yan then discussed among themselves and agreed to honor Liu Xiu as emperor. In the spring of the second year of Jianwu, Liu Xiu appointed Geng Yan as the Marquis of Yangxia. Geng Yan went to defeat the bandits Yan Zhong and Zhao Gen in Yangzhai. Liu Xiu issued a decree for Geng Yan to pay respects to his ancestors, sent a high-ranking official to deliver cattle and wine, and ordered officials within a two-hundred-mile radius, along with Geng Yan's relatives, to attend.
At that time, the Red Eyebrow Army and Yan Cen's troops caused chaos in the Sanfu area (now the Guanzhong region of Shaanxi), engaging in battles everywhere. The prominent families in those counties also raised their own troops. Grand Minister Deng Yu found it impossible to restore order, so he sent another Deng Yu, who shared the same name but was not a relative, to suppress them. The emperor dispatched Deng Yu to Henan, rewarding him with a carriage measuring seven feet in length and a good sword. The emperor specifically instructed Deng Yu, "The Sanfu area has suffered from the chaos of Wang Mang and the Xin Dynasty, and now with the atrocities of the Red Eyebrow Army and Yan Cen, the people are suffering and have nowhere to turn. When you go to campaign, it is not necessary to seize territory or massacre cities; the primary objective is to restore order and ensure the well-being of the people. Those generals are certainly capable fighters, but they prefer to engage in plunder. You are good at managing troops and officials; remember my words, do not let the people suffer." Deng Yu thanked the emperor and led his troops westward.
His reputation preceded him wherever he went. There were many bandits in the Hongnong area (around Lingbao City, Henan), with more than ten self-styled generals surrendering to Deng Yu. I’ve heard that Geng Yan faced off against the Red Eyebrow Army in Huayin back then, and the two sides were locked in battle for over sixty days, with many battles. They even defeated the Red Eyebrow Army's leaders Liu Shi and Wang Xuan, with a total of over five thousand troops.
In the spring of the third year, the court sent someone to bestow the title of Grand General of the Western Expedition upon Geng Yan. At this time, Deng Yu returned to the army with General Deng Hong and their troops, and they met Geng Yan. Deng Yu and Deng Hong wanted to join forces with Geng Yan to attack the Red Eyebrow Army. Geng Yan said, "I’ve been at a standstill against these bandits for days. Although we have captured many of their fierce generals, they still have a lot of people. It's better to use some leniency and trust to entice them into surrendering. It’s tough to win through sheer force. Now the emperor has sent troops from all directions to block the Red Eyebrow Army from the east, and I will attack from the west. This way, we can take them down for sure. This is a surefire plan!" Deng Yu and Deng Hong disagreed with his opinion. Deng Hong immediately engaged in a major battle with the Red Eyebrow Army that lasted all day. The Red Eyebrow Army feigned a retreat, leaving their supplies behind and fleeing. Their carts were filled with dirt and topped with beans, and the soldiers, starving, rushed to grab the food. The Red Eyebrow Army turned around to attack Deng Hong again, and Deng Hong’s forces were routed. Geng Yan and Deng Yu joined forces to rescue them, and the Red Eyebrow Army retreated slightly. Geng Yan suggested that the soldiers, being hungry and exhausted, should rest first, but Deng Yu ignored him and pressed on with the fight. As a result, they suffered a crushing defeat, with over three thousand casualties. Deng Yu barely escaped back to Yiyang. Geng Yan abandoned his horse and fled on foot to Huixiban, only taking a few followers back to the camp. He held the fort and regrouped the scattered troops, recruiting forces from various camps, saving tens of thousands of troops, and agreeing on a time to battle with the Red Eyebrow Army. He sent brave warriors disguised as Red Eyebrow soldiers to lie in ambush along the roadside.
The next morning, the Chimei army sent 10,000 troops to attack Geng Yan's vanguard, while Geng Yan dispatched only a portion of his forces to provide support. Noticing that Geng Yan's forces appeared to be small, the Chimei army surged forward to attack. Geng Yan then ordered the entire army to counterattack. By the afternoon, the morale of the Chimei army was low, and the ambushed troops suddenly emerged, resulting in confusion as the two sides' uniforms became intertwined, which led to utter chaos. Geng Yan ordered a pursuit and defeated the Chimei army at Xiaodi, capturing eighty thousand men and women. The remaining over one hundred thousand troops surrendered at Yiyang. The court sent a decree to comfort Geng Yan, saying, "The Chimei army has been pacified, and the soldiers have all worked hard. Although you were initially defeated in Huixi, you ultimately achieved victory in Minchi. It's truly a blessing in disguise! We are preparing to reward you for your great merit." It is said that although the Chimei army surrendered, other rebel forces were still formidable: Yancen occupied Lantian, Wang Xin occupied Xiagui, Fangdan occupied Xinfeng, Jiang Zhen occupied Baling, Zhang Han occupied Chang'an, Gongsun Shou occupied Changling, Yang Zhou occupied Gukou, Lu Wei occupied Chencang, Jue Hong occupied Qian, Luo Yan occupied Zhouzhi, Ren Liang occupied Hu, and Ruzhang occupied Huaili. Each of whom claimed to be generals, with some commanding more than 10,000 troops and others only a few thousand, engaging in mutual attacks. Liu Xiu pressed forward while engaging in battle, establishing a camp in Shanglin Garden. After defeating the Chimei army, Yancen declared himself King Wuan, appointed local officials, and attempted to control the Guanzhong region. He then joined forces with Zhang Han and Ren Liang to attack Liu Xiu. Liu Xiu defeated them, beheading over a thousand people, with the armies that were originally following Yancen surrendering to Liu Xiu. Yancen fled to Xixian, where Liu Xiu dispatched Generals Deng Ye and Yu Kuang to pursue him, resulting in a decisive victory over Yancen's forces, killing their leader, Su Chen, along with more than 8,000 others. Yancen then fled from Wuguan to Nanyang.
At that time, the common people were starving, and some even resorted to cannibalism. At that time, one jin of gold could only be exchanged for five sheng of beans. Transportation had come to a standstill, and the army's food supply was running low, so soldiers had to rely on wild fruits to fill their hunger. The court appointed Zhao Kuang from Nanyang as the Right Fufeng to lead troops to support Liu Xiu. They also sent a large amount of cloth and food, which caused the army to cheer "Long live!" Once the army's food supply was secured, Liu Xiu began to punish the powerful who defied orders and rewarded those who surrendered and distinguished themselves. The leaders of the rebel army were all sent to the capital, allowing their soldiers to return home to farm. Liu Xiu quickly established his prestige in the Guanzhong region, with only Lu Wei, Zhang Han, and Jiang Zhen surrendering to the Shu Han, while the other rebel armies were all pacified. The next year, Gongsun Shu sent General Cheng Yan with tens of thousands of troops to join Lu Wei in camp at Chencang. Liu Xiu and Zhao Kuang launched a counterattack, defeating Cheng Yan and forcing him to flee to Hanchuan. Liu Xiu pursued to Jigu, defeated Cheng Yan again, and then defeated Lu Wei, with many surrendering. Later, Shu Han sent troops several times to harass, but Liu Xiu defeated them all. The people of Guanzhong repeatedly sought redress for their grievances, running back and forth for three years before finally reaching Shanglinyuan and Chengdu to lodge their complaints.
It is said that this man, who had been away for a long time, felt restless in his heart. He wrote a letter to the emperor, saying that he especially missed the court and hoped to return to serve at the emperor's side. The emperor did not grant his request. Later, someone wrote an article saying that he had consolidated power in Guanzhong and even killed the Chang'an magistrate. His power was so great that the common people revered him and called him "King Xianyang." The emperor showed this article to the man. Frightened, he quickly penned a letter of apology, saying: "I am merely a scholar. In this chaotic world, I followed the emperor to fight, received the emperor's favor, became a general, was enfeoffed as a marquis, led troops to battle, and achieved some minor merits. All of this relies on the power of the country. I possess no personal talents. When I think about it, every time I fought, I could win according to the emperor's will; but sometimes when I made decisions based on my own thoughts, I later regretted it. Your Majesty is wise and far-sighted. I only now understand the truth that 'the nature of man and the will of heaven are difficult to fully understand.' At the beginning of the war, when the world was in chaos, heroes emerged one after another, dazzling people. I received the emperor's favor and joined your command. In such a dangerous and chaotic situation, I dare not make any mistakes, let alone now when the world is peaceful and hierarchical. The titles and honors I have received are already unattainable! I sincerely wish to remain cautious throughout my life. I trembled with fear upon seeing the article you showed me. I humbly beseech Your Majesty to overlook my foolishness, and I dare to say these words." The emperor replied: "General, your loyalty to the country is as loyal as that of a subject to his ruler, and your gratitude is like that of a father to his son. What is there for you to fear or doubt? How can you entertain such fearful thoughts?"
After six years, in the spring, he entered the capital. The emperor summoned him and said to the ministers, "This is my chief scribe who helped me overcome obstacles and pacified the Guanzhong region when I rose in rebellion." After the audience, the emperor sent the chief steward to reward him with many treasures, clothing, money, and silk. The emperor also issued a decree, saying, "During the war, we only had simple meals, not even a decent bun. It’s been a long time since I properly thanked you." The man kowtowed in gratitude and said, "I've heard that Guan Zhong once said to Duke Huan, 'I hope you won't forget the fish I caught with a hook for you, just as I will never forget you rescuing me from the prisoner's cart.' This strengthened the state of Qi. Now, I hope the country won't forget the battles we fought in Hebei, and I will never forget your kindness to me." Later, the emperor summoned him several times for feasts to discuss plans to attack the Shu region, keeping him there for over ten days before letting him return to the western border with his family. "May you not forget the fishing hook, and I will never forget the prisoner's cart," this poem is truly a timeless gem!
In the summer, the emperor sent generals to fight in Longxi, but they suffered a defeat at the hands of Wei Xiao. So the emperor ordered reinforcements to head to Xunyi. Before they arrived, Wei Xiao pursued them, sending his generals Wang Yuan and the patrol commander with over 20,000 troops to attack Xunyi. The reinforcements rushed to secure Xunyi. Other generals said, "The enemy forces are strong and have just won a victory. We cannot confront them head-on. We should find a safe place to camp first and then come up with a plan."
Yijun said, "The enemy is at our doorstep, taking advantage of a small opportunity to invade our territory. If they occupy Xunyi, the entire Sangu region will be shaken, causing us great trouble! Military strategy teaches that 'the attacker is weak, the defender is strong.' We must first occupy the city, conserve our strength and wait for the enemy to tire themselves out. This is the best strategy." So he secretly hurried to Xunyi, closed the city gates, and hid the flags and war drums. Kui Xiao's scouting troops believed Xunyi would be an easy target, so they rushed over hastily. Yijun seized the opportunity of their carelessness, suddenly beat the drums and raised the flags, launching an attack. The scouting troops fled in panic, with Yijun pursuing them for miles and delivering a crushing defeat. At the same time, Ji Zun also defeated Wang Yuan's forces in Qian County. Now, many influential leaders in the northern region, including Geng Ding, turned against Kui Xiao and surrendered to the court.
The Yijun wrote a memorial to report on the battle situation to the emperor; he remained humble and refrained from boasting about his own accomplishments. Some generals sought to claim his accomplishments, and the emperor was very worried about this. So the emperor issued an imperial edict, which stated: "I hereby command the Grand Marshal, Tiger Tooth General, Jianwei General, Hanzhong General, Capturing General, and Wuwei General: The enemy forces are aggressively advancing, and the people of the Sanfu region are in great fear. Xunyi is at risk of being breached at any moment. The troops in the northern region remain inactive, merely observing the situation. Now the remote cities have been preserved, the enemy has faced setbacks, and Geng Ding and others have also come to realize the principles of ruler and subject. The accomplishments of the General in the West are as great as mountains, yet he still feels he has not done enough. Meng Ben turned defeat into victory, covering the rear during the army's retreat. How is that different from the General in the West's situation? Now I have dispatched the Grand Master to reward the officers and soldiers serving under the General in the West, to provide medical care, coffins, and funeral expenses for the deceased and injured officers and soldiers, and all officials ranked below the Grand Marshal are to personally comfort the wounded and visit the ill, to promote the virtue of humility." The emperor then commanded Yijun to continue its advance to Yiqu and also take on the role of Prefect of the Northern Region.
Legend has it that back then, Qing Shan Hu surrendered tens of thousands of troops to Dou Rong. Dou Rong then led his forces to defeat the generals under Lu Fang, Jia Lan, and the Xiongnu's Rijia Wang, resulting in the surrender of both Shangjun and Anding regions. Dou Rong then also assumed the position of Prefect of Anding.
Nine years later, after Jie Zun's death, the court appointed Dou Rong to replace the position of General of Conquering the Barbarians and entrusted him with command of the army. After Wei Xiao's death, his generals Wang Yuan, Zhou Zong, and others proclaimed Wei Chun, the son of Wei Xiao, as king, and they controlled the army and occupied Ji City. General Gongsun Shu sent General Zhao Kuang and others to rescue Wei Chun. The emperor appointed Dou Rong as the Prefect of Tianshui, assigning him to attack Zhao Kuang and his forces. This campaign lasted nearly a year, ultimately resulting in the death of Zhao Kuang and his men.
Later, the generals attacked Ji City together, but after a prolonged siege, they were unable to capture it. Everyone wanted to pull back and rest, but Dou Rong insisted on not retreating, leading the charge at the front of the army.
In the summer of the second year, Dou Rong and the other generals attacked the gates of Ji City, but still could not capture it. Dou Rong fell ill and died in the army, posthumously honored with the title "Jie Hou."
His eldest son, Dou Zhang, inherited his title. The following year, the emperor, recognizing Dou Rong's contributions, appointed Dou Rong's brother Dou Ling as the Marquis of Xixiang. Thirteen years later, the emperor elevated Dou Zhang's title to Marquis Dongmin, granting him a fief of three counties. During the Yongping era, Dou Zhang's title was further elevated to Marquis Pingxiang. After Dou Zhang's death, his son Dou Pu inherited the title, but later, Dou Pu fell into disgrace and lost the title.
In the sixth year of Yongchu, Emperor An of Han issued an edict, stating: "A heart filled with benevolence does not forget its own kin; a heart of justice does not forget those who have contributed to the country. The rise and fall of dynasties and the continuation of family lines, along with kindness towards those meritorious officials and their descendants, is the example set by our ancestors. In the past, my ancestor Emperor Guangwu was appointed by heaven, revitalized the Han dynasty, expanded the territory, bestowed blessings throughout the world, shining for all eternity, and the blessings continued without end. As an unworthy descendant, I constantly reflect on the achievements of my ancestors, peruse historical texts and records, and check the merits of the twenty-eight meritorious officials during the Jianwu period. They were all loyal ministers who assisted Emperor Guangwu, and historical prophecies also foretold their achievements. The titles of Xiao He and Cao Can continue to be honored to this day; moreover, these meritorious officials are not distant from us, yet their descendants have lost their family lines, and I am genuinely regretful. Therefore, I order an investigation into whether any descendants of the twenty-eight meritorious officials have lost their family lines. If they were deprived of their titles due to crimes, their descendants should rightfully inherit those titles, and each case should be documented and reported individually. We should commend their merits, celebrate their virtues, and honor their legacies." As a result, the emperor reinstated Dou Chen, son of Dou Pu, as the Marquis of Pingxiang. The following year, the titles of the twenty-eight meritorious officials that had been lost were all restored.
Cen Peng, styled Junran, was from Jiyang in Nanyang. During Wang Mang's reign, he served as the county magistrate of his hometown. Later, when the Han army rebelled and attacked Jiyang County, Cen Peng fled with his family to the former commander Zhen Fu. Zhen Fu was angry that Cen Peng had not defended the city, so he captured Cen Peng's mother and wife, forcing him to earn merit to atone for his actions. Cen Peng's guests fought valiantly, mounting a fierce resistance. After Zhen Fu was killed in battle and Cen Peng was wounded, he escaped back to Wancheng and defended the city with the former deputy commander Yan Shuo. The Han army besieged Wancheng for several months, depleting the food supply, leading to extreme measures, including cannibalism. Cen Peng and Yan Shuo had no choice but to surrender and open the city gates.
At that time, many generals wanted to kill Cen Peng, but the Grand Tutor Bo Sheng said, "Cen Peng is a high-ranking official in the region; this demonstrates his loyalty and righteousness! Now that we want to achieve great things, we should honor those who show loyalty and righteousness; why not bestow upon him the title of marquis to encourage future generations to follow suit?" Therefore, Emperor Gengshi appointed Cen Peng as the Marquis of Guide, under the jurisdiction of Bo Sheng. Later, Bo Sheng was assassinated, and Cen Peng became the Colonel of the Grand Marshal Zhu Wei, following him to attack Li Sheng, the governor of Yangzhou under Wang Mang, killing Li Sheng and pacifying Huaiyang City. Zhu Wei recommended Cen Peng for the position of Commandant of Huaiyang. Emperor Gengshi sent Prince Liwei Zhang Yang and General Yao Wei to guard Huaiyang, but Yao Wei rebelled and ultimately defeated Zhang Yang. Cen Peng led troops to attack Yao Wei, defeated him, and was subsequently promoted to Prefect of Yingchuan.
Later, Liu Mao from Chongling raised troops, captured Yingchuan, and Cen Peng lost his official position. He then took several hundred subordinates to seek refuge with the Governor of Henei, his fellow townsman Han Xin. At that time, Emperor Guangwu was inspecting Henei. Han Xin planned to shut the city gates and defend it, but Cen Peng advised him not to do so. As a result, when Emperor Guangwu arrived in Huai County, Han Xin, in a moment of desperation, surrendered. Emperor Guangwu, aware of Han Xin's plot, was furious, captured him, and prepared to execute him under the war drum. Then Emperor Guangwu summoned Cen Peng, who seized the opportunity to speak: "Now the Chimei army has entered Guanzhong, the regime of Emperor Gengshi is in jeopardy, the powerful officials are arrogant and domineering, falsely issuing imperial decrees, blocking communications, and uprisings are breaking out everywhere. I’ve heard that Your Majesty has pacified Hebei and established your rule. This is truly a blessing from heaven for the Han dynasty and for scholars everywhere! I was once saved by the grace of Situ Bosun and was unable to repay it before misfortune struck, which has weighed heavily on my mind. Now that I find myself in Your Majesty's presence again, I am willing to devote myself wholeheartedly!" Emperor Guangwu greatly appreciated Cen Peng and adopted his advice. Cen Peng also mentioned that Han Xin, being from Nanyang, was very talented and could be utilized. Therefore, Emperor Guangwu pardoned Han Xin and appointed him as a military advisor to Deng Yu.
General Lv Zhi stationed his army in Qiyuan, and Peng Chong surrendered to him. Lv Zhi appointed Peng Chong as the Grand General of the Assassination, supervising the various camps, and gave him the military seal that he often used, and together they pacified Hebei. After Emperor Guangwu ascended the throne, he appointed Peng Chong as the Minister of Justice, maintaining his Marquis of Guide title unchanged, and allowed him to act as the Grand General. He, along with Grand Marshal Wu Han, Grand Minister of Works Wang Liang, Grand General of Establishing Righteousness Zhu You, Right General Wan Xiu, Commandant Jia Fu, Valiant Cavalry General Liu Zhi, General Yang Hua Jian, General of Accumulated Shooting Hou Jin, Lieutenant General Feng Yi, Ji Zun, Wang Ba, and others besieged Luoyang together for several months. Zhu Wei and others defended the city and refused to surrender. Because Peng Chong was once Zhu Wei's subordinate, Emperor Guangwu sent him to persuade surrender. Zhu Wei was on the city wall, Peng Chong was below the city, the two greeted each other warmly and casually, like old friends. Peng Chong said, "I had the opportunity to serve you before, and I have always wanted to repay your favor. Now, the Red Eyebrow Army has captured Chang'an, Emperor Gengshi was betrayed by the Three Kings, the Emperor received the Mandate of Heaven, pacified Yan and Zhao, completely controlled Youzhou and Jizhou, the people rallied to him, and talented individuals came to surrender one after another. The Emperor personally led a large army to attack Luoyang. The situation is already settled and cannot be reversed. How long can you keep holding out?" Zhu Wei said, "When the Grand Minister of Works was killed, I was involved in the planning, I also advised Emperor Gengshi not to send Prince Xiao on a northern expedition, I know very well how deep my sins run." After Peng Chong returned and told Emperor Guangwu about these words, Emperor Guangwu said, "Great achievers don't dwell on small grudges. If Zhu Wei surrenders now, his official position can be preserved, not to mention losing his head? The river is right here, I mean what I say."
Peng Chong once again went to inform Zhu Wei, who leaned over the city wall and said, "If you truly keep your word, I will come down." Peng Chong quickly handed him a rope so he could come down. Zhu Wei saw that Peng Chong was genuine, so he agreed to surrender. Five days later, Zhu Wei took light cavalry to meet Peng Chong. He urged his generals, "Defend the city and wait for me. If I do not return, lead the army to Huan Yuan and seek refuge with King Yan." He was then bound and taken to Heyang with Peng Chong. Emperor Guangwu immediately had him untied, summoned him, and had Peng Chong escort Zhu Wei back to the city that night. The next morning, Zhu Wei led all his troops to surrender. Emperor Guangwu appointed Zhu Wei as General Pacifying the Di and bestowed upon him the title of Marquis of Fugou. Zhu Wei, from Huaiyang, later served as a steward, and his title was passed down through generations.
In the second year of Jianwu, the Emperor sent Peng Chong to attack Jingzhou, capturing more than ten cities including Chou and Ye in one go. At that time, the south was in turmoil. In Nanjun, there was a man named Qin Feng who had taken control of Liqiu, proclaimed himself the King of Chu Li, and controlled twelve counties. Dong Zhuo rebelled in Duxiang, Xu Han rebelled in Xing County, and the generals of the Gengshi regime each occupied cities in Nanyang, gathering forces. The Emperor sent Wu Han to fight them, but Wu Han's troops rampaged, burning, killing, and plundering indiscriminately, inflicting immense suffering on the common people.
At this time, General Deng Feng returned to Xinye to visit family. Seeing Wu Han causing havoc in his hometown, he was furious and immediately rebelled! He defeated Wu Han's army, seized their military supplies, took control of Yuyang, and teamed up with other rebels. In the autumn, Peng Chong captured Xing County, Xu Han surrendered, and Peng Chong was promoted to the title of General of the Southern Expedition. The emperor then sent Zhu You, Jia Fu, General Geng Yan, General Wang Chang, General Guo Shou, General Liu Hong, General Liu Jia, Geng Zhi, and others to join forces with Peng Chong to suppress Deng Feng. They first attacked Du Township, and Deng Feng brought tens of thousands of troops to support Dong Xun. Dong Xun and Deng Feng were both elite forces from Nanyang, and Peng Chong fought them for months on end without success.
In the summer of the third year of Jianwu, the emperor personally led his troops on a southern expedition. When they reached Ye County, Dong Xun sent thousands of troops to block their advance, and the emperor's convoy could not pass. Peng Chong charged in and decisively routed them. When the emperor arrived at Duyang, Deng Feng made a nighttime escape back to Yuyang, and Dong Xun surrendered. Peng Chong, along with Geng Yan, Jia Fu, General Fu Jun, and Captain Zang Gong, pursued Deng Feng to Xiaochang'an. The emperor personally commanded the battle and defeated Deng Feng. With nowhere left to turn, Deng Feng had no choice but to surrender. The emperor remembered Deng Feng's past merits and that the chaos was initially sparked by Wu Han, so he wanted to spare him. However, Peng Chong and Geng Yan advised the emperor, saying, "Deng Feng has repaid kindness with enmity, rebelled against the court for so long, injured Jia Fu, and captured Zhu You. Even when the emperor personally came, he did not repent, continued to fight, and only surrendered after being defeated. If he is not killed, who will be afraid of making mistakes in the future?" After hearing this, the emperor ordered Deng Feng's execution. This Deng Feng was the nephew of Marquis Xi Hua Deng Chen.
The emperor withdrew the army and ordered Peng Yue to lead more than 30,000 troops, including Fu Jun, Zang Gong, Liu Hong, and others, to go south to attack Qin Feng. They captured Huangyou, but Qin Feng and his general Cai Hong resisted their advances in Deng County for several months. The emperor found it strange and blamed Peng Yue, who became afraid.
That night, he secretly mobilized troops and ordered an attack on Shandu to the west the following morning. He intentionally released the captured prisoners to return and inform Qin Feng. Taking their word for it, Qin Feng led his troops to intercept Peng Yue. Peng Yue secretly led his army across the Mian River and defeated Qin Feng's general Zhang Yang at Atou Mountain, securing a significant victory.
They carved a path through the valley, making their way straight to Liqiu, where they defeated the stationed troops. Qin Feng was frightened upon hearing this and hurried back to rescue his forces. Peng Yue and his generals set up camp at Dongshan, while Qin Feng and Cai Hong attacked at night. Peng Yue was prepared, met them in battle, defeated Qin Feng, and killed Cai Hong. The emperor subsequently appointed Peng Yue as the Marquis of Wuyin.
Qin Feng's general Zhao Jing surrendered in Yicheng and was appointed General of Chenghan, joining Peng Yue in besieging Qin Feng at Liqiu. At this time, Tian Rong had many soldiers in Yiling and, upon hearing that Qin Feng was besieged, feared a large army would soon arrive and wanted to surrender. However, his brother-in-law Xincheng advised him: "Now heroes from all over have occupied their own territories, and Luoyang's territory is as small as the palm of a hand. It's wiser to wait and see how things unfold." Tian Rong said, "If the mighty Qin King is cornered in the south, what chance do I have? The plan to surrender has been decided."
In the spring of the fourth year, Tian Rong left Xin Chen to guard Yi Ling, leading his troops upstream along the river to the Mian River, then to Li Qiu, setting a date for surrender. However, Xin Chen later stole Tian Rong's treasures, secretly surrendered to Peng Yue, and even wrote a letter inviting Tian Rong to surrender. Tian Rong suspected that Xin Chen would betray him, so he was afraid to surrender, instead joining forces with Qin Feng to resist Peng Yue. After several months of fighting, Peng Yue defeated Tian Rong, with Wu Gong, one of Tian Rong's generals, surrendering to Peng Yue, while Tian Rong fled back to Yi Ling.
The emperor visited Li Qiu to boost the morale of the troops, rewarding Peng Yue and more than a hundred deserving soldiers. Peng Yue had been attacking Qin Feng for three years, killing over ninety thousand, leaving Qin Feng with only a few thousand soldiers and dwindling food supplies. Noticing Qin Feng's weakened state, the emperor ordered Zhu You to replace Peng Yue in guarding Li Qiu, while Peng Yue and Fu Jun were to attack Tian Rong in the south. They defeated Tian Rong, captured Yi Ling, and pursued him all the way to Zi Gui. Tian Rong fled with a few dozen cavalry into the Shu region, while Peng Yue captured his wife, children, and tens of thousands of troops.
Peng Yue prepared to attack Shu Han, but the narrow valleys and treacherous waterways posed significant transportation challenges. He left General Feng Jun to guard Jiangzhou, Commander Tian Hong to guard Yi Ling, and General Li Xuan to guard Yi Dao, while he himself returned with his troops to Jingxiang to defend the key point of Jingzhou. He also reasoned with various barbarian tribes, offering their leaders positions if they surrendered. Initially, Peng Yue had a good relationship with Deng Rang, the shepherd of Jiaozhi, writing him a detailed letter that outlined the virtues of the court and sending a decree to different regions in Jiangnan, officially announcing the orders of the court.
Therefore, Deng Rang, including the Prefects of Jiangxia (Hou Deng), Wuling (Wang Tang), Changsha (Han Fu), Guiyang (Zhang Long), Lingling (Tian Xi), Cangwu (Du Mu), and Jiaozhi (Xi Guang), all sent envoys to pay tribute and were appointed as marquises. Some even sent their sons to assist Peng Zu in the expedition. From then on, treasures from the south of the Yangtze River began to flow into the Central Plains in large quantities.
In the winter of the sixth year, the court summoned Peng Zu back to the capital city. The Emperor summoned him multiple times, hosted banquets, and rewarded him with many gifts. After Peng Zu returned to Jingxiang, the Emperor issued an edict for him to return home to pay respects at his parents' graves and frequently sent people to check on his mother's well-being.
In the eighth year, Peng Zu led troops to attack Tianshui with the imperial army and surrounded Kui Xiao in the Western Regions with Wu Han. At this time, Gongsun Shu sent General Li Yu to rescue Kui Xiao and defend Shanggui. The Emperor left Gai Yan and Cen Yan to besiege Shanggui, while he led the main army back east. The Emperor also sent a letter to Peng Zu, stating, "If the two cities are captured, you can lead the troops south to attack the rebels in Shu. One should learn to be content. After pacifying Longxi, do not think about attacking Shu again. Every time there is a campaign, my hair is turning white with worry!" Peng Zu then dammed the valley's water, irrigated the western city, and before the city walls were submerged more than ten feet deep, Kui Xiao's generals Xing Xun and Zhou Zong arrived with reinforcements from Shu. Kui Xiao took the opportunity to escape to Jizhou. The Han army ran out of provisions, burned their supplies, and withdrew from Longxi, with Gai Yan and Cen Yan following suit. Kui Xiao led his troops to pursue the Han army in each camp, and Peng Zu held off the rear guard, allowing the Han soldiers to make a safe retreat. Peng Zu returned to Jingxiang.
After nine years, Gongsun Shu sent his generals Ren Man, Tian Rong, and Cheng Fan, with tens of thousands of troops, descending the river on wooden rafts, breaching the defenses held by Feng Jun, Tian Hong, Li Xuan, and others. They then captured Yidao and Yiling, occupying the crucial strategic locations of Jingmen and Huya. They also constructed floating bridges across the river, raised towering watchtowers, installed wooden stakes to obstruct the waterways, and established camps in the mountains, preparing to fend off the Han army's assault. Peng Chong's multiple assaults were unsuccessful, so he decided to go all in by ordering his well-equipped warships and charging thousands of warships directly into the enemy's lines.
In the spring of the eleventh year of the reign, Peng Chong, together with Wu Han, and the generals Liu Long, Zang Gong, and Liu Xin, assembled troops from Nanyang, Wuling, and Nanjun, and also recruited boatmen and transport personnel from Guiyang, Lingling, and Changsha, totaling over 60,000 troops and 5,000 cavalry, all converging in Jingmen. Wu Han felt that the boatmen from the three counties were consuming too much food and wanted to withdraw them. Peng Chong believed the Shu army was strong and that they could not withdraw any troops, so he wrote to the court to explain the circumstances. The emperor replied, "The Grand Marshal (referring to Wu Han) is accustomed to using infantry and cavalry in battle and is not skilled in naval warfare. The Battle of Jingmen relied on the Southern Expedition General (referring to Peng Chong) under your charge." Peng Chong then ordered the recruitment of warriors in the army who dared to attack the pontoon bridge, rewarding heavily the first warrior to charge onto the pontoon bridge! At this time, Deputy General Lu Qi stepped forward in response to the call. At that moment, a strong wind was blowing, and Lu Qi's boat went upstream against the current, charging straight towards the pontoon bridge. The stakes couldn’t hold their boats at all. Lu Qi seized the opportunity, fought fiercely, then ignited the pontoon bridge with torches. The strong wind fueled the fire, and both the bridge and the watchtower were burned down. Peng Chong pursued the victory, and the Han army advanced with the wind at their backs, unstoppable. The Shu army was in chaos, resulting in several thousand drowning. Ren Man was beheaded, Cheng Fan was captured, and Tian Rong fled to Jiangzhou. Peng Chong submitted a memorial to the court, recommending Liu Long to be the Prefect of Nanjun. He himself pushed straight toward Jiangguan, and ordered the soldiers not to plunder. Therefore, the locals came out with cattle and wine to greet them. Peng Chong met with the local elders, explaining that the Han Dynasty understood the suffering of the Ba and Shu people due to years of war, which is why they sent troops to quell the rebels and protect the people, so he refused the cattle and wine from the people. The people were very happy and rushed to surrender. The court issued a decree appointing Peng Chong as the Governor of Yizhou, and authorized him to manage the affairs of the prefects in the counties under his command.
Peng Chong arrived in Jiangzhou, and because there was plenty of grain in Tianrong, an attack would be difficult for the time being. So, he left Feng Jun to guard and led the army to pursue the victory, heading straight to Dianjiang, captured Pingqu, and seized several hundred thousand shi of grain. Gongsun Shu dispatched his generals Yan Cen, Lu Wei, Wang Yuan, and his brother Wang Hui to lead all the troops to resist the Han army in Guanghan and Zizhong, and also sent General Hou Dan to lead more than 20,000 people to resist Huangshi. Peng Chong set up false troops, assigning guards Yang Xi and Zang Gong to hold off Yan Cen and the others, while he divided his troops to cross the river, returned to Jiangzhou, and then went up the Dujiang River to attack Hou Dan, defeating his army. He then traveled day and night for over 2,000 li, quickly capturing Wuyang. He sent elite cavalry straight to Guangdu, only a few dozen miles from Chengdu, with great momentum, causing enemy troops to flee in droves wherever he went. Initially, upon hearing that the Han army was at Pingqu, Gongsun Shu sent a large force to intercept them. When Peng Chong arrived at Wuyang and bypassed the rear of Yan Cen's army, the people of Shu were all terrified. Gongsun Shu was shocked and struck the ground with his cane and exclaimed, "What’s happening? Could it be the work of immortals!" The place where Peng Chong was stationed was called Pengwang. He disliked the name upon hearing it and wished to relocate, but it was dark and a Shu assassin, disguised as a fleeing slave, infiltrated and assassinated Peng Chong during the night. When Peng Chong initially broke through Jingmen and went straight to Wuyang, the army maintained strict discipline and committed no infractions. King Rengui of Qianggu heard about Peng Chong's reputation and sent envoys from thousands of li away to surrender. Unfortunately, Peng Chong had already passed away, so the emperor bestowed all the gifts offered by Rengui upon Peng Chong's wife and children, and posthumously conferred upon him the title of Valorous Marquis. The people of Shu were very sympathetic to him and constructed a temple in Wuyang in his honor, where they held annual worship ceremonies for him.
His son Peng Zun inherited the title and was titled Marquis Xi Yang. Thirteen years later, the emperor recalled Peng Chong's contributions and bestowed the title of Marquis Gu Yang on Peng Zun's younger brother, Peng Huai. Peng Zun served as the Colonel of the Cavalry during the Yongping period. After Peng Zun's death, his son Peng Kang inherited the title. After Peng Kang's death, his son Peng Qi inherited the title but lost it for committing a crime in the third year of the Yuan Chu era. In the first year of Jianguang, Emperor An again bestowed Peng Qi the title of Marquis Xi Yang, and he served as the Palace Attendant during the reign of Emperor Shun.
After Cen Xi became the Governor of Wei Commandery, he recruited hermits and talents, governing the region with a philosophy of non-interference, which had a significant effect. Two years later, the locals sang songs in his honor: "My home had thorns, Lord Cen, you cut them off; my home had pests, Lord Cen, you eradicated them. Even the dogs are not afraid, the ground is covered with green grass. We eat and drink to our fill, unaware of any disasters. I am happy to live in this era, enjoying this peaceful and prosperous time. Lord Cen, you are truly kind, wishing you a long and healthy life!"
After Cen Xi's death, his son Cen Fu inherited his official position and became a Yellow Gate Attendant.
Jia Fu, styled Junwen, was a person from Nanyang Guanjun. He loved learning from a young age, especially excelling in the Book of Documents. He studied under Mr. Li from Wuyin, who greatly admired him and told his students, "Jia Junwen's appearance, demeanor, combined with his diligence and eagerness to learn, will surely lead him to greatness!" In the final years of Wang Mang's reign, Jia Fu took on a role as a county official, tasked with transporting salt to Hedong. On the way, he ran into bandits, and over ten companions panicked and discarded the salt. Only Jia Fu managed to safely return the salt to the county, earning him praise for his integrity.
Later, there was a mutiny in Xiajiang and Xinshi, and Jia Fu gathered hundreds of followers in Yushan, claiming the title of general. After Emperor Gengshi Liu Xuan proclaimed himself emperor, Jia Fu took his troops to join Prince Han Liu Jia in Hanzhong and was appointed as a captain. Observing the chaos of the Gengshi regime and the arrogance of the generals, Jia Fu advised Liu Jia, "I have heard that those who failed to govern the world like Yao and Shun were King Tang and King Wu; those who failed to emulate King Tang and King Wu were Duke Huan and Duke Wen; those who failed to emulate Duke Huan and Duke Wen were the six kingdoms; and those who failed to emulate the six kingdoms and securely defend their territory were the doomed six kingdoms. Now that the Han dynasty is reviving, Your Highness, with your royal lineage assisting the court, you are already thinking of settling for the status quo and holding onto your own small piece of land before the world is pacified. Can what you hold onto truly be held?" Liu Jia replied, "You make a lot of sense, but I can't do it. Liu Xiu (Grand Marshal Liu Gong) is in Hebei; he can definitely do it. Take my letter and go see him." So Jia Fu bid farewell to Liu Jia, crossed the Yellow River with Liu Jia's letter, and met Emperor Guangwu Liu Xiu in Bairen, having been recommended by Deng Yu. Emperor Guangwu admired him greatly, and Deng Yu praised him for his talent as a general, appointing Jia Fu as the General Who Subdues the Barbarians, in charge of pacifying bandits. Jia Fu's horse was very weak, so Emperor Guangwu gave him his own horse. Some officials, feeling threatened by Jia Fu's rise, tried to transfer him to Haixian as a county magistrate. Emperor Guangwu said, "Jia Fu has the prestige to defeat enemies from a thousand miles away; he is currently using his talents. Do not move him without authorization!"
Emperor Guangwu arrived in Xindu and promoted Jia Fu to the position of deputy general. After capturing Handan, he was promoted to general. Later, he followed Emperor Guangwu to fight against the Qingdu Army; the battle lasted until noon, with the enemy's formation remaining strong and immovable. Emperor Guangwu sent word to Jia Fu, saying, "The soldiers are all hungry; they can have breakfast first." Jia Fu replied, "Defeat the enemy first, then eat!" So he donned his feathered arrows, took the lead in the charge, and was unstoppable; the enemy army fled in defeat. All the generals admired his bravery. Later, he engaged in battle against the troops of Zhen Ding and Wu Jiao, achieving a great victory. Jia Fu was seriously injured. Emperor Guangwu was astonished and remarked, "I didn't allow Jia Fu to lead the troops on his own because I feared he might be reckless. Indeed, I nearly lost this renowned general! I heard his wife is pregnant. If she has a daughter, my son will marry her; if she has a son, my daughter will marry him, so he won't have to worry about his family." Jia Fu's injuries gradually improved, who caught up with Emperor Guangwu in Ji. The two were overjoyed to see each other. Emperor Guangwu hosted a banquet for the soldiers and seated Jia Fu in the place of honor, then sent him to attack the rebel forces in Ye City, where he achieved victory.
After Emperor Guangwu ascended to the throne, he appointed Jia Fu as the Chief of the Golden Shield and bestowed upon him the title of Marquis of Champion. Emperor Guangwu first crossed the Yellow River and attacked Zhu Wei in Luoyang. Jia Fu, together with General Chen Qiao of the White Tiger, fought and defeated the enemy consecutively. In the second year of Jianwu, Jia Fu was further granted the counties of Rang County and Chaoyang County. Prince Yin Zun of the Xin regime and other generals in the south had not surrendered. Emperor Guangwu gathered the generals to discuss military strategies. When no one spoke up, Emperor Guangwu pondered for a while, then struck the ground with his edict and asked, "Yan is the strongest, followed by Wan. Who will go and attack?" Jia Fu immediately replied, "I am willing to go and attack Yan!" Emperor Guangwu smiled and said, "If the Chief of the Golden Shield goes to attack Yan, what is there to worry about? The Grand Marshal will go and attack Wan!" Subsequently, Jia Fu, along with Cavalry Commander Yin Shi and General Liu Zhi, crossed the Five Rivers to attack Yan City, achieving a string of victories. A month later, Yin Zun surrendered, completely suppressing the rebellion there. They then proceeded to attack Huaiyang Prefect Bao Si of the Xin regime, who surrendered, and all the counties were pacified. In the autumn of that year, they marched south to attack Zhaoling and Xinxin County, completely pacifying these two places. In the following spring, Jia Fu was promoted to Left General and led the army alone to attack the Red Eyebrow Army, defeating them consecutively between Xincheng and Minchi. Finally, he met with Emperor Guangwu in Yiyang, and the Red Eyebrow Army surrendered completely. Jia Fu followed Emperor Guangwu in battles, never experiencing defeat, often leading soldiers to break through and escape, sustaining twelve wounds. Emperor Guangwu admired Jia Fu for daring to go deep into enemy territory, willingly taking on expedition tasks, and appreciating his bravery and integrity. He always took Jia Fu with him on expeditions, which meant Jia Fu rarely earned military accolades on his own. Other generals often boasted of their accomplishments, but Jia Fu never boasted about his own achievements. Emperor Guangwu always said, "I know Jia Jun's merits well."
Speaking of the Marquis of Jiaodong, he ruled for thirteen years, governing the six counties of Yuzhi, Zhuangwu, Xiami, Jimo, Ting, and Guanyang. He recognized that the Emperor aimed to disarm the military and nurture the people, promote virtuous rule, and did not want all the meritorious officials to congregate in the capital. Thus, he and the Marquis of Gaomi, Deng Yu, dispersed the elite soldiers from the army and began to focus on studying Confucian classics. The Emperor appreciated his approach and relieved him of his positions as Left and Right Generals, allowing him to retire and bestowing upon him the title of Special Advanced Marquis. He was an upright and principled man; after returning home, he shut his doors to visitors, cultivated his strength, and enhanced his reputation. Later, Zhu You and others recommended him for the position of Prime Minister, but the Emperor was preoccupied with investigating the responsibilities of the Three Excellencies; thus, the meritorious officials were not appointed. At that time, only the Marquis of Gaomi, Gushi, and Jiaodong could participate in discussions of national affairs with the court officials, and the Emperor held them in high regard. The Marquis of Jiaodong passed away in 31 AD and was posthumously honored with the title "Marquis Gang."
His son Zhong inherited the title, and after Zhong's death, his grandson Min succeeded to the title. In the first year of the Jianchu era, Min was stripped of his title for falsely accusing his mother of committing murder. Later, Emperor Suzong reinstated his brother Han as the Marquis of Jiaodong, governing one county, and also appointed his other brother Zong as the Marquis of Xiami, overseeing another county. After Han's death, his son Yu succeeded to the title; after Yu's death, his grandson Chang also succeeded to the title.
His younger brother Zong, styled Wuru, was known for his integrity from a young age and was very intelligent. He was first appointed as an Assistant Physician, gradually promoted, and eventually became the Governor of Shuofang during the Jianchu period. At that time, most of those who migrated from the inner regions to the border were impoverished and vulnerable, often bullied by the locals, and unable to become officials. Zong promoted capable individuals to serve as officials, had them participate in assessments with border officials, held each other accountable, and exposed corruption. Those who performed well were promoted to higher positions. Therefore, the people of the border were willing to stand by him through thick and thin. The Xiongnu were very afraid of him and dared not easily invade across the border. Later, he was summoned to be the Chief Water Commandant. Zong was also proficient in Confucianism. Whenever the emperor invited ministers for a feast, he was always arranged to discuss state affairs in front of the emperor alongside officials such as Shao Fu and Ding Hong. In the second year of the Zhanghe era, Zong passed away, and the court mourned deeply.
His son Can inherited the title, and after Can's death, his grandson Jian inherited the title. In the first year of Yuanchu, Jian married the Princess of Linying, daughter of the Emperor. The Princess's fiefdom included Yingyin and Xuxian, totaling three counties with a population of several tens of thousands of households. At that time, Empress Dowager Deng was in power, and because of her favor and influence, Jian was appointed as a Palace Attendant. During the reign of Emperor Shun, he was later promoted to Guanglu Xun.
It is widely known that during the period of the Eastern Han Dynasty, many generals accomplished remarkable military achievements. However, it is truly remarkable to mention the achievements of Generals Cen Peng and Feng Yi in the west of Hangu Pass and south of Fangcheng. Feng Yi and Jia Fu did not take the initiative to attack, while Cen Peng treated others with kindness, righteousness, and integrity, earning the trust of the entire army and instilling fear in the enemy, which ultimately led to significant victories and a peaceful resolution. In the past, Liu Bang avoided the name "Bairen" due to superstition, which inadvertently preserved his blessings. On the other hand, the General who attacked the inauspicious place of Pengwang brought disaster upon himself. Was this all predetermined by fate, or is there a greater cosmic order at play?
"The resounding victory in the Battle of Yangxia was due entirely to the righteousness and virtue of the two generals! Feng Yi, the Salt Official from Jiaodong, and General Cen Peng suppressed the rebels in Wancheng. Their bravery intimidated the enemy, while their foresight and wisdom brought benefits to the country. Using unique tactics to strike the enemy and planning for the country's future, these eight words perfectly summarize their contributions!"
