Shijun was the bastard eldest son of Emperor Zhaocheng, known for being foolish, rude, and cruel. In the later years of Emperor Zhaocheng's reign, Fu Jian sent Fu Luo and others to attack the southern borders, prompting Emperor Zhaocheng to send Liu Kureng to resist at Shiziling. After suffering defeat, Emperor Zhaocheng could not command the army himself and fled with everyone to Yinshan, then crossed into the northern desert. The Gaoche people descended from all sides to loot, forcing them to retreat back to the southern desert. After Fu Luo's army retreated, they returned to Yungzhong.
Initially, Emperor Zhaocheng entrusted half of his troops to his brother Gu, intending to pass the throne to him. After Gu's death, his son Jin, harboring resentment from his failures, sought an opportunity to rebel. At that time, both Emperor Xianming and King Han of Qin had died, and Emperor Taizu was only six years old. Emperor Zhaocheng's health was also poor, and although the sons of Empress Murong were older, the state's power had not yet stabilized. Jin told Shijun: "The emperor intends to establish the sons of Empress Murong as heirs, fearing that you might rebel, so he wants to kill you first. Recently, the princes have been wearing armor at night, armed and surrounding your residence, ready to strike at any moment. I pity you, so I’m informing you." At that time, Fu Luo's army was still at Junzijin, often on guard at night, with the princes wandering near Shijun's residence, armed. Believing Jin's words, Shijun took his men and killed the other princes. Emperor Zhaocheng then died suddenly.
That night, the princes' wives and palace maids rushed to report the situation to Fu Luo's army. Fu Jian's generals Li Rou and Zhang Hao surrounded Shijun, and Shijun's subordinates scattered in fear. Upon hearing this, Fu Jian summoned Yan Feng for clarification, and Yan Feng recounted everything. Fu Jian remarked, "All wicked deeds are alike," and subsequently captured Shijun and Jin, executing them in the western market of Chang'an.
King Han of Qin was the third son of Emperor Zhaocheng. He had great ambition from a young age, and at the age of fifteen, he requested to lead troops into battle. Emperor Zhaocheng admired him and granted him command of two thousand cavalry. As he grew older, he commanded troops in battle with a firm command and adaptable tactics, achieving numerous victories. He died ten years after the establishment of the state. After Emperor Taizu ascended the throne, he posthumously bestowed upon him the title of King of Qin, with the posthumous name "Ming."
His son, Yí, was seven feet five inches tall, impressively strong and mighty, sporting a handsome beard. He was highly strategic, proficient in swordsmanship and exceptional in archery since childhood. When Emperor Taizu visited the Helan region, Yí often accompanied him. In the early days of the new regime, he was given the title Duke of Jiuyuan. He followed Emperor Taizu in defeating many tribes and accomplished numerous military exploits.
Once upon a time, Emperor Taizu intended to attack Murong Chui and sent Yi Guan to scout the situation. Murong Chui asked Yi Guan why Emperor Taizu did not come in person. Yi Guan replied, "My family has held this northern land for generations, passing it down through the generations without ever losing it. My ancestors accepted the Jin Dynasty's feudal grant and were granted the title of Prince of Dai. We have maintained friendly relations with the Yan Kingdom for generations, as brothers. I have come on this mission, and I don't see anything wrong with it." Murong Chui appreciated the response and quipped, "My reputation is known throughout the world, yet your master did not come to see me in person. How can you say there is no problem?" Yi Guan said, "If the Yan Kingdom does not cultivate virtue and only seeks to strengthen itself through military might, that's a matter for the court officials to think about, not me." After returning, Yi Guan reported to Emperor Taizu, "Murong Chui is nearing death; now is not the time to attack him." Emperor Taizu's face changed upon hearing this and asked why. Yi Guan explained, "Murong Chui is old; his son Murong Bao is feeble and indecisive. Although Murong De is talented, he's not the kind of person who would willingly serve a weak master. Internal strife will soon erupt in the Yan Kingdom, and this is an opportunity we can seize." Emperor Taizu agreed with his analysis. Later, Emperor Taizu conferred the title of Duke of Pingyuan upon Yi Guan.
Next, Taizu campaigned against Wei Chen, and Yiguan took a different route with his troops, resulting in the capture of Wei Chen's body and bringing his head back to the palace. Taizu was very pleased and appointed Yiguan as the Duke of Dongping. Afterwards, Taizu ordered Yiguan to be in charge of farming in the Hebei region, distributing tools and seeds from Wuyuan to the Gongyang border, gaining the people's affection. Later, Murong Bao attacked Wuyuan, and Yiguan, in a moment of crisis, occupied Shuofang, cutting off Murong Bao's retreat. Once Binzhou was pacified, due to Yiguan's great contributions, he was promoted to the position of Minister of Personnel. He later accompanied Taizu in the siege of Zhongshan. After Murong De was defeated, Taizu bestowed upon Yiguan the wife of his relative Pulin, Lady Zhou, as well as his slaves and wealth. Not long after, Yiguan was elevated to Commander-in-Chief of all military affairs and Left Prime Minister, and bestowed the title of Prince Wei. After the capture of Zhongshan, Taizu sent Yiguan to attack Ye City, which he quickly conquered. Taizu prepared to return to the capital, establishing a temporary government office in Zhongshan and ordering Yiguan to remain in charge of the area as Minister of Personnel to stabilize the local situation, and people from all around pledged their loyalty to him. Shortly after, Taizu summoned Yiguan back to the court to take up the role of Prime Minister and assist him. Later, he followed Taizu in campaigns against Gaoche, with Yiguan commanding troops from the northwest, defeating a Gaoche army. He then followed Taizu in subduing Yao Ping, achieving military success and receiving a bounty from Taizu that included large quantities of silk, cotton, cattle, horses, sheep, and more. Yiguan was very strong, able to draw a bow with a strength of ten stones; Chenliu Duke Qian was also skilled with a spear, and it was commonly said, "The bow of Prince Wei, the spear of King Huan."
In the beginning, when Shizu was born, Emperor Taizu was particularly happy and sent for Wang Yi in the middle of the night. Taizu asked him, "Were you scared being called at this hour?" Wang Yi replied, "I am wholeheartedly devoted to Your Majesty, and Your Majesty is wise, so I naturally feel at ease. Although it's a bit strange to receive a decree in the middle of the night, I truly wasn't scared." Taizu informed him that Shizu had been born, and Wang Yi quickly rose to pay his respects, singing and dancing with joy, and then they drank together until dawn. The next day, Taizu gathered a group of ministers and rewarded Wang Yi with imperial horses, ceremonial belts, and fine silk.
Previously, several notable figures such as Hou Ji of Shanggu, Zhang Gun, and Xu Qian of Daijun were well-known for their extensive knowledge of ancient and modern matters. When they arrived at the court and heard that Wang Yi valued talent, they proactively sought him out. Wang Yi warmly received them, and they discussed national affairs together, strategizing about the positions of various cities, exploring the factors that determine success and failure, considering all circumstances. Xu Qian and the others greatly admired Wang Yi and said to one another, "Lord Wang Yi of Pingyuan truly has great talent and extraordinary strategies; we should follow him."
Taizu held Wang Yi in high regard and treated him exceptionally well, often visiting his home as if he were family. Due to his great contributions and favoritism, Wang Yi conspired with Duke Mu Chong of Yidu to rebel, concealing soldiers and preparing to launch an attack on Taizu. Coincidentally, Mu Chong's son was among the ambushing soldiers that day when Taizu summoned him for an errand. Upon hearing he was being summoned, the son feared the plot would be exposed and quickly climbed over the wall to warn him. Taizu managed the situation discreetly and chose to forgive him. In the sixth year of Tianzi, there were significant changes in celestial phenomena, and diviners said, "There will be ministers plotting rebellion, resulting in many deaths and injuries." Taizu was very angry and executed many ministers, hoping to quell the unrest. Feeling uneasy, Wang Yi fled on horseback. Taizu sent people to pursue him and ultimately ordered his execution, burying him according to commoner rites. Wang Yi had fifteen sons.
Wang Yi's son Wang Zuan was brought to the palace by Emperor Taizu to be raised when he was five years old. He was clever and well-mannered from a young age, and Emperor Taizu liked him very much, treating him just as well as the other princes. After Emperor Shizong ascended the throne, Wang Zuan was appointed as the governor of Dingzhou and granted the title of Duke of Zhongshan. He was later promoted to a prince and was awarded exquisite couches and tables, enjoying very generous treatment. However, Wang Zuan liked to drink and preferred those who flattered him; he conducted his political affairs through bribery. After Emperor Shizong executed his close associates, Wang Zuan regretted his past actions and became very cautious, being appointed as the Grand General. During his tenure, he was known for his honesty, frugality, and fairness. Wang Zuan held the highest rank among the royal family, and whenever there were matters concerning the family, they would consult him. After his death, he was posthumously titled King Jian.
Wang Zuan's younger brother Wang Liang was upright and honest. Later, Emperor Taizong recognized Wang Yi's contributions and conferred the title of Prince of Nanyang upon Wang Liang, allowing him to inherit Wang Yi's title.
His younger brother Li Gan was clever, witty, brave, and composed, inheriting his father's excellent qualities from a young age. After Emperor Taizong ascended the throne, he appointed him as the Internal General and Chief General, allowing him to serve as a guard in the palace.
Once, while Emperor Taizong was on an outing in the northeast suburbs of Baideng Mountain, Li Gan rode alongside him. At that moment, two owls were flying and hooting overhead; Emperor Taizong ordered the guards to shoot them down, but none of them succeeded. The owls soared higher and higher, and Li Gan volunteered to take aim and brought down both owls with just two arrows. Emperor Taizong was very pleased and rewarded him with an imperial bow, arrows, and a gold belt in recognition of his talent. From then on, he earned the nickname "The Owl Shooter" in the army. Later, he accompanied Emperor Gaozong on a southern tour and was granted the title of Duke of Xincai. After Emperor Gaozong took the throne, he appointed him as Minister of the Imperial Household. After Li Gan's death, he was posthumously titled King Zhao.
His son Li Zhen was proficient in various local languages and also skilled in horseback riding and archery. During the reign of Emperor Gaozu of the Tang Dynasty, he served as the Commander of the Imperial Guard. Once, while accompanying the army on a campaign against the Rouran, he suddenly encountered a small enemy force. Facing a significant disparity in troop strength, Li Zhen ordered the saddles removed from the horses on the hillside and let them graze, in order to confuse the enemy and feign an ambush. The enemy, suspicious of a trick, retreated. During the reign of Emperor Gaozu of the Tang Dynasty, Li Zhen was granted the title of Duke of Pei. Later, he was appointed as the governor of Southern Yuzhou. At that time, the Dahu Mountain tribes frequently raided the area, and the previous governors had merely gone through the motions. Li Zhen came up with a plan: he gathered over thirty tribal leaders from Xincai and Xiangcheng, and then hosted a feast to the west of the provincial capital, where they could watch archery displays.
He first selected more than twenty expert archers, fired several arrows himself, all hitting the bullseye, and then let the soldiers shoot in turn, each hitting the target. Next, he brought out a prisoner sentenced to death, made him wear a soldier's uniform, and take part in the archery competition. He ordered him to shoot, threatening him with execution if he missed. The barbarian leaders, seeing this scene, turned pale with fear, glancing at each other, trembling uncontrollably. Li Zhen had also previously arranged for the capture of ten death row inmates, dressed them in barbarian clothes, and pretended to be raiding barbarians. Li Zhen sat there, pretending to look up at the sky, and with a breeze blowing, he told the barbarian leaders, "The wind's not right; it seems like a dozen strong bandits are coming in from fifty miles southwest. We must hurry to pursue them!" Then, he ordered the cavalry to chase, and sure enough, they apprehended those ten men. Li Zhen said to the barbarian leaders, "Your people often raid; don't they deserve execution?" The barbarian leaders all bowed and said, "They should be executed a thousand times over!" Li Zhen then executed those ten disguised bandits. After that, he reassured the barbarian leaders and let them return. The barbarian leaders were thoroughly convinced, and from that point on, there were no more raids along the border. Over thirty thousand households from the Huai Nan region came seeking refuge, and Li Zhen settled them along the Ru River east of the city and named it Guiyi Fang.
At first, there was a local thug in Yuzhou City named Hu Qiusheng, who often teamed up with outsiders. Later, when Zhen became governor, Hu Qiusheng, who had previously committed a crime and harbored resentment, planned a rebellion. He tricked the townspeople under the guise of a fake marriage, saying, "The governor wants to relocate the prominent families in the city to the Dai region." Everyone plotted to revolt against the city.
In the city, there was a man named Shi Daoqi who thought this situation was too serious, so he quickly told Zhen in secret. Zhen immediately dispatched men to apprehend Hu Qiusheng and his fellow conspirators. Zhen said, "I have never wronged anyone; why would they all rebel? It is just that Hu Qiusheng is deceiving everyone. If I arrest people now, they'll definitely be scared. I will wait and see; it won't be long before they regret it and surrender obediently." Before he finished speaking, over three hundred people in the city bound themselves and came to the gate of the state government to expose Hu Qiusheng's deceit. Hu Qiusheng fled on horseback alone. However, Zhen was generous and chose not to hold them accountable. Later, Zhen was summoned by the court and became the Minister of State. After his death, the court posthumously conferred upon him the titles of Imperial Attendant and Deputy Minister, with the posthumous name of Jian Gong. He had a total of eight sons.
His fifth son was named Rui. Rui's mother, Yin, was injured during her pregnancy. Later, while Yin was sleeping during the day, she dreamed of an elderly man in official robes who told her, "I will give you a son; do not worry." After waking up, Yin was particularly happy. She went to ask a fortune teller, who said, "Great fortune!" Not long after, she gave birth to Rui. Zhen felt this was in line with the dream, so he named his son "Rui," with the courtesy name "Tian Ci." Rui eventually attained the rank of Grand Minister of the Interior. After his death, the court posthumously granted him the title of Minister of Rites.
Zhen's younger brother Lie was strong and brave, and highly intelligent. When Yuan Shao rebelled, no minister in the court dared to say a word, except for Lie, who took the initiative to act, pretending to side with Yuan Shao and claiming he would help him capture Taizong. Yuan Shao believed him and came out from Qiumen, only to be confronted by Lie and Taizong. Due to this accomplishment, Lie was awarded the title of King of Yinping. After his death, he was posthumously honored with the name Xi. His son Qiu inherited his title.
Lie Digu, this guy was both brave and tough, with a particularly big heart. When he was young, he followed his older brother, our founding emperor, serving as a guard by his side. Later, he was sent to meet Murong Chui. Murong Chui, being old, had lost power to his subordinates, and he tried to squeeze some benefits out of Lie Digu. As a result, our founding emperor directly refused. Without a second thought, Lie Digu took dozens of cavalry, killed Murong Chui's guards, and bolted back. Unfortunately, he was later caught by Murong Bao and shipped off to Zhongshan. Murong Chui was actually pretty good to him, and Lie Digu hit the books hard there, reading tons of stuff; even Murong Chui's people praised him.
Later, when the founding emperor went to attack Zhongshan, that punk Murong Puling crowned himself king and, to keep the people on his side, killed Lie Digu. When the founding emperor heard this, he was particularly sad and distressed. Once Zhongshan was pacified, the founding emperor dug up Murong Puling's coffin, dismembered the corpse, and wiped out the families of those responsible for Lie Digu's death, such as Gao Ba and Cheng Tong, chopping them up into pieces! After that, he reburied Lie Digu and posthumously named him King Min of Qin, and made his son Kui King of Yuzhang, allowing him to inherit his title.
Zun, King of Changshan, was the son of Prince Shoujiu of Zhao Cheng. He was strong and brave from a young age, but he was a bit careless about details. Initially, Emperor Taizu recognized his significant contributions and conferred the title of Duke of Lueyang. When Murong Bao was defeated, he led seven hundred cavalry to intercept Murong Bao's retreat, earning great accolades. After the pacification of Zhongshan, he was appointed as the Left Minister in the Ministry of Personnel and was also granted the title of Imperial Attendant, overseeing the Bohai entrance. Later, when bandits emerged in Boling and Bohai, King Zun of Changshan subdued them. He was subsequently promoted to governor and conferred the title of King of Changshan. He had one notable flaw: he loved to drink. In the fourth year of Tianzi, he was sentenced to death for his disrespect towards Princess Taiyuan while intoxicated, and he was buried with the rites of an ordinary commoner.
Zisu was the son of the mother of Emperor Taizong, so he was particularly favored. He became a court eunuch at a young age and later was promoted to several prominent positions, and was conferred the title of Duke of Shangan and also served as a high official in the outer capital. After Emperor Shizong took the throne, Zisu inherited his title. When Xiu Tuyu and his followers rebelled, Zisu went to suppress them, defeating the rebel leader and relocating over a thousand households to the north of Zhuolu, establishing Pingyuan County to resettle them. After pacifying Tongwan, because of Zisu's reputation and strategic acumen, he was appointed as a temporary commander and General of the Western Expedition to defend Tongwan. He later served as a high official in the inner capital.
After Emperor Gaozong ascended the throne, he promoted a more lenient policy and abolished some various taxes. Some officials reported a shortage in state finances and insisted on restoring these various taxes. Only Zisu said: "I have heard a saying: 'If the common people are impoverished, how can the monarch be rich?'" The emperor greatly appreciated his words and agreed with him. The emperor ordered the courtiers to discuss the name of the prince. Zisu and Situ Luli collaborated, saying: "In ancient times, emperors named their children based on five methods: based on trust, symbolism, analogy, sound, or resemblance. Now, Your Majesty is in a prosperous era, and the prince is born, so his name should embody virtue." Emperor Gaozong accepted their advice. Zisu earned the emperor's deep respect, and as he grew older, the emperor often invited him to the palace to seek advice on state affairs. Zisu declined many times, asking to retire and go home. He was renowned for his integrity and served in office for fifty years, consistently praised by his contemporaries. After he passed away, he was posthumously titled Kang Gong, buried in Jinling, and worshipped in the temple.
Zisu's eldest son, Kexiling, at the age of seventeen, accompanied Emperor Taizong on a hunting trip. They encountered a fierce tiger, and Kexiling actually fought and subdued the tiger bare-handed to present it to the emperor. Emperor Taizong said, "Your talent and strength exceed that of ordinary people; you should do great things for the country, not engage in such activities." He then appointed him as an internal supervisor. Later, he followed the emperor in pacifying Liangzhou. Jiuqu Maoqian sent a brave general to fight Kexiling, and both broke their long spears. Kexiling drew an arrow and shot him, which made Jiuqu Maoqian's general tumble from his horse. Concerned that enemy reinforcements would arrive before he could draw his sword, Kexiling used a dagger to cut off his head, resulting in his decapitation. Emperor Taizong greatly praised him and appointed him as the commander of the capital troops and gave him the title Jiyangzi. He eventually died while serving as the commander of the central army.
Zi Su's younger brother accompanied Jin Zi, inherited the title, but was later dismissed from his position due to a crime. Accompanying Jin Zi Zhao, who was nicknamed Ah Ni, he was recommended by Zhang Yi, the Minister of Works, to be a palace attendant. Emperor Gaozu wanted to organize the funeral for Prince Qi, but Ah Ni got caught up in some inappropriate court activities there (the specific details of Ah Ni's actions are not provided in the original text). Emperor Gaozu was furious and issued a decree saying, "Ah Ni is such a fool! Who recommended him as an attendant?" So Zhang Yi was demoted and relegated to wearing civilian clothes while guarding the Ministry of Works, and Ah Ni was suspended as well. During Emperor Shizong's reign, Ah Ni's brother Hui gained the emperor's favor, and his official position gradually rose, eventually becoming Left Minister. After Emperor Shizong's death, Yu Zhong took power, and Ah Ni went to curry favor with him and became an official of the Yellow Gate. Yu Zhong was overbearing and persecuted the loyal, with many of the schemes originating from Ah Ni.
When Empress Dowager Ling was in power, Ah Ni became a Minister and the Intendant of Henan. He was deaf and irritable, handling matters harshly and impatiently, making him detestable wherever he went. He was soon dispatched to Yongzhou as a governor, where he was corrupt and brutal, leading to widespread public outrage. Later, he returned to the imperial court as a Minister, sought to ingratiate himself with Liu Teng, and was even appointed as General of the Western Campaign. After his death, he was posthumously appointed as the Left Deputy Minister of Works, all due to his bribery of Yuan Cha, which is why his posthumous rank was elevated.
Ani's son Xuan, styled Yandao, was renowned for his thriftiness. During the reign of Emperor Zhuang, he served as the magistrate of Luoyang. Later, when Emperor Qianfei ascended the throne, Xuan submitted a petition requesting a grand burial for Emperor Zhuang, a request that garnered widespread approval at the time. He was then appointed as the Left Minister of Personnel. After Emperor Chu ascended the throne, he appointed Sun Teng as the Minister of Works, a trusted confidant of King Xianwu of Qi. When Sun Teng entered the palace, Xuan formally impeached him. Even though others were concerned, Emperor Chu admired his integrity and granted him the title of Viscount of Linzi County. Later, he followed the emperor into the pass.
Ani's younger brother Shao, styled Choulun, was intelligent from a young age. He later rose to the position of Deputy Minister of Personnel. Shao was known for his integrity, candor, and fearlessness in the face of power. Emperor Shizong ordered him to investigate the case of Zhao Xiu, and because of Zhao Xiu's misconduct, Shao increased his punishment, resulting in Zhao Xiu's death by flogging. The emperor blamed Shao for not reporting earlier, but Shao retorted, "Zhao Xiu's treachery was even more severe than Dong Xian's. If I didn't take the opportunity to eliminate him, Your Majesty could have faced a similar fate as Emperor Ai." The emperor found his reasoning sound and chose not to blame him. He was later sent to a remote location, where Prince Huaiping paid him a visit to offer his congratulations, saying, "Old man, you are a genuinely upright servant of the court, even outshining Zhu Yun and Ji An!" Shao replied, "It's just a pity that I killed him too late, which I deeply regret." He eventually died while serving as the Governor of Liangzhou.
Accompanying Jin Di, who was named Zhong, courtesy name Xiande. He was calm and composed from a young age, loyal and prudent, earning him a great reputation. During the reign of the emperor, he rose through the ranks and eventually became the Right Minister, was granted the title of Duke of Chengyang, and was also appointed as the Palace Attendant and General of the Western Frontier. He was dedicated to his duties, nurtured talent, and was respected by all the officials in the court. In the fourth year of the Taihe era, he became gravely ill and requested to retire and return to his hometown of Gaoliu to recuperate. The emperor personally arranged for a carriage to escort him to the city gate and bestowed upon him two hundred bolts of colorful silk. The officials and attendants bidding farewell all wept openly. After his death, everyone mourned deeply. The emperor posthumously bestowed upon him the title "Xuan" and ordered the appropriate authorities to erect a monument and engrave his accomplishments. He fathered seventeen sons in total. His son Sheng, courtesy name Shixing, inherited his father's title and achieved the rank of Minister of Works. He also passed away later.
Sheng's younger brother, Shouxing, was smart and eager to learn from a young age. When Emperor Shizong first ascended the throne, Shouxing was appointed governor of Xuzhou. However, he was corrupt and abused his power in Xuzhou, alienating the common people. His cousin Hui, a court official, was jealous of his abilities and falsely accused him before the emperor. The emperor then sent the imperial secretary Cui Liang to investigate. On the day Cui Liang set out, he received orders from Hui and cruelly whipped three widows to force them to falsely claim that Shouxing had coerced them into becoming maids. Fearing punishment, Shouxing arranged for his nephew, a military officer named Xue Xiuyi, to prepare ten carts loaded with wheat to pass by the place where he was being held under house arrest. Seizing the opportunity, Shouxing climbed over the wall to escape. Xue Xiuyi secretly hid Shouxing in a large wooden box covered with wheat and transported him to his home in Hedong. When the imperial court declared a general amnesty, Shouxing came out to meet Emperor Shizong and explained that his cousin Hui had falsely accused him. Emperor Shizong chose not to pursue any further responsibility.
Once upon a time, when Yuan Shouxing had just started as a mid-level official, Wang Xian was still in the Eastern Palace, in a lowly position. One time, due to official business, Shouxing gave Wang Xian thirty lashes. Later, Wang Xian gained favor and became the Deputy Censor, and he went to file a complaint, claiming that Shouxing often complained at home and slandered the court. It just so happened that the emperor was drunk and out of sorts, so Wang Xian reported the matter and requested the emperor's orders. After the emperor gave his orders, he directly ordered Shouxing to be executed. At that moment, the emperor's handwriting was shaky, and everyone present could see this wasn’t the emperor’s true intent, but they were all afraid of Wang Xian's power and did not dare to say anything. On the day of the execution, Wang Xian even went to watch the whole thing unfold. Before his death, Shouxing wrote his epitaph, which said: "A man from Luoyang, surname Yuan, given name Jing, has virtue but no time; his years are fleeting." I can’t remember the rest clearly. Before his death, he told his son: "Put a hundred sheets of paper and two pens in my coffin; I want to expose Wang Xian from beyond the grave. If Emperor Gaozu’s spirit knows, he’ll surely take care of Wang Xian within a hundred days. If Emperor Gaozu’s spirit does not know, then I have nothing to be attached to." Later, Emperor Shizong died, and not long after, Wang Xian was also executed. Back then, everyone believed that Shouxing's death was a setup by the former Deputy Censor Wang Xian. Eventually, Empress Dowager Ling came to power, and Cui Hong, a minister of the Three Dukes, submitted a petition to clear Shouxing's name. The court posthumously granted him the title of Governor of Yuzhou and gave him the posthumous title of Zhuang.
Shouxing's younger brother, Yuan Yisheng, passed away when he was still young. Shouxing's son Yuan Zhong was very filial and was granted the title Duke of Hejian. After his death, he was posthumously honored as General of Zhen Nan and posthumously honored with the title Inspector of Caozhou. Yuan Zhong's son Yuan Kui held the position of Prefect of Yingchuan and after his death was promoted to the Inspector of Guangzhou and posthumously honored with the title Gong. Another son of Yuan Zhong, Yuan Yi, known as Zizhong, was appointed the Inspector of Yanzhou during the Northern Wei Dynasty. At that time, there was a person named Wang Fengbo in the city who conspired with others to rebel. Yuan Yi fled the city, leaving the gates closed, nearly getting trapped inside. The court then sent the Inspectors of Qizhou, Wei Jing, and Yanzhou, Cai Jun, to suppress the rebellion. After Yuan Yi returned, he resumed his role as Inspector and was also granted the title Count of Puyang. During the reign of Emperor Xiaojing, he was promoted to Prefect of the Masters of Writing and also managed the selection department. Despite holding important positions, he maintained a low profile. He later passed away while serving as the Inspector of Yingzhou, posthumously honored with the title Minister of Works and honored as Jingyi.
Yuan Zhong's other son, Yuan Hui, known as Jingxi, was intelligent from a young age and had a deep understanding of history and classics. After the accession of Emperor Shizong, he was appointed the Chief Clerk of the Imperial Secretariat. He went on tours to inspect customs in various places and upon his return, reported his work to the Emperor, who was very pleased and promoted him to the position of Yellow Gate Attendant. Initially, Emperor Gaozu moved the capital to Luoyang, but the ministers in power at the time found moving too troublesome and were unwilling to go. To ease their concerns, Gaozu promised that they could live in the south in winter and in the north in summer. Later, Emperor Shizong was influenced by those around him, and rumors began circulating about moving back to the north, with some even starting to sell their houses and land in anticipation of the move. Yang Hui took the opportunity to speak a few words to the Emperor, who said, "When my father moved the capital, he originally intended for us to live in the south in winter and in the north in summer. I now wish to follow his previous intentions, which is why such discussions have arisen."
Yang Hui said, "The former emperor moved the capital because the common people were reluctant to abandon their hometowns, so he ordered them to live in the south during winter and the north during summer. This was merely a temporary measure to calm the people's hearts. This was merely the situation at the time and not the former emperor's true intention. Moreover, those who migrated from the north have settled down and lived happily for many years; every household is settled, and no one wants to move again. Your Majesty should build upon the foundation laid by Emperor Gaozu and absolutely should not listen to the bad ideas of those treacherous ministers!" Emperor Shizong heeded his advice.
Later, Yang Hui was promoted to the position of Chamberlain and also served as the General of the Right Guard. Although this position held little real power, he was very favored by the emperor. Yang Hui was entrusted with the safekeeping of confidential palace matters, locking the documents in a cabinet that only he could open, while the other Chamberlains and the Palace Attendant had no knowledge of it. At that time, Chamberlain Lu Chang was also quite favored, so people jokingly referred to Yang Hui as "General Hungry Tiger" and Lu Chang as "Starving Eagle Chamberlain."
Yang Hui was later promoted to Minister of Personnel. At that time, buying and selling official positions had set prices: positions in large prefectures cost two thousand bolts of silk, those in medium prefectures one thousand bolts, small prefectures five hundred bolts, and other positions also had corresponding prices, which everyone referred to as "Market of Officials" (a public market). He was later assigned as the Inspector of Jizhou, and when he took office, the convoy and luggage were grand and impressive, departing from Xindu and continuing all the way to Tangyin, with vehicles connected in an unending line. If the ox horns on the carts were insufficient, he would directly catch oxen on the road and cut off their horns for his use. Yang Hui also conducted a household registration survey, allowing the common people to register their own households, and then collected fifty thousand bolts of silk. However, his methods of amassing wealth were excessively harsh, and the common people could no longer endure him.
When Emperor Suzong of Tang had just ascended to the throne, he summoned me and appointed me as the Left Chancellor of the Ministry of Personnel, also assigning me to take charge of the selection of officials. I submitted a memorial that said, "I have heard that the foundation of governing a country lies in selecting good local officials. If the right people are chosen, governance will run smoothly, and society will be stable; if the wrong people are chosen, it will result in endless lawsuits and public discontent. If we do not carefully examine the strengths and weaknesses of officials and clearly implement rewards and punishments, how can we get rid of corrupt and lazy officials while promoting those who are honest and hardworking?"
I privately believed that sending high-ranking officials to inspect various regions would surely rack up significant costs for their visits; moreover, Censors who roam around often misuse their authority. Additionally, their visits are only temporary, and they do not gain a comprehensive understanding of the situation; even if they recommend some individuals, there's no guarantee they'll be a good fit. I think we should have the Three Departments, Eight Seats, and other palace officials collect information widely, inquiring from outside about the abilities of governors, local officials, and county magistrates. If their virtue and education are commendable and their reputation for integrity and uprightness is well-known, their names should be reported for promotion and reward; if their governance is poor and their corrupt practices are notorious, they should be promptly reported for demotion or dismissal. In this way, the court would not need to leave the palace to understand what's happening across the empire, and could wisely manage state affairs while sitting comfortably.
I submitted another memorial, saying, "The role of the Censor is like that of an eagle or a falcon; they need to be bold and decisive to make a real impact. If we select young and impulsive individuals, they may act recklessly and stubbornly, making enemies left and right. I think we should pick experienced, loyal, and reliable older officials to be Censors." The Emperor passed my memorial on to the relevant departments to follow my suggestions.
The emperor decreed that Xie Hui, along with the Kings of Rencheng, Jingzhao, and Dongping, should handle court affairs together. Xie Hui also submitted a memorial to the emperor, proposing several important governance suggestions. Firstly, regarding the appointment of censors, it is necessary to select talented individuals, not solely based on their official ranks, and they should work in their positions long-term, with evaluations based on their political achievements. Secondly, concerning border security and military deployment, it should be handled flexibly based on the actual situation. Recently, the border generals have been lacking a long-term strategic vision, only pursuing short-term achievements, and there have been no effective governance measures reported, with the people complaining about their incompetence and corruption. To pacify the region of Wu, there must be a good strategy, not just focusing on the gains and losses of individual cities. Several provinces in Hebei are crucial to the country but have been suffering from famine for many years, causing the people to scatter. Now, with the need for conscription at the border, how are we supposed to get by? It is believed that in these years, stability should first be ensured at the border, reduce forced labor, appease the people, encourage agricultural production, and govern the Central Plains effectively. Please order the border generals strictly; if enemy forces wish to surrender in the future, do not send troops to meet them without reporting to the court first. Those who violate orders, even if they have merit, must be punished for disobeying imperial orders. Thirdly, the country's financial income mainly relies on the Hebei region, but with continuous famine and population dispersal, unscrupulous individuals take advantage to deceive and embezzle taxes, causing suffering to the people and damage to the country. Without implementing new systems and proper reforms, the country's losses will only increase. Therefore, it is requested that the emperor seriously consider these suggestions and issue relevant decrees. The emperor took his suggestions into account.
Xie Hui loved literature and gathered Confucian scholars like Cui Hong to compile a book recording important events throughout history called "Ke Lu," totaling 270 volumes from the time of Fu Xi to the Jin and Song dynasties, spanning a total of fourteen dynasties. When Xie Hui fell seriously ill, he presented the book to the emperor. In the first year of Shengui, Xie Hui passed away, and the emperor posthumously granted him the titles of General, Supervisor of Military Affairs, and Minister of Works, with the posthumous title of 'Wenxian.' During his burial, the emperor granted him a feathered canopy, a sword, twenty musicians, and one hundred and twenty imperial guards.
Prince Qian of Chenliu, son of Zhao Chengzi Heygen, was known for his bravery from a young age. At the beginning of his reign, the emperor granted him the title of Duke of Chenliu. Together with Prince Yi of Wei, he defeated the Chufu tribe and fought in the battle against Wei Chen. When Murong Bao invaded, Qian cut off Murong Bao's left flank, causing him to flee in defeat to Sanggan. Despite his courage, Qian was overconfident and ultimately fell in battle in Chen.
This man was tall, strong, and exceptionally skilled in martial arts, a truly remarkable figure! His spear was always longer than those of others, and he even attached a bell beneath the spearhead. His archery range far surpassed that of others. His exceptional skills prompted the imperial arsenal to maintain a special record of him!
On the battlefield, he used a spear to stab enemies, piercing them in one thrust, then raised it high, with an imposing presence! On another occasion, he stuck the spear into the ground with one hand and pretended to retreat. Seeing this, the enemy rushed forward to seize the spear, only to realize they couldn't get it out. He then drew his bow and shot several arrows, killing two or three people. Those who tried to grab the spear were so scared they ran off in all directions. Once the enemy had fled, he allowed someone to retrieve the spear. Every time he fought, he charged into the fray, always at the forefront. Back then, no one could match him; regardless of how many enemies there were, no one dared to stand in his way. When he passed away, the entire nation mourned deeply, crying their hearts out. Emperor Taizu was heartbroken and mourned for a long time. Later, he posthumously named him King of Chenliu and allowed him to receive sacrifices in the ancestral temple, while also granting his son, Yue, the title of King of Zhuti.
This King of Zhuti, Yue, seemed nice at first glance, but had hidden agendas. Because King Chenliu had died for the country, Emperor Taizu treated his son particularly well, appointing him as a general on the left flank and allowing him to inherit his title, later even becoming a grand master. However, taking advantage of the emperor's favor, he became arrogant and often told his confidant Wang Luosheng and others, "If one day the emperor passes away, as long as I avoid Prince Wei, no one can stop me!" He was referring to Prince Wei Yi, who had a handsome beard and was highly respected both inside and outside the court, which is why King Zhuti made such statements. Earlier, when Yao Xing redeemed Di Bozhi, King Zhuti was responsible for escorting him back. Passing through Yanmen Pass, he secretly teamed up with local bullies, attempting to win them over. As a result, the plot was exposed, and he fled, trying to gather those heroes at Yanmen Pass for ill intentions, but was eventually caught by the locals and brought back to the court. Emperor Taizu was generous and chose not to punish him.
Later, Emperor Taizong ascended to the throne and summoned King Zhu Ti to serve by his side. However, King Zhu Ti still harbored malicious thoughts and said to the Emperor, "The capital is full of deceitful people, many of whom are untrustworthy. Those dishonest people should be put to death. The people of Yanmen Pass are also cunning and should be killed." He was seeking revenge on those who had previously accused him. But Emperor Taizong did not agree with him. King Zhu Ti became increasingly fearful and concealed a knife while serving the Emperor, planning a rebellion. He was discovered by Sun Jun, who secretly saw the knife hidden in his arms and had him arrested and killed.
Chong, the younger brother, inherited the title of Prince Huan by decree of Emperor Gaozu. Chong had a calm and composed demeanor. Initially, after the death of Prince Wei, Gaozu aimed to strengthen the ties among the royal family and ordered all the princes and their younger brothers to attend a banquet. More than thirty people, including King Changshan Su, were afraid to attend the banquet with Prince Wei, so they all fled, intending to seek refuge with the Rouran. Only Chong went. Gaozu was very pleased to see him and rewarded him with many gifts, bestowing upon him special favor and respect from that point forward. King Changshan Su and the others were finally at ease. After a long time, Chong was appointed as the Inspector of Bingzhou and attained notable achievements in governance. He also participated in the war against the Rouran, leading his troops alone through the Great Marsh, crossing the Zhuoxie Mountains, and instilling fear in the northern wilderness. He later passed away and was posthumously honored with the title Prince Jing.
His son Jian succeeded to the title, but his title was downgraded to Duke. He served as General of the Northern Frontier and the Commander of Huaihuang Garrison. He later passed away.
Jian's son Chen became the Inspector of Hengzhou and Shuozhou.
Chen's son Yi attained the rank of Left Deputy Chief of the Imperial Secretariat.
Chong's elder brother, Yi, was serious and earnest, spoke very little, and was highly respected by Emperor Taizu. Yi was highly strategic, participated in the battle to pacify Zhongshan, and was granted the titles of Marquis of Pucheng and Prefect of Pinglu for his contributions. The Emperor held a particular fondness for him, even granting him ceremonial gifts of a drum and a feathered robe, on par with the rank of a Jiedushi. He was renowned for his integrity in office. After serving for seven years, he was replaced by Yuan Yigan. At that time, Yigan's son, Wanyan, enjoyed the Emperor's favor, and Yigan, relying on his son's influence, showed Yi disrespect. Without greeting Yi, he rudely rode up and shoved Yi off his bed, taking over his seat. Yi did not realize he had been replaced and believed he had committed a crime and was under arrest. When he learned the truth, he felt deeply insulted by Yigan and said to him, "While it's normal to be replaced, your rudeness is simply intolerable!" He confronted Yigan, killed him, and reported the incident to the court. Emperor Taizu appreciated his actions. Wanyan repeatedly requested the Emperor to avenge his father, and the Emperor ordered Yi to make amends. Yi voluntarily accepted responsibility, and Emperor Taizu pardoned him, waiving any required compensation. Eventually, Yi fell ill and passed away.
Zilun inherited his father's title during the reign of Emperor Shizu. Later, he was appointed as the general of Tongwan Town in recognition of his accomplishments. He then followed Prince Yongchang Ren to the south, leading his troops from Ruyin independently. When they reached the Huai River, Liu Yilong sent Liu Kangzu to ambush them at Weiwuting, attempting to cut off their supply line. Zilun found his troops in a predicament. Zilun said, "The wind is so strong now. If we have everyone push the carts in parallel, set fire to the enemy with the wind at our backs, and then send elite soldiers to attack from behind, we can definitely defeat them!" Everyone followed his plan. Consequently, Liu Kangzu was executed, and his head was sent to the palace. Upon Emperor Gaozong's ascension to the throne, he appointed Zilun as the governor of Qinzhou and granted him the title of Duke of Longxi. Zilun later passed away and was posthumously honored with the title Duke of Ding. His son Zichen succeeded him as Duke.
Prince Shun of Piling was the grandson of Emperor Zhao Cheng and the son of Di Gan. His character was relatively rough and lazy. In the early days of the Northern Wei dynasty, he was granted the title of Duke of Nan'an. When Emperor Taizu went to campaign against Zhongshan, he left Shun to guard the capital. As a result, after the defeat at the Battle of Bosi, the fleeing soldiers returned to report that the army had scattered and did not know where Emperor Taizu was. Upon hearing this news, Shun's heart was filled with thoughts of declaring himself king. Fortunately, he heeded Mo Ti's advice and dismissed this idea. At that time, He Lijuan and others gathered a group of people to rebel in Yinguang, and Shun went to suppress them but was unsuccessful. Thus, he led his men out of the palace and ran south to the old city of Fanzhao, using the Liao River as a defensive position to reassure the people. When Emperor Taizu learned of this, he was greatly impressed by him, granted him the title of king, and appointed him as the Inspector of the Capital. Emperor Taizu liked the teachings of Huang-Lao and often summoned the princes and court officials to personally explain them. Everyone present listened respectfully, except for Shun, who sat there dozing off, yawning and stretching, completely ignoring everyone and even spitting on the floor. Emperor Taizu was furious and stripped him of his title. Later, Shun passed away peacefully at home.
Duke Yilie of Liaoxi was the grandson of Emperor Zhao Cheng and the son of Li Zhen. He died early by Murong Chui. Later, when Emperor Taizu was campaigning against Zhongshan, Yilie abandoned his wife and children to meet Emperor Taizu in Jingxing. After the Central Plains were pacified, he was granted the title of Duke of Liaoxi for his military achievements and appointed as the governor of Guangping. At that time, he was serving alongside Ba in Ye City as an acting governor. Yilie had a strong personality and considered himself a trusted confidant of the emperor, feeling it was disgraceful to be under Ba's command. Therefore, he secretly recruited followers and prepared to attack Ye City, but the plan was exposed, and he was executed.
Zi Bagan was well-versed in literature and knowledgeable about history. Although his father committed a crime, Emperor Taizu trusted him greatly because of his connections to the royal family and treated him as a trusted aide. Zi Bagan was quite cunning and made significant contributions to the court on several occasions. When Emperor Taizong ascended the throne, he appointed him as the Governor of Bohai, and the local people were very pleased. He was also granted the title of Marquis of Wusui. Later, he was promoted to General of Pingyuan Town and was deeply respected by the soldiers. After his death, he was posthumously granted the title of Ling Gong.
His son Zi Shouluo inherited his title and later became Duke of Wuyi, eventually passing away.
His grandson Chinu served as a general in Wuchuan Town.
Hong Chao was quite educated. After the Great Vehicle Uprising was quelled, the emperor sent him with the imperial insignia and appointed him as an assistant minister to soothe the people of Jizhou. Upon his return, Hong Chao told the emperor, "Jizhou is vast but sparsely populated, separated from other provinces by six or seven hundred miles, and it is coastal with rugged and distant terrain. A new province should be established to better guard the coastline." The court agreed with his reasoning and later established Cangzhou. Ultimately, when Hong Chao died, he held the position of Commander of the Northern Army and Grand Minister of Ceremonies.
His brother Hong Bo was exceptionally skilled in archery and horseback riding, and was bestowed the title of Duke of Pengcheng due to his military achievements. After his death, he was laid to rest in Jinling.
Hong Chao's eldest son Hong Su inherited his title. During Emperor Shizu's reign, Hong Su was tasked with overseeing the troops in the southern desert. At that time, the Ruo Ruo people also sent a letter to the court expressing their dissatisfaction. Hong Su was upright and adept at managing the army; he always shared in the hardships and rest of the soldiers. Later, he was sent to campaign against Helong and achieved great merit, being granted the title of King. After his death, he was also laid to rest in Jinling.
Hong Su's younger brother Hong Hun was skilled in archery from a young age, and the Emperor held him in high regard. Once, when many foreign envoys came to the court, Hong Hun killed three wild beasts with his arrows, hitting the target with every shot, and everyone present praised his skill. Later, he became a Minister, but he was somewhat arrogant, made a mistake, was dismissed, and was exiled to Changshe, where he was eventually killed by an unknown assailant.
Hong Hun's son Hong Kuhuan became the General of the Imperial Guards. Once, during the Emperor's northern tour, a rabbit suddenly ran in front of the carriage, and the Emperor called on Hong Kuhuan to take the shot. With one arrow, the rabbit dropped dead. The Emperor was very pleased and rewarded him with a golden rabbit in recognition of his archery skills. While Emperor Gaozong was constructing the Gongzong Temple, he bestowed upon him the title of Yangfeng Marquis. When Emperor Xianzong ascended the throne and built the Gaozong Temple, Hong Kuhuan was appointed as a court official, and his title was promoted to Duke. Hong Kuhuan was decisive in his work, conducting county inspections and fairly adjudicating cases. Wherever he went, he received praise. Thousands of Qinzhou residents flocked to the capital to request that the court appoint Hong Kuhuan as their governor, and the court agreed, but before he could be formally appointed, he died of illness. His son Hong Guchen inherited his title.
Hong Kuduo, the son of Emperor Zhaocheng, was compelled by Fu Luoluo to relocate to Chang'an after Emperor Zhaocheng's death because of his older age. Fu Jian treated him kindly and even taught him to read and study. Later, due to the turmoil of war, Hong Kuduo moved east alongside Murong Yong and was appointed as the Prefect of Xinxing.
That kid Liu Xian got defeated, so he sent his brother Kang Ni and the others to welcome Kudu, but Kudu came straight for our southern border. This was bad news; all the tribes went into chaos. The founding emperor had a few guys like Huan around him, and they were discussing how to respond. One of them, a guy named Shan Wugan, spilled the beans. The founding emperor worried that this news would get out and freak people out, so he hesitated and remained silent. Only then did the founding emperor have Huan and the other four killed, while the other seven clans, like the Mo family, were left alone.
The founding emperor was worried about internal strife, so he headed north of Yin Mountain to the Helan tribe and then sent An Tong and Changsun He to ask Murong Chui for troops. Changsun He ended up fleeing and joining Kudu, while An Tong sneaked off to Zhongshan. Murong Chui sent his son He Xun along with six thousand cavalry to back up An Tong. An Tong came back with Lan He, the guy sent by Murong Chui, and when they got to Niuchuan, Kudu's nephew Yi Lie blocked their way. An Tong was smart; he blended in with the merchants' stuff and, when night fell, he ducked into an empty well to avoid trouble, then went to find He Xun. But the reinforcements still hadn’t shown up, and Kudu was closing in. He Ran Gan had his own plans and was secretly in cahoots with Kudu, attacking from the north. Everyone was scared stiff and had no fight left in them. As a result, the northern officials, like Shusun Puluo and the folks from the Wuwan tribe, bolted to Weichen.
When He Xun heard about this, he quickly sent An Tong, Zhu Tan, and the others to join him. Once everyone knew that He Xun's army was approaching, they felt somewhat reassured. The founding emperor hurried from Nu Mountain to Niu Chuan. Ku Duo set up camp at Gao Liu. The founding emperor sent An Tong to meet with He Xun and discuss when they would regroup. Once An Tong returned, the founding emperor crossed Canhe Mountain, emerged from the northern part of Dai, and joined He Xun at Gao Liu. Ku Duo, desperate and trapped, saw our flag and attempted to flee, but was ultimately killed by Wei Chen's forces. The founding emperor absorbed all of Ku Duo's troops. He Xun said goodbye to the founding emperor before returning to Zhongshan.
