Wang Jian is from Guangning. His grandmother was the mother of Empress Pingwen, who gave birth to Emperor Zhaocheng. His great-uncle Feng had a prominent status as the emperor's maternal uncle. Feng's son Zhi married Emperor Zhaocheng's daughter and was highly favored. Wang Jian married a princess in his youth. In the early days of the new regime, he served as a senior official in the outer court, alternating with others to manage state affairs and engage in important decisions.
Once, Emperor Taizu went to Ruyuan and sent Wang Jian to see Murong Chui. Wang Jian spoke with a firm tone and demeanor, which intimidated Murong Chui. Upon his return, Wang Jian was appointed as a Left Grand Master. Wang Jian's brother, Wang Hui, and his sons were all lawbreakers; Wang Jian reported this to the emperor, and as a result, Wang Hui and his sons were all killed. This illustrates Wang Jian's cautiousness and integrity. Later, he accompanied the army in campaigns against various nations, defeating over twenty tribes and was rewarded with dozens of slaves and thousands of livestock for his military accomplishments.
He then joined the campaign against Weichen, defeated them, and was rewarded with five thousand households of slaves, subsequently being promoted to a senior official. In the Battle of Canhepo, he took part in defeating Murong Bao. Emperor Taizu, riding the wave of victory, planned to fully conquer Nanxia, selecting talented captives to retain while distributing clothing and food to the rest, sending them home to inform the people of the Central Plains of the court's benevolence. He then summoned the ministers to deliberate on this matter.
Wang Jian said, "After the defeat of the Murong clan, the country is internally weakened and can easily be taken over. Is it really wise to let them return now? Moreover, letting a tiger back into the mountain will bring trouble in the future. It's better to kill them all." Emperor Taizu said to the generals, "If we follow Wang Jian's suggestion, it may scare the people in the south and cut off their loyalty to the court, which goes against our original intent to punish criminals and reassure the people." The other generals thought Wang Jian made sense, but Wang Jian insisted on his own opinion, and in the end, all the captives were killed. Later, Emperor Taizu regretted it.
Later, I joined the campaign against Murong Bao and was appointed Champion General. After we pacified Bingzhou, the emperor's convoy was going east from Jingxing, and I was ordered to lead fifty thousand cavalry to set off first to explore the situation. Upon reaching Changshan, many counties surrendered, but Zhongshan, Yecheng, and Xindu held out. So the emperor sent Wei Wangyi to attack Yecheng and sent me to attack Xindu, each leading fifty thousand troops. My army laid siege to Xindu for more than sixty days without success, and there were heavy casualties.
Later, Emperor Taizu personally rushed from Zhongshan to Xindu. Murong Feng, the governor of Jizhou, sneaked out of the wall at night, and Xindu surrendered. The emperor's convoy reached Julu, defeated Murong Bao at Baisiwu, and then surrounded Zhongshan. Murong Bao abandoned the city and fled to Helong. With no one in charge in the city, the local populace was terrified, and the east gate was left open. Emperor Taizu planned to enter the city at night and occupy the east gate. However, I acted out of greed and foolishness, focused solely on capturing prisoners, worried that the soldiers would raid and plunder the treasury. I suggested we wait until dawn before taking action, and Emperor Taizu agreed.
That night, the townsfolk by the river rallied around Murong Jinlin as their leader and closed the city gates to defend. The Emperor Taizu then concentrated all his troops to besiege the city, but was unable to breach it for several days. He had someone climb up a tall siege tower and call out to those inside the city, "Murong Baodou has fled, who are you common people defending the city for? Why don't you understand the will of the heavens and insist on waiting for death?" The people in the city replied, "We simple folk don’t know much, we are just afraid of being killed like in the past, so we just want to survive a little longer." When the Emperor Taizu heard this, he turned to me and spat in my face.
After capturing Zhongshan City, the Emperor conferred upon me the title of Duke of Puyang. Later, the Wuman Ku Zhen Palace gathered a group to rebel, and the Emperor sent me to quell the chaos. I was subsequently promoted to Grand Master, then changed to Duke of Zhending, and also appointed as Cavalry Attendant, concurrently serving as Inspector of Jizhou and Qingzhou. Finally, I died and was buried in Jinling.
Initially, Jian's brother Dou was granted the title of Marquis of Qiu for his achievements, but he had no sons, so Jian let his son Jin inherit his brother's title. Jin served as Governor and Palace Attendant, steadily rising in ranks, and eventually becoming Grand Chamberlain. Later, Emperor Shizu wanted to campaign against Helian Chang, so he sent Jin to manufacture siege weapons. Jin was granted the title of Duke of Huainan for his accomplishments, and also given the title of General Who Pacifies the North. At that time, the rebel Hu chieftain Tian Bu in Bingzhou was subdued, but the remaining Hu were still uneasy, so Jin was dispatched to govern and calm them in Huwei. Jin governed well in the Hu and Wei regions, gaining a stellar reputation.
Later, Liu Yilong sent generals to attack Henan, while Emperor Shizu headed west to campaign against Helian Ding. He appointed Jin as the General of the Imperial Guards, stationed at Puban. After pacifying the Guanlong region, Jin was transferred to Chang'an and awarded an honorary title, officially appointed as the General Who Guards the West. However, Jin later became arrogant and self-satisfied, disregarding the law, trusting only his close aides, and arbitrarily conscripting the populace for forced labor. The common people could no longer endure it, and several thousand households fled to Hanchuan. Jin also shifted the blame onto Yang Wenzu, the Inspector of Yanzhou, and Ren Yanming, the Inspector of Qinzhou. Emperor Shizu summoned them both for questioning, and they each explained their situations. Emperor Shizu recognized that Jin was falsely accusing them, so he sent Yiyang Gong Fushu to investigate the truth, uncovering dozens of offenses committed by Jin. In the end, Emperor Shizu executed Jin as a warning to others.
Jin's grandson, Du, served as the military governor of Hulao Town during the reign of Emperor Taizong. After Emperor Shizu ascended the throne, he summoned Du to the capital to serve as an official in the imperial palace, later promoting him to minister. Du accompanied Emperor Shizu in campaigns against Helian Chang and participated in the war against the Rouran, earning significant accolades. He was bestowed the title of Duke of Jiyang and further appointed as a Cavalier In Regular Attendance and General Who Pacifies the South. The court ordered Du to lead five thousand cavalry troops to defeat the Yanzhou Inspector Zhu Lingshuo in Hulü, alongside his cousin, Sun Jian. Later, Du was stationed in Chang'an, awarded an honorary title, appointed as the Commander of military affairs in the provinces of Qin, Jing, Liangyi, and Yong, and established his own government office. After his death, he was posthumously honored as Duke Zhuang.
Du's son, An Du, inherited his father's title, but it was downgraded to Marquis. Emperor Shizu appointed him as a son of the crown prince and later sent him to guard Shanshan. During the reign of Emperor Gaozong, he served as a senior official in the capital. After his death, his son, Maidi, succeeded to his title.
The great-grandson of Jian, known for his skill in archery, was highly favored by his forebears and appointed as Chief Eunuch. He gradually rose to become a Minister, was granted the title of Marquis of Liyang, and was also appointed as General of Longxiang and an official of the Household. Later, he served as General of Peaceful West and Inspector of Jingzhou. Eventually, he passed away.
An Tong was a Hu from Liaodong. His ancestor, Shigao, came to Luoyang with a prince of the Anxi Kingdom in the Han Dynasty. After the Wei and Jin Dynasties, he settled in Liaodong to escape the turmoil of war. His father, Qu, served as a General of the Palace Attendants under Murong Wei. Later, when General Fu Jian defeated Murong Wei, Qu's friend Gongsun Juan's sister was taken into the palace by Fu Jian and later given to Liu Kuren as a wife. Liu Kuren doted on her. An Tong chose to stay and serve Taizu after recognizing his governance abilities. An Tong was upright, diligent, intelligent, and wise, and enjoyed seeking advice from elders.
In the early days of the founding of the dynasty, Taizu recruited soldiers from Murong Chui, as noted in the "Kuduo Biography." An Tong was often sent to convey orders and was highly favored and appointed as a senior official, granted access to the palace like the nobility, and took turns managing various affairs. Taizu rewarded his achievements, and An Tong was rewarded with wives, concubines, thirty slaves, two horses, fifty sheep, and was subsequently appointed as General Guangwu.
Later, following Emperor Taizu to Chai Wall to attack Yao Ping, Yao Xing led troops to rescue Yao Ping. Emperor Taizu reinforced the encirclement against Yao Xing. An Tong suggested, "I have been ordered to go to Jiangzhou to supervise tax collection. I noticed a pit on the east bank of the Fen River, over three hundred li in length, with no road passing through. If Yao Xing comes, he will definitely come from the west side of the Fen River, taking the high ground and heading straight for Chai Wall. In this way, the enemy will be connected inside and out, making it hard to hold our ground. We should build two pontoon bridges at the bend of the Fen River and build fortifications on the west bank. Once the defenses on the west side are strong, the enemy will be left with no options." Emperor Taizu accepted his suggestion. As a result, Yao Xing helplessly watched as Yao Ping was defeated without being able to come to his aid. Because of his effective strategy, An Tong was appointed as the Marquis of Beixin and promoted to General of Anyuan. Later, the Emperor ordered An Tong to send Yao Xing's officers, including the cavalry captain Tang Xiaofang, to Chang'an.
When Prince Qinghe rebelled, Emperor Taizong was away from the capital. He sent a message to Li Jing in the middle of the night, urging him to quickly rally skilled craftsmen from across the nation, and everyone responded positively, showing their support for the Emperor.
After Emperor Taizong ascended the throne, he assigned Li Jing and Zhangsun Song to handle the people's legal disputes. Later, he ordered Li Jing and He Hu to go to Bingzhou together, assess the local conditions, listen to their grievances, and investigate the officials who did not follow the law. When Li Jing arrived in Bingzhou, he reported, "I found that many officials in Bingzhou do not follow the laws, and the governor even appointed the needle craftsman Gu Tong as the magistrate of Jinyang without proper authorization. They are colluding, embezzling, and accepting bribes. I request that they be punished according to the law." Emperor Taizong agreed, and from then on, the bureaucracy in Bingzhou became honest and upright.
Li Jing walked east from Jingxing Pass to Julu, drafting one person from every four households in the area to construct Daling Mountain and open Tianmen Pass; he also built a military stronghold in Songzi to stabilize the local counties. Because Li Jing was deeply trusted by the people, someone reported him for constructing fortifications and gathering troops, planning a major undertaking. Emperor Taizong believed that Li Jing had acted independently in conscripting laborers, so he had him brought back to the capital in a prisoner cart and called a meeting with the ministers to discuss his offenses. The ministers all said, "Li Jing acted on his own, burdening the people and wasting resources; he deserves severe punishment to set an example." However, Emperor Taizong believed that while Li Jing acted without permission, his intentions were for the good of the country and he meant no harm, so he released him.
During Emperor Shizu's regency, he took charge of state affairs and appointed Li Jing as the Left Assistant. When Emperor Taizong was campaigning in Henan, he appointed Li Jing as the Right Grand Minister of Rites. When Emperor Shizu was stationed at the northern border, Li Jing remained in the capital with Prince Anding. After Emperor Shizu ascended the throne, he promoted Li Jing's title to Duke of Gaoyang and appointed him as a Grand Minister of Rites. Soon after, he appointed him as General of the Eastern Campaign and Governor of Jizhou and Qingzhou. Li Jing's eldest son, Li Qu, was responsible for managing the granary during Emperor Taizong's reign and stole several measures of rice from the government, planning to use it to show filial piety to his parents. Li Jing was very angry and requested that Li Qu be executed, also blaming himself for not educating his son properly and requesting punishment. Emperor Taizong appreciated his integrity and ultimately decided to pardon Li Qu, even ordering additional rice to be given to Li Jing. Li Jing was known for his integrity and commitment to the law, which defined his character.
Li Jing, during his time as an official, was known for his sharp discernment and was skilled in military training, with a strict family upbringing that earned him the admiration of the public. When he served in Jizhou, he grew older and accumulated a significant amount of wealth, leading to extensive construction of temples and pagodas, causing great hardship for the common folk. In the second year of the Shenlong era, Li Jing passed away and was posthumously granted the title of Prince Gaoyang, with the posthumous name of Gonghui. His son, Li Qu, rose to the position of Assistant Minister of the Imperial Guard and was granted the title of Beixinzi.
As for Qu Diyuan, he was a rather serious person with great courage and a clever mind. When Emperor Taizong was on the throne, he held the position of hunting officer and later became the military governor of Yunchong. At that time, Helian Qugai stirred up trouble in Hexi, and Qu Diyuan led a charge with dozens of cavalrymen and directly took down more than ten enemies. Taizong thought he had underestimated the enemy and reprimanded him for not following orders. However, Taizong also recognized his bravery and skill in battle, so he permitted him to remain a general in charge of defending Yunchong. Qu Diyuan was generous and benevolent to his subordinates, gaining their unwavering support. The Rouran tribes frequently invaded the borders, but Qu Diyuan consistently defeated them decisively. Due to his great achievements, he was bestowed the title of Marquis of Wuyuan and was also appointed as General of Lu Bing.
Later, Emperor Shizu of Tang ascended the throne and summoned him back to the court, where he became the Minister of the Imperial Chariots. On one occasion, the emperor personally led an expedition against the Rouran at Datan. The army was divided into five routes to attack simultaneously, which made the Rouran flee north in fear. Later, Qu Diyan was promoted again, taking on the roles of Left Minister and Duke of Hejian, and was also given the titles of Palace Attendant and General Who Conquers the South. He followed the emperor to fight against Helian Chang, capturing Helian Chang's city before returning. On another occasion, when the emperor launched a northern expedition, the Rouran once again fled. Shizu learned that the Gaoju people in the east were at Sinipei, where they had many people and livestock, and wanted to send troops to ambush them. Other generals thought it would be too difficult and advised the emperor not to proceed, but Shizu ignored their counsel. He sent Qu Diyan and Palace Attendant Gu Bi with ten thousand cavalry to attack, resulting in a significant victory and a triumphant homecoming. Later, when the emperor went to Changli, Qu Diyan stayed with Prince Jianing, Chong, to garrison in the southern desert to defend against the Rouran.
Qu Diyuan was originally unmatched in the court, but relying on the emperor's favoritism, he became arrogant and oppressive. He sought to marry his son to the daughter of Lu Yuan from Xiangcheng, but Lu Yuan refused. Qu Diyuan then accused Lu Yuan, and the situation escalated and remained unresolved. Worried about his own downfall, Qu Diyuan contemplated rebellion, but the plot was exposed, and he was executed. Before his death, he submitted a memorial stating: “I've heard that a wise ruler doesn’t govern alone, and a tripod does not stand on a single leg; thus, the light of fireflies still adds to the brilliance of the sun and moon. My late father, in accordance with the sage's will, devoted himself to the founding emperor, exerting his utmost sincerity and strength in times of danger. I, being dim-witted, am honored to serve the state. Your Majesty's grace nurtures me, entrusting me with court affairs, hoping to express my humble sincerity in return for your kindness, yet Lu Yuan, with his treachery, concocts schemes, and thus he faced the wrath of heaven, resulting in the destruction of his entire family. This is fate, not my wrongdoing. However, Lu Yuan outwardly appears loyal and steadfast while harboring treachery within; trusting him with your innermost thoughts could lead to trouble. Lu Yuan and I are enemies in life and ghosts in death, not out of personal vendetta, but to reveal Lu Yuan's deceit. I do not wish to linger, but to reveal my true intentions.”
My elder brother is named Xie, and his younger brother is named Cong, who serves as an inner servant in the palace. Cong's younger brother is named Sa, who rose to the rank of Longxiang General and also served as the Yellow Gate Attendant; the emperor even bestowed upon him the title of Marquis of Guangzong. My elder brother and his siblings appear very frugal on the surface, but secretly they have accumulated quite a fortune. After the execution of the empress, their family's property was found to be worth tens of thousands!
Xie is particularly clever and strategic, fully inheriting his father's virtues. When Emperor Taizong first ascended the throne, he appointed him Chief Inner Servant, responsible for investigating and selecting court officials. He confronted treachery head-on, even reported some of his father's wrongdoings to Emperor Taizong. The emperor regarded him as loyal and upright, and favored him greatly.
Wang Xijin of Yicheng pursued Helian Chang from Chang'an to Anding. At that time, Jie held the position of supervising military officer. Many of Xijin's horses died of illness, and the soldiers were also lacking in food, so they dug deep trenches, strengthened their defenses, and defended the city fiercely. He sent the steward Qiu Dui and others to collect food from the people, but they were defeated by Helian Chang. Helian Chang became even more arrogant and every day he would come to harass us, raiding for forage and livestock; even the herdsmen could not go out, and the soldiers were suffering greatly.
Jie advised Xijin, saying, "We were ordered to suppress the rebels, but now we are retreating to a lone city. Even if we aren't killed by the bandits, we could face execution under military law. It's a dilemma; is there any way out? Yet you, my lord, and the other generals seem so relaxed and carefree, without any strategy. How can we repay the court's favor and complete the mission?" Xijin said, "If we go to battle now, our horses are not enough, and infantry fighting cavalry will definitely not win. We must wait for cavalry reinforcements from the capital; then infantry will fight on the inside line, while cavalry will attack from the outside. This is our best option."
Jie said, "Now the strong enemy is roaming outside, and our troops and horses are tired. The soldiers are all starving and emaciated. If we don't fight right away, we could die at any moment. What hope do we have for reinforcements? Rather than waiting to die, why not fight? Are we going to sit and wait to be trapped to death?" Xijin still used the excuse of insufficient horses. Jie said, "Although we have insufficient troops and horses now, the horses the generals ride can still muster up to two hundred cavalry. I propose we recruit some brave soldiers to take the offensive. Even if we cannot defeat the enemy, we can still dampen their spirits. Moreover, Helian Chang is hot-tempered and lacks strategy; he loves a challenge, and everyone knows him. If we set an ambush and strike suddenly, we can catch him off guard!" Xijin still hesitated.
Xie secretly conferred with Wei Juan and others, choosing cavalry to lie in wait for the opportune moment. He Lianchang launched an attack on the camp, and Xie led his troops out to confront the enemy. He Lianchang personally charged to the front lines to fight, and the soldiers recognized him and rushed towards him in a frenzy. Suddenly, a fierce wind sprang up, whipping up dust and turning day into night, causing chaos among the soldiers and forcing He Lianchang to withdraw. Xie and the others seized the moment to pursue, and He Lianchang's horse was startled and fell, enabling Xie to capture He Lianchang alive and escort him to the capital. Emperor Shizu of Northern Wei was very pleased, appointing Xie as General Jianjie, granting him the title of Duke of Xiping, and appointing him to succeed Qiu Dui as commander of the armies. Xi Jin, feeling ashamed for not receiving credit for the achievements, recklessly pursued He Lianchang's brother to Pingliang, which ultimately led to his defeat. As they prepared to launch another attack on Chang'an, the court ordered Xie to garrison at Pusong to fend off Xi Jin.
Emperor Wen of Song, Liu Yilong, sent generals to Dao Yanzhi to command troops in an attack on Henan, intending to support He Lian Ding. Tuoba Tao (Shizu), facing a shortage of troops, led the soldiers from three counties in Henan across the Yellow River. Dao Yanzhi established defenses along the southern bank, extending to Hengguan. Tuoba Tao advanced westward to confront He Lian Ding, appointing Tuoba Xie as General of Champions to lead the various armies against Dao Yanzhi. Dao Yanzhi dispatched the general Yao Zongfu across the Yellow River to attack Yeshan, but Tuoba Xie led his troops to defeat him, decapitating over three thousand soldiers, with many more fleeing by jumping into the river. He then crossed the Yellow River and attacked Luoyang, capturing more than twenty of Liu Yilong's generals and decapitating five thousand soldiers. Next, he assaulted Hulao, breaching the city, resulting in the death of Liu Yilong's governor of Sizhou, Yin Chong, who fell from the city walls. Together with Wang Sima Chuzhi, he captured Huatai, taking prisoner Liu Yilong's generals Zhu Xiuzhi, Li Yuande, and Dongjun's governor Shen Mu, along with over ten thousand captives. After that, he returned to the capital.
In the fourth year of the Shenwu period, Tuoba Jue passed away. He was posthumously granted the title of General of the Southern Conquest and the position of Yitong San Si, elevated to the rank of king, and given the posthumous name Xiang. When Tuoba Jue was a general, he was very good at comforting soldiers, and every soldier in Liu Yilong's ranks mourned his passing.
His younger brother, Yue Zhe, served as the governor of Yueling during the reign of Emperor Taizong. He later passed away.
His eldest son, Tuoba Guo, rose to the rank of Champion General, was bestowed the title of Marquis of Beiping, and served as the commander of Xingcheng.
Tuoba Guo's younger brother, Tuoba Nan, was exceptionally talented. Wang Du Chao of Yangping frequently launched campaigns against Liu Yilong, and Tuoba Nan participated in the military campaign against the south, earning merit and being appointed governor of Qinghe. During the reign of Emperor Shizong, various generals often campaigned against Long, and Tuoba Nan was appointed Chief Historian. He excavated mountains and filled valleys, achieving both efficiency and reduced labor. He was later promoted to the position of Grand Councilor. When he followed the emperor on a southern expedition, he built a floating bridge over the river, and due to his contributions, he was granted the title of Ziqinghe. He later passed away.
His son, Tuoba Pingcheng, inherited the title and reached the position of Yu Cao Ling. He was later murdered by Yihun.
Lou Fulian was from the state of Dai, and his family had been tribal leaders for generations. Fulian was known for his honesty and sincerity, along with strong leadership skills. At just thirteen, he succeeded his father as tribal leader.
Initially, he accompanied Emperor Taizu to defeat the Helan tribe, then helped pacify Zhongshan, and was appointed governor, and executed the rebel Zhang Qiao. Later, he participated in the battle at Chaibi, defeating Yao Ping, and for his military achievements, he was granted the title of Marquis of Anyi. During Emperor Taizu's reign, he became the General of Jin troops and the Inspector of Bingzhou.
Fu Lian was still very powerful. He subdued the Hu people in the Xihe region, including Cao Cheng and more than seventy others. Together, they attacked and killed the guards of Helian Qujitujing and over three hundred soldiers, and captured more than two hundred households of rebellious Hu people. Emperor Taizong greatly appreciated him, appointing Cao Cheng and others as generals and granting them the title of marquess. Later, the court summoned Fu Lian to serve as a high-ranking court official in the capital.
After Emperor Shizong ascended the throne, Fu Lian was promoted to the Duke of Guangling, then transferred to the position of Commander of the Guards, and later to Grand Minister of Works. When Emperor Shizong campaigned against the Rouran, Fu Lian remained in the capital and was promoted to King, and appointed as Grand General of Pacification in the South. He was granted the power of acting as a regent, commanding the armies across the western regions, serving as Grand General Who Guards the West, and leading troops to guard the area. He passed away in the tenth year of Zhenjun, posthumously granted the title Duke Gong.
His son, Fu Zhen, inherited his title, but his title was downgraded to Duke. Fu Zhen also followed Emperor Shizong in military campaigns, earning numerous military honors and rising through the ranks to the position of Cavalier In Regular Attendance, Prefect, and General Who Pacifies the North. Later, he was reassigned the title of Duke of Xiangdong. He once followed the army in a campaign against Liangzhou and died on the way back, posthumously granted the title Duke Zhuang.
Fu Zhen's son, Fu Gan, inherited his title but was demoted to Marquis. Fu Zhen's younger brother, Fu Daba, rose through the ranks to the position of Prefect, Cavalier In Regular Attendance, and General Who Conquers the West, and was granted the title of Marquis of Yongping. In the early reign of Emperor Gaozu, he served as a senior official in the capital. After his death, he was posthumously elevated to General Who Pacifies the East and Governor of Dingzhou, honored with the posthumous title Kang.
Fu Bing, the son of Fu Daba, styled Fasheng, inherited his father's title. He was appointed as the Grand Minister of the Crown Prince's Palace, and later gradually rose to become the Governor of Zhao Commandery. After his term ended, he returned to the capital and was appointed as the Champion General and Captain of the Gates. Later, he served as the General of Pacifying the Barbarians and the General of Pingcheng. He was later promoted to the Governor of Shuozhou, still serving as the General of Pacifying the Barbarians. He then returned to the capital and served as the Deputy Commandant of the Guard. He passed away at the age of fifty-eight, posthumously granted the title of General Who Calms the Military and the Inspector of Hengzhou.
Fu Guizong, the son of Fu Bing, served as General Fu Bo and Military Advisor to the Imperial Household during the Wuding era.
Sun Anwen, the grandson of Fu Lian's brother, followed the army to campaign against Pingliang, distinguished himself in military campaigns, and was conferred the title of Lord of Bache, later promoted to Third Rank General. After his death, the Emperor posthumously honored him as General Who Pacifies the East, the Inspector of Jizhou, and the Duke of Yangping, with the posthumous title of Ding.
Old Li, as he climbed the ranks, first served as Chamberlain, then as Cavalier Attendant, and the Emperor also appointed him as the Duke of Changshan and also appointed him as General Who Pacifies the South. He was later promoted to Right Chief Minister of the Masters of Writing. Because he captured the rebel Liang Zhongbao, the Emperor also granted him the title of Palace Attendant without changing his original position. However, he was later demoted one rank in accordance with regulations, becoming a Marquis. He was then assigned to Dingzhou as the Inspector, with the title of Commissioner and General Who Guards the East.
Once the Tai Chi Hall was completed, the emperor planned to hold a grand sacrificial ceremony and summoned all his ministers. However, heavy snow began to fall, preventing the ceremony from taking place. The emperor said, "I have put in great effort to build this main hall and prepared for a grand ceremony, calling upon all the officials. Yet, it just had to snow heavily, and I feel quite troubled; I could not align with the will of heaven. This is my fault, but where did I go wrong? Gentlemen, please share your thoughts and help me think of a solution." Minister Li knelt down and said, "Wind, frost, rain, and snow are all natural phenomena; summer brings rain, and winter brings snow, which are normal changes of the four seasons. It's perfectly normal for it to snow in winter. The 'Book of Rites' states: 'If clothing gets soaked by rain, the ceremony should be halted.' This has been the case since ancient times, so there is nothing strange about it." The emperor replied, "In Liu Xiu's time, when he wanted to cross a river, he could summon wind and rain to freeze the waters. It's just that my virtue doesn't compare to that of the ancients, so I cannot invoke the heavens." Later, Minister Li was transferred to be the governor of Liangzhou, in charge of military affairs in Liangzhou, Hezhou, and Shanshan Town. When the emperor was preparing to march south, Minister Li wrote a letter of advice, saying, "I have heard that Your Majesty intends to lead a great army south to attack Jingzhou and Yangzhou, pacifying the people north of the Huai River and unifying the Ouyue region. However, I believe, perhaps foolishly, that now is not the time to deploy troops. Why? Because the capital has just been relocated, and the people have only recently settled down; both public and private matters are just beginning, and everything is in disarray, with the people's lives being difficult. Moreover, the harvests have been poor in recent years, and most of the people are hungry. Even a slight disturbance could trigger a popular uprising. The ways of heaven are deep and unpredictable; we should adapt to the circumstances, recuperate, and delay military action while waiting for the right moment." The emperor replied, "Opportunities do not come on their own; they are created by people. This year's situation is different from previous years, and waiting for a hare to come to you is no longer a viable strategy. Now is the right time to use military force; how could you possibly understand this?" In the twenty-first year of Taihe, Minister Li passed away. The emperor bestowed upon him two hundred thousand coins and two hundred bolts of cloth.
Qiu Dui, a native of Dai County, was handsome and dignified, loyal and cautious, and highly trusted by the emperor. After Emperor Taizong ascended the throne, he was appointed as a historian and served by the emperor's side, gradually rising to the position of Cavalry Attendant. He also participated in the campaign against the Shanhu tribe together with Shusun Jian.
Later, when Liu Yu led his troops on a western expedition, the court ordered Qiu Dui and Shusun Jian to defend against enemy incursions in the Fangtou region of Henei. After Yao Hong was defeated, Qiu Dui was left to guard Bingzhou. Helian Quji sent three thousand cavalry to attack Hexi, prompting Qiu Dui to leave Bingzhou and, together with guerrilla general Wang Luosheng, repel them. For his achievements, Qiu Dui was granted the title of marquis.
When Emperor Gaozu of Tang was regent, Qiu Dui, along with Grand Commandant Mu Guan and others, served as assisting ministers. After Emperor Taizong ascended the throne, Qiu Dui was promoted to Marquis of Linhuai, also receiving the title of General Who Guards the West, and later transferred to the position of Grand Minister of Ceremonies.
During Emperor Gaozu's campaign against Helian Chang, Qiu Dui and Prince of Changshan Su led thirty thousand infantry to cover the rear. After Helian Chang was defeated and fled south, Emperor Taizong sent Qiu Dui and Zong Zheng Eqing to lead five thousand cavalry to recover lost territories in Guanzhong. Several city defenders under Helian Chang refused to surrender, but Qiu Dui and Eqing together captured these cities. The court ordered Qiu Dui to return, but Prince Yicheng Xijin requested in a memorial to allow Qiu Dui and others to continue pacifying Helian Chang, which the emperor consented to.
Qiu Dui and General Feng Li of the volunteer army joined forces to confront Helian Chang. However, the army lacked provisions, so Qiu Dui and Feng Li had to requisition supplies from the common people. As a result, the soldiers plundered everywhere, giving Helian Chang the opportunity to launch a surprise attack, resulting in a major defeat. Qiu Dui only managed to escape back to the city with a few hundred cavalry. Xi Jin went to pursue Helian Ding, leaving Qiu Dui to guard the supplies. However, Xi Jin was captured by Helian Ding, and upon hearing this, Qiu Dui abandoned his armor and fled to Chang'an, taking King Gao Liang Li with him to Pupan.
Emperor Taizong of Tang was furious and ordered Xiping Gong An Jie to kill Qiu Dui. During the Yanhe period, the court decreed, "Qiu Dui was a pillar of the country, who achieved great military exploits during the reign of the previous emperor. He was defeated in the Western Expedition, and this was in accordance with military law. The country has now revoked his sacrifices, and we are deeply saddened. He is posthumously granted the title of Marquis of Huailin and promoted to the rank of Anyuan General." Later, Qiu Dui's son, Qiu Lin, inherited the title and served as the commander of the Jia Department, the commander of Xiaqiu Town, was awarded the title of Pingnan General, enfeoffed as Duke of Donghai, and later promoted to Governor of Dongyanzhou, where he eventually died.
E Qing hailed from Daijun. He showed military talent at a young age and accumulated many military achievements, gradually rising to the rank of Zhenwei General. Later, Liu Yu sent General Zhu Chaoshi to attack Pingyuan, but they were repelled and fled at the riverside. E Qing and Zhangsun Daosheng pursued them, reaching the riverbank and capturing Zhu Chaoshi's general, Yang Feng. Upon returning, E Qing was appointed as a Yellow Gate Attendant. Prior to this, the people living along the riverbanks in three states often posed threats to the local populace. The court ordered E Qing to relocate them to Pingcheng. E Qing was skilled at pacifying the people, and the relocated individuals felt as if they were returning home.
Emperor Taizong made a southern tour to Ye City, appointing E Qing as General of the Central Army, and crossed the Yellow River with General Zhou Ji and others to attack the enemy forces. Upon reaching Huluk, the local Gaoche gathered in the woods and marshes, using bows and arrows to resist the imperial troops. E Qing and his men killed several thousand people and captured more than ten thousand. E Qing was bestowed the title of Marquis of Xuchang. E Qing and Zhou Ji continued to garrison at Fangtou. During the early years of Emperor Shizu's reign, E Qing returned to the capital from Fangtou and was appointed as the temporary General for the Southern Campaign, later promoted to Duke of Dongping.
The Ruanruan migrated south to the desert, and E Qing, along with Prince Pingyang Changsun Han, set out from the eastern route to campaign against them, achieving significant victories before returning. E Qing was appointed as the Minister of Rites. Soon after, he subsequently participated in the campaign against the Ruanruan again. He then took part in the pacification of Tongwan and later pursued Helian Chang to Anding alongside Xi Jin, facing off against Helian Chang. When An Jie captured Helian Chang, Helian Chang's brother Dingxi fled, and Xi Jin pursued him. E Qing wanted to find a place to replenish water before returning, but Xi Jin disagreed, which led to both being captured by Dingxi. After Emperor Shizu conquered Pingliang, E Qing was finally able to return.
Later, the court commanded E Qing to garrison in Bingzhou and campaign against the Shanhu led by Bai Long, killing Bai Long's father and his generals, and then sacked the city. E Qing was promoted to General of Pingdong and, along with Gu Bi and others, launched an eastern expedition against Feng Wentong. Due to E Qing's lack of aggression in battle, Feng Wentong fled to Goryeo, and E Qing was taken back to the capital in a prisoner cart, demoted to a gatekeeper, and eventually died at home.
His son E Yan attained the position of Assistant Gentleman of the Imperial Guard and was conferred the title of Duke of Nanping.
Liu Ni hails from Daijun. His surname is Dugu. His great-grandfather Dugu Dun served the founding emperor and was a prominent local figure. His father Dugu Lou was a champion general and was posthumously appointed as the governor of Bingzhou. As a young man, Liu Ni was strong, courageous, and skilled in archery. Emperor Wen admired him and appointed him as a Yulin Cavalry Commander, bestowed upon him the title of Changguozi, and promoted him to Zhenwei General.
Zong Ai secretly killed the Prince of Nan'an, and only Ni was aware of it. Ni advised Zong Ai to support Gao Zong as the emperor. Zong Ai felt guilty about Emperor Jingmu and was shocked, saying, "You must be joking! If we crown the crown prince, will he forget what happened during the Zhengping era?" Ni asked, "Then who do you want to crown?" Zong Ai said, "Once we're back at the palace, I'll choose a capable prince." Ni was afraid that Zong Ai would change his mind, so he secretly told the Minister of the Palace, Yuan He. Yuan He was on duty with Ni at the time. The two discussed their concerns with Lu Li, the Minister of the Southern Region, saying, "Zong Ai first supported the Prince of Nan'an and then killed him. Now we can't crown the crown prince; we need to heed the people's wishes, or the country will descend into chaos! What should we do?" Lu Li said, "The only option is to secretly crown the crown prince!"
Thus, Minister Yuan He and General Changsun Kehou kept their troops on high alert, while Ni and Lu Li went to the garden to welcome Emperor Gaozong. Lu Li helped Emperor Gaozong onto a horse and entered the capital. Ni quickly ran back to the Eastern Temple, shouting loudly, “Zong Ai has killed the Prince of Nan'an, which is a great act of treason! The imperial grandson has ascended the throne, and there is a decree! All soldiers on duty can return to the palace!” Everyone shouted "Long live!" together. Yuan He and Changsun Kehou captured Zong Ai, Jia Zhou, and others, entered the palace, and brought Emperor Gaozong to the palace gate, then entered Yong'an Hall. Emperor Gaozong appointed Ni as the Minister of Internal Affairs, promoted him to Duke of Jianchang, and further promoted him to Cavalry Commandant and General of Annan, and again elevated him to Duke of Dong'an. Later, he was promoted to Right Minister of the Cabinet, added as an Inner Attendant, and finally conferred as a prince.
Later, he was appointed General of the Southern Expedition and Governor of Dingzhou. He served as an official in the province with integrity and caution, but he had a particular fondness for drinking, often getting drunk, and attended to very few administrative matters. He was later recalled to the court to serve as Minister of the Palace and Inner Attendant, and received a special promotion. When Emperor Gaozong was near death, he was promoted to Minister of State. After Emperor Xianzhu ascended the throne, he held great respect for Ni due to his significant contributions to the previous dynasty and rewarded him with thirty households. In the fourth year of Huangxing, the emperor launched a northern expedition and personally swore an oath to the soldiers, while Ni was drunk, and the army was also disorganized. Emperor Xianzhu, taking his contributions into account, only relieved him of his official position without punishing him. In the fourth year of Yanxing, he died. His son Du Sheng inherited his title and served as General of Ningshuo and Infantry Commandant during the reign of Emperor Shizong. He died in the early years of Xiping and was posthumously honored as General Longxiang and Governor of Shuozhou, with the posthumous title "Ke."
Xi Juan was from Dai County. He had military talent from a young age. During the reign of Emperor Taizu, he distinguished himself with numerous military exploits. By the time of Emperor Taizong, he became a Minister and was also granted the titles of Acting General of Annan and Commander of Hulao Town, and the bandits feared him greatly.
When Emperor Shizong first ascended the throne, Xi Juan served as the Minister of the Central Military and the Chief Minister of the Capital, once again guarding Hulao Pass. He was granted the title of Duke of Nanyang and was additionally appointed as the envoy with special command authority, Palace Attendant, and military commander overseeing the affairs of Yuzhou, Luozhou, and the Hanoi region, with the title of General Who Pacifies the South, which granted him the authority to establish a government office. Not long after, he was reassigned to guard Chang'an. When Emperor Shizong inspected Meiji, he ordered Xi Juan to lead the army to jointly attack the mountain barbarians of Xihe, referred to as the White Dragon, which resulted in a decisive victory, breaking through the White Dragon's city, decapitating thousands of their foes, and capturing their women and children.
After Emperor Shizong pacified Guzang, he sent Xi Juan to attack the brother of Juqu Mukian, who had unlawfully assumed the position of Governor of Zhangye, Yide. Yide fled to Jiuquan, and the Governor of Jiuquan, Juqu Wuhui, also fled with Yide to Gaochang. Xi Juan captured both cities in a single sweep. Later, Juqu Tianzhou occupied Jiuquan, and Xi Juan launched another campaign to pacify the area, capturing over four thousand men and women. When Emperor Shizong launched a campaign against the Ruanruan, he appointed Xi Juan as Minister and ordered him to lead a detachment to attack via a different route, agreeing to meet at Luhun Sea. However, Xi Juan and other generals, including King Chen of Zhongshan, were delayed, which led to their execution in Dunang, and their titles were revoked.
Che Yiluo was a Hu from Yanqi. His family had long been tribal leaders on the eastern frontier, consistently paying tribute without fail. Emperor Shizong appreciated his loyalty, and during the Yanhe years, appointed him as General Who Pacifies the West, granted him the title of King of the Front, and bestowed upon him one hundred bolts of silk, one hundred pounds of cotton, a set of embroidered garments, a gold belt, and boots and a hat. Che Yiluo was delighted and intended to return to Chang'an to pay his respects to the emperor.
As a result, Juqu Wuhui blocked his way, and Che Yiluo fought and defeated Juqu Wuhui. At that time, Juqu Wuhui was killed, and his brother Juqu Anzhou seized control of the military forces from Juqu Wuhui's son Qianshou, seeking to command his troops. Che Yiluo sent envoys to persuade and recruit, and Qianshou and others brought over five hundred households to join him. Che Yiluo sent them to the capital. He also managed to recruit Li Bao's brother Li Qin and over fifty others, sending them to Dunhuang. Che Yiluo also led more than two thousand men to attack Gaochang, capturing over two hundred captives, along with thousands of camels and horses, and presented one hundred jin of gold.
Initially, Yiluo went to conquer Yanqi, leaving his son Xie to guard the city. Anzhou took advantage of the situation to surround Xie from three directions and even sent people to tell Xie, "Your father has surrendered to Da Wei; you better surrender quickly, and we will give you a noble title!" Xie refused to surrender and fought them several times. With no reinforcements arriving, Anzhou eventually breached the city, causing Xie to flee in search of Yiluo. Yiluo gathered over a thousand scattered civilians and returned to Yanqi Town. The emperor was very pleased. In the first year of the Zhengping era, the emperor proclaimed, "Though still young, Xie showed remarkable loyalty and righteousness in defending the city. I greatly admire him. Let him come to the capital!" Yiluo then allowed Xie to bring his brother Poli and more than ten others to the capital.
In the second year of the Zhengping era, Yiluo went to court in the capital, and the emperor rewarded him with wives, concubines, servants, land, and livestock, and appointed him as General. In the second year of Xing'an, Yiluo passed away. The emperor posthumously appointed him as the Grand General of Zhenxi, the Inspector of Qinzhou, bestowed upon him the title of King of Kang, and rewarded him with five hundred pieces of silk, various fabrics, and twenty-seven sets of clothes. His funeral was conducted according to the standards of high-ranking officials from the ancient Lu Lu period.
Xie inherited his title. During the Huangxing era, he was appointed as an envoy with special authority, General of Pacifying the West, and Governor of Yuzhou. In the third year of the Yanxing era, Xie passed away. His son Bozhu inherited the title.
Boli was granted the title of General of Lijie and Marquis of Music Officials in the second year of the Tianxing era. He passed away in the third year of Huangxing, and his nephew Luodu inherited his title.
Su Shi, from Shuofang, was the great-grandson of Wen Chen, the younger brother of Helian Qujie. In the second year of the Tianxing era, Wen Chen and his son returned to the capital, and Emperor Taizu was very pleased, marrying him to a royal princess, bestowing him with dozens of slaves, and appointing him as a general. His ancestor, Dou Gen, was granted the surname Su during the reign of Emperor Taizong and inherited the title of General. His father was named Ta Gan, who served as a commander of the Tiger Guard during the reign of Emperor Shizong. He followed the emperor to pacify Pingliang, earned military honors, and was conferred the title of General of Tiger Might and Gentleman Attendant, and also granted the title of Marquis of Hanan. He was later promoted to the rank of Zhongsan Dafu, and then to Ge Shi Zhong, while also serving in the Ministry of Works. He followed the emperor to campaign against Helong and was rewarded with seventeen households of slaves for his achievements. In the fourth year of the Zhenjun era, he followed the emperor to fight the Ruanruan, where he died on the battlefield. Emperor Shizong was deeply saddened and ordered a search for Ta Gan's son. At that time, Su Shi was just eleven years old, and after being summoned, he was sent home because of his young age.
At the age of thirteen, he inherited his father's title and was promoted to Junior Official of the Central Government. He followed the emperor to the Yangtze River and was appointed as General of Xuanwei. During the Xingguang era, he was promoted to Imperial Censor and appointed as Zhonglei General, with his title elevated to Caiyang Marquis, in charge of official matters. He later advanced to Director of Internal Affairs. Once, while hunting in the royal park with the emperor, Su Shi rode ahead of Emperor Gaozong, but because of the rough terrain, his horse stumbled, and he fell, remaining unconscious for quite some time. From then on, he developed his own riding techniques. Emperor Gaozong greatly appreciated him, rewarding him with 100 jin of cotton, fifty rolls of silk, a fine horse, and his title was changed to Yiyang Marquis. On one hunting occasion, Emperor Gaozong personally tried to shoot a tiger. Su Shi quickly reined in his horse to offer advice, leading the emperor to the plateau. Later, a tiger suddenly lunged and injured a man. The emperor proclaimed: "Su Shi is a loyal minister; he acted swiftly to rein in his horse and prevent harm from the tiger. From now on, even if he commits a crime, he will be pardoned and not held accountable." He was also rewarded with a fine horse.
He married Princess Shanggu and was appointed as the Duke's Deputy Commander. During the Tian'an era, he was promoted to Senior Attendant and Minister of Personnel Affairs, and his title was elevated to Duke of Taishan, serving as the Grand General of the Northern Central Road. He passed away in the first year of the Yanxing era. After his death, he was posthumously honored with the title of King of Taiyuan, with the posthumous name of Kang. His funeral was held according to the standards set for the King of Luling. During the Taihe era, his son Ni succeeded him in his title and served as the Imperial Censor in the Ministry of Rites.
Lai Daqian was the adopted child of another family. His father, Chuzhen, accompanied Emperor Taizu to escape the turmoil of war and traveled to Chihou Mountain, taking part in the founding of the dynasty. He attained the rank of General and Marquis of Wuyuan, and was granted special status in the Eight Discussions (a special privilege for high-ranking officials in ancient times). Daqian was brave and skilled in battle from a young age, excelling in horseback riding and archery, and became a Cavalry Commander. At the start of the Yongxing era, he inherited his father's title and was later promoted to the position of Zhongsan Dafu. During court ceremonies, Daqian would don his armor and wait on horseback outside the palace, and the court officials couldn't help but admire his imposing presence. He was later promoted to Inner Escort General, in charge of the palace guards and imperial troops. Daqian was known for his strict conduct, and both his superiors and subordinates held him in high regard. One time, while hunting with Emperor Taizong, he spotted a tiger perched on a high rock, and Daqian charged forward with his spear and took down the tiger. Emperor Taizong was greatly impressed by his bravery and appointed him as a palace official.
After Emperor Shizu ascended to the throne, he, along with Lu Yuan, Xiangcheng Gong, and others, were appointed as attendants, armed to guard the emperor day and night. When accompanying the emperor in his campaign against Helian Chang, he fought against the enemy with Chang Sun Daosheng. When Chang Sun Daosheng's horse was knocked down and he was attacked by the enemy, Daqian immediately rode to rescue him, causing the enemy to scatter. Daqian helped Chang Sun Daosheng up and put him on his horse, thus saving him from death. Daqian distinguished himself with remarkable military achievements during the campaign against the Rouran. Later, he was promoted to General of the North, bestowed the title of Duke of Luling, stationed in Yunzhong, and also in charge of military affairs in the Bai Dao region. Some northern minority tribes rebelled, and Daqian pursued and quelled the rebellion. During the Yanhe period, when the emperor launched a northern expedition, Daqian served as the vanguard and achieved a decisive victory over the enemy. Emperor Shizu appointed him as the governor of the Six Towns due to his bravery, repeated military achievements, and familiarity with the dangerous terrain of the northern border to guard against enemy invasions. Daqian's strategic planning was highly effective. Later, when the Tujing Hu people rebelled, the emperor appointed Daqian as General of the Capital and quelled the rebellion. Daqian passed away in Tujing, and his coffin was stopped at the south of Pingcheng on the way back. When Emperor Shizu returned from the palace and saw it, he inquired about the situation, and his attendants responded. Emperor Shizu sighed for a long time and issued a decree stating, "Daqian was loyal, brave, and dedicated; his contributions are commendable, and now his coffin is allowed to enter the city for burial." He was posthumously appointed as Sikong, with the posthumous title of Zhuang Gong.
His son Qiu Tui inherited the title, later demoted to Jin Xing Hou, and appointed as Anyuan General. He followed the emperor to Jiangzhou and was promoted to Right General. During the peaceful years, he was promoted to Zhongsan Dafu and then transferred to be the Minister of Cao Du. He passed away in the fourth year of Huangxing, posthumously appointed as General of Ningnan and Duke of Chenliu, with the posthumous title of Jian Gong. His son Xian inherited the title.
Qiu Tui's younger brother, Ti, held various positions including Jianyu Cao Geshi, Guanjun General, Yanzhou Governor, and Puyang Hou. He passed away in the tenth year of the Taihe era.
Let me tell you about Zhou Ji, a man from Daijun. His father, Zhou Qian, had made great contributions during the reign of the founding emperor and fell from grace, dying later. Zhou Ji was skilled in horseback riding and archery from a young age and worked as a hunter. After Emperor Taizong ascended the throne, Zhou Ji was appointed as an official in the palace, where he was responsible for the security of the imperial grounds and the management of the guards, performing his duties exceptionally well. He was later promoted to Minister of Works.
During the Shenlong period, there was a famine in Bingzhou, and many people went to Shandong to beg for food. The court sent Zhou Ji with troops to settle these refugees in Lukou, Boling. In the early years of Taichang, the people of Baijian and Xingtang refused to pay taxes due to their strategic locations. Zhou Ji and his colleague Longsun Daosheng explained to them the consequences of their actions, and as a result, those who evaded taxes returned. At that time, the rebel Hu people led by Zhai Mengque were killed in Linluo Mountain, but Zhai Mengque's remnants fled to Xingtang and Xiangguo. Zhou Ji led troops to pursue and eliminate them.
Later, Zhou Ji was appointed as General Ning Shuo and resisted the generals of Sima Dezong in the south, defeating Mao Dezhu in Tulou. Because of these military achievements, Zhou Ji was granted the title Marquis of Jiaozhi. Emperor Dezong believed that Zhou Ji was both wise and courageous, so he stationed him in Henan, where his reputation was greatly respected in the border regions. Zhou Ji was always critical of how the Xijin governed the Guanzhong region, believing they created chaos and lost the support of the common people. Whenever Zhou Ji brought up these issues, his serious expression and tone intimidated the Xijin. Later, Zhou Ji was promoted again and titled General of Song Bing. He led the governor of Luozhou, Li Di, with ten thousand troops to attack Shancheng, but he sadly passed away while on campaign, leaving his soldiers in deep mourning. Finally, Zhou Ji was buried in the capital. The court posthumously honored him as the Duke of Jiaochi and conferred the posthumous title Huan.
His son, Zhou Bu, succeeded him in title but also passed away later.
His grandson Zhou Anguo inherited his title. During the Taihe era, Zhou Anguo went to fight the Rouran, but ended up losing the battle and was convicted, and his title was stripped. Dou Daitian is quite a remarkable figure! During the reign of Emperor Taizong of Tang, he was selected to enter the palace as an imperial guard due to his excellent archery skills. Once, at the Battle of Hulao, the emperor ordered Dou Daitian to go up and shoot the enemy directly, and he never missed a shot, taking them all down! He also charged into battle alongside Xi Jin, as he was the first to storm the enemy camp, capturing three people including Liu Yilong's general, Mao Dezhu, as well as the Longshi and the Sima. For his outstanding contributions, he was promoted to Inner Sanlang.
Later, he followed the emperor to campaign against Helian Chang, winning battles all the way and chasing the enemy. When he chased to the gate of Helian Chang's palace, the gate was closed, but Dou Dai Tian boldly climbed over the wall and then climbed back out! Emperor Shizu heard about this and specially admired him, directly appointing him as a General of Valor. Later, he followed the emperor to pacify Changzhou, and because of his outstanding military achievements, the emperor rewarded him with fifteen maids, one hundred catties of gold, and one hundred catties of silver, which was quite a generous reward! During the Shenqiao era, he also participated in the war against the Rouran, and the emperor appointed him as Marquis of Guanzhong. Later, in the Battle of Pingliang, he defeated Helian Ding and captured Xi Jin and others. Emperor Shizu even rewarded him with Helian Ding's wife and forced Xi Jin to kneel and toast Dou Dai Tian! The emperor even said in front of Xi Jin, "You can save your life all thanks to the merits of Dou Dai Tian!" Afterwards, Dou Dai Tian's title was promoted to Marquis of Jingxing, and he was also appointed as the Cavalier Attendant, General of the Right Guard, and served as the commander of the Inner Capital. He also participated in the war against the Qiang and Long tribes, with great military achievements, and was promoted to Palace Secretary, with the emperor also rewarding him with sixty maids. Thanks to his numerous military accomplishments, he was eventually titled as Duke of Changguang, and also promoted to General of Pingdong. Later, he followed the emperor on a campaign to the south, holding the position of Grand Tutor to the Crown Prince, and was finally appointed as the Great General of Tongsan Town. He passed away during the Xing'an period and was posthumously honored with the titles of Palace Attendant, Grand General of Andong, and Prince of Changguang, with the posthumous title of Gong. His son, Dou Qiuzhou, also became an Imperial Attendant. When he followed the emperor to Jiangzhou, he was titled as a fifth-rank noble, later promoted to a marquis, and then succeeded his father in his title, eventually becoming the Minister of Personnel. He passed away in the second year of Huangxing, posthumously honored as Grand General of the North, Prince of Changguang, with the posthumous title of Jian. His son, Dou Duohou, succeeded him in his title.
Dou Zhouguan, also known as Dai Ren, was a remarkable figure. He was particularly brave and strong, volunteering to be the first to charge into battle each time. Due to his military achievements, he was promoted to the rank of military commander, and later promoted to military general. In a splendid battle, Emperor Helian Qugai was greatly pleased and bestowed upon him the title of Anchuanzi, promoted him, and appointed him as the general of Beizhen. Later, during the reign of Emperor Shizu, he accompanied the emperor in a campaign against the Rouran, achieving remarkable success, and was promoted to deputy general, stationed at Yunzhong. During the reign of Emperor Shen, he went to battle against the Rouran again, achieving a resounding victory, and was granted a higher title and made a marquis. He then followed the emperor in the campaign to pacify Liangzhou, and was further promoted to the title of Duke of Jincheng, with his official rank elevated to general. Later, he participated in the campaign to pacify the Lishi Hu, and the emperor awarded him the title of Cavalier Attendant. He was then transferred to serve as the town general of Gaoping. He was skilled at calming soldiers, earning him a great reputation. During the reign of Emperor Zhenjun, the emperor appointed him to lead five armies in a western campaign to Zhangye to fight against Tufa Baozhou. He relocated hundreds of households from Tufa Baozhou to the capital, but on the way to Wuwei, he secretly conspired with other generals to divide these people. When Emperor Shizu heard about this, he was furious and demoted him to the rank of Jincheng Marquis, and appointed him as a high-ranking official in the capital. Later, he was appointed as the General who Pacifies the South and the Inspector of Qinzhou, with his title restored to Duke of Jincheng. However, he failed to govern the region effectively, leading to a rebellion by the common people led by Xie Yongzong in Fenqu. He went to suppress Xie Yongzong, but was struck by an arrow and died. When Emperor Shizu arrived at Puban, he heard the emperor was coming, jumped out of bed in fright, aggravated his injuries and subsequently died. Emperor Shizu was furious and revoked his title. His son, Dou, initially held the rank of third-ranking official, but later rose to become a military general, ultimately dying in his post as the Prefect of Changle.
Lu Dafei was a Ruru chieftain. During the reign of Emperor Taizu, he and his brother Daini Beiyi surrendered to the Northern Wei with their clan. Emperor Taizu was very pleased and married Princess Huayin to him, also granting him the title of Grand Minister. Both he and his brother were regarded as honored guests by the emperor and were included in the Eight Great Discussions. After Emperor Taizong ascended the throne, he promoted him to a high-ranking official position in the inner court and further conferred upon him the title of Marquis. During the Shenrui era, he became a general and defeated the Yuelu tribe at Banashan. In the Tai Chang years, he again became a general, leading the imperial troops to fight the Ruru and capturing the towns of Gaoping and Jinxing, advancing all the way to Mount Tai. The emperor also appointed him as the envoy with special command and Duke of Xingyang, stationed in Chenru. After Emperor Shizong ascended the throne, he and Xi Jin mobilized troops from Yunchong to attack Datang, defeating them. He eventually returned to the capital and served as a high official in the inner court.
This fellow was initially assigned to Jizhou and Qingzhou as governor and was also granted the title of Duke of Xingyang. Not long after, he was recalled to the court and promoted to Special Advisor. He was then sent back to Jizhou and Qingzhou as governor again. After a while, he returned to the court to serve as a high official in the inner court. Later, he accompanied the court to campaign against Helian Chang, earning merit and formally receiving the title of Duke of Xingyang. After his first wife passed away, he married Princess Huoze. He then became a general and went to fight Datang, achieving a significant victory! On the way back, he arrived at Kehou Mountain and campaigned against the Eastern Gaoche at Sinipei. He later participated in the Battle of Pingliang, also earning considerable merit. The emperor originally intended to confer upon him the title of King Dafei, but he fell ill and died; after his death, he was posthumously granted the title of King of Zhongshan. His son, He, died young.
His younger brother Ling inherited the title and was sent to Qiu Pool as a town commander. He later died without having any sons. His other brother, Feng, inherited the title. While Gaozong was in power, Feng served as a senior official at court, and was later appointed General of the Southern Expedition, while also serving as Governor of Sizhou. He also passed away without leaving a son, and as a result, the title was lost.
Let's talk about Wei Bo. He hailed from Dai County. His father, Na, had served as the governor of Puyang. Wei Bo was an Imperial Academy student. Later, he responded to the call of Luo Niu, the governor of Yanzhou, to combat bandits in the Chenzhou and Ruzhou regions, where he distinguished himself and was granted the title of Marquis of Jiexiu. He subsequently took part in the campaign against Helong and was promoted to commander of the Tiger Ben troops, eventually rising to the rank of general commanding a thousand troops. He also joined Prince Pi of Le Ping in the campaign against Helong. Afterward, he was appointed as a general in Liangzhou to confront the Tuyuhun, capturing more than a thousand households. Later, a minor Tuyuhun general brought over three hundred households to surrender, but soon afterward, they rebelled again. Wei Bo led his troops in pursuit and captured them all. Due to this military achievement, he was promoted one rank. He was then promoted to the commander of Jin Chang, where he pacified the local populace and made notable political achievements. He later returned to court as a minister and was subsequently dispatched to Xingcheng as a town commander. He stayed in Xingcheng for nine years, winning the people's support, with over a thousand mountain households and more than eight hundred Lushui Hu households pledging allegiance to him. Emperor Gaozong rewarded Wei Bo with garments for his effective governance. After Emperor Xianzhu took the throne, Wei Bo was appointed as the commander of the northern expedition. He again took command, advancing south to attack Xuanhu, defeating the three thousand naval troops commanded by Zhu Zhan, a general of Liu Yu. He was appointed town commander of Xuanhu and was also given the title of honorary attendant, and his rank was elevated to Marquis of Ancheng. Emperor Xianzhu greatly appreciated his achievements and rewarded him with garments once again. He later rose to the position of General of Pacifying the South and governor of North Yuzhou. Later, in Luozhou, a man named Tian Zhidu gathered followers to conspire against the emperor, and the emperor ordered Wei Bo to lead the Yuzhou troops, alongside the governor of Luozhou, Qiu Dun, to quell the rebellion, capturing Tian Zhidu and escorting him to the capital. Wei Bo later passed away and was posthumously granted the title of General of Champion, receiving the posthumous name Jing Hou.
Lu Zhen was from Dai County. His father, Lu Luohou, had served as the Chief of Qinzhou. Lu Zhen excelled in horseback riding and archery from a young age. When the Northern Wei Emperor Taiwu, Tuoba Tao, first ascended to the throne, he was so impressed by Lu Zhen's incredible strength that he appointed him as an Inner Third Rank Official. He accompanied the emperor on numerous military campaigns, displaying exceptional bravery in battle and achieving significant military accomplishments, for which he was frequently rewarded.
During the reign of Emperor Zhen, Lu Zhen followed the emperor to suppress the Rouran. Due to his outstanding military achievements, he was granted the title of Marquis of Guannei (关内侯). Later, during the attack on Xuanhu, he ascended a high tower to shoot arrows into the city, hitting the target every time without missing. Liu Yilong dispatched the general Wang Xuanmo to lead tens of thousands of troops to attack Huatai, and Lu Zhen accompanied Emperor Taiwu to confront them. At night, he took only a few men and secretly infiltrated Wang Xuanmo's camp by boat, entered the city to calm the citizens, and even went up to the city wall to survey the enemy camp before returning to the opposite bank of the river. The following morning, Wang Xuanmo made a hasty retreat. Later, while pursuing the enemy to the Yangtze River, Lu Zhen defeated the enemy forces twice more and was appointed Jianwu General, with the fief of Shicheng. He then attacked Xuyi, where Lu Zhen also made significant contributions in this battle. Subsequently, he was promoted to the position of Director of the Imperial Granary, overseeing the Taicang.
After Emperor Gaozong ascended the throne, Lu Zhen was appointed as the Champion General and his title was elevated to Duke of Du Chang. He was later promoted to the position of Grand Commandant and Minister of Personnel. At that time, several thousand Dingling people rebelled, raiding Bingzhou and Dingzhou. Lu Zhen, along with the governor of Bingzhou, Qifu Chenglong, marched from the eastern side of Leping, and together with the governor of Dingzhou, Xu Chongzhi, they jointly suppressed the rebellion. Later, accompanying the emperor on an inspection tour of the East Sea, Lu Zhen was appointed as General of Ningxi. Not long after, he was promoted to General of Anxi and appointed commander of Chang'an, being granted the title of Duke of Jianping. A Hu chieftain named Heluosun rallied over a thousand followers to revolt in Shilou, and Lu Zhen led his troops to defeat them, killing more than five hundred. At that time, the court had just established Changshe Town, and Lu Zhen led the army to build the city walls. Before the construction was completed, the powerful Di chieftains, including Qiu Nuo Tan, staged a rebellion, resulting in a formidable rebel force. Lu Zhen led his troops to quell the rebellion, killing more than four thousand, and finally completed the construction of the walls of Changshe Town, returning in triumph.
Wang Daofu from Dongping instigated a rebellion in Chang'an, killing the governor of Yongzhou, Yu Xuanming, throwing the city into chaos. The emperor appointed his brother Zhen as the commander of Chang'an and conferred upon him the title of Duke of Henan. The soldiers and civilians of Chang'an already had great respect for his brother, and when he arrived in Chang'an, he pacified them, soothing the crowd's unrest.
In Xianyang, there was a common folk named Zhao Chang, who was appointed as the Dragon-Soaring General by Liu Yu. He stirred up the people of Huxian and Lixian to revolt, leading a few hundred people to occupy Chigu and start a rebellion. His brother, along with the Governor of Yongzhou, Liu Mai, managed to quell Zhao Chang, who escaped on horseback by himself. Later, two brothers from Huxian named Wang Zhi gathered over two thousand people and brought Zhao Chang back. People from Shiping, Shi'an, Chiyang, and Lingwu counties also joined in, and the group grew to over five thousand and occupied Zhigupu. The court ordered Prince Li Hui of Nanjun to lead six thousand troops to suppress Zhao Chang. Worried that the imperial army hadn't arrived yet and fearing Zhao Chang's growing power, his brother and Liu Mai went to attack Zhao Chang first. Zhao Chang resisted, but was defeated by his brother, leading to Zhao Chang's death and the deaths of over three thousand rebels. Their heads were delivered to the capital, and over seven hundred participants in the rebellion were also executed, with thousands of men, women, and children captured. The people of Yongzhou were terrified. He guarded Chang'an for several years, earning a fearsome reputation. In the second year of Yanxing, he passed away and was buried in the capital, posthumously honored with the title of 'Martyr.'
His son, Yan, styled Qihu Ti, was imposing and inherited the title of Duke of Henan. He steadily climbed the ranks, becomin
His younger brother, Shenyu, held the positions of Grand Minister of the Palace, General of the East, and Grand Master of Glorious Happiness. During the Jianyi era, he was appointed as the Minister of the Capital. At the time of his death, he was the General of the South and Grand Master of Glorious Happiness.
Lv Luoba was a native of Daijun County. His great-grandfather, Marquis Ke, led five thousand households to surrender to the court during the reign of Emperor Zhaocheng. His grandfather, Fei, served as the Prefect of Puyang. His father, Pizhi, served as the Western Chief during the reign of Emperor Sizong and was eventually granted the title of Duke of Xingyang. Lv Luoba was known for his bravery and skill in battle and served as the commander of Pingyuan Garrison towards the end of the reign of Emperor Gaozong.
At that time, Liu Yu was the Inspector of Xuzhou, and Xue Andu surrendered to Liu Yu, requesting the court to send troops for assistance. The court ordered Wei Yuan to lead troops to rescue, and Lv Luoba followed Wei Yuan into Pengcheng. Liu Yu's general, Zhang Yong, sent Wang Maozhi with five thousand soldiers to Wuyuan to support their supply lines. Wei Yuan then sent Lv Luoba to lead cavalry to attack them in Wuyuan. After two days of intense combat, Lv Luoba personally killed nine people, captured over two hundred transport vehicles and two hundred and fifty cattle from the enemy. They then attacked Zhang Yong together and secured a decisive victory. Lv Luoba was then granted the title of Marquis Chengwu and promoted to the rank of Jianyi General. He passed away at the age of fifty-six.
His eldest son, Wenzu, was appointed as a Court Official in the Dragon Pasture Office because he was the son of a distinguished official. Due to poor output in the pastures, Wenzu was demoted to Wuchuan Town. Later, with his understanding of ancient languages, Wenzu translated and annotated imperial edicts, with clear and fluent translations. As a result, he was promoted unexpectedly to Prefect of Yangping. Before he assumed his new position, he was reassigned as a Court Official in the Outer Capital Office. He was later executed for an offense.
The historian commented: The words of a benevolent and righteous person surely carry great benefits. The Battle of Canhe, which saw the implementation of deterrence and punishment, was likely a result of Wang Jian's crimes, don't you think? Someone like Lü Luoba, who hails from an unusual background, can be elevated due to his talents and ranks among the outstanding figures of the time; there's got to be a reason for that! He once captured Helian Chang alive, destroyed the army of Yilong, and ultimately became a famous general, which isn’t something you can just do easily. Figures like Lou Fuliang, Qiu Dui, and E Qing are known for their bravery and combat skills, racking up victories in various campaigns. Liu Nizhong served the country; was it just his bravery that mattered? Those who rose to high positions through military talent but couldn’t enjoy a peaceful end because of their achievements, like Che Yiluo, came from afar to serve in the court, with thoughts that set them apart from regular nomads. People like Su Shi and others—loyal, hardworking, brave, and skilled in battle—all eventually rose to high positions; this definitely isn’t just a coincidence!
