Cheng Yan, courtesy name Jiwen, was from Juyong, Hebei. He claimed to be a sixth-generation descendant of Wang Can, a minister of the Jin Dynasty. His grandfather Cheng Sheng lived in Beihai, Shandong. His father, Cheng Hong, had a name that conflicted with the temple name of Emperor Wen of Song, Liu Yilong, so he served under Liu Yilong as a junior officer in the military office, but he died young. Cheng Yan had a passion for literature and was quite ambitious.
Later, he became a military officer overseeing prisons at Liu Ziye's Fu Guo Mansion, and then Liu Yu promoted him to the position of Deputy Secretary, granting him the honorary title of General Longxiang, allowing him to lead the army and sent him to assist Dongyang and Licheng. When Emperor Xiaowu of Song, Liu Jun, came to power, Cheng Yan defeated Murong Baiyao, then traveled to the capital to meet the emperor and was appointed as concurrently serving as Zuo Zuo Lang. At that time, Emperor Xiaowu of Song planned to inspect the northern desert in midwinter, and the ministers felt it was too cold and strongly advised against it, but he ignored their counsel. Cheng Yan wrote an article called "On Escort and Travel," and after Emperor Xiaowu of Song read it, he remarked to Li Xin, the Minister of Personnel, "You ministers have not written as well as Cheng Yan in this essay, explaining it thoroughly and hitting the nail on the head!" So the emperor ordered a halt to the inspection of the northern desert.
During the Taihe era of the Northern Wei Dynasty, Empress Dowager Wenming passed away, and Emperor Xiao Ze of Southern Qi sent the Attendant Cavalry Commander Pei Zhaoming and the Attendant Cavalry Gentleman Xie Jun and others to pay their respects. Xiao Ze wanted them to wear court dress. However, the Northern Wei officials responsible for their reception insisted, "There are fixed etiquette for condolences; how can you wear red court attire to enter the imperial spirit hall?" Pei Zhaoming and the others replied, "We are following the emperor's orders and cannot make any changes." The two sides remained deadlocked four times, with neither side willing to back down.
Therefore, Emperor Gaozu of Northern Wei ordered Minister Li Chong to select a knowledgeable person to engage in a debate with them. Li Chong recommended Cui Yan. Pei Zhaoming asked Cui Yan, "I still don't understand, why does the Wei Dynasty not allow wearing court dress to pay respects? Is there any basis for this in the classics?" Cui Yan said, "Joyful mourning and solemn mourning are different; there are rules for rituals. Wearing mourning clothes cannot be used for paying respects; this is common knowledge among the people. In the past, when Jisun was preparing for war, he specifically asked about funeral rituals, and this act has been praised for centuries. You come from afar from Jiangnan to offer condolences, yet you cannot adhere to established rituals, and you question the basis for this? Isn't the gains and losses of this action obvious?"
Pei Zhaoming said, "The two northern and southern kingdoms have been living in harmony for a long time; both sides should understand each other. When the Emperor of Qi passed away, the Wei Kingdom sent Li Biao to pay respects; at that time, Li Biao did not wear mourning attire, and the Qi Dynasty saw no issue with it. Why do you insist on it now?" Cui Yan said, "On the day Li Biao went to pay respects, the court's order was for him to wear mourning clothes, but he did not follow the intentions of Emperor Gaozu to remember his ancestors, and after more than a month, he held auspicious ceremonies. When Li Biao went to pay respects, the officials of Qi were all dressed in finery, the court was full of civil and military officials, shining with jewels; it was magnificent. Li Biao did not wear plain clothes as requested by the host; how can he be cited as an example? Although the Wei Kingdom's requirements are high, we dare not disobey the imperial decree. Our emperor's moral character of benevolence and filial piety can be compared to Yu Shun; he is kind and compassionate, managing affairs openly and fairly, and all officials obey the orders of the prime minister. How can you compare the past to the present?"
Pei Zhaoming then shook his head and said, "The rituals of the Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors are all different, so how can we know who is right and who is wrong?" Cui Yan replied, "According to what you said, do you think that the actions of Yao and Emperor Gaozong were wrong?" Pei Zhaoming and the others exchanged glances and laughed. Pei Zhaoming said, "Those who are unfilial have been criticized by Confucius; we, as envoys, cannot say much. We only hope that our master will allow us to wear mourning clothes and allow us to bring some simple garments. According to the rituals, military uniforms cannot be used for mourning, and we hope to borrow black mourning clothes to express our country's intentions. Now we are being forced by the Wei dynasty, contradicting the emperor's orders, and once we return to the south, we will certainly be punished by our dynasty." Cui Yan said, "If they are righteous people, and you compromise according to the orders, you will be highly rewarded when you return to the south; if they are not such people, as long as you can bring honor to the country, even if you are punished for not adhering to the rituals, what difference does it make? Both the 'Southern History' and 'Zuo Zhuan' will record it truthfully." Later, Emperor Gaozu sent Li Chong to inquire about what Cui Yan and Pei Zhaoming had said, and Cui Yan reported the details of the matter to Emperor Gaozu. Emperor Gaozu said to Li Chong, "I've picked the right people!" He then ordered mourning clothes to be sent to Pei Zhaoming and the others and rewarded Cui Yan with fruits and a feast. The next day, Emperor Gaozu summoned Pei Zhaoming and the others, allowing all civil and military officials to mourn Empress Dowager Wen. Later, Cui Yan was promoted to the position of Chief Attendant. Because Cui Yan lived in poverty, Emperor Gaozu also rewarded him with one hundred bolts of silk. Sixteen years ago, Xiao Ze sent his subordinate, the Cavalry Regular Attendant Yu Bi, Cavalry Attendant He Xian, and Chief Scribe Xing Zongqing to pay tribute. When they coincidentally arrived at the grand ceremony held in the Ming Hall, they took the opportunity to visit the Lingtai to observe the celestial phenomena. Emperor Gaozu ordered Xiao Yan to take Yu Bi and the others to the southern pavilion to gaze and then pay their respects. After the matter was completed, they returned to the outer pavilion, and the emperor rewarded them with a feast.
Xing Zongqing said to Xiao Yan, "The two countries have been living in peace for so long, but now suddenly turning hostile, tearing up treaties, merely concerned about their own interests—is this how great nations are supposed to coexist?" Xiao Yan replied, "As an emperor, one should not be bound by trivial matters. The Central Plains region has had a bountiful harvest; those responsible for collecting grain have reaped a lot. Why would they care about clinging to a promise like 'the man who held onto a pillar'? Furthermore, the former lord of the Qi state previously served in the Song dynasty and received many favors from it, benefiting generation after generation. Now deceiving and taking, isn't that normal?" Xing Zongqing, Yu Bi, and their companions were all taken aback, their faces paling in shock. He Xian, knowing that Xiao Yan had come from the south, covered his eyes with his hand and said, "Why not learn from Yu Jin's loyalty rather than Lu Su's surrender?" Xiao Yan replied, "I choose to avoid danger and comply, wanting to emulate the uprising of Chen Sheng and Wu Guang; how is that like Yu Jin!" He Xian did not say anything more. After Wang Su returned to his country, Emperor Gaozu heard that he had served as an official in Jiangdong, so he ordered him to assess Cheng Yan's character. Wang Su then went to see Cheng Yan and reported back to the emperor. At the time, the courtiers were debating Cheng Yan's abilities and remained uncertain. Emperor Gaozu said, "Bring him to me tomorrow; I'll speak with him personally and then I'll know what he's capable of."
The next day, the emperor went on an inspection, with Wang Su following along. The emperor ordered Cheng Yan to lead the way and explain the historical landmarks along the route. When they arrived at Chaoge, Wang Su asked Cheng Yan, "What city are we in?" Cheng Yan replied, "Chaoge, the capital of King Zhou of the Shang Dynasty." Wang Su then said, "So there should still be some Shang descendants here, right?" Cheng Yan explained, "After King Wu defeated the Shang Dynasty, he relocated the people to the Heluo region. Later, after the Liu Shi Rebellion, they followed the Sima family and moved to the east." Knowing that Cheng Yan lived in Qingzhou, Wang Su jokingly said to him, "Aren't there any other Shang descendants in Qingzhou?" Cheng Yan, knowing that Wang Su was originally from Xuzhou, retorted, "Qingzhou was never their territory in the first place. As for how many Shang descendants are still in Xuzhou, I have no idea." Wang Su, upon hearing this, couldn't help laughing and covered his mouth while riding. He then said to the attendant Zhang Si Ning, "I was just joking earlier; I didn't expect it to go this far." Zhang Si Ning quickly rode his horse to report to the emperor.
Emperor Gaozu was very pleased to hear this and said to Wang Xie of Pengcheng, "This response from Cheng Yan is enough to ensure success." When the emperor reached Luoyang, Wang Su accompanied him for a meal. Emperor Gaozu smiled and asked Wang Su, "A few days ago in Chaoge, I heard that some interesting things happened between you and Cheng Yan. Why don't you tell me about it?" Wang Su replied, "When I was in Chaoge, I was stumped by Cheng Yan. I didn't expect that Your Majesty would know about this. I made a mistake that day, which was embarrassing enough; how could I possibly say more?" Everyone laughed heartily. Emperor Gaozu then said, "If Cheng Yan could stump you, his talents are not to be underestimated." Wang Su said, "Cheng Yan's talent and eloquence are indeed excellent; the court should promote him." Emperor Gaozu replied, "If he gets promoted because of this, it might just embarrass you even more." Wang Su said, "I'm fine with being outdone by others; it shows my generosity." Emperor Gaozu said, "Since you have been outdone by others, yet wish to use this to show your humility, that's quite a compliment for you." Wang Su replied, "If Cheng Yan gets promoted because of this and I can step aside for others, it would show Your Majesty's grace to the world effortlessly." After saying this, everyone laughed heartily again. In the end, the emperor rewarded Cheng Yan with a royal horse, along with a saddle, horse gear, and a set of court robes, and promoted him to the position of Imperial Attendant.
The emperor wanted to move the capital, since my family was short on money and couldn't make the trip to Luoyang on our own. The emperor ordered funds and manpower to assist in my journey to Luoyang and granted me leave so I could slowly bring my family along. Upon reaching Lingqiu, Xiao Luan sent someone to urgently summon me with the fastest courier horse. When the emperor crossed the Huai River, I requested an audience on the roadside. The emperor stopped and let me pass. I said to the emperor, "Xiao Luan is too cruel; the gods and the common people alike despise him. If you go to war now, it would be like fulfilling the wishes of the people and spirits. You stand poised by the river with your sword, ready to make a big move. But the enemy should not be underestimated; they are as dangerous as a swarm of bees or venomous snakes, not to mention a whole country. I hope you can come up with a comprehensive strategy and act prudently." The emperor said, "Have we not considered the previous route carefully enough?" I said, "I heard that since the emperor set off from Luoyang, anyone who dared to offer advice was either dismissed or demoted. I fear this is not what a wise monarch should do." The emperor said, "This is my order; you cannot interfere with my decision." I said, "In ancient times, King Wen sought counsel from the common people, and Duke Wen of Jin listened to the opinions of ordinary people. Though my status is humble, I am bold enough to speak as an ordinary citizen would." The emperor was very pleased, accepted my advice, and granted me a reward of a hundred rolls of silk.
The emperor traveled to Xuzhou for an inspection and ordered me, Lu Longju, and others to oversee the transportation of boats, preparing to enter the Yellow River from Sishui and return upstream to Luoyang. When the army reached the area of Tancheng, I felt the Yellow River's current was swift and worried about potential dangers, so I submitted a memorial urging caution. The emperor said to me, "The reason I am relocating the capital is that Hengzhou lacks water transport channels, causing the people in the capital to be very poor. Now that we are moving the capital to the Yiluo area, it is to facilitate the transportation of goods from various places. However, the swift current of the Yellow River makes it difficult for everyone to pass. I have come personally to inspect and ride the current to calm the hearts of the people. I know you are very loyal, but this time I cannot accept your suggestion." The emperor then rewarded me with a fine horse—a Hualiu horse—and also gave me a set of clothing and a hat. After that, I was appointed as the Supervisor of the Imperial Guard, concurrently serving as the Chief of Guests, and was granted the title of General Weiyuan.
At that time, the imperial palace was just starting construction, which was a massive project requiring many troops and civilians to transport timber, involving over ten thousand transport trips daily. The Yellow River and Luo River had thawed, and the swift currents posed significant difficulties for transportation. I submitted a memorial proposing the construction of a floating bridge. Emperor Gaozu agreed to my suggestion and wanted to commend me before all the officials. One day during the morning court session, when all the officials were present, Emperor Gaozu rewarded me with one hundred bolts of silk and appointed me to manage the water affairs on both banks.
Later, Emperor Shizong ascended the throne, and the Minister of Works, Wang Xie, Prince of Pengcheng, said: "The late emperor originally had this intention, and Yan is both loyal and has a good reputation, so he should be promoted." Although Emperor Gaozu had already passed away, the imperial decree was still in effect! After discussions, Yan was appointed as the General of the Right Wing, while concurrently holding the positions of Chief Water Commissioner and Master of Guests. He was later promoted to General of the Valiant Cavalry and General of State Affairs, while still retaining the positions of Chief Water Commissioner and Master of Guests. Yan was cautious and careful, and he had a profound respect for the law. He oversaw guest receptions for a decade, during which many places sent tributes and visiting envoys brought him gifts, but he refused them all, resulting in a rather challenging existence. In the end, he submitted a request for a transfer to a provincial post. In the third year of Jingming, he was appointed as the Governor of Pingyang, while the title of general remained unchanged. Later, he returned to the capital and died. The court posthumously awarded him the title of General and Governor of Guangzhou, with the posthumous title "Ding."
His son was named Xiao, courtesy name Jingluan. Xiao was also fond of reading and writing poetry, but his poetry was flowery but lacked harmony, generally quite crude. He had close relationships with Jiang Zhi of Hedong and others, often writing poems and essays together. Those with a discerning eye found his writing lacking, while those with less discerning taste praised his work, which even gained considerable popularity. He was appointed as the Assistant Minister of Literature and died.
Fan Shao, courtesy name Shisun, was born in Longle, Dunhuang. He was smart from a young age. At the age of twelve, his father sent him to study under Cui Guang. However, his studies came to a halt when his father passed away. His mother advised him, "On the day your father passed away, he asked you to study under Cui Guang in hopes that you would achieve something. It has been a long time now; you should honor that promise." Fan Shao then returned to continue his studies. During the Taihe era, he was selected as a student of the Imperial Academy, and later became a scribe, where he studied many classics. In the sixteenth year of his service, Emperor Gaozu appointed him as a court historian, and later promoted him to manage memorials and official documents. Emperor Gaozu held him in high esteem, and both Li Chong and Cui Guang regarded him highly. He was entrusted with many important palace documents. Emperor Gaozu once said to his close attendants, "Cui Guang is calm and unhurried in his work, while Fan Shao is very efficient." Fan Shao was later promoted to General of Strong Crossbows, General of Accumulated Crossbows, and Supervisor of the Imperial Carriage. He was also appointed as an Imperial Censor and eventually rose to the position of Commander of the Imperial Guards.
Wang Cheng, the Governor of Yangzhou and Prince Rencheng, wanted to attack Zhongli and sent a message to Xie An to come to Shou Chun to discuss the battle plan together. Wang Cheng said, "We need a hundred thousand troops, which would require a hundred days round trip. The strategy is to attack from several directions, including Guoyang, Zhongli, Guangling, and Lujiang, but we urgently need the court to supply food, weapons, and military resources."
Xie An replied, "To mobilize a hundred thousand troops for the duration, we need to prepare a hundred days' worth of food. Autumn is almost over now, and only now are we thinking about recruiting soldiers for war. We may be able to gather the weapons, but I fear the food supply may not arrive in time. How can we fight a war without food for the soldiers? I hope you will think this through, Your Highness."
After much contemplation, Wang Cheng said, "You are absolutely right." He sent Xie An back to inform the court. Later, Wang Cheng went ahead with the attack on Zhongli but returned empty-handed.
Lao Zhang, first appointed as Chief Charioteer and then promoted to Right Water Envoy, but his role remained the same as a recorder. Later, when his mother passed away, he resigned from his position and returned home to observe the mourning rituals.
When the Yiyang area had just regained peace, he was appointed as General of Guarding the Frontier, the Chief Historian of the Longxiang Prefecture in Yingzhou, and also served as the Governor of Yiyang. That winter, he was ordered to return to the capital, just in time for the court's plan to march south. The court gathered twenty-five thousand field troops from several states in Hebei, along with the troops stationed along the Huai River, totaling more than fifty thousand people, and also carried out large-scale cultivation and settlement. The court ministers recommended him to serve as Grand Envoy for Agricultural Affairs in the Six Provinces of the West and appointed him as Infantry Colonel. Lao Zhang was diligent in his duties, actively overseeing agricultural activities, and achieved bountiful harvests for several consecutive years.
Later, the court ordered him to go to Zhongli to discuss the strategy for attacking Zhongli with the Commander and Prince Ying of Zhongshan. Prince Ying of Zhongshan swore he would capture it, but Lao Zhang, after inspecting the city defenses of Zhongli, believed it would be hard to breach and advised him to withdraw, but Prince Ying did not listen. After Lao Zhang returned to the capital, he reported the situation honestly. Not long after, Prince Ying of Zhongshan was ultimately defeated.
The court noted that Xuzhou and Yuzhou were large and sparsely populated, so they asked Lao Zhang to see if another province could be established. Lao Zhang found that Qiaocheng was strategically situated and ideal for establishing a provincial capital, so he established Nanyanzhou there. Later, he was appointed as Chief Clothing Commander, promoted to Middle Army General, and further promoted to the General of the Vanguard. In recognition of his contributions to agriculture, he was granted the title of General of Guerrilla Warfare, and later promoted to General of Longxiang, Deputy Minister of the Imperial Household, while still holding the position of Chief Charioteer. Eventually, he was promoted to Chief Minister of the Imperial Household.
Lao Zhang was frugal and serious in his work. Whenever he received items awarded by the court that exceeded one thousand bolts of cloth, he would first report to the court before accepting them. Empress Ling admired his diligence and sense of responsibility, so she ordered him to come to the palace every month to meet her, permitting him to report directly to her on matters that benefited the country and its people. Later, he was appointed as General of Anbei and Governor of Bingzhou. He was upright and prudent, adhered to the law, and was deeply loved by the people. Unfortunately, when the mountain tribes invaded, he was unable to mount an effective defense, which tarnished his reputation. He then returned to the court and served as the Grand Minister of Rites. When Emperor Zhuang ascended the throne, he was killed in He Yin.
Liu Taofu hailed from Lu Nu in Zhongshan. He had never seen his father since childhood, and his mother passed away when he was nine. He was a simple and honest child, particularly fond of learning. Later, he passed the examination for filial piety and incorruptibility and ranked first in the archery test, then began his official career, though he started in minor positions. During the Jingming era, he became the Supervisor of the Imperial Guards and was also responsible for the main documents. When Xiao Baoyin surrendered, the court sent him to welcome Xiao Baoyin. After that, he was promoted to Chief of Carriages, Colonel of Changshui, and General of the Vanguard.
During the Zhengshi period, he was appointed as General of the Expedition and a Palace Secretary. His diligence and serious work ethic quickly earned him the emperor's favor. However, he held this position for a long time without promotion, and Emperor Shizong said to him: "When Yang Xiong was a Palace Attendant, his promotions came quickly, spanning three reigns. You have been here for ten years, which is quite commendable; there's no need to rush."
The governor of Dongyu Province, Tian Yizong, was engaged in corruption in the border regions, and Emperor Shizong sent Liu Taofu to persuade him several times. Upon Liu Taofu's return, he reported in detail that Tian Yizong had grown old and confused, and his sons were also thoughtless and unreliable. Later, Emperor Shizong wanted to dismiss Tian Yizong but feared a rebellion, so he appointed Liu Taofu as the General of Conquering Barbarians and Governor of Yuzhou, to lead troops alongside Rear General Li Shizhe to capture Tian Yizong. This event is also documented in "The Biography of Tian Yizong."
Liu Taofu was skilled at pacifying the ethnic minorities in the border regions and was deeply loved by the people and officials. He was eventually summoned back to court after a considerable time. He later passed away from illness at the age of fifty-one and was posthumously honored with the title of General of the Rear and Governor of Luozhou by the court.
His son Liu Jingjun would later serve as a Palace Attendant.
Liu Daobin, a native of Guanjing in Wuyi, claimed descent from Prince Jing of Zhongshan, Liu Sheng. He loved learning from a young age and was very talented. As he grew up, he had a waist so thick it could wrap around ten times, and his beard was particularly handsome. He succeeded in the imperial examination for filial piety. After entering the capital, he was appointed as a Gentleman of the Imperial Library and later promoted to Chief Scribe, who gained high regard from the founding emperor. After accompanying the emperor in battle at Nanyang and returning, he was promoted to Accumulated Shooting General and Censor. The founding emperor told his Chamberlain, Xing Luan, of the Yellow Gate, "Daobin is a rare talent, far superior to the average individual!" After Emperor Shizong ascended the throne, Liu Daobin received a promotion to Minister of Rites. He was subsequently appointed as the Prefect of Wuyi. At that time, Jizhou had recently faced the rebellion of Yuan Yu, along with several years of disasters and poor harvests. Liu Daobin repeatedly petitioned the court for tax reductions, which benefited the common people.
After resigning as Governor and returning to the court, he was appointed as Right General and Grand Master of the Court. He was later appointed Governor of Hengnong in his original capacity as General and subsequently promoted to Inspector of Qizhou. No matter where he served, he made significant contributions. In the fourth year of the Zhengguang reign, he passed away while in office. The court posthumously granted him the titles of General of Pacifying the East and Inspector of Cangzhou, which were later revised to Inspector of Jizhou, with the posthumous name "Kang." When Liu Daobin was Governor of Hengnong, he established schools and a Confucian temple, and also painted a portrait of Confucius. After his death, the local people greatly missed him, so they painted his portrait next to Confucius's portrait and went to pay homage to him.
His son, Liu Shizhang, served as Governor of Dang County during the Wuding era and later died.
Dong Shao, styled Xingyuan, was from Chengyang, Xincai. He loved studying from a young age and was gifted in literature. He started as a Doctor of the Four Gates and later held positions as Palace Attendant, Assistant Teacher of the National University, General of Accumulated Archery, and also served as a Secretary of the Central Secretariat. He was an accomplished debater and earned high regard from Emperor Shizong.
It is said that there was a man named Bai Shao in Yuzhou City who had joined the rebel army early on in the southern part of the city. The court issued an edict to reassure him and sent people to inquire about him. However, when they reached Shangcai, they were captured by the rebels midway and taken prisoner to Jiangdong, and were even chained. In Jiangdong, there was a general named Lü Sengzhen under Xiao Yan who had a few conversations with Bai Shao and grew fond of him, thinking he was a good fellow. Upon hearing this, Xiao Yan quickly sent someone to comfort Bai Shao, saying, "A loyal minister and devoted son like you must not be lost! You can return to your homeland now!" Bai Shao replied, "My old mother is still in Luoyang, and I am incredibly anxious. Now that I have received your amnesty, it feels like I have been reborn!"
Xiao Yan sent a chief scribe named Huo Lingchao to speak with Bai Shao, saying, "Now that we are letting you go back, your task is to negotiate reconciliation between the two sides so that the common people can live in peace. Isn’t that good?" Bai Shao replied, "Reconciliation and peace for the people is a major matter between two nations. Since you have ordered my release, I will certainly report the situation to the court upon my return." Xiao Yan rewarded Bai Shao with new clothing, personally met with him, and sent his subordinate Zhou She to offer him comfort. He also said, "After so many years of war, the common people have endured great suffering, and that's why we proactively proposed peace talks, hoping to establish friendly relations with the Wei Dynasty. We have previously sent letters, but have not received a response. After you return, please explain the situation to the court. I have already sent the envoy Zhou Lingxiu to escort you back, and you can expect good news soon." Xiao Yan also spoke privately to Bai Shao, saying, "Do you know why you survived? It was fate that you were captured! When thousands of people gather without a leader, chaos ensues. Therefore, a ruler must be established to govern the world, instead of letting the world support just one person. Officials should consider this principle! You wish to negotiate peace; now we will return Su Yu to you, and you will return Han Zhong to us." Earlier, the court had intended to exchange Bai Shao for ten generals under Xiao Yan, including Qi Gou'er, as noted in the "Records of Sima Yue." After Bai Shao returned to his country, the emperor sympathized with him and appointed him to a court position during the Yongping era, and also took on the role of steward. Despite Bai Shao's several proposals for peace talks, the court did not agree. Eventually, he was promoted to Light Chariot General and Chief Steward, and later became a Captain of Infantry.
When Emperor Suzong of Tang first ascended the throne, my father wrote a poem titled "Ode to the Celestial Steed." The emperor was very fond of this piece and rewarded him with eighty pieces of silk. Later, he was promoted to the position of General Longxiang and Central Grandee, while also retaining his title as Hanlin Scholar. He was subsequently further honored as Champion General and appointed as Right General and Governor of Luozhou. My father was known for his small acts of kindness, earning him the affection of the common people.
At that time, generals Cao Yizong and Wang Xuanzhen under General Xiao Yan attacked Jingzhou and occupied the Maquan (a place name) in Shunyang. Pei Yan and Wang Pi went to confront them. After recapturing Shunyang, they besieged Maquan. However, the defenses of Maquan were formidable, and Pei Yan and Wang Pi's troops were short on supplies. My father submitted a memorial to the emperor stating that they would surely fail. Not long after, Pei Yan and the others indeed suffered defeat, and Shunyang fell back into Cao Yizong's hands. My father fell ill due to frustration and requested to be relieved of his official duties and return home, but the emperor did not agree.
When Xiao Baoyin rebelled in Chang'an, my father submitted a memorial requesting the dispatch of troops to suppress the rebellion, saying, "I plan to take three thousand elite soldiers from the Ba warriors and capture those rebels from Shu alive!" Emperor Suzong asked Xu He, the Palace Attendant: "Are the Ba warriors really blind?" Xu He replied, "This is just my father's grandstanding. It means that the Ba warriors are brave and fearless in battle when facing the enemy, not that they are truly blind." The emperor burst out laughing and ordered my father to set out quickly, promoting him to General Pingxi as well. Because of his achievements in quelling the rebellion of Xiao Baoyin, he was bestowed the title of Marquis of Xincai County upon him, with a fief of two hundred households.
During the Yong'an period, my father returned from the frontier. He was then appointed General of Anxi, Governor of Liangzhou, and General of the Suppressing Army, while also serving as Minister of Personnel and concurrently as Governor of the Southern Mountain Administrative Commission, earning commendable political achievements and a strong reputation. Later, the former Emperor Fei replaced him with Yuan Fu as his successor. When my father returned to Chang'an, Er Zhu Tianguang was serving as Grand Chancellor of Guanyou, and he recommended my father for the position of Grand Chancellor's Assistant, and later promoted him to General of the Southern Expedition and Grand Minister of Golden Purple. When Er Zhu Tianguang went to Luoyang, he left my father behind in Chang'an. After Er Zhu Tianguang's defeat in battle, Heba Yue invited my father to serve as his Chief Consultant. During the Yongxi period, he was further promoted to General of Chariots and Cavalry. Later, Heba Yue took my father to Gaoping to graze horses, and my father was deeply saddened, writing a poem: “At the foot of the running horse mountain, the horse is thirsty to drink from the Yellow River. Would I rather say beneath the barbarian passes, I still hear the songs of the Chu guests.” Ultimately, he was killed by Yuwen Heitang. My brother Minzhi served as Grand Commandant and Ritual Scholar of the Western Pavilion during the Yong'an period. Feng Yuanxing, styled Zisheng, was from Feixiang in Eastern Wei. His grandfather, Feng Sengji, had served as Governor of Dongqinghe and Xipingyuan, and after his death, he was posthumously honored as Governor of Jizhou. Feng Yuanxing had aspirations from a young age; while accompanying his grandfather in the plains, he studied under Zhang Wugui from Zhongshan and Fang Qiao from Changshan, mastering the principles of the "Book of Rites" and writing excellent essays. At the age of twenty-three, he returned to his hometown to teach, often attracting hundreds of students. Later, he excelled in the Xiàolián examination and was recommended as a Xiucai. At that time, Inspector General Wang Xian wielded significant power, and when Feng Yuanxing submitted an article to him, Wang Xian brought him on board as a reviewing inspector. Soon after, he was promoted to Palace Attendant, followed by a Morning Audience Official, and was sent on three diplomatic missions to Goryeo.
Jiang Yangwang Yuanji was appointed as the Minister of Works, and Feng Yuanxing served as his secretary and military officer, and that's how Yuancha got to know him. After Yuancha gained control of the court, he promoted Feng Yuanxing to the position of Secretary of the Palace and concurrently appointed him as a member of the Central Secretariat, while keeping his role as an Inspector. By working alongside Yuancha, Feng Yuanxing gained early insight into many matters, but he was humble and restrained, so everyone had nothing but praise for him. His family was quite poor, yet he often had dozens of guests visiting his home. He would eat and drink with them, always generous, earning him great respect from his contemporaries. Later, when the Grand Tutor Cui Guang passed away, Cui Guang recommended Feng Yuanxing to serve as a reader for the emperor. Secretary Jia Sibao served as a lecturer, teaching The Spring and Autumn Annals of the Du Family in Shiqian Hall to Emperor Suzong, and Feng Yuanxing often helped explain some difficult sentences, which garnered respect from many Confucian scholars. When Yuancha decided to resign as General of the Guards, he specifically sought Feng Yuanxing's opinion. Feng Yuanxing replied, "I still don't know what you really want to do." Yuancha asked, "Do you think I'm planning to rebel?" Feng Yuanxing hesitated to say it outright and advised him against that course of action. Consequently, Yuancha was executed, and Feng Yuanxing was dismissed. Later, he wrote a poem titled "Floating Duckweed" to metaphorically reflect on his own experiences:
"There are grasses growing in the emerald pond, rootless above the green water. Fragile against fierce winds and waves, precarious and suffering from tumultuous tides."
The Prime Minister and the King of Gaoyang summoned him together and gave him a part-time position. Not long after, he resigned from his official post and returned to his hometown. The Minister of Works, Yuan Luo, became the ambassador to the Eastern Road, and promoted Yuan Xing to be the governor of his home county. Shortly after, he was summoned to the capital by the court. Due to his mother's death, he returned home to mourn, and was appointed as a military inspector several times due to the ongoing turmoil in his hometown. Yuan Xing made numerous decisions on rewards and punishments, which led to some resentment among the locals. When King Tiemu of Shangdang attacked Xing Gao, he took him with him as a general in the Central Army. After Yuan Hao attacked Luoyang, he was appointed as the General of the North, the Grand Master of Grace, and the Chief of the Imperial Secretariat. When Emperor Zhuang returned to the palace, Tiemu appointed him as the military advisor to the Chancellor and also promoted him to General Conquering the Barbarians. During the Putai period, he served as the General of Peace in the East, the Grand Master of Grace, and the Chief of the Imperial Secretariat. In the early years of Taichang, he passed away at home, and the court posthumously granted him the titles of General Conquering the East and Inspector of Qizhou. He left behind over a hundred essays. Yuan Xing came from a poor family, but through his relationship with Yuan Cha and his connections, he was promoted to the chief scribe of the province, which many at the time viewed as irregular.
During the reign of Emperor Gaozu, there was a man named Cao Dao, who was from Qiao County and was well-versed in the classics. He was recommended for his filial piety and integrity. During the Taihe period, he served as the Chief Secretary of the Eastern Palace and the Gate Recorder. During the Jingming period, he became the Chief Historian of the Ministry of Works, also serving as the Chief Secretary, and later was promoted to the Chief of the Imperial Secretariat. He always carried out his duties in accordance with the Emperor's wishes. He was later exiled as the Prefect of Dong County. After his death, he was posthumously appointed as the Equal of the Three Excellencies.
There was also a man named Cao Sheng from Beihai, who was esteemed for his vast knowledge. He served as the Discipline Secretary, and during the Yong'an period, he also held the position of Gentleman of the Yellow Gate and Cavalier In Regular Attendance. During the reign of Emperor Chu, he became the President of the Imperial Academy. He did not seek wealth, and ultimately died of starvation in Ye City, leaving people at the time feeling a deep sense of pity for him.
There was a man from Qijun named Cao Ang, who was highly learned and was recommended as a xiucai. During the Yong'an period, he served as a Doctor of the Grand Academy and concurrently as a Gentleman of the Secretariat. However, he always walked to court, in order to showcase his modesty. One time he encountered bandits and lost a lot of silk and cloth, leading people to believe he was feigning aloofness.
Lu Yu, whose courtesy name was Yongji, was from Jiyin. The deeds of his father, Lu Sheng, are chronicled in the "Biographies of Good Officials." Lu Yu had a passion for military strategy, divination, and Buddhism. The Grand Preceptor, Prince Xie of Pengcheng, invited him to serve as a guest scholar. Once, when he was on his way to Xuzhou, his horse fell ill, so he had to load the horse onto a boat and arrived in Daliang. While he was sleeping that night, his attendant went ashore and stole four bundles of wheat to feed the horse. After the boat had traveled a few miles, Lu Yu woke up and asked about the source of the wheat. The attendant truthfully reported, which infuriated Lu Yu. He immediately stopped the boat, went ashore, found where the wheat was stolen, and left three zhang of silk cloth as compensation before returning.
Initially, I served as an aide to Gong Yuanzi in Zhending, counseling him to uphold loyalty and integrity. I even composed two five-character poems to impart my advice to him: "The trees on Yishan are ten thousand feet tall, carved into lutes. With such fine materials, the strings will resonate across the land." "What tune should be played on the lute? 'Elegant Orchid' and 'White Snow.' If the sound of the silk strings isn't yet perfected, don't let the music cease." Gong Yuanzi had been talented since childhood, and I hoped he would achieve great success, hence I used poetry to subtly remind him. Later, my mother passed away, and I resigned from my official position. After my mourning period concluded, I returned to my original post. Gong Yuanzi was later sent to Liangzhou as an official, and I followed him there. At that time, Liangzhou was responsible for purchasing military provisions, and almost everyone involved in procurement was engaging in corrupt practices, except for me. Gong Yuanzi even advised me to accept some benefits, but I resolutely declined.
Later, Emperor Zhuang became the Censor-in-Chief, and I was appointed as a palace Censor, also responsible for overseeing the army of Prince Linhuai, Yu. At that time, Xiao Yan sent his son, Prince Yuzhang, Zong, to occupy Xuzhou. Zong secretly contacted Yu, expressing a desire to surrender to the Wei state. Since Zong was a favorite of Xiao Yan, everyone thought this was unlikely, so Yu recruited people to investigate the situation. I stepped forward and said, "If Zong really wants to surrender, we will make a pact with him; what's it to me if I have to sacrifice myself!" At that time, Xuzhou had just fallen, and the border region was in disarray. Zong's subordinate generals, Cheng Jingjun and Hu Longya, commanded powerful armies, and the city defenses were very tight. I set out alone on horseback, heading straight for Pengcheng. Before I reached Pengcheng, I was stopped by Cheng Bingrun of Zong's army, who inquired where I was coming from and what my purpose was. I replied, "I am here to carry out a military mission, which had been agreed upon long ago. I was sent by Prince Linhuai; we need to conduct some transactions." Cheng Bingrun then sent someone to inform Hu Longya and others.
Given that Prince Zong genuinely wished to surrender, upon hearing that I had been captured, he told Cheng Jingjun and others, "I have long suspected Yuan Lue (referring to myself) of wanting to defect and surrender to the Wei state, so I sent someone to test his intentions. I sent someone to impersonate my envoy, enter the Wei army, and call Yuan Lue out. The envoy indeed arrived. We can have someone impersonate Yuan Lue, hide in a concealed room, pretend to be ill, and then have the envoy call him from outside the door, while others relayed messages to him." At that time, I had just been brought back by Xiao Yan. Zong then sent his trusted aide, Liang Hua, to welcome me and privately informed me of the detailed situation, urging me to cooperate fully, and took me into the city to meet Hu Longya.
As night fell, Longya, holding torches with the guards, called me over and said, "Yuan Zhongshan is eager to see you, so he asked me to call you over." He then asked, "The military strength of Anfeng and Linhuai is relatively weak; do you think we can take back this city?" I replied, "Pengcheng is the eastern border of the Wei Kingdom, a crucial strategic location we must fight for. Our success depends on fate; it’s not something that can be predicted by human effort." Longya said, "Alright, we'll do as you say."
Later, Longya led me to Jing Jun's place and made me wait outside the main gate for a long time before letting me in. It was late at night, and the stars and moon shone brightly. A military leader, Jiang Tao, approached me, saying, "You’re getting on in years, yet you’re still out here as an envoy; there must be something significant going on. Yuan Faseng is a small figure in the Wei Kingdom, surrendered to the Liang Kingdom, and the King of Liang has treated him well." He pointed to the sky and said, "Look, this year the Suixing star is in the Big Dipper. The Big Dipper marks the territory of the Wu Kingdom. Why don't you return to the Liang Kingdom? I can make you rich and powerful." I replied, "You only see one side of the story, not the other. Faseng is a traitor from the Ju Kingdom; Liang Kingdom sheltered him, isn't that a disgrace to Jisun? It is now November in the lunar calendar; the Chunsou star is currently in power, and both the Big Dipper and the Ox constellation are disrupted. The Suixing star is Jupiter; wood overcomes earth; this year, the Wu Kingdom is doomed. Besides, going out at night in fine clothes is something wise men wouldn’t approve of." Before I could finish, I was ushered in to see Jing Jun.
Jing Jun asked me, "Yuan Zhongshan said he wanted to see you, but you came here without any fear. Why is that?" I replied, "In the past, when the State of Chu attacked Wu, Wu sent Jue You to lead their troops, which is similar to my current situation." I explained everything to him, and Jing Jun got it. He asked me to sit down with him and inquired, "You're not an assassin, are you?" I replied, "I am here as an envoy now; I want to return to report to the court. Let's talk about assassination later." He brought out food and fruit, and I ate a lot and drank a lot of wine, even showing off a bit in front of some of my enemies. They all said, "What a hero!" Then they took me to Yuan Lue. One person led me into the room and pointed to the bed for me to sit down. Another person in the room came out and said to me, "Zhongshan has something to tell you." I stood up, and someone said, "Please sit down." I replied, "My family is royal; how can I sit here and listen to someone else's orders?" The person said, "I have been to the south before and sent someone to call you here because I wanted to hear about your hometown. Recently, I have been unwell and couldn't come to see you." I said, "I came to see you at great risk, yet I couldn't meet you. This makes me very uneasy." So, I bid farewell and left.
As dawn broke, General Fan Xu, Jing Jun, and Sima Yang all asked Lu Yu how many troops the Northern Wei army had. Lu Yu said, "The Qin Long area has been pacified; all three sides are stable. Now the Gaoche, Baiyan, Qiang, Shu, and other tribes field 500,000 troops. Prince Qi, Li Chenliu, Cui Yanbo, Li Shuren, and others lead this army divided into three routes, heading straight for Jiangxi; Prince Anle Jian and Li Shen lead 100,000 Imperial Guards from Jizhou, Xiangzhou, Qizhou, Jizhou, Qingzhou, and Guangzhou, heading south from Langye." Everyone exchanged glances and said, "Isn't that a bit much?" Lu Yu said, "We can check it tomorrow; there's no exaggeration!"
In the evening, Lu Wei was ordered to return to the camp. Jing Jun accompanied him to the horse staging area and pointed to the northern city, saying, "This city is so strongly fortified that it is not something those soldiers can easily conquer. You should try to convince the two princes to reconsider and pull back their troops." Lu Wei replied, "Even with the most sophisticated siege equipment, the real key is the guards defending the city. The difficult terrain doesn't matter!" Lu Wei returned to the military camp and formed a secret alliance with Xiao Zong along the way. The pact was made, and within ten days, Xiao Zong indeed surrendered.
The emperor issued a holy decree: "Not long ago, the monk and his son were stubborn and caused a lot of trouble, secretly rebelling outside the city and disrupting the authority of the court, leading to the occupation of the important fiefdoms of Pengcheng and Songcheng by the rebel army. Although the court dispatched royal ministers and famous generals, waving their weapons along the banks of the Si River; elite soldiers prepared to fight by the banks of the Bian River. However, those tall city walls are not easy to scale; the wide moat and deep trenches are indeed difficult to cross. Thus, I worry day and night, unable to eat or sleep in peace! And the governor of Yanzhou, Prince Xiao Zong of Yuzhang, was able to assess the situation and wished to submit to the court, secretly sending someone to deliver a token of surrender to the governor of Linhuai. At that time, the situation was urgent, and everyone was eager to draw their swords. The censor supervising the army in the palace, Lu Wei, was not afraid of danger, treating dangerous situations like they were flat ground, quickly recruiting troops and personally inspecting the enemy's strengths and weaknesses. After the pact was made, the plan succeeded smoothly. The recovery of lost territories and the calming of the chaos of war were all thanks to Lu Wei's efforts! If he isn't generously rewarded, how can we inspire future generations? Bestow upon Lu Wei the title of Duke of Dingtao and grant him an estate of three hundred households!"
He was first relieved of his duties as a regular court attendant. Shortly after, he was sent to Qingzhou to serve as the chief clerk and military officer in the residence of Prince Xiao Shao of Pengcheng, and later resigned from the chief clerk position.
Liu Jun of Guangchuan and Fang Xuzhao of Dongqinghe led a rebellion, and Xiao Shao sent him to supervise the troops in the province to quell their rebellion. They fought a battle at Shangshan and secured several victories. The generals, who were all Xiao Shao's close associates, exaggerated the number of enemies they claimed to have killed and made unreasonable demands for silk rewards. He outright rejected their demands, and Xiao Shao did not agree with them either. He was enraged and exclaimed, "Am I serving the king and the country just for my own family's benefit?!" With that, he waved his sleeve and departed. Later, Xiao Shao hurried after him to offer an apology.
Those who took credit for his achievements spread rumors far and wide, saying they wanted to secretly harm him. After hearing this, he merely smiled, showing no concern. Previously, Xiao Yan had sent Peng Qun and Wang Bian to lead an army of seventy thousand to besiege Langya. From spring to autumn, the court's reinforcements had not arrived, and the combined forces from Qingzhou numbered only about ten thousand, stationed in Yuncheng, and had been inactive for a long time. Xiao Shao then sent him, along with Liu Renzhi, the chief clerk sent by Hu Ping, the governor of South Qingzhou, to urge the generals to launch a direct assault on the enemy's camp. This led to a decisive victory, defeating Peng Qun and capturing over two thousand enemy soldiers. Emperor Xiao Suzong was greatly pleased and specially sent someone to deliver a message of commendation to him.
In the years of Yong'an, he returned to the court and served as the Left General and the Deputy Minister of the Imperial Secretariat. Because his previous merits in Xuzhou had not yet been fully rewarded, the court awarded him an additional two hundred households as fiefs and elevated his title to that of a marquis. Although he held a prominent official position, he remained humble and unassuming, receiving friends and relatives with even greater warmth and attentiveness than ever. Despite this, he lived in rented accommodation, dressing in simple clothes and subsisting on coarse grains, maintaining this lifestyle year-round. Emperor Xiao Zhuangdi held a deep admiration for his frugal and honest way of life and frequently bestowed him with financial rewards.
It is said that there was a man named Lv Wenxin in Dongxu City, who actually killed the Imperial Inspector Yuan Dabin, then gathered a band of followers, set up camp in Qushu, and started a rebellion. The court quickly sent people to suppress the rebellion, appointed Yue (pronounced similar to "zao") as the envoy for the six provinces, and tasked him with Fanzihu, the governor, to eliminate Lv Wenxin. They managed to defeat Lv Wenxin's forces and offered a reward for his capture. Ultimately, Lv Wenxin was killed by his accomplice Han Duanzheng, who brought his head, along with eleven other captured leaders. The court highly praised Yue's performance, promoting him to General of Zhen Dong, Jinziguanglu Dafu. Shortly thereafter, he was appointed as the imperial commissioner, also serving concurrently as the Left Deputy of the Ministry of Personnel and the governor of the Three Xus in the southeast region.
When Yue arrived just as Erzhu Zhongyuan was capturing Xiyuanzhou and advancing towards Hutai, the court ordered Yue to join Commander He Baosheng and others to resist Erzhu Zhongyuan. Unfortunately, they suffered defeat, forcing Yue to retreat to the capital. During the Putai era, Yue was promoted to General of Zhengdong, and later rose to General of Wei, Right Guanglu Dafu, concurrently serving as the Minister of Revenue, the envoy for the five provinces in Hebei, and the Grand Protector of Granaries. His official ranks continued to rise. During the Tianping period, he was appointed as the Inspector of Liangzhou. However, shortly thereafter, the people of Xingyang, led by Zheng Rongye, revolted and besieged the city. Unable to withstand the siege, Yue surrendered and was taken west by Zheng Rongye.
Zhang Yi, styled Jingshi, was from E in Yangxi County, Yunnan. His tenth-generation ancestor was the chamberlain Heng of the Han Dynasty. Zhang Yi started his career as a clerk at the Cavalry Commandery in Yangzhou and was later promoted to Captain of Infantry. During the Yongning period, the court undertook extensive construction projects, building temples and pagodas, which were significant projects. Empress Ling frequently inspected the projects and would ask Zhang Yi about any issues; he answered without hesitation or omission, earning her admiration. Eventually, Zhang Yi was promoted to General of Champion and an official of the Central Secretariat. Later, he followed Changsun Zhi on a western expedition as a deputy general and was further promoted to General Pacifying the West and Grand Official of the Central Secretariat, also serving as the Governor of Guansi. In recognition of his military achievements, he was granted the title of Marquis of Changping and awarded a fief of two hundred households.
During the Yong'an period, Zhang Yi was appointed as General Pacifying the West and Governor of Qizhou, and he was additionally honored as General Anxi. He was later promoted to General of the Army. He cared deeply for the common people and protected the poor and weak, earning the love of the populace. When he returned from his post in Qizhou, he returned just as Yuan Hao invaded Luoyang. The court commanded him to return and defend Qizhou, but he secretly returned home instead. When Emperor Zhuang returned to the throne, Zhang Yi was appointed General Pacifying the South and Governor of East Jingzhou. Soon after, he was further honored as an Official of the Imperial Guard and Grand General for Conquering Barbarians, and later promoted to Governor of Jingzhou. When Er Zhu Zhao invaded Luoyang, he did not report for duty. During the Putai era, he rose to the position of General of the Guard and Grand Official of Jinzi Guanglu.
During the early Tianbao years of the Tang Dynasty, the court relocated its capital to Yecheng and began construction. At that time, the Right Minister Gao Longzhi and the Minister of Personnel Yuan Shijun submitted a memorial stating: "The palaces in Nanjing, once demolished, will be transported to the capital, strung together in a line of rafts floating down the river. The scale is immense; if a wise person is not appointed to oversee and manage this, much timber may be wasted, and the project may have deficiencies. Zhang Yi is known for his integrity, uprightness, and noble character, making him an excellent choice for this important task. We recommend him for this responsibility." The emperor approved their report. Zhang Yi threw himself into this work with great dedication. Soon after, he was promoted to the Left General of Construction. During the Xinghe era, he was appointed as the Grand General of the Guard. After the palace was completed, he was appointed as the Governor of Dong Xuzhou in recognition of his previous contributions. Three years later, Zhang Yi passed away while in office at the age of sixty. The court posthumously conferred upon him the titles of Grand General of the Cavalry, Duke of Sikong, and Governor of Yanzhou, and conferred upon him the posthumous name "Yi." His son Zhang Xiaozhi served as a cavalry officer during the late Wuding era. Historical records comment: Zhang Yi and others were fortunate to be in a favorable era, which allowed them to showcase their talents and ultimately attain prominent positions. If they had no talent, how could they have achieved such accomplishments?
