Gao You, courtesy name Ziji, and nickname Cinu, was from Bohai. He was originally named Gao Xi, but because he had the same name as the King of Xianyang, Emperor Gaozu granted him the name Gao You. He was a cousin of Sikong Yun. His grandfather, Gao Zhan, was a Yellow Gate Attendant under Murong Bao, and after Emperor Taizu conquered Zhongshan, Gao Zhan moved to the capital and eventually died in Sandu. His father, Gao Dang, assisted Emperor Shizu in the extermination of Helian Chang, and due to his merits, he was granted the title of General of Guerrilla Warfare and conferred the noble title of Lord of Nanpi. His father also participated in the compilation of works with Cui Hao, later promoted to Minister of the Imperial Secretariat, and then served as Ge Shi Zhong and the official of Jizhou and Qingzhou. He was later appointed as Sanqi Changshi and Pingdong General, and he was also sent on a diplomatic mission to Goryeo. After his father's death, he was posthumously honored with the title of General of Annam, Jizhou Governor, and posthumously conferred the title of Duke of Cangshui, and was posthumously given the name Kang. Gao You's brother, Gao Zuo, inherited the title and later became the Governor of Dongqingzhou.
Gao You is quite well-read; he enjoys reading various historical texts and essays, and he has a rather carefree personality, not too concerned with trivialities. At first, he served as a student in the Central Secretariat, later promoted to doctorate, and then became a chancellor. Because he captured a group of bandits in Shao County, he was granted the title of Duke of Jiankang. In the later years of Emperor Gaozong's reign, officials in the Eastern Jun of Yanzhou captured a strange creature and presented it to the court, but no one could identify what it was. The emperor ordered Gao You to be consulted, and he said, "This is something found only in the Sanwu region, called a lingli, and it is rarely seen elsewhere. Now that we have caught it, does this mean the Wu and Chu regions are going to submit to us?" On another occasion, someone picked up a jade seal in Lingqiu and presented it to the court. The emperor also showed it to Gao You, who said, "This seal has ancient script that reads 'Song Shou.' 'Shou' means longevity. Getting this jade seal is a sign that we’re in for longevity and is a portent of our prosperity!" When Emperor Xianzu just ascended the throne, Liu Yilong's son, Prince Chang of Yiyang, came seeking refuge, and Xue Andu and others also surrendered with five states to the court. Back then, everyone felt that what Gao You said had really come true!
The emperor appointed me as the Secretary. Later, together with Prime Minister Li Biao, we submitted a petition, saying: "We have heard that the glory of the system of rites and regulations is manifested through speech; the completion of historical records and classics depends on documenting achievements to enlighten future generations. Therefore, the 'Book of Documents' is the model for recording speech, and the 'Spring and Autumn Annals' is the model for recording events. Looking through previous historical records, these are all true records of words and deeds. Before the Xia and Shang dynasties, historical records were incomplete. It was only after the Zhou dynasty that the system of rites and regulations became more established. Historians' writing styles vary in language and content; the aims of historical writing evolve with the times. For example, 'Zuo Zhuan' written by Zuo Qiuming combines narration and commentary, writing in both styles together, which preserves the original intent of historical records, though it does not fully adhere to their conventions. As for Sima Qian and Ban Gu, they were both knowledgeable and talented individuals who discussed major events of ancient and modern times with clear logic. Although they did not cover all aspects comprehensively, this was certainly commendable in the realm of historical writing. As for the Later Han, Wei, and Jin dynasties, they all followed this practice.
Only our revered dynasty has established ancient systems and laid the groundwork for the 'Changfa.' The long time span meant that historical records could not be fully preserved. We are somewhat inexperienced, but we bear the responsibility of revising history. Reading the 'National Records,' I have been reflecting on this matter. I believe that from the establishment of Wang Ye's reign, various affairs were just beginning. From the beginning of the emperor's reign to the period of Guangzhai, governing the Central Plains should adhere to the overall framework established by the previous dynasty, categorizing events and distinguishing between annals and biographies, so that revisions can ensure that events are thoroughly documented. As the 'Book of Songs, Da Ya, King Wen' states: "**King Wen is above, shining in the heavens. Though Zhou is an ancient state, its mandate is new.**" Your Majesty, endowed with innate talent and ordained by the heavens, the Empress Dowager's virtue radiates like the sun and moon, benefiting the world, the royal way flourishes, education spreads widely, reputation extends far, surpassing the emperors of previous generations long ago.
Moreover, since the Taihe period, it has been less than ten years, yet auspicious signs have appeared more frequently than ever; achievements and virtuous governance are also more remarkable than in the past. The Book of Songs states in Xiaoya, Lu Ming: “**The deer call out, feeding on the wild grass. I have esteemed guests, playing the zither and blowing the sheng.**” Kuaiji Commandery hopes to be recorded in the annals of jade, and Mount Tai hopes to be inscribed on a stone tablet. However, the records of meritorious deeds in the imperial archives do not fully capture the Emperor's virtues and merits. If this continues, the Emperor's great achievements may be overlooked, and the remarkable contributions of meritorious officials might also be ignored. It is suggested that officials ranked below the authoring minister select talented individuals to participate in the compilation of national history; if suitable candidates are found, the compilation can be completed in three years. In this way, the Emperor's merits can be recorded in history, shining for a thousand years; the Empress's contributions will also be recorded for posterity. Loyal individuals who helped the Emperor achieve his goals, along with officials who speak candidly in court, can have their names recorded in history. The Emperor agreed to our suggestion.
Emperor Gaozu asked Wang You in a relaxed manner, “If we encounter droughts or floods and have a poor harvest, what can we do to avert disasters and secure a good harvest?” Wang You replied, “In the past, even wise rulers like Yao, Shun, Yu, and Tang could not prevent the appearance of 'Yang Jiu' (note: referring to celestial phenomena that herald disasters). Your Majesty's way of governing the country is akin to that of the wise rulers of previous generations; what's a little drought in the grand scheme of things? As long as you promote capable individuals to help you govern and guide the people to farm according to the seasons, the disasters will naturally be alleviated, and a good harvest will come.”
The emperor asked him again how to stop thieves. Wang You said, "In the past, Song Jun governed with virtue, and even wild animals did not dare to enter his jurisdiction; Zhuo Mao was good at educating the people, and even locusts did not dare to fly into his territory. Those thieves are also human beings. As long as they are educated properly, what can't be stopped? The key is to ensure that local officials are honest and upright, and thieves will naturally decrease." Wang You also wrote a memorial saying, "Currently, officials are selected not based on their ability to handle affairs, but on the length of their qualifications. We should stop this practice of only considering qualifications and remove those incompetent and elderly individuals. Talent should be the only criterion for selecting personnel, so that the officialdom can be clean and clear. Those old ministers who have made contributions, although old, can have their merits recognized, but if their abilities are not sufficient to govern the people, they can be given titles and rewards, but not entrusted with important responsibilities. This aligns with what the ancient sage kings said, that private wealth can be given to individuals, but official positions cannot." The emperor Gaozu felt that Wang You made a lot of sense. So he promoted him to the position of Geishi Zhong, Grand Zheng of Jizhou, while keeping his other official positions unchanged. At that time, Li Biao held the sole right to write, and although Wang You was an order, he was only a supporting role. Later, Wang You was sent on a diplomatic mission and appointed as the General of the Army, the Assistant General, and Governor of Xiyanzhou, and granted the title of Marquis of Dongguang, stationed in Huatai. Wang You found that although there were academies in the counties, schools should also be established in the villages, so he ordered the establishment of lecture halls in the counties and primary schools in the villages. He also mandated that each household must have a rice pounding pestle, and five families must jointly dig a well to make it easier for travelers to fetch water, and women were prohibited from going to public places to pound rice and fetch water. He also established a system in which five families would mutually guarantee each other, and if theft occurred, they would be collectively punished. At first, these measures seemed trivial, but later the atmosphere shifted dramatically, and the thieves disappeared without a trace.
Wang Liu Chang of the Song Dynasty was rewarded with five hundred bolts of silk, five hundred shí (a unit of measurement for grain), and a horse for his contributions to the formulation of laws and regulations. Due to his old age and high official rank, many courtesans and entertainers sent him gifts. Later, he was appointed as the Grand Minister of Rites, retaining the same position as before. After Liu Chang's death, the court summoned his son Wang You to serve as the Minister of the Imperial Clan, but Wang You lingered in Pengcheng for a long time and did not go to assume his post. Therefore, the Minister of Personnel Li Chong reported that Wang You was loitering in the Huai and Xu regions and had not complied with the court's orders in a timely manner, proposing a three-year sentence of forced labor before he could atone for his actions. The emperor issued a decree relieving him of his position as Minister of the Imperial Clan and restoring him to his original post as Grand Minister of Rites. He died in the twenty-third year of Taihe. The Ministry of Rites considered bestowing upon him the posthumous title of "Yang Marquis," but the emperor remarked, "Disobeying the orders of superiors is referred to as 'Ling,' so he shall be posthumously titled 'Ling.'"
The prince's son, He Bi, whose courtesy name was Sengshou, was very knowledgeable and served as a Doctor in the Central Secretariat, but sadly died young.
Wang Hao, the son of He Bi, had the courtesy name Menxian. He was well-educated and had some renown. He rose from the position of military officer in the Ministry of Works to become an official in the Ministry of Personnel, inheriting the title of Duke of Jiankang. Later, he was promoted to the position of Seal Minister. He was then appointed as the Deputy Governor of Jizhou, but before he assumed office, he encountered the rebellion of Governor Yuan Yu. Emperor Shizong sent Minister Li Ping as the commander to lead the army against the rebellion. Seeing that Wang Hao had significant influence locally, Li Ping invited him to serve as his military advisor and allowed him to lead troops, often consulting him on military matters. After quelling the rebellion, more than a thousand of Yuan Yu's followers were to be executed, but Wang Hao believed these individuals acted out of compulsion and had previously promised to spare them, so he submitted a request for their pardon. Li Ping agreed to his request, and all of these individuals were spared. After the matter concluded, Wang Hao continued to fulfill his duties. At that time, due to the war, a famine occurred, and Wang Hao was responsible for managing the grain supply, striving to be lenient and compassionate, gaining the people's affection. Soon after, he was promoted to General of Lingjiang, but later was dismissed due to a breach of conduct. After a period, he was appointed General of Zhenyuan, and later promoted to General of the State, Senior Official of the Central Secretariat, and later promoted to General of Conquering the Enemy, while still holding the position of Senior Official of the Central Secretariat. He passed away at the age of 49. The court posthumously awarded him the titles of General of Pingdong and Governor of Cangzhou, with the posthumous title "Hui."
His son, Wang Dezhen, inherited his title and served as the Yellow Gate Gentleman during the Wuding era.
Wang Hao's brother, Wang Ya, known by the courtesy name Xingxian, was known for his grace. He gradually rose from the position of court attendant to become a military advisor in the Ministry of War and Chief Clerk of the Dingzhou Governor's Office. He passed away at just thirty-four. During the Tianping era, the court posthumously awarded him the titles of Regular Attendant, General of Pingbei, and Governor of Jizhou.
Wang Hao's grandson, Wang Deqian, displayed exceptional intelligence from an early age and served as the Governor of Rencheng before passing away.
Ya Diliang (雅弟谅), courtesy name Xiuxian, was known for his exceptional memory and loved studying from a young age. He was famously filial. During the Taihe period of the Northern Wei dynasty, King Yu of Jingzhao established a government office and recruited talent. Emperor Gaozu of the Northern Wei personally selected outstanding individuals to serve as advisors, and Diliang was chosen along with Li Zhongshang from Longxi and Li Fengqi from Zhao County. Later, he gradually rose through the ranks to become Chief Clerk to the Grand Commandant and a Doctor of the National University. During the Zhengguang period, he was granted the title of General of Elite Cavalry and appointed to the Xu Province Executive. Upon arriving in Pengcheng, he encountered a rebellion led by Yuan Fasi (元法僧), who pressured him to join the revolt, but he resolutely refused and was ultimately killed by Yuan Fasi when he was just forty-one. The court mourned his death and posthumously granted him the titles of Left General and Governor of Cangzhou. An edict was issued stating that Diliang remained loyal to his duties during a critical moment, and his integrity was commendable. He was posthumously granted the titles of Envoy with Special Powers, General of Pacification, and Governor of Youzhou, along with a gift of two hundred bolts of fabric. One of his sons was directly appointed to an official position, and he received the posthumous title of "Loyal Marquis." He had a total of three sons. His eldest son, Huisheng, served as a military advisor in the Ministry of Personnel during the Wuding period. Diliang also compiled more than forty volumes of "Family Genealogy," clearly documenting his family lineage from his fifth great-grandfather onward, which impressed all who read it due to his remarkable memory.
His younger brother, You, followed their uncle Ji to serve Liu Yilong (刘义隆) when he was young. Upon returning, he became a student in the Central Secretariat and later rose to the position of Secretary of the Central Secretariat. He passed away in his early forties. His son, Fayong, served as a junior officer under various princes but also died young. You's cousin, Citong, served as General of Pacification and Governor of Dingzhou during the Yong'an period of the Northern Wei. His son, Qianyong, reached the position of Minister of Works during the Yongxi period and was granted the title of Duke of Changle. Qianyong's brother, Ao Cao, attained the position of Minister of Personnel during the Tianping period and was granted the title of Duke of Jingzhao.
Cui Ting, courtesy name Shuanggen, was a native of Anping in Boling. His ancestor, Cui Zan, was the Minister of Works of the Wei Kingdom; his great-grandfather, Cui Hong, was the Minister of Personnel of the Jin Dynasty; and his father, Cui Yu, was the Prefect of Puyang. Cui Ting was very filial from a young age and devoted himself to mourning duties. He studied hard from a young age, read many books, was upright, helpful, and well-liked by the people in his village. Every season, he would write sincere and thoughtful letters to the elders in his village, who felt honored to receive them. Despite facing frequent famines and financial difficulties, Cui Ting and his brother Cui Zhen sacrificed their land, houses, and savings, retaining only the land for the family tomb. Despite their poverty, the brothers maintained a close bond and continued to study diligently. Cui Ting excelled in the imperial examinations, quickly advancing to the position of a high-ranking official. Due to his calligraphy skills, he was summoned to Chang'an by the emperor to inscribe the epitaph of the Empress Dowager's father and was later granted the title of Viscount of Taichang. He continued to earn promotions and rewards for his contributions to the government, and even married the emperor's daughter. Although he was offered a military position, he declined it due to illness. Cui Ting's career was both illustrious and highly successful.
Later, he was appointed as General Zhao Wu and Governor of Guangzhou, gaining great prestige and favor, which significantly improved the social atmosphere. In the nineteenth year of Taihe, the emperor visited Yanzhou and summoned him to join him. The emperor met with him warmly and asked about his strategies for governing the border and his literary talents. The emperor was very pleased and said to him, “It has already been two years since I last saw you. I've compiled some of my writings into a collection, and I will give you a copy now; you can read it when you have time.” He then turned to the attendants beside him and said, “If everyone in charge of military power were like him, what would I have to worry about?” After that, he returned to Guangzhou. Later, Zhang Yi, the Cavalry Commandant and Palace Attendant, toured various regions to investigate local customs. Upon seeing the outstanding achievements of this Inspector, he said to him, “I have been ordered to inspect various places, investigate public sentiment, and handle disputes. Coming here and seeing your accomplishments, I truly feel ashamed; I don't deserve the title of a virtuous envoy!”
A few miles northwest of Guangzhou City is Ax Mountain, with towering peaks, the sea to the north and Mount Tai in the distance to the south, making it a famous local tourist destination. This Inspector wanted to build a temple on the mountaintop, but the locals replied, “This mountain often experiences heavy rains and strong winds in spring and autumn, and the stones on the mountain will be swept down. It is said that this was once a dragon’s passage; we fear that once the temple is built, it may not last long.” The Inspector replied, “Between humans and gods, what is really out of reach? Is there only one path for the dragon gods to come and go?” So, he ordered the temple to be built. For several years, indeed, the weather was favorable, and no unusual weather occurred. However, after this Inspector left his post, the temple was destroyed by wind and hail. Later, people rebuilt it, but it was destroyed again, and ultimately, it was never completed. Everyone believed this was a sign that the Inspector's virtue had touched the heavens.
In ancient times, there was a man named Cui Ting. Many criminals sentenced to exile escaped, so the court enacted strict punishments: if a person committed a crime and fled, his entire family would be punished and forced into labor. Cui Ting wrote to the emperor, stating that according to the records of the "Book of Zhou," the guilt of a father should not be shared with his son. There are more bad people than good in the world. It is unfair for a whole family to be implicated because of one person's crime! Just like Sima Niu being punished for Huan Heng's crimes and Liu Xiaohui being implicated in the crimes of Daozhi, isn't that tragic? Cui Ting's memorial was very sincere, and the emperor accepted his suggestion.
Prior to this, the local iron ore supply was limited, and various goods needed to be transported from elsewhere. Cui Ting wrote to propose reinstating the local iron official so that both the government and the people could benefit. At that time, the officials in various states were mainly responsible for assessing talent, and the emperor wanted to investigate the genealogy of the major families in the world and invited Cui Ting to participate. Therefore, he was appointed as the chief official of the state.
There was an old man in Ye County who was over ninety years old and arrived at the state capital in a cart. He said that when he was young, he had been an envoy to Linyi and obtained a very beautiful jade, about four inches square, shining brightly. He had kept it hidden on an island for sixty years. Now, in the era of wise governance, he wanted to offer this jade to the court. Cui Ting replied, "While I hold the noble figures of the past in high regard, I cannot regard this jade as a treasure." So he sent a boat to retrieve the jade, and its brilliance was indeed as rumored. However, Cui Ting resolutely declined to accept it and sent it to the capital instead. After Emperor Shizong ascended the throne, Cui Ting repeatedly submitted his resignation and request to return to his hometown. In the early years of Jingming, Cui Ting returned to his hometown, where the townsfolk tearfully bid him farewell, presenting him with many bolts of silk, but he refused to accept any of them.
Cavalry Commander Zhao Xiu was highly favored by Emperor Shizong. Even though Cui Ting and Zhao Xiu were from the same hometown, he had never paid him a visit. The Prince of Beihai, Xiang, served as Minister of Works and wanted Cui Ting to be his Marshal. Cui Ting firmly declined, but ultimately, he could not turn it down. While others thought he was wronged, he stayed composed. Later, when the Prince of Beihai was in charge of selecting officials, everyone tried to impress in hopes of promotion, while Cui Ting remained silent. The Prince of Beihai said, "Cui Guangzhou, your evaluation has not resulted in a promotion; you should write a petition, and I will help you apply. Why are you silent when Qu Boyu is not willing to be selfish?" Cui Ting replied, "Promotion is a major matter of the court, and evaluation is also a common practice of the country. Although I am ashamed that I am not as good as the selfless sages of ancient times, I feel ashamed to pursue personal advancement." The Prince of Beihai held him in high regard. After Cui Ting became Marshal, the Prince of Beihai never called him by name, always referring to his official position to show respect. Four years later, Cui Ting passed away at the age of fifty-nine. That winter, the court posthumously appointed him as the General Who Aids the State and the Governor of Youzhou, with the posthumous title of "Jing." His former subordinates in Guangzhou were deeply saddened by the news of his passing, and they collectively erected an eight-foot tall bronze statue in his honor at Guangyin Temple, located in the eastern part of the city, and constructed eight Guanzhai to pray for his peace, demonstrating the profound respect they held for him.
In his youth, Cui Ting was very poor, but he was very filial to his parents, often personally serving them and caring for their clothing, food, shelter, and daily needs. He also knew Xing Luan and Song Bian from a young age and predicted that they would have great achievements in the future. He was widely praised for his keen judgment of character. Cui Ting served as an official for more than twenty years, but his family's wealth barely increased. He was not particular about food and drink, and there were no luxurious decorations in his home, but the atmosphere at home was warm and harmonious. His old friends often gifted him, but his sons inherited his integrity and refused to accept any gifts. He had a total of six sons.
His eldest son, Cui Xiaofen, who was styled Gongzi, was talented and well-read from a young age, excelling in writing. The emperor summoned him and praised him highly. Li Biao said to Cui Ting, "I just saw your virtuous son meeting the emperor, and the emperor treated him specially. Now you should prepare to receive everyone's congratulations." Cui Ting replied, "You can manage your own father-son relationships, but I dare not listen to such talk."
Cui Xiaofen initially served as a military officer under the Situ and Prince Xie of Pengcheng, and later was appointed as a Lang in the Imperial Library, thus inheriting his father's title. The Minister of the Imperial Secretariat, Gao Zhao, held significant power, and his son Gao Zhi was appointed as the Inspector of Qingzhou, recommending Cui Xiaofen as his Marshal. Later on, Cui Xiaofen also served as a military officer within the Secretariat, an official of the Ministry of Works, and the Grand Central Inspector of Dingzhou. He was skilled at handling cases, highly respected, and greatly valued by Prince Cheng, the Prefect of the City. During the Xiping period, Prince Cheng submitted eight proposals for land system reform, all of which Cui Xiaofen contributed to. He remained at Prince Cheng's residence for an extended period and was later appointed as the Dragon Cavalry General and the Assistant Minister of Justice.
During the reign of Emperor Xiaochang, General Pei Sui, dispatched by Xiao Yan, attacked Huainan. The court ordered acting chancellor Li Daoyuan and commander Wang Chen to subdue them, but the army became stalled at Chengfu, making no progress for several months. The court then ordered Cui Xiaofen to take the emperor's insignia and the prized sword from the Qi treasury to urge them to engage in battle. Eventually, the enemy retreated, enabling the people to live and work in peace. The governor of Jingzhou, Li Shenjun, was besieged by the army sent by Xiao Yan. The court promoted Cui Xiaofen to the position of Special Advisor to the Emperor and appointed him as the governor of Jingzhou, while also serving as the Minister of the Interior, the acting governor of the Southern Circuit, and commander, leading the generals to rescue Li Shenjun and taking over his position. At that time, the garrison in the prefectures had been nearly overrun by the enemy, and the route passed through Sanhe, which the enemy had already occupied. Cui Xiaofen's troops were limited in number and unable to advance directly, so he led his troops south from Hongnong Yanqu Mountain, sending his brother Cui Xiaozhi to lead a light infantry ahead to catch the enemy off guard, causing them to flee and allowing the local populace to regain stability. The emperor praised him greatly and rewarded him with horses, silk, and other items.
Due to his association with Yuan Yi's group, he was dismissed from his official position along with Lu Tong and Li Jiang and was recalled by the court. Later, when Xiaofen was the Minister of Justice, Wang Rong of Zhangwu was impeached on charges of corruption, and Xiaofen dealt with him according to strict laws. When Wang Rong became the commander and marched north to attack Xianyu Xiuli, Xiaofen's brother Xiaoyan, along with his family, fled to Boling to evade the enemy. The county city was breached by the enemy, and he was soon thereafter killed by them. Wang Rong secretly reported, saying, "Xiaoyan has defected to the enemy and become a traitor." Consequently, Xiaofen was captured while his entire family fled. They were later released following a general amnesty.
In the third year of Xiaochang, Xiao Yan dispatched General Cheng Jingjun to advance on Pengcheng. The court appointed Xiaofen as General Ning Shuo and Imperial Attendant, while also assigning him the role of Deputy Right Minister of the Ministry of Rites, allowing him to take charge of the Xuzhou Xing Tai. Xiaofen prepared to set off to say his goodbyes. Empress Dowager Ling said to Xiaofen, "Your daughter is now serving my son, so you are considered a relative to us. What grievances could there be? However, there are rumors in the palace that someone in Yuan Yi's carriage claims you are confused and should be dismissed." Xiaofen replied, "I have received great favor from the court; how could such rumors exist? Even if such a thing really happened, who would hear it? If someone actually heard it, then that person is much closer to Yuan Yi than I am. Please inquire about the person who said that, and the truth can be distinguished." Empress Dowager Ling was touched by this, clearing up the misunderstanding and revealing a look of guilt. Cheng Jingjun built fences and dams in an attempt to divert the flow of the Sishui River for irrigation in Pengcheng. Xiaofen led Grand Commanders Li Shuren, Chai Ji, and others into battle against the enemy. Cheng Jingjun and others could not resist and fled in defeat. The court subsequently appointed Xiaofen as General Annan and Grand Master of Splendor, while also assigning him to oversee the Xuyan Xing Tai. At the start of the Jianyi period, Tai Shan Prefect Yang Kan rebelled by seizing the county town and colluding with southern enemies to besiege Yanzhou. The court appointed Xiaofen as Cavalier In Regular Attendance, General Who Calms the East, Golden Purple Grand Master of Splendor, still concurrently as the Minister of Rites, and the East Dao Xing Tai. Grand Commander Diao Xuan rushed to the rescue and joined forces with Xing Tai Yuhui, effectively surrounding the rebel army just in time. Yang Kan managed to break through and escape to Xiao Yan, while the remaining rebel forces were subdued.
In the second year of the Yong'an era, the emperor learned that Yuan Hao was planning a stealthy attack and ordered Xiao Fen to hurry to Xuzhou. Yuan Hao, meanwhile, secretly attacked Kaocheng, capturing the Grand Commander Wang Huiye of Jiyin, and taking advantage of this momentum, he charged forward, even sending his rear commander Hou Xuan to guard Liangguo City as a backup force. Xiao Fen commanded his troops to swiftly besiege Hou Xuan, worried that Yuan Hao might send reinforcements, and they fought fiercely for a full day and night without a break. After five days, Hou Xuan finally broke out, but was captured and executed, along with over three thousand soldiers who were taken prisoner. Upon returning to the palace, the emperor appointed Xiao Fen as the Governor of Xiyanzhou, while he retained his previous general position. After being away for so long, Xiao Fen was quite fatigued and firmly declined the post, and was eventually appointed as the Minister of Rites.
In the first year of Putai, Zhao Xiu, the Governor of Nanyang, secretly seized Jingzhou City, capturing the inspector Li Yan and colluding with the southern enemies. The emperor then appointed Xiao Fen as the General of the Guard and the inspector of Jingzhou, while also taking on roles as the Minister of Personnel and Acting Governor of the Southern Road. He was later promoted to Commander of Military Affairs for the Three Jing regions, the General of Chariots and Cavalry, and the Acting General of the Cavalry. Just as Xiao Fen was about to set out, his official position changed once more, becoming a Cavalry Attendant, the General of the Cavalry, and the inspector of Xiyanzhou. During the Taichang era, he also held the position of Minister of the Imperial Court. Shortly after, he was promoted to Grand General of Chariots and Cavalry and Left Minister of Rites, while continuing to serve as a minister. Later, he was appointed as Minister of the Three Departments and also took on the role of Minister of Personnel. Eventually, when the emperor crossed the pass and Qi Xianwu Wang arrived in Luoyang, Xiao Fen was executed alongside Ministers Xin Xiong and Liu Xun at the age of fifty. His family also faced confiscation of their property, and it wasn't until the Tianping era that they received a pardon.
Xiao Fen was well-educated and articulate, with a talent for conversation. He enjoyed mentoring younger generations and was always cheerful, discussing various topics, both ancient and modern, often joking, making it enjoyable for his listeners. He authored dozens of articles and had eight sons.
Xiao Mian, the elder brother, courtesy name Xuanzu, enjoys reading, especially historical texts, and his literary talent is quite good. During the Zhengguang era, he became a doctor at the Imperial Academy. Later, when the emperor served as Inspector General, he specifically promoted him to the position of Palace Attendant. During the Yong'an era, he was promoted again and became the General of Establishing Festivals and the Right Minister of Military Affairs. Afterwards, the Grand Commandant Prince Yuzhang, Xiao Zan, recommended him to be a consultant officer, while keeping his ministerial position. Unfortunately, later on, he offended someone and was reported by Inspector General Gao Daomu, leading to his dismissal. During the Putai era, he became the Left Minister of Rites. Xiao Mian was skilled at flattery, which led many to consider him superficial and overly ambitious.
He had a good relationship with Minister Er Zhu Shilong, but his relationship with Minister Wei Jijing was quite tense. Er Zhu Shilong trusted Wei Jijing greatly, while Wei Jijing secretly wanted to seize the position of Left Minister that Xiao Mian held. Later, Er Zhu Shilong indeed promoted Wei Jijing, which left Xiao Mian feeling quite unhappy and dejected. Not long after, he was appointed as the General of Annam and the Grand Master of Ceremonies, and he also concurrently served as the Grand Scholar, overseeing ceremonial rites. During the Taichang era, he was promoted to be a Cavalry Attendant, General of the Eastern Expedition, Grand Master of Golden Purple, and Chief of Dingzhou. The emperor granted his family the privilege of free access to the palace. Later, after a certain incident, he fled and went into hiding.
Afterward, when he came out, he met with King Qi Xianwu in Jinyang, and the king offered him comfort and encouragement. During the Tianping era, the king sent him to escort the families of noble generals to Dingzhou. Taking this opportunity, he finally returned home. Upon his arrival, his mother, Lady Li, had passed away, and Xiao Mian, overcome with grief, fell ill and soon passed away at the age of forty-seven. He left no sons, so his brother Xiao Xuan adopted his nephew Xiao Long to continue the family line.
Xiao Mian's younger brother, Xiao Xuanyou, once served as the Minister of the Left and later went to Guanxi. This position is essentially an official role. Another younger brother of Xiao Mian, Xiao Xuandu, was the Marshal of the Prince of Qi's Palace, also an official. Xiao Mian's younger brother, Xiao Xuangui, was very talented and served as a Censor of the Ministry of Personnel. He, along with his brothers Xiao Xuanzhi, Xiao Xuanjing, and Xiao Xuanlue, all died in Jinyang. Xiaofen had two younger brothers, one named Xiaowei, whose courtesy name was Jingye. He had a gentle and steady personality since he was young, exuding an elder's demeanor. Later, when Prince Xie of Pengcheng was serving in Dingzhou, he recruited him as his registrar. After that, he served as a military officer in Jizhou's Eastern Peace Office, gradually rising through the ranks to positions like Cavalier Attendant, General of Ning Shuo, and Cavalier Attendant. During the Wutai period, the leader of the barbarian factions, Li Hong, incited a rebellion among other tribes, and the court dispatched Xiaowei to lead the troops in quelling the revolt, and he, along with the commander Li Shengui, successfully put down the revolt.
Later, Erzhu Rong persecuted the court ministers, and Xiaowei and his younger brother Xiaozhi fled to Dingtao with their family to escape. During the reign of Empress Xiaozhuang, the court summoned him to serve as an Imperial Secretariat and appointed him General Who Conquers the Barbarians, and shortly thereafter appointed him as the Prefect of Zhao County. Due to Ge Rong's rebellion in Zhao County, the people endured severe casualties, widespread poverty, and skyrocketing food prices. That summer saw a bountiful harvest of mulberries, and Xiaowei advised the locals to harvest more mulberries. Since there was a shortage of plowing oxen in the county, he taught the locals how to plow their own fields. He won over the refugees with kindness, then imposed strict discipline, and within a year, many refugees had returned. He also established schools and personally taught and encouraged the locals, and the commoners were very grateful to him. In the end, Xiaowei died in office at the age of forty-nine. The court posthumously conferred upon him the titles of Imperial Secretariat, General Who Pacifies the East, and Governor of Yingzhou, with the posthumous title of "Jian." The court officials deemed these honors insufficient and further posthumously appointed him as General Who Maintains the North and Governor of Dingzhou. His son, Zi'ang, rose to the position of Deputy Left Minister of Personnel and concurrently served as Minister of Revenue during the Wuding period.
Xiao Yan, another brother of Xiao Wei, whose courtesy name was Bo, was adopted by his uncle. He was generous, had a handsome beard, and was tall and strong. In his youth, he did not wish to hold an official position and lived in his hometown. Later, when Wang Chen from Hejian was appointed as the governor of Dingzhou, he made Xiao Yan the Zhi Zhong official. He later became the military officer in charge of the Anxi Prefecture in Yingzhou, but then resigned and returned home. When Xianyu Xiuli rebelled, Xiao Yan led his clansmen to defend the county seat, but the city was captured. The rebel army knew that Xiao Yan was highly respected among the common people and feared he would sway the morale of their troops, so they executed him at the age of just forty. Xiao Yan had no sons, so his brother Xiao Zhi adopted his own son, Shi You, to Xiao Yan. Shi You later became a military officer in the Yi Tong Kai Fu Cang Cao position.
Xiao Yan's younger brother, Xiao Zhi, courtesy name Shu Lian, was tall and handsome, with a spirited look. He had lofty ambitions from a young age, starting out as a military officer in Sikong's office. Later, he became an attendant cavalry officer, Xuanwei General, and continued to serve in the palace. He was then promoted to Ningyuan General and served as an official in the court of Prince Runan, still serving in the palace. His brother Xiao Fen was appointed as the Inspector of Jingzhou, so the court temporarily appointed Xiao Zhi as the General of Barbarian Conquest, leading two thousand elite cavalry to accompany Xiao Fen to Jingzhou. Xiao Zhi secretly advanced with his troops, and upon realizing the situation was unfavorable, the enemy quickly fled. After Xiao Fen entered the city, General Cao Yizong, one of Xiao Yan's generals, was still active near the horse stables, stirring up the Shunyang tribes to revolt, and small bands of bandits in the border areas were also becoming restless. Xiao Zhi led his troops to defend against them and drove away these bandits. Upon returning to the court, he was promoted to General of the Direct Guard and Regular Mounted Attendant. Later, when Erzhu Zhao invaded Luoyang, Xiao Zhi felt that the world was still not at peace, so he resigned and returned to his hometown, encouraging his family’s younger generation to value propriety and integrity. He was later appointed as General Who Maintains the East and Household Counsellor. During the Taichang era, he was appointed as General of the Guards and Right Household Counsellor, but he declined the positions outright. Relatives and friends advised him, "Everyone desires honor and wealth, why are you so above it all?" Xiao Zhi remained silent. At the age of fifty-eight, he passed away in his hometown, and before his death, he advised his sons, "I have been mediocre and made no contribution to the country. If the court wishes to posthumously confer a title upon me, you must follow my wishes, do not accept it, and do not seek official positions. Handle the funeral according to tradition, and do not kill during sacrifices." His sons all followed his instructions. He had a total of four sons. His eldest son, Shi Shun, achieved the rank of General of Equal Rank.
Xiao Zhi's younger brother, Xiao Zheng, known by his courtesy name Ji Rang, died at the age of ten. His cries were so loud they could be heard throughout the heavens, and those around him were deeply saddened. He was known for his integrity, extensive knowledge, and expertise in classical literature, especially his passion for poetry and prose. He placed great importance on funeral rituals, even personally researching how to make the garments. The Grand Commandant and Prince Yue of Runan once invited him to serve as a military aide. He passed away at the age of forty-nine. His son, Yan, became an external attendant during the Wuding era.
Xiao Fen and his brothers were all very filial and kind-hearted. His younger brothers, Xiao Yan and Xiao Zheng, died early, and Xiao Fen and the others wept inconsolably, refusing to eat even vegetables and growing emaciated, which saddened all who saw them. Xiao Fen's nephew, Xiao Wei, served him with utmost respect, only daring to eat or move with Xiao Fen's permission. They would get up at dawn with the rooster's crow and greet Xiao Fen every morning, not daring to keep even a single penny or a piece of cloth for themselves. Whenever there was a joyful or sorrowful event in the family, they would discuss how to share it among themselves. The sisters-in-law also had a harmonious relationship and shared everything. Initially, the brothers lived together, but after the passing of Xiao Fen's uncle Zhen, they treated their aunt, Li, as if she were their own mother, greeting her every morning and evening, informing her of their comings and goings, and consulting her on all family matters, big and small. Whenever the brothers went out to do business, if they earned money or acquired anything larger than an inch, they would put it in Li's storeroom and then distribute it according to the seasons, letting Li decide how to use it. This arrangement lasted for over twenty years. They also treated their cousins, Xuan Bo and Zi Lang, as if they were their own brothers.
Xiaofen's younger brother Zhen, courtesy name Yangen, was knowledgeable from a young age, filial, respectful, and friendly, and was well-known in the clan. He started as a student in the imperial academy, then became a secretary in the court, where he worked diligently and carefully, earning the appreciation of the Emperor. Later, he was assigned to Jizhou, then served as a Sima in the Cavalry Office of Prince Xi of Xianyang for a long time. In the twentieth year of Taihe, he was promoted to General of Establishing Might and Prefect of Pingyang, but he declined and was appointed as Neishi of Gaoyang. When the Emperor led a campaign to the south, he was summoned to serve as the Left Deputy Minister and was asked to stay in the capital. Zhen was promoted and valued for his outstanding abilities, which was regarded as a great honor by many at that time. Later, when the court restructured the official ranking system, by his qualifications, he would typically have been assigned a fifth-rank official position, but the Emperor decreed, "Zhen has shown remarkable achievements in the county and should be given a higher official position." He was then appointed as a Crown Prince's son. In the early years of Jingming, he concurrently held the position of Assistant Minister of Justice. Zhen was known for his fairness, decisiveness, and keen insight. The Prefect of Henan, Lu Xiu, and Prince Xi of Xianyang conspired to rebel. When the conspiracy was uncovered following the failed rebellion, Zhen thoroughly investigated the matter. At that time, Lu Xiu's relatives, friends, and many high-ranking officials in the court interceded on his behalf, but Zhen conducted a thorough investigation without yielding, ultimately leading to Lu Xiu's execution in prison. He was renowned for his strict enforcement of the law. In the early years of Zhengshi, he was appointed as General of Longxiang and Inspector of Sizhou, where he achieved outstanding results. Upon his return to the court, he was appointed as the Prefect of Hedong. During the Yongping period, he passed away while in office at the age of fifty-nine. The court posthumously conferred upon him the titles of General and Inspector of South Yanzhou and granted him the posthumous title of "Ding." Zhen served in the officialdom for forty years, consistently performing his duties with excellence, and was praised by many. Lao Da Xuanbo passed away at a young age. His son Jing, courtesy name Zhongkai, served as an officer in the cavalry.
Xuan Bo's grandson, Lang, was quite handsome, well-educated, gentle and charming in his youth, and had great charm. He rose through the ranks thanks to his military accomplishments, eventually becoming General of Xiang Wei and Deputy Cavalry Marshal. During the Pu Tai era, his brother Xiao Fen served as the Inspector of Jingzhou and invited him to be the Cavalry Office's Marshal. Later, when Xiao Fen was reassigned as the Inspector of Xiyanzhou, Lang was appointed as the Marshal of the Biaoqi Office. In the early years of Tai Chang, he was appointed as the General of Champion and the Chief Clerk of the Northern Xuzhou Military Office, but he firmly declined the position, ultimately unable to refuse it. In the second year of Xinghe, Lieutenant Gao Zhongmi recommended him for the role of Attendant Censor, and soon after he was promoted to General of Pacifying the West. He passed away in the Wu Ding era, and his son was named Dao Gang.
Ting's uncle and younger brother, Yuan Zhen, initially served as a military advisor in the Ministry of Personnel and gradually rose to the position of Chief Clerk of the Ministry and an official under the Prince of Zhao. During the Jingming era, he served as the Chief Clerk of Jingzhou. After some time, he was promoted to the position of Deputy Minister of Personnel and earned a reputation for his fairness in dealings. Later, he was promoted to the title of Zhong San Da Fu and granted the title of General of Conquering the Barbarians. During the Zhengguang era, when the Mountain Hu staged a rebellion, he was appointed as the Governor of Pingyang and acting Right General, leading the charge against the rebels. He repeatedly defeated the Hu soldiers, restoring peace in the Pingyang region. In the early years of Wu Tai, Pingyang County was renamed Tangzhou County, and Yuan Zhen continued to serve as the Inspector and was further promoted to Right General. For his contributions to pacifying the Hu disturbances, he was granted the title of Marquis of Liangcheng. When Er Zhu Rong attacked Luoyang, he dispatched his commander, Fan Zihu, to assault Tangzhou. Yuan Zhen, along with the acting governor Li Yun, steadfastly resisted and refused to give in. In the end, they were eventually overrun by Fan Zihu and killed. Everyone mourned his loss, and his son was named Shu Gong.
Yu Zhi, the younger brother of another uncle, known by his courtesy name Zhonglian, lost his father at a young age, but he was quite learned. During the Taihe era, he first served as a court attendant, and later served as the constant attendant to Prince Yuyu of Guangling, and held several local official positions. He later returned to the court, serving as a military officer in the Ministry of War, the chief clerk of the Grand Commandant, and was later promoted to the Chief Historian of the Jizhou Military Command. He subsequently served as the Chief Historian of the Pingdong Mansion in Yangzhou, concurrently serving as the Prefect of Nanliang Province. When Xiao Yan's Yi Province Inspector Wen Sengming surrendered, Yu Zhi welcomed him and was granted the title of Baron of Gaoyi. In the early years of the Xiaochang reign, he was appointed as the Gentleman of the Court of Imperial Academy. Three years later, he passed away at the age of fifty-six years. He was posthumously conferred the title of General Who Pacifies the North and Inspector of Yingzhou. He had three sons.
The eldest son, Meng Shu, known by his courtesy name Zhangcai, inherited his father's title. He was promoted to General of the East and Senior Grand Master of Ceremonies. During the Xinghe period, he was appointed as the Prefect of Guangping. After his death, he was posthumously appointed as General of the Central Army and Inspector of Yinzhou, and posthumously appointed as General of the East, with the posthumous title Kang.
Meng Shu's younger brother, Zhong Shu, served as the Magistrate of Ye County during the Wuding era. Zhong Shu's younger brother, Ji Shu, served as a Gentleman of the Yellow Gate, tasked with assisting the Emperor. Their cousin, Xiu He, served as the chief clerk of the province.
Xiu He's son, Jian, style name Yuangong, was well-groomed and had a dignified demeanor. He served as a Doctorate of the Imperial Academy and eventually achieved the rank of Assistant Imperial Secretary. Jian's brother, Xu, style name Zhongmu, served as a military officer in the Legal Section of the Jizhou Military Command in Dingzhou. Xu's brother, Xiaozhong, served as an Imperial Censor and Gentleman of the Secretariat. Both brothers were good-looking, but they lacked genuine talent and knowledge.
Xu's son, Ziqian, held the position of Gentleman of the Imperial Secretariat. Ziqian's son, Zirang, joined Hou Jing in rebellion. Ziqian was arrested due to this incident, and later fell ill and passed away in Jinyang. Zirang's son, Zilian, along with others, also faced legal repercussions.
Xiuhe's younger brother Jing Yong was a relatively steady and capable person. During the Gaozu period, he was promoted from the position of secretary in the Ministry of Works to the position of Director of the Department of State Affairs, where he received good reviews for his work. He later rose to the rank of Colonel of the Prince's Infantry. In the early years of the Jingming era, after the death of his mother, he resigned from office. Later, when King Ying of Zhongshan launched a campaign to the south, he was invited to serve as the Chief Clerk of the Governor's Office and was also promoted to Left General. Due to his contributions, he was granted the title of Marquis of Linzi. He then advanced to the position of General of Dragon's Might and Deputy Minister of the Treasury, and later served as the Governor of Guanzhou in his capacity as a general. Once, when a hundred horses from the Kumo Xi Kingdom wandered into Guanzhou due to strong winds, Jing Yong returned all the horses to them, which earned him the gratitude of those ethnic minorities, who were willing to submit to the court. In the second year of the Xiping era, he was appointed as General of the Troops and Grand Minister. He passed away in the year of Shenqu at the age of fifty-seven. After his death, he was posthumously granted the title of Left General and Governor of Jizhou, with the posthumous name of Gong.
His son Zi Sheng inherited his title and was appointed as a court official. Xiuhe's cousin Jie, styled Xianbin, was tall and strong, with a carefree personality, unconcerned with worldly conventions. He served as a Doctor of the Imperial Secretariat and the Internal Minister of Yueling. He had a good relationship with Wang Cheng of Rencheng and was highly regarded. Later, when Cheng became the Governor of Dingzhou, Jie had little local influence, but Cheng remained very tolerant of him. He then became a Sima in the Eastern An Province of Jizhou before being promoted to Governor of Yueling. He eventually returned to his hometown, where he passed away.
Ting Zuanzi, styled Shuze, was a learned and talented man. During the Jingming period, he became a Doctor of the Grand Academy and later was promoted to the position of Assistant Minister of Cavalry and General of Xiangwei. However, he was not held in high regard by the court, so he wrote the book titled "Wutan Zilun." Later, he became a Court Secretary. During the Yanchang period, he was appointed as the Chief Historian of the Liangzhou Command. In the early Xiping years, he served as General Ningyuan and Chief Justice, where he could see through every detail in major cases and handled them adeptly, earning a solid reputation in official circles. At that time, Wang Jing of Taiyuan was promoted from Chief Justice to Minor Minister, which made Zuan feel disgraced, so he wrote a letter to Wang Jing in a confrontational tone, showing complete disdain for Wang Jing. He also submitted his resignation, and later was appointed as Left General and also served as Minister of the Three Officials. Shortly after, he was dismissed for negligence in his official duties. After that, he was appointed Prefect of Luoyang. He died during the Zhengguang period at the age of forty-five and was posthumously granted the title of Left Chief Historian. Many of his writings have been passed down through the ages.
His eldest son, Shi, served as a military officer in the Yitong Prefecture during the Wuding period. Zuan's brother Mu was known for his generosity and fair dealings; he was once appointed as the chief clerk by the state but passed away later. Zuan's son Xian rose to the position of Minister of Revenue and also served as Right Minister during the Wuding period. Zuan's younger brother Rong, styled Xiuyie, served as a court attendant. When Minister Gao Zhao led an expedition against Bashu, he brought Rong along to serve as a military commander. After the war ended, he was appointed Assistant Minister of Cavalry. During the Zhengguang period, he held the position of Deputy Chief in Dingzhou. He passed away at the age of forty-two. His son Hongfan served as a county official.
Zuan's ancestor, Di You, styled Yan Shu, was very charming in his youth. He began his career as a court official and gradually rose to the position of Chief Clerk of the Grand Commandant. Chen Bozhi, the Governor of Jiangzhou, recommended him for the position of Sima, and upon returning, he was appointed as Commander of the Imperial Carriage Corps. When Grand General Ying of Zhongshan was campaigning against Yiyang, he took him along as a recording officer and military advisor, and soon promoted him to the rank of Sima. Later, after King Ying was defeated at Zhongli, You was exiled to Qinzhou, and it was a long time before he was pardoned and allowed to return. When General Gao Zhao was campaigning westward, he took him along as a commanding officer, and later he was promoted to Infantry Commandant, then to Chief of the Department of Military Affairs in Yuzhou; not long after, he was again promoted to General of Military Affairs and Governor of Beizhao County, where he achieved significant administrative achievements. At the end of the Xiping era, he was promoted to Governor of Hedong. There were many salt merchants in Hedong County who had provided military service to the region for generations, and their descendants were also required to serve. You saw how hard their lives were and petitioned the court for a rotation of their military service, which earned him the gratitude of the local people. The Imperial Academy had previously been located inside the city, but You relocated it to a more spacious area south of the city, and he personally taught there. The students of that time held him in high regard and all referred to him as a good official. Later, he was promoted to Governor of Liangzhou, but he resigned following the death of his mother.
During the Zhengguang era, Gao You was appointed as Right General and Governor of South Qinzhou, but after several declines, he ultimately had no choice but to accept the position. Earlier, the brothers Yang Songbai and Yang Luode had rebelled several times and sought refuge in the state. Gao You treated them with exceptional kindness and offered them comfort. When Yang Songbai surrendered, Gao You appointed him as Chief Clerk. Gao You gradually persuaded the two brothers through his words and demeanor, and in the end, they both ultimately submitted. Yang Songbai, a well-known local strongman, was moved by Gao You's kindness and encouraged other Di people to surrender as well, and everyone complied. Moreover, due to past mistakes, they no longer doubted Gao You.
Consequently, Gao You killed both brothers during a banquet. This led outsiders to view Gao You as untrustworthy, and the entire province turned against him. In the summer of the fifth year of Zhengguang, the people of Qinzhou City killed the governor, Li Yan, and took control of the state capital in rebellion. A few days later, Gao You sensed that something was amiss and attempted to sneak out, but was besieged in the provincial office by Han Zuxiang and Sun Liao. In a dire situation, Gao You climbed up to a tower and lamented mournfully, ultimately pushing his young daughter down to her death; he would rather die than endure humiliation from these petty individuals. He was subsequently captured by Han Zuxiang and his group and killed at the age of fifty-two. During the Yong'an era, the court posthumously conferred upon him the titles of Sanqi Shilang, General of the North, and Governor of Dingzhou.
His son, Gao Fuhu, served as a military advisor. Historical records note that Gao You was well-educated, knowledgeable, and widely renowned, exuding refinement and coming from a distinguished family background. His sons were all talented individuals and embodied a spirit of self-sacrifice for justice. The Cui Ting brothers were of noble character, exceptionally talented, and had achieved notable success in their careers, gaining recognition from both the court and the public. They inherited the family legacy, and their family thrived, truly embodying the saying: "Such people do exist."
