Xing Luan, style name Hongbin, was from Mao County in Hejian, Hebei. His ancestor Xing Gu, five generations ago, was summoned several times by Shi Le, but he never accepted. Xing Gu had no sons, so Xing Luan's great-grandfather Xing Gai was adopted from a branch of the family. Xing Gai's grandson Xing Ying, style name Zongjing, was renowned for his intellect and scholarship. During Wei's Emperor Taiwu's reign, he was summoned by the court along with Lu Xuan of Fanyang and Gao Yun of Bohai. He was later appointed as a minister, concurrently serving as an imperial attendant, general of Ning Shuo, and Pingcheng, and was sent on a mission to the Southern Song Dynasty of Liu Yilong. Later, he returned home because of illness. After a long time, Emperor Taiwu of Wei asked among his ministers about Xing Ying: "I remember Xing Ying, this esteemed elder, who was knowledgeable and had integrity. He should be appointed as an instructor in the Eastern Palace. Where is he now?" Minister Cui Hao replied, "Xing Ying is bedridden at home." The emperor then sent imperial physicians to treat him without delay. After Xing Ying's passing, the court posthumously honored him with the titles of Champion General and Inspector of Dingzhou, and bestowed upon him the posthumous title of Kang. His son Xing Xiunian, who was Xing Luan's father, served as the chief registrar of a province.
Xing Luan has been fond of learning since childhood, carrying a book bag to visit teachers everywhere. Although his family was poor, he lived a simple life and eventually became well-read. He was exceptionally talented in literature, strategically minded, and strikingly handsome with a distinguished beard. He was recommended by the local authorities to the imperial court and was appointed as a Doctor of the Imperial Library. Later, he was promoted to the role of Assistant Minister of Ceremonies and caught the attention of Emperor Gaozu of Northern Wei. He also served as an Imperial Secretary of Ceremonies and was sent on a mission to the Southern Qi Dynasty. Upon his return, he was appointed as a Gentleman of the Imperial Court and later promoted to the role of Deputy Director of the Imperial Secretariat, highly regarded by the Emperor and often involved in his decision-making. Once, when Emperor Gaozu went on an inspection tour and passed by Xing Luan's residence near the Ministry of Works, he saw it and sent word to Xing Luan, saying, "I am passing by here today and saw your residence; I will stay here. Looking east is the Hall of Virtue, and I am deeply moved!" Xing Luan replied, "Your Majesty, you are moving the capital to Zhongjing, building an endless undertaking. My focus is on assisting Wei in its fortunes and misfortunes; how can I care about building luxurious residences?" Emperor Gaozu said to the Minister of Works Mu Liang and the Minister of Works Li Chong, "Xing Luan's words hold great significance!" Later, someone reported that Xing Luan's writings "Strategies of Elegance" and "Classic of Filial Piety" were written very well. The Emperor issued a decree saying, "Both 'Strategies of Elegance' and 'Classic of Filial Piety' have their unique strengths, and the methods and strategies used are also different. Xing Luan is exceptionally talented; let him take charge of 'Strategies of Elegance'." Later, Xing Luan was appointed as a Yellow Gate Attendant.
Liu Luan followed Han Gaozu into battle, first arriving at Xinye and later reaching their destination. Han Gaozu said, "Boyu, you have been blinded by heaven and misled by ghosts; guarding such a dangerous place while constantly defying your lord is why you find yourself in this situation." Liu Luan replied, "Xinye has already been lost, and the other cities have also fallen; only you, Boyu, seem unaware of the danger. We're on the verge of putting down the rebellion!" Han Gaozu said, "At this stage, while we haven't fully captured or eliminated the rebels, the cities are on the brink of collapse, so it should happen soon. That is why we are temporarily holding back our attack, mainly waiting for the Zhongshusheng to prepare the good news." Not long after, Liu Luan was appointed Chief Yellow Gate Attendant and concurrently served as Deputy Inspector, and was later promoted to Regular Attendant, also serving concurrently as Minister of Personnel.
When Emperor Shizong first ascended the throne, Liu Luan presented a memorial saying: "I have heard that ancient wise rulers governed the world with virtue and placed great importance on grain and cloth while valuing gold and silver treasures less. This is because grain and cloth are the foundation for stabilizing the state and nurturing the people, while gold, silver, and jewels are merely superficial things that could undermine the nation's virtue. Therefore, the late emperor understood both ancient and modern principles of governance, eliminating all luxury and waste. Clothing and utensils should emphasize practicality, not pursue intricate and ornate designs; what is cherished should be simple, not peculiar or bright. Even tents and carts were made from paper, silk, and copper and iron. He educated the court on frugality, setting an example of caring for the country and its people, working diligently day and night, and being cautious in both major and minor matters. Disregarding precious jewels demonstrated a lack of desire for indulgence; the gold and silver in the national treasury were sufficient for their needs, never bought in large quantities to hoard, wasting the treasury's funds. By the early years of Jingming, having inherited the legacy of a prosperous era, the country's borders were stable, and both near and far submitted to the court. As a result, tributes came continuously from various places, and merchants were in constant flow, with various offerings and trade significantly more than usual. Even with such frugality, there were still large amounts of surplus treasures each year, but the treasury's funds were always insufficient. If we do not impose restrictions on these tribute items, we may not be able to meet annual expenditures. From now on, unless absolutely necessary, please do not accept any." Emperor Shizong adopted his suggestion. Soon after, Liu Luan was appointed as a minister while retaining his position as a palace attendant. Xiahou Daoqian surrendered Hanzhong to the Liang dynasty, and Emperor Xiao Yan promoted him, granting him the titles of envoy with special authority, commander of the military operations against Liang and Han, and acting general of the western garrison, allowing him to manage military affairs flexibly according to circumstances, granting him considerable authority.
After Dao Qian moved to Hanzhong, he discovered that the areas west of Baima Pass remained unsurrendered, so he dispatched General Ningyuan Yang Ju, Commander Yang Zhong'ai, Fan Hongya, and others, leading six thousand soldiers to launch an attack. As soon as the army arrived, the rebels surrendered without resistance, except for the garrison commander of Bugushu, He Fazheng, who stubbornly defended the city and refused to surrender. Yang Ju and his men then attacked, and He Fazheng was defeated and fled. The pursuing troops chased him right up to the foot of Guancheng, where Li Shishu, the city commander, unexpectedly opened the gates to surrender. Subsequently, over thirty generals, including Ren Sengyou, the Assistant Minister of State for Xiao Yan, brought over seven thousand households from several commanderies such as Nanan, Guangchang, Dongluo, Dahan, Wushi, Chukou, Pingxi, and Tonggu to seek refuge.
Xiao Yan's General Pingxi, Li Tianci, and the Governor of Jinshou, Wang Jingyin, stationed seven thousand troops at Shiting. As a result, they were defeated by Han Duobao and others, with Li Tianci's vanguard suffering over 1,300 casualties. Later, Li Yizhen was sent to attack Jinshou, and Wang Jingyin fled in the middle of the night, leading to the pacification of Jinshou. Emperor Xiao Yan issued an edict stating, "Dao Qian has arrived there and needs to establish some official positions to pacify the newly surrendered people. The ranks of these positions should be aligned with the ranks of the governor during the campaign against Yiyang." Finally, Xiao Yan appointed Dao Qian as the Envoy with the Imperial Seal, General Anxi, and Governor of Liang and Qin provinces.
Pang Jingmin, the Governor of Baxi under Xiao Yan, refused to surrender, believing his remote location offered safety. Thus, Xiao Yan sent the Governor of Bazhou, Yan Xuansi, to attack him, which led to Pang Jingmin's death and the complete pacification of the Baxi region.
Next, Xiao Yan sent his champion general Kong Ling and his other generals to lead an army of 20,000 to garrison at Deep Pit. Meanwhile, champion generals Ren Sengbao and Li Quan, the auxiliary general, were stationed at Shitong. The commander of Xiao Yan's army, Wang Zu, marched forward and defeated them all, killing Xiao Yan's auxiliary general Le Baoming, General Ning Shuo Li Bodu, and General Longxiang Li Sixian, forcing Xiao Yan's troops to retreat to Che Zha.
Capitalizing on his victory, Wang Zu then attacked Xiao Yan's auxiliary general Fan Jun, and in this battle, over 10,000 enemy soldiers were captured. Kong Ling and his remaining troops fled to Zitong to make a stand, but were again defeated by Wang Zu, and Xiao Yan's auxiliary general Fu Bodu was also killed. In this battle, over 10,000 enemy soldiers were killed, injured, or drowned.
Thus, we expanded our territory, pacified the people, and controlled an area stretching 700 miles east to west and 1,000 miles north to south, reclaiming a total of 14 provinces, along with two military guards and many county garrisons. In the end, we brought the war closer to Foucheng. Wang Zu reported:
"From Yangzhou to Chengdu, it's quite a distance, and the land route is completely cut off; we can only take the water route. Xiao Yan's nephew, Xiao Yuanzhao, set out from Yangzhou on April 13 last year and only arrived in Sichuan on April 4 this year. Traveling by water to the west may not even get there in a year, and he has little external support; this presents an opportunity!"
Yizhou recently went through Liu Jilian's rebellion and is currently under siege by Deng Yuanqi. Supplies have been exhausted, and the warehouses are completely bare, and they still haven't recovered. The common people are scared out of their wits and have completely lost their will to resist; this is our second opportunity! Xiao Yuanzhao is just some young dandy in fancy clothes, with zero experience in running a country. Upon arriving in Yizhou, he killed Deng Yuanchao and Cao Liangzong, and his battle command is all over the place. Fan Guohui and Jin Qu have already lost battles and they’re still locked up. The generals he's using now aren't seasoned veterans; they're just a bunch of young guys around him. He doesn’t care about the people and kills innocents left and right, which has totally shattered their morale; this is the third opportunity!
Sichuan is counting on the strategic position of Jian'ge. We have already captured Nan'an, and we've also taken control of the key terrain at Jian'ge. We've already taken over a third of Sichuan. The road from Nan'an to Fucheng is clear and open; our front lines have been winning battles, and the enemy is already scared stiff; this is the fourth opportunity! Back in the day, Liu Shan held down the fort in all of Sichuan, with Jiang Wei backing him up. When Deng Ai came at him from Mianzhu, he just surrendered. Back when Fu Jian was around, Yang An and Zhu Tong took Hanzhong in just three months, and by April they reached Fucheng, without even getting to Chengdu, and Zhong Sun fled. Huan Wen's western expedition quickly pacified the Shu region. Sichuan has always been a tough nut to crack. Plus, Xiao Yuanzhao is Xiao Yan's nephew; being family, he won't be killed if he runs. If our army takes Fucheng, can Xiao Yuanzhao really just sit in the city and wait to die? If he steps out to fight, the Shu army's soldiers will be armed mostly with swords and guns, and barely any bows and arrows. Even if they shoot arrows, they won't hit a thing; this is our fifth opportunity!
I've heard that seizing the right moment is the essence of military strategy; as noted in "Spring and Autumn," attacking those who act unjustly and insult the nation is a righteous act. Peace has never been achieved by simply laying down arms, and the country cannot be unified without conquest. Your Majesty has inherited the legacies of the Martial Emperor and the Literary Emperor, and now is the right time; possessing the rich land of the Central Plains and a strong army; pacifying the world is within reach today. Therefore, when Your Majesty ascended the throne, Shou Chun came to surrender; last year, troops were sent out, and Yi Yang was also captured. The region south of the Huai River is now stable and peaceful, and Jingzhou and Mianzhou have also calmed down. I originally planned to rest and recuperate, waiting for the right time to act again, but fate has smiled upon me; the timing has come so quickly that even if I wanted to halt the fighting, it would be too late. Consequently, the rebel forces have surrendered one after another, and the Hanzhong area is about to be recovered. My abilities are limited, but I bear the heavy responsibility of military affairs. I am a civilian official, not a military strategist. Coming to Hanzhong, I just want to defend the border. The situation is very difficult, with enemies attacking from both east and west. Relying on the power of the court, the bravery of our soldiers, and the obedience of the border generals, we have repeatedly achieved small victories. I capitalized on the favorable situation to press my advantage, wielded a big sword, captured Nan'an, and occupied important strategic locations. The vanguard has advanced to Zitong, and the people of Xinhua have all submitted. It is estimated that Fuling and Yizhou will be taken soon. However, due to insufficient troops and food shortages, it is not advisable to attack rashly. If we hesitate and wait, we may lose the support of the people and allow the enemy to grow stronger. If we do not seize the opportunity now, it will be difficult to conquer later. I dare to lead the army, hoping to completely eliminate the enemy. If the battle goes badly, I am willing to take responsibility. Moreover, Yizhou is rich, with a population of over 100,000, more than three times that of Shou Chun and Yi Yang, worth capturing; the opportunity is right before us. If the court is only interested in maintaining peace without military expansion, then I have no further role here. I request to be allowed to return to serve my parents and fulfill my filial duty.
His Majesty decreed: "If the enemy dares to spy, take the opportunity to eliminate them; if the enemy does not act, then pacify the people and defend the border to stabilize the hearts of the people at the border. Your plan to conquer Shu will await further orders." I submitted again:
It is said that back in the day, Deng Ai and Zhong Hui led an army of 180,000, consuming the nation's resources, and barely managed to pacify the state of Shu. Why? Because they were strong! But I, my abilities are not on par with those of the ancients, lacking in both wisdom and courage; why should I, with just 20,000 men, presume to pacify Shu? I say this because I hold a crucial strategic position, and the local people admire my righteous actions. Attacking is easy for me, but countering is difficult for them. If I give it my all, success is within reach. Now, Your Majesty, you are already at Fucheng's gates. Once Fucheng is taken, Yizhou will be practically ours; it is merely a matter of time. Moreover, Zitong has already surrendered, with several tens of thousands of households. How could the court not send troops to defend? To defend, we'd need at least 10,000 men just for border security. I'm only asking for an extra 25,000 men this time; that’s not too much, right? Furthermore, the treacherous Jian Gate has been famous since ancient times. Zhang Zai wrote in his "Inscription": "In chaotic times, one must resist; in peaceful times, one must comply." What a shame!
Of course I know that the campaign against Shu is a risky endeavor, not easy to succeed. Since the army entered Jiange, I've gone a bit gray; I've been on edge all day, never able to relax for a moment. The reason I work so hard is that if we occupy this place and then retreat without holding it, we may disappoint the late emperor's favor and fail to live up to Your Majesty's rewards. So I have been diligently submitting requests. Besides, my plan is to first attack Fucheng and then gradually advance. If we capture Fucheng, it will cut off the hinterland of Yizhou and block its important water and land transportation routes. Without reinforcements from outside, how long can they hold out in the isolated city? I plan to have the army advance step by step, with a grand momentum, making thorough preparations before launching an attack. If successful, we will win a great victory, and if we fail, we can still retreat unscathed.
It's 1400 li apart from Baxi to Nanzheng, which leaves the locals feeling uneasy. When I was in Nanzheng before, due to the challenges in management, Baxian was newly established to suppress those barbarians, benefiting Liangzhou, and then it was reported to the court to withdraw Baxian. The local families, like the Yan, Pu, He, and Yang clans, are numerous; even though they live in the mountains, many are quite affluent and influential. Many of the memorials and letters they write are well-written; their dress and appearance are also exquisite, and there are many elegant and charming people. But because it is too far from the prefectural capital, they can't advance in their careers or participate in local governance. The locals in Baxian are quite capable; even without the jurisdiction of Liangzhou, they live relatively well, so they feel stifled and often make waves. When I first suggested it, Yan Xuansi took it upon himself to be the governor of Baxian, and after capturing the city, he continued to hold office. Baxi is vast and populous, with a radius of more than a thousand li and a population of over forty thousand. Establishing a prefecture there to keep those barbarians in check would help win the people's support. Going west from Dianjiang, we won't need to launch further campaigns, and it will naturally fall under our control.
The emperor did not agree. Later, Wang Zu took a trip around Fucheng and then returned; the situation in Shu remained unresolved. After Luan captured Baxi, he sent Li Zhongqian to guard it. Li Zhongqian became infatuated with the beauty of the general's daughter, Zhang Fayang, who was under Xiao Yan. He lost himself in wine and women, completely neglecting official duties. Luan was enraged, and Li Zhongqian, frightened, considered rebellion. In the end, the city's inhabitants killed him and offered the city to Qiao Xiyuan, a general under Xiao Yan, and Baxi was thus lost. The Di people of Wuxing and others rose in rebellion, and Luan dispatched Fu Shuyan to suppress the rebellion; this matter is all recorded in the "Biography of Shuyan." When Luan first arrived in Hanzhong, he was calm, composed, and somewhat free-spirited, treating the local powerful people with courtesy and treating the common people kindly. But more than a year later, he began indiscriminately killing civilians, capturing over two hundred people to enslave them, and colluding with merchants to amass wealth, which attracted significant criticism. Later, he was appointed Minister of Revenue by the court. Xiao Yan launched an attack, capturing Xuzhou and Yanzhou, and the border cities fell one after another. The court was in a state of panic and dispatched Luan as a general, responsible for military command on the eastern battlefield, while retaining his position as Minister of Revenue. The emperor expressed his concerns in the Eastern Hall, saying, “Xiao Yan has violated our borders, and the situation is becoming increasingly serious. The various armies are not coordinating well, leading to the loss of many places, and the common people of Songzhou and Luzhou are suffering greatly. I know you have just returned to the capital and must have many concerns at home, but the situation in the southeast requires your attention! You must strive to win victories to repay my expectations; loyal ministers have never been disloyal to their families throughout history!”
Luan replied, "Although the enemy is as powerful as the sea in attacking and seizing cities, their actions are against the heavens. Our righteous army will soon bring them down. Moreover, I trust in the emperor's wise decisions and will follow your orders in battle. The day to put down the rebellion is near. Your Majesty, please do not worry about the southeast." The emperor said, "Han Gaozu Liu Bang once said, 'With the Golden Guards at Yan, I have no worries.' Now that you’re leading the troops, what do I have to worry about?"
First, General Xiao Ji, a subordinate of Xiao Yan, led 20,000 troops and captured Gu Cheng City. General Lu Xianwen and General Xiang Wenyu led 10,000 troops stationed at Gu Shan. General Jiao Nian, under Xiao Yan, led 10,000 troops to disrupt Gui Meng, where many locals joined the rebellion, with half of the families in the area participating. General Luan sent Fan Lu to attack Lu Xianwen and his men, Yuan Heng to attack Gu Cheng City, and Bi Zuxiu to deal with Jiao Nian. Fan Lu defeated Lu Xianwen and his men, chasing them for over 80 li and beheading more than 4,000. Yuan Heng also captured Gu Cheng City, while Bi Zuxiu defeated Jiao Nian and restored peace to the entire Yanzhou.
General Luan defeated the bandit general Lan Huaigong in Suikou, and subsequently, Lan Huaigong and his men rebuilt fortifications in Huainan, with the aim of cutting off vital land and water transport routes. General Luan personally led a large army to attack from the southern water route, while sending General Yang Dayan from Pingnan to flank the enemy from the north. He also ordered Commander Liu Sizu and his troops to build wooden rafts along the riverbank to set fire to the enemy's ships. The various armies launched a coordinated assault, dismantling the barricades, filling in the trenches, and storming the city walls. A massive fire erupted, and assaults were happening all around, ultimately breaking through the enemy's fortifications and capturing or killing tens of thousands. In Chen, General Lan Huaigong was killed, and more than thirty of his nobles, generals, and high-ranking officials were captured, with over ten thousand others captured or killed. After Suyu was pacified, Xiao Ming also fled from Huaiyang, and a total of over 400,000 shi of grain was seized from both locations.
Emperor Shizong issued a holy decree to General Luan, which roughly stated: "I know you have defeated those vile bandits and that your might has intimidated the enemy camp, driving away the fog over the Huai River. The rebellion in the Xuzhou area has also been quelled by you. Your strategic vision is far-reaching, and the cause of unification has only just begun. The entire court rejoices at this; what could be more rewarding? The bandits' rebellion this time has drained the nation's resources! Recently, the Suqiu area fell, and Huaiyang City was besieged. The enemy was arrogant and dared to confront our army. You, General, are loyal and have developed a meticulous battle plan, scorching the enemy like a raging fire and freezing them like frost. Your army is unstoppable, sweeping through Daiyin like a mountain flood and ravaging Yishan like a gale, ultimately annihilating those fleeing bandits overnight, with even the most notorious rebels having surrendered. Your contributions are immense, with few in history able to match yours. However, the Yangzhou area has yet to be fully stabilized, and the remaining enemies must be entirely eliminated. Now is the ideal time to capitalize on your victory; you must not miss this opportunity. You must lead your forces, seize the moment, continue the attack, showcase your strength in the southeast, and thoroughly pacify the Jianghuai region, so that we may no longer be troubled and strive for lasting peace. As for the strategy of advance and retreat, I leave it to your careful consideration."
The emperor also issued another holy decree to General Luan, saying: "Although Huaiyang and Suqiu have been recaptured, the bandits in Liangcheng still have the audacity to gather. We must seize this victory and completely eliminate them. You can lead an army of twenty thousand across the Huai River, coordinating with General Zhengnan to develop a new offensive strategy."
The bandit troops of Liang Kingdom have fled, and King Zhongshan Ying took advantage of the victory to pursue them and lay siege to Zhongli City. The Emperor issued another edict, ordering General Luan to lead troops to support him. General Luan submitted a report saying, "I have received the edict to cross the Huai River and coordinate with the General of the Southern Expedition to pursue the enemy while they are defeated; this was originally part of a coordinated plan. However, upon careful consideration, I find certain aspects problematic. To move south, we need to build up our strength; to attack other countries, we need sufficient supplies. In warfare, meticulous planning and preparation are essential. We must not be overly optimistic, thinking we will definitely win, and gamble on the opponent's failure. If we want to plunder land and harm civilians, we must have absolute assurance; if we want to capture cities and territories, it is still uncertain whether we will succeed. Even if we succeed, the gains may be minimal; if we fail, the losses will be considerable. Xiao Yan depleted Jiangdong's resources and initiated a war this year, only to return defeated, with both the rulers and their subjects having made mistakes, becoming a laughingstock for the world. Although we cannot prevail in open combat, we are more than capable of defending the city. Even if we attack now, we may not necessarily succeed. Moreover, Guangling is very far from here, forty miles from the Yangtze River; Zhongli and Huaiyin are outside the Huai River, and even if they surrender, they will likely struggle with food shortages and cannot hold out; not to mention we would be attacking them, which would only further exhaust our soldiers. Additionally, the Southern Expedition soldiers have been engaged in battle for two years, exhausted and suffering many casualties; everyone is well aware of the situation. Although we currently have the conditions to pursue the enemy, I worry that we do not have the strength for prolonged warfare. In my view, we should prioritize repairing the old fortifications, strengthen the border defenses, recuperate and gather our strength, and then plan for future major events. Furthermore, the turmoil in Jiangdong won't last indefinitely; we should build our strength and wait for the right moment, as this is the best strategy."
The emperor said, "Cross the Huai River and work together. I’ve already issued orders regarding this. Why are you still hesitating and bringing this up? March forward quickly, and follow the specific strategy laid out by the General of the Southern Expedition."
General Luan submitted a report saying: "Xiao Yan has invaded, and our army has been fighting for a long time. Now, after much effort, we have finally quelled the border troubles. This is all due to the blessings of heaven for the Emperor Wei; heaven seems determined to wipe out this band of rebels led by Xiao Yan. It's not that our generals are exceptionally capable that we could win. In my view, the most important thing now is to repair the border defenses and wait for Xiao Yan's next move. Besides, Xiao Yan is still alive, and his forces are not completely gone. He's like a praying mantis; how could he just give up? We should be well-prepared and wait for his attack; we shouldn't wear our troops out by marching too far. Now, King Zhongshan is leading an attack on Zhongli, and I honestly don't get what this is all about. If we think we can win without a solid plan, directly attacking Guangling and penetrating deep into enemy territory to catch them off guard might offer a glimmer of hope. But now, if we want to gather troops, the remnants of Xiao Yan's forces are still there; if we say there is no food, the supply ships have arrived. Attacking a city with only eighty days' worth of supplies? I've never heard of anything like that! Furthermore, Guangling and Rencheng are cautionary tales; do we really want to repeat the same mistakes? If we attack now, they will defend their city, not engage us in battle. The city walls are strong, and the moat is deep; we won't be able to break through, and we will waste time until spring, leaving our soldiers exhausted. Even if I go, how are we supposed to get the food there? If we go out in summer, the soldiers won't have winter gear, and if we encounter ice and snow, how will we survive the winter? I'd rather take the heat for hesitating than the blame of losing a battle and returning empty-handed. Zhongli is strategically important, and the ministers in the court are well aware. If there are insiders, we don't know; if not, it will definitely be impossible to capture. If we can't capture it, that would be a major embarrassment! If the Emperor trusts me, then let me come back; if the Emperor thinks I am timid and afraid of trouble, then give my command to King Zhongshan and let him handle it. I just want to ride along with him. As the saying goes, 'ask a farmer about farming, and a weaver about weaving.' Even though I'm not a great fighter, I'm still a general, and I know a thing or two about battlefield stuff."
"If I truly believe it's impossible, what compels the emperor to insist I try?"
The emperor said, "General Andong has repeatedly requested to withdraw troops, but has delayed and obstructed our military plans, which has truly let me down. Now that the army has assembled, there can be no more delays. We must act swiftly, with the two armies coordinating, seizing the opportunity, and annihilating the enemy." General Luan also repeatedly asked to return to the capital, and the emperor finally agreed. The Yingguo army ultimately faced defeat and retreated, and at the time, people admired General Luan's insight and strategy.
At first, the attendant Lu Chang was at odds with Gao Luan. Lu Chang and Yuan Hui were both favored by the emperor, and the Imperial Censor Cui Liang was Lu Chang's man. Lu Chang and Yuan Hui had Cui Liang target Gao Luan, and when they succeeded, they promised the emperor to make Cui Liang the attendant. Cui Liang then accused Gao Luan in a memorial, claiming he had captured many innocent people in Hanzhong to turn them into slaves.
Afraid of being set up by Lu Chang and the others, Gao Luan sent the daughter of the Baixi Prefect Pang Jingmin, whom he had brought from Hanzhong, along with over twenty other people, as a gift to Yuan Hui. Some of them were exceptionally beautiful, which pleased Yuan Hui greatly. He then advocated for Gao Luan in front of the emperor, saying, "Gao Luan has just achieved great merit and has been pardoned. This issue shouldn't be pursued any longer." The emperor believed his words. Gao Zhao believed that while Gao Luan had earned merit on the battlefield, he was being sidelined, so he helped explain for Gao Luan, and in the end, Gao Luan was not punished.
"Retiring after achieving success is the natural order; to decline after reaching the peak is the natural order." Although Gao Luan temporarily escaped disaster, the undercurrents of power struggles continued to create unease.
In Yuzhou City, there was a man named Bai Zaosheng who killed Governor Sima Yue and then fled south from the city. Xiao Yan dispatched his champion general Qi Gouren to seize Xuanhu. The emperor sent Luan with a command token to lead the elite cavalry of the Yulin Army to attack him, and conferred the title of Duke of Pingshu County to Luan, granting him five hundred households as fief in recognition of his contributions in Su Yu.
The emperor received Luan in the Eastern Hall and reassured him, saying: "Sima Yue neglected the defense of the city gates, and his failure to protect himself not only led to the loss of a talent like Yuan Lixian but also severely compromised the nation's strategy. Xuanhu is located close to the capital and acts as a barrier on the southeastern frontier. With Duke Yuyun (referring to Sima Yue) in that position, I have always been concerned. If Bai Zaosheng rises in rebellion and cannot establish himself, he will surely seek to rally the regions of Wu and Chu, leading the common people to join his revolt, which could likely spark a war. You are skilled in both civil and military affairs, a vital pillar of the court, so I have tasked you with striking swiftly to catch him off guard. Do you think Bai Zaosheng will flee or stand his ground? When can we pacify this situation?"
Luan replied: "Bai Zaosheng lacks foresight; he has only come this far because Sima Yue mistreated the populace. He took advantage of the rising public discontent to start a rebellion, and the people are terrified by his brutality, thus they have no choice but to follow him. Even if Xiao Yan's army supports him, the blocked waterways and cut-off supply lines mean he will be captured and will not pose a significant threat. If Bai Zaosheng receives support from Xiao Yan's forces and becomes fixated on immediate gains, he will surely hold the city and not flee. Now, if the royal army arrives, the people will quickly surrender. We will besiege this isolated city and block his escape route; we can send his head to the capital by next year. Your Majesty need not be concerned."
The emperor smiled and said, "You said it very well! You completely understand the purpose of sending you to command the army. I know that your elderly relatives at home need care, and it is hard for you to travel around, but you cannot serve both loyalty and filial piety. Your talents should be used to save the country and the people, so you cannot refuse."
Well, Luan led eight hundred cavalry, day and night without rest, and arrived at Baokou in five days. The rebel army sent General Hu Xiaozhi with seven thousand troops to wait two hundred miles outside the city, wanting to fight Luan. As a result, Luan decisively defeated Hu Xiaozhi and pressed on towards Xuanhu. The rebel army also rushed out of the city to counterattack but suffered a crushing defeat at Luan's hands, who then crossed the Ru River. Soon, the main forces joined him and surrounded the rebel army. The emperor immediately promoted Luan, appointing him as the imperial envoy, serving as the acting General of Zhen Nan, and commanding the southern army.
General Zhengnan, Prince of Zhongshan Ying, was also fighting in the south and arrived near Xuanhu. However, because the reinforcements had not arrived and the enemy forces were relatively strong, he hesitated to launch a reckless attack, so he split his forces to coordinate a flanking maneuver with Luan. Enemy General Qi Gouren and twenty others opened the city gates and surrendered, and Luan seized the opportunity to eliminate several diehard opponents. With Yuzhou pacified, Luan led his army back to the capital. The emperor personally welcomed him in the Eastern Hall, praising him, "You quickly pacified the rebellion in a short time; your achievements are truly remarkable, you truly live up to the ancients!" Luan modestly replied, "This is all thanks to the wise leadership of the emperor and the efforts of the soldiers; what merit do I have to claim?" The emperor smiled and said, "You have not simply won three battles in a month; the key lies in your noble character, as you achieve greatness without arrogance!"
From the victory at Suyu to the pacification of Xuanyu, Luan always maintained a righteous conduct, never accepting bribes or embezzling military funds and supplies. He was later promoted to Minister of the Palace Secretariat and was also bestowed upon him the titles of General of the Pacifying Army and Governor of Yingzhou. In the third year of Yanchang, he suddenly fell ill and passed away at the age of fifty-one. Luan was highly respected by both the court and the people, and his untimely death was deeply mourned by all. The Emperor awarded him four hundred rolls of silk, a set of court attire, and posthumously honored him as Grand General of Chariots and Cavalry and Governor of Yingzhou. Originally, the Emperor wanted to appoint him as Governor of Jizhou, but due to a previous impeachment, the eunuch Zhen Chen suggested appointing him as Governor of Yingzhou instead, as it was Luan's hometown and would be more well-received. The Emperor agreed, but when Zhen Chen wrote the decree, he mistakenly wrote "appointing as General of Chariots and Cavalry, Governor of Yingzhou," leading to ridicule for his ignorance. Finally, Luan was posthumously honored with the title "Wending."
Zixun, styled Ziyuan, wasn't particularly handsome, but he had a dignified air about him. He initially served as a military officer serving in the Ministry of Works and later inherited a title. He was then promoted to National Scholar and Chief Justice of the province. Once, when he visited the Empress Dowager, he expressed his frustrations about not being able to showcase his talents despite his noble background. Touched by his words, the Empress Dowager appointed him Chief Clerk of the Ministry of Personnel. He was later transferred and appointed as General of Anyuan and Governor of Pingzhou. Due to his failure to act militarily on the northern border, he was eventually dismissed.
When Emperor Xiaozhuang first ascended the throne, he was appointed as the General Who Defends the Nation, an Attendant of the Cavalry in the Hall of Supreme Harmony, and the Commander of the Eastern Forces, sent to Puyang to quell the rebel Liu Ju, but he failed. After returning, he was appointed as an Attendant of the Cavalry and was promoted to General of Cavalry. In the second year of Yong'an, he was dismissed from his position for accepting an appointment from Yuan Hao. Not long after, he was reappointed as General Who Pacifies the Troops and a Grand Minister of Grace. During the reign of Emperor Chao, he was promoted to Guard General and Right Grand Minister. When Emperor Xiaojing first ascended the throne, he also served as the Imperial Taster while retaining his original position, and he was further promoted to General of Chariots and Cavalry. After a long time, he was appointed as the Minister of Finance, but he had a serious conflict with Minor Minister Ma Qingzhe, and they reported each other. Zixun was known for his obsession with wealth, which led many to look down upon him. In the fourth year of Wuding, he died at the age of fifty-six. After his death, he was posthumously honored with the titles of General, Grand Minister of Grace, and Inspector of Youzhou.
His son, Zu Wei, served as the Grand Scholar. Before his father's mourning period ended, he conspired to revolt and was ultimately executed.
His brother, Luan, served as the Chief Historian of Yingzhou and was an official in the Ministry of Rites.
Luan's brother, Wei, served as a Minister in the Ministry of Personnel. After his death, he was posthumously honored with the title of Governor of Boling. His son, Xin, is referenced in "Records of Literary Figures."
Wei's brother is Ji Yan.
Ji Yan, courtesy name Youping, was quite handsome, well-read, knowledgeable about both Buddhism and Taoism, and enjoyed writing poetry and lyrics. Initially, he worked as a scholar at the Imperial Academy, later becoming the Minister of Eastern Pavilion. When Emperor Shizong first ascended the throne, he was demoted to the position of magistrate in Meng County due to his participation in a banquet with Prince Guangping. Before he even took office, he was transferred to the central government as a secretary, and later held positions such as Chief Clerk of the Ministry of Public Works, Prefect of the Province, and Literary Official for the Prince of Runan, gradually rising to the rank of General Supporting the State, Chief Historian of the Ministry of Works, and concurrently served as a junior official in the Ministry of Personnel. He later served as the Inspector of Southern Yanzhou as a General Supporting the State. Afterward, he was recalled to the court and became a Grand Official, also serving as the Right Chief Historian for Prince Gaoyang. Soon after, he was appointed as the Inspector of Cangzhou again in his capacity as General Supporting the State. While in Cangzhou, he was highly effective in governance, and the common people enjoyed peace and stability. He passed away during the reign of Emperor Xiaochang at the age of fifty-one. After his death, he was posthumously granted the title of General Conquering the North, Left Minister of the Ministry of Rites, and Inspector of Yingzhou, with the posthumous title of Wenzhen. Ji Yan was renowned for his strong sense of duty and humility. When he first became the Inspector of Southern Yanzhou, he had the right to promote one of his sons to an official position, but he recommended his nephew Ji Zishen, who was only twelve years old at the time, rather than promoting his own adult son. Later, when he served as the Inspector of Cangzhou, he recommended another nephew, Ji Xin, for the post of chief clerk, while his own son did not hold an official position. Everyone praised his actions.
His son Ji Ce served as the Crown Prince's horse attendant during the reign of Wuding. Ji Ce's younger brother, Ji Kang, courtesy name Zigao, was also well-educated. He started his career as a military officer in the Ministry of Works and later rose to serve as a secretary in the office of Prince Guangping, while also serving as a Regular Attendant of the Imperial Guard. At the age of twenty-eight, he was sent on an official mission to Xiao Yan. After returning, he was appointed as General Pacifying the East and served in both the General's office of Prince Qi Wenxiang and the Central Office. In the seventh year of Wuding, he died in Jinyang as a result of an offense, at the age of thirty-four.
Ji Yan's uncle Ji You, style name Zongyou, was very knowledgeable when he was young and was quite famous at that time. He was summoned by the court and served as a literary official, and also served as the tutor to the King of Le Liang. Later, he was appointed as an official with the title of Yuanwai Sanzhong and sent to Liu Yu. Because he was diligent in his work, he was appointed as General Jianwei, Prefect of Pingyuan, and was granted the title of Chengping Baron. He was honest in his official duties, enforced the law strictly, and the people lived in peace. He passed away at the age of seventy-three.
Ji Yan's son Ji Chan, style name Shenbao, loved studying and was skilled in writing. When he was young, he wrote a piece called "The Lonely Weed," which was highly praised at the time. After passing the imperial examination, he was appointed as an Assistant Literary Official. Later, he was appointed as an external attendant and Count of Mao County, and was sent to Xiao Yi. Ji Chan, like his ancestors, diligently completed the tasks assigned by the court, and was well-regarded by his contemporaries. He was later promoted to the Deputy Minister of the Imperial Secretariat, and shortly after, he was appointed as the Crown Prince's Chief Secretary. He passed away at the age of forty-six, and court officials lamented his passing. He was posthumously appointed as General Jianwei, Inspector of Pingzhou, and Master of Lecheng, and was given the posthumous title of Ding.
Now, I have a younger clan brother named Qiu, style name Shenghu, who studied the "Three Rites" of the Zheng family since childhood, was well-versed in the classics, and had excellent literary skills. He later passed the imperial examination and became an official in the Imperial Secretariat, and was promoted to the Chamberlain of the Imperial Court. The Emperor Gaozu once had a conversation with him about court etiquette, and Qiu used his knowledge of the classics to answer in a way that pleased the Emperor. He was later promoted to the Minister of the Left, and then to the National Scholar. After the death of Emperor Gaozu, the Prefect of the Imperial Secretariat, Wang Su, implemented many new rituals, and Qiu often used proper rites from the "Five Classics" to refute him. He was later promoted to the Minister of the Right, and then transferred to the Minister of the Left, correcting numerous errors and restoring order to the court.
At that time, there was a man in Yanmen who killed his own mother. The court ministers all suggested that his whole family should be executed, his house demolished, and only his two sons left. However, Qiu opposed this in his memorial, saying, "The relationship between ruler and subject, father and son, is the most important. Those who commit grave crimes must be severely punished. Those who rebel now have their relatives implicated, but the person who killed his mother is not punished—this is worse than the behavior of animals. This way, sacrifices will continue, and future generations will carry on. How can this serve to promote loyalty and filial piety, and uphold the principles of the Three Bonds and Five Constants? If the emperor can be generous and not implicate his descendants, letting the blame fall only on the one who killed his mother, that would be best. If not, he should be exiled to a remote area, with orders not to marry and have children. As Pan Geng once said, 'Do not allow new seeds to be planted in a new town,' and Han Dynasty laws also included a regulation about eating crow soup in May, all to completely cut off their descendants!" The emperor accepted his suggestion.
Soon, Qiu was appointed as the Right Chief Historian of the Ministry of Works, and later promoted to General of the Dragon Cavalry and Assistant Minister of Imperial Hospitality. When his mother fell ill in their hometown, he requested to return home to visit. It happened to be autumn and the river was flooded; all the bridges were washed away. Qiu found a small boat to cross the river, and even though the boat leaked, it did not sink, which left everyone astonished at the time. After his mother passed away, Qiu was overwhelmed with grief, exceeding the customary mourning practices, and was commended by those around him. He died at the age of forty-nine, and was posthumously appointed as General Who Subdues the Barbarians and Governor of Youzhou, and received the posthumous title 'Wei.' Qiu was adept at building relationships and had good relationships with Cui Liang from Qinghe and Li Ping from Dunqiu. He wrote over thirty inscriptions, eulogies, and miscellaneous essays. He had two sons.
His eldest son was named Zang, mentioned in the 'Wenyuan Zhuan.' Zang's younger brother was named Cai, who served as Minister of Ceremonies in the Wuding era. Qiu's cousin was named Ce, who was also talented and eventually died while serving as a registrar in the office of the Prince of Qi.
Li Ping, known as Tan Ding, was a native of Dunqiu and the eldest son of Liu Yizhen, the King of Pengcheng. He displayed great demeanor from a young age. As he grew up, he extensively read various books, particularly enjoying the "Book of Rites" and the "I Ching," and he was quite gifted in writing. During the Taihe period of the Northern Wei dynasty, he was appointed as the Deputy Imperial Guard, and Emperor Gaozu held him in high regard. He experienced the pain of losing loved ones multiple times and was known for his filial piety during the mourning period. Later, he was demoted as per the regulations and inherited the title of Duke of Pengcheng. He was appointed as a Crown Prince's Attendant and then promoted to the Deputy Imperial Guard, while still serving as Crown Prince's Attendant, and later was promoted to the Crown Prince's Grand Master.
While serving the emperor, Li Ping humbly requested to be assigned to a commandery to experience local administration. Emperor Gaozu said, "Do you still want to test yourself by taking up an official position?" Thus, he was appointed as the Prefect of Changle, where he was known for his integrity in governance, earning the love and respect of the people. Later, when the emperor launched a southern campaign, Li Ping was concurrently appointed as the Chief of the Office of Ceremonial Affairs in Jizhou, earning a strong reputation, and then he was promoted to the Chief Historian, while continuing as Governor of Henan. Before long, he was promoted to the Governor of Henan, and the powerful aristocrats held him in awe.
After Emperor Shizong of Wei ascended the throne, Li Ping was appointed as a Palace Attendant and then promoted to the Left Chief Historian, while continuing as Governor of Henan. Soon after, because of his impressive performance in office, he was formally appointed as Governor of Henan, while still retaining the position of Left Chief Historian.
The emperor was going to Ye City, and (Wei Shou) submitted a memorial advising against it, saying: "I saw the edict from the Year of the Earthly Dog, which stated: You are to ride in a magnificent carriage, depart on time, wear splendid clothing, and ride divine steeds, with the date of departure approaching. The plan is to train the troops in Qiyang and conduct large-scale exercises in Ye City and Wei territory; to gallop in the shade of lush bamboo and to run freely across the lands of Zhanghe and Fuyang. This would indeed bring joy to the court and comfort to the common people. However, I am simple-minded and have some concerns. Why is that? The newly built palace at the foot of Mount Song and the palaces being built in Luoyang have already taken over ten years, and the foundations are still not laid. The people have just begun to settle down after moving to Luoyang, having exhausted their resources during the move, and their cattle and horses have perished during the journey; they have crossed the treacherous Taihang Mountains and endured the difficulties of crossing the Changjin River; after enduring such hardship, they have finally arrived at the capital. Wealthy families have lost more than half their possessions, and the plight of the poor is unimaginable. Moreover, there have been continuous years of warfare, with little time to settle, and from the Jingming years until now, they have only just begun to get some rest. Farmers have not yet managed to store enough grain for two years, and those building houses have only just raised a few rooms; everyone is toiling by the banks of the Yi River, and everyone is very anxious. Now is the time to stabilize the people, encourage them to farm, and ensure the country has nine years of grain reserves, with every household prepared for floods and droughts. If they are still forced to toil and travel now, it will lead to numerous delays. When a strong laborer is conscripted, the entire family faces unemployment. It is now the autumn harvest season, with fields brimming with crops, and rice and beans everywhere; the emperor's visit would undoubtedly lead to significant trampling. It would be wiser for you to stay in the palace, issuing commands to the world, displaying military power at the foot of Mount Song, and holding archery ceremonies between the Yi and Luo rivers, so that the soldiers would not have to toil and travel, and the common people could live in peace and work happily, singing praises of the beautiful scenes of a prosperous era. Wouldn't that be better?" The emperor did not heed his advice and only allowed him to act as the agent for the affairs of Xiangzhou in his original official position.
When the emperor arrived in Ye City, he personally visited Wei Shou's residence and met several of his sons. Soon after, Wei Shou was appointed as Governor and promoted to General of Pacification. Wei Shou encouraged the people to work hard in farming and sericulture, repaired the Taixue (Imperial Academy), simplified the examination system to select knowledgeable Confucian scholars as doctors, and chose five clever children from the counties to study at the Taixue. He also painted portraits of Confucius and the seventy-two wise men in the Taixue and personally wrote inscriptions for them. Later, some officials who came to Ye City on business were greedy and liked to exploit the interests of the people. Wei Shou created two paintings in the inn, one called "Stepping on a Tiger's Tail" and the other "Treading on Thin Ice," and wrote corresponding poems below the paintings to warn them. Wei Shou was then promoted to Eastern General and summoned to also serve as the Minister of Finance, and soon after was promoted to Minister and concurrently served as Deputy Censor.
In the north, the governor of Jizhou, Wang Yu of Jingzhao, rebelled in Xindu. The emperor appointed Gao Ping as the envoy with full authority, commander of the military campaign against the north, General for Suppressing the North, and acting governor of Jizhou to suppress him. The emperor personally sent him off at the Shiqian Hall and said to Gao Ping, "Wang Yu is my own brother. He holds a high position and great power and should have been loyal, but unexpectedly, he has harbored wild ambitions, wanting to overthrow the court and harm the people! This is a case of righteousness prevailing over kinship, and I have no choice but to do this! Duke Zhou acted this way in ancient times, and I must do the same! I entrust you with the heavy responsibility of suppressing the rebels; you must completely eliminate the rebels within the deadline and fulfill the mission to suppress the rebels. You must not let me down! Alas, to have to discuss such matters today..." As he spoke, the emperor choked up and shed tears.
Gao Ping replied, "Wang Yu has been blinded and committed a grave offense. Your Majesty, you overlook my lack of martial prowess, yet you have entrusted me with the important responsibility of leading the army. The court has demonstrated great magnanimity, hoping to settle this without bloodshed. If Wang Yu remains stubborn, we will invoke the will of heaven to inspire our soldiers, just as sunlight can melt ice and snow, and the waves of the sea can extinguish a candle. Fate, geography, and popular support are all on our side; defeating the rebels is a foregone conclusion! If he is willing to surrender, we will hand him over to the Dali Temple; if he remains unyielding, then we will beat the war drums and take him down! Your Majesty, you needn't concern yourself with these matters."
Gao Ping's army advanced through several counties, gathering their forces. In the middle of the night, thousands of enemy soldiers launched an attack on the front line of Gao Ping's camp, and arrows shot into Gao Ping's tent. Despite this, Gao Ping lay motionless in bed, as steady as a mountain. After a short while, the enemy's assault began to subside. The army quickly reached sixteen miles south of Jizhou City. The rebel forces were fiercely attacking the besieged troops in Jizhou, tearing down barricades and filling ditches, just inches away from breaking through. Generals from various routes participated in the battle, but none were able to gain the upper hand, leading them to retreat and refrain from further attacks. It was only then that the soldiers bravely charged forward and decisively defeated the rebels. At that moment, Wang Yu fell from his horse, and a soldier dismounted to assist him, then fought to the death against the rebels and died on the battlefield. Gao Ping capitalized on his victory, pursuing the enemy all the way to the city gates, killing tens of thousands of rebels, then surrounded the city and set fire to the gates. Wang Yu broke through the city gates with over a hundred cavalry, and Gao Ping sent General Shusun to pursue him, capturing Wang Yu eighty miles outside of Xindu. Once Jizhou was pacified, the emperor sent Yuan Fan, who also held the titles of Deputy Minister of the Imperial Secretariat and Secretary, to deliver an edict commending Gao Ping. Gao Ping returned to court, retaining his original position and was additionally promoted to Grand Zhongzheng of Xiangzhou.
Initially, Gao Ping faced resentment from Minister Gao Zhao and Censor Wang Xian. Later, Wang Xian took over Ping's position and was promoted to lieutenant, while Ping was elevated to a regular attendant. Wang Xian subsequently impeached Ping for corruption and bribery during his tenure in Jizhou, with Gao Zhao backing him and jointly petitioning the court for Ping's removal from office. During the Yan Chang period, the emperor issued an edict restoring his official position and title, recognizing his contributions to pacifying Jizhou.
At that time, many lawsuits among the common people dragged on for years without a verdict. Ping proposed that regardless of who was right or wrong in these lawsuits, as long as they occurred before the year of Jingming, they would no longer be investigated. As a result, those chaotic lawsuits were all settled. In Wuchuan Town, the common people were suffering from famine, and the town magistrate Ren Kuan wanted to borrow grain for relief, but it was not approved from above, so he took it upon himself to open the granary for disaster relief. As a result, the higher-ups took action against him for misappropriating public funds and dismissed him from his post. Ping heeded his words and pardoned Ren Kuan. Later, Ping was promoted to Zhongshu Ling, while also retaining his position as Shangshu.
When Emperor Suzong ascended the throne, Ping was again promoted to Minister of Personnel Affairs and was additionally granted the title of General of the Guard. Ping was a highly capable official, efficient in his work, and held great prestige wherever he went, but he had one flaw: his impatience. The Shangshu and Prince Cheng of Rencheng reported to the court, commending Ping for his efforts in pacifying Jizhou, and requested the emperor to reward him generously. Empress Dowager Ling bestowed upon him the title of Duke of Wuyi County, granting him a fief of one thousand five hundred households, and awarded him two thousand five hundred bolts of silk.
First, Xiao Yan sent his left flank general Zhao Zuyue to secretly occupy Xixieshi, with an army of over ten thousand to threaten Shouchun. General Cui Liang of the Southern Command launched an attack but was unable to seize it, and there was also a conflict between him and Li Chong. The court then issued an order to appoint Xiao Yan as the acting governor, maintaining his official position while also concurrently serving as the Grand General of the Town Army and the Right Minister of Personnel, giving him command over all troops. The commanders from both eastern and western provinces were required to obey him, and anyone who dared to disobey would face punishment under military law. The court also promoted Xiao Yan's eldest son, Xiao Jiang, to Tongzhilang. Xiao Yan was rewarded with one hundred bolts of silk and a set of purple brocade armor adorned with gold thread, while Xiao Jiang was awarded sixty bolts of silk and a purple-red padded jacket. The father and son received the court's rewards together in a grand ceremony, which made the onlookers feel proud. Then, Xiao Yan marched towards Shouchun with two thousand infantry and cavalry.
After Xiao Yan arrived in Shouchun, he personally inspected the inside and outside of Xixieshi, assessing the enemy's strengths and weaknesses. He harshly warned Cui Chong and Cui Liang, ordering them to prepare simultaneously on both land and water, and to launch an attack on the agreed date. Cui Chong and Cui Liang were intimidated by Xiao Yan's imposing presence and stopped bickering. Over the next few days of relentless fighting, they repeatedly defeated the enemy forces. General Cui Yanbo of Annan constructed a bridge at Xiacai to cut off enemy reinforcements. Enemy generals Wang Shennian, Chang Yizhi, and others were unable to provide assistance, and Zhao Zuyue was trapped and ultimately killed in the city. Xiao Yan then formulated a strategy to split his forces for the attack. He ordered Cui Liang to lead the army to attack the western city, while Li Chong led the navy to attack from the east, and then they would shout and launch their assault together, initiating simultaneous attacks from the north and south. The enemy fell into disarray, scattering in all directions to respond. Soon, the outer defenses were breached, and enemy soldiers began to surrender en masse. Zhao Zuyue, along with the remaining soldiers, fought valiantly through the night until dawn before finally surrendering. Zhao Zuyue was executed, and his severed head was sent to Luoyang, along with numerous captured enemy soldiers. Due to this military success, Xiao Yan was promoted to Shangshu You Pushe while reta
After returning to the capital, Empress Dowager Ling received him in the Xuanguang Hall and rewarded him with a gold-embellished sword and cane. At that time, an official from Southern Xuzhou reported that Xiao Yan had built a dam on the Huai River, causing significant damage. The Emperor ordered the court officials to deliberate on the issue, believing that sending troops was unnecessary. Later, the Huai River dam did indeed collapse, and Empress Dowager Ling was very pleased. She hosted a banquet for the court officials at the palace, had musicians perform, and the Emperor rewarded him with one hundred bolts of top-quality silk. In the winter of Xiping's first year, he passed away, requesting a simple burial before his passing. The court granted him valuable burial items from the Eastern Garden, a set of court attire, a garment, and seven hundred bolts of silk. Empress Dowager Ling also conducted a solemn mourning ceremony for him in the East Hall. He was posthumously granted the titles of Privy Councilor, Grand General of the Valiant Cavalry, Equalizing Three Excellencies, and Governor of Jizhou, with the posthumous title of Duke Wenlie. He started as a clerk in the financial department, rose to a deputy position, served the public tirelessly, worked in key departments for over a decade, and made remarkable contributions, earning widespread acclaim. His poems, maxims, remonstrances, and eulogies were published as a separate collection.
His eldest son, Zunmu, inherited his title. He was tall and strong, and very talented. He started as a military officer under the Grand Commandant and gradually rose to the positions of Gentleman of the Hall of Central Affairs, Deputy Minister of Personnel Affairs, General of the Straight Hall, General of the Pacification Forces, and General of Eastern Pacification, while still concurrently serving as Deputy Minister of Personnel Affairs. He then also served as Minister and was appointed as General of the Pacification Army and Governor of Henan. At first, Yuan Yi held power, and because of his good relationship with Yuan Yi, he held onto his high position. After Empress Dowager Ling took control again, he was removed from office. When Emperor Xiaozhuang ascended the throne, he was reappointed as a Cavalry Attendant, General of the Eastern Garrison, and Governor of Henan. He was known for his integrity throughout his career. When Yuan Hao attacked Luoyang, Yuan Hao appointed him as the Right Minister of the Secretariat and sent him to pacify Xuzhou. However, the Yulin Army and the local people ignored Yuan Hao's orders, which led to his death, and his head was delivered to Luoyang.
At that time, the emperor honored a deceased official. Tongzhi Sanqi Changshi Song You submitted a memorial to the emperor, pleading for this official, saying: "I have heard that rewarding good and punishing evil is called 'the two principles,' which contains a principle, and the key principle is to avoid arbitrary rewards and punishments. Therefore, although Wu Zixu had no wrongdoing, the people of Wu felt deep sorrow for him; although Qie Wan was unfortunate, people have been discussing it endlessly, and it has not calmed down to this day. Li Jiang, the Prefect of Henan, comes from a long line of distinguished officials. Such an excellent talent should be highly valued by the state. From childhood to adulthood, his loyalty and filial piety have remained unwavering. Whether serving in the court or as a local official, he has always been upright and honest, earning him a stellar reputation. He is open-minded and dignified, truly a pillar of the state. In the past, when the Beihai rebels occupied a territory and threatened the court, the lords and ministers had to bow their heads and obey them. Li Jiang's entire family lived in Luoyang, trapped and unable to escape from the rebels. He was dispatched to the southeast, in reality, to avoid the chaos of war, and at that time, people believed his choice was correct. However, before the Beihai rebels were defeated, the Inspector of Xuzhou, Yuan Fu, was a loyal subordinate of Li Jiang, and no one dared to oppose him. They exchanged letters, and all actions were under Yuan Fu's orders. When the court regained power and the sacred artifacts were restored, those frivolous individuals escaped unscathed, cooking up lies to seek rewards, trying every means to gain promotion, and even good people were implicated, claiming it was their merit. If Li Jiang accepted a position from the rebels, and his words and actions constituted a crime, then he should share the blame with everyone else. At that time, the court ordered the removal of his official position, which could be seen as a mercy from the court, but later the punishment was intensified, which was truly excessive! Previously, like many officials, Li Jiang stood with the rebels, facing the danger of war every day by the Yellow River, yet when the court implemented leniency, his position remained unchanged. An ordinary envoy faced such brutality; anyone with a conscience would surely feel sorrow over this! When the court discussed merits and rewards, it only saw people in border areas supporting each other, while rebels like Guo Mo and traitors like Liu Yin were executed. These were all stopgap measures, not true accounts. In the past, after Deng Ai's death, Duan Zhuo sought justice for him; after Ma Yuan's death, Zhu Bo sought to clear his name. Although I am a small figure, I wish to advocate for the honorable, reminiscing about past kindness, and standing up for the deceased. Seeing Li Jiang like this, I have long wanted to speak for him. However, I have hesitated to open my mouth until today; Li Jiang has already passed away, and trees have grown over his grave. I feel very guilty in my heart. Fortunately, now the emperor is prosperous, and the country's politics have undergone a transformation. Although it is said to quell the rebellion, it is also a form of reform. The emperor has granted many favors to the world, and those who lost their official positions and titles have been restored. Yet Li Jiang remains unknown, with no one inquiring about him. The ministers all remember Li Jiang's merits and do not forget him. I have taken the liberty to speak, and I hope I haven't offended Your Majesty. I earnestly request the emperor to see clearly and kindly grant my request to posthumously bestow an official title upon Li Jiang." The emperor then issued an edict posthumously granting Li Jiang the title of General of the Guards and Governor of Jizhou.
Zigou. At the end of the Wuding era, he served as a palace attendant for the crown prince. After the Qi dynasty's abdication, his title was downgraded. His younger brother Xun held a position as a military officer in the Grand Commander's staff. Another younger brother, Xie, whose courtesy name was Qianhe, was charismatic and talented, possessing exceptional literary skills and deep knowledge; he was widely regarded as a talented figure of his time, earning great respect from all. He inherited his father's previous title of Marquis of Pengcheng. Starting as a military officer in the Grand Commander's staff, he successively held the positions of secretary for the Ministry of Personnel, Sima of the military governor of Beihai in Xuzhou, and later returned to the court, concurrently serving as a deputy minister of the Central Secretariat. Cui Guang recommended him for the position of Literary Official, but Xie was not particularly interested in the historian's position. He was later promoted to General Who Aids the State, Chief of the Grand Justice of Xiangzhou, and Grand Minister of the Palace, eventually receiving the title of Grand Minister of Golden Purple and additionally granted the title of General Who Guards the State. After Yuan Hao invaded Luoyang, he was appointed as the Deputy Minister of the Yellow Gate Palace. After Yuan Hao's defeat, he was dismissed from his official position and wrote the "Essay on Personal Reflections," in which he expressed:
"Fortune and misfortune are intertwined, blessings and calamities arise together. Tortoise divination muddles its signs, while the sage obscures its beginnings. Observing success and failure in past records, one can gauge the trends based on human sentiment. Everyone competes to pursue profit, rarely considering themselves to escape notoriety. A chain of carriages carries disaster, many stables lead to punishment. How can one know that a solitary individual cannot be overturned by a thousand chariots? Regret and stinginess are personal failings, and the purity of the spirit is not a matter of life and death. I rely on the merits of my ancestors, and I look up to the glory of my family name. I simply follow my teachers to learn, lacking the opportunity to wander the higher paths. At the age of four or five, I began divining at a young age. I then removed my cap and followed the officials, mistakenly seeking favor in the bright times. Those who are prominent are often surrounded by the lesser and smaller. The Emperor is diligent in his achievements, while my martial governance remains untroubled. Covering the four mysteries and aligning on the same track, I revere the three stars and uphold the righteous view. The power in the north is unrestrained, while the martial authority is subdued; the cauldron in the south shifts, and the literary brilliance shines. Exceptional individuals are drawn to the crimson gates, and the grand scholars gather in the Confucian halls. Together they return to the same origin, achieving harmony while maintaining distinct paths. I am swept away by the source of the wind, initially borrowing the garments from the officials. Embracing the noble ideals of the great king, I meander through the rabbit garden, engaging in conversation. Following the paths of the swan and heron, I connect with the flourishing talents."
Simply put, it’s about several brothers, each finding their own path in the world of officialdom. The younger brother, Xie, started with a high position and steadily rose through the ranks. Later, when Yuan Hao's rebellion failed, he was implicated and dismissed from his post, so he wrote a poem to express his sentiments. In this poem, he reflected on his own career path and lamented the changes in the world.
My maternal uncle went to war in the west, his banners flying high in the west. I followed him to the front lines and served in the rear. At the end of the deep winter, we crossed distant and treacherous mountains and rivers. The wind blew sand and stones, and the stones shattered; the snow covered the rivers and spread over the fields. In my heart, joy knew no bounds, while sadness lingered due to encountering many things. Soon after the emperor's procession came to an end, I changed to a post carriage and returned home.
Thanks to the grace of the court, I received benefits from my extended family. I offered sacrifices to my ancestors and gained favor, allowing me to wear official robes. The ritual of sacrifice was all formality, with no real rewards. I wanted to hold onto my position, afraid to let my guard down, always trying to avoid the limelight and remain cautious. Suddenly entrusted with a heavy responsibility, participating in the construction of ceremonial sites, running back and forth in the grand palace. I knew how difficult it was to be chosen, as it seemed to fulfill the celestial arrangements. Even the brilliance of the sun is hard to avoid, let alone me. How could I ever compare myself to Zhongzhi and Taishu? I have a naturally easygoing disposition, originally wanting to live a life of obscurity as a recluse, but ended up becoming an official. I am not skilled in the political intrigues of the court, nor am I proficient in government affairs. I have never been enthusiastic about the socializing of the officialdom, and I only enjoy playing chess for my own amusement.
I consider myself a scholar, having a good grasp of literature and history. Some perceptive people take inspiration from my insights, and my abilities are acknowledged among my peers. Without realizing it, I've found myself in a refined circle, earning a bit of a name among scholars. Thus, I self-promote... (this part of the text is missing). Although I am in the mundane world, I have the opportunity to appreciate beautiful things. I built a house in a secluded place, away from the hustle and bustle of the city, and live a reclusive life. My home is high up, away from the city's noise. Life is simple but not shabby; it's modest but not extravagant. The house is built against the mountains, surrounded by flowing water. In spring, the trees are the first to bud, and the grass sprouts anew. I often have relaxed chats with some articulate friends, and there are always guests coming and going at my door. Sometimes we have fun in the woods under the moonlight, and at other times we feast by the water in the evening. We compose poetry and appreciate the essence of literature, serving exquisite dishes and enjoying a beautiful life. Although my reputation does not compare to those famous scholars by the banks of the Luo River, my life is as lively as that in the Jingu Garden. I'm happy with my interests and don’t envy those who chase fame and fortune. I often reflect on myself to warn and motivate myself to achieve something in my official career. I study the admirable virtues of the ancients and admire those who cherish their noble ideals. Is it possible that the court really lacks talent? How could they place such importance on me? In the end, I didn’t last three months in my position before resigning and heading home because of illness.
In the elegant and refined environment of Dongguan, I worked in Longzhou, primarily tasked with recording historical events. After Mr. Cai's departure, he left behind many regrets, which Mr. Zhang attempted to address after succeeding him. Later, I became embroiled in some minor affairs, and my official position lost its significance, and I was reassigned to the archives as a junior historian. I felt my literary talents paled in comparison to those of the eloquent ministers, nor as practical as those simple and pragmatic officials. Later, I was once again favored by the court, had the opportunity to serve the emperor, and participate in confidential court affairs. I felt as favored by the emperor as a phoenix, and the writings I produced flowed effortlessly. After serving in Longzhou for five years, I had not received a promotion. I felt like a bird without wings, just waiting for an opportunity. Later, I was promoted to Rongzhang, and my official position was raised.
Though my luck was running thin, I felt no immediate obstacles. I had never anticipated being promoted to Dinghu, only to suddenly hear the news of mourning echoing from all corners of the realm. The fortunes of the Han Dynasty waned, and the imperial lineage faced three interruptions. During the Xiaochang period, the Lingbei area also suffered turmoil due to succession issues. The poems of "Xiaoya" were abolished, and the principles of the Three Bonds and Five Constants were extinguished. I sensed the darkness of the times, and my personal fate felt constrained, only able to sigh alone. So, I withdrew to a secluded village, cut off from the world. It wasn't until several subsequent revivals that those formidable figures passed away in succession. I seized the opportunity presented by the great chaos, riding the shifting tides of the situation. However, opportunities are fleeting, and my official position was lost in an instant. I felt as if I had been exiled from fertile lands to barren wilderness, mourning the sacrifices and valor of the nation's people.
The rise and fall of empires throughout history are remarkably similar! Lu Zhi lived in seclusion in Dongye, while Xun Yu was trapped in Nanluo. I once escaped to a certain hill, hiding in the mountain rocks. As daybreak approached and I prepared to flee, I wondered how to navigate the long road to the east. I hurriedly boarded a boat, raised the oars, and followed the Luo River downstream. I treasured every moment, like a bird returning to its nest. I adapted to the situation, leading a million troops in Shandong. However, the bandits in Xindu were as fierce as wild boars and howling winds. They devoured everything; cities turned to ashes and fields lay barren. The bandits of Liyang gathered, attacking like a landslide. The battle was intense, the river boiling, arrows raining down on my boat. I experienced countless hardships; the chaos in the Chen and Cai regions seemed never-ending. I escaped as if from the jaws of a tiger and swiftly made my way to the Marquis of Lingyang. I took a brief respite in Puyang, which was once the homeland of the states of Tao and Wei. Standing at the village's edge, I gazed at the wide, limitless river. At night, I could hear the enemy's horses neighing and see dust rising during the day.
Once upon a time, the prince's magnificent strategy was renowned in the court; when the army set out, the momentum was overwhelming, akin to a thunderous roar. The soldiers were filled with spirit, as fierce as a tempest; the court had set an intricate trap, layer upon layer. With a single surge of energy, they broke through like a knife slicing through bamboo, swiftly quelling the rebellion, and the wicked forces were thoroughly vanquished. In ancient times, Qu Boyu fled from corrupt rule, witnessing the signs of the nation's impending collapse; whereas after Ji Zha returned, the monarch was reinstated, and the nation found stability. I am but a trivial figure, originally detached from the rise and fall of the state. I gladly chose to retreat to the countryside, leading a leisurely life while enjoying the court's favor. However, later I was recognized by the court and entrusted with significant responsibilities, honorably receiving the emperor's command. Upon hearing the edict delivered by the eunuch, I received even greater favor from the emperor. The golden-purple attire was stunning, and the mink and jade ornaments shimmered together beautifully.
At that time, the court had just settled, but the people's sentiments were easily swayed. Emperor Jianwu was wise and outstanding, with a majestic presence that inspired admiration. However, there was a struggle for the throne within the royal family, resulting in succession disputes. The army surged forth from Chu, advancing swiftly with banners billowing, like torrents rushing, exuding tremendous momentum. Breaking through numerous obstacles, he finally stood before millions of people, receiving the adoration of the masses. After the emperor's passing, the coffin moved slowly with the procession, the atmosphere was solemn and dignified. Unfortunately, fate is capricious, and even with great achievements, one cannot escape an untimely death. Disaster struck suddenly, with the court ensnared by threats from all directions, the situation becoming critical. Had it not been for my close relationship with the emperor, few could match Hanyang's loyalty and steadfastness. All the officials in the court bowed to the Western King. With my influence waning and my position being distant, I could only look out for myself and could not uphold any greater justice. As the court regained stability and began to restore order, many officials were dismissed, rejuvenating the court. After being dismissed, I returned to my hometown and lived a simple, desire-free life.
I deeply reflected on my past, reviewing my life path carefully. I never sought shortcuts or pursued fame. I always kept an open heart, adapting to circumstances like a rootless duckweed. I know neither whence I came nor whither I shall go. Therefore, I face gains and losses, honor and disgrace calmly, with a heart as tranquil as still water. I settle among the mountains and forests, living in peace, free from worldly attachments. Although my journeys have led me to the Western Regions, my heart remains in the Eastern Capital, never forgetting my homeland. I hope to live freely like a fish or bird, preserving my nature and going with the flow. I wish to safeguard my life by steering clear of any further offenses against the reigning emperor.
Xiao Jing lost his mother and went home to observe the mourning period. Later, the court summoned him to serve as the governor of Wei County, but he was still serving as a general. Since his mourning period had not yet ended, he submitted a formal request to resign. The court agreed, agreeing with his reasoning.
Xiao Yan wanted to establish a good relationship with the court, so they carefully selected an envoy, appointing Shen Yue as a concurrent attendant and envoy for negotiations. When Shen Yue arrived at Shitou City (modern-day Nanjing), Xiao Yan sent his guest attendant Fan Xu to welcome him. Shen Yue asked Fan Xu, "How long have you been in this position as guest attendant?" Fan Xu replied, "I was originally a tutor at Humen, and I'm temporarily serving in this role." Shen Yue said, "A national scholar shouldn't take a lower role." Fan Xu responded, "It's just to welcome guests from afar, so I'm taking this role temporarily." Shen Yue said, "It's indeed commendable to make personal sacrifices for national affairs. Just because I am a mere envoy has caused you to take a lower position." Fan Xu replied, "I consider myself lacking in talent and knowledge, insufficient to compare with you; how could I possibly claim to be at a disadvantage?"
Fan Xu asked again, "It's still quite warm now; is it colder in the north than here?" Shen Yue replied, "This place is at the junction of yin and yang, with cold and heat coming at the right times; I can't say how much colder it gets." Fan Xu said, "Are you going to Ye City for an investigation to measure the shadow of the sun?" Shen Yue replied, "Both cities have the imperial palace and are close enough to be considered together." Fan Xu said, "Luoyang is so prosperous; why return to Ye City?" Shen Yue replied, "The Son of Heaven governs the world; everywhere is his territory. What's surprising about that?" Fan Xu said, "The Yin and Shang dynasties moved their capital due to the decline of the nation; why does your Wei dynasty want to move its capital?" Shen Yue replied, "A wise ruler knows when to seize opportunities and go with the flow; why wait for a nation's rise and fall?" Fan Xu said, "The imperial presence of Jinling has been strong since ancient times; the yellow flags and purple canopies have always been associated with the southeast, symbolizing dominance, so the capital should be built here." Shen Yue replied, "How can an emperor's fate compare to that of the Central Plains? The yellow flags and purple canopies will ultimately return to Luoyang; would anyone really ruin their own future? That kind of talk is just nonsense and not worth discussing!"
Xiao Yan personally asked Shen Yue, "How many virtuous people are there in the Wei Dynasty?" Shen Yue replied, "Our court is filled with talented individuals, both civil and military, and there are many virtuous people, but I cannot list them all at once." Xiao Yan said, "King Wu had ten treacherous ministers and sons. Although the Wei Dynasty has many talents, could it really be as you say?" Shen Yue responded, "I believe that when the Zhou Dynasty mentioned ten, they were specifically referring to those who assisted King Wu. The phrase 'many talented individuals' actually originates from a poem by King Wen. The talents in our court are sufficient to rival those of the Zhou Dynasty." Xiao Yan asked, "Then, can you give a few examples of those with outstanding literary and martial skills?" Shen Yue said, "The Grand Chancellor, King Yuan Hong of Bohai, is both literate and martial, assisting the emperor in governing the world. Minister of Works Yuan Shuzhao and Minister of Works Yuan Shijun are both elite members of the royal family, managing state affairs. The Left Minister Sima Ziru and the Right Minister Gao Longzhi are both renowned talents of the time, diligently assisting the emperor. Chamberlain Gao Yue and Chamberlain Sun Teng are both distinguished for their achievements and are loyal and upright individuals, upholding the royal family's prestige. I will not list the other talented individuals one by one." Xiao Yan said, "Therefore, we should assist the young ruler and consolidate the stability of the state; the reasoning behind this is deep and complex." People in Jiangnan praised Shen Yue's eloquence.
After returning to court, he was appointed as the Minister of Agriculture and also granted the title of General of Cavalry, later being transferred to the position of Secretary Supervisor. Unfortunately, he encountered strong winds on the way, delaying his journey and affecting his health. In the second year of Wuding, he passed away at the age of forty-nine, leaving many to lament his loss. After his passing, the court posthumously awarded him the titles of General of Cavalry, Minister of the Imperial Guard, and Governor of Qizhou. His writings were compiled into a collection, which still circulates in the world today.
His eldest son, Xing Yue, served as the Minister of Rites in the later years of the Wuding period. Xing Yue's younger brother, Xing Shu, became a guest official in the Ministry of Works.
His other brother, Xing Yong, courtesy name Xiumu, was clever and talented from a young age. "He was youthful and charming, with exceptional talent." He served as an assistant to the literary official and developed a close friendship with Prince Gao Yang, Yong. His friends were all older, but his outstanding talent and remarkable literary skills made him quite famous at the time. Unfortunately, he died at twenty-five. The court posthumously awarded him the titles of General Zhenyuan and the title of Governor of Luozhou, and he received the posthumous name "Wen."
Historical records comment: Xing Luan was well-versed in both civil and military affairs, with outstanding abilities. He held important military and political positions, participated in critical affairs in the court, and led troops in battles outside. He was truly a pillar for governing the country and ensuring peace! Li Ping, with his exceptional talent and strategy, served the court, navigating his career with prudence and achieving remarkable success, making him an exceptional asset to the court!
