Heluo of Shanggu was the great-grandson of Emperor Shenyuan. At first, he followed Taizu from the Dugu Ruo Helan clan, recruiting former commoners and gathering three hundred households. He and his brother persuaded Hena to recognize Taizu as their leader. After Taizu became king, Heluo stayed by his side to protect him. He also accompanied him into battle and achieved great military feats. Heluo was rewarded especially for his contributions to Taizu's ascension to the throne. After Taizu became emperor, he and his brother were both granted the title of duke on the same day as his brother. He later died.
His son, Ti, earned a reputation for his bravery and combat skills from a young age and was titled Duke of Xiangcheng. He accompanied the campaign in Zhongshan, was tasked with inspecting the counties below, and pacified the newly occupied cities, ensuring that everyone could live and work in peace. He was later promoted to king. He was killed by an arrow during a battle against Yitai and Murong Ling. The emperor believed that Chief Physician Yin Guang had failed to treat him and executed him. His son inherited the title but was later demoted to Duke of Xiangcheng. After his death, he was posthumously elevated to the title of King of Xiangcheng.
Yingwen of Jian De was also a descendant of Emperor Shenyuan. He was intelligent and decisive from a young age and was highly regarded by Emperor Taizong. He was responsible for managing and delivering the emperor's edicts and frequently took part in sensitive matters. After Emperor Shizong ascended the throne, he appointed him as Protector of the Army and promoted him to Duke of Jian De, stationed at Liaoxi. He later died.
Lu of Zhengding was a descendant of Emperor Shenyuan. During the reign of Emperor Shizong, he earned the emperor's favor due to his military achievements and was appointed Palace Attendant and granted the title of Zhengding Hou. He later died.
Lu's great-grandson, Gui, whose courtesy name was Faji, gradually rose in official rank to become the magistrate of Luoyang. At that time, the world was in turmoil; Gui was harsh and cruel to his subordinates, indiscriminately killing innocent people, and those knowledgeable criticized him. During the reign of Emperor Xiaojing, the Ye Palace required reconstruction, and Gui was appointed as the person in charge of construction. He was later promoted to Governor of Xuzhou. Gui was notorious for his lack of knowledge; although his official position was high, he was held in contempt by his contemporaries. He eventually died in Xuzhou.
The Marquis of Wuling, Yin, was a descendant of Emperor Zhang. He followed the founding emperor in pacifying the Central Plains and was granted the title of Marquis of Quni for his contributions. During the reign of Emperor Wudi, he was regranted the title of Marquis of Wuling.
Prince Shoule of Changle, a descendant of Emperor Zhang, served as the Minister of Selection, King of Nan'an, and was later renamed Prince of Changle. After Gaozong ascended the throne, Shoule was appointed as the Grand Preceptor, Grand Commander, Supervisor of the Central and Outer Armies, and Director of the Imperial Secretariat for his role in assisting Gaozong's accession. He grew arrogant, fought for power with the Prefect of the Imperial Secretariat Changsun Kehou, and both were ultimately executed.
Duke Tui of Wangdu, a descendant of Emperor Zhao, followed the founding emperor in pacifying the Central Plains and was granted the title of Marquis of Wangdu. Emperor Wudi thought that Tui was handsome and elegant, so he sent him to welcome the Left Consort Ruru, and later promoted him to a duke. He later passed away.
Marquis of Quyang, Su Yan, a descendant of Emperor Huan of Han, joined the emperor on military campaigns in his youth, participated in subduing Bingzhou, and later became the governor of Bingzhou. During the incident at Baisi, where Emperor Taizu was in danger, the defending general of Bingzhou, Feng Douzhen, was deemed a traitor, and Su Yan directly killed him. At that time, Emperor Taizu sought to appease the recently surrendered populace and regretted his involvement in the killings, but Su Yan's actions had resulted in too many deaths, so he was dismissed from his position. After the pacification of Zhongshan, he was appointed as the governor of Youzhou. However, he was too extravagant and licentious, and was later demoted to the Prefect of Shanggu. He was later bestowed the title of Marquis of Quyang. At that time, Emperor Taizu held a particular admiration for the teachings of Huang-Lao, wanting to educate the people with the philosophy of quietism, even dressing himself and his chariots and horses in a simple manner and advocating frugality. However, Su Yan's extreme extravagance caused Emperor Taizu to harbor a lasting grudge against him. In the end, due to a series of missteps, he was summoned back to the capital, where he was sentenced to death.
Duke Shunyang Yu was also a descendant of Emperor Huan of Han. He had been known for his integrity and uprightness since childhood. Initially, he served as a junior officer in the Imperial Guard and worked diligently in the palace, distinguishing himself through his outstanding performance. During the reign of Emperor Gaozong, he became the Minister of the Imperial Court. Accompanying Emperor Gaozong on an eastern tour to the seaside, he was bestowed the title of Duke Shunyang in recognition of his hard work and contributions. After Emperor Gaozong died, Yi Hun seized control, dominating the court and instilling fear in all the officials, leaving them bewildered and unsure of how to respond. Yu led a few hundred palace guards through the Shun De Gate, with the intention of eliminating Yi Hun. Yi Hun was frightened and hurried out to ask Yu, "What are you doing here?" Yu replied, "We can't see the emperor, and the ministers are very worried. We want to request an audience with the emperor." Yi Hun, with no other option, said, "The emperor is currently handling funeral matters, and the situation is quite special, so he hasn't met with the officials yet. What is there to be concerned about in the various provinces?" As a result, they rallied behind Emperor Xianzu to take charge of state affairs. Later, Yi Hun plotted to rebel, leaving the court officials on edge, and Yu sought a way to remove Yi Hun from power, but ultimately fell victim to Yi Hun's treachery. Emperor Xianzu posthumously honored Yu for his loyalty and righteousness, posthumously conferring upon him the title of Duke Shunyang and the posthumous name "Jian."
Wang Muchen of Yidu, also a descendant of Emperor Huan of the Han Dynasty, started as an officer in the Imperial Guard. He followed Emperor Taizu in campaigns to the south, fighting to the bank of the Yangtze River. After Emperor Gaozong ascended the throne, he was promoted to Shizhong (Chamberlain) and Left Supervisor of the Imperial Secretariat due to his merits, and was given the title of Duke of Nanping. When Yi Hun conspired to rebel, Muchen and his brother Yu planned to kill Yi Hun. However, the conspiracy was uncovered, Muchen's brother was killed, and he was able to escape. After Emperor Xianzu ascended the throne, he was credited for his achievements. Upon Emperor Gaozu's ascension, he was promoted to Situ, given the title of Wang of Yidu, and appointed as the governor of Yongzhou, stationed at Chang'an. Muchen was known for his integrity and incorruptibility, never engaging in factionalism, and the courtiers greatly respected him. However, he was greedy and corrupt, often using money to resolve issues during his time in office. Ultimately, he was executed, and his title was stripped.
Liu Xiu, the son of Emperor Mu, was arrogant and unreasonable since childhood, essentially a little tyrant. In the fifth year of Emperor Mu's reign, he was sent to lead the vanguard in a mission to rescue Liu Kun, accompanied by Wei Xiong, Fan Ban, Ji Dan, and others. Emperor Mu personally commanded the main army from the rear. In fear, Liu Can set fire to the supplies and quickly fled. Emperor Mu rode a horse to chase after him, killing many people. Later, Emperor Mu hosted a grand hunting event in Shouyang Mountain, where the prey piled high like mountains, blood flowed like rivers, and the mountains were stained red.
After Jin Huai Emperor was captured by Liu Cong, Emperor Mu sent Liu Xiu and Pu Gen, the son of Huan Di, with elite troops to support Liu Kun. At first, Emperor Mu's youngest son Bi Yan was the favorite, and Emperor Mu wanted to make him the crown prince. However, Liu Xiu was dispatched to Xinping City, which led to Bi Yan's mother being deposed. Liu Xiu had a good horse named Hualiu that could cover five hundred miles in a day, and Emperor Mu wanted to give this horse to Bi Yan. Later, when Liu Xiu returned to court, Emperor Mu wanted Liu Xiu to pay his respects to Bi Yan, but Liu Xiu refused. Emperor Mu then had Bi Yan sit in the palanquin he used, taking others out for leisure. Liu Xiu saw from a distance and thought it was Emperor Mu, so he hurriedly knelt by the roadside to greet him. Upon getting closer, he realized it was Bi Yan, and feeling both ashamed and angry, he turned and left. Emperor Mu called him back, but he did not return. Emperor Mu, furious, led his troops to confront him. Ultimately, Emperor Mu's army was defeated, and Liu Xiu even went so far as to kill Bi Yan. Emperor Mu had no choice but to don civilian clothes and sneak away to hide among the populace. In the end, he was recognized by a common woman, and the shock caused him to die. Pu Gen, who was originally stationed outside, heard about the incident and brought troops to help, attacking Liu Xiu and eliminating him.
Ji Yang Nan Bi Gan, a cousin of Emperor Taizu, distinguished himself in the campaign against Ding Ling at Bai Jian and was granted the title of Ji Yang Nan. He later rose to the rank of General of the Southern Route, where he met his end in battle.
Jiang Xia Gong Lu was also a cousin of Emperor Taizu. He followed Emperor Shizong to pacify Liangzhou and achieved merit, being granted the title of Jiang Xia Gong. He held a high official position, participated in court politics, and was highly valued. After his death, he was posthumously honored with the title of Jiang Xia Wang and interred in Jinling.
Prince Gu of Gao Liang is the fourth son of Emperor Pingwen. He is talented and knowledgeable, possessing great insight and strategic acumen. A year before Emperor Lie's death, there was civil unrest in the country, and Zhao Cheng Wang fled to the state of Xiangguo. Later, before his death, Emperor Lie advised everyone: "To stabilize the country, we must support Zhao Cheng Wang." After Emperor Lie's death, the ministers found the situation very complicated, with instability both inside and outside the country. Zhao Cheng Wang was still in the south and could not return immediately. If anything were to happen during his journey, it would be wiser to appoint a temporary ruler to stabilize the people's confidence. Gu's brother Qu, known for his fierce and unpredictable nature, was not as gentle and compliant as Gu. Consequently, the ministers, led by Liang Gai, executed Qu and proclaimed Gu as king. Gu said, "My brother is the eldest son and should inherit the throne. How can I usurp his rightful place to inherit the throne?" So he personally went to Ye City to welcome Zhao Cheng Wang and offered to serve as a hostage. Shi Hu agreed. After Zhao Cheng Wang ascended to the throne, he granted Gu half of the kingdom's land. Later, Gu passed away.
Gu's son Jin, resentful over his failures, falsely accused the ruler of treason and ultimately died in Chang'an. When Emperor Taizu was in power, in recognition of Gu's significant contributions, he was posthumously honored as Gao Liang Wang, with the posthumous title of Shenwu. Jin's son Le Zhen achieved military success multiple times and later inherited his ancestral title. In the early reign of Emperor Taizong, he was renamed Prince of Pingyang. He later passed away as well.
Le Zhen's son Li inherited the title of Gao Liang Wang. After his death, he was posthumously titled Yi Wang. Li's son Na inherited the title and was appointed as a high official in Zhongdu. He was known for his bravery and military prowess. During the reign of Zhengping, he was executed for his transgressions. After Emperor Xianzu ascended the throne, he acknowledged Na's contributions and allowed his son He to inherit the title. He later passed away as well.
Dacao, the son of Ge, was a man of integrity. During Emperor Gaozu's reign, all princes not descended from Emperor Taizu were demoted to dukes. Because Dacao's ancestors had meritorious service to the country, and his great-grandfather Le Zhen had also achieved significant accomplishments in the previous dynasty, he was granted the title of Duke of Taiyuan. When Dacao died without a son, the title became extinct. Later, Emperor Sizong permitted Hongwei, the son of Dacao's cousin, to inherit the title. Hongwei was known for his humility and dedication to learning, serving as the Prefect of Yingchuan and achieving notable success. During the early years of Emperor Xiaojing's reign, Hongwei gathered forces in Yingchuan to respond to the western uprising, and General Qixianwu sent troops to suppress the rebellion.
Emperor Shizu granted the title of Baron of Xiangyi to Ling, Li's younger brother, who later passed away.
Ling's son Gui held the position of Sima at the Rouxuan Garrison.
Gui's son Zhi, who was also known as Kongque, was tall and strong, with a waist that measured a full ten feet. He initially served as the Vice Captain of the Imperial Guard. During Emperor Gaozu's reign, he was granted the title of Baron of Jinyang for his military achievements. He continued to rise in ranks, eventually becoming a General and the Commander of the Capital Region. In the first year of Wutai, Erzhu Rong went to Heyin and carried out a massacre of court officials. Kongque and Erzhu Rong ascended a high mound to survey the scene, and from that point on, he became entangled with Erzhu Rong.
When Yuan Hao launched an attack, Kongque accompanied the emperor northward to confront the enemy. Upon reaching Hanoi, as they were preparing to enter the city, Kongque suggested, "Hanoi closes its city gates during the day and only allows carriages to enter at night. Their intentions are hard to gauge, so we must be cautious. I think it would be better to leave here directly; let's hurry and go!" The emperor heeded his advice and made his way to Changzi, where Er Zhu Rong came to provide support. Kongque was appointed as the General of Cavalry and Chariots and was granted the title of King of Huashan. Later, Emperor Zhuang killed Er Zhu Rong, and Er Zhu Rong's son, Er Zhu Zhao, rebelled again. The emperor wanted to personally lead the army to quell the rebellion, but Kongque secretly colluded with Er Zhu Zhao and advised the emperor, saying, "The Yellow River is deep and wide; how can we easily cross it?" The emperor felt reassured. Once Er Zhu Zhao entered the palace, Kongque secretly impeded the guards' actions. The emperor was left with no choice, and the capital fell; all of this was Kongque's scheme. After Emperor Xiaojing ascended the throne, Kongque was appointed as Grand Marshal and further granted the title of Palace Attendant.
Kongque was highly skilled in martial arts, taciturn and straightforward, with a sincere and honest character. During his duty shifts, even in the sweltering summer, he did not remove his clothes or crown. Once, at a banquet hosted by Palace Attendant Gao Yue, King of Xianyang, Tan, relying on his strength, got drunk and spoke disrespectfully to the guests present, who all lowered their heads in embarrassment. Tan pointed at Kongque and said, "Old General Kongque, what gives you the right to hold a title?" Kongque immediately replied, "I killed the rebel Yuan Xi, which is why I received this title." Everyone was taken aback, but Kongque remained unfazed. In the third year of Xinghe, Kongque passed away, and the court posthumously awarded him the honorary title of 'Yellow Mace,' as well as the positions of Minister of Documents and Duke of Situ.
Gui Daqi, the son of the peacock, inherited his title. Later, he conspired with Yuan Jin to kill King Qi Wenxiang, but was ultimately killed himself. The grandson of the peacock, Gui Du, was granted the title of Marquis of Songzi during the reign of the founding emperor, which is equivalent to a high-ranking official. He later passed away as well. His son, Gui Yijin, inherited the title of Marquis of Xiangyang. Xianzu valued his lineage and appointed him to a high-ranking position, showing great favor towards him. He later passed away as well. His son, Gui Ping, known by his courtesy name Chuguo, inherited the title of Marquis of Songzi. Thanks to his military achievements, he was also granted the title of Marquis of Ailing. He later passed away as well.
Zi Chang, who lived during the time of the founding emperor Liu Bang, inherited the title of Marquis of Songzi, but later his title was demoted to Earl of Ailing. Zi Chang had a particularly tough personality, never smiled even during the happiest occasions. When the founding emperor moved the capital, Zi Chang stayed in Dai as a magistrate and later became the commander of Huaisuo Town. The founding emperor even personally offered him wine, and although Zi Chang drank it respectfully, his expression remained quite somber. The founding emperor said, "I heard you have never smiled in your life. Now that we are so far apart, you should smile for me!" But he still couldn't make him smile. The founding emperor sighed, "Every element has its dislikes; what hasn’t happened in this world?" Everyone around couldn't help but laugh out loud.
During the reign of Emperor Shizong, Zichang was appointed as the General of the Northern Central Guard and also served as the Prefect of Hanoi. He found that the waterway under the bridge was too narrow, making it inconvenient for boats to pass through. Additionally, every autumn, the river water would rise, causing the bridge to be frequently damaged. Therefore, he decided to repair the waterway and recruited workers from the capital to carry two stones per cart to reinforce the riverbank. As a result, the bridge became wider, making it much easier for people to cross. The nearby counties were relieved of this issue, benefiting both the common people and the government. Later, he was appointed as the Minister of Revenue, Palace Attendant, and Governor of Yongzhou. After his death, he was posthumously granted the title "Cheng." However, despite Zichang's rise in official rank in his middle age, he grew arrogant and had no discipline at home, had poor relationships with his siblings, and was greedy and cruel, which resulted in a poor reputation among many.
Zihua, the son of Zichang, styled Furong, inherited his father's title. During the early reign of Emperor Xiaozhuang, he was appointed as the Governor of Qizhou. At that time, Qizhou often faced rebellions, such as the rebellion led by Xinggao, causing the common people to live in fear. However, Zihua was adept at appeasing the local elites, appointing them to important positions, which was greatly appreciated and led to stability in Qizhou. Nevertheless, Zihua had a violent temper and tended to speak his mind when angry, even hitting himself. His Chief Historian, Zheng Zizhan, who was also his relative, was berated by him and eventually left in anger. Despite regretting his actions and attempting to change his temper, Zihua ultimately failed to do so. During his tenure, he was not regarded as an honest official, accepting gifts from others even though he would verbally refuse, which was tolerated by many. He showed compassion towards criminals in his judgments, which led the people of Qizhou to erect a monument in his honor.
Later he was appointed as the Governor of Qizhou. At that time, Erzhu Zhao attacked Luoyang, and the common people of Qizhou drove away the governor, Prince Danyang Xiao Zan, and petitioned for Fang Shida to temporarily take charge of the province. Zhao Zihua's mother, Lady Fang, once fell seriously ill after dining at a relative's house, and everyone suspected she had been poisoned. Zhao Zihua quickly consumed everything his mother had vomited, and she eventually recovered. Not long after his mother's passing, he returned to the capital to observe the mourning period.
At the beginning of Emperor Xiaojing's reign, he was appointed as the Governor of Nanyanzhou. His younger brother Zhao Sitong was dispatched to Guanzhong on a diplomatic mission, and the court sent General Guo Qiong to arrest him. Zhao Sitong said to Guo Qiong's servant, "I am about to be killed; why are you still holding onto a pillar of the nation?" Zhao Zihua said to Zhao Sitong, "It's all because of your rough personality that I ended up in this situation." Then he threw himself onto the bed in despair and cried. Zhao Sitong looked at Zhao Zihua and said, "You really are a coward!" Later, both brothers were killed outside the Gate of the Palace.
Zhao Sitong, with the style name Zhongnian, had a strong and impulsive personality, always considering himself a man of loyalty and righteousness. During Yuan Tianmu's reign, he was recommended for the position because he was a relative of the emperor. Before that, Yuan Shun, who also served as the Grand Secretary, submitted a memorial saying that the Secretariat, which oversaw the assessment of officials and handled public affairs, should not entrust these responsibilities to the Imperial Censorate. After Zhao Sitong became the Imperial Censor, he submitted a memorial saying:
The "Imperial Censor's Edict" states: "The Commandant supervises all officials; the Censor for Document Affairs is responsible for inspecting internal affairs of the palace." It also states: "When the Commandant travels, there is a guard unit clearing the way in front of the carriage, clearing the road for a mile, and the nobles and officials must yield the way." After four emperors and more than twenty Commandants, they have consistently followed this practice without interruption. The six ministries, temples, and provincial offices all adhere to this regulation. Only during the reign of Suzong, because he went to Lintao to mourn, Yuan Shun, who also served as the Left Deputy of the Secretariat, refused to sign or submit the official list. Therefore, the Commandant Li Daoyuan brought charges against him. Yuan Shun then reported: "The Secretariat oversees the evaluation of all officials, an important department trusted by the emperor, and should not hand over the list to the subordinates of the Censors and Commandants." Later, he obtained the emperor's approval and was permitted to proceed based on his memorial. From that time until now, no one has followed the original regulations anymore.
When I first took office, I noticed this issue and wanted to propose a solution directly, but given my limited authority, it wasn't the right time to take action. As days passed, I experienced various situations. On the first day of last month, my office sent someone to the Secretariat to request the list of officials for the morning court meeting, but the Secretariat kept stalling and didn’t send it. After several reminders and urging of relevant officials, the Secretariat's Assistant Pei Xianbo suddenly interjected with a note, saying: "Referring to past precedents, when the Censor and Commandant met the Secretariat Assistant on the road, the Commandant got off the carriage and walked, while the Assistant just waved his hand from the carriage. This clearly doesn't reflect equal etiquette." I was very surprised and puzzled when I saw this note. After thinking it over several times, I still didn’t grasp what was happening. I wondered if there were new rules in the Secretariat that changed the old system of the founding emperor, so I quickly sent someone to ask for the reasoning. Later, I received a reply from the Secretariat Assistant Wang Yuanxu, saying it was based on Cai's "Han Officials," which seemed reasonable. This is how I realized that Pei Xianbo and Wang Yuanxu were trying to undermine the established system and create their own set of rules.
I consulted the "Book of Han: Biography of Xuan Bing," which states: "The Emperor issued a decree summoning Xuan Bing to serve as the Censor-in-Chief. He, along with the Chief of the Imperial Secretariat and the Minister of Works, convened in the palace to discuss matters, all seated in designated positions, and the people of the capital referred to them as the 'Three Sitting Officials'." I also consulted the "Book of Wei: Biography of Cui Yan" and the "Biography of Fu Jia" written by Wen Yang of the Jin Dynasty, both of which record that once the Censor-in-Chief assumes office, all officials are trembling with fear. From this, it is evident that the Censor-in-Chief has long operated independently of the Ministry of Works; this is not a recent development. I further examined the "Regulations of Official Duties," which states: "Arriving late to court will result in impeachment." Therefore, the list of officials must be submitted to the supervisory agency; this is quite clear. Moreover, any violations of the law by those below the Crown Prince can be investigated by the supervisory agency, so the list of officials should be submitted to the Inspectorate, which is also quite clear. If the list is not submitted, how can we distinguish right from wrong? I am merely adhering to principles in my work and have not done anything wrong; how can the misguided beliefs of the previous dynasty be considered just law? I carefully examined the circumstances of officials like Pei Xianbo and Wang Yuanxu, who are all prominent and seasoned ministers, yet they engage in wordplay and recklessly commit such acts, which is truly unbelievable! If such behavior is tolerated, it will undermine the laws of the court. I request the dismissal of Pei Xianbo and others from their positions and that they be handed over to the judicial authorities for handling. The Ministry of Works is responsible for official documents, and the list of officials is crucial, yet they behave so frivolously, encouraging this erroneous behavior, and their responsibilities should be clearly defined and they should be punished accordingly.
The imperial edict has arrived, stating: "Now the national system has changed, and the old rules can no longer be used to handle affairs." Then, the inspection department was tasked with investigating the old practices from the time of Gaozu to see how to handle this matter and report the results. Later, this matter was resolved based on Zisi's memorial, but Yuantianmu was quite unhappy about it, and as a result, the matter was shelved. After the defeat of Yuanhao, he was granted the title of Duke of Anding County. During the reign of Emperor Xiaojing, he served as Shizhong until his death.
His brother Changzhen, styled Jinqu, inherited the title of the Earl of Ailing. During the reign of Emperor Sejong, he flattered Gao Zhao and gained the emperor's favor. When King Pengcheng Xie died, Changzhen commanded troops that killed him. Later, he died while serving as the Left Minister.
Another brother, Changsheng, held the positions of Youji General and Qiji General before passing away. During the reign of Emperor Xiaozhuang, due to his son Tianmu's prowess, he was posthumously honored with the title of Sikong.
Tianmu was gentle and kind, handsome, skilled in archery, and well-known. At twenty, he began his career as a Yuanwai Lang. During the Six Towns Rebellion, Minister of Personnel Li Chong and Prince Guangyang led forces north to quell the rebellion, and Tianmu was ordered to visit the army. Passing through Xiurong, Er Zhu Rong noticed him managing affairs efficiently, exhibiting the demeanor of a general, which led them to become sworn brothers.
Not long after, Er Zhu Rong recommended Tianmu for the position of Xingtai, but the court disagreed and appointed him instead as a deputy general to Xiurong. At that time, the northern towns were in turmoil, with uprisings erupting everywhere; the Six Towns region was completely out of control, and there were no troops to defend it. Only Er Zhu Rong was recruiting scattered soldiers on critical routes. Tianmu became Er Zhu Rong's right-hand man and was appointed as the Governor of Bingzhou. When Er Zhu Rong advanced toward Luoyang, Tianmu was involved in the initial planning, and Er Zhu Rong had him stay behind to take over command of the army.
After Emperor Zhuang ascended the throne, he promoted Tian Mu to the position of Grand Marshal due to Tian Mu's close ties with Er Zhu Rong, and conferred upon him the title of King of Shangdang, summoning him to the capital. When Er Zhu Rong was attacking Ge Rong, the court appointed Tian Mu as the commander of the front line troops, leading the army from the capital to provide support. Er Zhu Rong captured Ge Rong, and Tian Mu's rewards increased, with a total of thirty thousand households. Later, he also served as the acting regent and managed the affairs of the Ministry of Personnel, establishing his own government office, while the position of Inspector of Bingzhou was also hereditary.
Initially, Du Luozhou and Xianyu Xiuli rebelled, and many commoners from Yingzhou and Jizhou in Hebei fled southward. Xie Gao, a former registrar from the Northern Ping Prefecture in Youzhou (now around Beijing), stationed with his subordinates in Meicheng (now Renqiu, Hebei), held out against Du Luozhou and Ge Rong for nearly three years. After Wang Yuanchen and his allies were defeated, Xie Gao crossed the Yellow River and fled to the Beihai area of Qingzhou (now Changle, Shandong).
Later, Empress Ling ordered that the people who had fled should be managed by the local counties, and selected some influential individuals to be officials to pacify them. At this time, Yuan Shijun, the Inspector of Qingzhou, petitioned the court to establish a new county called Xin'an and suggested that Xie Gao be appointed as the county magistrate, but it had not yet been approved. As a result, when the court reviewed the appointed county officials, they found that Xie Gao's son, Xie Yao, was ranked high due to his ancestor's merits, and thus granted Xie Gao the position of County Magistrate of Hejian. Xie Gao found this deeply humiliating and was extremely angry, so he rebelled. The people who had fled were already suffering at the hands of the locals, and upon hearing that Xie Gao had rebelled, they all came to join him. Within a few days, his forces exceeded one hundred thousand. They raided villages and inflicted harm on the common folk, and the people of Qi called them "She Ta Yu thieves." This term arose because people from Henan used to mock those from Hebei for their fondness for eating elm leaves, which led to this derogatory term.
Xie Gao went east and captured Guangzhou (now Huangchuan, Henan), all the way to the seaside before returning. He also defeated the army of the governor Li Shuren. The court sent Tian Mu and King Qi Xianwu to attack him, which resulted in a significant defeat for Xie Gao. Xie Gao then requested to surrender, was escorted to the capital where he was executed. The court granted Tian Mu a fief of a hundred thousand households. At that time, Yuan Hao seized the opportunity to occupy Xingyang. When Tian Mu heard that Emperor Zhuang was going on a northern tour, he crossed the Yellow River at Bigonglei (north of Gongxian, Henan) and welcomed the emperor's chariot in Henan (now Qinyang, Henan). Erzhu Rong felt that the weather was too hot and wanted to withdraw his troops. Tian Mu strongly disagreed, leaving Erzhu Rong no choice but to comply. After Emperor Zhuang returned to the palace, Tian Mu was elevated to Grand Preceptor, bestowed with ceremonial guards featuring feathered banners and trumpets, and his fief was increased, totaling seventy thousand households.
Tian Mu, initially not very prominent, rose to power by ingratiating himself with Erzhu Rong to reach the top rank. At that time, his power was overwhelming, and everyone feared him. The royal and noble ministers lined up in front of his house every morning to give him gifts, with treasures piling up like mountains. However, he was considered generous and did not incur much resentment. Emperor Zhuang favored him on the surface due to his relationship with Erzhu Rong, even granting him special permission to enter and exit by carriage from the Grand Marshal's residence. Tian Mu had a particularly good relationship with Erzhu Rong, like brothers. Erzhu Rong always treated Tian Mu with brotherly respect, and although Erzhu Shilong and others were Erzhu Rong's nephews and held high positions, they exhibited great respect and deference toward Tian Mu. Once, Tian Mu criticized Shilong, and Erzhu Rong immediately beat Shilong, showing the closeness of their bond. Later, Emperor Zhuang harbored a genuine fear of Tian Mu, and as a result, they were both killed together. After Emperor Zhuang's death, Tian Mu was posthumously honored as Prime Minister, Generalissimo of the Pillar State, and Governor of Yongzhou, and awarded the symbol of supreme power, the Yellow Battle Axe, and posthumously titled Martial and Bright.
His son Tian Muyan inherited his title, handsome and talented, and became the Minister of the Interior. Later, when Northern Qi overthrew Wei, he heard that the emperor wanted to summon him, so he pretended to be sick and ended up dying of fright.
Yuwendun, the Duke of Xihe, was the great-grandson of Emperor Wen. During the reign of Emperor Taiwu of Northern Wei, he fought bravely and skillfully, ranking among the top generals. Later, he participated in the campaign against Zhongshan, winning every battle. During the reign of Emperor Taizong, he was appointed as the Duke of Xihe and gained more favor. After his death, his son Yubun inherited his title.
Duke of Situ, the grandson of Emperor Wen, was loyal, brave, and especially skilled in archery. He accompanied Emperor Wen on the southern campaign, reaching Guabu. He served as an Imperial Secretary, Governor of Yongzhou, and held various other positions before being promoted to Grand General of the Southern Expedition. After his death, he was posthumously named the Duke of Situ.
General Wuwei Yuan Wei was the fourth son of Emperor Lie. He was kind and had great military talent, often accompanying Emperor Taiwu on expeditions and gaining numerous military achievements, eventually being appointed as General Wuwei. Later, he retired due to old age and was highly respected by his descendants, who frequently sent meals to his residence. After his death, the emperor granted him burial goods.
His son Yuan Wuzhen was exceptionally strong, like a giant. He fought alongside Emperor Taiwu, achieving numerous military successes and eventually becoming the Administrator of Julu.
Zixing was a smart and bold person. During the reign of Emperor Gaozong, he became the Prefect of Hejian and was also granted the title of Marquis of Lecheng. He was strict in his official duties, and the common folks were pretty scared of him. When Emperor Xianzhu first ascended the throne, he promoted Zixing to the title of Marquis of Lecheng because his son, Zipi, was highly valued. Later, as Zixing grew older, he went back home to kick back and relax. Emperor Xianzhu respected him even more, sending him many gifts like chairs, a cane, clothes, and even meals delivered regularly. His wife, Lady Lou, was the royal consort of the Prince of Dongyang. After Zixing's death, the emperor honored him posthumously as the Inspector of Dingzhou and Duke of Hejian, and he was given the posthumous title "Xuan."
His son, Ziti, inherited his father's marquisate. Ziti's younger brother, Zipi, got promoted by Emperor Shizu to General of the Feather Forest. Once, while accompanying the emperor to the riverbank, the emperor conferred upon him the title of Marquis of Xingping. After Emperor Xianzhu ascended the throne, Zipi's official rank rose steadily until he became a Court Attendant. Later, when Chancellor Yihun rebelled, Zipi quickly reported this to the emperor. The emperor sent Zipi, along with Yuan He and Niu Yi, to catch Yihun, and they ended up killing him. After that, Zipi was promoted to Minister of Personnel and was also given back the title of Duke of Dongyang.
During the reign of Emperor Gaozu, he was granted the title of King of Dongyang and appointed as an attendant and Minister of State. At that time, there were over three hundred difficult cases piled up in the court, and the emperor entrusted the cases to Pi, who handled them fairly and justly. Later, when Pi's son was born, the emperor personally visited his home to offer congratulations and bestowed many gifts. Because Pi had always been loyal, the emperor issued a decree to include him in the Eight Discussions and stipulated that even if his descendants committed a hundred crimes, they could face punishment but would be pardoned afterward. He was also exempted from the labor and conscription duties of his fellow townsmen and would no longer be required to perform corvée labor; if anyone deliberately slandered him, they would be punished with the harshest penalties. Not long after, he was promoted to Grand Commandant and also took charge of the affairs of the Ministry of Personnel.
At that time, Wang Huainan, Wang Huaiyang, and Wang Hedong were all given special treatment by the emperor due to their long-standing relationships with him. Whenever there were major events, they could be summoned to the palace, ride in the same carriage with the emperor, and stand side by side in the court, always together. Pi, he, and Yuan were all tall and imposing, with waists thick enough to fit ten fists around, large ears, beautiful eyebrows, and their hair and beards had turned gray. All the officials in the court showed them deep respect. Only Gou Tui was slightly inferior, both in appearance and status. Emperor Gaozu and Empress Dowager Wen held these veteran ministers in high regard, often inquiring about their well-being and bestowing upon them many treasures.
Pi speaks with a booming voice and remembers national affairs very clearly. At court banquets, he always sits in the main seat, boisterously recounting the experiences and lessons from the nation's rise and fall. The Emperor and Empress Dowager both value his opinions. However, he has a flaw: he is quite adept at flattery, showing great respect to officials and dignitaries, while being arrogant and dismissive towards those of lower status. Whenever he sees Wang Rui and Fu Chengzu, he bows and shows great respect. At that time, Empress Dowager Wenming constructed a mansion for Wang Rui, and subsequently had a lavish mansion built for Pi. Once the mansion was completed, the Emperor and Empress Dowager personally inspected it, and all civil and military officials attended the celebration banquet. The Minister of Personnel, Wang Rui, read the Emperor's edict, granting Pi a golden seal. The Empress Dowager also composed a poem of admonition for the officials herself, and Pi expressed his gratitude in a letter. The Empress Dowager said, "Subjects, neighbors, neighbors, subjects! The ruler above must exercise caution and self-restraint, while the subjects below should tread carefully. If everyone can achieve this, how far can the era of peace and prosperity be?" Later, Pi's wife, Lady Duan, passed away and was posthumously honored as the Respectful Consort, with the Emperor granting him a special gold voucher.
The Emperor and Empress Dowager met with the ministers in the Imperial Trust Hall, and the Empress Dowager said, "Currently, there is a drought in the capital, resulting in a food shortage. I want to allow the poor and hungry to leave the city in search of a better life elsewhere. However, issuing them travel permits might be cumbersome and time-consuming, and we won't be able to address the urgent situation; if we simply let them go, we worry it will be hard to tell the good from the bad. Ministers, what do you all think we should do?"
Cao Pi suggested, "Let the Langzhong officials in each department bring two clerks each, specifically responsible for issuing passes. The same should be done in the states and counties. It can all be done within three days; it's not difficult at all, is it?" The emperor agreed, and it was completed in four days. Later, Cao Pi requested the title of Crown Prince, but the emperor said, "He is still young; what's the rush?" Cao Pi replied, "I am not young anymore, and it is important for me to witness this grand ceremony with my own eyes." The emperor refused. Later, Cao Pi was demoted to Duke of Pingyang County. He requested retirement, but the emperor did not allow it.
When the emperor went on a southern campaign, Cao Pi and Prince of Guangling, Cao Yu, were left in charge of the capital, both appointed as Imperial Commissioners. The emperor told Cao Pi and Cao Yu, "Only capable and virtuous people can be trusted to oversee the capital. Grand Commandant, you are highly respected and hold a powerful position; Cao Yu is my own younger brother, gentle in nature, and decisive. Therefore, I entrust you both with the capital, giving you authority over rewards and punishments. You must strictly abide by the law and satisfy me." Cao Pi replied, "I swear to follow your orders without fail." Cao Yu said, "Grand Commandant, you should take full responsibility; I’ll just be your assistant." The emperor said, "The wisdom of age, combined with youthful decisiveness, how can you refuse?" Once the song was over, Cao Pi requested to present a song, which the emperor allowed. You've put a lot of effort into this song for my return, expressing your feelings. The palace construction plans are already in place, so for now, let's head back to the old capital, and I hope we can keep enjoying moments like this in the future.
Emperor Gaozu wanted to move the capital, so he summoned the officials remaining in the Taiji Palace to discuss this matter. He encouraged everyone to speak freely and share their thoughts. The Governor of Yanzhou, Mu Pi, stood up and said, "Moving the capital is a big deal, and I believe now is not the right time." Emperor Gaozu asked, "Could you explain why that is?" Mu Pi replied, "We are facing invasions from the Xianyu in the north, Jingzhou and Yangzhou in the south have not completely surrendered, the Tuyuhun in the west pose challenges, and there is a threat from Goguryeo in the east. The situation in all directions has not been stabilized, and the country has not yet fully stabilized, so I think moving the capital now is not feasible. War requires horses, and without horses, we cannot win." Emperor Gaozu said, "Your concern about lacking horses is somewhat understandable. Horses are mainly produced in the north, the stables are here, what is there to worry about regarding horses? Our capital is currently located north of Mount Heng, outside of the Nine Provinces, which is why we should move to the Central Plains."
Mu Pi continued, "I have heard that the Yellow Emperor established his capital in Zhuolu. This shows that ancient sage kings did not all live in the Central Plains." Emperor Gaozu said, "The Yellow Emperor lived in Zhuolu because the world was not yet unified; after unification, he moved to Henan." The Minister Yu Guo said, "Although my knowledge and understanding are limited, according to what I hear from the people, the previous emperor established the capital here, and now wanting to relocate is incomprehensible to the people. The Central Plains has always been prone to power struggles. Since the capital was established in Pingcheng, the nation's fortune has been as stable as the heavens and earth, as bright as the sun and moon. Although my knowledge and understanding are limited, I still believe that we should not compare the region north of Mount Heng to the Yiluo area. Moreover, it is human nature to feel attached to one's homeland; suddenly moving south, the people might struggle to adapt."
Crown Prince Pi said, "Your Majesty, last year you personally led a great army to campaign against the Xiao family. After arriving in Luoyang, you sent Wang Cheng to convey your decree, asking us to discuss the matter of relocating the capital to Luoyang. Upon receiving the imperial edict, I felt both excited and uneasy. Relocating the capital is something that should first be divined to determine its auspiciousness, and then a decision should be made." Emperor Gaozu said to Crown Prince Pi, "Previously, when we were in Ye City, Minister of Works Gong Dan, King of Xianyang Xi, and Secretary Li Chong all suggested consulting someone to divine the auspiciousness of moving the capital to Luoyang. At that time, I told them that during the Zhou Dynasty, Duke Shao divined the selection of the capital in the Yiluo region because they had the insight to recognize talent. Now, we lack such talent, making divination pointless. Divination is intended to resolve doubts, and since we have no doubts, why bother with divination? The Yellow Emperor Xuanyuan also sought divination; he asked the Heavenly Elder, who said it was auspicious, and he acted accordingly, ultimately achieving great success. Therefore, those with foresight do not need divination at all. Since I regard the world as my home, it doesn’t matter whether we move the capital south or north; it will happen sooner or later. As for the people who will move south, I have already stored a large amount of grain, so they will not go hungry or suffer from the cold." Crown Prince Pi said, "I will obey the imperial edict and am overjoyed."
Emperor Gaozu said to the officials, "You might think relocating the capital is unnecessary. In fact, Emperor Pingwen gave up vast lands to establish the capital in Shengle; Emperor Taizu Daowu also moved from Shenwu to Pingcheng. Although my abilities are limited, I’ve been fortunate to seize the opportunity to bring peace to the realm, which is why I am relocating the capital to the Central Plains to found a new dynasty. You should inherit the will of our late sovereign and carry on his achievements." The governor of Huaizhou, Qinglong, and the governor of Qinzhou, Lü Shouwen, among others, still insisted on their opinions. The emperor patiently reassured them, and in the end, they ultimately had to concede.
The emperor is going on another northern tour, promoting Cao Pi to Grand Tutor and letting him manage the affairs of the Ministry of State. Cao Pi repeatedly declined in his memorial, but the emperor directly rejected his petition and appointed him in person at his home. When the emperor's carriage departed for Dai, Cao Pi stayed in the capital, and the emperor decreed, "The initial development of the nation requires my personal oversight. All affairs in Dai are to be handled by the Grand Tutor." The emperor also rewarded him with the carriage and horses he used for his convenience to travel between the mansion and the court.
As for Cao Pi, he quite liked the old ways and was not very accepting of new things. He was quite unwilling to accept changes in customs, the move of the capital to Luoyang, changing official attire, and prohibiting the use of old language. Emperor Gaozu knew his temperament and did not force him, only subtly guiding him not to be different from everyone else. Although the court had already begun to implement a new dress code, with everyone wearing vermilion official attire and sitting according to rank, Cao Pi still sat in a corner wearing his everyday clothes. Eventually, he begrudgingly donned a hat and belt, but still didn't make much of an effort to dress well. Emperor Gaozu, considering Cao Pi's old age and poor health, did not insist on it. Later, the court dismissed those who were neither descendants of Emperor Taizu nor of other surnamed kings. Although their titles were higher than dukes, their fiefs and treatment were inferior to those of dukes, which Cao Pi was also unhappy about.
When Emperor Gaozu was campaigning in the south, Cao Pi submitted a memorial requesting the emperor to delay for a bit, so he could think things through. At that time, Minister Feng Dan had passed away, and the emperor ordered the army to return. Cao Pi also submitted a memorial asking the emperor to personally attend the funeral of his brother Cao Xi, who had died in Dai. The emperor said, "Right now, Luoyang is being built, and everyone is looking forward to its completion. Since the founding of the country, how can a Son of Heaven neglect state affairs to go to his maternal uncle's funeral? Even if I want to fulfill my filial duty, how can it compare to the state's greater duty? Even if I want to speak of loyalty, how can it compare to the great righteousness of the state? The affairs of the world are of utmost importance, and the relationship between ruler and subjects is different; how can we let each other off the hook and make the emperor act unethically? Those officials who advised on this matter will be turned over to the judges, and those who should be demoted will be demoted." The emperor later issued a decree appointing Cao Pi as the governor and concurrently as the inspector of Bingzhou. Later, because Pingyang was a critical area near the capital, the emperor changed Cao Pi's title to Duke of Xinxing.
At first, Li Chong was highly respected and held a high position in the local area, so his son Li Chao married Li Chong's brother's daughter, Li Boshang's sister. Li Pi's wife Long had several children who lived separately from them. Later, Long had another child and brought them to live with her family. This caused a slight rift in the father-son relationship. Li Pi and his son were reluctant to move to Luoyang. When the Emperor subdued Pingcheng, Crown Prince Xun stayed in the old capital. When it was time to return to Luoyang, Long, Li Chao, and others secretly conspired to keep Crown Prince Xun behind, so they raised an army to blockade the passes, intending to occupy the area north of Xingshan. At that time, Li Pi was old and lived in Bingzhou. Although he did not participate in the initial plan, Long and Li Chao both informed him about it. Li Pi thought that this matter would not succeed. Though he verbally criticized them, he secretly agreed with their actions. Later, when the Emperor arrived in Pingcheng, Mu Tai and others were identified as the ringleaders, and Long's brothers were also implicated. Li Pi accompanied the Emperor to Pingcheng, and every time the Emperor interrogated someone, he had Li Pi watch from the side. Later, Long, Li Chao, Yuan Ye, and others were all executed on charges of rebellion. The authorities proposed to punish their families, but the Emperor pardoned Li Pi's death sentence because he had previously promised Li Pi that he would not execute him and because Li Pi himself did not participate in the rebellion. He permitted him to live as a commoner in Taiyuan, and his wife and two sons could accompany him. Long's younger brother and other siblings were exiled to Dunhuang. At that time, Li Pi was nearly eighty years old, and he followed the Emperor from Pingcheng to Luoyang. The Emperor frequently sent envoys to offer him comfort and encouragement, and eventually, Li Pi returned to Jinyang.
After Emperor Gaozu's death, Li Pi rushed from Bingzhou to pay his respects, where Emperor Shizong received him. Because Li Pi was elderly and had previously contributed to the court, Emperor Shizong treated him with extraordinary kindness. Later, Emperor Shizong requested him to stay in Luoyang. Once, at a banquet held at Hualin Pavilion, Emperor Shizong specifically had Li Pi's two sons assist him in sitting up. Li Pi experienced six dynasties over nearly seventy years, reaching the position of Grand Chancellor, but ultimately returned to a commoner's life. However, he still longed for the capital and could not shake off the burdens of the world. Later, the emperor appointed Li Pi to the position of one of the Three Elders. In the fourth year of Jingming, Li Pi passed away at the age of eighty-two. The emperor issued an edict posthumously bestowing him the posthumous titles of Left Minister of Rites and Governor of Jizhou, with the posthumous name "Ping."
His eldest son, Li Long, was executed for treason. He was also killed along with his brothers, Li Yi and Li Chao. Li Chao's siblings, Li Jun and Li Yong, both distinguished themselves in military service. Li Jun was bestowed the title of Baron of Xinan County, and Li Yong was bestowed the title of Baron of Jing County.
Daitou, the Marquis of Huailin, was the great-grandson of Emperor Lie. He was skilled in horseback riding and archery and was promoted to Inner Third Rank. He earned recognition for his service under Emperor Shizu in battle and was granted the title of nobility. At the beginning of Emperor Gaozong's reign, he was granted the title of Marquis of Huailin. He was cautious and careful, and the emperor held him in high regard. He was promoted to General of Ningbei and was later promoted to Right General. After his death, he was posthumously bestowed the title of Duke of Gaoping, with the posthumous name "Lie."
Gong Qi of Hejian was the great-grandson of Emperor Lie of the Northern Wei. He was brave and exceptional in his youth, tall and imposing, and Emperor Shizu especially admired his courage and strength, having him serve by his side. During one expedition against Helian Chang, Emperor Shizu's horse suddenly fell, and enemy soldiers surged forward, threatening to reach the emperor. Gong Qi stepped forward, using his own body to protect the emperor, fighting valiantly to drive back the enemy, enabling Emperor Shizu to remount. Had it not been for Gong Qi, Emperor Shizu would have been in danger!
Later, Emperor Shizu disguised himself to infiltrate the enemy's city. Gong Qi strongly urged him not to go, but the emperor would not listen, so Gong Qi had to follow him with a small group of men. Once inside the city, the townspeople quickly barred all the city gates. Emperor Shizu and Gong Qi had no choice but to seek refuge in the palace, where they found a woman's skirt, which they fashioned into a makeshift rope for a spear. Emperor Shizu used the skirt to scale the city wall and eventually managed to escape, with Gong Qi making significant contributions to this effort. For this, Emperor Shizu granted him the title of Marquis of Fuyang. Afterwards, he took part in the campaign against Long and, due to his merits, was appointed as Minister and promoted to Duke. Later, he joined Wang Jun of Xinxing in the campaign against Tubo Baozhou, but due to certain issues, he was stripped of both his official position and title.
Liu Yilong dispatched Pei Fangming to assault Chouchi. Emperor Shizu appointed Duke Qi as the general in front, to join forces with Duke Jianxing Gu Bi to launch an attack on Chouchi, eventually capturing it and striking fear into the Qiang and Di tribes. Emperor Shizu conferred upon him the title of Duke of Hejian once more and ordered him to jointly defend Luogu with King Wudou Yang Baozong. At that time, Yang Baozong's brother, Wende, advised him to remain in seclusion and bide his time. Bian, the registrar of Qinzhou, learned of this and discreetly informed Duke Qi. Duke Qi visited Yang Baozong early in the morning, calling out, "General Gu Bi has arrived to announce the imperial edict!" Once Yang Baozong emerged, Duke Qi instructed his men to assist him onto a horse and then swiftly transported him to the court. The different Di tribes subsequently chose Wende as their leader and asked Liu Yilong for help. Liu Yilong dispatched generals Fang Liangzhi, Fu Zhao, Dan Long, and others to aid Wende. Duke Qi defeated Dan Long in battle and captured Fang Liangzhi. The rebellion of the Di tribe was ultimately suppressed. As a result of this military achievement, Duke Qi was promoted to a high-ranking official in the capital. He later passed away and was posthumously given the title of Jing.
His eldest son, Ling, succeeded him in his title. Ling, known for his straightforward character, was killed by Yihun during the Tian'an period of Northern Wei. Ling's younger brother, Lan, renowned for his loyalty and caution, earned the emperor's favor. During the reign of Emperor Gaozu of Northern Wei, he was bestowed the title of Jianyangzi. He passed away while serving as the military commander in Wuchuan.
Zi Zhi, nicknamed Meng Lue, had a good command of language and strong abilities since childhood, having read extensively and possessing remarkable literary talent. After he became the county magistrate of Luoyang, he was not afraid of the powerful. Once, he and the censor Zhongwei Li Biao were arguing over who had the right of way, both going to see the emperor and debating face to face about who was right and who was wrong. Li Biao said, "How dare you, a mere county magistrate from Luoyang, stand up to me? Even the carriage of the censor Zhongwei must yield and stop by the side of the road!" Zi Zhi replied, "The county magistrate of Luoyang is also an official appointed by the court. Who would dare ignore the emperor's orders? How can we yield just because you are the censor Zhongwei?" Emperor Gaozu said, "Luoyang is my hometown, just like my rich hometown, so it is only right that you can each go your own way. From now on, you may go your separate ways." After they came out, they even measured the road with a yardstick, each taking half. Emperor Gaozu said to Xing Luan, "This kid's really something! This is a true scion of a noble family, having natural grace without needing to be polished." Xing Luan replied, "The branches reveal frost and the twigs show strength; if it’s not a phoenix, it’s a phoenix in its own right."
Assistant Minister Feng Jun is the younger brother of Zhao Yi. He took advantage of his sister's power to bully the local officials in the area. Zizhi ordered Feng Jun to be arrested, sentenced, and dismissed from office. Offending the emperor in the process, he was demoted to Chief Registrar. Shortly after, he was promoted to Attendant of the Central Secretariat. Once, during the emperor's southern expedition, while in disguise inspecting the battlefield, an arrow suddenly shot towards the emperor. Zizhi stepped forward and used his body to block the arrow, thus saving the emperor's life. The arrow struck Zizhi's eye, leaving him blind in one eye. He was later appointed to a position in Hengzhou. During the reign of Emperor Suzong, he was appointed as the Inspector of Jingzhou. Upon his return to the capital, Imperial Censor Wang Xian accused him of forcibly purchasing upstanding citizens to serve as maids and accepting bribes while in Jingzhou. Fortunately, he was pardoned due to a general amnesty. In the early days of Emperor Suzong's reign, he also served as the Minister of Justice. Later, he became the Inspector of Yangzhou and was bestowed the title of Duke of Jianzhong. Though his reputation in Yangzhou didn’t match that of Li Chong, he still instilled fear in the people of the Jingchu region. He later became the Inspector of Yongzhou. In his later years, he enjoyed a life of luxury and extravagance, surrounded by hundreds of guards and dressed in magnificent attire in Yangzhou. Upon his transfer to Yongzhou, his corruption and bribery worsened, tarnishing his reputation. Later, Mo Zhe Niansheng rebelled, and the court appointed Zizhi as the Commander-in-Chief of the Western Expedition to suppress him. Mo Zhe Niansheng sent his brother Mo Zhe Tiansheng to guard Longkou, facing off against Zizhi. Caught off guard by the enemy, Zizhi abandoned his troops and fled back to Qizhou. The rebels attacked Qizhou, and Governor Pei Fenzhi suspected collusion between the people in the city and the rebels, who wanted to drive out the residents, but Zizhi opposed this. As a result, the people in the city indeed opened the gates to welcome the rebels, capturing Zizhi and Pei Fenzhi and handing them over to Mo Zhe Niansheng, who killed both of them. Later, after the accession of the former Emperor Fei, he was posthumously appointed as Minister of Personnel and Grand Preceptor.
Duke Fufeng, whose name was Chuzhen, was a descendant of Emperor Lie. He gained a reputation for his bravery as a young man. Later, he became the Chancellor of the Imperial Court and was granted the title of Duke Fufeng, also entrusted with important responsibilities, and the emperor held him in high regard. Later, Cao Puhun and his associates from the Tujing Hu rebelled and enlisted the help of the Shuo Fang Hu. Chuzhen, along with King Gaoliang, suppressed the rebellion. However, he was known for his greed and tyrannical behavior within the army, and was ultimately executed for his crimes.
Duke Wen'an, Ni, was a distant relative of the royal family. He was loyal, honest, brave, decisive, and strategic. Emperor Taizu valued him greatly, granted him the title of Duke Wen'an, and appointed him as General of Andong. He later died.
His son Qu inherited the title. When Emperor Taizong reigned, Qu served in the Menxia Province, tasked with conveying imperial edicts. He was clever and quick-witted, adept at handling political affairs and always able to read the emperor's mind. He was later elevated to the title of Marquis of Yuancheng and also given the title of General of Outstanding Merit, working alongside Duke Nanping Changsun Song and Marquis of Baima Cui Xuanbo to handle legal cases. On one occasion, when Emperor Taizong was on an eastern tour, he appointed Qu as the Right Chancellor and Marquis of Shanyang Xi Jin as the Left Chancellor, entrusting them with military and state affairs, a significant honor at the time. Later, the Tujing Hu and Lishi Hu launched another rebellion, and the court dispatched numerous generals to quell the uprising, also enlisting Helian Quqi. Qu, along with Duke Kuaiji Liu Jie and Marquis of Yong'an Wei Qin, resisted the rebels. As a result, Wei Qin was killed in battle, and Liu Jie fell from his horse and was captured, sent to Helian Quqi, leaving only Qu to escape back. Emperor Taizong sought to execute Qu for his failures that resulted in the deaths of the two generals. At that time, the Inspector of Bingzhou Yuan Liutou was indulgent and neglected state affairs, so Emperor Taizong pardoned Qu and appointed him as the acting Inspector of Bingzhou. However, Qu was a notorious drunkard and neglected his duties, and Emperor Taizong accounted all his previous mistakes together, sending him back to the capital in a prisoner cart, ultimately executing him publicly.
His son Mohun was highly regarded by Emperor Taizong when he was young. During Yuanshao's rebellion, Emperor Taizong was hiding in secret, and Mohun and Shusun Jun pretended to know where Emperor Taizong was hiding. Yuanshao sent two men to follow Mohun, with plans to ambush Emperor Taizong. Once outside, he tied up the two men and delivered them to Emperor Taizong for execution. Emperor Taizong was thrilled to have Mohun by his side and took him in as a trusted confidant. Due to his accomplishments, he was granted the title of Duke of Changsha, served as a minister, and later became the Governor of Dingzhou. He eventually passed away.
