Changsun Song, a native of Dai County, was bestowed this name by Emperor Taizu. His father, Changsun Ren, held the position of a high official in the southern territories during the reign of Emperor Zhao Cheng. Changsun Song was known for his generosity and elegance, exuding grace and poise. At the age of fourteen, he took command of the army on behalf of his father. As Emperor Zhao Cheng was nearing his end, various tribes began to cause unrest. Fu Jian sent Liu Kureng to manage state affairs, and Changsun Song, along with Yuan Ta and others, led their people to submit to him.
Later, when Liu Xian sought to create chaos, Changsun Song defected from Liu Xian and fled with his former subordinates and more than seven hundred households from his native village. Just as they were approaching Wuyuan, they encountered the son of Shijun, who had also gathered troops to declare himself king, and Changsun Song considered allying with him. However, on the way, he met Wu Wo, who revealed that he was the son of a traitor and urged Changsun Song to seek refuge with Emperor Taizu. Changsun Song was indecisive, and Wu Wo turned his ox cart in a different direction. After some hesitation, Changsun Song ultimately decided to follow him. He then met Emperor Taizu at Sanhanting. Upon his ascension to the throne, Emperor Taizu appointed him as a high official in the southern region. He later achieved military success multiple times and followed the emperor in campaigns against Zhongshan, being appointed as the governor of Jizhou and bestowed the title of Duke of Julu. Subsequently, he served as a chamberlain, minister, and governor of Xiangzhou, being bestowed the title of Duke of Nanping, and received praise wherever he went.
After Emperor Taizong ascended the throne, he, along with eight others including Marquis Xijin of Shanyang, Marquis An Tong of Beixin, and Marquis Cui Hong of Baima, took their places to the right of the emperor's chariot, engaging in matters of state, and later generations came to know them as the "Eight Dukes."
During the Jin Dynasty, when General Liu Yu attacked Yao Hong, Emperor Taizong asked Changsun Song to act on his behalf in commanding the military in Shandong, ordering him to go to Pingyuan, line up along the north bank of the Yellow River, and establish a camp at Pan City. The army experienced setbacks. The court ordered that Liu Yu be properly thanked, as he sent Changsun Song some Ling liquor and specialties from Jiangnan upon seeing his procession on a boat. Changsun Song brought them to the capital. The court also commanded Changsun Song to select elite soldiers and prepare for battle. If Liu Yu headed west, he was to lead the elite troops south to Pengcheng and Peixian; if Liu Yu did not head west, he was to accompany him. When Liu Yu reached the Xiaoshan and Hangu Pass area, he would find himself in a stalemate with Yao Hong, both sides suffering losses and exhaustion of troops. In autumn, they would launch an attack, allowing Liu Yu to achieve victory without fighting. Thus, Changsun Jian and his comrades marched along the Yellow River towards Luoyang, then entered Guanzhong. Changsun Song and Changsun Jian crossed the Yellow River at Chenggao, heading south. The various garrisons of the Jin Dynasty fled in panic, and after Liu Yu captured Chang'an, Changsun Song returned to the court.
Emperor Taizong fell ill and asked Wei Zheng about the matter of succession. Wei Zheng said, "It is appropriate to appoint the eldest son as the heir, to win people over with virtue and gain the support of the people. The current Crown Prince is wise and the legitimate eldest son by hereditary right; it is a matter ordained by heaven. Please appoint him as the Crown Prince." Thus, Taizong reached this decision within the palace.
Then, Emperor Taizong issued an edict for Emperor Gaozong to act as regent, with Wei Zheng serving as the Left Chancellor. After Emperor Gaozong ascended the throne, Wei Zheng was promoted to Prince Beiping and appointed as the Chief Justice of Sizhou. Emperor Taizong asked his ministers: should we first attack the Helian clan or the Rouran tribe? Wei Zheng, Changsun Han, Xi Jin, and others said: "The Helian clan holds a fixed territory and currently poses no major threat, while the Rouran tribe has long been a persistent border threat. We should first attack the Rouran tribe (also known as Datan). If successful, we can capture a large number of livestock, enriching the country. Even if unsuccessful, we can hunt and kill a large number of animals in the Yin Mountains, obtaining hides, meat, tendons, and antlers to supply the army, which would be more advantageous than waging war on a minor state."
However, the Minister of Ceremonies Cui Hao said: "The Datan people are ever on the move, like birds flying around. It would be difficult to sustain a pursuit, and our army may not catch up. Helian Qu and Gai's territory is only a thousand miles, and his rule is cruel, abandoned by both mortals and the divine. We should first attack him." The Minister of Works Liu Jie and the Marquis of Wujing An Yuanze suggested first subduing Fengba. Emperor Taizong fell silent and subsequently embarked on a hunting expedition to the west. It was later heard that Helian Qu and Gai had died, resulting in turmoil in the Guanzhong region. The ministers discussed wanting to attack Guanzhong. Wei Zheng and others said: "If they defend the cities, they can wait for us to tire out. Datan will surely take advantage of this situation, which poses a significant risk."
Emperor Taizong then sought counsel from the Celestial Master Kou Qianzhi, who advised him to send troops. Du Chaozhi also agreed to the military campaign, while Cui Hao mentioned the benefits of attacking the west. Wei Zheng and others strongly opposed, advising against it. Emperor Taizong became furious, accusing Wei Zheng of embezzlement and bribery during his tenure, and dispatching soldiers to disgrace him. Shortly after, Wei Zheng was transferred to the position of Grand Commandant. Eventually, he was elevated to the rank of Generalissimo.
Since then, the emperor went on military campaigns, and Wei Zheng, as an old minister, mostly stayed in the capital, overseeing the court and dealing with criminal cases. When Wei Zheng passed away at the age of eighty, he was posthumously granted the title King Xuan. Later, Emperor Gaozu of Tang recognized the achievements of the previous dynasty and allowed Wei Zheng to be honored in the ancestral temple. Wei Tu, Wei Zheng's son, was skilled in archery and could draw a 300-jin bow. He inherited his father's title and was also appointed as a court official and General of the South. Later, for committing a crime, he was demoted to a border soldier, but his title was restored later. After his death, he was posthumously granted the title King An. Wei Dun, another son of Wei Zheng, styled Xiaoyou, rose to the rank of General of the Northern Garrison. Due to corruption and bribery, he was demoted to a duke. During the reign of Emperor Gaozong, he boasted of his ancestors' remarkable achievements and regained his royal title. After his death, he was posthumously granted the title King Jian. Dao Sheng, Wei Zheng's grandson, inherited the title. After a period of time, he was demoted to a duke in accordance with regulations, serving as General of the Right Guard. After his death, he was posthumously honored as Shen. His son, Yue, also inherited the title. During the Jianyi period, he regained his original royal title, but shortly after was demoted to a duke, serving as Gentleman of the Palace. After his death, he was posthumously appointed as Minister of Works. Dao Sheng's cousin, Changsun Song, was recognized for his loyalty, integrity, and prudence. The founding emperor greatly appreciated his steady character and put him in charge of important matters, serving alongside He Pi and others by the emperor's side, responsible for conveying imperial edicts. After Emperor Taizong ascended the throne, he appointed him as General of the South and Governor of Jizhou. Later, he accepted beautiful women sent by others as gifts for the emperor, and Emperor Taizong sternly reprimanded him, but given his status as a veteran minister, he did not punish him.
After Emperor Shizong ascended the throne, he bestowed upon him the title of Duke of Ruyin and promoted him to the position of Minister of Justice and Law. During Emperor Shizong's campaign against the Rouran, Dao Sheng and Wei Juan led troops deep into the areas between the White and Black Deserts, achieving significant victories. When Emperor Shizong campaigned against Helian Chang, Dao Sheng took on the role of vanguard alongside Grand Minister Changsun Han and Zongzheng Eqing, ultimately bringing Helian Chang's state under control. Helian Chang's brother, Helian Ding, fled to Pingliang, and Liu Yilong dispatched generals Yan Zhi and Wang Zhongde to attack Henan to rescue Helian Ding. The emperor then ordered Dao Sheng and Prince Tai of Danyang to station troops along the Yellow River to hold them off. Consequently, they lured the enemy deep into their territory and executed a pincer attack against Liu Yilong's general Tan Daoji, pursuing him all the way to Licheng before returning. Later, Dao Sheng was appointed as Minister of Works, granted the title of Palace Attendant, and promoted to King of Shangdang. He passed on at the age of eighty-two, posthumously elevated to the title of Grand Commandant and bestowed the posthumous name Jing.
Dao Sheng was known for his simplicity and frugality, holding high-ranking official positions, yet he dressed plainly and ate simply. He wore the same bear fur coat for decades, and people compared him to Yan Ying in his time. His residence was modest, but after his descendants took on local official roles, they secretly renovated and expanded the house, adding halls and pavilions. Upon returning and seeing this, Dao Sheng sighed and remarked, "Back then, Huo Qubing did not have time to build a house because the Xiongnu had not yet been defeated. Now, with strong enemies still roaming in the north, how can I comfortably live in a luxurious house?" He reprimanded his descendants sternly and ordered them to demolish the newly constructed house. He was an exceptionally cautious individual. During Emperor Sizong's reign, he achieved remarkable military victories, consistently offering timely advice. The emperor had the musicians extol the accomplishments of the officials, saying, "With the wisdom of Cui Hao and the integrity of Dao Sheng." As he aged, he became influenced by his wife Meng Shi, which led to some criticism. Both he and his cousin Long Sun Song became important government officials, which was regarded as a great honor in that era. His son Kang, who held the title of Marquis, died young.
Kang Zi Guan gained fame for his bravery in his youth and later inherited his ancestral title, becoming the King of Shangdang. Most kings without royal blood who inherited titles were typically demoted to dukes, but the emperor did not demote him due to the merits of his ancestors, who had served the emperor in the previous dynasty. He was later appointed as the Grand General of the West and promoted to Minister of Works, leading the troops of the seven towns in Hexi against the Tuyuhun. However, his subordinate Shi Yin fled, setting fire to the cities they occupied before returning. In the early reign of the founding emperor, Kang Zi Guan was appointed as Palace Secretariat and Palace Attendant. When the Tuyuhun invaded again, the emperor appointed him as Minister of Works to quell the rebellion. He was later appointed as Grand General of the South. After his death, he was posthumously named the King of Ding, and his funeral was held in accordance with the standards befitting his ancestor, the Jing Wang, and he was buried in Jinling in Yunzhong.
His son, Ji Gui, inherited the title at the age of six but was later demoted to duke. Because he inherited the family title at a young age, the founding emperor bestowed upon him the name Zhi and the courtesy name Chengye. Zhi was intelligent and gifted from an early age, humble and eager to learn, and enjoyed befriending other talented individuals. He served as a general, accompanying the founding emperor on a southern expedition, and was later appointed as Minister of War, Minister of Ceremonies, and Right General.
During the reign of Emperor Shizong, Hou Gang's son Hou Yuan was the son-in-law of Zhi. Because Hou Gang was highly regarded by Yuan Cha, Zhi quickly received promotions. He was appointed as the General of the Pacification Army, Governor of Yangzhou, promoted to Grand General of the Southern Garrison, and put in charge of military affairs in the Huainan region. Generals Pei Sui and Yu Hong, under Xiao Yan, attacked and captured Shouchun. Zhi's sons fought bravely, making it difficult for Pei Sui, who called them "little iron men." The court issued a decree for Prince Chen of Hejian to lead troops in support. Prince Chen wanted to battle immediately, but Zhi believed they should be more cautious due to the prolonged rain. Prince Chen ignored his advice and suffered defeat, with Zhi providing cover for the retreat. Initially commanding a strong army, Zhi hesitated to engage in battle, raising suspicions of ulterior motives. The court then appointed Prince Chen, Prince of Linhuai, and the official Li Xian as commanders to ostensibly support Zhi, but in reality to keep him under surveillance.
Upon Xianyu Xiuli's return to Zhongshan, he appointed Zhi as the Grand Commander to march north and suppress the rebels. Zhi soon arrived in Ye City as an envoy. The court issued a decree to remove Zhi from his position as Chancellor of the State and revoke his envoy status, appointing Prince Chen as the Grand Commander and Li Daoyuan as Chancellor of the State instead. Zhi sent his son Ziyu to submit a memorial, stating that he and Chen had fought together in Huainan, with Chen being defeated while he remained unscathed, which led Chen to harbor a grudge against him. Furthermore, Chen's seizure of command on the battlefield demonstrated his lack of strategic acumen. The memorial was submitted but not accepted.
Before Chen and Zhi reached Hutuo, Zhi did not want to engage in immediate battle, but Chen disagreed. When the army reached Wulu, they were ambushed by Xianyu Xiuli, and Chen failed to offer any support. Once the enemy forces arrived in full, they suffered a major defeat, resulting in the dismissal of both Zhi and Chen.
Not long after, the Zhengping Commandery and the Shudi region experienced another uprising. The court once again appointed Zhi as General Who Pacifies the West and Commander of the Campaign Against Shu. He distinguished himself in several battles and was promoted to General Who Pacifies the East, restoring his original noble rank. He was later promoted to Right Minister of Personnel. Soon after, the governor of Yongzhou, Xiao Baoyin, seized the state capital and rebelled. The court once again appointed Zhi to lead an expedition against him. At that time, Zhi was still suffering from a festering sore on his back. Empress Dowager Ling voiced her concern, saying, "Your condition is so serious that I want you to take a rest, but what should we do if we can't find anyone else to replace you?" Zhi replied, "Only death can end this; how could I not give it my all?" At that moment, Zhi's son, Ziyan, also suffered from foot pain and came to say goodbye, leaning on a cane. Yuan Shun, the Right Minister of Personnel, and the others exchanged glances and remarked, "We, the high-ranking ministers, enjoy the favor of the court. In times of national crisis, it seems the sick are the first to go; is that right?" No one had an answer. At that time, Xue Fengxian was leading a rebellion in Zhengping, and Xue Xiuyi was gathering troops in Hedong, respectively occupying Yanchi and besieging Puban, supporting Xiao Baoyin from both sides. Zhi then took up his position in Hedong.
The emperor has decided to abolish the salt tax, and Zhi Shangshu said: "The geographical location of the salt lake is advantageous, close to the capital, and it should be well protected while its resources are utilized effectively to support the nation. Now, with ongoing turmoil in Jizhou and Dingzhou hindering our usual collection of silk and satin, the treasury is running a deficit; we need to find ways to boost revenue and reduce expenses. A rough calculation of the salt tax shows that over a year, based on silk and satin, there would be at least three hundred thousand bolts of silk, which is equivalent to transferring the financial income of Jizhou and Dingzhou to the capital. Abolishing the salt tax now would result in losing this income once more. My earlier defiance of the imperial decree, lifting the siege of Hedong without first eliminating the bandits in Guanzhong, was not because I underestimated Chang'an or overvalued Puban. If Puban falls, the army's food and wage supplies would be cut off. Fortunately, Heaven has blessed the Great Wei, and my plan has not gone awry. Historically, during times of peace, Emperor Gaozu appointed salt officials, not for profit, but out of concern that profit-seeking could undermine social morals. Moreover, the princes and ministers are drawing salaries without any real work, and the officials are merely occupying their positions without contributing, collecting grain for six years and reallocating next year's military supplies, all of which amount to extorting money from the common people and draining their resources. This is not what I desire; it is truly a desperate measure. I order the salt officials and generals to continue collecting taxes according to regulations and to wait for future orders."
Zhi aided Bao Yin in defeating the general Hou Zhongde; Bao Yin fled, and Yongzhou was brought under control. Zhi was appointed Governor of Yongzhou. In the early reign of Emperor Zhuang, Zhi was appointed King of Shangdang, soon changed to King of Fengyi, and later demoted to Duke of Fengyi. He was later promoted to Duke of the State, appointed as an attendant minister, and concurrently served as the Minister of Rites and Grand Commandant, still stationed in Chang'an. After Emperor Fei's ascension, Zhi was promoted to Grand Commandant, overseeing the affairs of the Masters of Writing. Following the defeat at the Battle of Hanling, Husi Chun occupied Heqiao and planned to kill Erzhu Rong. Consequently, Zhi was dispatched to Luoyang to convey the intention to eliminate the Shilong brothers to the Emperor. After Emperor Xiaowu ascended the throne, Zhi was promoted to Grand Preceptor, overseeing the affairs of the Masters of Writing. Due to his merits in formulating strategies, he was also granted the title of Kaiguozi. Zhi submitted a memorial requesting that his official position be given to Yun, the second son of his maternal uncle Tingwei Qing Yuan Chao. When Zhi was born, his mother had already passed away, and it was Yuan Chao's mother who raised him. Therefore, he requested that the official position be given to Yun, and the Emperor agreed. After Emperor Xiaowu entered Guanzhong, Zhi was stationed in Hulao at that time and followed the Emperor to Chang'an.
When I was young, I married Zhang as my wife; she gave birth to two sons for me, one named Yan and one named Yu. Later, I made a mistake, had an affair with Luo, killed my former wife Zhang, and married Luo. Luo was more than ten years older than me; she was very jealous and strict. I actually had a good relationship with Zhang; we respected each other, and there were no other women around me. However, because of some misunderstandings, several people who served in the house were wrongly accused and died. Luo gave birth to three sons for me: Shao Yuan, Shi Liang, and Ji Liang. These three brothers were all upright and brave. When I was young, I was reckless, liked cockfighting and horse racing, and even killed someone in a fight. I fled to Longmen and hid at General Chen Xingde's house, and I was later granted a pardon by the court. To repay Chen Xingde, I married Lv, daughter of Chen Xingen.
My eldest son, Ziyi, whose original name was Jun, is very strong. Because he followed his father in many battles and achieved a lot of merit, he was granted the title of county lord of Huaili. When the emperor fell out with King Qixianwu, Ziyi was promoted to Grand Marshal of the Central Army and Prefect of Xing Tai, and was assigned to defend Hongnong. He was treated as a trusted confidant. Later, he followed the emperor into the pass. When Ziyi was young, he fell off a horse and broke his arm, with the bone of the elbow joint protruding over an inch long. He had someone cut open the flesh, saw off the bone, and bled several liters, but he remained unfazed, as if it were a joke. People at the time believed he was even more formidable than Guan Yu. My youngest son, Ziyu, has achieved the rank of Assistant Prefect of the Guard.
