Xi Jin hails from Dai County, and his family has been in the horse management business for generations. His father, Xi Dan, enjoyed the favor of Emperor Zhao Cheng. At that time, the country had a prized horse known as "Gua Liu," which suddenly went missing one night; despite thorough searches, it was nowhere to be found. It was later revealed that the southern noble Liu Kureng had stolen it and kept it hidden in a cave. Upon learning this, Xi Dan immediately rushed to get the horse back, but Liu Kureng, taking advantage of his status as the emperor’s nephew and his influence, felt humiliated and retaliated by assaulting Xi Dan. Xi Dan grabbed Liu Kureng's hair and threw him down, injuring Liu Kureng in the process.
Later, Fu Jian appointed Liu Kureng and Wei Chen to manage different parts of the territory. Frightened, Xi Dan secretly hid among the common people with his family. Liu Kureng searched for him everywhere, becoming increasingly desperate. With no other options left, Xi Dan sought refuge with Wei Chen. Only after Emperor Taizu defeated Wei Chen did Xi Dan finally return to his hometown, which explained why his official rank was lower than that of the senior ministers. Xi Jin is exceptionally intelligent and well-informed. When the nation was first founded, he commanded the Imperial Guard alongside Changsun Fei and others. Later, he was appointed as a minister, serving closely alongside the emperor. He accompanied the army in defeating Murong Bao at Canhe.
During the reign of the emperor, he followed the army to conquer the Central Plains, was appointed as the Commander of the Eastern Expedition, and was later promoted to the Colonel of the Yue Cavalry Corps, tasked with overseeing the palace guards. After the emperor returned to the capital, counties such as Boling, Bohai, and Zhangwu were beset by bandits who banded together against the government. Xijin and Yuan Zun, the Marquis of Lueyang, led the army of Shandong to suppress these bandits. He also led the army to defeat various tribes of the Gaoche, defeating them decisively. He also defeated the She Di and Youlian tribes, relocating some of their clans to the southern border. He attacked the Houmo Chen tribe, capturing over a hundred thousand livestock, and continued until he reached Egou, where he stationed a garrison before returning. Later, he was appointed as the envoy of the Capital Waterworks and was further appointed as the General of Jin Troops and the Inspector of Youzhou, and was titled as the Marquis of Shanyang.
After Emperor Taizong ascended the throne, he sent Zheng Rentai as a general to tour various places to assess the suffering of the common people. As a result, the people of Zhangwu County, led by Liu Ya, revolted, and Zheng Rentai subdued them. The emperor felt that Zheng Rentai was loyal and filial, so he posthumously conferred the title of Duke of Changning upon his father Zheng Dan.
Later, when Emperor Taizong went to inspect Yunzhong, Zheng Rentai stayed in the capital. At this time, Prince Changli, Murong Bo'er, gathered a group of disaffected and ambitious individuals, such as Li Shen, and over three hundred people to plot a rebellion. Upon hearing this, Zheng Rentai immediately summoned Murong Bo'er to the eastern side chamber of the Astronomical Hall, interrogated him rigorously, and arrested and executed all the conspirators. The emperor also had him and Grand Duke Nanping, Changsun Song, convene in court to handle the criminals.
Afterwards, Emperor Taizong held a grand military parade in the eastern outskirts, trained the troops, and promoted Zheng Rentai to the position of Chancellor of the Left, tasking him with capturing the bandits on Shihuishan Mountain. During the emperor's journey to the west, he sent Zheng Rentai as the vanguard to defeat the Yuele tribe at Lunan Mountain, capturing fifty thousand horses and two hundred thousand cattle and sheep, and relocating over twenty thousand households back to their original homes. The emperor also had Zheng Rentai, along with eight others including Changsun Song, sit on the right side of the imperial carriage to jointly handle state affairs.
On one occasion, when the Rouran Turks invaded the borders, the emperor sent Zheng Rentai and others to pursue them. For more details, please refer to the "Biography of the Rouran." The emperor also bestowed upon him the title of Grand Master of the Heavenly Department, promoted him to duke, allowed him to ride in a beautifully decorated carriage, and enjoy the highest honors and ceremonial escort. When Emperor Gaozong ascended to the throne and began to govern, he appointed Zheng Rentai as the Left Assistant.
When Liu Yifu became emperor, his ministers did not support him, and the country was thrown into chaos. Therefore, he sent Liu Jingxuan to reclaim the territory in Henan that Liu Yu had previously occupied. Liu Jingxuan was granted a series of titles, including Acting General and Commander of the Vanguard Forces, Minister of Works, General of the Army, and Acting Governor of Yangzhou, and led General Gongsun Biao and others southward.
Gongsun Biao formulated strategies to besiege Huatai, but failed to capture it and requested reinforcements. Upon hearing this, Emperor Taizong was furious, criticizing him harshly for launching an attack without first scouting the terrain. Consequently, Emperor Taizong personally toured south and arrived in Zhongshan. At this time, Wang Jingdu, the governor of Dongjun under Yifu, abandoned the city and fled, while Sima Chuzhi and others sent envoys to surrender to Liu Jingxuan. Liu Jingxuan marched swiftly from Huatai to Luoyang. The commander at Hulao, Mao Dezhu, sent his Sima Zhai Guang, General Yao Yongcuo, Dou Ba, and others to lead five thousand troops to occupy the Tulou and resist Liu Jingxuan. Liu Jingxuan led his forces in an attack and defeated them. Zhai Guang and the others fled individually, while the remaining soldiers were all slaughtered.
Liu Jingxuan marched straight to Hulao and established his camp on the eastern bank of the Si River. He left Gongsun Biao to guard the logistics, while he led the light infantry to sweep through the areas south of Henan, Yingchuan, and Chenjun, with the local populace eagerly submitting. Yan Ling, the governor of Chenliu under Yifu, also surrendered with Chenliu. Thus, Liu Jingxuan pacified the counties and districts of Yanzhou and Yuzhou, and then surrounded Hulao. Mao Dezhu held out tenaciously. When the city of Hulao fell, Liu Jingxuan arranged for officials to manage the local area and pacify the people. Since the Wei Dynasty, only General Changsun Song had successfully resisted Liu Yu, while Liu Jingxuan's campaign in Henan received honors typically reserved for emperors, including a timepiece and the twelve tooth flags; this was indeed an exceptional honor! Later, after Emperor Taizong of Song died, Liu Jingxuan returned to the capital.
After Tuoba Tao became emperor, he bestowed upon him the title of King of Yicheng and appointed him as Minister of Works. Later, when Tuoba Tao wanted to attack Helian Chang, he dispatched Jin to lead the volunteer general Feng Li and his troops, taking 45,000 soldiers to conduct a surprise assault on Puba. The commander of Helian Chang's forces, Helian Yisheng, heard that Jin was coming and quickly sent someone to inform Helian Chang. When the messenger arrived at Tongwan, he saw that the army had already besieged the city and returned to tell Helian Yisheng, "Helian Chang is finished!" Frightened, Helian Yisheng abandoned Puba and fled westward. Jin caught up and defeated him, forcing Helian Yisheng to escape to Chang'an. Jin entered Puba, seized their supplies and equipment, and the local populace could finally live and work in peace.
Helian Chang's brother Helian Ding was previously stationed at Chang'an. After Helian Yi ascended to Chang'an, he and Helian Ding abandoned Chang'an and fled together to Anding. Jin then occupied Chang'an. As a result, the Di and Qiang people from Qinzhou and Yongzhou came to surrender. Jin faced off against Helian Ding, fought numerous battles, and ultimately triumphed over him. When Helian Ding heard that Helian Chang had failed, he retreated to Shanggui. Jin pursued him to Yongzhou but failed to catch him and had to turn back. The emperor commanded Jin to return to court, but Jin submitted a request stating, "Helian Chang has fled to Shanggui, hoping for a comeback, but he currently lacks the strength. Now is the perfect time to pursue and eliminate him. I request additional armor and war horses to completely destroy Helian Chang before returning." Tuoba Tao said, "Helian Chang is a traitor to the country. Continuing to fight will exhaust the soldiers too much; it's wiser to rest first and deal with him later." Jin persisted in his written request, and the emperor ultimately conceded. The emperor allocated an army of ten thousand to Jin and dispatched General Liu Ba with three thousand war horses for him.
Jin continued to attack Anding, while He Lian Chang retreated to Pingliang. Jin stationed troops in Anding, but as a result, their supplies ran out and many warhorses died, so they had no choice but to build strong fortifications for self-defense. The supervising official, An Jie, the Shiyushi, took the initiative to strike and captured He Lian Chang. (For specific details, see "Biography of An Jie.") He Lian Chang's subordinates then appointed He Lian Chang's brother, He Lian Ding, as their leader to defend Pingliang. Jin felt that he was the commander, yet the credit for capturing He Lian Chang was not awarded to him, which infuriated him. Thus, he abandoned the rest of his supplies, taking only enough food for three days, and pursued He Lian Ding in Pingliang. His deputy, E Qing, wanted to find water to drink before leaving, but Jin disagreed and took a shortcut through the northern route to intercept He Lian Ding. He Lian Ding's army launched an attack, and by coincidence, a young officer committed an offense and defected to the enemy, disclosing He Lian Ding's situation to Jin. Knowing that Jin's army was short of food and water, He Lian Ding set up ambushes in front and behind to trap Jin. Jin's army suffered a crushing defeat, resulting in the deaths of six to seven thousand soldiers, and Jin, E Qing, and Liu Ba were all captured by He Lian Ding. Later, Tuoba Tao captured Pingliang, and only then were Jin and the others released. The emperor dismissed Jin from his position, humiliating him by making him carry food and drink while trailing behind the emperor's carriage back to the capital.
It is said that he first visited General Andong, and later, his rank was reduced to duke. At that time, the court planned to launch a campaign against Feng Wentong, so they ordered the conscription of over ten thousand people from Youzhou and the Dingling tribe of Miyun to transport siege equipment from the southern route. In the early Taiyan years, he served as Weiwei, later was reappointed as King of Hongnong, and was further promoted to General of the Southern Expedition, eventually becoming General of Ten Thousand Cavalry.
Later, Emperor Shizu gathered his ministers in the Western Hall to discuss the campaign against Liangzhou. He and over thirty others gave their advice, saying, "Although Wang Muqian of Hexi is not very loyal to the court, he still pays tribute on time, so we should be lenient towards him and forgive his minor faults. Last year, we just fought a war, and both the soldiers and horses are exhausted; it is not advisable to deploy troops on a large scale now, and we should first work to stabilize him. Liangzhou has a rugged terrain with scarce water and grass; once the army arrives, they won't be able to stay long. If they hear that the army is coming, they will definitely defend their city. It will be difficult to capture the city, and there is little to plunder in the wilderness, so in the end, there will be no gains." Emperor Shizu did not heed his advice and still sent troops. After Liangzhou was pacified, due to his military achievements, he was granted seventy households of servants. Because he was an elder statesman, he was also provided with comfortable carriages and tasked with handling cases and participating in state consultations.
He was a smart and capable person, knowledgeable and articulate, often discussing the past of previous dynasties. Although some of his statements may not have been entirely accurate, they always offered valuable insights, and listeners would praise him. In discussions of national affairs, his opinions were mostly adopted, and the court valued him highly. In the ninth year of the Zhenjun era, he passed away at the age of eighty. Emperor Shizu personally went to pay his respects and was very saddened, posthumously honoring him as King Zhao. He had many wives and over twenty sons.
His eldest son, He Guan, inherited his title. Emperor Shizu said, "He should be punished according to state law for the defeat in Guanshi. However, because he assisted the previous dynasty, his title has been restored, and I hope he can be loyal to the court like Meng Ming. Now that he has passed away, the relationship between ruler and minister is now complete." Thus, Emperor Shizu reduced his title to duke and appointed him as the governor of Guangping. Later, he became the commander and led a campaign against Xuanhu, ultimately dying in the military.
His son Yan inherited the title and was later sent to Wocheng as a town commander, where he eventually passed away.
His grandson inherited the title. He first served as a Cavalry Officer, later promoted to Grand Minister of the Palace, and further appointed as the General of the Left. After the establishment of the five-tier title system, he was granted the title of Marquis of Hongnong, with a fief consisting of three hundred households. Later, due to changes in the system, his fief was downgraded to a county, and he was regranted the title of Marquis of Chengcheng, with a fief increased to nine hundred households. He eventually passed away.
His son inherited the title, but later passed away and was posthumously honored as the General of Zhenyuan and the Governor of Luozhou, with the posthumous title of Ai Marquis. He did not leave behind any sons, so the title was lost. During the reign of Emperor Gaozu, his grandfather Jin was posthumously honored at the ancestral temple. After Emperor Taizong ascended to the throne, he granted Jin's nephew Jian the right to inherit the title and fief. Jian later passed away, holding the title of General Zhongjian, and after his death, he was posthumously honored as the General of Longxiang and the Governor of Sizhou.
His son was named Shaozong and served as a military officer during the Wuding era.
Another brother of his son, He Guan, worked in the palace during the reign of Emperor Taizu. Emperor Taizong, seeing that their family had been military officers for generations, appointed him as the Chief Guard, bestowed the title of Guangxingzi, and also appointed him as the General of Jianwei. Shortly after, he was promoted to Marquis of Yiyang, further appointed as the General of Longxiang, and appointed as the General of the Imperial Guards. Later, he was sent to serve as the Governor of Jizhou and Qingzhou, and eventually passed away.
His son Jizhou inherited his title.
Jizhou's younger brother, Shouzhen, served as a Junior Cavalry Officer. After Emperor Gaozong came to power, he was appointed as the General of Longxiang and granted the title of Marquis of Chengdu. Later, he was promoted to the position of Attendant and was sent to serve as a General in Lishi Town.
Another brother of He Guan, Ba, worked in the palace during the reign of Emperor Taizong. After Emperor Shizu ascended to the throne, Ba gradually rose in ranks, eventually becoming a Palace Attendant, Minister of Selection, General of Zhen Nan, and granted the title of Duke of Leling. However, due to an error, he was exiled to the frontier, but was later summoned back to court, serving as a Cavalry Officer. He followed the army to fight against the Rouran and was killed in battle.
His son, Mai Nu, was greatly favored by Emperor Xianzu and rose to the position of Minister of Divine Affairs. He had a poor relationship with Wang An Guo, who forged an imperial edict and killed Mai Nu in the garden. Emperor Gaozu executed An Guo and posthumously honored Mai Nu with the title of Inspector of Bingzhou and Duke of Xinxing.
Jin's younger brother, Pu Hui, once held the position of Military Guardian of Yangqu. Pu Hui's son, Wu Hou, was appointed as a Censor during the reign of Emperor Shizong, awarded the title of General of Jianyi, and granted the rank of Marquis of Yiyu. He followed the army to campaign against the Ruanruan and Helian Chang, and for his meritorious service, he was promoted to Duke of Chengyang and appointed as Special Cavalry Attendant. Later, he was assigned as a general to Hulao Town. He passed away during the Xingguang era, and his funeral was conducted according to the standards of his uncle, King Hongnong, and he was buried in Jinling.
Wu Hou's son, Dou, served alongside the emperor during Emperor Shizong's reign, following him into battles and often wielding the imperial sword. Later, he was exiled to Longcheng for an offense. Shortly thereafter, he was recalled to the court and appointed as the Supervisor of Ministers. He was then assigned as a general to Bogu Lüzhen and granted the title of General of Zhenyuan and the rank of Marquis of Fucheng. At that time, the Gaoche tribe revolted and besieged the town; Dou led the army to defeat them and beheaded over a thousand enemies. He passed away during the Yanxing era.
Shusun Jian was a native of Dai County. After his father passed away, he was raised by Empress Zhao Cheng, known as Empress Dowager Wang, growing up with the princes and enjoying the same privileges. Shusun Jian earned a reputation for his intelligence and bravery early on. When Emperor Taizu went to the Helan tribe, Shusun Jian often served by his side. In the early days of the founding of the country, he was appointed as a senior official in the outer court, taking turns with thirteen other ministers, among them An, to handle state affairs and participate in national decision-making. He also accompanied King Qin Li Chi on a diplomatic mission to Murong Chui, which lasted six years. Upon his return, he was appointed Rear General. Shortly after, he was promoted to the Minister of Waterways, then to the Central General, and was also made Duke of Anping, with an additional title of Dragon Cavalry General. Later, he was sent to serve as the Inspector of Bingzhou. He was eventually dismissed due to official matters and remained idle at home in the gardens of Ye City.
After Emperor Taizong ascended to the throne, he recalled Shusun Jian's earlier contributions and reinstated him, appointing him as the General of Integrity and Inspector of Xiangzhou. At that time, there was a famine, and the Hu people, led by Liu Hu and others, gathered a group to rebel. Gongsun Biao and others were defeated by Liu Hu. Emperor Taizong then restored Shusun Jian's previous title of Duke of Anping and ordered him to lead Gongsun Biao and his men against Liu Hu, leading to the beheading of over ten thousand enemy combatants. The remaining rebels fled in all directions, jumping into the Qinshi River to drown, which caused the river to back up, resulting in the capture of over a hundred thousand people.
Sima Dezhong sent Liu Yu to confront Yao Hong, with his subordinate Wang Zhongde leading the charge, preparing to attack Huatai. The Inspector of Yanzhou, Wei Jian, abandoned the city with his troops and retreated across the Yellow River. Wang Zhongde easily entered Huatai City and announced to everyone outside: "The Jin state's original intention was to borrow safe passage through Wei territory with seventy thousand bolts of silk and cloth, but unexpectedly, the Wei commander abandoned the city and fled."
After hearing about this, Emperor Taizong of Wei ordered Wei Jian to go from Henei towards Fangtou to assess the situation. Wang Zhongde had been in Huatai for over a month when Emperor Taizong ordered Wei Jian to cross the Yellow River and demonstrate his strength, which ultimately resulted in Wei Jian's death and his body thrown into the river. Then, Emperor Taizong sent someone to speak with Wang Zhongde's people, questioning their intentions for invading the borders of Wei. Wang Zhongde sent Sima Zhu to negotiate with them, while Wei Jian sent Gongsun Biao to talk to Sima Zhu. Sima Zhu said, "Wang Zhenglu entered Hexi on the orders of Liu Taiwei, preparing to attack Luoyang and eliminate the rebels in the Shanling region, and we did not dare to infringe upon Wei's territory. The Taiwei himself even sent envoys to request permission from the Wei Emperor to pass through. However, the Inspector of Yanzhou in Wei misunderstood the situation and fled the city at the first sign of trouble, which enabled us to easily take control of an empty city; this was not an act of aggression on our side! The principle of friendly relations between Wei and Jin has not changed." Gongsun Biao said, "The fault of Wei Jian in losing the city will have its corresponding punishment, and Wei will send better local officials in the future. It would be best for your army to move westward; otherwise, minor issues could lead to major conflicts and damage the friendly relations between the two countries." Sima Zhu said, "Wang Zhenglu is currently stationed here temporarily, awaiting the assembly of the main forces. After a while, we will move west, and Huatai City will be returned to Wei; there's no need to beat drums and show off military power." Wang Zhongde spoke politely, insisting that he couldn't possibly confront the powerful Wei, and Wei Jian was unable to do anything about it. Emperor Taizong of Wei then ordered Wei Jian to contact Liu Yu to find out what Liu Yu actually intended.
Liu Yu replied, "Luoyang is the old capital of the Jin state, but it has been occupied by the Qiang people and the Yao family. The Jin state has long wanted to reclaim the Shiling area, but the country has been in constant turmoil, leaving no time for governance. The father-son duo of Sima Xiuzhi and Lu Zongzhi, Sima Guofan and his brothers, as well as those from the Huan clan, are all a scourge for the Jin state, while the Yao family has sheltered these people, hoping to turn them against the Jin state, which is why we are attacking them. We borrowed a route through the Wei state, and when our army first started moving, we were even prepared to use a large amount of money as a toll. As a result, the border guard of the Wei state abandoned the city and fled, allowing the Jin army's advance guard to move westward; we never intended to invade Wei territory at all." Liu Yu, considering that his main forces were in Henan and fearing that the Wei state would cut off his retreat, ordered his troops to advance north and attack Wei, only stopping after withdrawing his troops. This is documented in the "Chronicles of the Emperors." Wei Jian and Duke Nanping, Changsun Song, each selected two thousand elite soldiers to observe Liu Yu's actions. This is recorded in the "Biography of Song."
As for Liu Jian, he was appointed as a general in Guang'a Town, and when those bandits and robbers heard his name, they were so frightened that they hid away; his reputation was fearsome! After a while, he was promoted again, becoming the envoy with the authority to command all military affairs, general of Chu troops, and governor of Xuzhou, leading a large army across the Yellow River from the plains region, subduing areas such as Qingzhou and Yanzhou along the way. Upon reaching the Jihe River, Xu Yan, the governor of Yanzhou under Liu Yu, was so terrified that he fled to Pengcheng, allowing Liu Jian to gain easy entry into Qingzhou. Previously, Sima Shouzhi and Sima Xiuzhi, who had gathered followers east of the Jihe River, also surrendered with their troops. Liu Jian advanced to Linzi.
At this time, Zhang Xing, a Qinghe native under Liu Yifu, hid on Gushan. Upon hearing that Liu Jian had arrived, he led two thousand troops to meet Liu Jian at Nushui, and then together they besieged the governor of Qingzhou, Zhu Kui, trapping him in Dongyang. Liu Yifu quickly sent the generals Tan Daoji and Wang Zhongde to rescue Zhu Kui, but Liu Jian withdrew his troops without capturing Dongyang. For his achievements in this battle, Liu Jian was appointed as the Marquis of Shouguang and promoted to General of the Southern Pacification.
Liu Jian wrote to the emperor, saying: "I had previously sent the monk named Hushu to Pengcheng to gather information. Hushu reported back that the enemy had moved north, with the vanguard general Xu Zhuo already in Pengcheng, and the army of General Dao Yanzhi stationed at Siku, on alert and was ready to launch an attack at any moment. I have heard that governing a country means being prepared for danger even in peaceful times, and we must not overlook potential threats. We should quickly organize our troops, increase garrisons, make preparations, and await their attack. If we do not prepare in advance, it will be difficult to eliminate them later. Furthermore, the Wuyue people are skilled in naval warfare, but now that they have come to the north, they have lost their advantage. The situation on both sides is different now, with varying levels of fatigue. Today is the day to quell the rebellion and achieve victory! Although I am old and not very strategic, the emperor has favored me greatly and entrusted me with this important duty. It is my wish to quell the rebellion. Therefore, I have been preparing and hope to contribute to the country. I hope Your Majesty is not concerned about the situation in the south." The emperor was pleased and rewarded him with clothing and horses in response.
Jian, the Duke of Ruyin, and Changsun Daosheng crossed the Yellow River together and arrived in Henan. Yan Zhi and Zhongde entered the Yellow River from Qinghe and fled east to Qingzhou. Liu Yilong's Yanzhou Governor Zhulu Lingxiu abandoned Xuchang and fled south to Huludao. Jian led troops in pursuit, defeated Zhulu Lingxiu, executed over five thousand, and advanced to the Zou and Lu region before stationing in Fancheng. Emperor Shizu heard of Jian's fame in the south, and Liu Yilong was very afraid of him, so he appointed Jian as the Grand General of the Pingyuan Garrison, bestowed upon him the title of Prince of Danyang, and further appointed him as the Grand General for Conquering the South and Commander of Military Affairs in the provinces of Ji, Qing, Xu, and Ji.
Previously, Emperor Jianwen concentrated the garrison south of Youzhou on the banks of the Yellow River, with some forces attacking Luoyang and others targeting Huatai. Liu Yilong sent Tan Daoji and Wang Zhongde to rescue Huatai, while Jian and Changsun Daosheng moved to intercept them. Jian employed a strategy of encirclement and division, sending light cavalry to attack the enemy from the front and rear, burning their provisions, and cutting off their supply lines. Tan Daoji's army, suffering from a lack of provisions, experienced increasing desertions, allowing An Jie and others to capture Huatai.
Jian was very intelligent and wise, leading military strategies in both the east and west. He managed the army efficiently, maintaining strict discipline and clear orders. He was also virtuous, respecting talent and caring for his soldiers. After more than ten years in Pingyuan, he was deeply respected and beloved by the people both within and beyond the borders, praised by the border regions, and few renowned generals of the early Wei Dynasty could rival him. His reputation instilled fear in the south, and Qingzhou and Yanzhou dared not invade. In the third year of Taiyan, he passed away at the age of seventy-three. Emperor Shizu was deeply saddened and posthumously honored him as King Xiang, bestowing upon him a grand burial in Jinling.
Jian's eldest son, Jun, whose style name was Chou Gui, was clever and bright from a young age. At fifteen, he worked as a palace guard. He was prudent, and in his youth, he made few mistakes. He was skilled in horseback riding and archery, and later became a hunter. After the death of Taizu, Prince Qinghe, Shao closed the palace gates, while Taizong was outside. Shao coerced Jun into assisting him. Jun appeared to comply with Shao, but in his heart, he remained loyal to Taizong, and along with Yuan Mo Huan and others, he persuaded Shao, which ultimately led to Shao's submission to Taizong. This incident is documented in the "Mo Huan Zhuan." At that time, Taizong had only Che Lutou, Wang Luor, and a handful of others with him. After receiving assistance from Jun and others, Taizong was very pleased and treated them as his trusted confidants.
After Emperor Taizong ascended the throne, he appointed Zhang Jun as an official tasked with recovering lost items, later promoting him to Guard General and bestowing him the title of Duke of Ancheng. Once, King Zhu Ti, Yue, secretly entered the palace with a knife, intending to rebel. Zhang Jun noticed Yue's suspicious behavior and immediately stepped forward to apprehend him, discovering two daggers on Yue and killing him on the spot. In light of Zhang Jun's earlier contributions, he was entrusted with the management of state affairs. When officials needed to present issues to the court, they had to first submit them to Zhang Jun for review before presenting them to the emperor.
Zhang Jun was a just and gentle person, never easily angered. He was loyal and honest, never toadying to his superiors or oppressing his subordinates. Each time he was sent on a mission, he carefully outlined the tasks, ensuring that those tasked with them were well-fed and taken care of before they returned. For highly confidential matters, he even provided extra meals. As a result, he was greatly respected by everyone. In the first year of Tai Chang, Zhang Jun passed away at the age of twenty-eight. Emperor Taizong was deeply saddened and personally went to pay his respects, and both the court and the people mourned him. The court posthumously awarded him titles such as Shizhong, Sikong, and King of Ancheng, with the posthumous name "Xiao Yuan." He was given a fine coffin and a funeral carriage, and he was buried in Jinling. His son, Zhang Pu, inherited his titles and later achieved great accomplishments. Subsequently, when those high-ranking ministers passed away, the court arranged their funerals according to Zhang Jun's standards, without exceeding his standards. After Zhang Jun's death, Emperor Taizong said to his wife, Huan, "You and your husband enjoyed wealth and honor in life, and you should be buried together in death. If you wish to join him in death, that’s your choice." Huan then hanged herself and was ultimately buried with Zhang Jun.
Zhang Jun's brother, Zhang Lin, inherited their father's title but was later demoted to Duke of Danyang. He had been clever and quick-witted since he was a child and became quite famous. He gradually rose to the post of Minister of the North, and everyone said he was a good official. He was later promoted to Minister of Works. Subsequently, he was sent to Liangzhou as a general and was also granted the title of General of Zhenxi. Zhang Lin and his deputy, Xi Mu, were both sons of powerful families; they were greedy and lustful, acting high and mighty. As a result, the two exposed each other's crimes and were both executed.
The history books say: Xi Jin was loyal and filial throughout his life, achieving numerous victories in battles. In the Battle of Pingliang, he fought bravely against the enemy and made the ultimate sacrifice. Although he was absolved of blame after the defeat at the Battle of Xiao, his contributions were not fully recognized. However, the court continued to show him great favor, posthumously enshrining him in the temple. Shu Sun Jian was diligent and dedicated from a young age, eventually achieving military success. He was skilled in governing the border regions and struck fear into the barbarian tribes. Zhang Jun assisted Emperor Taizong during turbulent times, demonstrating unwavering loyalty and righteousness. He uncovered the rebellion of King Zhu Ti and exhibited qualities reminiscent of Huo Guang’s assistance to Emperor Xuan of Han. Moreover, he was known for his gentleness, integrity, and was cherished by both the court and the populace, truly a rare gem among virtuous ministers throughout history!
