Li Bao, courtesy name Huaisu, nicknamed Yansun, was from Di Dao in Longxi. He claimed to be the grandson of the Prince of Liang, Zhang Gui. His father was named Li Fan, courtesy name Shiju, also known as Wuqiang. He claimed to be a valiant general and had served as the governor of three counties—Qilian, Jiuquan, and Jinchang. Li Bao was a calm and dignified person, brave, skilled in battle, and adept at pacifying the people. His uncle, Li Xin, was killed by Juqu Mengxun, so Li Bao moved to Guzang. After more than a year, he followed his uncle Tang Qi to Yiwu and sought refuge with the Rouran. Later, more than two thousand of his former fellow villagers followed him. Li Bao was very courteous and respectful to them, and everyone was willing to work for him, hoping to avenge their grievances.
At that time, Emperor Taiwu of Northern Wei sent troops to attack Dunhuang, forcing Juqu Wuhui to abandon the city and flee. Li Bao returned from Yiwu to Dunhuang, repaired the city walls and his family mansion, and restored his family's legacy. He sent his younger brother Li Huaida to submit a loyalty memorial to the court. Emperor Taiwu greatly appreciated his loyalty and appointed Li Huaida as Cavalier in Regular Attendance, Prefect of Dunhuang, and sent another envoy to appoint Li Bao as Commissioner Bearing Credentials, Palace Attendant, Commander of the Western Expeditionary Forces, Grand General Who Pacifies the West, appointed to the Office of the Palace Secretariat, Commander of the Western Guard, Governor of Shazhou, Duke of Dunhuang, allowing him to continue to guard Dunhuang and giving him the authority to appoint officials of fourth rank and below.
In the fifth year of Zhenjun of Wei, Li Bao went to the capital and later stayed in the capital, being appointed as a senior official. Later, he was promoted to General Who Guards the South and Inspector of Bingzhou. After returning to the capital, he also served as a senior official of the inner court. In the early years of Emperor Gaozong, he replaced Sima Wensi to defend Huaihuang, and later was appointed as General Who Guards the North. In the fifth year of Tai'an, Li Bao passed away at fifty-three. The court issued a decree granting him a set of mourning clothes, posthumously restored his former official titles, and bestowed upon him the posthumous title "Xuan." He had six sons in total: Cheng, Mao, Fu, Zuo, Gongye, and Chong. Gongye died young, while Chong has his own biography.
Cheng, whose courtesy name was Boye, was strategic from a young age. When he was just thirteen, Cheng advised his father to make a firm decision quickly, which led to their decision to submit. Cheng then followed his uncle to become a hostage. Emperor Shizong valued him greatly, treated him well, and granted him the title of Duke of Guzang. Later, after his father's death, he gained a reputation for his filial piety during the mourning period. When it was time for Cheng to inherit his father's title, he relinquished it to his younger brother Mao, as he already held a title, earning him much praise at the time. Cheng was known for his generosity, insight, and judgment, earning the respect of people at that time. In the later years of Gaozong's reign, Cheng was appointed as General Longxiang and Prefect of Xingyang with the title of Duke of Guzang. He ruled with strictness and earned a good reputation. He passed away in the fifth year of Yanxing at the age of forty-five. He was posthumously awarded the title of General with the Seal of Command, Governor of Yongzhou, and given the posthumous name Mu.
Cheng's son Shao, whose courtesy name was Yuanbo, was both knowledgeable and talented. He and his brothers Yan, Qian, and Rui were all named by Emperor Gaozu. Shao was also valued by his uncle Chong. During the Yanxing period, he was appointed as a student in the Central Secretariat. He inherited the title of Duke of Guzang and served as the Minister of Rites. At that time, the court wanted to revise the system of carriages and ceremonial attire, and Shao was responsible for handling these matters. He was later promoted to Deputy Minister of the Yellow Gate. Subsequently, according to regulations, the duke's title was downgraded to that of an earl. He also concurrently held the position of Grand Minister of Ceremonies while retaining his position as Deputy Minister of the Yellow Gate.
Emperor Gaozu planned to move the capital and issued an edict for the courtiers to consult ancient texts and historical experiences. Shao replied, "Luoyang is the former site of the Nine Tripods, serving as the capital seven hundred years ago. With its superior geographical location, abundant resources, and tributes from all directions, only the emperor can establish the capital here; there is no better place than this." Emperor Gaozu strongly agreed with his statement. Shao was promoted to the position of Right Privy Councillor to the Crown Prince. Shortly after, both Left and Right Privy Councillors were dismissed, but Shao remained as a councillor and also took on the role of Grand Administrator of Qinzhou. He later served as General Who Pacifies the East and Inspector of Yanzhou. On the way back from Ye City to Luoyang, Emperor Gaozu met with Shao and discussed the matter of the commoner Shun. Emperor Gaozu said, "If you had not left the Eastern Palace, perhaps such a thing would not have happened."
At the beginning of Emperor Shizong's reign, Shao was summoned and appointed as an Imperial Attendant, concurrently holding the position of Minister of War Affairs. Shortly after, he was appointed as General Who Calms the Army and Inspector of Bingzhou. Due to his cousin Boshang's involvement in the Yuanxi Rebellion, Shao was prohibited from exercising his duties and was recalled to the capital. Although Shao was unaware of Boshang's rebellion plan, he was stripped of his official positions due to family ties. After a long time, he was reappointed as the Grand Master of Works and ordered to participate in the formulation of court rituals and laws.
When Lü Gou'er rebelled in Qinzhou, the court appointed Lü Shao as General Who Calms the Army and Commander of the Western Region, temporarily allowing him to act on behalf of the affairs of Qinzhou, and also sending him and the Right Guard General Yuan Li to suppress the rebellion. After the rebellion was quelled, Lü Shao officially took office. The Emperor specially sent an imperial edict to commend his achievements and restored his ancestral title. At that time, the Longyou region had just experienced a war, and the people were living in instability. Lü Shao was very good at soothing the populace and was held in high regard by the local ethnic groups.
Later, the court summoned him back to the capital and appointed him to temporarily act as governor of Dingzhou. Before long, he was promoted to governor of Xiangzhou, while also retaining his military rank. When Emperor Suzong of Tang ascended to the throne, Lü Shao was transferred to the court to serve as the Minister of the Palace and temporarily acted as governor of Yongzhou. After that, he was further promoted to Grand General of the Central Army and Minister of Personnel, and was also granted the title of Cavalry General. While serving in the Ministry of Personnel, he managed personnel matters with some bias, which attracted criticism. As a result, he was reassigned as governor of Jizhou.
In Jizhou, he was upright and unpretentious, caring for the people, earning a very good reputation, and achieving remarkable political results that were unparalleled at the time. Emperor Suzong greatly admired him and granted him the title of Cavalry General. Later, he was promoted to Grand General of Chariots and Cavalry, and the emperor rewarded him with a precious sword, a sable coat, fine horses, and various clothing and bedding. Lü Shao, feeling old and wanting to retire, submitted a request to resign. The emperor did not agree. Thus, he was transferred to Dingzhou as governor, while still retaining the title of Cavalry General.
When he took office in Dingzhou, the people of Jizhou sent him off to the border, reluctant to part ways, and many were in tears. Because Jizhou and Dingzhou were neighboring regions, the people had long known of his good reputation, so after he took office, both regions flourished under his governance. In April of the fifth year of the Zhengguang era, Lü Shao passed away in office at the age of seventy-two. The court posthumously conferred upon him numerous official titles, including Shizhong, Holder of the Imperial Edict, Cavalry General, Grand General of Chariots and Cavalry, Minister of Works, and Governor of Yongzhou, and conferred the posthumous name "Wengong."
After his death, he was buried, and later over a thousand soldiers from Jizhou stationed in Jingzhou returned home, passing by his tomb, and voluntarily helped to cover it with earth, staying for several days before leaving. This illustrates how much he was loved by the people during his lifetime! Earlier, Lü Shao pacified the Qinlong region and was posthumously honored with the title of Duke of Ancheng during the Yong'an era, with a fief of four hundred households.
His eldest son, Lü Yu, known by his courtesy name Daofan, inherited his title. During the Wuding era, he rose to the position of Grand General of Cavalry and was the governor of Dongxuzhou.
Jin, the younger brother, whose courtesy name was Daoyu, was very handsome and talented, and the emperor particularly liked him. Prince Qinghe Yi also admired him; at that time, Yi was the Minister of Personnel, and he brought him on as a military advisor. Later, he was promoted to the position of Imperial Secretary Assistant and was also given the title of General of Longxiang. Gradually, he rose to the position of Deputy Minister of the Imperial Secretariat, in charge of ceremonial matters alongside his brothers-in-law, Wang Zunyao and Lu Guoan. Prince Linhuai Yu said to Jin and the others, "You three are all talented individuals managing the emperor's ceremonial affairs; this is truly a case of family members sharing in glory!" When Emperor Suzong passed away, the edict for the posthumous title was written by Jin. When Emperor Zhuang ascended the throne, Jin was murdered in Heyin at the age of forty-nine. After his death, he was posthumously granted the title of General of Champion and Governor of Qizhou.
Jin's eldest son, Chanzhi, courtesy name Sunqiao, wasn't very handsome but was very good to his younger brothers, and they had a deep brotherly bond. He passed away at the age of forty-nine. Chanzhi's younger brother, Qianzhi, served as the chief clerk during the Wuding era. Jin's brother, Zan, whose courtesy name was Daozhang, was very graceful from a young age and served as a military advisor. He died during the Shengu era and was posthumously granted the title of Governor of Hanyang. His son, Xiunian, served as a military general and aide-de-camp, but sadly passed away at a young age.
Jin's brother-in-law Shao had a younger brother, Yan, courtesy name Cizhong, who was quite knowledgeable as well. When Emperor Gaozu first ascended the throne, he was chosen as a talented scholar from Sizhou and became a Doctor in the Imperial Secretariat. He later rose to the position of Assistant to the Minister of Justice. However, due to a poor evaluation, he was demoted to a commoner. Soon after, he was in charge of the Master of Guests' affairs and then transferred to the position of Minister of Rites. At that time, the court's ceremonial regulations were still being developed, and Yan worked diligently to verify and refine them; everyone praised him for his diligence and responsibility.
When the founding emperor led a campaign to the south, Yan felt that the relatively small regions of Jiangsu, Zhejiang, and Fujian were not worth the emperor personally leading an army, so he repeatedly advised against it. Although the emperor did not take his advice, he appreciated his loyalty. Later, when the army was stationed in Huainan, the emperor summoned him to serve as the Grand Historian for Prince Yu of Guangling, and he was promoted to General Huiwu and Deputy General of the Western Army. Upon his return, he was appointed as the Grand Historian for Prince Gan of Zhaojun in Jizhou. He was later transferred to Qingzhou, where he continued his role as Grand Historian for Prince Yu of Guangling and concurrently served as the Prefect of Qi County. He was then recalled to the court and appointed as General Longxiang and Right Chief Historian of the Minister of Works, followed by a promotion to Left Chief Historian and Grand Central Secretary of Qinzhou, before being dispatched to Yangzhou for official business. Shortly after, he was recalled to the court and appointed as the Governor of Henan. Upon his return to Ruyin, he was dispatched to Xuzhou for official business. He was later promoted to General of the North and Inspector of Pingzhou. Upon his return to the court, he served as General of the East and Inspector of Xuzhou.
In the summer of the second year of Yanchang, there were heavy rains that caused flooding in the rivers. Considering the conditions of the waterways and land, Yan gave some casual advice which helped clear the waterways and prevent further flooding. The court was very pleased and issued several edicts to commend and reward him. He then returned to the court to serve as the Governor of Henan, and was later promoted to Grand Master of Splendid Happiness and Minister of Splendid Happiness, and then transferred to the Ministry of Revenue as a Secretary. He was later sent on an external mission to serve as General of the Comforting Army and Inspector of Qinzhou.
At that time, the fallen Han Balin and his followers in the north raised troops to rebel, and places like Hexi Corridor, Pinzhou, and Liangzhou responded in kind. However, Yan's penal laws were too harsh, and the common people harbored deep resentment towards him. The residents of the city, Xue Zhen, Liu Qing, Du Chao, and others, took advantage of the rebellion in various places to secretly plot a coup. In June of the fifth year of Zhengguang, they raided the provincial government, captured Yan in his private quarters, and imprisoned him in the western mansion. They elected their accomplice Mo Zhe Dati as their leader and ultimately killed Yan. During the Yong'an period, the court posthumously conferred upon him the titles of Shizhong, General of the Cavalry, Duke of Situ, and Governor of Yongzhou, and he was posthumously honored with the name Xiao Zhen.
His son Xie, styled Dexie, was well-regarded from a young age. He began his official career as a military advisor in the Office of Situ. Later, he served as a literary assistant and as the ritual officer of the Situ, and then was promoted to chief clerk. After his death, the court posthumously conferred upon him the titles of General Who Assists the State and Deputy Minister of Rites.
The Li brothers were all quite accomplished. First, Li Xie's younger brother Li De Guang eventually became a Junior Grand Official, a significant position. His brother Li De Xian initially served as a military advisor in the Grand Commandant's office and later was promoted to a riding attendant, but sadly, he passed away at a young age; after his death, he was posthumously conferred the title of General Who Conquers the Enemy and Governor of Dongqin Prefecture, which resulted in a grand funeral. His brother Li De Ming also served as a secretary.
Li Xie's other younger brother Li Qian, courtesy name Shugong, was quite a formidable character. During the Taihe era, he first served as a student in the Imperial Academy, and later rose through the ranks, serving as Secretary of the Imperial Secretariat, Chief Historian of the Cavalry Commandery in Jizhou, and an Attendant in the Crown Prince's residence. When Emperor Shizong came to power, he was promoted to the position of Colonel of the Imperial Guards. Later, he was sent away to serve as the Governor of Qinghe, just in time for the rebellion in Jingzhao. Li Qian decisively gave up his position as county magistrate and hastily returned to the capital. When Emperor Shizong heard that Li Qian had returned, he joyfully said, "Li Qian stayed in Jizhou for so long and had such good relationships with people. Now that he has come back risking danger, everyone can feel reassured." Therefore, Emperor Shizong sent Li Qian to the front lines to boost the morale of the troops. After the situation was stabilized, Li Qian was promoted to the position of Governor of Changle.
During the Yanchang era, a major bandit appeared in Jizhou, and the Emperor once again sent Li Qian to lead troops to suppress the rebellion. Together with Commander Yuan Yao, they successfully defeated the bandits. Afterwards, Li Qian was appointed as General of the Rear and Inspector of Yanzhou. He later returned to the court as a Household Counsellor, and was also appointed as General Who Pacifies the West and concurrently served as Minister of Finance. He was then sent away again to serve as a Cavalry Guard, General Who Maintains the East, and Inspector of Yanzhou. Due to his achievements in pacifying Jizhou, he was conferred the title of Baron of Gaoping. Upon his return to the capital, he served as the Prefect of Henan, and later was promoted to General Who Guards the Army and Household Counsellor with the rank of Golden Purple. During the reign of Emperor Xiaozhuang, Li Qian rose to the ranks of Special Attendant, Grand General of Chariots and Cavalry, and Grand Commandant of the Right Guard, and was also appointed as Cavalry Guard. He was later promoted to Grand General of the Cavalry and Supervisor of the Palace Attendants, continuously rising through the ranks! Unfortunately, in the winter of the third year of Yong'an, Li Qian passed away at the age of seventy-four. He was posthumously honored as Palace Attendant, Commander of Military Affairs in the Three Provinces of Jidinying, Grand General of the Cavalry, Duke of Taiwei, Inspector of Jizhou, and his title and posthumous name, Xuanjing, remained unchanged.
Li Qian's eldest son, Li Nuan, styled Renming, initially served as a military officer at the Sikong residence and was later promoted to the position of Left Military Officer of the Ministry of Personnel. Unfortunately, during the early years of the Xiaozhuang Emperor's reign, he was murdered in Heyin at just forty years old. After his death, he was posthumously granted the titles of Andong General, Minister of Revenue, and Governor of Qingzhou. Li Qian's son Li Bao served as a legal advisor in the Ministry of War during the Wuding era. Li Qian's younger brother, Li Bing, styled Renyao, initially served as an attendant in the mansion of Prince Gaoyang Yong and later became an Assistant to the Minister and a military officer in the Taifu's office. In the early years of the Xiaozhuang Emperor's reign, he was murdered at the age of forty-eight along with Li Nuan. After his death, he was posthumously honored as Assistant Attendant, Left General, and Governor of Yanzhou.
Li Qian's son, Zi Wei, served as a military officer in the Sikong Changliu during the Wuding era. His younger brother Zhao, styled Renzhao, was a Sanqi Shilang when he died and was posthumously honored as General of the Conquering Barbarians and Governor of Liangzhou. Zi Wei's sons, Shi Yuan and Cao, both served as military officers in the Yitong Kaifu during the Wuding era. Zhao's younger brother Xiao, styled Renlue, was a military officer during the later years of the Wuding era. Another younger brother of Zi Wei, Rui, styled Yanbin, served as an Infantry Captain, Dongjun Prefect, and Junior Official of Huainong, and was posthumously honored as Longxiang General and Governor of Yuzhou.
Ziwei's eldest son Yong, courtesy name Yixing, was very capable and skilled in handling affairs. He initially served as a Doctor at the Imperial Academy, later became a palace inspector and gradually rose to the position of Governor of Dongjun. When Emperor Zhuang ascended the throne, he was promoted to General of An Dong and Inspector of Jizhou, and later transferred to Guangzhou as Inspector, also receiving the title of Gentleman of the Imperial Guard. As a result, during the reign of the Deposed Emperor, he and his third brother Yi Zhen, a Gentleman of the Imperial Guard, and his seventh brother Yi Yong, a Zhongshu Shilang and Taichang Shaoqing, were all killed by Er Zhu Zhongyuan. Yi Yong, because he was a relative by marriage, had a particularly good relationship with Emperor Zhuang when he was still in the fief, and after Emperor Zhuang became emperor, he placed even greater trust in him. When Er Zhu Rong was killed, Yi Yong was involved, thus he was implicated and suffered misfortune. After Emperor Xiaowu ascended the throne, Yong was posthumously granted the titles of Shizhong, General of Xiaoqi, Minister of Personnel, and Inspector of Jizhou; Yi Zhen was posthumously granted the title of Former General and Inspector of Qizhou; Yi Yong was posthumously granted the title of General of An Dong and Inspector of Qingzhou. Yong's brother Yi Shen worked in the office of the Minister of Works. His fourth brother Yi Yuan was a doctor at the Guozijian. When Emperor Zhuang just ascended the throne, the two brothers were both killed in Heyin. Following Yi Shen's death, he was posthumously granted the titles of Gentleman of the Imperial Guard, General of Zhengdong, and Inspector of Yongzhou.
Mao, courtesy name Zhongzong, was Zi Wei's younger brother. When Emperor Gaozong was about to die, he inherited his father's title, becoming the Zhenxi General and Duke of Dunhuang. When Emperor Gaozu first ascended the throne, he was appointed as the General of Chang'an, later promoted to the Inspector of Xiyanzhou Province, while keeping his general role. He later returned to court to serve as a Grand Master of Ceremonies, and according to protocol, his title was downgraded to a marquis. Mao was humble and cautious; since his brother was favored by the emperor, he was very careful not to attract disaster due to his achievements overshadowing the emperor. Thus, he used the excuse of being old and frail to firmly request to resign from office. Emperor Gaozu did not force him and allowed him to continue receiving the salary of a Grand Master of Ceremonies, also granting the fief to his brother, while he himself resided in Dingzhou, Zhongshan. From then on, he lived a leisurely rural life and never returned to the capital. He passed away during the Jingming era at the age of seventy-one, posthumously granted the title Duke Gong.
His son Jing, courtesy name Shaoan, inherited his title. He started his official career as a military advisor to the Grand Commandant, later becoming Deputy of Dingzhou and Governor of Dongpingyuan. He died in the third year of the Shengu era at the age of fifty-five.
His son Xia, courtesy name Zhiyuan, was a talented individual. He began as a military advisor to the Minister of Works, later inheriting the title. Gradually, he was promoted to Right General and then to Director of the Department of Carriages and Horses. He was later dispatched to Henei as governor.
One day, Er Zhu Rong led troops to attack Luoyang, and the army passed through Henei. At this time, Emperor Zhuang secretly crossed the Yellow River to meet Er Zhu Rong. Seizing the opportunity, Xia persuaded Er Zhu Rong to support Emperor Zhuang, then opened the city gates to welcome Er Zhu Rong and crossed south with Emperor Zhuang. Unfortunately, when he reached Heyi, he was killed by rebel forces at the age of forty-two. After the situation was stabilized, the court posthumously conferred upon him the titles of Cavalry Commander, Grand Master of Ceremonies, Right Minister of the Secretariat, and Inspector of Qinzhou. Because he achieved merit in escorting the emperor, he was given the title of Duke of Luxiang County, with a fief of three hundred households.
His son, Zi Xiaoru, inherited his title. Later, when Northern Qi usurped the throne, the title's rank was downgraded.
Zi Xia's younger brother Zi Fu, courtesy name Zhong'an, was known for his respectful and kind nature. He initially served as a military officer at the Town of Bei. Later, he held positions as the Deputy Governor of Dingzhou and the governors of the three commanderies: Ruyang, Runan, and Zhongshan. In the early reign of Emperor Xiao Zhuang, because of his royal connections, he was promoted to General of the Guard and Grand Minister of Golden Purple. He was then appointed as General of the East and Governor of Cangzhou, and was also granted the title of Cavalry Attendant. He passed away in the first year of the Putai era at the age of sixty-two, leaving behind five sons.
His eldest son, Hui Zhao, served as the Minister of Education and Military Officer at the Capital. Hui Zhao's younger brother, Hui Chen, served as the Deputy Governor of Qizhou during the Wuding era.
Zi Fu's brother, Zi Jing'an, was a court official who passed away young. Zi Jing'an's brother, Zi Ji'an, though he had some knowledge of historical texts, was not considered proficient. He initially served as a military officer under the Prince of Pengcheng. He gradually rose to the position of General of Ning Shuo and Infantry Captain. Later, he was dispatched to Xuzhou to serve as the Chief Clerk of the General's Office under Prince Hao of Beihai. During the Zhengguang period, Prince Hao was appointed as the Governor of Guansi and took him along as Chief Clerk, entrusting him with military duties. Soon after, he was promoted to General of the Valiant Cavalry. In the third year of Xiaochang, he died in service at the age of fifty-three, and the court posthumously granted him the titles of General of the Expedition and Inspector of Liangzhou.
Zi Xia's other son, Zi Chu Mo, was smart and virtuous from a young age. He initially served as the Registrar for the Prince of Pengcheng in Qingzhou. He gradually rose to the positions of Cavalry Attendant in Tongzhi, General of the East, Grand Official of the Court, General of the Guard, and Chief Clerk of the Capital in Guangzhou. He passed away in the early years of the Tianping era at just thirty-nine.
Li Maofu, with the courtesy name Duzhen, was quite famous at that time. He first served as a Doctor of the Imperial Secretariat and was later promoted to the position of an aide in the Department of State Affairs. When Emperor Gaozu was the King of Xianyang, he married Li Maofu's daughter as one of his concubines, and Maofu was promoted to General of the Guard and Governor of Yingchuan Commandery, also responsible for the garrison at Changsha. Li Maofu governed the border regions very well and was loved by the local people, ensuring peace along the borders. Six years later, he passed away in office at the age of forty-seven. The court posthumously granted him the title of General of the Expeditionary Forces, Governor of Qinzhou, and Marquis of Xiangwu, with the posthumous title of Hui.
His eldest son, Li Boshang, was already well-known in his youth. Before he turned twenty, he became a Secretary. Emperor Gaozu often remarked, "This is the steed of the Li family!" He gradually rose through the ranks to become a Gentleman of the Imperial Secretariat and was appointed by the emperor to write the Taihe Chronicles. Not long after, he was promoted to Deputy Secretary. In the early reign of Emperor Shizong, he also served concurrently as an aide to the Palace Council. In the second year of Jingming, he was executed due to his brother's involvement in the conspiracy of King Xianyang Xi, at just twenty-nine.
Li Boshang's younger brother, Li Zhongshang, was very handsome and gained fame for his literary talent from an early age. At the age of twenty, he wrote the "Praise for the Meritorious Officials of the Former Han" and the epitaph for his uncle, Li Chong. At that time, the Palace Attendant Gao Cong and the Minister of Works Xing Luan, after seeing his work, both remarked, "The younger generation is formidable; this is no empty praise!" He initially served as a military advisor under King Yuzhao of Jingzhao. During the Jingming period, he was executed due to his brother's involvement in the conspiracy, at the tender age of twenty-five.
Li Zhongshang's younger brother, Li Jikai, was a composed and wise person. Due to his brother's situation, he, along with his mother and younger brother, was exiled to the frontier. After a long time, he was pardoned during a general amnesty and then lived in Jinyang, leading a quiet life for several years. During the Xiaochang period, he became the Chief Military Advisor and was promoted to Weiyuan General. Soon after, he was promoted to the Chief of the Anbei Prefecture in Bingzhou. After Emperor Suzong's death, Er Zhu Rong secretly plotted significant schemes, with Li Jikai also involved. After Emperor Zhuang ascended to the throne, the court summoned him to be the Chamberlain of the Yellow Gate and granted him the title of Marquis of Bo Ping, with a fief consisting of seven hundred households. He then rose to the position of Senior Attendant of the Cavalry and Pingdong General, later transferring to the position of Secretary Supervisor, and finally promoted to the General of the Central Army. In July of the first year of Putai, Er Zhu Shilong, suspecting that Li Jikai had prior knowledge of Er Zhu Rong's death, killed him when he was fifty-five years old. After Emperor Liu ascended the throne, he was posthumously awarded the titles of Shizhong, Biaoqi General, Minister of Personnel, and Governor of Dingzhou.
His son, Li Tong, styled Jibo, inherited his title. During the Wuding period, he served as the Taiwei Xinyu Canjun. After the Northern Qi replaced the Northern Wei, his title was reduced.
Li Jikai's younger brother, Li Yanqing, initially served as a Canjun in the Northern Defense Bureau of Dingzhou during the Xiaochang period. He gradually rose through the ranks to become the Chief of the Chariot, Governor of Chenliu, and ultimately rose to the ranks of General of the Eastern Town and Grand Minister of Jinzi Guanglu. He passed away in the second year of Yongxi at the age of fifty-two, and the court posthumously granted him the titles of General and Governor of Yongzhou.
His son, Li Huiju, served as the Deputy Chief Military Advisor during the Wuding period.
Li Yanqing's younger brother, Li Yandu, served as the General of Wei and Governor of Ande during the Wuding period.
Ji Zuo, the younger brother of Ji Kai, whose courtesy name was Ji Yi, excelled in both civil and military affairs. In the early years of the founding emperor, he concurrently served as a cavalier attendant and was sent on a mission to Goryeo. Due to his outstanding completion of the mission, he was appreciated by the emperor and, upon his return, was appointed as the Governor of Changshan and granted the title of Zhen Dingzi. He was later promoted to the General of Chariots and Cavalry, the Inspector of Huaizhou, and granted the title of Shan Yanghou. Shortly after, he was further appointed as the General of Southern Pacification, the Duke of Henan, and then promoted to the General of Eastern Peace and the Inspector of Xiangzhou. Wherever he served, he achieved notable successes in governance.
Once, when the emperor personally led a southern campaign against rebel forces, Ji Zuo was appointed as the General of Southern Pacification and served as the deputy to the Grand Marshal, while Prince Xianyang Xi served as the General of the Palace. Subsequently, he was ordered to attack Zha Yang together with Prince Chengyang Luan, General of Southern Pacification Lu Yuan, and others. However, due to a lack of coordination, the armies only laid siege to the city, hoping the rebels would surrender without a fight. Only Ji Zuo relentlessly led his troops in continuous attacks day and night. At that time, Xiao Luan sent his Prince's Right Guard, Tai Lishi, to lead the troops to support, but due to the unfavorable situation and insufficient forces, everyone wanted to retreat. Ji Zuo then selected two thousand cavalry to intercept the enemy, but was defeated, resulting in his demotion to commoner and exile to Yingzhou. Later, when the emperor launched another campaign against the Wudang region, Ji Zuo was reappointed as the Acting General of Pingyuan and commanded the army. At that time, Liu Ji, the New Ye Prefect of Xiao Luan, relied on the strong city defenses to hold out, but Ji Zuo led his troops to capture New Ye. For this achievement, he was granted the title of Count of Jingyang, with a fief of three hundred households. After pacifying the north of the Mian River, Prince Jiayang was appointed as the Inspector of Jingzhou, and Ji Zuo was appointed as the Chief of Staff for Prince Jiayang's southern residence, and also appointed as the General for National Defense, stationed in New Ye. When the army returned in triumph, the founding emperor grasped Ji Zuo's hand and said, "The Mian River in the north is the southern gate of Luoyang. You have secured that territory for me, so you must also protect it well."
Emperor Gaozu passed away, and the emperor issued a sacred edict for him to serve as a deputy in Jingzhou and continue serving as a general. He served in Jingzhou with great prestige, and the people on the frontier held him in high regard; nearly twenty thousand households pledged their allegiance to him. Shortly after, he was promoted to the official position of a proper provincial governor. When Emperor Shizong first took office, he was transferred to the court and appointed as the Minister of the Interior. He passed away in the second year of the Jingming era at the age of seventy-one. The emperor posthumously conferred upon him the title of General of Expedition and he was posthumously honored with the name Duke Zhuang. His son Zun inherited his title.
Zun was not only handsome but also highly capable, having fully inherited his father's virtues. He served as the Chief Clerk of Xiangzhou and was later promoted to Deputy General, Chief of the Northern Expedition in Jizhou, and Sima. After his death, he was posthumously awarded the title of General Longxiang and the governorship of Luozhou. In the early years of Emperor Xiaozhuang's reign, due to his royal lineage, he was further posthumously honored with the titles of Grand General of Chariots and Cavalry, Minister of the Three Departments, and governor of Dingzhou, at an impressive pace!
His son Guo inherited his title and served as the Advisor in the Department of State Affairs. During the Wuding years, he was executed for colluding with western rebels.
Zun's younger brother Jian, styled Xiuxian, was appointed by the county as a clerk. After their father's death, he resigned from his position and vowed to abstain from wine and meat for the rest of his life, living in seclusion in the countryside. When Emperor Suzong first ascended the throne, the Minister of State, who also served as the King of Cheng, greatly appreciated his character and appointed him as a military advisor. Shortly after, he was promoted to Military Advisor in the Ministry of War. He later served as the governor of Rencheng and Jibei prefectures. In the early years of Emperor Xiaozhuang's reign, he was promoted to General of Zhenyuan and governor of Jizhou. After his death, he was posthumously honored with the titles of General of Anbei, Minister of the Palace, and governor of Xiangzhou.
His son Jing served as a military advisor in the Ministry of War and also acted as governor of Yuzhou. During the Xinghe years, he was executed for spreading heretical and misleading words.
Shenjun, Jian's younger brother, known by his nickname Ti, became famous at a young age for his talent and caught the attention of Liu Fang, the Minister of Ceremonies. He was appointed as an imperial attendant when he first entered the official ranks, and later promoted to Minister of Works, and then to Palace Attendant. Before long, he was later appointed as General-in-Chief and Governor of Jingzhou.
At that time, the realm was in turmoil, with battles raging everywhere. Xiao Yan sent Cao Jingzong to attack us, laying siege to us for an extended period and even flooding the city, causing the city walls to almost collapse. General Shenjun proved to be formidable, reassuring the people and rallying everyone to defend the city together. The court later sent reinforcements led by Cui Xian, Wang Pi, and Pei Yan, and Cao Jingzong retreated in disgrace. After the enemy retreated, the ground outside the city was littered with corpses. General Shenjun ordered their collection and burial. Afterwards, the court appointed him as the Minister of Agriculture.
When Emperor Suzong was in critical condition, he was appointed as the General of the Guard, in charge of affairs in Xiangzhou. At that time, Ge Rong came from the south, and General Shenjun, feeling anxious, deliberately fell off his horse and injured his foot, remaining in Jijun. The court summoned him back. Later, when Emperor Zhuang ascended the throne, he appointed General Shenjun as a Cavalier Attendant and Palace Secretary because of his royal connections. The court also acknowledged his earlier achievements in defending Jingzhou, granting him the title of Marquis of Kaiguo County, with a fief of one thousand households. He was later promoted to Director of the Imperial Secretariat and Minister of Personnel.
General Shen Jun is quite talented and enjoys promoting capable individuals, but he is not very adept at governance and is not very upright, which has led to a poor reputation. A man from Julu named Li Yan even wrote a letter to lodge a complaint against him. General Er Zhu Rong once recommended someone for the position of magistrate of Quyang County, but Shen Jun dismissed this person due to their low official rank. Upon hearing this, Er Zhu Rong was furious, accusing Shen Jun of forming cliques and suppressing meritorious officials. Shen Jun, worried about his future, requested to resign. Later, the court appointed him as the General of the Guard and Right Grand Minister. Not long after, Er Zhu Zhao entered the capital, the emperor was captured, and Shen Jun went into hiding among the common folk.
When Emperor Xiaowen ascended the throne, Shen Jun returned, and the court once again appointed him as a Palace Attendant, General of the Cavalry, Left Grand Minister, and equivalent to the Three Offices. During the reign of Emperor Xiaojing, he was dispatched to manage affairs in Bingzhou. He was later promoted to General of the Cavalry, Governor of Sizhou, and eventually took on the role of Palace Attendant. In the second year of Xinghe, General Shen Jun passed away at the age of sixty-four. The court posthumously honored him as the Commander of the Military Affairs of Yong, Qin, and Jing provinces, General of the Cavalry, Left Minister of the Ministry of Personnel, Duke of the Ministry of War, Governor of Yongzhou, Palace Attendant, and his title as Duke of the Founding State remained unchanged.
This guy is handsome, charming, and exceptionally talented, well-read and well-versed in the old court systems and various social hierarchies. He is particularly keen on mentoring the younger generation, helping them make a name for themselves, and the famous literary figures of the time really respect him. However, he has a pretty laid-back personality and doesn't pay much attention to self-restraint, even calling younger folks his brothers, which comes off as informal, leading many to criticize him for not being dignified and composed enough. He had previously lost two wives and wanted to marry the sister of Zheng Yanzu, who is also his niece. Lu Yuanming also intended to marry her, which sparked a conflict between the two families, resulting in a shouting match outside Zheng Yanzu's place. In the end, Zheng Yanzu's sister married Lu Yuanming, leaving Shen Jun feeling really down, and everyone thought his luck had turned for the worse. Since Shen Jun had no sons, he had his brother Yandu's third son, Rong'er, take over the family business. His brother Shao's younger brother, Yuan Zhen, known as Da Mo, started off as a minor official in the court and later became a foot soldier captain before he passed away.
Yuan Zhen's younger brother Zhongzun was very capable. When Pengcheng Wang Xie went to Dingzhou to take office, he invited him to be a military advisor. Later, he was promoted all the way to the position of Cavalry Attendant, General of the Guards, Grand Master of the Palace, and then was sent to serve as the Governor of Jingzhao. Later, when the Grand General and King of Jingzhao went on a campaign to the west, they asked him to serve as a military advisor. Not long after, he was promoted to the position of Left General and Governor of Yingzhou. At that time, there were rebellions everywhere, one after another, and the people in Yingzhou were all in a state of anxiety. Zhongzun went alone to take up his post in Yingzhou. After he arrived, he and the ambassador Lu used both kindness and authority to pacify the local people, and everyone felt reassured. Later, Emperor Suzong sent Lu again to comfort the army, but Lu was worried that those people were unreliable, so he brought soldiers with him. There was a man in the city named Liu Anding, who was already harboring ill intentions and thought Lu was coming after him, so he panicked and arrested Zhongzun. Zhongzun's two sons, Qingshi and Chenhan, were tragically killed, and only his nephew Huiren escaped.
Shao Cong's uncle Simu, styled Shuren, moved from Liangzhou to the south of the Yangtze River and served under Liu Jun, holding the position of governor of three counties: Jinshou, Andong, and Donglai. Simu was generous, eloquent, and skilled in calligraphy, particularly in cursive and clerical script, and was well-known during that era. In the seventeenth year of Taihe, he returned to the capital with his family from Hanzhong and was appointed as an Infantry Colonel. After his mother's passing, he stepped down from his position. He was later reappointed as the Capital Waterworks Envoy. When the emperor went south to fight, he also served as the General of the Direct Pavilion and played a role in pacifying Nanyang, for which he was granted nobility for his contributions. Shortly thereafter, he was appointed as the Minister of Works and the Marshal.
Pengcheng Wang Xie was sent to Dingzhou and appointed Si Mu as his Chief of Staff, also serving as the Prefect of Julu. Later, when Pengcheng Wang was transferred to Yangzhou, Si Mu was again appointed as his Chief of Staff. After leaving Pengcheng Wang's residence, Si Mu was appointed as General Who Subdues the Enemies and Grand Master of the Palace. He was later assigned as the Interior Minister of Jingzhao, where he did many good deeds during his eight years in that position. He was later summoned back by the court and promoted to Grand Master of Joyful Splendor.
When Emperor Suzong had just ascended the throne, Si Mu was appointed General Who Pacifies the North and Prefect of Zhongshan. Before he could take up the position, he was further promoted to General Who Maintains the North and Governor of Yingzhou. He eventually passed away while in office at the age of sixty-one. Posthumously, he was granted the title of General Who Maintains the West and Inspector of Huazhou. During the Yong'an period, his son Shaojiang gained the emperor's favor, leading to Si Mu being posthumously awarded the title of General Who Guards the Army, Director of the Imperial Library, and Left Grand Master of Joyful Splendor. After his death, he was posthumously awarded the title "Xuanhui," and he had a total of fourteen sons.
His eldest legitimate son, Shaobin, inherited his title and rose to the rank of Cavalier Attendant, but unfortunately died young. Shaobin's brother, Shaojiang, served as Left Chief Historian during the Wuding period.
The Li family held both official positions and titles in the Wei Kingdom from the outset, and due to the emperor's favor, they became the most prominent family at that time. However, they lacked benevolence and righteousness in their interactions with others, were indifferent to familial ethics, and pursued fame and wealth relentlessly, lacking any compassion. They were held in disdain by discerning individuals as a result.
Historians commented that the Li family experienced war and displacement before finally settling down in their later years, enjoying wealth and prosperity, and their family continued to thrive. Their descendants inherited the family business, each achieving official positions and reputation. Si Mu's brother was known for his integrity, upright conduct, remarkable achievements, and good reputation. His talent and demeanor were admirable, earning him the love and respect of the people, but his upright behavior might not be appreciated by everyone.
