Lu Ci was a native of Dai County. His great-grandfather was named Gan, his grandfather was named Yin, and their ancestors had always managed the tribe. His father was named Tu, and during the reign of Emperor Taizu, he led the tribe in battles alongside the emperor, gaining numerous military accolades and being conferred the title of General Liwei and Commander of Lishi. During the Tianxing era, he was appointed as the Governor of Shangdang and was also conferred the title of Marquis of Guannei. Lu Ci was intelligent and strategic from a young age.
After Emperor Taizong ascended the throne, he appointed Lu Ci as a court official, later promoting him to an inner court official, inheriting the title of Marquis of Guannei, and then further promoted to General Longxiang and Minister of the Interior, overseeing the Selection Department. During his official career, he was known for his integrity and never resorted to flattery.
Later, when Emperor Shizong personally led troops to campaign against Helian Chang, he ordered Lu Ci to lead various armies stationed at Daqi to defend against Ruanruan attacks. "Upon the emperor's return, he resumed his duties in the Selection Department," as quoted in the original poem. After the emperor returned from battle, Lu Ci continued to manage the affairs of the Selection Department. Alongside Gong Anxie of Xiping, he led troops to attack Hulao, capturing it. The emperor rewarded him with the title of Duke Jianye and appointed him as the Governor of Jizhou while still holding his previous military position. At that time, the court assessed the performance of various states and counties, and only Lu Ci and the Governor of Henan, Qiu Chen, were rated as the top performers in the realm.
He was then promoted to oversee the military affairs of Luozhou and Yuzhou, still holding his previous general position, and was appointed as the Grand General of Hulao. Later, when the rebels Xiu Tu Jin Ya and Qiang Di Zi Yu from Pingliang revolted, Lu Ci was again appointed as Envoy with Special Authority, Cavalry Attendant, General of Pacifying the West, and Grand General of Anding. Upon taking office, he implemented a policy of appeasement to win over the Qiang and Rong tribes, who all pledged their allegiance to him. He then pursued Jin Ya and others, capturing them all. He was subsequently recalled by the court and appointed as Cavalry Attendant.
I was appointed as the General of Pingdong and the Grand General of Huaihuang Town. Not long after, the Gao Che people started to lodge complaints, saying I was too strict and that I was unkind to them, requesting to bring back the previous Town General, Lang Gu. Emperor Shizu agreed and summoned me back to the capital.
Upon returning to the capital, I met with Emperor Shizu and said to him, "Your Majesty, now that you have reinstated Lang Gu as the Town General, in my opinion, within a year, Lang Gu will surely be killed, and the Gao Che people will definitely rebel." Emperor Shizu doubted my words and gave me a stern reprimand, and sent me home to rest.
The following year, the Gao Che people did indeed kill Lang Gu and then rebelled. When Emperor Shizu heard the news, he was taken aback and immediately summoned me, asking how I knew this would happen. I replied, "The Gao Che people have a weak sense of hierarchy and a lack of respect for etiquette. Rude people are difficult to control. The reason I used strict measures to govern them and applied laws and regulations to restrain them was to gradually help them understand their roles and limits. However, there are many deceitful and malicious individuals among them who conspired to falsely accuse me of being harsh, praising Lang Gu. With Lang Gu reinstated as the Town General, pleased with his favorable reputation, he would surely show special favor to the common people, thereby criticizing my approach, intending to govern them with leniency and kindness. However, rude people can easily become arrogant and overbearing, and within a year, the order will completely collapse. By the time we have to resort to strict measures to deal with them, they will harbor resentment, and as grievances grow, rebellion will break out."
Emperor Shizu smiled and said, "At such a young age, how do you think so far ahead?" That day, he reappointed me as a Cavalry Officer.
Once upon a time, when Emperor Shizu was campaigning against the Rouran and had captured Liangzhou, my old brother had been following the emperor, in charge of transporting military supplies. Later, I went along with King Gaoliang, crossed the Yellow River, and fought our way to Dongpingling in Jinan, moving six thousand households from there to Hebei. After that, I was appointed as the military commander of the Qinyong provinces, General of Pingxi, and Grand General in Chang'an, holding quite a high position.
Alongside King Gaoliang, we defeated the Gaiwu in Xingcheng. It was a glorious battle, and we captured two of Gaiwu's uncles. My subordinates wanted to send the captives back to the capital, but I disagreed. I said, "Chang'an has treacherous terrain, and the locals are pretty tough; many don't follow the rules. Even in peaceful times, there are often rebellions. Now, although we have captured these prisoners, they are still afraid, let alone their accomplices. If we don’t deal with Gaiwu’s uncles, trouble could still arise in Chang'an. Gaiwu is well-hidden; besides his closest associates, no one can find him. Chasing one person with a hundred thousand troops isn’t a smart move. How about we secretly let Gaiwu's uncles go, make sure his family is safe, and let him go after Gaiwu himself? That way, we’ll definitely catch him!"
The generals all found it strange: "We have put in so much effort to suppress the rebels, we have won, and even captured his uncle. We are only missing Gu Wu; what else is there to worry about?" I said, "Gu Wu is inherently rebellious. If we let him go, he will definitely fool the common people again, inciting them to rebel. Consider a venomous snake: even if you cut off its head, it can still bite. Moreover, we’ve dealt with its confidants but left its kind behind. Can this work?" The generals finally understood my point: "The general is right! But if we let the bandit go, what if he doesn’t return? How do we bear the responsibility?" I said, "I will share this responsibility with you!" King Gaoliang agreed with my plan, so he released Gu Wu’s uncle and set a time for him to bring Gu Wu in to surrender.
However, Gu Wu’s uncle didn’t show up, and the generals blamed me for mishandling the situation. I said, "The timing isn’t right yet; he won’t break his promise." A few days later, Gu Wu's uncle indeed sent over Gu Wu's head; everything went as I expected. I acted decisively and with great foresight, and that’s just how I am. Later, I was promoted to a high official in the capital.
In the An Ding region, Liu Chao from Lushui led a rebellion with a team of over ten thousand people. In order to extend his prestige and grace throughout the Guanzhong region, the emperor issued an edict appointing Liu Rengui to this official position, concurrently serving as the military commander of Qinzhou, Yongzhou, and other areas, stationed in Chang'an. The emperor said, "The terrain of the Qin and Chu valleys is dangerous, far from the court, and the local officials and populace haven’t felt the emperor’s great favor, so there have been continuous rebellions in recent years. Now Liu Chao and his men rely on the dangerous terrain and do not obey the court's orders. If I send a large army to you, they will definitely unite and resist, relying on the difficult terrain, making it hard to attack. If I send a smaller force, it won’t be enough to subdue them. Now I’ll let you use your strategy to deal with this situation."
Liu Rengui then took only a small contingent of troops to Chang'an to defend it. Liu Chao and his men were quite pleased when they heard this, thinking that Liu Rengui was not very capable. After Liu Rengui arrived, he vigorously promoted his authority, explained the principles of success and failure to them, and even proposed a marriage alliance with Liu Chao's daughter, giving the appearance of being family. Liu Chao remained wary and initially showed no intention of surrendering. Liu Rengui led his men to meet Liu Chao, observing his actions and secretly planning a surprise attack. Liu Chao sent someone to ask, "If the number of visitors exceeds three hundred, we will use bows and cavalry to deal with them; if it is less than three hundred, we will entertain them with food and drink." Liu Rengui only brought two hundred cavalry to meet Liu Chao, who had tight security. Liu Rengui pretended to be very drunk and staggered back.
Later, Liu Rengui told his soldiers, "Liu Chao can be taken!" He secretly selected five hundred elite soldiers, explained the emperor's favor to them, and inspired them to fight bravely, speaking earnestly. The soldiers were all eager to prove themselves, saying, "We vow to follow the general to the death, with no second thoughts!" They pretended to go hunting and made their way to Liu Chao's stronghold. Liu Rengui and the soldiers agreed, "When the time comes, I will act drunk as a signal." Liu Rengui then pretended to be drunk, rode his horse, shouted loudly, and personally struck down Liu Chao. Upon hearing the shout, the soldiers immediately launched an attack, slaughtering over a thousand foes and quelling the rebellion. The emperor was very pleased, recalled Liu Rengui to the capital, promoted his official rank while maintaining his position as a scattered cavalry attendant.
After Emperor Gaozong ascended the throne, because Liu Rengui's son, Liu Li, had made notable contributions regarding the succession, Liu Rengui was appointed as the General of the West Expedition and bestowed the title of King of Dongping. In the fourth year of Tai'an, Liu Rengui passed away at the age of sixty-seven and was posthumously granted the title of Cheng. He left behind twelve sons.
The eldest son Liu Yu, extremely intelligent, inherited his father's virtues. Emperor Gaozong was very pleased upon seeing Liu Yu and said to the court officials, "I have always lamented that his father's intelligence exceeded his physical stature, but his son is even better than his father!" In his youth, Liu Yu served as a minister in the inner court, who could serve the emperor while also empathizing with the common people. His words, actions, and interactions with others always seemed to anticipate others' thoughts, and everyone who worked with him held him in high regard.
At first, Liu Yu was conferred the title of Marquis of Liaocheng, and he was also conferred the title of Duke of Changguang, later serving as a Cavalry Commandant, General of Annan, and Governor of Xiangzhou. He ruled with integrity and fairness, curbing the powerful and uplifting the weak. He treated the esteemed senior figures in the province as friends, seeking their counsel on political affairs and soliciting their strategies. He treated ten such individuals in this manner, and they came to be known as the "Ten Virtuous." He also selected more than a hundred young men from wealthy families in the province as his adopted sons, welcoming them warmly and providing them with clothing, and sending them back to their hometowns to act as his informants. As a result, corrupt activities had nowhere to hide, and matters could be thoroughly investigated. The common people viewed him as a deity, and no one dared to rob or steal. He served as an official in Xiangzhou for seven years, yet his family was still quite poor. Later, the court summoned him back to the capital to serve as a Cavalry Commandant, and more than a thousand common people wept and pleaded for him to stay. Emperor Xianzhu did not acquiesce and said to the officials, "Yu's achievements in governance, even compared to those of ancient wise officials, how much could they truly surpass him?" He then rewarded him with five hundred bolts of silk and ten servants. When Liu Yu returned to the capital, the officials and common people of the province presented him with many bolts of cloth and silk, but he refused to accept any of it. The common people felt too embarrassed to take it back, and ultimately, everyone used these items to construct a Buddhist temple, naming it Changguang Gong Temple. Eventually, he inherited his father's title and was regranted the title of Prince of Jian'an.
Once, when Liu Yu was serving as the Inspector of Sizhou, Chang Zhenqi led the people of Huxian to submit, but the newly submitted people were still uncertain. Liu Min was dispatched to reassure them, and he released all those who had been captured and enslaved. The people were very happy, and the people's sentiments stabilized. Later, when the Rouran invaded the borders, the emperor personally led his troops against them and issued a decree appointing Liu Min as the Minister of War, responsible for managing the affairs of the garrison and supervising the transport of military provisions, with full responsibility for all affairs.
At that time, Emperor Xianzu planned to abdicate the throne to Prince Tui of Jingzhao, but Wang Liu Yun of Rencheng and Wang Yuan He of Longxi strongly advised him against it. Liu Min, however, stepped forward and said loudly, "The Crown Prince is wise and is the best candidate to inherit the throne; the people of the world are looking forward to his ascension. This matter cannot be altered casually, lest it disrupt the state’s rules. I request permission to take my own life in court to pledge my loyalty unto death!" After a long time, the emperor finally reconsidered this decision and issued a decree saying, "Liu Min is truly a righteous minister; he can protect my son!" He then appointed Liu Min as Grand Protector, and together with Grand Commandant Yuan He, they presented the emperor's seal and jade belt to complete the abdication ceremony, passing the throne to Emperor Gaozu.
In the fourth year of Yanxing, Liu Min passed away, and the court posthumously conferred upon him his original title, with the posthumous title of King Zhen. Liu Min had six sons, notably, Liu Xiu and Liu Kai were among them.
Lu Xiu, styled Bolin, was the fifth son of Lu Mei. His mother was of the Helian clan, tall at seven feet nine inches, and possessing great virtue. Lu Mei originally intended to pass his title to him. When Lu Xiu was nine years old, Lu Mei said to him, "Your great-grandfather, King Dongrun, had twelve sons. I am the legitimate eldest son and inherited the family legacy. Now that I am old, how can you, being so young, take on the heavy responsibility of the head of the Lu family?" Lu Xiu replied, "If martial prowess isn't required, then what does age matter?" Lu Mei was very surprised and thus appointed Lu Xiu as the heir. After Lu Mei's death, Lu Xiu inherited the title.
Lu Xiu was calm, spoke little, and loved to read. He promoted the descendants of meritorious officials to positions such as Chief Attendant of the Imperial Court and Secretary. He was subsequently promoted to Huangmen Shilang (Minister of the Imperial Court), followed by Taichang Shaoqing (Minister of Rites), Sanqi Changshi (Regular Attendant), Left Zhan Shi of the Crown Prince, Commander of the Northern Sea Wangshi, and finally became Minister of the Department of Ancestral Worship and Grand Zhongzheng of Sizhou. During this period, his cousin Lu Rui was dismissed for misconduct. In the early years of Jingming, Lu Xiu was appointed as the Governor of Henei County on a provisional basis. As a result, Wang Yuanxi of Xianyang hatched a rebellion and sent his son Yuan Tanhe along with Yin Wuqi, Xue Jizu, and others to occupy Henei first. Upon learning of Yuanxi's failed rebellion, Lu Xiu executed Yuan Tanhe and beheaded him.
Kai, style name Zhijun, was cautious and diligent, eager to learn and make progress. At the age of fifteen, he became a student of the Central Secretariat, and later held positions as a Court Attendant, a Cavalier in Regular Attendance, and was promoted to be a Crown Prince's Son and an Attendant of the Yellow Gate. He served in important positions at the court for more than ten years, known for his loyalty and honesty. Occasionally offering advice, he always provided insightful advice, and the founding emperor held him in high regard. Later, he fell ill and repeatedly requested retirement in his memorials, but the emperor refused and even sent court physicians to bring him medicine. He was later appointed as the Prefect of Zhengping, where he served for seven years, gaining a stellar reputation, being praised as a good official by all.
Initially, the founding emperor planned to reform the old customs, but many ministers expressed opposition and hesitated. The founding emperor often privately discussed state affairs with Liu Fang, Guo Zuo, and others, and some of the imperial family and nobles felt that the emperor was alienating them, which led to discontent. So the emperor asked Kai to privately explain to them, saying, "His Majesty just wants to understand the past and how things were done before, without any intention of alienating you." Those imperial relatives and nobles then felt somewhat reassured. Later, Prince Xixi of Xianyang rebelled, implicating Kai's brother, Xiu, and causing him to be arrested as well, but he was later pardoned and spared from death. Kai was deeply saddened by his brother's death, weeping day and night, nearly blinding himself, and relentlessly seeking justice for his brother. In the early years of Zhengshi, the reigning emperor restored Kai's brother's official position and title, which brought immense joy to Kai, who held a feast for relatives and friends, saying, "I've put up with illness for years just for my family's sake! Once a person dies, there's no going back, and now my wish has finally been fulfilled." After saying this, he passed away that same year. After his death, he was posthumously honored as General Longxiang and given the posthumous title of Hui.
His eldest son Wei, known as Daohui, along with his younger brother Gongzhi, were both quite famous. When the magistrate of Luoyang, Jia Zhen, saw the two brothers, he happily said, "I am getting old, yet I can still see such talents as you two, truly a pair of shining gems!" On another occasion, the two brothers visited Sun Huiwei, a court gentleman, who remarked to the other guests, "I didn't expect the descendants of the Lu family to be sitting in the corner. I feel ashamed for not discovering you sooner, especially given Zhang Gong's recognition of me." Wei initially served as a military advisor to the Minister of Works and later became the Grand Commandant and Ritual Minister at the Western Pavilion, also holding the position of Right Minister of the Ministry of Personnel and a Three Duke. However, he was dismissed for misconduct. He was then appointed as the General of Fubo. He died during the Zhengguang era and was posthumously honored as the Administrator of Sizhou. During the Xiaochang era, he was posthumously honored again as General of Champion and Governor of Hengzhou. Wei imitated the "Jijiu Pian" to write "Wumeng Zhang," and wrote "Seven Temptations," "Ten Drunkennesses," along with dozens of memorials. In their later years, Wei and Gongzhi had a strained relationship and were looked down upon by others.
His son Yuan Gui served as a Gentleman of the Secretariat during the Wuding era.
Gong, known as Jishun, was a man of great integrity. He initially served as an Imperial Censor and an Assistant to the Literary Director, and later during the Jianyi era, he was promoted to Deputy Minister of the Imperial Secretariat and also served as Literary Director. Shortly after, he was transferred to Hebei as the Governor, and then promoted to General of the Conquering Troops and Governor of Yanzhou. During the reign of the former Emperor Fei, he was appointed as Minister of Justice and also given the title of General of the Western Expedition. Wherever he went, he excelled, but he was later dismissed for misconduct. After Emperor Xiaojing took power, he was reinstated to his original position and then sent out again as the General of the Southern Expedition and Governor of Dongjingzhou. He passed away in the fourth year of Tianping. After his death, he was posthumously honored as a Cavalry Regular Attendant, General of the Guard, Minister of Personnel, and Governor of Dingzhou, with the posthumous title of 'Yi.' Gong wrote many articles, poems, and essays, totaling over a thousand pieces!
His son Ye served as a military officer in the imperial court. His brother Shi Ba served as the prefect of Jingzhou. Shi Ba's brother, Gui, served as an attendant in the Eastern Palace and as a cavalry commander. Gui's brother, Ni, served as a commander of the inner guards and the general of the Eastern Yang garrison. Ni's brother, Li, was known for his honesty and kindness from a young age, deeply favored by Emperor Taiwu. He was very cautious in his work and had never made a mistake. Later, he was granted the title of the Zhang Anzi and gradually promoted, eventually becoming the Minister of the South.
After Emperor Taiwu died, Prince Yuli of Nan'an took the throne, but not long after, he was killed under the command of the eunuchs led by Zong Ai. The officials in the court were all in a panic, not knowing who to establish as emperor. Li Ji was a direct descendant of Emperor Gaozong and a figure supported by the people, so he was the first to stand up and, along with the Grand Secretary Changsun Kehou, Secretary Yuan He, and the Feather Forest Officer Liu Ni, welcomed Emperor Gaozong in the palace and supported him as emperor. As a result, the country stabilized, thanks entirely to Li Ji's efforts! From then on, Li Ji gained the absolute trust of the emperor, and no official in the court could compare to him.
During the Xingan years, the emperor granted the title of Prince of Pingyuan to Li Ji and also added the position of General of the Pacification Army. Li Ji declined, saying, "Your Majesty, you are the rightful heir, upholding the ancestral legacy. I am merely fulfilling my duty as a subject, serving you and supporting your reign. How could I dare to take credit and diminish this grand ceremony?" He repeatedly declined, but the emperor's will was not to be ignored. Li Ji then submitted another petition, saying, "My father has served the late emperor all his life with unwavering loyalty and remarkable contributions. At his advanced age this year, he has yet to be conferred a title of nobility. I have received great imperial favor since childhood, far exceeding my own merits. I have not yet had the opportunity to repay your kindness or make greater contributions to the country. I hope you can lessen my privileges and grant my request." Emperor Gaozong replied, "As the ruler of the world, can I not confer titles upon two princes to honor you and your father?" Thus, Li Ji's father was conferred the title of Prince of Dongping.
Li Ji was later promoted to the positions of Shizhong (Palace Attendant), General of the Pacification Army, and Duke of Situ. His descendants were also awarded titles and honors, and his wife was conferred the title of consort. Because of the excessive favors he received, Li Ji repeatedly declined them, valuing him even more, appointing him as the Grand Tutor to the Crown Prince. Li Ji loved learning and cared for talented individuals, often taking teaching as his profession. He surrounded himself with people of high moral character, earning praise from many scholars. He was extremely filial; when his father passed away, he was so grief-stricken that he became emaciated, surpassing the customary mourning period.
In the sixth year of the Peace Era, the emperor passed away. Previously, Prince Jian was recuperating at the hot springs in Dai Commandery. Upon hearing the news of the emperor's death, he wanted to rush back to the capital to mourn. Those around him advised, "With the emperor's death, the court is in turmoil. Yihun holds great power and is a treacherous minister; he may pose a threat to you! It would be better to wait until the court stabilizes before returning." However, Prince Jian responded, "The news of my father's death has already spread; how can I consider my personal safety and not go to mourn?" Thus, he immediately set off for the capital. Consequently, Yihun, who held significant power and feared Prince Jian, ultimately caused him harm. Previously, Yihun had been arrogant and frequently engaged in unlawful activities, and Prince Jian had advised him multiple times, which caused Yihun to harbor resentment. Later, Emperor Xianzhu fondly remembered Prince Jian and posthumously honored him with the title of Prince Jian, arranging for him to be buried in Jinling. Emperor Gaozu recognized the achievements of the meritorious officials from the previous dynasty, allowing Prince Jian to receive offerings.
King Jian had two wives, the primary wife, who was surnamed Du, and the secondary wife, who was surnamed Zhang. The eldest son Dingguo was born to Du, and the second son Rui was born to Zhang. Dingguo was quite charming as a child, and Emperor Gaozong took a great liking to him. He even took him into the palace to be raised and often played alongside Emperor Xianzu. At the age of six, Dingguo was appointed as Zhongshuzi. After Emperor Xianzu ascended to the throne, Dingguo was appointed as Sanqi Changshi, specially granted the title of Prince of Dongjun, and promoted to Zhen Nanjiangjun. Upon inheriting his father's title, Dingguo repeatedly declined the offer, even requesting to pass the title to his younger brother Rui, which the emperor ultimately granted. Shortly after, Dingguo was promoted to Shizhong, Yicao Shangshu, and then to Dianzhong Shangshu. Every time the emperor went on an inspection tour, he was promoted to manage the affairs of Xing Tai Lu Du Cao. Later, he was exceptionally promoted to Sikuai. However, Dingguo, relying on the emperor's favor, failed to adhere to the laws. In the fifth year of the Yanxing era, he was stripped of his position and title, and demoted to a commoner.
In the early years of the Taihe era, he was reappointed as Shizhong, Zhen Nanjiangjun, and Governor of Qin and Yi two provinces, restoring his princely title. Eight years later, he passed away in the province he governed. The court posthumously reinstated his original official position, conferred the posthumous title of Zhuang Wang, and provided him with a set of mourning garments.
His son Xinzhi, with the courtesy name Qingshi, was dignified and steady, and held great prestige. He inherited his father's title and was granted the title of duke in accordance with regulations. He married Princess Changshan, the daughter of Emperor Xianzu, and was appointed as the Duke of the Imperial Guard. Later, he served as Gentleman of Tongzhi. During the Jingming period, due to his uncle Wei's criminal actions, he was dismissed from his position as well. Soon after, because he was the husband of the princess, he was appointed as Gentleman of the Imperial Guard. Not long after, he was promoted to Situ Sima and granted the title of General Who Aids the Nation, then was assigned to serve as the Inspector of Yanzhou. Subsequently, he was promoted to General of Eastern Peace, making significant contributions in Yanzhou. After that, he was appointed as the Inspector of Qingzhou, renowned for his benevolence and tranquility in Qingzhou. Later, he was promoted to General of Northern Peace and Inspector of Xiangzhou. He died in the summer of the fourth year of Yongping. The court posthumously conferred upon him the titles of General Who Pacifies the East and Inspector of Jizhou, with the posthumous name Hui.
At first, Dingguo married the Liu clan from Hedong and had a son named Anbao. Later, he married the daughter of the Lu clan from Fanyang and had Xinzhi. Both wives came from prestigious families, and Dingguo treated them equally, without any distinction between legitimate and illegitimate children. After Dingguo's death, the two sons argued over the inheritance of the title. At that time, there was a favored official called Li Chong, who was related to the Lu family. Li Chong secretly assisted Xinzhi, which allowed Xinzhi to ultimately inherit the title and marry the princess. His status rose dramatically, and he rose to great prominence. As for Anbao, he remained largely unnoticed, impoverished, and struggled to make ends meet.
Xinzhi was well-mannered and refined, which endeared him to Emperor Gaozu. Because he was the husband of the princess, Emperor Gaozu was especially close to him. When Emperor Shizong was in power, Xinzhi was sent multiple times to pacify the frontier regions of the Three Barbarians before he was even forty, and people at that time regarded him as very honored. After Xinzhi's death, his mother Lu was heartbroken and soon passed away. The princess was very filial to her mother-in-law and was well-regarded. During the reign of the Divine Turtle, she and Princess Mu of Dunqiu were both appointed as ladies-in-waiting. Furthermore, the princess had a kind disposition and was completely unjealous. Given that Xinzhi had no sons, she willingly allowed him to take concubines, all of whom bore daughters. The princess herself had three daughters and no sons, so she made Zizhang, the fourth son of Xinzhi's cousin Xidao, her son-in-law.
Zizhang, styled Mingyuan, was a well-known scholar. At sixteen, he became the princess's son-in-law and was very filial to her. Wang Yong, the Prime Minister of Changshan, once said: "Although Princess Changshan has no sons, having Zizhang as a son-in-law is just like having a son of her own!"
During the Zhengguang era, it is said that he inherited the title of Duke of Dongjun, and shortly after, he was promoted to Sanqi Shilang. Later, he became the governor of Shanyang. When Emperor Zhuang ascended the throne, he was appointed as Huangmen Shilang. Zizhang's wife was the daughter of King Xi of Xianyang. Later, when King Xi was killed, his daughter-in-law was taken in by the King of Pengcheng, and Emperor Zhuang took good care of her, treating her as if she were his own daughter.
During the Jianyi Era, someone wanted to emulate past practices and grant kingship to the common people, so his son Zhang was titled King of Puyang, with a fief consisting of seven hundred households. However, this title was soon taken away, and he was restored to his original rank. Afterwards, he was appointed as General of Anxi and Governor of Luozhou. After his term ended and he returned to court, he was promoted to General of the Eastern Expedition and Grand Minister, while also serving as an advisor to the King of Guangping. During the Tianping period, he was appointed as General of the Guard and Governor of Yingzhou, but later resigned to observe a period of mourning for his deceased mother.
During the Yuanzhang period, he was appointed Governor of Qizhou due to his previous general position, and later promoted to Cavalry General, responsible for the affairs of Huaizhou. He was then transferred to Governor of Beiyuzhou, and subsequently served as Governor of Xuzhou, while keeping his general position. Within a year, he had moved through three provinces, earning the admiration of the people. After returning to court, he was appointed as Grand General of the Guard and Left Grand Minister, also responsible for the affairs of Yingzhou. Soon after, he was promoted to the position of Court Attendant, continuing to manage the affairs of Cangzhou. He was later promoted to Cavalry General, responsible for the affairs of Jizhou. He then served as a Court Reader while concurrently holding the position of Minister of War, also overseeing the affairs of Qingzhou. His son Zhang initially sought to amass wealth as a provincial official, but in his later years, he changed his approach. During his tenure overseeing Qing, Ji, Cang, and Ying provinces, he achieved notable political success and was deeply loved by the people.
In the eighth year of Wuding, in February, he was appointed as the Head of the Central Secretariat. He passed away in March at the age of fifty-four. The court granted him one hundred pieces of silk as burial goods and posthumously awarded him the titles of Commander of Military Affairs in Qing, Guang, and Qi provinces, Cavalry General, and Governor of Qingzhou. His title as Duke of Dongjun was unchanged, and he was posthumously honored with the title of Wenzhuan.
His son Zhang had a great interest in studying Taoist teachings. He once fell seriously ill, and the doctor's prescription required the use of silkworms, but he couldn't bring himself to harm these little creatures, so he refrained from taking the medicine. This shows what a kind-hearted and compassionate person he was! He educated his six sons, all of whom were very well-behaved.
His son, Ang, served as a Palace Attendant during the Wuding period. Ang's younger brother, Jun, was a groom for the Crown Prince. Jun's younger brother, Yao, was an official in the Ministry of Works. This man named Rui, courtesy name Sibi. His mother, Lady Zhang, courtesy name Huanglong, was originally a palace maid to Emperor Gongzong, who later bestowed her upon Rui's father, and then she gave birth to Rui. When his father passed away, Rui was only in his teens, but he inherited the title and became the Grand General of the Northern Army and the Prince of Pingyuan. Rui was calm and elegant, loved learning, and was very humble, showing great respect for scholars. By the age of twenty, everyone believed he would one day become a prime minister. He married the daughter of Cui Jian, the Governor of Dongxuzhou. Cui Jian told those close to him, "The abilities and talents of the Prince of Pingyuan are good, but it's a pity that his name is the same as Emperor Gaozu; it feels a bit strange." At that time, Emperor Gaozu had not yet changed his surname.
After Rui married and returned from Dongxuzhou, passing through Ye City, he met Li Biao and was greatly impressed. He brought Li Biao to the capital as his guest, providing him with food, clothing, and shelter, treating him exceptionally well. Later, Rui was appointed as the Commander-in-Chief of the Northern Expedition, then promoted to the Chief of the North, and later promoted to the Minister of Works, also receiving the title of Cavalier in Regular Attendance.
In the eighth year of Taihe, Rui was ordered to go on a mission with Yuan Chen from Longxi, serving as envoys for the eastern and western routes respectively. They rewarded the good and punished the evil, achieving significant political success, and their reputation spread to the capital. In May, the Emperor issued a decree awarding Rui a set of summer garments. Later, Rui was appointed as the Commander-in-Chief of the Northern Expedition to attack the Rouran tribe, achieving a resounding victory. He was then promoted to the Palace Attendant and the Minister of the Imperial Secretariat. When the Rouran tribe attacked the border again, the Emperor commanded Rui to lead five thousand cavalry into battle. The Rouran tribe panicked and fled; Rui chased them to Shiqi, capturing hundreds of their leaders, including Chihe Tu, and returned in triumph. The Emperor subsequently appointed him as Cavalier in Regular Attendance and then promoted him to Deputy Minister of the Left in the Ministry of Works while also serving as the Chief of the North.
Sixteen years ago, he was demoted five ranks. However, because of his remarkable military achievements in the court, he was later granted the title of Duke of Julu, with a fief consisting of three hundred households. Not long after, he was appointed as the Envoy with Command Authority, General of the Northern Expedition, and alongside Prince Yiping, he served as a commander, including generals such as Huluhuan, leading an army of one hundred thousand infantry and cavalry north to confront the Rouran. The emperor also rewarded him and his fellow soldiers with clothing and textiles. Emperor Gaozu personally went to the northern front to address the generals and encouraged everyone. Afterwards, he was appointed as Minister of State and General of the Guards. After he achieved a great victory over the Rouran, he returned triumphantly. Then, due to the death of his mother, he resigned as Minister of State and mourned at home.
Emperor Gaozu prepared for a southern expedition and summoned him back to continue in his original role, but he was reassigned as General of the Northern Expedition. He firmly declined, asking to take office only after completing his mourning. The emperor proclaimed, "You are still preoccupied with your personal grief, disobeying my orders. This is a crucial moment in the war; how can I grant your request? I will appoint you as Guard Commander! Relevant departments, hurry and persuade him." Later, he was appointed as Envoy with Command Authority, Governor overseeing military affairs in the three provinces of Heng, Si, and Shuo, General, and Inspector of Hengzhou, and served as Minister of State. Emperor Gaozu conducted a major evaluation of the officials and deducted a week's salary from his pay as Minister of State.
For nineteen years, Xiao Luan has usurped the throne, seizing control of the Jiangzuo region and committing atrocious acts that even the heavens cannot overlook. Now is the perfect time to attack him. However, I feel that the Yangtze River presents a formidable barrier, Xiao Luan is heavily guarded, and conquering him by force would be challenging. It would be more reliable to employ moral persuasion to encourage his surrender. Furthermore, the southern climate is hot and humid, making soldiers prone to illness during the rainy and hot seasons. The court has just been established, with much work to be done, and officials do not even have decent office spaces or living conditions, making them susceptible to illness. Balancing warfare and reconstruction is a daunting challenge, even for a wise king. Elite soldiers are fighting on the frontlines while civilians are working on construction in the rear, incurring daily expenses of over a hundred thousand coins. How can we expect to win battles with exhausted troops attacking fortified cities? Last winter, Your Majesty sent troops to demonstrate power in the Jianghan region and intimidate the Hengshan and Xiang rivers, but by now, it is time to withdraw. I hope Your Majesty will order a retreat, adopt a strategy of prolonged warfare, consolidate the throne, rest and recuperate, spare the people from the ravages of war, promote culture, and spread education throughout the land. We should appoint capable generals to secure Jingzhou and Xiangzhou first, thereby compelling the regions west of Liangzhou to surrender. We can then extend our influence and march eastward, and the areas east of Yiyang will comply. After that, we can implement benevolent policies, pacify neighboring regions, and extend our goodwill to distant lands, motivating the populace to rally to our cause. What would stop the small Minyue region from submitting to us? We should not rush for immediate success but pursue long-term benefits. I sincerely hope Your Majesty will heed my counsel, accept Xiao Luan's surrender, and return victorious to the capital, without allowing your royal carriage to remain in the sweltering heat.
Emperor Gaozu accepted his suggestion. He submitted a request for the emperor to return to court and personally attended the funeral of Grand Preceptor Feng Xi, which resulted in him being stripped of his position as the military governor of the three military governorships. Soon after, he was appointed as the military governor of Hengzhou and Shuozhou, promoted to Grand General of the Northern Expedition, and awarded the title of four hundred households in recognition of his suggestions. Lu Rui was originally Mu Tai's superior, as Mu Tai was the governor of Dingzhou. Mu Tai requested to resign on the grounds of illness, and the emperor, considering the severity of Mu Tai's condition, permitted him to seek another post in Hengzhou. The emperor then appointed Lu Rui as a Gentleman of the Palace and retained his governorship of Dingzhou. Before Lu Rui could set off, he conspired with Mu Tai and others to rebel. Consequently, he was executed while imprisoned, but the emperor, taking his family into consideration, exempted them from punishment and relocated his wife and children to Liaoxi as commoners.
The emperor wrote a letter to Chancellor Li Chong and General Yu Lie, stating: "Lu Rui and Yuan Pi have long received the royal favor and high office with generous rewards. They hold significant power and influence, and like you, they have also received my special grace. I assured them they would not meet their end, to foster trust within the court and uphold the righteousness of the court. I have always shown you tolerance and generosity, not holding your faults against you, and striving to maintain a good relationship with you. To my dismay, Lu Rui has shown such ingratitude! He colluded with Mu Tai and plotted rebellion multiple times. After I moved the capital to Luoyang, they were secretly dissatisfied, wanting to support the princes and even planning to win over Zi Xun to their cause. Their claims are inconsistent; at one moment they want to support the former King of Nan'an, and at another they want to support the King of Yangping. If neither of those works, they even planned to coerce the King of Yueling. They spread slander against the court far and wide, with solid evidence in their correspondence. Just when their plot seemed on the verge of success, Lu Rui cautioned Mu Tai to delay their plans because of the political stability in Luoyang. Afterwards, the two then began competing for power and profit, but I kept all of this hidden. Thanks to the steadfast loyalty of the King of Yangping, who timely discovered Mu Tai's conspiracy and immediately reported it, justice was restored, and the turmoil was put to rest."
Therefore, Lu Rui has committed such a grave mistake and should be executed. I have carefully reflected on my previous promises and realize that I did not fully uphold the law. Their rebellious intentions had long been brewing; they are the ones who have broken their oaths, not I. Their rebellious intentions and actions are different from those of other criminals; even if I wished to forgive them, I could not. Nonetheless, I still honor my earlier promises, and since there were some inconsistencies in their later statements, I allow them to take their own lives in a different location, freeing them from collective punishment. Their descendants will forever be barred from holding official positions. Yuan Pi's two sons and one brother were the instigators of this rebellion. While there is no direct evidence linking their father to the rebellion, logically, he cannot escape responsibility; it is only due to insufficient evidence and the failure to thoroughly investigate that he has been sentenced to death under the principle of collective punishment. I have specifically allowed them to live as commoners. I had originally hoped they could meet a good end, but they have instead destroyed their own futures. How could you all have come to this point? You have betrayed your conscience and gone against what is right; it's truly disheartening! Therefore, I share all these matters with you, hoping you do not find it strange. Aside from the matter of rebellion, they are innocent in other respects.
Let me tell you, we ministers are incredibly lucky to be living in such good times! In fact, we don’t have any real skills; we just hold positions; we have not accomplished any great deeds, yet we enjoy the blessings of the state. This favor is unmatched throughout history, and even if we were to be torn apart, we could never repay this kindness. However, Rui and Pi, these two fellows, have repaid kindness with enmity, with hearts as cold as wolves and as treacherous as dogs, secretly recruiting children and plotting this rebellion, violating the principles of heaven, and they deserve to die a thousand times over!
Rui has long harbored resentment in his heart, secretly plotting and sowing discord, intending to usurp power. Even though Your Majesty has demonstrated tolerance and mercy, they show no signs of repentance, nor do they confess their conspiracies. From their inner thoughts and actions, they are the real instigators of the rebellion! Pi's two sons have been following them in wrongdoing for years, inciting rebellion everywhere, attempting to disrupt the court's order; Your Majesty must be aware of their actions. Although Your Majesty is compassionate and has spared their lives, this is intolerable to both heaven and earth, as well as the deities!
Loyalty and duty are the responsibilities of a minister; enforcing the law is the duty of a ruler. Moreover, we have received such great grace from Your Majesty and have been taught loyalty, yet we go against heavenly principles, harboring ill intentions; morally speaking, they deserve the death penalty! Yet Your Majesty repeatedly shows magnanimity, continuously granting pardons, even sparing Rui's death sentence three times, allowing Pi's spirit to return, and forgiving them repeatedly, which is already a violation of the law. Your Majesty continues to show favors, recalling past loyalties. Without Your Majesty's decree to allow us to deal with the remaining followers and grant them another chance for forgiveness, reaffirming Your Majesty's vast grace, upon receiving the decree, we are filled with profound guilt and self-reproach.
Rui's eldest son is called Xidao, courtesy name Hongdu. He is very dignified and has a handsome beard. He is well-versed in history and literature. He initially served as a middle-ranking official, later promoted to Tongzhilang, and was subsequently demoted to Liaoxi due to his father's issues. He was later pardoned and volunteered to go to the battlefield, where he achieved military success and was appointed as a court official. He was later promoted to the Registrar of the Ministry of Works and then the Chief Clerk of the Ministry of Works. When General Yuan Ying's campaign against Xiao Yan's Sizhou took place, Xidao served as the deputy general. After capturing Yiyang, he was granted the title of Marquis of Huaiyang for his military achievements. He was later appointed as an Imperial Counselor and participated in discussions on new laws and regulations. He was then promoted to the Junior Minister of Justice. He was also appointed General Longxiang and the Governor of Nanqingzhou, and later transferred to the Governor of Liangzhou as the General. Xidao repeatedly requested to resign from office, but was later appointed as the Governor of Dongxiazhou, which he declined. He was later appointed as the General of North Zhonglang and then promoted to General and Governor of Yizhou. Xidao excelled at managing border regions and was highly respected. He was later transferred to the General of Pingxi and the Governor of Jingzhou. In the fourth year of Zhengguang, Xidao died in office. He was posthumously honored with the title of General of Fuman and the Governor of Dingzhou. Xidao had six sons.
His eldest son is called Shimao, courtesy name Yuanwei. During the Tianping period of the Northern Wei Dynasty, in recognition of his great-grandfather's distinguished service, the court restored the title of Duke of Julu County with a fief of 300 households, which was inherited by Shimao. During the Wuding period, he served as the General of Pingdong and the Governor of Yingzhou.
Shimao's younger brother is called Shizong, courtesy name Zhongyan, and served as the Left Outer Military Officer in the Ministry of Rites. Shizong's younger brother is called Shishu, courtesy name Youwen, and served as the Langzhong of the Imperial Seal Office. In the early years of Jianyi, both Shizong and Shishu were killed during the He Yin incident.
Shishu's younger brother, Shishen, was adopted by his uncle, Xin. Shishen's younger brother, Shilian, courtesy name Jixiu, served as Chief Historian of Pingbei Prefecture in Jianzhou. In the late years of Yong'an, Erzhu Shilong captured the prefectural city, and Shilian also perished in the chaos of war.
Shi Pei, the younger brother of Shi Lian, styled Jiwei, served as General of Andong and Zhi Prefectural Administrator during the Wuding period. Xi Yue, the younger brother of Xi Dao, previously held the positions of Assistant Minister of Military Affairs, Biaoqi Zixi Canjun, Tongzhi Sanqi Changshi, Pingnan General, and Grand Master of the Guard. He was also killed in the He Yin Incident and posthumously appointed as Sanqi Changshi, Wei General, and Xiangzhou Governor. Xi Mi, the younger brother of Xi Yue, served as Taiwei Canjun and passed away at a young age. Xi Jing, the younger brother of Xi Mi, styled Jimo, served as Situ Mocao and later was promoted to Shaoguan Taishou. Xi Zhi, another younger brother of Xi Jing, styled Youcheng, initially served as a Yuanwai Lang, later became a Shiyushi, gradually rising to Sanqi Shilang and Yangcheng Taishou. When Emperor Xiaozhuang ascended the throne, Xi Zhi was appointed as Longxiang General and Jiaozhou Governor. At that time, Xiao Yan sent tens of thousands of troops to cross the sea from Yuzhou, attempting to occupy Jiaozhou, but Xi Zhi defeated them. He was later promoted to Governor of Jianzhou, retaining his military position. After Erzhu Rong's death, Gao Huan led his army back to Jin Yang, and Xi Zhi defended the city. The city ultimately fell, and his nephew was also killed. However, Xi Zhi's wife, Yuan Shi, was the granddaughter of Erzhu Rong's wife's brother, so she was spared. During the Tianping era, Xi Zhi was appointed as Huangmen Shilang, then promoted to Weizhou Governor, followed by Taichang Qing, Wei Dajiangjun, and Duguan Shangshu. In the summer of the seventh year of Wuding, Xi Zhi passed away at the age of fifty-eight years. Posthumously, he was appointed as Biaoqi Dajiangjun, Zhongshu Jian, and Qingzhou Governor, with the posthumous title of "Wen." Xi Zhi came from a prestigious family and held a high position, but his behavior was often unjust. He only formed cliques with Shan Wei, Yuwen Zhong, and others, marginalizing talented individuals in the court. Many discerning individuals looked down on him.
He had two sons, the eldest son named Xun, courtesy name Ziyuan, who served as a military advisor. The second son was named Jin, courtesy name Ziyu; both brothers were known for their rough and violent natures, eventually becoming bandits and ultimately meeting their demise. Jin's younger brother, Guan, courtesy name Zibi, also had a younger brother named Xida. During the Wuding era, both brothers were appointed as military advisors.
Xi Zhi's other brother was named Tui, who died young. He had a son named Qingdu, who was exceptionally intelligent and capable. He became the Chief of Changshui and was granted the title of Guangmuzi. He was later promoted to Longxiang General, Yujijiang General, Beizhonglang General, then further promoted to Nanzhonglang General and appointed as the Taishou of Luyang, and was posthumously honored as Benjiangjun and appointed Governor of Xiazhou, with the posthumous title of "Shun."
Tui's younger brother was named Lingcheng, who served as Zhongxiaowei, Governor of Hejian, and in the Secretariat. Lingcheng's younger brother was named Longcheng, who inherited the admirable qualities of his father and brothers. As a descendant of distinguished officials, he was appointed as Zhongsan and gradually rose to the position of Sanqi Changshi, and was granted the title of Yonganzu. He was compassionate towards the people and considerate of his subordinates, earning him high praise from the common people. He passed away in the end.
Lu Ci, styled Xiwen, inherited a nobility title. During the Zhengshi years, he became an official under the Grand Commandant and was also promoted to General of Ningyuan, serving as the acting governor of Xingyang County in his role. Later, after being impeached, he was pardoned during a general amnesty period. After some time, he was promoted again, becoming General of Guangwu, then promoted to Sikong and Sima, and shortly thereafter he became a Grand Minister of Rites. Lu Ci had no remarkable talents, only a love of drinking. Later, he was appointed as General of Pingxi and Prefect of Jingzhao, but he firmly declined the appointment. He was reassigned as General of Pingbei and Governor of Sizhou. He later returned to the court, serving as General Wei and Minister of the Grand Honglu, while concurrently holding the positions of General of Cheqi and Left Grand Minister of Rites. During the Tianping years, he was promoted to General of the Flying Cavalry and further honored as a Regular Attendant, leading the left and right, while concurrently serving as Attendant of the Yellow Gate and Minister of the Imperial Stables. Subsequently, he served as the Governor of East Xuzhou in his capacity as General. He passed away shortly after. After his death, he was posthumously honored as General, Minister of the Guard, and Governor of Qingzhou Province.
Lu Ci's younger brother, Lu Qilun, initially held a position in the palace and later was promoted to Chief Palace Attendant. In the early years of Taihe, he served as the Governor of Xinping and was honored as a Silver Blue Grand Minister of Rites. Due to his contributions in Pengcheng, he was appointed as Governor of Xiazhou.
Lu Ci's son, Lu Gaogui, served as a military officer in the Eastern Office of Yanzhou during the Xiaochang years.
Lu Ci's other son, Lu Cao, served as the Minister of Revenue in the later years of the Wuding period. Lu Cao's younger brother is named Lu Chu.
Lu Gaogui's younger brother, Lu Shunzong, once served as an Assistant Secretary and palace attendant.
Lu Ci's son, Lu Gaizhi, served as Governor of Dongguan in the later years of the Wuding period.
Lu Ci's cousin, Lu Yi, served as the General of Yunzong Town.
Lu Ci's son, Lu Jun, served as a Court Attendant and Imperial Secretary during the reign of Emperor Gaozong. In the early years of Emperor Xianzu's reign, he was appointed as the Attendant and Minister of Ceremonies. Due to his involvement in the plot to kill Yi Hun, he was appointed as an Attendant and Minister of Ceremonies. He later rose to the position of Cavalier Attendant and Minister of Personnel, and was granted the title of Duke Anle, earning the trust and favor of the emperor. He was soon appointed as the Minister of Rites. Later, he was sent to serve as General of the Eastern Expedition and Governor of Dingzhou, and then promoted to Grand General of the Eastern Expedition and Governor of Xiangzhou. He was known for his benevolence and kindness in governance, and both the people and officials enjoyed peace and prosperity. After his death, he was posthumously granted the title of the Virtuous Duke.
Lu Jun's son, Lu Deng, served as the Prefect of Chengcheng.
Lu Jun's son, Lu Kuang, served as an official in the Ministry of Works.
Lu Jingyuan, grandson of Lu Deng, served as General of the Guards, Deputy Commander, and Governor of Southern Qingzhou in the early Yuanxi period.
Historians noted that Lu Ci excelled in courage, strategy, wisdom, and talent beyond that of ordinary people. He possessed great knowledge, was decisive, wise, and courageous, upholding his family's esteemed traditions. He served the country and the monarch faithfully and was a pillar of the state during that era. Despite ultimately being betrayed by treacherous individuals because of his loyalty, his loyalty was commendable. Unfortunately, Lu Rui and Lu Xiu, who were calm and stable in character, suffered calamity due to their connections. Truly, there are indeed dragons and snakes lurking in the deep mountains and vast marshes! Lu Xidao was graceful and well-known, and his sons all enjoyed favorable outcomes.
