Xue Bian, courtesy name Yun Bai. His ancestors moved from Sichuan to Fenyin in Hedong, where they settled down. His grandfather, Xue Tao, along with Xue Zu and Xue Luo, managed the people of the tribe, so their family was known as the "Three Xues" for generations. His father, Xue Qiang, took over as the leader of the tribe, but the descendants of Xue Zu and Xue Luo were not capable, so Xue Qiang ended up managing all three tribes. His father was a wise ruler and was greatly beloved by the people. Since the times of Shi Hu and Fu Jian, he used the natural defenses of the Yellow River to protect his territory.
Later, he served as the General of the East under Yao Xing, and then was promoted to a senior official position. After his father passed away, Xue Bian inherited his father's military power and became the Chief Secretary, General of Jianwei, and Governor of Hebei under Yao Xing. However, Xue Bian became somewhat arrogant and alienated many of his supporters. After Liu Yu defeated Yao Hong, Xue Bian surrendered to Liu Yu with his army. Sima Dezong appointed him as the Ning Shuo General and the Governor of Pingyang. When Liu Yu lost Chang'an, Xue Bian returned to his homeland and made significant military contributions along the Yellow River.
Later, Emperor Taizong appointed him as the General of the West, Inspector of Yongzhou, and granted him the title of Marquis of Fenyin. In the seventh year of the Taichang era, Xue Bian died in office at the age of forty-four.
His son, Zi Jin, courtesy name Fa Shun, was tall and strong, with a deep knowledge of history. When Liu Yu captured Hong, he appointed Zi Jin as a military aide in the Ministry of Works, and Zi Jin followed Liu Yu across the river. Not long after, he was promoted to the position of a scribe.
When Bian was about to return to his homeland, he discreetly informed Zi Jin, who rushed from Pengcheng to join Liu Yu. The court highly appreciated him and appointed him as the Governor of Hedong. He later inherited the title and became the General of the West and the Marquis of Fenyin. The area governed by Zi Jin was adjacent to that of Qu Gai, and he united the people, resisted enemies, and was highly respected and beloved by the people.
During the Shiguang era, Emperor Shizu ordered Xi Jin to attack Helian Chang and commanded Zi Jin to lead a vanguard contingent and serve as a guide. After capturing Puban, Emperor Shizu merged the new and old residents into a single district, while he retained his position as general. Shan Hu Bailong rebelled, taking advantage of the rugged terrain, and Emperor Shizu ordered General Xi Juan and Zi Jin to march north from Taiping to quell the rebellion. Zi Jin was appointed General of Anxi and Duke of Fuling, while his position as inspector remained unchanged.
During the Taiyan years, he also launched a campaign against the Tumo Gu and quelled the rebellion. Zi Jin was promoted from commandery governor to provincial governor; he was both esteemed and benevolent, greatly improving the local environment. At that time, following the turmoil of war, Confucianism was in decline. Zi Jin ordered the establishment of schools to teach poetry and literature, encouraging the common people to learn during their downtime from farming. He personally visited the villages and administered examinations, which led to a revival of Confucianism in the He Fen region.
In the first year of Zhenjun, the court recalled him to the capital and appointed him as a senior official in the inner court. Five years later, he was promoted to general and accompanied the emperor northward on a campaign, but due to his slow movements, he was killed south of the capital alongside King Chen of Zhongshan and others; he was only forty-four years old that year. Later, the court posthumously granted him the titles of General of Zhenxi and Inspector of Qin and Yong provinces, with the posthumous title of Yuan Gong.
Elder Brother, originally named Chugu Ba, also referred to as Chelu Ba, his birth name was Hong Zuo, a name bestowed by Emperor Taizu. He was calm and insightful, despite being under twenty years old. Situ Cui Hao held him in high regard. During the Zhenjun period, the Guanzhong region was experiencing unrest, as Wu He and Xue Yongzong led their troops in rebellion. Emperor Taizu personally led the army to quell the rebellion. He ordered Chugu Ba to rally the local villagers to defend the riverbank and disrupt the rebels' communications. After the situation calmed down, Chugu Ba was appointed as a junior official and bestowed the title of Yongkang Marquis. Later, Emperor Taizu led a campaign to the south, with Chugu Ba serving as the vanguard general, fighting side by side and returning from the Yangtze River. He also assisted Lu Zhen in quelling the Di tribe rebellion, led by Qiu Ru Dan and Qiang Miansheng.
In the third year of Huangxing, he was appointed as a cavalier attendant and married the Princess of Xihelong, thus becoming a royal consort. That year, his cousin Liu Yu, who was the governor of Xuzhou, surrendered with his troops to the court. The Emperor sent Chugu Ba to Pengcheng to welcome him. Subsequently, Chugu Ba was appointed as the champion general and governor of Nanyuzhou. In the second year of Yanxing, he was promoted to General of the West, with the authority to establish his own administrative office, and his title was elevated to Duke of Pingyang. Three years later, Chugu Ba, along with the governors of Nanyanzhou and Nanyang, were commended for their effective governance and were summoned to the capital by the emperor. Emperor Xianzu personally praised them and permitted them to return to their previous posts. In the sixth year of Taihe, his title was revised to Duke of Hedong. In March of the eighth year, he was summoned to the capital, but unexpectedly fell ill and passed away, at the age of fifty-eight years. The court posthumously conferred upon him the title of Left Guanglu Daifu and posthumously honored him with the title of Kang.
The eldest son was named Yin, styled Ningzong, and he was just like his father from a young age. Before he was twenty years old, he became a junior official, inheriting his father's title of General of the Western Frontier and Duke of Hedong, and was appointed as the military governor of Huxian. Later, when Xiao Ze sent troops to attack the border, the court appointed Yin as the general, and he and Mu Liang and others resisted the enemy along the Huai River. Not long after, he was appointed as the General of Yiyang Dao. In the fourteenth year, Empress Wenming passed away, and Emperor Gaozu ordered all former imperial governors and town generals to come to the capital, and Yin followed suit. When the court reformed the hierarchy of titles, dukes were demoted to marquises.
In the seventeenth year, Emperor Gaozu launched a southern campaign, appointing Prince Zhaojun Gan and Minister of Works Mu Liang as commanders of the Western Dao. At that time, Prince Zhaojun was still young and had not fought in battle. Emperor Gaozu appointed Yin as the acting General of the Pacification of the South and the deputy of Prince Zhaojun. They marched all the way to Pufu, just as Xiao Ze passed away, and then returned to the capital. Later, Yin became a general again, participating in the suppression of a rebellion in Qinzhou, capturing and executing the rebel leader. After that, he was appointed as General of Loyalty and Governor of Hebei. Hebei is a mountainous region with treacherous terrain and many bandits. Among them, the families of Han and Ma each had over two thousand households, exploiting the treacherous terrain to act with impunity, robbing travelers and oppressing the people, especially rampant. On the day Yin took office, he arrested more than twenty bandit leaders and executed them immediately. The bandits were terrified, and the Hebei region quickly returned to stability. In the autumn of the twenty-third year, Yin fell ill and passed away at the age of forty-four, posthumously honored as Jinghou.
His son was named Yi, courtesy name Yusun, who inherited his father's title. This young man had a carefree personality, enjoyed lavish construction of gardens and estates, entertained guests day in and day out, living a life of excess. He held positions such as Left Guard of the Minister of Personnel, Left Army General, and was later promoted to General Who Conquers the Barbarians and Senior Gentleman. Eventually, he was later appointed as the Inspector of Luozhou. After his death, the court posthumously honored him with the titles of General Who Pacifies the West and Inspector of Qizhou.
His grandson, Xiaoshen, also inherited the title. He gradually rose in ranks to become a General and Grand Master of Palace. However, Xiaoshen was known for being reckless and was eventually executed for misconduct after being impeached by Yuan Shijun, the Intendant of Henan. After his death, the court posthumously honored him with the titles of General Who Conquers the West and Inspector of Huazhou.
Yin's younger brother, courtesy name Chongye, held positions such as Lord of Huailang of Guangping Wang and Prefect of Ruyin. His son Xiuren served as an officer in the Ministry of Works. Xiuren's younger brother Xuanjing served as Prefect of Chenliu. Another younger brother of Yin, Honglong, courtesy name Puti, initially served as a Palace Attendant for the Prince of Yangping, later promoted to Prefect of Hedong.
His eldest son was named Linju, who had a particular passion for studying. He passed the imperial examination and earned the title of Doctor of the Imperial Academy. In the ninth year of Taihe, envoys sent by Xiao Ze arrived, and the Emperor appointed Linju as the Chief Guest Officer to receive the envoys. In the autumn of the tenth year, Linju fell ill and died at the age of thirty-five. The Emperor posthumously honored him with the titles of General Who Pacifies the Frontier and Prefect of Hedong, and conferred upon him the posthumous title of "Xuan."
The eldest brother, Linju, died. The second brother is named Qingzhi, courtesy name Qingjing, and he is also very knowledgeable and well-known. He initially served as a court attendant, then became a censor, and was later promoted to the position of Deputy Minister of Justice. The court was located right next to the North City, and one summer, he caught a fox by the temple. Qingzhi and the magistrate, Cui Zuan of Boling, discussed what to do with the fox. Some argued that city foxes were sly and should be dealt with quickly, while others said that it was the season for foxes to raise their young and they should wait until autumn to handle it. Two other officials, Pei Yanjun and Yuan Fan, also had different opinions. Although it was said in jest, the discussion was quite entertaining and the story has been passed down. Qingzhi was later promoted to a position in the Ministry of Personnel, concurrently serving as the Deputy Minister of Personnel, and also served as the governor of Bingzhou, with the title of Longqiuzi, responsible for the affairs of Bingzhou. He was later promoted to General Who Subdues the Enemies and Governor of Cangzhou. He was later besieged by Ge Rong, the city fell, and he soon became ill and died. After his death, the emperor posthumously promoted him to General of the Right and Governor of Huazhou. Qingzhi's younger brother was named Yingji, who was more straightforward. He followed his father-in-law Li Chong in Yangzhou for many years, and thanks to his military achievements, he served successively as a military officer in the Ministry of Works, then gradually rose to the position of Imperial Secretary for Correspondence and Attendant Cavalier of the Palace Library, before he passed away. Linju's younger brother was named Fengzi. Since the capital was moved to Luoyang, the Feng brothers relocated to Hexi County in Huazhou. In the second year of Taihe, Fengzi became the Crown Prince's Chief Minister and the Chief of the Province. After Emperor Shizong ascended the throne, Fengzi was promoted to a military officer in the Grand Commandant's office, and then gradually rose to the position of Imperial Secretary for Correspondence. In the early years of Zhengshi, he was appointed as the Commissioner and Commander of the Yiyang Army. After returning to the capital, he died that autumn at the age of forty-nine. The emperor posthumously promoted him to General of Lingjiang and Prefect of Guangcheng. Fengzi's younger brother was named Jinu, who worked as a chief registrar in the province.
Hong Long's younger brother was named Po Hu. He served as the Deputy Magistrate of the Prefecture and gradually rose to become the Governor of Hedong and the General of the Chouchi Campaign. He had six sons, with the eldest named Cong, also known as Yanzhi, who had a good reputation. He climbed the ranks steadily to become an Imperial Secretary and a General in the Directing Staff, gaining the favor of Emperor Gaozu. When the Emperor ascended to the throne, he was appointed as an Assistant General and the Inspector of Qizhou, eventually passing away in Qizhou. After his death, the Emperor posthumously appointed him as the General Who Pacifies the Barbarians and the Inspector of Huazhou.
The youngest son, Jingmao, served as a secretary in Sizhou and as the magistrate of Yishi, but sadly passed away early.
Jingmao's brother, Jingtong, was quite scholarly. During the Yong'an era, he was recommended by the Lieutenant Gao Daomu to become an Imperial Censor. He later served as the Gentleman of the Palace Writers, the Supervisor of the Palace Writers, and the Governor of Changshan. Unfortunately, he fell gravely ill and died.
Another brother of Jingmao, Jingzhi, served as a Gentleman of the Imperial Academy before also passing away.
Jingmao's son, Jingyu, became the General of the Eastern Campaign and the Inspector of Luozhou during the Tianping era. He died in battle at Tongguan and was posthumously appointed as the Commander of Military Affairs for the Three Prefectures of Jiding, the General of Chariots and Cavalry, and the Inspector of Jizhou.
Jingzhi's brother, Jingxianzhi, served as a county officer.
Jingxianzhi's brother, Jingtanzhen, passed away while holding the position of Doctor at the Imperial Academy.
The youngest son of Jingmao, Jingyuan, served as the Left Minister of the Imperial Secretariat.
Jing He, the younger brother of Jing Tanxian, with the courtesy name Daomu, became the Military Advisor in the mansion of General Liu Chang shortly after entering officialdom. Later, he served as the Military Advisor to the Minister of Works, the Chief Clerk of the Taiwei Mansion, and eventually was promoted to the position of Counselor. In the fourth year of Yongping, in the first month of the lunar calendar, when bandits led by Liu Longju were causing unrest in Xiazhou, the court ordered Jing He to lead troops from Fenzhou, Huazhou, Dongqinzhou, and Xiazhou to suppress the rebellion, which was quickly suppressed. Jing He seized the opportunity to propose to the court the establishment of Dongxiazhou, which was approved by Emperor Shizong. He also served as the acting official for Zhengping County and Yingchuan County, and later became the acting Supervisor of the Palace Gentlemen of the Household. When General Zhang Qi attacked Jinshou under the command of Xiao Yan, the court appointed Jing He as the Left Chancellor of the Ministry of Personnel, as well as the Inspector of the Western Circuit, commanding troops including those led by Fu Shuyan, resulting in a decisive victory over the Qi forces. During the Zhengguang era, he was promoted to Left General and the Inspector of Southern Qingzhou. He died while in office at the age of fifty-five and was posthumously appointed as the General of the North and the Inspector of Yingzhou.
Jing Yuanxin, who was the eldest son of Jing He, served as the Middle Army General and the Chief Historian of the Yitong Kaifu during the Wuding period. Jing Jiling, another younger brother of Jing He, was an official in a court-appointed position. Jing Pohu, another younger brother of Jing He, served as the Bie Jia of Benzhou, died at a young age, leaving behind four sons. Jing Jingxian, the eldest son of Jing Pohu, served as the Governor of Julu. Jing Jishan, the younger brother of Jing Pohu, served as a Doctor of the Imperial Library and an assistant to the Prince of Linhuai. Jing Longzong, the son of Jing Pohu, served as the Prefect of Taiyuan.
Kou Zan, courtesy name Fengguo, is from Shanggu. Due to the war, he moved to Wannian, Fengyi. His father, Kou Xiuzhi, courtesy name Yanqi, once served as Prefect of Donglai under Fu Jian. Kou Zan's younger brother, Kou Qianzhi, was very knowledgeable in Daoism. The Emperor respected him greatly, posthumously honored Kou Xiuzhi with the titles of General of Anxi, Inspector of Qinzhou, and Duke of Fengyi, granting him official clothing, the posthumous title of "Ai Gong," and ordering a monument to be erected in front of Kou Xiuzhi's tomb in Qinzhou and Yongzhou. Kou Xiuzhi's mother was also posthumously honored as Lady of Fengyi. Additionally, a total of sixteen members of the Kou family were posthumously honored as Prefects, County Magistrates, Marquises, Sons, and Men, seven of whom served as local officials in seven prefectures and five counties.
From a young age, Zan was recognized for his integrity and frugality. He was tall, probably about 1.8 meters, with a dignified and serious appearance, exuding an air of dignity. He would never act lightly unless it was a serious matter. Wei Hua, the Supervisor under Fu Jian, was highly respected locally. Although he was much older than Zan, he always regarded Zan as a close friend, and they treated each other with sincerity. Later, Wei Hua became the Prefect of Fengyi and summoned Zan to serve as a Deputy Magistrate, and then promoted him to be the Prefect of Xiangyi. After Yao Hong's downfall, over a thousand households in the Qin and Yong regions rallied behind Zan as their leader and surrendered to the court. The court appointed him as General of Tuoyuan and Prefect of Weijun. Afterwards, the people of Qin and Yong fled to Henan, Xingyang, and other areas, with a number of over ten thousand households. The court appointed Zan as General of Anyuan, Inspector of Southern Yongzhou, and Marquis of Zhixian, allowing him to operate from Luoyang and establish counties in Yongzhou to pacify these refugees. Consequently, the number of people fleeing from distant areas tripled. The court also conferred upon Zan the title of Duke of Henan, promoted him to General of Annan, concurrently appointed him as Protector of the Southern Barbarians, continued to serve as Inspector, and assigned him some expatriate counties in Luozhou and Yuzhou to further strengthen his power. Despite holding high official positions and titles, he remained diligent and dedicated, never becoming complacent.
In the beginning, when Zan had not yet achieved success, he once went to consult a fortune teller called Tang Wen. Tang Wen said, “The black mole on your forehead has reached your hairline; you will become a provincial governor, or even receive a title and become a nobleman.” After Zan became successful, Tang Wen visited him according to the customs of the people and said, “Do you remember what I told you back then? At that time, I knew you would succeed, but I never imagined you’d become a father figure to the people.” Zan replied, “Previously, you said that Du Qiong wouldn't become a high official, and everyone thought you were mistaken. Later, Du Qiong was appointed as the Ling of Zhouzheng, but you claimed your fortune-telling skills didn’t foresee that. In the end, Du Qiong died of a sudden illness before he even took office. When Wei Shu learned of the master's child’s death, he realized he would surely become a high official. I’ve always used your claim about Du Qiong to test your words and never lost hope!” So, Zan rewarded Tang Wen with clothes and fine horses. Zan served as an official in the province for seventeen years, earning high praise from both the officials and the people. In his old age, he submitted a request for retirement. In the ninth year of the Zhenjun era, Zan passed away at the age of eighty-six. The court ordered a simple burial, using his everyday clothes. Emperor Shizu was deeply saddened by his passing and posthumously honored him with the title of Xuanmu Gong.
His eldest son, Yuanbao, inherited his title and served as the Deputy of Yuzhou. He passed away in the first year of Xing'an, and the court posthumously conferred upon him the titles of General of Annan and Governor of Yuzhou.
His son Zu succeeded to the title. During the Gaozu era, he served as General of Annan and Governor of Dongxuzhou, before passing away.
His grandson Lingsun succeeded to the title and served as Prefect of Zheyang.
Yuanbao's younger brother, Hupi, was quite talented and served as the county magistrate.
Hupi's younger brother, Zhen, who was known by his courtesy name Xiansheng, lost his father at the age of twelve. During his mourning period, he gained a reputation for his filial piety. He was generous and loved making friends. In the later years of Xianzhu, he served as the Prefect of Zhongchuan.
When Feng Xi was the governor of Luozhou, he was a notoriously corrupt official, particularly cruel. Xiansheng Wei was very good at being sycophantic and won Feng Xi's favor, later being promoted to governor of Hongnong. His mother was old, and he repeatedly requested to resign from office, but it took a considerable amount of time before he received approval. In the early years of Gaozu's reign, his mother passed away before the mourning period had ended. Because a gang of bandits led by Zhang Fan had emerged in Hengnong County, harming the people, the court summoned him to serve as a general and tasked him with hunting down these bandits alongside Gongsun Chu, the governor of Jingzhou. Later, he was appointed as the General of Zhenwu and the Town Commander of Biyang, earning a solid reputation for his prestige and benevolence. He was subsequently promoted to General of Jianwei and governor of Yingzhou. After Gaozu's southward move, Yingzhou became part of the imperial domain, and he was reassigned to the position of governor of Hongnong. Later, he was impeached by the censors for accepting bribes and ultimately dismissed from office, passing away in his home. His eldest son, Zu Xun, served as governor of Shunyang.
Zuli, the younger brother of Zuxun, was named Zuli, with the courtesy name Zuli. He started as a magistrate in Luoyang and gradually rose to the position of General of Zhenyuan and Governor of Eastern Jingzhou. Later, the local tribespeople requested that Zuli replace the strict Governor Li Daoyuan. The court deemed it important to pacify the border residents, so Zuli was appointed to replace Li Daoyuan and was promoted to General of Conquering Captives. However, later, after sending troops to escort Li Daoyuan, Zuli was dismissed from his post. Zuli and his brothers were very filial and loving; even in their old age, they continued to live together. Their father had passed away a long time ago, yet they still resided in the main room where their father lived, setting up their beds, tables, and canes, and performing seasonal sacrifices, tearfully recounting their father's merits, as if treating him like an ancestral shrine. For any major family events, whether joyful or sorrowful, or when a brother went on a long journey, they would first inform their father and do the same upon returning. In the late years of Emperor Zong, Zuli was promoted to General of the Vanguard and Governor of Hezhou. He served for several years until the Que Tiehu rebellion broke out, during which the city’s populace accused him of corruption, listing sixteen charges against him. When a general amnesty was declared, he was pardoned. After a while, he also took on the position of Minister of Justice and also served as a Minister of the Interior. However, he was very fearful of those in power and often flattered them, not daring to enforce the law impartially. He was later promoted to the position of Grand Minister of Golden and Purple. At that time, the tribespeople rebelled in Sanyan, and Zuli was appointed as commander to suppress them, but he met a heroic death on the battlefield. After his death, he was posthumously awarded the titles of Holding the Edict, Commander of the Military Affairs of Yonghua and Qi Provinces, Grand General of the Guard, Minister of the Seven Armies, Governor of Yongzhou, and Marquis of Changping.
Zuli’s brother Mi served as a Junior Minister of State. He was highly trusted by Wang Hui of Chengyang. At the end of Yong'an, when Er Zhu Zhao rebelled, Wang Hui fled south to avoid him and intended to seek refuge with Zuli. However, Zuli did not accept him and even sent people to harm him, which drew significant criticism at the time. Later, Zuli passed away in the western region.
His name is Cui Fei, courtesy name Changming. He initially served beside the emperor and later was promoted to General of Zhenyuan and Grand Minister, continuing to work at the emperor's side. During the Jianyi period, he was dispatched and became the General of Champions and Governor of Dongjingzhou, and also served as Minister, responsible for the affairs of Jingzhou and Yingzhou. Later, he was reassigned as the General of Zhenglu. During the Putai period, he inherited a title and became the Governor of Dongjingzhou. In the Yongxi period, he became General of Zhendong and Grand Minister of Jinzi Guanglu. He died in the fourth year of Wuding at the age of fifty-eight.
Li Fan, courtesy name Shize, with the given name Jizu, was originally from Zhuolu in Fanyang. His grandfather, Li Shao, was the Governor of Puyang under Murong Bao. After his great-grandfather had conquered Zhongshan, Li Shao surrendered along with the entire commandery and was appointed as the military supervisor of Yanzhou. His father, Li Song, was the Governor of Tianshui. Li Fan worked in the Eastern Palace during the reign of the Shizu. After Emperor Gaozong ascended the throne, he posthumously acknowledged the contributions of his ancestors, granted him the title of Baron of Yongning, and further elevated him to General of Ningyuan. Later, he was ordered to present the ancestral tablets of Emperors Shizu and Gongzong to the Grand Ancestral Temple, for which he was promoted to the rank of Viscount.
General Murong Baiyao launched a southern campaign, and Fan served as his Left Sima. When the army arrived at Wuyan City, the defending general of Liu Song, Shen Zuan, held the city firmly. Many experts believed the siege weapons were inadequate and that it wasn't the right time to attack. Fan said, "We should advance lightly and penetrate deep into the enemy camp; we shouldn't delay here and wait for an opportunity for too long. Besides, Shen Zuan will surely think we are aggressive and won't attack for long, believing the city is strong and his soldiers sufficient to resist. This is the will of heaven to bring about his downfall! Now we need to hide our strength on the surface, prepare for battle in secret, motivate our soldiers, and surprise them for a decisive victory!"
Bai Yao said, "If we give the enemy an inch, it will lead to disasters for generations. If we delay now, the people's hearts will calm. Sima, your strategy is excellent!" Thus, they secretly mobilized troops and pretended to retreat, giving the enemy a false impression of not attacking. Shen Zuan indeed let down his guard and was unprepared. That night, they divided their forces and deployed them, and the next morning they attacked the city walls, quickly capturing Wuyan City. Bai Yao wanted to incorporate all the surrendered troops into his army. Fan said, "The state of Qi is vast and sparsely populated, historically referred to as 'Eastern Qin.' If we don't govern it well first, it will be difficult to stabilize. Now the emperor's reputation has just arrived, and the common people have not yet enjoyed the benefits. Many cities still have those who are still loyal to the previous regime, and there are still die-hard elements in Wuyan City. We should first inspire them through trustworthiness and set a good example to win their hearts and take these two states." Bai Yao said, "That's a brilliant plan!" So he pardoned the people of Wuyan City.
When the army arrived at Feicheng, Bai Yao wanted to attack it. Fan said, "Although Feicheng is small, taking it won’t boost the troops' morale much, and if we fail to capture it, it will damage our prestige. Moreover, looking at the soldiers of Wuyan City, they suffered heavy casualties. The stakes are high enough to remind us of the risks. If we send someone to deliver a message urging them to surrender, they might surrender without a fight; even if they don't surrender, they'll probably scatter." Bai Yao then sent someone to write a letter urging surrender, and Feicheng indeed collapsed. In front of the whole assembly, Bai Yao said, "This expedition, with you, capturing the entire state of Qi is not a problem!"
The army attacked Licheng, and Liu Yu's subordinate, the governor of Taiyuan, Fang Chongji, left his elderly mother and wife behind to flee. Liu Yu, the inspector of Qingzhou, Shen Wenxiu, sent his general Ning Shuo, Zhang Yuansun, to deliver a letter offering to surrender and requesting support from the army. General Bai Yao intended to send a small detachment over.
Fan Zhen said at this time: "Shen Wenxiu is longing for home; his home is in Jiangnan, and this place in Qingzhou holds no significance for him. He has tens of thousands of troops under his command, occupying strongholds. If he is strong, he resists; if he is weak, he runs away. That's only natural. Right now, our army hasn't approached him yet, and he's not in any danger right now. Why is he so anxious to seek help? Moreover, look at the envoy he sent; he talks in circles, his expression is awkward, his eyes are downcast, looking timid, and the gifts he brought are plentiful and overly flattering, clearly trying to throw us off! If we don’t think about the long-term strategy and rashly send troops, it could weaken our forces. Attacking wouldn’t gain us anything, and a retreat would mean facing a strong enemy's pursuit. It's like a sheep running into a fence; it only ends up hurting itself. We should focus on holding Licheng first, capture Panyang, Liangzou, and Leling, and then march out in an organized way, singing as we go. By then, won’t the folks come out to greet us with food and drink?"
Bai Yao said, "Your past ideas have been solid, and I think this plan is solid too. But why am I not adopting it? Because Licheng is pretty isolated and can barely defend itself; the defenders in Panyang and other areas can’t match us in open battle; Shen Wenxiu is eager to surrender in order to win our trust. Fate has given us a great opportunity; if we let it slip away, we’ll regret it later!"
Fan Zhen said, "You're being too shortsighted! Licheng has plenty of supplies and enough troops. It can't be taken in just a day or two. Shen Wenxiu regards Dongyang as the foundation of various cities. If we send too many troops, Licheng won't be able to hold out; if we send too few troops, it won't deter the enemy. If Shen Wenxiu changes his mind and stays inside, and our vanguard gets defeated, while the armies from Liang and Zhou come to pursue us, if Shen Wenxiu leads a large army to attack, we’ll be caught in a pincer, facing a tough situation. Even if we had the skills of Han Xin and Bai Qi, it would be difficult to escape. I hope you'll think this over carefully and not fall for the enemy's tricks."
Bai Yao listened to Fan Zhen's words and ultimately dispelled the idea of sending troops for support. So, he sent a report to the court, appointing Fan Zhen as the Governor of Qingzhou, in charge of calming the newly surrendered folks. Later, Fan Zhen was granted the title of marquis, promoted to Champion General, and further promoted to the position of Right Minister of the Ministry of Personnel.
Fan later was promoted to General Who Pacifies the East, Governor of Qingzhou, and was granted the title of Marquis of Jiayang. One night, after returning to the capital from Jiezhou, Fan had a dream where pubic hair brushed against his ankle. The next day, he mentioned this. Back then, there was a dream interpreter in Qi named Shi Wu. After hearing this, he said, "You’re going to do great in Qi! In the future, you will govern East Qin, bestow blessings throughout the Hai and Dai regions, and you’ll definitely get reappointed and hold a position in Yingqiu again!" Fan smiled and replied, "I’ll be waiting for your prophecy to come true!" And indeed, it did.
At that time, the garrison general Yuan Yili falsely accused Fan of colluding with foreign enemies. Emperor Gaozu issued an edict saying: "You are not an old minister or a seasoned general, and your official rank is not high. Your rapid rise and the important responsibilities entrusted to you are due to your diligence and capability, allowing you to achieve great things. Although you do not have significant achievements on the surface, you have also committed no wrongdoing. However, the garrison general Yili has caused trouble without reason, falsely accusing you of building ships and purchasing jade to collude with foreign enemies, attempting to frame you and covet your official position. After an investigation by the relevant authorities, the truth was revealed, and the guilty party has already been held accountable. You should recognize the scheme at play and put aside any doubts. According to the law, you should be subjected to punishment and whipping, but now the punishment and whipping are waived, and you are only fined fifty coins. You should abide by the laws and calm the border residents, which is in line with my wishes!" After returning to court, Fan passed away in the capital at the age of sixty-two, posthumously given the title Mu. Fan had five sons, among whom Dao Yuan's achievements are recorded in the "Records of Cruel Officials."
Fan Daoyuan's fourth brother was called Dao Shen, courtesy name Shanji. He was well-versed in historical texts and highly skilled. He initially served as a court attendant, later promoted to the position of a junior official in the Ministry of Personnel, and was appointed General Weiyuan, serving as the governor of Hanchuan, responsible for welcoming surrendering enemies. Due to his contributions, he was appointed as a regular attendant and concurrently served as a junior official. He was later promoted to General of the State and General of the Valiant Cavalry. He then served as the governor of Zhengping, with notable achievements in governance. He was subsequently promoted to the position of Prime Minister of Chang Le. He passed away in the fifth year of the Zhengguang era at the age of thirty-eight and was posthumously awarded the titles of General and Governor of Pingzhou.
His son was named Fan Zhong, courtesy name Bowen. In the early years of Wuding, he served as a military officer in the Ministry of Justice.
Dao Shen's younger brother was Fan Yue, whose courtesy name was Shanli. He initially served as an official and later rose to the position of Champion General and Counselor to the Minister of State. He was plain and unassuming, with a deep appreciation for music and literature. However, he was prone to seeking assistance from others and often tried to curry favor with the powerful through fame and wealth, frequently resorting to begging, which led to him being mocked. He faced many hardships in life and often struggled with food and clothing shortages. In his later years, he served as the governor of Donglai and Lu counties, where he was recognized for his integrity in governance and was greatly loved by the people. He died at sixty-three during the seventh year of the Wuding era. His brother, Fan Shenhu, served as the Left Minister of Civil Affairs.
Shen Ya had a younger brother named Kui. Kui's son Yun, courtesy name Youhe, was particularly studious, very literary, and especially skilled at being an official. During the Zhengguang period, the governor Pei Yanjun valued his abilities, appointed him as the chief clerk, and also put him in charge of building schools. Later, Yun passed the imperial examination with excellent results and was appointed as a court attendant. After that, Pei Yanjun went to suppress the Hu people, became the Chief Minister, and brought him along as an aide. Because Yun was very good at pacification, he was promoted to the Minister for Pacifying the Barbarians and continued to serve as an aide. When Pei Yanjun returned to the court, the Chief Minister, Zhang Sunzhi, appointed him as an aide again and also conferred upon him the title of General for Pacifying the Barbarians. Yun not only had literary talent but also martial skills, always eager to make his mark. He often offered advice to Zhang Sunzhi, most of which was accepted. Because of his achievements, he was granted the title of founding noble of Weichang County with a fief of three hundred households. While serving in the army, Yun even wrote a memorial requesting to reduce his official rank to secure a posthumous title for his father. The Emperor then posthumously honored his father Kui as General for Pacifying the Barbarians and Governor of Anzhou. Later, Yun and the Tangzhou Governor Cui Yuanzhen jointly defended Pingyang City. During the Wutai period, Erzhu Rong led troops to attack Luoyang. Yun and Cui Yuanzhen refused to follow his orders, and as a result, they were confronted by Erzhu Rong's aide, Zhong Fanzihou, and the city fell. They both died in battle. Yun was only thirty-six years old at the time, and his death was widely mourned. His writings were widely circulated at that time. He also attempted to write a historical account of the Murong clan but did not finish it. His son was named Huaize, and in the later years of the Wuding period, he served as a military advisor in the Ministry of Works. Kui's younger brother was named Shen Qi and served as a Doctor of the Imperial Academy. Shen Qi's younger brother was named Xiandu and served as a scholar in Sizhou and a clerk in the Ministry of Works.
Han Xiu, courtesy name Baihu, hailed from Changli. His ancestors were officials who served as attendants to Murong Jun. His father, Han Bing, submitted to the court in the early years of the Emperor Gaozong's reign and was appointed General of Xuanwei and Cavalry Commander. Han Xiu held various official positions, gradually rising to the rank of Shangshu Lang, and was granted the title of Suichangzi, being appointed General of Guangwu. Emperor Gaozong recognized Han Xiu as intelligent, quick-witted, and eloquent, capable of serving as his spokesperson, so he entrusted him with relaying the emperor's orders and managing confidential matters. Whenever the emperor went on hunts, Han Xiu would accompany him to serve. After Emperor Xianzu ascended the throne, Han Xiu was promoted to the position of Jishizhong and participated in the military campaign against Murong Baiyao in the south.
During the Yanxing period of the Northern Wei, a certain Shangshu submitted a petition to the emperor arguing that Dunhuang was a remote location on the northwestern frontier, often plagued by bandits, and expressed concerns about its defensibility. He suggested relocating the troops stationed in Dunhuang to Liangzhou. Everyone at the meeting concurred with the Shangshu's reasoning.
However, a man named Xiu voiced his disagreement. He said, "This is a matter of national security and should not be taken lightly. I believe Dunhuang has been established for quite some time; even though there are strong enemies at the border, our soldiers have become accustomed to the environment there. Even if there are minor thefts, they won't pose a significant issue. As long as we maintain a regular garrison, we can ensure safety. Dunhuang's existence can deter northern nomadic tribes from spying and can block the invasion routes of the western ethnic minorities. If we move to Liangzhou, everyone will have their opinions; some may be lured by the advantages of Liangzhou and refuse to move. If the enemy seizes the opportunity to invade, it would create a significant problem! Furthermore, Dunhuang is more than a thousand miles from Liangzhou; seeking proximity while abandoning the distant will create vulnerabilities in our defenses. Once we give up Dunhuang, it will provide the enemy with opportunities to conspire, leading to chaos in the Guanzhong region, ongoing warfare, and making it even more difficult for the country." In the end, everyone adopted Xiu's opinion.
During the Taihe period, Xiusheng was promoted to the position of Chief of the Inner Guards. Later, he became General of the Pacification of the East and Governor of Qingzhou, and was also granted the title of Duke of Yuyang. After serving as an official in Qingzhou for several years, he died. His son inherited his title. Wu, styled Daoshi, was a man of integrity and prudence, with exceptional administrative skills. He started as a mid-level official and gradually rose to the position of Colonel in the Crown Prince's Escort. At that time, Emperor Gaozu was campaigning in the south, and the Governor of Liangzhou, Yang Lingzhen, wanted to rebel. Wu was assigned to lead the troops under General Li Chong's command to suppress Yang Lingzhen. He earned military honors and was appointed as Chief of Staff for the Rear Army, and was summoned to the emperor's palace. Upon his return, he was promoted to Colonel of the Long Water Brigade. In the early years of the Jingming reign, he was granted military authority, acting in charge of Sizhou's affairs, and was promoted to General of the Left and General of the Pacification of the Frontier, acting as the Prefect of Changshan County. Later, he served as the Marshal under General Li Chong in the campaign against the southern barbarians. After Li Chong pacified the southern barbarian tribes and eliminated threats in the capital region, Wu made significant contributions. He was later appointed as Marshal of Zhenbei Commandery. When he was acting as the Prefect of Changshan County, the county government was abolished, and he was appointed as Chief Clerk of Pingbei. Wu was somewhat corrupt, accepting bribes, which led to an impeachment by Li Ping, the Chief Imperial Censor. He was sent to the Ministry of Justice for trial, but he received a pardon during a general amnesty. He was later appointed as General of Longxiang and Governor of Yingzhou. Wu presented a seven-treasure bed and an ivory mat. The emperor issued a decree saying, "Emperor Jinwudi burned his precious pheasant-feather robe, which I have always admired. Now the items Wu presented fall into the same category. These rare treasures do not conform to the frugal style, so they shall be handed over to his family." Li Min, Ma Daojin, and others on the border pretended to have killed the commander of Huangban Garrison under Xiao Yan, leading the people to surrender. Wu believed them and sent over a thousand men to welcome them. However, the people did not arrive, and they fabricated a report claiming victory over the enemy, which led to Wu's dismissal from office. Eventually, he was appointed as Champion General and Grand Master of Palace Attendants, and was promoted to General of the Left. He died in the first year of Shengui.
Yao Xuan, courtesy name Bi Xie, was the eldest son of the Shangdang region. Originally named Zhong Kui, he was later bestowed the name Xuan. His grandfather, Seng Lai, surrendered to the court along with Lv She of Zhao Commandery when Emperor Taizu pacified Zhongshan.
Elder brother Xuan was handsome and capable. He held various official positions, from a grassroots military officer to an officer in the Eastern Palace. The Emperor thought highly of his honesty and reliability, so he promoted him to be a Senior Palace Attendant. Later, he was sent to Qizhou to investigate corruption, and he conducted a thorough investigation, uncovering the crimes of corrupt officials. He was subsequently promoted to be the Minister of Military Affairs and was responsible for the Northern and Southern Bureaus. Eventually, he directly became the Minister of the South. During the establishment of the "Three Long System," he became the Inspector of the Thirteen Provinces of the East, responsible for registering the population and household registrations. The Emperor rewarded him with a carriage, four horses, and excellent treatment.
Once, General Chen Xianda was sent by Xiao Ze to fight a battle. The Emperor sent Xuan to lead the troops, granting him many official positions and the title of Duke of Pingyang. During the battle, stationed in Xuchang, when Chen Xianda fled, he ordered a retreat. Throughout his life, he fought in the North and the South, investigated cases on missions, totaling more than thirty times, consistently demonstrating exceptional integrity, free from corruption or bribery. The Emperor rewarded him with many things, including clothes, silk, fabric, ten servants, and the title of Pingyang Count. Later, he was appointed Minister of Works. When the Emperor went on a campaign to the South, he was named General of Annan, and later promoted to the position of Minister of Agriculture. Finally, he passed away in the nineteenth year of Taihe's reign, dying in Pingcheng. The Emperor personally conducted a mourning ceremony in his honor, posthumously appointing him as the General of Anbei and the Inspector of Xiangzhou, and rewarding him with many fabrics.
During his tenure as an official, he once went to Xuzhou and saw that the city's towers were too luxurious, considering it wasteful. He ordered part of it to be demolished. Later, when the Emperor heard about this in Pengcheng, he said, "This Xuan, even in death, I still want to kill him!" This illustrates the Emperor's anger at the time.
His son, the eldest named Hong, inherited his title and served as a registrar in the Zhenbei Prefecture. The second son named Jie, styled Yongshou, later held the title of Yitong Sanqi and was granted the title Duke of Lecheng County. Hong's younger brother, Zun, served as General Fubo, Chief Historian of Hezhou, and Prefect of Linzhao, posthumously conferred the title General Longxiang, with the posthumous name Si. Zun's younger brother Rong served as Assistant Cavalry Attendant. His grandson Xiong, styled Xiuwu, held the titles of Yitong Sanqi and Governor of Yuzhou, and was granted the title Duke of Chengping County. Xiong's younger brother Fen, styled Yanju, served as General of the Cavalry and Governor of Yingzhou. Fen's younger brother Nanzong served as General of Conquest of the West and Governor of Nanqi Prefecture, granted the title Earl of Zhengqiang County.
In addition, there was a man named Lv She, who received land and property from the Emperor upon his return. His son Fangsheng, exceptionally intelligent but unfortunately died young, was posthumously conferred the title General Jianwu, Governor of Dingzhou, and Gao Yizi, with the posthumous title Jing.
As for Xue Bian, thanks to the Emperor's favor, he was first appointed as an imperial censor, responsible for managing court affairs. He gradually rose in ranks to become the magistrate of the Waidou Cao, then promoted to Beibu Geishi, and finally became the Governor of Qinzhou. Unfortunately, he unfortunately died while in office.
The historians commented that Xue Bian and Kou Zan were very particular about their conduct and work, and were honored by the emperor for their loyalty and contributions. Their strategy concerning Dunhuang exemplifies the court's wisdom in governing the border regions. "Discussing Dunhuang is akin to mastering the distant" - that's the meaning. Those warriors often resort to clever tricks, decorating their quarters with tributes and toying with gold, silver, and jewels, but Xue Bian and Kou Zan disregarded such trivialities, which truly reflects the emperor's virtue! Yao Xuan, a clever and capable individual, was known for his fairness, which allowed him to rise steadily, and the court posthumously bestowed many honors upon him. "Even in death, the honor persists" - that's what it means.
