Han Mao, courtesy name Yuanxing, was from Anding County, Anwu. His father was named Han Qi, courtesy name Huanglao, who surrendered to Heliangu Qu Gai during the Yongxing period and was appointed General of Suiyuan. He was later promoted to Longxiang General, Changshan Prefect, and was later granted the title of Marquis of Anwu. He had always lived in Jiumen, Changshan. After his father's death, he was posthumously honored as the Inspector of Jingzhou and given the posthumous title of Cheng Marquis.
At the age of seventeen, Han Mao was significantly stronger than most, especially skilled in horseback riding and archery. Emperor Taizong of Tang personally led the troops to conquer Dingling Zhai Meng, and Han Mao was the standard-bearer in the central army at that time. A strong wind blew down the flags of the other troops; only Han Mao held the military flag steadily on his horse, unmoving. Taizong found this curious and inquired about it, and Han Mao's colleagues reported the details. Taizong told the people around him, "Remember this!" He promptly summoned Han Mao to the palace and requested him to demonstrate his equestrian prowess. Taizong greatly admired him and appointed him as General of the Tiger Guard.
He followed Emperor Taizong of Wei, Tuoba Tao, to attack Heliangu Chang, where he achieved a decisive victory. Emperor Taizong said to his generals, "If we recklessly pursue military aggression, the common people will suffer. Let's deal with him next year!" They then relocated the inhabitants of Heliangu Chang and then withdrew. Due to his accomplishments in this campaign, he was granted the title of Puyinzi, promoted to General of the Strengthened Crossbows, and subsequently promoted to Gentleman of the Carriage. His rank continued to ascend.
Next, he continued to fight against the Rouran, achieving another resounding victory! In the Battle of Pingliang, he charged into the enemy ranks; none could withstand him; they were all shot down! Emperor Taiwu especially appreciated him and promoted him to Chief Eunuch. He was elevated to the title of Marquis of Jiumen and also appointed as the Champion General. Later, he continued to fight against the Rouran, winning several consecutive battles. He also joined forces with King Yueping Tuoba Pi to attack Helong, relocating the local populace. In the Battle of Pingliang Prefecture, he was the vanguard general, achieving great military feats and making significant contributions! After that, he was appointed as the Minister of the Guard.
In recognition of his past achievements, he was appointed Cavalier Attendant and Palace Secretary; his title was raised to Duke of Anding, and he was also appointed as the General Who Pacifies the South. Later, he took part in suppressing the rebellions of Xue Yongzong and Gai Wu, and his official position was raised to Minister of the Capital. Furthermore, he participated in the campaign against Xuanhu, defeating the enemy army multiple times. Once, when the imperial army marched south, splitting into six routes, he set out from Qingzhou with King Gaoliang. After crossing the Huai River, defectors surrendered one after another, and he was appointed as the Governor of Xuzhou by the court, tasked with pacifying the local populace. Upon the return of the imperial army, he was appointed as the Palace Attendant, Minister of the Left, and also appointed as the General Who Conquers the South, truly rising through the ranks!
After the death of Emperor Taiwu of Wei, Liu Yilong sent Tan Hezhi to attack Jizhou, and King Nan'an sent this general to quell the rebellion. When he arrived in Jizhou, Tan Hezhi fled in fear. After Emperor Gaozu Tuoba Huang ascended the throne, he was appointed as the Minister of Writing and also appointed as the Palace Attendant and General Who Conquers the South, truly standing above all others.
He was a stable and reliable person; although not highly educated, his reasoning in discussions was always sound. He excelled at comforting soldiers during battles, extremely brave, and one of the most formidable generals of his time, highly esteemed by the court. In the summer of the second year of Tai'an, he was appointed Crown Prince's Tutor. In winter, he passed away, and the court posthumously named him Governor of Jingzhou, Prince of Anding, and posthumously conferred the title of King Huan.
His eldest son, Tuoba Bei, styled Yande, was initially a mid-ranking official. He was granted the title of Jiangyang Baron and later promoted to General of Yanglie. He was subsequently elevated to the title of Marquis of Xingtang and appointed as Champion General and a royal son of the Crown Prince. Later, he was promoted to General of Ningxi, responsible for hunting affairs, and also received the title of Sanqi Changshi. He inherited his father's title of Duke of Anding and the role of General of the Southern Expedition. After his death, the court posthumously awarded him the title of Governor of Yongzhou and the posthumous title of Duke Jian.
Bei's younger brother, Jun, styled Tiande, was an exceptional archer from a young age and had significant military talent. He began his career as a mid-ranking official and was later granted the title of Fanyang, being promoted to General of Ningshuo. He was then elevated to Minister of the Jin Department and also became a Sanqi Changshi. After his brother's death, who left no sons, Jun inherited the title of Duke of Anding and took on the role of General of the Southern Expedition.
He was later dispatched as an envoy with the imperial seal, Sanqi Changshi, and General of the Ben Army, and was later reassigned as Governor of Qing and Ji Prefectures, while keeping his other official positions. He deeply cared for the common people, known for his integrity and caution, and was recognized for his effective governance. Guangazhe is situated at the intersection of Dingzhou, Jizhou, and Xiangzhou, which was plagued by numerous bandits. Therefore, the court stationed garrison troops there to maintain order. Since Jun was an official in Jizhou, the bandits in that area were brought under control, leading the court to appoint him as both the General of the Ben Army and the Grand General of Guangazhe, giving him command over the military forces of the three prefectures. Jun was recognized for his integrity, strict self-discipline, and effective management of his subordinates. He was adept at gathering intelligence, formulating strategies, and rigorously cracking down on crime. The bandits from Zhao County and the Dingling people from Xishan, who gathered in the mountains and terrorized the region, were either persuaded to surrender or apprehended by Jun, striking fear into the hearts of people far and wide.
Earlier, the Hetao region had not yet surrendered to the court, and many people fled from there. Therefore, the court set up a pacification office in Dongqingzhou to settle the newly submitted citizens, offering them favorable treatment. However, some unscrupulous characters also fled there. Jun wrote a memorial arguing that this approach was problematic, and the court adopted his suggestion to abolish the pacification office in Dongqingzhou. Later, the number of thieves in Jun's jurisdiction rose, prompting the emperor to issue a decree criticizing him. Additionally, due to inaccurate household registrations in five states, with a large population count, the emperor regarded Jun as an honest man and tasked him with verifying the household registrations. As a result, it was discovered that over a hundred thousand households had underreported their population. He was then appointed as the prefect of Dingzhou, where he eased labor duties and tax burdens, enabling the people to live and work happily. In the fifth year of Yanxing, he passed away and was posthumously granted the title Duke Kang. His son Baoshi inherited his title.
Jun's brother, Tiansheng, served as the Officer of the Imperial Stables and later managed the stables. He was later sent out as an envoy with the title of General of Northern Pacification and the commander of Woyezhen.
Pi Baozi, from Yuyang, demonstrated military talent from a young age. During the Tai Chang era, he was appointed as a Central Gentleman and gradually rose to the position of Left Internal Attendant. During the reign of Shizu, he served as a Cavalry Attendant, was bestowed the title of Marquis of Xinan, and was promoted to General of Champion. He was further promoted to Minister of Selected Departments while retaining his other official positions. He was later dispatched as an envoy, Palace Attendant, and Commander of military affairs of the four states of Qin, Yong, Jing, and Liang, and was appointed General of Anxi, elevated to the title of Duke of Huaiyang, stationed in Chang'an. Soon after, he was promoted to General of the Western Expedition. However, he was later demoted to Tongwan due to corruption and bribery.
In 423 AD, Liu Yilong sent General Pei Fangming and others to attack the Southern Qin King Yang Nandang, which led to the capture of Qiu Chi. Later, the emperor (Shizu) restored Baozi's former title. Shortly after, he was assigned to lead the various armies of Guanzhong and, together with Duke Jianxing Gu Bi, distributed the generals to launch a simultaneous attack with ten armies.
In January of the year 424 AD, the Leopard attacked Lexiang, claiming a decisive victory. They captured six generals under Liu Yilong, including Wang Huanzhi and Wang Changqing, killed over two thousand enemies, and captured more than a thousand. The Leopard continued to attack Xia Bian, where Liu Yilong's generals Qiang Xuanming and Xin Bofen abandoned the city and fled, but were caught and killed by the Leopard, who also captured their entire army. Liu Yilong sent Qinzhou Governor Hu Chongzhi to guard Chouchi. When Hu Chongzhi arrived in Hanzhong and heard that the official army was approaching, he was too frightened to move forward. Pei Fangming sent reinforcements to urge him to advance. The Leopard met Sima Chuzhi at Zhuoshui, where they defeated and captured Hu Chongzhi along with his army. The army reached Gaoping, where Liu Yilong's general Jiang Daozu surrendered, leading to the pacification of Chouchi.
Not long after, the Di people revolted again, electing Yang Wend as their chief and surrounding Chouchi. General Gu Bi led his troops to quell the rebellion. At that time, General Leopard was stationed in Xia Bian and heard that the siege had been lifted, so he intended to return. General Gu Bi sent a message to the Leopard, stating, "These bandits have lost face and will surely seek revenge. Instead of waiting for their attack, let's prepare our defenses and wait for them here." The Leopard thought this was a reasonable plan.
Shortly after, the Leopard was promoted to military commander over the five provinces of Qin, Yong, Jing, Liang, and Yi, and was elevated to Grand General of the Western Expedition. He retained the titles of Kaifu, Garrison General of Chouchi, Chief Envoy, and Duke. In November, Prince of Southern Qin Yilong sent Yang Wend and Jiang Daosheng with twenty thousand troops to attack Zhuoshui, and also dispatched a general named Qingyang Xianbo to defend Fushan and intercept the Leopard. The defenders of Zhuoshui shot down Jiang Daosheng. When the Leopard arrived at Fushan, he killed Qingyang Xianbo and captured all enemy troops. The Leopard then joined forces with the Duke of Hejian in Zhuoshui, causing the bandits to flee in terror, abandoning their weapons and armor before escaping under the cover of night.
At the beginning, King Yang Nandan of South Qin refused to submit to the court, so the court ordered the young members of the Yang family to be brought to the capital. Yang Wende bribed officials to allow him to stay behind and then fled to Hanzhong. Yilong appointed Yang Wende as King of Wudu, giving him two thousand troops to defend Jialu City and recruit people from the Di and Qiang tribes. Consequently, five Di tribes in Wudu and Yinping revolted in support of Yang Wende. The court ordered General Baozi to lead troops to suppress the rebellion, but Yang Wende withstood the attack by utilizing the difficult terrain. One of Yang Wende's generals, Yang Gao, surrendered and led troops to attack Yang Wende's city. Yang Wende abandoned the city and fled south, taking his family, subordinates, military supplies, and the wife of the former King of Wudu, Bao Zong, who was also a princess, to the capital. Yilong's Baishui governor, Guo Qixuan, led his troops to rescue Yang Wende, but Baozi split his forces to engage them, resulting in a crushing defeat. Guo Qixuan and Yang Wende escaped back to Hanzhong. In the first month of the second year of the Xing'an era, Yilong sent his generals Xiao Daocheng, Wang Qiu, and Ma Guang to advance into Hanzhong, and also ordered Yang Wende and Yang Tou to lead the Di and Qiang forces to besiege Wudu. The defenders of Wudu City held their ground, killing over two hundred enemy soldiers. General Baozi divided his forces to offer assistance, and upon reaching Nülei, he learned that the enemy had halted their assault, so Baozi sent someone to Qishan to fetch horses in preparation for support. Yang Wende suspected that Baozi aimed to sever their supply line, so he decided to turn back and enter Fuzhen, securing the advantageous terrain to hold his position.
Yilong was worried that they would withdraw outright and reinforce their troops and commanders. He ordered the regions of Jinshou and Baishui to deliver grain to Fu Jin, and Hanchuan and Wuxing to transport grain to Ganquan, where grain depots had been established. Baozi wrote a memorial saying, "Yilong’s increase of troops and grain transport is aimed at forcing us into submission. My troops are already few in number and entirely dependent on the local militia; we can only hold our ground. The troops in Tongwan and Anding towns have been in the army for three to four years, and the troops in Chang'an have been on duty for over a month without any rotation. Their supplies have run out, and they are gaunt and weak, longing for home. Desertions are frequent, and now, with enemy attacks looming, they are completely unable to fight. The soldiers are colluding with the enemy, fully aware of our weakened forces, while Yang Wend is tied down in the south, and they are conspiring both inside and out. Last August, Yang Wend and Yilong's Liangzhou governor Liu Xiuzhi together attacked Chang'an, and learned that the court had dispatched a large army, with reinforcements gathering like clouds. Chang'an's flat terrain is advantageous for cavalry operations; they fear the court's cavalry and do not dare to advance north."
However, the locals of Qiu Chi said that the imperial army was few in number, and the stationed troops were also limited. The various soldiers from different states were all eager to return home. If our army arrived, they would definitely flee on their own, and it would be easy to capture the city. I took their word for it, so I recalled the troops attacking Chang'an and sent generals Yang Wende, Xiao Daocheng, and Wang Qiu to attack Wudu and Qiu Chi, hoping to quickly capture the Qinlong region. We had already besieged Wudu for many days. They were afraid I would cut off their retreat and block their supply lines. The stationed troops in Guanzhong were inadequate and hadn't inflicted significant damage. Now the enemy was strong and well-prepared, while our army was weak; we couldn't effectively resist the enemy without sufficient troops. I requested to select elite soldiers to reinforce Wudu and hold the city firmly to minimize the risk. The situation is extremely urgent; if we do not report quickly, the city could fall, and we could face harsh repercussions. I request the dispatch of two thousand cavalry from Gaoping, carrying a month's worth of supplies, to rush to Qiu Chi. They could also help quell the rebellious civilians and hold off the enemy troops. Once the stationed troops in Chang (Que), Shanggui, and Anding arrive, we can secure our safety. Food is the lifeline of the people; even if there are sturdy city walls, we cannot hold them without food. Qiu Chi originally had no reserves, and this year there was no harvest. If the cavalry from Gaoping arrives, I'm not sure how we can supply them. I request that the people of Qinzhou transport military rations to Qishan, and I will personally go to welcome them." The court ordered Gaoping's town commander, Gou Moyi, to lead two thousand cavalry for support, and only then did Xiao Daocheng and the others withdraw. The court appointed Baozi as the Minister and made him the Grand Official of the Inner Capital.
Liu Jun sent his general Yin Xiaozu to build Liangdang City in Qingdong, intending to threaten the southern borders. An imperial edict ordered troops led by Lord Tianshui to attack, but they failed to achieve victory. The court then ordered General Leopard and others, including the official Zhou Qiu, to provide support. General Leopard found that the enemy in the south had a strong defense, and attacking the city would take a long time, so he took the opportunity to expand his territory to Gaoping. Liu Jun dispatched five thousand infantry from Xiaqiu Town to reinforce Liangdang, but they encountered General Leopard's vanguard eight miles from the city and immediately engaged the enemy in battle. General Leopard's main force soon arrived and delivered a decisive defeat to the enemy. The cavalry pursued them all the way to the city gates, with only about ten escaping. The people in the city were too terrified to come out and help. After that, General Leopard returned to the capital.
Previously, those Hu people in Hexi had fled and hidden away, refusing to obey the court's orders. General Leopard, along with the former Governor of Jingzhou Feng A-Jun, led the Hexi army south to Shilou to attack those Hu people along with General Wei and Prince Le'an Liang. As a result, General Leopard and his forces faced off against the enemy for a while, but the Hu people fled without a fight; they returned without a victory and were subsequently dismissed from their positions. Not long after, due to his military achievements both past and recent, he was promoted to a high official in the inner capital. In June of the fifth year of the era of peace, General Leopard passed away. Emperor Gaozong was deeply saddened and posthumously granted him the title of Prince of Huaiyang, with the posthumous name Xiangwang, and granted him a set of mourning robes. His son Daoming inherited the title.
Dao Ming's eighth brother is named Xi. Emperor Gaozong believed that his father was a renowned minister, so he promoted him to the position of Chamberlain of the Inner Court and later elevated him to Chief Chamberlain. In the early years of Emperor Gaozu's reign, the Tuyuhun's Shiyin tribe faced famine and hardship, leading them to invade the Jiao River in Liangzhou, possibly the Tao River, causing great trouble for the people. The court appointed Xi as General for Pacifying the West and Duke of Guangchuan, allowing him to lead the armies of Liangzhou, Fohan, Gaoping, and other regions to campaign against the Shiyin tribe alongside Wang Changsun of Shangdang. The court also appointed him as Imperial Envoy, Shizhong, Commander of the military affairs of the five provinces of Qin, Yong, Jing, Liang, and Yi, General of the Army, and Governor, retaining his previous rank, due to the high prestige his father, General Baozi, had in Qiuqi Town. After Xi arrived there, he implemented benevolent policies to reassure the people, who were very pleased, and chieftain Qiang Nizi and others led their clans to pledge allegiance to the court, so the court established the newly created counties of Guangye and Gudao to settle them. Later, Xi was summoned to be the Minister of the South and was conferred the title of Marquis of Nankang, with an additional appointment as Left General.
In the year 366, Yang Wendu, the chief general of Liu Zhun's Jialu Garrison, sent his brother Yang Shu to clandestinely seize Qiuqi. General Pi Xi commanded an army of forty thousand to confront Yang Shu. When the army reached Jian'an, Yang Shu abandoned the city and fled south.
The army advanced to Zhuoshui, where General Pi Xi sent General Yang Lingzhen of Pacifying the West to attack Yang Zhen, the governor appointed by Yang Wendu in Qiuqi. Yang Zhen's forces were defeated, narrowly escaping complete annihilation. General Pi Xi then established his base at Fujin. Yang Wendu's general, Da Hei, held a strong position at Jindao, where the terrain was treacherous, featuring only a narrow passage. General Pi Xi divided his troops into several teams; some climbed the rocks, while others waded through the water, launching a fierce assault on Da Hei, who was ultimately defeated and fled. General Pi Xi pursued them all the way to the west.
Subsequently, General Pi Xi attacked Jialu City, captured the city, beheaded Yang Wendu, and killed over a thousand others. The emperor issued a decree stating: "Loyal ministers typically come from virtuous and honorable families, and capable generals often hail from families of officials and military leaders. In the past, the Di and Qiang tribes frequently invaded the borders, raiding border strongholds. Generals like Pi Xi and Liang Chounu, some inherited their fathers' legacies, while others established their own remarkable military exploits; their fame is widely known among the people, and their merits have reached the heavens. Therefore, I granted them the authority of military command and entrusted them with important responsibilities at the frontier. They have all dedicated themselves and accomplished their tasks; at the beginning of the war, the enemy troops fled in disarray, and Qiu Chi was quickly recovered, enabling the people to live and work in peace. This time, in the campaign against Jialu, the notorious Yang Wendu was also executed. The main culprit has been dealt with, and disturbances in the border areas will be permanently stopped, which brings me great joy. The strategies proposed by General Pi Xi, which carefully weighed the pros and cons and analyzed the outcomes, are all aimed at consolidating the border defense and benefiting the country, and I have complete trust in him. Now that the military might has intimidated the enemy and the people are living in peace, it is time to address the shortcomings and establish a new system. This is a unique opportunity; we should adopt a strategy that combines both benevolence and strength, allowing him to handle matters himself, and if there is a need to establish counties, he can decide that as well. As for the relatives and families of Yang Wendu and Yang Shu, they should all be escorted to the capital. Qiu Chi is the cornerstone of Southern Qin; we must stockpile sufficient supplies and strengthen defenses to prevent unscrupulous individuals from exploiting any weaknesses. We must stay vigilant in military matters, reassure the new citizens, and ensure that the people live and work in peace, which aligns with my wishes."
The Emperor again ordered Xi and others, saying: "You are tasked with the campaign against the border bandits, and wherever the army goes, you must swiftly restore order. You have recovered the old towns of Qiu Chi, breached the newly established state of Jia Lu, beheaded the rebellious leaders, and thoroughly eliminated the wicked faction. Your contributions are significant, and I have no complaints. However, the defense in this crucial border region of Qiu Chi needs significant improvement. Previously, there were stationed troops in Luo Gu, so the villains did not dare to invade easily, and the border towns were spared from the ravages of war. Later, the stationed troops were relocated to Jian An, which resulted in last year's conflict. I previously commanded you to lead the troops in constructing fortifications in Luo Gu; although it is hard work for the time being, it will ultimately lead to lasting stability. However, you did not comply with my orders and have only now completed it. You have squandered the soldiers' time, leaving them idle, and have sought various excuses to request to halt construction. How does this reflect the qualities of a good general who is selfless and devoted to the nation? The troops from various states have already delayed for a year; you should concentrate your efforts to complete this important task. Your request to delay construction until next year will only exhaust the soldiers further. It is better to take advantage of the current momentum and start building immediately to complete it all in one go, avoiding future concerns. I will now grant you an additional month's supply of military rations; you must quickly build the fortifications in Luo Gu and ensure completion by the end of April. If you fail to complete it on time, or if the construction is subpar, you will be dealt with according to military law!"
The Emperor continued, stating that the people of Nan Tian Shui County, led by Liu Zhan, relied on the advantageous terrain to refuse to submit to the court's jurisdiction. Xi led the army to suppress and eliminate him. Afterward, Xi was promoted to Sanqi Changshi, General of Annam, and Governor of Yuzhou. However, the Emperor believed he was negligent in his work in the state, indulging in drinking, neglecting state affairs, and lacking authority, so he sent envoys to the state to punish him with a cane. Seven years later, Xi passed away, and the court posthumously awarded him his original title, with the posthumous title of Gong Gong. His son Cheng Zong inherited his title.
Xi's brother, Shuang Ren, held the position of Champion General and commander of Qiu Chi Town.
Let's talk about the imperial decree of Xi. He is from Daijun. His grandfather Dou led 30,000 troops to the east of Youzhou in the early years of the reign, subdued three counties, and was appointed governor of Youzhou. Later, he served as the Imperial Commissioner, Commander of Military Affairs in Jizhou and Qingzhou, former General, Grand Administrator, governor of Jizhou and Qingzhou, and Marquis of Guannei. His father Nie served as an attendant to Emperor Taizong. After his death, he was posthumously honored with the title of Dragon Cavalry General, governor of Dingzhou, Marquis of Zhangwu, and posthumously named Yin.
Well, this official, who started as a Junior Official, gradually rose to the position of Minister of the Western Provinces. He was later sent to serve as the Imperial Commissioner, cavalry attendant, General of the West, Grand Administrator, Commander of the Western Yi Command, governor of Qin and Yizhou, and was also conferred the title of Duke of Tianshui, stationed at Shanggui. The emperor issued a decree for him to lead 7,000 cavalry to Fohan to defeat the nephew of Tuyuhun's Muliyan. However, the forces were too few to secure a victory, so the emperor sent General Anyuan and Duke Guangchuan, Yiwutou, to support him, and they joined forces with Xi in Longyou. When the army arrived at Wushi, Muliyan fled in the middle of the night. Xi led his troops into Fohan, captured Muliyan's family and local civilians, and relocated over a thousand households to Shanggui, leaving Yiwutou in charge of guarding Fohan.
Ah, it's not over yet! Bian Jiong from Jincheng and Liang Hui from Tianshui are actually planning a rebellion, inciting tens of thousands of households in the Qin and Yi provinces, occupying the east city of Shanggui, and even attacking the west city. The commander had prepared early, killing more than a hundred rebels, and many of our own men were also injured, which finally forced the rebels to retreat. Bian Jiong and Liang Hui then brought four thousand men to attack the city. Ten thousand Di and Qiang people were stationed in the Nanling, while Xiu Guan, Tuge, and more than twenty thousand other common people were stationed in the Beiling to support Bian Jiong and his men. The commander sent two generals with two hundred cavalry to guard the city and dispatched cavalry to engage them. After pretending to retreat, Bian Jiong and his men chased after them, but the commander's light cavalry charged in and routed them, even killing Bian Jiong. However, the rebel soldiers on Beiling shot arrows down at the commander's army, the arrows raining down, and Liang Hui fled to Beiling, forcing the cavalry to retreat. Liang Hui then became their leader again. The commander sent two hundred men to charge into the south city and burned their city gate tower, causing the rebel soldiers to panic at the sight of fire. He then sent infantry to attack the city gate and took it down. Afterward, he charged in with the cavalry, and the remaining rebels opened the city gates and fled to the east city. The commander and his men chased after them, killing over a thousand people.
Duke Lu Gen of Anfeng led his troops to provide support and brought along a memorial. The memorial stated: the rebel leader in the Anding region, Lu Na Luo, sent a message to Liang Hui, who shot Lu Na's message into the city. In the message, Lu Na said he had gathered his troops and agreed on a time to support Liang Hui. Additionally, the resident of Chouchi City, Li Hong, claimed to be the rightful king, claiming the heavens had bestowed upon him a jade seal, and he even wrote random spells to deceive the people. Liang Hui sent people to persuade Yang Wend, who then sent Quan Shou with twenty soldiers to Liang Hui, inciting local unrest by claiming that Li Hong was the rightful king, and that two powerful forces could not coexist at the same time. If you want my help, you must first eliminate Li Hong, and then I will come personally.
Liang Hui plans to lure Yang Wende, then trick Li Hong into coming to Dongcheng, kill Li Hong and send his head to Yang Wende. The town of Chouchi, the official Baozi from Huaiyang, secretly sent agents to my town, arriving on the 24th, saying that Yang Wende accepted Liu Yilong's official position and title, gathered troops, and incited the locals in Chouchi, plotting to seize control of the towns. Since Liang Hui's rebellion, he has been secretly colluding with Yang Wende, supporting each other. The Di and Qiang tribes in Wudu have been colluding to support Yang Wende, stationed troops everywhere, and the troops have been fully assembled and will arrive soon. I am stationed at the border town, confronting the rebels, who are just in Dongcheng, separated by only one wall. However, being attacked from all sides, there are concerns about attacking the city. I am wondering when Yang Wende will come to support Liang Hui. If Yang Wende comes and the people respond, the rebels' strength will grow, making the battle even harder. Yang Wende hasn't arrived yet, and the wheat isn't ripe. We need to send troops out quickly; this is the right moment. I urge the Emperor to recognize this and hurry and send a large army to support me and eliminate the rebels.
Before the report was even submitted, Liang Hui tried to escape. Previously, Chiwen had dug a deep trench outside the East City, cutting off the path of the bandit army. In the middle of the night, Liang Hui set up a ladder with a cart and crossed the trench to flee. Chiwen had already deployed troops outside the trench for an ambush, fighting from night until dawn. Chiwen gathered everyone and said, "Even a cornered beast will fight fiercely, let alone a human! The bandit soldiers know there is no way out, and each one will fight tooth and nail, which would likely lead to casualties in our ranks and make victory harder. If we give them a way out, the bandits will become demoralized and divided, making it easier for us to win." Everyone agreed with his reasoning. At first, Chiwen used the White Tiger flag to announce to the bandit soldiers, "As long as you surrender, we will spare your lives!" More than six hundred surrendered on the spot. Seeing the troops' morale crumble, Liang Hui scattered and fled. Chiwen led his troops in pursuit; most of them were killed, and more than four thousand five hundred were taken prisoner.
In response to Liang Hui's rebellion, Wang Yuanda of Luoyang gathered forces to attack the city, recruiting retired officials and troops from the butcher clan, supporting the retired official Wang Huanxing of Tianshui as the King of Qin. Chiwen and Duke Mo Zhen of Linhuai jointly launched an attack against him. When the army reached Luoyang, Chiwen sent someone to persuade them to surrender. Yuanda and his more than three thousand troops were stationed at Songduochuan. Thus, Chiwen divided the army into three routes and attacked simultaneously. The bandits emerged from their camp to resist but were soundly defeated, with three thousand taken prisoner. During the reign of Emperor Gaozong, he and Duke Xinping Zhou Pen attacked Liu Jun's general Yin Xiaozu in Qingdong, but they did not succeed. He died in May of the first year of the Tian'an era.
His eldest son, Wan Hu, ceded his title to his younger brother, Han. At that time, the only ones who willingly gave up their titles were Wan Hu and Yuan Bo, the son of Yuan Shi Hou Zhao Bi'e, who ceded his title to his younger brother Ci Xing, and the court approved it after deliberation.
Wan Hu's grandson Jing, during the reign of Emperor Shizong, rose to the positions of General of Suppressing the Enemy, General of the Imperial Guards, and Commander of the Left Guard of the Crown Prince, renowned for his exceptional administrative skills. Later, he was promoted to General of Pacifying the North, Governor of Hengzhou, and Prefect of Linqu. However, he was dismissed due to a violation of regulations. He passed away.
His son Xi served as an Imperial Attendant. He was later promoted to Gentleman of the Imperial Horse and then to Deputy Minister, accompanying Xue Tan to Liangzhou to welcome the Ruanruan chieftain Boluomen. He also served as General of Defending the North and County Magistrate of Heyin. After his death, he was posthumously granted the title of General of Assisting the State and Governor of Shuozhou.
His son Zuan served as the Prefect of Yingchuan during the latter part of the Wuding period.
Lu Luohan, from Shouzhang, Dongping in Shandong. His ancestors moved to Youzhou during the reign of Shi Le. His grandfather, Lu Xian, known as Ziming, loved learning from a young age, was upright and honest, and people in the village would come to him to settle disputes. Later, he was appointed as the Prefect of Hejian by Murong Chui. During the Northern Wei Dynasty, Lu Xian surrendered the entire county to the Northern Wei, and the emperor was very pleased. He was given the title of Marquis of Wei Chang and appointed as the Prefect of Julu. He was upright and dedicated to public service, yet his own family often struggled to make ends meet. The people praised him, saying, "You are truly a good official, selfless; you have managed our desolate land so well, and everyone is living a good life! Wishing you a long life of a hundred years!" Lu Xian later passed away while in office. His father, Lu Wen, also known as Xiyang, was skilled in calligraphy, committed to doing good, and excelled in both civil and military matters. During the Northern Wei Dynasty, Lu Wen was appointed as a commanding officer during the campaign against Helian Chang. Lu Wen always led the charge in battle, won numerous victories, and was appointed as the General of Xuanwei and the Commandant of the Imperial Carriage. Later, he was sent to Qinzhou as a Colonel, and then promoted to the Prefect of Shangdang. He was good at educating the people and made significant contributions to governance. After his death, he was posthumously granted the title of General Pingyuan, Inspector of Yuzhou, and Marquis of Yewang, and received the posthumous title of Jing.
Lü Luohan was a person of great kindness and integrity, careful and detail-oriented in his actions. He gained fame for his martial arts prowess as a young man. When his father Lü Wen was serving as an official in Qinzhou, Lü Luohan followed him. At that time, the Di tribe leader in Longyou, Yang Nandang, led tens of thousands of troops to attack Shanggui, and many citizens of Qinzhou rallied to Yang Nandang's call. Yuan Yitou, the defending general of Qinzhou, knew that Lü Luohan was skilled in archery, so he ordered Lü Luohan to shoot at Yang Nandang's generals and soldiers, and Lü Luohan shot one arrow for each, taking down twenty-three in total. As the enemy's strength increased, Lü Luohan suggested, "If we don't engage now, the enemy will see us as weak, and that could be disastrous for morale!" Yuan Yitou agreed with him, so he selected over a thousand cavalry and sent Lü Luohan to engage in battle. Lü Luohan and the cavalry rode their horses, yelling as they charged into Yang Nandang's forces, causing the enemy to break ranks. Lü Luohan even took out eight of Yang Nandang's bodyguards himself, frightening Yang Nandang. Meanwhile, Emperor Xiaowen of Northern Wei sent a decree to Yang Nandang, scolding him for his tyranny. Yang Nandang had no option but to pull back to Chouchi with his troops. Yuan Yitou reported this incident in detail to Emperor Xiaowen, who greatly appreciated Lü Luohan and summoned him into the palace to serve as a palace guard.
Once upon a time, the officials Lü Feng of Shanggui and butcher Wang Feilian led over eight thousand households to rebel, occupying a strategic position. The court dispatched Luohan to lead a thousand cavalry to suppress them. Later, he also participated in the campaign against Xuanhu, where Luohan and the King of Langya, Sima Chu, negotiated and recruited defectors on the battlefield, resulting in over nine thousand households surrendering. Upon reaching Xuyi, Luohan repeatedly defeated the rebel forces and captured the enemy generals Gu Yan and Li Guanzhi alive. Due to his outstanding military achievements, he was promoted to the position of Yulin Zhonglang General and Chuang General, granted the title of Wuchengzi (乌程子), and awarded the title of Jianwei General. During the reign of King Nan'an, Yu Li, Luohan was still responsible for the imperial guard. When Emperor Gaozong ascended the throne, Luohan also contributed significantly. Subsequently, he was promoted to Shaoqing while continuing to serve as Chuang General, and was also granted the title of Longxiang General. Later, he was promoted to Siwei Jian, and then further promoted to Sanqi Changshi and Shanzhong Shangshu, with his title elevated to Shanyang Gong and awarded the title of Zhenxi General. Later, when the Ruanruan tribe invaded the borders, Emperor Xianzu personally led a military campaign against them, and Luohan, together with the Right Minister Nanping Gong Yuan Muzhen, commanded both internal and external military forces.
Afterwards, Luohan was appointed as the General of the West and the Governor of Qin and Yi provinces. At that time, the Qiang tribe of the Di people in Qiu Chi rebelled and attacked Luo Valley. The town commander, Wu Baoyuan, fled to Baiqing Mountain and sought help from Luohan. Luohan led infantry and cavalry, and together with Changsun Guan, launched a surprise attack on the Di and Qiang rebel forces, achieving a resounding victory, killing the enemy leader, and causing the rebel forces to disperse and flee. The emperor also specifically issued an edict to commend Luohan: “You have been promoted because of your hard work and effort, your talents have been fully utilized, you manage the imperial guards in the court and defend the borders outside. I have already rewarded you very generously. But if you do not dedicate yourself wholeheartedly and remain loyal, how can you leave a name in history? Qiu Chi is close to the border and has been plagued by constant warfare; not only are the soldiers suffering, but the common people are also suffering. This is due to the town commander's lack of wisdom and failure to properly pacify the people and manage the troops. You accepted this urgent command and quickly took action, eliminating these vicious rebels. The terrain in Longyou is rugged, and the people are relatively strong. If you do not win their loyalty through virtue and simultaneously enforce the law, then the bandits will not be subdued, and the people will not be able to live and work in peace. I sincerely wish to govern the country well, hoping for peace and harmony throughout the land. You should gather local heroes, select suitable talents, prioritize the benefit of the people, and focus on the welfare of the country, implementing policies that balance compassion and authority according to local customs. For those who live and work in peace and abide by the law, you should encourage and supervise them well, without infringing on their rights. You must clearly convey my intentions to them.”
In Jingzhou, a commoner named Zhang Qianglang incited the people in the eastern region of Long to rebel, gathering more than a thousand people. The local military attempted to suppress him but they were unable to do so. General Luohan led a thousand infantry and cavalry to capture Zhang Qianglang directly.
Afterwards, the Di and Qiang tribes of Qiuchi became increasingly rebellious, with uprisings breaking out everywhere, blocking the roads. The leaders of these rebel forces, including Qiong Lian and Fu Qi, had previously been granted official positions and pardons by Emperor Liu Yu. At that time, Duke Fu Anu served as the commander, leading troops alongside Luo Han to suppress the rebellion, capturing Qiong Lian, Fu Qi, and others along the way.
Qinzhou and Yizhou were far from the capital, connected to Qiuchi in the south and adjacent to Chishui in the west, where the Qiang people took advantage of the terrain and frequently rebelled. Since Luo Han took office in Jingzhou, he used both firm measures to deter them and kindness to win them over, winning over the Qiang people in the west and stabilizing the border regions.
Emperor Gaozu praised Luo Han in an imperial decree, saying, "I govern the realm, command the seas, and am fully committed to restoring the ancient virtues and promoting enlightened teachings. Therefore, the appointment of officials within the court and the dispatch of local officials is an excellent opportunity for aspiring individuals to achieve success and for loyal subjects to serve the nation. The Qiang people in Chishui live on the border, and without your guidance, how could they be pacified? I have approved the acceptance of the warhorses and captives you have submitted, and I am pleased with your loyalty, so I hereby order their acceptance. The seals of those horses will be handed over to the provincial governor, and the captives will be rewarded to you."
Later, the emperor promoted Luo Han to a senior official in the capital, where he was responsible for adjudicating cases fairly and accurately. In the sixth year of Taihe, Luo Han passed away while in office. Emperor Gaozu was deeply saddened and posthumously bestowed upon him a set of mourning attire, reinstating his original official position and posthumously honoring him as "Duke Zhuang."
Luo Han's eldest son was named Xingzu, who inherited the title of Duke of Shanyang but was later demoted to a marquis, passing away in the first year of Jingming. Xingzu's younger brother was named Boqing, who served as a grand physician and also as the Langzhongling for Prince Xi of Xianyang. Boqing's younger brother was named Shixing, who served as a scholar-official.
Luohan's younger brother is named Datang, who served as a Junior Official and Governor of Hengnong.
Datang's younger brother is named Baozi, who was initially the commander of Donglai Town, later promoted to the governor of Guang Prefecture.
Baozi's younger brother is named Qibao, who served as a Junior Attendant and was later appointed to the positions of Jiajie, Longxiang General, and governor of Dongyongzhou.
Kong Bogong is from Yexian, Weijun. His father, Kong Zhao, during the Shiguang years, due to his good relationship with the Empress, was granted the title of Marquis of Ruyin and was also appointed as the General of the Eastern Front. Later, his title was changed to Marquis of Weixian, and his official position was elevated to General of An Nan. His father had a gentle and generous personality but was very talented and efficient in his work. He was later sent by the court to serve as the governor of Zhao County, achieving notable political achievements and gaining a good reputation. He was then recalled by the court to become a Guanglu Dafu and was subsequently promoted to a senior official in the Central Government. He was particularly adept at handling cases and was well-versed in law and punishment. Later, he was promoted to Grand Minister, General of the Eastern Front, and governor of Youzhou, with his title elevated to Duke of Lujun. He passed away in the second year of the Pinghe period and was posthumously granted the title Duke Kang.
His eldest son is named Kong Luohan, who serves as a stable attendant in the Crown Prince's Eastern Palace. His second son is Kong Bogong, who, relying on his father's connections, was initially appointed by the court as an Official Attendant. Later, the emperor conferred upon him the title of Marquis of Jiyang and added the position of Yingyang General. He was then sent to serve as General of An Nan and governor of Jizhou, with his title elevated to Duke of Chengyang. Eventually, he returned to court and became a Palace Attendant.
When Emperor Xianzu first took the throne, Liu Yu's subordinate, Xue Andu, the governor of Xuzhou, surrendered to Liu Song. Liu Yu sent generals Zhang Yong and Shen Youzhi to attack Xue Andu. Xue Andu quickly sent a request for assistance. Xianzu then appointed Liu Bogong as the General of the Eastern Front, sending him along with Minister Wei Yuan to assist Xue Andu.
When the army arrived at the territory of Xi, the bandit leader Zhou Kai heard that Liu Bogong and his men were coming, so he abandoned his troops and fled. Zhang Yong was still stationed at Xike. Zhang Yong's supplies were in Wuyuan, which was captured by Liu Bogong and his men. Zhang Yong had no choice but to retreat with his troops. It was the first month of the first year of Huangxing, with particularly cold weather, heavy snowfall, and the Sishui River frozen. Zhang Yong and Shen Youzhi abandoned their ships and fled, while Liu Bogong and his men pursued them, capturing many bandits alive or dead.
In August, Liu Bogong wrote to the people of Xi and Suyu, saying, "Liu Yu has rebelled, drawing the wrath of heaven and earth. He thought he could make a comeback and hold onto his power by relying on the Yangtze River. He even dared to send Zhang Yong and Zhou Kai to their doom before the army arrived. Now is our chance to capture this city and pacify the Wu area, avenging the people. Surrender now and you may save your lives." At that time, Shen Youzhi, Wu Jigong, and their forces came to the aid of Xi with tens of thousands of troops, stationed at Jiaoxuqu, about fifty miles from Xi. Liu Bogong sent his son Hou Fen with five hundred cavalry to the south and Xi Sheng with over five hundred cavalry to the north, surrounding their forces from both sides. Liu Bogong secretly prepared fire-based weaponry for a joint land and water assault. Upon hearing this, Shen Youzhi quickly withdrew his troops to Fanjie City. Liu Bogong then sent his son Sun Tianqing with six thousand infantry and cavalry to Lingzhong Gorge to block the river route. Liu Yu's General Ning Shuo, Chen Xianda, led two thousand soldiers upstream to support Shen Youzhi, stationed at the junction of Sui and Qing. Liu Bogong crossed the river with his troops, decisively defeating Chen Xianda's army and capturing or killing nineteen soldiers. Shen Youzhi, upon hearing of Chen Xianda's defeat, fled downstream. Liu Bogong deployed his troops on both banks of the Qing River to pursue Shen Youzhi's army.
Liu Bogong set out from Suiling City towards Lingzhong Gorge, dividing his forces into two groups. He sent Sima Fanshizi and others to the south of Qinghe, while he took the western route along Qinghe and engaged Shen Youzhi, achieving a decisive victory. He killed their generals, including Jiang Chanzhi, Gao Zunshi, Qiu Youbi, Qiu Longxian, Shen Rongzong, Lu Daojing, and others. Shen Youzhi, Wu Xigong, and their men fled on horseback. Liu Bogong pursued them for over 80 li, seizing an immense amount of military supplies. He then attacked Suyu, where Liu Yu's commander, Lu Sengzun, fled under the cover of night. Liu Bogong subsequently dispatched Kong Taiheng and his men with a thousand cavalry to launch an assault on Huaiyang to the south, where Liu Yu's governor, Cui Wuzhong, set fire to the city and escaped, allowing Liu Bogong to occupy Huaiyang.
In the second year, Liu Bogong was granted the title of Cavalry Attendant, Commander of military affairs in Xuyan Zhou, General who Pacifies the East, Zhangjiang of Pengcheng, and Duke of Donghai. In the third year of October, he passed away and was posthumously named as the Grand General of the East and Prince of Donghai, with the posthumous title of Huan.
Han Bogong's younger brother, Han Boxun, served as a Secretary in the Imperial Secretariat, inheriting his father's title of Duke of Lu Jun. He was later appointed as the General who Pacifies the East, stationed in Donglai, and then promoted to General and Governor of Dong Xu Zhou. He eventually resigned from his post and passed away at home.
Historical records indicate that Han Mao, Pi Baozi, Feng Chiwen, Lv Luohan, and Kong Bogong became generals due to their composure, bravery, loyalty, integrity, and skill in managing troops. Their achievements were genuine! They stand in stark contrast to those who seek only fleeting victories and glory from a single battle.
