Let's first discuss ancient kinship relationships and state governance. You see, those who become emperors, if they favor their relatives excessively and only value blood ties without regard for ability and merit, the country will eventually fall apart. In the Yin Shang and Zhou dynasties, the founding emperors did not rely much on their maternal family members, and the country still thrived. But by the Han dynasty, the power of maternal relatives grew larger, leading to power struggles and infighting, causing harm to the country and even the alteration of the state title. Both Emperor Wen and Emperor Ming of Wei took this to heart and were very cautious in rewarding their relatives. However, by the Jin dynasty, Yang Jun seized power and ultimately met his downfall. Therefore, emperors must be fair in employing people and cannot rely solely on trusted confidants; otherwise, it would be like using a small calf to pull a large cart or using a flimsy tree trunk for support, which will ultimately harm themselves.
When our founding emperor came to power, He Ne followed him to help him conquer the land and made significant contributions. Others, some due to their achievements, others through royal connections, also benefited. Let's discuss the rise and fall of He Ne and his family. He Ne was from the Dai people, the maternal uncle of our founding emperor, and the brother of Empress Xianming. His ancestors were local leaders who governed dozens of tribes. His grandfather, He, made significant contributions to the state and married Princess Pingwen. His father, Ye Gan, married Princess Zhao Cheng, also known as Princess Liaoxi. After Princess Zhao Cheng died, chaos erupted among the tribes, and Empress Xianming, the founding emperor, and Wang Wei and Wang Qin all turned to He Ne for refuge. At that time, Fu Jian appointed Liu Kureng to oversee state affairs, and the founding emperor returned to the Dugu tribe. He Ne led the eastern region, became a high official, and moved to Daming. He was known for his kindness and integrity, and many people submitted to him, gaining power comparable to Liu Kureng. Fu Jian also named He Ne as the Eagle General.
Later, Liu Xian staged a rebellion, and Emperor Taizu, upon receiving the news, rode north to find He Ne. When He Ne saw Emperor Taizu, he was taken aback and overjoyed, kneeling and saying, "Your Majesty, after you restore our nation, please do not forget your old minister!" Emperor Taizu smiled and said, "Uncle, you are right. How could I forget you!" He Ne's brother, Ran Gan, was rough and jealous of Emperor Taizu, always wanting to rebel, and had the backing of Princess Liao Xi, the Emperor's maternal aunt, so he had been too fearful to act impulsively. Later, tribal leaders urged the He Ne brothers to back Emperor Taizu. Ran Gan said, "How can we do this in our Dai state?" He Ne replied, "The emperor is the grandson of the king of the Dai state; his revival of our ancestral legacy is a tremendous boon for our Dai state! We should support one another and work together to build our legacy. Do you have any objections? That’s hardly how a minister should behave!" So, He Ne and the others encouraged Emperor Taizu to take the throne of the Dai king in Niuchuan.
Back in the day, when Emperor Taizu went to fight the Tujue, the Hule brothers turned against him and led their group to help the Tujue. Emperor Taizu sent his troops and defeated them decisively, and Hule Jin fled westward. Wei Chen sent his son Zhi Li Da to pursue Hule Jin. Realizing he was in trouble, Hule Jin quickly begged for mercy and surrendered himself. Emperor Taizu then sent 200,000 elite soldiers to support him. After that, Hule Jin's tribe and his brothers were relocated to the east. Later, Hule Jin teamed up with Murong Chui, who appointed him as the King of Guishan. As a result, his subordinate, Ran Gan, plotted to kill him and take the throne for himself, which led to a conflict between Hule Jin and Ran Gan. Murong Chui sent his son Murong Lin to quell the rebellion, defeating Ran Gan at Niudu and Hule Jin at Chicheng. Emperor Taizu again sent troops to rescue Hule Jin, forcing Murong Lin to pull back his troops. Later, Hule Jin joined Emperor Taizu in pacifying the Central Plains and was appointed as General Anyuan. Afterward, the scattered tribes were settled down, given land, and established permanent homes, and their leaders were registered just like regular folks. Hule Jin was the uncle of Emperor Taizu, so he was well-respected, but had little real power. In the end, he passed away quietly at home.
Hulujin's younger brother, Hululu, also participated in pacifying the Central Plains, and due to his contributions, he was granted the title of Duke of Liaoxi. Later, Emperor Taizu sent Hululu to attack Ye City with Prince Murong Yi, but Hululu, feeling that he was Emperor Taizu's mother's cousin, was unwilling to follow Murong Yi's orders. Emperor Taizu sent someone to reprimand him, and Hululu was very displeased, leading to a tense situation with Sima Dingjian, a subordinate of Murong Yi, filled with mutual suspicion. Just then, Emperor Taizu ordered Murong Yi to withdraw his troops, and Hululu returned as well. Emperor Taizu then appointed him as the Prefect of Guangchuan. Hululu was a strong-willed individual who looked down on Wang Fu, the Inspector of Jizhou; he secretly assassinated him and then fled to Murong De. Murong De appointed him as the Inspector of Bingzhou and Prince of Guangning. Later, when Guanggu City fell, Hululu was killed in battle.
Hulujin's cousin, Huluyue, at first, when Emperor Taizu was among the Helan tribe, everyone was skeptical of him, except for Huluyue, who brought his entire clan to follow him. He even secretly prayed to heaven for Emperor Taizu's success, demonstrating his genuine devotion. Emperor Taizu was very pleased and treated him exceptionally well. After pacifying the Central Plains, he was granted the title of Marquis of Julu in recognition of his contributions, and later promoted to Duke of Beixin, before he passed away.
Zi Ni inherited the noble title, but was later demoted to Duke of Fei Ru. When Emperor Taizu passed away, the capital descended into chaos, and Zi Ni lit a beacon fire north of Anyang City, calling on the Helan tribe to come. After Emperor Taizong ascended the throne, this incident was left unresolved. Emperor Taizong ordered Zi Ni and Yuan Hun to serve as eight officials to assist the emperor in handling state affairs. He and Beixin Hou An Tong were sent on a mission to Bingzhou and Dingzhou, where they brought charges against the Bingzhou governor Yuan Liu and others, all of whom confessed and faced punishment, restoring order in the prefectures and counties. Later, he accompanied Emperor Shizong in the campaign against Helian Chang, and for his military achievements, he was promoted to Duke of Langya. He consistently participated in major court affairs. He also participated in the campaign against the Ruanruan, serving as a commanding officer. However, during the battle, he did not actively pursue the enemy and falsely reported military achievements, which was punishable by execution under the law. Ultimately, he paid a fine to redeem himself and was reduced to commoner status. Eventually, he was appointed as Guanglu Xun and held a senior position in the outer capital, restoring his original noble title. He eventually passed away while in office. His son, Zi Chou, succeeded him in his title.
Liu Luocheng was from Dai County and was the older brother of Empress Xuanmu. His father, Liu Juan, was a northern lord who led his tribe to submit to the court. Liu Luocheng was very clever and said to his father, "My cousin Kurinzi Xian is a ruthless person; we should make plans early." Liu Juan dismissed it. Later, Kurinzi Xian killed Liu Juan and proclaimed himself as the leader, plotting rebellion. After Emperor Taizu ascended the throne, he launched a campaign against Kurinzi Xian in Mayi, pursuing him to Mizze and delivering a crushing defeat. Kurinzi Xian fled to Murong Lin, who moved him to Zhongshan, while Liu Luocheng led his cavalry to join Emperor Taizu. Kurinzi Xian, relying on his large number of followers, often plotted rebellion, but Liu Luocheng always caught wind of it early and reported it, thus gaining Emperor Taizu's special favor. Soon, he was appointed as a nobleman in the south. He followed Emperor Taizu to pacify the Central Plains and was granted the title Duke Yong'an for his military achievements. He was later appointed as General of the Eastern Expedition and Governor of Dingzhou. After his death, he was posthumously honored with the title Duke Jing.
His son Zi Shu Hui inherited the title and served as the Governor of Bingzhou, but later passed away.
His son Zi Qiu Yin rose to the rank of General of the Imperial Guards and was posthumously named Duke Zhen.
His son Zi Er Tou served as the county magistrate of Weichang and Lantao, and after his death, he was posthumously named Governor of Julu. There is another biography recorded for his son Zi Ren Zhi.
Yao Huangmei was the son of Yao Xing and the brother of Empress Zhao Ai, wife of Emperor Taizong of the Tang Dynasty. After Yao Hong's downfall, Huangmei came to the Tang court to seek refuge in Taizong, who treated him exceptionally well, granting him the title of Duke of Longxi, permitting him to marry Princess Yangzhai, appointing him as the Imperial Son-in-Law, and bestowing upon him two hundred households. After Emperor Gaozong ascended the throne, he promoted him to the position of Grand Minister of the Inner Palace and later appointed him as Minister of Rites. After his death, he was posthumously appointed as the Governor of Yongzhou and King of Longxi, with the title of King Xian, and was buried in Jinling. Huangmei was known for his kindness and mild temperament, rarely discussing right and wrong or gains and losses. Gaozong missed him very much, so the honors he received posthumously were particularly grand.
Du Chao, styled Zuren, was from Ye in Weijun and was the elder brother of Empress Mi. He exhibited strong moral integrity from a young age. During the reign of Emperor Taizong, he served as the Deputy Chief of Xiangzhou. When he was ordered to the capital for official business, he refrained from contacting his sister due to laws prohibiting private communication with the empress. By the Shiguang era, Gaozong missed his uncle, so he bestowed Du Chao the title of Duke of Yangping, permitted him to marry Princess Nanan, appointed him as the Imperial Son-in-Law, and promoted him to Grand Minister of Rites. The emperor visited his residence on several occasions, bestowing an overwhelming number of gifts. In the third year of Xianqing, Gaozong appointed Du Chao as General of the Southern Expedition and Prime Minister, promoting him to the rank of king, and assigned him to defend Ye City. He also posthumously appointed Du Chao’s father, Bao, as General of the Eastern Expedition and King of Yangping, and his mother as Lady of Julu. In the fifth year of Xianqing, Du Chao was assassinated by his subordinates, and Gaozong personally attended his funeral, mourning deeply. After Du Chao’s death, he was posthumously titled King Wei.
His eldest son, Du Daosheng, was bestowed the title of Marquis of Chengyang. He later served as the Governor of Qinzhou and was promoted to Duke of Hedong. Du Daosheng’s younger brother, Du Fenghuang, inherited Du Chao’s title and was subsequently promoted to Palace Attendant and Special Advisor. Gaozong constantly thought of Du Chao and wanted Du Fenghuang to serve as the Governor of Dingzhou, but Du Fenghuang was reluctant to leave the capital, so this matter was not accomplished.
Du Fenghuang's younger brother, Du Daojun, was granted the title of Fagan Marquis and stationed at Fangtou, later serving as the Governor of Yanzhou. After the death of Du Chao, his cousin was also appointed as Court Attendant, General of Annam, Minister of State, and Inspector of Xiangzhou. He later entered the court and served as a high official in the inner palace, being promoted to Prince of Guangping. He was well-regarded for his loyalty and integrity, often serving as the governor of various states and counties, receiving praise wherever he went. After his death, he was posthumely honored with the name Xuanwang and awarded the title of Grand Tutor.
Yuanbao, the eldest son, became the Minister of Works. His younger brother, Yinbao, served as the Colonel of the Imperial Secretariat. Later, Yuanbao was promoted and became the Prince of Jingzhao. When their father died, he should have quickly gone to the palace to express his gratitude, but wanting to show off his power, he intended to submit a memorial to the emperor. The emperor was unaware of his father's death and thought he was slow, so he summoned him to the palace. Just as Yuanbao was about to enter, someone advised him, "Your father has just passed away; you should ask for leave first!" Yuanbao, eager to display his authority, ignored the advice and defiantly entered the palace. As a result, not long after, he was executed on charges of treason, and his followers were also executed, while his son, Shiheng, managed to escape. At that time, the court considered revoking Yuanbao's titles, but Chancellor Gao Yun wrote a memorial to the emperor explaining the situation, which prevented that from happening.
Later, some senior officials from Yanzhou, who had been treated well by Daojun during his lifetime, requested the court to arrange for Daojun's burial due to his association with Yuanbao's execution, as he was left unburied after his death. The emperor agreed and posthumously honored him with the titles of Palace Attendant, General of Annam, and Duke of Nankang, with the posthumous name Zhao. His son, Shiheng, inherited the titles.
He Mi was a representative, and his niece was Empress Jing'ai of the Northern Wei, who gave birth to Emperor Gongzong. The empress lost her parents at a young age and had no relatives except for her uncle, He Mi. Because he was the empress's uncle, he was granted the title of Changxiangzi. After He Mi's death, he was posthumously honored with the titles of Minister of Rites and Duke of Wuyuan.
Lu Pi, also known as the Dai people, was originally a member of the Ruo Ruo tribe who surrendered to the Northern Wei during the reign of Emperor Shizu. He was the elder brother of Empress Gong, who was the mother of Emperor Gaozong. In the second year of the Tai'an era, Lu Pi was granted the title of General of Pacifying the North and bestowed the noble rank of Duke of Hedong; his brother He was granted the title of General of Pacifying the South and bestowed the noble rank of Duke of Lingling. In the same year, both brothers were promoted to the title of Shizhong and elevated to princely ranks. Later, Lu Pi became the General of Zhengdong and participated in state affairs; He became the General of Zhengxi and served as a high official in the central capital. Several of their other brothers and nephews were also granted titles of kings, dukes, marquises, and earls, enjoying a period of great prestige. The emperor showed such favor to the empress's family, which earned great admiration from the people at that time. In the second year of He Ping, the emperor posthumously honored the empress's grandfather as Duke of Yanxiang Kang and her father as Wang of Chen Dingxiang Yi. After Lu Pi's death, he was posthumously granted the title of Grand Minister, and his wife was also posthumously recognized as the Princess of Hedong.
Lu Pi's son, Hui, inherited his title. After He's death, he was posthumously granted the title of Sikong (Minister of State).
He’s son, Dou, later changed his name to Zhuang. During the Taihe era, the court established three governors, and Zhuang was appointed as the Minister of Rites, performing exceptionally well and earning a strong reputation. In the sixteenth year, due to reforms in the system, he was demoted in rank, later becoming the Minister of War, and eventually died.
His brother, Ran, served as a high official in the outer capital and as the Governor of Jizhou, and was granted the title of Duke of Jiangxia, later passing away.
Firstly, Emperor Gaozong honored his nurse, Lady Chang, for her contributions in protecting him during his childhood by elevating her to the rank of Empress Dowager after he ascended the throne, and later to the rank of Empress. In the second year of the Xing'an era, the Empress Dowager's brother, Chang Ying, courtesy name Shihua, was promoted directly from the county magistrate of Feiru to the positions of Grand Master of the Horse and General of the Town Forces, and was also granted the title of Duke of Liaoxi. His brother, Chang Xi, was appointed as General of the Eastern Town and Minister of Sacrifices, and was also granted the title of Duke of Liaoxi. The Empress Dowager's three sisters were all granted the title of County Lady, and their husband, Wang Du, was appointed as the Governor of Pingzhou and also granted the title of Duke of Liaoxi. The Emperor also posthumously honored the Empress Dowager's grandparents and her father: he posthumously promoted her grandfather, Chang Hai, who had served as the Governor of Fufeng during the reign of Fu Jian, to General of the West and Duke of Liaoxi; he posthumously promoted her grandmother, Chang Cheng, who had served as the Governor of Bohai, to Imperial Attendant, General of the Eastern Expedition, and Grand Chancellor, and posthumously granted her the title of Princess of Liaoxi; he posthumously honored her grandmother, Lady Xu, as Lady of Boling County. The Emperor also dispatched the Grand Minister Lu Dushi with a decree to reinter the Princess of Liaoxi in Liaoxi, erect a monument for him, build a temple, and arranged for a hundred households to stand guard at the tomb. In the early years of the Tai'an era, Chang Ying was promoted to Imperial Attendant, General of the Eastern Expedition, and Grand Chancellor, and his title was elevated to Wang. Chang Xi was appointed as the Left Minister of Rites and was regranted the title of Duke of Yanzhou. Chang Ying's cousin, Chang Tai, was appointed as General of the Eastern Expedition and granted the title of Marquis of Joseon. Chang Ying's nephew, Chang Bofu, became a Palace Attendant and Minister of the Selection Department; another nephew, Chang Yuan, became Minister of the Jin Department; and Chang Xi's son, Chang Zhen, became a son of the crown prince. Three years later, Chang Ying was also concurrently appointed as Grand Teacher, responsible for the Ministry of Appointments, and Chief Official of the Inner Court, while also overseeing the inspectors of the states of Fu, Bao, and Tai. Five years later, the Emperor issued an edict honoring the Empress Dowager's mother, Lady Song, as the Royal Dowager of Liaoxi. In the first year of the He Ping era, Chang Xi was appointed as the Governor of Luozhou.
At first, Chang Ying was not very filial to his mother, Song Shi, while Wang Du was very filial to her. One time, Song went to the Long area without a carriage and was extremely tired from walking, so Wang Du offered to carry her on his back. At that moment, Song felt that her son Chang Ying was not as good to her as Wang Du, so she said to the Empress, "Why don't you confer the title of king upon Wang Du and punish Chang Ying?" The Empress replied, "Chang Ying is my brother and the family's mainstay. Some minor family disputes aren't worth fussing over. Although Wang Du is very devoted, he is after all an outsider; how can he be put above Chang Ying? Granting him the title of governor of a province is already a reward for him." During the Tian'an years, Chang Ying was appointed as the governor of Pingzhou, Chang Xin was appointed as the governor of Youzhou, and Chang Bofu's title was also elevated to Duke of Fanyang. Later, Chang Ying was demoted to Dunhuang because of his greed.
Starting from Duke Xing, all the members of their family received titles and estates because of their close ties with the emperor; that era was truly magnificent. Later, Bofu became the governor of Luozhou, but he eventually met his end in the capital for embezzlement and tricking the court. In the first year of the Chengming era, Ying was reinstated to his original position. Later, Ying passed away and was posthumously titled King Ping of Liaoxi. It is said that when Ying was summoned, he dreamed that the sun fell into the water at the foot of Huangshan Mountain near his home, and the villagers could not get it out with carts and oxen; only he was able to pull it out himself. People who heard about this back then found it quite strange.
Later, Ying's son and Bo Fu's son Qin Ke colluded by writing letters to falsely accuse the court officials. After the matter was exposed, the relevant authorities acted according to the law and intended to punish the five families. Emperor Gaozu, recalling his feelings for Empress Dowager Zhao (Ying's mother), only punished Ying's family. Because Ying's son was older, he was pardoned and allowed to return home, and he was allowed to keep a grandson, along with being granted slaves and land. His household included as many as a hundred servants, and the gold, silver, brocade, and fabrics totaled in the tens of thousands, which were distributed to officials ranked between the Minister and the Imperial Guards. His son-in-law and relatives and friends serving in the court were dismissed from their posts and sent back to their hometowns. Eleven years later, Emperor Gaozu and Empress Dowager Wen, remembering Empress Dowager Zhao, returned the women confiscated from their family and allowed Ying's grandson, Xi Zi, to take up an official position in Zhengping County. Later, Xi Zi passed away.
Feng Xi, styled Jinchang, was from Xindu in Changle and was the brother of Empress Dowager Wen. His ancestor, Feng Wentong, is specifically recorded in the "Chronicles of the Sea Barbarians." During his grandfather's time, Emperor Shizu pacified the Liao Sea. His father, Feng Lang, was exiled inland, where he served as the governor of Qin and Yong provinces and Duke of Liaoxi, but was later executed for his crimes. After Empress Dowager Wen came to power, she posthumously conferred upon his father a ceremonial yellow seal, the title of Grand Chancellor and King of Yan Xuan, and built a temple for him in Chang'an.
Feng Xi was born in Chang'an and was raised by Lady Wei from the Yao family. Because his uncle, Duke Feng Miao of Le Ling, was captured by the Ruru people during a war, Lady Wei took Feng Xi and fled to the Di-Qiang region, where she brought him up. At the age of twelve, Feng Xi loved horseback riding and archery and was very brave, gaining the respect of the Di-Qiang. Seeing his potential, Lady Wei took him back to Chang'an. Afterwards, Feng Xi began his studies, apprenticing under a teacher to study the "Classic of Filial Piety" and the "Analects," and he also liked exploring yin-yang techniques and military strategies. As he grew up, he traveled between Huayin and Hedong. He was cheerful and didn't sweat the small stuff; no matter if someone was a high official or just a commoner, he warmly welcomed anyone who came.
Xi Gu was chosen to enter the palace and became the Left Zhaoyi for Emperor Shizong. Her sister later became Empress of Gaozong Wencheng, who later became known as Empress Wenming. Later, someone from outside heard about Xi Gu and asked where she was, invited her to the capital, and made her General of Champions, giving her a rank like that of a marquis. She also married Princess Boling, the daughter of Emperor Gongzong, and was made Duke of the Imperial Son-in-law. Later, she became the governor of Dingzhou and was promoted to King of Changli. After Emperor Xianzu took the throne, Xi Gu was appointed as the Grand Tutor and later promoted to several important official positions.
After Emperor Gaozu ascended the throne, Empress Wen took charge of the court, and many nobles and ministers vied to curry favor with her. Emperor Gaozu, following the Empress's wishes, appointed Xi Gu as Grand Minister, Grand Tutor, and Director of the Central Secretariat, and also put him in charge of the Secretariat's affairs. Because Xi Gu often acted as a teacher and was deeply favored by the Empress, he made many people unhappy and left him feeling uneasy, so he requested a post outside the capital. Empress Wen also thought this would be better. Thus, he was reassigned as General of the Chariots and Cavalry, while still keeping his titles of Grand Minister and Grand Tutor. Although Luoyang had experienced turmoil, the ancient "Three-Character Stone Classics" somehow survived. However, when Xi Gu and Chang Bofu successively served as the governor of Luozhou, they tore down the stone classics for their materials, resulting in their destruction. Xi Gu was not particularly kind in his role as an official, but he practiced Buddhism, spending his own money to build 72 Buddhist monasteries in various states and prefectures, and he inscribed all sixteen volumes of Buddhist scriptures. He also invited renowned monks to study the scriptures with him every day, working hard and spending a lot of money. Most of these temples and pagodas were built on scenic mountains, which led to the deaths of many people and animals. Some monks urged him to stop this practice, but Xi Gu replied, "Once they are completed, people will only see the Buddhist images; who will remember those who were killed, whether they were people or animals?" The inscription at Beimu Temple was penned by Jia Yuanshou, the Deputy Minister of the Central Secretariat. Emperor Gaozu visited Beimu Temple several times and personally read the inscription and praised it as a great piece.
When Xi Gu was the governor of Dangzhou, due to various reasons, he captured many people's children to serve as slaves and servants, and took beautiful women as concubines, resulting in many children. People said he was greedy and indulgent. Later, he requested to return to court and was appointed to a high position in the inner court, while retaining his position as Grand Preceptor. Xi Gu served Empress Dowager Wei very dutifully, treating her as if she were his own mother. After Empress Dowager Wei passed away, he let his hair down, walked barefoot, and did not eat or drink for three days. The court did not allow him to wear mourning clothes, so he submitted a memorial requesting to follow the mourning customs of the Zhao clan. Emperor Gaozu saw his filial piety and found it difficult to refuse, thus granting him permission to wear the highest mourning attire. Later, according to regulations, his title was downgraded, and he was reappointed as the Duke of Jingzhao.
It is said that Emperor Gaozu married a daughter of the Feng family as his empress and specifically issued an edict stating: "The 'Baihu Tong' states that there are only three types of people that a ruler cannot serve. One of them is the parents of his wife. This means that the sacrificial rites for the ancestral temple must be conducted solemnly and should not be mixed with personal sentiments. However, my old Liu family has no record of this in the 'Spring and Autumn Annals,' and there is no historical precedent for a minister doing this; since it has already been allowed for the father of the empress not to perform the rites of a minister to me, it must further reflect the nobility of the royal family. The power and status of the empress's father are already very high, and the affairs of the harem were running smoothly, and no one has ever submitted a similar regulation before, so I decree that Grand Preceptor Feng may be exempt from the rites of a minister." He then ordered that the relevant ceremonial regulations be written down and distributed. Emperor Gaozu married three daughters of the Feng family in total, two of whom became empresses and one became Left Consort. Thus, the status and power of the Feng family rose increasingly, and they received countless rewards. Every time Emperor Gaozu issued an edict to the Feng family, he specifically stated that they did not need to perform the rites of a minister and did not need to kneel when attending court. The Feng family always responded according to the previous customs.
Empress Feng later became ill, and her illness lasted for four years. Emperor Gaozu ordered imperial physicians to go and treat her, and medical officials came and went continuously. The emperor himself visited her many times. Later, when it was time to move the capital to Luoyang, Emperor Gaozu personally went to say goodbye to Empress Feng. Seeing her in such a serious condition, he couldn't help but feel overwhelming sorrow and cried openly. He also secretly ordered Wang Yu of Dangchang, saying, "In case the Grand Tutor (referring to Empress Feng's father) were to pass away, you will be responsible for handling the funeral." In the nineteenth year, Empress Feng passed away in Dai. At that time, Emperor Gaozu was in Huainan, and after receiving the report, he did not conduct the mourning ceremony until he returned to Xuzhou. He prepared mourning attire for Empress Feng, ordered relevant departments to prepare for the funeral, and opened a burial site in Wei capital, allowing the princess's coffin to be moved to the region between Yi and Luo. The court covered all funeral expenses and preparations. He also ordered that six thousand bolts of silk be sent from Dai for the funeral. The empress traveled to Dai to mourn, and Crown Prince Liu Xun also hurried to Dai to pay his respects.
As the burial approached, Emperor Gaozu posthumously awarded Empress Feng the honorary title of yellow ceremonial axe, Attendant of the Palace, Commander of Military Affairs in Ten Prefectures, Grand Marshal, Grand General, and Governor of Jizhou, and granted her a left banner of the yellow canopy, arranged nine honors, and the ceremonial music band was organized according to the specifications of the Jin Dynasty's Grand Minister, Duke Xian of Anping (Sima Fu). Relevant departments submitted a proposal for her posthumous title, and Emperor Gaozu ordered, "It can be described as 'powerful and far-reaching,' so let's give her the posthumous title of 'Wu'." When the coffin reached Qilijian in Luoyang, Emperor Gaozu, dressed in mourning clothes, personally went to welcome it, bowing before the coffin in profound grief. On the day of the burial, Emperor Gaozu accompanied the procession to the burial site and personally wrote the epitaph. Empress Feng was the mother of two sons, Liu Dan and Liu Xiu.
Once upon a time, the two uncles of Emperor Gaozu, one named Dan and the other Xiu, were both beautiful and outstanding in temperament since childhood, truly the "representatives of good looks." In their teens, they were summoned by Empress Wen to the palace for education. However, the two brothers were not very good at studying, having difficulty with subjects like history and literature. Therefore, they mainly focused on their appearance and demeanor, striving to appear cultured and respectful. Dan, who was the same age as Gaozu, studied alongside him from a young age and was deeply favored by Gaozu. Later, Dan married Princess Le'an, the Emperor's sister, and rose to the ranks of Duke of the Imperial Guard, Palace Attendant, General of the Western Campaigns, and King of Nanping. Xiu also achieved high positions as Palace Attendant, General of the North, Minister, and Duke of Dongping. Eventually, Dan became the Minister of Rites and was responsible for managing palace affairs. After Gaozu abolished the nobility outside the royal family, Dan was appointed as Palace Attendant, Commander of Military Affairs, General of the Central Army, and was granted the title of Duke of Chang Le. Whenever Dan was promoted, Gaozu would stand in the courtyard, accepting Dan's thanks from afar, and only return indoors after the bowing was complete. Xiu's official rank, however, was reduced to that of a marquis.
Although both Dan and Xiu grew up in the palace, their personalities were quite different. Dan was honest and sincere, while Xiu was more flamboyant and competitive. Although Dan rarely disciplined Xiu, he would occasionally mention Xiu's faults to the Empress Dowager. Upon learning this, Gaozu severely reprimanded Xiu and even resorted to punishment. Xiu, harboring resentment, conspired with some people who had grievances against Dan to obtain poison, intending to kill Dan. Ultimately, the plot was exposed, and Gaozu personally interrogated the matter, uncovering the truth. Dan took the initiative to admit his mistakes and begged Gaozu to spare Xiu's life. Considering Dan's father's advanced age and out of respect for Dan, Gaozu did not impose the death penalty on Xiu but instead had him whipped over a hundred times and demoted him to a commoner in Pingcheng. Xiu's wife, the daughter of Minister Mu Liang, asked for a divorce and requested the revocation of Xiu's official position. Gaozu used the examples of Uncle Guan and Uncle Cai to persuade her, but ultimately refused.
Emperor Gaozu was very fond of Dan, often traveling in the same carriage, dining at the same table, and sleeping in the same bed with him. Even Wang Xie of Pengcheng and Wang Xiang of Beihai, who worked in the palace, could not compare to Dan's favored status. When Emperor Gaozu had been in power for sixteen years, he appointed Dan as the Minister of Personnel. Emperor Gaozu's care for Dan was something words can't express; every time Dan was promoted, Emperor Gaozu would personally draft three letters of commendation and memorials for him. When it was time for Dan to officially take office, Emperor Gaozu would also write a letter of gratitude for him. Not long after, Dan was promoted again to General of Chariots and Cavalry and Grand Tutor to the Crown Prince. By the eighteenth year of Emperor Gaozu's reign, he felt that Dan needed guidance from esteemed mentors, and Dan felt a deep sense of guilt, so he redoubled his efforts to better himself.
The emperor marched south to battle. At the age of nineteen, he arrived at Zhongli, and Feng Dan suddenly fell ill and could not accompany him. The emperor sent someone to visit him every day and prepared the best medicinal herbs. At that time, the emperor was preparing to attack Jiangling, so he ordered the army to depart from Zhongli and march south, tearfully bidding farewell to Feng Dan. Everyone present was in tears. Despite his weakness, Feng Dan forced himself to sit up, looking at the emperor, overcome with sorrow and unable to shed tears, only saying that he dreamed of the empress dowager calling him. The emperor also sobbed, holding Feng Dan's hand as he left to continue south. That day, they traveled about fifty miles. In the evening, news of Feng Dan's death arrived, and the emperor was heartbroken. At that time, the armies of Cui Huijing and Pei Shuye were stationed near the Huai River, only about a hundred miles from where the emperor was stationed. The emperor hurried back west with a modest entourage of several thousand. They arrived at the place where Feng Dan had died at night, mourning over his body as if he had lost a beloved family member, crying until dawn without stopping; those who followed him also cried along. After dawn, the emperor informed the garrison commander of Zhongli, Xiao Huixiu, who sent a governor to offer condolences. The emperor sought a coffin in the city, and when it came time for the burial, he provided his own garments for the burial, personally supervising the arrangements, halting music and withdrawing food. The emperor also ordered the entire army to cease their southward advance against Jiangling. He personally journeyed north, overwhelmed with grief. The emperor ordered a courtier to serve as the Grand Minister of Ceremonies to escort the coffin back to the capital. The necessary supplies were prepared by Xuzhou; the arrangements for the tomb and funeral were made in advance by Luoyang. When the coffin arrived in Luoyang, the emperor's carriage was still in Zhongli. The emperor commanded the officials left behind to bestow five thousand bolts of silk and five thousand measures of grain for the funeral. Feng Dan was posthumously awarded the title of Huangyue, granted the authority of a commissioner, and made Grand Marshal, holding the titles of Minister of Works, Imperial Attendant, General, Grand Tutor, and Prince Consort, with his official position unchanged. He was also given special honors, posthumously awarded nine lives, handled according to the standards of the Grand Marshal of the Jin Dynasty and Prince Qiwang You. The relevant departments submitted a request for a posthumous title, and the emperor said, “According to the ‘Posthumous Title Law’: virtuous deeds and benevolence are called ‘Yuan’, and gentleness with brilliance is called ‘Yi’. In the past, Empress Zhenhui possessed both virtues and was honored with three posthumous titles; Emperor Zhongwu had both loyalty and military achievements and was posthumously awarded two titles. We should follow the precedents and choose an appropriate posthumous title. Feng Dan has been loyal since childhood; only I know this. Let the posthumous title be determined by his merits; let it be called Yuan Yi.” The emperor also personally wrote an inscription and elegy for him, with the words beautifully crafted and deeply sorrowful, and the funeral arrangements exceeded the usual standards. After the carriage returned to the capital, the emperor remarked, “Grand Marshal Feng has been laid to rest, forever at peace; even the wild grass on his grave will weep. How could I forget him?” Thus, the emperor personally went to Feng Dan's grave and stopped the carriage to weep. The emperor also sent Wang Xie of Pengcheng to order the officials to remove their red court robes, don plain clothes, and wear mourning hats to accompany the offerings to the Minister of Works, treating high-ranking officials as friends and low-ranking officials as colleagues. Feng Dan's daughter was virtuous and kind-hearted, displaying courtesy and integrity, and she bore two sons, the elder named Mu.
Mu, courtesy name Xiaohe, inherited his father's title. To avoid the title associated with Prince Yu, he was reappointed as Duke of Fufeng. He married Princess Shunyang, the daughter of Emperor Gaozu, and was appointed as the imperial son-in-law and general officer. He was later promoted to Yuanwai Lang and Tongzhi Sanqi Changshi. Mu had a strained relationship with his uncle Fuxing. After Fuxing's death, he was posthumously appointed governor of Xiangzhou. While his grandfather was still alive, Mu had already ascended to a high position, respectfully accepting appointments from the court and participating in lively conversations at court banquets without a care in the world. Consequently, he was impeached by the imperial censor, Wang Kuang from Dongping. Later, he was promoted to Jinzi Guanglu Dafu and ultimately met his end in Heyin. After his death, he was posthumously honored as Sikong and governor of Yongzhou.
His son Jiong, courtesy name Jingzhao, inherited the title of Wang of Changli. Soon after, due to his commoner origins, his royal title was revoked, but he still inherited the title of Duke of Fufeng. His son Qiao, courtesy name Zihan, had his title downgraded after the abdication of the Qi dynasty. Mu's brother Hao inherited the title of Duke of Changle from their father.
Mu's brother Yu, courtesy name Baoxing, was the full brother of the deposed empress. He served as Huangmen Lang and Xindu Bo. Later, due to his sister's deposition, he was dismissed from his position and became a commoner in Changle County. He died while serving as governor of Henan during Shizong's reign. Yu's full younger brother Feng grew up in the palace and received special favor from Empress Dowager Wenming. At a young age, he was granted the title of Prince of Beiping and appointed as a Zhongshuzi of the crown prince, frequently entering and exiting the palace and enjoying favor on par with that of his two brothers. After Emperor Gaozu took power, his favor gradually diminished, and his title was downgraded to Marquis. After Empress You ascended, he was later reinstated to his former position. He later passed away, ultimately becoming just a minor official. After his death, he was posthumously honored as the governor of Qingzhou.
Cui Guang once served as a Court Attendant and was on duty with Yu. Cui Guang often said to Yu, "Your family's wealth and status are too great; they are bound to decline eventually." Yu replied, "What has my family done to deserve your curse?" Cui Guang said, "Historically, we must be cautious about this!" At that time, Mu's father, Xi, was a Grand Guardian, his grandfather, Dan, was a Minister of Education and the Crown Prince's Tutor, and his brother, Xiu, was a Palace Attendant and a Minister of the Interior, while Yu was a Court Attendant. During the deposed empress's reign, their family's favor remained strong. More than a year later, Xiu was dismissed for committing a crime, Xi and Dan passed away in succession, the deposed empress was also deposed, and Yu withdrew from the court. People back then believed that great prosperity inevitably leads to decline!
Li Jun, styled Zhenzhi, was from Meng County in the Liang Kingdom and was the brother of Empress Yuan. His father, Li Fangshu, had once served as the Governor of Jiyin under Liu Yilong. Later, Emperor Gaozong sent word to the brothers, and Li Jun and his five siblings, Dan, Yi, Ya, Bai, and Yong, gradually returned to the capital. The emperor appointed Li Jun as General of the Western Garrison and Governor of Jingzhou, and also bestowed upon him the title of Duke of Dunqiu. His brothers Ya, Yi, and Dan were also made dukes and all held high positions. Later, Li Jun was further promoted and became a prince, and he was summoned by the court to serve as Grand Chancellor, but sadly, he passed away soon after.
Li Hui is from Zhongshan and is the father of Empress Si. His father, Li Gai, was fairly famous in his youth and later held positions as the Minister of the Palace and Minister of State Affairs, and he also served as the Left General and was granted the title of Duke of Nanjun. Initially, the younger sister, Princess Wuwei, of Emperor Song Shizong married the king of Liangzhou, Juqu Muqian. Later, when Shizong pacified Liangzhou, Princess Wuwei had secretly provided significant help, so Shizong treated her especially well. Thus, he arranged for Li Gai to marry Princess Wuwei. Li Gai's original wife was cast aside because of this. Afterwards, Li Gai's official rank continued to rise, and he became the Palace Attendant, Duke of the Imperial Family, Minister of the Palace, Minister of State Affairs, Left Deputy Minister, and eventually passed away in office. After his death, the court posthumously awarded him the titles of General of the Southern Expedition, Governor of Dingzhou, and King of Zhongshan, earning him the posthumous title of Zhuang.
Li Hui inherited his father's title at a young age and married the daughter of King Han Tui of Xiangcheng, with whom he had two daughters, the elder becoming the future empress. Li Hui held positions such as Cavalry Officer, Palace Attendant, General of the Western Expedition, and Governor of Qin and Yi provinces, and he eventually rose in rank to become a prince. He served as the Governor of Yongzhou, General of the Southern Expedition, and was eventually promoted to Grand General of Chang'an.
Speaking of Lord Hui, he had a knack for keen observation and thoughtful contemplation. Once, while dealing with matters in Yongzhou, he came across two swallows squabbling over a nest, and they had been at it for several days without resolution. Lord Hui had the two swallows caught and called the discipline officials of the province to adjudicate. Those officials, with serious expressions, said, "This is something only clever people can understand; how can we fools comprehend it?" Lord Hui then had the soldiers gently flick the two swallows with fine bamboo strips, which led to one flying off while the other stayed. Lord Hui smiled and said to his subordinates, "The one that stayed must feel that its contribution to this nest is significant, while the one that flew away had been hurt and naturally didn’t want to stick around." Everyone admired his smarts and sharp observation.
Later, another thing happened. There were two porters, one carrying salt and the other carrying firewood, who put down their burdens and rested in the shade of a tree. When they were about to leave, a dispute arose over a sheepskin, with both claiming it was their own. Lord Hui dismissed the arguing men and then asked the local discipline officer, "Can we find out who this sheepskin belongs to?" Everyone thought he was just joking, so no one replied. As a result, Lord Hui had the sheepskin placed on a mat and hit it with a stick, discovering that a small amount of salt dust was stuck to it. He said, "The truth comes out!" He then showed it to the two porters, and the one carrying firewood confessed. This was how Lord Hui handled cases; many cases were solved in this way, so the officials and common people in the province did not dare to deceive him.
Later, he was promoted to the position of Minister of State and Governor of Qingzhou. Although his official position changed, he stayed just as honest as always. During his time as an official in Qingzhou, he did pretty well in his job. Unfortunately, Lord Hui offended Empress Wenming and was wrongfully accused of trying to run away to the south, which got him killed. His two brothers, one named Chu and the other Le, as well as several of his sons, were also killed. His wife, Mrs. Liang, also died in Qingzhou, and their family property was confiscated. Lord Hui had done nothing wrong, so everyone felt sorry for him.
My cousin, Feng Hui Congdi, once served as the Governor of Dingzhou and later became Prince Anle's main clerk. Later, Prince Changle got sentenced to death for his crimes, and at that time, a fortune teller from Hejian named Xing Zan, in order to distance himself, wrongly accused Feng of being Prince Changle's right-hand man, which got Feng killed too. Only Feng's brother Daonian, along with Feng's son and his brothers' sons, managed to get away, and they were let out later when the court granted a general amnesty.
In the twelfth year of the Taihe era, Emperor Gaozu wanted to bestow titles on his wife's family and issued an edict to find any living relatives. However, the Huijia family had previously suffered two mass exterminations, making it challenging for them to respond to the imperial decree. Only Daonian dared to go to the capital first and reported that there were still surviving members among the children of the queen's sister and Feng's brothers. Thus, the emperor conferred titles on Feng's sons: the Marquis of Bairen, the Marquis of Fuyang, the Marquis of Anxi, the Marquis of Zhending, and Feng's brother Jisheng, the Earl of Gaoyi, all of whom were also granted the title of general.
In the fifteenth year, Anzu and his three brothers were summoned due to their relationship as relatives. The emperor said to them, "Your ancestors made mistakes both in court and at home and were punished at the time. However, government officials should be individuals of talent; promoting someone solely due to family connections is not the way to strengthen the country. The favoritism shown to relatives has gone beyond reasonable limits. From now on, if not exceptionally talented, relatives cannot be specially promoted or reused. Since you lack special talents, you may go back now." Afterward, their titles were all downgraded; Anzu and the others were demoted from marquises to earls, and their titles as generals were also revoked.
Emperor Gaozu overly favored the Feng family (the queen's clan) while being excessively cold to the Li family (his own). The maternal relatives received no favors at all. Both officials and the public privately discussed this matter, and Taichang Gaolu even spoke candidly in the palace. When Emperor Shizong favored the maternal relatives and they occupied high positions, only Gaozu's maternal family still received no favors. In the late years of Jingming, the emperor specially appointed Xingzu as the governor of Zhongshan. In the early years of Zhishi, the emperor posthumously honored Huijia with the title of General of the Cavalry with the authority to oversee the Three Departments, Governor of Dingzhou, and Duke of Zhongshan. After Taichang assessed his merits, he reported that according to the Posthumous Name Law: if military achievements are not completed, it is called "Zhuang," so he should be posthumously honored as Duke Zhuang.
Xingzu was promoted from the governor of Zhongshan to the Governor of Yanzhou. After his death, his brother Anzu's son, Kankai, inherited the title of Duke. He was first granted the title of Prince of Nanjun, but later, because he was of commoner birth, his princely title was revoked and he was regranted the title of Duke of Boling. Kankai was highly favored by Emperor Zhuang and was appointed as a palace attendant, often serving the emperor at meals in the palace. When the emperor planned to execute Er Zhu Rong, Kankai, along with Lu An and others, held knives in the palace and participated in the assassination of Er Zhu Rong. After Emperor Zhuang was captured, Kankai fled to the refuge of Xiao Yan.
