Xue Andu, with the courtesy name Xiuda, was from Fenyin in Hedong, Shanxi. His father, Xue Guang, was the governor of Shangdang County during the reign of Emperor Dezong of the Tang Dynasty. Xue Andu was brave from a young age, skilled in horseback riding and archery, and associated with some friends from the jianghu, which worried his brothers. Later, Xue Andu took the initiative to propose moving out to live independently, not wanting to take a single cent from his brothers. They agreed, and he moved to another stable. As a result, people in the area competed to send him gifts—horses, cattle, clothes, daily necessities—filling his courtyard.
In the fifth year of the Zhenjun era, Xue Andu conspired with the governor of Dongyongzhou, Juqu Kang, in a rebellion. After the plot was exposed, he fled to Liu Yilong's camp. Later, he advanced from Lushi County to Hongnong County, captured the governor Li Ba and the others, and then approached the city of Shan County. At that time, the governor of Qinzhou, Du Daosheng, led troops to quell Xue Andu's forces. Xue Andu fled south with Li Ba and the others, stopping only when they reached the area where Emperor Wu of Song, Liu Yilong, was stationed along the Yangtze River, at which point Li Ba was released.
Xue Andu secured an official position in the south through his military prowess. When Liu Jun raised an army in Jiangzhou, he appointed Xue Andu as a general, and he rose to the position of Left Guard Commander. After Liu Chang surrendered to Liu Ziye, Liu Ziye appointed Xue Andu as General of Pacifying the North and Governor of Xuzhou, tasking him with defending Pengcheng. In the sixth year of He Ping, Liu Yu killed his master Liu Ziye and proclaimed himself emperor. Everyone felt discontented and wanted to support Liu Ziye's brother, Prince Xun of Jin'an, as emperor. Xue Andu, along with Shen Wenxiu, Cui Daogu, Chang Zhenqi, and others, raised troops in response. Liu Yu sent General Zhang Yong to suppress Xue Andu, who sent envoys to surrender and requested support from Liu Yu.
Liu Yu gathered the ministers to discuss this matter. The ministers all said, "Previously, Song Emperor Wen always wanted to annex Liu Yilong's power, so he personally led troops and fought all the way to the Yangtze River. Now the Jiangnan region is in turmoil, and the court is divided both internally and externally. Xue Andu has now come to surrender, which is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity! It is the perfect time to eliminate the enemy amidst the chaos!" Liu Yu agreed with everyone’s advice. Xue Andu sent his fourth son, Xue Daozi, as a pledge and continuously wrote letters to Li Fu and others to maintain contact. Thus, Liu Yu dispatched General Wei Yuan, Duke of Boling, and Duke of Chengyang, Kong Bogong, along with ten thousand cavalry to support Xue Andu, and bestowed upon Xue Andu the title of Envoy with Special Authority, and appointed him as military governor of five provinces: Xuzhou, Nanyan, Beiyuan, Qingzhou, and Jizhou, as well as the military governor of Liang County in Yuzhou, the General Who Pacifies the South, and the Inspector of Xuzhou, granting him the title of Duke of Hedong.
Andu returned home in disgrace after his plan fell apart. The Marshal and his men had already entered Pengcheng, and only then did Andu regret it, thinking about how to outsmart the Marshal and considering betraying the city to them. As a result, the Marshal caught wind of his plan, so it fell through. Later, Andu, in an attempt to bribe the Marshal, shifted the blame onto his son-in-law Pei Zulong, and the Marshal executed Pei Zulong to cover up Andu's conspiracy.
In the second year of Huangxing, Andu and Bi Zhongjing went to the capital to pay their respects to the emperor, who treated him exceptionally well, with grand honors. His son, nephew, relatives, and friends were all favored by the emperor and granted noble titles, and even his students received recognition and promotion from the court. The emperor also built him a luxurious residence, decorated splendidly, and the court showered him with wealth. Three years later, Andu passed away, and the court posthumously awarded him the titles of General, Inspector of Qinzhou, and King of Hedong, with the posthumous title of "Kang."
His son Daobiao inherited his title. In the early years of Taihe, Daobiao was appointed as the General of the South and the Administrator of Pingzhou, and he was highly respected for his governance of the region. Later, he was transferred to Governor of Xiangzhou while retaining the title of General. After that, he was appointed as the General of Ben and the Governor of Qinzhou. Thirteen years later, Daobiao died.
Daobiao's son, Da, styled Zongyin, inherited the title and was demoted to a marquis as per protocol. Later, the court established a system of five-tier titles, and due to An Du's significant military achievements, Da was granted the title of Marquis of Kaiguo County in Hedong, with a fief of 800 families. Since the Hedong region was strategically important, his title was changed to Marquis of Huayin County. In the early years of Xiping, he was appointed as the Cavalry Commander and later as the Prefect of Hanyang. Da was not fond of being a local official, so he requested to resign, and the court approved his request. Shortly after, he died.
Da's son, Chenghua, inherited the title and gradually rose through the ranks, becoming Counselor to the Minister of State and the Prefect of Hedong District. He eventually died while serving as General of Annan and Grand Master of Splendor.
Chenghua's son, Luohan, inherited the title. After the abdication of the Qi dynasty, his title was downgraded according to protocol.
Daobiao's younger brother, Daoyi, was also granted the title of First-Class Merit Recipient due to his achievements. He died young, and the court posthumously awarded him the titles of General of Ningxi, Governor of Qinzhou, and Marquis of Anyi.
Daoyi's younger brother, Daoci, was appointed as the General of the Southern Central Region when he arrived in the capital, and was granted the title of Marquis of Anyi, along with the additional title of General of Anyuan. Later, he served as the General of Anxi and the Governor of Qinzhou, and was erroneously awarded the title of Duke of Henan. In the fifteenth year of Taihe, he held the position of Grand Master of Splendor until his death.
After Zilan inherited his title, he was demoted to the title of Baron of Pingwen. Later, he served as a Minister of State, Governor of Qinzhou, General of Steadfastness, and Commander of Longxi Commandery, while also concurrently holding the position of Prefect of Longxi. He then became the Prefect of Xingyang and was subsequently promoted to General of Pingbei and Governor of Sizhou. He was corrupt in every place he served, and his corruption became even worse in the province. He also bribed Minister Liu Teng in hopes of securing a better position, but he was unsuccessful, and Liu Teng died. In the fifth year of Zhengguang, Mo Zheniansheng rebelled in Qinzhou and sent his subordinates Bu Hu, Wang Qingyun, and others to attack Jingzhou. The emperor appointed Zilan as the bearer of the imperial edict, Grand Minister of State, Acting General of Annam, and a separate general of the western route, sending him and Yi Wengsheng and others to suppress the rebels. The army advanced to the east of Pingliang County and clashed with the rebels but were defeated, forcing Zilan and his men to retreat. Later, he served as General of Fuzhun and Grand Commander of Qiancheng, defending the northern Longxi region. In the spring of the second year of Xiaochang, Zilan died in the field. The court posthumously awarded him the title of General of the Western Campaign and Governor of Yongzhou, and his son inherited his title.
Shuoming, the son of Andu's elder brother, surrendered to the court alongside Andu. The court granted him the title of Puban Marquis and appointed him as the Prefect of Qinghe and Grand Minister of State.
Zhenduo, a cousin of Andu, initially followed Andu south to seek refuge with the court. Later, when Andu served as Governor of Xuzhou, Zhenduo became his chief advisor. He was courageous and capable, serving as a valuable assistant to Andu. After Zhenduo followed Andu to surrender, he was favored by the court. In the early years of Taihe, the court granted him the title of Hebei Marquis and awarded him the title of General of Anyuan. He was later promoted to General of Steadfastness, Governor of Pingzhou, and was granted the title of Duke of Yangping. Subsequently, his title was reduced to Count, and he was reassigned as General of Champion. He accompanied the emperor on a southern campaign and was temporarily appointed as General of Pingnan. After a long time, he was again appointed as Protector of the Southern Barbarians, General of Pingnan, and Governor of Jingzhou.
During the time of Xiao Ze, the Yongzhou governor, Cao Hu, pretended to surrender. The emperor ordered Zhen Du to lead four generals to march out of Xiangyang, but they returned without any military achievements. Later, he was dispatched to Zheyang, but was defeated by Fang Boyu. The relevant officials petitioned the court to remove him from his official position and title. Emperor Gaozu issued an edict saying, "Zhen Du's crimes are indeed as stated in the memorial. However, he had previously sent tribute to Peng Fang along with An Du, opening the routes to Xuzhou and Songzhou; he defended against the armies of Shen You and Dao Cheng from outside, and suppressed the rebellion of the border bandits within; many people from the Huaihai region came to pledge allegiance to the court, and his contributions are significant. Given his merits, I've always wanted to reward him. What does the defeat at Zheyang really mean? He should be treated differently than the other generals and given another chance to serve. His original title should be restored, and he should be reappointed as the Jingzhou governor, while other honorary titles will be revoked. This way, it recognizes his contributions while also serving as a warning to him." Thus, Zhen Du was again appointed as Acting General of the Champion and Governor of East Jingzhou.
At the beginning, after the capital was moved to Luoyang, Zhendu often offered advice to Emperor Gaozu, suggesting that we first capture Fancheng and Dengxian before attacking Nanyang, which earned him great favor from Emperor Gaozu. He was rewarded with one hundred pieces of silk, appointed Champion General with full authority, and granted the title of Duke of Linjin County, with a fief of three hundred households. The Emperor issued a decree saying, "Zhendu is loyal and exemplary, a model subject. Commending his good deeds and rewarding his merits sets an example for the nation. A single word can build a nation, while another can bring it down, so remember his previous plans to reward his merits. Since the capital move, Zhendu has consistently served in the military, always participating in strategies concerning the northern region of the Mian River, speaking frankly, and his suggestions are often adopted. When the army marched south, I wanted to seize Xinye first. Everyone opposed me, except for Zhendu. He has made significant contributions to managing the barbarian tribes, so his fiefdom can be increased by two hundred households." Therefore, Zhendu was promoted to General Conquering the Barbarians and Governor of Yuzhou.
In the early years of the Jingming era, Yuzhou faced a severe famine. Zhendu submitted a memorial stating, "Last year, there was no harvest, and the people have been starving for fifteen months; this year, there was a three-foot snow, and the people are hungry and cold, unable to make ends meet. I take fifty bushels of rice from the state granary each day to make porridge for the most severely affected victims." The Emperor decreed, "Zhendu's memorial clearly shows his concern for the nation and its people, and we must take action to assist the disaster victims. Even though Chen County has limited grain reserves, we can allocate a portion for relief efforts. Have the Ministry of Personnel estimate the amount of relief grain and report back to me."
Later, Pei Shu Ye surrendered to Shouchun, and the emperor ordered Zhen Du to lead the troops to take charge of the surrender. Shortly after, Zhen Du was transferred to governor of Huazhou, while retaining his military title. Not long after, he was transferred to governor of Jingzhou, with his military title still unchanged. Later, he returned to the court and served as the Minister of Agriculture. In the early period of the Zhengshi era, he was appointed General Who Pacifies the South and governor of Yangzhou. Due to his advanced age, his son Huai Ji was allowed to work with him in his official capacity. Wang Chao Zong, the governor of Yuzhou, led troops to surround Xiaoxian, and Zhen Du sent Li Shuren and others to lead infantry and cavalry to meet the enemy. Wang Chao Zong was defeated by Li Shuren, capturing or killing three thousand of his men. After returning to the court, Zhen Du was appointed as a Grand Minister, granted the title of Cavalier Attendant-in-Ordinary, and enfeoffed as the Duke of Fuxi County. He passed away during the Yongping era at the age of seventy-four. The court bestowed upon him four hundred bolts of silk and a set of court attire, posthumously granting him the title of Left Senior Cavalier, while his position as Cavalier Attendant-in-Ordinary remained unchanged, and granting him the posthumous title of Zhuang. He had twelve sons.
His eldest son, Huai Che, inherited his title. Beginning his career as a junior official in the Ministry of Ceremonies, Huai Che gradually rose to the positions of General Who Subdues the Barbarians and Palace Attendant, later serving as Left General and Grand Master of the Palace. He eventually died holding the rank of General of Chariots and Cavalry and Left Senior Cavalier.
At first, Zhen Du had dozens of courtesans at home. Every time he entertained guests, he had them perform songs and dances, with the sounds of silk and bamboo music constantly filling the air, indulging in the pleasures of music and beauty. After his eldest son Huai Ji completed his mourning period, he gave his father's singing girls and musical instruments to him, which Emperor Shizong accepted.
Huaiji was a brave and strong man, though he wasn't much of a scholar, but he was quite savvy about people and the world. He first served as a court official, then was promoted to guard the emperor’s private quarters, and later became the head of royal sacrifices. During the Zhengshi era, he was appointed Cavalry General and later served as the Prefect of Hengnong County. At that time, Xiao Yan dispatched troops to invade Xuzhou and Yanzhou, and General Andong, Xing Luan, was sent to deal with them. The court appointed Huaiji as Xing Luan’s deputy, serving as Cavalry General. In the Yongping era, the court established Yizhou by carving it out of the Jinxian area of Liangzhou, and Huaiji was appointed General for Conquering the Barbarians and Governor of Yizhou. Since the Yuan Yu rebellion was still ongoing, Prince Zhongshan Ying was appointed as the General for Conquering the East to quell it, and the court also made Huaiji Ying’s deputy. However, before they could set out, Yuan Yu was already subdued.
Later, Xiao Yan sent troops to capture three key passes of Yingzhou. The court ordered Prince of Zhongshan Ying to march south to quell the uprising, with Huai Ji continuing as his military commander. Due to the urgent situation in Yiyang City, the court ordered Huai Ji to hurry to Yiyang. At that time, a commoner named Bai Zaosheng in Yuzhou killed the governor of Yuzhou and then surrendered the city to Xiao Yan's forces. Xiao Yan's general Qi Gouren led the troops to defend the city. From Xuanhu to Anlu, only the isolated city of Yiyang remained. Huai Ji and the governor of Yingzhou, Lou Yue, supervised the soldiers, defending while engaging in battle, eventually safeguarding Yiyang City and recapturing the lost territory of the three key passes with Prince Zhongshan Ying. Later, General Zhen Dong Lu Chang went to rescue Qushan and found himself in a stalemate with the enemy. The court appointed Huai Ji as Lu Chang's military commander. After Lu Chang's defeat, Huai Ji was not held responsible. During the Yanchang era, Huai Ji was appointed as the governor of Liangzhou, retaining his original military rank. The Di tribe in Southern Qin rebelled and attacked Wuxing. Huai Ji sent Changshi Cui Zuan, Sima Wei Bi, and Bie Jia Fan Fang to pacify the rebellion, successfully quelling the rebellion. Subsequently, Huai Ji was promoted to Right General. During the Zhengguang period, he was appointed as the Rear General and the governor of Fenzhou. He passed away four years later, posthumously honored with the titles of Pingbei General and governor of Bingzhou.
Huaiji was not known for his integrity at first, but surprisingly became quite adept at winning people over after becoming an official in Fenzhou. Since he hailed from a collateral branch of the family, he used various benefits to win over people of higher status than himself and sought to establish connections with them. He brought many relatives with him to his post, took care of all their needs, and turned a blind eye to their acceptance of bribes. He was particularly skilled at hosting guests, attending to their needs and warmly greeting them, no matter the sweltering heat or biting cold. He was not one for many words, and every time he met someone, he would quietly step back. But he would explain in advance the numbers of personnel and horses, and his close aides would record it in detail. Before long, the wine and dishes would arrive, and the food kept coming until it was time to say goodbye, when he would also present money, silk, and satin as parting gifts; even the servants received rewards that exceeded their expectations. He won over people of all ranks in this way.
Huaiji's younger brother Huai Zhi rose to the position of Minister of Jingzhao, Grand General, and Left Doctor of Guanglu. Huai Zhi's younger brother Huai Pu served as the Governor of Hengnong and was granted the title of Lord of Xiangling. Huai Pu's younger brother Huai Jing held the positions of General of the Southern Campaign, Prefect of Hedong, and was titled as Lord of Anding. After his death, he was posthumously honored as General overseeing military affairs in North Xu, Yanzhou, and East Xu, Valiant Cavalry General, Grand Commandant, and Governor of Xuzhou. Huai Jing's younger brother Huai Jun served as General Who Pacifies the Army, Grand Doctor of Guanglu, and was titled as Lord of Fenying. He later served as General of the Southern Campaign and Governor of Yizhou. In the early years of Tianping, while returning to the capital, he passed through Liangzhou and was captured by the general Lan Qin under Xiao Yan, along with the Governor of Liangzhou, Yuan Luo, and was escorted to Jiangnan. Xiao Yan, upon meeting Huai Jun, told him, "Your father used to be the Governor of Jingzhou in the Wei Kingdom, and I was in Xiangyang at that time, with our provinces being adjacent to each other; we were very familiar. Now that you are here, you should be able to settle in comfortably, right? If you wish to return, I will also send you back with courtesy." Xiao Yan then said to his attendants, "This family hails from the north, and their wealth and status are beyond compare!" Huai Jun then requested to return home, and Xiao Yan allowed him to go back. During the Xinghe era, Huai Jun passed away. His son Zhan Ru inherited his title. During the Wuding period, Zhan Ru served as a Military Officer in the Ministry of Works. After the abdication of the Qi Dynasty, his title was demoted.
Zhen Du had many sons, and he had more than one wife. Due to the varying degrees of favoritism from their parents, there were conflicts among the brothers. During the Xinghe era, the brothers eventually took their disputes to the authorities, accusing one another of poisoning, leading to a scandal and public disgrace. People at that time ridiculed them greatly.
Bi Zhongjing, also known as Na, was from Dongping. He enjoyed riding horses, archery, and hunting since childhood and was known for his reckless and unruly behavior, often resorting to robbery along the borders to make a living. When Liu Jun was the Governor of Xuyan, he appointed Bi Zhongjing as an official in his department. After Liu Jun became emperor, Bi Zhongjing successively served as the Prefect of Mount Tai and a Court Attendant.
Liu Yu killed Emperor Ziye and became emperor himself, and then dispatched Zhong Jing to Yanzhou to gather troops. When Zhong Jing arrived in Pengcheng, Yanzhou's governor, Xue Andu, secretly sought him out to discuss, saying, "King Jian'an (Liu Yu) has a good reputation and is the third son of Emperor Xiaowu; we should help him and march westward together." Therefore, Xue Andu forged Liu Yu's orders to instruct Zhong Jing and directed him to Yanzhou for the mission, and Zhong Jing complied.
At that time, the governor of Yanzhou, Yin Xiaozu, left his family in Yanzhou and personally led two thousand civil and military officials to join Liu Yu, leaving Sima Liu Wenshi to defend the city. Zhong Jing attacked Xiaqiu and killed Liu Wenshi. Xue Andu, who had a poor relationship with Yin Xiaozu, ordered Zhong Jing to kill Yin Xiaozu's sons. Zhong Jing felt compelled to obey. The entire Yanzhou submitted to Zhong Jing, with only Shen Zuan, the governor of Dongping, holding out in Wuyan City and refusing to surrender. Later, Liu Yu quelled the rebellion of Zixun and appointed Shen Zuan as the governor of Yanzhou.
As a result, Xue Andu brought the imperial army to Wuyan City, where Shen Zuan tightly closed the city gates and withstood the siege, nursing deep resentment towards Zhong Jing. Just then, someone dug up Zhong Jing's father's grave and scattered his mother's remains. Zhong Jing was heartbroken, dressed in mourning clothes, and tortured nearby villagers, leading to the deaths of over ten villagers. He suspected that Shen Zuan was responsible for it. Zhong Jing's younger brother, Zhong Ai, who was Xue Andu's chief clerk, also discreetly dispatched individuals to Jizhou to dig up Shen Zuan's father's grave in retaliation.
Later, Xue An and Dong surrendered the city to the court, but Zhong Jing disagreed with Xue An's plan. Zhong Jing's son Yuan Bin, along with his mother and the entire family, were in Pengcheng. He was afraid they would be implicated, crying and pleading with Zhong Jing to surrender, but Zhong Jing still refused. Zhong Jing had previously sent a letter of thanks to Liu Yu, who appointed him as the Inspector of Yanzhou. However, because Yuan Bin had committed other offenses, Liu Yu refused to spare him. Zhong Jing drew his sword and struck a pillar, saying, "At my age, I only have this one son. If you refuse to forgive him, what use is it for me to live!" When the court official Wei Yuan arrived, Zhong Jing finally surrendered the city. Wei Yuan sent troops into the city, and after things calmed down, Zhong Jing felt regret and anger, going several days without eating.
In the early years of the Huangxing period, Zhong Jing was appointed as a Cavalry Officer, General of Ningnan, and Inspector of Yanzhou, and was granted the title of Duke of Dongping. He also served as Inspector alongside the Deputy Minister of the Central Secretariat, Li Can.
Murong Baiyao captured the Wuyan City, and Shen Zuan was injured in the chaos. After escaping, he was captured and brought before Baiyao. Baiyao actually did not want to kill Shen Zuan, but then the city suddenly caught fire, and Shen Zuan's injuries were severe, leaving him unable to escape, ultimately leading to his death in the fire.
Upon hearing that Wuyan City had fallen, everyone worried that Baiyao would not kill Shen Zuan, so they wrote him a letter and submitted a petition to the court, saying, "The disasters in our family were all caused by Shen Zuan." When they learned that Shen Zuan had died, everyone felt a sense of relief. Two years later, he and Xue An went to the capital to meet the emperor, who retained him and awarded him the rank of first-class armored soldier. Later, he was appointed Inspector of Yanzhou while retaining his general position, and was subsequently recalled to the capital.
Zhongjing, referring to Xue Andu, is very good at taking care of his body, paying great attention to his diet and clothing, and insisting on sourcing delicacies from far and wide. He is over seventy years old, his hair has turned white, but his body is still very strong, riding horses and fighting just like a young man. He values the relationships between relatives and friends, with the demeanor of a man of distinction; when Zhang Tan passed away, he personally went to visit, treating him like family. During the Taihe period, the emperor hosted a banquet for the elder ministers, and Zhongjing and the Duke of Xianyang, Gao Yun, were invited to Fangshan. Although their lifestyles and preferences were different, one living lavishly and the other modestly, they got along very well, maintaining a harmonious relationship, often chatting like old friends. Later, as he aged, he requested to return to his hometown to retire, and the court approved his request.
When Zhongjing was about to leave, the court presented him with four sets of pearl earrings, a silver-sheathed sword, a tiger-stabbing spear, and one hundred pieces of fine silk. Empress Dowager Wenming and the emperor met him in the Imperial Xintang Hall, and provided him with wine and food, a carriage, three horses, and three hundred pieces of silk, sending him off in style. In October of the fifteenth year of his reign, he passed away. The court issued a decree granting him one thousand pieces of silk in Yanzhou for his funeral arrangements.
Ziyuan, when he was young, was generous and righteous, very masculine, and also liked to read historical books. Later, he became a general under Liu Jun and earned numerous achievements alongside his father. After arriving in the capital, both father and son became honored guests of the emperor. The emperor bestowed upon him the title of Marquis of Xuchang and further appointed him as General of Pacification. Due to Ziyuan's outstanding military achievements, he was appointed as General of Pacification, General of the South, Inspector of Yanzhou, and also granted the title of Duke of Pengcheng. The father and son alternated as Inspectors of their home province, and people at that time considered them very honorable. Everyone respected him greatly, and when he grew old, they allowed him to retire and referred to him as "Lord." Every time Ziyuan handled state affairs, the emperor's retinue would visit his office, instructing not to let Ziyuan rise, quietly observing how he handled state affairs, and the emperor was always pleased to see his demeanor. Ziyuan managed his household in an orderly manner, especially skilled in managing fields and crops, with ample supplies at home. Ziyuan ruled with integrity and fairness, good at pacifying the people, and the common folk held him in high regard. Later, he resigned from his post due to his father's death, and during the mourning period, the emperor conferred upon him the title of Grand Minister of the Palace. He passed away near the end of that winter. The court posthumously conferred upon him the title of General of the Fuchun Army, Minister of the Guards, posthumous title "Ping," and granted him eight hundred bolts of silk.
When Ziyuan first arrived in the capital, he married a Liu from Dongping and had four sons: Zuxiu, Zumao, Zugui, and Zuxuan; later, the emperor granted him Yuan as his wife, and they had two sons: Zurong and Zuhui. Zuxiu was the oldest, and Zuhui was younger than Zumao. According to the customs of the time, even if the former wife had children, the wife and children granted by the emperor were accorded the status of legitimate sons. So after Liu's death, Zuhui felt a sense of dissatisfaction; and after Yuan's death, Zuxiu and his two brothers mourned for their mother for three years, in accordance with tradition.
Zuyong died young. His son Yiyun inherited the Duke of Dongping title from his ancestors, but was later demoted to a marquis according to regulations. He served as the General of Lingjiang and as a court official, and later passed away. His son Seng'an inherited his title.
Zuxiu was eight feet tall and had a waist circumference of ten. He was well-read in classics and history and enjoyed writing articles and poetry. He was generous and good at getting along with others. He inherited his father's title of Marquis of Xuchang, but later was also demoted to a count according to regulations. He initially served as a junior official, and later became a minister, a censor, and was later promoted to General of Ningyuan, serving as the Chief Justice of the province.
In the year 478, Xiao Yan sent Xiao Jixian with twenty thousand infantry and cavalry to attack Yanzhou. Xiao Jixian also had Jiao Nian lead troops stationed at Mengshan. The court appointed Zuxiu as the commander of the army, giving him the nominal position of General of Ningshuo, to fight alongside Xing Luan. Zuxiu was very strategic and quickly won over many people. When the enemy faced Zuxiu head-on, they were thoroughly defeated and fell back to their camp. Zuxiu seized the night to launch an attack, scattering the enemy's forces completely. He pursued them for more than a hundred miles, killing over four thousand enemy soldiers, including General Longxiang Jiao Daoyi and General Ningshuo Wang Jixiu. Due to this military achievement, Zuxiu was granted the title of Marquis of Nancheng, with a fief that included two hundred households.
Later, Zu Xiu was appointed as the Assistant Minister of the Cavalry and the Assistant Minister of the Central Secretariat, and was also given the title of General of the Dragon's Might. Towards the end of the Yan Chang period, King Liu Yilong of Annan led troops to attack Jingzhou and Mianzhu, and Zu Xiu was appointed as the military commander in Liu Yilong's army, while also serving as the Assistant Minister of the Yellow Gate. Not long after, he was promoted to the Chief Historian of the Ministry of Works. Near the end of the Shen Gui period, Zu Xiu was appointed as the Governor of Dongyu Province while retaining his title of General. Zu Xiu was very skilled at pacifying the border people and governing the region with integrity and fairness, earning the trust of everyone and praise from the common people. After returning to the court, he was appointed as the General of the Front and the Chief Historian of the Grand Minister, while also serving as the acting governor of the North Road in the Ministry of Personnel.
At the beginning of the Xiaochang period, Zu Xiu was appointed as the Governor of South Yan Province with the title of General. He was then given the position of Minister of Revenue and assigned to Dingzhou. Before he could take office, he was reassigned as the General of the East and the Governor of Yingzhou. Later, he was besieged by the bandit leader Xianyu Xiuli for more than ten days, but Zu Xiu held his ground and took care to protect himself. Ultimately, Zu Xiu fell ill and died in office. After his death, the court posthumously conferred upon him the titles of General of the Guard, Minister of Personnel, and Governor of Yan Province. Since Zu Xiu had no sons, his nephew Zu Yichang, the son of his brother Zu Gui, succeeded him.
Zu Yichang was a very clever person, but he lacked genuine skills and knowledge, and was very good at scheming. He served as the Minister of Personnel, Assistant Minister, Governor of Yan Province, Chief of the Grand Council, General of the Central Army, and Regular Attendant of the Cavalry. At the start of the Taichang period, he was appointed as the General of Chariots and Cavalry, and soon after was reassigned as a Regular Attendant. During the Taiping period, he was executed for colluding with the bandit leader Zhang Jian from North Yu Province.
Zu Mao initially served as a court attendant. His brother, Zu Xiu, was granted the title of Marquis of Nancheng, after which he bestowed the title of Marquis of Xuchang upon Zu Mao. At the beginning of the year of Shengu, Zu Mao was promoted through several ranks and eventually became General of Valor and Governor of Dongping. Later, he served as the Deputy Chief of the Province and passed away while in office.
Zu Mao's son, Zu Yi, inherited his title and held the positions of Right General of the Imperial Guard and Grand Minister at the time of his death. The court posthumously honored him with the titles of Cavalry Commander, General of An Dong, and Inspector of Yanzhou. His son was named Zu Renchao.
The sixth son of the Zu family, Yi Liang, had a bold personality and was not one to sweat the small stuff. He served as a Secretary and a Gentleman of the Central Secretariat. During the Tianping years, he and Secretary Wei Hong were executed at home by the emperor for leaking secrets.
Zu Hui had talent from a young age. He first served as a court official and gradually rose to the positions of General of Zhenyuan, General of the Vanguard, and General of the Rear. During the Zhengshi period, he was appointed as General Longxiang and Governor of Dong County. Later, he returned to the court and served as General of Mounted Troops, and was further promoted to General of Defeating the Enemy. After that, he was appointed as Governor of Bohai Prefecture. During the Xiping period, he was appointed as Governor of Yingchuan. In the Shengu period, he was promoted to Right General and Prefect of Binzhou. After returning to the court, he served as General of Pacifying the East and Grand Minister of the Court. In the fifth year of the Zhengguang era, the people of Binzhou revolted and allied with bandits from Longxi to attack the state city. Because Zu Hui had won the hearts of the people during his previous service in Binzhou, the court appointed him as General of Suppressing the West and Prefect of Binzhou, and allowed him to concurrently serve as General of Anxi, leading troops to quell the rebellion. Zu Hui fought while advancing, ultimately breaking through the siege and returning to the state city. In the early years of the Xiaochang era, Prince of Beihai, Hao, came to rescue, and the state city was relieved from siege. Having saved the entire city, Zu Hui was granted the title of Duke of Xinchang County and given a fief of four hundred households. Later, after Xiao Baoyin's defeat, Zu Hui left Dongcheng for Huazhou and was subsequently dismissed from his official position and title. Shortly after, he was appointed as Acting General of Defeating the Enemy, overseeing the affairs of Binzhou. During the Jianyi period, the court restored his title as Prefect of the State and further promoted him to General of Pacifying the Army. In the Yong'an period, Zu Hui circumvented through Dalingzha to enter the state city. At that time, the bandit leader Chigan Qilin occupied the crown prince's camp, and Zu Hui defeated him. However, the bandit Su Qimingda attacked Zu Hui again. With dwindling troops, exhausted supplies, and no reinforcements in sight, Zu Hui was ultimately killed by the bandits at the age of fifty years. His eldest son, Yixie, inherited his title. During the Wuding period, he served as a middle-ranking official in the Ministry of Personnel. After the Qi Dynasty accepted the abdication, his title was demoted. Yixie's younger brother, Yiyun, served as a Cavalry Official in the Ministry of Personnel. Zu Gui reached the position of Governor of Jianning. His son, Yiyuan, served as Governor of Pingyuan during the Wuding period.
Yi Yuan's younger brothers Yi Xian and Yi Jun were both very straightforward in their personalities. After the Tianping period, Xiao Yan sent people back who passed through Yanzhou City. At that time, the local officials all regarded the Yi Jun brothers as skilled at preparing sumptuous banquets, using luxurious and exquisite utensils. They often held the position of chief historian, responsible for entertaining guests. Yi Xian held the position of Left General and Grand Master, while Yi Jun served as Chief Clerk of the Ministry of Works and Yanzhou's Attendant before passing away.
Zu Xuan held the position of Taiwei Xing Canjun and Zhenyuan General. After his death, he was posthumously appointed as Minister of the Capital and Inspector of both Qizhou and Yanzhou. His son, Yi Zhen, served as Taiwei Xing Canjun. Everyone respected him, everyone loved him, and he returned to his home country with his elder brother. Due to his great achievements, he was granted the title of Marquis of Juping, the highest honor. After his death, he was posthumously appointed as Champion General and Inspector of Xuzhou, receiving the posthumous title of Kang.
His son, Wen Wei, styled Zi'an, was a competent individual. He inherited the title, but was demoted one rank in accordance with regulations, becoming a count. He served as the Prefect of Tai Shan, then later as a Gentleman of the Imperial Secretariat and the Chief of the Province of Benzhou, and was also appointed as General Who Maintains the Far Regions. Later on, he was appointed as the Chief Historian of Pingdong Prefecture in Xuzhou, concurrently serving as the Governor of Pengcheng. During the Yongping era, he was promoted to Senior Cavalry Officer, and further appointed as General of Dragon's Might. In the early years of the Yanchang era, he was appointed as the Governor of Qinghe, but resigned due to illness. He later resumed his positions as General of Dragon's Might and Senior Cavalry Officer. He also briefly served as the Interior Minister of Guangping. In the early years of the Zhengguang era, the Governor of Xiangzhou and Prince Zhongshan, Xi, rebelled and attempted to kill Yuan Cha. Wen Wei killed Xi's messenger, led troops to resist the rebellion, and was highly respected by the people for his cautious and diligent governance. Later, Yuan Cha promoted him to General-in-Chief, General Who Pacifies the East, and Governor of Cangzhou, where he achieved great political success. Due to his military achievements, he was appointed as a Cavalier of the Imperial Court, Grand Commandant of the Eastern Capital, and later served as the Commander of the Army under Prince Anle Jian. In the spring of the first year of the Xiaochang era, the Governor of Xuzhou, Yuan Faseng, rebelled, and Wen Wei and Jian together attacked him, but were defeated and fled back to the capital. He was impeached but later pardoned due to a general amnesty. He died in the same year at the age of fifty-seven. Posthumously honored as a Cavalier of the Imperial Court, General Who Maintains the East, and Governor of Yanzhou, his count title remained unchanged, and he was posthumously honored with the epithet "Gong".
His son, Zuyan, styled Xiuxian, was well-read and knowledgeable, gaining considerable renown during his era. He served as a Palace Attendant and was appointed as the military overseer under Yuan Faseng. During Yuan Faseng's rebellion, he was compelled to accompany him southward, only returning during the Yong'an era. He later held the position of Imperial Secretariat, inherited the title of Juping Count, and also served as General of the Central Army and a Household Counsellor. He died in the fourth year of the Tianping era at the age of fifty. Posthumously honored as Commander of Military Affairs for Yanzhou and Jizhou, General Who Conquers the East, Left Supervisor of the Masters of Writing, and Governor of Yanzhou.
Zuyan's younger brother, Zhe, served as a Secretary towards the end of the Yong'an era.
Everyone in their family holds a position in the court, all of them prestigious and influential, but their household is quite shabby and neglected, which led people at the time to look down on them. Shen Zuan was the great-grandson of Shen Zhong from Wei County. In the early years of the Jianyuan era, after Taizu subdued Zhongshan, Shen Zuan's family moved south and settled in Jiyin. Later, while Shen Zuan was in Wuyan, he was appointed governor of Yanzhou by Liu Yu. Xianzu remarked, "Shen Zuan neither knows how to seize the opportunity nor how to assess his own strength. He is unable to submit to the court or return to Jiangnan. How could he possibly achieve merit and demonstrate integrity while guarding a solitary city in such a perilous situation?" After Shen Zuan's defeat, his son Jingyi came to court and served as a national attendant to Liu Chang, the King of Song, during the Taihe period. In the early years of Jingming, he was appointed as a recorder for Jiyin County, a military officer in the Chariots and Cavalry Office in Yangzhou, and Right Sima. Chang Zhenqi hailed from Runan. He previously served as the governor of Sizhou under Liu Jun and also supported Liu Zixun along with Xue Andu and others. Following Liu Zixun's defeat, Chang Zhenqi dispatched messengers to Changshe Town to request surrender. Xianzu sent Yuan Shi, the Palace Secretary, as the commander, leading the army, with Zheng Xi, the Imperial Academy Scholar, serving as the Right Military Counselor. Upon the army's arrival at Shangcai, Chang Zhenqi led civil and military officials to welcome them. Zheng Xi advised Yuan Shi to enter the city directly, a detail noted in "The Biography of Zheng Xi." Once the situation was stabilized, Chang Zhenqi was appointed General Who Maintains Order, General Who Pacifies the South, Governor of Yuzhou, and Duke of Henei.
Chang Zhenqi stated in his memorial: "In the past, I received the Liu family's grace and am grateful for their kindness. I am willing to go to great lengths for them, so I joined forces with Yuan Yi, the governor of Yongzhou, and Yin Yan, the governor of Yuzhou, to answer the call of duty and support Liu Zixun in continuing their cause. However, the timing was not right, which ultimately led to our failure. Yet Liu Yu has acted against the rightful path, killing the monarch and usurping the throne, causing the people to suffer and putting the nation in grave danger. I humbly request Your Majesty to shine like a dragon and a phoenix, illuminating all directions, so that people everywhere may rally to the Wei dynasty. I hope that Heaven shows mercy and quickly pacifies the south. Messengers should be sent to inform them of their fate, so that the people of Jiangdong may unite, and the nine provinces, including Jingzhou and Yongzhou, may pay tribute to the north. I respectfully request Your Majesty to appoint high-ranking officials and generals and send elite troops, training five thousand elite troops to assist me in quelling the rebellion, and grant me the authority to intimidate those across the river. The area north of the Yangtze River can certainly be pacified. Although my martial skills are not the best, I request to serve as the vanguard, and for specific battle strategies, I ask for Your Majesty's guidance. I sincerely believe that now is the perfect time to pursue victory, right at this moment."
Zhenqi, on the surface, appears valuable and unique, but is actually insincere. After several years, the imperial court summoned his son Chao, but his mother Hu was unwilling to let him go to the capital, secretly plotting to rebel and ally with the southern forces. At that time, Runan and Xuzhou were still in turmoil, and General Yuanshi took the lead in quelling the rebellion. Zhenqi took advantage of this opportunity to rebel, burning down the eastern city gate, killing over three hundred people, and looting the residents of Shangcai, Ancheng, and Pingyu counties, before setting up camp by a water source. General Yuanshi swiftly went to attack, achieving a decisive victory, and set fire to Zhenqi's camp under cover of darkness, forcing Zhenqi to make a hasty escape on horseback. His son Chao fled to Kucheng and was eventually killed. Zhenqi's younger son, Shami, was captured and sent to the capital, where he was ultimately castrated as punishment.
Shen Wenxiu, courtesy name Zhongyuan, was from Wukang, a part of Wuxing. His uncle, Shen Qingzhi, was the Minister of Construction during the reign of Emperor Jun of Liu. Shen Wenxiu started out as a county clerk, eventually rising to the rank of General Jianwei and serving as Governor of Qingzhou. In the sixth year of the Heiping era, when Liu Ziye was assassinated by his uncle Liu Yu, Shen Wenxiu, along with other officials from various provinces, supported Liu Zixun. After Liu Zixun's failure, during the rule of Emperor Huangxing, Shen Wenxiu and Cui Daogu surrendered to the court, requesting military support. The court then dispatched General Zhang Sun Ling of Pingdong with troops. However, Liu Yu sent Shen Wenxiu's brother, Shen Wenbing, to convince him to stay loyal, and Shen Wenxiu surrendered to Liu Yu again. Liu Yu appointed Shen Wenxiu as the Assistant General of the State while keeping him in his role as Governor.
Later, Murong Baiyao captured Shengcheng and marched towards Lixia with his troops. He also sent Changsun Ling with over ten thousand soldiers straight to Dongyang. Shen Wenxiu initially thought of surrendering, but when he saw the soldiers looting the civilians, he regretted his initial thought and resolved to defend the city. Changsun Ling set up camp in Qingxi. After Murong Baiyao captured Licheng, he led his army to attack Dongyang with full force, laying siege to it from summer to spring before breaking through the city. Shen Wenxiu, wearing official robes, sat upright in the house holding a cane. When the soldiers rushed in and asked, "Where is Shen Wenxiu?" Shen Wenxiu loudly said, "Here I am!" Then he was grabbed, stripped of his clothes, and sent to Murong Baiyao. Murong Baiyao's attendants wanted him to kneel, but Shen Wenxiu said, "We are both ministers of our respective countries; there is no reason to kneel to each other." Murong Baiyao was very angry, so he beat Shen Wenxiu. Later, he dressed him again, served him food, and then, along with the chief historian Fang Tianle and Sima Shensong, escorted Shen Wenxiu to the capital. Shen Wenxiu, wearing shackles, was accused of multiple crimes, but was spared execution and treated as an inferior guest, only given coarse clothes and simple meals.
Xianzu valued Wenxiu's loyalty and appointed him as a minor official in the capital. In the third year of Taihe, he was promoted to a high official in the capital. The Emperor appreciated Wenxiu's loyalty to the country and rewarded him with two hundred bolts of silk and brocade. Later, Wenxiu was appointed as the General of the Southern Expedition, and before departing, the Emperor rewarded him with a set of military uniforms. Shortly after, he was appointed as the Governor of Huai Prefecture and granted the title of Duke of Wu County. At that time, the Henan region was prosperous, and the common people liked to give gifts. However, Wenxiu did not accept any, maintaining a life of simplicity. Although he governed with leniency, he was unable to effectively stop thieves; but he actively promoted rice cultivation, benefiting both the state and the people. He served as an official in Huai Prefecture for several years and died at the age of sixty-one.
His son Bao Chong, during the Taihe era, served as a court attendant and the Chief Historian of South Xuzhou. In the twenty-first year of Taihe, due to a failed retreat in the Battle of Liankou, the officials in charge wanted to sentence him to death. Emperor Gaozu issued a decree saying, "Bao Chong is the son of Wenxiu; his death sentence can be commuted, allowing him to go to Luoyang to hold a minor official position and serve for life." Thus, Bao Chong was spared from death. Later, during the reign of Emperor Shizong, Bao Chong died while serving as the governor of Xiapi.
Fang Tianle, a native of Qinghe, was witty and very talented. He first served as a deputy in Qingzhou and was later promoted by Wenxiu to be the Chief Historian, responsible for overseeing Qijun, and he was entrusted with all matters of the provincial government. Eventually, Fang Tianle died in the capital.
Wenxiu's disciple Jia Qing became the governor of Yuyang. Jia Qing's brother Hu Lian became the governor of Changguang. Wenxiu's clan member Song was clever and skilled in writing. Wenxiu treated him like his own Sima and valued him greatly. Song followed Wenxiu to Huaizhou. After Wenxiu's death, Song attached himself to King Liu Chang. Liu Chang treated him disrespectfully, which left Song feeling sorrowful, ashamed, hungry, and cold, and he soon died.
Ling, a member of Wenxiu's clan, courtesy name Daotong. In the 18th year of the Taihe era, during Emperor Gaozu's southern campaign, Ling surrendered to him along with his clan grandson Zhidu and was received at the imperial palace. Ling had an imposing presence, spoke with clarity and logic, and was very eloquent. Emperor Gaozu greatly admired him, affording him greater respect than Wang Su, and appointed him as General of the Front Army. Later, he served as the Military Commander of Southern Xuzhou, General of the Central Fortress, and Governor of Southern Xuzhou, and was subsequently granted the titles of Acting Inspector and General Longxiang. In the autumn of the 22nd year of Taihe, he was promoted to General of the Champion with the authority to wield a seal. After Emperor Gaozu's death, Ling secretly harbored rebellious intentions. The Chief Clerk Zhao Yan informed the court of this matter, but the Minister Wang Su strongly defended Ling while harshly criticizing Zhao Yan. As a result, Ling did indeed rebel, killing dozens of people, kidnapping over a hundred men and women from the city, and fleeing south at night. Zhidu learned of this in Pengcheng and went alone in a small boat to pursue Ling but was shot and killed by the guards at Xiaopi.
Zhang Dan, courtesy name Chuyan, was from Dongwucheng, Qinghe County. His ancestor Zhang Fan, known as Xianzu, served as the Minister of Long Autumn Affairs during the Jin dynasty. His father, Zhang Hua, once served as the Left Minister under Murong Chao. Zhang Dan held various official positions in the Liu Song dynasty, serving in succession as a Palace Attendant, Governor of Taishan, Chief Clerk of the Auxiliary State in Qingzhou and Jizhou, and also as Governor of Wei County. After Liu Yu became emperor, he was appointed as General of the Champion from a distance and Governor of Eastern Xuzhou. Later, when Xuzhou and Yanzhou were dissolved, Zhang Dan sought refuge with Wei Yuan in Northern Wei. Wei Yuan also appointed him as General of the Champion and Governor of Eastern Xuzhou, sending the Deputy Minister of the Central Office, Gao Lu, to serve alongside him as governor, with equal status. Later, when Zhang Dan arrived in the capital of Northern Wei, he received honors second only to Xue Andu and Bi Zhongjing, and in recognition of his contributions, he was granted the title of Marquis of Pinglu and was further promoted to General of Pingyuan.
Zhang Dang was an outgoing person who placed great importance on reassuring the people. The citizens of Qingzhou and Qizhou, even those who were not closely related to him, respected him greatly. Prominent families like Li Fu and Li Xin treated him with respect and did not overlook him. Individuals such as Bi Zhongjing and others respected him greatly, and talents like Gao Yun valued him highly. He died in the fourth year of the Yanxing era during the Northern Wei Dynasty, and after his death, he was posthumously honored with the title of General Who Pacifies the South and appointed as the Governor of Qingzhou, and given the posthumous title of Duke Kang. His son Zhang Jingbo requested to properly arrange his father's funeral and wanted to bury him back in the family grave in Qinghe, Jizhou, but it took a long time to receive approval, and the coffin remained at home for five or six years. His fourth son, Zhang Jingshu, was in Xuzhou at the time. Initially, when he heard about his father's death, he was reluctant to return for the funeral and instead saw it as an opportunity to defect to the south. However, he was caught by the Xuzhou authorities and sent back. Eventually, he took care of the funeral himself and later inherited his father's title. Zhang Jingbo, for his contributions in following his father to seek refuge in the Northern Wei, was bestowed the title of Marquis of Chang'an and later assigned as the Prefect of Yeling. Zhang Jingshu became the Prefect of Wuyi. Ultimately, his father's funeral was successfully conducted at the family grave in Qinghe. Zhang Dang had ten brothers, and his elder brother Zhang Zhong, known by his courtesy name Chushun, had served as a local magistrate in the south. When Emperor Taiwu of the Northern Wei conducted a southern campaign, Zhang Zhong surrendered to the Northern Wei, was conferred the title of Baron of Xinchang, and appointed as the Prefect of Xinxing, where he later died. After his passing, he was posthumously honored with the title of Governor of Jizhou.
At the beginning, Li Tang's wife, Huangfu Shi, was captured and given as a maid to an official in the palace. Huangfu Shi feigned madness and acted silly, even neglecting to comb her hair. Later, when Li Tang became the Grand Historian of Jizhou under Liu Jun, he spent more than a thousand rolls of fabric to redeem Huangfu Shi. Emperor Gaozong thought it odd that he would spend so much and summoned him. By that time, Huangfu Shi was almost sixty. Emperor Gaozong said, "Southerners truly value loyalty and righteousness, valuing family so highly. What could this old woman possibly do to warrant such a high price for her release?" After Huangfu Shi returned home, Li Tang had his other concubines greet her at the door. A few years later, Li Tang died, and he was only posthumously honored in the national records ten years later.
Li Tang's nephew, Li Anshi, during the Zhengshi years, came to pledge allegiance to the court from the Liang-Han region under Xiahou Dao's command and became a guest of the court. After several years, he was appointed as the governor of Donghejian and ultimately died in office.
Li Yuanmao served as the magistrate of Xindu County and later was promoted to the administrative assistant position in Jizhou.
Li Yuanmao's son, Li Rang, held the position of Grand Historian of Anxi Prefecture in Luozhou and served as the Waterworks Commissioner.
Tian Yizong was a member of the Guangcheng tribe. He stood eight feet tall, was extremely brave and decisive, was skilled in military affairs, and his appearance and demeanor set him apart from typical tribesmen. He had been the chief of the Sishan tribe for generations and was previously under the jurisdiction of Xiao Ze. In the 17th year of Taihe, he sent an envoy, Zhang Chao, to pledge loyalty to the court. In the 19th year, the court appointed him as an honorary attendant, the commander of Guangcheng, Yiyang, Runan, Xincai, and Song'an, a general of the champion, and the governor of Nansizhou, bestowing upon him the title of Marquis of Guangcheng with a fief of 1,000 households; he had the authority to appoint officials in his domain. Later, as Tian Yizong had moved north across the Huai River, he could no longer serve as the governor of Sizhou, so they established Dong Yuzhou in Xincai, and Tian Yizong was later re-granted the title of Earl of Anchang with a fief of 500 households. In the 22nd year, he was promoted to General of the Expedition against the Barbarians.
In the early Jingming years, Xiao Yan sent General Wu Ziyang to lead 4,000 infantry and cavalry troops to attack the Three Passes. The Yizhou Inspector, Yizong, dispatched Mei Xingzhi, the governor of Guangcheng, to lead the troops, advancing over eighty miles south of Yanshan Pass to occupy Changfeng City and face Wu Ziyang. They inflicted a crushing defeat on Wu Ziyang's army, killing and capturing more than a thousand troops. Huang Tianci, the governor of Jianning under Xiao Yan, constructed fortifications at Chiting and sent his general Huang Gongshang to garrison at Xucheng to keep Changfeng City in check. The Yizhou Inspector ordered Mei Jingxiu, the governor of Anman, to act as auxiliary forces for an attack, defeating Huang Tianci and his forces, beheading hundreds of soldiers, and capturing both of their cities.
The Governor of Yizhou then reported to the court, saying: “I have heard that the key to the matter is clear to the wise and virtuous; ancient emperors would exploit the enemy's weaknesses when they were vulnerable. All of this is to save the people from peril and to establish great military achievements in the present. However, frost-covered leaves are about to fall, and without a strong north wind, they cannot accelerate their drop; those whom heaven has forsaken cannot be eliminated without outside help. I privately believe that Xiao Yan is disrupting the natural order, and the conflict between rulers and subjects has led to a division in the southern provinces, with east and west at odds, which has lasted for many years. The people are suffering due to the disruption in supply lines, and the army is exhausted from fighting; this situation needs to be resolved immediately, as my strength has been exhausted. I have no time to attend to other provinces, and the cities are isolated like chess pieces on a board. If we do not seize the opportunity to quickly eliminate them and sweep through that wild territory, it may become even more difficult to pacify it later. Moreover, although Shouchun has been pacified, it remains surrounded on three sides, and the defensive measures indeed need to be arranged in advance. Yiyang is relatively close to the source of the Huai River and is located at a transportation hub. When the court sends troops, they will surely take this route. If Jiangnan is pacified and there is an issue beyond the Huai River, we should capitalize on the summer floods to sail downstream straight to the Huai River. For the army to advance to Shouchun, they must go from the north of Yiyang, thus occupying our vital passage, which requires careful planning. This is the ideal moment to take out Yiyang. Their army is estimated to be just twelve thousand elite troops. However, in military operations, the key is to show strength. Please order the troops from the two Jing regions to push west toward Suiyong, and the troops from Yangzhou to set up in Jian'an to support the three passes; then let the troops from Yizhou directly occupy the southern pass to confront Yantou. Additionally, send a commander to lead the various troops, starting the campaign at winter's end and wrapping it up by spring's end, which should not exceed ten weeks, and we will certainly be able to capture it!”
The emperor brought Yi Zong under his command and sent him to attack Yiyang. He then sent Yi Zong's son, Lu Sheng, to lead eight thousand infantry and cavalry troops to cut off the enemy's supply route and destroy the supplies hoarded by the enemy in Juncheng. Yiyang's defender Zhao Wenju led the defense but was defeated by Lu Sheng. Zhao Wenju and several subordinate generals, including Hu Jianxing, Gu Hao, and Zhuang Yuanzhong, were captured. More than five thousand enemy soldiers were killed, and over fifteen hundred drowned, and all ships transporting food supplies were burned. Later, the rebel general Yang Sengyuan launched an attack on Menglong with two thousand troops. The emperor commanded Lu Sheng and the defender Qi Daoxian to launch a counterattack together, defeated Yang Sengyuan, pursued them for ten miles, and captured or killed over a thousand soldiers. As a result, Lu Sheng was promoted to General of the Southern Campaign.
The emperor issued another edict, ordering Yizong to lead the civil and military officials of Bingzhou, along with the General of the Imperial Guard, the General of the Expedition against Bandits, and the Deputy Minister of the Imperial Household, Yuwen Fu, to garrison the Manchu region. He conferred upon him the title of General of Annam, increased his fief by one hundred households, and rewarded him with two thousand bolts of silk. Bai Zaosheng from Yuzhou rebelled, and the emperor wrote a letter to Yizong saying: "Xuanhu is an important frontier stronghold, close to Song Mountain and the Ying River, and is a key stronghold on the southern border, bearing significant responsibility. Now these audacious petty bandits have rebelled, killing the officials stationed there and attempting to establish themselves as kings. How can this be tolerated? I am immediately sending Minister Shangshu Xing Luan to lead fifty thousand elite cavalry to rush there, and I will also send General of the South Expedition, King Ying of Zhongshan, to lead seventy thousand infantry and cavalry to follow closely behind. Against these small thieves, they will have no choice but to flee for their lives. I know that you are determined to eliminate these wolves and protect the border, and your loyalty and spirit are truly commendable. Without your steadfastness, how could this be achieved? I have great trust in you, which is why I entrusted this matter to you. I am sending Zhao Wenxiang, the Secretary of the Central Secretariat, to convey my orders, and I will provide specific strategies verbally; you can adapt them as needed based on the situation, but be sure not to let these traitors escape. Quickly quell the rebellion, and then we will make further arrangements."
At that time, many cities in Yingzhou and Yuzhou, south of Lekou, had fallen into the hands of the bandits, with only Yiyang still resisting. Xiao Yan appointed Yizong as Grand General of Chariots and Cavalry, and as the Director of the Three Offices, with the title of Duke of Five Thousand Households. At that time, the safety of the Ying and Yu regions rested entirely on Yizong's decisions, but he remained unwaveringly loyal to his duties. Ultimately, the pacification of the Ying and Yu regions was entirely due to Yizong's contributions.
Yi Zong has grown older and more insatiably greedy, and the common people and soldiers can no longer bear his exploitation. His sons and grandsons are also vying to take bribes, and the officials serving Yi Zong are in dire straits, many openly contemplating rebellion. Emperor Shi Zong is very concerned about this and sends Chancellor Liu Taofu to deliver an edict to appease him, hoping to quell the situation.
Upon Liu Taofu's return, he reported Yi Zong's various misdeeds to Emperor Shi Zong. The emperor issued a decree stating: "I've heard your son Lu Sheng has been embezzling and misusing his power in Huainan, oppressing the people, and even cruelly killing Mei Fusheng. These actions are absolutely unacceptable and severely damage your reputation. You need to bring him to the capital with you, and I'll set him up with a suitable position. If he desires an official post in another region, I will appoint him as the governor of a prefecture in the Central Plains." However, Lu Sheng was dragging his feet about coming.
During the Yan Chang era, Emperor Shi Zong issued another decree stating: "Old Yi Zong has served the country diligently at the borders for many years and shouldn't be treated unfairly over land disputes. Therefore, let him keep his position as 常侍, and additionally confer upon him the titles of General of the Eastern Expedition and Governor of Jizhou." Emperor Shi Zong feared Yi Zong wouldn't give up his power, so he sent General Li Shizhe and Liu Taofu to stage a surprise attack on Guangling, catching them by surprise.
Yi Zong's sons Lu Sheng and Lu Xian fled to the south of the pass, teaming up with bandits to raid military camps, and the area south of Guangcheng was occupied by thieves. Li Shizhe led his troops to take down the bandits, defeated them, and restored order in the counties, and then escorted Yi Zong back to the capital. Emperor Shi Zong named him General of the Southern Expedition, Grand Minister of Golden Purple, and also made him a 散骑常侍, and changed his title to Duke of Quyang.
Yizong grew up on the frontier and never wanted to go to the court to enjoy the comforts of court life. Although he held a high official position with generous perks, he still felt deeply dissatisfied. He submitted a memorial stating, "When I was in the south, I admired the court's benevolence and brought over three thousand households, abandoning the wealth and glory of the frontier to come to this promised land. As a result, my brothers were slaughtered, and we have enmity with the enemy nation. Emperor Gaozu Xianwen saw my sincerity and granted me an official position on the frontier. I intended to rely on the court's strength for vengeance, so how could I betray the court's grace and seek refuge with the enemy, putting my life in danger? In the past, when there was chaos in Yingzhou and Yuzhou, I personally led the righteous troops to block the enemy's path, and I believed my loyalty should be evident to the court. However, as a high-ranking official on the frontier, I carry a heavy responsibility, making me a target for slander. That Tao Fu (referring to a person, here as an official title) made false accusations against me, claiming I always wanted to defect to the south and had rebelled multiple times. Please investigate the truth of the matter and see what evidence there is! He also accused me of mistreating the frontier soldiers, saying I killed more than half of them. If what he said were true, how many families of those dead and wounded soldiers have come forward to complain? He further claimed that I squandered the court's grain and cloth, leaving the warehouses empty, but after the censors conducted their inspection, no losses were found at all. When I first took office, my two sons, Lu Sheng and Lu Xian, as well as my nephew Chao Xiu, were all safe in the city, and they were unharmed. Yet Tao Fu secretly led General Ju She, Lu Yonggu, to ambush my son Lu Sheng, nearly costing him his life! He even shouted, 'I am carrying the emperor's secret order; whoever can capture the heads of Lu Sheng and Lu Xian will be rewarded with an entire county!' The soldiers surrounded the city tightly, shouting and chaos, and my two sons were terrified, all because of his actions."
My family's livelihood has been ruined, life has become unbearable, and he even destroyed my ancestors' graves, digging up the bones of my ancestors! The living suffer from the pain of separation, while the dead must endure the torment of having their bones crushed! The court has sent peach talismans to comfort us many times in the past, but this talisman turned out to be a cruel and treacherous man, stirring up trouble himself and saying, 'Only I can communicate with the court and receive grace.' When he returned to the capital, he manipulated the court again, saying that my sons and I were not loyal at all, falsely accusing loyal officials and misleading the court. I ask that you interrogate both the talisman and me together. If I am guilty, I should be dealt with according to the law; if the talisman has lied, he should be punished accordingly." The emperor decreed, "Since you have already been pardoned, you should not face punishment for this matter any longer."
In the early years of the Xiping era, Yizong submitted a request to the court for Eastern Yuzhou to be granted to him, in order to bring his two sons back. Empress Ling issued an order saying, "You are a veteran of two dynasties, with distinguished merits, guarding the borders for miles on end, holding fiefs, and enjoying the favors of the previous dynasty. The court has already rewarded you generously. Moreover, your descendants also benefit from your glory, and your relatives and friends have received blessings; you know how important this is. The late emperor valued your contributions, but because the state was small and the salary low, you were transferred to Huazhou as a local governor, allowing you to be promoted. At that time, the barbarian troops came and went without raising suspicions. However, your son Luxian rebelled for no reason, demonstrating neither loyalty nor filial duty, and instead became the enemy's leader. Because of your loyalty, the court did not hold you responsible. Now you have been promoted to General of Southern Expeditions, in golden-purple official robes, and the court's treatment of you is even better than before. Besides, you’re getting older and should be enjoying your retirement; do you really need to go yourself? It is sufficient to send someone to comfort and persuade him, which would show the court's sincerity. If someone is indeed sent to deliver the message, report back to me, and I will issue another order to grant you Eastern Yuzhou, allowing you to persuade Luxian." Two years later, Yizong passed away at the age of seventy-three. The court posthumously awarded him the title of General of Eastern Expeditions and the position of Governor of Yingzhou, with the posthumous name Zhuang. Yizong's youngest son Zuan inherited his father's title, rising to the position of General of the Expedition against the Barbarians and Deputy Minister. After his death, the court posthumously awarded him the title of Left General and Governor of Eastern Yuzhou. Yizong's eldest son Suixing was appointed General of Champions and Governor of Pingyuan. Suixing, enamored with the lucrative posts on the frontier, didn't want to be reassigned back to the interior, so the court later reassigned him as Governor of Yiyang and Runan.
Yizong's elder brother, Xingzu, also pledged allegiance to the court during the late Taihe period. During the Jingming period, the court appointed him acting governor of Yingzhou. When Yiyang was established as Yingzhou, he was appointed General of Conquering Rebels and governor of Jiangzhou. The court also awarded him a set of court robes and shoes. He oversaw the governance of Macheng. After Xingzu's death, Yizong requested that Suixing succeed his brother, but Emperor Shizong refused the request and revoked the fiefdom of Dongyu Prefecture. Initially, following Yizhou's surrender, Xiao Luan sent Dong Luan, the governor of Ningzhou, to quell those who resisted. The officials and soldiers captured Dong Luan and his son, Dong Jingyao, and escorted them to the imperial palace. Dong Luan, whose courtesy name was Zhongshu, hailed from Yingyang. During the reign of Xiao Qizhenjun, he rebelled and fled south with his father. Although he lived in the south of the Yangtze River for a long time, his manner of speaking and behavior resembled those of the Central Plains. He was rough in character and not particularly literate. Emperor Gao called Dong Luan into the palace and asked about the situation in the south. Dong Luan was so frightened that he couldn't speak, constantly glancing at Dong Jingyao. Dong Jingyao stepped forward to speak for his father, explaining in detail the entire process of Xiao Luan usurping power. Though some of his arguments were questionable, his defense was quite reasonable, and Emperor Gao found it quite intriguing. As a result, Dong Luan was appointed Captain of the Yueqi, and Dong Jingyao was made a junior official. Later, due to renewed suspicions of rebellion, they were exiled to Shuozhou.
When the emperor marched south to launch a campaign against Hanyang, he summoned Dong Luan to join the army. Dong Jingyao arrived in Luoyang and secretly wrote to his family that his father was certainly planning to flee and rebel. When the army reached Luyang, Dong Luan fled south alone on horseback, passing through Nanyang and Xinye. He even warned the officials in these two places that the Wei army was about to arrive, urging them to prepare for defense. However, the Prefect of Nanyang, Fang Boyu, and Liu Ji both said there was no cause for concern. Dong Luan said, "No, the Wei army is very powerful!" When they reached the border, Dong Luan cried out in desperation to the north, calling his son Jingyao's name, saying, "My family is over there, I must go back, I can no longer worry about you!" Dong Jingyao was escorted to the emperor's palace and was eventually executed.
There was also a man named Chen Bozhi, from Xiapi. He earned official positions through his bravery and strength in Jiangnan, eventually becoming Grand General of the Southern Guard, Governor of Jiangzhou, and Duke of Fengcheng County. In the third year of Jingming, Chen Bozhi secretly submitted a request to surrender and sent his son, Champion General, Governor of Xuzhou, and Marquis of Yongchang County, Chen Huya, as a hostage. In the fourth year of Jingming, Chen Bozhi was appointed as Commissioner, Commander of Military Affairs in Jiang and Yingzhou, General of Pacification, Governor of Jiangzhou, and Duke of Qujiang County, with a fief of one thousand households; Chen Huya was appointed as Champion General, Imperial Clerk of the Cavalry, and Earl of Yuning County, with a fief of five hundred households. During the Zhengshi period, the General Conquering Barbarians, Zhao Zuyue, constructed fortifications in Shuidong, facing across the river from Yingchuan Commandery, deploying several thousand troops and horses as a base for attack. Chen Bozhi led his troops to attack Zhao Zuyue, achieving a resounding victory. He pursued the enemy into the city, wounded Zhao Zuyue three times, and routed the enemy forces. He then attacked the southern city of Shuidong, defeating various enemy troops, killing and capturing thousands of enemy troops. In the summer of the following year, Chen Bozhi was appointed as a Household Counsellor, and Chen Huya was promoted to General of the Vanguard.
Meng Biao, styled Wuda, was a native of Sheqiu in Jibei. He claimed his ancestry was from the north, from the Meng family of Suli. After the Qing and Xu regions came under court control, Meng Biao moved south due to certain circumstances and became the Marquis of Matou under Xiao Luan. In the eighteenth year of Taihe, Meng Biao led the counties to submit to the court, was appointed as the General of Fu Guo, the Governor of Nanyanzhou, continued to serve as the Marquis of Matou, was bestowed upon the title of Marquis of Wenyang, and stationed in Woyang. Later, Xiao Luan sent the Inspector of Yuzhou, Pei Shuye, to attack Woyang. The city was besieged for more than sixty days, the food supplies in the city ran out, and they could only eat rotten leather and bark to stave off their hunger. Meng Biao comforted the soldiers, and together they held the city. Just as General Zhen Nan, Wang Su, lifted the siege of Yiyang and returned to rescue Woyang, Pei Shuye finally withdrew. Initially, a man from the south, claiming to be named Bian and styled Shuzhen, fled from Shouchun with his wife and children to Meng Biao, admiring Meng Biao's virtue and wanting to submit to the court. Before he could report to the court, the siege by Pei Shuye began. Later, Meng Biao carefully observed Bian Shuzhen's expression and sensed something was off. After a thorough investigation, it was discovered that he was Pei Shuye's cousin sent as an inside man. The wife and children he brought were impostors. Meng Biao had Bian Shuzhen executed outside the north gate, and the people's spirits were finally lifted. The Emperor Gaozu greatly appreciated Meng Biao's loyalty and achievements, honoring him with the title of General of Andong and Governor of Yanzhou, with the posthumous title of 'Gong.' His son, Meng Chong, succeeded him and served as the Prefect of Changli and Jibei.
The historical records say: Xue Andu was just a warrior; although he rashly surrendered and rebelled, he changed the landscape in the southeastern region. When he found himself in a difficult position, he did everything he could to turn things around and managed to keep his official position and title—pretty impressive, right? Zhen Du caught the eye of a wise ruler with his clever plans. A lot of people respected him and rallied to the court, and his status and official position reached their peak; it was smooth sailing for him. Wen Xiu showed unwavering loyalty, possessing the spirit of loyalty to the death; not only was he rewarded by the court, but even his son was spared the death penalty. In my view, do we really need to push him to curse anyone when his loyalty and righteousness are clear? Zhang Dan was adept at observing the situation, devoted to his master, and had compassion for the displaced folks, which is indeed an act of benevolence and wisdom! Tian Yizong was once a leader from a wild area, yet suddenly submitted to the court, eventually donning splendid official robes—isn’t that something to praise? Meng Biao’s climb to such a high position didn’t just happen by chance.
