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Written by: Realhistories

Category: Book of Zhou （周書）

Published: 09 January 2025

Created: 09 January 2025

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Once, the Turks were, in fact, descendants of the Xiongnu, with the surname Ashina. They were originally divided into several tribes but were later defeated by neighboring countries, resulting in the annihilation of their entire tribe. Only one child, roughly ten years old, survived. The soldiers, seeing that he was too young to kill, mutilated his feet and abandoned him in the grass. Miraculously, a she-wolf nursed him with her meat.

As this child grew up, he grew up living with the she-wolf and even had offspring! Later, the original Turkic king learned that this child had survived and sent men to kill him. The sent men spotted the she-wolf nearby and intended to kill her too, but the she-wolf fled to the northwestern mountains of Gaochang. In those mountains, there was a cave—flat and spacious, filled with lush grass—surrounded by mountains for hundreds of miles around. Inside, the she-wolf gave birth to ten cubs.

As the ten sons matured, they all married and adopted their own surnames, with Ashina among them. Their descendants flourished, gradually growing into several hundred households. After many generations, they emerged from the cave to serve the Ruru people as their subjects, residing south of the Golden Mountain, where they worked as blacksmiths for the Ruru. The Golden Mountain resembles a helmet, and the Ruru people referred to the helmet as "Turk," which is how they came to adopt "Turk" as their clan name.

It is said that the ancestors of the Turks came from Sogdiana, to the north of the Xiongnu. Their tribal leader was named Abanbu, and he had seventeen brothers. One of them was called Yizhinishi Dudu, who was said to be born of a wolf. Abanbu and his brothers were all very foolish, so their nation ultimately fell. However, Nishidu was different; he seemed to be born with extraordinary abilities, capable of summoning wind and rain. He married two wives, who were said to be the daughters of the deities of summer and winter. He had four sons in one go. One turned into a white crane; one established a nation between the Afu River and the Sword River, called Qigu; one founded a country at Chuzheshu; and the last one lived on Chuzheshi Mountain, and he was his eldest son. Abanbu's descendants also lived there, where it often had cold dew. The eldest son used fire to warm them, so that everyone could survive. So, they all rallied behind the eldest son as their leader, also known as Nedu Liushie. Nedu Liushie had ten wives, and the sons he had all took their mother's family name, with Ashina being the son of his youngest wife. After Nedu Liushie passed away, the ten wives and their sons wanted to choose someone to inherit his position, so they gathered under a large tree, saying, "Jump into the tree; whoever jumps the highest will be our leader." Ashina's son, the youngest, jumped the highest, so the brothers chose him as their leader, calling him Axianshe. While this tale may sound a bit odd, he was, after all, still a descendant of the wolf.

Next comes Tumen, whose tribe gradually grew powerful. He started selling silk and cotton at the border and sought to establish trade relations with the Central Plains Dynasty. In the eleventh year of the Datong era, the Northern Wei's Taizu sent Hu Annuo Pan Tuo, a Jiuquan native, as an envoy to the Turks. The Turks were very happy, saying, "Now that a great power has sent envoys, our nation is sure to prosper!" In the twelfth year of Datong, Tumen sent envoys to offer various items. At that time, the Tiele were preparing to attack the Rouran, and Tumen led his army to intercept them, defeating the Tiele and capturing more than fifty thousand households. With their newfound strength, Tumen sought to marry into the Rouran. The Rouran monarch, Anagui, was furious and sent people to insult Tumen, saying, "You are a slave of my Rouran, how dare you say such things!" Furious, Tumen executed the Rouran envoy. Consequently, he severed ties with the Rouran and sought an alliance with Northern Wei. Northern Wei Taizu agreed. In June of the seventeenth year of Datong, Northern Wei arranged the marriage of Princess Changle to Tumen. That same year, Emperor Wei Wendi passed away, and Tumen sent envoys to offer condolences and presented two hundred horses.

In January 440 AD, the Emperor of Wei, Tuoba Tao, sent troops to attack the Rouran and achieved a significant victory north of Huaihuang City. The Rouran Khan, Anagui, took his own life, and his son Anluochen fled to the enemy state of Qi, resulting in Anagui's uncle, Deng Shuzi, being named Khan. Tuoba Tao then proclaimed himself "Yili Khan," which is equivalent to the ancient title of Chanyu. He also bestowed upon his wife the title "Kehedun," similar to the ancient Enshi. Following Tuoba Tao's passing, his son Tuoba Keluo ascended to the throne.

Tuoba Keluo proclaimed himself "Yixiji Khan." He also triumphed over Deng Shuzi in the northern region of Woye Mountain. In March 442 AD, Tuoba Keluo sent fifty thousand horses to the court as a tribute. After Tuoba Keluo's death, his brother Tuoba Sijin ascended the throne, taking the title "Muhan Khan."

Tuoba Sijin, who was also called Yandu, had a peculiar appearance, with a face more than a foot wide, a bright red complexion, and eyes like glass. He had a violent temperament and was aggressive, enjoying fighting. He led troops to attack Deng Shuzi and defeated him. The remaining soldiers of Deng Shuzi who had been defeated also surrendered. Tuoba Sijin then defeated Nada to the west, overcame Qidan to the east, and conquered Qigu to the north, striking fear into many nations beyond the Great Wall. His domain stretched from the Liaodong Sea in the east to the West Sea in the west, spanning about ten thousand square miles; from just north of the desert in the south to the North Sea in the north, approximately five to six thousand miles, all of which fell under his rule.

Their customs involved wearing their hair loose, with their garments opening to the left (left lapel), living in dome-shaped felt tents, and moving with the seasons and grazing, relying on herding and hunting for their livelihood. They looked down on the elderly, revered the young, lacked shame, and had little regard for propriety, similar to the ancient Huns in their ways.

When their khan took the throne, his close attendants and ministers would carry him on a felt mat, rotating him in nine circles with the sun; at each circle, the ministers would bow. After bowing, they would help him mount his horse, tightening a silk cord around his neck until he nearly suffocated, then they would loosen it and eagerly ask him, “How many years can you be khan?” The khan, terrified and dazed at that moment, struggled to provide an accurate number. The ministers would then use the number he provided to gauge the length of his reign.

Their senior officials include Ye Hu, Ci She, Te Qin, Si Li Fa, and Tu Tun Fa, totaling twenty-eight levels, all of which are hereditary. Their weapons include bows and arrows, signal arrows, armor, long spears, swords, and their decorations reflect a Hu style. The flag is decorated with a golden wolf head. The guards are referred to as "Fu Li," which means "wolf" in the language of the Xia Dynasty, likely a nod to their ancestors being wolves, which suggests they never forget their true nature. When conscripting soldiers and collecting livestock taxes, they carve notches in wooden sticks to keep track, then seal them with a gold arrowhead, using wax as a form of proof.

Their laws are as follows: rebellion, murder, adultery with someone else's wife, and stealing horses are all punishable by death; adultery with someone else's daughter incurs a heavy fine, and the offender's daughter must be married to the victim; injuring someone requires compensation based on the severity of the injury; stealing horses and other items incurs a fine of ten times the value. Regarding the deceased, the body is kept in the tent, and descendants and relatives must slaughter sheep and horses and place them in front of the tent as offerings. They then ride in circles around the tent seven times, reach the entrance of the tent, cut their faces with a knife, crying and shedding blood, repeating this seven times before the ritual is deemed complete.

Select a day, burn the horse and the deceased's personal belongings along with the body, collect the remaining ashes, and bury them when the time comes. For those who die in spring or summer, bury them when the grass and trees turn yellow; for those who die in autumn or winter, bury them when the flowers and plants flourish. On the day of burial, relatives hold a ceremony, and they must perform horse racing and cut their faces as they did when the person just died. After the burial, a monument is erected in the cemetery as a marker. The number of monuments is determined by the number of people the deceased killed during their lifetime, and the heads of the sacrificial sheep and horses are hung on the monument. On that day, men and women dress in their best clothes and gather at the cemetery. If a man is interested in a woman, he sends someone to propose, and her parents usually do not refuse. If the father, brothers, uncles, or other male relatives die, the sons, nephews, and others must marry their stepmothers, paternal aunts, and sisters-in-law, but individuals of higher status are not permitted to marry those of lower status.

Although they often migrate and have no fixed residence, they each have their own territory. The Khan resides in Djun Mountain, with his tent facing east to show respect for the direction where the sun rises. Every year, the Khan leads his ministers to pay homage at the caves where their ancestors resided. In mid-May, they also gather by the water to worship the gods. Five hundred miles west of Djun Mountain stands a towering mountain devoid of grass and trees, called Bodingenli in the Xia language, meaning "the god of the earth." Their writing is similar to that of the Hu people, but they do not use a calendar, relying solely on the growth of plants to keep track of the days.

As the power of the Sijin tribe grew, they sent envoys to request the court's permission to dispatch Deng Shuzi and others. Emperor Gaozu granted permission. So they arrested over three thousand people from Deng Shuzi downwards, handed them over to the Sijin envoys, and killed them all outside the Qing Gate. Three years later, the Sijin tribe launched an attack on Tuyuhun and emerged victorious. This event is documented in the "Tuyuhun Biography." In the second year of Emperor Ming of Northern Zhou, the Sijin tribe sent envoys bearing various tributes. By the first year of Baoding, they had sent envoys three times to present tribute.

At that time, Si Jin frequently engaged in battles with Northern Qi, and his war chariots were constantly on the move, so he was always in contact with Northern Zhou, in hopes of finding external support. During Emperor Gong of Wei's reign, Si Jin promised to marry his daughter to Emperor Taizu of Northern Zhou, but before the wedding could be finalized, Emperor Taizu passed away. Then, Si Jin agreed to marry another daughter to Emperor Gaozu of Northern Zhou, but before the marriage could take place, Northern Qi also sent people to propose. Noticing the generous betrothal gifts from Northern Qi, Si Jin sought to back out. At this time, the court dispatched the governor of Liangzhou, Yang Jian, along with others, including Wang Qing, to establish rapport with Si Jin. After Wang Qing and the others arrived, they reasoned with Si Jin about the importance of trust. Si Jin then dismissed the envoys from Northern Qi and finalized the marriage agreement with Northern Zhou. He also requested Northern Zhou to mobilize the entire nation to launch a joint attack on Northern Qi. This event is documented in the biographies of Yang Jian and his associates.

Three years later, the court ordered Duke Yang Zhong of Sui State to lead an army of ten thousand to attack Northern Qi together with the Turks. Yang Zhong's army crossed the Taihang Mountains, and Qifu Jin led one hundred thousand cavalry to join them. In January of the second year, they attacked the Emperor of Northern Qi in Jinyang but failed to take the city. Qifu Jin then unleashed his troops to plunder before retreating. Yang Zhong said to Emperor Gaozu, "Although the Turkic forces are formidable, their titles and rewards are insufficient, they have many leaders, and they lack laws to govern them, making them difficult to manage. The reason why everyone thinks they are powerful is that previous envoys exaggerated their strength, wanting the court to give more rewards so they could benefit. The court believed their lies, and the soldiers feared them. In reality, while the Turks may seem fierce and brutal, they are actually quite manageable. In my opinion, all previous envoys deserve execution!" Emperor Gaozu did not listen to him. That year, Qifu Jin sent envoys to pay tribute and once again requested to attack Northern Qi together. The court ordered Yang Zhong to lead his troops from Woye, while Duke Yuwen Hu of Jin led his troops to support Luoyang. Due to Yuwen Hu's failed campaign, Qifu Jin withdrew his troops. Five years later, the court sent Duke Chun of Chen, Grand Minister Yuwen Gui, Duke Dou Yi of Shenwu, and Duke Yang Jian of Nan'an to welcome the Turkic princess. In the second year of Tianhe, Qifu Jin sent envoys to pay tribute again. Duke Chun of Chen and others arrived in the Turkic territory, where Qifu Jin colluded with Northern Qi. Just as a storm was approaching, they agreed to let Duke Chun of Chen and others return. This event is documented in the "Biography of the Empress." Four years later, Qifu Jin sent envoys to present horses as tribute.

After Qijin's death, his brother Tebo Khan took the throne. Since the time of Qijin, Turkic power grew stronger and constantly sought to dominate the Central Plains dynasty. In order to maintain peace, the court sent them 100,000 bolts of silk and brocade each year. The Turkic people in the capital received favorable treatment, often numbering in the thousands, dressing in fine clothes and eating good meat. Northern Qi also feared Turkic invasions and sent everything from their treasury to appease them. Tebo grew even more arrogant, telling his subordinates, "As long as I have two dutiful sons in the south, I have nothing to fear!" In the second year of the Kaihuang era, he sent people to deliver horses to the court.

Later, Northern Qi fell, and Gao Shaoyi, the governor of Dingzhou and Prince of Fanyang, fled from Mayi to the Turkic. Tebo appointed Gao Shaoyi as King of Qi, gathered troops, claiming to seek vengeance for Northern Qi. In April of the first year of the Kaihuang era, Tebo invaded Youzhou, killing and pillaging the populace. Liu Xiong, the Sui dynasty's great general, led troops to resist but was ultimately defeated and killed. Emperor Wen of Sui personally commanded the army, preparing for a northern expedition, but the emperor died, forcing the troops to withdraw. That winter, Tebo invaded the border again, besieging Jiuquan and pillaging before departing. In the first year of the Kaihuang era, he once more requested a marriage alliance. Emperor Wen of Sui granted the daughter of Prince Zhao the title "Princess of a Thousand Golds" to wed him and sent someone to escort Gao Shaoyi back to Chang'an. However, Tebo was defiant, continuing his invasions of Bingzhou. In the second year of the Kaihuang era, he finally sent tribute and received the princess, but Gao Shaoyi had still not been returned. Emperor Wen of Sui then sent He Ruoyi to persuade him, which finally resulted in Gao Shaoyi's return.

Tuyuhun was originally the step-brother of Murong Kai from the Xianbei in Liaodong. At first, the horses of Tuyuhun clashed with those of Murong Kai, which led him to send someone to apologize to Tuyuhun. Tuyuhun, angered, left with his tribe, where he eventually became the leader in Fuhan. By the time of his grandson Ye Yan, he developed a keen interest in reading and learning. Because it was customary to adopt the name of the royal ancestor as a surname in ancient times, he took "Tuyuhun" as his surname. The Tuyuhun lineage lasted for fourteen generations until Fulian Chou's death, and he officially began to call himself Khan. Their capital city, Fuxi City, is located fifteen miles west of Qinghai. Despite having city walls, they chose not to live in the city but instead remained in tents, following the water and grass for grazing. Their territory spanned three thousand miles east to west and over a thousand miles north to south. The titles of official positions were quite elaborate, including titles like prince, minister, and secretary, along with roles such as doctor and general. Kalu sported a topknot, decorated with a cap and bead jewelry, while seated on a golden chair adorned with lion motifs. His wife, whom he referred to as "Kezun," wore a brocade skirt and a flowing satin robe, her hair was braided and cascaded down her back, topped with golden flowers.

Their customs and habits are similar to those in the Central Plains. Men wear clothing that is similar, and many of them wear a type of hat called "mijia" or cloth hats. Women wear strings of beads, tying their hair up; the more beads they wear, the wealthier they appear. Their weapons include bows, knives, armor, and spears. The country does not have fixed taxes; when they need money, they collect taxes from the rich and merchants. For their punishments, those who commit murder or steal horses are executed, while other offenses are fined, with the severity of the punishment determined by the gravity of the offense. When executing a sentence, the offender's head is covered with a felt cloth, and they are then struck with stones from a height. After the death of a father or older brother, the wife must serve the stepmother and sister-in-law, a custom similar to that of the Turks. Speaking of marriage, if the poor can't afford a wedding, they might just steal the girl and elope. The dead are buried, and after the funeral, the mourning clothes are to be taken off. The people are very greedy and cruel, prone to killing. They enjoy hunting and eating meat and cheese. They also know how to farm, but in their northern regions, the climate is cold, so they can only grow turnips and barley. Therefore, in their country, there are a lot more poor folks than rich ones.

The circumference of Qinghai Lake is over a thousand miles, and there are some small hills around the lake. Every winter, after the lake freezes, they let some good mares roam on these small hills, and the next winter, they bring the mares back. These mares are pregnant, and the foals they give birth to are called "dragon offspring," all of which are top-notch horses, and this is how the Qinghai horse came to be, passed down through generations. There are yaks produced there, and among the birds, there are many parrots.

During the reign of the Northern Wei Dynasty, that troublemaker Kua Lü sent people to deliver tribute such as horses, sheep, and cattle. Yet he was still restless, constantly sending people to raid the borders, causing immense hardship for the common folks living near the borders.

In the second year of Emperor Wei's reign, our Emperor Taizu personally led troops to Guzang, which frightened Kualu so much that he hurriedly sent tribute. In the same year, Kualu formed an alliance with the Qi clan (referring to the Tuyuhun Qi clan). The governor of Liangzhou, Shi Ning, secretly noted Kualu's return, so he ambushed him with light cavalry at Chiquan in the western part of the province, capturing Kualu's charioteer, Qifu Chuban, General Zhai Panmi, along with 240 merchants and Hu people, seizing six hundred mules and camels, as well as countless silks and various treasures. In the second year of Emperor Wei's rule, Shi Ning again fought against Kualu alongside the Turkic Khagan Muhan, inflicting a crushing defeat on Kualu and capturing his wife, children, and elderly relatives, obtaining many treasures and livestock. All of this is recorded in the "Biography of Shi Ning."

By the early years of the Northern Zhou's Wucheng period, Kualu returned to trouble Liangzhou again, and the governor of Liangzhou, Yun Bao, was killed in action. The court dispatched Helan Xiang and Yuwen Gui to lead troops against him. Kualu sent his subordinates, Wang Guangding and Wang Zhongliu, to resist, but they were defeated by Helan Xiang and his forces, forcing Wang Guangding and his men to flee. Our army then captured Kualu's cities of Taoyang and Honghe, and established the prefecture of Taozhou. During the Baoding period of the Northern Zhou, Kualu sent people to deliver tribute three times.

In the early years of the Northern Zhou's Tianhe period, Kualu's Wang Longhe, Mo Chang, surrendered along with his followers, and his territory became Fuzhou. Two years later, in May, Kualu sent people to deliver tribute again.

By the fifth year of the Northern Zhou's Jiande period, Kualu's realm was in turmoil. Emperor Gaozu ordered the Crown Prince to lead troops to campaign against him. The army crossed Qinghai and arrived at Fushi City. Kualu, terrified, fled, and our army captured his remaining forces and returned. The following year, Kualu sent people to deliver tribute again. By the early years of the Northern Zhou's Xuanzheng period, Kualu's Zhao Wang, Ta Lou Tun, surrendered. Since then, Kualu never sent tribute again after that.

Ah, Gaochang, that was once the site of the palace of the Chēshī Kingdom. It is over four thousand nine hundred li east of Chang'an! During the Han Dynasty, the governor of the Western Regions and the Wujixiaowei oversaw this area. By the Jin Dynasty, it was established as Gaochang County. Later, figures like Zhang Gui, Lü Guang, and Juqu Mengxun controlled the Hexi Corridor and sent officials to govern Gaochang. Later, Kan Shuang and Juqu Wuhui also declared themselves governors. After Juqu Wuhui's death, the Tuyuhun killed his brother Anzhou and appointed Kan Bozhou as the king of Gaochang. This marks the beginning of kings in Gaochang. Kan Bozhou's nephew, Shougui, later became king but was overthrown by the Gaocha. Then, Zhang Mengming and Ma Ru became kings in succession, but both were killed by their own people. Finally, Qu Jia was elected king by all. Qu Jia, styled Lingfeng, hailed from Yuzhong in Jincheng and was originally the Right Chancellor of Confucian studies. He ascended to the throne during the late Taihe period of the Wei Dynasty. Upon Qu Jia's death, his son Qu Jian succeeded him.

There is a country in the Western Regions that is three hundred miles long from east to west and five hundred miles wide from north to south, with a total of sixteen cities within its borders. The highest official in the country is the Lingyin, whose position is equivalent to that of a prime minister in the Central Plains; then there are two princes, both of whom are sons of the king, one called Prince Jiaohe and the other Prince Tiandi; below them are the left and right guards, and eight long historians, each in charge of different departments: the Ministry of Personnel, the Ministry of Rites, the Ministry of Treasury, the Ministry of Granaries, the Ministry of Guests, the Ministry of Civil Affairs, and the Ministry of War; there are also generals like Jianwu, Weiyuan, Lingjiang, Dianzhong, and Fubo; eight deputy historians assist the long historians, known as Sima; in addition, there are officials including Shilang, Xiaolang, Zhubu, and Congshi, who have clearly defined ranks and responsibilities; finally, there’s a department dedicated to guidance and reception. Major state affairs are decided by the king, while minor matters are handled by the crown prince and the two princes based on the situation. Once official business is done, the documents are immediately destroyed, and apart from formal records, no documents are kept for long. Although officials have ranks, there aren’t any dedicated offices; every morning, everyone meets at the gate to discuss and handle government affairs together. Each city has a household department, a water department, and a land department, with a Sima and a Shilang assigned to supervise and manage, referred to as the city order.

The locals wear Hu clothing, with men in traditional styles and women dressing in styles similar to those in the Central Plains. Their weapons include bows and arrows, swords and shields, armor, and spears. They use both Chinese characters and Hu script for writing. They also have books such as the "Book of Songs," "Analects," and "Classic of Filial Piety," and they have academic officials teaching students, although classes are conducted in Hu language. For taxes, they collect silver based on land, and those without land pay with hemp cloth instead. Their laws, customs, marriage practices, and funeral customs are generally similar to those of the Central Plains, with only slight differences. This area is abundant in stones and gravel, has a warm climate, supports two harvests a year, supports sericulture and produces a variety of fruits. There's a type of grass called Yangci that produces honey.

Since the Jiaxi era, this country has been paying tribute to the Wei Kingdom. In the fourteenth year of the Datong period, the Emperor of Wei issued an edict to confer the title of king upon their prince Xuanxi. In the second year of the Gongdi period, their lands were passed down to Gongmao. In the first year of the Wucheng period, their king dispatched envoys to offer local specialties. During the Baoding period, they once again sent envoys to pay tribute.

From Dunhuang to this country, the road is full of deserts and Gobi, and the distance is hard to determine accurately. One can only gauge it by the bones of the dead and livestock and the feces encountered along the way, as well as numerous strange apparitions. Therefore, most merchants take the Yiwu route.

Shanshan is the ancient Loulan country. It is a journey of five thousand miles east from Chang'an. Its city walls are only one mile long. The area is abundant in sand and alkali, but woefully deficient in water and pasture. To the northwest lies a vast desert stretching for several hundred miles, with hot winds in the summer, posing significant challenges for travelers. When the hot winds approach, only old camels can sense it in advance; they gather together and bury their mouths and noses in the sand. People gauge the situation based on the camels' reactions and quickly cover their noses and mouths with felt. The wind blows swiftly and fiercely, and it passes in an instant. Failing to take proper precautions can be fatal. In the eighth year of the Datong period, the king of Shanshan, Shanmi, brought everyone to submit to the court.

Yanchi is located seventy miles south of Baishan. It is five thousand eight hundred miles east from Chang'an to reach there. Their king, whose surname is Long, is a descendant of Longxi, who was defeated by Zhang Gui of Liangzhou. Each city has a perimeter of two miles. The country comprises nine cities in total. The nation is small, its people are poor, and there are few rules or regulations. The army uses weapons such as bows and arrows, knives, armor, and spears. Their marriage customs resemble those of the Central Plains. When someone dies, they are cremated before being buried, and mourning attire must be worn for seven days before it can be removed. Men cut their hair and fashion it into ornaments. Their script resembles that of Brahmanism. They worship celestial deities and practice Buddhism, particularly observing February 8th and April 8th. On these days, the entire nation observes fasting and practices according to Buddhist customs. The climate is relatively cold, but the land is fertile, producing abundant crops such as rice, millet, beans, and wheat. They raise livestock including camels, horses, cattle, and sheep. They raise silkworms, not for weaving silk, but to produce cotton batting. They enjoy guava wine and have a strong appreciation for music. Traveling more than ten miles south brings you to the seaside, abundant with fish, salt, and bulrushes. In the fourth year of Baoding, their king sent envoys bearing tribute of several fine horses.

The Kingdom of Kucha is located one hundred seventy miles south of the White Mountain and is a whopping six thousand seven hundred miles from Chang'an! Their king's surname is Bai, and he is a descendant of Bai Zhen, who was established by Lü Guang of the Later Liang dynasty. The capital city is only about five or six miles across. Their laws say that murder is punishable by death, and for robbery, they chop off one arm and then one foot. Taxes are collected based on land area; those without land pay in cash. Their marriage and funeral customs, along with their specialties, are pretty similar to those in Yanchi, except that the climate is slightly cooler. They also produce fine felt, deer skins, carpets, a product called "naosha," as well as salt green, arsenic yellow, and rice powder, along with good horses and livestock known as "fengniu." To the east of the Kingdom of Kucha is a place called Shutai, where General Li Guangli of the Han Dynasty once led a massacre. Three hundred miles south of the capital flows a large river called Jishu River, which is the Yellow River. In the first year of the Baoding era, their king even sent envoys to offer tribute.

The Kingdom of Yutian is located over two hundred li north of the Congling Mountains and seven thousand seven hundred li from Chang'an. Their capital city is about eight or nine li long on each side. The country has five large cities and dozens of smaller ones. Their laws state that murder is a capital offense, while other crimes are punished according to their severity. From the outside, their customs and specialties are quite similar to those of Kucha. However, they are particularly devoted to Buddhism, boasting numerous temples, pagodas, monks, and nuns. The king is especially pious; every day of fasting, he personally cleans and prepares vegetarian meals. Fifty li south of the city is the Zanmusi Temple, which was built for their king by the Arhat monk Biluzhan and houses a stupa. There are also traces of the Pratyekabuddha having sat on a stone, with two footprints still visible! To the west of Gaochang, most people from those countries have deep-set eyes and high noses, but the people of Yutian don't look like the Hu people; instead, they resemble us Chinese. Twenty li east of the city flows a large river called Shuba Water, which also happens to be the Yellow River. Fifteen li west of the city, there is another large river called Dali Water, which flows north like Shuba Water and eventually merges into Jishu Water (the Yellow River). In the third year of the Jiande period, their king also sent envoys to pay tribute, offering fine horses.

The Kingdom of Guada is part of the descendants of the Great Yuezhi, located to the west of the Kingdom of Yutian, over ten thousand li from Chang'an! Their king resides in the city of Badiyan, which is where the royal palace is. The city is not small, covering an area of more than ten li in circumference. Their laws and customs are similar to those of the Turks. A unique aspect of their culture is that several brothers may share a wife. If there are no brothers, the wife wears a single-horned hat; if there are brothers, the number of horns on the hat increases with the number of brothers. Their people are fierce and warlike, and the twenty or so countries, including Yutian and Anxi, have to follow their lead. In the twelfth year of the Datu era, they sent envoys to pay tribute with various goods. In the second year of Emperor Wei's reign and the second year of Emperor Ming's reign, they also came to pay tribute. Later, they were defeated by the Turks, their tribes scattered, and tribute ceased.

The Sogdian state, located to the west of the Congling Mountains, is said to be the ancient Yancai state, also referred to as Wenna Sha. Their capital is built next to a large lake, in the northwest direction of the Kangju state. In the fourth year of the Baoding era, their king sent envoys to pay tribute with goods from east and west.

The Parthian state, also to the west of the Congling Mountains, has its capital called Weisoucheng. It borders Kangju to the north and Persia to the west, and is 17,750 li from Chang'an. In the second year of Tianhe, their king also sent envoys to pay tribute.

The Persian state, also a descendant of the Great Yuezhi, has its capital called Sulicheng, formerly known as the Tiaozhi state. It is 15,300 li away from Chang'an. The city spans over ten li, with a population of over one hundred thousand households. The king belongs to the Persis family. The king sits on a chair shaped like a golden ram, wears an ornate golden crown, dons a brocade robe, and drapes himself in a woven shawl, all adorned with pearls and gemstones, splendid and magnificent! Their customs are as follows: men have short hair, wear white hats, and dress in open-fronted shirts with slits on both sides, while also draping scarves and shawls, embroidered with patterns along the edges; women wear long shirts and large shawls, arrange their hair in a bun at the front and allow it to flow freely down their backs, and adorn themselves with gold and silver jewelry and colorful beads, which are also strung together and hung on their shoulders.

It is said that this king has more than ten palaces in his country, similar to the retreats of our Chinese emperors. Every year in April, he spends some time in these palaces and returns to the main palace in October.

After the king ascended the throne, he secretly chose his most virtuous son, wrote down his name, sealed it, and hid it in the treasury, with no one else, including his other sons and ministers, knowing. After the king died, everyone opened the letter to check, and the one named in the letter inherited the throne and became king, while the remaining sons were sent to the borders to hold official positions, and from then on, the brothers could no longer meet. The common people call the king "Yizang," the queen "Fangbushui," and the king's sons "Shaye."

There are several high officials in the country: Mo Hutang handles domestic litigation; Ni Huhan is in charge of the national treasury and border passes; Di Beibo oversees documentation and various administrative matters; E Luohadi manages the king's domestic affairs; and Sa Bobu manages the national army. These high officials have many subordinate officials under them, each responsible for their own affairs. Their weapons include armor, long spears, round swords, crossbows, and bows and arrows, and during battles, they ride elephants that can carry up to a hundred people.

Their laws are as follows: those who commit serious crimes are hung on a pole and shot with arrows; those who commit moderate crimes are imprisoned and released only after the new king ascends the throne; those who commit minor crimes have their noses cut off, toes chopped off, heads shaved, half of their beards cut off, or are made to wear wooden neck collars as a form of humiliation; those who commit robbery face life imprisonment; men who engage in adultery with high-ranking officials are exiled, while women face mutilation, losing both their noses and ears. Taxes are assessed based on land area.

The locals worship the God of Fire. When getting married, they do not emphasize matching social status, and among all the tribes, their customs are considered the most crude and unsightly. The king takes in beautiful girls over the age of ten, and if someone achieves merit, the king rewards them with the girls. Most dead bodies are discarded in the wilderness, and funeral rites are held a month later. Outside the city lives a group of people who only handle funerals, known as the "Impure People." If they enter the city, they must ring bells to announce their presence. They celebrate the New Year in June and place special importance on the dates of July 7 and December 1, during which both commoners and high-ranking officials invite each other to gatherings, singing, dancing, and reveling in joy. Every year on the twentieth day of the first lunar month, everyone also pays tribute to their ancestors.

The weather is extremely hot, so we store ice at home. That area is mostly sand and desert, so water needs to be brought in for irrigation. The crops and livestock are similar to those in the Central Plains, but they do not grow rice or wheat. That place produces good horses and camels; wealthy families can raise thousands of camels. They also produce white elephants, lions, large bird eggs, pearls, lapis lazuli, and topaz, as well as coral, amber, glass, agate, crystal, sapphire, gold, silver, brass, diamonds, fire opals, steel, copper, tin, cinnabar, mercury, satin, brocade, white silk, silk gauze, felt, woolen cloth, deer skin, including aloeswood, saffron, musk, sandalwood, and other spices, as well as pepper and cloves, honey, jujube, myrobalan and emblic, alum, realgar, and other things. In the second year of Emperor Wei Fei’s reign, their king sent envoys to offer these rare treasures as tribute.

The historical texts say: The troubles that the barbarians have brought to the Central Plain have persisted for a long time, and the northern nomadic tribes are especially fierce. In the past, Yan You and Ban Gu both believed that the Zhou, Qin, and Han dynasties had not found the best strategies to deal with them. Although those wise officials put forth many sound ideas, the historians still had doubts. The invasions of the Central Plain by these barbarians have never ceased from ancient times to the present; their barbarism and the transformation into civilization have not changed because they are different ethnic groups. Therefore, they abandon morality, discard benevolence and righteousness, and the trend of invasion and expansion becomes more and more prevalent year by year; from Jingyang to the northern regions, the flames of war from their invasions grow ever more intense. From the Jin dynasty onward, through the era of water transportation, conflicts between the Rongdi and Huaxia have been incessant, and customs and habits have blended with each other. The Central Plain has long seen through the true nature of the barbarians; the barbarians are also well aware of the Central Plain's gains and losses. If we neither sign treaties with them nor take the initiative to attack, relying only on passive defense, then the enemy will have the strength to spare, and we will not enjoy peaceful days, our soldiers will be worn out, and the border regions will remain troubled. How can we achieve peace in the world and ensure that the people live and work in peace and contentment? Therefore, although those brilliant suggestions from the ministers and the loyal persuasion from the generals were put forward at that time, they were not adopted by later generations.

Thus, the "I Ching" says, "Act upon seeing the signs," and the "I Ching Commentary" states, "Move according to the time." You see, timing is crucial for success or failure; the signs determine fortune or misfortune. Moreover, our Huaxia dynasty experiences rise and fall in a continuous cycle; the strengths and weaknesses of the Rongdi territories change without certainty. If we can adapt our conciliatory policies or military strategies based on real circumstances, adjust strategies according to timing, and observe changes in the situation to determine our policies, then we can achieve guaranteed success in all endeavors. It would not be difficult for those barbarian peoples to transform, and the northern deserts would become peaceful and stable. What distinctions in strength would remain among the Zhou, Qin, Han, and Wei dynasties?

You see, the situation is ever-changing, just like the weather. One moment, the skies are clear and bright; the next, dark clouds roll in. We must learn to adapt to the situation and not be rigid in our ways. If we can achieve this, even the so-called barbarians at the borders could thrive like us. This isn't just wishful thinking. Just think, which powerful dynasty in history succeeded without adapting to circumstances and employing various strategies? Therefore, as long as we seize opportunities and pay attention to the subtle signs, we can resolve crises and achieve great things. The distinctions between the strong and weak in the Zhou, Qin, Han, and Wei dynasties arose in much the same way.

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Written by: Realhistories

Category: Book of Zhou （周書）

Published: 09 January 2025

Created: 09 January 2025

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In this world, the leaders have been around for a long time, and the places illuminated by the sun and moon are vast and endless. However, upon closer inspection, there are more animals than humans; our Central Plains region is densely populated, while other areas are sparsely populated. If you look at the strange and marvelous tales recorded in ancient books, there are countless, and the bizarre stories in the "Shan Hai Jing" are even more numerous. The words of sages like Duke Zhou and Confucius are now interpreted in various ways, making it difficult to discern truth from fiction. Qin Shi Huang levied heavy taxes and engaged in wars everywhere; the Han Dynasty had a powerful army and fought in many places. The Xiongnu were defeated, rendering their nation weak; fine horses from the Western Regions were brought in, yet the common folk suffered. Therefore, Yanmen Pass and Longdui Mountain are natural barriers created by nature to separate the Central Plains from the barbarian tribes; the hot southern regions and northern deserts also serve as natural boundaries to delineate internal and external areas. Moreover, we lack the strength and ambition of Qin Shi Huang or Han Gaozu; if we go against the natural order and rely on brute force to conquer the world, it will only burden the populace and squander resources, resulting in quick failure. Thus, ancient wise rulers emphasized education, first ensuring good governance of the Central Plains before dealing with the barbarians; wise sages prioritized moral cultivation over blind territorial expansion. Even Great Yu controlled the floods, extending his rule from the eastern coast to the western desert; the territories described in the "Zhou Li: Wang Zhi," from north to south, only extended to the cave-dwelling region of Jiaozhi. Isn't this a testament to their understanding of greater principles, ensuring their merits would be remembered for generations?

After the Zhou Dynasty experienced turmoil, it finally settled down, pacifying all directions with military force and using strategy to maintain peace along the borders. When the national treasury was empty, they strengthened ties with the minority ethnic groups in the west. This led to a clear system of rewards and punishments, and their reputation spread far and wide. People from various ethnic groups, dressed in diverse clothing and furs, came to pay tribute; merchants and travelers flocked to the post stations. Although the eastern Wu Yue region and the southern Bai Yue region were not completely conquered, the prestige of our country had spread far and wide, and our culture had influenced many places, which was quite an achievement in itself. The minority ethnic groups that came to pay tribute are all recorded later in the text. As for the distance of the journey, local products, and customs, detailed information can be found in previous historical records, though some details may differ. These records have been compiled based on historical accounts to ensure nothing is omitted.

Speaking of Goguryeo, it originally came from the Buyeo Kingdom. They claim their ancestor was Jumong, born when the daughter of the River God was impregnated by the sun. Jumong grew up to be both intelligent and capable, but the Buyeo people grew to dislike him and expelled him. He fled to Jolbon Fortress, declared himself king, named his kingdom Goguryeo, and took the surname Gao. His grandson Mohe strengthened Goguryeo's power, defeating Buyeo and making them submit. Lian, Mohe's grandson, was the first to establish diplomatic relations with Northern Wei.

The territory of Goguryeo extends from the east to Silla, more than two thousand li to the west of the Liao River, adjacent to Baekje in the south, and bordering the Malgal in the north, spanning over a thousand li. Their capital is called Pyongyang City. This city, with a length of six li from east to west, is situated by the Pothong River in the south. Inside the city, there are stored grains and weapons, and only when bandits arrive do they defend the city to the death. The king has built a residence outside the city and typically does not live there. Outside the city, there are the Inner City and Hanseong, which can also be regarded as additional capitals, as well as several dozen cities such as Liao Dong and Xuanmu, each governed by officials with mutual jurisdiction.

The highest official position in Goguryeo is called Dae Du Lu (Great Chief), followed by Taedae Hyeong, Dae Hyeong, So Hyeong, Yiseosa, Ujeol, Taedasija, Dasija, So Sija, Yuseosa, Eulso, and Seonin Bing Yusa, totaling thirteen levels, responsible for internal and external affairs. Dae Du Lu holds great power, and those who are powerful often compete for the position, which is not appointed by the king. Their legal system is as follows: those who conspire to commit treason or rebellion face execution by burning, beheading, and confiscation of their property; thieves are fined ten times the value of the stolen items. If they are too poor to pay or owe debts to the government or private individuals, their children may be sold into slavery to repay the debt.

A man is wearing a loose-sleeved shirt and baggy pants, with a white leather belt and yellow leather shoes. The hat is called a "Gusu cap," mostly made of purple silk, adorned with gold and silver ornaments. Officials may wear two bird feathers in their caps for distinction. Women wear dresses with wide sleeves. The books they read include the "Five Classics," "Three Histories," "Records of the Three Kingdoms," and "Book of Jin." Their weapons include armor, crossbows, bows and arrows, halberds, spears, and pikes. Taxes are paid in silk and grain, based on individual circumstances and wealth levels. Their land is barren, and their lives are simple, but their behavior is generally elegant. However, they are quite cunning and hypocritical, speaking vulgarly and disregarding familial ties, even bathing together and sharing beds. Their customs are immoral, and they do not feel ashamed. Some women behave promiscuously, frequently changing husbands. The wedding ceremony is very simple, with almost no bride price; if a bride price is accepted, it is seen as selling a woman into servitude, which is considered very shameful in the local culture. The mourning system for deceased parents and husbands is the same as in the Central Plains; for deceased brothers, they only mourn for three months. They practice Buddhism, particularly engaging in debauched rituals. There are also two temples: one dedicated to the Fuyu deity, with a statue carved from wood in the shape of a woman; the other dedicated to the God of Ascending Heights, believed to be the son of the Fuyu deity. Both temples are guarded by officials. It is said that this is the story of the daughter of the River God and Zhu Meng. Cheng, the fifth descendant of Fuyu, sent envoys to offer local specialties in the twelfth year of the Northern Wei Daitong era. After Cheng's death, his son Tang succeeded him. In the sixth year of the Northern Wei Jiande era, Tang sent envoys again to pay tribute. Emperor Gaozu bestowed upon Tang the title of Grand General and the privilege of opening a government office, Duke of the Founding of Liaodong, and King of Liaodong.

Baekje was initially a vassal state of Mahan and was also a branch of the Goguryeo kingdom. A man named Qiu Tai founded this nation. Thus, Baekje's territory shares borders with Silla to the east, Goguryeo to the north, and is bordered by the sea to the southwest. It spans 450 li from east to west and more than 900 li from north to south. Its capital is Guma City. Additionally, there are five other locations: the central region is known as Gusha City, to the east is De'an City, to the south is Jiuzhixia City, to the west is Daoxian City, and to the north is Xiongjin City.

Mr. Wang, a Goguryeo native, has the courtesy name Yuluoxia. The locals refer to him as Qianjizhi, which roughly translates to "Joint King" in Chinese. His wife is named Yulu, which means "Consort" in Chinese. The official ranks in their country total sixteen levels. The Left Ping, consisting of five members, holds the first-grade official position; Dalu, with thirty members, holds the second-grade position; Enlu is third grade; Delu is fourth grade; Hanlu is fifth grade; and Nailu is sixth grade. Officials of sixth grade and above decorate their hats with shiny silver embellishments. Jiangde, a seventh-grade official, wears a purple belt; Shide, an eighth-grade official, wears a black belt; Gude, a ninth-grade official, wears a red belt; Jide, a tenth-grade official, wears a blue belt; Duide, an eleventh-grade official, and Wendux, a twelfth-grade official, both wear yellow belts; Wudux, a thirteenth-grade official, Zuojun, a fourteenth-grade official, Zhenwu, a fifteenth-grade official, and Keyu, a sixteenth-grade official, all wear white belts. The number of officials below Enlu is variable; each official position has its own jurisdictional department responsible for different affairs. This hierarchical structure reflects the organization and governance of their society.

The official positions inside the palace include: Front Interior, Grain Department, Meat Department, Internal Raiding Department, External Raiding Department, Horse Department, Knife Department, Merit Department, Medicine Department, Wood Department, Law Department, and Harem Department. The official positions outside the palace include: Military Department, Ministerial Affairs Department, Construction Department, Supervision Department, Inspection Department, Guest Department, Outer Dwelling Department, Silk Department, Solar Official Department, and Urban Department. The capital houses over ten thousand households, divided into five sectors: Upper Sector, Front Sector, Central Sector, Lower Sector, and Rear Sector, with each sector managing five hundred soldiers. There are five directions, each with a regional commander, held by a second-rank official; each direction governs ten counties, each with three county commanders, led by a fourth-rank official. Each direction oversees a military force between seven hundred and twelve hundred. The common folk both within and outside the city, along with other smaller towns, are all under their jurisdiction.

Their clothing is similar to that of the Koreans for men. During court ceremonies, they wear hats adorned with wing-like decorations on both sides, which are not worn during battles. The etiquette for greeting high officials is to kneel with both hands on the ground as a sign of respect. Women’s clothing is similar to robes, with slightly wider sleeves. Unmarried girls braid their hair and wear it piled on top of their heads, allowing a strand to hang down as decoration; married women split their hair into two sections. Their weapons include bows and arrows, knives, and spears (a type of long spear). They highly value horseback archery and enjoy reading historical texts. Many of the more distinguished individuals are able to write and have some understanding of Yin-Yang and the Five Elements theory. They use the Song Dynasty's "Yuanjia Calendar" to calculate time, with the first month of the lunar year marking the start of the year. They also possess knowledge of medicine, divination, fortune-telling, and physiognomy. They have games like throwing pots and Chupu, but they prefer playing chess. There are many temples and pagodas, but no Taoist priests. Taxes are collected in the form of cloth, silk, thread, hemp, and rice, with varying amounts based on the harvest each year. Their punishments are: for rebellion, fleeing, and murder, the punishment is beheading; for theft, the punishment is exile and a double fine on the confiscated goods; for women who commit adultery, they are forced to serve in their husband's household. The marriage customs are similar to those in our Central Plains. When parents or husbands die, one must observe a three-year mourning period; for other relatives, the mourning period ends after the funeral. The land there is relatively moist, and the climate is warm. The grains, fruits, vegetables, alcohol, meat, and medicines are similar to those found inland. However, they lack camels, donkeys, mules, sheep, geese, and ducks. Their king performs sacrifices to Heaven, Earth, and the Five Emperors in the middle months of spring, summer, autumn, and winter. Each year, they also perform ancestral sacrifices at the temple of their ancestors, known as Qiutai, four times.

After the Jin, Song, Qi, and Liang Dynasties took control of the Jiangnan region, the Northern Wei Dynasty took control of the Central Plains. Both sides sent envoys to acknowledge each other's sovereignty and accepted each other's titles. The Qi Dynasty was powerful, and their king, King Long of Qi, had also sent envoys to pay tribute. After King Long died, his son Chang ascended to the throne. By the sixth year of Jian De, the Qi Dynasty fell, and only then did King Chang begin to send envoys to offer treasures. By the first year of Xuan Zheng, they sent envoys again to pay tribute.

The tribes are all descendants of Pan Hu. They are numerous and scattered among places like Ruzhou and Yuzhou, between the Yangtze River and the Huai River. They rely on the rugged terrain to cause trouble and have been bandits for generations. Once the Wei state lost its control, their actions became even more violent. Among them, the Ran, Xiang, and Tian clans were the most powerful, with the larger clans having tens of thousands of households and smaller ones having thousands. They colluded with each other, illegitimately claiming noble titles, occupied the Three Gorges, and blocked waterways, forcing those traveling between Jingzhou and Shuzhou to pay a toll.

The founding emperor subdued the Yique Pass, and his reputation spread to the south, causing the various tribal groups to fear his authority and yield. In the fifth year of Datong, the barbarian king Lu Chaoming of Caiyang surrendered to the court and was appointed governor of Nanyang Province, and he was granted this position for life. In the eleventh year of Datong, the barbarian leader Meilete came to pay tribute with local specialties. Soon after, the barbarian chief Tian Duqing and his followers from Mianzhou and Hanzhou began causing trouble again, and General Yang Zhong led troops to defeat them. Later, the barbarian chief Du Qing, who styled himself as the governor of Bazhou, requested to submit to the court, and the court granted him the title he had claimed. However, Qing later rebelled, attacking and besieging Dongliangzhou. Meanwhile, the barbarian Tian Lu Jia from Tangzhou also rebelled, claiming to be the duke of Yuzhou. Wang Xiong, Quan Jingxuan, and others successively quelled their rebellions, which are detailed in the records of Quan Zhongzun and Jing Xuan.

In the early years of the Wei Emperor Feidi, the barbarian leader Fan She led his tribe to submit to the court and was appointed as the military commander for the three provinces in northern Huai, the governor of Huaizhou Province, and the Marquis of Huai'an County. After Yu Jin and others pacified Jiangling, the barbarian tribes across various regions began to stir once more. The court ordered Dou Luning, Cai You, and others to go suppress them, and they succeeded in defeating the rebels.

In the second year of the Wei Emperor Gongdi, the barbarian leader Yimin Wang Tian Xingyan, the governor of North Jingzhou Mei Jichang, and others subsequently submitted to the court. The court appointed Xingyan and Jichang as officials of the Ministry of Ceremonial, and Jichang was bestowed the title of Count of Shitai County. Later, the Ba Xi leader Qiao Yan incited various barbarian tribes to ally with the Liang Dynasty. The barbarian leaders Xiang Zhenhou, Xiang Bai Biao, and others responded to Qiao Yan. Xiang Wuzi Wang also captured Xinzhou. Tian Wudu, Tian Duting, and others cut off the traffic on the river. Wen Zirong occupied Wenyang County in Jingzhou and proclaimed himself as the governor of Renzhou. The governor of the neighboring province, Pu Wei, also revolted. The court ordered Tian Hong, He Ruodun, Pan Zhao, and Li Qianzhe to go and suppress them, and they were defeated. The specific records are in the biographies of Dun, Qianzhe, Yang Xiong, and others.

It is said that not long after Wu Zetian became the emperor, the barbarian tribes in Wenzhou rebelled. The state dispatched troops to quell the rebellion, successfully suppressing the uprising. However, shortly thereafter, Ran Lingxian, Xiang Wuzi Wang, and others stirred up trouble once more. They captured Baidi City, killed the court's official Yang Changhua, and then rebelled together.

The court sent officials Yuan Qi, Zhao Gang, and others multiple times to lead troops in suppressing the rebellion. Although they killed many of the rebels, the main instigators remained at large.

In the first year of the Tianhe era, the court ordered Lu Teng to lead an army to quell the rebellion. Lu Teng led his troops, advancing by both land and water. After arriving at Tangkou, he first sent scouts to assess the situation. At the same time, he ordered Ling Xian to strengthen the city defenses and prepare for an attack. He also had Ling Xian's eldest and second sons lead their people to construct ten cities at strategic locations throughout Jiangnan and make contact with the Cenyang tribes to gain their support. Ling Xian commanded his elite troops to hold Shuolao City.

Lu Teng convened the generals to discuss the battle plan. Everyone wanted to take Shuolao City first and then subdue Jiangnan. However, Lu Teng countered, "Ling Xian relies on the strong defense of Shuolao City, the support of the Cenyang tribes, and an ample supply of food and excellent weapons. If we attack their stronghold from a distance, we might boost their morale if we fail to capture it. It would be wiser to camp at Tangkou first, strike at Jiangnan to diminish their forces, and then attack Shuolao City. This is the key to victory!" Everyone found this reasoning sound.

So Lu Teng sent Wang Liang to lead the army to cross the river. Within ten days, they had captured eight cities, and the rebels fled in all directions. They captured the rebel leader Ran Chenggong, over three thousand prisoners, along with more than a thousand households that surrendered. Afterwards, Lu Teng selected elite soldiers to launch a simultaneous attack on Shuolao City from multiple directions. Along the way, they passed through Shibicheng, a city characterized by steep terrain and cliffs on all sides, which is how it got its name. There was only one narrow path that required climbing ladders to reach. The tribes believed that this terrain rendered it impossible for an army to traverse. Lu Teng took the lead, climbing up first, with the other soldiers following closely behind, overcoming numerous challenges and spending several months to rediscover the original route.

Lu Teng had previously served as the governor of Longzhou. He knew that the tribal leaders Ran Boli and Ran Anxi had conflicts with Ling Xian. Therefore, Lu Teng persuaded them to surrender, establishing a bond akin to that of father and son, and gifting them a substantial amount of gold and silver. Ran Boli and the others were delighted and agreed to guide Lu Teng. Next to Shui Luo City, there was also a strategically significant Stone Victory City, which Ling Xian had stationed his nephew Long Zhen to guard. Lu Teng secretly persuaded Long Zhen, promising that if he captured Shui Luo City, he would appoint Long Zhen in Ling Xian's place. Long Zhen was overjoyed by this news and secretly sent his son to meet Lu Teng. Lu Teng received him warmly and gifted him many treasures. The tribal warriors, driven by their greed and desire for achievement, said to Lu Teng, "If you want to capture the city I guard, I'm afraid there won't be enough manpower." Lu Teng promised him three hundred troops for support. Instead, he secretly dispatched two thousand soldiers to advance under the cover of night. Long Zhen was unable to resist, and Stone Victory City was captured just like that.

The next morning, the main forces reached Shui Luo City, where the tribal army was defeated, resulting in over ten thousand enemy casualties and more than ten thousand captured. Ling Xian fled but was later caught after a pursuit; he and his descendants were put to death. Sima Yi then captured more than twenty cities and apprehended the tribal leader Ran Sangong and others. Lu Teng stacked their corpses beside Shui Luo City to construct a memorial. Later, when the tribal people saw this, they wept loudly. From then on, they would no longer dare to revolt.

Wuzi Wang had taken control of Shimu City, and his father instructed his son Baosheng to defend Shuangcheng. After Shuoluo had been pacified, the court sent envoys multiple times to persuade Wuzi Wang to surrender, but he refused to listen. With no other options, the court sent Wang Liang to guard Laoping and Sima Yi to guard Shuangcheng, preparing for a pincer attack. The court was worried that Shuangcheng was difficult to attack and that if the enemy abandoned the city and fled, it would be hard to pursue. Therefore, the army was ordered to erect barricades around the area to cut off their escape routes. This terrified Wuzi Wang and his followers! Consequently, when the court's army charged, they routed them, capturing Wuzi Wang in Shimu City and Baosheng in Shuangcheng, executing all the leaders involved in the rebellion, and capturing over ten thousand people alive.

Xinzhou’s original capital was located in Baidi City. Later, the court constructed a new city south of Liu Bei's former palace, north of Bazhen Tu, and close to the river, moving the capital of Xinzhou there. Since Wuxian, Xinling, and Zigui are key strategic locations in the gorge, the court also built cities there, set up defenses, and used them as important barriers.

In the sixth year of Tianhe, the Manchu leaders Ran Zuxi and Ran Longxiang revolted once more, so the court dispatched General Zhao Yin to quell the rebellion, successfully subduing them. Since then, those tribes have kept their heads down and dared not rebel again.

The Liao people are actually a branch of the Southern Barbarians, found throughout the regions from Hanzhong to Qiongzhou and Zezhou, in the caves scattered throughout Sichuan and Shu. Their customs are rather peculiar; many do not adhere to surnames and often lack personal names. Children are simply addressed by their birth order. Men are referred to as A Mu, A Duan, etc., while women are called A Yi, A Di, etc.; these are all names given based on their order of birth. When they are joyful, they come together; when they are angry, they turn on each other, even if they are family members, such as fathers and sons or brothers. They plunder and trade people, showing no regard for familial ties. If someone who has been sold resists or tries to escape, they will have the buyer pursue them, much like pursuing a fleeing traitor, and if caught, they will be tied up. Once someone has been bound even once, they become a lowly individual and no longer dare to consider themselves a good citizen. They are deeply superstitious regarding ghosts and deities and particularly partake in lewd sacrificial rites and shamanistic practices, with some even selling their siblings, wives, and children merely to make offerings. They typically elect a leader to be their king, but this king's authority extends only over a limited area.

From the south of the Yangtze River to the Central Plains, passing through Bashu, most of the local people relied on the challenging terrain to defy the court's authority. After Taizu pacified Liangzhou and Yizhou, he ordered the local officials to appease them. Those barbarian tribes who lived among the Han people were also made to bear some taxes and labor. However, they were known for their volatile nature, and they would often cause disturbances. Every year, the court would send troops from nearby states to subdue them, and the captured barbarians were enslaved, referred to as "yaliao." Later, when merchants came to trade, they viewed these barbarians as commodities, and there were many barbarian slaves in the homes of both high officials and ordinary people. In the third year of Emperor Wei's reign, the caged barbarians of Lingzhou rebelled, and the court ordered General Lu Teng to suppress them. As a result, Lu Teng defeated them, capturing and killing 15,000 people. In the second year of the Baoding era, the Tie Mountain barbarians rebelled again, and they even disrupted key transportation routes along the river. Lu Teng sent troops again, breaking through their three cities, capturing 3,000 people, while 30,000 households of barbarians surrendered. These events are detailed in the "Biography of Lu Teng."

In simple terms, the barbarians in the southern Bashu region frequently rebelled, leading the court to dispatch troops to quell the unrest, and the captured barbarians were used as slaves and even treated as goods for trade. Later, the barbarians in Lingzhou and Tie Mountain rebelled in succession, both of which were suppressed by General Lu Teng.

In the year 700, the Hengling Liao tribe of Liangzhou rebelled, and General Zhao Wenbiao was ordered to quell the rebellion. When the army arrived in Bazhou, Zhao Wenbiao intended to launch a direct attack. His subordinate officers voiced their concerns: "These Liao people have resisted stubbornly for a long time and are very strong. In the past, when we dealt with them, we surrounded them from all sides and defeated them one by one to weaken their strength. If our main army charges directly without sending some elite troops, they are likely to concentrate their forces against us, and we might not win."

Zhao Wenbiao said, "Since the previous methods aren't working, we need to change our strategy. If we attack from all sides, the Liao will have no way to retreat, and they will definitely fight to the death. If we only take one route, we can demonstrate our might and show both strength and mercy, sending people to reason with them, hitting hard when needed and comforting where necessary. Once good and bad are clear, things will be much easier to handle. We should deal with matters flexibly; why must we adhere strictly to the old ways?"

Zhao Wenbiao shared his thoughts with the entire army. At that time, there were some guides in the army who were familiar with the customs of the Liao, and they were well acquainted with Heng Ling, so they conveyed Zhao Wenbiao's plan to Heng Ling.

Heng Ling and his tribesmen gathered to discuss it, but they had not yet made a decision when Zhao Wenbiao's army had already arrived in their territory. The Liao had two routes: one was relatively flat, and the other was extremely steep.

Just then, several Liao chieftains voluntarily came to see Zhao Wenbiao and said, "We are concerned that your troops are not familiar with the mountain roads; please let us guide you."

Zhao Wenbiao shot back, "This road is wide and flat; there's no need for a guide. You may return and persuade your tribesmen." He then sent them away.

Zhao Wenbiao told his soldiers, "The chieftains just suggested we take the flat road; they must be lying in wait for us there! We will take the steep road and catch them off guard, and the Liao will naturally scatter."

Thus, Zhao Wenbiao ordered the army to advance along the steep mountain path, fixing the road wherever it was blocked. Upon reaching a high point to survey the area, they indeed discovered the Liao people's ambush.

The Liao's plan failed, and they hurriedly retreated with their families to lay low in a more secure location. Zhao Wenbiao stationed his army at the foot of Dapeng Mountain, talking sense into them and appealing to their feelings, explaining what’s in it for them, and the Liao began to surrender one after another.

Zhao Wenbiao calmed them down, collected their taxes as usual, and no one dared to resist. Later, Zhao Wenbiao was appointed as the governor of Pengzhou, where he won over a lot of support from the Liao.

During the Jiande period, Li Hui served as the governor of Liangzhou, and the Liao people in Liangzhou also submitted. However, the number of Liao people continued to grow in number. They lived by the mountains and rivers, hiding in deep mountains and forests, moving as if they were on level ground. Although troops were sent to subdue them many times, it was very difficult to completely eliminate them. Moreover, they were ignorant and nearly beast-like. Of all the minority ethnic groups, they were the most difficult to influence with righteousness and morality.

The Qiang people of Dangchang, their ancestors were likely descendants of the ancient Sanmiao. During the Zhou Dynasty, they, along with eight other countries including Yong, Shu, Wei, and Lu, followed King Wu to defeat the Shang Dynasty. During the Han Dynasty, there were Qiang tribes like Xianling and Shaodang, who had long been a source of trouble on the border. Their territory was bordering the Central Plains to the east, leading to the Western Regions in the west, and extending for thousands of miles north and south. Different surnames formed their own tribes, each with their own chiefs and territories, not governed by any central authority. Dangchang is one of these tribes. They were all local indigenous residents, living in houses topped with roofs made of yak tails and goat wool. They had no laws or regulations, nor taxes or labor obligations. They only gathered together during wartime; otherwise, they led their own lives and had little interaction. They wore leather and coarse cloth garments, herding yaks, sheep, and pigs to sustain themselves. If a father, son, brother, or uncle died, they would take their stepmother, aunt, sister-in-law, or brother's widow as wives. They had no written language, instead tracking days by observing the growth and decay of plants. Every three years, they would gather and sacrifice cattle and sheep to their deities.

Liang Qin came from a long line of tribal chieftains and was held in high regard by the powerful Qiang leaders, and thus he declared himself king. His territory stretched over a thousand miles west from Chou Pool and eight hundred miles south from Xi Shui. The landscape was rugged, housing over twenty thousand households. Liang Qin's grandson Mi Hu began reaching out to the Northern Wei dynasty, and the Northern Wei Emperor Taiwu officially recognized his self-proclamation as king.

From Mi Hu to Jian Ding, there were a total of nine generations, and they regularly paid tribute and maintained a cordial relationship. Later, due to the division of the Two Wei dynasties, Jian Ding harbored rebellious intentions. As the Yongxi era drew to a close, Jian Ding allied with the Tuyuhun to launch an attack on Jincheng. In the early years of the Datong era, he invaded again with his tribesmen. The court sent Zhao Gui and Mo Chen Shun to lead forces against him, inflicting a crushing defeat on Jian Ding. In fear for his life, Jian Ding quickly submitted and pleaded for forgiveness. Emperor Gaozu was gracious and pardoned him, and even appointed him as General of the Pacification Army. Four years later, he was named Inspector of Nantao Prefecture and granted him the title of Anfan King. Later, Tao Prefecture was renamed Min Prefecture, with Jian Ding still serving as Inspector. In the same year, the Zhuangshui Qiang in Qin Prefecture rose up in rebellion, and the troops in the prefecture quelled them.

Seven years later, Lian Ding launched another invasion. At that time, Dugu Xin was stationed in Longyou, and the court ordered Dugu Xin to lead his troops to suppress him. Before the army could arrive, Lian Ding was killed by his own troops. Dugu Xin went over and eliminated Lian Ding's remaining followers. The court intended to pacify these ethnic minorities when they appointed Lian Ding's brother Mi Ding as the King of Tangchang. Sixteen years later, Mi Ding's kinsman Liao Gan seized his position, and Mi Ding fled to the court for refuge. Prior to this, the Qiang leader Bang Qi Tie Cong and others took advantage of Lian Ding's rebellion to gather troops and occupy Qulin Chuan, inciting other Qiang people along with Zheng Wuchou from Weizhou to resist the court's orders. The court sent General Yu Wen Gui, Dou Lu Ning, and the Governor of Liangzhou Shi Ning to suppress Liao Gan and the others, capturing and executing their leaders, and bringing Mi Ding back. This incident is documented in the "Biographies of Yu Wen Gui et al." Later, Qiang leaders Dong Nian Jie and Gong Lian Ju rebelled again, and Generals Dou Lu Ning and Wang Yong suppressed them several times.

In the early years of Baoding, Mi Ding sent people to pay tribute with various items. Three years later, he sent people again to offer some rare and exotic beasts. Four years later, Mi Ding attacked Taozhou, but Commander Li Xian drove him back. In the same year, Mi Ding allied with Tuyuhun to attack Shimen Shu, but Li Xian defeated them again. Emperor Gaozu was very angry and sent General Tian Hong to completely eliminate them, renaming that area Tangzhou.

Deng Zhiqiang is a branch of the Qiang people. There was a man named Xiang Shu Zhi who had served as the chieftain of Baishui for generations and called himself king. Their territory bordered Tangchang, and their customs and resources were similar to those of Tangchang. From Xiang Shu Zhi to Yan Jiao, there were a total of eleven generations. In the first year of Emperor Wei Gong's reign, Yan Jiao lost his territory and came to seek refuge with the court. Emperor Taizu ordered Duke Zhang Wu to lead troops to escort him back and reinstate his rule.

Bailan (白兰) is actually a branch of the Qiang ethnic group. Their territory is adjacent to the Tuyuhun in the northeast, Limotu in the northwest, and Na'e in the south. Their customs and products are similar to those of Dangchang. In the first year of the Baoding era, they even sent envoys with armor made of rhinoceros hide and iron armor!

The Di ethnic group is also a branch of the western Yi people. Since the Xia, Shang, and Zhou dynasties, they have had their own leaders, but their leaders changed with each dynasty. Which is why the Book of Songs states, "From the Di and Qiang, none dare to defy the king," meaning they all had to obey the rule of the Central Plains dynasties. During the time of Emperor Wu of Han, they were defeated, and their territory was divided into Wudu Commandery. From the Qianshui and Weishui rivers to Bashu, there was a diverse population of the Di ethnic group. In the late Han dynasty, a Di leader named Yang Ju first occupied Chouchi, with a territory of over a hundred mu, and was very powerful and the most formidable leader among the Di at that time. As the Di grew stronger, Yang Ju boldly proclaimed himself emperor, usurping the throne. By the time of his descendant Fu Jian, they were defeated by Fu Jian. After Fu Jian was defeated, the Di people elected another person as king, named Fu Ding, who was later killed by Qifu Gangui. Fu Ding's brother, Fu Sheng, then inherited their kingdom, receiving rewards from the Wei dynasty for generations and maintaining relations with the Eastern Jin court. However, the Di tribes were often scattered and sometimes submissive, sometimes rebellious, causing frequent disturbances in the region between Longshan and Hanshui.

Speaking of the descendants of King Wuxing Ji Shi, let's begin with him. The Wei dynasty appointed him as King Wuxing. Following Ji Shi's death, his son Shao Xian succeeded him, and then he boldly proclaimed himself emperor, usurping the throne. The Wei general Fu Shuyan led troops to defeat him, captured Shao Xian, and brought him back to the capital, renaming his territory Wuxing Town. Later, when the Wei dynasty was still not fully stabilized in Luoyang, chaos erupted across the land, and Shao Xian fled back to Wuxing, reclaiming his kingship.

After our ancestor, Emperor Taizu, had pacified Qinzhou and Longzhou, Shaoxian submitted to Taizu and sent his wife and children as hostages. In the first year of Datong, Shaoxian requested the return of his wife and daughter, and the Taizu Emperor petitioned the Wei Emperor to release them. After Shaoxian's death, his son, Beixie, succeeded him.

In the fourth year of Datong, the Di people of Nanqizhou, led by Fu Anshou, rebelled, captured Wudu, and proclaimed themselves the Taibai King. The court ordered Grand Commander Hou Mochen Shun and Weizhou Governor Changsun Cheng to lead troops against them, resulting in Fu Anshou being defeated. Fu Anshou surrendered along with his army. In the ninth year of Datong, the leader of the Di people in Qingshui, Li Shuren, rebelled, taking advantage of the rugged terrain, and the Di general, Liang Daoxian, also betrayed them and attacked Nanyou. The Taizu Emperor sent the envoy Zhao Chang to convince them to surrender, and Li Shuren and others surrendered one after another, as recorded in the "Biography of Zhao Chang."

In the eleventh year of Datong, Dong Yizhou was established in Wuxing, appointing Beixie as the governor. In the fifteenth year of Datong, the Anyi Di people revolted again. At that time, Zhao Chang served as the prefect, and he arrested over twenty ringleaders and executed them, thus putting down the remaining rebels. Therefore, the court appointed Zhao Chang to oversee the affairs of Southern Qinzhou.

Later, the Di leaders, Gai Nao and others, united in rebellion. Gai Nao occupied Beigu, his accomplices gathered in Taozhou, Yang Xingde and Fu Shuang besieged Pingdi City, Jiang Fankuai caused trouble in Wuji, and they also allied with the Qiang and Lao tribes of Dangchang to the west, electing Gai Nao as their leader. Zhao Chang then split his forces and sent envoys to persuade them with both reason and emotion, warning them of the consequences of rebellion before leading troops to suppress them. Gai Nao was captured, and the remaining rebels scattered.

The rebellious Di people from Xingzhou invaded Nanqizhou once more, and Chiluo Xie, the Governor of Nanqizhou, quickly called for help. Zhao Chang led his troops to their rescue and decisively defeated them.

At the beginning, the leader of the Di tribe, Yang Fashen, seized control of Yinpíng and proclaimed himself king, claiming to be a descendant of the Western Wei imperial family. During the reign of Emperor Xiaochang of Wei, he led his people to submit to the Northern Zhou dynasty. Since then, he has been paying tribute to the court without interruption. In the year of the deposed Emperor Yuan, Yang Fashen was appointed as the Inspector of Lizhou. Two years later, Yang Pixie led a rebellion in Lizhou, and many Di people followed him in revolt. The court dispatched Chiluo Xie and Zhao Chang to quell the rebellion. Later, Emperor Taizu of Northern Zhou appointed Grand General Yuwen Gui as the Grand Commander and Inspector of Xingzhou, overseeing the military affairs of the Six Provinces. Yuwen Gui was well-known for his formidable reputation, and many Di people were afraid of him and obedient to him. That year, Yang Fashen joined Yuchi Jiong in pacifying the Shu region. After the army returned, Yang Fashen returned to defend Yinpíng. Not long after, he and his kinsmen, Yang Chongji and Yang Chenru, each led their forces against one another. At that time, Zhao Chang was the Commander of Military Affairs for Sanzhou and Chéngzhou, and he sent envoys to mediate. Yang Fashen and his men obeyed the mediation, so their tribes were divided and new prefectures were established to settle them. During the reign of Emperor Gong of Wei, the Di people in Wuxing staged a rebellion and besieged Lizhou. The leader of the Gudao Di tribe in Fengzhou, Wei Tianwang, along with others, gathered troops to join the rebellion. Grand General Dou Luning and his forces decisively suppressed the rebellion.

During the reign of Emperor Wu of the Northern Zhou Dynasty, Duan Zha, a resident of Xingzhou, and the people of Xiabian and Baishu counties rebelled, and they together overran the Langao Garrison. The Di tribe leader Jiang Duo led the Di people from Chuzhong (a locality) and the people from Shu to attack and capture Luocong County to provide support. Zhao Chang led his troops to quell the rebellions in Xiabian and Baishu counties, executing Duan Zha for his rebellion. However, the Di people from Yinping and Lubei counties frequently gathered and coordinated with the people from Chuzhong. Zhao Chang selected elite cavalry and launched a surprise attack on Chuzhong. Upon arriving at Dazhuping, he successfully breached seven fortifications, killing their leader, resulting in the surrender of both counties. Shortly after Zhao Chang returned, the Di tribe leader from Chuzhong emerged again to conduct raids. Zhao Chang then sent the deputy Liu Chongyi and Yuwen Qi to lead the army into Chuzhong to suppress them, inflicting a crushing defeat on the Di army, killing Jiang Duo and others, including Fu Siwang. As a result, all the Di tribes were subdued. Later, Wang Qian raised an army in rebellion, and the Di tribe leader from Shazhou, Yang Yong'an, who held the title of Kaifu, seized the state city in support of Wang Qian, and General Daxi Ru swiftly quelled the rebellion.

The Jihu, also referred to as Buluoji, is actually a branch of the Xiongnu, descended from Liu Yuanhai's five tribes. Some claim they are descendants of the Shanrong and Chidi. They inhabit an area roughly seven to eight hundred miles in radius, located west of Shi and east of Anding, in valleys populated by numerous tribes and a thriving population. Their lifestyle is relatively primitive, though they practice farming. With few mulberry trees and silkworms available, they primarily use hemp cloth. The men dress and conduct their funerals in a manner similar to that of the Central Plains. Women enjoy wearing strings of shells in their ears and around their necks. They also live intermixed with the Han people. Most of their leaders are literate. However, their language differs from ours, necessitating translation for effective communication. They tend to be rude and disrespectful, characterized by greed and fierceness. Their customs are quite licentious, particularly concerning virgins. On the night before a girl’s wedding, she often engages in relations with multiple men before bidding them farewell. Upon hearing this, the groom feels honored to marry such a woman. After marriage, while they remain cautious, if infidelity occurs, punishment is determined by the circumstances. Furthermore, if a brother dies, his elder brother inherits his sister-in-law. Although they are registered in household records and managed by the counties, they face lighter taxes and labor obligations than ordinary citizens. Those residing deep in the mountains and forests rarely participate in labor. They are fierce and leverage their advantageous terrain, frequently engaging in disturbances and robberies.

During the reign of Emperor Xiaochang of Wei, there was a man named Liu Kushi who lived in Yunyang Valley. He proclaimed himself the Son of Heaven, declared an era name, and set up officials. At that time, the political situation in the Wei dynasty was in chaos, and they were unable to subdue him. Liu Kushi sent troops to rob the people, and there was hardly a year of peace in the Fenhe and Jinshui river basins. After Emperor Shenshu of Northern Qi, Gao Huan, moved the capital to Ye City, he began secretly planning to deal with Liu Kushi, pretending to agree to marry his daughter to Liu Kushi’s son. Liu Kushi believed it to be true and sent his son to Ye City. Gao Huan received him with great ceremony but deliberately delayed the wedding date. Liu Kushi, believing in this marriage alliance, let down his guard. In March of the first year of the Datong era, Gao Huan led his troops to launch a surprise attack on him.

Liu Kushi went out with light cavalry to conscript troops and was ultimately killed by his subordinate, Wang Beibu, who then presented Liu Kushi's head to Gao Huan. His subordinates then supported Liu Kushi's third son, Wang Nanhai, as their leader to resist the Northern Qi army. Gao Huan defeated them, capturing Wang Nanhai, his brother Wang Xihai, the queen, and over four hundred nobles and ministers, all of whom were escorted to Ye City.

It is said that most people living in the Hexi Corridor relied on their difficult terrain to be unruly. At that time, they were busy competing with Emperor Shenshu of Northern Qi, having no time to deal with them. The founding emperor dispatched Yang Shen (pronounced the same as "pee") to pacify them. After five years, the tribes in the Heishui region were the first to rise in rebellion. Seven years later, Liu Ping, the governor of Xiazhou, also took control of Shangjun and revolted. Since then, the tribes in the Northern Mountains have harassed, robbed, and plundered every year. The founding emperor successively sent Li Yuan, Yu Jin, Houmo Chen Chong, and Li Bi to suppress these rebellions, eventually restoring peace.

During the reign of Emperor Wu, Hao Abao and Hao Langpi of the Qihu tribe in Yanzhou brought their clans to seek refuge in the State of Qi. Abao declared himself Chancellor, while Langpi proclaimed himself Minister of State, and colluded with another tribal leader, Liu Sangde, gaining considerable influence. The Minister Dou Luning led various armies and, together with the Governor of Yanzhou, Gao Lin, defeated them. Two years later, the remaining forces loyal to Langpi rebelled once more. The court ordered General Han Guo to launch a campaign against them, capturing and executing a large number of them.

During the Baoding period, the Hu tribes from Lishi frequently invaded the area north of the Fen River. Wei Xiaokuan, the Governor of Xunzhou, built fortifications in strategic locations and stockpiled military provisions to repel their incursions. When Yang Zhong launched an assault on the State of Qi alongside the Turks, the Qihu tribe sought to take advantage of the situation and refused to provide grain. Yang Zhong misled their leaders by claiming he would return to confront them after finishing with the Turks. Fearing his threat, the leaders complied and sent grain. This event is documented in the "Biography of Yang Zhong." Later, the Hu tribes from Danzhou, Suizhou, and Yinzou, along with the sub-commander Hao Sanlang of Puchuan, repeatedly defied the court's orders. The court subsequently dispatched Daxi Zhen, Xin Wei, and Yu Shi to quell them, successfully breaking up their tribes.

In the second year of the Tianhe era, Yu Wen Sheng, the governor of Yanzhou, stationed troops in Yinzhou. The Qihu leaders Bai Yujiu, Qiao Shiluo, and others attempted to ambush Yu Wen Sheng's forces but were defeated and slain by him. He also defeated another leader, Qiao Sanwu. Five years later, Liu Xiong, starting from Suizhou, inspected the northern regions of Chuan and Shan. The Qihu leaders Qiao Bailang and Qiao Suwu crossed the Yellow River to take up arms but were again defeated by Liu Xiong.

In 576 AD, Gaozu defeated the army of Northern Qi in Jinzhou, pursued them all the way, and didn't even have time to collect the discarded armor and weapons of the Northern Qi army. As a result, the Jihu took the chance to loot these items. They also established a fellow named Sun Meiduo as emperor, calling himself the Emperor Shengwu, with the regnal name Shiping.

In 577 AD, Gaozu pacified Dongxia and prepared to attack the Jihu people. Some advised completely destroying their stronghold. Prince Gao Xian thought that the Jihu were numerous and located in mountain valleys, which made them hard to conquer, so he suggested capturing their leaders first and then pacifying the rest. Gaozu agreed to this plan and appointed Gao Xian as the commander-in-chief, leading the expedition with Prince Zhao, Prince Qiao, Prince Teng, and others. When Gao Xian's army reached Mayi, they divided and advanced. Sun Meiduo sent his subordinates Tianzhu to guard Hedong and sent the general Muzhi to guard Hexi, trying to use the dangerous terrain to restrain Gao Xian's army. Gao Xian ordered his forces to attack Tianzhu and Muzhi. Both armies achieved victory, killing tens of thousands of enemies. Prince Zhao even captured Sun Meiduo, and the remaining Jihu surrendered.

In 581 AD, the Jihu leader Liu Shuoluo in Fenzhou rebelled again, and Prince Gaosheng led troops to suppress the rebellion, capturing Liu Shuoluo. Since then, bandit activity has decreased significantly.

The Kumo Xi is a branch of the Xianbei tribe. Their ancestors were defeated by Murong Huang and fled to the Songmo region. Over time, their population grew, and they split into five branches: the Ruge main branch, the Mohefu branch, the Qige branch, the Mukun branch, and the Shide branch. Each branch had a Sijin (a title for an official position). A man named A Huishi held the most power, and the other five branches all followed his command. Sometimes they served as slaves to the Turks, and sometimes they fought with the Khitan. After winning battles and looting, they distributed rewards and wrapped the dead in reed mats, hanging them from trees. In 539 AD, they even sent local specialties as tribute.

The historian said: The common people, like the heavens and the earth, have physical forms, all receiving the life force of yin and yang. Intelligence and foolishness originate from nature, strength and weakness depend on the environment. Therefore, where rain and dew gather, where the wind and rain are favorable, marked by nine great rivers and shielded by five great mountains, this is what we call the Central Plains region. The people who live there are more inclined to cultivate a sense of benevolence and righteousness.

Places like Meigu, Yuyi, Guzhu, and Beihu, restricted by red borders and purple frontiers, separated by the sea and rivers, are known as remote areas. People influenced by such environments are more likely to nurture malevolent tendencies. There are numerous tribes, such as the Jiuyi, Badis, Qiurong, and Liuman, scattered throughout the borderlands. Although their customs and preferences differ, they are all greedy, fierce, and combative. When strong, they unite to resist; when weak, they submit. Their nature is the same. Perhaps this is fate; is this all part of a divine plan?

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Written by: Realhistories

Category: Book of Zhou （周書）

Published: 09 January 2025

Created: 09 January 2025

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Xiao Cha, styled Lisi, was a native of Lanling and the grandson of Emperor Wu of the Liang dynasty and the third son of Crown Prince Xiao Tong. He loved learning from a young age, excelled in writing, and was particularly proficient in Buddhist doctrines. Emperor Wu of Liang held him in special esteem. In the sixth year of the Liang Pingtong era, he was granted the title of Duke of Qujiang. In the third year of the Zhongdatong era, he was promoted to the Prince of Yueyang. He held various positions including General of Xuanhui, Commander of Shitou, Prefect of Langya, Prefect of Pengcheng, and Inspector of Eastern Yangzhou. Initially, after the death of Crown Prince Xiao Tong, Emperor Wu did not make Xiao Cha or his brothers his heirs, instead choosing Emperor Jianwen, which left him feeling guilty, so he favored Xiao Cha and his brothers. Because the Kuaiji region was known for its outstanding people and was an important political center, Emperor Wu appointed Xiao Cha to the important position of Inspector of Eastern Yangzhou as a way to ease his guilt. However, Xiao Cha felt a lingering resentment for not having inherited the throne along with his brothers. Additionally, as Emperor Wu grew older and the court became corrupt, driving the country into decline, Xiao Cha began to secretly amass wealth, cultivate relationships with guests, recruit strong and ruthless outlaws, and show them exceptional kindness. Gradually, he gathered thousands of loyal warriors, all of whom received generous provisions.

In the first year of the Zhongdatong era, Xiao Cha was appointed as the military governor in charge of five provinces: Yong, Liang, Eastern Yi, and both Northern and Southern Qin, as well as Jingling and Suizhou. His official title was General of the Western Command, concurrently serving as the Captain of Ningman and Inspector of Yongzhou. Xiao Cha believed that Xiangyang had a strategic location and was where Emperor Wu established his foundation during his conquests; during peaceful times, he could consolidate his base there, and during chaotic times, he could plot for dominance. Therefore, he began to strictly demand of himself, working to cultivate a positive reputation among the populace, diligently managing state affairs, and focusing on appeasing the populace and boosting productivity. He issued orders declaring:

"In ancient times, those who were adept at governing a country did not rely solely on their own observations. They widely listened to the opinions of wise individuals, which enabled them to receive information from all directions; they drew on the experiences and lessons from the outside world, which made their vision clearer. Thus, Pang Can was able to understand the needs of the common people because he extensively sought the opinions of esteemed scholars; Ma Yuan was able to handle governmental affairs well because he frequently held his subordinates to account; Wang Chen was adept at administering rewards and punishments; and Lü Qian was able to succeed, all for specific reasons: thus, they were able to demonstrate good governance at that time and leave a lasting legacy.

I, with my limited experience, have the daunting task of governing such an important province, and I am constantly worried that my character is lacking, that the people will not comply, and that the administration will fall into chaos. At night, I toss and turn, unable to sleep and forgetting to eat as I sit at my desk, only wanting to find good methods to make up for my shortcomings. There are many things in Yongzhou that are harmful to the common people and detrimental to governance: officials are corrupt and greedy, the garrison commanders are weak and incompetent, checkpoints and markets exploit the common people indiscriminately, and wealthy landlords hide their riches. I have detailed all these issues to the court, hoping that they can properly rectify them. Furthermore, the key to effective governance for an inspector is finding the right balance; it should neither be too lax nor too strict, rewards and punishments must be reasonable, and the right talent must be chosen for positions. One should neither favor the wicked nor exclude the loyal and upright; I have been reflecting on these matters and wish to bring them to the court's attention, hoping they will understand my intentions. My words are like salt and sour plums, though they may be bitter, they are all for your benefit; I hope you will not conceal them. I will also broadly inform the elders in the countryside, so they understand my intentions.

As a result, governance in Yongzhou became transparent and orderly."

In the second year of Taiqing, Emperor Wu of Liang appointed Xiao Yu (Xiao Cha's brother) as the governor of Xiangzhou, transferred the former governor of Xiangzhou, Zhang Zuan, to Yongzhou, and replaced Xiao Cha. Zhang Zuan, relying on his talent and prestige, became arrogant and looked down on the young Xiao Yu, and did not show proper respect when welcoming him. Xiao Yu felt quite displeased. After arriving at the prefecture, he feigned illness and refused to see Zhang Zuan. Later, he heard that Hou Jing had rebelled and started to suppress Zhang Zuan. Zhang Zuan was afraid of being caught by Hou Jing, so he escaped on a small boat at night, wanting to run to Yongzhou, but feared that Xiao Cha would turn him away. At that time, Emperor Liang was stationed in Jiangling, and Zhang Zuan had known him before, hoping to enlist Emperor Liang's help to eliminate the Xiao brothers. Coincidentally, Emperor Liang, Xiao Yu, and the governor of Xinzhou, Prince Guiyang Wang Zao, led their troops to rescue Jinling. Prince Guiyang Wang Zao arrived at Jiangjin from the gorge, Xiao Yu arrived at Jiangkou, and Emperor Liang arrived at Wucheng in Yingzhou. By this time, Hou Jing had already requested peace talks, and Emperor Wu of Liang ordered the troops to withdraw. Xiao Yu wanted to return to Xiangzhou from Jiangkou, and Prince Guiyang Wang Zao wanted to wait for Emperor Liang to arrive before paying respects to the governor and then returning to his prefecture. At this time, Zhang Zuan was in Jiangling and wrote a letter to Emperor Liang saying, "Prince Xiao Yu of Hedong is sailing upstream and wants to attack Jiangling. Yueyang is in Yongzhou, and the two of them are plotting something." The chief general of the Jiangling garrison, Zhu Rong, also sent someone to report, "Prince Guiyang is staying in Jiangling and intends to assist Xiao Yu and Xiao Cha." Emperor Liang believed this, ordered the ships to be sunk, cut the ropes, and returned to Jiangling. After returning to Jiangling, he captured Pr

At first, Emperor Liang Yuan planned to send troops to support the city of Jianye, ordering the various states under his jurisdiction to send troops south to face the national emergency. Xiao Cha sent his chief of staff, Liu Fanggui, to lead the vanguard, preparing to depart from Hankou. Just as the troops were preparing to depart, Emperor Yuan also sent the consultant Liu Jue to persuade Xiao Cha to lead his own troops. Xiao Cha hesitantly refused, which angered Emperor Yuan. Liu Fanggui and Xiao Cha had a rocky relationship, and he secretly conspired with Emperor Yuan to attack Xiao Cha. Before the troops could depart, Xiao Cha called Liu Fanggui over for another matter. Liu Fanggui feared his plan had been uncovered, so he occupied Fancheng and refused to follow orders. Xiao Cha sent envoys, including Wei Yide and Du An, to attack him.

Facing a dire situation, Liu Fanggui sent his son Liu Qianchao to Jiangling for reinforcements. Emperor Liang Yuan gave Liu Qianchao a lot of money, officially to report back, but actually to secretly support Liu Fanggui. By the time Liu Qianchao arrived at the embankment, Fancheng had already fallen. Xiao Cha captured Liu Fanggui's brothers and associates, executing them all.

Liu Qianchao then arrived in the capital, while Xiao Cha kept delaying and refusing to relinquish power, staying in the western part of the city and putting on a polite front. However, in reality, Xiao Cha still called the shots in military and civilian matters. Xiao Cha thought Liu Qianchao was behind all this because of the matter involving Liu Fanggui, so he decided to scheme against him in secret. Fearing for his safety, Liu Qianchao asked the Emperor to call him back. The Emperor sent someone to Xiao Cha to bring Liu Qianchao back, but Xiao Cha held him captive. Du An and his brothers tricked Liu Qianchao, saying, "The common folks see how powerful Prince Yueyang is and don’t dare to cross him. You should head to the West Mountain to lay low. Once you get a feel for the situation, people from near and far will definitely come to seek refuge with you. With your good deeds, you can achieve anything." Liu Qianchao thought they made sense and allied with Du An and others. He also wanted the people of Yongzhou to gather their forces on the West Mountain. Therefore, Liu Qianchao dressed as a woman, rode in a blue cloth cart, and escaped with a dozen trusted followers. Xi Yin and the others rushed to tell Xiao Cha. Xiao Cha ordered his army officer Yin Zheng and Du An to lead the troops to chase them down. Knowing he couldn’t escape, Liu Qianchao asked to become a monk.

At that time, the situation was dire, so he left military strategist Cai Dabao to guard Xiangyang, while he led 20,000 infantry and 1,000 cavalry to attack Jiangling to provide assistance. There was a palisade outside the city of Jiangling, surrounding the city walls, but the northern side was still incomplete. So he launched an attack there. Emperor Yuan was filled with fear, so he sent military strategist Yu Huan to convey a message to him, saying, "Now is a time of moral decay and widespread chaos. Why do you come to imitate such behavior? What are you trying to accomplish? I have received the grace of the late emperor and entrusted your brother to me. Now you send your nephew to attack your uncle; how can this be justified?" He replied to Yu Huan, "My brother is innocent, yet he remains besieged. As brothers, how can I stand by and do nothing? If the Emperor still remembers the grace of the late emperor, this wouldn't have happened. If you can withdraw your troops to the Xiang River, I will immediately withdraw my troops back to Xiangyang." After failing to breach the palisade, he retreated to fortify his position. He then concentrated his forces and launched a full-scale attack. Coincidentally, there was a heavy rain, causing the ground to flood to a depth of four feet, soaking his troops and sapping their morale. His generals Du An, Du An's younger brother Du You'an, and Du An's nephew Du Gang, fearing his defeat, surrendered to Jiangling with their troops. His troops were in a state of panic, and that night, they fled back to Xiangyang in disarray, abandoning numerous weapons, equipment, and supplies in the river. At first, he imprisoned Zhang Zuan in the camp, but at this point, he executed Zhang Zuan before making his retreat.

When Du An surrendered, he requested to lead five hundred cavalry to attack Xiangyang. When they were thirty li away from the city, the people inside noticed. Cai Dabaoh helped his mother, the Gong family from Baolin, to climb the city wall and closed the city gates to resist. When he returned that night, his mother did not know he had been defeated and thought the enemy was attacking. It was not until dawn when she saw him that she welcomed him back into the city. Upon hearing that Cai Dabaoh had returned, Du An and the others fled to his brother Du Yan, who was in Guangping. He then sent generals Yin Zheng, Xue Hui, and others to attack, capturing Du Yan, Du An, and others, along with their mothers, wives, and children, and then executed them all at Xiangyang's north gate. They completely wiped out all the Du family's relatives, even locking up children and distant relatives in a silkworm rearing room. He also dug up their graves, burned their remains, and scattered their ashes.

Xiao Cha had a falling out with Jiangling and, worried he could not hold his position, in the fifteenth year of the Datong reign, sent someone to pledge allegiance and request to become a vassal state of Wei. The Wei Xiaowen Emperor then sent Rong Quan, the Sacrificial Official from the East Pavilion of the Minister of State, to handle this matter. Xiao Cha was overjoyed. In the same year, Emperor Yuan of Liang sent Liu Zhongli to lead troops to attack Xiangyang. Xiao Cha was filled with fear and hurriedly sent his wife, the Wang clan, and his son, Xiao Yi, to act as hostages, requesting Wei for assistance. The Wei Xiaowen Emperor sent Rong Quan back with a response and dispatched Yang Zhong to lead troops for support.

In the sixteenth year of the Datong reign, Yang Zhong captured Liu Zhongli. After pacifying the eastern part of Hanzhong, Xiao Chao was finally secure. The court was discussing allowing Xiao Chao to inherit the title of King of Liang, but he felt he hadn't received a formal imperial decree, so he hesitated to accept it. Rong Quan was still with Xiao Chao then, so he hurried back to report the situation in detail to Emperor Xiaowen of Wei. Emperor Xiaowen then sent the acting Sanqi Changshi Zheng Mu and Rong Quan with the emperor's decree and seal to officially confer the title of King of Liang upon Xiao Chao. It was only then that Xiao Chao established a government in Xiangyang and began appointing officials himself.

In the seventeenth year of Datong, Xiao Chao left Cai Dabo to defend Xiangyang and personally went to Luoyang to pay a visit to Emperor Xiaowen of Wei. Emperor Xiaowen asked Xiao Chao, "You came this time thanks to Rong Quan, do you want to meet him?" Xiao Chao replied, "I’d be thrilled!" Emperor Xiaowen then called for Rong Quan to meet with him. Then Emperor Xiaowen said, "Rong Quan is a good person. I have worked with him and have never seen him act dishonestly!" Xiao Chao said, "Rong Changshi can communicate selflessly in both languages, and that's why I can sincerely submit to the Wei court now!"

In the year 550, Emperor Gaozu ordered General Yu Jin to attack Jiangling, and Xiao Chao also led troops to assist. After the fall of Jiangling, Emperor Gaozu appointed Xiao Chao as the Emperor of the Liang dynasty, granting him residence in the eastern city of Jiangling and giving him the entire Jiangling region as his domain. Xiangyang and its administered areas all pledged their allegiance to us.

Xiao Cha declared himself emperor in his own country, with the reign title of Dà Dìng. He honored his father Xiao Tong posthumously as Emperor Zhaoming, with the temple name of Gaozong, and bestowed posthumous honors on his mother Cai Shi as Empress Zhao De. He honored his birth mother Gong Shi as Empress Dowager, his wife Wang Shi as Empress, and his son Xiao Kui as Crown Prince. The rewards and punishments, official system, and various rules and regulations in his territory were equivalent to those of a legitimate emperor. However, when he submitted memorials to the court, he referred to himself as a vassal and continued to use the Northern Dynasty reign title. As for bestowing titles and offices on his subordinates, he followed the old system of the Liang Dynasty. The military ranks and levels also adopted official positions from the Northern Dynasty, such as Zhuguo. He honored his uncle Xiao Lun posthumously as Grand Preceptor, with the posthumous title Zhuangwu; he honored his brother Xiao Yu posthumously as Prime Minister, with the posthumous title Wuhuan. Emperor Gaozu established a defensive position in the western city of Jiangling, stationed troops there, claiming to assist Xiao Cha in defending against enemies, but in reality also guarding against Xiao Cha himself.

Initially, after Jiangling was breached, Liang Emperor Yuan's general Wang Lin occupied Xiangzhou with the aim of restoring the Liang Dynasty. After Xiao Cha became emperor, Wang Lin sent his generals Pan Chuntao and Hou Fang'er to attack Xiao Cha. Xiao Cha's forces resisted, causing Pan Chuntao and his men to retreat to Xiakou. In the fourth year of Xiao Cha's reign, his Grand General Wang Cao led troops to capture Changsha, Wuling, Nanping, and other commanderies controlled by Wang Lin. In the fifth year, Wang Lin sent his general Lei Wenrou to launch a surprise attack and occupy Jianli Commandery, where Administrator Cai Dayou died in battle. Shortly after, Wang Lin clashed with the Chen Dynasty and sought assistance from Xiao Cha. Xiao Cha agreed, but before his troops could depart, Wang Lin's army was defeated and surrendered to Northern Qi. In that year, Xiao Cha's Crown Prince Xiao Kui went to pay homage to the Northern Dynasty emperor. In the sixth year of Xiao Cha's reign, an earthquake occurred in the summer, causing his front hall to collapse, resulting in the deaths of over two hundred people.

At the beginning, Jiangling City fell. Yin Deyi advised Xiao Cha, saying: "I've heard that leaders act differently than ordinary folks. The common people focus on the little things, fuss over every detail, and worry about their reputation. But as a leader, you need to stabilize the realm, secure the state, and accomplish great things. Currently, the Wei army is greedy and brutal, completely disregarding the righteousness and morality of 'punishing the guilty and comforting the people', solely intent on harming the people, killing rampantly, and conscripting civilians. However, these people's relatives and friends are all in Jiangdong. Just think about them being used as bait and captured far from home; it truly breaks one's heart, how could one forget! You now have the opportunity to pacify the world and inherit the legacy of your ancestors. But there are too many common people; it's impossible to explain to each household. They're all suffering now, believing it's your fault. You've killed their parents and brothers, leaving many orphans and widows; everyone is your enemy, who would want to serve you? However, the elite soldiers of Wei are concentrated here, and there's a precedent for treating the troops to a feast. If you host a banquet for them and take the opportunity to invite Yu Jin and others to attend, they won't see it coming and will come flocking. At this time, we’ll ambush their soldiers and wipe them out in one go. Then send elite soldiers to attack their camp, killing the enemy, leaving no one behind. The folks in Jiangling can live in peace and prosperity, and civil and military officials will quickly receive appointments. They’ll receive your favor; who wouldn’t be grateful for your wisdom and kindness? The Wei army will be afraid and dare not act recklessly. People like Wang Sengbian can be won over with just a letter. Then you can cross the Yangtze in your royal robes, carry on the great legacy of Yao, Shun, and Yu, and be remembered for generations. All of this can happen in the blink of an eye. As the ancients say, 'If you don’t seize a good opportunity, you’ll have to face the consequences; if you don’t act when the time is right, you’ll suffer calamity.' I hope you can see the bigger picture and don’t hesitate like an everyday person."

Xiao Cha did not listen to him and said to Yin Deyi, "Your strategy is good, but Wei has treated me well; I cannot betray them. If I follow your plan, it would be like what Duke Deng Qi said, 'People will not eat my leftovers.'"

Later, the old and young in Jiangling were all captured and taken to Guanzhong, and Xiangyang was also lost. Only then did Xiao Cha regretfully say, "I truly regret not listening to Yin Deyi back then, that has brought me to this point." He then saw the broken city walls and the relentless chaos of war, feeling overwhelmed with anger and sorrow. So, he penned a piece called "Ode to the Times" to express his feelings. The ode stated:

……(Original text of "Ode to the Times")……

Alas, my fate is unfortunate, and my luck is terrible; I'm truly at my breaking point! Year after year, I wear a frown, with difficulties following one after another. I'm busy all day, running in circles, and cannot sleep at night, hoping that the hard days will come to an end, yet I see no hope at all. Thinking of how the imperial seal of the Jin Dynasty fell into the hands of the Zhao State, and how the Han Dynasty's territory changed hands, my heart aches. I have neither the talents of Tian Dan or Fan Li, nor the benevolence of Yi Wu or Duke Huan of Qi; I can only make do and hope that one day I can turn things around. When will this disaster come to an end? How has the country declined to this extent?

Alas, I have been weak since childhood, and I have no great ambitions; I am not like Xie An or Xie Shi, who are brave in battle, nor like Zu Ti or Liu Lao Zhi, who are both literate and martial. I don't have the talents of Du Yu or Du Shenyan, and I cannot compare to the glory of the Wang family of Langya crossing the river with five horses. I'm naturally kind, like the unnoticed pigweed in the fields, only wishing to live a peaceful life, hoping for a bit of good fortune, maintaining tranquility, and staying away from disputes. But why is heaven so unkind to me? Why is this world so chaotic? The mountains and rivers of my homeland are in ruins, and enemies are everywhere. All I can do is look up at the sky and sigh, silently feeling sad and distressed.

In ancient times, people had confidants to comfort each other; how much more so for me, who once enjoyed the court's favor. Even the smallest good deed would be rewarded, and a word of praise could bring me immense joy. I served in Yuchuan and excelled in all three assessments. Later, during the reign of a wise ruler, I was pardoned and elevated to the ranks of the nobility. I once resigned from my post at Qishan and was then ordered to go to the Xiang River. That place in Nanyang is a gift from heaven, with both treacherous mountains and a flourishing legacy. I thought I could make my mark based on these advantages, but I found myself trapped in Fanchuan. My plight is as desperate as Goujian's and as exiled as Chong'er; I can only gaze at the southern branches and weep bitterly or look eastward and silently cry. Oh, how I long to return home! This homesickness is truly beyond words!

Alas, the Wei army suddenly attacked us, reaching the area of Nanjing. Look at that vast army, imposing and fierce, which swiftly took the city. Our situation is akin to Wu Sheng's plight in Xu and Xiao Bai's escape in Xing. The country can be preserved, thanks to our ancestors' blessings! But we common folk are like drifting duckweed, drifting without a destination. We've been stuck here for months with no sign of progress. This area used to be our territory for a thousand miles; now we're left with just seven miles, completely surrounded. With so little land, our harvest is minimal, making it impossible to pay taxes, let alone conscription. We're not as prosperous as Hanoi, nor is it as stable as Xingyang; things are really bad. At night, I hear gongs echoing everywhere, and during the day, I see flags flying everywhere. The beacon fires blaze up to the clouds, and horses in the stables whinny in distress. Alas, when will this nightmare end?

Reflecting on the past, Yunmeng was once a prosperous old capital, with beautiful scenery, but what of the present? Looking at the history of the past and then at the present, it boasts a grand reputation, yet in reality, it has fallen into decline. Everywhere there are desolate villages and barren fields, evoking the poetry of Song Yu and the lamentations of Sima Qian. The damp, low-lying south conjures memories of Qu Yuan's sorrow; the wetlands of Changsha evoke Jia Yi's sadness. I fervently wish to safeguard my homeland, hoping it can prosper like the Zhou Dynasty and honor ancestors like the Xia Dynasty, yet now I am beset by worry and must yield to the north. Is it that my age is not suitable, or is my fortune not favorable?

What’s worse is that everywhere there are robbers and bandits, stealing like curs and pilfering like rodents, and being as cunning as bees, scorpions, and foxes. Those slaves and prisoners have become bandits, gathering to form armies, eyeing our ferry crossings, running rampant along the riverbanks. These conflicts have persisted since the Yin and Shang dynasties, continuing into the Xuanyuan era. Just like the rebellion of the Hu clan chronicled in the "Book of Xia," and the gathering of the "Cai Wei" in the "Book of Songs," such events have existed from ancient times to the present. Thinking back to when Fang Shu fought in barbarian lands and Bo Qin triumphed in Huaiyi lands, those insurrections were ultimately subdued, and the rebels were ultimately executed, their banners seized. Those who commit numerous wrongdoings will eventually face retribution; can heaven deceive us? Looking at the rivers shrouded in mist, my heart is truly filled with indescribable melancholy.

Cha reigned for eight years and died at the age of forty-four in the second month of the second year of Baoding. His ministers interred him at Pingling, posthumously honored as Emperor Xuan, with the temple name Zhongzong.

Emperor Wu of Liang, Xiao Yan, was ambitious from a young age and was not overly concerned with minor details. Although he was somewhat suspicious, he was skilled at discerning people's talents and putting them to good use, and he was very generous and kind to his soldiers, which made them willing to fight fiercely for him. He did not drink alcohol, lived a simple life, was very filial to his mother, and had a good reputation. He also disliked frivolous and debauched activities, especially detested seeing women; he found the scent of women intolerable, and if he touched a woman's clothes, he would refuse to wear them again. He also disliked seeing people's hair, and if he encountered someone in mourning, he would always find a way to steer clear of them. When he was an official in Dongyang Prefecture, he was rather carefree, was not particularly diligent with the accounts, and liked to make jokes, which drew some criticism. However, he loved literature and authored a fifteen-volume collection, which included annotations on the forty-six volumes of Buddhist scriptures such as the Avatamsaka Sutra, the Prajna Paramita Sutra, the Lotus Sutra, and the Golden Light Sutra. These works have endured through the ages.

Emperor Wu of Liang, Xiao Yan, governed a small realm, so he often felt depressed. He often recited the poem "An old horse in a stable, with dreams of far-off places, a hero in his twilight years, with an unyielding spirit." Each time he recited it, he would clench his fist and sigh deeply. In the end, overwhelmed by worry, he succumbed to a back abscess. His son, Xiao Kui, was subsequently enthroned as emperor, and the era name was Tianbao.

Xiao Kui, styled Renyuan, was Xiao Yan's third son. He was intelligent, capable, cultured, good at pacifying the people, and deeply loved by them. In his first year of reign, he honored his grandmother, Empress Dowager Gong, as Grand Empress Dowager, his mother, Empress Wang, as Empress Dowager, and his father's concubine, Lady Cao, as Grand Concubine. In May of that year, the Grand Empress Dowager passed away and was posthumously titled Yuan Empress Dowager. In September, the Empress Dowager also passed away and was posthumously titled Filial Empress Dowager. In the second year, the previous Empress Dowager passed away and was posthumously titled Xuanjing Empress.

Five years later, Hua Jiao, the governor of Xiangzhou, and Dai Sengshuo, the governor of Bazhou, of the Chen Dynasty surrendered to Xiao Kui, the Liang Dynasty's general. Hua Jiao even sent his son Hua Xuanxiang to Xiao Kui as a hostage and asked Xiao Kui to send troops to attack the Chen Dynasty. Xiao Kui reported this to Emperor Gaozu of the Liang Dynasty. Emperor Gaozu ordered General Wei Gongzhi to lead Quan Jingxuan, the governor of Jingzhou, and General Yuan Ding to provide support. Xiao Kui also sent his general Wang Cao with twenty thousand naval troops to rendezvous with Hua Jiao at Baling. They then clashed with the Chen general Wu Mingche at Dunkou, but Wei Gongzhi's forces were defeated, and Yuan Ding was killed in battle. Xiao Kui's general Li Guang and his men were also captured by the Chen forces, and both Changsha and Baling fell into the hands of the Chen Dynasty. Wei Gongzhi blamed the defeat on Xiao Kui's subordinate, Zhu Guo Yin Liang, for mishandling things. Although Xiao Kui felt that the defeat was not entirely Yin Liang's fault, he dared not disobey orders and had to execute Yin Liang. Taking advantage of his victory, Wu Mingche pursued and captured Xiao Kui's Hedong County, also capturing the defending general Xu Xiaojing.

The following year, Wu Mingche attacked Jiangling again and used water to flood the city. Xiao Kui moved his troops to Jinan to avoid confrontation. Gao Lin, the deputy governor of Jiangling, and Wang Cao, the Minister of Works, stayed in the city to resist. Xiao Kui's cavalry commanders, Ma Wu and Ji Che, engaged Wu Mingche and defeated him, forcing Wu Mingche to pull back to Gong'an. Xiao Kui then returned to Jiangling.

In the eighth year of Xiao Kui's rule, the Chen Dynasty dispatched Sikong Zhang Zhaoda to launch an attack. Lu Teng, the governor of Jiangling, and Xiao Kui's troops drove Zhang Zhaoda back. Zhang Zhaoda then launched an attack on Qingni in Jingling, and Xiao Kui sent General Xu Shiwu to the rescue, but Xu Shiwu suffered a crushing defeat at the hands of Zhang Zhaoda.

At the beginning, Hua Jiao and Dai Sengshuo followed Wei Gong into battle against the Chen army, but after their defeat, they surrendered to Xiao Kui with several hundred troops. Xiao Kui appointed Hua Jiao as Minister of Works and granted him the title of Duke of Jiangxia; he appointed Dai Sengshuo as General of Chariots and Cavalry and made him the Marquis of Wuxing. In the tenth year of Xiao Kui's reign, Hua Jiao visited the court to meet with him. Upon arriving in Xiangyang, Hua Jiao addressed Wei Gong directly, saying, "The Liang Dynasty has now lost several counties in the south, the population is small, and the state is impoverished. The court should receive assistance in reviving the country. Should only Duke Huan of Qi and King Zhuang of Chu be remembered for their noble deeds in saving their states from crisis and restoring their power? I hope you can grant me a few provinces to assist the Liang Dynasty." Wei Gong readily agreed and sent word to Emperor Gaozu. Emperor Gaozu also agreed and ordered the provinces of Jizhou, Pingzhou, and Ruzhou to be assigned to Xiao Kui.

After Emperor Gaozu defeated the Qi state, Xiao Kui was stationed in Ye City. Although Emperor Gaozu appeared courteous on the surface, he did not truly value him. Xiao Kui was well aware of this. Later, at a banquet, he recounted to Emperor Gaozu how his father had benefitted from the favor of the founder of the Northern Zhou dynasty, and he also spoke of the intertwined history of mutual dependence, support, and rivalry between the Qi and Zhou dynasties. He spoke sincerely and with emotion, tears streaming down his face. Emperor Gaozu was moved as well and wiped away his own tears. From that point on, Emperor Gaozu bestowed special rewards upon Xiao Kui, and his status continued to rise.

Once, Gaozu hosted another dinner for Xiao Kui, and some former ministers from the State of Qi were also there. Gaozu pointed to one of them named Changyi and said to Xiao Kui, "This guy used to insult me from the city wall!" Xiao Kui wittily responded, "Changyi was unable to assist the tyrant Jie, so how could he attack the sage ruler Yao?" Gaozu laughed heartily upon hearing this. After a few rounds of drinks, Gaozu had someone bring a pipa and played it himself, then said to Xiao Kui, "Come on, Prince of Liang, let’s enjoy ourselves!" Xiao Kui got up and said he wanted to dance, to which Gaozu chuckled and asked, "Prince of Liang, can you still dance for me?" Xiao Kui cleverly replied, "Your Majesty is playing the five-stringed qin personally, how could I not join in and dance like the 'hundred beasts'?" Gaozu was thrilled and rewarded him with thousands of bolts of cloth and dozens of fine horses, and even gave him the concubines of the last Qi ruler and a swift horse that could travel five hundred miles a day.

When Emperor Wen of Sui took the throne, generals such as Yuchi Jing, Wang Qian, and Sima Xiaonan rose in revolt. Xiao Kui's generals urged him to mobilize troops and ally with them, which would demonstrate loyalty to the Zhou dynasty and give them a chance to seize control of the southern territories. However, Xiao Kui strongly disagreed and opposed the idea. Soon after, Sima Xiaonan defected to the Chen dynasty, and Yuchi Jing and the others were soon defeated.

After Emperor Wen of Sui ascended to the throne, he showered even more favor upon Xiao Kui, sending him a large quantity of gold, silver, treasures, and textiles. In the second year of Kaihuang, Emperor Wen of Sui formally married Xiao Kui's daughter to the Prince of Jin and also intended to betroth Xiao Kui's son, Xiao Mang, to Princess Lanling. Therefore, Emperor Wen of Sui removed Xiao Kui from his position as the governor of Jiangling, allowing him to focus on governing his own fiefdom. In the fourth year of Kaihuang, Xiao Kui went to Chang'an to meet Emperor Wen of Sui, who treated him with great respect, allowing him to sit above the princes and officials and rewarding him with a large amount of silk and treasures. As Xiao Kui was leaving Chang'an, Emperor Wen of Sui personally held his hand and said, "Prince of Liang, you have been in the Jingchu region for so long and have not been able to return to your homeland. You must be longing for your homeland. I plan to lead a large army to the Yangtze River area to send you back."

Xiao Kui reigned for twenty-three years and passed away at the age of forty-four years. His subjects buried him in Xianling, posthumously conferring upon him the title of Emperor Xiaoming and giving him the temple name Shizong.

He was filial to his parents, loving to his siblings, kind and benevolent, exuding the demeanor of a true monarch. During ancestral sacrifices on holidays and festivals, he often wept uncontrollably. He was especially frugal, had a distinctive approach to managing his subordinates, and governed his territory in an orderly manner. His writings, including the "Classic of Filial Piety," "Commentary on the Book of Changes," and "The Profound and Subtle Teachings of the Great and Small Vehicles," have been passed down through generations. Emperor Wen of Sui also allowed his son, Xiao Cong, to inherit the throne, with the era title Guangyun.

Xiao Cong, styled Wenwen, possessed a carefree and free-spirited personality, was knowledgeable and talented, and excelled in archery. Initially granted the title of Prince of Dongyang, he was later made the crown prince. After he ascended to the throne, Emperor Wen of Sui summoned Xiao Cong's uncle, Cen, to Chang'an, detained him and stationed troops in Jiangling to keep an eye on him.

Xiao Cong reigned as emperor for two years, and Sui Wendi summoned him back to Chang'an. Xiao Cong brought more than two hundred officials to Chang'an to pay their respects. Sui Wendi remained uneasy, so he sent Wu Xiang Gong Cui Hongdu to lead troops to garrison Jiangling. When the army reached Yuezhou, Xiao Cong's uncle Yan and his younger brother Huang were afraid of a sudden attack by Cui Hongdu, so they took the people and fled to Chen. Sui Wendi thus abolished the Liang state, pardoned all the death row inmates in Jiangling, and exempted the people from ten years of taxes. Each of the two emperors of the Liang Dynasty was assigned ten households to tend their tombs. Later, Xiao Cong was appointed as Zhuguo and Duke of Juguo.

From the year Xiao Cha ascended the throne, which was the year of Yi Hai, to this point, it was already the year of Ding Wei, a total of thirty-three years. Xiao Cha's son, Xiao Lü, was posthumously honored with the title of Filial Prince Xiaohui; Xiao Yan was granted the title of King of Anping; Xiao Ji was granted the title of King of Dongping; Xiao Cen was first granted the title of King of Hejian, and later changed to the King of Wu Jun. Xiao Kui's son, Xiao Huang, was granted the title of King of Yixing; Xiao Juan was appointed as the King of Jinling; Xiao Jing was appointed as the King of Linhai; Xiao Xun was appointed as the King of Nanhai; Xiao Yang was appointed as the King of Yian; Xiao Yu was appointed as the King of Xin'an.

It is said that whether as a prince or an emperor, Xiao Cha always trusted Cai Dabao above all as his most capable assistant; Wang Cao was his most trusted confidant. Wei Yide, Yin Zheng, Xue Hui, Xu Xiaojing, and Xue Xuan were his most powerful generals; Zhen Xuancheng, Liu Ying, Cen Shanfang, Fu Zhun, Chu Gui, and Cai Daye handled various affairs. Zhang Wan, due to his seniority, held a powerful position; Shen Zhong was well-treated by the emperor due to his knowledge. Xiao Cha also promoted many other officials, enabling them to showcase their talents.

After Chai's son Kui ascended the throne, he continued to employ talented individuals. Among the notable ministers and chancellors were Hua Jiao, Yin Liang, and Liu Zhongyi; from the royal family, included Xiao Xin and Xiao Yi; among the people favored by the populace were Xiao Que, Xie Wen, Liu Yang, Wang Shi, and Xu Yue; from the extended family, there were Wang Bian, Wang Song, and Yin Lian; among the literary talents were Liu Xiaosheng, Fan Di, Shen Junyou, Jun Gong, and Liu Xinyan; and those skilled in handling political affairs included Yuan Chang, Liu Zhuang, Cai Yanshou, Zhen Xu, and Huangfu Zi. As a result, both Chai and Kui managed to preserve the dynasty, ensuring the people could live and work in peace.

Now, let me discuss Chai's sons and some notable figures, including Cai Dabaos. I won’t cover those already documented in the Liang, Chen, and Sui dynasties, nor about Kui's sons who did not hold official positions.

Chai's eldest son was named Yan, courtesy name Daoyuan, his mother, Empress Xuanjing. Yan was exceptionally intelligent from a young age and displayed an adult-like demeanor. When Chai was the King of Liang, he appointed him as the heir apparent. Unfortunately, Yan fell ill and died young, and it was only after Chai became emperor that he bestowed him posthumous honors.

Chai's fifth son was named Yan, courtesy name Yiyuan, renowned for his kindness and skill in calming others. He held important positions such as Palace Attendant, Governor of Jingzhou, Minister of Works, Grand Commandant, and Grand Tutor. Later, during the Chen dynasty, he became General of the Eastern Pacification and Governor of Eastern Yangzhou. Following the fall of the Chen dynasty, the people rallied behind Yan as their leader in resistance against the Sui army. Unfortunately, he was defeated by the Sui general Yuwen Shu and subsequently executed in Chang'an.

Chai's sixth son was named Ji, recognized for his gentle nature and lifelong passion for learning. He served as Palace Attendant and General of the Central Guard. In the fifth year of Emperor Kui's reign, Ji passed away and was posthumously honored as Palace Attendant and Minister of Works, receiving the posthumous title of Filial.

The eighth son of Cha is named Cen, courtesy name Zhiyuan, who attained the rank of Grand Minister. He was simple in nature and held strict standards for his subordinates. Later, Cha's son Cong ascended the throne, and Cen, due to his seniority and high status, was a bit unruly, so Emperor Wen of Sui summoned him to the court. He was later granted the title of Grand General and Duke of Huaiyi.

Now let’s talk about a man named Xiao Juan, courtesy name Qinwen, who was the third son of Xiao Kui. He was well-known from a young age and had outstanding literary talent, which his father particularly cherished. He later rose to the position of Governor of Jingzhou. At the beginning, when the Sui army attacked Ruzhou, the Liang officials were terrified and at a loss. Only Xiao Juan suggested they make a quick escape south! So they ran to the Chen Dynasty, where the emperor of Chen appointed him to the positions of Chamberlain, General An Dong, and Governor of Wuzhou. After the Chen Dynasty was destroyed, the people of Wu chose him as their leader to fight against the Sui army. As a result, they lost the battle, and he was executed alongside Xiao Yan.

Next, let’s talk about Cai Daba, courtesy name Jingwei, who was from Jiaoyang, Kaocheng. His grandfather, Cai Lu, was an official in the Ministry of Rites during the Qi Dynasty; his father, Cai Dian, was an official in the Ministry of Rites during the Liang Dynasty and a Deputy of Nanyan Prefecture. Cai Daba lost his parents young but was diligent in his studies and never slacked off, and he had excellent writing skills. He ranked first in the Mingjing policy exam and then became a Left Attendant of the Kingdom of Wuling. Once, he wrote a letter to the then Chancellor Xu Mian, who greatly admired him, inviting him to play with his son and lending him all the books from his collection. Thus, Cai Daba read extensively and became very knowledgeable.

When Xiao Cha had just become an official, Xu Mian recommended Cai Dabao as his attendant, also overseeing the office. Not long after, Cai Dabao was promoted to an official in the Ministry of Rites. Later, when Xiao Cha was stationed in Kuaiji, Cai Dabao followed him as a secretary, also in charge of the affairs of Changliu. When Xiao Cha was appointed as an official in Xiangyang, Cai Dabao was promoted to be a military adviser. When Emperor Liang Yuan and Wang Yu of Hedong had a falling out, Xiao Cha sent Cai Dabao to Jiangling to assess the situation. Emperor Liang Yuan already knew Cai Dabao and was very pleased to see him. He requested Cai Dabao to provide annotations for his own "Xuanlan Fu." Cai Dabao completed it in just three days, and Emperor Liang Yuan was very impressed, rewarding him with many gifts. When Cai Dabao returned to Xiao Cha, he said, "There are surely other plans brewing in the east. There will definitely be trouble in the future, and we can't count on Taicheng anymore." Xiao Cha followed his advice. Later, when Xiao Cha became the Prince of Liang, he promoted Cai Dabao to Deputy Director of the Imperial Secretariat, overseeing the Ministry of Personnel, responsible for selecting officials, and managing affairs for the Prefect of Xiangyang. He was later promoted to Attendant of Imperial Cavalry, then Minister of Personnel, and quickly rose to be the Minister of Personnel. He had a say in all court matters, big and small. He was subsequently appointed as Grand General, and then promoted to Supervisor of the Imperial Secretariat, and was also titled General of the State. He was later appointed as an Envoy, General of Xuanhui, and Inspector of Yongzhou.

After being proclaimed emperor in Jiangling, he was appointed as Court Attendant and Minister of Rites, participating in the selection of officials. Later, he was further promoted to General of the Cloud Banner and Governor of Jingzhou. His official positions continued to rise, ultimately reaching the rank of Pillar of the Nation and Military Advisor General, and he also served as Tutor to the Crown Prince. Afterward, he was transferred to the position of General of the Frontiers and was granted the title of Marquis of Anfeng, with a fief of a thousand households. Upon returning to court with Emperor Xiao Kui, he was appointed Grand Tutor to the Crown Prince. After Xiao Kui ascended to the throne, he was again conferred the titles of Minister of Construction, Chief of the Central Secretariat, and Grand General of Central Command, concurrently holding the position of Minister of Personnel. However, he resigned from his position as Minister of Construction, and the emperor agreed. He was later promoted to the title of Special Advisor. Xiao Kui reigned for three years before his death. Xiao Kui was deeply saddened and visited his grave three times from the time of death until the burial. After his death, he was posthumously granted the title of Minister of State, his noble rank elevated to Duke, and he received the posthumous title of Wen Kai, with the honor of being worshipped at the temple of Xiao Zha.

Xiao Dabaos was a meticulous person, highly intelligent and skilled in governance, and had a fluent and swift writing style. All of Xiao Zha's various documents, edicts, and conferment papers were handled by Xiao Dabaos himself. Xiao Zha placed great trust in him and regarded him as his strategist. People at the time said that Xiao Zha had Xiao Dabaos, much like Liu Bei had Zhuge Liang. He left behind thirty volumes of collected writings and "Commentaries on the Book of Documents," which have been preserved through the ages. He had four sons.

His second son, Xiao Yanshou, was quite knowledgeable, well-read, and especially adept at managing the political affairs of the time. He married Princess Xuan Cheng, the daughter of Xiao Zha. He held positions such as Secretary of the Central Secretariat, Deputy Minister of Personnel, Minister of Personnel, and Deputy Censor. Later, he aligned with Xiao Cong to submit to the Sui Dynasty and was granted the official titles of Governor with equivalent rank to three ministers and Secretary of the Secretariat, ultimately passing away while in office as Governor of Chengzhou. Xiao Dabaos had a younger brother named Xiao Daye.

Xiao Daye, styled Jingdao, was a person of high moral character. After his father's death, he observed a period of mourning with great dedication. He had a generous disposition, profound knowledge, and was talented in governance, as he was frequently dispatched to the court. Initially, he served as a military officer in the Western Central Army under Xiao Cha, guarding a region. After Xiao Cha declared himself emperor, he held various positions including Left Minister of the Ministry of Personnel, General of Opening the Distance, Governor of Jianli County, Palace Attendant, and Minister of Guards. After Xiao Kui ascended the throne, he was promoted to Minister of the Imperial Secretariat and also served as General of Resolute Integrity and Governor of Zhangchuan. Later, he returned to the court, serving as Left Minister of the People and Minister of Rites. Xiao Kui reigned for seven years before passing away; he was posthumously honored with the title of Grand Minister of Golden Purple and was given the posthumous name Jian. He had five sons, among whom Yun Gong was the most famous; he held positions as an editor and a palace attendant. After the fall of the Liang Dynasty, he defected to the Chen Dynasty and was appointed as a minister in the Library Department. After the Chen Dynasty fell, he again defected to the Sui Dynasty, where he was granted the position of Palace Attendant of Daily Affairs.

Wang Cao, styled Zigao, had ancestors from Taiyuan, Jinyang. He was the nephew of Gong, the mother of Xiao Cha. His grandfather, Wang Lingqing, served as the magistrate of Haiyan, and his father, Wang Jingxiu, served as the Internal Historian of Linchuan. He was known for his honesty, strategic mind, extensive reading, and diligence in his official duties. He initially served as a minor soldier in a distant land and had a good relationship with Cai Daba, gaining considerable recognition. Later, when the King of Chu took power (acting as emperor), he promoted him to Left Minister of the Ministry of Personnel. After the King of Chu declared himself emperor, he was further promoted to Minister of Military Affairs, Grand General, and Governor of Yingzhou. Before long, he was granted the title of Pillar of the State and also made the Marquis of Xinkang County.

Later, when King Chu Xiao Kui ascended the throne, he appointed him as the General of the Right and the Minister of Personnel. When Wu Mingche came to fight, Xiao Kui personally led the troops to resist at Jinan. This person was particularly skilled at comforting the troops, and everyone listened to him. Wu Mingche retreated, and Jiangling City was saved, thanks to his efforts. Afterwards, he was promoted to Palace Attendant, General of the Central Guard, Minister of Personnel, and held the title of "Three Offices," and was involved in selecting officials while concurrently serving as the Governor of Jingzhou. He held high office but was very humble, and at that time, everyone respected him. When Xiao Kui had been in power for fourteen years, this person died. Xiao Kui mourned for him in the court and cried to the ministers, saying, "Heaven did not allow me to pacify the Jiangbiao (referring to the area south of the Yangtze River), why did it take away such a good minister from me so soon?" After his death, Xiao Kui personally buried him at Waguangmen, posthumously granted him the title of Sikong, and elevated his rank to Duke, with the posthumous name of Kangjie. He had seven sons, among whom his second son, Heng, was the most renowned and talented. He initially served as a Secretary of the Interior, and later became the Crown Prince's Horsekeeper, Deputy Minister of the Central Secretariat, and Deputy Minister of the Yellow Gate.

Wei Yide, from Xiangyang, was very capable, bold, and brave in battle. He participated in many wars and achieved numerous merits, rising to the position of Prefect. After King Chu Xiao Cha arrived in Xiangyang, he appointed him as the Governor of the Prefecture. Following Xiao Cha's decree, he was appointed as General, and later promoted to Grand General. After Xiao Cha declared himself emperor, he conferred upon him the title of Pillar of the Nation, granted him the title of Marquis of Shanghuang County, with a fief of 1,000 households, and added the position of General of Chariots and Cavalry. In the second year of Xiao Cha's reign, Wei Yide died, posthumously honored with the title of Sikong, and his rank was elevated to Duke, with the posthumous name of Zhongzhuang. In the fifth year of Xiao Kui's reign, he was posthumously honored and commemorated alongside Xiao Cha.

Yin Zheng was from Tianshui. When Xiao Cha arrived in Yongzhou, Yin Zheng served as a military officer in his household. He was responsible for capturing Zhang Zuan and arresting Du An. After Xiao Cha ascended to power, he appointed him as a general and later promoted him to Grand General. After Xiao Cha declared himself emperor, he made him the General of Guards, conferred upon him the title of Pillar of the Nation, and granted him the title of Marquis of Xinye County, with an estate of one thousand households. In the third year of Xiao Cha's reign, Yin Zheng passed away and was posthumously honored with the title of Minister of State of the same rank as the Three Excellencies, with the posthumous title of "Gang." In the fifth year of Xiao Kui's reign, he was posthumously honored and worshipped alongside Xiao Cha. His son Yin Deyi was also very strategic and rose to the rank of Grand General, but was later executed due to suspicion.

Xue Hui was from Hedong, highly skilled, tall, and imposing. He once led troops and served as a capable general under Xiao Cha, tasked with defending against foreign invasions. Together with Yin Zheng, he captured Du An alive in Nanyang. After Xiao Cha became emperor, he was appointed a general. Before long, he was promoted to Grand General and then to Pillar of the Nation, and also became the General Leading the Army. In the second year of Xiao Cha's reign, Xue Hui passed away and was posthumously honored with the title of Minister of State of the same rank as the Three Excellencies. He left behind six sons, among whom Jian and Shang were relatively well-known.

Xu Xiaojing was from Wu County, whose childhood name was Si'er. He was particularly brave and served as a fierce general under Xiao Cha. He held the position of Grand General, stationed in Hedong Province. Due to a lack of reinforcements, he was captured by Ming Che of Wu and ultimately executed in Jiankang. After his death, he was posthumously honored with the title of General of Chariots and Cavalry. His son Shi Wu inherited his title and became a Grand General. Shi Wu had a fondness for battle from a young age and was known for his unruly behavior. He particularly enjoyed making friends, spending money lavishly, quickly squandering his family fortune. Frustrated with his lack of success, he planned to make a secret escape to Chen State. After the plan was exposed, he was executed.

Li Guang, with the courtesy name Dajiangjun, was from Kuaiji. He followed Xiao Cha early on and was known for his bravery. In the Battle of Dunkou, he was the first to charge into battle and fought valiantly. Later, after Hua Jiao was defeated, he was captured by Ming Che of the Kingdom of Wu. Ming Che wanted him to surrender, but Li Guang resolutely refused to yield and was ultimately killed. After his death, he was posthumously granted the title of Grand Marshal, posthumously granted the title of Duke of Jianxing County, and given the posthumous name Zhongwu.

Zhen Xuancheng, with the courtesy name Jingping, was from Zhongshan. He was knowledgeable, well-versed in the classics and history, and excelled in writing. In his youth, he gained the favor of Emperor Jianwen. He served as a military aide under Xiao Cha, guarding Xiangyang. Later, he was promoted to the position of military recorder in the Central Records Office, responsible for managing documents and also involved in some political affairs. Given the powerful military presence in Jiangling, he harbored treasonous intentions and secretly wrote a letter to Emperor Yuan of Liang, expressing his loyalty. As a result, someone delivered his letter to Xiao Cha. Xiao Cha was a devout Buddhist and often vowed not to kill those who recited the Lotus Sutra. Zhen Xuancheng was well-versed in the Lotus Sutra, which saved him from death. When Xiao Cha later saw him, he would always say, "Zhen Gong, thanks to the Lotus Sutra!" He later rose to the positions of Deputy Minister of the Central Secretariat, Deputy Minister of Justice, Minister of the Department of Worship, and Minister of Personnel. In the sixth year of Xiao Cha’s reign, Zhen Xuancheng passed away and was posthumously granted the title of Attendant of the Palace and General of the Guard. He left behind a collection of twenty volumes of writings. His son, Zhen Xu, was intelligent from a young age and well-informed about political affairs. He served as a secretary in the Central Secretariat and Deputy Minister of the Ministry of Personnel. Later, he followed Xiao Cong to submit to the Sui Dynasty and was granted the position of Minister of State of the Three Offices. He ultimately died while serving as Deputy Minister of the Treasury.

Liu Ying, a native of Pengcheng, worked as a military officer in the Western Zhonglang Mansion under Xiao Cha. He was very capable and worked diligently and responsibly. When Xiao Cha dealt with important military and state affairs, he frequently involved Liu Ying in decision-making. Later, he was promoted several times, serving as a Yellow Gate Attendant, Supervisor of the Palace Library, Governor of Yongzhou, and Minister of Rites. In the seventh year of Xiao Cha's reign, Liu Ying passed away, and the court posthumously conferred his original official title. His third son, Liu Ran, was also quite famous at the time and later became a military officer in the Sui Dynasty.

Cen Shanfang, courtesy name Siyi, hailed from Jiyang in Nanyang and was a descendant of the Han Dynasty General Peng Chong. His grandfather, Cen Huifu, held the position of Grandee Secretary, and his father, Cen Chang, served as a Cavalry Attendant. Cen Shanfang was exceptionally talented, well-versed in both history and the classics, and possessed excellent oratory skills. He followed Xiao Cha to Xiangyang, serving as a military secretary in the judicial system. When Xiao Cha first contemplated surrendering to the court, he appointed Cen Shanfang as a secretary and sent him to the court to deliver messages. Cen Shanfang was flexible in handling matters and quick in his responses, earning the favor of the founding emperor, Yang Jian. From then on, he made numerous trips between the court and Xiao Cha, back and forth dozens of times. In the second year of Emperor Gong of Wei, Cen Shanfang was appointed as the Grand General of Valiant Cavalry, the Secretary of the Household, and also granted the title of Duke of Changning County. During Xiao Cha's rule, Cen Shanfang was appointed as an Attendant of the Palace Library and later promoted to the Prefect of Xiangyang. After Xiao Cha proclaimed himself emperor, the court recalled him to the capital to serve as the Minister of Works, concurrently holding the position of Attendant of the Palace Library. Shortly after, he was promoted to Cavalry Attendant, Chief of the Imperial Clan, and Minister of Works. Cen Shanfang was recognized for his integrity, prudence, and exceptional abilities, so Xiao Cha entrusted him with many confidential matters. In the seventh year of Xiao Cha's rule, Cen Shanfang passed away, and the court posthumously awarded him the title of Minister of the Imperial Ancestral Temple and conferred the posthumous title of Jing. He wrote many articles, leaving behind a ten-volume collection of his writings.

Cen Shanfang had seven sons, all of whom were very outstanding. Among them, Cen Zhiyuan, Cen Zhili, and Cen Zhixiang were the most famous. Cen Zhiyuan served as an attendant to the crown prince, but unfortunately passed away at a young age. The founding emperor Yang Jian considered the contributions Cen Shanfang made to the court in the past, so he allowed Cen Zhili and Cen Zhixiang to serve as officials in the court. Cen Zhili was appointed as a military governor and an official in the Prince's office. Later, he served as the magistrate of Angu County, Sima of Chenzhou, Yijiangzhou, Sanzhou, and magistrate of Lingling County in the Sui Dynasty. Cen Zhixiang initially served as a junior officer in the court, later becoming a military officer in the court of Emperor Wen of Sui. He then held various positions in the Sui Dynasty, including as an assistant official in the Ministry of Justice, magistrate of Shaoling County, magistrate of Shangyi County, magistrate of Weinan County, and magistrate of Handan County.

Fu Zhun was from the northern region. His grandfather, Fu Zhao, held the title of Jinzi Guanglu Dafu (金紫光禄大夫); his father, Fu Xu, was a military officer serving the King of Xiangdong. Fu Zhun was well-versed in literature and skilled in poetry and prose. He served as a military officer under Chen Baxian, later rising to the position of Minister of Revenue. In the seventh year of Emperor Chen Kui's reign, Fu Zhun passed away and was posthumously honored with the title of Minister of State Ceremonials and the posthumous title Jingkang. He left behind a collection of twenty volumes of his writings. He had two sons, one named Fu Bing and the other named Fu Zhi, both of whom were talented and well-versed in literature and history. Fu Bing became the Deputy Minister of Justice, while Fu Zhi became a palace attendant and Deputy Minister of Justice.

Zong Ruzhou, a native of Nanyang, was exceptionally talented with an elegant demeanor and speech. He served as an official under Chen Baxian, later holding important positions such as Huangmen Shilang (Minister of the Yellow Gate) and Sangqi Changshi (Gentleman of the Palace), eventually becoming the Minister of Revenue. Zong Ruzhou died in the ninth year of Emperor Chen Kui's reign. Zong Ruzhou had an elongated face, and Chen Baxian teased him by quoting a line from the "Lotus Sutra" that mentioned not having a long face, joking that he was slandering Buddhist scriptures. Zong Ruzhou, feeling embarrassed, quickly clarified that he did not intend to slander the scriptures. Chen Baxian then called him "Ruchu" (as before). Feeling anxious, Zong Ruzhou went to Cai Dabao to express his concerns. Cai Dabao, understanding his concern, smiled and said, "You're not really worried about slandering the scriptures; you're more concerned that others won't believe in the 'Lotus Sutra,' right?" This realization struck Zong Ruzhou.

Another time, someone complained to Zong Ruzhou that he handled matters like a local official, to which he replied, "I have been wronged, so I came to bring my grievances to the local official." Zong Ruzhou replied, "How rude of you to call me by my name!" The man sheepishly apologized, saying, "I only meant that you handle matters like a local official; I didn't know the name of the local official was Ruzhou. If I had known, how could I dare to call the local official by name?" Zong Ruzhou chuckled and said, "Take a moment to reflect; being insulted can help you recognize your mistakes more clearly." Everyone admired his generosity and grace. He had seven sons, notably, his sons Xiyan and Xihua gained greater renown. Xiyan was a gifted writer who rose to the position of Zhongshu Sheren; Xihua was well-educated and talented, a master of Confucianism in the Jingchu region, with expertise in classics and history.

Xiao Xin was the grandson of Xiao Xiu, the Prince of Ancheng, who was the brother of Emperor Liang Wudi, and the son of Prince Chen Yang, son of Emperor Chen Bayan. He was smart and quick-witted from a young age, widely read, and skilled in writing. After Chen Bayan ascended the throne, Xiao Xin inherited the title of Prince Chen Yang. He later held important positions such as Attendant, Chief of the Imperial Secretariat, Minister of State, and Minister of the Imperial Secretariat. When Emperor Chen Kui died in his twenty-third year of reign, he was posthumously appointed as Minister of State. Xiao Xin and Liu Xin were both famous literary figures during the Chen Dynasty. Xiao Xin left behind thirty volumes of literary works and wrote a hundred volumes of "History of Liang," but unfortunately, they were lost due to war.

Liu Yang hailed from Hedong. His grandfather, Zu Gan, held the position of Minister of Works, and his father, Liu Zhao, served as Assistant Minister of the Imperial Secretariat. Liu Yang had literary talent from a young age and was very particular about etiquette. Like his contemporary Wang Shi, he was well-respected for his integrity and good conduct, earning the respect of many. Eventually, Liu Yang attained the position of Minister of Personnel and was later appointed as the Prefect of Shanghuang County. After the fall of the Chen Dynasty, his county came under the rule of the Sui Dynasty, and he was granted the title of General of the Household. He passed away shortly thereafter.

Xu Yue came from Donghai. His father was Duke Jian Su Xu Mian, who held the titles of Assistant Minister of the Imperial Secretariat and General of the Household. Xu Yue was known for his integrity, extensive knowledge, and mastery of classics from a young age. He initially served as a teacher to Prince Dongyang Cong. After Cong became crown prince, Xu Yue was appointed as Chamberlain. When Cong ascended the throne, Xu Yue was promoted to Attendant, Minister of the Left, and shortly after to Minister of State. After the fall of the Chen Dynasty, he followed Cong in allegiance to the Sui Dynasty and was appointed as General of the Household. He passed away while serving as Governor of Chenzhou. His son, Xu Kai, worked as a clerk in the Secretariat. Xu Yue's brother, Xu Ju, was also talented in literature and skilled in handling government affairs, but was a bit greedy. He eventually rose to the position of Minister of Revenue. His son Xu Jing was a court gentleman.

Wang Bian was from Langya, Linyi. His grandfather, Wang Lin, served as a palace attendant and Grand Minister of Finance, and his father, Wang Xi, was also a palace attendant. Wang Bian was well-known in his youth and married Princess Luling, the sister of Emperor Wu of Liang, Xiao Chai. He held positions as Secretary Lang, Prince's Attendant, Companion to Prince Xuan Cheng, and Prefect of Luling. After Xiao Chai ascended the throne, he was appointed as a palace attendant and Minister of Civil Service. In the fourth year of the Tianjian era of the Liang dynasty, he was sent to the court on official business and died in the post station. After his death, he was posthumously honored as a palace attendant and Right Grand Master of Ceremonies. His son, Wang Guan, was talented in literature and served as a palace attendant. His younger brother, Wang Shi, was known for his integrity and insight, reaching the position of Minister of the Imperial Court, and he passed away in the twentieth year of the Tianjian era of the Liang dynasty. His son, Wang Huai, was Secretary Lang and later became the magistrate of Mianyang County in the Sui dynasty.

Fan Di was from Shunyang. His grandfather, Fan Zhen, served as Left Minister of the Ministry of Personnel, and his father, Fan Xu, was Prefect of Poyang. Fan Di was intelligent and clever from a young age and excelled in writing. He held positions as Palace Attendant of the Central Secretariat, Right Minister of the Ministry of Personnel, and Regular Attendant of the Cavalry. He passed away in the seventeenth year of the Tianjian era of the Liang dynasty, leaving behind a ten-volume anthology of his works. His son was named Fan Pou. Fan Di's younger brother, Fan Yu, was not as talented in literature as Fan Di but had greater accomplishments in Confucian studies, reaching the position of Central Guard and Long History of Dongping Wang.

Shen Junyou was from Wuxing. His grandfather, Shen Sengfu, served as Left Minister of the Ministry of People, and his father, Shen Xun, was Prefect of Dongyang. Shen Junyou was knowledgeable and had outstanding literary talent, reaching the position of Regular Attendant of the Cavalry. He passed away in the twelfth year of the Tianjian era of the Liang dynasty, leaving behind a ten-volume collection of writings.

This younger brother, Jun Gong, had strong abilities, a handsome appearance, and excellent writing skills, and was especially esteemed by Mr. Kui. He served as Palace Attendant of the Central Secretariat and Deputy Minister of the Imperial Court. Later, he transitioned from Minister of the Imperial Court to become the teacher of Prince Yixing, Xiao Huan. He fled to the Chen dynasty with Xiao Huan and was appointed as a palace attendant and Crown Prince's Grand Preceptor. After the Sui dynasty destroyed the Chen dynasty, he was executed due to Xiao Huan's involvement in the plot to cross the river.

Yuan Chang was from Chen County. His grandfather Yuan Ang held the position of Minister of Works. His father Yuan Shijun held the position of Interior Minister of Ancheng. Yuan Chang was a dignified and knowledgeable young man, well-read and erudite. Once, he went to the court as an official of the Ministry of Personnel. The receptionist wanted him to stand behind the envoys of the Chen Dynasty, but Yuan Chang firmly refused. When asked why, Yuan Chang replied, "The ancestors of the Chen Dynasty were merely minor officials serving under the princes of the Liang Dynasty. They betrayed their loyalty and seized control of the Jiangdong region. Now the Great Sui Dynasty has unified the realm, treating everyone with respect. If the envoys of the Liang Dynasty are allowed to stand behind those of the Chen Dynasty, wouldn’t that upset the ethical order? This is not what I want to see!" Unable to convince him, the receptionist reported the situation to his superiors. Emperor Wen of Sui admired him and ordered that Yuan Chang meet separately from the Chen Dynasty envoys. After he returned, for his adept handling of the situation, he was promoted to the position of Palace Attendant and later appointed as a General of the Guards. He passed away while serving as the Inspector of Qiaozhou, leaving behind two sons named Yuan Mi and Yuan Qian.

The historian remarked: Emperor Wu of Liang, Xiao Yan, was highly strategic and adept at identifying and nurturing talent. He indeed possessed great vision and the bearing of an emperor. Although later, the Huaihai region was plagued by constant warfare and mutual suspicion among brothers, he relied on his own troops for protection, declaring himself a vassal king. In the end, he managed to preserve the entire Chu region and rejuvenate a deteriorating situation. Although his territory was different from that of previous states, his status and title remained unchanged. His achievements have been celebrated for generations, and his state lasted for several generations. There’s no denying he was a wise ruler! His descendants inherited his legacy, rehabilitated the foundation laid down by their forebears, and were fair in rewards and punishments, ensuring proper governance. When faced with foreign invasions, he demonstrated his bravery and strategic acumen; when paying tribute to the central court, he showcased his prestige and authority. Isn’t this the mark of a brilliant ruler?

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Written by: Realhistories

Category: Book of Zhou （周書）

Published: 09 January 2025

Created: 09 January 2025

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In the early days of the Tang Dynasty, the world was in chaos, with wars raging and very few educated people, leading to a heavy reliance on performers like opera singers and acrobats. Figures like Ji Jun, Jiang Sheng, and Zhao Wenshen, though they couldn't match the talents of ancient figures, were quite famous at that time. After the Sui Dynasty conquered Yanling and Yingzhou, many gifted individuals flocked there. Le Maoya and Xiao Ji were proficient in the principles of yin and yang, Yu Jicai was skilled in astronomy, Shi Yuanhua had remarkable divination skills, and Xu Shi and Yao Sengyuan were particularly accomplished in medicine; these were some of the most exceptional talents of the era. However, records of Le Maoya, Shi Yuanhua, and Xu Shi have been lost, while Yu Jicai and Xiao Ji later served as officials in the Sui Dynasty. I'm recording the stories of these individuals to ensure nothing is overlooked.

Ji Jun, courtesy name Sengjun, was from Yangyi in Taiyuan. He was calm and cautious and was skilled in clerical script, especially in copying. During the Taichang era of the Northern Wei Dynasty, he served as an aide to He Ba Yue. After He Ba Yue was killed, Yang Jian (the founding emperor) called him in as a scribe. At that time, Hou Mocheng was causing chaos in the Longyou region, and Yang Jian wanted to subdue him. He tasked Ji Jun with forging an imperial edict from the Wei Emperor for Fei Yetou, asking him to lead troops to assist Yang Jian in attacking Hou Mocheng. Ji Jun imitated the handwriting of the Wei Emperor's edict, making the signatures of the clerks and the head scribe look just like the real ones. Yang Jian was quite pleased. Fei Yetou had seen the Wei Emperor's edict before, and seeing this one, he had no doubts whatsoever and sent a thousand infantry and cavalry to follow Yang Jian's lead.

During the Dàtǒng era, Jì Jùn was appointed as a military officer in the Chancellor's Office of the Capital and was granted the title of Marquis of Cháng'ān, with a fief consisting of two hundred households. He followed Yáng Jiān to campaign against Hóngnóng and participated in the Battle of Shāyuàn, where he was granted the title of "son." Later, he served as the Chief Justice of Huázhōu. Thirteen years later, he was promoted to the Governor of Xiānglè County. He was then summoned to teach Emperor Shìzōng and Duke Xiàn of Sòng how to write in the clerical script. At that time, those studying calligraphy were expected to present a bundle of gifts as a token of gratitude, referred to as "xièzhāng." Jì Jùn believed that calligraphy originated from Cāng Jié, and that accepting gifts like ordinary people was not proper. Therefore, he suggested to Yáng Jiān that they should hold sacrifices for Cāng Jié and the ancient sages and teachers. Subsequently, he was appointed as the Gentleman of the Yellow Gate, the Chief Justice of the province, and later promoted to General of the Army, Right Minister of the Golden Purple, Commandant, Regular Attendant of the Tongzhì, Grand General of the Chariots and Cavalry, and Yìtóng Sānsī.

In the year 507, I was appointed as a special envoy to travel to various regions, understand the people's situations, and resolve backlogged wrongful cases. Upon my return, I was promoted to the position of Junior Imperial Clerk. Not long after, I was dispatched to serve as the Governor of Húzhōu. I am a relatively low-key person and have always lived a simple and honest life, leaving behind a good reputation wherever I went. Later, I was promoted again and granted the title of Grand General of the Cavalry, with the title of Yìtóng Sānsī, and was regranted the title of Earl of Chānglè County. Soon after, my rank was elevated to that of a Marquis, and my fief increased to a total of sixteen hundred households. Ultimately, I passed away from illness.

Jiang Sheng, style name Fengqi, was from Pinghe. His father, Jiang Jun, once served as an attendant in the South Ping Wangfu of the Wei Kingdom and was also the governor of Zhao Xing County. Jiang Sheng had a quiet personality and had a passion for studying astronomy and celestial phenomena from a young age. The Northern Wei's founding emperor trusted him greatly and often had him by his side to consult at any time. In the year 533, the Eastern Wei general Dou Tai invaded, crossing the Yellow River at Fengling and stationing troops at Tongguan. The founding emperor of Northern Wei led his troops to Ma Muzhe to confront them. At that time, an auspicious yellow and purple aura appeared in the southwest and lasted until evening. The emperor asked Jiang Sheng, "What is this good omen?" Jiang Sheng replied, "The southwest belongs to earth, which is the direction associated with the Earth King, and the Qin territory also belongs to earth. Now that the army has been dispatched and the auspicious aura has descended, there will surely be a great victory." Thus, the emperor ordered an attack, leading to Dou Tai's defeat and capture. After that, the Northern Wei army captured the Hedong region, occupied Hongnong and defeated the enemies at Shayuan. From then on, Jiang Sheng was held in even higher regard by the emperor. In 539, Gao Zhongmi led the Northern Yuzhou to surrender. The emperor sought to send troops for support and once again consulted Jiang Sheng. Jiang Sheng replied, "Now is not the right time to mobilize the troops; Jupiter is in the east, and Mars is in the positions of Jing and Gui." The emperor did not heed his advice and still sent troops eastward. As a result, they faced defeat at Mangshan and were forced to retreat. Grand Tutor Heba Sheng was furious and reported to the emperor, saying, "Jiang Sheng should be punished!" The emperor said, "Jiang Sheng was well-intentioned in advising against mobilizing the troops. This defeat was due to my own decisions, not Jiang Sheng's."

In 532 AD, due to my previous merits, I was awarded the official position of General of Cavalry and Chariots, and concurrently appointed as the Equestrian Officer of the Three Excellencies. I was granted the title of Viscount of Gaocheng County, with a fief consisting of five hundred households. In 540 AD, my fief was expanded by an additional three hundred households, and I was appointed as the Prefect of Hedong Commandery. Shortly after, I returned to the court and served as the Grand Minister of Historical Records. Later, as I grew older, I requested retirement, which the Emperor approved, who also bestowed upon me the additional title of Governor of Dingzhou. Finally, I died peacefully at home.

Yao Sengyuan, styled Fawei, was from Wukang, Huzhou in Zhejiang Province. He was the eighth generation grandson of Yao Xin, the Grand Minister of State for Wu. His great-grandfather Yao Ying held the position of Cavalier Attendant-in-Ordinary in the Outer Bureau during the Song Dynasty and was granted the title of Marquis of Wucheng. His father Yao Puti was the Prefect of Gaoping County in the Liang Dynasty. In his youth, Yao Puti suffered from a long-term illness, so he devoted himself to studying medicine. Interestingly, Emperor Wu of Liang shared an interest in medicine and frequently summoned Yao Puti to discuss medical principles. The two often found common ground, and as a result, Emperor Wu had great respect for Yao Puti.

Yao Sengyuan was intelligent and eager to learn from a young age, and he conducted himself properly in social situations. He also followed the proper etiquette during the mourning period. At the age of twenty-four, he inherited the family business. Later, Emperor Liang Wu summoned him to the palace to personally assess his talents. Yao Sengyuan responded fluently and without hesitation. Emperor Liang Wu greatly admired him. In the sixth year of Datong, Yao Sengyuan was appointed as the Left Attendant of the Linchuan Prince's Kingdom. In the fifth year of Datong, he was appointed as a Military Officer at the Prince of Luling's Court. Nine years later, he returned to the palace and served as the Imperial Physician. At that time, the child of Prince Wuling, Ge Xiuhua, had been suffering from a chronic illness for many years, and various treatment methods had been ineffective. Emperor Liang Wu asked Yao Sengyuan to take a look. Upon his return, Yao Sengyuan detailed Ge Xiuhua's condition and documented the timeline of its changes. Emperor Liang Wu exclaimed, "You have considered it so thoughtfully and meticulously, truly admirable! With this method of observing the condition, what illness can escape your eyes? I've heard that many renowned figures in history were skilled in medicine, so I have always paid attention to this area and have some knowledge. Now, hearing your explanation has broadened my horizons even more." In the eleventh year of Datong, Yao Sengyuan was promoted to the position of Imperial Physician and was also appointed as the General of Wende and the Direct Attendant General.

Once, Emperor Liang Wu had a fever and wanted to take rhubarb. Yao Sengyuan said, "Rhubarb is a purgative, with quick effects, but Your Majesty is old and should not take it lightly." Emperor Liang Wu did not heed his advice, and as a result, he became seriously ill. When Emperor Jianwen Liang was in the Eastern Palace, he held Yao Sengyuan in high regard and would often give him gifts during festivals. In the first year of Taiqing, Yao Sengyuan was transferred to the position of Senior Clerk at the Zhenxi Xiangdong Prince's Mansion. From a young age, Yao Sengyuan enjoyed reading history books and wasn't particularly interested in rigid academic conventions. He frequently researched significant events from both ancient and modern times, earning praise from many scholars.

When Hou Jing besieged Jianye, Sengyuan abandoned his wife and children to go to the emperor's aid. Emperor Wu of Liang admired him greatly and promoted him, appointing him as the Rong Zhao General and a military advisor to the Prince of Xiangdong. Later, when the palace was breached and all the officials fled, Sengyuan found a way to return home. Upon reaching Wuxing, he visited the prefect Zhang Sheng. Zhang Sheng, seeing Sengyuan, cried and said, "I was once favored by the court, and now I must repay it with my life. You are a prominent local family member and an old minister of the court. If I can receive your help today, there may be hope for my situation." Before long, Hou Jing's army arrived and attacked continuously for several days, ultimately capturing the county seat. Sengyuan hid for a long time but was ultimately captured. Hou Zijian, Hou Jing's son, had long heard of his reputation and valued him, so Sengyuan was spared his life.

Later, when Emperor Jianwen of Liang ascended the throne, Sengyuan returned to Jianye, continued to hold his original official position, and was additionally appointed as a secretary in the Central Office. Hou Zijian was later dispatched to garrison Guangling, and Sengyuan accompanied him to Jiangbei. After Emperor Yuan of Liang quelled Hou Jing's rebellion, he summoned Sengyuan to Jingzhou and appointed him as an advisor to the Prince of Jin'an. Although the chaos had been settled, the court's officials were ineffective, and the political situation was in disarray, with no rules whatsoever. Sengyuan was very worried about this and said to an old friend, "I can see that this situation is heading for disaster. The best course of action now is to quickly get close to the pass (referring to distancing from the court)." Those who heard this stifled their laughter.

Emperor Liang Yuan once suffered from a severe internal illness and summoned doctors to discuss treatment plans. Everyone said that the emperor was noble and should not be treated with random medications; instead, mild treatments should be used to gradually manage his condition. However, Seng Yuan said, "The pulse is strong and vigorous, indicating food stagnation. If we do not use rhubarb purgatives, it will definitely not be cured." Emperor Liang Yuan followed his advice, and after taking the medicine, he indeed expelled the stagnant food and recovered. Emperor Liang Yuan was very pleased, and at that time, the court had just minted a new currency worth ten wen for one wen, so he rewarded Seng Yuan with one hundred thousand coins, which was equivalent to one million.

When the army captured Jingzhou, Seng Yuan was still attending to Emperor Liang Yuan, never leaving his side. Later, he was intercepted by soldiers and had to leave tearfully. Not long after, Duke Hu of Zhongshan sent someone to invite Seng Yuan. When Seng Yuan arrived at his camp, he was then summoned by Duke Yan Yu Jin, who treated him with great courtesy. Emperor Gaozu also sent someone to urgently summon Seng Yuan, but Yu Jin firmly insisted on keeping him, telling the messenger, "I am old and sick, and I have finally found this person; I hope to enjoy my old age in peace with him." Given Yu Jin's significant contributions and high rank, Emperor Gaozu chose not to press the matter further. The following year, Seng Yuan went with Yu Jin to Chang'an. In the first year of the Wucheng era, he was appointed to the positions of Xiaji Bo and Xia Dafu.

Governor of Jinzhao Province, Iloumu, returned to the capital due to illness and requested Sengyuan to examine him. Iloumu said, "From my waist to my navel, it feels like I'm bound by three ropes; my legs are weak, and I can't lift them at all." Sengyuan took his pulse and prescribed three doses of herbal medicine. After Iloumu finished the first dose, the upper "rope" loosened up; after the second dose, the middle one also loosened; after the third dose, all three "ropes" disappeared. However, the pain and numbness in his legs still felt stiff and weak. Sengyuan prescribed another herbal powder, and gradually his legs could bend and stretch. Sengyuan said, "By the time Frost Descent arrives, this illness will be cured." By September, Iloumu was indeed able to get up and walk.

The Grand General, Helan Long, who had a history of asthma, later developed edema, experiencing rapid breathing and restlessness. Someone advised him to take "Jueming Dasan" (a potent medicine), but his family was uncertain and sought Sengyuan's advice. Sengyuan said, "I think this illness is not suitable for 'Jueming Dasan.' If he wants to take it himself, there's no need to ask me." So they set the matter aside. Helan Long's son earnestly pleaded, "We have been suffering for a long time; today we come to seek your help. If it really can't be treated, we just won't be at peace!" Sengyuan knew that his illness could be cured, so he wrote a prescription and urged him to take it quickly. After taking the medicine, his asthma immediately became smooth, and after taking another dose, all his symptoms were healed.

In the first year of the Tianhe era, the emperor granted me a new official position, called the General of Chariots and Cavalry, and allowed me to sit on equal footing with the officials of the Three Departments. At that time, General Dou Ji, also known as Duke of Leping, came down with a severe cold, felt dizzy, and was completely out of it. Many doctors had visited him, all declaring he was beyond saving, essentially having given up on him.

Later, a monk named Seng Yuan arrived and said, "Although the situation is very bad, he ultimately will not die. If you fully trust me, let me treat him." General Dou's family was overjoyed and quickly asked Monk Seng Yuan for help. The monk prescribed an herbal remedy, and General Dou's illness was cured.

Yongshi Gong, who was often troubled by illness, had been suffering from chronic ailments for a long time, but he always insisted on attending court. Yan Gongjin once asked Monk Seng Yuan, "Yueping Gong and Yongshi Gong both have chronic illnesses; I think Yongshi Gong's illness is lighter." Monk Seng Yuan replied, "The severity of the illness, the time of onset, and the danger level are different. Although Yueping Gong is gravely ill, he will ultimately survive; although Yongshi Gong's illness is lighter, he is certain to die."

Yan Gongjin asked further, "You said he is certain to die; when do you expect this to happen?" Monk Seng Yuan said, "It will not exceed four months." As the monk predicted, Yongshi Gong passed on within four months. Yan Gongjin was very surprised by Monk Seng Yuan's medical skills.

Six years later, I received a promotion to Grand Master of Suibo.

In 574 AD, Empress Wenzhuan fell seriously ill. The doctors and shamans she consulted had different opinions. Emperor Gaozu sat with Monk Seng Yuan in the inner hall and said, "The Empress's condition is very serious; those doctors all say it's not a big deal. As a son, I understand in my heart; as ruler and subject, what is there that cannot be said openly? What do you think of the Empress?" Monk Seng Yuan replied, "I can't diagnose the illness just by looking, but because I have dealt with many cases, based on the common situation, I am very worried." The Emperor cried and said, "Since you have already made a conclusion, what more is there to say!" Shortly thereafter, the Empress passed away.

Later, the emperor summoned Monk Yuan again and asked him, "How many years has Yao Gong (referring to himself) been serving in the title of Yitong Sanqi?" Monk Yuan replied, "I have been favored by the emperor for nine years." The emperor said, "You have been diligent for so many years; you should be promoted." So, he appointed Monk Yuan as the General of the Chariots and Cavalry and Yitong Sanqi. He then decreed, "You are old now; you can be exempt from court audiences, unless there is a special decree; you do not need to come and see me again."

In the year 575 AD, Emperor Gaozu personally led the army to the east, reached Heyin, fell ill, and couldn't speak; his eyelids drooped over his eyes, obscuring his vision; one leg had atrophied, making it difficult to walk. Monk Yuan believed the emperor was afflicted by multiple illnesses that could not be treated simultaneously. The emperor's ability to speak was crucial for the army, so he prescribed a remedy, and the emperor was soon able to speak again. Next, he treated the eyes, and his eye condition improved; finally, he treated the leg, and his leg condition also improved. By the time they reached Huazhou, the emperor had fully recovered. The emperor immediately appointed him as the governor of Huazhou and decreed that he accompany him back to the capital, not allowing him to stay in Huazhou.

In the year 578 AD, Monk Yuan submitted a request for retirement, which the emperor granted. That same year, Emperor Gaozu went on a leisure trip to Yunyang but fell ill again. So the emperor decreed for Monk Yuan to come to his temporary residence. The Minister of the Interior, Liu Ang, privately asked Monk Yuan, "The emperor has not been eating well for a long time; what's his condition?" Monk Yuan replied, "The emperor's condition might be hard for ordinary people to understand. If he were like an ordinary citizen, it wouldn't bode well." Shortly after, the emperor passed away.

When Emperor Xuan was still the crown prince, he often suffered from severe stomach pains. He had Seng Yuan treat him, and his illness quickly improved. Emperor Xuan was particularly pleased. After he became emperor, he treated Seng Yuan even better. One time, the emperor casually asked Seng Yuan, "I heard that the former emperor referred to you as Yao Gong, is that true?" Seng Yuan replied, "I have been blessed by your special favor; it is indeed as stated in the imperial edict." The emperor said, "This is a respectful way of addressing your age, not a title of nobility. I want to create a legacy for you, so that your descendants will forever enjoy this wealth and honor." Thus, the emperor granted Seng Yuan the title of Duke of Changshou County, with a fief of one thousand households. On the day of the conferment, he also bestowed gold belts and clothing, among other gifts.

In the second year of the Daxiang era, Seng Yuan was appointed as a senior physician. Later, when the emperor fell seriously ill, Seng Yuan stayed by his side day and night. The emperor said to those around him, "My life and death depend entirely on him!" Seng Yuan, knowing that the emperor's condition was critical and estimating that he might not survive, said, "I am deeply grateful for your kindness and only wish to repay it to the best of my ability. I just worry that my abilities are limited and I may not do my best, but I will certainly do my utmost." The emperor nodded. After Emperor Jing ascended the throne, Seng Yuan was promoted to the title of Shang Kaifu Yitong General. In the early years of the Sui Dynasty, in the Kaihuang era, he was further promoted to Duke of Beijiang County. Three years later, Seng Yuan passed away at the age of eighty-five. Before his death, he instructed his family to dress him in white clothing and a white headscarf for burial, and that his formal attire should remain unaltered. He requested only an incense box to be placed in the mourning hall, with fresh water set out daily. The court posthumously conferred upon him his original official position and additionally granted him the titles of Governor of Jingzhou and Governor of Huzhou.

Sengyuan was a highly skilled physician, widely acknowledged as the best doctor of his era. He cured an innumerable number of illnesses, and his reputation was immense, with even people from border regions and foreign countries having heard of him. Many individuals from remote areas and foreigners came to seek his medical help. Sengyuan gathered a variety of unique folk remedies, verified their effectiveness, and compiled them into a twelve-volume work called "Collected Verified Remedies," and a three-volume work titled "Travel Record," which gained widespread recognition. His eldest son, Cha, lived in Jiangnan. His second son, Sengzui, courtesy name Shihui, was intelligent from a young age and, upon growing up, became well-versed in classical texts and history, with a particular passion for writing. When he turned nineteen, he accompanied Sengyuan to Guanzhong. At that time, Emperor Shizong of the Northern Qi was actively seeking talent and proofreading books at the Linzhi Hall, where Sengzui also took part and earned the title of scholar. Later, he was appointed as an officer in the Qi Wang Xian's office, in charge of managing documents and records. Qi Wang Xian held him in high esteem and granted him many rewards. After Emperor Xuan ascended to the throne, Qi Wang Xian was executed due to allegations. After Sui Wendi assumed the role of prime minister, he restored Sengzui's official rank. Having spent many years by Qi Wang's side, Sengzui received numerous favors from him, and so he wrote a biography of Qi Wang and submitted it to the historical archives.

I grew up in Jiangzuo and later moved to Guanzhong. I had never learned medicine before. During the Tianhe era, Prince Qi Xian recommended me to Emperor Gaozu to study medicine. Prince Qi Xian also said to me: "Your knowledge is profound and your talent is outstanding. How can you compare to Wang Bao and Yu Xin? Wang Bao and Yu Xin are both renowned in two countries, but in my opinion, they are nothing. The treatment I offer you is beyond what your family could provide. You should take my words to heart and not let me down. Moreover, this is the Emperor's command, so you must work harder!" From that time on, I began to study the family's medical skills. In more than ten years, I nearly mastered the art of medicine. Whenever someone sought medical help, my medical skills proved to be quite effective. After Emperor Wen of Sui ascended the throne, he appointed me as the Grand Physician of the Crown Prince. Later, due to my father's death, I resigned from my official position to return home to observe mourning, and I was so heartbroken that I became a mere shadow of myself. After the mourning period was over, I took on the title of Duke of Beijiang County and resumed my position as the Grand Physician of the Crown Prince. Shortly afterwards, I was assigned to serve as an advisor to Prince Yang Xiu of Shu. Yang Xiu was stationed in Yizhou, and I was promoted to his Chief of Staff. After pacifying the Chen dynasty, I was appointed as an official by the court. Because I was not a direct relative of Yang Xiu, I willingly relinquished my title to the appointed official, and Emperor Wen of Sui agreed to my request. Later, Yang Xiu secretly plotted a rebellion, and Emperor Wen of Sui ordered the court officials to conduct a thorough investigation. The Ministers of the Imperial Palace, Qing Zheng and Hao Wei, all blamed Yang Xiu. Only I said: "All the illegal activities were done by me; the prince had no knowledge of it." I endured hundreds of tortures, yet I never wavered in my statement. In the end, I was executed for this matter, at the age of sixty-seven. People mourned my righteous actions. I authored a ten-volume work titled "Brief History of the Liang Dynasty," which has been passed down through the ages.

Li Jingxi, courtesy name Jiming, was a native of Mao County in Hejian. From a young age, he had a passion for reading, possessing a photographic memory, though he struggled with self-expression. His great-grandfather Li Yi, during the reign of Emperor Taiwu of Wei, followed the army to capture Pingliang, performed meritorious deeds, was granted the title of Baron of Rongcheng County, and was appointed as the General of Yingyang. Later, he served as the Prefect of Yanjun. His grandfather Li Zhen inherited the title and rose to the position of Attendant Gentleman. His father Li Qiong inherited the title during the Taihe era, served as an Attendant Gentleman, Wei County magistrate, and finally became the Prefect of Fucheng County.

His cousin Li Guang, during the reign of Emperor Taiwu of Wei, served as an Official in the Ministry of Personnel and was well-versed in ancient studies. Jiming once studied word meanings with Cui Xuanbo, the Minister of Personnel, and learned regular script and seal script from Cui Hao, the Minister of Works, thus continuing the family tradition of scholarship. Jiming also learned these skills and had some differences from the Xu family. He enjoyed studying astronomy and astrology and had a good understanding of divination. However, he had an open-minded attitude, choosing not to pursue an official career or business, yet he possessed thousands of books at home. Despite living in poverty in a modest home, he never wavered in his aspirations despite hunger and cold. He was close friends with Lu Daoyuan from Fanyang.

During the Yong'an period, someone persuaded Ji Ming (the protagonist in the text, referred to as Dao Yuan below) to become an official, so he began serving as General Wei Lie. When Emperor Xiaowu of Wei had just ascended the throne, Ji Ming was promoted to General Zhenyuan, and shortly after, he was promoted to Colonel of Infantry. Later, when Emperor Xiaowu moved west, Ji Ming settled in the Yiluo region. Hou Jing was engaged in battles north of the Yellow River and summoned Ji Ming to join the army. Ji Ming was subsequently appointed as the Grand Master of Ceremonies, promoted to Central Army General, appointed as Langzhong of the Xingtai, and then served as the Governor of Liyang. When he followed Hou Jing to Xuanhu, Ji Ming realized that Hou Jing was untrustworthy, so he left. He lived as a carefree guest in Yingchuan since he believed the situation in the world was still unstable and wanted to live quietly for a year. At that time, Wang Sizheng was stationed in Yingchuan and sent people to summon Ji Ming several times. Ji Ming had no option but to meet him. He stayed in Wang Sizheng's private quarters for over a month. Later, Emperor Tai Zu of Northern Wei summoned him again, so he entered the pass. Tai Zu tasked Ji Ming with organizing ancient and contemporary texts in the East Pavilion. In the later period of the Datong era, Ji Ming was appointed as General of Anxi, and shortly after, he was promoted to Assistant to the Imperial Librarian. At that time, his colleagues held important positions, also held the title of Changbo, wore luxurious clothing, and rode in luxurious carriages. Only Ji Ming dressed plainly, lived simply, and exhibited no embarrassment. He was dedicated to his duties, persisted in writing, and never slackened. However, his stubborn character was out of step with the times, so even after serving as a historiographer for ten years, he remained without promotions. In the first year of Emperor Gong of Wei, Ji Ming was promoted to General of Pingnan and Right Grand Master of Ceremonies. Following the establishment of the Six Ministries system, he served as a Senior Historiographer. After Emperor Min ascended the throne, Ji Ming was promoted to General Conquering the South and Right Grand Master of Purple and Gold. At that time, the Grand Marshal Helan Xiang was fighting against the Tuyuhun, and the court ordered Ji Ming to accompany the army on the expedition. Upon his return, Ji Ming was appointed as General of the Cavalry and Right Grand Master of Ceremonies. In the later years of Emperor Wucheng's reign, he was promoted to Senior Historiographer.

In the third year of Baoding, the court undertook extensive construction to build palaces. During the spring and summer, there was a severe drought, so the court ordered the officials to present their views on the advantages and disadvantages. Jiming wrote a memorial:

I have heard that when King Cheng Tang faced a drought, he reflected on six matters. King Xuan went too far, which led to the depletion of all jade vessels used for sacrifices. Wasn't it their deep foresight and care for the people that helped them avert disaster? Now is a crucial time for agriculture, yet the rain has still not arrived. Your Majesty shows great compassion for the people and reveres the gods, but still has not received abundant rain. Could this drought be a result of ill-timed actions and improper measures?

The book "Spring and Autumn" records the deeds of kings, and each action must be in accordance with ritual and law. Moreover, changes in weather, such as droughts and floods, are related to the actions of kings. Confucius once said, "Words and actions are what gentlemen use to influence heaven, earth, and the spirits." The "Spring and Autumn" records that in the thirty-first year of Duke Zhuang's reign, there was no rain in winter. The "Five Elements Commentary" said it was because three high platforms were built that year, which was excessively extravagant and showed a disregard for the people's lives.

In the twenty-first year of Xi Gong's reign, there was a severe drought in the summer. The "Five Elements Transmission" stated that this was due to the construction of the South Gate at that time, which harmed the people and wasted resources. In the second year of Emperor Hui of Han Dynasty, there was a severe drought in the summer, and again in the fifth year. The water levels of rivers dropped, and even small streams dried up. The "Five Elements Transmission" attributed this to the conscription of 146,000 people to build Chang'an City. In the third year of Emperor Wu of Han Dynasty, there was also a severe drought in the summer. The "Five Elements Transmission" stated that this was because that year, retired officials from all over the country were mobilized to build Kunming Pool. Therefore, it is said that when embarking on grand construction projects that harm the people and waste resources, the heavens will always use unusual weather to warn. These records in ancient texts serve as a warning for future generations, and we should reflect on them. Heaven is warning us, and correcting our mistakes will be beneficial. If we can now reduce the burden on the people and lessen forced labor in response to heaven's warning, then heaven will bestow blessings, there will be a bountiful harvest next year, and it will not be too late to have children. The "Book of Songs" says, "The people are weary; when will they be able to enjoy a comfortable life? Blessings spread throughout the country; only then can the four directions be stable."

However, some people are worried that excessive yang energy will produce yin, and if autumn brings too much rain, another poor harvest may follow next year, leaving the people without hope. If another famine occurs, the consequences could be dire. Now, wealthy and powerful families are competing for extravagant lifestyles. Ji Ming once again submitted a memorial:

I've heard that only with tolerance and generosity can we embrace all things, and kindness can unite the people. Therefore, the vastness and depth of heaven and earth nourish all living things; the changes of the four seasons in cold and heat allow all things to grow according to their rules. Therefore, emperors should embody the tolerance and generosity of heaven and earth. When the sun rises in the east, the world knows that spring has come. When a ruler shows grace and virtue, the people can feel his blessings. I hope Your Majesty will govern with the grace bestowed by heaven, so that all things can thrive and prosper. As Your Majesty rides the six dragons, may you strive for self-improvement, humbly accepting advice, and then the people will be truly fortunate.

From ancient times to the present, those emperors who governed the country effectively also widely sought opinions, humbly learned from the populace, and even set up drums under trees to encourage everyone to criticize their shortcomings. A few years ago, a severe drought occurred, and after a long time, the common people eagerly anticipated a good harvest. Your Majesty issued an edict to extensively understand the hardships of the common people, just as Yu the Great and King Tang bravely took responsibility, and like Duke Jing of Song, who persisted in correct practices. As a result, the rain came in time, and the harvest was plentiful. Your commitment to frugality, simplicity, and disdain for extravagance is truly commendable. However, those high-ranking officials still flaunt themselves in gorgeous clothes on the streets; wealthy families still wear luxurious silk clothes; the coarse cloth clothes worn by the poor are still far from enough, and there are still many families who cannot eat enough. This shows that there are still shortcomings in your guidance. While guiding with politics and restraining with laws, it is still difficult to change customs and habits in a short period of time.

Emperor Wen in the past put the collected memorials in a cloth bag to make a tent, unwilling to use the property of ten families to build a terrace; the palace concubines' clothing did not touch the ground, which is inferior to that of servants today. However, he led by example, guided the people, ensured national prosperity, and established clear laws, hence his temple name as Taizong. It is said that if a sage adheres to correct ethics over time, the world will become peaceful. Now, after enduring the chaos of the Wei Kingdom, integrity has not yet flourished. We should prioritize "upholding the five virtues and rejecting the four vices," change the extravagant customs, curb the culture of comparison, ban those flashy but impractical skills, prohibit those bizarre clothing, cease large-scale production of unnecessary items, and not display items that corrupt morals, so that the common people will understand the essence of ethics.

I also heard that the most important aspect of governing a country is selecting talented individuals. If there is even a slight error in choosing people, it can lead to disastrous outcomes. Those who lack ability but occupy high positions will attract criticism similar to the saying "like stacking firewood." Therefore, ancient rulers skilled in governance always appointed individuals based on their abilities, and officials must be appointed according to their capabilities. In the court, officials should be rewarded without favoritism based on personal feelings. Positions should be granted based on talent, and important responsibilities should be entrusted according to ability. When the right talents are found for the right positions, it's like driving a team of six horses; if you handle them well, you can cover a thousand miles in a day. Yu Shun was selective in choosing talents, excluding those who were unworthy and lacked virtue. In this way, various matters could proceed smoothly, and the common people would know to follow suit.

After the emperor read the official memorial, he was very pleased.

The office of the Outer Historian had previously lacked a fixed location, constantly shifting locations. Later, Li Jiming submitted another official memorial stating, "The role of the Outer Historian holds the same significance as the Eastern Pavilion of the Han Dynasty, the Shiqu Pavilion of the Yitong San Si, and the Sitong Tianlu Pavilion. These locations serve as vital archives within the palace, storing various important documents and books, and are highly valued by the emperor. From the Wei Dynasty to the Zhou Dynasty, the Outer Historian's office has lacked a fixed residence. Although I admit my knowledge is limited, I still know this is not right, so in November of last year, I took the risk of submitting a memorial suggesting the construction of an office. The emperor also specifically approved it and ordered the construction to begin. However, a year has passed, and there has been no progress at all. I must once again seek the emperor's approval." The emperor agreed, and thus the office of the Outer Historian finally began to be constructed.

In the third year of Tianhe, Li Jiming was promoted to Grand General of Chariots and Cavalry, as well as Yitong San Si, but he later passed away due to illness.

Zhao Wenyuan, courtesy name Deben, was from Wan County in Nanyang. His father, Zhao Xia, became the Imperial Physician of the Wei state due to his excellent medical skills. Zhao Wenyuan learned standard script and clerical script from a young age, and at the age of eleven, he submitted his calligraphy to the emperor of Wei. Later, he joined the court and was appointed as a legal officer in the Grand Chancellor's office. Zhao Wenyuan's calligraphy reflected the style of Zhong Yao and Wang Xizhi, showcasing exceptionally skilled brushwork. At that time, only Zhao Wenyuan and Ji Jun could carve inscriptions. In the tenth year of the Datong reign, in recognition of Zhao Wenyuan's past contributions, he was posthumously granted the title of Baron of Baishi County, with a fief consisting of two hundred households. Later, Emperor Taizu of Northern Wei believed that the popular clerical script of the time contained many errors, he ordered Zhao Wenyuan, Li Jiming, Shen Xia, and others to organize and standardize six types of scripts based on the "Shuowen Jiezi" and "Zilin," ultimately compiling over ten thousand characters that have been preserved through the ages. (Note: Due to naming taboos during the Tang dynasty, Zhao Wenyuan later changed his name to Zhao Wenshen.)

After pacifying Jiangling, Wang Bao entered the capital, and many high-ranking officials and nobles competed to learn Wang Bao's calligraphy. Zhao Wenyuan's calligraphy was quickly overshadowed. Zhao Wenyuan felt ashamed and regretful about this, which was quite apparent. Later, he realized that it was hard to change his preferences, so he also began to learn Wang Bao's calligraphy, but ultimately failed and was mocked by others instead, saying he was like a child learning to walk in Handan. However, when it came to inscriptions, no one could match him. Wang Bao consistently praised Zhao Wenyuan's calligraphy. Most of the inscriptions on the palaces and pavilions were his. Later, Zhao Wenyuan was promoted to a county earl and appointed as a Yitong San Si official. Emperor Shizong requested him to write inscriptions for Jingfu Temple in Jiangling, and the people of the Hannan region held his calligraphy in high regard. Emperor Liang Wudi Xiao Cha was greatly impressed after seeing it and rewarded him with many gifts. In the first year of Tianhe, when the palace's sleeping quarters were newly completed, Zhao Wenyuan was granted an additional two hundred households and appointed as the magistrate of Zhaoxing County for his contributions to writing inscriptions. Even when Zhao Wenyuan was appointed to other official posts, the court would always summon him back whenever there was a need for inscriptions. Eventually, Zhao Wenyuan passed away after a long illness.

Chu Gai, courtesy name Xiaotong, was from Yangzhai in Henan. At the end of the Jin Dynasty, he moved to the Jiangnan region. His grandfather, Chu Changle, was a recording secretary in the army of King Jingling during the Qi Dynasty; his father, Chu Yichang, was the secretary of King Poyang during the Liang Dynasty. From a young age, Chu Gai was known for his caution and integrity, earning a good reputation in his hometown. He was especially skilled in medicine and was quite famous at the time. He served as an official during the Liang Dynasty, working as a military officer in the Wuling King's court. Later, he followed the royal court westward and returned to the country with Xiao Huan, where he was appointed General of the East and Left Silver Guanglu Official, and later promoted to General Biaoqi and Right Guanglu Official. In the first year of Wucheng, he was appointed Chief Medical Officer. After Xu Shi's death, Chu Gai gradually gained attention, and guests rushed to visit him, his status only second to Yao Sengyuan. In the early years of Tianhe, he was promoted to County Earl and Junior Official. Five years later, he was further promoted to General Cheqi and Yi Tong San Si. Chu Gai was peaceful and humble, never arrogant or self-satisfied; whenever someone sought his help, he would go out of his way to help with his medical skills. People at the time praised him as a venerable elder. Later, he died due to illness. His son, Chu Shize, also inherited his family business.

Speaking of which, there was also a person named Qiang Lian, whose background and true name were unknown. During the Wei Dynasty, there was a man named Li Shunxing who was known for his erratic speech and behavior, often predicting events that had not yet occurred, and people at the time called him Li Lian. The world thought Qiang Lian and Li Lian were very similar, so they also called him Lian. He was tall and strong, different from others. He was deeply thoughtful, which made him hard to read. If he wanted to say something, he would speak to anyone; if he didn’t want to say anything, no matter how much you begged, he wouldn’t answer. At first, when listening to him speak, it was difficult to understand what he was saying. However, events often turned out to be true afterward. He often resided in Buddhist temples, enjoyed exploring, and frequently visited the homes of nobles and ministers. Wherever he went, people respected and believed in him.

Before Duke Jin was killed, Qiang Lian ran to the gate of the Duke's mansion holding a large gourd, smashed the gourd and shouted loudly, "The gourd is broken, the seeds inside are bitter!" At that time, Zhuguo, Duke Pinggao Long En had already become close with Duke Jin's bodyguard, earning his trust and favor. Later, Qiang Lian ran to Long En's house, called Long En's wife, Yuan Shi, along with his concubines and servants, forcing them to sit on the ground together. These people were terrified by Qiang Lian and refused to sit down. Qiang Lian said, "What's the difference between high and low?" And so, Qiang Lian forced them all to sit down. Before long, Duke Jin was killed, and his sons perished as well; Long En was executed, and his property was confiscated. During the Jiande era, Qiang Lian would run to the tree on the street every night, calling out the name of Buddha Shakyamuni until dawn, doing this for several days, his cries pitiful. Not long after, the court issued an order to abolish Buddhism and Taoism. During the Daxiang era, Qiang Lian carried a bottomless bag and begged for food in various markets in Chang'an. The people of Chang'an donated rice and wheat to him. Qiang Lian would throw the items into the bag, but they would immediately spill out onto the ground. When someone asked him what he was doing, Qiang Lian said, "Oh, it’s nothing. I just want everyone to see that what looks full on the outside is actually empty inside." During Emperor Wen's reign in the Sui Dynasty, the capital was indeed relocated to Longshou Mountain, leaving Chang'an empty and abandoned. After that, no one knew what became of Qiang Lian.

There was also a man from Shu County named Wei Yuansong, who had a penchant for prophecy, much like the monk Baozhi from Jiangzuo. During the Tianhe period, he wrote poems predicting the fortunes of the Zhou and Sui dynasties, as well as the destiny of the royal family, and all these predictions came true. He was particularly skeptical of Buddhism and wrote to the court to strongly criticize it. However, this is not recorded in historical texts, so there is no biography of him. The historian said: "The influence of benevolence and righteousness on education is profound, and the role of skills in practical application is also extensive. Those who become overly fixated on these matters are likely to commit misdeeds; those who overly value personal gain will ultimately be punished." The classics such as the Book of Songs, the Book of Documents, the Book of Rites, and the Book of Music have not been lost much, so the former kings placed great importance on their moral education. However, many of the arts of divination have been lost, which is why the sages of ancient times held these skills in low regard. Are those who can master these techniques without contravening social norms and learn skills without breaching rituals not truly noble gentlemen? Yao Sengyuan was highly skilled in medicine, known for his precise diagnoses and a reputation that extended far and wide. He cured many patients and promoted the medical ethics of benevolence and righteousness, consistently performing good deeds, which enabled him to enjoy a long life and elevated status. Laozi said: "The way of heaven is impartial and always helps the good," and this saying is indeed irrefutable!