He Baosheng, also known as Pohu, was a man from Shenwu Mountain. His ancestors and the Wei clan both originated from Yinshan. His family had an ancestor named Ruhui, who served in a high-ranking position in the early Wei Dynasty. His grandfather, Er Tou, was a remarkably brave and formidable man, and as a respectable individual, he was assigned to guard Wuchuan, where he eventually settled.
During the reign of Emperor Xianwen, the Rouran frequently invaded, inflicting significant damage on the northern border. Er Tou led dozens of cavalry deep into enemy territory for reconnaissance, totaling just about eighty men, yet they managed to gather detailed intelligence on the Rouran. Despite a few subsequent invasions by the Rouran, they were unable to cause significant damage. Due to his achievements, he was granted the title of Marquis of Longcheng. His father, Duba, was resolute and brave, serving as the chief military commander in Wuchuan.
As the Wei Zhengguang period was coming to an end, a rebel named Poliu Hanbalin rose up in Woye Town, leading his troops to assault southern cities. General Yang Jun of Huaishuo Town heard of He Baosheng's prowess and recruited him to lead the army, providing him with a military force. The leader of the rebel army, Wang Wei, had a large number of troops, besieging Wuchuan before attacking Huaishuo. He Baosheng was ambitious, with exceptional equestrian skills, and was admired by northerners for his courage and strategy. At that time, he was also an officer, stationed in Huaishuo under Duba's command.
Huaishuo was under siege for more than a year without any reinforcements. He Baosheng earnestly told Yang Jun, "The city is surrounded so tightly, the situation is extremely critical! I want to seek help from the main army and request reinforcements!" Yang Jun agreed. He Baosheng then recruited a dozen brave young men and sneaked out of the encirclement under the cover of darkness. The rebels caught up, but when He Baosheng shouted, "I am He Baosheng Pohu!" the rebels hesitated to close in.
When he arrived in Shuozhou, Heba Sheng reported to King Yuan Yu of Linhuai, saying, "Huaisuo City is surrounded and could fall at any moment. The people in the city are eagerly waiting for the troops to come to their rescue. Your Majesty is a member of the royal family, sharing the joys and sorrows of the country. You've been commanded to take action, so you should give it your all. But now you are hesitating and not taking action. If Huaisuo City falls, Wuchuan will also be in danger. The rebels will only grow bolder, and even with legendary generals like Han Xin and Bai Qi, and strategists like Xiao He and Chen Ping, they will not be able to help you!" Yuan Yu thought Heba Sheng's words made sense, so he agreed to send troops and let him go back to report.
Heba Sheng rushed back into the siege, and the rebels chased him, shooting several people. He ran to the city and shouted, "Heba Pohu and the troops have arrived!" The people in the city quickly opened the gates to welcome them. Yang Jun sent Heba Sheng to investigate the situation in Wuchuan, only to find that Wuchuan had already fallen. Heba Sheng hurried back to report. Huaisuo City soon fell, and Heba Sheng and his son were captured by the rebels.
Later on, Heba Sheng conspired with Duoba and Emperor Xiaowu of Northern Wei, joined forces with local heroes Yu Zhen, Nian Xian, Yifugugen, Yuchi Zhentan, recruited volunteer soldiers, and attacked and killed Wang Weike. The court recognized his contributions, but he was tragically killed in battle with the Tiele people before he could be rewarded. During the Xiaochang period, the court posthumously appointed him the title of General of Anyuan and Governor of Sizhou.
Initially, after Du Ba had killed Ke Gu, he sent Sheng Chi to Shuo Prefecture to report the news. However, before Sheng Chi could return, Du Ba passed away. The governor of Shuo Prefecture, Fei Mu, held Sheng Chi's talents and strategies in high regard and retained him with generous gifts, entrusting him with various responsibilities and frequently sending him out to patrol with his troops. During that time, Prince Guangyang, Yuan Yuan, was besieged by the army of the Six Khans in Wuyuan, fighting day and night. Consequently, Prince Guangyang summoned Sheng Chi to serve as his military commander. Sheng Chi recruited 200 men, opened the eastern city gate and charged out to engage in battle, killing over a hundred enemies. The enemy retreated several dozen miles. Seeing the enemy slightly retreat, Prince Guangyang led his troops to withdraw toward Shuo Prefecture, with Sheng Chi covering the rear. As a result of his accomplishments, Sheng Chi was appointed commander and promoted to Fubo General. Later, he was transferred to serve under the Minister Yuanzuan to guard Heng Prefecture.
During that time, a man named Xianyu Ah Hu gathered the refugees from Shuo Prefecture and moved south to become a bandit. The people in Heng Prefecture secretly colluded with Xianyu Ah Hu, planning to coordinate an attack from both inside and outside. Sheng Chi became separated from his brother Yun and his younger brother, Yue, and they fled together to Sizhou. Yun and Yue sought refuge with Er Zhu Rong. Er Zhu Rong had a conflict with the governor of Sizhou, Wei Qingbin, and led troops to attack Sizhou. When Sizhou was captured, Er Zhu Rong seized Sheng Chi and exclaimed joyfully, "I have captured your two brothers; what can't we accomplish in this world!" Sheng Chi then submitted to Er Zhu Rong. During that time, Du Luozhou's army was stationed at Youzhou and Dingzhou, while Ge Rong occupied Jizhou and Yingzhou. Er Zhu Rong addressed Sheng Chi, saying, "The terrain of Jingxing is vital; it serves as the gateway to my eastern front. I want you to take charge of its defense; how do you feel about that?" Sheng Chi replied, "I faced war in my youth and am well-acquainted with challenging terrains. I have always wished to repay those who have shown me kindness. Now that you ask me to go, it aligns perfectly with my wishes!" Er Zhu Rong then reported to the court, appointing Sheng Chi as General of Zhenyuan and a separate commander, assigning him 5,000 infantry and cavalry to defend Jingxing.
In the early years of the Wutai era, Shengchi followed Er Zhu Rong into Luoyang. For his contributions to the enthronement of Emperor Xiaozhuang, he was granted the title of Earl of Yiyang, with a fief consisting of four hundred households. Later, Shengchi's official position continued to rise, reaching the ranks of General of the Imperial Guard, Commander of Cavalry, General of Pacification of the South, Grand Master of the Palace, and General of the Army. He then accompanied the Chancellor Yuan Mu on a northern expedition against Ge Rong, serving as the chief commander of the vanguard. In a battle at Fuko, he achieved a resounding victory and captured thousands of enemy troops. At that time, Han Lou, a remaining faction in Luozhou, gathered in Jicheng, becoming a menace to the surrounding areas. Er Zhu Rong appointed Shengchi as the chief commander to defend Zhongshan. Han Lou had long heard of Shengchi's reputation and ultimately did not dare to venture southward for an invasion. Yuan Hao launched an invasion of Luoyang, and Emperor Xiaozhuang fled to Henan. Er Zhu Rong summoned Shengchi to serve as the chief commander of the front army, leading one thousand cavalry. Together with Er Zhu Zhao, they crossed the river at Xiashi and inflicted a decisive defeat on Yuan Hao's forces, capturing Yuan Hao's son, General Guan Shou, and Liang's General Chen Sibao, among others, before marching directly into Luoyang. Shengchi was appointed General of the Imperial Guards and Grand Master of the Palace, with an additional six hundred households added to his fief, his noble rank elevated to Duke of Zhen Ding, and he was subsequently promoted to General of the Right Guards, retaining the title of Commander of Cavalry.
After Er Zhu Rong was killed, things happened suddenly. Sheng Chi followed Shi Long to the river bridge. Sheng Chi believed he should not betray the monarch, so he led his troops back to the capital to pay his respects to the emperor. The emperor was delighted and allowed him to continue in his original position, additionally promoting him to Commander of the Cavalry and Commander of the Eastern Expedition, leading a thousand cavalry to join forces with Zheng Xianhu against Er Zhu Zhongyuan. Consequently, Zheng Xianhu became suspicious of him and placed him outside the camp, where he and his horses could not rest. Soon, Er Zhu Zhongyuan's army arrived, and after a disastrous battle, Sheng Chi surrendered. Later, he colluded with the Er Zhu clan to support Emperor Jianmin. Due to his contributions, he was appointed General of the Garrison and was further promoted to Commander of Chariots and Cavalry, Grand Minister of Ceremonies, and Left Minister of Rites.
Prince Gao Huan was somewhat foolish, and Er Zhu Zhao wanted to take care of him. Er Zhu Dulü brought troops from Luoyang, Er Zhu Zhao raised troops from Bingzhou, and Er Zhu Zhongyuan set out from Huatai, where the three commanders met east of Ye City. At that moment, Gao Huan was accompanying Er Zhu Dulü. Er Zhu Dulü and Er Zhu Zhao had a poor relationship. Gao Huan felt that internal strife in front of the enemy was a surefire way to disaster, so he went with Hu Si Chun to Er Zhu Zhao's camp to mediate, but ended up getting captured by Er Zhu Zhao. Er Zhu Dulü was extremely alarmed and quickly withdrew his troops.
Erzhu Zhao wanted to kill Gao Huan and accused him, saying, "You killed Ke Gu alone, that's one sin; after Tianzhu (referring to Erzhu Rong) died, you didn't return with the others but instead went east to help Zhongyuan, that's a second sin. I've wanted to kill you for ages; what more is there to say?" Gao Huan replied, "Ke Gu rebelled, posing a great threat to the country. My son and I killed him, which is quite the achievement, but instead we were treated as criminals. You don't hear about that kind of thing. Tianzhu was killed; that was a case of a ruler killing a subject. Am I really going to betray the court? Today, my life is in your hands. However, we need to stick together to deal with the enemy. If brothers fight amongst themselves, history shows that’s a recipe for disaster. I am not afraid of death, but I fear that your decision-making may be flawed." In the end, Erzhu Zhao let him go. After he was let go, Gao Huan traveled more than a hundred miles before catching up with Erzhu Dulu's army. King Qi Gao Huan captured Xiangzhou, and his military might was on the rise. At this time, Erzhu Zhao, Erzhu Tianguang, Erzhu Zhongyuan, Erzhu Dulu, and others, totaling over a hundred thousand troops, set up camp at Hanling. Erzhu Zhao led the iron cavalry to charge right through, planning to pursue and attack King Qi Gao Huan. Erzhu Dulu, disapproving of Erzhu Zhao's arrogance and fearing that he might be a threat in the future, told the army to hold back. Noticing the clash between Erzhu Dulu and Erzhu Zhao, Gao Huan led his troops to surrender to King Qi. This led to Erzhu Dulu's army retreating first and getting wiped out.
At the beginning of the Tai Chang era, He Ba Sheng was appointed as the General of the Army and soon promoted to Court Attendant. Later, Emperor Xiaowu planned to attack the Northern Qi's Emperor Shenwu Gao Huan. Since He Ba Sheng's brother, He Ba Yue, commanded a large army in the Guansi region, he could serve as a powerful ally. Therefore, Emperor Xiaowu appointed He Ba Sheng as the Commander of military affairs for the seven states of Sanjing, Eying, Nanxiang, and Nanyong, and promoted him to General of the Cavalry, Chief of the Three Departments, and Governor of Jingzhou. He was also given the additional title of Left Deputy Minister of the Southern Grand Secretariat, each position more prestigious than the last!
He Ba Sheng led his troops to attack the Liang Dynasty's Xiaxie garrison, capturing the garrison commander Yin Daozhen and several others. He also sent someone to persuade the tribal leader Wen Daoqi to lead his tribe to surrender to the Western Wei. Xiao Xu, the Governor of Yongzhou in the Liang Dynasty, attempted to attack Wen Daoqi but was unsuccessful, which caused panic among the people of Hannan. He Ba Sheng then sent Grand Commander Dugu Xin and Military Secretary Shi Ning to attack Ouyang and Can City; sent Governor Changsun Liang, Governor Li Molian, and Grand Commander Wang Yuangui to attack Jiushan and Baiji; and sent Commander Ba Luechang and Shi Wulong to attack Yicheng and Junkou, resulting in the capture of the Liang general Zhuang Siyuan and seizing thousands of pieces of armor and weapons from the soldiers. Subsequently, he captured Fengyi, Anding, and Mianyang, completely subduing these areas. He Ba Sheng's army was stationed between Fancheng and Deng County. The Liang Emperor sent a warning to Xiao Xu, saying, "He Ba Sheng is a valiant general from the north; you must be cautious!" Upon hearing this, Xiao Xu was so frightened that he quickly reinforced the city defenses and dared not leave the city.
Not long after, He Baisheng was promoted to the position of Minister of the Central Secretariat, with an increase of two thousand households in his land grant, and his title was elevated to Duke of Langya. Xiao Xu dispatched Liu Zhongli to defend Gucheng, while He Baisheng attacked Gucheng but was unable to take it. During this period, Northern Qi's Emperor Shunwu Gao Huan had a conflict with Western Wei's Emperor Xiaowu, who then ordered He Baisheng to march his troops to Luoyang. When He Baisheng arrived in Guangzhou, he hesitated about whether to press on, only to find that Emperor Xiaowu had already retreated west. He Baisheng had no choice but to bring his troops back to Nanyang, sending his subordinate Yang Xiuzhi to present a memorial to the court and appointing the chief historian Yuan Ying as acting governor. He Baisheng led his troops himself, preparing to advance westward to Guanzhong, and upon reaching Xiyang, the court granted him the titles of Taibao and Director of Personnel. At this time, Northern Qi's Emperor Shunwu Gao Huan had already captured Tongguan and was stationed in Huayin. He Baisheng then returned to Jingzhou. Consequently, the people of Jingzhou, under Deng Dan's leadership, captured Yuan Ying and took him to join Northern Qi's Hou Jing. When He Baisheng arrived, Hou Jing launched a counterattack. He Baisheng's army was defeated, and he fled south with just a few hundred cavalry to seek refuge with the Liang dynasty.
After staying in Jiangnan for three years, Emperor Wu of Liang was particularly gracious toward him. He repeatedly requested to lead an expedition north against Northern Qi's Emperor Shunwu, but his requests were repeatedly denied, prompting him to ask for permission to return to Chang'an. Emperor Wu of Liang consented and personally saw him off at Nanyuan. From then on, every time he traveled, he carried a bow and arrows, but whenever he spotted birds or animals flying south, he refrained from shooting them, to demonstrate his commitment to honor Emperor Wu of Liang's kindness.
After returning to Chang'an, he went to the imperial palace to offer his apologies. The court was very pleased that he had returned and appointed him to the title of Grand Tutor. Later, he followed Gaozu (the founding emperor of Northern Zhou, Yuwen Tai) and captured Dou Tai alive in Xiaoguan, and was promoted to Grand Commander of the Central Army. He then accompanied Gaozu to attack Hongnong. He was the first to cross the Yellow River at Shanjin, which caused the Eastern Wei general Gao Gan to flee. He pursued and captured Gao Gan, and imprisoned him. He then took Hebei, capturing the county magistrates Sun Yan and Cui Yi. He also took part in the Battle of Shayuan, inflicting a crushing defeat on the Eastern Wei army, pursuing them right to the banks of the Yellow River. Afterward, he and Li Bi separately attacked Hedong, occupying Fenzhou and Jiangzhou, increasing his fief to five thousand households. In the Battle of Heqiao, he dealt a major defeat to the Eastern Wei army. Gaozu ordered him to recruit the surrendered soldiers and return to camp.
When Emperor Shunwu of Qi gathered his forces to attack Yubi, he followed Gaozu as the Grand Commander of the vanguard, pursuing Emperor Shunwu of Qi north of the Fen River. He then participated in the Battle of Mangshan. At that time, Gaozu recognized the banner and drumbeat of Emperor Shunwu of Qi and recruited three thousand valiant soldiers, assigning them to He Ba Sheng to charge at the enemy. He Ba Sheng unexpectedly encountered Emperor Shunwu of Qi and said to him, “He Liu Hun (another name for Emperor Shunwu of Qi), I swear I’ll kill you!” The newly recruited soldiers engaged in close combat with short weapons, while He Ba Sheng pursued Emperor Shunwu of Qi with a spear for several miles, the spear tip nearly grazing him. As a result, He Ba Sheng's horse was struck by a wayward arrow and died. By the time his deputy arrived, Emperor Shunwu of Qi had already escaped. He Ba Sheng sighed, “The reason I didn’t use my bow and arrow today is truly the will of heaven!”
In this year, all of Heba Sheng's sons in the east were killed by Emperor Qi Shenwu. Heba Sheng was filled with rage, and his health deteriorated. He passed away in the tenth year of Datong while still in office. Before his death, he personally wrote a letter to Gaozu saying, "I traveled thousands of miles, leaning on my cane to return to the court, hoping to eliminate the enemy with you. Unfortunately, I have died and my wish has not been fulfilled. I hope you will unite in the court and act in accordance with the times. If I have any awareness after death, I also hope my soul will fly to the enemy's camp to repay your gratitude." After reading the letter, Gaozu wept for a long time.
Heba Sheng grew up amidst warfare and was particularly skilled in martial arts, capable of hitting five or six flying birds out of ten while riding a horse. Taizu often remarked, "When the generals are in battle, their faces are very tense; only General Heba is as calm in battle as he is in peacetime; that is what true bravery looks like!" Once he rose to prominence, he developed a passion for reading. He then gathered scholars to discuss the principles of Confucian classics. He was known for his generosity, loyalty, and disinterest in wealth, and when he passed away, he was surrounded only by his weapons and over a thousand scrolls of books.
At first, after He Baisheng arrived in Guanzhong, due to his age and high rank, he did not kneel and pay respects to Emperor Taizu. He later regretted this, realizing that the Emperor had expectations of him. He accompanied the Emperor to a banquet at Kunming Pool, where two pairs of wild ducks swam. The Emperor gave He Baisheng a bow and arrow and said, "It has been a long time since I've seen you shoot arrows. Come, shoot a few arrows for fun." He Baisheng shot one arrow and hit both wild ducks. He thanked the Emperor and said, "If I could serve you with my bravery and martial prowess to deal with those who refuse to submit, it would go as smoothly as today!" The Emperor was very pleased. From that day on, the Emperor's favor for He Baisheng grew, and He Baisheng dedicated himself to assisting him. Later, he was posthumously awarded titles as military governor of ten states including Dingzhou and Jizhou, governor of Dingzhou, Grand Chancellor, and Registrar of the Ministry of Personnel, and received the posthumous title of Zhenxian. In the second year of the Northern Zhou Mingdi, He Baisheng was honored in the ancestral hall of Emperor Taizu.
He Baisheng had no sons, so his nephew, He Bazhonghua, inherited the title. In the third year of Daitong, he was granted the title of Duke of Fancheng. During the reign of the Northern Wei's Emperor Fei, he served as a Tongzhilang and a Sanqi Changshi, later promoted to Huangmenlang, and was further promoted to General of Chariots and Cavalry, and then to General of the Flying Cavalry and Grand Chancellor. After the establishment of the six official ranks, he was appointed as a low-ranking official overseeing the temple. After Emperor Xiaomin ascended the throne, he inherited the title of Duke of Langya and was appointed governor of Lizhou. By the Daxiang period of the Northern Zhou, he had risen to the position of Governor of Jiangling.
He Baisheng and his two brothers were renowned for their heroism. His elder brother, He Bayun, also known as Anni, served as Grand Commandant during the reign of the Northern Wei's Emperor Xiaowu and was granted the title of King of Yanzhou, but was later murdered by Gao Huan.
Yue, whose courtesy name was A Dou Ni, had lofty aspirations from a young age, enjoyed helping others, and was eager to make friends. He started as a student at the Taixue. As he grew up, he mastered archery and horsemanship, unmatched by anyone. Although he had never read military treatises, he could flexibly apply military strategies and understood military tactics, which astonished many. After participating with his brothers in suppressing the rebellion of Wei Kegu, Prince Guangyang, Yuan Yuan appointed him as the commander of the camp's forces, and later recommended him to become the General of Crossbowmen. Afterward, he and his brother defended Hengzhou. After Hengzhou fell, they sought refuge with Er Zhu Rong.
Er Zhu Rong treated him with great favor, appointing him as a deputy general, and soon promoted him to duke. Yue frequently participated in planning under Er Zhu Rong, and his ideas aligned closely with Er Zhu Rong's, resulting in Er Zhu Rong increasingly valuing him. Er Zhu Rong’s army was powerful, and he conspired with Yuan Tianmu to march on the capital to restore order. Er Zhu Rong said to Yue, “Now the Empress Dowager is in charge of the court, and the power of the court is in the hands of corrupt officials. Bandits are rampant, and the world is in chaos. The court's army has repeatedly been dispatched but has suffered consecutive defeats. Our Er Zhu family has been favored by the emperor for generations, sharing a common fate with the court. I now wish to personally lead a large army to quickly advance to the capital, eliminate the corrupt officials in the court, and quell the rebellion. What do you think we should do to achieve victory?” Yue replied, “To accomplish extraordinary undertakings, one must rely on extraordinary talents. General, your army is elite and your status is prominent. If you take the lead in raising the banner of justice to punish the rebels and restore the court, what stronghold could withstand us, what enemy could stand in our way? The ancients said, ‘Plans made at dawn cannot wait until dusk; words should be spoken without waiting for the right moment,’ and this encapsulates the principle!” Er Zhu Rong and Yuan Tianmu exchanged glances for a long time and said, “What you said truly reflects the aspirations of a great man!”
Shortly after, Emperor Xiaoming of Wei suddenly died. Erzhu Rong suspected there was a conspiracy and therefore raised an army and marched towards Luoyang. He had Yue lead two thousand elite soldiers as vanguard and reached Heyin. Erzhu Rong killed a number of court officials. At that time, Gao Huan was Erzhu Rong's military commander; he persuaded Erzhu Rong to proclaim himself emperor, and many others wanted to proclaim themselves emperor alongside him. Erzhu Rong hesitated. At this point, Yue calmly advised, "General, you initially raised troops to eliminate treacherous officials and to support the state. You have not yet achieved any merit, but you are already thinking of proclaiming yourself emperor; this is asking for trouble; there’s no benefit in it!" Erzhu Rong then realized this and therefore supported Emperor Xiaozhuang. Yue then advised Erzhu Rong to kill Gao Huan to appease the realm. Those around them said, "Although Gao Huan is brash and incompetent, he tends to speak thoughtlessly, but now the various regions of the realm are still not peaceful, so we still need to rely on military leaders like him; let’s spare him and see how he performs in the future." Erzhu Rong then relented.
Due to this significant achievement, Yue was appointed as the Former General and Grand Master of the Palace, and granted the title of Baron of Fancheng Township. He also served as Erzhu Rong's commander of the vanguard, where he defeated Ge Rong at Fukou. He was later promoted to General Who Pacifies the East and Grand Master of the Purple Gold Court. Later, he was dismissed from office due to various incidents, but was soon reinstated. He participated in quelling the rebellion led by Yuan Hao and was subsequently promoted to Left Grand Master and General of the Guards.
Legend has it that the rebel Wanqiu Chounu proclaimed himself emperor, throwing the Guanzhong region into chaos and leaving the court in a frenzy. The court resolved to send General Rong to quell the rebellion. General Rong considered sending General Yue but confided in his brother Yue Sheng, "Chounu commands the military forces of Qinzhou and Longzhou; he’s quite powerful and not easy to handle. If I go and don’t win, I’ll definitely face consequences; even if I win, I worry about being talked about behind my back." Yue Sheng asked him, "What do you think we should do to protect ourselves?" General Yue replied, "It would be best to have someone from the Erzhu family as the commander; this way, it’ll be safer." Yue Sheng thought it made sense and went to inform General Rong. When General Rong heard this, he was thrilled and quickly appointed Tianguang as the commander-in-chief, overseeing military operations in Eryong and Erqi, as well as the Grand General of Cavalry and the Governor of Yongzhou. General Yue was named commander-in-chief and Deputy Guard General, as well as Left Grand Commander. General Rong also appointed General Mo Chenyue as the Right Grand Commander, all reporting to Tianguang to jointly suppress Chounu.
At that time, the bandits around Chishui in Shu blocked the roads and hindered the army's advance. General Tianguang had fewer than two thousand troops. When they reached Tongguan, General Tianguang hesitated, his face pale. General Yue said, "Those bandits from Shu are just petty thieves; why are you still hesitating, General? If you encounter a real strong enemy, what do you plan to do?" General Tianguang replied, "It's up to you to figure this out." So they continued to advance and encountered the bandits on the north bank of the Weishui River, defeated them and captured two thousand warhorses, greatly boosting the troops' morale. General Tianguang and General Yue fought their way to Yongzhou, where General Rong sent more reinforcements. At that time, Chounu personally led his forces to besiege Qizhou and dispatched his general Weichi Pusa and deputy Wanqi Wu to attack Wugong and crossed the Weishui River to assault our camp. General Tianguang ordered General Yue to take a thousand cavalry to help. Weichi Pusa breached the camp and was about to return to Qizhou. General Yue crossed the Weishui River with eight hundred light cavalry, capturing two county magistrates, seizing four hundred sets of armor, and killing some civilians as punishment.
General Yue brought twenty thousand cavalry to the north bank of the Wei River. Accompanied by two thousand light cavalry, General Yue shouted across the river at Yuchi Bodhisattva. General Yue boasted about the strength of his army, and Yuchi Bodhisattva also bragged, with both sides trading barbs several times. Yuchi Bodhisattva grew increasingly arrogant, allowing his aide to speak with General Yue. General Yue was enraged: "I am speaking with the Bodhisattva; who do you think you are to talk to me?" The aide, emboldened by the distance across the river, spoke arrogantly. General Yue fired an arrow, striking the aide down. As night descended, both sides called back their troops. General Yue, on the south bank of the Wei River, divided dozens of elite cavalry into several ambush positions along the riverbank, strategically positioning them based on the terrain. The next day, General Yue personally led over a hundred cavalry to meet the enemy across the river. General Yue slowly advanced, with the ambushed cavalry advancing behind him, increasing the number of cavalry and obscuring the true size of his forces from the enemy. After advancing about twenty miles, they reached a shallow area where they could cross the river. Suddenly, General Yue rode eastward, pretending to flee. The enemy, thinking General Yue was escaping, abandoned their infantry and sent light cavalry to pursue him. General Yue ran eastward for over ten miles and set an ambush on a hill, lying in wait for the enemy. Due to the rugged terrain, the enemy could not advance together and came in succession, with half having crossed the hill when General Yue turned back to engage them in battle. Leading from the front, he launched a fierce attack, leading to an immediate rout of the enemy. General Yue ordered his troops to spare anyone who dismounted and surrendered. Seeing this, the enemy hurriedly dismounted and surrendered. In no time, they captured three thousand soldiers, and they also captured their horses, including Yuchi Bodhisattva. Subsequently, General Yue crossed to the north bank of the Wei River, subduing over ten thousand infantry and confiscating all their supplies.
Once upon a time, the ugly slave lost face in Qizhou and, in shame, ran to Anding, where he established a camp at Pingting. At that time, Tian Guang and General Yue's army were rushing from Yongzhou to Qizhou, with a grand momentum reminiscent of the rolling mountains. When the army arrived between the Qian and Wei rivers, they announced to everyone: "The weather is getting hotter, and it is not a good time to launch an attack. We will wait until autumn when it cools down to advance." The ugly slave actually believed this and allowed each unit to disperse and set up camp, cultivating the land in Xichuan, a hundred miles north of Qizhou. He also dispatched his Grand Commander, Hou Yuanjin, to occupy a strategic location with five thousand troops to defend. There were several camps similar to Hou Yuanjin's, each with fewer than a thousand men, who farmed while guarding the area.
General Yue saw through the ugly slave's plan and secretly discussed it with Tian Guang, making thorough preparations. In the afternoon, they quietly dispatched light cavalry to intercept the enemy's route, and then the main army set out. Before dawn, they launched an attack on Hou Yuanjin's camp, quickly breaching its defenses and capturing Hou Yuanjin. General Yue freed the captives, and the other camps surrendered as well. Capitalizing on their victory, General Yue pursued directly to Jingzhou, where the governor, Si Jiangui, promptly opened the city gates and surrendered. Upon seeing the situation turn unfavorable, the ugly slave quickly abandoned Pingting and fled toward Gaoping. General Yue's light cavalry pursued him tirelessly, and the next day they caught up with the ugly slave in Changkeng, Pingliang, where a battle broke out, leading to the capture of the ugly slave. In Gaoping City, Xiao Baoyin surrendered as well.
Wanqi Daoluo's rebel army, with six thousand troops, retreated to defend Qiantun Mountain. General Yue went to attack again; Wanqi Daoluo was defeated and fled with a thousand cavalry. General Yue was unable to catch up, so Wanqi Daoluo fled to the Longyou region and sought refuge with the local rebel leader, Wang Qingyun. Wang Qingyun heard that Wanqi Daoluo was brave and skilled in battle. He was very pleased and immediately appointed him as a Grand General. Tian Guang and General Yue crossed the Long Mountain and arrived at Shuiluo City, where Wang Qingyun was stationed. Wang Qingyun and Wanqi Daoluo came out of the city to resist several times, but they were all captured. The remaining soldiers surrendered; General Yue ordered the execution of all of them, resulting in nearly seventeen thousand deaths. Sanqin, Hezhou, Weizhou, Guazhou, Liangzhou, and Shanzhou all came to surrender. The rebel leader Su Qimingda from Xiazhou surrendered in Pingliang but later defected; General Yue went to arrest him. Although Tian Guang was the Grand Marshal, General Yue's contributions were the greatest, so he was appointed as the General of Chariots and Cavalry, promoted to Count, with a fief comprising two thousand households. Shortly after, he was also appointed as the military commander of Jingzhou, Beibing, Erxia, and Sizhou, and promoted to Duke.
At dawn, Luoyang City was bathed in sunlight, and Yue was appointed as the Inspector of Yongzhou, starting a new chapter in his career. Later, during the Jianming period, he was appointed as the Grand General of Cavalry, with an additional five hundred households of land, an impressive achievement. During the Putai period, he was promoted to the military commander of Erqi, Dongqin, and Sanzhou, as well as the Inspector of Qizhou, and further promoted to the Duke of Qingshui County, with an additional three thousand households, truly rising through the ranks! Not long after, he was appointed as the Palace Attendant, with a retinue of musicians accompanying him; his official position was elevated to General of the Guards, concurrently serving as the Left Deputy of the Imperial Secretariat and the Inspector of Longyou, while still stationed in Gaoping. Two years later, his position was once again elevated, becoming the military commander of Sanyong, Sanqin, Erqi, Erhua, and the Inspector of Yongzhou; his power continued to grow.
Once upon a time, Emperor Yuan Tianguang of Western Wei was preparing to lead his troops to resist Emperor Gao Huan of Northern Qi and specifically sent for Yue Mou to consult on military strategies. Yue Mou's reply was: "Your Majesty, you currently occupy three strategic locations, with strong troops and horses, while Gao Huan's army is nothing more than a ragtag bunch, not your opponent at all. However, the key to winning a war is unity. As long as everyone pulls together, victory can certainly be achieved. If there are internal conflicts and suspicions, you won't even be able to protect yourself, much less fight a war. I think the best move is to stabilize the Guanzhong region first, consolidate your base, then split your forces to attack, unite with other armies, and form a joint force. This way, you can defeat the enemy when advancing and protect yourself when retreating." Unfortunately, Yuan Tianguang did not heed Yue Mou's advice and suffered a disastrous defeat. After the defeat, Yue Mou quickly led his troops to Yongzhou and even captured Yuan Xianshou, Yuan Tianguang's brother, as a response to Emperor Gao Huan of Northern Qi.
After Emperor Xiaowudi took the throne, he appointed Yue to the position of Guanzhong Daxing Platform official, increased his fiefdom, and added a thousand households to pay taxes to him. In the second year of the Yongxi era, Emperor Xiaowudi secretly ordered Yue Tu of the Yue family to assassinate Emperor Gao Huan and then bring back Gao Huan's heart to present to him. Later, Emperor Xiaowudi issued an edict appointing Yue as the military commander of twenty states, including Er Yong, Er Hua, Er Qi, Bin, Si Liang, San Yi, Ba, Er Xia, Wei, Ning, and Jing, with the title of Grand Commander and considerable power.
Qi Shenwu was genuinely wary of the accomplishments and reputation of the Yue brothers, and the Yue family also felt apprehensive. Therefore, they secretly discussed their strategies in secret with Gaozu (referring to the son of Northern Wei's Emperor Xiaowen, later known as Emperor Xiaoming of Northern Wei). (The specific content can be found in the "Chronicle of Taizu"). The Yue family took it upon themselves to go to the northern border to manage border defense affairs. He led his troops to quickly pacify the areas west of Pingliang, establishing a camp that extended for miles, while feigning horse-raising in Yuanzhou to secure his safety. Prior to this, Fei Youtou, Wanqi Shouluogan, Tiele Huli Shamen, Xie Bami Etu, and He Douling Yili had each commanded their own forces, but by this point, they had all submitted to the Yue family. The governors of the four states—Qinzhou, Nanqinzhou, Hezhou, and Weizhou—also arrived in Pingliang to acknowledge the Yue family's command. Only Cao Ni, the governor of Lingzhou, did not respond to the call and instead secretly contacted Qi Shenwu.
Three years later, the Yue family summoned Houmo Chen Yue to Gao Ping, intending to launch an attack against him, and even appointed him as the vanguard. Unexpectedly, Houmo Chen Yue received a secret order from Qi Shenwu to conspire against the Yue family, of which they were completely unaware, having previously placed too much trust in Houmo Chen Yue. Houmo Chen Yue then lured the Yue family into his tent under the pretense of discussing military matters, where he had his son-in-law Yuan Hongjing kill them. The entire court mourned the death of the Yue family. Later, the court posthumously awarded the Yue family numerous titles, including Shizhong, Taifu, and the Grand General, and they were given an honorable burial befitting a prince.
Yue Wei, the son of the Yue family, inherited the title and was appointed by the court as Kaifu Yitong Sansi. During the Baoding period, in recognition of the Yue family's past contributions, the court elevated Yue Wei's title to Duke of Huo and arranged for him to marry the daughter of Gaozu.
When Hou Mochen Yue was young, he followed his father in serving as a camel herder officer. He grew up in the Hexi region, loved hunting, and was highly skilled in mounted archery. Later, when the shepherds rebelled, he joined Er Zhu Rong. Er Zhu Rong retained him in his court as a military officer, and he gradually rose through the ranks, eventually becoming a grand general.
At first, Emperor Xiaozhuang of Wei appointed him as the General of the Western Expedition and a Golden Purple Official, granting him the title of Marquis of Baishan County, with a fief of five hundred households. Later, when Er Zhu Tianguang led a western expedition, he was appointed as the Right Grand General of Er Zhu Tianguang, while retaining his original position. During the western campaign, he achieved great military success, just behind He Ba Yue. Due to his military achievements, he was subsequently appointed as the Inspector of Shanzhou.
During the Jianming era of Wei, he was promoted to Grand General of Chariots and Cavalry and Inspector of Weizhou, with his nobility elevated to Duke of Baishui County, and his fief increased to five hundred households. During the Putai era, he was again promoted to Grand General of Cavalry, Equivalent to Three Officials, and Inspector of Qinzhou. When Er Zhu Tianguang advanced towards Luoyang, he and He Ba Yue rushed from Longyou to Yongzhou, taking Er Zhu Tianguang's brother, Er Zhu Xianshou, alive.
After Emperor Xiaowu of Wei ascended the throne, he was further granted the title of Chancellor and Equivalent to Three Officials, and was in charge of military affairs in Longyou, while still serving as Inspector of Qinzhou. However, later on, he killed He Ba Yue, and no one among He Ba Yue's subordinates disobeyed him. But he hesitated and did not immediately pacify them, instead returning to Longyou. The Northern Wei founder led an army against him, resulting in his defeat and flight. This incident is documented in the "Annals of the Founder."
All of his sons and brothers, as well as the seven or eight people who conspired with him to murder He Ba Yue, were executed. Only a soldier named Dou Lu Guang escaped to Ling Zhou and later ran to Jin Yang. After he killed He Ba Yue, he became more and more disturbed and no longer acted like he used to. He often said, "Whenever I sleep, I dream of He Ba Yue, who asks, 'Where are you going, brother?' and then keeps chasing me." This left him feeling constantly uneasy, which ultimately led to his downfall and death.
Gai Lu Nian Xian was good-looking, had a charming demeanor, and had read a lot of books. When he was in school, a fortune teller visited the school, and everyone rushed to have their fortunes told, but he did not go. He even laughed and told his classmates, "Whether a man lives or dies, whether he is rich or poor, is all predestined. Why bother to ask?" He suffered the loss of his father at a young age and demonstrated remarkable filial piety during the mourning period, earning praise from everyone.
Later, he distinguished himself in the Battle of Po Wei and was promoted to a deputy general. He then went to bring peace to the Gao Che people and the Xianbei in Yun Zhou, and they all surrendered. He was appointed as General of Ping Dong and as the Earl of Tun Liu County, with a fief of five hundred households. During the Jian Yi period, he was appointed as Grand Commander, stationed at Jing Xing, and was also promoted to General of Fu Jun and Governor of Li Yang County. After Er Zhu Rong entered Luo Yang, he was appointed as General of Chariots and Cavalry, Right Minister of Rites, and Minister of the Imperial Horse, while also serving concurrently as Right Deputy Minister of the Ministry of Personnel and Eastern Road Executive, and was elevated to Duke of Ping En County, with his fief increased to five hundred households.
During the Putai period, he was appointed as an Envoy with Imperial Edict, military commander of Yingzhou, General of the Valiant Cavalry, and Governor of Yingzhou. During the Yongxi period, he was appointed as the first leader of the people, appointed as a Cavalier Attendant, and acted as the governor of South Yanzhou. Not long after, he was promoted to Grand General of the Valiant Cavalry, entered the court as the Minister of Rites, and was appointed as a Palace Attendant and a Regular Mounted Attendant of the Household. Emperor Xiaowu of Wei wanted to attack Emperor Shenwu of Qi, so he appointed him as the Grand Commander of the Northern Army, elevated his title to Duke of Anding Commandery, and his fief was increased to one thousand households, while also granting him the titles of Palace Attendant and Regular Mounted Attendant of the Household. In the early years of the Datong era, he was appointed as Grand Commandant, served as the Governor of Qinzhou, and was further appointed as Grand Tutor, with a band of musicians provided to him. Three years later, he was promoted to Grand Tutor, Commander of military affairs in the seven provinces of Helian, Liang, Gua, Shan, Wei, Tao, and Sha, Grand General, and Governor of Hezhou. After a considerable time, he returned to court, assuming the responsibilities of the Secretariat. In the Battle of Heqiao, he did not contribute much and withdrew his troops early, causing a decline in his reputation. Five years later, he was appointed as the Commander of military affairs in the four provinces of Qin, Hua, Yuan, and Jing, and the Governor of Qinzhou. He eventually died in the province and was posthumously granted the title Zhao Ding. Nianxian maintained good relationships with key figures in the court and was highly respected by all, starting from the founding emperor. His son Nianhua was gentle and kind-hearted, making him a respectable elder. He held the official positions of Regular Mounted Attendant of the Household and Governor of Hezhou.
The historical records say: Brothers Gao Huan and Gao Yue, relying on their bravery and strategy, seized the opportunity in a time of chaos to make their mark. At first, they initially relied on Er Zhu Rong, and later teamed up with the Gao family. By the time of the Tai Chang era, they hatched a plot to usurp the throne. Looking back, their actions weren’t exactly those of loyal subjects. Once Gao Huan grew powerful and headed to the Jiangzuo region, worried about the dangers facing the Wei state, he then went to the Guanzhong region, where he gained recognition from the Liang dynasty, which gave him the air of a statesman. In the end, he managed to keep his wealth and status for a good reason. As for Gao Yue, he led just two thousand tired soldiers to confront the formidable enemies of the Three Qins in Guanzhong. Thanks to his wisdom and courage, he took down those fierce bandits, and the border tribes feared his name, while people from afar admired his righteous deeds, which was a pretty impressive feat back then! In the end, however, he was unexpectedly killed because his achievements overshadowed the ruler. Alas, what a pity! Chen Sheng's uprising failed, which paved the way for the Han dynasty; He Ba Yue had significant merits but died young, allowing the Northern Wei to be founded. "Without the failure of the previous dynasty's loyal officials, how could the new ruler rise?" This saying really hits home! This passage assesses the ups and downs of brothers Gao Huan and Gao Yue, pointing out that they initially teamed up with different powers and ultimately acted for their own interests, not as loyal subjects. However, Gao Huan later grew concerned for his country and its people, gaining recognition from the Liang dynasty and ultimately saving himself. Gao Yue, with a smaller force taking on a larger one, earned respect everywhere, but was killed because his achievements overshadowed the ruler. The final quote summarizes that the rise of a new dynasty often hinges on the failures of the previous dynasty's loyal officials.
