Zhao Shan, styled Sengqing, was a cousin of the Grand Tutor and Duke of Chu. His grandfather was the General of the Dragon Cavalry and Governor of Luozhou of the State of Wei; his father was the Prefect of Anle. Zhao Shan loved learning from a young age and studied numerous classics and historical works. He was handsome, composed, and had great foresight. At the beginning of the Yong'an era, when Er Zhu Tianguang was appointed Governor of Sizhou, he invited Zhao Shan to serve as his chief clerk, showing him great esteem. When Er Zhu Tianguang was campaigning against Xing Gao and Wanqi Chounu, he also appointed Zhao Shan as the chief of staff. Zhao Shan was involved in discussions on military strategies. Later, when Er Zhu Tianguang became the acting governor of Guanyou, he recommended Zhao Shan as the Left Chancellor of the acting governor's office, and he was also promoted to the position of Commander and General for Suppressing Bandits. At the beginning of the Putai era, due to his military achievements in pacifying Guanzhong and Longyou, Zhao Shan was bestowed the title of General of the Flying Cavalry, Minister of the Grand Secretariat, and Regular Attendant, and he was made the Earl of Shanbei County with a fief comprising five hundred households. Not long after, he was appointed as Envoy and Military Commander of Dongyongzhou. When Er Zhu Tianguang resisted the Eastern Wei Emperor Shunwu at Hanling, Zhao Shan followed him as the chief of staff. After Er Zhu Tianguang was defeated and killed, Zhao Shan requested to bury his body, and the Eastern Wei Emperor Shunwu granted his request.
After Heba Yue took command of the Guanzhong forces, he sent emissaries to welcome Zhao Shan and appointed him as the chief of staff again. After Heba Yue was assassinated by Hou Mochengyue, Zhao Shan and other generals supported Gao Huan's claim to the throne and played a role in quelling Hou Mochengyue's rebellion. After the Western Wei Emperor Xiaowu moved the capital to Chang'an, Zhao Shan was appointed Minister of Capital Affairs and was re-granted the title of Earl of Xiangcheng County, with his fief raised to one thousand households. Shortly thereafter, he was appointed as the acting governor of the Northern Road, and alongside Yi Tong Li Hu and others, he campaigned against Cao Ni and achieved victory. Afterwards, he was promoted to Grand General of Chariots and Cavalry, Yi Tong San Si, and Right Vice Minister, and was elevated to the title of Duke, with his fief increased to a total of one thousand five hundred households.
In the year 540 AD, he was promoted to the position of Left Minister, while also serving as an attendant, supervisor of writings, and the Crown Prince's Chamberlain. This person had a gentle and mild demeanor, with strong leadership qualities. Despite his high position and influence, he was very humble and cautious. If the work was done well, he would attribute it to his colleagues; if there were any problems, he would shoulder the blame. People at the time felt that he had the demeanor of a great chancellor, and even the Emperor respected him greatly.
In the year 546 AD, he followed to fight at Mangshan, but the army was defeated and he was captured by the enemy, ultimately dying in Dong Wei. During the Jiande era, the court reconciled with Northern Qi, who later returned his remains. His son, Yuwen Xuan, petitioned the court to posthumously grant him an honorific title. The Emperor posthumously appointed him as Grand General, Grand General, Military Chief of Qizhou, Yiningzhou, and Binzhou, as well as Governor of Qizhou, and honored him with the title "Jing."
His son, Yuwen Du, courtesy name Youji, rose to the position of General of Chariots and Cavalry, and concurrently held the position of Yitong Sanqi. His younger brother, Yuwen Xuan, courtesy name Huiji, rose to the position of General of Elite Cavalry, Commander of the Palace, Inspector of Xizhou, and Inspector of Zizhou.
Yuanding, courtesy name Yuan'an, was a native of Luoyang, Henan. His grandfather, Bi Tui, had served as the General of Anxi and Inspector of Wuzhou in the Wei Kingdom; his father, Daolong, had served as General of Pacifying the Barbarians and Prefect of Julu County. Yuanding was known for his generosity and few words, with a calm demeanor and resolute appearance. In the early years of the Yong'an period, he followed Erzhu Tianguang to quell the bandits in the Guanlong region, defeating them decisively, leading to his appointment as General of Xiangwei. Later, when He Baoyue was murdered, he followed the Emperor to suppress Hou Mochen Yue, and was appointed General of Pingyuan and Infantry Colonel in recognition of his achievements.
When Emperor Xiaowu of Wei moved west, Yuan Ding was granted the title of Marquis of Gaoyi, with a fief consisting of two hundred households. Later, he participated in the campaigns to attack Tongguan and capture Huiluo City, which led to his promotion to Count, increasing his fief to five hundred households. He was also granted the titles of General of the Front and Grand Master of the Interior. In battles against Dou Tai, the recovery of Hongnong, the defeat of Shayuan, and the fight at Heqiao, Yuan Ding always charged to the front lines, causing the enemy to be sent fleeing. Due to his merits in these campaigns, he rose through the ranks and ultimately became the Governor, General of the Eastern Expedition, Grand Minister of the Golden Purple, and Commander, with an additional three hundred households added to his fief.
In the Battle of Mangshan, the enemy was as numerous as a wall of soldiers, and Yuan Ding wielded a long spear to charge into their ranks, killing many enemies, with no one daring to stand in his way. Emperor Gaozu personally observed the battle and believed Yuan Ding deserved the most credit, rewarding him with many gifts. In the thirteenth year, Yuan Ding was appointed as the Governor of Hebei and was further promoted to Grand Governor and Regular Attendant of the Court, with his fief rising to one thousand households. Yuan Ding fought bravely, charging into battle each time, but he never boasted about his achievements. Emperor Gaozu valued him greatly, and other generals praised him as a respected elder. In the fifteenth year, Yuan Ding was promoted to Imperial Envoy, General of Chariots and Cavalry, and Chancellor, with his title elevated to Duke.
In the second year of Emperor Fei of Wei, due to his royal background, Yuan Ding was granted the title of Prince of Jiansheng County. In the third year, when the Zhou Li system was implemented, his title was changed to Duke of Changhu County. After Emperor Shizong ascended the throne, Yuan Ding was appointed as the Inspector of Minzhou. He was both dignified and benevolent, earning the great respect of the Qiang leaders. Previously, those Qiang who occupied strategic locations and defied the court came down from the mountains during this time, agreeing to pay taxes. When Yuan Ding left office, the Qiang leaders were very attached to him. During the Baoding era, Yuan Ding was appointed Grand Minister of the Left Palace, and after a while, he was promoted to Grand Minister of the Left Military, ultimately achieving the rank of General.
In the second year of the Tianhe era, Hua Jiao, the governor of Xiangzhou for the Chen Dynasty, surrendered the entire state to the Liang Dynasty. The emperor of the Liang Dynasty saw this as an opportunity to further attack the Chen Dynasty and sent envoys to request reinforcements. The court decided to send General Wei to lead the troops. Both the Liang army and Hua Jiao's forces were naval, while General Wei commanded the army on land. He led his troops to Xiakou. However, the Chen Dynasty's Yingzhou held out resolutely and refused to capitulate. General Wei ordered his troops to surround Yingzhou with thousands of infantry and cavalry. The Chen Dynasty dispatched generals Chunyu Liang, Xu Du, and Wu Mingche to resist from both land and water routes. Upon seeing that General Wei's army had crossed the Yangtze River and was dispersed, Chunyu Liang and the others first engaged the Chen Dynasty's naval forces. Meanwhile, Hua Jiao's forces began to waver and lose confidence, and were ultimately defeated by the Chen Dynasty's troops. Hua Jiao narrowly escaped and returned to the Liang Dynasty. General Wei's army, now isolated and in a precarious position, was pursued by the Chen Dynasty's forces closing in from both land and water. General Wei then led his troops to cut bamboo to clear a path, fighting as they went, hoping to reach Xiangzhou, only to find it had already fallen. Xu Du and the others realized General Wei's army was cornered, so they sent envoys feigning a peace negotiation, re-establishing an alliance and promising to let him return home. General Wei suspected it was a trap and wanted to fight to the death. However, General Wei's chief of staff, Changsun Long, and other generals advised him to negotiate peace, and he reluctantly agreed. Consequently, both sides held a ceremony, sacrificed animals, and mingled their blood in a ritual, disarming and boarding ships. In the end, they were captured by Xu Du and his men, and General Wei's army was also taken prisoner and escorted to Danyang. A few months later, General Wei fell ill from worry and anger and died. His son Le succeeded him.
Yang Piao, whose courtesy name was Xianjin, was from Zhengping Gaoliang. His grandfather Yang Gui and father Yang Meng both served as county magistrates. In his youth, Yang Piao was chivalrous and just, displaying great ambition. In the first year of Wei Wu's reign, Er Zhu Rong killed ministers in the court, and the Grand Marshal, Wang Yuanhui, fled to seek refuge with Yang Piao, who hid him to save him from being killed. After Emperor Xiaozhuang ascended the throne, Yuanhui returned to office and became the governor of Sizhou. As a result, Yang Piao gained fame for his act of righteousness. He was promoted to General Fubo and an official in the imperial court. When Yuan Hao attacked Luoyang, Emperor Xiaozhuang wanted to flee to Jinyang to seek refuge with Er Zhu Rong and ordered Yang Piao to gather boats and horses along with his clansmen. Before Yang Piao arrived, the emperor had already crossed the Taihang Mountains. Yang Piao secretly concealed the gathered boats, refusing to use them to assist the enemy. When Er Zhu Rong led the emperor south to suppress the rebels and reached Mazhu, Yang Piao then brought out the boats to help the imperial army cross the river. After Yuan Hao was subdued, Yang Piao was granted the title of Count of Feiru County, with jurisdiction over five hundred households. He was further promoted to General Zhenyuan and Infantry Commandant, acting as the governor of Jibei. He later advanced to the position of Governor, General Pingdong, and Grand Master of the Interior.
After Wei Xiaowu Emperor fled to Guanzhong, he was granted the title of Marquis and an additional estate of eight hundred households, and his official rank rose to General Fuzhun and Silver-Blue Grand Master of the Court. At that time, Eastern Wei relocated its capital to Ye City, and the founding emperor sought to learn the intentions of Emperor Wei Xiaowu, so he secretly sent Yang Piao to Ye City to gather intelligence. Upon Yang Piao's return and his report on the situation, the founding emperor was very satisfied and promoted him to the rank of Cavalry Commandant and Attendant of the Imperial Court.
At that time, the Qihu people took advantage of their rugged terrain and refused to submit to the imperial court, often raiding and pillaging. Emperor Gaozu appointed Tian Piao as the Palace Attendant to pacify them. Tian Piao was quite clever and skilled in handling border affairs. He employed clever strategies to win over the tribal leaders, and many tribes came to submit, with some even accompanying Tian Piao to the capital to pay their respects to the emperor. Later, the Hongnong region was occupied by the Eastern Wei, and Tian Piao joined Emperor Gaozu in the attack to reclaim Hongnong. However, the regions north of the Yellow River remained loyal to the Eastern Wei. Tian Piao's father had previously served as the county magistrate in Baishui County of Shao County, and Tian Piao knew many influential local figures. He requested permission to go undercover in Shao County to rally the locals to rise up in support of the imperial court. Emperor Gaozu agreed, and Tian Piao went to Shao County, secretly plotting a rebellion with local strongmen such as Wang Fuling. They secretly coordinated with over three thousand people, and with internal and external support, they quickly took Shao County, capturing County Magistrate Cheng Bao and four other magistrates, all of whom were executed. Everyone chose Tian Piao to govern Shao County, but he believed Wang Fuling had played the biggest role, so he gave the position of county magistrate to Wang Fuling. As a reward for this military achievement, Tian Piao was appointed as the Left Minister of the Grand Chancellor's Office and continued to lead the righteous army in battle. He then dispatched agents to incite rebellion in various cities of Eastern Wei. In less than a month, cities such as Zhengping, Hebei, Nanfen, Jiangzhou (two), Jianzhou, and Taining had locals actively seeking to coordinate with him, and the army easily captured them upon arrival. Tian Piao was appointed to govern Zhengping County while keeping his position as Left Minister of the Grand Chancellor's Office. Later, when Emperor Qi Shenzu was defeated in the Battle of Shayuan, his generals Han Gui, Pan Luo, and Ke Zhu were slain. Tian Piao intercepted them with his troops, killing many enemies. Upon hearing that Tian Piao was formidable, Sima Gong, the governor of Dongyongzhou, was so terrified that he fled in haste, enabling Tian Piao to seize control of Dongyongzhou.
Gao Huan, who was highly strategic, was suitable for taking on significant responsibilities at the border, so he was appointed as the Inspector of Jianzhou by the court. At that time, Jianzhou was more than 300 miles away from enemy territory, located in a dangerous area. However, he already had considerable prestige and virtue; wherever he went, many people willingly provided food and supplies to support him. By the time he reached Jianzhou, he had already gathered more than 10,000 troops. The Eastern Wei Inspector Che Zhe led troops to intercept him at Luodai, but was defeated by Gao Huan. He also defeated the 20,000 troops, both infantry and cavalry, of Eastern Wei's Governor Hulü Jin on the west side of Jianzhou, capturing a large number of weapons, equipment, and military provisions to supply his forces. From then on, Gao Huan's reputation became even more prominent.
The Eastern Wei dispatched the Grand Guardian Yu Jing to capture Zhengping, and then sent the Governor Xue Xunyi to join forces with Hulü Jin, strengthening the enemy's forces. Gao Huan realized that he was fighting alone and was surrounded by enemies, so he decided to withdraw his troops. But he was worried that the soldiers of the rebel army would betray him, so he forged a letter from the emperor, pretending it had been delivered from outside, claiming that four large armies had been dispatched to reinforce his forces. He intentionally leaked this information to ensure everyone was aware. He also sent the local tribal leaders out to lead their followers in plundering to raise funds for his army. After arranging everything, Gao Huan withdrew to Shao County under the cover of darkness. The court praised him for his strategic acumen in preserving the army and immediately appointed him as the Inspector of Jianzhou.
The Eastern Wei renamed Zhengping as Dong Yongzhou and stationed Xue Rongzu there. Gao Huan planned to capture Zhengping, so he first sent a special force to fiercely attack Fenqiao. Xue Rongzu sent all the soldiers in the city to defend Fenqiao. That night, Gao Huan led two thousand infantry and cavalry troops, took another route, launched a surprise attack and captured Zhengping. He was then promoted to General of Chariots and Cavalry. Later, a rebellion broke out in the eastern part of Shaojun, and the county magistrate Guo Wu'an fled. Gao Huan led troops to suppress the rebellion, recaptured Shaojun, and was appointed as the county magistrate of Zhengping. He also defeated South Jiang County of Dong Wei and captured the county magistrate Qu Sengzhen. Due to his previous achievements, he was appointed as the Earl of Heyang County, granted a fief of five hundred households.
In the battle of Mangshan, he launched a fierce attack on Baiguwu and garrisoned there after capturing it. Later, when the army's situation turned unfavorable, he withdrew his troops. Dong Wei general Hou Jing chased him with cavalry, but he and General Wei Fabao worked together to resist, fighting while retreating. After fighting for more than ten miles, Hou Jing finally retreated. The emperor was very pleased and rewarded him with three hundred bolts of cloth. He was also appointed as the Inspector of Jianzhou, stationed in Chexiang. Having served in the military for a long time, he had not yet had the chance to bury his father. At this point, he submitted a memorial requesting permission to return home for his father's burial. The emperor posthumously honored his father as Grand General of Chariots and Cavalry, Yitong Sanji, and Inspector of Jinzhou, and also granted him an escort. The local people held him in high regard.
Later, Emperor Shunwu of the Northern Qi dynasty besieged Yubi and sent Hou Jing to attack Qiziling. Concerned that the enemy would invade Shao County, he took cavalry to hold them off. When Hou Jing heard he was coming, he cut down trees to block the road, extending over sixty miles, yet he was still very frightened and restless, ultimately retreating back to Heyang, which illustrates how formidable he was. Twelve years later, he was promoted to Grand General and concurrently served as the military governor of Jinzhou and Jianzhou. He then captured Liaowu and the Eastern Wei general Li Xian, and was promoted to the rank of Yitong Sanxi. Soon after, he was promoted to Kaifu and concurrently served as the military governor of Jianzhou, Shao County, Henan County, Jizhou, Liyang, and other places, and was in charge of Shao County. In the sixteenth year of his service, during a major eastern expedition, he was appointed as the Minister of the Grand Council, leading the vanguard of the loyalist forces deep into enemy territory, attacking four enemy garrisons and capturing them all. At that time, since the Qi army did not mobilize, he was subsequently recalled by the court. He also recaptured Feiru and Heyang, which accounted for a total of one thousand eight hundred households, and was granted the title of Marquis of Huayang County. He established Shaozhou in Shao County and was appointed as the Inspector, leading troops to garrison there.
In the fourth year of Baoding, he was promoted to Shaoshi. That year, the army besieged Luoyang, and the emperor ordered him to lead over ten thousand righteous soldiers to march from Zhiguan. However, having defended the eastern border for over twenty years and fought against the Qi army multiple times, achieving victory each time, he became somewhat complacent. Before Luoyang was captured, he advanced deep into enemy territory without adequate preparation. The Qi army suddenly attacked, resulting in a great defeat for his troops. Following the defeat, he surrendered to Northern Qi. His previous achievements demonstrated his passionate and fearless spirit, but after the defeat, he surrendered to the enemy to seek survival, which led people to look down on him. The court, considering his contributions, did not impose any punishment and permitted his son to inherit his title.
During his defeat, Han Sheng, the governor of Xinping County, was also killed in battle at Luoyang.
Sheng Wenchai, from Duyang in Nanyang, is descended from ancestors who moved to Weinan in Jingzhao Prefecture five generations ago after his great-grandfather Yuan served as the county magistrate of Zhengxian. His grandfather, Liang, passed the imperial examination and held positions as a court official and the county magistrate of Guzang. His father, Xian, served as the governor of Anyi and Fucheng counties and was posthumously honored as General Zhenyuan and Inspector of Yizhou.
Sheng Wenchai was disciplined from a young age, extensively read classical texts, and excelled in horseback riding and archery. During the reign of Emperor Da Tong of Western Wei, he started his official career as a military officer in the role of Chief of Staff. He was soon promoted to higher military ranks and accompanied General Li Yuan in numerous military campaigns, achieving great success each time. He was promoted to various positions, including Governor, Assistant General, Grand Master of the Palace Attendants, Commander-in-Chief, eventually rising to Grand Commandant. In the second year of Emperor Ming of Western Wei, he was granted the title of Viscount of Lintuan County with a fief of three hundred households. In the fourth year of Baoding of Western Wei, he was appointed as Commissioner, Grand General of Chariots and Cavalry, Supervisor of the Imperial Secretariat, and Senior Major of the Bureau of Justice, before being assigned as the Prefect of Xinping Commandery. He governed with integrity, fairness, and compassion, kept the powerful in check, and maintained peace and order in the commandery.
Later, he accompanied Duke Jin to the east for military campaigns and was killed in the Battle of Luoyang. He was posthumously appointed as Inspector of Xizhou, Luozhou, and Yizhou, and posthumously honored with the title "Zhuang." His son Qian inherited his title and eventually rose to the rank of Grand Commandant.
Sheng Wencheng has two older brothers, named De Yu and Zhong Gong. His brother De Yu is tall and handsome, truly remarkable. He has held the positions of Imperial General, Grand General of Cavalry, and served as the governor of Shaozhou, and was made the Marquis of Rencheng. The other brother, Zhong Gong, has a dignified appearance and is fairly unconcerned with fame and fortune. Several times the local government summoned him to serve as a clerk or as a counselor, but he declined each time. Once, when someone advised him, he replied, "Is my fifth son's title really worth less than that of the General of Cavalry?" Later, he served successively as the magistrate of Guangyuan, Lingyuan, and Xinfeng counties, delivering outstanding results wherever he went. He had eight sons, all of whom were ambitious and principled. His youngest son, Ren Yue, later gained the most fame.
Pei Kuan, styled Chang Kuan, hails from Wenxi in Shanxi. His grandfather, Pei Dehuan, served as a secretary in the Wei kingdom and as the governor of Henei. His father, Pei Jinglv, achieved the rank of Silver Blue Grand Minister and was posthumously honored as the governor of Fenzhou. Pei Kuan is tall and handsome, well-read, and at a young age has earned the praise of his fellow townsmen. He and his two younger brothers, Pei Han and Pei Ni, are all notable figures in the area. After the death of their parents, he shared a deep bond with his brothers, taking care of them, which was widely admired by many. Zheng Xiaomu of Xingyang once told his brother Zheng Wenzhi, "The Pei Chang Kuan brothers are naturally kind-hearted and have a deep brotherly bond; they're role models for us all. I have great respect for them, and you should spend more time with them."
When Pei Kuan was thirteen, he was selected to serve as a mourning official for Emperor Xiaoming of Wei, and later promoted to the position of an official of the imperial court. During the later years of Emperor Xiaowu of Wei's reign, Pei Kuan was appointed as a military officer to the Prince of Guangling, and later promoted to General Ning Shuo and an official attendant. After Emperor Xiaowu moved to Chang'an, Pei Kuan said to his brothers, "Now the powerful ministers hold sway, and the emperor has been forced to relocate; war is about to break out. What should we do?" His brothers could not answer. Pei Kuan said, "The loyalty and disloyalty between ruler and subject are clear. Now that the emperor has moved west, we should follow him; we cannot neglect our duties as loyal subjects." So, he took his family to seek refuge at Dashi Cliff to escape the chaos of war. Later, when Dugu Xin was stationed in Luoyang, he was able to meet Pei Kuan.
At that time, Wei Zican, the governor of Fenzhou, surrendered to Eastern Wei, and Wei Zican's brothers in Guanzhong were implicated as a result. Wei Zican's youngest brother, Wei Shuang, was in grave danger in Luoyang and sought refuge with Pei Kuan. Pei Kuan warmly welcomed him and took him in. Later, the court declared a general amnesty, and it was reported that Wei Shuang might be pardoned, so Wei Shuang left. However, Wei Shuang was ultimately executed. Dugu Xin summoned Pei Kuan to interrogate him. Pei Kuan said, "He came to me in his time of need, and I had a duty to take him in. Now that he has been accused, I am willing to bear the responsibility." Thanks to the amnesty, Pei Kuan ultimately faced no repercussions.
In the year 545 AD, Pei Changkuan was appointed as the Governor, Chief of Historical Records for the Tonggui Defense, and was also given the title of General for Subduing the Barbarians. By the year 553 AD, he followed the Defense Chief Wei Fabao to Yingchuan to lift the siege laid by Hou Jing. At that time, Hou Jing was planning a southern rebellion, and many people in the army knew about it. However, because Hou Jing's plan had not succeeded yet, he feigned loyalty, moving between different armies with only a handful of followers. Renowned generals in the army sought his friendship, with Wei Fabao being particularly close to him. Pei Changkuan warned Wei Fabao, saying, "Hou Jing is too cunning; he will definitely not surrender easily. Although he says he wants to surrender to you, it is likely untrustworthy. Setting up an ambush to eliminate him might be a wise move. If that fails, we must bolster our defenses; never trust his sweet talk, or you might end up regretting it too late." Wei Fabao listened, but ultimately could not get rid of Hou Jing, only strengthening his own defense.
In the year 554 AD, he fought in Xincheng alongside the Eastern Wei generals Peng Le and Le Xun, which led to his injury and capture. Upon arriving at Heyin, he met with Emperor Gao Cheng of Northern Qi. Pei Changkuan was graceful and composed, and he excelled in conversation, which greatly impressed Gao Cheng, who praised him highly. Gao Cheng said to Pei Changkuan, "You are an outstanding talent from the Sanhe region. With such abilities and insights, I will certainly make you wealthy and noble. The Guanzhong region is poor and narrow; there's nothing here worth your staying for, so do not entertain any other thoughts!" Thus, Gao Cheng cut his bonds, arranged for him to stay at an inn, and treated him very courteously. However, Pei Changkuan secretly cut a piece of felt and slipped out through the window at night, successfully escaped and returned to Northern Zhou's Emperor Yu Wentai. Yu Wentai addressed everyone and said, "Those brave warriors in armor may very well exist, but only by enduring fierce winds and tough challenges, and when the cold of winter arrives, can their true qualities be tested. Pei Changkuan received such generous treatment from Gao Cheng, yet he risked his life to return and seek refuge with us. Even the loyal and righteous figures recorded in ancient history can't hold a candle to him!" Thus, Yu Wentai personally wrote down Pei Changkuan's name, appointed him as a special envoy and general, and conferred upon him the title of Marquis of Xiayang County, with an estate comprising three hundred households. He also awarded him a horse and a set of clothing, and made him the lord of Kongcheng. Sixteen years later, he was reassigned as the governor of Henan and continued to garrison Kongcheng. Not long after, he was promoted to the positions of General of the Pacification Army, Grand General, and Regular Attendant. In the first year of the Wei Emperor's reign, he was again promoted, becoming a special envoy, Grand General of the Chariots and Cavalry, and Regular Attendant, with his official rank continuing to rise. After Emperor Xianming took the throne, he was also conferred a noble title, making him like one of the emperor's sons.
He stayed in Kongcheng for thirteen years, in conflict with Dugu Yongye, the governor of Luozhou in Qi. Dugu Yongye was a sly old fox, particularly skilled in schemes and tricks. From time to time, he would leak rumors that there would be a battle in the spring, only to suddenly strike in the autumn, vanishing and reappearing mysteriously, making it hard for people to guard against him. However, every time his plans were seen through by the Henan governor, who consistently ambushed him and caught him off guard, leaving him unable to gain any advantage. Dugu Yongye often advised his subordinates, "Just keep an eye on Kongcheng, don't worry about other places." This illustrates just how much he feared the Henan governor.
The governor of Yichuan in Qi, Liang Zha, often raided the border for supplies, which infuriated Emperor Taizu, so he sent the governor of Henan to deal with him. One time, Liang Zha returned to his father-in-law's house, slaughtered an ox, and drank to celebrate. After getting drunk, he let down his guard completely. Upon hearing this news, the governor of Henan immediately dispatched troops for a surprise attack, leading to Liang Zha's demise. When Emperor Taizu heard about it, he was very pleased and rewarded him generously with servants, a gold belt, and provisions. In the second year of Wucheng, he was summoned by the court and became a mid-level official in the Ministry of Land.
In 581, he was appointed governor of Mianzhou. Not long after, he was reassigned as the commander of Lushan Defense. In 585, he was promoted to General of the Cavalry and Chief of the Three Departments, a prestigious rank. In 587, he served as the acting governor of Fuzhou. In 588, he was appointed governor of Wenzhou.
At first, the relationship between the Chen Dynasty and our country was still good, often exchanging envoys to express friendship. But since Hua Jiao's defection, they started planning invasions and raids. Mianzhou is right on the border and needs to strengthen defenses, so he was appointed as the Prefect of Mianzhou. However, the issue was that Mianzhou was small and dilapidated, with limited weaponry and supplies. He realized defending the city would be a challenge, and he was deeply concerned. He was also worried that the river might swell during the fall, and the Chen army would take advantage to attack. So he quickly wrote to the governor of Xiangzhou, requesting additional troops and asking to move the city to Yangti Mountain to temporarily escape the floods. The governor of Xiangzhou agreed to increase troops for defense but disagreed with moving the city.
With no other options, he erected numerous large wooden stakes on the riverbank based on previous years' flood levels to allow ships to pass. Before the reinforcements from Xiangzhou arrived, the Chen army's general, Cheng Lingxi, had already led a large army to the city. They deployed warships and surrounded the city completely. At that point, the water level remained low, and Cheng Lingxi could not breach the city. He chose elite troops to carry out night raids against the enemy, repeatedly undermining their morale. The two sides were locked in a stalemate for over ten days, and Cheng Lingxi found himself at a loss.
Not long after, heavy rain poured down, the river surged, and the large wooden stakes that had previously been erected were all submerged in the water, allowing boats to pass unimpeded. Cheng Lingxi rammed the city tower with a battering ram, causing it to collapse. Chen Jun launched relentless attacks day and night with bows, arrows, and stones. They fought bitterly for more than thirty days, with casualties exceeding half of the soldiers. The city wall was finally breached, and Chen Jun captured the city. The two sides engaged in close combat and fought for another two days. Without reinforcements, they ultimately exhausted themselves and the city fell. Interestingly, after the city fell, the water level actually receded. Chen Jun captured him and escorted him to Yangzhou, where he was later exiled to Lingnan. After several years, he returned to Jianye and eventually passed away in Jiangzuo at the age of sixty-seven. His son Yixuan later accompanied the imperial envoy Du Gao on a mission to the Chen Dynasty, and was able to bring his coffin back to his hometown. In the year 582 AD, Emperor Wen of Sui posthumously appointed him as the Inspector of Xiangzhou and Yingzhou.
His son Yixuan initially served as a scribe in the mansion of Prince Qiao Jian, later rising to the position of Second Commandant of the Sijin, and eventually becoming the magistrate of Hejiang. He had a younger brother named Han as well.
Pei Han, whose courtesy name was Zhongxiao, was an elegant, intelligent, and studious man. He once came across a poem of one hundred characters written by someone else and could recite it after just one glance. When Emperor Xiaowu of Wei took the throne, he was appointed as an Attendant Cavalryman in the Imperial Guards. In the fifth year of the Dazhong era, he was appointed as a military officer in the Grand Prime Minister's Office, and later transferred to the Ink Office as a military officer. Pei Han excelled in writing letters, particularly skilled in managing documents and archives. He was highly efficient, clear-headed in problem-solving, and swift in judgment. Everyone in the Prime Minister's Office remarked, "Pei Han truly shines!"
In the eleventh year of the Datong reign, Li Yuan was appointed as the governor of Hongnong and recommended Pei Han as his chief aide. Li Yuan held him in high regard. Shortly after, Pei Han was promoted to General of Andong, Silver and Blue Grand Master of the Imperial Household, and Senior Officer in Chengdu, and later transferred to the position of Xia Daifu of the Siche Road. He, together with Guo Yan, the Minister of Works, Gao Bin, the Minister of the Imperial Household, and others, participated in the formulation of laws and regulations. Every time they discussed current affairs, he was clear and organized, and Guo Yan and others held him in high esteem. Later, he was promoted to Commander. During the Tianhe period, he and Si Zongsun and Diansi Xueshen were appointed as the Eight Envoys to inspect local customs and practices. In the fifth year of Tianhe, he was promoted to General of Chariots and Cavalry and Yitong Sanqi.
Pei Han suffered from a chronic illness since he was young, and his health was never good. The burdensome official duties and trivial matters were not to his preference. At that time, Yuwen Hu, the Duke of Jin, wielded absolute power, and many high-ranking officials flattered him to seek promotion and wealth. Only Pei Han maintained his integrity and refused to flatter, and for eight years, he did not move from his position. He abstained from alcohol but enjoyed socializing. On fine days, he would invite literati and scholars to his home for gatherings filled with feasting and occasionally composing poetry and essays together. People respected him for this during that time. After the death of his wife, he ceased all social activities, no longer playing the zither or listening to the qin. During festivals and sacrifices, he simply mourned and wept. He had a deep affection for his brother's children and loved them dearly. Whenever someone lent him a book, he would hand-copy it. Even during his years of illness, he never stopped reading. In the first year of Jiande, Pei Han passed away at the age of fifty-nine and was posthumously honored as the Inspector of Jinzhou.
His son, Pei Jingmin, was bright and studious from a young age, with extensive knowledge of classical texts and history. He once served as a secretary and military officer to General Tan. Later, he served as a reader and secretary for the Prince of Song and eventually rose to the position of Scribe. In the early years of Xuanzheng, he held a senior position in the Ministry of Personnel. In the later years of Daxiang, he held a senior position in the Spring Palace. Pei Han also had a younger brother named Pei Ni.
Jing Ni was a person of elegant character, great demeanor, and considerable ability. He initially held the position of an official responsible for ceremonial duties in the court. Later, he was promoted to the position of Grand Scholar of the Eastern Pavilion for Prince Liang, and then further promoted to the position of Attendant Gentleman of the Court. Eventually, he was also granted the title of Regular Attendant of the Court. Li Ji from Longxi and Lu Dan from Fanyang were both well-respected figures at that time and had a close friendship with Jing Ni, being friends of different ages. In the first year of Emperor Wei's reign, Jing Ni accompanied Yu Jin to pacify Jiangling, achieving a resounding victory and capturing a significant amount of military supplies. While others were busy snatching treasures and curiosities, Jing Ni only took a 古琴 that had once belonged to Emperor Yuan of Liang. Yu Jin held him in high regard for this. Later, when the six offices were established, Jing Ni was appointed as a Lower Minister in the Imperial Secretariat. Shortly after, he fell ill and passed away, and the court posthumously conferred upon him the titles of General Who Supports the State and Governor of Suizhou. Jing Ni's son was named Zhi Yin, who worked as an officer in the Zhao King's Secretariat. Zhi Yin's younger brother, Shi Min, was very studious and knowledgeable, gaining considerable fame at that time. He initially served as an officer in the Qin King's Secretariat and also served as a Reader. Jing Ni's family also had a cousin called Hong.
Hong was respectful and cautious from a young age, possessing great talent and strategy, and held numerous official positions both inside and outside the court. After Emperor Xianming ascended the throne, Hong was appointed as the Equestrian Officer of the Auxiliary City and was also promoted to the rank equivalent to the Three Excellencies. Later, he served as the governor of Jin in Yongzhou, steadily rising through the ranks to become a Grand Minister of the Imperial Court, and was further promoted to the position of Kaifu Yitong Sansi, after which he was transferred to serve as the Grand Official of the Ministry of Civil Affairs. By the later years of the Baoding era, he was sent to Zhongzhou as the Inspector and concurrently served as the city lord of Jiuqu City. He was stationed in the border areas, demonstrating strong defensive capabilities. Later, when General Wei was stationed in Xiangzhou, he appointed Hong as the Sima of Xiangzhou. In the early years of Tianhe, Hong was appointed as the Inspector of Yingzhou, and then transferred to the Chief of Staff in Xiangzhou, receiving the title of Marquis of Gaoyi County from the court. Subsequently, he followed the army on a southern expedition, but the army was defeated, and he was killed in battle, dying in the territory of Chen. The court mourned his passing deeply and posthumously awarded him the position of Inspector of Fengzi in Suizhou.
Yang Fu, styled Wenyuan, was the nephew of Duke Kuan of Huashan. His father, Yang Xuan, styled Jinghe, was intelligent and insightful, possessing knowledge and learning. Yang Fu held the official position of Court Official at a young age, and later served in various roles including the Assistant Cavalry Officer, Deputy Governor of Huazhou, Right Minister of War, General Supporting the Nation, and Censorate Official. Later, he served as a deputy general alongside Prince Wei Guangyang in the campaign against Ge Rong, but was ultimately slain by Ge Rong. The court posthumously awarded him the positions of Minister in the Imperial Court, Military Affairs of Huaxia in two provinces, General of the West, and Inspector of Huazhou.
Lao Fu has been ambitious since childhood, and he places great importance on integrity. Every time he reads historical texts and accounts of loyal officials and martyrs, he is always deeply moved and filled with admiration. In the early years of the Wei Jianyi era, he inherited his ancestral title and became the Earl of Linzhen County, in charge of four hundred households. Later, he was appointed as an officer in the Imperial Guard. In the first year of Datong, he was appointed as the Minister of Chariots. He continued to rise through the ranks, serving as the Left Secretary of the Ministry of Personnel, the Official of the Ancestral Temple, the Military Advisor in the Grand Chancellor's Office, the Commander, the General of the Eastern Forces, the Grand Minister of the Palace, and was also granted the title of General of the Army and became an Imperial Secretariat Officer. In the second year of Emperor Wei Gong's reign, he was promoted to Deputy Minister of the Court of Judicial Review, and everyone praised him for the fairness and justice of the cases he handled.
After Emperor Xianmin ascended to the throne, he was granted the title of marquis, and his territory increased, governing a total of eight hundred households. He was then appointed to a minor official role and sent to Northern Yuzhou to welcome Sima Xiaonan. Upon his return, he was given the positions of envoy with special authority and military governor of Mengzhou, as well as the governor of Mengzhou. At that time, many tribal leaders in Mengzhou had accepted nominal official titles from the Southern Qi, yet they frequently revolted. Lao Fu treated people with sincerity and went everywhere to pacify them, winning the admiration of the tribal leaders, who ultimately submitted to him. Lao Fu subsequently sent over forty tribal leaders to the court, requesting their formal appointment according to the titles granted by the Southern Qi. These tribes were even more appreciative, and stability was finally achieved in Mengzhou. The emperor specifically sent someone to deliver an edict of consolation and promoted him to General of Chariots and Cavalry, as well as Deputy of the Three Departments. During the Baoding years, the court summoned him back to the capital to serve as the Minister of Water Transport. Local residents, whether Han or from ethnic minorities, along with Changsun Jian, the governor of Jingzhou, all submitted petitions requesting that he be retained. At that time, the court was preparing to send troops eastward and wanted him to be responsible for boat transportation, so their requests were not granted. During the Tianhe years, Chen Gongchun was stationed in Shanzhou and appointed Lao Fu as the Chief of Staff. Five years later, he was promoted to Minister of Forestry and Deputy Supervisor of Military Equipment. Lao Fu was well-versed in official matters and was renowned for his diligence and meticulousness wherever he worked, consistently ranking at the top in annual evaluations and receiving numerous awards. Ultimately, he eventually rose to the position of General of Galloping Cavalry and was appointed as Minister of the Three Departments.
Six years later, he was appointed as the military governor and governor of Fen Prefecture, and he was promoted to duke, with his fief expanded by 1,500 households. As a result, General Duan Xiaoxian of the Qi state attacked with an army of 50,000, using siege ladders and tunnels to relentlessly assault the city day and night. He personally went into battle, charging into the fray, fighting fiercely to resist, and held out for more than ten days. Duan Xiaoxian's offensive grew increasingly fierce. At that time, the city had fewer than 2,000 troops, and the number of fallen soldiers had already reached around 1,400 to 1,500, while food supplies were exhausted, leaving both public and private resources in a desperate situation. General Xian Zongbing of the Qi state came to the rescue, but he was afraid of Duan Xiaoxian and did not dare to engage in battle.
He realized that the city could definitely not be held any longer, so he gathered everyone and said, "We are all serving at the border, originally intending to work together to defeat the enemy and defend the city. However, we are now surrounded by a powerful enemy, and over time, our food has run out and rescue has been cut off. Waiting to die while trapped in the city is not the act of a true man! Now there are still a few hundred soldiers who can fight; I want to lead everyone to break out and fight, risking our lives for one final struggle. If we can escape, there is still hope for survival, and facing punishment from the court in
In historical records, it is said that since the division of the realm into three, the various feudal lords have been fighting each other, with powerful figures emerging to showcase their prowess, attacking one another, and refusing to yield to anyone. They all used their full strength to demonstrate their intelligence, talent, and moral integrity. They displayed unwavering courage in the face of danger, a feat even the sages of ancient times struggled to accomplish. People like Zhao Shan were known for their filial piety and loyalty; some were famous for their loyalty and integrity. Everyone made great efforts, all wanting to make achievements.
The war was cruel and intense, cities were besieged, and reinforcements were cut off. Yang Fu and Zhao Shan were in a desperate situation, similar to Pang De; Yuan Ding and Pei Kuan were in a situation like Huang Quan, with no way out. The army's defeat was not their responsibility. Yang Fu was impassioned and valiant in his youth; he upheld his integrity, embodying both kindness and courage, making him the most outstanding. Although Yang Piao had achieved remarkable feats many times, he became arrogant and complacent due to multiple victories, underestimated the enemy, and was unprepared, resulting in the defeat of the army and his capture. He lacked long-term planning, which is indeed unfortunate! The Book of Changes says: "When going to war, one must adhere to the rules; otherwise, disaster will befall." The commentary on the Book of Changes states: "Without preparation and foresight, one cannot engage in warfare." Isn't this referring to Yang Piao?
