Quan Qi, also known as Sidao, is from Fengyang in Shangluo. His family has been in business for generations, with enterprises in both Luoyang and Shangzhou. His great-grandfather Jingyan was a Jianjie general in the Wei state and was also appointed as the governor of Yiyang County, inheriting the title of county magistrate and being granted the title of Dan Shui Marquis. His father, Anzhi, also became a Jianjie general and the governor of Yiyang County, inheriting the title of county magistrate, though his title was downgraded to that of a count. Quan Qi's father passed away when he was nine years old, and he was profoundly saddened, as if he were an adult. After the mourning period was over, he inherited his father's title. When he was twelve, more than three hundred villagers, including Huang Ping and Chen He, went to the local government to request that Quan Qi be appointed as the county magistrate. The state reported this matter to the court. At that time, the Minister of Personnel, Guo Zuo, felt that Quan Qi was too young and not yet capable of managing the people as a county magistrate, suggesting they choose someone else and let Quan Qi wait a while before taking office. However, Emperor Xuanwu of Wei issued a decree saying, "Quan Qi has performed well before, and the locals strongly support him. Why should we abandon the hereditary position and choose someone else?" Thus, he granted the villagers' request. Despite his youth, Quan Qi was studious and quiet, which put the people at ease. Later, due to the death of his mother, he resigned from the position of county magistrate. The elders and villagers earnestly asked him to return to office, and the court approved his return. He returned to his role as county magistrate and was also granted the title of General Against Bandits.
In the early years of Xiaochang, he was promoted to General Longxiang and granted the title of acting general, serving as the deputy general of Luozhou. Soon after, he was promoted to the governor of Shangluo County. When Xiao Baoyin rebelled, he sent his ally Guo Zihui to attack Tongguan. Quan Qi led three thousand local troops to resist, fighting for several days, during which over twenty of his men were killed, ultimately defeating Guo Zihui. Due to this military success, he was appointed as General Zhenglu. Xiao Baoyin then sent an army of ten thousand to attack Qingni and incited the Ba people to join in the assault on Shangluo. The two prominent families in Shangluo, the Quan and Du clans, secretly responded to Xiao Baoyin. Quan Qi, along with the governor Dong Shaozong, secretly ambushed the troops and launched a surprise attack, resulting in the scattering of the members of both clans, and Xiao Baoyin's army retreated as well. Afterward, Quan Qi was promoted to General of the Left and Governor of Xizhou, and he was also granted the title of Earl of Jingyang County, with a fief of five hundred households.
During the years of Yong'an, General Wang Xuanzhen of the Liang Kingdom led troops to attack Jingzhou. At that time, (the protagonist) was appointed as the commander with a special decree, leading troops to provide assistance. He fought a battle against Wang Xuanzhen in Shunyang and achieved a great victory! After that, he was promoted, becoming General of the Army and holding a special command, and was also granted the titles of acting General of Zhennan and Governor of Dongyongzhou, ultimately being conferred the title of marquis.
During his time in office, there was a guy named Yang Yangpi, who was a cousin of the influential official Chun. Taking advantage of Chun's influence, he oppressed the common people, and local officials were too intimidated to speak out. (The protagonist) arrested Yang Yangpi, preparing to impose a harsh punishment on him. This alarmed the Yang family, who hurried to the government office to plead for mercy. From that point on, those in power no longer dared to act recklessly. (The protagonist) was known for his integrity, creating no disturbance to the people, and during his five years in the state, he managed his own rice supply for his livelihood.
The territories of Xingjun in Liang and Wei are next to Luozhou. The protagonist petitioned the court to transfer Xingjun under his jurisdiction. The court approved and appointed him as the Minister of the Executive Secretariat to calm the local people. Later, the Grand Executive He Ba Yue recommended him to return as the governor because he was well-loved by the people when he served in Dongyongzhou, and the court agreed. In Shu, a guy named Zhang Guojun was gathering a gang to rob, and the local officials were helpless against him. The protagonist ordered his capture and execution, which restored peace to Shu. When Emperor Xiaowu of Wei first ascended the throne, the protagonist was promoted to General of Chariots and Cavalry and Left Minister of Rites.
When Gao Huan was in control, Emperor Xiaowu of Wei was always thinking of moving west and wanted to assign the affairs of Shangluo to Wei Qi. So he promoted him to governor of Luozhou and appointed him as the regional commander. Shortly after, the emperor headed west, and Gao Huan marched his troops to Tongguan. Wei Qi sent his son Wei Yuanli to lead five thousand local soldiers to resist Gao Huan from the north of Dagu. Seeing this situation, Gao Huan dared not act rashly.
At this time, the commander of Shangluo, Quan Yue, along with his brother Meng Lue and a local man named Du Zuo, plotted to rebel against the Wei dynasty and join forces with the Eastern Wei army. When Wei Qi found out, he quickly had Quan Yue and Meng Lue killed and sent their heads to the court, while Du Zuo fled to Eastern Wei. Thanks to Wei Qi's earlier contributions, the court made him General of Chariots and Cavalry and promoted him to Minister of State. In the early Datong years, he was further promoted to the position of Minister of State and concurrently served as Right Vice Minister of the Secretariat, elevated to the rank of Duke of Shangluo, with his fief increased to one thousand households.
Wei Qi was very honest and cautious. Every time he is promoted, he always wears a worried expression. After this promotion, he declined multiple times, but Emperor Wei issued a special edict forbidding him from doing so. Three years later, Gao Aocao besieged Luozhou City with his forces, and Du Zhuo became Gao Aocao's guide. Wei Qi defended the city for more than ten days; having run out of arrows and cut off from reinforcements, the city ultimately fell. After being captured, Wei Qi declared to Gao Aocao, "Though I, Wei Qi, may have lost this battle, my spirit remains unbroken!" When Dou Tai was captured, Gao Aocao withdrew his troops, and Wei Qi was also escorted to Eastern Wei. Before he left, Wei Qi quietly advised his sons Wei Yuanli and Wei Zhongzun, "My biggest wish in my life is to be a local official. I never anticipated reaching such heights in this chaotic world. Now that my title and salary are so high, and I am old, I can foresee what lies ahead, whether it be good or bad. You are in your prime, with great potential, so you must strive to achieve great things. Balancing loyalty to the court with filial piety can be challenging. You must plan for yourselves; don’t risk your safety by following me into danger. As long as you serve the court, I will die without regrets. Do not dishonor the Wei Dynasty just because I am in Eastern Wei! Remember my words!" After saying this, tears streamed down Wei Qi's face, and everyone present was deeply moved and mournful. Not long after, Wei Qi passed away in Ye City.
Quanzhou Yuanli had ambitions from a young age, enjoyed horseback riding and archery, and had a keen interest in calligraphy. He was a graceful young man with a gentlemanly demeanor. Later, he became a court official and then the Deputy Magistrate of Benzhou. He continued to rise in ranks, eventually becoming an Assistant Minister of Defense, Grand Inspector of Luozhou, Senior Cavalry Officer, General of Andong, and was granted the title of Count of Lintao County. He was later promoted to General of the East and awarded the title of Golden Purple Grand Master, in addition to being a senior official of the Ministry of Defense. When Luozhou was captured, he and Du Qi were taken as captives to the east. Yuanli escaped on the way and returned to his hometown.
At that time, although Du Zhuo was a governor, the people of Bazhou had always looked down on him and instead respected the brothers of the Quan family. After Yuanli returned to his hometown and met his brother Zhongzun, he remembered his father's dying wish and covertly reached out to local power brokers. Within a few days, he led the villagers in an assault on the city, killed Du Zhuo, and delivered his severed head to Chang'an. The court held him in high regard and appointed him as General of the Guards and Grand General of Chariots and Cavalry, while also hereditarily passing on the position of Luozhou governor to his family. Later, he fought with Emperor Taizu at Shayuan and was tragically killed in battle by a stray arrow. His son, Quan Zhen, succeeded him in his title and eventually rose to the rank of a high-ranking official.
Quan Zhongzun was cautious and down-to-earth since childhood, and he read many classics and historical texts. At the age of thirteen, he was hired as a head clerk by the local government. By fourteen, he had become the county magistrate. As he grew up, he also developed martial skills. During the great chaos in the world, he always fought alongside his brother, known for his bravery and decisiveness. When Gao Ao Cao attacked Luozhou, Du Qilang ordered Zhongzun to lead five hundred men into battle. At that time, they were outnumbered by a large enemy force, so they had no choice but to retreat to the city and join Du Qilang in a desperate fight. When they ran out of arrows, they resorted to using sticks for defense, but Zhongzun was struck in the eye by a stray arrow and was unable to continue fighting. After the city fell, the soldiers sighed, lamenting, "If it hadn't been for Erlang's injury, we wouldn't have found ourselves in this predicament!" After Luozhou was captured, Du Qilang was taken prisoner, and Zhongzun, too injured to move, was not captured. Later, he and his brother killed Du Kuo, and for his significant contributions, he was granted the title of Count of Fengyang and given an estate of five hundred households, as well as appointed as General of the Eastern Expedition and Governor of Yuzhou. After his brother Yuan Li fell in battle at Shayuan, he was appointed as Governor of Luozhou. Zhongzun was renowned for his talent and strategic mind, earning him deep affection from the local populace. After becoming Governor of Luozhou, he received high praise. Gao Zhongmi, his ally, defected to the Eastern Wei and became the Inspector of North Yuzhou. Emperor Gaozu personally led his troops to greet him and also sent Zhongzun to accompany Yu Jin to attack Baiguwu. Zhongzun fought fiercely, leading the charge and capturing the enemy general Wang Xianming alive. After taking Baiguwu, he rejoined the main army and fought at Mangshan. Three years later, Wang Sizheng was transferred to be Governor of Yingchuan, tasking Zhongzun with temporarily overseeing the affairs of the Jingzhou Inspectorate. Two years later, Zhongzun was promoted and awarded the title of Grand General, and soon after, he was elevated to the position of General of the Chariots and Cavalry and granted the title of Yitong Sansi.
In the Liang Dynasty, the governor-general of Sizhou, Liu Zhongli, constantly led troops to harass the border. Emperor Gaozu ordered Zhongzun to take militia and follow the governor Yang Zhong to confront him. As a result, Huan He, the governor of Suijun, refused to surrender. Yang Zhong discussed with his subordinate generals, saying, "Our main target is Liu Zhongli, not Suijun. If we directly attack Suijun, it could drag on and be a waste of our resources. It would be better to capture Liu Zhongli first; Huan He might then surrender on his own. What do you think?" Zhongzun replied, "Liu Zhongli is like a deadly bee or scorpion; we cannot underestimate him! If we give up attacking Huan He and go deep into enemy territory to capture Liu Zhongli, what if Huan He doesn’t surrender? We’d be caught in a pincer movement, which would be too risky! It would be better to attack Huan He first and capture him easily. After taking Huan He, we can advance without worrying about our rear." Yang Zhong followed his advice.
Zhongzun devised a strategy and was the first to charge the city wall, capturing Huan He alive. Then, he followed Yang Zhong to attack Liu Zhongli and also captured him. Subsequently, Zhongzun was promoted to Cavalry General, appointed as Grand Chancellor, and responsible for military affairs across thirteen states, including Sanjing, Erguang, Nanyong, Pingxin, Jiang Sui, Erying, and Xi. He continued to serve as the acting prefect of Jingzhou. Not long after, his mother passed away, and he wanted to return home to mourn, but the emperor did not agree.
General Wang Xiong went south to pacify Shangjin and Weixing, and Zhongzun led his troops to assist Wang Xiong in quelling the rebellion. Then, he established Nanjingzhou in Shangjin and was appointed as the governor. Zhongzun treated the common people very well and was skilled at comforting them, so everyone felt at ease, and many refugees began to return.
At first, the barbarian leader Du Qing, who self-identified as the governor of Bazhou, wanted to submit to the court. The court appointed him governor of Bazhou based on the territories he actually controlled and placed him under the jurisdiction of the East Liangzhou military governor’s office. Du Qing felt that Zhong Zun was very capable of managing local affairs, so he requested to be under Zhong Zun's jurisdiction. The court deemed the geographical situation inconvenient, so they did not agree. Consequently, Du Qing allied with Huang Zhongbao, the leader of Ankang, and others to stage a rebellion, surrounding East Liangzhou. The court subsequently dispatched Wang Xiong to quell the uprising. Eventually, Bazhou was renamed Xunzhou and came under Zhong Zun's authority. Previously, Liu Mengliang, the governor of East Liangzhou, was corrupt, leading to a popular uprising. Zhong Zun was known for his integrity and fairness, earning the respect of the local tribes.
Despite being of Ba Yi descent, Zhong Zun was renowned for his integrity and uprightness wherever he served. Because his father was fearless in the face of danger and loyal, the court permitted him to inherit the title of Marquis of Shangluo, which he could also pass down to his son. Upon the ascension of Emperor Wei Gong, the court summoned him to serve as Left Guard General. Not long after, he was appointed the commander of military affairs for six states, including Jinxing, and also as the governor of Jinzhou. He passed away at the age of forty-five during the reign of Emperor Wu Cheng. The court posthumously awarded him the title of Grand General, along with the governorship of Hualuo and three other states, conferring upon him the posthumous title of Zhuang.
His son Zhong Xing succeeded him in his title. He began his career as a county magistrate in his hometown before becoming a senior left attendant at the court. During the Baoding period, he was appointed a military commander, receiving multiple promotions to the rank of Yitong Sanqi, and later served as the defense chief of Chenzhou. In the Jiande period, he achieved the rank of Grand General, holding the title of Kaifu Yitong.
Li Qianzhe, courtesy name Xiaoyan, is from Ankang. His family has been a noble family in the Shannan region for generations, with ancestors who held official positions in Jiangsu. His grandfather, Li Fangda, served as the governor of the province of Ankang during the late Qi dynasty. His father, Li Yuanzhen, held office during the Liang dynasty, reaching the positions of Left Guard Commander of the Eastern Palace, Governor of Dongliang and Hengzhou, and was also a Court Attendant. He was granted the title of Duke of Dunyang. From a young age, Li Qianzhe was responsible, well-informed, generous, and skilled in planning. He initially served as the commander of the Wende troops and later was promoted to General of the Direct Command and General of Martial Bravery. When his father was the governor of Hengzhou, he remained in his hometown to oversee military affairs. At that time, he was only twenty years old but was able to effectively command the soldiers under his authority, earning their respect.
In the second year of Datong, he was appointed as the governor of Ankang County. Three years later, he was promoted to General of Extraordinary Valor. In the second year of Taiqing, he was transferred to Weixing County, overseeing the military affairs of Weixing, Shangyong, and six other counties, inheriting the title of Duke of Dunyang with a fief of one thousand five hundred households. Four years later, he was promoted to the roles of Envoy, General of Faithful Valor, Court Attendant, and Military Governor of Dongliang, Xunxing, and seven other states, as well as the governor of Dongliang Province. Later, when Hou Jing rebelled and various princes competed for the throne, Li Qianzhe defended against enemies on the border while steadfastly holding his ground.
In the 17th year of the Datong era, Emperor Taiwu of the Northern Wei sent Daxi Wu, Wang Xiong, and others to attack the Shannan region. Li Qianzhe led his army to resist but was defeated and captured, and surrendered to Daxi Wu. Despite this, he remained calm and composed. Daxi Wu escorted him to the capital. Emperor Taiwu of the Northern Wei asked him, "Why did you not submit to the court earlier, but instead mobilize troops? Now that you are a captive, do you not feel ashamed?" Li Qianzhe replied, "My family has received grace from the Liang Dynasty for generations, and I have not had the chance to repay it, nor have I been able to die for the Liang Dynasty. That is where my shame lies!" Emperor Taiwu of the Northern Wei greatly admired him and appointed him as the General-in-Chief, Cavalry General, and Cavalier Attendant, granting him the title of Count of Dunyang, with a fief of 1,000 households.
It is said that when Emperor Weigong just took office, there were rebels in Zhizhou led by Le Chi, in Yangzhou led by Tian Yue, and in Jinzhou led by Huang Guo. The Emperor's father-in-law, Emperor Taiwu, sent Tian Hong to Lianghan and He Ruodun to Zhigu Valley. When Le Chi heard that the officials were coming, he quickly burned down the stockade, holding onto Zhigu and preventing He Ruodun's troops from advancing.
The Emperor's father-in-law thought highly of Qianzhe due to his strong reputation in the Shannan region and sent him to suppress the rebellion with He Ruodun. Some of Le Chi's followers surrendered, some were taken prisoner, and the rebellion was quickly quelled. Qianzhe and He Ruodun then continued south to pacify various regions. Qianzhe first arrived in Bazhou and marched straight into the city. The Prefect of Bazhou, Mou Anmin, was terrified and quickly opened the city gates to surrender. However, Mou Anmin's son, Mou Zongche, and others still held onto Pipa City and refused to surrender despite numerous attempts to persuade them. Qianzhe attacked Pipa City and successfully captured more than 900 people.
The army arrived at Lu City, and the lord of the city sent someone to plead for mercy. Qian Zhe said to his soldiers, "Accepting surrender is like facing the enemy. I find this messenger's attitude rather arrogant. Could it be a trap?" So they did not agree. Sure enough, the Liang forces set an ambush along the way, attempting to surprise Qian Zhe. Qian Zhe led his troops to fight back, defeated the ambushed enemies, captured Lu City, and took over a thousand prisoners. Since then, the common folk of Bazhou and Puzhou began surrendering in droves.
After the army returned from the battle, the emperor's father-in-law was thrilled and bestowed upon Qian Zhe his purple robe, jade belt, horse, and thirty servants. He then promoted Qian Zhe to the position of Attendant, the general of the cavalry, the governor of the imperial court, and appointed him as the governor of Zhizhou, the region he originally governed. He also equipped him with a complete retinue and band. Finally, the emperor's father-in-law dispatched him and Tian Hong to jointly campaign against Xinzhou.
In January of 553 AD, the army was stationed in Bingzhou. The governor of Bingzhou, Du Man, surrendered willingly. We subsequently besieged Diezhou, captured it, and took prisoner the governor Ran Zhuguo and several others. General Qian Zhe always led the charge and took the lead in battle. We conquered a total of eighteen states and expanded our territory by over three thousand miles. At that time, Xinzhu was under siege by the barbarian chieftains Xiang Wuziwang and his group, and Hong sent Qian Zhe to rescue them. When he arrived, Xinzhu had already fallen. Hearing that Qian Zhe had arrived, Xiang Wuziwang and others were so frightened that they quickly fled. Qian Zhe settled in Baidi City. He Ruo Dun and his men soon arrived and pursued and defeated Xiang Wuziwang and his men. Once Tian Hong withdrew his troops, Taizu ordered Qian Zhe to garrison Baidi City and provided him with 1,000 soldiers and 300 horses. Prior to this, Xinzhu lacked granary reserves, leading to a severe shortage of military supplies. Qian Zhe gathered kudzu root to make starch, which he supplied to the army along with rice. He ate the same food as his soldiers. If any of the soldiers fell ill, he would personally see to their treatment. As a result, the whole army was deeply touched, and everyone was willing to serve him.
The barbarians Tian Wudu, Tian Dutang, and others from Qianyang often raided along the rivers, causing significant trouble for the local populace. Qian Zhe took the opportunity to launch an attack against them, killing many and capturing countless others. From that point on, those barbarians feared him greatly and began sending food in abundance. More than a thousand households sent their children as hostages. Qian Zhe constructed a fort outside Baidi City to house them and set up four guard posts to ensure stability in the gorge region. From that time on, the incidence of banditry and plundering significantly decreased, and military supplies became more than adequate.
In the early years of Emperor Shizong's reign, he was appointed as the military governor of seven provinces including Xinlin, and as the governor of Xinzhu. At that time, the tribal chief Pu Wei was the governor of a neighboring province and he rebelled. Qian Zhe was prepared to lead a campaign against him, but other generals thought the journey was too far and were unwilling to go. Qian Zhe angrily said, "Pu Wei is just a petty thief, what is there to be afraid of? I've already come up with a plan to catch him. If you are afraid of such a petty thief, how will you fight against powerful enemies in the future!" He then led seven thousand troops to attack Pu Wei, breaking through five of his cities and capturing more than two thousand people. Two years later, he was granted the title of Duke of Xicheng and his fief was expanded to include two thousand five hundred households. In the first year of Wucheng, he went to the capital to meet the emperor. Emperor Shizong showed him great favor and rewarded him with a set of high-quality armor and farmland. During the Baoding period, he was appointed as the governor of Pingzhou.
In 586 AD, Qian Zhe was promoted to Grand General. The following year, the court ordered him to command the troops from Jinzhou and Shangdengzhou to defend Xiangyang. In 588 AD, the Chen Dynasty general Zhang Zhaoda launched a violent assault on Jiangling. The Emperor of the Liang Dynasty, Xiao Kui, urgently requested help from Xiangzhou, and Duke Wei directly ordered Qian Zhe to go for rescue.
Qian Zhe led his troops to garrison outside the city of Jiangling and engaged in battle with the Chen Dynasty general Cheng Wenji. Our troops fell back slightly, and Qian Zhe personally charged into the enemy ranks, killing several enemies with his own hands. At this moment, the governor of Jiangling, Lu Teng, arrived to lend support, and only then did the Chen army retreat. The Chen army took advantage of the rising water levels to breach the Longchuan Ningshuo dam, flooding the city and causing panic among the people inside. Qian Zhe first blocked the northern dam to stop the water flow, then recruited elite soldiers to launch attacks, repeatedly striking down the enemy, which helped restore morale among the troops and civilians in the city.
Not long after, the enemy invaded the city and burned down residential houses. Qian Zhe personally led the cavalry to attack from the south gate, while also ordering the infantry to strike from the north gate. The two armies worked together to encircle the enemy, and Chen's army suffered another defeat, with many soldiers jumping into the water and drowning. That night, Chen's army secretly climbed the city wall using ladders through a breach in the western wall, with several hundred already having scaled it. Qian Zhe once again rallied his elite troops to resist, and Chen's army was defeated once more. Soon after, a great storm suddenly struck, and under the cover of night, Qian Zhe launched an attack on the enemy camp, causing chaos in Chen's ranks and resulting in countless casualties. Lu Teng also defeated Chen's army at the western embankment, and they ultimately fled.
In 589 AD, Qian Zhe was promoted to Duke of Ankang. He passed away in Xiangyang in 591 AD at the age of sixty-four. The court bestowed upon him the title of Governor of Jinzhou and granted him the posthumous name "Zhuangwu."
Qian Zhe's ancestors had been heroes for several generations and were deeply respected in the village. He himself lived extravagantly and enjoyed life. He had up to a hundred concubines and sixty-nine children in total. Over a thousand miles along the banks of the Han River, his mansions were built one after another. The concubines with children resided in these mansions, each with their own servants, maids, and guards. Qian Zhe often traveled between these mansions, indulging in feasting and revelry, fully enjoying the pleasures of life. Even about his own sons and grandchildren, he sometimes forgot their ages and names, needing to consult the family genealogy for verification.
His eldest son, Jing Ren, passed away before him. His sixth son, Jing You, inherited his military command and rose to Grand Commander. In 595 AD, he followed Prince Qiao in a campaign against the Qihu and achieved merit, being promoted to General of the Same Rank as the Grand General. Qian Zhe's younger brother, Qian Xian, reached the rank of Grand General of the Same Rank as the Grand General.
Yang Qianyun, courtesy name Xuanmiao, was from Xiangcheng and belonged to one of the most prominent families in the area. His father, Yang Tianxing, had once served as the governor of Qian'an County. From a young age, Yang Qianyun was tall and strong, earning the respect of his fellow villagers. In his early twenties, he was invited by the prefecture to become the chief scribe. During the Xiaochang period, he was promoted to General of Xuanwei and was bestowed the honorary title of Fengzhao Qing by the court. Not long after, he became the Deputy Governor of the prefecture and was eventually appointed governor of Ankang County.
During the Datong era, the commoners of Liangzhou, Huangfu Yuan and Jiang Yan, led a rebellion and fled south. The Liang dynasty sent General Lan Qin to suppress them, which led to the Liang dynasty's occupation of Hanzhong, and Yang Qianyun also defected to the Liang dynasty. In the first year of the Daitong era, Yang Qianyun was appointed as General of Biaowu and Governor of Xiyi Tongzhou. Soon after, he was promoted to General of Xinwu and Governor of Lizhou. As the Taiqing period drew to a close, he was again promoted, simultaneously overseeing Tongzhou and Liangzhou, and was granted the honorary title of "Director of the Gu Chui Division."
When Daxi Wu attacked Nanzheng, King Wuling Xiao Ji sent Qianyun to lead troops for rescue, but they suffered defeat at the hands of Daxi Wu. At that time, Xiao Ji had already declared himself emperor and depended on Qianyun's influence to stabilize the Bashu region, intending to entrust him with important responsibilities. He appointed him as General of Chariots and Cavalry, Military Commander of Thirteen Prefectures, and Governor of Liangzhou, tasking him with the defense of Tongzhou, and conferred upon him the title of Duke of Wanchun County, with a fief that encompassed four thousand households. At that time, Xiao Ji and his brother, King Xiangdong Xiao Yi, were embroiled in a continuous struggle for the imperial throne.
Qianyun's nephew gently advised him, saying, "Since Hou Jing rebelled, the Jiangnan region has turned into chaos. Now that the chaos has just subsided, the common people are suffering and should come together to defend the country and stabilize the people. Now you brothers are fighting fiercely; this is a path to self-destruction! It's like trying to carve rotten wood; how can you expect to thrive in such chaos! As the ancients said: 'Do not enter a dangerous state, do not live in a chaotic state,' and also 'seize the opportunity and act, do not wait for the whole day.' We might as well head to Guanzhong to offer tribute, so we can gain fame and fortune and be remembered for generations to come!" Qianyun thought he made sense, so he let Lue take two thousand men to guard Jiange and sent his son-in-law Le Guang to guard Anzhou. He specifically instructed Lue and others, saying, "I want to head to Guanzhong, but I haven't found the right opportunity yet. If someone comes as an envoy, you must treat them well."
At that moment, Emperor Taizu of Northern Zhou sent Qianyun's grandson Falo along with envoy Niuboyou and others. Lue immediately sent them on their way at night. Qianyun also sent Li Ruo and others to enter the pass to offer tribute. Emperor Taizu of Northern Zhou secretly granted Qianyun an iron certificate, appointing him as an envoy, Grand General of the Cavalry, Governor of the Palace, Palace Attendant, Governor of Liangzhou, and Duke of Ankang County. Later, Yu Chi Jiong sent the Marquis of Kaifu, Lu Ling, as the vanguard to Jiange. Lue retreated to Le Guang's place, planning to coordinate their efforts to rebel. They were afraid that their subordinates like Ren Dian would disagree, so they first captured Ren Dian and others before heading out of the city to meet Lu Ling. Lu Ling entered Anzhou and ordered Le Guang, Lue, and the others to report back to Qianyun. Qianyun then surrendered to Yu Chi Jiong. Consequently, Yu Chi Jiong led his army to attack Chengdu, and within days, it fell.
In the third year of the Wei Emperor's reign, Qian Yun arrived in Chang'an. The Northern Zhou's Emperor Taizu admired his loyalty and surrender, treating him with great favor. Shortly after, Qian Yun passed away in Chang'an. The court posthumously restored him to his original official position and also appointed him as the Governor of Sichuan, Right Vice Minister of the Secretariat. His son Qian Duan inherited his title. Because of Qian Yun's merits in surrendering, the court appointed Qian Duan as the Governor of Liangzhou, General of Chariots and Cavalry, and the rank equivalent to the Three Excellencies.
Lue also received the title of General of Chariots and Cavalry, the rank equivalent to the Three Excellencies, for his contributions in submitting to the court, and frequently participated in expeditions. By the end of the Jiande period, he held the rank of General of the Guards and was also titled Baron of Shangyong County. Le Guang was also appointed as General of Chariots and Cavalry, Right Vice Minister of the Secretariat, and Governor of Anzhou, and was granted the title of Duke of Ankang County with a fief consisting of one thousand households.
Fu Meng, styled Zonglue, was from the Shangjia people of the Yellow Earth. His tribe, known as the White Beast Barbarians, had served as tribal leaders for generations. During the Datong period of the Liang Dynasty, Fu Meng was appointed as Commissioner, General of the Vanguard, and Governor of Qingzhou. He was later promoted to be the Administrator of Shangyong and Xincheng, Governor of Nanluo and Beisi, and was titled Baron of Dangqu County. During the rebellion of Hou Jing, Fu Meng led his people in self-defense, choosing not to side with either party.
In the seventeenth year of the Wei Dynasty, General Wang Xiong conquered Wei Xing. Fu Meng then led his troops to build fortifications, relying on the advantageous terrain, and only occasionally sent people to secretly deliver some food and supplies, as a token gesture. In the first year of the reign of the deposed Emperor, Wei Xing rebelled, and Wang Xiong defeated him. Fu Meng then surrendered with his men. Emperor Gaozu considered that Fu Meng's family had occupied their homeland for generations, so he treated him favorably and appeased him, appointing him as the General of Chariots and Cavalry and the position of Yitong Sansi, as well as bestowing upon him the title of Sanqi Changshi and restoring his noble title as the Marquis of Dangqu County. The court merged two prefectures into Luozhou and appointed Fu Meng as the Inspector. Later, the court ordered Fu Meng to lead a thousand troops to follow Minister He Ruodun southward to attack Xinzhu. He Ruodun commanded Fu Meng to take another route directly to Baidi City. That road was seldom traveled, and it was rarely visited by people. Fu Meng had no choice but to climb mountains and cross ridges, overcoming numerous difficulties. The snow was seven feet deep, and food supplies were running low. Fu Meng encouraged his soldiers to march through the night and finally reached Baidi City. The Inspector of Xinzhu set up defenses to resist Fu Meng, and he engaged him in battle, achieving a great victory, and pursued the enemy into Baidi City. He appeased the local people and ethnic minorities, and everyone was very happy, flocking to surrender. Qiao Yan, after being defeated by the imperial army, led the naval forces down the river, trying to escape back to the Liang Dynasty. Fu Meng and He Ruodun intercepted and defeated them. This event is recorded in the "Biography of He Ruodun." After the war ended, in recognition of his achievements, Fu Meng was promoted to the position of Minister of State and Yitong Sansi. Soon after, the Xinzhu tribes rebelled again, and Fu Meng joined He Ruodun in quelling the rebellion again. He also led the navy to defeat the tribal leader Wen Zirong in Wenyang. In the end, Fu Meng was promoted to Duke of Linjiang, with an increase of one thousand households in his domain.
During the Wu Dynasty, General Hou Shen of Chen besieged Xiangzhou. Later, He Ruodun came to the rescue, and Hou Shen was appointed as the Inspector of Wuzhou. Afterward, he followed He Ruodun in withdrawing his troops and was appointed as the Inspector of Luozhou. In the third year of the Baoding era, he was promoted to the Inspector of Suizhou and aided Duke Wei in opposing the Chen general Hua Jiao. At that time, the army faced significant disadvantages in battle, and only the troops of the valiant general remained unscathed. He also followed Tian Hong to defeat the barbarian tribes in the Hannan region, fighting in more than ten battles in total, each time earning military honors. Ultimately, he was promoted to Grand General. He later died from illness.
Yang Xiong, courtesy name Yuanlue, was from Yang in Shangluo Prefecture. His family had been a prominent clan for generations. His grandfather, Yang Bin, served as Prefect of Shangyong. His father, Yang Meng, during the reign of Emperor Wei Zhengguang, when Moqi Chu'nu rebelled in the Guanzhong region, the court promoted him due to Yang Meng's high reputation in the Shangluo region to the positions of General Xiangwei, General Daguzhen, and concurrently Prefect of Hucheng County to counter Moqi Chu'nu. After Yuan Hao took Luoyang, Emperor Wei Xiaozhuang crossed the Yellow River, and Prince Fanyang Hui sought refuge with Yang Meng, who hid him. When Emperor Xiaozhuang returned to power, Yang Meng gained fame. Not long after, Prince Guangling Gong pretended to be ill and sought refuge with Yang Meng, who also provided him with excellent protection. After Emperor Xiaowu of Wei ascended the throne, he held him in high regard, appointing him as General of Conquering the Barbarians, acting as Prefect of Hebei Commandery, and soon promoted to General of Safeguarding the West and Prefect of Huashan Commandery. He managed both commanderies successively and achieved notable successes in governance. When Emperor Xiaowu moved westward, Yang Meng led his troops to station at Tongguan. He was granted the title of Count of Heyang County, with a fief of seven hundred households. Not long after, Tongguan fell, and Yang Meng set up checkpoints in Shanzugu Valley, recruiting a volunteer army. He was appointed as General Conquering the East, Governor of Yangzhou, Grand Commandant, and General of Martial Valor, continuing to guard Shanzugu. In the third year of Dazhong, Dou Tai launched an attack against him, but Yang Meng escaped. Emperor Taizu attributed it to the disparity in military strength and did not blame him. He still assigned him a contingent of a thousand troops to guard Niwei Fort. Shortly after, Emperor Taizu captured Dou Tai, and Yang Meng also captured Chunyu Ye, the Prefect of Hongnong Commandery in Eastern Wei. Later, he passed away from illness and was posthumously honored with the title of Governor of Huazhou, Luozhou, and Yangzhou.
Once upon a time, this mighty general started off as an official appointed by the court. Later, he rose through the ranks and became a commander, then a general of the direct command, a General of Bright Valor, and a General of Archery. Impressive, right? He fought alongside General Yu Jin, then followed General Li Yuan into battle at Shayuan, charging into the fray each time and earning many military merits. The emperor was overjoyed and granted him the title of Marquis of Anping County, with a fief of 800 families. He was also appointed as the Champion General and a Senior Official, receiving numerous titles and rewards!
Later, he fought in the Battle of Heqiao in Luoyang, relieved the siege of Yubi, and welcomed Gao Zhongmi while supporting Hou Jing. He made his mark in all these battles, earning illustrious military achievements! The emperor rewarded him with an additional 450 households in his fief, granting him hereditary rule over Yang County. His status soared! After helping General Yuwen Qiu capture Shangjin, he was promoted to the position of Grand Cavalry Commander, Grand Commander, and was elevated to the rank of one of the Three Excellencies. His official position kept growing, with endless glory!
When the generals Hou Fanger and Pan Chunduo attacked Jiangling, General Xiong and Dou Luning defeated them together. Afterward, he was appointed as the Governor of Xunzhou. Xunzhou was a place where a mix of different ethnic groups coexisted, where most of the residents were quite shrewd. However, General Xiong was able to command their respect through his authority and win them over with kindness, governing them effectively. All the ethnic groups lived and worked in peace under his rule.
Later, the dashing Wen Zirong took control of Wenyang County in Jingzhou and also seized several counties in Nanjun, including Dangyang and Linju. The court dispatched officials He Ruodun and Pan Zhao to quell the rebellion. After quelling the rebellion, the court established Pingzhou in the region and appointed General Xiong as the governor. The emperor further elevated him with higher titles, naming him Duke of Yucheng, with a fief of 1,600 households. He was further appointed as Grand General of the Cavalry, Supervisor of the Left Army, effectively placing him above tens of thousands! After the chaos of war, many common people scattered, but General Xiong provided them with comfort upon his arrival, helping everyone settle down. The court later appointed him as Master of Carriages, and then as the Governor of Xining Prefecture, but he was unable to take up the position due to illness. He later served as the Chief of the Tungluo Defense. General Xiong diligently guarded the border, concentrating on securing the frontier, comforting the people, and treating his enemies with sincerity and honor. The Inspector of Luozhou in the State of Qi, Dugu Yongye, held him in high regard and even wrote letters of praise! Later, he returned to the capital and served as the Prefect of Jingzhao, then was promoted to Master of the Ministry of Civil Affairs, and soon after was appointed as Grand General. He was then transferred to be the Chief Clerk of the Central and Foreign Offices. Afterwards, he was appointed as the Governor of Jiangling, overseeing military affairs in four provinces and five defense areas, and was also renamed Duke of Luyang County. In the first year of Xuanzheng, he passed away while still in office. In the early years of Daixiang, the court posthumously conferred upon him the title of Duke of Luyang County, with a fief of 3,500 households, and also posthumously appointed him Inspector of four provinces—Chenzhou, Caozhou, Juzhou, and Bianzhou—giving him the posthumous title of "Huai." General Xiong was skilled at pleasing his superiors and planning for his future, which enabled him to ascend to high positions, securing his titles and income. His son Changkuan inherited his titles and eventually became Grand General of the Standard.
Xi Gu, with the courtesy name Zijiang, came from a family in Anding. His grandfather Heng moved to Xiangyang due to the turmoil caused by the Later Qin. Later, he served as an official during the Jin Dynasty and rose to the position of General Jianwei, which established the Xi family as a prominent clan in Xiangyang. From a young age, Xi Gu had grand ambitions; he was quick-witted yet outwardly simple and honest. During the Daitong era of the Liang Dynasty, he became the governor of Qixing County. When Hou Jing crossed the Yangtze River, the Liang court was thrown into chaos, and Xi Gu held a long-term official position in the county, gaining over a thousand loyal soldiers who followed him.
After Emperor Yuan of the Liang Dynasty ascended to the throne in Jiangling, he transferred Xi Gu to Xingshou as the inspector. At this time, the military and civilians who followed him swelled to over five thousand. Xi Gu then considered seizing a state to see how the situation would unfold. Later, worried that the court would send troops to suppress him, he resolved to submit to the court. He quietly confided in his most trusted associates, “Now the Liang government has failed, the capital has been lost, and Xiangdong has not been able to take revenge; instead, brothers are turning against one another. Prime Minister Yuwen is consolidating power and attracting talent through respectful treatment of the worthy. I am determined to submit to him and achieve something together with you.” When Xi Gu finished speaking, no one replied. Xi Gu then carefully laid out the pros and cons, and only then did everyone agree.
In the sixteenth year of the Great Unity of the Wei Dynasty, Xi Gu submitted his domain to Northern Wei. At that time, Northern Wei's Taizu was preparing to march south to capture Jiangling and pacify Shu Han to the west. Upon hearing that Xi Gu had arrived, he received him very courteously. Thus, he sent envoys to bestow upon him the title of General with Special Authority, General of the Cavalry, Minister of the Three Offices, Grand Commander, Palace Attendant, and Governor of Fengzhou, and conferred upon him the title of Duke of Xinfeng County, with a fief of 2,000 households. He was later promoted to Governor of Huzhou. Xi Gu felt somewhat uneasy about receiving such a high official position without having visited the court, so he requested to go to the capital to pay his respects at court. Taizu agreed. After Xi Gu arrived, Taizu hosted a banquet for him, bestowing upon him generous rewards. He was then conferred the title of Duke of Jing'an and his fief was increased to 3,300 households. Soon after, he was appointed as the military governor of Changgui and Governor of Changzhou. Xi Gu was filial to his parents and loving to his brothers at home, earning praise from his community; he also achieved notable political accomplishments in his official capacity. In the fourth year of Baoding, he passed away in office at the age of sixty-one. The court posthumously conferred upon him the titles of General and Governor of the Five Prefectures of Xiangtang and Fengying, with the posthumous title of Su, and granted him a burial site in Xiangzhou. His son, Xi Shiya, inherited his title.
Shiya, styled Yanwen, was known for his integrity and renowned for his filial piety from a young age. Initially, he was awarded the titles of General of the Cavalry and Minister of the Three Offices due to his military merits, and later served as the Governor of Zancheng County. He continued to rise through the ranks, eventually becoming the Minister of the Three Offices and Governor of Shun and Zhi Prefectures. By the end of the Daxiang era, he had attained the position of General. His brother Shiying was also awarded the title of Minister of the Three Offices for his military achievements, eventually reaching the rank of Grand Minister of the Three Offices.
Ren Guo, styled Jingluan, was from Nan'an. His family had been a prominent family in the region for generations, serving as officials in the Jiangzuo region. His grandfather, Renandong, had served as the Deputy Governor of Liangzhou and Governor of Yizhou, and was granted the title of Earl of Langzhong; his father, Renbao, had served as the General of the Dragon's Might, and Governor of the three counties of Xinba, Nan'an, and Guanghan, as well as the Governor of Shazhou and Duke of Xinba County.
Ren Guo was brave and decisive, with a strong desire to achieve great things. In the first year of the reign of the Wei Emperor Yuan, he led his troops to defect to the Northern Zhou dynasty. Emperor Wu of Zhou, the founder of the dynasty, greatly appreciated his long journey to offer his allegiance and treated him with great respect. Ren Guo also presented his strategy to conquer the Shu region in person, which Emperor Wu highly accepted. He was then appointed as General of the Chariots and Cavalry, Grand Governor, Cavalier Attendant, Governor of Shazhou, and Duke of Nan'an, with a fief of one thousand households.
When Yu Chi Jiong attacked the Shu region, Ren Guo was in the capital at that time, so he sent his younger brother Ren Dai and his son Ren Quan to enlist. As Yizhou was still unconquered, Emperor Wu ordered Ren Guo to return to Nan'an by courier, leading two thousand local troops to assist Yu Chi Jiong in battle. Shortly afterwards, Ren Guo was promoted to General of the Flying Cavalry and appointed as Palace Secretary. Xiao Ji sent Zhao Ba Hu and others to lead thirty thousand troops to relieve Chengdu, and Ren Guo followed the army to defeat them. After Chengdu was pacified, Ren Guo was appointed as the Governor of Shizhou. Not long after taking office, Ren Guo requested to return to the capital, which was granted by Emperor Wu. Because Ren Guo was a respected figure in the region and had long proven his loyalty, Emperor Wu elevated him to the title of Duke of Anle County, granting him an iron certificate that allowed the title to be inherited by his descendants. He was also given chariots, horses, and an escort as a mark of honor. He was later assassinated at the age of fifty-six.
The historical texts say that there's no fixed standard for the ancient concepts of benevolence and righteousness. Those who practice benevolence and righteousness are gentlemen, while those who turn their backs on it are petty people, and this is indeed true! Quan Qichang originally came from the mountains and had no fame, but at critical moments, he could selflessly uphold righteousness, showing the integrity expected of a minister. Isn't this a practice of benevolence and righteousness? Yuan Li and Zhong Zun inherited the aspirations of Quan Qichang and ultimately achieved their careers, which was a way to honor Quan Qichang. Li Qianzhe, Yang Qianyun, and Xi Gu participated in conflicts in remote areas at first, but later they all had an epiphany, submitted to the court, and ultimately received noble titles, completing their journeys with integrity. You see, when Li Qianzhe spoke with Emperor Taizu, his words were filled with a sense of justice; however, Yang Qianyun, appointed as the governor of Wuling, went against the principles of conduct. It's really hard to compare who is superior or inferior among them. Yang Xiong is someone who excels in both literature and martial arts, widely known, and is also an ambitious and capable individual! In summary, the historical texts highlight the different life paths of several individuals; some upheld benevolence and righteousness, while others turned their backs on it, leading to vastly different outcomes. These examples show that benevolence and righteousness aren't just abstract ideas; they're demonstrated through real actions. Furthermore, a person's talents and character ultimately shape their achievements and how they're judged.
