Kou Luo is from Changping in Shanggu, and his family has been in military service for generations. His father, Kou Yanshou, was sent to guard the border in Wuchuan as a noble youth during the years of peace, and eventually settled there. Kou Luo is clever and has strong judgment, but he tends to overlook small details. During the Zhengguang era, a rebellion broke out in the north, and he led his fellow villagers to flee to Bingzhou and Sizhou, later followed Er Zhu Rong into battle.
When He Ba Yue went on an expedition to the west, Kou Luo, being from the same hometown, signed up to join the army with him and entered Guanzhong. He defeated the Shu army at Chishui and was promoted for his achievements to the rank of General of the Vanguard, Tunqi Xiaowei, and a general of a different division, and was also granted the title of Baron of Linyi County with a fief that included two hundred households. He captured the bandit leader Wei Chi Pusa at Weishui while following He Ba Yue, defeated Hou Fuhou Yuanjin at Baishi Xichuan, and captured Wanqi Chounu at Chang Keng. Kou Luo charged into battle each time, garnering numerous military victories, and was later promoted to Longxiang General and Governor, with his title elevated to Earl of Anxiang County. He was then promoted to General of the Northern Campaign and General of the Military Guard. When He Ba Yue served as the Grand Chancellor in Pingliang, he appointed Kou Luo as Right Commander.
After Hou Mochenyue killed He Baiyue, he wanted to take over He Baiyue's army for himself. At that time, the army had just lost its commander, which caused panic among the troops. Kou Luo was the most experienced among the generals and was trusted by all. So he gathered the soldiers together, with a single-minded focus on revenge. Everyone united and ultimately preserved the army and then led a rebellion. After arriving in Yuanzhou, the troops unanimously elected Kou Luo as their leader, commanding He Baiyue's former troops. Feeling unworthy, Kou Luo resolutely declined and discussed the prospect of welcoming Gaozu (referring to Emperor Wen of the Northern Zhou Dynasty) with Zhao Gui and others. Due to Kou Luo's efforts in saving the army, the Wei Emperor appointed him as Guard General. Upon Gaozu's arrival in Pingliang, he named Kou Luo as the Right Grand Commandant. Together with Gaozu, they defeated Hou Mochenyue and quelled the rebellion, and then he was appointed as the Inspector of Jingzhou. After Emperor Xiaowu of Wei's westward migration, Kou Luo's title was elevated to the title of Count of Linyi County, with a fief of 500 households. Shortly after, he was promoted to Grand General of the Flying Cavalry, Supervisor of the Three Departments, and his title was raised to Duke, with an additional fief of 500 households. During the reign of Emperor Da Tong of Northern Wei, Emperor Wen issued a decree that read: "In the past, that scoundrel Hou Mochenyue conspired with rebels, secretly murdered Qing Shui Gongyue, and harbored ambitions of world conquest. At a critical juncture, General Kou Luo demonstrated steadfast loyalty and had already achieved significant contributions. He successfully organized a rebel army, awaiting the Grand Chancellor's command. At a crucial moment, he stepped forward, nominated capable individuals, and supported the imperial court. If such merit goes unrewarded, who would dare to serve loyally in the future? Therefore, he is bestowed with the title of Kaifu, promoted to the Duke of Jingzhao Commandery!" His mother, Lady Song, was also appointed as the Lady of Xiangcheng Commandery, and Kou Luo was elevated to the rank of Leading Military General.
Three years later, Kou Luo was transferred to Huazhou as the governor and was additionally appointed as an attendant at court. Together with Dugu Xin, he recaptured Luoyang and then stationed at Hongnong. Four years later, he fought alongside Emperor Taizu against Eastern Wei at Heqiao. After the war, Kou Luo led his troops to garrison in Dongyong. Five years later, Kou Luo passed away in office at the age of fifty-three. The court posthumously awarded him a series of high official titles, including Envoy with Authority, Attendant, Commander of Military Affairs for the ten states of Yong, Hua, Bin, Jing, Yuan, and the two Qis within the Three Qins, Grand Commandant, Minister of the Interior, General of Cavalry, and Governor of Yongzhou, and conferred upon him the posthumous name "Wu."
Kou Luo had a son who inherited his title. By the second year of the reign of Emperor Shizong of Northern Zhou, the court posthumously honored meritorious officials, including Kou Luo, who was included in the list of those to be worshiped in the temple of Emperor Taizu, and granted the Kou family the surname He, changing Kou Luo's son’s title to Duke of Songyang. Later, Kou Luo's son rose to the position of Minister of the Interior, equivalent to the three branches of government, and served as a senior official in the Department of Guests.
Kou Luo's younger brother, Kou Shao, also achieved the rank of Senior State Minister and Duke of Beiping.
Li Bi, styled Jinghe, was from Xiangping in Liaoning Province. His ancestor Murong Gen, six generations back, served as an attendant to Murong Chui; his grandfather Li Guichou served as governor of Pingzhou; his father Li Yong was a Grand Official and was posthumously honored as governor of Liangzhou. From a young age, Li Bi was ambitious and significantly stronger than most. At that time, the Wei dynasty was in chaos, and Li Bi said to those close to him, "A man should live in this world to take to the battlefield and fight against enemies, quell rebellions, defend the country, and achieve merit; how can one live a mundane life, merely seeking promotions and wealth?"
In the first year of the Yong'an era of Wei, Li Bi was recruited by Erzhu Tianguang to serve as a general. He followed Erzhu Tianguang on a campaign to the west and defeated the Chishui Army occupying Shu territory. For his achievements, Li Bi was appointed as the General of Conquering Barbarians, the Marquis of Shimen County, and granted a fief of five hundred households. Later, he joined Heba Yue in campaigns against Wanqiu Chounu, Wanqiu Daoluo, and Wang Qingyun, all of whom were defeated. Li Bi consistently led the charge and remained undefeated, striking fear into his enemies, who warned each other not to face "General Li" directly. After the death of Erzhu Tianguang, Li Bi followed Hou Mochen Yue as the Grand General and was additionally appointed as a Cavalier In Regular Attendance.
In the early years of the Taichang era, he was appointed as the Prefect of Qingshui Commandery and the Chief Administrator of Hengzhou, and soon promoted to the Inspector of Nanqinzhou. Joining Hou Mochen Yue in campaigns to the east and west, he achieved many victories. Later, when Hou Mochen Yue assassinated Heba Yue, the army remained stationed around Longshan. Emperor Taizu of Northern Zhou, Yuwen Tai, set out from Pingliang with troops to confront Hou Mochen Yue. Li Bi advised Hou Mochen Yue, saying, "You killed an innocent man, and you didn't calm his men down, leaving them nowhere to turn. Yuwen Tai has absorbed Heba Yue's troops and gained their unwavering loyalty. They all seek vengeance for Heba Yue, and that's a serious issue! You should withdraw your forces and apologize to them, or else you may face retribution!" Hou Mochen Yue was panicking and didn't know what to do.
Li Bi knew that Hou Mo Chen Yue would definitely fail, so he said to those close to him: "Yuwen Tai's talent and strategy are second to none, and his virtues are worth emulating. Hou Mo Chen Yue is short-sighted and petty-minded; how could he possibly save himself? If we don't act quickly, we might end up wiped out with him!" At that time, Yuwen Tai's army had already arrived, and Hou Mo Chen Yue abandoned Qinzhou and fled south, trying to occupy a strategic location to hold his ground. The next day, Li Bi secretly sent a messenger to meet Yuwen Tai, offering to betray Hou Mo Chen Yue in exchange for surrender. That evening, Li Bi told his men, "Hou Mo Chen Yue wants to return to Qinzhou; why aren't you all getting your things together?" Li Bi's wife was Hou Mo Chen Yue's sister-in-law and someone he trusted greatly, so everyone believed Li Bi's words.
Everyone panicked, and morale plummeted; they scattered and fled, rushing towards Qinzhou. Li Bi ran to the city gate first to calm everyone, then led them to surrender to Yuwen Tai. This led to Hou Mo Chen Yue's downfall. Yuwen Tai said to Li Bi, "You and I share the same heart and virtue; what place in this world can't we conquer?" After defeating Hou Mo Chen Yue, they captured a huge haul of gold, silver, treasures, and slaves, and Yuwen Tai bestowed the finest of these upon Li Bi. He kept Li Bi on as governor of Yuanzhou. Before long, Li Bi was promoted to governor of Qinzhou.
Lao Zhu (Taizu) led the army into battle, appointing Yang Zhong (Bi) as the Grand Commander, leading the right flank to successfully capture Tongguan and Luoyang! In the first year of the Datong era, Yang Zhong was promoted to the position of Yitong Sanqi (Equivalent to a high-ranking official) and Governor of Yongzhou. Not long after, he was promoted to the Grand General of the Valiant Horse, still holding the position of Yitong Sanqi. Following Lao Zhu, he quelled the rebellion of Dou Tai, demonstrating exceptional bravery and achieving significant victories, capturing numerous enemies. Lao Zhu rewarded Yang Zhong with his own steed—the dappled horse—and the armor worn by Dou Tai. Later, he followed Lao Zhu in pacifying Hongnong. During the battle at Shayuan against the Northern Qi Emperor Shenwu, Yang Zhong's army was on the right flank, while the left flank was taken by surprise by the enemy. Yang Zhong called upon sixty of his cavalry, leading them into the fray and breaking through the enemy formation, which led to a decisive defeat for the enemy. For this achievement, Yang Zhong was granted the title of Special Grandee and Duke of Zhaojun, and was awarded an additional one thousand households of land. Afterwards, he conquered Hedong alongside He Baosheng, pacifying both Fenzhou and Jiangzhou.
In the fourth year of the Daitong era, Old Zhu led an eastern campaign to Luoyang, with Yang Zhong as the vanguard. The Eastern Wei general Modolou Daiwen, leading thousands of troops, suddenly showed up at Gucheng. Yang Zhong hurried there, instructing his soldiers to beat drums and gongs, raising dust and making it seem like a massive army was on the way. Modolou Daiwen, thinking a huge force had come, was frightened and fled. Yang Zhong pursued relentlessly, capturing his troops and killing Modolou Daiwen, displaying his head at the main camp. The next day, he fought alongside Old Zhu and Qi's Emperor Shenwu at the river bridge, charging into the most perilous spots every time, taking seven arrows, and was eventually captured by the enemy and surrounded by multiple layers of troops. Yang Zhong pretended to be badly hurt, fell to the ground, and feigned death. The guards let their guard down, and Yang Zhong saw a horse close by, quickly jumped on it, and escaped, thus escaping disaster.
In the fifth year of the Daitong era, Yang Zhong was promoted to Sikong. In the sixth year, Hou Jing took over Jingzhou, and Yang Zhong teamed up with Duguxin to resist him, which forced Hou Jing to retreat. In the ninth year, during a battle at Mangshan, Yang Zhong was promoted to Taiwei. In the thirteenth year, Hou Jing came to surrender with six states from Henan, and Eastern Wei sent Han Gui to lay siege to Hou Jing in Yingchuan. Old Zhu dispatched Yang Zhong with troops to support Hou Jing, and other generals followed Yang Zhong's command. After Yang Zhong arrived, Han Gui withdrew his troops. As a result, Wang Sizheng attacked Yingchuan again, prompting Yang Zhong to pull back his troops. In the fourteenth year, the Bei Ji Hu revolted, and Yang Zhong crushed the rebellion. Yang Zhong was promoted to Taibao and awarded the title of Zhuguo Dajun. In the first year of the Wei Emperor's abdication, he was granted the surname Tuhe. Old Zhu toured the west, leaving Yang Zhong in charge of guarding the capital, and all major matters in the court needed Yang Zhong's approval.
After the establishment of the Six Officials System, Yang Zhong was appointed as Grand Tutor and Grand Minister. At that time, the Rouran were being bullied by the Turks and surrendered in droves, with Yang Zhong at the forefront to welcome them. The court also provided Yang Zhong with an honor guard and rewarded him with six thousand lengths of brocade. When Duke Jin Yuwen Hu held the position of regent, all major affairs of the court were discussed with Yu Jin and Yang Zhong. After Emperor Xiaomin ascended to the throne, Yang Zhong was appointed as Grand Tutor, enfeoffed as Duke of Zhao, and granted a fief that included ten thousand households. Overall, the court showered him with countless rewards.
Every time Yang Zhong led troops into battle, he would receive orders in the morning and depart in the evening, never thinking about personal matters and hardly ever returning home. His selfless dedication to the country, putting aside his own safety, was a sentiment shared by all. In the tenth month of the first year of the Yuan era, he passed away while in office at the age of sixty-four. Emperor Shizong held a memorial ceremony for him that very day, and during his burial, he visited the tomb three times to pay his respects. Soldiers were sent to dig his grave, and with high-quality carriages and dragon banners, the army escorted him to the burial site. He was posthumously granted the title "Wu." Later, he was further enfeoffed as Duke of Wei and allowed to be worshipped in the ancestral temple.
His eldest son was named Yao. His second son was named Hui, who married Princess Yi'an, the daughter of the founding emperor, thereby inheriting his title.
During the reign of Emperor Taiwu of the Northern Wei Dynasty, Hui initially served as a cavalry attendant and was bestowed the title of Duke of Yicheng. He later served as General Who Pacifies the Army, Grand Commander, General of the South, and Attendant Cavalier. Hui was once bedridden for a year, and Emperor Taiwu was very worried about him, granting him a daily stipend of one thousand coins to buy medicine for his illness. Later, signs of rebellion appeared during the reign of Emperor Xiaowen of Wei, so Emperor Taiwu appointed Hui as General of the Guards, responsible for the protection of the imperial palace. Soon after, the emperor was overthrown, and Hui was promoted to General of Chariots and Cavalry, and concurrently as Grand Commandant. In the second year of Emperor Xiaoming of Wei, he was further promoted to General of the Cavalry and Grand Commandant. He was later dispatched as Inspector of Qizhou. When accompanying Emperor Taiwu on his western tour, he led a separate army composed of officials' and nobles' sons. After Emperor Xiaomin ascended to the throne, he was appointed Inspector of Jingzhou. He soon inherited the title of Duke of Zhao, and was later reappointed as Duke of Wei. During the Baoding era, he was elevated to Grand General. In the sixth year of Tianhe, he was promoted to Pillar of the Nation. In the first year of Jiande, he was appointed Commander-in-Chief of the military affairs of ten provinces including Liangyang, and Inspector of Liangzhou. At that time, the barbarian tribes in Quzhou and Pengzhou had been a persistent threat for many years, harassing the people. After Hui arrived in the province, he implemented a policy of appeasement, and the barbarian tribes surrendered. The emperor issued a special decree to commend him.
Ah, although Yao did not become the heir, because of his great achievements, the court conferred upon him the title of Duke of Xing, and he attained the rank of a minister of state. His son Kuan, during the Da Xiang era of the Northern Wei, held the position of Grand General and was titled Duke of Pushan. Yao's brother Hui also became a Grand General during the Da Xiang era and was granted the title of Duke of Zhenxiang. Hui's brother Lun was a renowned figure, excelling in both literature and martial arts. As his father was a meritorious official, he held high-ranking positions from a young age, serving in the Ministry of Personnel and as a lower minister of internal affairs, and he was highly regarded; everyone said he was a capable official. He eventually ascended to the rank of Minister of State and was granted the title of Duke of Heyang, and also served as an envoy to the Qi state. Tragically, he passed away at a young age, and his son Changya inherited his title. Lun's brother Yan, during the Jian De period, reached the positions of Minister of State and Grand General, and was granted the title of Duke of Zhao. He fought alongside Gaozu to pacify the Qi state and later died in Bingzhou. His son Jing inherited his father's title because Yan sacrificed his life for the country. Yao's brother was named Ling.
Ling, courtesy name Lingjie, was short, standing under five feet, but he was decisive and quite bold. In his youth, he followed Er Zhu Rong. In the first year of the Wei Yong'an era, he served as a deputy general alongside Er Zhu Rong and together they defeated Yuan Hao, and earned the title of General of Rebellion Suppression. Later, after Er Zhu Rong's death, Ling followed Er Zhu Shilong to escort Er Zhu Rong's wife to flee to Hebei. After that, he followed Er Zhu Zhao into Luoyang. The court bestowed upon him the title of Marquis of Feicheng and later promoted him to governor. In the first year of the Pu Tai era, Yuan Shu came from the Liang dynasty and occupied Qiao City. Ling, together with the chief commander Fan Zihu, defeated Yuan Shu and was subsequently promoted to Right General.
It is said that when Emperor Xiaowu of Wei moved west, Hu Lu Jin accompanied Grand Commander Yuan Bin to fight against Emperor Shenzu of Bei Qi in Chenggao. Consequently, they lost the battle, and he and Yuan Bin fled to the Liang dynasty. Emperor Wu of Liang treated them very courteously, but later Hu Lu Jin made a secret return.
In the first year of the Great Unity, he was appointed as the General of the Pacification and was also granted the title of Duke of Jinyang, with a fief of four hundred households. Not long after, he became the chief commander in the presence of the Great Ancestor. Later, he followed the army to recover Hongnong and secured a victory at Shayuan. Huli Jin rode a horse, wielding a spear, charging into battle, fully encased in armor. When the enemy saw him, they shouted, "Get away from this little guy!" They had no idea what Huli Jin looked like; he had always looked this way. The Great Ancestor had heard tales of Huli Jin's bravery but had never witnessed his prowess firsthand. This time, he praised him, saying, "As long as you have such courage, it doesn't matter how tall you are!" Because of his achievements, Huli Jin was promoted to a duke, and his fief was increased by another four hundred households.
Next, he followed Yuwen Gui into battle and defeated the Eastern Wei generals Ren Xiang and Yao Xiong in Yingchuan. Later, he was summoned to become the Grand Master of the Crown Prince. In the ninth year of Great Unity, he participated in the Battle of Mangshan and was promoted to General with the authority of a special envoy and chief commander. In the thirteenth year of Great Unity, he was appointed as the General of Chariots and Cavalry, equivalent to the rank of three ministers. He also followed Yuwen Bi to campaign against the Qihu, where Huli Jin earned the highest honors and was appointed as the Governor of Binzhou, with an additional three hundred households added to his fief. In the fifteenth year of Great Unity, he was appointed as the General of the Cavalry and the same rank as three ministers. When Emperor Fei of Wei first ascended the throne, he followed Zhao Gui to campaign against the Ruru, and in terms of merit and recognition, he had the greatest contribution and was granted the title of Duke of Fengshan once again, bringing his total fief to two thousand one hundred households. After Emperor Xiaomin ascended the throne, Huli Jin was elevated to General. When Emperor Wucheng first ascended the throne, he again followed Dou Lu Ning to campaign against the Qihu, achieving a resounding victory and returning in triumph, being promoted to Duke of Runan. Later, he was appointed as the overall commander of military affairs in the three provinces of Yansui and Dan and as the Governor of Yanzhou. In the fourth year of Great Unity, he died in office and was posthumously honored with the title of Governor of Hengshuo and five additional states.
Huo Lüjin left no sons, so Yuwen Bi's son, Yuwen Chun, inherited his title. Due to Huo Lüjin's achievements, Yuwen Chun was titled the Lord of Wei Ping County. During the reign of Emperor Da Xiang, Yuwen Chun was promoted to the position of Director of the Three Departments, Grand General, and Right Palace Count, and was subsequently titled Duke of Hedong.
Yu Jin, style name Sijing, was from Luoyang, Henan. His nickname was Jumi. His great-grandmother was the town general of Huaihuang in the Wei Kingdom; his ancestors served as the Prefect of Pingliang County and the town general of Gaoping; his father served as the Prefect of Longxi County and was made Count of Chiping. In the second year of Baoding, due to Yu Jin's achievements, his father was posthumously awarded the titles of Commissioner of Credentials, General of Chuguo, Grand Guardian, and Duke of Jianping.
He was calm and knowledgeable, had a good grasp of the classics and history, and especially liked "The Art of War" by Sun Tzu. He usually stayed in the countryside and never thought about becoming an official. When someone advised him to take an official position, he would say, "Those low-ranking officials in the counties and prefectures weren't even worth a mention in ancient times, and as for the high-ranking officials with great wealth, it all depends on the timing! I am now living leisurely in the county, just enjoying my days!" Later, Grand Preceptor Yuan Mu met him and exclaimed, "This is a rare talent to assist emperors!"
Later, the group led by Liu Han Balin created chaos in the north and even recruited the Ruru tribe as allies. Grand Minister of the Court Yuan Zuan led his troops to quell them. Yuan Zuan had heard of his reputation beforehand, so he invited him to serve as a military advisor, and together they marched north. When the Ruru tribe heard the approach of the large army, they quickly fled beyond the border. Yuan Zuan sent him with two thousand cavalry to pursue them, chasing them to Yuduiyuan, where they fought seventeen battles, ultimately capturing all the Ruru tribespeople.
Later, he took a small number of cavalry out of the fortress to scout enemy movements and unexpectedly encountered thousands of Tiele cavalry charging towards him. Realizing he was outnumbered by the enemy, he understood that retreating would surely result in his capture. He quickly dispersed his cavalry, hiding them in the woods and underbrush. He also sent someone up the mountain to wave a flag, feigning troop arrangements. The enemy, seeing this from a distance, suspected an ambush but, relying on their numbers, did not take it seriously and charged at him.
He had two fine horses that he rode most often, one purple and one black, which the enemy recognized. He had two men ride these horses and charge out of the formation. The enemy, seeing this, thought it was him and all rushed to pursue. Taking advantage of this, he led the remaining troops to counterattack, sending the pursuing soldiers fleeing in panic. In the end, he successfully returned to the fortress.
In 524 AD, Prince Guangyang Yuan Yuan led troops on a northern expedition and appointed me as his military advisor, and treated me with great respect. I was involved in all military planning discussions. He even had my son come to pay his respects, which demonstrated his kindness towards me. Later, I fought alongside Prince Guangyang to defeat the bandit leader Huli Gulü and others.
At that time, the late Wei Dynasty was in turmoil, with bandits everywhere. I calmly said to Prince Guangyang, "Since the Zhengguang era, the whole country has been in turmoil, with all states and counties in ruin, and agriculture and commerce have stagnated. Now, Your Highness, you are upholding justice to quell the rebellion at the border, but those villains are as numerous as ants. If we confront them head-on, it might not be the most effective approach. I request your permission to negotiate their surrender, so we can settle the rebellion without fighting." Prince Guangyang agreed to my suggestion. Since I could speak several minority languages, I then entered the enemy camp alone to convey our sincerity.
As a result, the leader of the Tie Le tribe in the west, Mie Lie He and others, along with more than thirty thousand households, submitted to us and migrated south alongside us. King Guangyang wanted to personally go to Zhedun Ridge to welcome them. I said, "The Baling army is quite formidable. When they hear that Mie Lie He and others have submitted to us, they will surely come to attack. If they seize the advantageous terrain first, it will be hard for us to resist. Now we can use Mie Lie He and his people as bait; they will undoubtedly come to plunder, and at that time we can set an ambush and easily defeat them." King Guangyang adopted my strategy.
Indeed, Baling attacked and defeated Mie Lie He in the mountains, causing heavy losses to his people. My ambushed troops sprang into action, and the enemy suffered a crushing defeat, allowing us to fully reclaim Mie Lie He's forces. Emperor Xiaoming of Wei was greatly pleased by this and promoted me to General of Jishe.
In 483 AD, he followed King Guangyang to campaign against Xianyu Xiuli. While the army was stationed at Bainiu Luo, King Zhangwu was killed by Xianyu Xiuli, so the army came to a halt in Zhongshan. The Imperial Attendant Yuan Yan told Empress Dowager Ling, "King Guangyang is a royal relative, and the Emperor has specially allowed him to lead troops in the campaign. Now he is delaying the advance, plotting something underhanded. Moreover, there is a person named Yu Jin, whose wisdom is extraordinary, and he is King Guangyang's military advisor. Now that the war is urgent, this person is likely not a loyal servant to Your Majesty!" Empress Dowager Ling believed Yuan Yan's words very much. She then ordered a proclamation to be posted outside the Ministry of Personnel, recruiting anyone who could capture Yu Jin, promising a generous reward.
After Yu Jin heard about it, he said to King Guangyang, "Now that the Empress Dowager is in power, she is easily influenced by the slanderous words of those treacherous officials. If the Empress Dowager does not understand Your Highness's true intentions, we will soon face disaster. I want to personally go to the palace, confess to the authorities, and speak my mind so that we can avoid calamity." King Guangyang agreed. Yu Jin came to the notice board and said, "I know this person." Everyone asked him together, "Who is it?" Yu Jin said, "It's me!" The authorities reported this to the Empress Dowager. The Empress Dowager summoned him and was furious. Yu Jin detailed King Guangyang's loyalty and explained why the army was stalled. The Empress Dowager's anger subsided somewhat, and she ultimately pardoned him. Not long after, he was promoted to a different military post.
Two years later, in the Liang Dynasty, General Cao Yizong occupied Rangcheng and repeatedly harassed the border. The court then sent Yu Jin and the Chief Secretary Xin Zuan to lead troops to attack him. The two sides remained at a stalemate for several years, fighting dozens of battles. Yu Jin was promoted to Commander, General of Valor, and Colonel of the Imperial Guards. After Emperor Xiaozhuang ascended the throne, he appointed Yu Jin as General of Zhenyuan, and shortly after, he transferred him to another post. He then followed the Grand Preceptor Yuan Tianmu to suppress Ge Rong, quell Xing Gao's rebellion, and was appointed General of Conquest. Later, he followed Erzhu Tianguang to defeat Moqi Chounu and was granted the title of Count of Shicheng County, with a fief of five hundred households. In the year 500 AD, he was appointed as General Who Conquers the North, Grand Master of Golden Purple Radiance, and Cavalier In Regular Attendance. He then followed Erzhu Tianguang to suppress the rebellion of Suqin Mingda and independently took on bandits in Xiazhou, including He Sui and others, pacifying them, and was appointed as Grand Commander.
Later, Erzhu Tianguang battled with Qi Shenwu at Hanling Mountain, and Erzhu Tianguang was defeated. Yu Jin retreated to the interior. He Baozhuo reported to the court, requesting that Yu Jin be stationed, and so Yu Jin was appointed as the Guard General and Prefect of Xianyang.
Old Zhu (Zhu Yuanzhang) arrived in Xiangzhou and appointed me as the Grand Commander of the Defense Fortress, also serving as the Chancellor of Xiangzhou. Later, after Yue Fei was killed, Old Zhu wanted to go to Pingliang. I said to Old Zhu, "The Wei Dynasty is about to collapse, with powerful ministers in control, and bandits everywhere; the common people are suffering terribly! You have extraordinary talents and strategies to save the world, and people all over the country support you! You should quickly devise a good plan to meet everyone's expectations!"
Old Zhu asked, "What do you mean by that?" I replied, "The Guanzhong region is the former capital of the Qin and Han dynasties, historically a land of prosperity. The soldiers are valiant and skilled in battle, the land is fertile, to the west are the riches of Bashu, and to the north are excellent horses. If you occupy the strategic location of Guanzhong, recruit heroes and talents, train the army, and encourage agricultural production, you can monitor the shifts in the situation. Moreover, the emperor is still in Luoyang, under pressure from those bandits. If you demonstrate your loyalty to the emperor, assess the situation's advantages and disadvantages, and request to garrison in Guanzhong, the emperor will definitely agree and move west. Then you can leverage the emperor's authority to command the feudal lords, and following the emperor's orders to suppress the rebellion, it would be a great opportunity to achieve a lasting legacy akin to that of Duke Huan of Qi!" Old Zhu was very pleased to hear this.
At that moment, the court appointed me as the Grand Commander in the Cabinet, so I took the opportunity to reiterate the strategy of garrisoning in Guanzhong and assisting the emperor, and to my surprise, Emperor Wei accepted my proposal.
It is said that Yu Wenjin followed Qi Shenwu to attack Luoyang, and later followed Emperor Xiaowen of Wei to move west. After that, he followed Emperor Taizu of Northern Zhou to attack Tongguan, broke through the city of Huiluo, earned great merit, and was bestowed with the titles of Envoy with Special Authority, General of Chariots and Cavalry, and Governor of Beiyongzhou, and was also elevated to the Duke of Lantian County, receiving a fief of one thousand households.
In the first year of the Dàtǒng era, he was appointed Grand General of the Valiant Cavalry and the Three Excellencies. That year, Wang Youlang from Xiaoyang rebelled against the Yang clan, and Yǔwén Jǐn captured him. In the same year, the army marched eastward, with Yǔwén Jǐn serving as the vanguard. When they reached Pandou, the Eastern Wei general Gāo Shūlǐ refused to surrender and held a strategic position, but Yǔwén Jǐn broke through his defenses and captured over a thousand enemy soldiers. He then captured Hongnong and Lǐ Huībó, the Eastern Wei Governor of Shanzhou.
Later, when Emperor Qí Shénwǔ arrived at Shayuan, Yǔwén Jǐn fought alongside the Emperor and other generals, achieving victory. As a result, he was granted the title of Duke of Chángshān County, with his fiefdom increased by a thousand households. He also participated in the Battle of Heqiao, appointed Chief Historian of the Grand Chancellor's Office and concurrently serving as the Minister of the Grand Council. Later, Liú Píng, the leader of the Jīhú and Governor of Xiàzhōu, rebelled, and Yǔwén Jǐn led troops to quell the rebellion. He was then appointed Grand Commander, responsible for military affairs across the five provinces of Héng, Bìng, Yān, Sì, and Yún, as well as Grand General and Governor of Héngzhou. Later, he entered the court as the Crown Prince's Imperial Tutor.
Nine years later, he followed Emperor Tàizǔ on an eastern expedition. He launched a personal attack on Baiguwu and successfully captured it. In the Battle of Mángshān, the army found itself in a difficult position, so Yǔwén Jǐn led his subordinates to pretend to surrender and stand on the side of the road. Qí Shénwǔ's army pursued them without caution. Once the pursuers had passed, Yǔwén Jǐn launched a surprise attack from behind, shocking the enemy. Dúgū Xìn also gathered forces from behind and launched a fierce attack, creating chaos in Qí Shénwǔ's ranks, which allowed our forces to secure victory.
In the twelfth year, Yuwen Jin was appointed as the Left Chancellor of the Secretariat and concurrently served as the Minister of Agriculture and Commerce. Hou Jing defected to Northern Wei and requested military support from them. Emperor Taizu wanted to send Li Bi to lead the troops, but Yuwen Jin advised against it, saying, "Hou Jing is young and lacks military experience; his motives are hard to read. It would be best to treat him well first and keep an eye on his behavior before deciding anything. Even if we need to send troops, now is not the right time." The Emperor ignored his advice. Later, Yuwen Jin also served as the Grand Council Minister and Chief of Staff, commanding troops to defend Tongguan, and was additionally appointed as the Governor of Huazhou. He was also rewarded with a ceremonial wine vessel and a set of jade tablets. Soon after, he was appointed as the Minister of Works, and his fief was increased by four hundred households. In the fifteenth year, he was promoted to the General of the Pillar State.
When the Qi dynasty proclaimed itself an empire, Emperor Taizu led his troops to crush them and appointed Yuwen Jin as the Grand Commander of the Rear Army. He also bestowed the title of Marquis of Yanting County on one of his sons, with a fief that included one thousand households. In the first year of Emperor Wei Gong's reign, Yuwen Jin was appointed as the Governor of Yongzhou.
Initially, after pacifying the Hou Jing rebellion, Emperor Liang Yuan, Xiao Yi, ascended to the throne in Jiangling and secretly conspired with Northern Qi to invade Northern Zhou. At that time, his nephew, Prince Xiao Cha of Yueyang, was the governor of Yongzhou. He held a grudge against Emperor Liang Yuan because the emperor had killed his brother, Xiao Yu. Xiao Cha seized Xiangyang and surrendered to Northern Zhou, requesting military support. In response, Northern Zhou dispatched Yuwen Jin to lead an army against Xiao Yi. Emperor Wu of Northern Zhou hosted a farewell banquet for Yuwen Jin in Qingnigu. Chang Sun Jian asked Yuwen Jin, "What strategy do you think Xiao Yi will choose?" Yuwen Jin said, "The best strategy is to display our forces in the Han and Mian River basins, swiftly cross the Yangtze River, and head straight for Danyang; the second option is to relocate the city's residents to the inner city, strengthen the city walls, and wait for reinforcements to arrive; the worst option, if relocating the residents proves difficult, is to defend the outer city." Chang Sun Jian asked, "What strategy do you think Xiao Yi will choose?" Yuwen Jin replied, "He will undoubtedly opt for the worst option." Chang Sun Jian asked, "Why did he give up the best option and choose the worst one?" Yuwen Jin responded, "The Xiao family has held power in the south of the Yangtze River for decades. With the Central Plains in turmoil, they can’t afford to consider other issues, and in addition, we have conflicts with Northern Qi. Xiao Yi feels overwhelmed and unable to manage multiple fronts. Furthermore, Xiao Yi is weak, indecisive, and lacks competence, and the common people are hesitant to relocate, as they are attached to their homes, so he will likely choose to defend the outer city."
Therefore, Yuwen Jin ordered the Duke of Zhongshan and General Yang Zhong to lead the elite cavalry to occupy Jiangjin first, cutting off Xiao Yi's escape route. The Liang army constructed a wooden palisade around the outer city, extending for sixty miles. Soon, Yuwen Jin arrived and laid siege to Jiangling. The Liang Emperor sent troops to engage in battle from the south of the city several times, all of which were defeated by Yuwen Jin. Sixteen days later, the outer city fell. The Liang Emperor retreated to the inner city. The next day, the Liang Emperor, along with all officials below the prince, surrendered and was executed shortly thereafter. The Northern Zhou army captured over one hundred thousand civilians, both men and women, and seized a vast array of treasures from the imperial treasury. These included the Heavenly Sphere of the Song Dynasty, the Sundial Copper Table of the Liang Dynasty, the Xiangfeng Wu and the Copper Pan Chi Fu from the Wei Dynasty, a large jade with a diameter of four feet and a circumference of seven feet, as well as various vehicles and objects, all of which were presented to Emperor Wu of Northern Zhou. The army kept none of the spoils for themselves.
Emperor Wu of Northern Zhou appointed Xiao Cha as the King of Liang, and the army returned triumphantly. Emperor Wu personally hosted a banquet in honor of Yuwen Jin, and the two enjoyed a lively conversation, clearly in high spirits. Emperor Wu rewarded Yuwen Jin with a thousand slaves, along with treasures from the Liang Dynasty, gold and silver utensils, silk, bamboo utensils, musical instruments, and also appointed him as the Duke of Xinye County, with a fief of two thousand households. Yuwen Jin firmly declined the offer, but Emperor Wu insisted. Emperor Wu also ordered musicians to compose ten songs titled "Changshan Gong Pings Liang" for craftsmen to perform.
I felt I had served as an official for a long time, holding a high position and a solid reputation, so I yearned for a quieter life. Thus, I returned the steed and armor that the late emperor had used. The founding emperor recognized my intentions and said, "The powerful villains have not been subdued yet, how can you think only of your own leisure?" Thus, I declined his request. Later, the six ministries were established, and I was appointed Grand Minister of Justice.
After Emperor Taizu's death, Emperor Xiaomin was still just a child. Although Duke Zhongshan Hu was entrusted by the late emperor to assist the young emperor, he was not well-regarded or influential. The ministers in the court all wanted to seize power, and no one was willing to bow to each other. Duke Zhongshan Hu was very worried about this and secretly came to visit me. I said to him, "I was once greatly valued by the Chancellor (Emperor Taizu), and this bond is as deep as that of brothers. Today, I must fight tooth and nail for this. When we discuss strategies in front of everyone later, you absolutely cannot decline."
The next day, the ministers held a meeting. I said, "In the past, when the royal family faced a dire crisis, many people wanted to usurp the throne. The Chancellor (Emperor Taizu) was determined to save the royal family, took up arms, and fought bravely, which is why the country was able to thrive again, and the people could live and work in peace. Now, the heavens have sent down calamity, suddenly taking the lives of the late emperor and many ministers. Although the emperor is still young, Duke Zhongshan Hu, you are like an uncle to the emperor, and you have also been entrusted by the late emperor, so military and state affairs should rightly be handled by you." My tone was resolute, leaving everyone in stunned silence. Duke Zhongshan Hu said, "This is a family matter; though I may not be the most capable, how could I dare to decline?"
Because I had a good relationship with Emperor Taizu and the others, Duke Zhongshan Hu had always respected me greatly. At this moment, I quickly stepped forward and said, "If you can take charge of military and state affairs, we will have a reliable leader." Then I bowed again. The other ministers, intimidated by my authority, also bowed again. Thus, everyone's opinions were unified.
After Emperor Xiaomin ascended the throne, the emperor appointed him Duke of Yan, with a fief that included ten thousand households. Later, he was promoted to Grand Tutor and Grand Minister of State, participating in state affairs alongside Li Bi, Hou Mochen Chong, and others. When Helan Xiang led a campaign against the Tuyuhun, the emperor even entrusted him to remotely command the troops and devise battle strategies.
In the second year of the Baoding era, because of his advanced age, he submitted a request for retirement. The emperor replied: "In ancient times, Jiang Shang was over ninety years old and still assisting King Wu of Zhou, and the Duke of Zhou was close to one hundred years old and still serving the Zhou dynasty. They both worked diligently for their country, remaining steadfast. Now, the enemy remains undefeated, and the country is still not unified, and I need talented individuals like you to help the country through this difficult time. How could I possibly overlook the excellent virtues of these two sages and agree to your request? I find myself in a difficult position! If you continue to decline, the relevant authorities will no longer consider your petition." In the fourth month of the third year, the emperor issued a decree: "The monarch serves as the country's leader and the center of moral education, and should guide the people to honor their parents and cherish their siblings, fostering a society characterized by kindness and longevity. Therefore, wise monarchs of ancient times adhered to this principle, establishing the Three Elders and Five Officials, and personally participating in sacrificial activities. Although my capabilities are limited, as the emperor, how could I possibly overlook these esteemed elders and not give them the respect they deserve? Grand Tutor Yan, a man of noble virtue, is a respected elder of the state. He requested retirement, and both the court and the populace mourned his decision. He is hereby honored as one of the Three Elders, and the appropriate authorities should make arrangements for the ceremony and select a suitable date."
He once again declined the emperor's summons, but the emperor remained unconvinced. The emperor also bestowed upon him a longevity staff. Emperor Gaozu personally visited the Imperial Academy to host a banquet in his honor. When the three elders entered the palace, the emperor greeted them at the palace gate and knelt in respect; the three elders returned the gesture in kind. The appropriate officials arranged seats for the three elders in the palace's main hall, facing south. The Grand Preceptor and Duke Ning of Chu approached to adjust their footwear. The emperor walked to the front and stood before the imperial throne, facing west. The officials presented food and wine, and the emperor knelt to arrange the sauces and beans, personally cutting meat for the three elders. Once the elders had finished their meal, the emperor knelt again to offer them a toast. After the food and wine were removed, the emperor stood facing north and asked the three elders for advice on governing the country. Only then did the three elders rise and take their places behind their seats.
The emperor said, "I bear the heavy responsibility of governing the realm, aware of my own shortcomings and lacking understanding of governance principles. Please advise me." The elders replied, "Just as wood must be straightened with a ruler, a monarch becomes a wise ruler by heeding the counsel of his subjects. Throughout history, wise rulers have humbly accepted advice to understand their own strengths and weaknesses; only then can the world be stable. I hope Your Majesty will keep this in mind." They continued, "The foundation of a country lies in loyalty and trust. Thus, it is said that one must uphold integrity, even at the cost of food and arms. The rise and fall of a nation hinge upon this. I hope Your Majesty will remain steadfast and unwavering."
He said again, "To govern a country, there must be laws. Laws are the foundation of a country, and the foundation must be just. The key lies in clear rewards and punishments. If good deeds are rewarded and bad deeds are punished, then more people will do good deeds and fewer will do bad deeds. If good deeds are not rewarded and bad deeds are not punished, then there will be no distinction between good and evil in the world, and the people will have no guidance." He continued, "Speech and actions are the foundation of one's character. Speech and actions should be consistent and should refer to each other. I hope Your Majesty will think carefully before speaking and reflect deeply before acting. Without careful consideration, mistakes will surely be made. The Emperor's mistakes, regardless of their magnitude, are as obvious as eclipses of the sun and moon; everyone will know. I hope Your Majesty will be cautious."
After the three elders finished speaking, the Emperor knelt down again to accept their teachings, and the elders returned the gesture. After the ceremony ended, the elders left.
When Jin Gong (referring to Sima Zhao) went on an expedition to the east, Jin (referring to Wang Yun) was old and in poor health, but Jin Gong still had him join his old subordinates to inquire about military intelligence and strategies for battle. After the battle, Jin Gong rewarded him with a set of ceremonial bells and chimes. In the second year of Tianhe, he was rewarded with a luxurious carriage. Not long after, he was appointed as the governor of Yongzhou. Three years later, he passed away in office at the age of seventy-six. Gaozu (referring to Sima Yan) personally went to pay his respects and appointed Qiao Wang Sima Jian to handle his funeral affairs, bestowing a substantial amount of silk and grain, including one thousand bolts of silk and five thousand hu of grain. He was posthumously promoted to the position of Grand Tutor and Governor of Yongzhou, overseeing military affairs in twenty provinces including Yong and Heng, with the posthumous title of *Wen*. During his burial, the nobles and ministers escorted him to his final resting place, and his tablet was enshrined in the ancestral temple.
Wang Yun is a very wise and shrewd person, and he is very good at serving those above him. Despite holding a high official position, he has always remained humble and prudent. Every day, when he goes to court or travels, he maintains a simple lifestyle, often bringing only two or three horses. In court, most military and state affairs are often decided in consultation with him. Wang Yun always puts his heart and soul into assisting the emperor in governing the country. Therefore, among the meritorious officials, he is particularly trusted by the emperor and has consistently been trusted; no one has anything bad to say about him. He frequently teaches his sons the importance of humility and putting others first. In addition, he lived a long life, enjoyed good treatment, had many descendants, all of whom achieved great success, and at that time, no one could compare to him. His son Wang Shi inherited his title.
Bin Shi is an upright and honest man. Before he turned twenty, he joined the military service of Emperor Taizu and fought in the battles of Tongguan and the defense of Luoyang. In the third year of Dazhong, he participated in the Battle of Hongnong and the Battle of Shayuan. Because of these military achievements, he was appointed as the Marquis of Wannian County, with a fief of five hundred households, and became the Chief Clothing Commander. In the battle of Heqiao, he charged into battle at the front lines. After the war, he was appointed as an official in the inner court, and later served as a Chamberlain of the Imperial Guard, then promoted to the Prince's Right Guard, and was also given the title of commander. He also fought alongside Taizu in Mangshan. In the eleventh year of Dazhong, the emperor sent him to the Eastern Palace as an advisor. Later, when Hou Jing defected to Northern Zhou, the emperor sent him to lead troops to support and pacify Jiugu City. He was then promoted to Grand Commander, followed by the title of Yitong Sanqi, and appointed as a Chamberlain of the Imperial Guard. In the fourteenth year of Dazhong, he was appointed as a Minister. That year, Taizu and the Wei Crown Prince went on a western tour, and Bin Shi accompanied them. Taizu had the names of the meritorious officials engraved on a stone tablet at Longshan, ranking them according to their contributions, and he was preemptively listed as a Yitong Sanqi. It was not until the fifteenth year that he was officially appointed to this position. Later, he was appointed as the Governor of Weizhou and was granted a ceremonial band, promoted to Duke, and his fief was increased to seven hundred households.
In the second year of Emperor Wei Gong's reign, the Qiang leader Dong Nianjie led a rebellion with his tribe and colluded with Tuyuhun, frequently raiding the borders. The court dispatched General Dou Luning to suppress the rebellion, but after a prolonged campaign, he was unable to secure a victory. Later, Bin Shi was dispatched and swiftly quelled the rebellion. Emperor Taizu personally wrote him a letter of commendation and rewarded him with one hundred servants and one hundred horses. After Emperor Xiao Min took the throne, Bin Shi was appointed as a minister in the Ministry of Civil Affairs, bestowed the title of Duke of Yanshou upon him, and given a fief of two thousand households. He was later promoted to General and became the Governor of Xunzhou, before being reassigned to the court as a junior official. In the second year of the Tianhe era, the bandit Hao Sanlang and his associates from Puchuan in Yanzhou rebelled and attacked Danzhou. The court sent Bin Shi with troops to suppress the rebellion, and he killed Hao Sanlang, capturing over ten thousand livestock. Afterwards, he was appointed as the Governor of Yanzhou. Five years later, he succeeded to the title of Duke of Yan and was further promoted to the position of Pillar of the State, but was later dismissed due to a crime. Not long afterward, he was reinstated to his former position and appointed as the Governor of Liangzhou. In the second year of the Daxiang era, he was again granted the title of Pillar of the State and appointed as the Grand Left Assistant. In the first year of the Sui Kaihuang era, he passed away. The court posthumously honored him with the title of Grand Minister of State and conferred the posthumous name An.
His son Bin Yi held the positions of Minister of State, Governor of Wuzhou, and Duke of Xinye toward the end of the Daxiang era. Bin Yi's brother, Bin Zhongwen, achieved the rank of General and Duke of Yanshou. Bin Zhongwen's brother, Bin Xiangxian, held the title of Deputy Minister of the Three Ministries and married a daughter of Emperor Gaozu.
My younger brother, He Ba Yi, has his deeds recorded for future generations. Brother Yi, He Ba Yi, achieved the titles of Shang Zhu Guo, Governor of Tongzhou, and Duke of Jianping. Brother Li, He Ba Li, rose to the rank of Grand General, Governor of Zhao Prefecture, and Duke of Anping. Brother Zhi, He Ba Zhi, initially held the position of governor; for carrying out Emperor Xuan's edict and exposing Prince Qi Xian's treasonous plot, he was conferred the title of Duke of Qi. He was later promoted to Zhu Guo, Governor of Liangzhou, and Grand Minister of Works. Brother Shao, He Ba Shao, served as Governor of Suizhou and Duke of Huayang. Brother Bi, He Ba Bi, achieved the rank of Yitong and was Duke of Ping'en County. Brother Lan, He Ba Lan, served as Yitong and was Duke of Xiangyang County. Brother Kuang, He Ba Kuang, attained the rank of Yitong and was posthumously honored with the title of Governor of Hengzhou.
Historical records indicate that when He Ba Yue raised his army, it was done in haste. Hou Mo Chen Yue was focused on annexation, and at that time, the soldiers were demoralized and lacked determination. He Ba Yue managed to pacify the scattered troops in Luoyang and successfully resisted the enemy. Ultimately, the entire army returned victorious, and the enemy completely relinquished their ambitions. He approached state affairs thoughtfully and devised strategies for establishing dominance. This achievement is of great significance! Li Bi, Yu Jin, and others assisted the court and created a prosperous era. They consistently prioritized the court's interests, overcame numerous challenges, strategized behind the scenes, and achieved victories on the battlefield. They were as vital as oars on a mighty river and the beams of towering buildings. They gained fame not solely by relying on the powerful, but also through their own talents and strategies. As Yu Jin aged and gained respect for his virtue and reputation, he received preferential treatment from the court and enjoyed the highest honors. He constantly worried that his achievements might overshadow the ruler, staying vigilant to avert disaster. Without gentlemen like them, how could the nation thrive?
