Zheng Xiaomu, courtesy name Daohé, was from Kaifeng, Henan. His ancestors were the grand craftsman Hun of the State of Wei, making him the eleventh generation. His grandfather, Zheng Jingshu, served as the governor of Yingchuan and Puyang in Wei and was a renowned honest official in the area. His father, Zheng Qiong, was the governor of Fanyang and was posthumously granted the titles of General of An Dong and Inspector of Qingzhou. From a young age, Zheng Xiaomu was known for his prudence and integrity, living a simple life. By the age of twenty, he had read through the classics and histories. His father and several uncles died young, making him the eldest among his brothers, and he cared for his younger brothers like a real sibling, maintaining a harmonious family atmosphere.
During the reign of Wei Xiaochang, he began his official career as a military assistant to the Grand Marshal, later promoted to chief clerk of the Minister of Works. At that time, the world was in chaos amid rampant banditry, and he was appointed as a general with the title of Dragon Xiang, leading troops into battle and gaining numerous military victories. During the Yong'an period, he was promoted to Champion General, holding the imperial edict and serving as a commander. He followed Yuan Tianmu to quell the rebellion of Xing Gao, and afterward was promoted to General of the Cavalry and Grand Minister of the Left, also serving as the chief historian to the Prince of Xianyang. After Wei Xiaowudi moved the capital to Chang'an, he followed and was appointed as the Left Chief Historian under the Minister of Works, also serving as the tutor to the Prince of Lintao, and was granted the title of Marquis of Yongning.
In the fifth year of the Dàtǒng era, he was sent to Wǔgōng County for a post, and later promoted to the position of Envoy with Command, General, serving as the Governor of Qízhōu and Military Commander of Dāngzhōu. Shortly after taking office, he quickly gained recognition for his remarkable achievements. He was later appointed as Gentleman of the Imperial Guard. At that time, Wáng Pí served as the Governor of Yōngzhōu and held Zhèng Xiàomù's achievements in high regard, even sending a letter praising him. Previously, the people under Zhèng Xiàomù had endured significant suffering due to war and famine, which led to the scattering of most of them. When he first took office, there were only three thousand households. However, he diligently worked to restore peace among the people, and soon people from near and far returned. Within a few years, the number of households rose to forty thousand. He consistently received the highest performance evaluations in the entire country. The Emperor was extremely pleased and took the time to write a letter praising him, saying, "I know that the place you govern is near the capital. You govern with care, allowing the people to live a good life. The previous negative practices have been eradicated, and the people are all coming to seek refuge with you. In ancient times, Guō Jí governed Bīngzhōu, and Jiǎ Cóng governed Jìzhōu, both had great achievements. In comparison to your achievements, they would feel ashamed!" Therefore, the Emperor appointed him to the capital as the Jīngzhào Yǐn.
In the fifteenth year, Liáng Yōngzhōu's Governor, Prince Yuèyáng Xiāo Chā, expressed his allegiance, and the court intended to send envoys, meticulously selecting suitable officials. After thorough consideration of both court affairs and external matters, the Emperor concluded that no one was better suited than Xiàomù.
Sixteen years later, the emperor appointed Xiao Mu as an Imperial Attendant and sent him with the emperor's edict to confer the title of King of Liang upon Xiao Cha. After Xiao Mu completed his mission and returned, the emperor promoted him to Grand General of Chariots and Cavalry and granted him the title of Minister of State, and further elevated his title as Imperial Attendant. In the same year, the emperor personally led a large army on an eastern expedition and appointed Xiao Mu as the Right Chief Historian of the Grand Chancellor’s Office, granting him the title of Baron of Jinxiang with a fief of 200 households. When the army reached Tongguan, the emperor assigned Xiao Mu to share military responsibilities with Left Chief Historian Changsun Jian, Sima Yang Kuan, Minister Su Liang, and Advisor Liu Mengliang. The emperor also tasked Xiao Mu with receiving officials and commoners who had defected from the east and assessing their talents for potential appointments. Xiao Mu managed these affairs skillfully. General Daxi Wu led the army to attack Hanzhong, and the emperor appointed Xiao Mu as the Governor of Liangzhou; however, Xiao Mu did not assume the position due to illness. Later, the emperor appointed him as the Chancellor of the Central Secretariat and granted him the surname Yuwen. Not long after, he resigned due to illness.
After Emperor Xiaomin ascended the throne, he promoted Xiao Mu to Grand General of Cavalry, granted him the title of Minister of State, raised his noble rank by one level, and increased his fief to one thousand households. When Duke Yuwen Hu served as the Governor of Yongzhou, he invited Xiao Mu to be his Chief Assistant, but Xiao Mu declined due to illness. In the second year of Wucheng, the emperor summoned Xiao Mu to serve as a Grand Minister of the Inner Palace, and later transferred him to the position of Minister of the Imperial Court. In the third year of Baoding, he was appointed Governor of Yizhou, and later transferred to Governor of Huazhou. In the fifth year, he was appointed Governor of Yuzhou and then transferred to Governor of Shanzhou. He served as governor in several provinces and achieved significant political achievements. Later, due to the severity of his illness, he repeatedly requested retirement. He ultimately returned to the court to serve as a Junior Minister of Works and died in office at sixty. The court posthumously honored him with his original title and additionally conferred upon him the titles of Governor of Zheng, Liang, and Beiyu provinces, with the posthumous title of Zhen.
His son Yu Wenxu inherited his title. Yu Wenxu later served as a counselor and was sent on a mission to the country of Chen. After that, he was promoted to the title of Grand Marshal, Grand General, and Governor of Shaozhou. Yu Wenxu's younger brother, Yu Wenyi, achieved significant accomplishments during the reign of Emperor Wen of Sui. In the early years of the Kaihuang reign, the court posthumously honored him with the title of General Xiaomu, Governor of Xuyan, and six other provinces, and changed his posthumous name to Wen.
He was exceptionally bright and talented from a young age, read many books, and was especially talented in music, gaining considerable fame at the time. Emperor Sui Zong ordered him to assist the Lord of Cheng in his duties. When Emperor Gaozu ascended the throne, he was appointed as a Deputy Minister and gradually rose to the rank of Imperial Secretary, with the Emperor valuing him highly. After the completion of the Eastern Palace, he was appointed as an Imperial Secretary, and the Crown Prince was particularly close to him. In the second year of Jiande, he was sent as a deputy envoy to the country of Qi. Later, when the Crown Prince went on a western expedition and made many mistakes, Wang Gui, Yu Wenxiaobo, and others reported these matters to the Emperor. Emperor Gaozu was furious, and all the ministers close to the Crown Prince faced punishment, and Yi was also dismissed from his position. Later, he was reinstated to his former position and reappointed as an Imperial Secretary. After Emperor Xuan succeeded to the throne, he was appointed as Grand General of the Household and Grand Master of the Interior, and was granted the title of Duke of Guichang, with a fief of one thousand households. As a trusted veteran, the Emperor held him in high regard, and he was allowed to participate in discussions on confidential state affairs. Shortly after, he was promoted to Grand Master of the Interior, and his title was further elevated to Duke of Pei. The position of Grand Master of the Interior was first established with him. When Emperor Xuan fell seriously ill, Imperial Secretary Liu Fang and Yi discussed and planned to leave a testament to assist the young lord. After Emperor Wen of Sui took power, he appointed him as a State Pillar and Chief of the Grand Chancellor's Office, while retaining his position of Grand Master of the Interior. Shortly after, he was promoted to Senior State Pillar.
Cui Qian, also known as Shixun, was a native of Anping in Boling. His grandfather, Cui Bian, was the Pingyuan General of the Wei Kingdom and the Prefect of Wuyi. His father, Cui Kai, was a Gentleman Attendant, Grand Master of Ceremonies, and the Inspector of Yinzhou. After his death, he was posthumously appointed as the Palace Attendant, Commander of the military affairs of the three provinces of Ji, Ding, and Xiang, Grand General of the Valiant Cavalry, Senior Advisor, and the Inspector of Jizhou. From a young age, Cui Qian was known for his intelligence and bright demeanor. As he grew older, he became thoughtful and well-informed. He read widely in the classics and histories, not limited to just the literal meanings of texts, with the goal of broadening his knowledge. Whenever he read about governing the country and comforting the people, he felt a sense of joy that often led him to sigh. During the Xiaochang period, he began serving as an assistant to the imperial secretary. He followed the Grand Preceptor Yuan Tianmu to campaign against Xing Gao and won the battle. Due to his military achievements, he was appointed as the General of State Support and the Grand Palace Master, and later promoted to General Who Pacifies the East and the Palace Attendant of the Imperial Secretariat. He Baosheng was sent to Jingzhou as a high official, with a deputy named Li Qian. Although He Baosheng was the leader, he entrusted the administration of the region and the management of the army to Li Qian. Li Qian indeed worked diligently and helped He Baosheng keep everything running smoothly. He Baosheng was well-regarded in the south, largely due to Li Qian's efforts.
Later, Emperor Xiaowu of Northern Wei wanted to evade the attack from the Qi state, so he ordered He Baisheng to lead troops to Luoyang. When the army reached Guangzhou, the emperor had already made his way west. He Baisheng hesitated, contemplating a return to Jingzhou. Li Qian advised him, saying, “In the past, when the Zhou Dynasty declined, the feudal lords lost their positions; when the Han Dynasty fell, those vassal kings remained loyal and dutiful. Now that the royal family is in great trouble, and the emperor is in exile, it is the time for loyal subjects to don armor and for men of righteousness to achieve merit! General, you bear a heavy responsibility now, leading the troops from Wan and Ye. If you can step forward and be the first to respond to the call to support the emperor, people across the land will be moved. You should embody the spirit of loyalty, righteousness, and courage, responding to the expectations of the people near and far, and hurry to Guanzhong to see the emperor. Then, together with Yuwen Hangtai, you can work in unison to punish those disloyal individuals. By doing so, you could achieve greatness like Huan Wen and Xie An! If you retreat now and give up halfway, I fear that everyone will lose heart and have their own hidden agendas. Once the opportunity is missed, it will be too late for regrets!” He Baisheng did not listen to him, and as a result, morale indeed crumbled, leading to chaos. Before they even reached the provincial city, Deng Dan had already drawn the army of Hou Jing to the province, and He Baisheng was defeated, fleeing with a few hundred cavalry to the Liang state. Li Qian followed him. After arriving in Liang, Li Qian continually requested Liang to send troops for rescue. Though Emperor Wu of Liang did not send troops, he admired their loyalty and righteousness and agreed to let them return home. So, he first allowed Li Qian to return home, to also connect the relations between the two states. Emperor Wen of Northern Wei was very happy to see Li Qian, saying, “You escaped from the brink of death, fled to the other side of the river, and now you can return to the court. Isn't this a reward for your loyalty?” The founding emperor had long heard of Li Qian's great name and respected him greatly. Thus, he appointed him as General of the Western Campaign and Grand Minister of the Golden Purple Rites, and conferred upon him the title of Marquis of Qiansheng County. Upon He Baisheng's return, he was granted the title of Grand Preceptor, and because of Li Qian’s contributions in assisting him, he was also appointed as the Grand Preceptor's Chief Historian.
In the year 538 AD, Yuwen Qian followed Northern Wei's founding emperor in defeating Dou Tai and achieved merit in the Battle of Shayuan, receiving promotions and titles, becoming the emperor's adopted son. Later, he became the General of Chariots and Cavalry, Right Minister of Rites, and eventually the Right Minister of the Imperial Secretariat. He was humble, diligent, and had strong administrative abilities, and everyone at the time felt that the court had chosen the right person. In 539 AD, he helped the founding emperor lift the siege of Luoyang and performed well in the Battle of Heqiao, leading to further promotions, becoming the Grand Central Inspector of Dingzhou and the Inspector of Yingzhou. In 550 AD, he was appointed General of Chariots and Cavalry and Minister of Protocol, and then successively defeated Liu Zhongli in Sui County and quelled the rebellion of Li Qianzhe in Weixing, gaining notable military achievements. Later, he was promoted to General of the Flying Cavalry, Grand Preceptor of the Palace, Inspector of Zhizhou, and was granted the surname Yuwen.
During the reign of Emperor Gong of Wei, Yuwen Qian was transferred to the post of Inspector of Lizhou. He was humble, intelligent, wise in the ways of governance, and diligent in his duties. Even when faced with a large number of civil lawsuits, he never wavered, always maintaining a positive work attitude. The people revered him for this. At that time, a man named Jia Huang from Shu led a rebellion, surrounding the city with his armed followers. Yuwen Qian had fewer than a thousand troops at his disposal, but he immediately organized the defense and led the troops to resist. When reinforcements from Liangzhou arrived, they captured Jia Huang and sent the remaining rebels fleeing. Yuwen Qian executed the rebel leader but showed leniency towards the others. Within ten days, peace was restored to Lizhou. After Emperor Wu of Northern Zhou ascended the throne, Yuwen Qian was titled Duke of Tang County. In the year 560 AD, he was promoted to Governor of Anzhou Province, overseeing the military affairs of eleven states including Suiying and managing the towns of Zengshan, Shangming, and Lushan, while also serving as the Inspector of Anzhou. In 562 AD, he was further promoted to Grand General, and his title was elevated to Duke of Wukang.
In the year 563 AD, Yuwen Qian was appointed Governor of Jiangling. Three years later, he was promoted to Governor of Jingzhou, overseeing military affairs in Jingzhou and the fourteen surrounding states, including Jingxi, while also serving as the Governor of Jingzhou. Jingzhou, which had a large population made up of both Han Chinese and various ethnic minorities, was bordered by Chen to the south and Qi to the east. Yuwen Qian defended against external threats while pacifying the people, promoting a positive social atmosphere in Jingzhou and earning the reputation of a wise governor. He consistently ranked first in annual assessments and received praise from the court on multiple occasions. Yuwen Qian had followed He Baosheng in Jingzhou before, and although he was appreciated by He Baosheng, his official position was not prominent. When he truly assumed the position of Governor of Jingzhou, this was seen as a great honor by both the court and the populace. In the year 566 AD, Yuwen Qian passed away in Jingzhou. The people of Jingzhou were deeply saddened and constructed a shrine in his honor, where they offered sacrifices year-round. His son, Yuwen Kuang, inherited his title.
He was humble and filial, who lost his father at a young age and nearly fell into despair. However, he had a great relationship with his brother, Yuwen Shuo, and even as both brothers grew older, held high positions, and shared the family's wealth, they were completely selfless. They were both serious and adhered to proper etiquette at home. Yuwen Kuang and Yuwen Shuo's son, Hongdu, inherited their family's virtues.
From a young age, Yuwen Kuang was gentle and kind-hearted, treating everyone well. He served as a palace secretary and an official in the external office. During the reign of Emperor Daixiang of Northern Zhou, he attained the rank of General of the Household and Governor of Xizhou.
Yuwen Shuo, whose original name was Yuwen Yue, was upright and courageous from a young age, possessing great strength and exceptional skills in horseback riding and archery. He served as a record keeper in the military headquarters and later was promoted to the position of military counselor. When Heba Sheng became the Inspector of Jingzhou, he appointed Yuwen Shuo as a General, Champion General, and Commander of the Defense of the City. He later followed Heba Sheng in joining the Liang Dynasty and then returned to the Northern Zhou Dynasty. He was appointed as the Guard General, Commander, and conferred the title of Count of Anchang, with a fief of three hundred households. He followed Emperor Taizu of Zhou in attacking Hongnong and participated in the Battle of Shayuan, and achieved notable military accomplishments. As a result, he was granted a fief as a Marquis, his fief increased to eight hundred households, and he was appointed as the Prefect of Jingzhao County. He continued to rise in ranks, holding positions such as Commander-in-Chief, General of the Army, Cavalry Attendant, Grand Commander, Grand General of Chariots and Cavalry, Supervisor of the Imperial Secretariat, Chief Minister of the Capital, and Grand Corrector of Dingzhou. He was then enfeoffed as Marquis of Anguo, with his fief increased to three hundred households, and granted the surname Yuwen and the name Shuo. He was later promoted to Grand General of the Cavalry, appointed as the Palace Attendant, and advanced to Duke of Wannian County, with a total fief of two thousand four hundred households. He was appointed as the Inspector of Longzhou, and later promoted to Commander of the military forces in Liang, Gan, and Gua three provinces, as well as the Inspector of Liangzhou. Yuwen Shuo governed firmly in the region, and the common people greatly respected him. When Prince Yuwen Xian of Qi went on an expedition to the east, he appointed Yuwen Shuo as the Chief Military Historian. After the war, he was appointed as the Commissioner, overseeing the military affairs of thirteen provinces including Xiong, Zhong, and Chongde, and was granted the title of Grand General and changed to Duke of Anping County. He passed away in the fourth year of Jiande, at the age of sixty-four. He was posthumously appointed as the Inspector of the Five Provinces of Fuyan, Dansui, and Xiong, and was given the posthumous title of "Zhuang." His son, Yuwen Hongdu, was brave and resolute, inheriting his father's style. During the reign of Daxiang, he attained the rank of Senior Pillar of State and Duke of Wuxiang County.
Cui You, courtesy name Xuanyou, was from Anping, Hebei, and was the twelfth generation grandson of Cui Shi, a Minister of Personnel during the Han Dynasty. His grandfather, Cui Ting, once served as the governor of Wei Province and was posthumously granted the title of General of the Supporting State and the Governor of Youzhou, with the posthumous title of Jing. His father, Cui Xiaofen, held the position of Left Grand Minister of Splendor and concurrently served as the Minister of Ceremonies, but was later killed by Emperor Shenwu of Qi. Cui You was known for his love of studying from a young age, his elegant demeanor, righteous character, military talent, and strategic vision.
He initially served as a Gentleman of the Household Cavalry and later took on the role of Langzhong of the Grand Secretariat. Not long after, he was recommended by Li Shenjun, the Minister of Personnel, and was promoted to Gentleman of the Palace Secretariat, also in charge of the affairs of the Langzhong of the Chariots. During the Putai period, he was appointed as the General Who Conquers the Barbarians and the Attendant Cavalry of the Minister of the Interior. After a family tragedy, he secretly fled to Guanzhong.
When he went to pay respects to Emperor Xiaowu of Wei, his sorrowful demeanor touched everyone present, and even the Emperor's expression shifted in response. After Cui You left, the Emperor watched him depart and said, "The ideals of loyalty and filial piety are embodied in this family." He then permitted him to continue handling court affairs in his original capacity.
During the Taistat period, he also took on the role of Yellow Gate Attendant Gentleman, was appointed as the Count of Pingyuan County, and received a fief of eight hundred households. The following year, he officially served as a Yellow Gate Attendant Gentleman and was subsequently promoted to General of the Central Army. In the suppression of the Dou Tai rebellion, the recovery of Hongnong, and the Battle of Shayuan, Cui You accompanied the army, where he was responsible for administrative tasks. Five years later, he was promoted to Left Chief Historian of the Minister of the Interior and was also promoted to General of the Valiant Cavalry.
At that time, the Grand Sacrificial Temple had just been completed, and during sacrificial rites, there would be entertainment activities such as acrobatic performances, and many of the sacrificial officials served in part-time roles. Cui You repeatedly submitted memorials advising the emperor, who adopted his suggestions. Afterwards, he was promoted to Governor of Jingzhao. At that time, marriage rituals had become lax, and during wedding ceremonies, many people would hold lavish celebrations featuring song and dance performances. Moreover, wealthy families in the city dressed in a very extravagant manner, and it was even trendy to produce luxurious silk. Cui You submitted another memorial calling for a ban on such extravagance, which the emperor approved. He also worked with Lu Bian and others to reform the system of the six ministries. Twelve years later, he was appointed Grand Commander, General of the Flying Cavalry, and Inspector of Xizhou, and also promoted to General of the Chariots and Cavalry and Grand Minister of Ceremonies. In the fourteenth year, Hou Jing occupied the Henan region and expressed his willingness to surrender to the court. The court then dispatched acting governor Wang Sizheng to handle the matter. Emperor Gaozu wrote a letter to Sizheng saying, "Cui Xuan You is exceptionally intelligent and highly adaptable. If you have any uncertainties, consult him to see if he has insights."
Wang Sizheng initially stationed the army in Xiangcheng, but later wanted to establish the administrative office in Yingchuan. He sent an envoy, Wei Zhongfeng, to the court to explain the situation and wrote a letter to Cui Xuanyou, explaining his plan to move the administrative office. Cui Xuanyou replied, "The key to military success is to seize the initiative first and then take decisive action, in order to achieve victory in every battle and to triumph over the strong with the weak. Xiangcheng currently guards the vital transportation route between the capital and Luoyang, making it the most strategically important location at present. Any developments there could easily be backed up. On the other hand, Yingchuan is right next to enemy territory and lacks natural defenses. If the enemy launches a major attack, they could directly reach the city. In my opinion, weighing the pros and cons, it is better to station the army in Xiangcheng and establish the administrative office there, while designating Yingchuan as a prefecture and sending Guo Xian to guard it. This way, with cooperation from both inside and outside, we can stabilize people's hearts and prevent any major trouble even in case of unexpected situations."
Wei Zhongfeng reported Cui Xuanyou's opinion to Emperor Gaozu. The Emperor Gaozu immediately sent Wei Zhongfeng back to have Wang Sizheng follow Cui Xuanyou's strategy. Wang Sizheng resumed his actions, requesting to sign an agreement with the court: if the enemy attacks by water, requesting one week for the court to send reinforcements; if it is a land attack, requesting three years for the court to respond. During this period, if there is a battle, the court wouldn't need to send reinforcements. After this deadline, they would follow the court's instructions. Emperor Gaozu felt that since Wang Sizheng was personally involved in this matter and repeatedly requested, he agreed to his request. However, later Yingchuan was lost, and Emperor Gaozu deeply regretted it.
In the sixteenth year, Wang Sizheng resigned from his official position due to illness. Just as the court's army was heading eastward, Emperor Gaozu rewarded him with a carriage and allowed him to follow the army, participating in the planning and decision-making of the military. In the seventeenth year, Wang Sizheng was promoted to Privy Councilor, General of the Valiant Cavalry, Governor of the Capital, and Grand Master of the Central Province, and was granted the surname Yuwen.
In the year 366 AD, Emperor Taizu wanted to reopen the old road between Liang and Han, so he sent Yang You, along with five generals including Liu Daotong and Lu Teng, to lead the army in repairing the road, cutting through mountains and filling valleys, and they built over five hundred miles of road, reaching all the way to Liangzhou. Then, he appointed Yang You as the governor of Liangzhou, Lizhou, and twelve other states, as well as the military commander of the two strongholds, Baima and Tangcheng, concurrently serving as the inspector of Liangzhou.
Later, Emperor Taizu passed away, and some prefectures in Lizhou, Shazhou, and Xingzhou took the opportunity to rebel, with Xinzhu, Kaizhou, and Chuzhou also following suit. Only in the Liangzhou region did the common people remain loyal and steadfast, without any doubts. The inspector of Lizhou, Cui Qian, requested support from Yang You, and Yang You immediately sent six thousand troops to assist. When Xinzhu ran out of grain, Yang You sent another four thousand measures of grain. Ultimately, both places were preserved, thanks to Yang You's efforts! Therefore, Yang You was promoted to Duke of Gu'an County, with a fief of two thousand households. Yang You was highly valued by Sima Yi of the Jin dynasty (266-420 AD), who even adopted his third daughter to be Yang You's wife, bestowing her the title of Princess Fuping.
After Emperor Shizong ascended the throne, Yang You was appointed as a Grand Master of the Court. At that time, the court referred to the emperor as "Heavenly King" following the "Rites of Zhou," and no era name was established. Yang You believed that in this world, there are both prosperous and chaotic times, and the fortunes of the country alternate between rise and fall; therefore, the titles of emperors and era names should also change with the times, as a wise monarch always adjusts according to the actual situation. Now that the Son of Heaven is called a king, it is not enough to shock the world; one should follow the example of the Qin and Han dynasties and call him emperor, and establish an era name. The court ministers all agreed with his opinion. By the second year of Wucheng, Yang You was appointed as a Grand Master of the Secretariat, while his position as Grand Master of the Court remained unchanged.
After the death of Emperor Shizong, the edict named Gaozu as emperor. Sima Yi of the Jin dynasty said to Yang You, "The Duke of Lu (referring to Gaozu) is kind and benevolent, and he is the oldest son of Emperor Taizu. Now, according to the edict, I will assist him in his ascension to the throne. What do you think?" Yang You replied, "The Yin Dynasty honors elders, and the Zhou Dynasty places importance on family ties. Since the court is now adhering to the 'Rites of Zhou,' we cannot go against this principle." Sima Yi said, "I am concerned that Duke Bi may be too young for such a significant responsibility." Yang You said, "Back then, Duke Zhou assisted King Cheng in governing the world and commanding the vassals. Moreover, you are wise and military, with many talents. As long as you emulate Duke Zhou's approach, you will not fail the trust of the late emperor." Although Sima Yi did not ultimately adopt Yang You's suggestion, people at the time praised Yang You for sticking to the right path. In the first year of the Baoding era, Yang You was once again appointed as the military commander of fourteen states, including Liangzhou, Lizhou, and Kaizhou, as well as the commander of the two military fortresses, Bai Ma and Tangcheng, concurrently serving as the governor of Liangzhou. Shortly after, he also resumed his position as the Minister of the Council. In 606 AD, Chen Dynasty general Hua Jiao surrendered to the Sui Dynasty. Prince Yang Guang of Jin sought to take advantage of this situation to march south and attack Chen, and no court officials dared to oppose him. Only Yang Su spoke out and said, "Two years ago, we lost half of our men and horses in the eastern expedition. Although we later pacified the people, the trauma has not healed. Recently, there has been a comet, which is a warning from heaven! We should cultivate virtue to eliminate natural disasters. How can we betray our alliance, shelter their rebels, and initiate an unjust war to seize their territory? Look at the historical records; there exists no precedent for this!" Yang Guang did not listen to him. As a result, the Sui Dynasty's navy was indeed defeated later, and Vice General Yuan Ding and others died in Jiangnan.
In the year 609, Yang Su was dispatched to Tongzhou to serve as a secretary to the governor. In 611, he was summoned back to court and appointed as a Junior Minister, and was also granted the title of Grand General with the ceremonial rank of a Grand General. After Emperor Wen of Sui, Yang Jian, ascended the throne, he appointed Yang Su to the position of Grand General due to his status as an old minister, and granted him the title of Duke of Ji County, increasing his fief to a total of three thousand households in all. Yang Su passed away in 610, posthumously granted the title of "Ming."
His son Yang Zhongfang, styled Buqi, achieved fame at a young age, being intelligent, witty, and possessing outstanding literary talent. In the later years of Emperor Yang Guang of Sui, he served as Grand General with ceremonial rank and as a Junior Minister of Jade Affairs.
Pei Xia, styled Songhe, was from Jiexian County in Hedong. His grandfather Pei Siqi passed the imperial examination and became a councilor in the court. His father Pei Xin was well-versed in classical texts and history, serving as the Sima of the Wang family of Changle in Wei and as the governor of Xihe County, and was posthumously granted the title of governor of Jinzhou. Pei Xia was exceptionally intelligent from a young age, an extraordinary child. When he was thirteen, his father passed away, and he mourned as if he were an adult. Later, the province appointed him as the chief clerk, and he passed the imperial examination. During the reign of Emperor Wei Zhengguang, he resigned from his official position to take up a position as a court attendant. Gradually promoted, he rose to the position of Vice Minister of the Imperial Guard and governor of Yiyang County.
Later, Yuan Hao attacked Luoyang, and Pei Xia captured Yuan Hao's messenger and burned Yuan Hao's amnesty letter. Emperor Xiaozhuang of Wei appreciated him very much, so he appointed him as Light Chariot General, the Governor of Dong Commandery, and also appointed him as the Defense Commander of Fangcheng. When tensions rose between Emperor Xiaowu of Wei and Emperor Shengwu of Northern Qi, the court mobilized troops from Henan to prepare for defense against Northern Qi, and Pei Xia led his troops to Luoyang. He was then promoted to General Who Establishes Valor and General of the Guards on the Left. Shortly thereafter, Emperor Xiaowu of Wei moved westward, while Pei Xia's wife and children remained in Dong Commandery. A man named Zheng Wei from Xingyang advised him, "Now the world is in chaos, and no one knows how it will end. It would be wise to return to Dong Commandery and reunite with your family before figuring out a way out." Pei Xia said, "How can I abandon the path of loyalty and righteousness so easily! Since I have received the court's salary, how can I exchange my wife and children for my own safety!" So he followed Emperor Xiaowu into the pass. The emperor bestowed upon him the title of Count of Qinghe County and appointed him as a military officer in the Chancellor's Office.
In the third year of Daitong, Pei Xia led local militia forces in the Battle of Shayuan, charging into battle and leading by example. In fact, his original name was Pei Xie; however, after this battle, Emperor Taizu of Northern Zhou admired his bravery and decisiveness, saying, "A benevolent person must be courageous." Therefore, he ordered him to change his name to Pei Xia. Because of his military achievements, he was promoted to a marquis, with a fief of eight hundred households, and was also appointed as a Langzhong in the Chancellor's Office. Later, Wang Sizheng was stationed at Yubi and appointed Pei Xia as his Chief Clerk. Not long after, Yubi was attacked by Emperor Shengwu of Northern Qi. Emperor Shengwu sent a letter to Wang Sizheng to surrender, and Wang Sizheng asked Pei Xia to draft a reply, which was very eloquent and poignant. Emperor Taizu of Northern Zhou praised him highly upon reading it, remarking, "Even Lu Zhonglian couldn't have penned a better piece!"
Pei Xia served as the governor of Hebei. He lived simply and treated the common people as if they were his own children, subsisting on nothing but beans, wheat, salt, and vegetables. The common folk all appreciated him. It was customary in the county that thirty hunters were specifically assigned to provide food for the governor. Pei Xia said, "I cannot exploit the common people just to satisfy my own appetite!" He dismissed all thirty of them immediately. There were also thirty laborers in the county assigned to the governor's miscellaneous tasks. Pei Xia did not treat them like his personal servants, but instead paid them according to regulations, and then used that money to buy horses. Over time, he acquired many horses. Upon leaving office, he took nothing with him. The common people sang his praises: "He does not eat rich food, nor does he exploit the labor of the common people; Pei Gong is honest and upright, a true role model for all."
Once, Pei Xia visited Emperor Taizu along with other local officials. The emperor had Pei Xia step forward and said to the other officials, "Pei Xia is honest and cautious, serving the public faithfully; he is the best in the world. Is there anyone here who can stand alongside him?" Everyone else fell silent, and no one dared to respond. Emperor Taizu then rewarded Pei Xia generously. Both the court and the people held him in high regard, calling him the "Lord of Integrity."
Pei Xia also wrote a biography of his ninth-generation ancestor, Duke Zhen of the Pei Family, believing that the integrity and uprightness of the Pei family began with Duke Zhen. He wanted future generations to learn from and emulate this, so he distributed the biography to prominent members of the clan. His cousins, Bo Feng and Shi Yan, were both officials in the Prime Minister's office at the time. They laughed and said, "Being an official means gaining both fame and fortune. Why do you pursue such a humble path?" Pei Xia replied, "Integrity is the foundation of being an official, and frugality is the cornerstone of one's character. Moreover, our Pei family has always taken pride in integrity for generations, which is why we can: while alive, be praised by the court, and after death, leave behind a lasting legacy. I am merely an ordinary person now, yet I have received the emperor's favor. Even if I am impoverished, it is not for the sake of seeking fame. My ambition lies in self-cultivation, fearing to tarnish my ancestors' reputation. I didn't expect to be ridiculed by you; what more can I say?" Bo Feng and the others felt ashamed and left.
Speaking of Pei Xia, nine years later he entered the court and became a Senior Minister. After a few years, he was dispatched to Yingzhou as the Inspector and was also granted the title of Yitong Sansi. Not long after, he was transferred to Tazhou as the Inspector, and later he was summoned back to the court to serve as the Deputy Governor of Yongzhou. After Emperor Xianmin ascended the throne, Pei Xia was appointed as a Senior Minister of Agriculture, and was further promoted to General of the Cavalry and elevated to the rank of Yitong Sansi, along with an elevation in nobility, being granted the title of Duke, with his territory expanded to encompass 1,600 households. Subsequently, he was promoted to Senior Minister for Civil Affairs.
At that time, there was a deceitful official in charge of managing the warehouse, who had secretly embezzled over ten million in funds over the years! When Pei Xia took office, he immediately made up his mind to combat these corrupt practices, and before long, all those corrupt officials were apprehended. Later, he was promoted to the position of Grand Master of Works. One of the Grand Ministers in charge of finances, Li Gui, was found crying in his office. When asked what was wrong, he said, "The expenses for the things I manage are very high, and Lord Pei's reputation is so clean; I'm afraid he will discover my wrongdoing, so I'm crying!" After hearing this, Pei Xia urged him to confess. Li Gui admitted to embezzling over five million coins. Pei Xia had many similar successes in fighting corruption. At first, Pei Xia suffered from a serious illness and was bedridden. Grand Minister Xu Guogong Yuwen Gui and Beihai's Grand Minister Shen Hui came to visit him. Pei Xia lived in a simple thatched hut which offered little protection from the elements. After Yuwen Gui and the others returned, they reported this to the emperor. The emperor, upon hearing this, felt deep sympathy for his plight and had a house built for him, and rewarded him with ten hectares of fertile land, servants, oxen, and provisions, ensuring he had everything he needed. At that time, everyone in the court regarded this as a great honor. In the first year of Wucheng, Pei Xia passed away in office. The court posthumously honored him with the titles of Prince's Tutor and Inspector of Puzhou, and bestowed upon him the posthumous title 'Zheng.' The former magistrate of Hebei County, Zhang Hui, as well as the local people, fondly remembered Pei Xia's kindness and integrity during his lifetime, and wrote eulogies specifically praising his integrity and virtuous character.
His son Pei Xiang was upright and honest, with great talent for handling government affairs. In his youth, he served as the magistrate of Chengdu. Although he was not quite as incorruptible as his father, he was more decisive in his work. Later, he became the magistrate of Chang'an, and because of his integrity, he struck fear into the powerful. He was then promoted to the position of Deputy Minister of the Granary Department. After Pei Xia passed away, Pei Xiang also died from profound grief. Pei Xia's younger brother, Pei Su, was upright and talented. During the Tianhe period, he passed the imperial examination to become a xiucai and was appointed as a court official. He gradually rose to the position of Minister of Justice and Law and was granted the title of Marquis of Huyuan County.
Xue Duan, styled Ren Zhi, was from Fen Yin in Shanxi, originally known as Sha Tuo. He was the sixth-generation descendant of Xue Bian, the governor of Yongzhou in Western Wei and the Marquis of Fen Yin. The Xue family was a prominent family in the Hedong region. His grandfather Xue Jin served as the governor of Taizhou and held a prestigious position in the imperial court, being granted the title of Duke of Fuling; his great-grandfather Xue Honglong was the governor of Hedong. Because Xue Honglong's brother, Xue Hongzuo, married Princess Xihe, the daughter of Emperor Wen of Wei, they were granted extensive lands in Fengyi, Shaanxi, so Xue Honglong's son, Xue Linju, relocated to Xiayang in Fengyi. Xue Linju passed the xiucai examination and was appointed by the court as a Doctor of the Central Secretariat, concurrently serving as the Director of Guest Affairs, and was posthumously honored with the title of Governor of Hedong. Xue Duan's father, Xue Yingji, achieved the rank of Regular Attendant of the Imperial Court. From a young age, Xue Duan had high aspirations and strong integrity. After his father's death, he observed the mourning period with utmost respect, studying diligently alongside his younger brother Xue Yu, and did not engage in worldly affairs. At the age of seventeen, Sima Gao Qian recognized his talent and appointed him as a military officer, also granting him the title of Baron of Fen Yin County. However, due to the turmoil in the realm, Xue Duan resigned from his official position and returned home.
After Emperor Xianwen of the Western Wei Dynasty moved to Chang'an, Emperor Taizu of the Northern Wei appointed Grand General Xue Chongli to guard Longmen and sent Xue Duan along with him. Later, Xue Chongli lost his stronghold and surrendered to the Eastern Wei. The Eastern Wei dispatched acting governor Xue Xunyi and General Yigan Gui, leading thousands of troops to cross the Yellow River and occupy Yang's Wall. Xue Duan and his clansmen, along with their household servants, were initially inside Yang's Wall, but Xue Xunyi ordered the soldiers to force Xue Duan and his group to cross the river and surrender to the Eastern Wei. As they were about to cross the river, darkness was falling, and Xue Duan secretly planned a rebellion with his clansmen and household servants. Xue Xunyi sent cavalry to pursue them, and Xue Duan fought back while fleeing, ultimately narrowly escaping disaster by reaching Shicheng Zha. There were originally hundreds of families living in Shicheng Zha, and Xue Duan worked together with them to defend the area. Yigan Gui and others visited several times to persuade them to surrender, but when they saw that Xue Duan was resolute in not surrendering, they had no choice but to withdraw their troops back to Hedong.
The Eastern Wei then sent General Helan Yi and the governor of South Fen Prefecture, Xue Yan, to guard Yang's Wall. Xue Duan led his subordinates and mobilized nearby villagers, coming up with various strategies to deal with them. Helan Yi and others suspected that a powerful army was coming to support Xue Duan, and they were so frightened that they hurriedly fled back to Hedong, scrambling for boats, resulting in the drowning of thousands. Xue Duan seized their weapons and equipment and returned to Yang's Wall. Emperor Taizu of the Northern Wei sent the governor of South Fen Prefecture, Su Jingshu, to guard Yang's Wall, and he also sent someone to write a letter to comfort Xue Duan, summoning him to serve at court as an aide in the Grand Chancellor's Office.
Xue Duan captured Dou Tai, restored peace in Hongnong, and distinguished himself in the Battle of Shayuan. The emperor promoted him, and he rose to higher official positions. He was upright and fearlessly voicing his opinions. The emperor held him in high regard and specially honored him with the name "Duan," believing it suited his character perfectly.
Xue Duan was in charge of selecting officials, and he always chose those who were talented first, even if they were from noble families. If they were not capable, he would never promote them. He often told the emperor, "Appointing officials is for the development of the country. If the wrong person is chosen, it would be better to leave the position empty!" The emperor greatly agreed with him. In the sixteenth year of the Dàtǒng era, when the court sent troops on an expedition to the east, General Li Bi searched for several days but could not find suitable staff. The emperor said to Li Bi, "In my opinion, Xue Duan is the most suitable." Li Bi immediately agreed, "He is indeed a suitable candidate!" So Xue Duan was sent. He was promoted again.
Later, Xue Duan was promoted to the Minister of Personnel, and the emperor bestowed upon him the surname Yuwen. Xue Duan spent a long time in the position of selecting officials and had a lot of experience in talent identification. Everyone he selected was exceptionally skilled. He was promoted to the position of Military Commander, and his official rank continued to rise, with his title elevated to Marquis.
After Emperor Xiaomin ascended the throne, Xue Duan was promoted again, granted the title of Duke, and was given additional land. Later, Yuwen Hu wanted to overthrow the emperor and called for officials to discuss the matter. Xue Duan voiced his dissent. Yuwen Hu was unhappy and sent him to Caizhou as the Governor. Xue Duan was kind and benevolent in his governance in Caizhou, and he was beloved by both the people and officials. Later, he was transferred to Kizhou as the Governor. Kizhou was near the two countries of Liang and Chen and needed to stabilize the border. The governor, Shi Ning, sent someone to urge him to take up his post quickly. Thousands of people in Caizhou came to beg him to stay, demonstrating his popularity. Xue Duan sadly passed away shortly after his arrival in Kizhou, at the age of forty-three. Before his death, he instructed his family to arrange a simple burial and refuse any gifts. The court posthumously elevated his rank, increased his title, and bestowed upon him the posthumous title of "Zhi."
His son, Xue Zhou, was exceptionally bright from a young age, well-read, and astute in political matters. Later, he also became a high official.
Duan Diyu, style name Renyou, was well-known in his hometown for his filial piety and friendliness from a young age. He initially studied at the Imperial Academy, where most of the students were children of the nobility. Few were truly dedicated to their studies, except for Duan Diyu, who had a genuine passion for learning and was tireless in his studies. At the age of twenty, he was appointed as a military advisor to the Prime Minister. At that time, Wei Xiaojing, who only sought a peaceful and leisurely life, had no interest in worldly affairs. Duan Diyu admired Wei Xiaojing's detachment from fame and fortune, often visiting him with food and wine, spending the whole day chatting and drinking together. Eventually, Wei Xiaojing gave his granddaughter in marriage to him. Duan Diyu once said to his relatives and friends, "A great man living in an era of enlightenment, without any notable accomplishments in civil or military affairs recognized by others, will end up in vain despite being busy. Living like Wei the Recluse, retiring to the mountains in seclusion, not engaging in court politics, following his own path peacefully, ignoring honor and disgrace, is truly joyful!" Not long after, Duan Diyu fell ill and died at the age of forty-one. Many talented scholars wrote elegies for him. Emperor Taizu lamented his death and posthumously appointed him as the Governor of Luozhou.
Xue Shan, style name Zhongliang, was from Fenyin, Hedong. His grandfather Xue Hu was the Prefect of Hedong County in the Wei Kingdom, and his father Xue He was the Governor of South Qingzhou. When Xue Shan was young, he served as a military advisor in the Sikong Mansion, later rising to become the Prefect of Tangcheng County and then transferred to be the Commander of Yanchi. After Emperor Xiaowu of Wei moved west, Eastern Wei renamed Hedong to Taizhou and appointed Xue Shan as a convoy. Xue Shan came from a well-off family with hundreds of servants. His older brother Xue Yuanxin was renowned for his generosity and lavish lifestyle, throwing extravagant banquets with long tables, always filled with guests and entertainment. In stark contrast, Xue Shan embraced a simple and tranquil lifestyle.
In the year 540 AD, Emperor Shunwu of Northern Qi was defeated in the Battle of Shayuan, leaving his cousin Gao Chongli to guard Hedong. Emperor Taizu of Northern Zhou sent Li Bi to besiege Hedong. Gao Chongli held his ground and refused to surrender. Gao Shan secretly said to Gao Chongli, "The army of the Gao family (referring to Northern Qi) has gone against the will of heaven, which has led to the emperor's exile. My brother and I are merely benefiting from the Gao family's favor and enjoying the favor of the state. Now that the enemy is at the gates, your brother still wants to sacrifice himself for the Gao family. If the city falls and your head is sent to Chang'an as the head of a traitor, even if you die, won't you feel a sense of guilt? It's better to surrender early; although it may not show loyalty, at least you can save your life." However, Gao Chongli remained indecisive.
At this time, Gao Shan's cousin Gao Fu's brother-in-law Gao Zixin was appointed as the commander of the defense of the city, tasked with defending the south gate. Gao Zixin sent Gao Fu to see Gao Shan and said, "I want to open the city gates to welcome the Western forces, but I am worried that we lack the strength." Gao Shan then allowed his brother Gao Ji to bring dozens of students to open the city gates with Gao Zixin and Gao Fu to welcome Li Bi's army into the city. Those involved in planning the surrender were all granted titles of the fifth rank. Gao Shan, believing that betrayal and surrender were simply the realities of servitude, felt that his entire family should not be ennobled; therefore, he and his brother Gao Shen firmly declined the honors.
Zhou Taizu greatly admired him and appointed Gao Shan as the county magistrate of Fenying. Gao Shan had strong administrative skills, made significant contributions to governance, and was praised by the entire county. Governor Wang Pi also valued him highly and appointed him to oversee the affairs of six counties. Soon, Gao Shan was summoned to serve as a Langzhong in the Xing Tai. At that time, the court aimed to develop military settlements to address military funding issues, so he was appointed as the Deputy Minister of Agriculture, responsible for managing twenty military settlements in Xiaoyang County, Tongzhou. An iron ore smelting plant was established in the mountainous areas of Xiaoyang, and Gao Shan was appointed as the supervisor, mobilizing eight thousand workers each month to produce weapons. Gao Shan personally supervised the work, while also reassuring the locals. The weapons produced were of high quality, and the workers forgot their hardships. Gao Shan was further promoted to Regular Mounted Attendant of the Imperial Guard, promoted to a subordinate position in the Grand Chancellor's Office. In recognition of his contributions to military settlements, he was granted the title of Count of Longmen, further promoted to Gentleman of the Yellow Gate, and concurrently held the title of Supervisor of the Left. He was later appointed as the Prefect of Hedong Commandery, promoted to General of the Valiant Cavalry, Supervisor of the Household, and given the surname Yuwen. After the establishment of the Six Ministries, he was appointed as a Senior Official in the Ministry of Works, granted the title of Duke of Boping County. Shortly after, he was promoted to Senior Imperial Secretary, and later transferred to a Senior Official position in the Ministry of Personnel.
When Duke Jin of Jin was in power, he maintained a close relationship with Qi Gui and once advised him, saying, "The major state affairs and military authority should be in the hands of the emperor; why do you still retain it?" Qi Gui heeded his advice. Later, Duke Jin ultimately killed Qi Gui, and due to his recognition of Shan's loyalty, he promoted him to the post of Sima in the Zhongwai Bureau. He was later promoted to the position of Sihui Zhongdafu (Chief Minister of Sihui), overseeing the affairs of six departments. Subsequently, he was appointed as the Inspector of Longzhou, while concurrently serving as the Chief Clerk of the Yizhou Governor's Office. Afterward, he was recalled to the court to serve as the Shaofu. He eventually passed away while in office at the age of sixty-seven. The court posthumously conferred upon him the title of Puyuxun Governor across three provinces. Emperor Gaozu informed Prince Qi of Shan's counsel to Qi Gui and posthumously conferred upon Shan the title of Duke Miao. His son, Pou, succeeded to the title and served as the magistrate of Gaoyang. Shan had a younger brother named Shen.
Shen Zifuhu was passionate about learning, could write articles, and excelled in cursive script. When he was young, he was close friends with Pei Shuyi, Pei Zouzhi, Liu Qiu, Lu Rou from Fanyang, Li Can from Longxi, and others. He initially worked as a military officer in the Bureau of Ink in the Prime Minister's office. Emperor Taizu established schools in the Ministry of Personnel, selecting students with good character and intelligence from the officials and assistants. They conducted official business in the morning and studied in the evening, starting with the "Six Classics" and then studying historical records. Emperor Taizu selected students with noble character to serve as his personal readers. Shen, Li Can, Li Boliang from Longxi, Xin Shao from Wugong, Su Heng from Wu, Xiahou Yu from Qiao, Liang Kuang and Liang Li from Anding, Changsun Zhang from Henan, Pei Ju and Xue Tong from Hedong, Zheng Chao from Xingyang—these twelve people were selected. Emperor Taizu also designated Shen as a teacher, in charge of the students' curriculum. Emperor Taizu liked to discuss Buddhism and selected one hundred famous monks and experts in Xuanzong's thought to lecture in the office. He also ordered Shen and the other twelve to study Buddhism, cultivating both their inner and outer selves. As a result, Mahayana Buddhism began to spread throughout the country.
After a few years, Emperor Taizu appointed Shen as the attendant to the Lord of Yidu. Later, he was promoted to the position of Prime Minister. After the completion of the Eastern Palace of Wei, Shen was appointed as the Prince's Attendant. He was later promoted to the rank of commoner, concurrently serving as an attendant to the Prince. He was then appointed as the Regular Palace Attendant, concurrently serving as the Palace Attendant of the Central Secretariat, and later promoted to the Deputy Director of the Ministry of Rites. When the Six Offices were established, he was appointed as the Grand Officer of the Food Department. Shen's brother, Shandang, was also working in the Ministry of Works at that time. The two brothers held esteemed positions and were highly respected by the people at that time. After Emperor Xiaomin ascended the throne, Shen was appointed as the Grand Officer of the Imperial Guard, later promoted to General of Chariots and Cavalry, Supervisor of the Left, and granted the title of Marquis of Huainan County with a fief consisting of eight hundred households. He later served as the Grand Officer of the Shi clan and also served as the Imperial Uncle.
At first, Xue Shen served as an official in Baoding, and later he was dispatched to Huzhou as the governor. Huzhou's territory was intermingled with some barbarian areas, where these barbarians frequently engaged in raids and thefts. Xue Shen gathered the influential local leaders, seriously conveyed the imperial edicts, and required each leader to meet with him once a month. If they had anything to report, they didn’t have to wait for the scheduled day. Every time Xue Shen met them, he warmly encouraged and advised them, and would invite them for drinks and meals.
After a year, the barbarians changed their attitudes and started to embrace his teachings. They said to each other, "Today we realize that the governor is indeed our true benefactor!" Everyone was very happy. From then on, over a thousand barbarian families settled in Huzhou. The barbarians had a custom that after marriage, even if the parents were alive, they had to live separately from their parents. Xue Shen instructed his subordinates, "As officials, we are here to educate the people. How can we allow our own sons to live separately from their parents after marriage? This is not just a flaw in their customs, but also a failure on our part as officials!"
Consequently, Xue Shen took it upon himself to guide them, teaching them filial piety and love, and encouraged the officials under him to persuade the barbarians within their jurisdictions. Several barbarian families, who had lived separately for years, returned to serve their parents after hearing Xue Shen's words, even bringing food to show respect to their parents. Xue Shen was deeply touched to witness their swift transformation and reported this to the court. The court then ordered the exemption of their taxes. From then on, the atmosphere in Huzhou underwent a significant transformation, and the barbarians gradually became like the Han people. Later, Xue Shen was promoted to the court as a high official in charge of the frontier regions. Due to illness, he stepped down and ultimately passed away at home. He left behind a collection of writings that gained widespread acclaim.
Xue Shanzhi rallied to Li Bi's call in Hedong, and Jing Zhen and Jing Xiang also brought their counties into submission.
Jingzhen, courtesy name Guobao, was a native of Puban in Hedong. He was the tenth-generation grandson of Wang Shao, the governor of Yangzhou in the Han Dynasty. His father's name was Bole, who served as the chief scribe in the prefecture and also as the magistrate of Anyi County. Jingzhen was tall and handsome, with a strong sense of chivalry. He was skilled in both literary and martial arts, and his equestrian and archery skills were exceptional, making him quite famous at the time. His cousin Jingxiang was also a generous and ambitious person, who spent his days making friends with heroes from all over the world. Jingzhen and Jingxiang had a deep brotherly bond and often went out together.
Later, Gao Huan forced the emperor to flee to Guanzhong. Jingzhen said to Jingxiang, "Gao Huan is now forcing the emperor to flee everywhere, running to Guanzhong. Who wouldn't want to kill him among those who are wise? But we don't have enough power! Now he has risen in rebellion again and is causing trouble. This is a good opportunity for us to show our loyalty to the court. We should make a plan." Jingxiang was delighted and asked, "What do you suggest?" Jingzhen replied, "Prime Minister Yuwen is generous and talented. He has held the emperor's power for several years now. Just look at how well he runs things, and the soldiers all listen to him. Even though Gao Huan has a lot of troops, he can't compete with Prime Minister Yuwen. Moreover, Gao Huan's actions go against the natural order and will soon lead to his downfall. If we can recruit a volunteer army, cut off Gao Huan's retreat, eliminate his army, and leave him with no way out, not only can we clear the court's name, but we can also be rewarded with titles and positions!"
Jingxiang fully agreed, so he and the heroes from the same county, Zhang Xiaobai, Fan Zhaoxian, Wang Xuanlue, and others, raised an army together. Within a few days, they gathered an army of over ten thousand. They were preparing to attack Gao Huan's rear army, but before they could set out, Gao Huan had already been defeated. Jingzhen and Jingxiang pursued the victory, capturing a significant number of prisoners. When Li Bi's army arrived in Hedong, Jingzhen and Zhang Xiaobai led tens of thousands of families from six counties including Yishi, Nanjie, Beijie, Anyi, Wenquan, and Yuxiang to submit to the court. The emperor was very pleased and immediately appointed Jingzhen as the Prefect of Pingyang and the Governor of Yongning. He appointed Jingxiang as the Dragon Cavalry General and the Attendant of the Court, also serving as the Governor of Xiangli, and rewarded them with a band to show his favor. The emperor also held Jingzhen's hand and said, "The preservation of Hedong relies entirely on your contributions, brothers! I entrust Hedong to you, so I don't have to worry about the east." After some time, Jingzhen was promoted to the Inspector of Jiangzhou, but later resigned due to illness and passed away at home. His son, Jingyuanyue, was upright, insightful, and knowledgeable, and rose to the rank of senior official.
Zhang Xiaobai and others returned to the capital with Jingzhen, and the emperor greatly appreciated their contributions, promoting and rewarding them. Later, they all rose to the high positions of Prefect and Inspector.
Historical records state: Duke Xiaomu of Zheng comforted and resettled the displaced people, helping many refugees carrying children in Binzhou and Qizhou; Cui Qian guarded the border, earning a reputation for integrity in the Jianghan region.
Cui Shuo was very strict in his personal dealings, but was known for his firmness and decisiveness in the political arena; Cui You assisted the emperor in court, always offering many good suggestions, and when serving as a local official, he was able to win the hearts of the people with both kindness and firmness.
Pei Xia was loyal and devoted to the emperor, diligent in his duties, leading a frugal life, clean and incorruptible. His subordinates dared not deceive him, and the people appreciated his benevolence. Xue Duan maintained a prominent position throughout his life, renowned for his integrity and fortitude. He was skilled in handling government affairs, efficient, and had a good reputation, held in high esteem by the people. They were both exceptional generals of their time. However, Shan Xianqi stooped to flattery and sycophancy, even changing his name in pursuit of power and status. Isn't this a serious blunder?
