Li Xian, courtesy name Xianhe, his ancestors hailed from Chengji in Longxi, Gansu. His great-grandfather, Li Fu, served as a general during the reign of Emperor Taiwu of Wei, leading troops to suppress the rebellion of the Tuge people, and died in battle. He was later posthumously promoted to General of Ningxi and Prefect of Longxi. His grandfather, Li Bin, inherited his father's military authority and was stationed in Gaoping, where he settled down. His father, Li Wenbao, passed away early. Towards the end of the Wei Dynasty, due to the accomplishments of Li Xian and his brothers, the court posthumously appointed his father as the Inspector of Jingyuan, Eastern Qin, Three Provinces, and Minister of Works.
Li Xian has always been ambitious and principled since childhood, never doing anything rash. Once, while playing outside, he met an old man who had white hair who said, "I am eighty years old this year, and I have seen many young people, but none like you. You will definitely become a governor in the future, so work hard!" He started school at the age of nine, only grasping the general idea of the study materials without focusing on the details. When advised to study diligently, he replied, "Everyone has their own aspirations; how can I force myself to study hard just to teach others? I just need to grasp the general principles and address my own shortcomings. As for loyalty and filial piety, those values are already deeply ingrained in my heart." Those who asked him were all convinced. At the age of fourteen, his father passed away, and he took care of and educated his younger brothers, forming a very close bond among them.
During the Yong'an period of Emperor Xiaozhuang's reign, a man named Wanqi Chounu rebelled in Qizhou and Jingzhou. Emperor Xiaozhuang of Wei sent Erzhu Tianguang to lead troops to defeat him, but Wanqi Chounu's lieutenants Wanqi Daoluo and Fei Lianshaohun were still holding out in Yuanzhou, unaware that Chounu had been defeated.
Er Zhu Tianguang sent someone to secretly consult with a man named Xian on how to deal with Wanqi Daoluo. Er Zhu Tianguang himself continued to advance with his army. At this time, another rebel, Wanqi Abao, who had lost a battle, returned and secretly told Xian: "I’m putting my life in your hands; I hope you can help me!" Xian had Abao disguise himself as a messenger from Wanqi Chounu to trick Wanqi Daoluo and his men, saying: "We have already defeated the imperial army, and now we need to discuss what to do next. Let Abao hold down the fort in Yuanzhou for now, and you all hurry over." Wanqi Daoluo and his men bought it and set off that very day. Just as they were leaving, Er Zhu Tianguang showed up and swiftly took Yuanzhou. Wanqi Daoluo fled with his six thousand subordinates to Qiantun Mountain. When Er Zhu Tianguang saw Xian, he praised him, saying, "It’s all your doing that Daoluo came out!" Xian also brought a thousand local horses to bolster the army, which delighted Er Zhu Tianguang. At that time, Yuanzhou was in the grips of a drought, short on both water and grass, so Er Zhu Tianguang withdrew his army to camp fifty miles east of the city to let the horses rest and the soldiers recuperate. He appointed the commander Changsun Xieli to oversee the affairs of Yuanzhou, with Xian as the chief clerk. Unexpectedly, Wanqi Daoluo took the chance to sneak back. Over a thousand rebels inside the city were secretly backing him, luring Daoluo in, which led to the death of Changsun Xieli. Xian then rallied the villagers to fight back fiercely, forcing Wanqi Daoluo to retreat.
Next, a dashing and skilled bandit came, surrounding the provincial city with his men, attacking fiercely day and night, and was repelled multiple times. Xian secretly ran to Yongzhou to seek help from Erzhu Tianguang. Erzhu Tianguang agreed, and Xian returned. But the bandits had already surrounded the provincial city, leaving no way to enter. When it was almost sunset, Xian pretended to gather firewood and blended in with the bandits' woodcutting crew, and was hoisted up by the townspeople with a rope. The bandits quickly realized and shot arrows in a panic, but missed him. Xian managed to enter the city and informed everyone that the imperial army was on its way. The bandits were scared and scattered. Xian later rose in ranks and eventually became the Wei Lie General, the Palace General, and the Gaoping Prefect.
He Bao Yue was killed by Hou Mochen Yue, so our Emperor's father-in-law (Taizu) led troops to the west. He Bao Xian, his brother He Bao Yuan, and He Bao Mu secretly contacted Hou Mochen Chong to deal with Hou Mochen Yue together. Because of their contributions, He Bao Xian was appointed as a commander and continued to guard the original province. When the army was about to reach Qinzhou, Hou Mochen Yue fled the city. The Emperor's father-in-law sent his nephew He Bao Dao to lead troops to pursue, with He Bao Xian at the forefront. They pursued for more than four hundred miles and caught up with Hou Mochen Yue at Qiantun Mountain, where he took his own life on the battlefield. He Bao Xian was also seriously injured, and his horse was shot by an arrow. The Emperor's father-in-law held him in high regard, rewarding him with servants, textiles, livestock, and appointing him as the Commander-in-Chief, Grand General of the Army, and Governor.
When Emperor Xiaowu of Wei moved westward, his father-in-law instructed He Baoxian to take cavalry to escort him. At that time, many people in Shandong wanted to escape back home, so his father-in-law had He Baoxian bring three hundred elite soldiers to the rear. Everyone feared him, and no one dared to flee. He was granted the title of Duke of Xiang County, with a fief of one thousand households. Not long after, he was also appointed as Left General and An Dong General, returning to guard Yuanzhou.
In the second year of Daitong, the commoners of Yuanzhou, led by Dou Luolang and his fellow commanders, rebelled and occupied the state city. He Baoxian gathered various heroes and said, "These bandits have risen up hastily; let's eliminate those two leaders first. Though they appear powerful now, their morale has already become overconfident. Moreover, they lack the ability to govern and only bring harm to the common people. They are a disorganized mob, living by plundering, and they will eventually collapse from within. If we attack them from the middle now, they will surely be terrified. According to my plan, we can take them down in a few days!" Everyone agreed with his strategy. He Baoxian took three hundred brave men, divided them into two groups, and rushed out at night, beating drums and gongs. The bandits were frightened and, after a battle, were defeated. Dou Luolang opened the city gates and fled, and He Baoxian, with three cavalrymen, pursued him lightly and killed him. Later, He Baoxian was promoted to the position of Changshi of Yuanzhou, and soon he also served as the acting governor of Yuanzhou.
Four years ago, there was a fellow named Mo Zhehou Chi who gathered a gang and went around wreaking havoc, burning, and looting, completely lawless. Back then, there was a fellow named Xian who led local soldiers and, together with the official Shi Ning from Jingzhou, set out to take him down. Mo Zhehou Chi set up his defenses to wait for them. Xian said to Shi Ning, “Mo Zhehou Chi has been building his power for years, and he has many followers; people from several states listen to him. If we concentrate our forces and attack him with full strength, his men will definitely come to help him, and we won't stand a chance against them. If we go to rescue the besieged troops, we won’t be able to control the situation either. Now, we should divide our army into several teams, put up more banners and beat the war drums, and attack from all directions at the same time to tie down those strongholds. You take elite soldiers and directly strike at Mo Zhehou Chi’s lair, get ready, but hold off for now. If Mo Zhehou Chi wants to attack, he will be afraid of your elite troops; if those strongholds want to come out, they will fear our decoy troops. This way, they'll be caught in a bind, and when they drop their guard, we can strike and will definitely defeat them. Once Mo Zhehou Chi is defeated, those strongholds will naturally surrender.” Shi Ning did not listen to him, and as a result, he faced one defeat after another. Xian had no choice but to lead a few hundred cavalry and directly raid Mo Zhehou Chi’s main camp, capturing over five hundred of his family members and servants, as well as a large amount of supplies. Just as Mo Zhehou Chi wrapped up his fight with Shi Ning and was preparing to pursue, he suddenly learned that Xian was on the scene and ditched Shi Ning to take him on. Xian took out more than ten enemies himself and captured six alive; the bandits were completely routed, and Mo Zhehou Chi fled alone. After the fight, Xian was rewarded for his efforts with forty servants and a few hundred livestock.
At the age of eight, Xian was appointed as the Inspector of Yuanzhou. Despite joining the army at a young age, he was also quite familiar with political affairs. He governed the region effectively and was very popular among the people. Twelve years later, Xian followed Dugu Xin to conquer Liangzhou and successfully pacified the region. After pacifying Zhangye and five other commanderies, he returned. Not long after, the Ruru tribe besieged the provincial capital, looting the townsfolk and driving off livestock. Xian wanted to go to battle, but Grand Commandant Wang De hesitated. After Xian pleaded persistently, Wang De finally relented. Xian rallied the troops for battle, but the enemy learned of his preparations and retreated. Xian led the cavalry to pursue, killing more than two hundred, capturing more than a hundred, and seizing twenty thousand cattle, sheep, camels, and horses, as well as countless treasures. Those who had been looted returned home safely. Consequently, Xian was promoted to General of Chariots and Cavalry and appointed as the equivalent of a Three Excellencies.
By the sixteenth year, he had been promoted to General of the Agile Cavalry, established his own government office, and held a position equal to officials of the Three Excellencies (the Secretariat, the Chancellery, and the Department of State Affairs). Legend has it that in earlier times, the Emperor Taizu escorted the Crown Prince of Wei on a tour to the western regions. When they reached Yuanzhou, they specifically paid a visit to Xian's home, where the Emperor graciously invited him to take the seat of honor, hosted him according to local customs, and entertained him with a banquet. Later, the Emperor visited Yuanzhou again, this time with even greater pomp. He had the general transported in a grand carriage, dressed in formal attire, and be honored with the protocol befitting a noble. They then went to his home, celebrating with a grand feast all day long, even rewarding his relatives and friends with gifts, the amount of which varied based on their relationship to the Emperor.
In the first year of Emperor Gong of Wei, he was appointed as the Duke of Hexi, with an increase in his fief totaling two thousand households. Later, after his student (or possibly son) was executed, he was dismissed from office. However, shortly after, he was reappointed as the Grand General of Cavalry, with a rank equivalent to that of the Three Excellencies. At that time, local tribes in Jingzhou rebelled, and the court sent Pan Yue to suppress the rebellion. The Emperor also ordered him to lead seven thousand cavalry troops along with He Ruodun to intercept the tribes from another route, which led to a great victory over the tribal leader Wen Zirong. Afterwards, they built Wenyang City in the northern part of Pingzhou to bolster border defenses. He was then appointed as the Governor of Yingzhou. At that time, Bazhou and Xiangzhou had recently submitted to the court, and he was ordered to lead the troops to pacify those rebellious regions. He also relocated over two thousand households from Jiangxia to Anzhou and established Zengshan City there before returning. In the second year of Baoding, the court reinstated his official position and title, appointing him as the Governor of Guazhou.
When Emperor Gaozu and Prince Xian were young, they could not stay in the palace due to certain unfavorable circumstances. Emperor Taizu allowed them to stay in the Xian family. They stayed for six years before returning to the palace. Later, the Emperor rewarded Xian's wife, surnamed Wu, named Yuwen, recognized her as his niece, and bestowed her many gifts.
Later, Emperor Gaozu embarked on a western tour as he passed by Xian's home. He issued a decree saying, "When I was young, I once stayed here temporarily. Xian, the General of Chariots and Cavalry, the Prefect of the Palace Secretariat, the Grand Commandant, the Commander of Military Affairs in Guazhou, and the Governor of Guazhou, you are a respected family in this region, with significant contributions and virtues. You have been entrusted with my care for many years. Your guidance and support have been invaluable. When I enjoyed your mulberries back then, I thought of your kindness; how could I possibly forget now? Now that I am on tour, staying here feels just like old times, and seeing this place only adds to my memories. Even though we aren't blood relatives, I see you as family. All your siblings, children, nephews, and others can attend the banquet together and receive honors."
Therefore, the Imperial Guard Officer Wei Chi Kai was sent to Guazhou with the Emperor's decree to honor Xian. He received a set of clothes and bedding as rewards, as well as a thirteen-ring gold belt worn by the Emperor, a horse from the palace, a gold saddle and bridle, five hundred pieces of various colored silk, and ten thousand taels of silver. Xian's brother, Duke Shen, received the same honors. Xian's sons, nephews, grandchildren, and thirty-four other relatives each received a set of clothes. Xian's nephew, She Di Le, was appointed as a governor. Xian's former students, who had previously served him, included two who were appointed as Grand Commandants, four as Commanders, and six as Generals. Five of Xian's freed household servants were appointed as Military Masters, while twelve who had not yet been freed were granted their freedom by the Emperor.
After four years, the imperial army launched an eastern campaign, and everyone was concerned about the western border's vulnerability, fearing that the Qiang and Hun tribes would come to attack. Therefore, Xian was appointed as the acting general, governor of Hezhou, commander of military affairs in three provinces and seven defenses, and governor of Hezhou. The governor position had not existed in Hezhou before, and it was specially established for him this time. After Xian took office, he actively developed farmland to reduce the pressure of logistics transportation; he also increased scouts to guard against invasions. As a result, the Qiang and Hun tribes became more subdued and no longer dared to come to the east.
Another year passed, and a rebellion broke out in Dangchang, causing the common people to lose their jobs. The court established a governor's office in Taozhou to quell the rebellion. As a result, the governor of Taozhou position was abolished, and Xian was reassigned as the governor of Taozhou, commander of seven defenses, and governor of Taozhou. At that time, the Qiang rebels attacked Shimen Shu, destroyed bridges and roads, and tried to cut off reinforcements. Xian led a thousand cavalry to meet the enemy, killing hundreds of rebels before the enemy fled. Later, the Qiang tribe, together with the Tuyuhun tribe, gathered several thousand cavalry intending to invade the western border. Xian received advance notice and dispatched troops to ambush them on their only route, defeating them again. This time, the enemy was thoroughly terrified and did not dare to breach the border again. Not long after, the governor of Taozhou position was abolished again, and the governor's office in Hezhou was reestablished, with Xian once again taking the role of governor of Hezhou.
Emperor Gaozu remembered Xian's previous achievements and summoned him back to court, appointing him as the Grand General. In March of the fourth year of Tianhe, Xian passed away in the capital at sixty-eight. Emperor Gaozu personally went to mourn, and everyone present was very sad. The court posthumously honored him with the titles of acting commander, pillar of the state, Grand General, governor of ten provinces including Jingyuan and Qin, and governor of Yuanzhou, and he was posthumously given the title "Huan." His son Duan succeeded him in his title.
Xian's son Duan, styled Yonggui, held the position of Minister of State, serving as the Governor of Zhongzhou and the Grand Minister of the Three Departments. He followed Emperor Gaozu to pacify the Qi state and died in battle at Ye City. The court posthumously awarded him the title of Grand General and conferred upon him the title of Duke of Xiangyang, and he was posthumously named "Guo." Duan's younger brother was Ji, who also served as Minister of State. Ji's younger brother was Chong, who achieved the ranks of Grand Minister of the Imperial Treasury, Senior Pillar of the State, and Duke of Guangzong. Chong's younger brother was Xiao Gui, who attained the rank of Grand General and was promoted to Count. Xiao Gui's younger brother was Xun, who became a high-ranking official at a young age, reaching the position of Senior Pillar of the State and Duke of Longxi during the Daxiang era.
Xian's younger brother Yuan, styled Wansui, displayed leadership qualities from a young age and had great aspirations. Once, while playing a war game with his friends, he commanded confidently, resembling a military formation. The county magistrate observed this and was intrigued, so he asked him to perform again. The other children were so frightened that they ran away, but Yuan, holding a stick, loudly scolded them, then reformed the ranks with even more fervor than before. The county magistrate remarked, "This child is destined to become a general; he is no ordinary boy!" As he grew older, he read extensively, and though he wasn't an expert, he had a good grasp of the material.
During the reign of Wei Zhengguang, the world was in turmoil. The Chille tribe, led by the bandit Hu Chen, invaded Yuanzhou with a strong military force. Yuan and his brothers urged the villagers to stand firm, but everyone was terrified and opinions were split. Yuan drew his sword and said, "In recent years, the court has faced many disasters, and the Xiongnu have taken the opportunity to create chaos while the court has yet to take effective measures. Now is the best time for loyal subjects to demonstrate their integrity and for righteous men to achieve great deeds. How can a true man turn his back in the face of danger? We should strive to survive in desperate situations! We have all received the court's grace, and now to abandon resistance and surrender to the enemy would be something even a five-year-old would look down upon us for. What face will we have left to show the heroes of the world in the future? Anyone who has a different opinion should be dealt with by the sword!" Everyone was so frightened that they fell silent and unanimously agreed with him. Thus, they vowed together to defend the city. Unfortunately, there were no reinforcements, and the city eventually fell. Many people were killed, and only Yuan and his brothers were able to hide and avoid disaster.
Yuan said to his brother Xian, "The rebel forces are now strong and are slaughtering loyal subjects. I want to sneak into the capital to request the court to send troops for our rescue. Brother, you should lay low, a
Later, because Li Yuan achieved great success in suppressing the rebellion of Mo Chenchong, he was promoted to the position of Governor of Gaoping Commandery. The Emperor met with Li Yuan, had a chat with him, thought highly of him, and held him in high regard, allowing him to stay by his side to work. When Emperor Xiaowu of Wei moved west, Li Yuan was appointed as Acting General, Grand Master with Silver Seal and Blue Ribbon, and Chief Clothing Commander, and was also conferred the title of Count of Anding County with a fief comprising five hundred households. When Emperor Wen of Wei first ascended the throne, he wished for longevity and believed that Li Yuan's name "Jia" had a positive connotation, so he had him assist him to the hall. Later, Li Yuan was promoted to General-in-Chief, General Who Conquers the East, and his title was raised to Duke, with his fief increased to one thousand households, also holding positions on the left and right. He followed the Emperor in the campaign against Dou Tai, recaptured the Hongnong area, and made great achievements. Afterwards, he was appointed as Commander and Inspector of Yuanzhou. The Emperor said to Li Yuan, "I have you, as important as my body having arms; how can I temporarily leave you? The role of Inspector of Yuanzhou is merely a formality. If you take your responsibilities seriously, I will feel at ease." So he had Li Yuan's brother Li Xian act as the acting Inspector of Yuanzhou. In the Battle of Shayuan, Li Yuan made the most significant contribution and was promoted to Grand General of Chariots and Cavalry, Supervisor of the Masters of Writing, with his title elevated to Duke of Yangping Commandery, and a fief of three thousand households. He then followed Dugu Xin to the east for a campaign, eventually entering Luoyang. They were later besieged by Eastern Wei generals led by Hou Jing. The Emperor personally rushed to the scene to lift the siege. In the Battle of Heqiao, Li Yuan and Dugu Xin served as the right army; the battle did not go well, and they retreated. Li Yuan was appointed as Marshal of the Grand Chancellor's Office. Li Yuan was involved in major national affairs, but he was prudent and never pursued power or personal gain, as though these matters were of no concern to him.
At that time, the Hedong region had just been recovered, and the people's sentiments were not yet settled. The emperor said to Li Yuan, "Hedong is a strategic location for the country. Without you, no one can stabilize that place." So Li Yuan was appointed as the governor of Hedong. Li Yuan vigorously promoted good customs, encouraged agricultural production, took a tough stance against crime, and strengthened defense. In less than a month, the people strongly supported him. The emperor was very pleased and even wrote a letter of commendation to him. Later, Li Yuan was summoned back to the court and appointed as Chamberlain, General of Chariots and Cavalry, and Supervisor of the Imperial Household. After the establishment of the Eastern Palace in the Wei Kingdom, Li Yuan was appointed as the Crown Prince's tutor and soon promoted to the Crown Prince's Grand Tutor.
Gao Zhongmi, the governor of Beiyu Province in Eastern Wei, wanted to surrender the entire province to us. At that time, Qi Shenwu (referring to Gao Huan) was stationed in Heyang, which was quite a distance from Beiyu Province! It was very difficult for our main army to go there for support, and the generals felt this battle would be challenging. Li Yuan said, "Beiyu Province is too far from the enemy's territory, and Gao Huan is blocking Heyang. By common sense, it is indeed difficult to provide support. But in warfare, speed is crucial, and opportunities must be seized. Nothing ventured, nothing gained. If we use surprise attacks, we may succeed. Even if there are wins and losses, this is all common in warfare. If we hesitate and are indecisive, we will never have hope."
Emperor Taizu thought what Li Yuan said had some merit and happily said, "What Li Wansui said has some merit." Therefore, Li Yuan was tasked with leading the army eastward first, with the emperor following with the main army. Li Yuan secretly led the troops to Beiyu Province, captured Gao Zhongmi and brought him back. Then, he fought with Emperor Taizu at Mangshan. The battle did not proceed smoothly, but Li Yuan organized his troops, protected the rear, and ensured the main army's safe retreat. Later, he was appointed as the military commander of twenty-one provinces including Yizhou and Hongnong.
Li Yuan was very skilled at winning the hearts of the people and was quite strategic; he excelled in both warfare and defending cities. He was always kind to those from beyond the borders, recruiting them as spies, and he could gather intelligence on any enemy movements. Even when some spies were killed by the enemy for leaking information, he felt no remorse. This was how he earned the people's trust. One time, while hunting in Shazha, he spotted what he thought was a rabbit in the grass, firing an arrow that lodged over an inch deep. Upon closer inspection, he discovered it was merely a stone! When Emperor Taizu learned of this, he was astonished and even sent him a letter: "General Li Guang did something similar in the past, and you have done the same today; truly, your name will be remembered in history! Even the fame of Xiong Qu, an ancient marksman, pales in comparison to yours!"
General Duan Xiaoxian of Eastern Wei led an impressive force of twenty thousand infantry and cavalry towards Yiyang, claiming to deliver grain, but in reality, he aimed to secretly assess the situation. Gao Huan (Emperor Taizu) had long seen through his cunning ruse and deployed troops to catch them by surprise, capturing their supplies and weaponry. Duan Xiaoxian retreated in humiliation. Gao Huan not only rewarded him with warhorses, gold belts, tents, clothing, and bedding, but also bestowed upon him two thousand bolts of silk and appointed him as a Grand General. Shortly thereafter, he was promoted to the position of Left Minister of Personnel.
After Gao Huan appointed him as the Left Chancellor, he said to me: "I am just a simple man from the Qin and Long regions, with no special talents or abilities. My greatest wish in life was to be a county governor. It is thanks to the favorable circumstances that I am able to serve under you. The higher your position, the more my official rank rises, which has led to today's achievements. Now that I hold a high position and wield great power, my title surpasses that of an ordinary marquis, and I have been entrusted with important responsibilities, with the power of life and death in my hands. This isn't just temporary wealth and honor; it's enough to bring glory to my family name. However, the position of Left Chancellor is a key post in the court, and your current gift feels more like a burden. If you wish to protect me, please retract your order." Gao Huan said, "Your merits and character are excellent, and you are highly praised by the court and unanimously recommended by everyone, so there is no reason to decline. Besides, our relationship is like that of brothers; how can we quibble over official positions? That would be too ungrateful to me." Gao Huan insisted on his decision, and I had no choice but to accept the appointment. Gao Huan also betrothed his eleventh son, Gao Da, to his daughter, and this Gao Da is destined to be the future Prince of Dai! This demonstrates Gao Huan's appreciation and trust in him.
At that time, Gao Huan's legitimate eldest son had not yet been designated as the crown prince, while his eldest son Gao Yang (Emperor Ming) was already of age and virtuous; the legitimate son Gao Zhan (Emperor Xiaomin) was still young. Gao Huan called the ministers and said, "I want to establish my legitimate son as the crown prince, but I am afraid that the Grand General Dougu Xin will have objections." (Dougu Xin is the father of Gao Yang's mother). Everyone remained silent; no one dared to speak. At this moment, Gao Huan stood up and said, "Establishing the legitimate son as the crown prince instead of the eldest son is clearly stipulated by the rites and laws. Gao Yang is the heir apparent; what is there to doubt? If you are hesitating because of Dougu Xin, then just kill him!" Saying this, Gao Huan drew his sword and stood up. Dougu Xin also stood up and said, "How could it come to this!" Dougu Xin quickly explained himself, and only then did Gao Huan put down his sword. Thus, all the ministers agreed with Gao Huan's opinion. After Gao Huan came out, he apologized to Dougu Xin, saying, "For handling such a major matter, it had to be done this way." Dougu Xin also thanked Gao Huan, saying, "Thanks to you today, this major issue has been settled." After that, Gao Huan was appointed as one of the six officials, the minor Minister of Justice. After Gao Zhan ascended the throne, Gao Huan was promoted to General of the State, with a fief of one thousand households, and was stationed again in Hongnong.
Yuan Zizhi, during the reign of Emperor Gaozu, had already become a military officer in the Department of State Affairs, a senior official responsible for state affairs. Later, when Wang Yu Culture took power, Yuan Zizhi was worried that he would not be valued, so he secretly planned to kill Wang Yu Culture. This is written in the "Chronicle of Emperor Xiaomin." As a result, the plan was leaked, and Wang Yu Culture found out, so he was sent out to Liangzhou as the governor. Not long after, the emperor was deposed, and Wang Yu Culture summoned Yuan Zizhi back to the capital. Yuan was afraid of trouble and hesitated for a long time, finally saying, "A real man would rather die for his country and become a spirit of loyalty and righteousness than be a treacherous minister!" So he ultimately decided to return.
After arriving in the capital, Yuwen Huaji, because of his great achievements and good reputation, decided to spare his life. He called him in and said, "Your son actually has a rebellious plot, not only wanting to kill me to save himself but also plotting to endanger the entire country! The traitorous scoundrel deserves punishment; you better come up with a way to handle this!" Then he handed Zizhi over to Yuan. Yuan had always cared deeply for Zizhi, and Zizhi was quite persuasive, saying that he had never planned such a thing. Yuan believed him. The next morning, Yuan wanted to take Zizhi to see Yuwen Huaji, but Yuwen Huaji claimed that Zizhi was already dead, and asked Yuan, "You don’t believe me, Duke Yangping?" Those nearby said, "Zizhi is also outside the door!" Yuwen Huaji was furious, "Do you not believe me, Duke Yangping?" He called Zizhi in and made Yuan sit beside him, and the emperor confronted Zizhi in front of Yuan. Zizhi struggled to defend himself and said to the emperor, "I did plan this, for the stability of the country and for you! Now that it has come to this, what more can I say?" Upon hearing this, Yuan fell back onto the bed, exclaiming, "Since it's like this, I deserve to die!" Thus, Yuwen Huaji executed Zizhi and compelled Yuan to take his own life. At that time, Yuan was fifty-one. Zizhi's brothers Shuxie, Shuqian, and Shurang were also killed, while the younger brothers who were still alive survived.
In the first year of Jiande, Prince Jin Yuwen Huaji was assassinated. The court issued a decree saying: "The late Grand Commandant, Chief General, Grand Commander, and Duke of Yanping, Yuan, was highly valued by the court from a young age and achieved remarkable military successes early in his career. He participated in major military and state affairs in the court, guarded the borders and served the country with loyalty. He dedicated himself to the royal family, but unfortunately met a tragic fate. We honor his loyalty and kindness, mourn his tragic fate, and feel profound sorrow. He should be posthumously honored to recognize his loyalty." Therefore, his original official position was restored posthumously, and he was posthumously appointed as the military affairs of fifteen states including Shan and Xiong, the Governor of Shanzhou, and given the posthumous name "Zhong." During the early Sui Dynasty, he was posthumously appointed as the Chief General, Duke of Li, with an estate supporting three thousand households, and his posthumous name was changed to "Huai." His son Zhi and several of his brothers were also posthumously granted official titles and names.
His younger brother Ji, styled Zhonghe, was renowned from a young age, handsome, eloquent, well-read, and especially skilled in horseback riding and archery. The Emperor summoned him, found him outstanding, and allowed him to marry Princess Yigui. In the tenth year of Datong, he was promoted to the position of Attendant Cavalry Officer. Later, due to his father's achievements, he was granted the title of Duke of Jian'an with an estate supporting one thousand households. He continued to rise through the ranks, eventually becoming the General of the Army, Silver Seal Grandee, Attendant Cavalry Officer, and a trusted advisor of the Grand Chancellor. Not long after, he was promoted to Grand Commander, and his title was elevated to Duke of Qinghe.
Emperor Gaozu initially gained power by aiding the distressed and suppressing rebellions, his authority even surpassing that of the emperor. As the Deposed Emperor of Wei ascended the throne, the suspicion between them grew. At that time, several of Emperor Gaozu's sons were still young, with Duke Zhangwu and Duke Zhongshan stationed in the east and west respectively, so Emperor Gaozu placed his hopes in his sons-in-law, whom he regarded as his trusted aides. Ji and Duke Yicheng Li Hui, along with Duke Changshan Yu Yi and others, were appointed as generals of the Imperial Guard, in charge of the palace troops. The emperor was wary of them, and their conspiracies were soon uncovered.
After Emperor Wei's Honorable Emperor took the throne, Ji was appointed as an envoy with special powers, General of Chariots and Cavalry, and concurrently held the rank of Sanqi Changshi (Equivalent to the rank of Three Offices), with his title elevated to Duke of Dunhuang. Shortly thereafter, he was promoted to Shizhong, General of the Cavalry, and held the title of Yitong San Si, being granted the title of Heir of Yangping. After the establishment of the six official ranks, he was appointed as a Senior Official in the Imperial Court. After Emperor Xiaomin ascended the throne, he was appointed governor of Haizhou.
Later, because his brother Zhi was captured, according to the law, he should have been executed as well. However, due to his marriage to a princess and the intercession of his uncle Duke Mu, he was ultimately spared from death. In the second year of Wucheng, he was appointed as the governor of Jiangzhou. Due to his exile, he remained worried and felt overlooked. In the first year of Baoding, he died in office at the young age of thirty-one. His uncle Duke Shen Mu held him in great affection; each time he cried, his heart broke, and he told his relatives, "The good child has left me; can our family still thrive?" In the first year of Xuanzheng, he was posthumously awarded the titles of envoy with special powers, Senior Official of the Imperial Court, General, and governor of the three states of Cao, Xu, and Qiao, with the title of Duke of Dunhuang, and was given the posthumous name of Xiao. His son Wei inherited his title.
His son Wei, courtesy name Anmin, initially served as a Right Minister. He later rose through the ranks to become a Minister with the title "Equivalent to Three Departments" and inherited his father's title, becoming the Duke of Yangping. He followed Emperor Gaozu to subdue the Qi state and was awarded the position of Senior Minister and Military Commissioner for his contributions. After Emperor Xuan ascended the throne, he was promoted to Grand General and then appointed as the Inspector of Xiong Province. During the Daxiang era, he achieved the rank of Pillar of the State.
The historian noted that Li Xian and his brothers lived in tumultuous times, amidst war and chaos. They had grand ambitions and strategies, and they were loyal and brave, fighting bravely against their enemies, often finding themselves in perilous situations. However, their contributions went unrecorded in the royal merit book, and their official positions were only minor posts in the provinces. When they found favorable opportunities and gained the emperor’s favor, some were assigned to important departments, while others served in various military campaigns. All received the emperor's grace, were entrusted with important responsibilities by the state, attained high titles, and achieved great merits. Consequently, they could hold both civil and military positions, their reputations known far and wide, their statuses prominent, bringing glory to their families, and their descendants prospered. At that time, their prominence was unparalleled. From the Zhou Dynasty to the Sui Dynasty, their family became the most distinguished family in the western capital, even surpassing the families of Jin Ridi and Zhang Chang from the Han Dynasty.
However, just after the death of Emperor Taizu, the successor to the throne was still young. The court officials in the court abused their power, and there were formidable enemies at the borders. Duke Jin, as the adopted son of Emperor Taizu, took on the heavy responsibility of governing the realm, successfully pacifying the nation, removing opposition, reforming the corrupt practices of the Wei Dynasty, and establishing the Zhou Dynasty, which restored stability both at home and abroad. While his achievements were notable, his faults had yet to surface. Li Zhi was highly regarded in the previous dynasty and had long participated in state affairs; he feared that his power would be weakened and was afraid of not being valued in the future, which led him to devise a sinister plan and weave a conspiracy, using cunning tricks to manipulate important affairs and sow discord between the ruler and his ministers. The emperor lacked the wisdom of Emperor Zhao of Han, and there were ministers, such as Shangguan Jie, who lodged complaints. Once a rift formed, chaos was sure to follow. Li Zhi stirred the prime minister's rebellious sentiments, leading to the tragic downfall and death of Emperor Min, a tragedy brought about by Li Zhi. Li Yuan, lacking both a proper education and foresight, was executed, which was not an undeserved fate.
