Wang Meng, courtesy name Zi Wu, is the elder brother of Empress Mingde. His ancestors were from Lelang; his sixth great-grandfather Bo was the Grand Chancellor of Former Yan, and his grandfather Zhen served as the Yellow Gate Attendant during the Wei Dynasty, posthumously granted the title of Governor of Bingzhou and Marquis of Lelang. His father Pi was General Fubo, and due to his noble lineage, he was assigned to garrison Wuchuan, where he later settled.
During the Zhengguang period of the Wei Dynasty, the Six Garrisons Rebellion broke out, capturing many locations, and Wang Meng was drawn into the conflict. After the rebellion failed, he found himself in Zhongshan. In the early years of the Xiaochang era, he was appointed as General of Jishe and followed Xiao Baoyin to campaign in the west. After Xiao Baoyin rebelled, Wang Meng went into hiding to assess the situation. When Erzhu Tianguang entered Guanzhong, Wang Meng defected to his side. Later, he followed He Baoyue as the vanguard, capturing the rebel leader Wanqiu Chounu and suppressing the uprisings in Qinzhou and Longzhou, consistently leading the charge in every battle and showcasing exceptional bravery. He was appointed as General Who Conquers the West and Prefect of Pingqin. Later, Northern Wei sought to punish Hou Mochen Yue, so Wang Meng was summoned to Yuanzhou and appointed as the Commander-in-Chief, stationed in Gaoping. After the pacification of Hou Mochen Yue, he was appointed as the Governor of Yuanzhou.
After Emperor Xiaowu of Wei arrived in Chang'an, he granted Wang Meng the title of Duke of Wei County and a fief of one thousand households. In the early years of the Datong era, he was further promoted to Grand General of Cavalry and Minister of Works. Three years later, he was summoned to serve as Minister of Works and soon transferred to Minister of Education. He also welcomed the mourning consort of Emperor Wen of Wei upon her return from the Rouran. Subsequently, he was further honored with the title of Palace Attendant and then promoted to Grand Commander. When Emperor Wen of Wei launched an eastern campaign, he appointed him as the Grand General to remain behind, responsible for the affairs of Yongzhou and commanding the various armies in Guanzhong. During the rebellion of Zhao Qingque, Wang Meng, along with Chancellor Li Hu, escorted the Crown Prince of Wei to station in the north of the Wei River. After the rebellion was quelled, Wang Meng was elevated to the title of Duke of Changle, with his fief expanded to three thousand households, and he was granted the surname Tu Wang. When Eastern Wei invaded Fenchuan and besieged Yubi, Wang Meng served as the Grand General of the Left Wing, stationed at Pusban. After the war ended, he was promoted to Grand Protector. Nine years later, he was further promoted to Grand Tutor and received the title of Chancellor.
Wang Meng was graceful and benevolent, loving the people. Although he held a high position and wielded great power, his manners surpassed those of other officials, yet he remained humble and cautious, never bullying others with his authority. Emperor Wen of Wei respected him greatly; when Wang Meng fell ill, Emperor Wen visited him multiple times to inquire about his needs, showing the depth of his respect for Wang Meng. In the eleventh year of Datong, Wang Meng passed away, and he was posthumously granted his official title with the posthumous title of Xiaoding.
Wang Li, style name Chouxing, was a loyal, courageous, and capable person. At the age of seventeen, he followed Emperor Taizu into the Guanzhong region. When Taizu pacified the Qin and Longyou regions and stabilized Guanzhong, Wang Li served by his side. Taizu once said to him: "To be a general, the best is to command from a stronghold, strategizing and winning from a distance; the next best is to lead the troops into battle, charging into the fray." Wang Li replied, "I hope to do both." Taizu laughed heartily upon hearing this. Soon after, Wang Li was appointed as General Who Pacifies the East, an attendant of the imperial court, and was granted the title of Duke of Liangfu County. During the reign of Datong, he served as the Chief of the Imperial Bodyguards, managing the emperor's comings and goings in the palace, performing his duties with great care. Emperor Wen of Wei once commented, "Wang Li is truly a good minister who serves the court wholeheartedly!"
During the Battle of Shayuan, Wang Li, as the commander, led the imperial guards to accompany Taizu on the campaign. He fought on the left flank, engaging the enemy in close combat with dozens of subordinates using short weapons, bravely killing enemies, with countless foes falling before him. Wang Li himself sustained serious injuries and ultimately sacrificed his life on the battlefield at the age of twenty-six. Emperor Taizu was heartbroken. He was posthumously awarded the titles of Envoy with Authority, Grand Commandant, Director of the Ministry of Rites, Military Commander of Ten Prefectures, and Governor of Yongzhou, and was posthumously titled Duke of Xianyang, with the posthumous title of Loyal and Martial. His son, Wang Bi, inherited his title and married Princess Anle of Wei, eventually attaining the rank of General of Pacification and Grand Commander, as well as an honorary attendant.
Wang Li's younger brother, Wang Mao, whose courtesy name was Xiaoxing. During Taizu's western campaign, Wang Mao was still young and stayed in Shandong. It wasn't until the Yong'an period that he traveled to Guanzhong to reunite with his brother, and from then on he followed Taizu into battles across the land. In the early years of the Datong era, he was granted the title of Viscount of Anping County and appointed as the Yanglie General. Following Taizu's reception of Empress Wei Dao back to the court, he was appointed as the City Gate Colonel. When Emperor Wei went on an eastern expedition, Wang Mao stayed behind as the General of the Guard and the Crown Prince's Left Commander, and soon was promoted to the Right Leader. Later, he held various positions such as the Imperial Food Supervisor, the Commander of the Left and Right, and the General of the Guards. In recognition of his past achievements, the court promoted his title to Duke, increased his fiefdom by one thousand households, and promoted him to the General of the Right Guards. At that time, with frequent military campaigns and no time to handle the funeral, he was expected to wear plain clothes and observe mourning customs, but Wang Mao wore black mourning attire while attending to official duties. After Taizu's death, Wang Mao requested to resign from his post to observe mourning at home. Emperor Wei did not approve. After that, he continued to rise through the ranks, eventually achieving the ranks of Grand Marshal, Cavalry Attendant, and Imperial Commissioner, General of Chariots and Cavalry, Supervisor of the Three Dukes, General of the Valiant Cavalry, Household Supervisor of the Three Dukes, Palace Attendant, General of the Left Guards, and General of the Army. He was known for his gentleness, caution, diligence, and meticulousness during his over ten years of service in the palace, never making a mistake. Emperor Wei held him in high regard. In the second year of Feidi, he was appointed as the Governor of Nanqi Prefecture, promoted to Duke of Anning, and his fiefdom increased to two thousand households. In the second year of Emperor Weigong, he was further elevated to Grand Marshal and Grand Commander. Later, he took on the role of Minor Minister of Justice and ultimately passed away while in office. His son Yue inherited his title, rose to the rank of Grand Marshal and Governor of Tongzhou, and was renamed Duke of Jinan Prefecture.
His sworn brother, Zixian, was bright and sharp-witted since childhood, with a calm demeanor and few words. He started as a commander under Taizu and gradually rose through the ranks to become the General Who Guards the Chariot, General of Ning Shuo, Grand General of Chariots and Cavalry, Supervisor of the Three Offices, Commander of Military Affairs for the Four Provinces of Yanshuo, Governor of Yanzhou, Grand General of Cavalry, Supervisor of the Three Offices, Minister of Works, and Governor of Fengzhou. He was bestowed the title of Duke of Luoyi County and eventually promoted to Grand General. After his death, his son Yi inherited his title.
Yi, his son, had a bold personality and great ambitions, earning the trust and favor of the Emperor. He held important positions at a young age, reaching the rank of Pillar of State and Duke of Pingyang County. After the ascension of the Emperor, he was appointed Duke of Yangguo and Grand Minister of Works. During the Daxiang period, he served as the Governor of Xiangzhou and Pillar of State.
Helan Xiang, styled Shengle, had ancestors who rose to prominence during the Wei Dynasty, with a descendant named Ge Fu who was a descendant of Helan Mohefu, hence the surname Helan. His ancestors settled in Wuchuan as respectable members of society. His father, Helan Chuzhen, was renowned in his youth and married Taizu's sister, Princess Jian'an. In the second year of Baoding, he was posthumously honored with the titles of Grand Tutor, Pillar of State, and Duke of Changshan County.
At the age of eleven, Li Xiang became an orphan, but he observed the mourning rituals with great respect. He was raised by his uncle and was beloved by Emperor Taizu. Even while in the military camp, Taizu frequently invited scholars to teach him. When Taizu first entered Guanzhong, Li Xiang and Duke Jin Hu were in Jinyang, but later Taizu sent for Li Xiang, as noted in the Biography of Duke Jin Hu.
At the age of seventeen, Li Xiang officially entered the court as a court official, serving as General Wei Lie. Li Xiang was brave and ambitious from a young age, determined to make achievements. Before long, he was promoted to duke, often serving by the emperor's side. He followed Marquis Ping Mo Chen Yue in suppressing a rebellion and welcomed Emperor Wei Xiaowu back to the court. For these achievements, he was appointed as the Earl of Fuyi County, with a fief of five hundred households. He later participated in the Battle of Tongguan, capturing the Eastern Wei general Xue Changyu; he also successfully attacked Luocheng. After the war, he was appointed as the Director of the Left and Right Guards, promoted to Duke, and his fief increased to thirteen hundred households.
In the third year of Dàtǒng, he followed Yítóng Yú Jǐn in attacking the Wall of the Yang Clan, being the first to charge up the city wall and successfully capturing it. He was then promoted to General of the Right Guard and was also appointed as General-in-Chief and General of the Conqueror. During the Battle of Shayuan, the court ordered Li Xiang to remain in the capital. For his service during this time, he was granted an additional eight hundred households in fief and then appointed as General of the West Frontier. In the fourth year of Dàtǒng, Emperor Wen of Wei launched an eastern expedition, and Li Xiang led troops in the Battle of Heqiao, being appointed as General-in-Chief for his military achievements. In the eighth year of Dàtǒng, he was promoted to Grand General of Chariots and Cavalry, Yitong San Si, and Cavalier Attendant. In the ninth year of Dàtǒng, he followed the Taizu in battle against Eastern Wei at Mangshan, promoted to Grand General of the Valiant Cavalry, Yitong San Si of the Household, and appointed as Attendant.
In the fourteenth year of the Great Unity era, he was appointed as the military governor of the twelve states of San Jingnan, Xiangnan, Yongping, Xin, Jiang, Sui, Er, Ying, and Xi, as well as the Inspector of Jingzhou, and was elevated to the title of Marquis of Boling County. Before this, Li Xiang had acted as the acting Inspector of Jingzhou, and although it was for less than a month, he had already implemented many policies benefiting the people and was held in high regard by the common people. When he went to Jingzhou again, the people were very happy. As a result, refugees from the Hannan region flocked to Jingzhou in droves, with thousands arriving every day. Nearby barbarian tribes also came to submit. Li Xiang handled them properly, and everyone was quite pleased with him. That summer was exceptionally hot, and Li Xiang personally inspected the territory to assess the successes and failures of governance. He found people digging up ancient tombs and exposing skeletons, and scolded the local officials, saying, "This is hardly benevolent governance!" He then ordered that the skeletons be gathered and buried, and it started raining heavily that very day. That year, Jingzhou had a great harvest. There had previously been many ancient tombs in Jingzhou, and the locals liked to excavate them. After this incident, this practice disappeared.
Xiang, although a relative of the founding emperor, was very honest and frugal. The states under his jurisdiction bordered Xiangyang to the south and led to Sichuan to the west, yielding a variety of rare treasures. At that time, relations with the Liang Dynasty were friendly, with frequent exchanges of people and numerous gifts exchanged, but he turned down all of them. The Inspector of Yongzhou in the Liang Dynasty, Prince of Yueyang, Xiao Cha, appreciated his frugality and gifted him items like bamboo screens, fine linen, and historical texts. Xiang could not refuse his kindness, so he accepted them and turned them over to the government for safekeeping. Later, the founding emperor heard about this and rewarded Xiang with those items. Not long after, Xiang was recalled to the court.
Sixteen years later, he was appointed Generalissimo. The founder saw that the irrigation areas of the Jing and Wei Rivers had damaged channels and dams, so he ordered Xiang to repair the Fuping Weir, opening channels to divert water eastward into the Luo River. After the project was completed, the people reaped significant benefits. In the second year of Emperor Wei's reign, he took office in Huazhou. Later, Huazhou was renamed Tongzhou, and Xiang continued to serve as the Inspector of Tongzhou. Soon after, he was promoted to the position of Left Minister. After the establishment of the system of Six Ministries, he was appointed Minor General. After Emperor Xiaomin ascended the throne, Xiang was promoted to the position of Pillar of the State and transferred to the position of Grand General. At that time, Yuwen Hu, Duke of Jin, was in power, and Xiang and Yuwen Hu were relatives, having maintained a close relationship since childhood. For state affairs, Yuwen Hu would consult with Xiang. Later, after the execution of Zhao Gui and the deposition of Emperor Xiaomin, which Xiang also played a significant role in, Xiang also contributed significantly.
In the early years of Wucheng, the Tuyuhun invaded Liangzhou, and the court ordered Xiang and Yuwen Gui to lead the troops against them. Xiang sent his officers to write a letter to Tuyuhun saying:
(The content of the letter is the original text and is not translated.)
This nation, located on the western frontier, is a vassal of the Wei state. When the Central Plains were in turmoil, it wavered and observed whether there were any weaknesses in our borders. The previous emperor endured humiliation and maintained friendly exchanges with them, hoping to strengthen ties through marriage alliances. However, this nation harbored hidden agendas, repeatedly violating treaties and colluding with our enemies, thus inviting trouble upon itself, which ultimately led to the recent invasion by the Turks.
From then until now, their aggressive behavior has become increasingly outrageous. They invaded Guzang County, captured the people of Hexian County, destroyed our crops, and caused our people to suffer at the hands of our enemies. Our emperor is able to end the conflict through strength while also bringing peace to distant lands with kindness. His grace reaches all corners of the world, spreading his teachings far and wide. Because that country is rife with wrongdoing and suffering, the emperor has ordered Gong Xingji to lead troops to launch an offensive.
The soldiers who set out this time are exceptional young warriors from various counties, the elite forces of Sanqin. They are fully armed and assembled at Longsha. Zhuguo, the Duke of Boling, is highly regarded and respected, both in civil and military affairs. He is appreciated by the emperor in court and takes the lead; Taifu, the Duke of Yanguo, is outstanding in talent, flexible in response, and resourceful, serving as a military advisor; the Duke of Huazheng has long been renowned for his tactical prowess, directly attacking Longhe and crossing the Nan River. The Tujue and our country were originally friendly, but they turned against us, mobilizing all their people and gathering all their troops, advancing towards us like a storm.
In recent years, our army marched westward, but Chengdu City was not defended; later, the army marched south and quickly pacified Jiangling. We have opened up thousands of miles of territory, established thousands of counties, and people from remote areas fear our might and come to pay their respects. The path to success or failure is crystal clear. If they can truly repent and realize the seriousness of the situation, unite with their leaders, and sincerely change their ways, then their titles and positions will be elevated, and the Western Regions will be permanently stable; if they continue to hesitate and delay, their country will perish, their descendants will be implicated, and those who once supported them will also be disillusioned. I urge them to reflect deeply and choose wisely.
Later, he fought against the King of Tuhun Guangding and the King of Zhongliu, defeating them. He then captured their two cities, Taoyang and Honghe, designating the region as Taozhou. After pacifying the rebellions in the west, the army returned in triumph. He was promoted to the Duke of Liangguo, with a fief of ten thousand households. He died during the second year of Baoding at the age of forty-eight. He was posthumously granted the titles of Grand Tutor and General of the Twelve Provinces. He also served as the Governor of Tongzhou. His posthumous title was Jing.
He had seven sons, each remarkable in their own right: Jing, Rang, Can, Shi, Kuan, Xiang, and Long. The eldest, Jing, held high office at a young age and was granted the title of Marquis of Hualong County. He later inherited the title of Duke of Liangguo and rose to the rank of Grand General and Governor of Huazhou. The second, Rang, was also a Grand General and served as the Governor of Fuzhou and Duke of Hedong. The third, Can, reached the position of Minister of State and Duke of Yiyang, but tragically died in battle during the fifth year of Jiande while following Emperor Gaozu in Bingzhou. After his death, he was posthumously granted the title of Grand General and posthumously titled Duke of Qingdu County. The fourth, Shi, married the emperor's daughter and rose to the rank of Grand General and Governor of Youzhou, as well as Duke of Boling. The fifth, Kuan, reached the position of Minister of State and Duke of Wushi. The sixth son, Xiang, and the seventh son, Long, were both Grand Generals and were granted the title of Duke of Xiangle County.
Emperor Wen of Sui had known the sixth son, Xiang, even before, and during the Kaihuang era, he posthumously granted him the title of Grand Tutor.
Yu Chi Gang, courtesy name Po Luo, was the younger brother of the Duke of Shu State, Yu Chi Jiong. He lost his father at a young age and was brought up by their uncle along with his brother Yu Chi Jiong. During the Western Expedition to Guan Long by the founding emperor, Gaozu, Yu Chi Jiong, Yu Chi Gang, and their mother, Princess Chang Le Da Zhang, stayed in Jin Yang before eventually entering the pass. Yu Chi Gang followed the founding emperor into battle, often serving by his side and serving him in his quarters. Later, for his contributions in welcoming Emperor Xiaowu of Wei, he was appointed as Palace General. In the first year of the Datong era (AD 265), he was appointed as Commander of the Tent and accompanied General Li Hu in the campaign against Cao Ni, defeating him. He also participated in the campaign against Dou Tai, and for his military achievements, he was granted the title of Count of Guangzong with a fief consisting of five hundred households. He also took part in the recapture of Hong Nong, the conquest of Hebei Commandery, and the Battle of Sha Yuan, achieving notable military victories.
Gao Huan (also known as Gang) was indeed a great warrior, skilled in horseback riding and archery. The emperor (Taizu) particularly liked him and trusted him greatly, assigning him important tasks. Once, during a battle at a river bridge, the emperor's horse was struck by an arrow, causing him to panic and flee. Gao Huan, along with Li Mu and others, fought valiantly to protect the emperor, while the rest of the troops fell into disarray. It was only then that the emperor managed to escape on horseback. Because of these military achievements, the emperor rewarded him with the stewardship of eight hundred households, granted him the title of Duke of Pingyuan, and appointed him as General Pingyuan and Infantry Colonel. After eight years, the emperor promoted him again, making him the Grand Regular Attendant, Commander of the Crown Prince's Guard, and General of the Front, and later promoted him to the position of Governor. When Eastern Wei besieged Yubi City, Gao Huan accompanied the emperor to relieve the siege. In the spring of the ninth year, the emperor fought against Eastern Wei at Mangshan and suffered a significant defeat, resulting in low morale and chaos among the troops. Gao Huan encouraged the soldiers and dedicated himself to safeguarding the emperor, which led to his promotion to Grand Governor. In the fourteenth year, the emperor conferred upon him the title of General of Cavalry and Chariots, and also promoted him to Regular Attendant, rewarding him with three hundred households. Soon after, he was elevated to General of Cavalry, appointed as the Equivalent to Three Ministers, and was ennobled as Duke of Changping. In the seventeenth year, he was appointed as the Inspector in Huazhou.
In the second year of the reign of Emperor Wei, he appointed him as the Grand General, while also serving as Army General. Later, Emperor Wei wanted to make some subtle moves and inadvertently let something slip. Knowing that Gao Huan was in charge of the imperial guards, the emperor instructed him to prepare in secret. Before long, Emperor Wei was deposed, and King Qi ascended to the throne. The emperor continued to have Gao Huan serve as the Central General, responsible for guarding the palace. Gao Huan's brother, Gao Jiong, led troops to attack Shu, and Gao Huan accompanied the emperor to the city’s western gate to bid farewell. At that moment, they spotted a rabbit running, and the emperor asked Gao Huan to shoot it. The emperor vowed, saying, "If you hit this rabbit, we will definitely capture Shu!" Gao Huan's archery was precise, and he quickly shot the rabbit. The emperor was very pleased and said, "Once we take Shu, I’ll reward you generously!" After Shu was conquered, the emperor gifted him two maidservants. On another occasion during the emperor's northern tour to Yunyang, five deer suddenly appeared, and Gao Huan managed to shoot three of them in a single shot. The emperor frequently hosted banquets, offering valuable items for the distinguished officials to shoot at, and Gao Huan consistently hit many each time. After Emperor Xianming took the throne, Gao Gang, a relative of the emperor, took command of the imperial guards and was appointed as a minor general. He also worked with Duke Jin, Yuwen Hu, to protect the deposed emperor, with further details documented in the "Biography of Yuwen Hu." After Emperor Shizong took the throne, Gao Gang was promoted to Grand General of the State of Zhu. In the first year of Wucheng, he was again conferred the title of Duke of Wu, with a fief that included ten thousand households, and served as the military governor of Jingzhou and the military commander of eleven defenses across five states, as well as the governor of Jingzhou. That year, the Grand Princess died in the capital, and Gao Gang stepped down from his post. Not long after, he was reappointed to his original position.
In the first year of Baoding, he was appointed as the Grand Tutor. Shortly afterwards, he also served as the Grand Minister of Construction. In the second year of Baoding, he was assigned to Shaanzhou, where he served as the Governor of Shaanzhou, the military commander overseeing seven states and thirteen garrisons, as well as the governor of Shaanzhou. In the fourth year of Baoding, Duke Jin Yuwen Hu led an expedition to the east, taking Gao Gang's army with him, while Gao Gang remained in the capital. Gao Gang believed that with the emperor in the palace, the capital would be safe, so he requested to be stationed outside the city in Xianyang. After the army returned, Gao Gang returned to the capital to continue his guard. In the second year of Tianhe, due to Gao Gang's remarkable achievements, the emperor rewarded him with one thousand bolts of silk, six thousand hu of grain, and two hundred thousand coins, and added four hundred households to his fiefdom. Later, Chen Gong Chun and others claimed that Empress Ashina Shi had entered the borders from the Turks, so the emperor ordered Gao Gang and Wang Jie to lead troops to the border to escort the empress. In the third year of Tianhe, because of Gao Gang's merit in the Battle of Heqiao, he was posthumously granted the title of county duke, with a fiefdom of one thousand households. In May of the fourth year of Tianhe, Gao Gang passed away in the capital at the age of fifty-three years. After his death, he was posthumously appointed as Grand Tutor, military commander of the twelve provinces, and governor of Tongzhou, with the posthumous title of "Wu".
Gao Gang's third son, Gao An, being the eldest legitimate son, later became the General-in-Chief. Another son of Gao Gang, Gao Yun, has a separate biography. Gao Yun's younger brother, Gao Qin, held prominent official positions early in his career, serving as the military governor of Qingzhou in the later years of the Great Elephant, and even raised troops in support of his uncle Gao Jiong, as detailed in the "Biography of Gao Jiong". Another son of Gao Gang, Gao Jing, married Princess Henan, the daughter of Emperor Shizong, and rose to the rank of the Three Excellencies.
Fu Gui, styled Mo Tou Tuo, was a man from the western part of Dai County, whose family had been tribal leaders for generations. In the early Wei dynasty, they submitted to the court and thereafter served as chieftains for generations. Fu Gui was tall and strong, with a waist measuring ten feet, elegant in bearing, and highly skilled in martial arts. He inherited his father's position and continued to serve as the chieftain. In the fifth year of Wei Zhengguang, Prince Yuan Yuan of Guangyang launched a northern expedition and invited Fu Gui to serve as General of Ning Shuo, in charge of military affairs. Soon after, he was appointed as the governor of Shanwu County. In the third year of Xiaochang, he was appointed as a deputy commander and followed Changsun Zhi on a western expedition. Through his military achievements, he was continuously promoted, eventually becoming General Zhengxi and Grand Minister of the Golden Purple Hall. Later, he returned to Luoyang and was granted the position of governor, greatly favored and trusted by Emperor Shenzu of Northern Qi, and was promoted to Grand Governor. After the defeat in the Battle of Shayuan, he surrendered to Western Wei as per custom. The founding emperor released him from his bonds due to his noble lineage, honored him, and married him to the daughter of Duke Shao Hui. In the fourth year of Datong, he was titled Duke of Changle, with a fief of 1,000 households. From that time on, he often accompanied the founding emperor on expeditions, repeatedly achieving military successes. In the eighth year, he served as the Inspector of Beiyong Province and was promoted to Grand Governor. Soon after, he was promoted to General of Chariots and Cavalry, held the position of Yitong Sansi, as well as being a Regular Attendant. In the fourteenth year, he was summoned to serve as Shizhong and was promoted to General of the Cavalry and opened the office of Yitong Sansi, appointed as Inspector of Hengzhou, with his fief increased to 1,400 households. He died in the seventeenth year, and his son Chun inherited his title.
Fu Gui's son Chun, styled Qiannian, was appointed General of Chariots and Cavalry and Yitong Sansi during the reign of Emperor Shizong of Western Wei. Soon after, he was promoted to General of the Cavalry and opened the office of Yitong Sansi, renamed Duke of Yongshi, with a fief of 1,200 households. In the second year of Baoding, he was appointed Inspector of Binzhou. In the early years of Tianhe, he was appointed Left Minister of the Palace and promoted to General.
Yan Qing, courtesy name Renqing, hails from Heyin, Henan. His great-grandfather, Yan Shan, served as an official during the Wei Dynasty, holding positions such as General Longxiang and the Town General of Yunzhou, thereby establishing his family in the prosperous Shangle County of Yunzhou. His grandfather, Yan Ti, rose to the rank of Envoy with special command, General of Chariots and Cavalry, and Grand General of Dunhuang. His father, Yan Jin, was resourceful and renowned for his bravery. During the Zhengguang period, he was appointed as General Longxiang. Later, Wei Kegu rebelled, attacking and laying siege to Shangle. Yan Jin led his troops in resistance, holding out for three years, fighting tirelessly day and night without rest, defeating a larger force with a smaller one, ultimately preserving the city. Due to his military achievements, he was appointed as the County Governor of Shangle.
This child was clever and articulate from a young age, kept his promises, and behaved with dignity, clearly a serious person. Later, when Wei Kegu attacked Shangle, he followed his father to defend it, making significant contributions. He was then appointed as a deputy general and gradually promoted to General of Light Chariots, while also receiving an additional position as an official in the Imperial Secretariat. Later, due to his military merits, he was promoted to Infantry Lieutenant and General of the Vanguard.
Subsequently, Qi Shenwu Gao Huan led troops into Luoyang, and Emperor Xiaowu of Wei moved west. He remarked to his close associates, "Gao Huan is too arrogant; he definitely wants to usurp power. How can we sit back comfortably and let him control us?" Thus, in the third year of Datong, he returned to the capital from Yiyang. Emperor Taizu praised him: "When Gao Huan rebelled, the world was thrown into chaos, with bandits everywhere, and everyone was only concerned about themselves. Yet you remained loyal and upheld the principles of loyalty between ruler and subject, choosing safety over danger; this truly reflects the qualities of a loyal minister and a good general as the ancients would describe. What could be better than this?" Consequently, the emperor promptly appointed him as General of the Vanguard and Commander of the Chariots.
In the Battle of Heqiao, he achieved great merit and was granted the title of Front General and Grand Minister. Later, he was promoted to General of the Rear and granted the title of Earl of Anci County, with a fief of 400 households. During the Battle of Mangshan, he charged into battle, being the first to breach the enemy camp. As a result, he was again awarded the title of General of the Pacification Army and Grand Commander, and his rank was elevated to Baron, with his fief increasing to 500 households.
He was particularly adept at keeping his soldiers calm; he never left until the soldiers had a chance to rest, which made them fight fiercely for him, repeatedly achieving merit. His official position rose steadily, and he eventually became the Grand General with the power to issue edicts, the Grand General of Chariots and Cavalry, equivalent to the Three Departments, the Regular Attendant of the Cavalry, the Grand General of the Cavalry, the Grand Minister equivalent to the Three Departments, the Grand Zhongzheng of Yunzhou, and he also received the title of Palace Attendant, with the emperor bestowing upon him the surname Daye.
After Emperor Xiaomin made him the emperor, he was first appointed as the Inspector of Hezhou, then promoted to Duke of Shibao County, with his fief increased by over a thousand households. Hezhou is located beyond the Yellow River and borders minority ethnic groups, but he governed it well and was beloved by the people. He was later promoted to Grand General, and his title was raised to Duke of Daan County, while his fief remained unchanged. He was then transferred back to the court to serve as a minor Minister of Works, and subsequently sent to Yunzhou as Inspector, and then to Ningzhou as Inspector. He was known for his kindness and generosity, never harshly interrogating the common people, which made everyone fond of him. In the sixth year of the Tianhe era, he was honored with the title of Pillar of the State.
Duke Jin, Yuwen Hu was his uncle. Even though Yuwen Hu was powerful in the court, he never sought his favor. After Yuwen Hu was killed, Emperor Gaozu valued him even more and married his twelfth daughter, Princess Qingdu, off to his son. Although he held a high position and was married to the royal family, he remained modest and cautious, and was praised by his contemporaries. In the second year of the Jiande era, he submitted a request to retire, which was approved by the Emperor. He was old and often sick. Emperor Xuan showed him special favor as a senior official of the former dynasty, sending Crown Prince Jing to visit his home, comfort him, gifted him a thousand bolts of silk, and covered his medical expenses. In the second year of Daxiang, he was appointed as a Senior Pillar of the State. After Emperor Wen of Sui ascended the throne, he sent the Crown Prince to visit his home and continued to cover his medical expenses. In the second year of Kaihuang, he passed away at the age of seventy-seven years. Posthumously, he was posthumously awarded the titles of Minister of Works and Inspector of Jingzhou, and was in charge of military affairs in seven provinces: Jing, Qiao, Xi, Hu, Feng, Guang, and Meng. He was posthumously given the title "Cheng."
His eldest son, Chang, had died before him. His second son, Pi, inherited his title. By the end of the Daxiang era, he had risen to the position of Grand General. Historical records state: there have always been many nobles and generals appointed through enfeoffment in the Zhongyang region, with Peixian being particularly notable for its enfeoffed nobles; the Baishui region matches with the heavens, and many prominent families are found in the Nanyang region. This clearly shows that gaining honor and favor through family connections has been a long-standing practice! Individuals like Wang Meng initially entered the court through family connections, but eventually climbed the ranks through their own abilities, starting by diligently serving the court and eventually becoming court officials. Their achievements can stand alongside those of the founding heroes, because their success wasn't solely reliant on favoritism.
