Helian Da, styled Shuo Zhou, was a native of Shengle and a descendant of the Xianbei clan known as Bo Bo. His great-grandfather, Kudo Khan, changed their surname to Du to escape the chaos of war. Helian Da was known for his integrity and exceptional courage. In his youth, he followed He Ba Yue into battle, achieving many merits; he was appointed as a general, granted the title of Baron of Changguang, and later promoted to Governor. After He Ba Yue was killed by Hou Mo Chen Yue, the army was thrown into chaos. Zhao Gui suggested welcoming Yu Wen Tai, but other generals hesitated. Helian Da said, "Yu Wen Tai had previously served as the Left Minister in Xia Zhou and is exceptionally talented; he is one of the great heroes of our time. In this situation, he is the only one who can resolve it. General Zhao's suggestion is correct; I request to take light cavalry to report the death to him and welcome him." Some generals wanted to pursue He Ba Sheng, while others wanted to report to the court. Helian Da added, "These are distant waters that won't help with the immediate fire; they're of no use at all." Thus, Zhao Gui's plan was confirmed, and Helian Da was dispatched to ride swiftly to him.
When Yu Wen Tai saw Helian Da, he wept in grief and inquired about what had happened. Helian Da gave an honest account of the events. Yu Wen Tai then led several hundred cavalry south to Pingliang, advancing towards Gaoping, and ordered Helian Da to lead cavalry to occupy Dan Zheng Gorge. At that time, the people were in a state of panic, with many fleeing in all directions. A few villagers were helping the elderly and children while driving livestock, trying to enter the mountains to escape the war, but the soldiers were intent on robbing them. Helian Da said, "The nearby people have all suffered from the oppression of bandits; if we take this opportunity to rob them, how can we claim to be fighting evil and bringing comfort to the people! It is better to reassure them and show the benevolence of our righteous army." Thus, he reassured the people with kindness and trust, and they happily returned, urging one another to return to their homes. Yu Wen Tai was very pleased to hear this. After Hou Mo Chen Yue was subdued, Helian Da was promoted to General of Pingdong.
Yuwen Tai said to the generals, "When Lord Qingshui (referring to He Ba Yue) was killed, your lives were at the mercy of the enemy. Even if you had wanted to send a message, there was no way to do it. Du Shuo-zhou came from afar, risking great danger, which enabled us to serve our country together and seek vengeance. Although this is the result of everyone's collective effort, we should actually thank Du Shuo-zhou for his contributions. How can we encourage people to do good if we don't reward those who work hard and achieve great things?" So, he rewarded him with two hundred horses. Helian Da firmly declined, but Yuwen Tai insisted. Later, when Emperor Xiaowu of the Western Wei entered the pass, he recognized Helian Da's achievements and appointed him as the Chief Marshal against the Rebels for pacifying the Qin and Long regions, raising him to the rank of Earl of Weichang, with a fief of five hundred households.
Li Hu defeated Cao Ni and quickly climbed the ranks, first being appointed as General of the Southern Town and Grand Minister of Golden Purple Rank, and also given the title of Regular Attendant of the Cavalry. His fief was increased to a total of one thousand households. Later, he achieved merit in the battles of Hongnong and Shayuan, which further increased his fief by eight hundred households, promoted him to the governor of Baishui County, and then he became the commander of the troops, and was also given the authority to hold a seal. Eventually, he became the Inspector of Jizhou. The court issued an edict restoring his Helian surname. Due to his high achievements and reputation, he was appointed as the Inspector of Yunzhou, which happens to be his hometown! He was later promoted to duke, appointed as Grand Commander, and shortly thereafter became a Minister of the Three Departments of State.
Later, he followed General Daxi Wu to launch an attack on Hanzhong. The Marquis of Yifeng, Xiao Xun, of the Liang Dynasty defended the city for a long time before finally agreeing to surrender. Daxi Wu asked the generals what the next step should be. Officials such as Helan Yuande believed that the enemy's supplies were exhausted and that they should take the opportunity to attack the city. Daxi Wu said, "Winning without fighting is the best strategy. We must not deplete our forces for the sake of their wealth and women; a virtuous person would not act this way. The enemy's forces are still strong, and their city is well-fortified. Even if we capture the city, it would result in mutually assured destruction. Even if they fight desperately like cornered beasts, the outcome remains uncertain. Furthermore, when leading troops into battle, the preservation of the army is paramount." Daxi Wu said, "You are right!" He then called on the generals to share their opinions. As a result, officials like Yang Kuan also agreed with Daxi Wu's opinion, and Daxi Wu ultimately accepted Xiao Xun's surrender. After the army returned, Daxi Wu was promoted to General of the Cavalry, with the title of Chief of Staff, and he was also given the title of Palace Attendant, with his nobility elevated to the Duke of Lantian County.
When the Six Ministers were first established, he was appointed as the Left Suibo. Later, he was transferred and became the Governor of Longzhou. During the Baoding period, he was promoted to Grand General and Governor of Xiazhou, responsible for military affairs across three provinces and five defense areas. Although Daxi Wu was not a civil servant by birth, he was known for his integrity, adherence to the law, and rarely resorted to beating people with a whip. He was also extremely cautious when it came to the death penalty and was noted for his cleanliness and frugality. Occasionally, the border Hu people would present him with sheep. He wanted to win over these minority groups, so he reciprocated with silk and cloth. When officials suggested using government resources, Daxi Wu said, "The sheep come into my kitchen, but the goods come out of the official warehouse. Isn't this deceiving the emperor?" So he ordered his own silk and cloth to be returned to them. Those who recognized his virtues praised his kindness and generosity. Soon, he was promoted to the Duke of Lechuan. In the second year of Jiande, he was promoted to Pillar of the State and later passed away. His son inherited his title and eventually rose to the rank of Grand General and Inspector of Puzhou during the Daxiang era.
Han Guo, styled A Liu Ba, was a native of Wuchuan in Daijun. He was brave and skilled in battle from a young age, with exceptional skills in equestrianism and archery. When He Baoyue was on a campaign in the west, he recruited him as his aide. He engaged in numerous battles against Wanqi Chounu and his allies, ultimately defeating them all. Han Guo had remarkable strength. Wearing armor and carrying weapons, he found climbing hills and mountains to be as easy as walking on level ground, even after several months of continuous effort without feeling fatigued. For his achievements, he was appointed General of Xuanwei and Sub-Inspector. Later, he followed Taizu in quelling the rebellion of Hou Mochen Yue, and was promoted to Inspector, and granted the title of Baron of Handan County. After Emperor Xiaowu of Wei entered the pass, Han Guo was promoted to the Count of Shicheng, with a fief comprising five hundred households. At the start of the Datong period, he was elevated to the rank of duke, with his fief expanded to one thousand households, and was also appointed as a regular attendant in the Imperial Court.
Han Guo has an exceptional memory and is very strategic. He can remember the features of the landscape in the places he has passed through. He is also particularly skilled at assessing the enemy's strengths and weaknesses while anticipating their thoughts. Even if enemies hide in the ravines as spies, Han Guo can spot them just by climbing to a high vantage point. Whenever he has doubts, his investigations always yield results. For this reason, the Emperor appointed Han Guo as the commander of the Yu Guard forces. Whenever they went into battle, Han Guo was tasked with leading reconnaissance, patrolling day and night, often without sleep.
Speaking of this old general, his name is Dou Guo. He initially fought alongside Emperor Taizu at Tongguan, and thanks to his brilliant strategies, our army emerged victorious. The Emperor was very pleased and rewarded him with a belt adorned with pearls and gold, along with two hundred bolts of fine silk, and he was also promoted to General of the Conquering Troops.
He then went to Hongnong to fight, capturing the city of Henan and taking the county governor alive, achieving significant merit. Later, he distinguished himself in battle at Shayuan and Heqiao, repeatedly earning military honors. The emperor promoted him to General of the Pacification Army and Grand Master of the Silver and Blue Court, and increased his fief by nine hundred households. After that, he was promoted to the Inspector of Shuozhou, then to the Inspector of Anzhou, and also given the title of Commander-in-Chief. By the ninth year, he participated in the Battle of Mangshan, and after the battle, he was appointed the governor of Hedong County. He also followed the army to Beishan and defeated the Qihu people. The Qihu territory was mountainous and perilous, rarely visited by people, yet General Dou led his troops deep into enemy territory, causing the Qihu to flee in all directions. The Qihu were so frightened of him that they called him the "Winged Man." Upon hearing this, Emperor Taizu laughed and said, "'Winged Man' is no less a title than 'Flying General!'" After that, he was promoted all the way to Grand Commander, General of Chariots and Cavalry, and held several other high-ranking titles, eventually being appointed as the governor of Yizhou. The emperor, considering his previous contributions, conferred upon him the title of Duke of Baozhong. In the first year of Wei Gong's reign, he was again appointed as General. Later, he followed Helan Xiang to campaign against the Tuyuhun, and because of his outstanding military achievements, the emperor also granted a county title to his son. In the second year of Wucheng, he led his troops to defeat the Qihu again, capturing a large number of people. The emperor rewarded him with one hundred servants and appointed him as the governor of Ningzhou. In the third year of Baoding, he was conferred the title of Junior Teacher, reaching the rank of Pillar of the State. In the fourth year, he followed Yechi Qiong to besiege Luoyang, and after the battle, only his troops remained unscathed. In the early years of Tianhe, he served as the governor of Huazhou, renowned for his generosity and impressive governance, and was deeply loved by the people. In the early years of Jiande, he died. His son Dou Ming succeeded him and, in the late years of the Xiang dynasty, achieved the rank of Grand General and Governor of Lizhou. Later, he conspired with Yechi Qiong in a rebellion but was ultimately killed.
Cai You, styled Chengxian, had ancestors from Chenliu. His great-grandfather, Cai Shao, was a town general in Xiazhou and later moved to Gaoping, where he lived ever since. His grandfather, Cai Hu, served as the governor of Chenliu during the early years of the reign of Wei Jingming. His father, Cai Xi, was well-known in Xizhou. During the years of Zhengguang, when Wanqi Chounu rebelled in Guanzhong, his father Cai Xi betrayed the rebels, leaving his wife and children behind to escape to Luoyang, where he was appointed governor of Qian County by the court. Later, when Emperor Xiaowu of Wei moved west, his father remained in the east. Eventually, he migrated westward with great difficulty, was bestowed the title of Earl of Pingshu County by the court, and appointed as the Inspector of Qizhou and Xiazhou, eventually passed away and being posthumously honored as the Inspector of Yuanzhou.
Cai You was clever and well-mannered from a young age. When his father Cai Xi fled east with the rebels, Cai You was only fourteen years old and became known for his filial piety towards his mother during this difficult time. As he matured, he developed great strength and exceptional skills in horseback riding and archery. Later, when Emperor Gaozu, also known as Yang Jian, was in Yuanzhou, he summoned him to serve as a trusted aide. After Emperor Gaozu was transferred to Xiazhou, he appointed Cai You as a military commander.
Later, Hou Mochenyue assassinated He Ba Yue, and the other generals sent someone to invite Gaozu to come over. Gaozu was just preparing to set off when several notable figures from Xiazhou, like Mi Jie and Yuan Jin, secretly had other plans. Gaozu picked up on something unusual and first discussed with Cai You about capturing Yuan Jin. Cai You said, "This kid has ulterior motives and will eventually turn against us; it's better to kill him directly now!" Gaozu replied, "You are indeed decisive!" So, Gaozu called Yuan Jin and the others to a meeting. Gaozu said, "The bandits from Longxi have rebelled; let's all work together to suppress them. It seems that some of you here are acting a bit differently." Gaozu deliberately used this statement to test them and then signaled Cai You with his eyes. Cai You immediately rushed out, wearing armor and wielding a sword, charging in and staring down everyone, shouting, "We were discussing matters together in the morning, and now you've changed your tune in the evening; are you even human?! I, Cai You, am going to take the heads of these treacherous villains today!" Saying this, he drew his sword and pointed it at them. The people present were so frightened that they fell to their knees and pleaded for mercy, saying, "We are willing to follow your arrangements!" Cai You then confronted Yuan Jin and executed him, and his accomplices were also executed. The people present trembled in fear, too scared to look up. Thus, Cai You formed an alliance with the other generals to unite and attack Hou Mochenyue. As a result of this incident, Gaozu valued him even more, telling Cai You, "I now regard you as a son; you should treat me like a father." Later, Cai You joined Gaozu in the campaign against Hou Mochenyue and helped defeat him.
He followed Gaozu to Tongguan to welcome Emperor Xiaowu of Wei. Because of these military achievements, he was appointed as the Earl of Changxiang County, with a fief of five hundred families. In the early years of the Datong period, he was further appointed as the General Who Pacifies the Insurgents and the Supervisor of the Imperial Guards, and was enfeoffed as a marquis by Jin, with his fief increased to eleven hundred households. Later, he followed Gaozu to capture Dou Tai together, recovered Hongnong, participated in the Battle of Shayuan, achieved great military merits, and was appointed as the General Who Pacifies the East and the Grand Master of the Palace Attendants.
It is said that when Taizu was fighting at Heqiao, Gao Huan was furious when he heard this and dismounted to charge into the enemy's formation on foot, taking down several enemies himself. Those around him advised him to quickly mount his horse in case anything happens. Gao Huan replied, "The Prime Minister treats me like his own son, how can I only care about my own life today?" Then he led a dozen or so followers, shouting loudly as they charged forward, killing many enemies. Seeing that they were outnumbered, the enemy surrounded them layer by layer and said to Gao Huan, "You look like a brave warrior, why not surrender and guarantee your wealth and glory!" Gao Huan cursed loudly, "You bandit! Today I will take your dog head; I can make myself a lord, why do I need you to appoint me an official!" After speaking, he drew his bow and arrow, shooting in all directions to resist. The Eastern Wei soldiers dared not come closer. So the Eastern Wei side sent heavily armored troops wielding long blades straight at Gao Huan.
When he was still thirty steps away from Gao Huan, his companions urged him to shoot quickly. Gao Huan said, "Our lives depend on this one arrow; how can we just shoot carelessly?" As the enemy drew closer, when they were ten steps away, Gao Huan finally shot an arrow, hitting the enemy squarely in the face, causing him to drop. Gao Huan then used a spear to stab him to death. After a few exchanges, Gao Huan's side only lost one person, and the enemy slowly began to retreat. Only then did Gao Huan begin to withdraw. This battle did not go very smoothly for our army, and the Emperor had already pulled back. Gao Huan arrived in Hongnong and rejoined the Emperor in the middle of the night. When the Emperor saw Gao Huan had come, he exclaimed happily, "Chengxian, you're here, and I can rest easy!" The Emperor had been so frightened he couldn't sleep, so he rested his head on Gao Huan's lap and finally fell into a peaceful sleep. Because of his contributions in this battle, Gao Huan was granted the title of Duke, with an increase of three hundred households in his fief, and he was appointed as the governor of Jingzhao Commandery.
Nine years later, Gao Zhongmi, the governor of Beiyuzhou in Eastern Wei, surrendered along with the entire province. The Emperor led the army to provide support and ended up encountering Qi Shenwu at Mangshan. At that time, Gao Huan was wearing bright iron armor, charging into battle, and no one could stop him. The enemy soldiers exclaimed, "That’s an iron monster!" and were so frightened that they quickly hid away. Before long, Gao Huan was appointed as the governor of Qingzhou, and later promoted to the governor of Yuanzhou, elevated to the title of Generalissimo, and soon after promoted to Grand General. In the thirteenth year, Gao Huan's father passed away, and he requested to return home to observe mourning, but his request was denied. Later, he was promoted to the position of Grand General of Chariots and Cavalry, and also held a position in the Three Offices, and was further promoted to General of the Flying Cavalry, with the title of Grand General of the Three Offices and Chamberlain, and was granted the surname Daliqi, elevated to Duke of Huaining.
In the year 627 AD, during the second year of Emperor Wen of Wei's reign, my father was appointed as the General of the Central Army. Later, when the Six Departments were officially established, he was given the position of Major of the Ministry of War. Just as the Jiangling region had just submitted to the court, some tribes began to stir again, so the court sent my father and General Dou Luning to quell the rebellion. Three years later, he was promoted to Grand General and provided with an escort. Due to his previous military achievements, he was granted a fief of four thousand households and a county title was bestowed upon his son. When Emperor Taizu fell ill, my father served by his side, along with Jin Gonghu and Helan Xiang. After Emperor Taizu passed away, my father was deeply grieved and subsequently developed asthma.
After Emperor Xiaomin ascended the throne, my father was appointed as the Junior Protector. He and Yu Chigang jointly commanded the Imperial Guard, taking turns on duty at the palace. At that time, the emperor placed great trust in officials such as Li Zhi, who plotted against Jin Gonghu. My father repeatedly tried to counsel the emperor, but he would not listen. Shortly after, Emperor Xiaomin was deposed. When Emperor Shizong ascended the throne, my father was appointed as the Junior Marshal, while retaining his position as Junior Protector. Emperor Shizong had a close relationship with my father even when he was still a prince. When he became emperor, my father's treatment became even more distinguished. Whenever there was a delicacy in the imperial kitchen, the emperor always first rewarded my father. During court banquets, my father was often kept behind, sometimes not returning home until late at night, accompanied by torches and military bugle calls. Because of the excessive favoritism he received, my father always pretended to be sick to avoid it. Even in matters of marriage, he resolutely refused to associate with the powerful. Later, he was appointed to guard the original state as his official duty. Not long after, he was appointed as the Inspector of Yizhou. Before taking office, he passed away in the original state due to a recurrence of his old illness, at the age of fifty-four.
My father was very ambitious when he was young. Along with his fellow townsman Li Mu, both of them were commoners, yet they were equally renowned. They once made a pact, saying, "A real man should establish a reputation and gain wealth; how can one remain stuck in poverty forever?" After saying this, they both laughed heartily. This Li Mu later became the renowned General Li Mu. They both fulfilled their initial promises. Whenever there was a battle, my father always charged into the fray, leading the soldiers. After the war, while other generals vied for credit and rewards, my father never sought glory. The founding emperor praised him on every occasion and once told the other generals, "Chengxian (my father) never boasts of his achievements; I will personally assess his merits." The emperor’s admiration for him is clear. My father was frugal, sharing all his salary with his relatives, and when he passed away, the family was left with nothing. After his death, he was posthumously honored with the titles of General of the Pillar State, Grand General, Grand Commander, Commander of Military Affairs in Five Provinces, and Governor of Yuanzhou, and given the posthumous name "Zhuang." His eldest son inherited his title and rose to the position of General of the Chariots and Cavalry, with the title of Deputy Minister of State.
My younger brother Ze loves studying and is quite talented. He initially served as a military advisor under King Guangping of the Wei Dynasty, later also took on the role of secretary in the Prime Minister's office, and was promoted to General of Extraordinary Valor and an official in the court. After following Wei Chijiong to pacify the region of Shu, he was appointed as a commander and was granted the title of Baron of Anmi County. He gradually rose through the ranks, becoming a minister under the Grand Chancellor, General of the Chariots and Cavalry, Deputy Minister of State, and Governor of Lijzhou. While in Lijzhou, he accepted bribes, but the then governor, King Dai Wang Da, considering his past achievements and noble lineage, secretly petitioned the emperor for his pardon. Later, he became the governor of Yunfu Prefecture, but he ignored Sima Xiaonan's orders and was ultimately killed.
My brother Shan, 常善, is from Gaoyang. Their family has been a prominent local clan for generations. His father, An Cheng, served during the reign of Emperor Wei Zhengguang, where he achieved a significant victory leading an army alongside General Murong Sheng against the Rouran invasion at the border. When the "Six Khans" revolted, attempting to force my father An Cheng into surrender, he refused to submit and led his own troops to campaign against Baling. For his contributions, he was appointed General of Fubo and granted a drum emblem. Later, he fought against Baling multiple times but ultimately perished on the battlefield.
My brother Shan, during the reign of Emperor Wei Xiaochang, accompanied Er Zhu Rong into Luoyang and was appointed General of Weilie and Governor. He was later promoted to General Longxiang, Grand Officer of the Central Court, and was granted the title of Marquis of Fangcheng with a fief comprising three hundred households. Later, he accompanied the founding emperor to quell the rebellion of Houmo Chen Yue and was appointed as the Governor of Tianshui County. When Emperor Wei Xiaowu relocated westward, he was appointed General of Wuwei, and his title was elevated to Count of Wushi, with his fief increased to five hundred households. During the Daitong era, he was further elevated to General of Pingdong and promoted to the rank of Marquis. He once captured Dou Tai in battle, recovered Hongnong, and achieved victory in the Battle of Shayuan, repeatedly earning military honors. He was later appointed as Envoy with a special decree, General of Wei, and was temporarily granted the positions of General of Cavalry and Governor of Qinzhou. Four years later, in the Battle of Heqiao, he was again promoted to Grand Commander and elevated to Duke, being appointed as the Governor of Jingzhou. At that time, the Rouran invaded and plundered the northern border; my brother Shan led his troops to defeat them and recovered all the looted goods. He was subsequently appointed General of Chariots and Cavalry and concurrently held the position of Minister of Three Departments, later promoted to General of Cavalry and Governor of Xianzhou. He was then transferred to be the Governor of Yuzhou. He frequently traveled to the Sanfan region to manage administrative affairs and achieved notable success. In the second year of Emperor Gong of Wei, his title was elevated to Duke of Yongyang, with his fief increased to two thousand households.
After Emperor Xiao Min ascended to the throne, he appointed him Grand General and Governor of Ningzhou. In the second year of the Baoding era, he was promoted to a junior position in the central government as a Minor Minister of State. Four years later, when the Turkic army mobilized, he fought alongside General Yang Zhong in the eastern region, and the emperor specifically instructed him to manage the situation effectively. He passed away in the summer of the fifth year of his reign at the age of sixty-four. After his death, the court posthumously conferred upon him a series of high-ranking titles, including Envoy with Authority, Grand General of the Pillar State, Grand Commander, Commander of Military Affairs in Yansha, and Governor of Yanzhou, among others. His son Sheng inherited his titles. In recognition of his previous merits, Sheng was granted the title of Minister of Three Departments.
Xin Wei was from Longxi. His grandfather, Xin Dahan, had served as the Governor of Weizhou during the Wei state; his father, Xin Sheng, had served as the Grand Commander of the Four Directions in Hezhou province. After Xin Wei achieved great merits, the court posthumously honored his grandfather and father with the titles of Grand General and Governors of five states, including Liang and Gan.
Xin Wei has been bold and generous since he was young, very talented and strategic. He started fighting with He Bayue, made many contributions, and was appointed as General of the Guard and Commander. Later, Taizu took over He Bayue's army, immediately recognized Xin Wei's talent, and brought him to his side as a confidant. Before long, Xin Wei was promoted to the Director of the Imperial Guards, appointed as the Earl of Baitu County, with a fief of five hundred households. He accompanied the army to greet Emperor Xiaowu of Wei, participated in the attack on Luocheng, and achieved remarkable military feats. In the first year of the Datong era, he was appointed as General of Ningyuan, and his fief was increased to seven hundred households. He continued to be promoted, becoming Palace Attendant, and his title was raised to Marquis, with an additional three hundred households added to his fief. He participated in the capture of Dou Tai, the recovery of Hongnong, and the Battle of Shayuan, always leading the charge with unparalleled bravery. For these achievements, he was appointed General Who Calms the Army and Grand Master of Splendid Happiness. He also broke through Xiangcheng with Yu Jin, and entered Luoyang with Dugu Xin, participating in the Battle of Heqiao. The court appointed him as a Commissioner, his title was raised to Duke, and his fief was increased to fifteen hundred households. Five years later, he was appointed as the Inspector of Yangzhou and the Grand Commander. In the thirteenth year, he was promoted to Grand General of Chariots and Cavalry, and the Three Excellencies. Later, he was promoted to Grand General of the Valiant Cavalry and the Three Excellencies of the Household, and the court conferred upon him the surname Putunshi, then sent him to serve as the Inspector of Fuzhou. Xin Wei was highly regarded at the time, and the court also valued his hometown, so he was transferred back to his hometown as the Inspector of Hezhou, while also serving as the Grand Zheng of the province. He held significant border positions multiple times and was beloved by the people.
After Emperor Min ascended the throne, he was appointed as Grand Marshal, promoted to Duke of Fuhanshou, and his fiefdom was increased by one thousand households. Later, when Sima Xiaonan surrendered, he and Daxi Wu led troops to meet him. In the early years of the Baoding period, he led troops to suppress the rebellion of the Hu people in Danzhou, achieving victory. Three years later, he and Daxi Wu together attacked Yangguan and captured it. The following year, he accompanied Yuchi Jing in the siege of Luoyang. Upon his return, he was appointed as Junior Marshal. In the early years of the Tianhe period, he was promoted to Pillar of the State. He also served as the commander of the army, suppressing the rebellious Hu people in Suizhou, Yinzhou, and other regions, successfully pacifying them. Six years later, he followed Prince Qi Wenxian on an eastern expedition, capturing five cities including Fulong. In the early years of the Jiande period, he was appointed as Grand Judge. Two years later, he was promoted to Shao Fu, and then served as the commander of Ningzhou. In the first year of the Xuanzheng era, he was promoted to Shang Zhuguo. In the second year of Daxiang, he was appointed as Duke of Sugguo, with a total fiefdom of five thousand households, and once again served as Shao Fu. In the same year, he passed away in the winter at the age of sixty-nine.
He was a dignified and steady individual, well-respected. Throughout his decades in office, he never made any mistakes, which enabled him to conclude his life with both fame and fortune. Moreover, his family was well-regarded, living in harmony across five generations, and were admired by everyone. His son Yongda inherited his title. In the later years of the Daxiang era, owing to his accomplishments, he was appointed as Yitong Grand General.
Shè Dìchāng, courtesy name Shide, lived during the reign of Emperor Taiwu of Northern Wei. He was skilled in horseback riding and archery from a young age and was exceptionally strong. As he grew older, he was elegant in demeanor yet possessed extraordinary courage, with aspirations of becoming a general. At the age of eighteen, Erzhu Tianguang appointed him as a standard bearer and bestowed upon him the title of General of the Conquest of the Yi. He followed Erzhu Tianguang in subduing the Guanzhong region, and in recognition of his achievements, he was appointed General of Ningyuan, Attendant Cavalry Commandant, and Commander of the Army. After Erzhu Tianguang's defeat, he defected to Heba Yue and was appointed General of the Conquest of the West and Grand Master of Splendid Happiness. After Heba Yue's death, he and other generals discussed rallying behind the founding emperor. He followed the founding emperor in suppressing the rebellion led by Houmochen Yue and was granted the title of Viscount of Yinpangu, promoted to Guard General and Right Grand Master of Splendid Happiness.
He followed Emperor Taizu to greet Emperor Xiaowu of Wei, recaptured Tongguan, and was granted the title of County Magistrate of Changzi, with a fief of eight hundred households. At the start of the Datong period, he was promoted to a duke, and his fief increased to one thousand households. He participated in the battle that defeated Dou Tai and was appointed as General of Chariots and Cavalry and Left Grand Minister. He also took part in the campaign to recapture Hongnong and charged into battle at the Battle of Sha Yuan, earning numerous military accolades. Emperor Taizu valued him greatly and appointed him as a Governor. Four years later, he participated in the Battle of Heqiao and was appointed as the Governor of Jizhou. Later, he, along with Yu Jin, defeated the Hu bandit Liu Ping, who fled to Shangjun, and he was appointed as the Governor of Fengyi County. After some time, he was transferred to be the Governor of Hebei. Thirteen years later, in recognition of his past achievements, he was granted the titles of Grand Governor and Regular Attendant of the Tongzhi. He followed General Yang Zhong to defeat the barbarian bandit Tian Sheqing, receiving the most recognition. His fief increased by three hundred households, and he was appointed as Deputy Minister of the Three Departments. Soon after, he was promoted to the position of Minister of the Three Departments. In the sixteenth year of his service, he served as the Governor of Dongxia Prefecture. In the first year of Emperor Wei's abdication, he was elevated to Duke of Fangcheng, with a total fief of four thousand one hundred households, counting his previous holdings. After the establishment of the six official system, he was appointed as a Senior Grand Minister. After Emperor Xiaomin took the throne, he was appointed as Grand General. Later, he passed away from illness. Tian Hong, courtesy name Guanglue, was a native of Gaoping. In his youth, he was highly ambitious and eager to accomplish great things, strong, brave, and very strategic. During Wei's Yong'an period, he was captured by Wanqi Chounu. After Er Zhu Tianguang entered Guanzhong, Tian Hong returned from Yuanzhou and pledged allegiance to the court, being granted the position of Governor.
When Emperor Taizu first took command of the army, Tian Hong went to pay a visit and shared his insights on the situation at hand. Emperor Taizu greatly appreciated him and immediately entrusted him with important responsibilities. Because he achieved merit in the campaign to welcome Emperor Wei Xiaowu, he was granted the title of Count of Chunyin County, with an estate comprising five hundred households. Emperor Taizu often gifted him his iron armor, saying, "If the world is pacified, I will show you this suit of armor." In the third year of Datong, he was promoted to General-in-Chief and elevated to the rank of Duke. He participated in Emperor Taizu's campaign to recover Hongnong, the Battle of Shayuan, lifted the siege of Luoyang, and defeated the enemy at Heqiao, earning the highest honors and receiving numerous accolades, being granted the surname He. He was later appointed as the Inspector of Yuanzhou. Due to his remarkable achievements and esteemed reputation, the court treated him with utmost favor. While Emperor Taizu was in Tongzhou, all civil and military officials convened there, and Emperor Taizu said, "If everyone were as dedicated as Tian Hong, how could the world not soon be pacified?" Thus, he was appointed to Grand General of Chariots and Cavalry and granted the title of Yitong San Si. In the first year of Emperor Wei Fei, he was further promoted to Grand General of the Cavalry and awarded the title of Yitong San Si.
After bringing peace to the Shu region, local officials, such as Xiao Shao, the Inspector of Liangzhou, seized control of their territories and refused to submit to the court's authority. The court then dispatched Yu Wen Chengdu to suppress the rebellion. He also quelled the Qiang tribe's rebellion in Xiping and the Di tribe's uprising in Fengzhou, winning all the battles. Every time Yu Wen Chengdu went into battle, he charged ahead, displaying unmatched bravery, sustaining over a hundred arrow wounds and suffering nine broken bones, while his warhorse was stabbed ten times; the court officials were left in awe of him. Later, the local tribes in Xinzhou revolted again, and the court sent Yu Wen Chengdu along with He Ruodun to suppress the rebellion. After Emperor Xiaomin ascended the throne, Yu Wen Chengdu was elevated to Duke of Yanmen, with his estate increasing to two thousand seven hundred households.
In the first year of the Baoding era, Yuwen Chengdu was appointed as the governor of Minzhou. Although he was a military general, he followed the rules in everything he did, and the common folk enjoyed peace. Three years later, he accompanied General Yang Zhong in the campaign against Northern Qi and was appointed as a grand general. The following year, he accompanied General Yang Zhong on an eastern expedition. After the war ended, he returned to his garrison. The Tuyuhun launched an invasion on the western frontier, and the Dangchang Qiang secretly conspired with them. The court ordered Yuwen Chengdu to quell the uprising. He captured twenty-five members of the Tuyuhun royal family, took seventy-six strongholds, ultimately putting down the rebellion.
In the second year of Tianhe, Chen Dynasty's governor of Xiangzhou, Hua Jiao, surrendered, and Yuwen Chengdu followed Duke Wei to support him. When fighting against the Chen army, the initial encounters did not go well, so the court appointed him as the commander-in-chief of Jiangling. Later, Chen Dynasty's general Wu Mingche invaded, and Yuwen Chengdu and the Emperor of Liang Dynasty, Xiao Kui, together withdrew to Jinaan, leaving Deputy Commander Gao Lin to hold the defense line. After Wu Mingche withdrew, they returned to Jiangling. Shortly afterwards, Yuwen Chengdu was appointed as the lord of Renshou City, with the objective of launching an attack on Yiyang. Qi commanders Duan Xiaoxian and Hulv Mingyue stationed their forces at Dinglong to support Yiyang. Yuwen Chengdu and Duke Chen defeated them together, capturing nine cities including Yiyang. As a result of his military successes, his fiefdom was expanded by five hundred households, and his official position was promoted to Grand General.
In the second year of Jiande, he was appointed as the Grand Minister of Public Works, and later promoted to Junior Protector. Three years later, he was appointed as the overall commander of military affairs in Xiang, Ying, Chang, Feng, Tang, and Cai provinces, as well as the governor of Xiangzhou. He ultimately passed away in office. His son, Yuwen Gong, inherited his title. Yuwen Gong earned a reputation from a young age and quickly rose to high office. By the time of the Daxiang period, he held the ranks of Grand General and Junior Marshal. The court posthumously recorded the achievements of Yuwen Chengdu and elevated Yuwen Gong to Duke Guanguo.
Liang Chun, styled Qian Nian, was from Daijun. His grandfather, Qu Zhu, was a general in Changping Town of the Wei Kingdom; his father, Ti, held the position of an inner third-rank official. Liang Chun initially followed Erzhu Rong to march to Luoyang, and later followed Erzhu Rong to defeat Ge Rong at Fukuou, and was promoted to the position of capital general due to his military achievements. After that, he followed He Baoyue to suppress the rebellions of Wanqiu Chounu, Xiao Baoyin, and others, and his official position continued to rise, becoming a key general, cavalry commander, and deputy commander. At the beginning of the Putai era, he was appointed as General of the West and Jinzi Guanglu Dafu. Two years later, he was appointed as the governor of Gaoping County, granted the title of Baron of Lu'nu County, with a fief of one hundred households.
In the first year of the Taichang era, he was promoted to commander. He assisted Northern Zhou Taizu in quelling the rebellion of Houmochen Yue and was appointed as Guard General and Right Guanglu Dafu. At the beginning of the Datong era, he was elevated to the rank of Earl of Luancheng County, with his fief increased to five hundred households. Shortly thereafter, he was sent to Longdong County as the governor. Not long after, he was elevated to the rank of duke, with another five hundred households added to his fief, and then transferred to the post of governor of Liangzhou. He participated in the campaign to recapture Hongnong, the Battle of Shayuan, entered Luoyang with Dugu Xin, and then followed Yuwen Gui to defeat the Eastern Wei generals Yao Xiong and others, earning numerous military honors. He was appointed as Grand General of Chariots and Cavalry, Yitong Sanqi, and Grand Commander. In the Battle of Heqiao, he was elevated to the rank of Duke of Dongping County, with his fief increased to one thousand households. Shortly after, he was appointed as Attendant, Biaoqi Grand General, and Kaifu Yitong Sanqi.
In the seventh year of Dàtǒng, he followed Yú Jǐn to attack the Qíhú tribe leader, Liú Píngfú, and Liáng Chūn personally captured Liú Chísè, a general under Liú Píngfú. He also accompanied Dúgū Xìn in an attack against the Qiang tribe leader in Mínzhōu, Liáng Xián Dìng, and defeated him. After that, he was appointed as the governor of Wèizhōu. Although he did not have any outstanding political achievements during his tenure in Wèizhōu, the local people, both Han and ethnic minorities, lived in peace. In the thirteenth year of Dàtǒng, he followed Lǐ Bì to Yǐngchuān to assist the besieged Hóu Jǐng. He took an alternate route to assault Yánhàn Town, killed the defending general Xú Wèi, and the lord of Yánhàn Town, Bǔ Guìluò, surrendered along with over a thousand soldiers. Because of this military merit, his fiefdom expanded by four hundred households. After Emperor Xiào Mǐn ascended the throne, he was granted the title of Duke of Qīnglíng and his fiefdom accumulated to three thousand seven hundred households. Two years later, he returned to court as Shào Bǎo, and was later promoted to Shào Fù. In the first year of Bǎodìng, he was appointed as Grand General. Finally, he passed away in office. After his death, the court posthumously granted him military command over five states: Héngzhōu, Fúzhōu, Yánzhōu, Dānzhōu, and Níngzhōu, appointed him as the governor of Héngzhōu, and posthumously conferred upon him the title "Liè." Liáng Chūn was decisive and courageous, skilled at comforting his soldiers, and he consistently shared the rewards he received with his subordinates, so every time he went to battle, the soldiers fought valiantly. He was also quite humble and did not seek wealth, which was praised by public opinion at the time. In 506 AD, his son Míng was granted the title of Duke of Fēngyáng County due to his father's achievements. He was soon promoted to Grand Commander, and later to General of Chariots and Cavalry, Supervisor of the Palace Attendants, in charge of managing the Ministry of Personnel, and later served as a Minor Imperial Secretary and a Lower Official in the Imperial Secretariat. In 518 AD, the court decreed that he should inherit his father's title, but the original fief was granted to his brother Lǎng. During the Tiānhé period, he was reappointed as Duke of Lèlíng, served as the governor of Shàngzhōu, and his fiefdom grew to four thousand three hundred households.
Liang Tai, courtesy name Luodu, was from Changchi. His father died, and during the reign of Emperor Wen of Wei, he served as the governor of Longxi Commandery. Liang Tai was courageous and ambitious from a young age. During the Xiaochang era, he followed Erzhu Tianguang in pacifying the rebellions in the Guanzhong and Longxi areas, fighting more than twenty battles in just one year. Due to his military achievements, he was appointed as the Subduer of Rebels and granted the title of Marquis of Longcheng. In the early years of Putai, he was promoted to general. Later, he joined Hou Mochen Yue in suppressing the bandits in Southern Qinzhou, successfully quelling the rebellion. Hou Mochen Yue recommended Liang Tai to be appointed as Acting General, General of the Guard, Left Minister of Guanglu, and promoted to Marquis of Longcheng County with a fief of two hundred households. Subsequently, he was appointed as the Prefect of Tianshui Commandery and later transferred to be the Prefect of Zhaoping Commandery. He managed various commanderies and counties several times, achieving commendable results. Not long after, Erzhu Tianguang called him back and brought him into his camp. After Erzhu Tianguang was defeated at Hanling, He Baoyue also valued him highly and relied on him.
After He Bayue was killed by Hou Mo Chen Yue, Liang Tai and other generals discussed supporting Emperor Gao. He followed Emperor Gao to attack Hou Mo Chen Yue and defeated him. Afterwards, he was appointed as the governor of Tianshui Prefecture. In the early years of Datong, he was reappointed as the governor of Zhaoping Prefecture. He also, together with Grand Master Shi Meng, defeated the Tu tribes entrenched in the two mountains, and as a result, the court issued an edict granting him an additional hundred households in his fief and transferred him to be the governor of Pingliang County. During this time, Mo Zhe Hou Chi led his troops to plunder and harass the people. The provincial governor Shi Ning led an army to confront the enemy but struggled to achieve victory for an extended period. Liang Tai assessed the enemy's situation and proposed detailed battle strategies. Shi Ning adopted his suggestions and ultimately defeated the enemy. He also defeated Liu Ping Fu together with Yu Jin. Due to his previous merits, he was appointed governor of Yingzhou and granted the surname Helan. He participated in the Battle of Yubi and the Battle of Mangshan, and was awarded the title of Commander. In the fifteenth year of Datong, he was appointed as the governor of Nanxia Prefecture, promoted to Tongzhi San Zhi Zhangshi, and his fief was increased by an additional two hundred households. In the second year of the reign of Emperor Wei, he was promoted to Envoy with Special Authority, Grand General of Chariots and Cavalry, and Yi Tong San Si, and later promoted to Grand General of Cavalry, Chief of the Office of Yi Tong San Si, and was additionally appointed as Palace Attendant.
After Emperor Xianming ascended the throne, King Jing of Liang was conferred the title of Duke of Zhongbu County, with his fief increased to one thousand households. During the reign of Emperor Wu, he accompanied Helan Xiang to fight in Taoyang, where he achieved remarkable feats in battle and was additionally granted the title of Marquis of Suian County, also with a fief of one thousand households. The emperor also granted special permission for this title to be passed on to his son, Yuanqing. In the fourth year of Baoding, he was appointed as Grand General. At that time, the army had been besieging Luoyang without success. Suddenly, cavalry from the State of Qi attacked, led by Duke Xian of Qi. As a result, several soldiers were captured by the enemy after straying more than two hundred paces from the front lines. King Jing of Liang was furious when he saw this and charged into the enemy ranks alone on horseback, shooting down two foes. The enemy forces were thrown into disarray, and the captured soldiers returned safely. Duke Xian of Qi often lamented, "King Jing of Liang is truly brave and decisive; I cannot hold a candle to him!" In the fifth year of Baoding, he was appointed as the Inspector of Fuzhou.
King Jing of Liang was known for his cheerful personality and generosity towards others. In governing the region and managing political affairs, he was particularly guided by compassion. Although he knew just over a thousand characters, his oral proclamations were quite eloquent. Even in his sixties, he could still ride in armor without the need for stirrups. He hunted on horseback, hitting his target with every shot. He later passed away from illness.
Yu Wen Ce, courtesy name Chengjing, was a member of the clan of the founding emperor of the Northern Zhou Dynasty. His great-grandfather was the King of Zhongshan, his grandfather was Dou Tui, his ancestors were Qilin, and his father was Yu Wen Yong, all of whom held high positions in the Wei Dynasty. Yu Wen Ce was a steady person who studied diligently from a young age, often not leaving home for over ten days. He initially served as a Palace Attendant and Assistant Imperial Secretary, gradually rising to the position of Right Chief Historian of the Ministry of Works and General of the East. He married Princess Yangping, daughter of Emperor Xuanwu, and was granted the title of Commandant of the Cavalry.
When Emperor Xiaowu of Wei suspected Emperor Shengwu of Qi of having ulterior motives, he sent Yu Wen Ce to meet with the founding emperor of the Northern Zhou Dynasty to make secret preparations. The founding emperor received him warmly and, upon his return, granted him the title of Count of Guangchuan with a fief of five hundred households. Shortly after, Yu Wen Ce accompanied Emperor Xiaowu during his westward migration and was promoted to Duke. After the founding emperor became Prime Minister, he appointed Yu Wen Ce as Right Chief Historian, entrusting him with many important military and state affairs. The founding emperor also instructed Yu Wen Ce to meticulously organize the genealogy and relationships of the imperial family, incorporating them into the family genealogy. Later, he was appointed as an Imperial Secretary and Gentleman of the Yellow Gate.
In the year 544 AD, he was appointed as Palace Attendant and concurrently served as Chief Scribe. Five years later, he was dismissed from his position due to certain events. Not long after, he was appointed as Commissioner, Grand General of the Valiant Cavalry, Chief of the Palace Secretariat, and Commander-in-Chief, tasked with governing the Fenzhou region. He focused on streamlining administration to benefit the people, earning their love and respect.
Fenzhou borders Dong Wei, and theft incidents often occur on both sides. When thieves from Dong Wei were caught, they were usually tied up. However, this man was different. He ordered the people to untie them, housed them in an inn, and treated them warmly like honored guests. He then hosted a feast for them, sent them back to their country, provided them with food, and escorted them out of the border. Since then, the people of Dong Wei felt ashamed and no longer dared to rob. In the area between Fenzhou and Jinzhou, people focused on their own lives, offering condolences and letting go of past resentments. At that time, people praised him and compared him to the ancient virtuous minister Yang Shuzi.
However, someone accused him of secretly colluding with Dong Wei and having a hidden agenda. The Emperor was furious and said, "He has stabilized the border for me; I know he is loyal and devoted. Why are you sowing discord between me and my ministers, spreading these rumors!" He then ordered him to be killed and had previously allowed him to act with leniency.
In 548 AD, he was appointed as Jinziguanglu Dalu and transferred to Suizhou. Every year after the river froze, the Turks would come to raid. Previously, the local people had to take refuge in the castle in advance. After he took office, he ensured everyone could live in peace as usual. He established hundreds of woodpiles along key routes and sent people to scout around to monitor the movements of the Turks.
In December of that year, the Turks invaded from Liangu, dozens of miles from the border. He ordered all the woodpiles to be lit simultaneously. The Turks believed a large army was approaching and were frightened, fleeing in all directions, trampling on each other, and abandoning a large number of livestock and supplies. He calmly gathered these items with his troops and distributed them to the people. Since then, the Turks no longer dared to approach. He also requested the court to station troops on the border as a precaution.
In 550 AD, he was appointed as Taishi Shaobao. In October 552 AD, he died while in office at the age of fifty-eight. The Emperor was deeply saddened and personally went to pay his respects, sending Shuichi Gong to supervise the funeral arrangements. He was posthumously restored to his original position and given the title Jing.
He is an especially kind-hearted and generous person who enjoys doing good deeds. He hasn't saved anything at home except for what he wears and eats. When he was in Luoyang, he was once robbed, and what he lost was his wife’s clothes, the ones belonging to Princess Yangping. The local authorities caught the thief, and the items were recovered. But he was worried the thief might get the death penalty for this, so he claimed that the clothing was not his. Fortunately, there was an amnesty, and the thief was let go. The thief was very grateful to him and voluntarily requested to work for him. Later, he followed Emperor Xiaowu of Wei to the west, which turned out to be quite a rough journey, yet the thief accompanied him and had no feelings of betrayal at all. His son, Gai, later became an official too, reaching the position of the governor of the Department of State Affairs and the Duke of Linzi. His brother is named Shen. His brother Shen, whose courtesy name is Nugan, was upright and had strong leadership skills. As a child, he built forts from stones and made flags out of grass, setting up troops like it was the real deal. His father Yong saw this and was overjoyed, saying, "You are born for this; you will definitely become a famous general in the future!" At the start of the Yong'an era, his brother landed a minor job as a secretary. At that time, there were bandits everywhere, and his brother often analyzed the situation with the leaders, catching the eye of Er Zhu Rong. He was later promoted to a military general and then became the chief scribe of the Charioteer’s Office. Three years later, he was appointed as the Deputy Commander, leading troops. When Gao Huan raised his army to attack Luoyang, and Emperor Xiaowu fled west, the situation was urgent, and many people fled. However, his brother calmed his own soldiers and led them through the pass together. For his contributions, he was given the title of Count of Changle. Emperor Taizu was impressed by his brother's cleverness and wanted him to work by his side, participating in national affairs. In the first year of Datong, his brother was appointed as the chief scribe of the Prime Minister's Office and also got the title of Zhi Ge in red robes. Before long, he got promoted to Minister of State Affairs.
Legend has it that the armies of Northern Wei and Gao Huan faced off at Puban, with Gao Huan dispatching his general Dou Tai to Tongguan and Gao Aocao to lay siege to Luozhou. The son of Emperor Xiaowen of Wei, who later became Emperor Wen of Wei, was plotting to ambush Dou Tai at that moment. His subordinates all thought this plan was too risky and unlikely to succeed. So, he consulted a man named Yu Shen. Yu Shen said, "Dou Tai is a renowned fierce general under Gao Huan. Though brave, he is hot-headed and tends to underestimate his foes. Gao Huan often sends him to the front lines. If our army goes directly to Puban now, Gao Huan will definitely defend it, and Dou Tai will come to rescue. We would be caught between two fronts and likely take heavy losses. It is better to select an elite force, sneak through a back road, and Dou Tai, being impatient, will definitely come out to battle us. Gao Huan is more level-headed and probably won’t rush to his aid, so we can capture Dou Tai. If Dou Tai is captured, Gao Huan's power will be weakened, and we can then return to deal with him with confidence." Emperor Wen of Wei was thrilled to hear this and said, "That’s exactly what I was thinking!" They went with Yu Shen's plan, successfully capturing Dou Tai and forcing Gao Huan to pull back. Later, Yu Shen suggested that Emperor Wen attack Hongnong, which turned out to be successful as well. Emperor Wen was overjoyed and praised him, saying, "You’re like the Chen Ping of my family!"
In winter, Gao Huan crossed the Yellow River with his army to attack Luozhou and arrived at Shayuan. The generals under Wei Wendi were all visibly frightened, except for Yu Shen, who was celebrating. Wei Wendi asked him, "The enemy is coming at us fiercely; what are you celebrating?" Yu Shen replied, "Gao Huan has a strong following in Hebei. Although he may not be particularly wise, everyone listens to him. With this support from the people, he can take care of himself and is tough to handle. Now that his army has crossed the river, this isn't what his soldiers want. He is doing this mainly because he lost Dou Tai and feels discontented, so he refuses to listen to advice and insists on attacking. This is called 'rage-fueled soldiers,' which means fighting out of anger. In this situation, we can take him down! This is obvious; it would be strange if I weren't celebrating! Let me suggest sending Wang Pi's troops to ambush and cut off Gao Huan's retreat, so that none of them can escape!" Wei Wendi found this reasonable and acted accordingly. As a result, just as Yu Shen had anticipated, Gao Huan's army was defeated.
Four years later, Yu Shen participated in the Battle of Heqiao. Six years later, he followed General Li Bi to fight the Baieji Hu and earned accolades. Not long after, he was promoted and became a marquis, later serving as a regular attendant of the court, deputy of Dongyongzhou, envoy with special authority, grand commander, and governor of Dongyongzhou. Yu Shen was strict in his official duties but kept his promises to the common people, suppressing the powerful, which won him the people's support. Seventeen years later, he was moved to the capital as the deputy of Yongzhou. In the second year of Wei Gongdi's reign, he was promoted to Grand General of Chariots and Cavalry, equivalent to the Three Departments, and a regular attendant of the court. Later, after the establishment of the Six Official System, he was appointed a junior official in the Department of Officials.
After Emperor Xianming abdicated in his favor, he was promoted and became the General of the Cavalry and the Chief of the Three Offices. Later, he was transferred to the Ministry of Personnel as a Senior Official. In the first year of Wucheng, he was appointed as the Governor of Bin Prefecture and was also granted the title of Duke of Anhua. The following year, he was called up to serve as a Grand Master, and then he was promoted to Military Commissioner. During the Baoding period, he became the Prefect of Jingzhao and afterwards returned to the court to serve as a Senior Official in charge of meetings.
He lost his father at a young age, but he was very devoted to his brother and quite mature for his age. He had a somewhat quirky personality, enjoyed reading military books, and had many ideas. When he served beside the emperor, he often offered his own suggestions and strategies. Later, he worked in the department responsible for selecting officials and received much praise. He was compassionate and generous, particularly towards his family. His younger brothers, Shenju and Shenqing, lost their parents at a young age, and he raised them as if they were his own brothers, creating a strong brotherly bond that earned them much admiration. In the third year of Tianhe, he died while serving in office. After his death, the court posthumously granted him the titles of Special Envoy, Lesser Teacher, and Governor of Hengyun, and bestowed upon him the posthumous name "Chengkang." His son, Xiaobo, also has a separate biography recorded.
The historical records say: In that turbulent era, the founding emperor, Taizu, relied on military campaigns to pacify the world. Sometimes he mobilized a million-strong army, crucial for the nation's survival; other times, he engaged in small-scale battles on the borders that ended within days. Therefore, regardless of age or status, everyone laid down their pens to earn glory, eagerly took up arms to fight. Those famous generals soared like birds in the sky, quelling rebellions across the land, and even as time passed, their achievements continued to be celebrated for generations; truly remarkable indeed! Yuwen Ce was not only visionary but also kind and magnanimous; he was as brave and decisive as Cai You was, yet he never took the initiative to provoke war. Could this have been a result of his deliberate pursuit? I believe it's more a reflection of his true nature. Yuwen Ce and his brothers made significant political contributions, and their accomplishments and strategies deserve high praise; they were indeed rare and virtuous statesmen of their time!
