Shi Ning, style name Yonghe, was from the Biao family in Jiankang. His great-grandfather, Shi Yu, served as the magistrate of Linsong County under the Juqu regime. Later, when the Wei Dynasty pacified Liangzhou, his grandfather, Shi Guan, migrated to Fuming Town with many others, where they settled down. His father, Shi Zun, initially served as a military officer in the Zhenglu Office. When Du Luozhou rebelled and there was mutual slaughter among the six garrisons, his father took along two thousand families from their hometown and fled to Hengzhou. Later, Hengzhou was attacked by bandits, and his father returned to Luoyang. He was appointed governor of Loufan County. When Shi Ning achieved merit, the court posthumously bestowed upon his father the titles of Sanqi Changshi (散骑常侍), General Who Conquers the West, and Governor of Liangzhou, with the posthumous name Zhen.
Thus, Shi Ning's family experienced many twists and turns, moving from Liangzhou to Hengzhou, then to Luoyang, before finally settling down. His father rose from a minor military officer to being posthumously awarded high official titles, which can be seen as a remarkable life turnaround. The experiences of several generations laid the groundwork for Shi Ning's future life.
Speaking of General Ning, he initially held a low-ranking general position due to his military accomplishments, but later his official rank rose steadily, and he became the General of the Imperial Guard and a commander, tasked with guarding the palace. Before long, he received another promotion, becoming a General with the role of special envoy, General Who Conquers the East, and a Jinzi Guanglu Dafu, holding a notably high position.
Later, He Basheng became the governor of Jingzhou, and General Ning followed him with 1,000 infantry and cavalry, serving as He Basheng's subordinate. At that time, the local tribes in Jingzhou were causing unrest, and all three roads were blocked. General Ning led the charge and quelled the situation. He also pacified the tribes, who then surrendered and contributed 1,500 war horses to the army. Afterwards, General Ning was appointed governor of South Yingzhou. When He Basheng became the Grand Councilor, he petitioned the court to make General Ning the Grand Commander. General Ning led 10,000 infantry and cavalry to attack the Liang Dynasty's Xiaxia Garrison, securing a decisive victory! He was then granted the title of Count of Wuping County, with a fief of five hundred households. He subsequently captured nine cities, including Qixing Town in the Liang Dynasty, and took twenty thousand households as captives before returning to the capital.
Just as he was about to be rewarded for his achievements, Emperor Xiaowu of Wei relocated westward. Eastern Wei sent Hou Jing to attack Jingzhou, and General Ning and He Basheng escaped to the Liang Dynasty together. Emperor Wu of Liang met with General Ning in Xiangdeng and said to him, "I see great wealth and glory in your future. I will ensure you return home in fine clothing." General Ning tearfully replied, "My family has received the grace of the Wei Dynasty for generations. As a general of the Wei Dynasty, I am truly powerless to resist the rebels. I am already grateful to have a place to stay. If Your Majesty allows me to return, I would be forever grateful!" As he spoke, tears streamed down his face, touching Emperor Wu of Liang as well.
After staying in the Liang Dynasty for two years, Heba Sheng and General Ning secretly discussed how to return to the Wei Kingdom. General Ning said, "Zhu Yi has gained the trust of Emperor Wu of the Liang Dynasty; I’ll go talk to him." Heba Sheng agreed. General Ning went to see Zhu Yi, shared some heartfelt words with him, and tactfully expressed his desire to return to the Wei Kingdom, speaking very appropriately. Zhu Yi expressed his sympathy, saying, "Everyone misses their hometown! I will report to the Emperor, and I hope to grant your wish." Before long, Emperor Wu of the Liang Dynasty agreed to let Heba Sheng and the others return.
In the year 536 AD, Ning Yi returned to the capital from Liangzhou; the Emperor promoted him and granted him a noble title, awarding him a fief comprising three hundred households. After some time, he was promoted to the position of Chariot and Cavalry General, in charge of the affairs of Jingzhou. At that time, the bandit leader Mo Zhehao Chi was wreaking havoc in Jingzhou, burning, killing, and looting, bringing suffering to the people. Ning Yi joined forces with Li Xian, who was in charge of the affairs of Yuanzhou, and defeated Mo Zhehao Chi's forces. Later, Ning Yi was appointed as the Imperial Secretariat and Governor of Dongyi Prefecture. Coincidentally, the Eastern Wei also dispatched a man named Hu Ligou to serve as the Governor of Dongyi Prefecture. Just as Ning Yi arrived in Dongyi Prefecture, so did Hu Ligou. Ning Yi took the initiative to confront and defeat Hu Ligou, and also killed Feng Shandao, the County Governor under Hu Ligou. Dongyi Prefecture was located on the border, and most of the people had fled. Ning Yi made concerted efforts to reassure them, and as a result, everyone returned and began to rebuild their lives.
In the year 542, Ning Yi was promoted to Prefect of Liangzhou. Before he arrived in Liangzhou, the former prefect Yu Wen Zhonghe had already instigated a rebellion there. The court dispatched Du Gu Xin with troops to assist Ning Yi in quelling Yu Wen Zhonghe's rebellion. Ning Yi arrived in Liangzhou first and engaged with the city’s officials and common folk, weighing the pros and cons, which ultimately led to their surrender. Despite Yu Wen Zhonghe's continued resistance in the city, he was ultimately captured by Ning Yi. The emperor then promoted Ning Yi again, appointing him as the Grand General of Chariots and Cavalry, the Minister of Ceremonies, and the Grand Commander, entrusting him with military command over Liangzhou and Xiliangzhou, and also making him a Regular Attendant and governor of Liangzhou. In 545, Ning Yi received another promotion, becoming the Grand General of Cavalry, and was given the title of Minister of Ceremonies, with his rank elevated to duke.
Sixteen years later, the Qiang and Liao tribal leaders in Dangchang, led by Gan, rose in rebellion, overthrowing their king Mi Ding and declaring themselves the new leaders, also rallying figures like Bangqi Tie Cong and Zheng Wuchou to join the uprising. The court ordered General Ning to lead troops alongside Yu Wen Gui and Dou Lu Ning to suppress the rebellion. General Ning went alone to confront Liao Gan, but the mountain roads were too difficult, forcing him to ride through alone. Liao Gan had already set up defenses with his subordinates in a strategic location. General Ning charged in and quickly broke through their defenses. Liao Gan, with an army of thirty thousand, launched a counterattack against General Ning but was defeated once more, with the pursuit continuing to Dangchang. Liao Gan fled with over a hundred cavalry to seek refuge with Gong Lianyu of the Sheng Qiang. Mi Ding was subsequently restored to the throne.
General Ning, frustrated for not capturing Liao Gan, secretly planned to deal with him and publicly declared that he would return to the army. Upon hearing this, Liao Gan summoned the rebellious Qiang people, established checkpoints based on the terrain, and planned to attack Miding. General Ning said to his commanders, "These Qiang have fallen into our trap; we should pursue them and capture him!" The commanders, eager to return home, replied, "The Qiang people are unpredictable; they are situated near the mountains and water. If we pursue them now, it may take a long time with no results. Moreover, Miding has a new commander, and your achievements have already been established, General. Liao Gan is currently weak, and Miding can completely control him. Therefore, it would be best to return to the capital now; this is the best strategy." General Ning replied, "Letting a tiger return to its mountain will only invite endless troubles. How can we abandon the opportunity to eliminate these rebels and then have to exert ourselves again? As loyal subjects, we should do our utmost to serve the court. From this standpoint, you are clearly unqualified to discuss military matters with me! If you continue to lose heart like this, how can I, General Ning, not execute you all?" Consequently, General Ning pressed on with his troops, while Liao Gan's forces arrived as well. The two sides engaged in battle, and General Ning achieved a decisive victory, capturing Liao Gan alive before executing him and sending Gon Lianyu to the court. The seized supplies were distributed among the soldiers, and General Ning did not keep any for himself. After the army returned, the court ordered General Ning to lead his troops to garrison at Heyang. When General Ning was in Liangzhou, he managed the ethnic minorities with a combination of benevolence and authority, and after being transferred to Heyang, the border residents greatly missed him.
In the first year of Emperor Feidi of the Wei Dynasty, he was appointed military commander of the three regions: Liangzhou, Ganzhou, and Guazhou, and concurrently served as the governor of Liangzhou. At first, the Rouran and Wei were initially friendly allies but later turned into enemies. Shortly after, the Rouran were defeated by the Turks, and their leader, Anaguil, was killed. However, the scattered Rouran tribes continued to support Anaguil's descendants as their leaders, looting and raiding the Hexi Corridor. General Ningyuan led troops to intercept them, capturing Anaguil's two sons and several tribal leaders. Since then, they suffered defeat in every battle, resulting in the capture of tens of thousands. As a result, he was promoted to Duke of Anzheng County. Three years later, the Tuyuhun sent envoys to the Northern Qi Kingdom, and General Ningyuan captured them again, and was subsequently appointed Grand General by the court. Later, General Ningyuan sent envoys to meet with Emperor Taizu of the Northern Zhou Dynasty to report the situation. Emperor Taizu rewarded General Ningyuan with his hat, shoes, clothes, bedding, bow and arrows, armor, spears, and more. Emperor Taizu also told General Ningyuan's envoy, "Thank Liangzhou's General Ningyuan for me. I took off my clothes for him, entrusting my heart to him, and hoped he would carry out his duties well and not ruin his reputation." The Turkic Khan sought to pass through Liangzhou to attack the Tuyuhun, so Emperor Taizu sent General Ning with cavalry to follow him. Upon the army's arrival at Fanhe, the Tuyuhun people noticed and quickly fled to the Nanshan Mountains. The Turkic Khan wanted to split the troops to pursue and then converge in Qinghai. General Ning advised the Turkic Khan, "Shudun and Hezhen are the strongholds of the Tuyuhun. If we uproot them now, the remaining minions will scatter naturally; that's the best approach!" The Turkic Khan heeded his advice and split the forces into two. The Turkic Khan headed north to attack Hezhen, while General Ning advanced directly to Shudun.
The king of Tuohun, Suozhou, came out with his troops to resist but was defeated and killed by General Ning. General Ning traversed mountains and valleys and finally arrived at Shudun. Shudun was the old capital of Tuohun, which concealed many treasures. However, the king of Tuohun had long fled to Hezhen, leaving only his Southern General and a few thousand men to defend the city. General Ning led his troops to attack the city, first pretending to retreat. The Tuohun people indeed opened the gates to pursue them, and General Ning immediately turned back and mounted a fierce assault. Before the city gates could be closed, General Ning's army rushed in. They captured him alive, captured a large number of men, women, and children, and seized countless treasures, all of which were bestowed upon the Turks.
The king of Tuohun, Helobawang, built a camp utilizing the rugged terrain, spanning over fifty li, with the intention of blocking General Ning’s advance. General Ning attacked his camp, defeated him, captured or killed over ten thousand enemies, and seized tens of thousands of livestock. Meanwhile, Khan Mukhan also broke through Hezhen, capturing the king of Tuohun's wife and children and seizing many treasures. General Ning returned to Qinghai and met up with Khan Mukhan. Khan Mukhan shook General Ning’s hand, praising his bravery and decisiveness, and bestowed his own steed upon General Ning for him to ride in front of the tent, personally escorting him part of the way. The Turks all believed that General Ning’s strategy would surely succeed, with both respect and fear, saying, “He is a divine figure from the Central Plains!”
When it was time to return to court, Khan Mukhan bestowed upon General Ning one hundred servants, five hundred horses, and ten thousand sheep. It was only then that General Ning returned to Liangzhou. Shortly after, he was summoned by the court to the capital, just as the death of Emperor Taizu occurred. Heartbroken, he requested permission to mourn at the tomb and provided a report on the victorious campaign.
After Emperor Xiao Min ascended the throne, he appointed him as the Minor Minister of State, and later sent him to defend 52 provinces, including Jingxiang, Xiying, and Jiangling, serving as the Governor of Jingzhou. He was very talented in military affairs, knowledgeable in military strategy, and commanded with confidence in battles, consistently achieving victories as planned and earning a particularly good reputation at that time. However, during his time in Jingzhou, he lived a relatively extravagant and indulgent life, engaging in corruption and violating the law. Once, when he went out, someone reported that the officials in the state had violated the law, and he shockingly handed the matter over to the accuser to resolve. From that point on, no one dared to file a complaint again, and his reputation in the western region was greatly affected as a result. In the third year of Baoding, he passed away in Jingzhou and was posthumously given the title of "Hero." His son Ning Xiong inherited his title.
Ning Xiong, whose courtesy name was Shiwǔ, was brave and strong from a young age, proficient in horseback riding and archery, and very strategic. At the age of fourteen, he followed his father Ning to welcome Emperor Taizu at Qiantun Mountain. Later, he joined in hunting and never missed a shot, receiving high praise from Emperor Taizu. Soon after, he married Princess Yongfu, the daughter of Emperor Taizu. He was appointed as an envoy with the rank of General and later promoted to a Senior Official in the Imperial Secretariat and Grand General. He followed Zhu Guo and General Fan Han Gong Xin Wei to garrison Jincheng, and ultimately passed away in service at the age of twenty-four. Ning Xiong's brother Ning Xiang was granted the title of Duke of Wusui County in recognition of his father's achievements. Ning Xiang's brother Ning Yun was also granted the title of Duke of Wuping County in recognition of their father's achievements, and rose to the rank of Senior Official in the Department of Textiles and Grand General. Ning Yun's brother Ning Wei was likewise granted the title of Duke of Wudang County in recognition of his father's achievements.
Lu Teng, with the courtesy name Xian Sheng, was from Dai County. His great-grandfather Lu Si was the General of the Western Campaigns and the King of Dongping during the Wei Dynasty; his ancestor Lu Mi was the Governor of Xiazhou; his father Lu Xu was a refined and detached person who enjoyed studying the "Dao De Jing," the "I Ching," and astronomy and calendars. He also authored "The Essentials of the Five Stars" and "The True Diagram of the Two Instruments," and he had a deep understanding of these subjects. During the Taihe era, the court summoned him to be a Doctor of the Central Secretariat, and he was later promoted to the position of Cavalry Attendant of the Palace. Foreseeing impending chaos, he retreated to the Taihang Mountains. After Emperor Xiaozhuang ascended the throne, he was summoned multiple times to take office, but he always declined. Later, the court posthumously appointed him as the Governor of the provinces of Bing, Fen, Heng, and Si.
Young Hero Lu exuded a remarkable spirit and strong integrity. He served as an Exalted Cavalry Attendant and a Military Officer in the Minister of Works' Office. Later, when Er Zhu Rong entered Luoyang, he promoted Lu to the position of Cavalry Attendant of the Central Secretariat and tent supervisor. He subsequently played a key role in suppressing the rebellion of Ge Rong and was granted the title of Earl of Qinghe for his contributions. During the Putai era, he was promoted to the position of a Direct Cavalry Attendant in a red robe. He married Princess Anping, the daughter of the noble Gao Guiping of Donglai. When Emperor Xiaowu of Wei visited the family of Gao Guiping, he met Lu and found him very congenial, praising Gao Guiping by saying, "Father-in-law, you really found a good son-in-law!" He was then promptly promoted to be a Cavalry Attendant of the Central Secretariat. Later, when Emperor Xiaowu moved westward, Lu was assigned a diplomatic mission to Qingzhou, where he ultimately died in Ye City.
During the Xinghe era of the Eastern Wei, the court summoned him and appointed him as the General of the Western Campaign, while also serving as the Prefect of Yangcheng County. In the ninth year of the Datong reign, the Northern Wei army launched an eastern expedition, targeting the strategically important Yangcheng defended by Teng, and attacked there first. At that time, the Wei army was formidable, and Chief Clerk Ma Xiu urged Teng to surrender, but he resolutely refused. He defended for over a month, but the city was eventually breached, and he was taken prisoner. Emperor Taiwu of Northern Wei granted him his freedom, engaged him in polite conversation, and asked about the situation in the east. Teng detailed the personalities and current situation in Dongzhou, delivering his words clearly and with great confidence. Taiwu laughed and said, "You truly haven't forgotten your roots!" He promptly appointed him as the Grand Commander of the Imperial Guards. Shortly thereafter, he was promoted to Prince's Attendant, and later advanced to General of the Martial Guards.
Recognized by Taiwu, Teng was determined to achieve merit and success, not pursuing court positions, a stance Taiwu admired. In the thirteenth year of the Datong reign, he was appointed Grand General of Chariots and Cavalry, concurrently serving as a Chief of the Three Excellencies.
In the year 452 AD, a rebellion led by Huang Zhongbao in Ankang, collaborating with people from Hanzhong, surrounded Dongliangzhou with tens of thousands of soldiers. With the city running low on supplies, the Emperor ordered Teng (Teng Xiusi) to lead troops from Ziwugu to rescue. Upon receiving the order, Teng immediately set out, engaged the enemy as soon as he arrived, and secured a decisive victory. Upon returning from the battle, the Emperor appointed him as the Inspector of Longzhou. Emperor Taizu (Tuoba Tao) addressed Teng, "I want to establish a route to Jiangyou, directly advance into Southern Qin. Consider how to plan for this carefully." Teng replied, "It depends on the situation; I cannot make predictions in advance." Emperor Taizu said, "This is your opportunity to become a Grand General—put in the effort!" and then presented him with his own golden belt.
Later, local commoners Li Guangsi, Li Wu, and others took advantage of the treacherous terrain to build fortifications and gathered a group of desperate rogues, attacking and robbing the counties everywhere, while the local officials were powerless to stop them. Teng secretly ordered the construction of additional siege ladders and personally led his soldiers to launch a nighttime surprise attack on them. Before dawn, they attacked from all directions and quickly broke through their stronghold, capturing Li Guangsi and the others in the act. Li Guangsi and Li Wu's accomplice Ren Gongxin gathered another group of men and surrounded the state city, telling Teng, "As long as you release Li Guangsi and Li Wu, we will disband our troops and surrender." Teng said to his soldiers, "If I do not kill Li Guangsi and the others, it would weaken our military strength while strengthening the enemy's power, which I cannot allow! This Ren Gongxin actually dares to bargain with me!" Therefore, Teng ordered the execution of Li Guangsi and Li Wu, displaying their severed heads for all to see. The morale of the rebels was completely shattered, and the army pursued them relentlessly, capturing them all.
In the year 455, Teng was appointed as the General of Cavalry and granted the title of Minister of the Three Offices, and later reassigned as the Governor of Jiangzhou, being enfeoffed as the Duke of Shangyong County with a fief of two thousand households. The Liao people of the wooden cage in Lingzhou, relying on the difficult terrain, were rude and violent, frequently venturing out to raid. The emperor ordered Teng to attack them. Because the Liao people built their fortifications in the mountains, it was difficult to assault. Teng set up various musical instruments and acrobatics performances at the foot of the city, pretending he had no plans for war. The bandits indeed laid down their weapons, with some even bringing their families to watch the show. Seeing that they were completely unguarded, Teng secretly ordered the army to launch a joint attack. The bandits were startled and terrified, not knowing what to do. Teng then ordered the army to launch a fierce attack against the enemy, achieving a decisive victory, killing ten thousand and capturing five thousand.
When Emperor Shizong first ascended the throne, the indigenous tribes and Han people from the eight prefectures of Lingzhou, Meizhou, Rongzhou, Jiangzhou, Zizhou, Qiongzhou, Xinzhu, and Suizhou, along with the common folk of Hezhou, led by Zhang Yu, revolted together, numbering over ten thousand and overrunning several counties. At that time, Li Teng led his troops to put down the rebellion and was later promoted to the governor of Tongzhou.
In the first year of Wucheng, the court issued an edict calling Li Teng to the capital. Emperor Shizong personally ordered him, saying, "Yizhou is located in a dangerous and remote region; only trusted people can be sent to guard it, which is why Duke Qi (referring to Li Xian) was sent to defend it. Your military talents are already known throughout the land, and the army and defenses of Yizhou should be under your command." Thus, Li Teng was reassigned as the governor of Longzhou and followed Li Xian into Shu. When Duke Zhao (referring to Zhao Kuangyin) succeeded Li Xian, he requested that Li Teng remain.
In the first year of Baoding, Li Teng was promoted to the chief administrator of Longzhou, concurrently serving as governor. The following year, the people of Panshi in Zizhou rebelled, killing the county magistrate and occupying strategic positions, rendering the local army powerless against them. Li Teng led troops to suppress the rebellion, totally defeating and killing the rebels. However, the armies of the Miao and Liao tribes, along with other local rebels, also rose in revolt, and the rugged mountains made surprise attacks tough. Li Teng then charted new paths based on the lay of the land. The Miao and Liao tribes were scared by his strength and requested to surrender. On the paths Li Teng opened, many ancient stone inscriptions were discovered, which were the old routes taken by Zhuge Liang and Huan Wen in their time. In the same year, the Liao tribe in the Tieshan area blocked the route to Neijiang, causing traffic disruptions at the relay stations. Li Teng then led troops to attack them. Just as he was about to reach Tieshan, he faked a retreat. The enemy didn’t see this coming, so they were unprepared. Li Teng struck suddenly, and the enemy immediately collapsed. In just one day, he took three of their cities, beheaded their leader, and took three thousand prisoners, while thirty thousand households surrendered and joined him.
The emperor did not allow Li Teng to launch an eastern expedition because Li Teng's mother was still in the State of Qi. At that moment, Li Teng's relatives returned from the east, and Duke Jin (referring to Shi Shouxin) reported to the emperor, pretending to inform Li Teng: "The State of Qi is tyrannical and lawless, and has already killed your family; your mother and brothers have met untimely deaths." This was intended to provoke Li Teng. Upon hearing this, Li Teng was devastated, weeping bitterly, and resolved to seek revenge. In the fourth year of the Baoding era, Duke Qi Li Xian and Duke Jin Shi Shouxin initiated an eastern campaign, requesting Li Teng to serve as a deputy general. At that time, Zhao Kuangyin was in Shu, so he decided to retain Li Teng. Duke Jin Shi Shouxin wrote to Zhao Kuangyin saying: "The court has ordered Duke Qi to sweep through the Heluo region and wants this person to act alongside him. There is little going on in your region of Shu, so it would be best to lend me this person." Thus, Li Teng was urgently recalled to the court to accompany Li Xian as a deputy general in the eastern campaign. In the fifth year of Baoding, Li Teng was appointed as a senior official in the Ministry of Rites and Ceremonies.
In the early years of the Tianbao era, the Man and Yan tribes in Xinzhou rose in revolt, occupying the Jiangxia region, their influence stretching over two thousand miles, claiming to be princes and killing the regional inspector and local officials. The court then dispatched Li Guangbi to lead troops against them. Li Guangbi first arrived in Yizhou, recruiting elite soldiers and outfitting warships, embarking downstream along the Yangtze River. When the army reached Tangkou, they divided their forces for the assault, advancing with relentless momentum, thoroughly defeating the rebels. Afterwards, Li Guangbi built the Jingguan to commemorate his military achievements, and this is documented in the "Man Zhuan."
Later, the governor of Fuling, Lin Xiuzhu, seized control of Chuzhou, Xiangzhou, Linzhou, Rongzhou, Kaizhou, and Xinzhu, expanding his territory to over two thousand miles. He intercepted the imperial army and created chaos everywhere. The court once again commanded Li Guangbi to launch a campaign against him. At first, both sides engaged in a major battle, in which Li Guangbi killed over two thousand enemy soldiers and captured more than a thousand. Although he initially defeated the enemy, the number of rebels was overwhelming. The fighting continued from summer into autumn, with battles occurring every day. Li Guangbi's army was exhausted and hungry, and their food supplies were nearly depleted, forcing them to temporarily halt their offensive and take a breather at the market to devise a new battle plan. Seeing Li Guangbi's pause, the rebels swarmed in from all directions. Li Guangbi quickly lifted the soldiers' spirits, and the soldiers bravely charged forward, capturing the enemy's Yuling City and confiscating a significant amount of food and supplies to replenish the army's provisions. They then breached seven strongholds, including Tongpan, defeating over four thousand enemy soldiers and confiscating numerous boats. Li Guangbi also built two fortresses in Linzhou and the market to secure these regions. Starting from Longzhou, he ultimately suppressed the rebellion, receiving a total of eight hundred slaves and many cattle and horses as rewards. At last, the Bashu region was pacified, and the court ordered a monument to be erected in his honor.
He served as the Governor of Jiangling for four years. Later, the Chen Kingdom sent General Zhang Zhaoda with fifty thousand troops and two thousand warships to besiege Jiangling. Upon hearing that the Chen Kingdom was preparing for war, Prince Wei immediately dispatched Generals Zhao Yin and Li Qianzhe with infantry and cavalry to support, granting them the authority to command troops. At that time, Li Qianzhe and his men were guarding the outer city when the Chen generals Cheng Wenji and Lei Daoqin launched a surprise attack in the middle of the night. Li Qianzhe and his men were panic-stricken and in disarray, unable to resist. General Teng opened the city gates in the middle of the night, sent out elite soldiers to counterattack, and decisively defeated the enemy. The Chen army was in disarray; Lei Daoqin was shot dead by arrows, and over two hundred prisoners were captured. The people of the Chen Kingdom then decided to break the levee of Longchuan Ningbang, attempting to flood Jiangling. General Teng personally led his soldiers to fight on the west levee, defeated the enemy, beheaded thousands, and forced the people of the Chen Kingdom to flee.
Six years later, he was promoted to Pillar of the State, his title was elevated, becoming the Duke of Shangyong County, and his fiefdom increased to a total of three thousand five hundred households. In the second year of Jiande, he was summoned to serve as Grand Minister of Works, and shortly after was sent to serve as the General of Jingzhou. In the winter of the first year of Xuanzheng, he passed away in the capital. The court posthumously restored his original title, conferred upon him the titles of Governor of five provinces including Bingzhou and Fenzhou, and posthumously conferred upon him the title of Grand Minister of the Later Han Dynasty. He was posthumously honored with the title "Ding." His son, Xuan, inherited his title.
His son, Xuan, with the courtesy name Shijian, was just seven years old when his father died. He later served as a court official in the Qi Kingdom and then became the magistrate of Chengping County. After the fall of the Qi Kingdom, Emperor Gaozu saw him and greatly appreciated him, exempting him from corvée labor and directly appointing him as a local official. During the reign of Emperor Yang of the Sui Dynasty, he served as a military officer in the Palace of the Prime Minister. His younger brother, Rong, with the courtesy name Shiqing, rose to a high position at a young age. During the reign of Emperor Yang, he attained the rank of Grand General and Duke of Dingling County.
He Ruodun was from Dai County. His father, He Ruotong, had once been the Governor of Yingzhou in Eastern Wei. In the third year of the Datong era, he surrendered to the Western Wei together with Inspector Tian Xun. After arriving in Chang'an, Emperor Wen of Wei said to He Ruotong, "You followed me from Yingchuan; when will you forget the past kindness?" He was immediately appointed as the General of the Right Guard, an Imperial Horse Attendant, and the Inspector of Yanzhou, and was granted the title of Duke of Ting County. Soon after, he was also made the Inspector of Northern Yongzhou. After his death, the court posthumously awarded him the titles of Palace Attendant, Inspector of Yanzhou, Shuozhou, and Hengzhou, as well as the title of Duke of Sikong, granting him the posthumous name "Ai."
It is said that there was a man named Gao Ao Cao under Gao Huan, who was ambitious from a young age and was skilled in horseback riding and archery. Later, he followed Gao Huan. Although Gao Huan's strategies were quick, he did not think things through enough, and he had too many ineffective subordinates, making it hard to get out of tough situations. As a result, Gao Huan often sighed and hesitated. At that time, Gao Ao Cao was only seventeen years old and proactively offered advice, saying, "My lord, you previously followed Ge Rong and then sought refuge with Er Zhu Rong, both of which led to your being valued. In the Battle of Hanling, you sought refuge with Gao Huan; although Gao Huan is not your old friend, you have not achieved any great merit. Now that Gao Huan values you, it is no different from before; it is only because the world is not yet unified that your talents are needed. Once the world is at peace, will Gao Huan still tolerate you? I think you could be in danger down the line; it’s better to focus on how to protect yourself and not worry about anything else." Upon hearing this, Gao Huan was moved to tears and decided to follow Gao Ao Cao to seek refuge with Emperor Xiaowen of Northern Wei.
During that time, bandits were rising up everywhere, each taking over their own mountain. The bandit Zhang Shixian from Dagui Mountain launched a sneak attack on Gao Huan, but Gao Aocao bravely stepped up to fight, taking down seven or eight bandits in one go, which made the bandits flee in terror. Gao Huan was thrilled and turned to his soldiers, saying, "I've been on the battlefield since I was a kid and have faced countless battles; I've never seen a young guy like him with such guts and smarts. He’s not just my right-hand man; he’s definitely going to be a great asset for the country one day."
The following year, Gao Aocao was besieged in Luoyang with Duke Dugu Xin of Henei. Gao Aocao was firing arrows, hitting every target. His bow was drawn back like a full moon, and he never missed. Duke Dugu Xin was amazed and quickly told Emperor Xiaowen about it. Emperor Xiaowen was equally impressed and called Gao Aocao to join him, appointing him as a commander, granting him the title of Count of Anling County, with a fief of four hundred households. One time, while hunting with Emperor Xiaowen at Ganquan Palace, there weren’t enough people for the hunt, and a lot of wild animals got away, which really ticked off Emperor Xiaowen. Only one deer was left in the area, ready to bolt. Gao Aocao quickly chased after it on horseback and managed to catch the deer halfway up the mountain. Emperor Xiaowen was really pleased, and thanks to him, the other generals dodged punishment.
Later on, Gao Aocao climbed the ranks through various positions, serving as the Crown Prince's advisor, General of the Guard, Palace Attendant, Grand Commander, Grand General of Chariots and Cavalry, Palace Attendant, and Equalizing Three Excellencies, eventually being titled as Marquis of Guangxiang County. Gao Aocao was not just skilled in martial arts; Emperor Xiaowen always saw him as a potential general. In the second year of Wei’s Emperor Fei, Gao Aocao was named Right Guard General, and soon got promoted to Grand General of the Cavalry, and eventually became a Duke.
In the early days of the development of Shu, the local people were still quite irritable. Qiao Yan, a Brazilian, occupied South Liangzhou and colluded with Wang Kaiye, the governor of Xijiangzhou under the Liang Dynasty, to incite a rebellion among the barbarians. The founding emperor sent General Dun to lead an army against them. The mountain roads were treacherous and sparsely populated, lacking proper paths. General Dun took the lead, climbing trees and scaling cliffs, traveling day and night to catch them off guard. He also dispatched Yi Tong Fumeng to defeat Qiao Yan's other general, Xiang Zhenhou, at Baidi City.
Qiao Yan, along with Wang Kaiye and their accomplices Bo Yucheng and Hou Zao, gathered seven thousand elite soldiers, boasting of thirty thousand troops, and descended the river from Dianjiang to join Wang Lin of the Liang Dynasty. General Dun immediately pursued them and inflicted a heavy defeat. Qiao Yan fortified his position in the mountains and sought assistance from the barbarian leader Xiang Baibiao. General Dun used a clever stratagem to sow discord among them, and when they lowered their guard, he struck again. Qiao Yan was beheaded, and all his soldiers were captured. As a result, General Dun was granted the title of Duke of Wudu and awarded an additional one thousand seven hundred households of land, and appointed as a senior official responsible for sacrificial rites.
Not long after, he was appointed as the governor of Jinzhu, overseeing military affairs.
In the year 555, I was appointed as the military governor. Since the pacification of Jiangling, Bashu and Xiangdi had submitted to us, and the court sent troops from Liang to garrison there each time. At this time, the generals of Chen State, Hou Zhen and Hou An, besieged Xiangzhou, cutting off the grain supply. Therefore, I was ordered by higher authorities to lead six thousand infantry and cavalry across the river to provide assistance. When Hou Zhen and the others saw I was advancing alone, they planned to take the opportunity to eliminate me. Each time, I skillfully set ambushes and defeated Hou Zhen repeatedly, pursuing them and successfully arriving at Xiangzhou.
Because of this, I became somewhat complacent and didn't take the threat seriously. Before long, it started to rain endlessly, and the autumn river rose. The army of Chen State also crossed the river to reinforce, cutting off the river routes. With the supply of grain cut off, everyone began to feel afraid. I then ordered the soldiers to split up and go out to raid for supplies to replenish our supplies. I worried that Hou Zhen and the others would find out about our lack of provisions, so I piled up mounds of earth in the camp, covered it with rice, gathered all the soldiers, and distributed a bag to each, and sent officers to hand them out, pretending to be issuing grain supplies. I also called over nearby villagers, pretending to ask about something, allowing them to see from a distance outside the camp, and then sent them away.
After hearing this, Hou Zhen and the others truly believed that we had ample supplies. They then occupied strategic positions, intending to delay time and exhaust our military strength. "War is a matter of deception," they never expected I would use such a tactic. Meanwhile, I reinforced the camp, built houses, and made it look like we were preparing for a long siege. As a result, agricultural production between Xiangzhou and Luozhou suffered. Hou Zhen and the others were unable to find a way to counter me. In the end, they couldn't breach my defenses.
At first, the locals frequently used small boats to deliver rice and caged chickens and ducks to the rebels. Li Xiaodun felt this was not acceptable, so he disguised himself as a local and hid soldiers on the boat. The rebels saw the boat from a distance, mistaking it for a supply boat, and rushed over to seize it. Li Xiaodun's soldiers suddenly rushed out and captured them.
Later, there were always defectors in Li Xiaodun's army who rode horses to join the rebels. Li Xiaodun welcomed them every time. He also brought another horse and deliberately drove it to the side of the boat so that those on the boat could whip it. After several repetitions of this, the horse became afraid of the boat and refused to board it again. Afterward, he set an ambush by the river and sent someone to feign surrender to the rebels. The rebels sent troops to welcome him and brought a horse with them. Since the horse was already afraid of the boat and was too frightened to board, Li Xiaodun ordered the ambushed soldiers to attack them, killing them all.
From then on, even when supplies were truly being delivered or people were fleeing to join the rebels, they thought it was Li Xiaodun's trick and sent troops to intercept, daring not to accept anything. Resulting in both sides being at a stalemate for more than a year, the rebels had no choice but to request a boat loan to send Li Xiaodun across the river. Li Xiaodun feared it might be a trap and refused their request. The rebels sent envoys once more to negotiate, saying, “The general has been here for so long, and now wants to send you back by boat. Why haven’t you left yet?” Li Xiaodun replied, “Xiangzhou is part of my country, yet you have invaded it. I came here to eliminate you. Since we have not yet determined a victor, I will not leave.”
The next day, the rebels sent envoys again. Li Xiaodun told the envoys, “You must let me go back. If you withdraw your troops one hundred miles, I will leave.” The rebels left the boat by the river and withdrew their army to one hundred miles from the ferry. Once Li Xiaodun confirmed it was not a trap, he slowly organized the boats and led his army back. In this battle, fifteen or sixteen soldiers from his army died. Duke Jin Hu believed Li Xiaodun had lost territory and achieved no merit, so he dismissed him to civilian status.
In the second year of Baoding, Li Xiaodun was appointed as an official in the Ministry of Works. Shortly after, he was appointed as the governor of Jinzhou, commander of military affairs in seven provinces, and magistrate of Jinzhou. Three years later, he followed the pillar of the state, Yang Zhong, to lead an army that defeated the Turks, broke through the Qi Great Wall, and returned after reaching Bingzhou, with Li Xiaodun acting as the rear guard. He was also bestowed the title of Duke of Shunyi upon one of his sons, with an estate of one thousand households. Five years later, he was appointed as the magistrate of Zhongzhou, guarding Hangu Pass.
Li Xiaodun became proud and arrogant because of his military successes. He saw that his colleagues were all promoted to great generals while he was not, and after the Battle of Xiangzhou, he led a rebellion with the entire army but received no rewards; instead, he was dismissed and nursed a grudge. Just then, a court envoy arrived, and he complained to the envoy. Duke Jinhu was enraged and summoned him back, forcing him to take his own life. He died at the age of forty-nine. In the early years of Jiande, he was posthumously granted the title of Great General and bestowed the posthumous name Lie.
This individual was named Zi Bi, skilled in both civil and military matters, with exceptional abilities. During the Daxiang era, he achieved the rank of Minister of State and governor and was also awarded the title of Duke of Xiangyi County, which was quite an achievement!
He was also a good person, with a strong sense of brotherhood, and was quite famous at the time. During the Kaihuang era, he reached the rank of pillar of the state and was granted the title of Duke of Hailing County, and his career advanced steadily!
Speaking of Quan Jingxuan, also known as Huiyuan, he is a distinguished member of the Tian Shui family with a prominent family background. His father, Tan Teng, once served as the Governor of Longxi in the Wei Kingdom and was posthumously honored with the title of Qinzhou Inspector. Jingxuan was remarkably gifted from a young age, with a bold and chivalrous personality, earning admiration from everyone in his family. At the age of seventeen, the Wei Kingdom's Xing Tai, Xiao Baoyin, recognized his talent and directly promoted him to the position of Light Chariot General. Unfortunately, Xiao Baoyin's rebellion failed, leading Jingxuan to return to his hometown. After our founding emperor pacified Longyou, he was promoted to the position of Xing Tai Langzhong. Later, when Emperor Xiaowu of Wei relocated to the west, he was appointed as the Zhenyuan General and Infantry Colonel, later receiving additional titles of Pingxi General and Qin Prefectural Grand Judge. During the Datong era, he was further promoted to the position of Cibu Langzhong, steadily rising in rank.
Jingxuan was a fierce warrior with a sharp mind. He fought bravely alongside the founding emperor in Hongnong and Shayuan, always charging into battle with unmatched bravery. He was later promoted to the position of Colonel of External Forces. When he followed Kaidou Yu Jin to Luoyang to put out the fires, Jingxuan was responsible for supplying provisions, single-handedly ensuring the logistical support for the army.
At that time, shortly after Luoyang was reclaimed and palace reconstruction began, Jingxuan led three thousand laborers to procure materials and transport supplies. However, troops from Eastern Wei attacked, and with Governor of Sizhou Yuan Jihai's forces outnumbered, they had to retreat, leading to chaos and traffic jams on the roads. Jingxuan, with only twenty cavalrymen, fought while retreating. Most of his cavalrymen made the ultimate sacrifice, but Jingxuan, lightly armed, fought his way out, personally taking down several enemies to escape and seeking shelter in a local's house.
Jing Xuan realized that hiding indefinitely wouldn't work, so he forged an order from Emperor Taizu, recruiting over five hundred people to defend Yiyang and claimed that reinforcements were on their way. When the Eastern Wei general Duan Chen and his troops arrived at Jiuqu and heard it was Jing Xuan, they were so intimidated that they hesitated to advance. Worried that Duan Chen might see through his ruse, Jing Xuan took a few trusted aides and pretended to welcome the army, seizing the opportunity to flee west. Eventually, he teamed up with Li Yansun to assault Kongcheng. The areas south of Luoyang gradually surrendered.
Emperor Taizu assigned Jing Xuan to defend Zhang Baiwu and tasked him with commanding the southeastern righteous army. When the Eastern Wei general Wang Yuangui led his troops to attack, Jing Xuan and Li Yansun together drove Wang Yuangui away. Thanks to his significant contributions, Jing Xuan was appointed Right Vice Minister of the Grand Chancellor. He then stationed in Yiyang, attacking Xiangcheng, capturing the city and seizing the governor Wang Hongxian, executing over five hundred captives. Emperor Taizu was delighted and called him back to court. Based on his previous merits, he was granted the title of Count of Xianqin County, given three hundred households as fief, and appointed as the governor of Nanyang County.
Nanyang County was adjacent to enemy territory, and it was previously required to send militia to defend thirty-five locations, which disrupted farming and gave thieves and bandits a chance to thrive. After Jing Xuan arrived, he abolished these posts, only repairing the city towers and preparing ample weapons and equipment, causing thieves and bandits to no longer dare to come, letting the locals get back to farming in peace. The locals were grateful and erected a monument to honor his contributions. Emperor Taizu generously rewarded him with grain and cloth, recognizing his talents. Later, he was reassigned to Guangzhou as the Inspector.
Hou Jing rebelled and sought our support, and at that time, Wang Sizheng was responsible for receiving him. As a result, Hou Jing later turned against us, and the court was worried that Eastern Wei would take the opportunity to reclaim those territories, so they appointed Jing Xuan as General of Chariots and Cavalry and Governor of Yuzhou, assigning him to defend Le Kou. Eastern Wei also dispatched Zhang Bode as the governor of Yuzhou. Liu Guiping, a general serving under Zhang Bode, led soldiers from Eastern Wei and tribal forces from the mountains to attack Jing Xuan multiple times. Jing Xuan had less than a thousand troops, but he adapted quickly and bravely counterattacked, capturing and killing over three thousand of Liu Guiping's men, prompting Liu Guiping to retreat in defeat. The emperor was pleased and promoted Jing Xuan, appointing him as General of Chariots and Cavalry, granting him the title of Imperial Envoy and the rank of San Si.
After the loss of Yingchuan City, Emperor Taizu felt that the cities in Le Kou and surrounding areas had their lines of communication cut off, so he ordered the troops there to withdraw. The governor of Xiangzhou, Qi Xiu, was held accountable by the emperor for the disorganized retreat. As for Jing Xuan, he maintained strict discipline among his troops, and when the troops withdrew, they did so in an orderly manner, without loss, so the emperor rewarded him particularly. Later, the emperor ordered him to continue defending Jingzhou and entrusted him with the governance of the Yanan region.
At first, the King of Yueyang from the Liang Dynasty, Xiao Cha, planned to offer Xiangyang to the court, but then he launched an attack against Emperor Yuan of Liang in Jiangling. A treacherous general serving under Xiao Cha, Du An, took the opportunity to launch a surprise attack on him. Jing Xuan took three thousand cavalry to assist and defeated Du An together with Xiao Cha. As a result, Xiao Cha sent his wife from the Wang family and his son, Xiao Yan, as hostages. Jing Xuan, along with Chancellor Yang Zhong, captured the Liang general Liu Zhongli and took control of Anlu and Suijun.
A long time passed, and commoners in Suizhou City, led by Wu Shiying, killed the governor Huang Daoyu and then banded together to become bandits. Jing Xuan considered Wu Shiying and his men to be mere small fry and thought they could be taken down with a strategy. If he directly accused them of their crimes, it would likely lead to more bad people gathering. So he wrote a letter to Wu Shiying, pretending that Huang Daoyu was very cruel and attributed all the merits to Wu Shiying and his men. Wu Shiying fell for it and arrived with his men. Jing Xuan captured them and killed them, and dispersed their accomplices. Then he attacked Yingcheng, captured it, and apprehended Xiahou Zhenqia. In this way, Yingcheng, Liu Zhongli's territory, Anlu, and Suizhou were all pacified.
The court viewed Jing Xuan as a formidable force in the south, so they granted him military command over six states: Bingzhou, Anzhou, Sizhou, Yingzhou, Xinzhou, and Yingzhou, and appointed him as the governor of Bingzhou. Not long after, he was promoted to Grand General of the Cavalry, bestowed the title of Household Director, appointed as an attendant, given military command over the two states of Jiangbei, and enfeoffed as a count with a fief of five hundred households. The barbarian Tian Lujia from Tangzhou proclaimed himself the Earl of Yuzhou, colluded with the army of the Qi State, and brought significant trouble to the common people. Jing Xuan went and defeated him, captured Tian Lujia, and transformed his territory into a county. Later, Jing Xuan was promoted to the governor of Anzhou.
Li Hongyuan, the governor of Dingzhou in the Liang Dynasty, initially surrendered but later betrayed his trust. Jing Xuan despised his double-dealing behavior, so he launched a covert attack and defeated him, taking his family and subordinates captive. Li Hongyuan himself escaped. From then on, the local leaders were all afraid, and no one dared to betray him again.
When Yan Gongyu attacked Jiangling, Jing Xuan led another army to defeat the Liang Dynasty's Minister of State Lu Fa and Grand General Yang Liang at the Yuan River. He then sent another army to capture Lushan. Jing Xuan built many ships, raised flags, and pretended to prepare to cross the river to intimidate the Liang Dynasty's forces. General Wang Lin of the Liang Dynasty was in Xiangzhou, so Jing Xuan sent him a letter to explain the situation. Wang Lin then sent his Chief of Staff Xi He to follow Jing Xuan's messenger to request the province's surrender. After Emperor Xiaomin ascended to the throne, he appointed Jing Xuan as the Grand Master of the Ministry of Justice, and soon after appointed him as the military commander of Jiyi, Xieping, and the five defensive regions, as well as the defender of Jiangling, promoting him to Grand General. In the fourth year of Baoding, Duke Hu of Jin launched an eastern campaign, while Jing Xuan led another army to attack Henan. The Prefects of Yuzhou and Yongzhou of the Qi Dynasty surrendered their cities. Jing Xuan left Xie Che in charge of Yongzhou and Guo Yan in charge of Yuzhou, along with a thousand surrendered soldiers back to the capital. Not long after, Luoyang fell, so Jing Xuan then abandoned Yuzhou and Yongzhou and withdrew his forces. When he reached Changzhou, the Luoyang tribes revolted, but Jing Xuan swiftly led his troops to crush them, resulting in the deaths of a thousand and the capture of two thousand people and a thousand livestock, which he subsequently sent to the court. Upon his return to Bashang, Duke Hu of Jin personally welcomed and rewarded him.
In the first year of the Tianhe era, Jing Xuan was appointed as the governor of Jingzhou Province, military commander for the seventeen provinces, and the inspector of Jingzhou Province, and was granted the title of Duke of Qianjin County. Chen Dynasty's inspector of Xiangzhou, Hua Jiao, surrendered the province and submitted a request for reinforcements. The court ordered Jing Xuan to lead the navy in an attack alongside Hua Jiao. When Jing Xuan arrived at Xiakou, the Chen army was already there. However, due to the court's favoritism, Jing Xuan became arrogant and indulgent, often boasting about his accomplishments and accepting bribes, arbitrarily changing commands from day to day. The soldiers grew increasingly frustrated and refused to follow his orders. When the navy engaged in battle, they all fled together, leaving behind almost all of their ships and weapons. At that time, General Wei Gong was overseeing the troops, and because of Jing Xuan's defeat, he wanted to discipline him according to military law. The court, reluctant to impose a severe punishment on him, sent envoys to the army to grant him a pardon. Soon after, Jing Xuan fell ill and died. The court posthumously appointed him inspector of the Hewei and Shan provinces, with the posthumous title of Gong.
His son, Ru Zhang, inherited his title and achieved the position of Kaifu and inspector of Jiaozhou. Ru Zhang's brother Ru Jiu attained the rank of General of the Same Rank and Marquis of Guangchuan.
When Jing Xuan left Lekou, the inspector of South Jingzhou, Guo Xian, took control of Luyang to resist Eastern Wei. Xian, whose courtesy name was Daoyin, was from Zhao Xingyang, and his father was a military officer in Liangzhou Province. Daoyin had an extraordinary memory from a young age and read extensively through the classics and historical texts. Near the end of the Zhengguang era of the Wei Dynasty, the bandit leader Su Qinmingda tightly besieged Banzhou, and the inspector Bi Hui appointed Daoyin as the commander to help defend the city. Later, Daoyin served as the chief clerk of the province, responsible for the administration of Beidi County. Due to his great contributions in suppressing the rebellion, he was appointed commander by the court.
In the second year of the Dàtǒng period, Gao Huan, the emperor of Northern Qi, captured Xiazhou. Our founding emperor of Northern Wei was worried that Gao Huan would continue to march south, so he held discussions with his ministers about this. At that moment, Dao Yin spoke up and said, "Although Gao Huan has a powerful army, his wisdom and courage have been all but spent. If we carefully analyze his actions, he definitely does not dare to launch a distant expedition. Remember when He Ba Yue had just died, the people in the Guanzhong region were in panic, yet Gao Huan did not take the opportunity to advance into Yongzhou, which indicates he lacks wisdom. Later, when the emperor moved west, the military was weak, Mao Hongbin was defeated, and no one was left to guard the gates, yet Gao Huan still did not seize the opportunity to fight to the death, which shows he lacks courage. Now, with our unity and the cooperation of the military and civilians, Gao Huan is already disheartened; how could he dare to come to his own demise? Moreover, Qinzhou and Xiazhou are isolated and barren, with miles of uninhabited territory; even if he wants to invade the south, his logistics cannot keep up. So I’m telling you, he won’t come!" As a result, Gao Huan really retreated, exactly as Dao Yin had analyzed.
At first, he was appointed Fubo General and went with Wang Sizheng to guard Hongnong. Later, he became the envoy with special authority, acting governor of Yizhou, and then was transferred to the governor of Hongnong. He was skilled and strategic, and Wang Sizheng valued him greatly; many border defense strategies were developed in consultation with him. Twelve years later, he was promoted to Fuguo General and Inspector of South Jingzhou. When Hou Jing surrendered, Wang Sizheng sent him first to guard Luyang at Sanyan Town. He was subsequently promoted to Grand General, granted the title of Count of Anwu, and given a fief of four hundred households. Shortly after, he was again promoted to Chariots and Cavalry General, and Yi Tong San Si, and also added the title of Sanqi Changshi.
Later, Yingchuan was besieged, and the Eastern Wei sent a tribal chieftain named Lu He to incite various tribes, with the intention of cutting off the Three Yans' route. Lu He also sent his brother to serve as the governor of Hanguang Commandery, bringing troops to harass the borders of the province. This general secretly selected elite soldiers and sturdy steeds, moving swiftly and launching surprise attacks on the enemy, resulting in a great victory and successfully capturing Lu He in the process. However, Yingchuan eventually fell, and Quan Jingxuan and others retreated westward, with all territories east of Lu Yang falling under Eastern Wei control. General Peng Le of Eastern Wei seized the opportunity to attack, reassuring his soldiers, who all fought valiantly. Peng Le was unable to capture it and had to withdraw his troops. Eastern Wei then appointed a man named Wei Mo'er as the governor of Yizhou, stationed in the capital city, intending to pressure him. The general led his troops against Wei Mo'er and successfully captured him. Afterward, he was reassigned as the governor of Guangzhou.
Later, he followed Yuchi Jing to campaign against Shu, serving as the official overseeing Anzhou. In the first year of Emperor Wei Gong's reign, he served as the governor of Ning Shu Commandery and concurrently as the Chief of Yizhou. Due to his contributions in pacifying the Shu region, he was granted the Baron title, with his fief increasing to five hundred households. He was subsequently reassigned as the governor of Shizhou. After Emperor Xiaomin ascended the throne, he was promoted to the rank of General of Cavalry and was granted the title of Marquis, with his fief increasing to a total of one thousand four hundred households. In the early years of Emperor Shizong's reign, he was appointed as a senior official in charge of artisans.
Not long after, he was dispatched to serve as the governor of Xunzhou, based in Yubi. In the second year of Wucheng, he was promoted to the military commander of twelve states including Anying and served as the governor of Anzhou, being granted the title of Duke of Lechang. Although he did not have any particularly outstanding reputation during his official career, he was known for his integrity and fairness, and many people remembered him fondly after his death. In the third year of Baoding, he was reassigned as the governor of Shanzhou. In the first year of Tianhe, he died in office and was posthumously granted the title of Shaobao, governor of Ning, Wei, and Shuozhou, with the posthumous title "Jie."
He is usually very frugal in his clothing and meals, but his family is very wealthy, with a lot of extra money. At that time, some people criticized him as hypocritical. His son inherited his title.
It is said in historical records: General Geng Gong once fought against a strong enemy in Shule, and General Ma Dun resisted many enemies in Qiancheng. Although they sacrificed their lives for survival, they ultimately relied on the support of the imperial army to escape. Their noble integrity and strong will were praised by historians.
General He Ruodun, with lofty ambitions and a strong sense of integrity, ventured deep into enemy territory. As a result, the enemy cut off his supply lines, and the Yangtze River blocked his way back. The situation became dire, with no strategies in sight, and it seemed like it was all over. However, his ambition and determination grew even stronger. This is why he was able to inspire his soldiers with his loyalty, and his enemies feared his authority. He risked his life and eventually led the entire army back safely. Who can compare to those who willingly sacrifice their lives for their country? Compared to those like Yuand Ding, the difference is night and day! Logically, he should have received rewards and been granted land and a higher position. Instead, his achievements went unrecognized, and he faced severe punishment instead. Ah! The court's policy blunders have reached this level! Everyone now knows that Yuwen Hu won't be emperor for much longer.
Shi Ning and Quan Jingxuan both possess the talents of generals and are trusted by the court both inside and out. They have made military achievements and received praise for governing the people. People like them are indeed the pillars of the nation. However, in his later years, Shi Ning became greedy for wealth, which tarnished his reputation; Quan Jingxuan was arrogant and lost his prestige in his later years. As the old saying goes, "It is hardest to persevere until the end," this refers to their situations.
General Lu Teng, with lofty ambitions, is known for his integrity and places great importance on honor. Later, he was given significant responsibilities, leading the army and conquering the Bashu region; his military achievements were recorded in history. He suppressed the rebellion in the Jianghan region, and his reputation spread throughout the court. He achieved remarkable success and is regarded as one of the greatest.
