Shen Hui, courtesy name Shiyi, was from Weijun County. His family’s ancestor, Shen Zhong, served as the Minister of Personnel during the Later Zhao period six generations ago. During the time of Ran Min, the Central Plains were in constant turmoil, and Shen Zhong's son, Shen Sui, sought refuge in Jiangnan. His great-grandfather, Shen Shuang, held an official position in the Song dynasty, eventually becoming the Inspector of Yongzhou; his grandfather, Shen Longdao, served as the Inspector of Beiyanzhou in the Song dynasty; his father, Shen Mingren, was a county official but sadly passed away at a young age. Shen Hui grew up with his mother and was deeply filial. As he grew up, he enjoyed reading classical texts and historical records, being cautious and careful, not easily socializing with others. After his mother passed away, he managed the funeral arrangements and returned to Weidi.
Later, Yuan Hao invaded Luoyang and appointed Yuan Sui as the Prefect of East Xuzhou, who then invited Shen Hui to be his chief clerk. After Yuan Hao was defeated, Yuan Sui was taken captive to Luoyang; all his subordinates and guests abandoned him, but Shen Hui remained by his side. After Yuan Sui was released, he made many friends and guests, praising Shen Hui's demeanor, which resembled that of ancient sages. Soon after, Shen Hui was appointed as a military advisor in the Ministry of War.
In the early years of Emperor Xiaowu, Shen Hui felt that the chaos in Luoyang had not yet subsided, so he secretly went to Guanzhong to pay respects to Emperor Wen. After conversing with him, Emperor Wen greatly appreciated him and recommended him to He Ba Yue. He Ba Yue also valued him highly and treated him as a guest. After Emperor Wen arrived in Xiaozhou, he appointed Shen Hui as a military advisor in the records office, while also serving as the chief clerk. Emperor Wen found Shen Hui to be composed and knowledgeable, entrusting him with various responsibilities, and later promoted him to the position of Langzhong in the Grand Administration. At that time, the court had just been established, and military affairs were busy; Shen Hui drafted all official documents from various regions. For his contributions during the reception of Emperor Xiaowu upon his return to court, Shen Hui was granted the title of Baron of Boping and served as the Chief of the Province. In the early years of the Datong era, he was elevated to the rank of Marquis.
In the fourth year of the Datong era, he was appointed as a secretary in the central government, tasked with compiling the daily records. During the Battle of Heqiao, the army was defeated, and many officials who served by the emperor's side fled, but only Shen Hui stayed by the emperor's side. The Wei Emperor greatly admired him for this. In the tenth year of the Datong era, Shen Hui was promoted to Deputy Minister of the Yellow Gate.
It is said that previously, Wang Yuanrong of Dongyang was appointed as the governor of Guazhou, and his son-in-law Liu Yan went with him. After Yuanrong's death, prominent figures in Guazhou recommended his son Kang to succeed him as governor, but Liu Yan killed Kang and seized the position for himself. At that time, the realm was in turmoil, and the court had bigger issues to handle, so they just let Liu Yan keep the governorship. However, Liu Yan often ignored the court's orders and colluded with the Tuyuhun, clearly plotting a rebellion.
Emperor Wen did not want to resort to force and sought to use some strategy to deal with him. Thus, he dispatched Yuwen Hui as an envoy to Hexi, secretly instructing him to handle Liu Yan. Yuwen Hui traveled light with just fifty cavalrymen to Guazhou, and upon arrival, he stayed at an inn. Liu Yan saw that Yuwen Hui had so few people and wasn't suspicious at all. Yuwen Hui sent someone to gently urge Liu Yan to return to court, to gauge his intentions. Liu Yan refused. Yuwen Hui sent someone again to advise him to stay at the inn, and this time Liu Yan agreed and came to the inn. Yuwen Hui had secretly conspired with local power players in Guazhou to capture Liu Yan, so he gave the order to have Liu Yan captured. Liu Yan claimed he was innocent.
Yuwen Hui reprimanded him, saying: "You have no accomplishments, yet you occupy such an important position. Taking advantage of being far from the capital, you behave recklessly, fail to pay tribute on time, and even insult the envoys, completely disregarding the court's orders. The crimes you have committed are truly unforgivable! When the emperor initially issued the decree, his intention was to send someone to escort you back to the capital, but unfortunately, he could not punish you in person and only wanted to give an explanation to the border residents." Then, Yuwen Hui read the imperial edict, pacified the officials in the state and Liu Yan's subordinates, and stated that the army would arrive soon, warning that no one in the city dared to act recklessly. After Yuwen Hui completed his tasks, he returned to court and was promoted to the Minister of the Interior.
Twelve years later, the governor of Guazhou, Cheng Qing, was killed by a local named Zhang Bao, and the general Linghu Yan and others revolted, driving away Zhang Bao and requesting the court to appoint a new governor. Because Yuwen Hui had a high reputation in the Western Regions, the court granted him the title of governor of Guazhou. Yuwen Hui served as governor of Guazhou for five years, living frugally and caring for the people, allowing the border residents to enjoy a stable and prosperous life. In the sixteenth year of his service, the court summoned him back and appointed him as the Right Minister of the Interior, additionally conferring upon him the titles of Imperial Attendant, General of Cavalry, and Chancellor of the Three Departments. In the second year of the former emperor, he was granted the title of Duke, served as the Right Minister of the Interior, and was granted the surname Yuwen.
Shen Hui was particularly diligent and responsible. No matter where he served as an official, he personally handled all official documents, large and small, and reviewed them carefully. As a result, matters were dealt with in an orderly manner, and subordinates did not dare to act out of line. Even after being promoted to a high position, he did not change this habit.
Once, he was sent to Xiangzhou as the governor. At that time, the southern region had just submitted to the imperial court, and there was an old custom in the area of officials accepting bribes. Shen Hui was known for his integrity and caution, so he hung a portrait of Yang Zhen in his bedroom as a reminder to himself. When he left his post and returned to the court, the common folk and officials escorted him for miles, with the procession stretching on endlessly. Feeling guilty, he wrote a poem titled "At the Qing Shui Pavilion." Both adults and children came to read the poem, spreading the word: "This was written by Lord Shen!" And then they recited it together.
Later, Emperor Ming appointed him as the Imperial Secretary, in charge of documents, and promoted him to Senior Grand Master, one of four officials known as the Grand Imperial Secretaries, with Shen Hui among them. He later served as the Junior Minister of Construction, Junior Protector, and was appointed as the governor of Jingzhou. After returning to the court, he served as the Junior Minister of Education and the Junior Duke of the Imperial Family. In the sixth year of Tianhe, he requested retirement in a memorial to the emperor, and his request was granted. After his death, the court posthumously conferred upon him the title of governor of Sizhou and bestowed the posthumous title "Zhang" upon him.
His son, Shen Kang, also held the positions of governor of Luzhou, Senior Master of the Imperial Family, and Senior Marquis; Shen Kang's brother, Shen Dun, served as governor of Runan Commandery; Shen Dun's brother, Shen Jing, served as governor of Qian Commandery; Shen Jing's brother, Shen Chu, held the titles of Senior Marquis and Marquis of Tongchang County, and later passed away.
Lu Tong, courtesy name Zhongming, was born in Wu County. His great-grandfather, Lu Zai, followed Song Emperor Wu to pacify Guanzhong. When the army withdrew, Lu Zai stayed in Chang'an with Emperor Wu's son Liu Yizhen and was captured by the Helian clan. Later, after Emperor Taiwu of Wei defeated the Helian clan, Lu Zai surrendered to the Wei state and became the governor of Zhongshan Commandery. Lu Tong's father, Lu Zheng, was known for his exceptional filial piety. His mother was from Wu and loved to eat fish, but fish were scarce in the north, causing Lu Zheng much distress. One day, a spring unexpectedly appeared in their backyard, and to their surprise, it was full of fish, thus satisfying his mother's dietary needs. People at the time believed this was a testament to filial piety moving heaven, so they named the spring "Filial Fish Spring." Initially, Lu Zheng fought alongside Er Zhu Tianguang, but after Er Zhu Tianguang was defeated, he defected to Emperor Wen. When Emperor Wen was acting as the chancellor, he appointed Lu Zheng as the Left Chancellor and the Grand Historian of Yuanzhou, and also granted him the title of Earl of Zhongdu County. During the Daitong period, Lu Zheng passed away.
As for Yuwen Tai, he was bright and eager to learn from a young age, with lofty ambitions. When he was young, he served as an official in Hexi, but during the chaos of war, he got separated from his superior. He then traveled east alone to seek refuge with Er Zhu Rong. After Er Zhu Rong died, he aligned himself with Er Zhu Zhao. Once the Er Zhu clan was defeated, he entered Guanzhong.
During the reign of Emperor Wen of Western Wei, Yuwen Tai was in Xiàzhōu and was summoned by Emperor Wen to serve as the commander of the imperial tent. Shortly thereafter, Heba Yue was killed by Houmochen Yue. At that time, some people said that Heba Yue's army had already dispersed, causing concern for Emperor Wen. However, Yuwen Tai confidently predicted that it wouldn't happen, and a few days later, the news confirmed his prediction. From then on, Emperor Wen trusted him even more, permitting him to stay by his side day and night, and his family seldom saw him. Despite his high-ranking position, Yuwen Tai remained humble and cautious, which earned him even greater respect from Emperor Wen. Later, for his contributions in welcoming Emperor Xiaowu, he was granted the title of Count of Duchang County. In the first year of Dàtǒng, he was elevated to the rank of marquis by Jin. He played a key role in capturing Dou Tai and reclaiming Hóngnóng. In the Battle of Shāyuàn, he fought valiantly and achieved remarkable success.
He also participated in lifting the siege of Luoyang. On their way back, Zhao Qingque staged a rebellion in Chang'an, and Emperor Wen planned to suppress it, but because the troops were exhausted, they were unable to march quickly. Emperor Wen also thought that Qingque and his followers were merely a small band of rebels, not worth concerning himself over, and said, "When I arrive in Chang'an, as long as I bring light cavalry, they will surely surrender." However, Yuwen Tai countered, "Since Qingque and others think that using a large army is unfavorable, and they believe that the court is on the brink of collapse, they have colluded with their accomplices to stage this rebellion. Their rebellion plan has been long-standing, and they will not repent. Moreover, they spread rumors that the main army has been defeated and enemies from the east are approaching. If only light cavalry is sent, the people will be swayed by these rumors, further dampening morale. Although the main army is tired, there are still plenty of elite troops left. With your reputation, rally those who wish to surrender and swiftly crush the rebels. What is there to worry about?" Emperor Wen accepted his advice and thus quelled Zhao Qingque's rebellion. Due to his previous achievements, Yuwen Tai was granted the title of duke and appointed as the Governor of Xuzhou. Because the war had not yet subsided, he stayed with the army. He also took part in the campaign against Liu Pingfu and was promoted to Grand General. Later, when Emperor Wen traveled to Yubi, Yuwen Tai was promoted to the rank of Yitong Sanqi. Nine years later, Gao Zhongmi brought his forces to surrender, and Yuwen Tai followed Huai into battle at Mangshan. The other troops retreated, leaving only a few of Huai's men and the troops under Yuwen Tai's command to fight valiantly. They retreated quietly until midnight, and the enemy did not dare to pursue. Yuwen Tai was appointed Grand General of the Chariots and Cavalry, Yitong Sanqi, and the Minister of the Imperial Stables, and was granted the surname Bulugu. He was made Duke of Suidu County. After Emperor Zhou Xiaomin ascended the throne, he appointed him as the Junior Minister of Works. In the fifth year of Baoding, he attained the rank of Grand Minister of Justice.
This person's character is gentle and cautious; even after holding a high position for a long time, he has always maintained integrity and prudence. The salaries and rewards he received were all shared with friends and family, leaving no wealth at home. He often said, "One fears being poor when one is not prominent, but not the poverty that follows prominence." In the first year of the Jiande era, he was promoted to Grand Marshal. He passed away in the same year. His younger brother, Cheng, was originally named Yan, whose courtesy name was Shixiong.
Emperor Wen of Wei casually said to him, "You are gentle and peaceful; why is your courtesy name 'Shixiong'? Moreover, being a hero of the world is not something you should aspire to. Additionally, this does not match the character of you two brothers." Thus, Cheng changed his courtesy name. Cheng was cautious and meticulous from a young age and gained a reputation early on. His elder brother Tong, due to military merits, received a separate title for his achievements and ceded the marquis title of Zhongdu County to Cheng for him to inherit. Cheng initially served as the Commander of the Imperial Guards and was a trusted confidant of Emperor Wen. At that time, people were promoted based on their bravery and martial prowess, but Cheng stood out for his refinement and elegance. Therefore, Emperor Wen treated him with even more respect. In the fourteenth year of Datong, he participated in military affairs at the Grand Chancellor's office and soon took on the role of record keeper. In the early years of Baoding, he was promoted several times, reaching the rank of Central Official of the Ministry of Personnel, and held positions in the Foreign Affairs Department and as a Grand Official of the Imperial Bureau, later promoted to General of the Cavalry and concurrently serving as the Grand Minister. He was then transferred to the Minister of Religion and later to Military Commissioner. Cheng was highly capable in his duties, with extensive knowledge and keen insight, and he made significant contributions in every important position he held. The court highly valued him and promoted his rank to Duke.
In the third year of the Tianhe era, the State of Qi sent Court Attendant Husi Wenlue and Deputy Minister of the Central Secretariat Liu Ti to pay a visit. To strengthen diplomatic ties with neighboring states, the court carefully selected the envoys. The emperor issued an edict appointing Yang Cheng as the chief envoy, with Yin Gongzheng serving as the deputy envoy to return the visit to Qi. Yang Cheng was handsome, eloquent, quick to act, and very polite, earning praise from the people of Qi. As they approached the capital on their return, the court ordered a grand procession of carriages and horses to welcome him back. At that time, everyone held him in high regard. Four years later, he was appointed as the Prefect of Jingzhao. In the Jingzhao region, a sow gave birth to several piglets but died a few days later. There was still a wild sow on the farm, so they raised the piglets, which all survived thanks to her. People believed this was a good omen reflecting Yang Cheng's benevolent rule. Soon after, he was promoted to the position of Minister of State and later sent to serve as the Prefect of Hezhou.
Duke Jin (King Yang Guang) greatly valued Yang Cheng's talents and promoted him to the position of Sima in the Central and Outer Offices, granting him considerable power. Not long after, Yang Cheng was further promoted to the position of minister and counselor, and later became a junior Sima. After King Yang Guang was killed, Yang Cheng was dismissed from office due to his association with Yang Guang. After some time, he was reappointed as a minister. However, due to poor health, he was unable to manage the heavy responsibilities, so he was reassigned to be the Prefect of Yizhou. According to regulations, a grand ceremony was required for a new prefect to take office, including a formal procession. However, Yang Cheng felt that it was a busy farming season, so he petitioned the court to cancel these ceremonies. Emperor Wu (Sui Wen Emperor Yang Jian) greatly appreciated his actions and approved his request, thereby acknowledging his integrity and upright character. During his time as an official in Yizhou, Yang Cheng delivered outstanding results, and everyone praised him. Later, when the East Palace was completed, he was appointed as the Crown Prince's Grand Guardian. After his death, he was posthumously honored with the title of General, and his son, Yang Cao, succeeded him in his title.
Liu Min, styled Baize, was a native of Jie County in Hedong and the seventh great-grandson of Tai Changchun from the Jin Dynasty. His father, Liu Yi, served as the General of Chariots and Cavalry, Yitong Sanji, and the Governor of Fenzhou in the Wei Dynasty. Liu Min became an orphan at the age of nine, but he was filial to his mother and was well-known for it. He loved learning from a young age, extensively reading classics, historical texts, and even studying divination and fortune-telling. Before he was twenty, he became a Gentleman of the Household Cavalry. He was later promoted to the position of County Magistrate in Hedong. The court appointed him to serve in his hometown of Hedong County because he was a local. Although Liu Min governed his own hometown, he governed fairly and justly, earning the love and respect of the local populace. Later, after Emperor Wen recaptured the Hedong region, he held Liu Min in high regard and said to him, "Today, I am not only happy to have recovered Hedong, but even more happy to have you!" He was then appointed as an advisor in the Prime Minister's Office. Not long after, he was promoted to the position of Military Officer in the Ministry of War and concurrently served as a secretary. Whenever foreign guests visited, he was always the one to receive them; he was also in charge of overseeing various court ceremonies. He worked with Su Chao and others to revise new laws and regulations, becoming a key figure in the court's political landscape. He was later promoted to the position of Gentleman of the Ministry of Rites, granted the title of Viscount of Wucheng County, appointed as the Commander-in-Chief, and commanded the local army. Shortly after, he was promoted to Grand Commandant. After his mother passed away, during his mourning period, half of his hair turned white. After the mourning period ended, he was appointed as a Gentleman of the Ministry of Personnel. His excessive grief caused him to become emaciated, requiring a cane to stand. Emperor Wen was deeply moved by this and specially rewarded him with numerous gifts. Later, during the rebellion led by Yu Chi Jiong against the Shu territory, Liu Min was appointed as the Marshal of the Army. He was in charge of all military strategies and plans. After the pacification of Shu territory, he was promoted to Grand General of the Cavalry, Yitong Sanji, appointed as an attendant, promoted to Minister, and bestowed the surname Yuwen. After the establishment of the six ministries in the Sui Dynasty, he was appointed as a Senior Official in the Ministry of Rites.
After Emperor Xiaomin ascended to the throne, Yang Min was promoted to Duke, then appointed as the governor of Hedong. Shortly after, he was recalled to the court and appointed as an official in the Ministry of Rites. Later, he was sent to Yingzhou to serve as the governor, where he was greatly admired by the locals. As he was about to return to the court, people from various ethnic groups, touched by his good governance, waited along the road with wine, food, and local specialties. To avoid trouble, Yang Min decided to take a different route home. Upon his return to the court, he was once again appointed as an official in the Ministry of Rites, which was later renamed the Office of Ceremonies, and Yang Min continued to hold important positions.
Yang Min was known for his integrity, diligence, and early rising for court duties every day. Having served in the court for many years, he was very familiar with various rules and regulations. Whenever he found ceremonies and regulations inconsistent with precedents, he would adjust them according to established precedents to ensure they were appropriate. He was later promoted to Junior Minister of Rites, involved in compiling national history; then promoted to Junior Military Officer, involved in revising laws and regulations. He was later promoted to Grand General and sent to Fuzhou to serve as the governor, but he fell ill and was unable to take up the position. After the Northern Zhou Dynasty conquered Qi, Yang Min was titled the Duke of Wude County. From the Jiande period onwards, Yang Min was bedridden for a long time, and both Emperor Wu and Emperor Xuan personally visited his residence.
In the first year of the Kaihuang era, Yang Min was promoted to Grand General and Grand Guardian of the Crown Prince. He died that same year, and the court posthumously honored him with the titles of military commander for five provinces and governor of Jinzhou. On his deathbed, he instructed his descendants to keep funeral arrangements simple, and his children tearfully honored his wishes. Yang Min's youngest son was named Yang Ang.
Yang Ang, courtesy name Qianli, was bright and perceptive from a young age, with knowledge and abilities far beyond those of his peers. During the reign of Emperor Wu of Northern Zhou, he held the position of Senior Official of the Palace Secretariat and was granted the title of Marquis of Wencheng. He was highly respected by the officials in the court for his dedication and humility. After the death of Emperor Wu, he was sidelined by Emperor Xuan, but he continued to fulfill his duties diligently. When Sui Emperor Wen became Chancellor, he developed a strong friendship with Yang Ang. After Emperor Wen ascended the throne, Yang Ang was appointed as Grand Master of Ceremonies. Unfortunately, he suffered a stroke on his first day in office, but eventually recovered and was later appointed as the Inspector of Luzhou. Yang Ang proposed the promotion of education and rituals to the court, which Emperor Wen greatly appreciated. As a result, scholars were appointed to teach rituals in various counties. During his tenure in Luzhou, Yang Ang achieved significant achievements in governance. He passed away while in office, and his son Yang Diao succeeded his title.
Lu Rou, courtesy name Zigang, became orphaned at a young age and was raised by his aunt, who cared for him better than her own children. Lu Rou was filial to his aunt and greatly admired by his family for his intelligence and thirst for knowledge. Although he had a stutter and struggled with debating, he excelled in writing from a young age. He had a fondness for alcohol, which sometimes led to rowdy behavior and gossip. The Minister of Works and Prince of Linhuai, Xiao Yu, recognized his talents and arranged for his daughter to marry Lu Rou.
Later, the relationship between Emperor Xiaowu of Northern Wei and Emperor Shengwu of Qi soured. The Emperor ordered Heba Sheng to take up the governorship in Jingzhou. Lu Rou saw this as a great opportunity to make a name for himself, so he followed Heba Sheng to Jingzhou. Heba Sheng appointed Lu Rou as the head of the Grand Secretariat, in charge of managing documents. Lu Rou was involved in several key military matters. Later, Heba Sheng was promoted to Grand Protector, and he promoted Lu Rou to be his chief aide, giving him the title of Champion General. Later, Emperor Xiaowu summoned Heba Sheng to lead the troops back to Luoyang, and Heba Sheng asked Lu Rou what to do. Lu Rou said, "Gao Huan now controls the army in Jinyang, and his intentions are hard to guess. You should immediately lead the troops back to Luoyang and fight Gao Huan to the death; the outcome will hinge on this decision, which is the best course of action. If that doesn't work, you could also secure Luyang in the north, control the old Chu in the south, connect Yanzhou and Yuzhou in the east, link Guanzhong in the west, gather a hundred thousand troops, and wait for the right moment to strike, which is also a good strategy. As a last resort, give up the Three Jing territories, strengthen ties with the Liang Kingdom, save your life, and set aside fame and fortune for the time being, which is the worst strategy." Heba Sheng, seeing Lu Rou's youth, merely smiled and dismissed him.
Later, Emperor Xiaowu moved westward, and Eastern Wei sent Hou Jing to attack Rangcheng. He Baisheng defeated him and fled south to the Liang Kingdom, with Lu Rou following him. He Baisheng made several petitions to Emperor Liang Wu requesting to return to court. Emperor Liang Wu admired the memorials written by Lu Rou after reading them. Knowing that these memorials were all written by Lu Rou, Emperor Liang Wu sent someone to offer Lu Rou condolences and gifted him silk and satin. Later, He Baisheng and Lu Rou returned to the north together. Upon reaching Xiangyang, Emperor Shenwu of Qi worried that He Baisheng would defect to Western Wei, so he sent Hou Jing with light cavalry to intercept them. He Baisheng and Lu Rou were both terrified, so they abandoned their boat and trekked up the mountain, risking everything with scant supplies, traveling hundreds of miles. It was a rainy autumn season, and many of the companions succumbed to the cold and hunger. When they reached the border of Fengyang, Lu Rou got lost and spent the night alone beneath a withered tree, soaked by the cold rain and nearly freezing to death.
In 537 AD, I arrived in Chang'an. The emperor bestowed upon me the title of Baron of Rongcheng, with a fief of two hundred households. Emperor Taizu recognized my abilities and promoted me to the position of Xing Tai Langzhong, and later appointed me as General of Pingdong. He then tasked me with handling confidential documents alongside Su Chuo. At that time, the Battle of Shayuan had just ended, and our army had won several consecutive victories. Many people in Ruzhou and Yingzhou had risen in rebellion in response to the court. I managed these matters with adaptability and efficiency. Later, the emperor elevated me to the rank of Viscount, increasing my fief to three hundred households, and appointed me as a Gentleman of the Imperial Library. I was later promoted to Assistant Minister of Agriculture, then to Langzhong, while concurrently serving as a Lang of the Imperial Library, charged with writing the daily records. Finally, I rose to the position of Minister of the Yellow Gate. Emperor Wendi knew I was very poor, so he even went so far as to remove his own garments to reward me. In 550 AD, I was further elevated to the rank of Grand General of Chariots and Cavalry, Supervisor of the Left Division, Cavalier Attendant, and Director of the Imperial Library.
After Emperor Xiao Min ascended to the throne, I was appointed as a junior official in the Inner Ministry, later promoted to a senior official in the Inner Ministry, and ultimately served as Minister of State. I died in this position. The poems, inscriptions, memorials, official documents, and notices I wrote total dozens and have been passed down through the ages. My son Kai inherited my title.
My son Kai, styled Changren, is well-versed in the classics and historical texts, and is very talented. He initially served as a clerk for the King of Qi. He later held positions in the Ministry of Personnel, as a senior official in the Inner Ministry, and as a junior official in the Ministry of Rites. He then served as a deputy envoy to Chen. During the Daxiang era, he was appointed as a junior official in the Ministry of Personnel in the Eastern Capital.
My grandson Tang Jin, styled Fulian, his father is Yong. Jin has a gentle and respectful character, has a dignified presence, is well-read in classics and history, and enjoys writing. He stands eight feet two inches tall, imposing in stature. When he was seventeen, Emperor Wen of Zhou had heard of his reputation and wrote to his father saying, "I hear you have two sons: one named Ling, skilled in military strategy; the other named Jin, cultured and talented. You may bring them both to the court, as I wish to entrust key civil and military roles to your family." Thus, Emperor Wen summoned him and appointed him as an Assistant Minister of the Ministry of Personnel and a military advisor in the Chancellor's office. He handled most of the correspondence and urgent documents for the military. He participated in the Battle of Shayuan and the Battle of Heqiao, both of which earned him recognition, and he was bestowed the title of Count of Guzang. He was later promoted to Right Minister of the Ministry of Personnel and Minister of Personnel. At that time, the Northern Wei dynasty relocated its capital, and many matters had to be addressed from scratch; Jin was involved in establishing the court's regulations and systems. He was later promoted to Minister of the Ministry of Revenue, advanced to General of the Cavalry and Minister of State, and was conferred the surname Yuwen.
Yu Jin was a highly respected figure, esteemed by all in the court. The reigning Emperor Wen of the Northern Wei believed that Yu Jin not only had great knowledge but also outstanding character, and he sought to become sworn brothers with him, hoping future generations would learn from his virtues. The emperor sighed deeply over this and bestowed the honorific surname "Wan Niu Yu" upon Yu Jin. Yu Jin shared a close bond with the emperor and valued the rituals of respect for elders and hierarchy; he also educated his descendants to respect their older brothers and uncles. Thus, he was deeply admired by both the court and the public; this is no exaggeration. Later, he was conferred the title of Count of Linzi and was promoted to Minister of Personnel, responsible for selecting officials. He was fair and discerning in his choices, emphasizing the importance of a person's character. After his father passed away, he resigned from his position to fulfill his mourning duties, but soon returned to office. At that time, the six ministers were all exceptional talents, and Emperor Wen himself felt that his selections were very successful, calling them the "Six Talents," yet Yu Jin was particularly favored by the emperor.
When Yu Jin was leading the campaign to conquer Jiangling, he brought Yu Jin along as the chief historian of his marshal's office. Many of the army's strategies were devised by Yu Jin. After Jiangling was captured, many local officials and soldiers were enslaved. Yu Jin carefully examined their abilities and character, and whenever he found someone with any merit, he suggested pardoning them; as a result, many people were spared disaster because of Yu Jin. At the time, this sparked widespread discussion among the people. After the army returned in triumph, many generals seized the opportunity to loot a significant amount of valuables. However, Yu Jin took nothing for himself, bringing home only two carts of books. Someone informed Emperor Wen, reporting that "Tang Jin has brought back a large amount of supplies, all treasures of the Liang dynasty." Initially, Emperor Wen did not believe it, but to ascertain the truth, he secretly sent someone to inspect. The inspection revealed only books. Emperor Wen sighed, "I have known him for over twenty years and know he would not violate morality for profit. If I hadn't sent someone to investigate, people might have suspected he was hiding wealth like 'Touzhu', which is why I specifically sought the truth. Anyone who accepts a commission to handle affairs should be like him!" Because of his merits in pacifying Jiangling, Yu Jin was promoted to duke.
Later, the court established six governmental offices, and Yu Jin was appointed as a senior official in the Ministry of Rites, then later assigned as the governor of Caizhou. He successively served as the governor of Taxzhou and Xiazhu, delivering effective governance wherever he served, earning praise from both the common people and officials. He then was promoted to the chief historian of Jingzhou, returned to the court to serve as a senior official in the Ministry of Personnel, and was later promoted to the positions of Imperial Censor and Senior Advisor. In less than ten months, he was promoted four times, and the officials in the court felt proud of this achievement. Later, he was appointed as a senior official in the Ministry of Ancestor Worship, concurrently serving as the Interior Minister. Not long after, he passed away while in office. The court posthumously honored him with the title of minor lord and bestowed upon him the posthumous title "Fang."
Jin is a man of great integrity, firmly holding to his own principles. After work, he always sits upright in his official robes, facing his wife with a serious demeanor at home. Even on stormy nights with thunder and lightning, he would promptly rise from bed, put on his hat and belt, and sit properly with his ceremonial tablet. He also loves to do good deeds, sharing his entire salary with his relatives and even offering his fertile fields to assist those in dire need. Ultimately, he left his descendants with only a few barren plots of land. He earned praise from both the court and the common people for his selflessness. He authored ten essays titled "Xin Yi" and over two hundred thousand words of poetry, inscriptions, and eulogies. His grandson, Da Zhi, inherited his family business.
Jin's second son, Ling Ze, had a passion for writing and a keen understanding of music. His writing style was gentle and beautiful, which made his work quite popular during that period. During the Tian Bao period of the Northern Qi dynasty, he was appointed as a junior official and dispatched to the Chen state. During the Da Xiang period of the Northern Zhou dynasty, he advanced to the role of junior official in the music department. Later, during the Sui dynasty, he attained the position of Left Attendant to the Crown Prince. However, following the deposition of Crown Prince Yong, he too met a tragic fate.
