Wei Zhan, courtesy name Shizhen, was from Duling, Jingzhao. His family was a prominent and distinguished family in the Sanfu region. His great-grandfather, Wei Huidu, was once a secretary official under Yao Hong and later crossed the Yangtze River alongside Liu Yizhen, serving as the Sima of Zhenxi and the Governor of Shunyang during the Song Dynasty, and also served as the acting governor of Nanyangzhou. Later, he sought refuge in Xiangyang during the Wei Dynasty and was appointed as a Deputy Minister of the Central Secretariat, and was posthumously honored as General of Anxi and Governor of Luozhou. His grandfather, Wei Qianxiong, was the governor of Lueyang; his father, Wei Ying, was the governor of Dai County, and was posthumously honored as Governor of Yanzhou.
Wei Zhan was exceptionally intelligent from a young age and showed great promise, earning the respect of his peers. He studied diligently and excelled in both horseback riding and archery. In the third year of Wei Xiaochang, he began serving as a legal officer in the Office of the Grand Commandant. He quickly received a promotion and held positions including General Mingwei and Chief of Administration in Yongzhou, and was awarded the title of General Zhenyuan and also served as the governor of Fangchengzhou. He was later promoted to Counselor and General of Champions.
When Gaozu became the Prime Minister, Wei Zhen was promoted to General and Grand Master of the Court, and was granted the title of Baron of Chang'an County with a fief of three hundred households. He was later transferred to the position of Left Chancellor, promoted to General Who Pacifies the Army and Grand Master of Splendid Happiness, and then further promoted to Commissioner-in-Chief, Commander of Military Affairs in Southern Yingzhou, and Governor of Southern Yingzhou. He later returned to the court as Left Chancellor. Wei Zhen was known for his keen insight and strong ability to handle affairs. Serving twice as Left Chancellor, he was highly respected by the people of that time. He later participated in the battles of Hongnong and Shayuan, and was promoted to General of the Guard and Grand Master of Splendid Happiness. He then took part in the Battle of Heqiao, where he was enfeoffed as a Baron, with his fief increased to five hundred households. In the eighth year of the Daitong era, Emperor Shenzu of Northern Qi invaded Fenzhou and Jiangzhou, and Wei Zhen followed Gaozu to defend against the invasion. After the war, the court appointed him to defend Pujin Pass in his original capacity, concurrently serving as the Lord of Zhongshan City. Shortly after, he was summoned to serve as Hongluqing. Due to his noble background, he also managed the local militia and was promoted to Commander-in-Chief. He was later promoted to Grand Commander, Regular Mounted Attendant, serving as the acting governor of Jingzhao County, and finally promoted to General of Chariots and Cavalry, Supervisor of the Left, and Regular Mounted Attendant. In the year 552 AD, the emperor granted him the surname Yuwen. In 553 AD, he was appointed as the military governor of Guazhou. Guazhou bordered the Western Frontier, with many foreign envoys coming and going, and previous governors had accepted bribes. When nomadic tribes attacked the border, they were unable to resist. Yuwen Zhen was known for his honesty and military talent. He refused to accept any gifts from foreign envoys, earning the respect and fear of the nomadic tribes, who did not dare to invade. Under his governance, the people of Guazhou enjoyed peace and prosperity, and people from all ethnic groups held him in high regard.
Later, Emperor Xiaomin ascended to the throne and granted him an additional fief of five hundred households as the Count of Pingqi County. When his term ended and he returned to the capital, the people were very reluctant to part with him. People of all ages came to bid him farewell, and they sent him off for over ten days before he finally departed. The Emperor admired him greatly and promoted him to the titles of Palace Attendant, General of Chariots and Cavalry, and Governor of the Palace Secretariat. He passed away in 560 AD at the age of sixty-one. The court posthumously conferred upon him the titles of Inspector of Qizhou and Yizhou, and bestowed upon him the posthumous title of "Hui." In 573 AD, he was posthumously conferred the title of Duke, with his fiefdom expanded to include an additional three thousand households, and his son Yuwen Jun inherited his title.
Yuwen Jun later attained the ranks of General of Chariots and Cavalry and Governor of the Palace Secretariat. Yuwen Jun's younger brother, Yuwen Shi, initially worked as a clerk in the Ministry of Interior and later rose to the position of Senior Clerk in the Ministry of War. During the Jiande era, he served as the Prefect of the Pu Prefecture, managing the affairs of Hedong County.
Liang Xin, styled Yuanming, was originally from Wushi in Anding. His family had been a prestigious household in Guanzhong for generations. Because of their ancestors' roles in government, they relocated to Zhouchi in Jingzhao. His grandfather, Liang Chong'er, was the Magistrate of Zhang County; his father, Liang Quanru, had served as the Registrar of the Prefecture, Champion General, and Palace Attendant, and was posthumously appointed as the Inspector of Jingzhou.
Liang Xin was recognized for his gentle and respectful nature from a young age and was highly esteemed in the local community. In 520 AD, a rebellion broke out in the Qinlong region, and Xiao Baoyin was appointed as the Grand Commander to quell the rebellion. Liang Xin was designated as an Army Advisor. In the early years of the Xiaochang period, he was appointed as the General Who Pacifies Rebels and later promoted to General Who Displays Might and Censor. He also accompanied Xiao Baoyin in the campaign against Wanqiu Chounu. After two years of stalemate and many battles, Liang Xin was promoted to General Who Conquers the West due to his military accomplishments. When Erzhu Tianguang arrived in Guanzhong, Liang Xin was appointed as a Military Advisor. He accompanied Erzhu Tianguang in the campaign and was appointed as Right General and Grand Master of the Palace.
During the time when Emperor Xiaowu of Northern Wei was heading south, the army of Gaozu (Emperor Wu of Northern Zhou) was stationed in Yongzhou. There was a man named Huangfu Xin, who was a well-known member of a local prestigious family, who went to visit Gaozu. Gaozu, upon seeing Huangfu Xin, who was tall and mighty with extraordinary looks, greatly admired him and immediately appointed him as the Right Minister of Changliu.
During the Datong period, Huangfu Xin was quickly promoted, first being appointed as General Who Guards the South and Golden Purple Lord of Guanglu, then transferred to the Chancellor's Office as a military officer in the Ministry of Household Affairs. He followed Gaozu in battles, participated in the recapture of Hongnong and Shayuan, and achieved great success. Afterwards, he was promoted to General of Chariots and Cavalry, Chief Clerk of the Chancellor's Office, and then appointed as the Prefect of Luo'an County. Later, the court summoned him back and appointed him as Grand General, a Lieutenant in the Ministry of War, and also made him a commanding general, granting him significant power. In the twelfth year of Datong, he was appointed as the Prefect of Henan County, stationed at Dawu, and then transferred to Yanhan to guard the border, due to his diligence and reliability, winning the hearts of the people and making significant contributions to border defense. He was later promoted to Governor of Eastern Jingzhou. Huangfu Xin was compassionate and skilled in governance, gaining the respect of local tribes, attracting many refugees seeking shelter with him. The court conferred upon him the title of Marquis of Anding County, granting him a fief consisting of three hundred households. Subsequently, he continued to advance through the ranks, eventually reaching the high positions of Grand Commander, General of Chariots and Cavalry, Cavalier in Regular Attendance, and Supervisor of the Right.
After Emperor Xiaomin ascended the throne, Huangfu Xin was promoted to Grand General of the Cavalry and appointed as the Minister of the Palace Secretariat. During the reign of Emperor Taizong of Northern Zhou, he was granted the title of Count of Hucheng County with a fief of 500 households. Three years later, he was appointed as the Lord of Jiuqu City. In the first year of Baoding, he was promoted to Inspector of Zhongzhou, with his fief increased to 800 households, and was later transferred to Inspector of Shaozhou. Two years later, his mother passed away, and he resigned from his official position to fulfill his mourning duties. After the mourning period, he returned to his previous position. During the Tianhe era, the court summoned him back and appointed him as a Senior Official of the Ministry of Works, and he was later assigned to Shaanzhou as the Chief Clerk of the Governor's Office. Huangfu Xin was renowned for his mild temperament, generosity, and strong capabilities, earning a good reputation both in the court and in local positions. He passed away while in office and was posthumously elevated to the rank of Grand General by the court and was given the posthumous title of "Zhen."
Huangfu Xin's younger brother, Huangfu Rong, also held various official positions, such as Master Craftsman, Chamberlain for the Palace Secretariat, Administrator of Foreigners, Count of a County, Director of the Granaries, Supervisor of Accounts, and eventually rose to the position of Minister of the Palace Secretariat, being granted the title of Count of Chaona County. After his death, he was posthumously granted the titles of Inspector of Jinnings and Binsan Prefectures, with the posthumous title of "Jing."
Now, let's talk about Huangfu Fan, styled as Jingyu, who hailed from Sanshui County in Anding Commandery. The Huangfu family had been a prestigious family in the Western Zhou region for generations before moving to Jingzhao to reside. His father, Huangfu He, had served as a Magistrate in their home province. After his death during the Great Unity era, his father was posthumously granted the titles of Cavalier Attendant-in-Ordinary, Minister of the Palace Secretariat, and Inspector of Jingzhou.
Fan was a person who was honest and trustworthy since childhood, and very talented. During the Yong'an period, he was appointed as a provincial governor. Later, when Taizu became the governor of the province, he promoted Fan to be his chief secretary. Due to his diligent work, he was highly appreciated, often praised and rewarded. In the fourth year of the Datong era, he was promoted to be a military officer in the Chancellor's office. Shortly after, he was promoted to be a military officer in the Ministry of Agriculture, the Ritual Master of the Eastern Pavilion, and was also given the title of Cavalry Attendant. He then gradually rose through the ranks, serving as the Minister of Rites, the Commissioner of Waterways, and also held various positions in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of War, the Ministry of Agriculture, the Ministry of Civil Affairs, and the Ministry of Personnel. When the six ministries were officially established, he became a junior official in the Ministry of Revenue.
After Emperor Xiaomin ascended to the throne, Fan was promoted to be the Temple Guardian. Later, he was selected as the Ambassador to the East, overseeing provincial defense. Shortly after, he was further appointed as the General of Chariots and Cavalry, as well as equal to the Three Excellencies, and was granted the title of Count of Changle, with a fief of 500 households. He was later sent to serve as the Chief Historian of the Yubi Commandery. During the Baoding period, he was appointed Governor of Hongzhou, and later returned to the court to serve as a junior Privy Councilor. Not long after, he was appointed as the Commander of Longyou Commandery, and later promoted to be the Chief Historian of the Shanzhou Commandery. The court summoned him back to the capital, appointing him as a senior officer in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and later promoted him to be the General of the Valiant Cavalry and equal to the Three Excellencies. He was then sent to serve as the Chief Historian of the Longyou Commandery. Fan was known for his calm demeanor, meticulous and prudent in his actions, abiding by the law, and upholding a clean and principled conduct. At that time, everyone praised him as a good person.
In the first year of Jiande, he was appointed as a junior official in the Ministry of Civil Affairs. Three years later, he was appointed as the Governor of Suizhou. His governance was simple and benevolent, and the people thrived under his leadership. That year, his fief increased to a total of 2,000 households. In the sixth year of Jiande, he died in office. The court posthumously named him Governor of Jiaozhou and Weizhou, with the posthumous title 'Gong'. His son Liang, who was famous from a young age, achieved the rank of junior official in the Ministry of Personnel during the Daxiang period.
Xin Qingzhi, courtesy name Qingzhi, was from the Di Dao region of Longxi. His family has been a noble family in Longyou for generations. His father, Xin Xianchong, once served as the governor of Fengyi County and was posthumously honored as the Inspector of Yongzhou. When Xin Qingzhi was young, he was summoned to Luoyang for his literary talent, excelled in the examinations, taking first place, and was appointed as a secretary. Just as the Erzhu clan rebelled, Emperor Xiaozhuang of Wei ordered the Minister of State for Works, Yang Jin, to serve as the Governor of the Northern Expedition, commanding the various armies of Shandong to suppress the rebellion. Yang Jin recommended Xin Qingzhi to serve as the Deputy Governor of the Circuit, in charge of planning and strategy. Upon arriving in Ye City, they heard that Emperor Xiaozhuang had died suddenly, so they left the areas of Yanzhou and Jizhou to gather volunteer troops to confront the national crisis. Shortly after, Emperor Shenmin ascended the throne, and he returned to Luoyang. In the second year of the Putai era, he was promoted to General Who Pacifies the North and Senior Palace Attendant. Later, He Baoyue served as the Governor and recommended Xin Qingzhi to serve as the Director of Personnel of the Circuit and the Registrar of the Household. He was later appointed as the Attendant of Yongzhou. Initially appointed as General of Chariots and Cavalry, he was soon promoted to Grand Guard General and Chief Clerk of the Left. He followed Emperor Taizu to the east to fight, serving as the Deputy Governor of the Circuit. When the Hedong region had just been reclaimed, he also took on the role of Governor of Yanchi. Four years later, Eastern Wei attacked Zhengping County and occupied it, planning to attack Yanchi next. However, Qingzhi was well-prepared, defended fiercely, forcing the Eastern Wei army to retreat. In the Battle of Heqiao, our forces faced defeat, and officials in Hebei abandoned the cities and fled, but Qingzhi, relying on Yanchi, resisted the enemy bravely. At that time, everyone praised him for his valor and righteousness. Six years later, he was in charge of managing the affairs of Hedong County. Nine years later, he returned to the court, serving as the Chief Historian in the Prime Minister's Office and concurrently as the Attendant of the Yellow Gate, and later became the Minister of Revenue. He then returned to manage Hedong County and was subsequently promoted to Regular Cavalry Attendant of the Palace, Governor of Southern Jingzhou, and was also appointed as an Equal to the Three Excellencies.
Although Qingzhi held a high office, he lived very frugally, not indulging in luxurious clothing or extravagant expenses. He was gentle and had the demeanor of a Confucian scholar, which earned him great respect. His extensive knowledge and noble character led to his appointment to teach the royal children together with scholars like Lu Dan and others. Sadly, he passed away shortly after assuming office. His son, Jialing, served as a senior official in the palace. Qingzhi also had a nephew named Ang.
Ang, also known as Jinjun, showed maturity and composure from a young age. A fortune-teller once said to his father, Zhonglue, "Although your family has been high-ranking officials for generations, no one in your family can match this child's reputation and status." Zhonglue also appreciated Ang's demeanor and wholeheartedly agreed. At the age of eighteen, Hou Jing appointed him as a junior official in the government office, and he was also promoted to General of Zhenyuan. Later, when Hou Jing submitted to the court, Ang also returned to the court and was appointed as an officer in the Prime Minister's staff. In the fourteenth year of the Dacheng era, the court acknowledged his contributions and appointed him as Count of Xiangcheng, with a fief of two hundred households, and promoted him to the position of military officer in the Prime Minister's office.
When Yuchi Jing led an expedition to Shu, Xin Ang actively volunteered to serve as a military officer. After the pacification of Shu, he was appointed General of Fuguo and also held the title of commander. Yuchi Jing recommended Xin Ang to be the Chief Historian of Longzhou, overseeing the affairs of Long'an County. Longzhou was located in a mountainous area, with a rough and unruly local populace that posed management challenges. Xin Ang, relying on his prestige and virtue, governed effectively, earning the respect and affection of the local populace. At that time, Chengdu was in a complex situation, where various customs and traditions intertwined. Yuchi Jing recognized Xin Ang's exceptional administrative talent and recommended him for the position of magistrate of Chengdu.
After Xin'ang arrived in Chengdu, he immediately went to pay respects at the Wen Weng Academy with the local scholars, and then everyone had a joyful dinner together. He said to those scholars, "Respect your parents, be loyal to the monarch, be respectful to your teachers, and honor your commitments to your friends; these are the fundamental principles of being a good person. If you cannot uphold these values, how can you expect to achieve success and recognition? You all need to work hard and strive to make achievements!" Xin'ang's words resonated deeply, and those scholars were profoundly moved. They went back and told their elders and fellow villagers, "Magistrate Xin's teachings are so good, we must not go against them!" Consequently, Chengdu became more orderly, and everyone began to learn from Xin'ang's good example. Later, Xin'ang was promoted to the position of Zitong County Governor, then to Commander-in-Chief, and was also appointed as an Imperial Secretariat official. After the establishment of the six ministries, he entered the court as an official and inherited the title of Duke of Fanchang County. When Emperor Shizong ascended the throne, Xin'ang was appointed as a senior official in the Ministry of Heaven and was also appointed as Grand Commander. In the second year of Wucheng, he was appointed as a senior official in the Ministry of Justice, responsible for handling some affairs of the Ministry of War. In the second year of Baoding, he was promoted to General of the Chariots and Cavalry and was also appointed as a Chief of the Imperial Secretariat. Later, he was transferred to the Ministry of Personnel. Four years later, the court's army marched east, and Xin'ang went to Yuzhou with General Quan Jingxuan. Due to their achievements, they were rewarded with two hundred bolts of cloth. At that time, Yizhou was very wealthy and was an important supplier of goods for the country. However, the transportation routes were dangerous and often raided by bandits. The Emperor sent Li Ang to Liangzhou and Yizhou, entrusting him with the responsibilities of both military and civil affairs. Li Ang worked to pacify the desolate and remote regions, planned and built towns, and after a few years, the area became much more stable.
At the beginning of the Tianhe era, Lu Teng went to quell the barbarian tribes in Xinzhu, but after a long struggle, he still hadn't succeeded. The emperor dispatched Li Ang to transport grain and supplies from Tongzhou, Quzhou, and other regions to aid him. At that time, most common folks in Linzhou, Xinzhu, Chuzhou, and Hezhou also joined the rebellion. Li Ang explained things to them and appealed to their feelings, telling them the disadvantages of rebellion. As a result, everyone rallied together as if they were returning home. He had the elderly, the weak, women, and children carry the supplies while the able-bodied men took charge of resisting the enemy, and everyone was willing to help without a single complaint.
After Li Ang wrapped up his mission and came back, the folks in Wanrong County, Bazhou, had risen up, surrounding the county town and blocking all the mountain routes. Li Ang told his companions, "These people are too fierce and unruly, actually rebelling like this! If we wait for the court to find out, it could take ten days or even half a month. The isolated town won’t have any backup and will definitely fall to the rebels. Instead of waiting for help from the court, we should tackle the urgent crisis right now!" He quickly recruited three thousand men in Kaizhou and Tongzhou, rushing over day and night, catching them off guard. He even had the soldiers sing Han songs while charging straight into the rebel camp. The rebels were completely unprepared, thinking the imperial army had arrived, and when they saw this, they were so scared they immediately fell apart, and the county town was peaceful again.
The court greatly appreciated Li Ang's ability to make quick decisions and solve problems on the spot, and ordered Liangzhou Governor and Duke of Qi, Li Liang, to reward Li Ang with twenty servants and four hundred pieces of silk within the military. Li Liang also used the prestige that Li Ang had established in Dangqu to recommend him as Quzhou's governor. Not long after, he was promoted to Tongzhou's governor. Li Ang was sincere, kept his word, and was well-liked by the local ethnic minorities. When his term ended and he returned to the capital city, local leaders accompanied Li Ang to present themselves to the emperor. Because Li Ang had made great contributions to the governance of minority areas, the emperor promoted him to Grand General of the Valiant Cavalry and appointed him as a Palace Supervisor.
Later, Duke Jin Li Hu rose to power and favored Li Ang, which made the emperor a bit displeased. After Li Hu was killed, the emperor also dealt harshly with Li Ang, which ultimately led to Li Ang's torture and death.
Mr. Zhongjing of the Ang family was a person who loved learning and had an extraordinary demeanor. His ancestors were influential, with his great-grandfather having served as the Minister of Personnel and Governor of Yongzhou during the Later Zhao dynasty, so their family had always lived there. His father also served as the Governor of Longzhou in the Wei kingdom, holding the title of Duke Zhu Yang. Zhongjing passed the imperial examination at eighteen, impressing everyone with his exceptional answers. He was appointed chief scribe of the Ministry of Works and later promoted to Gentleman of the Household Cavalry. During the Jiande era, he rose to Senior Secretary of the Interior and Palace Supervisor, and eventually passed away while in office. His son was named Heng.
Wang Zhi, courtesy name Xiaozheng, was a native of Duling in Jingzhou. His family had been a prominent local family for generations. His father had served as the provincial chief registrar and the Grand Historian of Dongyongzhou. Wang Zhi was frugal and capable. During the reign of Wei Zhengguang, he was invited by the province to serve as the chief registrar, thus beginning his official career and was granted the title of an officer in attendance at court. Later, he was transferred to the Ministry of War to serve as a military officer in the Water Department and was also appointed as General of Mingwei. At that time, the Liang forces besieged Shouchun City, and Wang Zhi accompanied Linhuai's Prince Yanyu in the rescue. During the battle with the Liang army, he killed the Liang army's chief general Xiahou Jingchao, which forced the Liang army to retreat. After the conflict, many in Huainan turned to banditry. Prince Yanyu sent Wang Zhi to negotiate peace with them, and within less than ten days, everyone returned to their daily lives. From north of Hefei, peace was restored. In the early Yong'an years, he was appointed as External Cavalier Attendant and Junior Minister of Rites. In the early years of Putai, he was promoted to General of the Rear Army and Grand Master of the Palace. After He Bayue entered Guanzhong, Wang Zhi was appointed chief registrar of the household, and later promoted to Assistant in the Office of the Household. When Wei's Emperor Xiaowu relocated westward, Wang Zhi was appointed as the Baron of Shanbei County, with a fief of two hundred households. At the beginning of the Datong period, the Han army fought against the Tuge tribes in the Nanshan Mountains, tightening their grip on the Tuge tribes. At that time, the Tuge tribes in Longdong were also colluding with them. My grandfather (the Emperor) sent my father (Wang Zhi) with five thousand infantry and cavalry to fight in Jingzhou, defeating them and restoring peace to the Nanshan Mountains. My grandfather was very pleased; he sent a letter of commendation and promoted him to Left External Military Officer in the Ministry of War.
Three years later, my father was promoted and became a General of Cavalry, also serving as an official in the Central Secretariat. Four years later, he followed my grandfather to break the siege of Luoyang and won a battle at Heqiao. After that, he was promoted to the position of Left Minister of the Ministry of Rites and was then sent to serve as the Deputy Governor at the Governor's Office in Qinzhou. At that time, the Governor of Liangzhou, Yu Wen Zhong, rebelled and refused to obey orders. My father, along with the Grand Marshal of Longyou, Du Guxin, subdued Yu Wen Zhong. After quelling the rebellion, my father returned to the court and became a senior official in the Grand Council, also serving as a secretary in the Chancellor's Office.
Later, the Tuyuhun tribe raided Xiping, and my father also took on the role of a military official in the Ministry of War, being sent to Longyou to handle military affairs. He defeated the Tuyuhun army at Changningchuan, routing them. In the fifteenth year, my father was promoted to General of the Cavalry, Left Chief Minister of the Imperial Secretariat, and was appointed as the Prince's Chief Assistant, responsible for assisting the Prince of Qi. Not long after, he took up an official position in Fengyi County. In the sixteenth year, Prince Wei Qikuo was sent to manage Qinzhou and Longzhou, and my father was appointed as the Deputy Governor of Qinzhou, continuing to assist Prince Qi. After the wars in Sui and Luzhou were settled, my father was appointed as the Chief of Staff of Anzhou, also serving as the Deputy, and was given the title of Commander-in-Chief. He was later transferred to Bingzhou as the Chief of Staff.
In the first year of Emperor Fei of Wei's reign, my father was appointed as the Imperial Commissioner and Grand Commander, in charge of managing Guazhou. My father was known for his peaceful and benevolent governance, and the people in the west strongly supported him. In the early reign of Emperor Gong of Wei, my father was summoned back to the court and became an Attendant of the Yellow Gate. Finally, my father passed away in office. My father's son, my elder brother, named Xuanli, served as a military officer in the Imperial Guard.
As for Du Gao, whose courtesy name was Zihui, he was from Duling in Jingzhao. His grandfather, Du Jian, was a General of the State of Wei and was posthumously honored as the Governor of Yuzhou. His father, Du Jiao, held the position of the Three Excellencies and also served as the Prefect of Wudu Commandery.
Gao (gǎo) studied the classics and historical texts, and he was highly talented and strategic for his era. His paternal uncle Zan (zàn), known for his integrity and great insight and judgment, valued him highly and often remarked, "Our family has produced a thoroughbred!" At that time, Zan was an official in the State of Wei, serving as the Minister of the Yellow Gate, Minister of Finance, General of the Guards, and Governor of the Western Circuit, and was married to Princess Xinfeng, sister of Emperor Xiaowu. Therefore, he recommended Gao to the court.
In the third year of Yongxi, Gao began his official career, serving as a court official, and gradually rose through the ranks to become General of the Guard, Long History of Chengzhou, and Governor of Hanyang. When Emperor Shizong had just ascended the throne, Gao was reassigned as the Governor of Xiucheng. Just then, the people of Fengzhou, led by Qiu Zhougong and others, rebelled and attacked Xiucheng, but due to Gao's excellent reputation among the populace, not a single person in the county betrayed him. Soon after, the court dispatched Chancellor Zhao Chang to lead troops to suppress the rebellion, and Gao united the soldiers from the county with Zhao Chang's army to ultimately quell the uprising. Afterward, Gao was recalled to the court and appointed as a high official in the Ministry of Rites.
Initially, the younger brother of Emperor Wen of Chen, Prince Ancheng Xiao Xu, was sent as a hostage to the Liang Dynasty. After the fall of Jiangling, Xiao Xu was, according to custom, relocated to Chang'an. The people of Chen requested to have him sent back, and Emperor Gaozu agreed but did not release him for a long time. Now, the emperor wanted to send him back, so he dispatched Zhang Gao to handle this matter. Emperor Wen of Chen was very pleased and immediately sent an envoy to visit in return, along with gifts of land from several states in Qianzhong. He also requested to delineate borders to maintain a friendly relationship forever. Because Zhang Gao accomplished his mission, the emperor promoted him to the position of Governor and assigned him to oversee the minor imperial uncle, and then to delineate the borders. The people of Chen subsequently returned Lushan to our control. The emperor bestowed upon Xiao Xu the title of Grand General of the Pillar State and sent Zhang Gao to escort him back to his country.
Emperor Wen of Chen said to Zhang Gao, "My younger brother can now be politely sent back; this is truly a blessing akin to that of the Zhou Dynasty! But if we fail to return Lushan to you, I fear we won't reach that level of grace." Zhang Gao replied, "When Prince Ancheng was in Guanzhong, he was just an ordinary commoner. But he is after all the younger brother of the Chen Kingdom; his worth far exceeds that of a mere city. Our court has always valued family ties, forgiving ourselves and being considerate of others, following the wishes of the founding emperor, and for long-term friendship. That's why the emperor issued this decree, mainly for this reason. If you believe that returning Lushan suffices to repay this kindness, then we certainly do not wish to lay claim to a province. Moreover, Lushan originally belonged to the Liang Dynasty, which is a vassal state of our court. If it was not clarified from the beginning, Lushan should rightfully be returned to us. Exchanging familial bonds for mere land, I think it should not be done, let alone proposed to the court." Emperor Wen felt embarrassed after hearing this and only said after a long time, "I was just joking earlier." From then on, Zhang Gao was treated with even greater generosity.
After Zhang Gao returned, the emperor ordered him to enter the court, personally descended from the throne, shook hands, and bid farewell to him. The court appreciated him very much, granting him the titles of Grand Commander, Master of the Small Carriage, and Prefect, allowing him to manage the Small Courtier, and sent him again as an envoy to the Chen Kingdom. The Marquis of Zhongshan, Hou Jing, was appointed as the overall commander of Puzhou, while Zhang Gao was appointed as Hou Jing's chief military officer, and was responsible for state affairs. He was also appointed as the General of the Chariots and Cavalry, and the Superintendent of the Imperial Equipage.
After Hua Jiao defected to Northern Zhou, the court ordered the Duke of Wei to lead Yuan Ding and others to provide support. Consequently, they engaged the army of the Chen Kingdom, and we suffered defeat, with Yuan Ding and others all dying in battle. Since that time, the conflict has persisted, and the southeast region has been in chaos. Emperor Gaozu was deeply troubled by this situation, so he sent Yang Gao to the Chen Kingdom as an envoy to discuss how to coexist peacefully and restore stability to the people's hearts.
Emperor Xuan of Chen sent his palace attendant Xu Ling to speak with Yang Gao, saying: "The two countries originally had a good relationship and wanted to help each other in overcoming difficulties, but how could you accept our defector?" Yang Gao replied: "Emperor Xuan of Chen came to our Northern Zhou not out of admiration for our righteousness. The emperor conferred upon him the title of Zhu Guo, bestowing upon him high rank and power, and presented him with many treasures and beautiful women, thereby making him the king of Chen. Isn't that a favor? Hao Lie and his people are just some unruly border residents who have yet to repay that kindness and have already defected to you. By accepting Hua Jiao now, we are merely repaying your kindness. The fault lies with you; how can you blame us?" Xu Ling said: "They accepted Hua Jiao with the intent to annex our Chen state. We accepted Hao Lie merely as a refuge. Besides, Hua Jiao is a state general who occupied a city and then defected. Hao Lie is just over a hundred households who secretly escaped. The circumstances are different; how can they be treated the same?" Yang Gao said: "Although the circumstances are different, accepting a surrender is the same. If we consider the timeline, Northern Zhou is not at fault either." Xu Ling said: "The Zhou Dynasty sent Emperor Xuan of Chen back to his country; that was an act of kindness. Duke Wei brought Yuan Ding across the river; can that not be seen as resentment? Kindness and resentment cancel each other out; isn't that essentially the same?"
Yang Gao said, “Yuan Ding and the others have been defeated and captured, and their resentment has faded. Emperor Chen Xuan has received our kindness, and that kindness still stands. Moreover, the resentment was caused by your state of Chen, while the kindness was given by our Northern Zhou. It’s unheard of to repay kindness with resentment!” Xu Ling laughed upon hearing this and said nothing more. Yang Gao continued, “Currently, the three factions are at a standoff, all eager to expand their territories. If conflicts arise again, it will only provide more opportunities for the enemy. Our Northern Zhou and the Chen state have maintained a friendly relationship with continuous exchanges for many years. Yet, border issues have turned us into enemies, leading to constant warfare. Has there been a year of peace? It’s like the snipe and the clam fighting, while the fisherman benefits; this situation is unfavorable for everyone. If the Qi state takes advantage of this opportunity to attack, both our nations will be at risk. Instead of holding onto mutual resentment that could lead to greater disaster, it’s better to change our mindset and reconsider. The Chen state should abandon the thought of fighting, and we, Northern Zhou, should show sincerity to repair our relationship, living in friendship as before and jointly resisting the Qi state. This benefits not just the rulers of both states, but also the common folk.” Xu Ling conveyed Yang Gao’s words to Emperor Chen Xuan, who agreed. Thus, he sent envoys to establish friendly relations with Northern Zhou.
During the Jian De era of Northern Zhou’s Emperor Wu, Wei Gao served as the Minister of the City and was tasked with a mission to the Chen state. Emperor Chen Xuan said to Wei Gao, “Although the soldiers from Changhu (referring to the Northern Zhou army) have built houses and settled here, they probably still think about returning to the north. Just like Wang Bao and Yu Xin, who were trapped in Guanzhong, surely think about going back to the south.” Upon hearing this, Wei Gao understood that Emperor Chen Xuan wanted to exchange the Northern Zhou’s Yuan Ding soldiers for Wang Bao and the others. Thus, Wei Gao replied, “The overall commander of Changhu is undisciplined and fled in battle, who didn’t sacrifice himself for the country. What kind of trade is that? Besides, they’re like a hair on a cow; what difference do they make? The court didn’t consider this at all in the beginning.” Hearing this, Emperor Chen Xuan dropped the subject.
When Wei Gao returned to Stone City, Emperor Chen Xuan sent someone to tell him, "If you want to ally with us against the Qi Kingdom, you need to cede the lands of Fan and Deng to demonstrate your sincerity." Wei Gao replied, "Allying to fight against the Qi Kingdom is not a benefit exclusive to our Chen Kingdom. The key is to first control the cities and land, which depends on the attitude of the Qi Kingdom. Give us the region of Hannan first, then I can accept your orders." After returning to his country, Wei Gao was promoted to the title of Minister of the Treasury.
Four years later, Wei Gao was promoted to the position of Governor of Wenzhou and was titled Count of Yixing County. In the first year of the Northern Zhou Dynasty (Daxiang), he was summoned back to court and appointed as an official, and once again sent to the Chen Kingdom. The following year, he was appointed as the Governor of Shenzhou, with the additional title of General of the Household Affairs, and his title was elevated to Marquis, with a fief of 1,300 households. Later, he also served as the Governor of Tongzhou. In the first year of the Sui Dynasty (Kaihuang), Wei Gao was appointed as the Chief Inspector of Tongzhou, and his title was elevated to Duke. Shortly after, he was promoted to the Minister of Works. The following year, he was appointed as the Minister of War of the Southwest Road Headquarters. Not long after, Wei Gao passed away due to illness. His son, Wei Yun, was appointed as an official by the court towards the end of Emperor Daixiang's reign. Wei Gao's elder brother, Wei Hui, achieved the rank of General of the Guards.
Historians commented, "The Weis, Xins, and Huangfus are all established noble families from the Guanzhong region. Some of them entered the court in splendid official attire, earning a reputation as officials; others demonstrated their talents in border regions, possessing the ability to converse directly with the emperor. They all contributed to the country and brought honor to their families. Truly remarkable!"
