Zhou Huida, also known as Huaiwen, was from Zhangwu Wen'an. His father Zhou Xin served as an official in the prefecture when he was young, successively serving as county officials in Yexiang, Pingshu, and Chengping, all renowned for their honesty and capability. Zhou Huida had aspirations from a young age, loved reading, was handsome, well-mannered, and greatly admired by all who met him.
The Prince of Qi of the Wei Kingdom, Xiao Baoyin, became the Inspector of Yingzhou and invited Zhou Huida and Feng Jing from Hejian to the office, treating them very politely. Later, when Xiao Baoyin returned to Luoyang for court, Zhou Huida followed him. At that time, the military general Yuan Cha held great power, and Zhou Huida once discussed current affairs with Yuan Cha at Xiao Baoyin's request, impressing Yuan Cha, who immediately gifted him a robe. During the Xiaochang period, the Prince of Linhuai of the Wei Kingdom, Xiao Yu, marched northward and appointed Zhou Huida as a military advisor. Later, when Wang Qiu and others rebelled, Xiao Baoyin marched westward, and Zhou Huida followed him to Guanzhong. Xiao Baoyin later fought against the rebels in Guanzhong and was forced to retreat, was appointed as the Inspector of Yongzhou, and assigned Zhou Huida to Luoyang for an official mission. Before Zhou Huida could return, news of Xiao Baoyin's rebellion reached the capital. The court officials believed Zhou Huida was Xiao Baoyin's messenger and tried to arrest him. Zhou Huida hurriedly ran back secretly, and when he reached Tongguan, he met the ambassador Yang Kan. Yang Kan asked Zhou Huida, "Xiao Baoyin's rebellion has become a fact; why would you walk into the lion's den?" Zhou Huida replied, "The Prince was misled by those around him. I am going back now, hoping to persuade him to change his mind." When he arrived in Luoyang, the truth of Xiao Baoyin's rebellion was revealed and could not be undone. Therefore, the court appointed Zhou Huida as Grand Master of Ceremonies and a Gentleman of the Central Secretariat.
After Xiao Baoyin's failure, everyone scattered, with only a few people including Zhou Huida still following him. Xiao Baoyin said to Zhou Huida, "When you are rich and powerful, everyone around you will say you are loyal. It is only when you encounter disaster that you will know who your true friends are." He Bao Yue captured Xiao Baoyin and escorted him to Luoyang, leaving Zhou Huida as his household advisor, equipping him with clothing and horses, and allowing him to participate in military and political affairs. He Bao Yue became the Grand Commandant of Guanzhong and appointed Zhou Huida as his Cavalry Officer. Zhou Huida was once ordered to go to Luoyang, where he talked about the challenging state of affairs with Emperor Xiaowu of Wei. Zhou Huida analyzed the situation and said that He Bao Yue was loyal and only wanted to stabilize the country and suppress rebellions. The sincerity of his words earned him the Emperor's admiration. After returning, Zhou Huida shared everything with He Bao Yue. He Bao Yue said, "Living in the world, serving the Emperor, how could anyone just chase personal glory and wealth while ignoring the country's fate? What you told the Emperor is exactly how I feel." From then on, He Bao Yue held Zhou Huida in even higher regard. Every time He Bao Yue went out to battle, he always left Zhou Huida in charge. Later, Zhou Huida was promoted to an official position in He Bao Yue's administration.
General Yue was killed by Hou Mochen Yue. Hou Mochen Yue heard that Hui Da was very capable and wanted to give him an official position. Hui Da pretended to be ill, but Hou Mochen Yue did not agree. Hui Da had no choice but to flee and hide at Maiji Cliff in Hanyang. Once Hou Mochen Yue was subdued, Hui Da returned to the side of Emperor Taizu and was promptly appointed as the Sima of Qinzhou, responsible for stabilizing the Longyou area. Later, Emperor Xiaowu of Wei decreed that Taizu should marry Princess Chang of Fengyi and appointed Hui Da as the Changshi to accompany him to Luoyang to meet the emperor. When they reached Tongguan, they discovered that Emperor Xiaowu had already fled westward. Taizu instructed Hui Da to proceed. Taizu said to Hui Da, "Even though I bear this heavy responsibility, my abilities pale in comparison to those of the ancients. You should work hard together to achieve great accomplishments and gain wealth and honor." Hui Da replied, "I have traveled for many years, and now I have the fortune to meet someone like you who can support the state. I do not dare to aspire to wealth and honor. I only hope that you can awe the world so that I can contribute a little effort, and that would be satisfying." After Taizu was appointed Grand Marshal and Grand Councilor, he appointed Hui Da as the Shangshu of the Grand Marshal's Office, bestowing upon him the title of Viscount of Wen'an County, with a fief of three hundred households. Taizu went to garrison Huazhou, leaving Hui Da in charge of the rear affairs. At that time, many matters still needed attention following the war. Hui Da swiftly constructed military camps, stockpiled provisions, and reviewed the troops to meet the army's needs. The court depended heavily on him during that period. Later, he was appointed General of the East, promoted to the position of Tutor to the Crown Prince, with his title elevated to Count and his fief enlarged by three hundred households. Shortly after, he was promoted to the position of Chief of the Imperial Secretariat, with his title raised to Duke and his fief totaling nine hundred households, and he was also appointed Grand General of the Guard and Left Guanglu Daifu.
Four years later, he also served as the Right Minister of the Imperial Secretariat. In that year, Taizu and Emperor Wen of Wei jointly went on an eastern expedition, with Hui Da assisting the Crown Prince in overseeing court affairs. Hui Da had declined several times before, but the emperor's handwritten decree stated, "Do not worry about the western border, only you are capable. I am deeply worried about the chaos caused by Xiao Baojuan and Kou Zhun." Later, following the defeat at the Mangshan Battle, panic ensued among the people. Zhao Qingque led the army in the east to occupy the Chang'an Zicheng in rebellion, and Hui Da escorted the Crown Prince north of Weiqiao to defend against the rebels. Once the rebellion was suppressed, Zhao Qingque and the others were executed. Hui Da was appointed as the Minister of Personnel. After some time, he served as the Right Supervisor again.
At the beginning, the region of Guanzhong was newly established, and the ceremonial music system was quite underdeveloped. Hui Da collaborated with the ceremonial officials to revise and enhance the old ceremonial system. By this time, the ceremonial regulations were deemed relatively complete. Emperor Wen of Wei once listened to music in court and turned to Hui Da, saying, "This is your achievement!" He was then promoted to the position of Sima of the Right.
Although Hui Da held a high position, he was humble, cautious, and skilled at building relationships, serious and responsible, wholeheartedly committed to public service, and actively promoted outstanding talents. Therefore, everyone respected him and sought to be close to him. Ten years later, Hui Da passed away, and his son Hui Ti inherited his title. During the Kaihuang era of the Sui Dynasty, due to Hui Da's remarkable achievements, he was posthumously honored as Duke of Xiao Guo. "In the early days of Guanzhong, the ceremonial music system was incomplete. Hui Da and the ceremonial officials revised and improved the old regulations, and at this time, the ceremonial system was somewhat complete. Emperor Wen of Wei, while listening to music in court, turned to Hui Da and said, 'This is your merit.' He was then appointed as Sima of the Right."
Hui Da's close friend Feng Jing, whose courtesy name was Changming, shared similar aspirations with Hui Da in their youth, and their relationship was very good. During the Yanchang period, the Liang Dynasty army invaded and troubled Xuzhou and Yangzhou. Feng Jing said to Xiao Baoyin, "Now the Liang Dynasty army is rampant and arrogant, and the court needs generals capable of securing the borders. If you can take the lead in loyalty to the court, not only will you restore the honor of the country, but it is also the best way to protect yourself." Xiao Baoyin strongly agreed with his opinion. Later, when Xiao Baoyin became the Grand Commandant, he appointed Feng Jing as a military officer. Later, when Xiao Baoyin became the Right Deputy Director, he brought Feng Jing to the central government to serve as the Chief of Staff. During the Zhengguang period, Xiao Baoyin served as the Grand Commissioner of the West, and appointed Feng Jing as the General of Lingjiang, concurrently serving as the Chief Clerk of the Grand Commission, following Xiao Baoyin in the expedition. Later, when Xiao Baoyin wanted to rebel, Feng Jing strongly advised against it, but Xiao Baoyin did not listen. After Xiao Baoyin's failure, Feng Jing returned to Luoyang. The court heard that Feng Jing had advised Xiao Baoyin, so they did not investigate his responsibility and appointed him as the Attendant Officer of the Carriage. Ruyang Wang Yuanshuzhao served as the Grand Commissioner of Longyou and recommended Feng Jing as the Assistant of the Grand Commission. Heba Yue served as the Grand Commandant and appointed Feng Jing as the Attendant Officer of the Central Commandant. After Emperor Taizu of Northern Zhou pacified the rebellion of Hou Mochenyue, he appointed Feng Jing as the Prefect of Lueyang County, and soon he also served as the Deputy of the Grand Commission, remaining in Yuanzhou. After Emperor Xiaowu of Western Wei moved the capital to Chang'an, Feng Jing was appointed as the Earl of Gaoyang County, with a fief of three hundred households. Later, Feng Jing was promoted to Cavalier Attendant, the Secretary of the Grand Commission, and appointed as the Inspector of Yingzhou. In the early years of the Datong era, Feng Jing acted as the acting governor of Jingzhou. He later passed away from illness.
Yang Kuan, courtesy name Jingren, was from Huayin, in Hongnong. His grandfather, Yang En, was the Zhenyuan General and the Neishi during the Wei Dynasty. His father, Yang Jun, was knowledgeable and talented, recommended as a Xiucai and served as Dali Ping, later being promoted to the position of Zheng of Tingwei. He continued to rise through the ranks, serving as Luoyang Ling, Left Zhonglang General, Huazhou Dazheng Zheng, Henan Yin, Qing of Tingwei, Anbei General, Minister of War, Grand Councilor of the North, Governor of Hengzhou, and finally passing away while serving as the Garrison General of Huaishuo. After his death, he was posthumously appointed as Shizhong and Sikong, and given the title of Earl of Linzhen, with the posthumous title of Gong.
Yang Kuan had great ambitions from a young age. Whenever he played with his friends, he would always choose the highest and most prominent spot, making everyone think he was special. When he grew up, he excelled at writing and had a particular passion for martial arts. By the age of twenty, he had become an official appointed by the court. Later, his superior, the brother of Empress Dowager Dou, Dou Jun, was appointed as the Governor of Hengzhou. Yang Kuan requested to accompany him to seek glory, so he was appointed as a general and stationed at Gaoque. At that time, the Rouran tribe was in disarray, and their leader, Anagui, fled to Northern Wei for refuge. The Wei Emperor accepted him and ordered Dou Jun to escort him. Yang Kuan also accompanied him and was appointed as a Langzhong of the Xingtai due to his accomplishments.
The enemies from the north attacked and besieged the city of Hengzhou. Dou Jun died in battle, and the city's residents chose Yang Kuan to defend them. Eventually, when the city fell, Yang Kuan fled north to join the Rouran tribe. When the Wei army quelled the rebellion, Yang Kuan fought in the battle and emerged victorious, which allowed him to return to court.
Yuan Yuan, the King of Guangyang in the Wei Kingdom, had a close friendship with Yang Kuan, and they were very close friends. Later, Yuan Yuan broke the law and faced punishment, and Yang Kuan was implicated and arrested as well. At that time, Emperor Xiaozhuang of Wei was still serving as a court official. He knew Yang Kuan from before and hid him in his home. When a general amnesty was declared, Yang Kuan was able to avoid punishment. He was later appointed as the Director of the Imperial Clan. Prince Yuan Hao of Beihai admired Yang Kuan and sought to appoint him as his deputy for military discussions while he was the Grand Commandant leading the northern campaign against Ge Rong. Yang Kuan declined, stating that he had not yet repaid Emperor Xiaozhuang's favor and could not compromise his principles for personal gain. Yuan Hao respected his decision. Li Shengui, Yuan Hao's nephew, advised him, "Yang Kuan is a righteous man. Ordinary people find it hard to change their aspirations, let alone a righteous man. If you push him now, he might not give his all." After hearing this, Yuan Hao let go of that idea. Later, when Emperor Xiaozhuang took the throne, Yang Kuan was appointed as an Attendant Cavalry while also serving as the Deputy Intendant of Henan and serving as the acting Prefect of Luoyang. Xing Gao staged a rebellion, and Yang Kuan, along with the Grand Preceptor and Prince of Shangdang Yuan Tianmu, suppressed the rebellion led by Xing Gao. After that, Yang Kuan was later appointed as an Attendant Cavalry.
The war was not over yet; Yuan Hao invaded Luoyang from Liangdi, and Emperor Xiaozhuang was forced to seek refuge in Henan. Yuan Tianmu was filled with fear and uncertain about what to do, so he summoned the generals to discuss countermeasures. Yang Kuan said, "The Wu people (referring to Yuan Hao's army) are overconfident and no match for us. Moreover, they are deep in enemy territory, their army is exhausted, and they are at the end of their strength. What more can they possibly accomplish? I suggest we directly occupy Chenggao and then rendezvous with our forces in the Yiluo area to eliminate Yuan Hao's vanguard and secure victory. This can be easily done, Your Majesty; what concerns do you have?" Yuan Tianmu was inspired by this and led his troops to Chenggao, with Yang Kuan and Erzhu Zhao covering the rear. However, later, due to concerns from the others, they decided to turn back to Shiji. Yang Kuan lost his way while marching at night, causing a delay. The other generals remarked, "Yang Kuan has previously engaged the enemy in Beihai, yet now he is absent; he must have defected." Yuan Tianmu replied, "Yang Kuan is not someone who changes sides easily; there must be another reason for his delay. I will make sure everyone understands." Just as he finished speaking, a scout came in with news that Yang Kuan had arrived. Yuan Tianmu slapped his thigh and smiled, saying, "I knew he would come!" He rushed out of the tent to welcome him, shaking Yang Kuan's hand and saying, "I've been looking forward to seeing you!" Then he immediately rewarded him with thirty cows, five carriages, fifteen carts of cotton and silk, and fifty sheep. Yang Kuan and Yuan Tianmu went together to meet Emperor Xiaozhuang in Taihang Mountain. Yang Kuan was appointed as Cavalier in Regular Attendance and General of the East, and continued to serve as Commander-in-Chief, participating in the pacification of Henan and later in the siege of Beizhong.
At that time, Liang stationed Chen Qingzhi at the North Gate under Yuan Hao's orders, while Yuan Tianmu's army surrounded the city. Yang Kuan was sent to urge Chen Qingzhi to surrender. Yang Kuan first introduced himself. Then he spoke to Chen Qingzhi, analyzing the pros and cons in detail and urging him to surrender as soon as possible. Chen Qingzhi remained silent. After a while, Chen Qingzhi said, "My esteemed brother (referring to Yuan Tianmu) is right here and wants to see you." Yang Kuan replied, "Since my brother (referring to Chen Qingzhi) has already been defeated by the royal army and has become a traitor, what is the point of meeting as a subordinate? I introduced myself from the beginning; did I not know you were in the city? I just want my sincerity to be unquestioned; loyalty is paramount. There's no need to elaborate on my brothers' circumstances. You should think of a way to protect yourself!" Upon hearing this, Yuan Tianmu remarked to his companions, "Yang Kuan is indeed an exceptional individual, willing to risk his personal safety to such a degree." From then on, Yuan Tianmu respected Yang Kuan even more. After Emperor Xiaozhuang's restoration to the throne, Yang Kuan was appointed General of the Central Army, Minister of the Imperial Treasury, and Grand Justice of Huazhou, and granted the title of Earl of Chengcheng, with a fief of three hundred households.
After Er Zhu Rong was killed, his brother Er Zhu Shi Long, along with his men, set fire to the city gate, retreated to the river bridge to hold his position, and even approached the capital. Yang Kuan was appointed as the General of the Northern Front, with the rank of commissioner and grand commander, responsible for resisting them. Er Zhu Shi Long challenged Yang Kuan, saying, "You won't forget the Chancellor's favor (referring to Er Zhu Rong), will you?" Yang Kuan replied, "The Chancellor's favor towards me was out of mere courtesy; it was just the usual relationship between a ruler and his subject. Today's matter is my duty as a subject." Er Zhu Shi Long fled north, and Yang Kuan pursued him to the river. Before long, Er Zhu Zhao captured Luoyang and imprisoned Emperor Xiaozhuang. Unable to return to Luoyang, Yang Kuan fled to the Southern Liang. Upon arriving in Jianye, he heard that Emperor Xiaozhuang had been killed, and Yang Kuan mournfully held a memorial service. Emperor Wu of Liang valued him highly and treated him well. Soon after, Emperor Wu of Liang sent him back to the Northern Wei court with honors. Upon reaching Xiapi, Er Zhu Zhongyuan restored Yang Kuan's rank and title, appointing him as the Minister of Personnel in the Grand Secretariat.
In the early days of Emperor Xiaowu's reign, Yang Kuan was reassigned as General of Cavalry, Attendant of the Palace, and was also responsible for overseeing the palace's internal records. At that time, thousands of troops stationed in Xiangzhou rebelled against the government, and the court ordered Yang Kuan to also serve as the Imperial Advisor, commanding various armies to quell the rebellion, which he successfully did. However, Lieutenant Qi Ren, who had a prior conflict with Yang Kuan, falsely accused him of various crimes. Emperor Xiaowu told his officials, "Yang Kuan is an upright and honest person; I am very clear that he is innocent, but I cannot prevent the judges' memorial from being submitted." This matter was submitted to the Court of Judicial Inquiry, and Yang Kuan was subsequently exonerated. He was then appointed as a Palace Attendant and concurrently as a General of the Armed Guards. Emperor Xiaowu had conflicts with Emperor Shunwu of Qi (Gao Huan), so he recruited elite troops to strengthen the palace guards. Yang Kuan was appointed as the Grand Commander of the Imperial Guards, specifically responsible for managing the imperial army. Yang Kuan followed Emperor Xiaowu into Guanzhong and concurrently served as the Minister of Civil Service. Due to his contributions in following the emperor, Yang Kuan was granted the title of Duke of Huashan, receiving a fief of 1,200 households.
In the early years of the Datong era, Yang Kuan was promoted to Grand General of Chariots and Cavalry, Grand Tutor to the Crown Prince, and served as Minister of Ceremonies. Three years later, he was dispatched to the Rouran to escort Empress Wei Wenda. Upon his return, he was appointed as Imperial Advisor, Commander of Military Affairs in Jingzhou, and Governor of Jingzhou. Five years later, he was promoted to Grand General of Cavalry, held the title of Minister of Ceremonies, and served as Commander of Military Affairs in Dongyongzhou, as well as Governor of Dongyongzhou, continuing to serve in his original province. Ten years later, he was reassigned as Governor of Hezhou. In the sixteenth year, he also held the title of Sima in the Grand Chancellor's office.
The court planned to attack Hanchuan, but Marquis Yifeng of Liangzhou, Xiao Xun, held out in Nanzheng and refused to surrender. After seventeen years, Gao Huan sent General Daxi Wu to attack him. King Wuling of Liang, Xiao Ji, sent General Yang Qianyun with over ten thousand troops to rescue Xiao Xun. Daxi Wu then sent Gao Huan's men, including Wang Jie and Helan Yuande, to intercept Yang Qianyun. The two armies met at Baima, fought a battle, and Gao Huan's forces won, capturing and killing many people. After the battle, Gao Huan promoted him to governor of Nanjinzhou.
When Emperor Fei of Wei first ascended the throne, Gao Huan was transferred to the court as the Left Deputy Minister of the Ministry of Personnel and the Grand Supervisor of Works, but was later dismissed for unspecified reasons. In the second year of Emperor Wei Gong, he was appointed as Minister of Justice (Tingwei). When Emperor Shizong ascended the throne, Gao Huan was granted the title of General and was given additional lands, collecting taxes from an extra one thousand two hundred households. Later, he accompanied Helan Xiang to fight against the Tuyuhun, winning the battle, and the emperor further granted him the title of Duke of Yiyang, adding another one thousand households of land. He then served in a minor official capacity and was later promoted to Grand Minister of the Interior. In the second year of Wucheng, the emperor also ordered him to proofread the classics together with the scholars of Linzhi.
Gao Huan was a clever and astute man with great insight. He served as the governor of several provinces, and everyone regarded him as honest and simple. He had a good reputation in the court, and everyone praised him. However, he had a poor relationship with Liu Qing and sought to find incriminating evidence against Liu Qing to punish him, which many criticized at the time. By the first year of Baoding, he was appointed as the commander of the military for Liangzhou, Xingzhou, and other nineteen provinces, and also served as the governor of Liangzhou. As a result, he died that year in Liangzhou. After his death, the emperor posthumously granted him the titles of governor for five states: Huazhou, Shanzhou, Yuzhou, Shangzhou, and Luzhou, with the posthumous title 'Yuan.' His son Gao Ji inherited his title and, during the reign of Emperor Xiang, rose to Grand General and Minister of the Yu Department.
Mu, the second son, style name Shaoshu, was known for his honesty. During the Yong'an period of the Wei Dynasty, he became the Assistant Prefect of Huazhou. Later, during the reign of Emperor Xiaowu, his older brother generously requested that the title of Count of Chengcheng be bestowed upon Mu, and the emperor agreed. Mu was later promoted to General of the Central Army, Grand Master of the Jin Purple Light, then became the General of Chariots and Cavalry, as well as the Governor of Bingzhou, responsible for military affairs in Bingzhou. Finally, Mu passed away peacefully at home. After his death, the court posthumously honored him with the titles of General of the Valiant Cavalry, Supervisor of the Palace Secretariat, and Governor of Huazhou.
Jian, the third son, style name Jingze, was tall, handsome, and capable. During the Zhengshi period of the Wei Dynasty, he started as a Censor, then was promoted to court attendant, and later became an official of the Ministry of Rites. During the Xiaochang period, he was appointed as General of Zhenyuan and Prefect of Dunqiu. Before he could take up his post, Yuan Hao requested him to lead the troops. During the Jianyi period, he also served as an Attendant of the Yellow Gate, Left General, and Junior Minister of the Imperial Treasury. After Yuan Hao captured Luoyang, Jian was named General Who Pacifies the Army. Later, when Emperor Xiaozhuang was restored to the throne, Jian was dismissed and returned to his home. Not long after, he was appointed as a Regular Attendant of the Cavalry, concurrently serving as the Governor of Yingzhou, responsible for military affairs in Yingzhou. During the Jianming period, he was promoted to General Who Conquers the South and Grand Master of the Jin Purple Light. In the early reign of Emperor Xiaowu, he became the General of the Guards and the Governor of North Yongzhou. He was known for his kindness and benevolence while in office, which kept the people peaceful. After Emperor Xiaowu moved west, Jian was appointed as an Attendant and the General of the Valiant Cavalry. In the early years of the Datong period, he also took charge of affairs in East Qinzhou and was granted the duties of Commissioner, Grand Governor of the Province. He participated in the Battle of Shayuan, defeated Emperor Shenwu of Northern Qi, and was therefore appointed as the Marquis of Xiayang, with a fief of 800 households. Seven years later, he was appointed as a Consultant to the Grand Chancellor's Office, and later served as Commander of the Armies in East Yong and Hua, General of the Valiant Cavalry, Supervisor of the Palace Secretariat, and Governor of Huazhou. Eight years later, he passed away peacefully at home, and the court posthumously reinstated his original titles and honored him with the posthumous title of Tranquil.
Liu Qing, also known as Gengxing, was from Xie County. His ancestor Liu Gong served as the governor of Hedong during the Later Zhao dynasty. Later, due to the wars between Qin and Zhao, Liu Gong led his clan to migrate south, settling in the areas of Runan and Yingchuan, so their family had served as officials in Jiangnan for several generations. His grandfather Liu Zha served as the deputy governor of Sizhou and the governor of Anjun during the Song Dynasty. His father Liu Sengxi served as a court official during the Qi Dynasty. In the years of Wei Jingming, Liu Qing, together with Pei Shuye, the governor of Yuzhou, led Yuzhou to submit to Northern Wei, and later held positions as the governor of Beidi, the governor of Yingchuan, and the Grand Zhongzheng of Yangzhou.
As a child, Qing was clever and seemed destined for success. He was well-read but wasn't limited to rote learning and memorization. He enjoyed drinking and was not very interested in the poetic contests and riddles common among scholars. At the age of thirteen, while drying his books in the sun, a monk named Sengxi said to Qing, "Although you are clever, I have yet to truly test you." He then asked Qing to select a piece from a collection of miscellaneous poems, over a thousand words long, to memorize. Qing immediately read it three times and was able to recite it perfectly, word for word.
At that time, Sengxi was serving as an official in Yingchuan, a place near the capital, where there were many wealthy and powerful individuals. Just as they were about to select local officials, these dignitaries sought to use their influence to gain favors. Before the candidates were confirmed, Sengxi told his aides, "I don't need any favors from those powerful people. If they want my help, they need to offer something in return. You all write a reply based on your thoughts." Qing then took up the pen and wrote a draft that stated: "I am ordered by the court; when selecting officials, those with ability will be promoted, and those without will be eliminated. This has always been the court's rule." After reading the letter, Sengxi sighed, "This child has ambition; that's how a true man should be!" He then replied to those individuals according to Qing's draft. Thus, Qing started his official career and was appointed as a court official.
Qing was the fourth uncle's son. When his father passed away, some believed he should not follow the mourning rites customary for the eldest son. Qing cried and said, "Rituals are established based on human feelings. If there are lighter mourning rites for an uncle's son, then the lighter rites should replace the heavier ones. Now that the fourth uncle has been gone for a long time, it can no longer be pursued reasonably. How can one violate rituals and go against human nature?" At that time, no one could refute his argument, so he observed the mourning rites as the eldest son for his father. After the burial, he helped his brothers mound the grave with soil. After the mourning period ended, he was appointed as a general in the central army.
Emperor Xiaowen of Wei planned to move the capital to Guanzhong and sent Li Qing (the assistant minister) to hurry to Guanzhong. When Li Qing arrived in Gaoping, he met Emperor Xiaowen, and they discussed the current situation. The emperor wanted Li Qing to welcome his procession but also ordered him to return first and report back. At that time, Heba Sheng was in Jingzhou, and the emperor dismissed those around him, asking Li Qing, "Gao Huan has already stationed in Hebei, and the troops in Guanzhong have not arrived yet. I want to go to Jingzhou. What do you think?"
Li Qing replied, "The terrain of Guanzhong is rugged and spans a thousand miles, making it a strategic stronghold. Yuwen Tai is loyal and diligent, a good minister for the court. With your wisdom and relying on Yuwen Tai's strength, you can either attack and control the vassals to the east or retreat and defend, consolidating Guanzhong, this fertile land. This is the safest strategy. Jingzhou's geographical position is not important, its military strength is weak, threatened by the Liang dynasty from the outside and with Gao Huan's forces inside; this is a precarious situation. How can it serve to strengthen the foundation of the state? In my opinion, going to Jingzhou is not a viable option." The emperor agreed with his opinion. When the emperor moved west, Li Qing did not accompany him due to his elderly mother. With Dugu Xin stationed in Luoyang, Li Qing was able to enter Guanzhong. He was appointed as the ceremonial scholar in the Eastern Pavilion of the Ministry of State and also served as the record keeper, later promoted to assistant minister of the Ministry of Revenue.
Eight years later, Li Qingsheng was appointed as an Assistant Minister in the Grand Secretariat, concurrently serving as the Prefect of Beihua. Ten years later, he was appointed as the Assistant Minister of War, still concurrently serving as the Secretary.
At that time, Beiyongzhou presented a white deer, and the ministers wanted to write a congratulatory memorial. Minister Su Chao said to Li Qing, "In recent times, writings have become overly ornate and showy, especially in the Jiangzuo area, where they are frivolous and superficial. The new literati in Luoyang constantly imitate this style. You now hold national affairs and are in charge of documents, so you should draft this memorial to change the previous shortcomings." Li Qing quickly drafted it, and the memorial was both elegant and substantive. Su Chao read it and smiled, saying, "If kumquat and orange trees can be transplanted, let alone talents!" Soon after, Li Qing was later appointed as the Bingjia of Yongzhou.
Prince Guangling Yuan Xin was an imperial family member of the Wei Dynasty. His nephew Meng Shi was frequently arrogant and unreasonable. Someone accused him of stealing cattle. After conducting an investigation, Li Qing uncovered the truth and ordered that he be imprisoned. Meng Shi showed no fear and said to Li Qing, "If you shackle me now, how will I ever get out later?" Yuan Xin also sent word that Meng Shi was innocent. As a result, Meng Shi became even more arrogant. Li Qing then summoned all the officials and sternly condemned Meng Shi for abusing his power and oppressing the people. After speaking, he ordered that Meng Shi be executed. From then on, those aristocrats reined in their behavior and dared not act out of line.
A merchant took twenty pounds of gold to the capital to do business and deposited the gold in someone else's house. Every time he went out, he carried the key himself. However, before long, the box remained locked as before, but the gold was missing. He suspected the homeowner had stolen it. The government began to investigate, and the homeowner surprisingly admitted to the theft. Upon hearing this, the magistrate sighed and summoned the merchant to ask, "Where do you usually keep the key?" The merchant replied, "I always carry it with me." The magistrate then asked, "Have you ever shared a living space with anyone?" The merchant said, "No." "Do you drink with others?" The merchant said, "A few days ago, I got drunk with a monk and passed out." The magistrate said, "The homeowner is definitely innocent; he didn't steal it. The monk is the real thief!" So he immediately sent people to arrest the monk, and the monk indeed escaped with the gold. Later, the monk was caught, and the gold was recovered.
Twelve years later, the court restructured the thirty-six departments into twelve, and the emperor appointed the magistrate as a deputy in the Department of Finance, with no change in other positions.
Later, the Hu family was robbed, and the government investigated but did not know who the thief was. Many neighbors were arrested. The magistrate sensed that the thieves were numerous, like a chaotic mob, who surely did not know each other and suspected each other, so he could use a strategy to lure them out. He wrote several anonymous letters and posted them at the government office, stating, "We all participated in robbing the Hu family; there are many of us, and we are afraid of being exposed. Now we want to surrender, but we are afraid of being executed. If those who surrender first are granted immunity, we will come forward to report." The magistrate also posted a notice stating that those who surrender will be granted immunity. Two days later, a servant of Prince Guangling came forward to surrender beneath the notice board. Following this lead, all accomplices were caught. The magistrate's integrity and keen insight shone through in these cases. He often said, "In the past, as long as the judge acted fairly and justly, and the court upheld its integrity, one could be rewarded. If that's true, I could probably do the same!"
Thirteen years later, Qing Zhifu was appointed as the Marquis of Qinghe County, with a fief of two hundred households, and also served as Deputy Minister of Personnel, responsible for the affairs of the Ministry of Finance. In the fourteenth year, he officially took on the role of Deputy Minister of Personnel.
It is said that our ancestor emperor was furious and wanted to kill the official Wang Mao of the Anding Kingdom, even though Wang Mao had not committed any wrongdoing. At that time, the court officials were all aware of this, but no one dared to speak up. At this time, a man named Yuwen Qing stood up and said, "Wang Mao is innocent; why do you want to kill him?" The ancestor emperor became even angrier, his face darkened, his voice raised, and he bellowed at Yuwen Qing, "Wang Mao deserves to die! If you can prove his innocence, you will die with him!" He then grabbed Yuwen Qing.
Yuwen Qing stood his ground and said loudly, "I've heard that a leader who ignores sound advice is unwise, and it is disloyal for a subject not to speak up. I risk my life by speaking the truth, not afraid of death, but afraid that you will become an unwise emperor! I hope you will think carefully!" The ancestor emperor finally saw the truth and quickly pardoned Wang Mao, but it was too late; Wang Mao had already died. The ancestor emperor fell silent for a moment. The next day, he said to Yuwen Qing, "I did not listen to you and caused Wang Mao to die unjustly. Compensate Wang Mao’s family with financial restitution, as a way to make up for my mistake." He then elevated Yuwen Qing's rank and granted him an additional three hundred households of land. Fifteen years later, he appointed him as General of Pingnan. Sixteen years later, when the ancestor emperor launched a campaign in the east, he appointed Yuwen Qing as Deputy Chief of the Daxing Office and also bestowed upon him the title of General of the Army. Upon returning from the war, he appointed him as Deputy Minister of Personnel and also bestowed upon him the title of Imperial Secretariat. When Emperor Xiaowen of Wei first ascended to the throne, he appointed Yuwen Qing as Minister of the Ministry of Civil Affairs.
Yuwen Qing was dignified and serious, managing affairs with shrewdness and competence. Whenever the ancestral emperor issued commands, he had Yuwen Qing proclaim them. He was naturally straightforward and never shied away from problems. Because of this, the ancestral emperor trusted him greatly. Two years later, Yuwen Qing was granted the title of General of Chariots and Cavalry and was appointed to the roles of Chief of the Office of State Affairs and Right Vice Minister. When Emperor Xiaowen of Wei first ascended the throne, he promoted him to General of Cavalry, later promoting him to Left Vice Minister and entrusting him with the compilation of classics. After the establishment of the six official ranks system, he was appointed as a Central Secretary. After Emperor Xiaomin ascended the throne, he conferred upon him the surname Yuwen, granted him the title of Duke of Pingqi County, and expanded his fief to a total of one thousand five hundred households.
When Duke Jin Hu first assumed regency, he wanted to recruit Qing as a trusted aide. However, Qing declined, which left Duke Jin Hu somewhat displeased. Later, Qing had a conflict with Yang Kuan, and after Yang Kuan became a chancellor, Qing was sidelined and appointed governor of Wanzhou. Eventually, Emperor Shizong reconsidered and recalled him, appointing him as the Deputy Governor of Yongzhou and concurrently as the Governor of Jingzhao. In the second year of Wucheng, he was again appointed as the governor of Yizhou. Qing began as a low-ranking official and worked his way up to the position of Central Secretary, overseeing the treasury and granaries; these were all his responsibilities. After arriving in Yizhou, Yang Kuan became a minor chancellor and arrested Qing's former subordinates, seeking to find evidence of Qing's wrongdoings. They investigated for more than sixty days, and some even died in prison, but ultimately uncovered nothing but a few remnants of brocade. People admired his integrity and prudence. In the third year of Baoding, he returned to court to serve as Central Secretary.
Before, when Qing's older brother Gui was serving as the county magistrate in Weixing County, he was killed by bandits under the leadership of Huang Bao. Gui had three sons, all very young, and Qing raised them well. Later, Huang Bao surrendered to the court with his followers, and the court even favored him. After a few years, Gui's second son, Xiongliang, boldly killed Huang Bao in public on the streets of Chang'an. When Jin Gonghu heard about this, he was furious and arrested Qing and his sons and nephews, questioning Qing, "The laws of the country are maintained by officials like you. Even if you have personal grievances, how can you kill someone privately?" Qing replied, "I have heard that the hatred of parents is different from the hatred of the world; the hatred of brothers is different from the hatred of the country. You, in your advanced years, govern the world with filial piety; how can you blame me?" Jin Gonghu became even angrier. But Qing stayed calm and resolute, and was eventually released because of this incident. In the twelfth month of the first year of Tianhe, Qing died at the age of fifty, and the court posthumously appointed him to the position of governor of Fu, Sui, and Dan provinces, and conferred upon him the posthumous title of "Jing." His son Ji inherited his title. Ji, known by his courtesy name Kuangshi, was famous from a young age, praised for his demeanor and eloquence. He held various positions such as Xiaonayan, Kaifu Yitong Sansi, and Sizong Zhong Daifu. During the Daxiang period, he was promoted to Yuzheng Shang Daifu and the governor of Huazhou. His younger brother, Hong, known by his courtesy name Kuangdao, was clever and talented from a young age, excelling in cursive and official script, reading many books, and composing beautifully written essays. He was a close friend of Yang Su from Hongnong. He served as a secretary in the Ministry of Rites and in the outer court's military. At the start of the Jiande era, he was appointed as an internal historian, and later served as Xiaogongyin and Yuzheng Shangshi.
The State of Chen sent Wang Yanmin to pay a visit, and Emperor Gaozu sent Hong to receive him. Wang Yanmin addressed Hong, "When I arrive in Lantian tomorrow, it will coincide with the flood of the Zishui River, and all the state documents I brought have fallen into the water and been washed away. What I present to you now is something I borrowed temporarily from my subordinates. Please issue an order for the people downstream to help me search for these items." Hong replied, "In the past, Chunyu Kun presented an empty cage, and the historical records praised him for doing it beautifully. You are presenting borrowed items; this does not reflect the intentions of the ruler of Chen." Wang Yanmin was left speechless with shame. Emperor Gaozu was greatly pleased upon hearing this and rewarded all the items presented by Wang Yanmin to Hong, and granted him permission to return the visit to the State of Chen. Hong's response was very clever and considerate, and he was quite famous at that time.
After returning from his mission, he was appointed as the Grand Master of the Interior, later promoted to the position of Minister of Justice (Yuzheng). Not long after, he passed away in office at the young age of thirty-one. Emperor Gaozu was very regretful about his death and posthumously awarded him the title of Governor of Jinzhou. Yang Su composed an epitaph for him that reads: "Wang Bi of Shanyang, a talented and charismatic figure who passed away young; Xun Can of Yingchuan, also left this world too early. By the pond surrounded by tall bamboos, the verses of Liang Garden are no more; by the marsh reflecting the tall poplar trees, the elegance of Luochuan is now lost." This reflects the deep sorrow his friends felt at Hong's passing. His collected works continue to be passed down in the world.
The three brothers of the Qing family were named Zhuo, Qiu, and Gui. Both Qiu and Gui are recorded. Brother Zhuo was a diligent scholar and skilled writer, and he served as the military advisor for Wang of Linhuai in the Wei state, but tragically passed away at a young age. His son is named Wei Dai, courtesy name Xiaosun.
Wei Dai was a steady and magnanimous individual who had a passion for learning from a young age, standing at eight feet three inches tall, with a dignified presence, and he was very adept at navigating various social situations. When Han Xian served as the governor of Luozhou, he recruited him as his chief clerk. Later, he returned to court alongside several uncles, and Emperor Gaozu summoned him to take on the role of military advisor.
At that time, Hou Jing was creating turmoil in Jiangdong. Emperor Gaozu sent Wei Dai to Jiangzhou and Yingzhou to forge good relations with Prince Shaoling and Prince Nanping of the Liang Dynasty. When he reached Anzhou, Wei Dai encountered Duan Bao and others who had rebelled. Wei Dai then forged an imperial edict to appease them in the name of Emperor Gaozu, and as a result, those people surrendered. After arriving in Yingzhou, he met with Prince Shaoling and explained Emperor Gaozu's intentions in detail. Prince Shaoling immediately sent someone with Wei Dai to report back to Emperor Gaozu. As a result of Wei Dai's successful execution of his orders, he was promoted to Assistant General of the State and Senior Minister.
In the seventeenth year of Emperor Gaozu's reign, Grand General Daxi Wu was dispatched to quell the rebellion in Hanchuan, appointing Wei Dai as the Left Assistant of the Zhi Xing Tai and accompanying the army on a southern expedition. At that time, Marquis Yifeng Xiao Xun was defending Nanzheng, and Daxi Wu had been besieging the city for quite some time without success. Therefore, Wei Dai was sent into the city to convince Xiao Xun to surrender. Wei Dai said to him, "You rely on the treacherous terrain, depend on external support, and defend the people. Now the imperial army has advanced deep into the mountain road, straight to Hanchuan. The treacherous terrain you depend on is no longer dependable. Wuxing has been captured, Baima has been annihilated, other powerful forces in the valleys have been blocked, and are afraid to come to your aid. The external support you hope for is equally untrustworthy. It’s human nature to consider family ties, fear death, and crave glory and wealth. Now with the imperial army pressing in, surrounded on all sides, killing those who flee to encourage those who are settled, rewarding those who surrender early to persuade those who are still hesitating, everyone is focused on how to turn peril into security, every household is thinking about how to protect themselves, your people can no longer withstand the pressure. Furthermore, the Liang Dynasty you serve has already collapsed, the state is without a ruler, to whom can you pledge your loyalty? Sacrificing yourself for the country may not necessarily leave a good reputation. I bring this to your attention because it truly isn’t a wise choice."
I heard that wise people act according to the changing situation, and intelligent people use changes to establish merit. Now, the best course of action for you is to lay down your weapons and surrender to the court to spare the people from suffering, while also preserving your life and family. You will surely be valued by the court, receive promotions, leave your mark in history, and bring glory to your ancestors. Do you want to wait until you are in a dilemma, and your reputation is in tatters?" Xiao Xun was persuaded by Wei Dai and eventually surrendered.
In the first year of the Wei Emperor's reign, Wei Dai was sent to serve as the magistrate of Jie County. Two years later, he was promoted to General of Cavalry and Left Chief Minister. The following year, he was transferred to be the magistrate of Fenying. He took a hard stance against corruption and evil, and the people feared and admired him. During the early years of Emperor Shizong's reign, he returned to the court and served as a high-ranking official of the local government. In the first year of the Wucheng era, he was appointed Commander-in-Chief and Governor of the Palace, and later promoted to Lower Chief Minister of Wuzang. In the third year of Baoding, he was appointed as the Grand Commander. Four years later, he was further appointed as the Secretary of the Three Offices and the Middle and Outer Offices. In the second year of Tianhe, he was titled as the Lord of Kangcheng County, with a fief of five hundred households, and promoted to Middle Chief Minister of the Administrative Division. Three years later, he was promoted to Middle Chief Minister of the Ministry of War. Despite frequently changing positions, he always held the position of Lower Chief Minister of Wuzang. Later, his mother passed away, and he returned home to observe mourning. After the mourning period, he returned to his position as Middle Chief Minister of the Administrative Division. Five years later, he was transferred to Middle Chief Minister of Wuzang. Shortly thereafter, he was promoted to Grand General of Cavalry and Secretary of the Grand Court. He held important positions for more than ten years, never delaying in handling government affairs, ensuring his office was always well-organized.
At that time, Prince Qiao Jian served as the governor of Yizhou, and Prince Han Zhan served as the inspector of Yizhou. Emperor Gaozu appointed Wei Dai as the chief clerk of the Yizhou governor's office, concurrently serving as the deputy of Yizhou, assisting the two princes in managing military and political affairs in the region. During the Jian De period, the imperial court mobilized a large army for an eastern expedition and summoned Wei Dai to serve as the chief clerk of Qi Wang Xian's office. After the war ended, due to Wei Dai's contributions, he was granted the title of Senior Official with the rank equivalent to the Three Excellencies and promoted to duke, with his fief expanded to a thousand households. Chen Wang Chun was stationed in Bingzhou, and Wei Dai was appointed as the historian of Bingzhou and the chief clerk of the Bingzhou governor's office. Six years later, Wei Dai passed away while in office at the age of fifty-five, receiving the posthumous title of "Kai." His son Wei Zuo inherited his title and was renowned in his youth. In the late years of the Xiang dynasty, he was appointed as the chief of Xuan Na Shang Shi.
Historical records state that Zhou Huida once paid respects to Bao Yin, and Yang Kuan also benefited from Jin Tai's grace. Later, the Xiao family fell into disgrace, and Emperor Zhuang was expelled from the capital. Both managed to maintain their composure during the chaos, refusing to waver in their beliefs despite the rise and fall of the state; even in perilous situations, they steadfastly upheld their convictions. Truly, they were loyal and unwavering gentlemen!
Liu Qing stood in official robes in the court, embodying integrity and selflessness. Throughout his tenure, he exemplified honesty and uprightness. They all experienced a prosperous era, showcasing their talents, and gained considerable respect among the gentry, with reputations reaching the level of chancellor; this was certainly not unfounded. However, Liu Qing, fearing the powerful, offended the chancellor. Though he faced temporary grievances, he ultimately earned praise that would last for generations.
