1
何文輝
He Wenhui
2
何文輝，字德明，滁人。 太祖下滁州，得文輝，年十四，撫為己子，賜姓硃氏。 太祖初起，多蓄義子。 及長，命偕諸將分守諸路。 周舍守鎮江，道舍守寧國，馬兒守婺州，柴舍、真童守處州，金剛奴守衢州，皆義子也。 金剛奴後無考。 周舍即沐英，軍中又呼沐舍。 柴舍者，硃文剛，與耿再成死處州難。 又有硃文遜，史不傳其小字，亦以義子死太平。 自沐英外，最著者唯道舍、馬兒，馬兒即徐司馬，而道舍即文輝也。 文輝以天寧翼元帥守寧國，進江西行省參政。 數攻江西，未下州縣。 討新淦鄧仲廉，斬之。 援安福，走饒鼎臣，平山尖寨。 從徐達取淮東，復從下平江。 賜文綺，進行省左丞，復其姓。
He Wenhui, whose courtesy name was Deming, came from Chuzhou. When the founding emperor captured Chuzhou, he took in Wenhui at the age of fourteen, treated him as his own son, and gave him the Zhu surname. In the early days of his rise, the founding emperor adopted many sons. Once they came of age, he sent them out with his generals to hold the various circuits. Zhou She held Zhenjiang, Dao She held Ningguo, Ma Er held Wuzhou, Chai She and Zhen Tong held Chuzhou, and Jingang Nu held Quzhou; all were his adopted sons. No further account survives for Jingang Nu. Zhou She was Mu Ying, whom the troops also called Mu She. Chai She was Zhu Wengang, who perished with Geng Zaicheng in the calamity at Chuzhou. There was also Zhu Wensun, whose childhood name is not recorded in the histories; he likewise died at Taiping in service as an adopted son. Apart from Mu Ying, the most prominent were Dao She and Ma Er—Ma Er being Xu Sima, and Dao She being Wenhui himself. Wenhui served as Tianning Vice Marshal defending Ningguo, then rose to become Vice Administrator of the Jiangxi Branch Secretariat. He campaigned in Jiangxi several times but could not bring its prefectures and counties to submission. He suppressed Deng Zhonglian of Xingan and executed him. He relieved Anfu, put Rao Dingchen to flight, and pacified the Shanjian stockade. He followed Xu Da in the conquest of Huaidong and again in the reduction of Pingjiang. He received gifts of patterned silk, was promoted to Left Vice Administrator of the branch secretariat, and had his original surname restored.
3
以征南副將軍與平章胡美由江西取福建，度杉關，入光澤，徇邵武、建陽，直趨建寧。 元同僉達里麻、參政陳子琦閉門拒守。 文輝與美環攻之。 逾十日，達里麻不能支，夜潛至文輝營，乞降。 詰旦，總管翟也先不花亦以眾降於文輝。 美怒兩人不詣己，欲屠其城。 文輝馳告美曰：「與公同受命至此，為安百姓耳。 今既降，奈何以私忿殺人。」 美乃止。 師入城，秋毫無所犯。 汀、泉諸州縣聞之，皆相次歸附。 會車駕幸汴梁，召文輝扈從，因命為河南衛指揮使，定汝州余寇。 從大將軍取陝西，留守潼關。 洪武三年，授大都督府都督僉事，予世襲指揮使。 復以參將從傅友德等平蜀，賜金幣，留守成都。
As Deputy General of the Southern Campaign, he joined Pacification Commissioner Hu Mei in taking Fujian from Jiangxi, crossed Shanguan Pass, entered Guangze, subdued Shaowu and Jianyang, and marched directly on Jianning. The Yuan Vice Commissioner Dalima and Administrator Chen Ziqi barred the gates and held the city. Wenhui and Mei laid siege to the city. After more than ten days Dalima could no longer hold out; he slipped into Wenhui's camp by night and asked to surrender. At daybreak the next morning, Commander-in-Chief Zhaye Xianbuhua also came over to Wenhui with his forces. Mei was furious that neither man had come to him and wanted to massacre the city. Wenhui rode at once to tell Mei, "We were both sent here on the same mission—to bring peace to the people. Now that they have submitted, how can we slaughter them over a private grudge?" Mei relented. When the army entered the city, not the slightest harm was done to the populace. Hearing of this, the prefectures and counties of Ting and Quan submitted one after another. When the emperor visited Bianliang, Wenhui was summoned to join the retinue and was appointed Commander of the Henan Guard to pacify the remaining rebels in Ruzhou. He followed the Great General in the conquest of Shaanxi and was left to hold Tong Pass. In Hongwu year 3 he was made Vice Commissioner of the Chief Military Commission and granted a hereditary commandership. He again served as deputy general under Fu Youde in the pacification of Shu, received gifts of gold and coin, and was left to garrison Chengdu.
4
文輝號令明肅，軍民皆德之。 帝嘗稱其謀略威望。 遷大都督府同知。 五年命帥山東兵從李文忠出應昌。 明年移鎮北平。 文忠北征，文輝督兵巡居庸關，以疾召還。 九年六月卒，年三十六。 遣官營葬滁州東沙河上，恤賚甚厚。 子環，成都護衛指揮使，征迤北陣歿。
Wenhui's commands were clear and stern, and both soldiers and civilians held him in esteem. The emperor once praised his strategic talent and standing. He was promoted to Associate Commissioner of the Chief Military Commission. In year 5 he was ordered to lead Shandong troops and follow Li Wenzhong to Yingchang. The following year he was transferred to command at Beiping. During Wenzhong's northern campaign, Wenhui directed troops on patrol at Juyong Pass but was recalled when he fell ill. He died in the sixth month of year 9, at the age of thirty-six. Officials were dispatched to bury him on the eastern Sha River at Chuzhou, and the condolence gifts were exceedingly generous. His son Huan, Commander of the Chengdu Guard, fell in battle on a campaign to the far north.
5
附徐司馬
Appended biography: Xu Sima
6
九年遷鎮河南。 時新建北京於汴梁，號重地。 帝素賢司馬，特委任之。 宋國公馮勝方練兵河南。 會有星變，占在大梁。 帝使使密敕勝，且曰：「並以此語馬兒知之。」 既復敕二人曰：「天象屢見，大梁軍民錯處，尤宜慎防。 今秦、晉二王還京，當嚴兵宿衛。 王抵汴時，若宋國公出迓，則都指揮居守； 都指揮出迓，則宋國公亦然。」 敕書官而不名，倚重與宋公等。 十九年入覲，遂擢中軍都督府僉事。 二十五年，以左副總兵從藍玉征建昌，討越巂。 明年正月還至成都，卒。 追坐藍玉黨，二子皆獲罪。
In year 9 he was transferred to command Henan. At that time the new Northern Capital had been established at Bianliang and was regarded as a region of critical importance. The emperor had long held Sima in high regard and gave him special trust. The Duke of Song, Feng Sheng, was then training troops in Henan. A celestial anomaly appeared, and the omen was read as bearing on Daliang. The emperor sent a secret edict to Sheng and added, "Let Ma Er know of this as well." He then sent both men another instruction: "Heavenly signs have appeared again and again. In Daliang soldiers and civilians live side by side, and you must be especially vigilant. The Princes of Qin and Jin are now returning to the capital. You must post troops in strict guard. When the princes reach Bian, if the Duke of Song goes out to welcome them, the Regional Commander shall remain on guard; if the Regional Commander goes out to welcome them, the Duke of Song shall do the same." The edicts referred to them by office rather than by name, placing the same trust in them as in the Duke of Song. In year 19 he presented himself at court and was promoted to Vice Commissioner of the Central Military Commission. In year 25 he served as Left Deputy Commander-in-Chief under Lan Yu in the campaign against Jianchang and the suppression of Yuexi. He returned to Chengdu in the first month of the following year and died there. After his death he was implicated in Lan Yu's faction; both his sons were punished.
7
司馬好文學，性謙厚，所至撫循士卒，甚得眾心。 在河南久，尤有惠政。 公暇退居，一室蕭然如寒素。 雖戰功不及文輝，而雅量過之，並稱賢將雲。
Sima loved learning, was modest and generous by nature, and wherever he served won the troops' loyalty through his care for them. His long service in Henan was marked especially by benevolent rule. In his off hours he retired to quarters as spare as those of a poor scholar. Though his battlefield record did not equal Wenhui's, his breadth of character surpassed his, and both were acclaimed as worthy generals.
8
葉旺 〈（馬云）〉
Ye Wang Ma Yun]〉
9
葉旺，六安人。 與合肥人馬雲同隸長槍軍謝再興，為千戶。 再興叛，二人自拔歸。 數從征，積功並授指揮僉事。 洪武四年，偕鎮遼東。 初，元主北走，其遼陽行省參政劉益屯蓋州，與平章高家奴相為聲援，保金、復等州。 帝遣斷事黃儔齎詔諭益。 益籍所部兵馬、錢糧、輿地之數來歸。 乃立遼陽指揮使司，以益為指揮同知。 未幾，元平章洪保保、馬彥翬合謀殺益。 右丞張良佐、左丞商暠擒彥翬殺之，保保挾儔走納哈出營。 良佐因權衛事，以狀聞。 且言：「遼東僻，處海隅，肘腋皆敵境。 平章高家奴守遼陽山寨，知院哈剌章屯瀋陽古城，開元則右丞也先不花，金山則太尉納哈出。 彼此相依，時謀入犯。 今保保逃往，釁必起。 乞留斷事吳立鎮撫軍民，而以所擒平章八丹、知院僧孺等械送京師。」 帝命立、良佐、暠俱為蓋州衛指揮僉事。 既念遼陽重地，復設都指揮使司統轄諸衛，以旺及雲併為都指揮使往鎮之。 已，知儔被殺，納哈出將內犯，敕旺等預為備。
Ye Wang came from Lu'an. He and Ma Yun of Hefei both served under Xie Zaixing in the Long Spear Army as chiliarchs. When Zaixing rebelled, the two men broke away and rejoined the loyal forces. After several campaigns they had both earned merit and were appointed Vice Commanders. In Hongwu year 4 they were posted together to garrison Liaodong. Earlier, when the Yuan ruler fled north, his Liaoyang Branch Secretariat Administrator Liu Yi held Gaizhou and, with Pacification Commissioner Gao Jianu as mutual support, kept Jin, Fu, and other prefectures. The emperor sent Judicial Commissioner Huang Chou with an edict to summon Yi. Yi submitted a register of his troops, horses, funds, grain, and territory and came over to the Ming. The Liaoyang Command was then established, with Yi as Associate Commander. Before long the Yuan Pacification Commissioners Hong Baobao and Ma Yanhan conspired to murder Yi. Right Vice Administrator Zhang Liangzuo and Left Vice Administrator Shang Gao seized Yanhan and executed him; Baobao took Chou hostage and fled to Nahachu's camp. Liangzuo assumed temporary command of guard affairs and reported the situation to the court. He wrote further: "Liaodong is remote, set on a coastal corner of the realm, with enemy territory on every side. Pacification Commissioner Gao Jianu holds the Liaoyang mountain stockade; Court Commissioner Halazhang is posted at the old city of Shenyang; Kaiyuan is held by Right Vice Administrator Ye Xianbuhua; and Jinshan by Grand Marshal Nahachu. They support one another and from time to time plot incursions. Now that Baobao has fled to them, hostilities are sure to follow. I ask that Judicial Commissioner Wu Li be left to pacify the troops and people, and that the captured Pacification Commissioner Badan, Court Commissioner Sengru, and others be sent to the capital in bonds." The emperor appointed Li, Liangzuo, and Gao all as Vice Commanders of the Gaizhou Guard. Mindful that Liaoyang was a region of critical importance, he re-established a Regional Military Commission to oversee the guards and sent Wang and Yun together as Regional Commanders to hold it. Soon word came that Chou had been killed and that Nahachu was preparing an inland invasion; Wang and his colleagues were ordered to make ready in advance.
10
未幾，納哈出果以眾至，見備御嚴，不敢攻，越蓋至金州。 金州城未完，指揮韋富、王勝等督士卒分守諸門。 乃剌吾者，敵驍將也，率精騎數百挑戰城下，中伏弩僕，為我兵所獲。 敵大沮。 富等縱兵擊，敵引退，不敢由故道，從蓋城南十里沿柞河遁。 旺先以兵扼柞河。 自連雲島至窟駝寨，十余里緣河壘冰為牆，沃以水，經宿凝沍如城。 布釘板沙中，旁設坑阱，伏兵以伺。 雲及指揮周鶚、吳立等建大旗城中，嚴兵不動，寂若無人。 已，寇至城南。 伏四起，兩山旌旗蔽空，矢石雨下。 納哈出倉皇趨連雲島，遇冰城，旁走，悉陷於阱，遂大潰。 雲自城中出，合兵追擊至將軍山、畢栗河，斬獲及凍死者無算，乘勝追至豬兒峪。 納哈出僅以身免。 第功，進旺、雲俱都督僉事。 時洪武八年也。
Before long Nahachu arrived with a large force; finding the defenses formidable, he did not attack but bypassed Gaizhou and marched on Jinzhou. Jinzhou's walls were not yet finished; Commanders Wei Fu, Wang Sheng, and others directed the troops to hold the gates. Nailawu, a fierce enemy commander, led several hundred elite horsemen to challenge the city; he was struck down by ambush crossbows and captured by Ming troops. The enemy's morale collapsed. Fu and his men sallied forth; the enemy retreated, afraid to take their original route, and fled along the Zha River ten li south of Gaizhou. Wang had already posted troops to block the Zha River. From Lianyun Island to Kutuo Stockade, for more than ten li along the river they built a wall of packed ice, poured water over it, and by the next morning it had frozen as hard as a city rampart. They set nail-studded boards in the sand, dug pits alongside, and posted ambush troops to wait. Yun and Commanders Zhou E and Wu Li raised great banners in the city and held their troops still, silent as if the city were empty. When the enemy reached the south of the city. Ambushes sprang up on every side; banners blotted out the sky on both hills, and arrows and stones rained down. Nahachu fled in panic toward Lianyun Island, struck the ice wall, turned aside, and his men fell wholesale into the traps; the army broke in complete rout. Yun sallied from the city and joined the pursuit to General Mountain and the Bili River; the slain, captured, and frozen to death were beyond count, and the victors pressed on to Zhuer Ravine. Nahachu alone escaped with his life. When merits were assessed, Wang and Yun were both promoted to Vice Commissioners. This took place in Hongwu year 8.
11
十二年命雲征大寧。 捷聞，受賞，召還京。 後數年卒。 旺留鎮如故。 會高麗遣使致書及禮物，而龍州鄭白等請內附。 旺以聞。 帝謂：人臣無外交。 此間諜之漸，勿輕信。 彼特示弱於我，以窺邊釁。 還之，使無所藉口。 明年，旺復送高麗使者周誼入京。 帝以其國中弒逆，又詭殺朝使，反覆不可信，切責旺等絕之，而留誼不遣。 十九年召旺為後軍都督府僉事。 居三月，遼東有警，覆命還鎮。 二十一年三月卒。
In year 12 Yun was ordered to campaign against Daning. When victory was reported, he received rewards and was recalled to the capital. He died several years later. Wang continued to hold his post as before. Goryeo sent envoys bearing letters and gifts, while Zheng Bai of Longzhou and others asked to submit to the Ming. Wang reported the matter to the court. The emperor said, "A subject must not conduct foreign relations on his own." This is how espionage begins—do not trust it lightly. They are only feigning weakness toward us to probe for a chance to strike the frontier. Send them back and give them no excuse for action. The following year Wang again escorted the Goryeo envoy Zhou Yi to the capital. The emperor, citing regicide and treachery in their kingdom and the murder of Ming envoys, declared them utterly untrustworthy; he sharply rebuked Wang and his colleagues for maintaining contact and detained Yi without returning him. In year 19 Wang was summoned to serve as Vice Commissioner of the Rear Military Commission. After three months an alarm arose in Liaodong, and he was ordered back to his post. He died in the third month of year 21.
12
旺與雲之鎮遼也，翦荊棘，立軍府，撫輯軍民，墾田萬余頃，遂為永利。 旺尤久，先後凡十七年。 遼人德之。 嘉靖初，以二人有功於遼，命有司立祠，春秋祀之。
In garrisoning Liaodong, Wang and Yun cleared the wilderness, established military administration, pacified soldiers and civilians, and opened more than ten thousand qing of farmland, bringing lasting benefit to the region. Wang served there the longest, seventeen years in all. The people of Liaodong held them in deep esteem. Early in the Jiajing reign, because both men had rendered great service in Liaodong, the authorities were ordered to erect a shrine and offer sacrifices in spring and autumn.
13
繆大亨
Miao Daheng
14
繆大亨，定遠人。 初糾義兵，為元攻濠，不克，元兵潰。 大亨獨以眾二萬人與張知院屯橫澗山，固守月余。 太祖以計夜襲其營，破之，大亨與子走免。 比明，復收散卒，列陣以待。 太祖遣其叔貞諭降之，命將所部從征，數有功，擢元帥。 總兵取揚州，克之。 降青軍元帥張明鑒。
Miao Daheng came from Dingyuan. He first raised a militia and attacked Hao on behalf of the Yuan but failed; the Yuan forces broke and fled. Daheng alone held Hengjian Mountain with twenty thousand men alongside Court Commissioner Zhang, defending stubbornly for more than a month. The founding emperor launched a night raid on their camp by stratagem, routed them, and Daheng escaped with his son. By daybreak he had regathered his scattered troops and formed ranks to await the enemy. The founding emperor sent his uncle Zhen to offer terms of surrender, then ordered him to lead his troops on campaign; after several victories he was promoted to marshal. As commander-in-chief he took and captured Yangzhou. He induced the Green Army Marshal Zhang Mingjian to surrender.
15
初，明鑒聚眾淮西，以青布為號，稱「青軍」； 又以善長槍，稱「長槍軍」。 由含山轉掠揚州，元鎮南王孛羅普化招降之，以為濠、泗義兵元帥。 逾年，食盡，謀擁王作亂。 王走，死淮安。 明鑒遂據城，屠居民以食。 大亨言於太祖，賊飢困，若掠食四齣則難制矣，且驍鷙可用，無為他人得。 太祖命大亨亟攻，明鑒降，得眾數萬、馬二千余匹。 悉送其將校妻子至應天。 改淮海翼元帥府為江南分樞密院，以大亨為同僉樞密院事，總制揚州、鎮江。
Mingjian had first gathered followers in Huaixi, taking green cloth as his banner and calling his force the "Green Army"; because they excelled with the long spear, they were also known as the "Long Spear Army." They marched from Hanshan to plunder Yangzhou; the Yuan Prince of Zhennan Boluohuazhua induced them to submit and appointed them marshals of the righteous troops of Hao and Si. A year later, with provisions exhausted, they plotted to seize the prince and rebel. The prince fled and died at Huai'an. Mingjian then seized the city and slaughtered its inhabitants for food. Daheng told the founding emperor, "The rebels are starving and cornered; if they scatter to plunder in all directions they will be hard to control. They are fierce fighters who can still be used—do not let another power take them." The founding emperor ordered Daheng to attack at once; Mingjian surrendered, yielding tens of thousands of followers and more than two thousand horses. The wives and children of all their officers were sent to Yingtian. The Huaihai Vice Marshal's headquarters was converted to the Jiangnan Branch Bureau of Military Affairs; Daheng was appointed Associate Commissioner with overall authority over Yangzhou and Zhenjiang.
16
大亨有治略，寬厚不擾，而治軍嚴肅，禁暴除殘，民甚悅之。 未幾卒。 太祖過鎮江，嘆曰：「繆將軍生平端直，未嘗有過，惜不見矣。」 遣使祭其墓。
Daheng had a gift for governance—lenient and unintrusive in civil affairs, yet strict in military discipline, suppressing violence and cruelty—and the people were deeply pleased with him. He died soon afterward. When the founding emperor passed through Zhenjiang, he sighed and said, "General Miao was upright all his life and never once erred—it is a pity I shall not see him again." He sent an envoy to offer sacrifices at his tomb.
17
附武德
Appended biography: Wu De
18
武德，安豐人。 元至正中為義兵千戶。 知元將亡，言於其帥張鑒曰：「吾輩才雄萬夫。 今東衄西挫，事勢可知。 不如早擇所依。」 鑒然其言，相率歸太祖。 隸李文忠，從赴池州，力戰，流矢中右股，拔去，戰自若。 取於潛、昌化，克嚴州，皆預，進萬戶。 苗帥楊完者軍烏龍嶺，德請曰：「此可襲而取也。」 文忠問故。 對曰：「乘高覘之，其部曲徙舉不安而聲囂。」 文忠曰：「善。」 即襲完者，覆其營。 取蘭溪，克諸暨，攻紹興，皆先登陷陣，傷右臂不顧。 文忠嘆曰：「將士人人如此，何戰不捷哉。」
Wu De came from Anfeng. During the Yuan Zhizheng era he served as a chiliarch in the militia. Seeing that the Yuan dynasty was doomed, he said to his commander Zhang Jian, "We are men whose talents match ten thousand warriors. With defeats in the east and setbacks in the west, the trend of affairs is plain. We had better choose early whom to serve." Jian agreed, and together they led their men to submit to the founding emperor. He served under Li Wenzhong and followed him to Chizhou, fighting fiercely; a stray arrow struck his right thigh, but he pulled it out and fought on as if nothing had happened. He took part in the capture of Yuqian and Changhua and the reduction of Yanzhou, and was promoted to myriarch. When the Miao commander Yang Wanzhe encamped at Wulong Ridge, De said, "This position can be taken by surprise." Wenzhong asked why. He replied, "From the heights I watched them—their troops were restless and their voices loud with alarm." Wenzhong said, "Good." He immediately raided Wanzhe and overran his camp. At Lanxi, Zhuji, and Shaoxing he was always first over the walls and into the enemy ranks, ignoring wounds to his right arm. Wenzhong exclaimed, "If every officer and soldier were like this, what battle could we lose?"
19
蔣英、賀仁德之叛，浙東大震。 從文忠定金華，又從攻處州。 遇仁德於劉山，戈中右股，德引刀斷戈，追擊之。 仁德再戰，再敗走，遂為其下所殺。 德還師守嚴。 後二年，定官制，改管軍百戶。 從文忠破張士誠兵於諸暨，與諸將援浦城，所過山寨皆下。 復從文忠下建、延、汀三州，悉定閩溪諸寨。 進管軍千戶，移守衢，予世襲。 最後從靖海侯吳禎巡海上。 禎以德可任，令守平陽。 在任八年，致仕。 及征雲南，帝以德宿將，命與諸大帥偕行。
When Jiang Ying and He Rende rebelled, eastern Zhejiang was thrown into turmoil. He followed Wenzhong in pacifying Jinhua and again in the attack on Chuzhou. He met Rende at Liu Mountain; a halberd struck his right thigh, but De drew his sword, severed the shaft, and pressed the attack. Rende fought again, was defeated again and fled, and was then killed by his own men. De returned with the army to garrison Yan. Two years later, when the official system was established, he was made Company Commander. He followed Wenzhong in defeating Zhang Shicheng's forces at Zhuji and, with other generals, relieved Pucheng; every mountain stockade along the way submitted. He again followed Wenzhong in reducing Jian, Yan, and Ting and pacified all the stockades of Minxi. He was promoted to Battalion Commander, transferred to garrison Qu, and granted a hereditary post. Finally he accompanied the Marquis of Jinghai, Wu Zhen, on coastal patrols. Zhen, judging De trustworthy, appointed him to guard Pingyang. After eight years in office he retired. When the campaign against Yunnan was launched, the emperor, recognizing De as a veteran, ordered him to march with the chief commanders.
20
張鑒，又名明鑒，淮西人。 既歸太祖，每攻伐必與德俱，先德卒。 官至江淮行樞密院副使。
Zhang Jian, also known as Mingjian, came from Huaixi. After joining the founding emperor, he fought in every campaign alongside De and died before him. He rose to Vice Commissioner of the Jianghuai Branch Bureau of Military Affairs.
21
蔡遷，不詳其鄉里，元末從芝麻李據徐州。 李敗，歸太祖，為先鋒。 從渡江，下採石，克太平，取溧水，破蠻子海牙水寨及陳埜先，皆有功。 定集慶，授千戶。 從徐達取廣德、寧國，遷萬戶。 進攻常州，獲黃元帥，遂為都先鋒。 從征馬馱沙，克池州，攻樅陽，從征衢、婺二州，授帳前左翼元帥。 敗陳友諒於龍江，進復太平，取安慶水寨，收九江，敗友諒八陣指揮於瑞昌，遂克南昌。 從援安豐，攻合肥，戰鄱陽。 從征武昌，進指揮同知。 從常遇春討平鄧克明余黨，進攻贛州。 取南安、南雄諸郡，還兵追饒鼎臣於茶陵，遷龍驤衛同知。 從徐達克高郵，破馬港，授武德衛指揮使，守淮安，移守黃州。 從下湘潭、辰、全、道、永諸州，轉荊州衛指揮。 進克廣西，遷廣西行省參政，兼靖江王相，討平諸叛蠻。 洪武三年九月卒，詔歸葬京師，贈安遠侯，諡武襄。
Cai Qian, whose home district is not recorded, followed Sesame Li in holding Xuzhou at the end of the Yuan. When Li was defeated, he submitted to the founding emperor and served as a vanguard. He crossed the Yangzi with the army, took Caishi, captured Taiping, seized Lishui, and broke Manzi Haiya's river stockade and Chen Youxian's forces, earning merit in each action. After the pacification of Jiqing he was appointed chiliarch. He followed Xu Da in taking Guangde and Ningguo and was promoted to myriarch. In the attack on Changzhou he captured Marshal Huang and was made Chief Vanguard. He campaigned at Matuosha, captured Chizhou, attacked Zongyang, and campaigned in Qu and Wu, and was appointed Left Vanguard Marshal of the headquarters guard. He defeated Chen Youliang at Longjiang, recovered Taiping, seized Anqing's river stockade, took Jiujiang, routed Youliang's Eight-Array Commander at Ruichang, and captured Nanchang. He joined the relief of Anfeng, attacked Hefei, and fought at Poyang. He campaigned against Wuchang and was promoted to Associate Commander. He followed Chang Yuchun in suppressing Deng Keming's remaining followers and advanced on Ganzhou. He took Nan'an, Nanxiong, and other prefectures, turned back to pursue Rao Dingchen at Chaling, and was transferred to Associate Commander of the Dragon Soaring Guard. He followed Xu Da in capturing Gaoyou and breaking Magang, was appointed Commander of the Wude Guard, garrisoned Huai'an, and was later transferred to Huangzhou. He helped reduce Xiangtan and the prefectures Chen, Quan, Dao, and Yong, and was transferred to Commander of the Jingzhou Guard. He advanced into Guangxi, was made Administrator of the Guangxi Branch Secretariat and concurrently Chancellor to the Prince of Jingjiang, and suppressed the rebellious tribal peoples. He died in the ninth month of Hongwu year 3; an edict ordered his remains returned to the capital for burial; he was posthumously enfeoffed as Marquis of Anyuan with the temple name Martial Support.
22
遷為將十五年，未嘗獨任，多從諸將征討。 身經數十戰，輒奮勇突出，橫刀左右擊，敵皆披靡，不敢近。 既還，金瘡滿體，人視之不可堪。 而遷略不為意，為太祖所愛重。 及卒，尤痛惜之，親制文祭焉。
Qian served as a general for fifteen years, never holding independent command but fighting under senior commanders on campaign after campaign. Through dozens of battles he would burst forward fearlessly, sweeping his blade left and right until the enemy broke and dared not come near. When he returned from battle, his body was covered with scars so grievous that onlookers could scarcely bear to look. Yet Qian thought nothing of them and was held in deep affection by the founding emperor. At his death the emperor grieved deeply and personally composed a funeral elegy.
23
附陳文
Appended biography: Chen Wen
24
合肥陳文者，南北征伐，累立戰功，亦遷亞也。 文少孤，奉母至孝，元季挈家歸太祖，積官都督僉事。 卒，追封東海侯，諡孝勇。 明臣得諡孝者，文一人而已。
Chen Wen of Hefei, who campaigned north and south and won repeated victories, ranked second only to Qian. Wen lost his father young and served his mother with exemplary filial devotion; at the end of the Yuan he brought his family to join the founding emperor and rose to Vice Commissioner. At his death he was posthumously enfeoffed as Marquis of Donghai with the temple name Filial Valor. Among Ming ministers granted the posthumous element "Filial" in their temple names, Wen alone received it.
25
王銘，字子敬，和州人。 初隸元帥俞通海麾下，從攻蠻子海牙於採石。 以銘驍勇，選充奇兵。 戰方合，帥敢死士大噪突之，拔其水寨。 自是數有功。 與吳軍戰太湖，流矢中右臂，引佩刀出其鏃，復戰。 通海勞之。 復拔通州之黃橋、鵝項諸寨。 賜白金文綺。 龍灣之戰，逐北至採石，銘獨突敵陣。 敵兵攢朔刺銘，傷頰。 銘三出三入，所殺傷過當。 賜文綺銀碗，選充宿衛。 從取江州，戰康郎山及涇江口，復克英山諸寨，擢管軍百戶。 從副將軍常遇春戰湖州之升山。 再戰舊館，已，又戰烏鎮。 前後數十戰，功多，命守松江。 移太倉，捕斬倭寇千餘人，再賜金幣。
Wang Ming, whose courtesy name was Zijing, came from Hezhou. At first he served under Marshal Yu Tonghai and took part in the attack on Manzi Haiya at Caishi. For his ferocity and courage, Ming was chosen for the elite shock troops. When the fight was joined, he led dare-to-die warriors in a thunderous charge and captured the enemy's river fort. From then on he won repeated distinction in battle. In battle with Wu forces on Taihu Lake, a stray arrow struck his right arm; he drew his belt dagger, pulled out the arrowhead, and went back to the fight. Tonghai rewarded him for his service. He again captured the Huangqiao and Exiang stockades in Tongzhou. He received gifts of white gold and patterned silks. At the Battle of Longwan, as the pursuit pressed north to Caishi, Ming alone burst into the enemy lines. Enemy soldiers thrust their spears at Ming and wounded his cheek. Ming charged out and back three times, and the enemy he killed and wounded far exceeded his own losses. He received patterned silks and a silver bowl and was chosen for the imperial bodyguard. He followed in the capture of Jiangzhou, fought at Kanglang Mountain and the Jingjiang estuary, took the Yingshan stockades, and was promoted to company commander. He followed Vice General Chang Yuchun in the battle at Shengshan in Huzhou. He fought again at Jiuguan; soon after, he fought again at Wuzhen. In several dozen battles before and after, his achievements were many, and he was ordered to garrison Songjiang. Transferred to Taicang, he captured and beheaded more than a thousand Japanese pirates and was again granted gold and silks.
26
洪武四年，都試百戶諸善用槍者，率莫能與銘抗。 累官至長淮衛指揮僉事，移守溫州。 上疏曰：「臣所領鎮，外控島夷，城池樓櫓仍陋襲簡，非獨不足壯國威，猝有風潮之變，捍禦無所，勢須改為。」 帝報可。 於是繕城浚濠，悉倍於舊。 加築外垣，起海神山屬郭公山，首尾二千余丈，宏敞壯麗，屹然東浙巨鎮。 帝甚嘉之，予世襲。 銘嘗請告暫還和州。 溫士女遮道送迎。 長吏皆相顧嘆曰：「吾屬為天子牧民，民視吾屬去來漠然，愧王指揮多矣。」 歷右軍都督僉事，二十六年坐藍玉黨死。
In Hongwu year 4, when all company commanders skilled with the spear were tested throughout, generally none could match Ming. Through successive promotions he rose to Vice Commander of the Changhuai Guard and was transferred to garrison Wenzhou. He submitted a memorial, saying, "The fortress I command faces the island barbarians across the sea, yet its walls and towers remain crude and outmoded. That alone is not enough to display the nation's majesty; if wind or tide should suddenly turn, there would be nowhere to make a stand—the situation demands that they be rebuilt." The emperor assented. Thereupon he repaired the walls and dredged the moat, doubling everything that had stood before. He added an outer wall running from Mount Haishan to Mount Guogong, more than two thousand zhang from end to end—spacious, splendid, and magnificent, a towering stronghold of eastern Zhejiang. The emperor greatly commended him and granted hereditary succession of his post. Ming once asked leave to return briefly to Hezhou. Men and women of Wenzhou lined the road to see him off and welcome him home. The senior officials looked at one another and sighed, "We are shepherds of the people for the Son of Heaven, yet the people take our comings and goings with indifference—we are shamed beside Commander Wang." He rose to Vice Commissioner of the Right Army Directorate; in Hongwu year 26 he was executed in the Lan Yu faction case.
27
寧正，字正卿，壽州人。 幼為韋德成養子，冒韋姓。 元末隨德成來歸，從渡江。 德成戰歿宣州，以正領其眾。 積功授鳳翔衛指揮副使。 從定中原，入元都，招降元將士八千餘人。
Ning Zheng, whose courtesy name was Zhengqing, came from Shouzhou. As a boy he became the adopted son of Wei Decheng and took the Wei surname. At the end of the Yuan he followed Decheng in submission and crossed the Yangzi with the army. When Decheng fell in battle at Xuanzhou, Zheng took command of his troops. Through accumulated merit he was appointed Associate Commander of the Fengxiang Guard. He followed in the pacification of the Central Plain, entered the Yuan capital, and induced more than eight thousand Yuan officers and soldiers to surrender.
28
傅友德自真定略平定州，以正守真定。 已，從大軍取陝西。 馮勝克臨洮，留正守之。 大軍圍慶陽，正駐邠州，絕敵聲援。 慶陽下，還守臨洮。 從鄧愈破定西，克河州。
When Fu Youde advanced from Zhending to take Dingzhou, Zheng was left to hold Zhending. Soon after, he followed the main army in the conquest of Shaanxi. When Feng Sheng captured Lintao, he left Zheng to garrison it. When the main army besieged Qingyang, Zheng encamped at Binzhou and severed the enemy's lines of communication and relief. When Qingyang fell, he returned to garrison Lintao. He followed Deng Yu in breaking Dingxi and capturing Hezhou.
29
洪武三年，授河州衛指揮使。 上言：「西民轉粟餉軍甚勞，而茶布可易粟。 請以茶布給軍，令自相貿易，省挽運之苦。」 詔從之。 正初至衛，城邑空虛，勤於勞徠。 不數年，河州遂為樂土。 璽書嘉勞，始復甯姓。 兼領寧夏衛事。 修築漢、唐舊渠，引河水溉田，開屯數萬頃，兵食饒足。
In Hongwu year 3 he was appointed Commander of the Hezhou Guard. He reported to the throne, "The people of the west labor greatly hauling grain to supply the army, yet tea and cloth can be traded for grain. May tea and cloth be issued to the troops and they be allowed to trade among themselves, sparing the hardship of transport by cart and shoulder." An edict approved the proposal. When Zheng first arrived at the guard, the city and towns lay empty; he worked tirelessly to settle and attract people. Within a few years Hezhou became a land of peace and plenty. An imperial letter commended and rewarded him, and he at last restored the Ning surname. He also took charge of the Ningxia Guard. He repaired the old Han and Tang canals, drew river water to irrigate the fields, opened tens of thousands of qing of military colonies, and the troops' provisions grew ample.
30
十三年從沐英北征，擒元平章脫火赤、知院愛足，取全寧四部。 十五年遷四川都指揮使，討平松、茂諸州。 雲南初定，命正與馮誠共守之。 思倫發作亂，正破之於摩沙勒寨，斬首千五百。 已，敵眾大集，圍定邊。 沐英分兵三隊，正將左軍，鏖戰，大敗之。 語在《英傳》。 土酋阿資叛，復從英討降之。 英卒，詔授正左都督代鎮。 已，覆命為平羌將軍，總川、陝兵討平階、文叛寇張者。 二十八年從秦王討平洮州番，還京。 明年卒。
In Hongwu year 13 he followed Mu Ying on the northern campaign, captured the Yuan Pacification Commissioner Tuohuochi and Court Commissioner Aizu, and took the four divisions of Quanning. In Hongwu year 15 he was transferred to Commander-in-Chief of Sichuan and campaigned to pacify Song, Mao, and other prefectures. When Yunnan was first pacified, he was ordered to garrison it together with Feng Cheng. When Si Lunfa rebelled, Zheng defeated him at the Moshaled stockade and took fifteen hundred heads. Soon after, the enemy gathered in force and besieged Dingbian. Mu Ying divided his forces into three columns; Zheng commanded the left wing; after a bitter fight they routed the enemy. The account is in the biography of Ying [Mu Ying]. When the native chieftain A Zi rebelled, Zheng again followed Ying to campaign and bring about his surrender. When Ying died, an edict appointed Zheng Left Chief Commander to replace him in command of the garrison. Soon after, he received renewed orders as General Pacifying the Qiang, commanding Sichuan and Shaanxi troops to suppress the rebel Zhang Zhe of Jie and Wen. In Hongwu year 28 he followed the Prince of Qin in suppressing the Tibetan tribes of Taozhou and returned to the capital. The next year he died.
31
附袁義
Appended biography: Yuan Yi
32
又袁義，廬江人，本張姓，德勝族弟也。 初為雙刀趙總管，守安慶，敗趙同僉、丁普郎於沙子港。 左君弼招之，弗從。 德勝戰死，始來附。 為帳前親軍元帥，賜姓名。 數從征伐，積功為興武衛指揮僉事。 從大將軍北征，敗元平章俺普達等於通州，走賀宗哲、詹同於澤、潞，功最。 復從定陝西，敗元豫王兵。 與諸將合攻慶陽。 張良臣兵驟薄義營，義堅壁不為動，俟其懈，力擊破之。 走擴廓軍於定西，南取興元。 進本衛同知，調羽林衛，移鎮遼東。
There was also Yuan Yi, a man of Lujiang; originally surnamed Zhang, he was a younger clansman of Desheng. At first he served under Two-Swords Zhao as a commander, garrisoned Anqing, and defeated Zhao Tongqian and Ding Pulang at Shazigang. Zuo Junbi tried to recruit him, but he refused. When Desheng fell in battle, he at last came over to the Ming side. He was made marshal of the personal guard before the commander's tent and was granted a surname and personal name. He followed on several campaigns and, through accumulated merit, rose to Vice Commander of the Xingwu Guard. Following the Great General on the northern expedition, he defeated the Yuan Pacification Commissioner An Puda and others at Tongzhou, drove He Zongzhe and Zhan Tong through Ze and Lu, and his achievements ranked first. He again followed in the pacification of Shaanxi and defeated the troops of the Yuan Prince of Yu. Together with the other generals he joined in the attack on Qingyang. When Zhang Liangchen's troops suddenly pressed close to Yi's camp, Yi held firm behind his walls and did not stir; when they slackened, he struck with force and broke them. He drove Köke Temür's army from Dingxi and took Xingyuan to the south. Promoted to Associate Commander of his guard, transferred to the Yulin Guard, and posted to garrison Liaodong.
33
金興旺
Jin Xingwang
34
明年攻臨洮，移興旺守鳳翔，轉軍餉。 未幾，賀宗哲攻鳳翔，興旺與知府周煥嬰城守。 敵編荊為大箕，形如半舫。 每箕五人，負之攻城，矢石不能入。 投藁焚之，輒揚起。 乃置鉤藁中，擲著其隙，火遂熾，敵棄箕走。 復為地道薄城。 城中以矛迎刺，敵死甚眾，而攻不已。 興旺與煥謀曰：「彼謂我援師不至，必不敢出。 乘其不意擊之，可敗也。」 潛出西北門，奮戰，敵少卻。 會百戶王輅自臨洮收李思齊降卒東還，即以其眾入城共守。 敵拔營去。 眾欲追之，輅曰：「未敗而退，誘我也。」 遣騎偵之。 至五里坡，伏果發。 還師復圍城。 眾議欲走。 興旺叱曰：「天子以城畀我，寧可去耶！」 以輅所將皆新附，慮生變，乃括城中貲畜積庭中，令曰：「敵少緩，當大犒新兵。」 新兵喜，協力固守。 相持十五日，敵聞慶陽下，乃引去。 帝遣使以金綺勞興旺等。
The next year, during the attack on Lintao, Xingwang was transferred to guard Fengxiang and transport military supplies. Before long He Zongzhe attacked Fengxiang; Xingwang and Prefect Zhou Huan sealed the city and held it fast. The enemy wove thorns into great wicker shields shaped like half a boat. Five men to each shield carried them against the walls; arrows and stones could not penetrate. They cast straw to set them ablaze, but the flames always flared up uselessly. Then they hid hooks in the straw, threw them into the gaps, and the fire caught fast; the enemy abandoned the shields and fled. Again they dug a tunnel to approach the wall. Inside the city the defenders met them with spears; many of the enemy fell, yet the assault did not let up. Xingwang and Huan plotted together, saying, "They will think our relief has not arrived and surely will not dare sally out. If we strike when they do not expect it, we can defeat them." Stealthily they went out the northwest gate, fought fiercely, and the enemy fell back a little. It happened that Centurion Wang Luo, returning east from Lintao with Li Siqi's surrendered troops, brought his men into the city to join in the defense. The enemy broke camp and withdrew. The men wished to pursue, but Luo said, "To withdraw without having been defeated is to lure us." He sent horsemen to scout ahead. At Wulipu the ambush sprang as he had foreseen. The enemy turned back and again besieged the city. The men debated abandoning the city. Xingwang rebuked them, saying, "The Son of Heaven entrusted this city to me—how could I abandon it!" Because the troops under Luo were all newly surrendered men and he feared mutiny, he gathered the city's wealth and livestock in the courtyard and ordered, "When the enemy slackens a little, we shall feast the new troops generously." The new troops rejoiced and joined in the defense with one heart. After fifteen days of stalemate, the enemy heard that Qingyang had fallen and withdrew. The emperor sent an envoy with gold and silks to reward Xingwang and the others.
35
明年，達入沔州，遣興旺與張龍由鳳翔入連雲棧，合攻興元。 守將降，以興旺守之，擢大都督府僉事。 蜀將吳友仁帥眾三萬寇興元，興旺悉城中兵三千禦敵。 面中流矢，拔矢復戰，斬數百人。 敵益眾，乃斂兵入城。 友仁決濠填塹，為必克計。 達聞之，令傅友德夜襲木槽關，攻斗山寨。 人持十炬，連亙山上。 友仁驚遁。 興旺出兵躡之，墜崖石死者無算。 友仁自是氣奪。 時興旺威鎮隴蜀。
The next year Xu Da entered Mianzhou and dispatched Xingwang and Zhang Long through Fengxiang into the Lianyun plank road to join in the attack on Xingyuan. The defending general surrendered; Xingwang was left to hold the city and promoted to Vice Commissioner of the Chief Military Commission. The Shu general Wu Youren led thirty thousand men against Xingyuan; Xingwang mustered the city's entire force of three thousand to meet them. Struck in the face by an arrow, he pulled it out and fought on, killing several hundred of the enemy. As the enemy swelled in number, he drew his troops back into the city. Youren breached the moat and filled in the ditches, determined to capture the city at all costs. When Xu Da heard of this, he ordered Fu Youde to strike Mucao Pass by night and attack Doushan Stockade. Each man carried ten torches, and their fires stretched in an unbroken line along the ridgeline. Youren fled in alarm. Xingwang marched out in pursuit, and countless men perished falling from cliffs and rocks. From then on Youren's fighting spirit was broken. At that time Xingwang's authority held sway over Long and Shu.
36
附費子賢
Appended biography: Fei Zixian
37
而國初諸都督中，城守功，興旺外尤推費子賢。 子賢，亦不詳所始。 從渡江，為廣德翼元帥。 數有功。 取武康，又取安吉。 築城守之，張士誠兵數來犯，輒敗去。 最後張左丞以兵八萬來攻，子賢所部僅三千人，而守甚固。 設車弩城上，射殺其梟將二人，敵乃解去。 以功進指揮同知。 取福建，克元都、定西，俱有功，授大都督府僉事，世指揮使。
Among the chief commanders of the dynasty's founding, for feats of holding cities, Fei Zixian was ranked next only to Xingwang. Zixian's origins, too, are not recorded in detail. He followed in the crossing of the Yangzi and served as deputy marshal of Guangde. He distinguished himself in battle on several occasions. He captured Wukang and then captured Anji. He fortified a city and held it; Zhang Shicheng's troops attacked repeatedly and were always driven off. Finally Vice Minister Zhang attacked with eighty thousand men; Zixian had only three thousand under his command, yet the defense held firm. He mounted ballista-carts on the walls and killed two of the enemy's leading generals; the attackers then withdrew. For his merit he was promoted to Vice Commander. In the conquest of Fujian and the capture of Yuandu and Dingxi he won merit throughout; he was appointed Vice Commissioner of the Chief Military Commission with a hereditary commandership.
38
花茂，巢縣人。 初從陳埜先，已而來歸。 從定江左，滅陳友諒。 平中原、山西、陝西。 積功授武昌衛副千戶。 征西蜀。 克瞿唐關，入重慶。 下左、右兩江及田州。 進神策衛指揮僉事。 調廣州左衛。 平陽春、清遠、英德、翁源、博羅諸山寨叛蠻及東莞、龍川諸縣亂民，進指揮同知。 平電白、歸善賊，再遷都指揮同知，世襲指揮使。 數剿連州、廣西湖廣諸瑤賊。 上言：「廣東南邊大海，奸宄出沒。 東莞、筍岡諸縣逋逃蜒戶，附居海島。 遇官軍則詭稱捕魚； 遇番賊則同為寇盜。 飄忽不常，難於訊詰。 不若籍以為兵，庶便約束。」 又請設沿海依山廣海、碣石、神電等二十四衛所。 築城浚池，收集海島隱料無籍等軍。 仍於山海要害地立堡屯軍，以備不虞。 皆報可。 進都指揮使。 久之卒，賜葬安德門。
Hua Mao came from Chaoxian. At first he followed Chen Yexian, but later came over to the Ming. He took part in pacifying the Jiangzuo region and in the destruction of Chen Youliang. He helped pacify the Central Plain, Shanxi, and Shaanxi. For accumulated merit he was appointed Deputy Chiliarch of the Wuchang Guard. He campaigned in western Shu. He captured Qutang Pass and entered Chongqing. He subdued the Left and Right Rivers and Tianzhou. He was promoted to Vice Commander of the Shence Guard. He was transferred to the Guangzhou Left Guard. He pacified rebel tribes in the stockades of Yangchun, Qingyuan, Yingde, Wengyuan, and Boluo, as well as the unruly populace of Dongguan, Longchuan, and other counties, and was promoted to Vice Commander. He pacified the bandits of Dianbai and Guishan, was again promoted to Vice Commander-in-Chief, and received a hereditary commandership. He repeatedly suppressed Yao bandits in Lianzhou, Guangxi, and Huguang. He submitted a memorial, saying, "Guangdong's southern border faces the great sea, and treacherous evildoers come and go. Fugitive boat-dwellers from Dongguan, Sun'gang, and other counties have settled on offshore islands. When they meet government troops they falsely claim to be fishing; when they meet foreign pirates they turn robber together. They appear and vanish unpredictably and are hard to investigate. It would be better to register them as soldiers so that they might more easily be kept under discipline." He also requested the establishment of twenty-four guards and posts along the coast, including Guanghai, Jieshi, and Shendian, built against the mountains. He proposed building walls, digging moats, and gathering hidden and unregistered troops from the offshore islands. He further proposed building forts and stationing troops at strategic points where mountains meet the sea, to guard against the unexpected. All were approved. He was promoted to Commander-in-Chief. After some time he died and was granted burial at Ande Gate.
39
長子榮襲職。 次子英，果毅有父風，亦以軍功為廣東都指揮使，有聲永樂中。
His eldest son Rong inherited the post. His second son Ying was resolute and bold and had his father's bearing; he too rose through military merit to Commander-in-Chief of Guangdong and won renown during the Yongle reign.
40
丁玉，初名國珍，河中人。 仕韓林兒為御史，才辨有時譽。 呂珍破安豐，玉來歸。 隨征彭蠡，為九江知府。 大兵還建康，彭澤山民叛，玉聚鄉兵討平之。 太祖嘉其武略，命兼指揮，更名玉。 從傅友德克衡州，以指揮同知鎮其地。 復調守永州。 玉有文武才，撫輯新附，威望甚著。
Ding Yu, originally named Guo Zhen, came from Hezhong. He served Han Lin'er as a censor and was gifted in debate, winning repute in his day. When Lu Zhen captured Anfeng, Yu came over to the Ming. He followed the campaign at Poyang and was made Prefect of Jiujiang. When the main army returned to Jiankang, the mountain people of Pengze rebelled; Yu gathered local militia and put down the revolt. The Founding Emperor commended his martial skill, ordered him to serve concurrently as a commander, and changed his name to Yu. He followed Fu Youde in capturing Hengzhou and was made Vice Commander to garrison the place. He was again transferred to guard Yongzhou. Yu possessed both civil and military talent; he soothed and gathered the newly surrendered, and his prestige was very great.
41
郭雲，南陽人。 長八尺余，狀貌魁偉。 元季聚義兵保裕州泉白寨，累官湖廣行省平章政事。 元主北奔，河南郡縣皆下，雲獨堅守。 大將軍徐達遣指揮曹諒圍之，雲出戰，被執。 大將軍呵之跪。 雲植立，嫚罵求死。 脅以刃，不動。 大將軍壯之，系送京師。 太祖奇其狀貌，釋之。 時帝方閱《漢書》，問識字否，對曰：「識。」 因以書授之。 雲誦其書甚習。 帝大喜，厚加賞賜，用為溧水知縣，有政聲。 帝益以為賢，特擢南陽衛指揮僉事，使還鄉收故部曲，就戍其地，凡數年卒。
Guo Yun came from Nanyang. He stood more than eight chi tall, with a towering and imposing appearance. At the end of the Yuan he gathered righteous troops to defend Quanbai Stockade in Yuzhou and rose through successive posts to Pacification Commissioner of the Huguang Branch Secretariat. When the Yuan ruler fled north, the prefectures and counties of Henan all submitted, but Yun alone held firm. Grand General Xu Da dispatched Commander Cao Liang to besiege him; Yun sallied forth to fight and was captured. The Grand General shouted at him to kneel. Yun stood upright, reviled them, and demanded death. Threatened with blades, he did not stir. The Grand General admired his fortitude, bound him, and sent him to the capital. The Founding Emperor marveled at his appearance and released him. At the time the emperor was reading the Book of Han and asked whether he could read; he replied, "I can." The emperor then handed him the book. Yun recited from the book with great fluency. The emperor was greatly pleased, rewarded him generously, and appointed him Magistrate of Lishui, where he won a reputation for good governance. The emperor came to esteem him all the more, specially promoted him to Vice Commander of the Nanyang Guard, and sent him home to gather his old followers and garrison the region; after several years he died.
42
長子洪，年甫十三。 帝為下制曰：「雲出田間，倡義旗，保鄉曲，崎嶇累年，竭心所事。 王師北伐，人神響應。 而雲數戰不屈，勢窮援絕，終無異志。 朕嘉其節概。 試之有司，則閭閻頌德； 俾鎮故鄉，則軍民樂業。 雖無汗馬之勛，倒戈之效，治績克著，忠義凜然。 子洪可入開國功臣列，授宣武將軍、飛熊衛親軍指揮使司僉事，世襲。」 其同時以降將予世職者有王溥。
His eldest son Hong was just thirteen years old. The emperor issued an edict, saying, "Yun came from the fields, raised the banner of righteousness, and protected his home community; through years of hardship he devoted his heart to what he served. When the royal army marched north, men and spirits responded alike. Yet Yun fought many battles without yielding; when his strength was exhausted and aid cut off, he never wavered in resolve. We commend his fortitude. When tested by the officials, the common people praised his virtue; when posted to guard his homeland, soldiers and civilians lived contentedly. Although he won no distinction from sweat-stained horses nor from turning weapons in battle, his administrative achievements were outstanding and his loyalty and integrity stood radiant. His son Hong may enter the ranks of the founding meritocrats; let him be appointed General of Propagation of Might and Vice Commander of the Feixiong Guard Personal Army Command, with hereditary succession." At the same time there was Wang Pu, among the surrendered generals granted hereditary posts.
43
附王溥
Appended biography: Wang Pu
44
初，溥未仕時，奉母葉氏避兵貴溪。 遇亂，與母相失，凡十八年。 嘗夢母若告以所在，至是從容言於帝，請歸省墳墓。 許之，且命禮官具祭物。 溥率士卒之貴溪，求不得，晝夜號泣。 居人吳海言：「夫人為賊逼，投井中死矣。」 溥求得井，有鼠自井出，投溥懷中，旋復入井。 汲井索之，母屍在焉。 哀呼不自勝，乃具棺斂，即其地以葬。 溥卒，子孫世襲指揮同知。
At first, before Pu had taken office, he escorted his mother, Lady Ye, to Guixi to escape the fighting. In the disorder he was separated from his mother—for eighteen years in all. He once dreamed that his mother seemed to tell him where she was; at this time he spoke calmly to the emperor and asked leave to return home and visit the graves. The emperor granted permission and ordered the ritual officials to prepare offerings. Pu led his soldiers to Guixi but could not find her and wept day and night. A local man named Wu Hai said, "Your lady was forced by bandits and died by throwing herself into a well." Pu found the well; a rat emerged from it, leaped into his bosom, and then went back down the well. They drew water from the well and searched with ropes; his mother's corpse was there. He cried out in grief beyond bearing, then prepared a coffin and shroud and buried her on the spot. When Pu died, his descendants inherited the post of Vice Commander in perpetuity.
45
贊曰：文輝、司馬任寄股肱，葉旺、馬雲效著邊域； 大亨以端直見思，郭雲以政績蒙寵。 他如蔡遷、王銘、甯正、金興旺輩，或善戰，或善守，或善撫綏，要皆一時良將也。 蓋明運初興，人材蔚起，鐵券、丹符之外，其可稱者猶如此。 以視詩人《兔罝》之詠，何多讓哉。
The eulogy says: Wenhui and Sima were entrusted as right-hand men; Ye Wang and Ma Yun won distinction on the frontier; Daheng was remembered for his integrity; Guo Yun was favored for his administrative achievements. Others such as Cai Qian, Wang Ming, Ning Zheng, and Jin Xingwang—some skilled in fighting, some in holding cities, some in pacification—were all fine generals of their age. When the Ming destiny first rose, talent flourished everywhere; apart from those granted iron certificates and red writs, those worthy of praise were still as numerous as this. Measured against the poet's praise in "The Rabbit Snares," how much would they have to yield?