1
Wang Meng, styled Ziwu, was the elder brother of Empress Mingde. His family came from Lelang. Six generations back, Bo had been grand preceptor of Former Yan. His grandfather Zhen had served Wei as yellow gate gentleman-attendant and was posthumously made governor of Bing and Duke of Lelang. His father Pi, a general who crosses the waves, was posted to Wuchuan as a soldier of good family and made the town his home.
2
During Wei's Zhenguang era, Poliuhan Baling overran the frontier garrisons, and Wang Meng was swept up with his forces. When Bajie fell, he drifted to Zhongshan. Early in the Xiaochang era he became crossbow-shooting general and marched west under Xiao Baoyin. When Xiao Baoyin rebelled, Wang Meng went into hiding among the people to see how events would unfold. When Erzhu Tianguang entered the passes, Wang Meng came forward and joined him. As vanguard under Heba Yue he helped capture Moqi Chounu and pacify Qin and Long, often first over the wall and fighting at the fore. He was made general who campaigns west and governor of Pingqin commandery. When Grand Progenitor Yuwen Tai prepared to attack Houmo Chen Yue, he summoned Wang Meng to Yuan Province, made him rear-guard grand commander, and posted him at Gaoping. After Houmo Chen Yue was crushed, Wang Meng became governor of Yuan Province.
3
When Emperor Xiaowu reached Chang'an, Wang Meng was enfeoffed Duke of Weichang with a fief of one thousand households. Early in the Datong era he was further made grand general of chariots and cavalry with equal-to-three-division protocol. In the third year he was recalled and made minister of works, then soon transferred to minister over the masses. He escorted Empress Dao, consort of Emperor Wen of Wei, back from the Rouran. He was given attendant-in-ordinary and promoted to grand commandant. When Emperor Wen of Wei marched east, Wang Meng stayed behind as rear-guard grand commander, acting governor of Yong, directing every army in Guanzhong. During Zhao Qingque's rebellion, Wang Meng and Li Hu, opening-office, took the Wei crown prince and encamped north of the Wei River. When the rebellion was put down, he was raised to Duke of Changle, his fief reaching two thousand households in all, and granted the surname Tuo [variant: ba] Wang. When Eastern Wei invaded the Fen valley and besieged Yubi, Wang Meng held Puyuan as left-army grand commander. After the army returned, he was made grand protector. In the ninth year he was raised to grand tutor and given opening-office equal-to-three-division protocol.
4
Wang Meng carried himself with broad refinement, benevolent and open-handed toward all. Though he ranked as grand tutor, above the consorts in ritual precedence, he remained humble and never flaunted power or rank. Emperor Wen of Wei held him in the highest regard. When he fell ill, the emperor visited his home again and again and asked in person what he wanted. Such was the honor he received. In Datong 11 he died; his offices were posthumously confirmed, and he was given the posthumous title Xiaoding.
5
His son Wang Li, styled Chouxing, was loyal and resolute by nature, with real talent and drive. At seventeen he followed Grand Progenitor Yuwen Tai through the passes; when Yuwen Tai pacified Qin and Long and secured Guanzhong, Wang Li was constantly at his side. Grand Progenitor Yuwen Tai once told him: "The best general reads the field from afar; the next best fights in the front line." Wang Li said: "I aim to do both." Grand Progenitor Yuwen Tai laughed aloud. He was soon made general who pacifies the east and attendant of scattered cavalry, and enfeoffed Duke of Liangfu. Early in the Datong era he became captain of the thousand-ox bodyguard and commander of the left and right guard, passing in and out of the inner quarters with scrupulous care. Emperor Wen of Wei once said: "Wang Li is a minister without a second heart." At Shayuan, Wang Li commanded the forbidden troops under Grand Progenitor Yuwen Tai. Wang Li held the left wing; with a few dozen household troops he fought hand to hand, and those who met him fell in heaps. Wang Li was badly wounded himself and died on the field, aged twenty-six. Grand Progenitor Yuwen Tai mourned him deeply. He was posthumously given bearer of the staff, grand commandant, director of the masters of writing, command over ten provinces, and governor of Yong; raised after death to Duke of Xianyang with the posthumous title Zhongwu. His son Wang Bi succeeded to the title. He married Princess Anle of Wei and rose to general who pacifies the army, grand commander, and unobstructed-direct attendant of scattered cavalry.
6
Wang Li's younger brother Wang Mao, styled Xiaoxing. When Wang Meng campaigned west, Mao was still young and was left behind in Shandong. In the Yongan era he first entered Guanzhong, was reunited with Wang Meng, and then followed him on campaigns. Early in the Datong era he was enfeoffed viscount of Anping and made general who displays martial ardor. He followed Wang Meng in escorting Empress Dowager Dao of Wei back and was appointed commandant of the city gates. When Emperor Wen of Wei campaigned east, he was made general who pacifies the army and concurrent left commander of the crown prince guard, remaining behind to hold the capital. He was soon transferred to right commander of the crown prince guard. He successively served as chief steward of imperial food, commander of the left and right guard, and martial guard general. His earlier and later service was recorded; he was raised to duke, his fief increased by one thousand households, and he was made right martial guard general. At that time the frontier was at war; mourning observances could not be fully carried out, and those in the full hemp mourning of qi-dun rank all wore undyed mourning bands while serving. When Wang Meng died, Mao submitted a memorial resigning his post and begging to observe the full mourning period. Emperor Wen of Wei refused. He was repeatedly promoted to grand commander, attendant of scattered cavalry, bearer of the staff, general of chariots and cavalry, equal in protocol to the three dukes, general of agile cavalry, opening-office equal to the three dukes, palace attendant, left martial guard general, and army commander.
7
Wang Mao was gentle by nature, careful and reverently cautious. For more than ten years he guarded the palace precincts, diligent in duty and without a single fault. Emperor Wen of Wei praised him highly. In the Deposed Emperor's second year he became governor of Nanqi, was raised to Duke of Anning, and his fief reached two thousand households in all. In Emperor Gong of Wei's second year he was made grand general and grand commander. He was later appointed junior minister of justice. He died in office. His son Wang Yue succeeded. He rose to grand general and governor of Tong, and his title was changed to Duke of Jinan.
9
Wang Meng's nephew Wang Zixian was clever and quick-witted from boyhood, calm and sparing of speech. He began as a commander in Grand Progenitor Yuwen Tai's tent and rose through chariot-court commandant, general of pacifying the north, grand general of chariots and cavalry with equal-to-three-division protocol, commander of Yan, Shuo, Xian, and Wei, governor of Yan, grand general of swift cavalry with opening-office equal-to-three-division protocol, director of the imperial household, and governor of Feng; was enfeoffed Duke of Luoyi, raised to grand general, and died. His son Wang Yi succeeded.
10
Wang Yi was bold and high-minded, and won the deep trust of High Ancestor Yuwen Yong. From youth he held conspicuous posts and was respected in his time. He rose to pillar of state and Duke of Pingyang. When Emperor Xuan succeeded, he was raised to Duke of Yang and made grand minister of works. At the end of the Daxiang era he was governor-general of Xiang and upper pillar of state.
11
12
He Lanxiang, styled Shengle. His clan had risen with Wei; an ancestor named Gefuzhe had been a Helan mohefu, and from that came their surname. Later some of the clan were posted to Wuchuan as soldiers of good family and made the town their home. His father Chuzhen was known from youth and respected throughout the district. He married Grand Progenitor Yuwen Tai's elder sister, Princess Jian'an the Long. In Baoding 2 he was posthumously made grand tutor, pillar of state, and Duke of Changshan.
13
祥年十一而孤，居喪合禮。 長於舅氏，特為太祖所愛。 雖在戎旅，常博延儒士，教以書傳。 太祖初入關，祥與晉公護俱在晉陽，後乃遣使迎致之，語在《護傳》。 年十七，解褐奉朝請，加威烈將軍。 祥少有膽氣，志在立功。 尋擢補都督，恆在帳下。 從平侯莫陳悅，又迎魏孝武。 以前後功，封撫夷縣伯，邑五百戶。 仍從擊潼關，獲東魏將薛長孺。 又攻回洛城，拔之。 還，拜左右直長，進爵為公，增邑幷前一千三百戶。 大統三年，從儀同于謹攻楊氏壁，祥先登，克之。 遷右衛將軍，加持節、征虜將軍。 沙苑之役，詔祥留衛京師。 後以留守功，增邑八百戶。 尋除鎮西將軍。 四年，魏文帝東伐，祥領軍從戰河橋，以功加使持節、大都督。 八年，遷車騎大將軍、儀同三司、散騎常侍。 九年，從太祖與東魏戰於邙山，進位驃騎大將軍、開府儀同三司，加侍中。
He Lanxiang was orphaned at eleven and observed the mourning rites properly. Raised in his uncle's household, he was especially cherished by Grand Progenitor Yuwen Tai. Even on campaign he gathered Confucian scholars to instruct him in the classics and histories. When Grand Progenitor Yuwen Tai first entered the passes, He Lanxiang and Duke of Jin Yuwen Hu were both at Jinyang; only later did he send envoys to fetch them—the account is in the Biography of Hu. At seventeen he entered service as supernumerary attendant at court and was given the added title general of awesome might. From youth He Lanxiang had courage and aimed to win distinction. He was soon chosen and made a commander, always serving in the headquarters staff. He helped pacify Houmo Chen Yue and later escorted Emperor Xiaowu of Wei west. For his cumulative service he was enfeoffed Baron of Fuyi with five hundred households. He then joined the attack on Tong Pass and captured Eastern Wei general Xue Changru. He attacked Huiluo city next and took it. On returning he was made left and right direct captain, raised to duke, and his fief reached one thousand three hundred households in all. In Datong 3, following Yu Jin in the attack on Yangshi Rampart, He Lanxiang was first over the wall and took it. He was made right guard general with bearer of the staff and general who captures the enemy. At Shayuan he was ordered by edict to stay and guard the capital. Later, for guarding the capital, he received eight hundred more households. He was soon made general who garrisons the west. In the fourth year, when Emperor Wen of Wei marched east, He Lanxiang led troops to Heqiao and, for his service, received bearer of the staff and grand commander. In the eighth year he was made grand general of chariots and cavalry with equal-to-three-division protocol and attendant of scattered cavalry. In the ninth year he followed Grand Progenitor Yuwen Tai against Eastern Wei at Mount Mang, was raised to grand general of swift cavalry with opening-office equal-to-three-division protocol, and given attendant-in-ordinary.
14
In the fourteenth year he was made commander of military affairs in twelve provinces—Three Jing, South Xiang, South Yong, Ping, Xin, Jiang, Sui, the two Ying, and Xi—and governor of Jing, and was raised to Duke of Boling. He Lanxiang had briefly governed Jing before; though less than a month in office, his rule had already been benevolent, and when he returned the people were reassured. From then on refugees south of the Han came by the thousand each day, infants bound to their backs. Tribes near and far all came in willing submission. He Lanxiang received and reassured them as each case required, winning every heart. That summer brought fierce drought; He Lanxiang then toured his jurisdiction in person to see where governance had failed. When he found old graves robbed and bones left exposed, he told the local magistrates: "Is this how a benevolent man governs?" He then ordered the local authorities to collect and rebury the remains, and that same day a soaking rain fell. That year brought a bumper harvest. The province had long held many ancient tombs and a custom of grave-robbing, which now ceased.
15
Though He Lanxiang was a close kinsman of Grand Progenitor Yuwen Tai, he lived plainly and without ostentation. The province bordered Xiangyang in the south and opened west to Min and Shu, and its lands yielded many rare goods. Relations with Liang were then friendly and travelers passed back and forth, but he accepted no gifts, public or private. Xiao Cha, Liang governor of Yong and Prince of Yueyang, admired his thrift and sent bamboo screens, fine hemp cloth, and sets of classics and histories. Unwilling to spurn the gesture outright, He Lanxiang accepted the gifts and turned them over to the proper office. When Grand Progenitor Yuwen Tai learned of this, he had everything sent on to He Lanxiang. He was soon recalled to court.
16
In the sixteenth year he was made grand general. Where the Jing and Wei were used for irrigation, canals and dikes had fallen into ruin, so Grand Progenitor Yuwen Tai put He Lanxiang in charge of rebuilding the Fuping weir, opening a canal, and sending water east into the Luo. When the work was done, the people benefited. In the second year of the deposed Wei emperor he acted as governor of Hua. Hua was later renamed Tong, and He Lanxiang remained its governor. He was soon made left vice director of the Masters of Writing. When the Six Offices were established he was made junior minister of war. When Emperor Xiaomin acceded he was raised to pillar of state and made grand minister of war. While Duke of Jin Yuwen Hu held power, he and He Lanxiang—cross-cousins (zhongbiao) and friends from youth—planned military and state affairs together. He Lanxiang helped when Zhao Gui was killed and Emperor Xiaomin was deposed.
17
At the start of Wucheng, when Tuyuhun invaded Liang Province, He Lanxiang and Yuwen Gui were ordered to take command against them. He Lanxiang sent his army marshal to proclaim to Tuyuhun:
18
夫二氣旣分，三才定位，樹之以君，本為黔首，豈使悖義違道，肆於民上？ 昔魏氏不綱，群方幅裂，豺狼橫噬，龜玉已毀，喁喁黔黎，咸墜塗炭。 我先皇神武應期，一匡天下，東戡南剪，無思不服。 天鑒有周，世篤英聖，遂廓洪基，奄荒萬宇。 固則神皋西嶽，險則百二猶在。 卿士師師，羣后率職。 故知三靈之所睠集，四隩之所來蘇也。
When yin and yang were divided and heaven, earth, and man had taken their places, rulers were established for the people's sake—how could one rebel against righteousness, violate the Way, and lord it over the people? Once Wei lost control, the realm splintered, predators ravaged unchecked, the royal jade was shattered, and the people fell into misery. Our late emperor, divinely martial, answered the age, set the realm right at a stroke, conquered east and south, and left none who thought to resist unsubdued. Heaven favored Zhou; generation after generation it produced heroic sages, cleared the great foundation, and embraced the ten thousand regions. Where the land was firm stood the sacred heartland and western peaks; where it was perilous, the hundred passes still held. Ministers and grandees led in good order, and the host of lords performed their duties. Thus one knows the three spirits have turned their favor here and the four corners of the earth have revived.
19
彼國世在西垂，作藩于魏。 值中原政亂，遂阻皇風，首鼠兩端，伺我邊隙。 先皇含垢藏疾，仍存聘享，欲睦之以鄰好，申之以婚姻。 彼國苞藏禍心，屢違盟約，外結仇讐，自貽近患，是故往年致突厥之師也。 自爾迄今，蜂蠆彌毒，入我姑臧，俘我河縣，芟夷我菽麥，虔劉我蒼生。 我皇武以止戈，文以懷遠，德覃四海，化溢八荒。 以彼惡稔禍盈，故命龔行九伐。 武臣猛將，天張雷動，皆六郡良家，三秦精銳，揮戈擐甲，同萃龍沙。 柱國、博陵公祥，貴戚重望，乃文乃武，受脤廟堂，元戎啟路； 太傅、燕國公 （于） 謹，英猷不世，應變無窮，仗旄指麾，為其謀主； 柱國、化政公貴，早播威聲，奇正兼設，直取龍涸，濟自南河。 突厥與國睦親，同恥反道，驅引弓之民，總穹廬之衆，解鞍成山，雲蒸霧合。
Your state has for generations dwelt in the western marches as a frontier domain of Wei. When the central plains fell into disorder you blocked the imperial wind, played both sides, and watched for gaps on our borders. The late emperor swallowed insult and hid his injury, yet still maintained embassies and tribute, hoping to bind you in neighborly friendship and marriage. Your state harbored treachery, broke treaties again and again, allied abroad with enemies, and brought calamity on itself—hence the Turkish army of former years. Since then the sting has grown ever more venomous: you entered our Guzang, captured He county, cut down our millet and wheat, and slaughtered our people. Our emperor uses martial power to stop war and civil virtue to win the distant; his virtue fills the four seas and his transforming influence overflows the eight directions. Because your wickedness was ripe and your calamities full, he ordered the punitive expedition of nine campaigns. Warrior ministers and fierce generals, heaven-stretched and thunder-shaken, all drawn from good families of the six commanderies and elite troops of the three Qins, swung spears, donned armor, and gathered at Longsha. Pillar of state and Duke of Boling He Lanxiang, a kinsman of weighty repute, both civil and martial, received the sacrificial meat in the ancestral temple and opened the way as commander-in-chief; Grand tutor and Duke of Yan [variant: yu] Yu Jin, with strategy unmatched in the age and inexhaustible in adapting to change, bearing the banner and directing the host, was chief strategist; Pillar of state and Duke of Huazheng Yuwen Gui, who early spread his martial renown, combined orthodox and unorthodox tactics, took Longge straight, and crossed from the South River. The Turks are in friendly kinship with our state and share shame at rebellion against the Way; they drive bow-bearing peoples and gather the hosts of the felt tents; saddles unhitched pile like mountains as clouds of steam and mist combine.
20
往歲王師西伐，成都不守； 桴鼓南臨，江陵底定。 鑿空萬里，辟地千都，荒服畏威，膜拜厥角。 成敗之機，較然可見。 若能轉禍為福，深識事宜，君臣相率，輿櫬稽顙，則爵等顯除，永蕃西服； 如其徘徊危邦，覬延時漏，覆宇湮祀，良助寒心。 幸思嘉謀，以圖去就。
In former years the royal army marched west and Chengdu did not hold; drums and bells pressed south and Jiangling was settled to the bottom. They opened empty lands ten thousand li away and carved out territories of a thousand capitals; the wild borderlands feared their might and bowed in submission. The hinge of victory and defeat is clearly visible. If you can turn calamity into blessing, deeply recognize what the times require, and ruler and ministers together come bearing coffins and kowtow in submission, then ranks and titles will be clearly conferred and you will forever guard the western domains; if you linger in a perilous state, hoping to prolong your time, and overturn your realm and extinguish your sacrifices, you will only deepen our cold resolve. Consider good counsel and decide whether to stay or go.
21
He then fought the Tuyuhun princes Guangding and Zhongliu and defeated them. He then captured their Taoyang and [variant: gong] Honghe, two cities, and made the territory Taozhou. He pacified the western lands and returned with his army in good order. He was raised to Duke of Liang with a fief of ten thousand households. Baoding [variant: four] He died that year, aged forty-eight. He was posthumously given bearer of the staff, grand tutor, command over twelve provinces including Tong and Qi, and governor of Tong. His posthumous title was Jing.
22
He had seven sons; Jing, Rang, Can, Shi, and Kuan were well known. Jing in youth held eminent posts and was enfeoffed Marquis of Hualong. He later inherited the ducal title of Liang, rose to pillar-of-state grand general, and became governor of Hua. Rang was grand general, governor of Fu, and Duke of Hedong. Can held opening-office equal-to-three-division protocol and was Duke of Yiyang. [In Jiande fifth year Can followed Gaozu at Bing Province, fell in battle, and was posthumously made upper grand general and Duke of Qingdu. Shi married Emperor Xiaoming's daughter and rose to upper equal-to-three-division grand general, governor of You, and Duke of Boling. Kuan was opening-office equal-to-three-division grand general and Duke of Wuzhi. He Lanxiang's younger brother Long was grand general and Duke of Xiangle.
23
Emperor Wen of Sui had old ties with He Lanxiang and posthumously made him upper pillar of state at the start of Kaihuang.
24
Wei Chigang, styled Bala, was the younger brother of Yuchi Jiong, Duke of Shu. Orphaned in youth, he and his elder brother Jiong relied on their maternal kin. When Grand Progenitor Yuwen Tai campaigned west against Guanlong, Jiong and Gang with their mother, the Grand Princess of Changle, remained at Jinyang and only later entered Guanzhong. He followed Grand Progenitor Yuwen Tai on campaigns, constantly attending within the command tent and passing in and out of the inner quarters. Later, for merit in welcoming Emperor Xiaowu of Wei, he was appointed general of the palace interior. In the first year of Datong he was made commander of the inner guard, followed Equal-in-Protocol Li Hu against Cao Ni, and defeated him. He also took part in defeating Dou Tai. For his service he was enfeoffed baron of Guangzong with a fief of five hundred households. He again followed in recovering Hongnong, capturing Hebei commandery, and fighting at Shayuan, distinguishing himself in each.
25
綱驍果有膂力，善騎射。 太祖甚寵之，委以心膂。 河橋之戰，太祖馬中流矢，因而驚奔。 綱與李穆等左右力戰，衆皆披靡，太祖方得乘馬。 以前後功，增邑八百戶，進爵為公，仍拜平遠將軍、步兵校尉。 八年，加通直散騎常侍、太子武衛率、前將軍，轉帥都督。 東魏圍玉壁，綱從太祖救之。 九年春，太祖復與東魏戰於邙山，大軍不利，人心離解。 綱勵將士，盡心翊衛。 遷大都督。 十四年，拜車騎大將軍、儀同三司，加散騎常侍，增邑三百戶。 俄遷驃騎大將軍、開府儀同三司，加侍中，進爵昌平郡公。 十七年，出為華州刺史。 魏廢帝二年，拜大將軍，兼領軍將軍。 及帝有異謀，言頗漏泄。 太祖以綱職典禁旅，使密為之備。 俄而帝廢，立齊王，仍以綱為中領軍，總宿衛。
Wei Chigang was fierce and strong, and excelled at mounted archery. Grand Progenitor Yuwen Tai greatly favored him and trusted him as a close aide. At the battle of Heqiao, Grand Progenitor Yuwen Tai's horse was struck by a flying arrow and bolted in panic. Wei Chigang and Li Mu and others fought hard on either side until the enemy broke; only then could Grand Progenitor Yuwen Tai remount. For his earlier and later service he received eight hundred more households, was raised to duke, and was made general who pacifies the distant and infantry commandant. In the eighth year he received unobstructed-direct attendant of scattered cavalry, crown prince martial guard commander, and front general, and was made garrison commander. When Eastern Wei besieged Yubi, Wei Chigang followed Grand Progenitor Yuwen Tai to the relief. In the spring of the ninth year Grand Progenitor Yuwen Tai again fought Eastern Wei at Mount Mang; the army was defeated and morale collapsed. Wei Chigang rallied the officers and soldiers and guarded the Grand Progenitor with all his strength. He was made grand commander. In the fourteenth year he was made grand general of chariots and cavalry with equal-to-three-division protocol, given attendant of scattered cavalry, and three hundred more households. He was soon made grand general of swift cavalry with opening-office equal-to-three-division protocol, given attendant-in-ordinary, and raised to Duke of Changping. In the seventeenth year he was sent out as governor of Hua. In the second year of the deposed Wei emperor he was made grand general and concurrently commander of the guard army. When the emperor plotted treason, word leaked out. Because Wei Chigang commanded the forbidden guard, Grand Progenitor Yuwen Tai had him prepare in secret. The emperor was soon deposed and the Prince of Qi enthroned; Wei Chigang remained central commander of the guard army and oversaw the palace guard.
26
When Wei Chigang's elder brother Jiong led troops against Shu, Wei Chigang followed Grand Progenitor Yuwen Tai to see him off west of the city; they saw a fleeing hare, and the Grand Progenitor ordered Wei Chigang to shoot it. He swore: "If I get this hare, Shu will surely fall." Soon Wei Chigang brought back the hare. Grand Progenitor Yuwen Tai said delightedly: "When the matter is settled, I shall reward you with a fine servant." When Shu was taken, he gave Wei Chigang two serving maids. He also often joined Grand Progenitor Yuwen Tai on northern hunts at Yunyang; when five deer rose together, Wei Chigang took three. At tours and banquets Grand Progenitor Yuwen Tai would have the meritorious ministers shoot for rare objects; Wei Chigang always won the most.
27
孝閔帝踐阼，綱以親戚掌禁兵，除小司馬。 又與晉公護廢帝，語在《護傳》。 世宗卽位，進位柱國大將軍。 武成元年，進封吳國公，邑萬戶，除涇州總管、五州十一防諸軍事、涇州刺史。 是歲，大長公主薨于京師，綱去職。 尋起復本官。 保定元年，拜少傅。 俄而授大司空。 二年，出為陝州總管、七州十三防諸軍事、陝州刺史。 四年，晉公護東討，乃配綱甲士，留鎮京師。 綱以天子在宮，必無內慮，乃請出外，頓於咸陽。 大軍還，綱復歸鎮。 天和二年，以綱政績可稱，賜帛千段、穀六千斛、錢二十萬，增邑四百戶。 陳公純等以皇后阿史那氏自突厥將入塞，詔徵綱與大將軍王傑率衆迎衛於境首。 三年，追論河橋之功，封一子縣公，邑一千戶。 四年五月，薨于京師，時年五十三。 贈太保、十二州諸軍事、同州刺史。 諡曰武。
When Emperor Xiaomin acceded, Wei Chigang, as a kinsman commanding the forbidden troops, was made junior minister of war. He also helped Duke of Jin Yuwen Hu depose the emperor; the account is in the Biography of Hu. When Emperor Xiaoming acceded, he was raised to pillar-of-state grand general. In Wucheng 1 (559) Wei Chigang was raised to Duke of Wu with ten thousand households, and made area commander of Jing, commander of military affairs in five provinces and eleven garrisons, and governor of Jing. That year, when the Grand Princess died in the capital, Chigang resigned from office. He was soon recalled to his former post. In Baoding 1 (561) he was made junior tutor. Before long he was made grand minister of works. The next year he was sent out as area commander of Shan, commander of military affairs in seven provinces and thirteen garrisons, and governor of Shan. In the fourth year Duke of Jin Yuwen Hu campaigned east; Chigang was given armored troops and left to garrison the capital. Chigang reasoned that with the emperor in the palace there could be no internal threat, and asked to go out, encamping at Xianyang. When the main army returned, Chigang resumed his garrison post. In Tianhe 2 (567), for Chigang's commendable record in office, the court granted one thousand bolts of silk, six thousand hu of grain, two hundred thousand in cash, and four hundred more households. When Duke of Chen Chun and others were bringing Empress Ashina from the Turks to enter the frontier, an edict summoned Chigang and Grand General Wang Jie to lead troops to welcome and escort her at the frontier. In the third year, in recognition of his service at River Bridge, one son was enfeoffed county duke with a thousand households. In the fifth month of the fourth year he died in the capital at the age of fifty-three. Posthumously he was made grand tutor, commander of military affairs in twelve provinces, and governor of Tong. His posthumous title was Wu (Martial).
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His third son An succeeded as legitimate heir. At the end of the Daxiang era he rose to pillar of state. An's elder brother Yun has a separate biography. Yun's younger brother Qin rose young to high office. At the end of the Daxiang era he was area commander of Qing Province. He raised troops in support of his uncle Yuchi Jiong; the account is in the "Biography of Yuchi Jiong." An's younger brother Jing married Emperor Shizong's daughter, Princess Henan, and rose to opening-establishment equal in rank to the three dukes.
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Chilie Fugui, styled Motouduo, came from the western part of Dai Commandery. For generations his family had been tribal chieftains. When Wei first received them, the family for generations held the post of first tribally enrolled chieftain. By Fugui's time he was magnificent in appearance, with a belt ten arm-spans around, refined and dignified in bearing, and skilled in arms. He inherited his father's post and again became tribally enrolled chieftain.
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In Wei Zhengguang 5 (524), when Prince Guangyang Shen campaigned north, he asked for Fugui as general who pacifies the north and entrusted him with headquarters military affairs. He was soon made governor of Shanwu commandery. In Xiaochang 3 (527) he was made separate commander and followed Changsun Zhi on the western campaign. For battlefield merit he rose in stages to general who campaigns west and grand master with golden seal and purple ribbon. Later he returned to Luoyang, was made commander, and came under the favor of Gao Huan, who additionally made him grand commander. After the defeat at Shayuan he surrendered as others had done. Grand Progenitor Yuwen Tai, because he came from a great house, had his bonds cut and received him with full ceremony. He also gave him a daughter of Duke Hui of Shao in marriage. In Datong 4 (538) he was enfeoffed Duke of Changle with a thousand households. From then on he constantly followed Grand Progenitor Yuwen Tai on campaign and won repeated distinction. In the eighth year he was sent out as governor of North Yong, with the additional rank of grand commander. He was soon raised to general of chariots and cavalry, opening-establishment equal in rank to the three dukes, and attendant gentleman of scattered cavalry. In the fourteenth year he was summoned as palace attendant, with additional rank as grand general of flying cavalry and opening-the-feudatory equal in rank to the three dukes, and made governor of Heng; his fief was increased to one thousand four hundred households in all. In the seventeenth year he died. His son Chun succeeded to the title.
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Chun, styled Qiannian. During Emperor Shizong's reign he was made general of chariots and cavalry and opening-establishment equal in rank to the three dukes. He was soon transferred to grand general of flying cavalry and opening-the-feudatory equal in rank to the three dukes, and re-enfeoffed Duke of Yongshi with twelve hundred households. In Baoding 2 (562) he was made governor of You Province. At the start of Tianhe he was made left palace guard and promoted to grand general.
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Yan Qing, styled Renqing, came from Heyin in Henan commandery. His great-grandfather Shan served Wei, rising through the posts of soaring-dragon general and garrison commander of Yun, and settled his family in Shengle commandery of Yun. His grandfather Ti was bearer of the staff of authority, general of chariots and cavalry, and supreme commander of the Dunhuang garrison. His father Jin was resourceful in counsel and unmatched in courage. During Zhengguang he was made soaring-dragon general. At that time Wei Ke'gu rebelled and besieged Shengle. Jin led the garrison in defense for three years, fighting day and night without rest; though outnumbered, he kept the city intact. For this service he was made governor of Shengle commandery. As a youth Yan Qing was clever and kept his word; dignified and solemn in bearing, he seemed imposing even at a distance. When Wei Ke'gu pressed Shengle, Qing followed his father in the defense and did good service. He was made separate commander, then gradually rose to light-chariot general with the additional title director of attendance. Later, for military merit, he was made commander of infantry and resolute general.
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Before long Gao Huan raised troops and entered Luoyang, and Emperor Xiaowu of Wei moved west. Yan Qing told his intimates: "Gao Huan is overbearing and will usurp the throne—how can we rest content under his control?" In Datong 3 (537) he left Yiyang and returned to court. Grand Progenitor Yuwen Tai said to Yan Qing: "Gao Huan is in rebellion; the realm is torn apart; bandits rise on every side; every man serves himself alone. Yet you kept faith with unstinted loyalty, honored the bond between ruler and minister, turned from rebellion and came over, left danger for safety—though the ancients were praised, what more could be said?" He thereupon made him resolute general and commandant of the imperial carriage. At River Bridge, for merit he was made forward general and grand master of palace consultation, then rear general, and enfeoffed Viscount of Anci with four hundred households. At Mount Mang he was first over the wall and broke the enemy line. He was made pacifying-army general and grand commander, raised to earl, and given five hundred more households.
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Yan Qing was skilled at winning men over; he never retired before his troops rested, and so drew their utmost effort and won repeated distinction. He rose in stages to bearer of the staff of authority, general of chariots and cavalry, opening-establishment equal in rank to the three dukes, attendant gentleman of scattered cavalry, grand general of flying cavalry, opening-the-feudatory equal in rank to the three dukes, and chief rectifier of Yun; he was additionally made palace attendant and granted the surname Daye.
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When Emperor Xiaomin succeeded, he was sent out as governor of He Province, raised to Duke of Shibao, and given a thousand more households. The province lay beyond the Yellow River, on the frontier with the Rong and Yi. Yan Qing devoted himself to winning over the people and won praise for plain, kindly rule. He was immediately made grand general and raised to Duke of Da'an, his fief households remaining unchanged. He entered court as junior minister of works, then was made governor of Yun and later transferred to governor of Ning. Yan Qing was generous and mild by nature, not harsh in judgment, and the people were pleased with him. In Tianhe 6 (571) he was promoted to pillar of state.
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Duke of Jin Yuwen Hu's mother was Yan Qing's paternal aunt. Although Yuwen Hu monopolized the court, Yan Qing never curried favor with him. When Yuwen Hu was executed, High Ancestor Yuwen Yong highly valued him for this. An edict then had Yan Qing's twelfth son Pi marry the emperor's daughter, Princess Qingdu. Though Yan Qing's rank and stature were weighty and his marriage tied him to the imperial house, he always kept himself humble and cautious, and people praised him for it. In Jiande 2 (573) he submitted a memorial requesting retirement; a gracious edict granted it. Yan Qing had grown old and was constantly afflicted with lingering illness. Emperor Xuan, because he was an elder of the former reign, treated him with exceptional regard and issued an edict for Emperor Jing to visit his residence to inquire after his health. He was granted one thousand segments of cloth and silk. Whatever medicine was needed was ordered supplied by the relevant offices. In Daxiang 2 (580) he was made upper pillar of state. When Emperor Wen of Sui took the throne, he again ordered the crown prince to visit his residence to inquire after his health and continued to supply medical expenses. He died in Kaihuang 2 (582), at age seventy-seven. He was posthumously made minister of works, commander over military affairs of Jing, Qiao, Xi, Hu, Feng, Guang, and Meng provinces, and governor of Jing. His posthumous title was Cheng.
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The historiographer writes: When Liu Bang held the throne from Zhongyang, Pei produced many enfeoffed marquises; when Guangwu matched Heaven from Baishui, Nanyang was full of imperial kin. Thus one sees that rising through close kinship to win favor and glory is an age-old pattern. Wang Meng and the others at first entered court through kinship ties, but in the end rose through ability; from the dynasty's founding they served diligently and took their places at court. They truly walked in the footsteps of merit ministers—it was scarcely through favor alone.