Chapter 540: Appendix 7: The Old Book of Yan, Volume 69 — Biographies of Han, Cheng, Gao, Guan, Zhang, and Zhao

Appendix 7: The Old Book of Yan, Volume 69 — Biographies of Han, Cheng, Gao, Guan, Zhang, and Zhao

Appendix 7: The Old Book of Yan, Volume 69 — Biographies of Han, Cheng, Gao, Guan, Zhang, and Zhao — by Cai Youming

Han Dang, styled Yigong, was a man of Lingzhi in Liaoxi. Skilled with bow and horse, possessing physical strength and understanding of military affairs, he joined the army at Lulong Fortress in his youth but repeatedly found himself thwarted. In the third year of the Xiping era, Xianbei raiders invaded the border. At that time, Emperor Taizu Wu was eighteen and serving as a clerk in the commandery. Han Dang followed Taizu, leading thirty riders out of Lulong Fortress by night and routing the enemy, thus his fame resounded across Hebei. Later, hearing that Taizu was seeking education in Luoyang, he set out ahead and waited along the road, accompanying him for the rest of the journey. In the fourth year of Xiping, Taizu established a charitable lodge on Mount Goushi, entrusting all matters to Han Dang. On Taizu's behalf, Han Dang supported the worthy, aided the orphaned and weak, and in all affairs and in spreading renown, he always put Taizu first.

At the end of the Xiping year, he once accompanied Taizu beyond the frontier as a retainer, again facing the Xianbei in battle. The enemy chieftain, arrogant and overbearing, rode out ahead of his formation; Han Dang felled him with a single arrow, stunning all three armies, and a great victory followed. Afterward, Taizu said to him, "Yigong, you are heroic and martial; you should be recommended as Army Commander." Han Dang remained silent. Taizu asked again, "Army Commander is a rank of six hundred dan. To leap from a common retainer to six hundred dan — is that still not enough?" Han Dang then said, "Indeed, it is not enough." Taizu was greatly surprised. "A six-hundred-dan Army Commander is the utmost I can bestow. What rank do you desire?" Han Dang, standing by his horse, replied proudly, "Ever since I followed you, my lord, into Luoyang and inquired into the customs of every region, I have had no other thought in this life but to travel the four seas with you, pacify a region, and root out the injustices of the world. All I ask for is three meals a day." Taizu sighed deeply and said, "This is Heaven bestowing Yigong upon me!" Later, when Taizu was appointed as Separate Division Major of Pingcheng and established the Volunteer Corps, he recommended Han Dang to lead it.

At the end of the sixth year of the Han Guanghe era, Taizu was transferred as Administrator of Zhuo Commandery; Han Dang left his post to follow. In the second month of the seventh year, the Yellow Turban commander Cheng Yuanzhi led twenty-five thousand men from Guangyang Commandery in Youzhou to attack Zhuoxian from the west. To undermine enemy morale, Taizu ordered Han Dang and other commanders to each take twenty riders and harass the Yellow Turban camp in daily rotation. As the Yellow Turbans grew weary, Taizu wished to crush them, but the Yellow Turban cavalry posed an obstacle. Han Dang led three hundred Volunteers and routed a thousand Yellow Turban cavalry, capturing eight hundred warhorses. In the fourth month, Taizu became General of the Household of All Purposes and Eastern Route Commander, marching to pacify the Yellow Turbans in Dong Commandery. Han Dang crossed the Yellow River by night and seized Baima in a surprise attack, earning the first merit. Thereafter, he followed Taizu in campaigns across all fronts, repeatedly achieving battle honors. He refused all court-bestowed titles and rewards, remaining a commoner in Taizu's service. In the tenth month, the Yellow Turbans were pacified. Taizu was appointed General of the Guard and opened his headquarters, appointing Han Dang as Major under the General of the Guard, making him the Regional Commander.

In the fifth year of Zhongping, one hundred thousand rebel troops from Liangzhou emerged from Liangzhou, entered the Three Adjuncts, and pressed straight toward Chang'an. Taizu, acting on behalf of He Jin, led the cavalry of the Three He regions on campaign. The two armies met in a decisive battle, and Taizu routed them. Han Dang led two thousand riders to cut off the rebels' retreat. The rebels engaged but could not withstand him and fled south of the Wei River, scrambling to cross over the ice. The ice cracked, and a great many fell into the water. Liangzhou was thus pacified.

In the second year of Jian'an, Taizu pacified Yuan Shao and announced to all, "This time I shall return north. All major military and state affairs in Hebei, regardless of office, shall be unified under the General of the Guard's headquarters, following the precedent of Guanzhong. Lu Fan shall preside, with Shen Pei, Lou Gui, and Han Dang as his three deputies, overseeing everything! The life or death of Yuan Shao, local military administration, and battlefield rewards and demotions — all shall be handled by these four!" Han Dang bowed and declined, saying, "Your servant is but a common fellow from the frontier, unworthy of such a charge!" Taizu rebuked him, "I, too, am but a common fellow from the frontier! You have followed me since my youth, bearing a blade at my side; you are truly a founding veteran. Since I govern affairs, whether great or small, broad or narrow, how could there not be a place for you at my side?" All present stood in awe. In the fourth year of Jian'an, Taizu was enfeoffed as Duke of Yan and built the Bronze Sparrow Terrace in Ye, establishing the Seven Chancellors system. Han Dang headed the Privy Council, ranking among the Seven Chancellors.

In the eighth year of Jian'an, the realm was on the verge of unification, but the powerful clans of Jiangxia defied the law and grievously oppressed the common people. Hearing that the Yan army was approaching, they gathered at Shaxian, over thirty thousand strong, all bearing arms. Han Dang marched to suppress them, pacified them, and prepared to inflict heavy punishment. They sent an envoy to plead, "Now that the realm is pacified, Lord Han, for the sake of all under Heaven, should measure out lenient sentences." Han Dang rebuked him, "You knew the realm was about to be settled and expected lenient sentences, yet you gathered armed men and brutalized the people. This is knowingly breaking the law, and your crimes deserve an extra degree of severity. Now, when I execute you lot, all under Heaven will applaud." The envoy said, "Even if you do not consider the realm, you should consider your own person. Lord Han's future prospects are vast; why deliberately make enemies? If you spare us now, there will surely be rich rewards in days to come." Han Dang laughed and said, "His Highness once spoke of cutting away the rotting flesh of the world. Now I look upon you and see only those who bring calamity to the realm. As for my own person, I have one word to tell you: if it benefits the state, then do it; how can one shirk or seek based on personal fortune or misfortune?" He then inflicted heavy punishment upon them.

In the first year of the Kaiyuan era, Taizu accepted the abdication and ascended the throne. Han Dang was enfeoffed with ten Battalion Commander, headed the Privy Council, and controlled the military mobilization of the entire realm. In the twenty-fourth year of Kaiyuan, Taizu fell gravely ill. Han Dang expended vast sums to search the realm for renowned physicians. In the autumn of the twenty-fifth year of Kaiyuan, Taizu passed away. Empress Dowager Xiaozhuang dispatched envoys to summon the ministers to the palace to discuss affairs. At that time, Han Dang was praying for Taizu's recovery at the Horse Temple in Luoyang. Upon hearing that Emperor Taizu Wu had passed, he sat stunned and speechless. His attendants urged him to respond, but he did not answer. When they looked at him, he had already passed away.

Emperor Taizong Ren ascended the throne and posthumously honored Han Dang with the title "Zhongwu" (Loyal and Martial), enshrining him in the Imperial Ancestral Temple. His son Zong inherited his title.

Cheng Pu, styled Demou, was a man of Tuyin in Youbeiping. He first served as a clerk in the province and commandery. He was handsome in appearance, full of stratagems, and adept at handling affairs. In the winter of the third year of Xiping, when Taizu and Han Dang led thirty riders in a night raid on the main Xianbei camp, Cheng Pu led infantry out and complemented Taizu perfectly, routing the Xianbei. He was thus promoted to two hundred dan.

In the third month of the fifth year of Xiping, Taizu once attacked the Xianbei when his horse suddenly stumbled, trapping him among the enemy. Cheng Pu dismounted, threw aside his blade, and shielded Taizu face-to-face. The enemy thrust at Cheng Pu with spears; Cheng Pu seized a spear barehanded, reversed it, and killed his attacker, then cast it aside. This happened again and again. The Xianbei were terror-stricken and all retreated in great alarm. Taizu, beside him, sighed and said, "Among the tiger generals of the age, who compares to Cheng Demou?" Cheng Pu thus became renowned beyond the frontier. Later, when the commandery assessed merits, Taizu spoke fully of Cheng Pu's abilities, and he was promoted to Commandery Military Officer. In the sixth year of Xiping, when Taizu was appointed Separate Division Major of Pingcheng and was about to enter Luoyang, the commandery administrator Guo Yun asked whom to recommend as his successor. Taizu recommended Cheng Pu for his knowledge of military affairs. Guo Yun agreed and appointed Cheng Pu as Acting Major.

In the fourth month of the seventh year of Guanghe, Taizu was promoted to General of the Household of All Purposes, bearing a staff of authority, and marched east to attack Bu Ji. Concerned that his subordinates were all cavalry, he transferred Cheng Pu's unit. Cheng Pu led his troops, marching a hundred li a day, and arrived by the fifth month. At that time, the Yellow Turban Liang Yuan's force sought to join Bu Ji. Cheng Pu and Gao Shun led two thousand infantry to block the road and hold them off. Twenty thousand rebels attacked for half a day, but they stood immovable as a mountain. When Taizu's army arrived, the rebels were crushed, and Dong Commandery was pacified. After the battle, when rewards were bestowed, Cheng Pu was specially promoted to Captain.

However, Cheng Pu, being bold and valiant, often acted with extreme ferocity. One day, as he was about to go on campaign, Taizu removed his own cloak and draped it over Cheng Pu's back, then said to him, "Your bold valor I have always known. In the old days, campaigning against the Xianbei, had you not barehandedly seized the enemy's blade and saved me from mortal danger, I would scarcely have escaped. But times have changed. Now that you wish to be a great general, you cannot rely on bold valor alone; you must also exercise prudence!" Cheng Pu, deeply moved, bowed in gratitude, and from then on gradually developed the talent of a great general.

Later, when Taizu was about to go to Luoyang, he worried that the Xianbei would bring disaster to his homeland. Considering Cheng Pu prudent, he memorialized to appoint him Commandant of Yanmen. The Xianbei Kebineng tribe raided You and Bing provinces but were driven back by Cheng Pu. In the sixth year of Han Zhongping, the former Administrator of Taishan, Zhang Ju, rebelled with his entire clan, colluding with the Xianbei and Wuhuan, and broke through Lulong Fortress. None dared oppose him. Cheng Pu led his army into battle, winning three successive engagements. Zhang Chun was defeated and fled beyond the frontier. In the seventh month, Dong Zhuo brought calamity. Cheng Pu, as General Who Establishes Might and Administrator of Liaoxi, responded to Taizu's call to arms and went to the covenant. Taizu entrusted him with an entire front, saying, "At the front, I and the other generals advance together; at the rear, with Demou, I have no worries."

Cheng Pu was mindful of the greater picture and adept at self-restraint. In the second year of Jian'an, Taizu pacified Hebei, abolished the position of Colonel-Director of Retainers, and reassigned Cheng Pu as General Who Guards the South, acting as Governor of Sizhou, entrusting him with military agricultural colonies. Cheng Pu had always been fond of wine and a great drinker, but upon taking office, he did not touch a single drop. His attendants marveled and asked, "General, why have you come to this?" Cheng Pu replied, "The great war has just ended, and the consumption of fodder and provisions has been immense. If I alone forgo drinking for a single day, it can provide a day's meals for several households." His attendants bowed in admiration, and his subordinates all followed his example, so the people's grain did not run short. When autumn came and the harvest was bountiful, Cheng Pu drank continuously for several days without stopping.

In the sixth year of Jian'an, the battle of Guandu began. Taizu appointed Cheng Pu as commander of the forward camp. Cheng Pu linked his camps for thirty li, advancing steadily forward. Cao Cao, having fared poorly in earlier engagements and wishing to seize the initiative, repeatedly attacked Cheng Pu but achieved nothing. At his wits' end, he sent men to jeer, "Cheng Pu has fought many times without merit; this is a case of one incompetent general wearing out three armies to death." When the army heard this, they all clamored for battle. Cheng Pu heard it too, and though furious, remained as immovable as ever. Later, a military clerk reported this again to Taizu. Taizu clapped his hands and said, "Have you not heard that the best warriors have no dazzling feats? Demou can be entrusted with great affairs." The army was thus calmed. In the ninth month, when the moment for battle arrived, Cheng Pu led his troops forward, breaking through everything in his path. Cao Cao abandoned his camp and fled.

In the first year of the Kaiyuan era, Taizu accepted the abdication and ascended the throne. Cheng Pu was enfeoffed with ten Battalion Commander and served as Governor of Sizhou.

Cheng Pu was by nature optimistic and fond of jest. In the second month of the thirteenth year of Kaiyuan, Cheng Pu fell gravely ill. Taizu came to visit him. Cheng Pu could not rise. Taizu said to him, "Time flies like an arrow. Both I and you have grown old. Do you have any wish now?" Cheng Pu replied, "Your Majesty, may you live ten thousand years — please do not speak such words. That your servant could follow Your Majesty in sweeping the four directions clean, with children and grandchildren filling the hall — the taste of it is like drinking fine wine. This life has been more than enough." When Taizu departed, Cheng Pu's son Zi wept unceasingly. Cheng Pu looked at him, pounded the couch, and sighed, "I regret it! There was one wish I forgot to tell His Majesty." Zi hurriedly asked what it was. Cheng Pu said, "Long ago, I heard that His Majesty once broke a flask to share wine, bestowing it upon heroes. I was in Youzhou at the time, and regret that I could not..." His voice faded to near inaudibility. Zi hastily wiped his tears and said, "I will chase after His Majesty at once and humbly beg him to grant you wine." As he was about to run, Cheng Pu suddenly spoke in a clear voice, "I was mistaken. What I wanted was to ask His Majesty to tell me where he bought that wine." Having spoken, he laughed uproariously. Zi's tears turned to laughter.

In the third month, Cheng Pu's illness grew worse. He summoned his sons and said with a stern countenance, "Now that I am about to die, I have one word to leave you. I have always been fond of drinking, but I had my limits. The younger generation now all imitate my fondness for drink, but without self-restraint; in time, this will surely bring disaster. When I die, the Cheng household must prohibit wine. Remember this firmly." His sons assented. Cheng Pu made them shout, "Today, the Cheng household must prohibit wine!" After they had done so three times, he passed away. At that time, Cheng Pu had formerly served as Governor of Sizhou and placed great emphasis on public order, so many Sizhou clerks were in attendance. Hearing this, and taking it as Cheng Pu's dying wish, they reported to the various gates of Luoyang, "Today, the city gates must prohibit wine." Later, Empress Dowager Xiaozhuang heard of this and said with a laugh to Taizu, "Reflecting on the past, I do think wine should be prohibited at the city gates." Thus it became a fixed regulation. Because the matter originated with Cheng Pu, later generations all called it "Cheng Pu Gate Inspection," a practice that continues to this day.

He was posthumously honored with the title "Wuzhao" (Martial and Illustrious). His son Zi inherited his title.

Gao Shun, styled Suqing, was a man of Shangdang. From youth, he had a martial bearing and studied under a worthy of his village, reading widely in the various philosophers. At the beginning of the Xiping era, he joined the army and accumulated merit to become a squad leader. At that time, an army major violated the wife of one of Gao Shun's soldiers. Gao Shun killed him and was thus sentenced to serve as a penal conscript in the army. Later, he came under Taizu's command. He was stern, upright, pure, and honest. At that time, many penal conscripts deserted or rebelled, but Gao Shun soothed and guided his men with satisfaction, losing not a single man. He was discovered by Lu Fan and often served as his right-hand man. At the end of Xiping, he followed the campaign against the Xianbei. After burning Mount Tanhan and returning, they encountered rain on the road. Taizu was severely wounded and in great difficulty. At that time, Gao Heng, styled Xuanqing, of Bohai, who had been personally promoted by Xia Yu, was also in the army. Xia Yu, fearing that his own defeat while Taizu alone had triumphed would lead to his being blamed, secretly ordered Gao Heng to rebel. In that moment of extreme peril, Gao Shun received orders from Lu Fan, carried Taizu on his back, and fled to the rear army, where they were safe. Taizu grasped his arm, bestowed a blade upon him, and ordered Gao Shun to assist Lu Fan in quelling the mutiny. Gao Shun returned, raised the blade in camp to calm the troops' hearts, while Lu Fan used Taizu's authority and virtue to rebuke Xia Yu for his lack of principle. Gao Xuanqing, overcome with shame, took his own life and died. At daybreak, Taizu first collected Gao Heng's body, then sighed and said, "Heng was also a man of pure integrity. Now, to lose one Gao Heng and gain one Gao Shun — is this not Heaven's will? He was Xuanqing; you, sir, shall be Suqing." Thus, in recognition of Gao Shun's great merit, he bestowed upon him the style Suqing, and promoted him from penal conscript to Army Commander. The entire camp looked on in astonishment! Later, when Taizu entered Luoyang from Pingcheng, he promoted Gao Shun to Battalion Army Commander.

In the seventh year of Guanghe, when Taizu served as General of the Household of All Purposes and attacked Bu Ji in the east, Gao Shun followed Cheng Pu, leading two thousand men of the Yanmen Separate Division to Dong Commandery. They blocked the enemy on the road and repeatedly achieved battle honors. When the Yellow Turbans were pacified, he was promoted to Major of a Separate Division and garrisoned Yanmen. Gao Shun was a man of pure integrity, skilled at nurturing his troops, possessing dignity and authority. He did not drink wine and accepted no gifts. The thousand men under his command had armor and weapons all of the finest quality and in perfect order. Every attack he launched was irresistible. In winter, the sentries requested wine to ward off the cold. Gao Shun refused, saying, "We who follow the army do so to preserve our lives, defend our homes, and establish merit. Now, forbidding wine is for your own safety and for the safety of your comrades." The sentries, hearing this, all fell silent. Within ten days, the entire army received leather gear. When asked, the quartermaster replied, "This was purchased by General Gao with his family's donation." The soldiers were all moved by his virtue and willing to die for him.

In the third month of the sixth year of Zhongping, Zhang Ju of Yuyang and the Wuhuan of Liaoxi rebelled. Taizu, deeming the roads difficult to traverse, designated Gao Shun as the vanguard, while the main army advanced behind toward Guanzi City. Three days later, as the main army was about to strike, word suddenly came that Gao Shun had rushed two hundred li, taken Guanzi City in a single battle, and captured Zhang Ju. Taizu was delighted and summoned him to bestow rewards. Gao Shun said, "The great army had gathered but not yet moved; Zhang Ju was complacent and unprepared. This was a Heaven-sent opportunity for battle. Moreover, it was the troops who obeyed orders unto death. Gao Shun dares not claim the credit; I beg that the soldiers be rewarded." Taizu then praised him, saying, "Swift as the wind in marching, fierce as fire in taking a city — Suqing's unit shall be named the Formation-Breaking Camp." He then feasted the unit grandly. Later, Gao Shun again followed Taizu in a rain-soaked surprise attack on Liucheng, capturing Qiuliju. His unit swept through the Wuhuan like an autumn gale stripping leaves. For his merits, he was promoted to Colonel Who Sweeps the Field.

In the first year of Chuping, Gao Shun followed Taizu in the campaign against Dong Zhuo. In the second month, the Bobo bandits of Hedong rebelled. Taizu led the cavalry to engage the bandits, while Gao Shun led the Formation-Breaking Camp to defend the main camp. The bandits then divided their forces to attack the camp, fighting desperately but unable to take it. As night approached, Taizu personally led the cavalry to array before them and press forward. The bandits had no foothold. Their leader Guo Tai, knowing defeat was inevitable, ordered Xu Huang to kill him, and the entire army surrendered. For his merit, Gao Shun was promoted to General Who Sweeps the Field.

In the ninth month of the first year of Jian'an, Taizu and Yuan Shao met in battle at Liangqi. Zhao Yun and Gao Shun led their troops to attack the left wing of Yuan Shao's army. Zhao Yun led his men in hurling spears to throw their formation into chaos, and Gao Shun's unit followed up, slaying the grand commander Tao Sheng and routing Yuan Shao's left wing. The battle was thus won. In the first month of the second year of Jian'an, Taizu, accompanied by Emperor Taizong, led an army of eighty thousand from Handan to attack Yuan Shao. On the tenth day, Yuan Shao's advisor Xu You used Lu Xiang's unit of ten thousand infantry and the great camp by the Qing River as bait, luring Taizu across the bridge to attack. Just as Lu Xiang's unit collapsed, Xu Rong, Zhang Fei, and others led their troops in pursuit, leaving the camp. Suddenly, Yuan Shao's main force of fifty thousand attacked from their ambush position, only five li from the central army, while the various units could not cross back in time. At that moment, Taizu, Emperor Taizong, and all the civil officials were in the central army, with only two thousand Volunteers and Gao Shun's four thousand infantry at their side. Lu Fan, Dong Zhao, and others, deeming the situation perilous, urged retreat. Taizu rebuked them and ordered Pang De to lead the Volunteers out of camp to shield the rear flank, then bestowed his own broken blade upon Gao Shun, ordering him to take command of the entire army. Yuan Shao's army, seeing Taizu's banner from afar, were all elated. Chief Clerk Pang Ji used the promise of returning home as bait to spur the Anping state troops to attack Taizu. Pang Ji charged at the front of the formation, and Yuan Shao's army's morale surged. However, Gao Shun, using the crouching-shield tactic, dealt a heavy blow to Yuan's army within a few breaths, shooting and killing Pang Ji. Yuan's army was greatly terrified and could not break through after three drumrolls. When Xu Rong and Zhang Fei returned with reinforcements, Yuan Shao and Xu You led their army in retreat, only to be intercepted and struck in the flank by Shen Pei's unit. Their entire army was routed. After the event, Taizu praised him, saying, "To break the enemy's vanguard at the height of their sharpness, to turn back the raging tide when all seems lost — who but Suqing could do this?" All the generals were convinced.

In the sixth year of Jian'an, the battle of Guandu began. Gao Shun led his troops to garrison the strategic point of Baima, simultaneously guarding the supply route.

In the first year of the Kaiyuan era, Taizu ascended the throne and proclaimed himself emperor. Gao Shun was enfeoffed with eight Battalion Commander and commanded the Imperial Guard in Luoyang.

In the fifth year of Kaiyuan, Taizu reviewed the troops in Luoyang. A meddler asked Gao Shun, "Looking at the realm's finest troops today, the cavalry's foremost are the Volunteers, and the infantry's foremost are the Formation-Breaking Camp. If the Volunteers were to array against the Formation-Breaking Camp, who would win?" Gao Shun repeatedly declined to answer but could not escape the question. He replied, "The Volunteers would win." Later, Taizu heard of this and said, "How modest Suqing is! Though the Formation-Breaking Camp has been expanded several times, it has never exceeded ten thousand. If it were allowed to exceed ten thousand, it would far surpass Li Ling, and even the Volunteers could not oppose it." All were astonished, and a saying thus arose: "The Formation-Breaking Camp, if not ten thousand strong, is invincible when ten thousand strong."

In the eleventh year of Kaiyuan, Gao Shun fell gravely ill and submitted a memorial to Taizu. His memorial read: "Having received Your Majesty's profound grace, though your servant was of lowly origin, you raised me from among the penal conscripts. Yet when I reflect, I know not how many among the conscripts are of my caliber. Now that your servant is about to die, I do not fear others' words, and beg Your Majesty to extend your grace and select the capable among them for employment." Taizu read the memorial and said, "How many forget their origins! How rare is one like Suqing!" He thus initiated the first special examination, named "For Conscripts."

He was posthumously honored with the title "Wusu" (Martial and Solemn). His eldest son, De, died young. His second son, Chong, inherited his title.

Guan Yu, originally styled Changsheng, was later bestowed the style Yunchang by Taizu. He was a man of Xie in Hedong. In his youth, he avenged a friend and fled as a fugitive to the State of Zhao. Lacking funds on the road and maintaining his integrity by refusing to steal, he heard that Taizu was building a dike on the Gelu River and thus transported stones to the dike. At the end of the second year of Guanghe, as the Xia Dike neared completion, the Inspector Liu Yan came to inspect it and was attacked by assassins, only to be saved by Lu Bu and Guan Yu. At that time, Taizu was also present, saw him, and found him remarkable. Later, hearing of his past deeds, Taizu took him into his confidence. His attendants mocked Guan Yu as a fugitive; Taizu laughed and replied, "Now the realm is in turmoil; we should employ the worthy. How could I reject a man for such a trifle?"

In the seventh year of Han Guanghe, thirty thousand Guangyang Yellow Turbans besieged Zhuocheng. Taizu, as Administrator of Zhuo Commandery, saw the enemy arrive and set up camp beneath the city walls. He then led Gongsun Yue, Liu Bei, Guan Yu, Qian Zhao, Zhang Fei, Wei Yue, and twenty riders in total out of the city, pierced through the enemy camp, and returned, with the enemy unable to harm them. Upon entering the city gate, the various generals boasted endlessly of their kills. Only Guan Yu remained silent. Taizu asked him why. He replied, "I observed that most of those men were common folk from the village lanes. To be unable to save them is a crime. Therefore, I dare not boast of merit, but only seek to swiftly end this chaos." Taizu admired his ambition and appointed him Acting Battalion Army Commander, leading the newly recruited troops. When Cheng Yuanzhi's army was defeated, Taizu drove the routed soldiers to assault Zhang Bao's main camp. Cheng Yuanzhi rallied his men, turned, and fought to the death, only to be slain by Guan Yu. The rebels collapsed again, and the Yellow Turban camp was seized. In the fifth month, Guan Yu captured Fagan County, restrained his troops, and posted notices to reassure the people. At that time, there was a wandering swordsman in the county named Pan Zhang, styled Wengui, a reckless and dissolute fellow of no account. He was sixteen that year and, seeing Guan Yu's majestic bearing in the city, sighed deeply in admiration and went to join him. He reformed his conduct and became a stalwart warrior, specializing in carrying Guan Yu's blade, later rising to the rank of general. In the tenth month, the Yellow Turbans were pacified. For his merits in slaying commanders and capturing cities, Guan Yu was promoted to Prefect of Zhaoge in Henei.

Guan Yu was arrogant toward superiors but compassionate toward subordinates, disdainful of vanity but devoted to substance. Taizu once passed through Handan on a military march and visited the State Elder Cai Yong. At that time, Cai Yong was fond of pure conversation and, hearing of Taizu's arrival, sat loftily above him. Guan Yu struck the table and rebuked him, "You pure Confucians have no ability whatsoever to govern the state or secure the realm. You know only how to fish for fame and reputation. That you can live in peace and comfort was won for you by us, following our lord through bitter battles. How dare you act thus now!" Cai Yong fell silent, rose from his seat, and apologized. Thereafter, he devoted himself to teaching and transmitting the Dao, writing books and establishing theories, and thus became a great master.

In the second year of Zhongping, Jizhou fell into great chaos. Bandits swarmed like bees, plundering in all directions, but they alone avoided Zhaoge. A children's rhyme went: "To guard the land and soothe the people, a good general is needed; to bring blessings to a region, there is Yunchang." In the fifth year of Zhongping, Taizu was about to battle Yuan Shao and summoned Guan Yu to Handan to assist in the fight. As he was about to depart, over ten thousand common folk followed him. In the seventh month, when Yuan Shao first besieged Handan, Shen Pei defended the city. Guan Yu divided his force of three thousand, left the city, and built a camp. Military Advisor Guo Jia accompanied him and said, "The enemy is numerous, but before they are settled, strike them, and they can be broken." Guan Yu greatly approved. Thus, the next day, he attacked the enemy camp of the Tian Yin unit three times, slaying commanders and routing the camp, terrifying their forces. Yuan Shao was somewhat checked. The next day, Yuan Shao built an earthen mound, hoping to lure Guan Yu and capture him. Guo Jia advised, "This is a Ten-Sided Ambush strategy. General, you may proceed with caution." Guan Yu replied, "That is not the saying. Watch the outcome." Guan Yu left camp and, seeing movement in Yuan's camp, knew there was an ambush. Guo Jia again remonstrated with him. Guan Yu declared resolutely, "Earthen dogs and clay chickens cannot withstand a single blow. Why worry about victory or defeat? I have never heard of Zhao Kuo slaying Lord Wu'an!" He then engaged. He led a thousand men out of camp, circling the city at a slow pace. When they reached the front of the earthen mound, they saw a great thunderstorm breaking. He then attacked under cover of the rain, routing the enemy and slaying Yuan's grand commander Gao Lan, before returning in triumph. When Guan Yu returned to camp after routing Yuan's army, Guo Jia braved the rain to welcome him and exclaimed with deep emotion, "With my meager talents, to rashly presume to gauge the general's divine martial prowess was truly unwise. General, this battle can only be called divinely martial." Guan Yu, his face ruddy and his beard handsome, stroked his beard and replied with a sidelong glance, "Once, in Zhongshan, the General of the Guard said to me: 'How can a general not know astronomy, not know geography?' That was nine years ago! Today, I return these words to Fengxiao. You should take them to heart." Guo Jia bowed in admiration. Yuan Shao, having been thwarted and facing heavy rain, knew he could not prevail and, with a hundred thousand men unable to act, withdrew. Several months later, Handan was exhausted and worn. Yuan Shao, with his forces fully replenished after the autumn harvest, again led a hundred thousand men to encircle Handan and nearly took it, only to withdraw when Taizu personally led reinforcements that were about to arrive. At that time, Zhang Fei was in the city and said to Guan Yu, "The General of the Guard has arrived. A great battle is coming. We are the claws and teeth of the General of the Guard; if we do not first blunt their momentum, the great battle cannot be won." Guan Yu heartily agreed. The two generals combined their cavalry, mustering seven hundred riders, and pursued to attack. Yuan Shao, worried, sent General of the Household Wen Chou with eight thousand elite riders to flank and block them. Guan Yu and Zhang Fei, with seven hundred riders, plunged into the eight thousand, killing and wounding over a hundred each time before breaking out. They did this six or seven times. The blocking cavalry was thrown into chaos and could not be controlled, ultimately unable to break free. From this, Guan Yu and Zhang Fei both gained the reputation of being a match for ten thousand men. When Yuan Shao was pacified, Guan Yu was promoted to General Who Guards the East, acting as Governor of Qingzhou, garrisoning Jinan and pacifying Mount Tai.

In the sixth year of Jian'an, Taizu fought in the Central Plains and entrusted Guan Yu with the eastern front. That year, Guan Yu led his forces to attack Xiahou Dun in eastern Yanzhou, repeatedly scoring victories. Xiahou Dun, defeated time and again, held out by relying on natural defenses. The two armies were locked in a stalemate, with victories and defeats on both sides, and a quick resolution was difficult. Suddenly, a letter from Guo Jia arrived, proposing a strategy of crossing the river in plain clothes to raid Xiapi. Guan Yu, considering the broader strategy, was initially unwilling to act, but when he read to the end of the letter, he found a slip of paper in Taizu's own handwriting, which read: "Yunchang's heroic spirit soars above the clouds; he is truly a tiger of a minister. His valor rivals a nation, a match for ten thousand men. He is fundamentally not of the common ilk of Zhou Gongjin or Xiahou Yuanrang. Yet the unification of the state concerns the common people. For now, set aside fame and stoop to stratagem!" Guan Yu had a great awakening. He immediately ordered Pan Zhang to lead five thousand men in a feint attack on Xiahou Dun, while he himself led ten thousand men, abandoned their warhorses, crossed the Wu River by night, and raided Zeng State. He then personally donned straw sandals and plain clothes and pushed a supply cart southward. Thus he arrived at Xiapi. Chen Gui, Chen Deng, Mi Fang, Cao Hong, and Chen Qun were all captured. Guan Yu entered the city and took custody of all the families of the Xuzhou officers and soldiers, comforting them all and strictly ordering his army not to trespass on any household. Further, mindful of the autumn harvest and flood damage, he distributed the city's granaries generously to the common people and laborers inside and outside Xiapi. As for the treasuries and wealth of the Chen, Cao, and Mi mansions, he took not a single coin for himself, rewarding it all to his soldiers.

When word of Xiapi’s fall reached Liu Bei, he and Dun advanced together. At that time Bei had a personal guard unit called the Bell Troops, commanded by Gan Ning, who escorted Bei to the city walls, waving banners and shouting war cries, flaunting their might. Yu rode out of the city alone, bearing the great blade bestowed by the Empress Dowager of Xiaozhuang, and charged toward their standard. Bei’s attendants thrust their spears at him, but the blade severed them. Bei and Dun were greatly alarmed and hastily rallied their troops, but they could not withstand him. Dun’s horse was cut down by Yu, and both men fell from their mounts. Ning, at the flank, thrust his spear at Yu’s horse and struck it. Yu dismounted, cast aside his blade, seized a spear, and stabbed Ning — the point entering through the mouth and exiting through the body. He then seized Ning’s horse and returned to the city. Bei’s army was utterly terrified and in the end dared not besiege the city. Thus the eastern front was victorious. When word reached Guandu, Cao’s army heard it and were all shocked; their will to fight dissolved. The Grand Ancestor launched his troops against Cao and won a great victory.

In the first year of the Kaiyuan era, the Grand Ancestor ascended the throne and proclaimed himself emperor. Yu beheaded the great bandit Yu Du as an offering, was enfeoffed with eight Battalion Commander, appointed Grand Commandant of the Navy, and garrisoned at Kuaiji. In military service, Yu drew close to the worthy and received men of talent, thought little of wealth and held righteousness dear — he had the manner of a state scholar. In civil administration, he decided cases with finality, leaving no matter backlogged, and the people of the realm cherished him. In the twenty-second year of Kaiyuan, there was a sea raider named Qian, a descendant of Yu Du, who plotted to avenge his father. He colluded with the Wa people and repeatedly raided Xu and Yang. When the Grand Ancestor heard of this, he renamed the Wa islands Dongzhou. Yu understood his intent and sent his son Xing to Dongzhou, but Xing could not make the crossing. There was a man of Pingyuan named Guan Lu, twelve years old, who presented the art of star observation. Xing then crossed. Later he traveled throughout the various states of Dongzhou, learned their true conditions, and authored the *Records of the States of Dongzhou*. In the twenty-fourth year of Kaiyuan, Yu crushed Yamatai, and Dongzhou thus became Yan territory.

When Emperor Taizong the Benevolent ascended the throne and changed the reign title to Zhenguan, Yu submitted a memorial requesting to be allowed to retire. Taizong approved his petition, increased Yu’s fief to ten Battalion Commander, and appointed his son Xing as Vice Grand Commandant of the Navy. In the fourth year of Zhenguan, Xing, using the ancient text *Yu Gong* bestowed by the Empress Dowager of Xiaozhuang, located Yizhou — which is the present-day Taiwan Commandery. In the fifth year of Zhenguan, Xing erected a boundary stele in Taiwan Commandery. Upon his return, he contracted an epidemic and died. An imperial edict mourned and lamented him; he was posthumously enfeoffed with two Battalion Commander, and his son Tong inherited the title.

In the seventh year of Zhenguan, Yu died in Luoyang. Taizong shed tears for him, suspended court for ten days, and gave him the posthumous name Wumu. His son Ping inherited the title.

“Zhang Fei, styled Yide, was a man of Zhuo Commandery. He understood loyalty and righteousness and held promises in high regard. When the Yellow Turban rebellion erupted, he joined the army. The Grand Ancestor was then Governor of Zhuo Commandery, and because of Fei’s bold valor, promoted him to general. Once, leading twenty horsemen, he raided an enemy camp of thirty thousand. The enemy gathered a thousand horsemen in ambush on both flanks, waiting for him to arrive before springing the trap. The twenty horsemen were all lost. Yide, enraged, charged straight at the enemy cavalry commander Deng Mao. Mao panicked and fled; the thousand horsemen were thrown into confusion and all followed him in flight. The Grand Ancestor, standing atop the city wall, saw Fei chasing a thousand horsemen as if driving cattle and sheep, and turned to his attendants and said: ‘Fei is a match for ten thousand men!’ He then dispatched three hundred White Horse Volunteers to strike the enemy cavalry from the flank, and the thousand horsemen were all destroyed at once.”

In the first year of Chuping, the feudal lords campaigned against Dong Zhuo. Shao served as alliance chief, and the coalition army of one hundred thousand approached Hulao Pass. Dong Zhuo sent his Grand General Hua Xiong to Hulao Pass, where he flaunted his might, winning battle after battle, and none could withstand him. Liu Bei alone, not deeming his troops too weak, volunteered to serve as the vanguard and attack him. His subordinate Zhang Fei caught sight of Xiong’s command canopy, spurred his horse, and stabbed Xiong amid the multitude, cutting off his head and returning. None of Zhuo’s generals could stop him, and the three armies were awed. That night, Bei, reasoning that Hulao Pass had lost its commander and would be unprepared, personally led a thousand men to cross by boat and land behind the pass. He first took Chenggao, then seized Hulao Pass, shocking the feudal lords once more. However, Shao outwardly rejoiced but inwardly fretted because both Bei and Fei were old associates of the Grand Ancestor, and his anxiety grew until he fell ill.

In the seventh month of the first year of Han’s Jian’an era, Fei and Bei were recruiting troops in Huainan. Hearing that battle was about to be joined in Hebei, Fei rode north alone to Handan to aid the Grand Ancestor. Passing Qinting Ford, he encountered Li Jin and crossed the river. Arriving at Julu, Shao’s advisor Xu You was using official titles to entice the local powerful families, and the entire commandery had revolted. Fei, following Dong Zhao’s strategy, led a thousand commandery troops and campaigned across eight counties and ten cities in the southern part of the commandery, winning battle after battle. In the ninth month, he again defeated Xu You and thus recovered all of Julu. Later, Yuan Shao massed an army of one hundred thousand and besieged Handan. For six days, Handan was in peril. Fei led five hundred horsemen to its relief, killed Yuan’s Grand General Lu Kuang in formation, and then entered the city. The morale of Handan’s defenders soared, and the city was no longer in danger. In the first month of the second year of Jian’an, the Grand Ancestor defeated Shao. In recognition of his achievements, he petitioned to bestow upon Zhang Fei the title of General Who Sweeps the Wilderness and presented him with heavy gold. Fei accepted the seal, hung up the gold, and rode alone back to Huainan. On the way, he again encountered Li Jin. The two men held each other in mutual esteem, and this became a celebrated tale.

Fei excelled at chaotic warfare, cherished and respected gentlemen, but showed no compassion for petty men. In the eighth year of Jian’an, the Grand Ancestor appointed Lu Fan as marshal to do battle with Liu Bei at the Yu River. Bei was Fei’s sworn elder brother. Fei received orders to lead two thousand troops in an attack on Lu Fan. When battle was joined, Fei alone led his personal guard in a valiant charge forward, slew four generals, captured one, and pierced through several encampments in succession. However, his troops were blocked, and Fei paid them no heed. Reaching Sima Yi’s camp, he charged in alone to stab Yi. Yi’s troops could not stop him; Yi’s horse took fright and bolted. Fei pursued him across the battlefield. Suddenly Yi’s horse stumbled and fell forward. Yi thought he would surely die, but Fei, because Yi came from a renowned family, spared him and rode off alone to the east. The entire camp dared not block him. When Liu Bei arrived again, the situation grew even more critical. Yi, overwhelmed by shame and fury, removed his armor, cut off his topknot, and stripped naked to issue orders before the army. He personally charged the formation, striking south toward Bei’s central army, and won a great victory. While the entire army pursued Liu Bei, Yi alone searched unceasingly for Fei and found him washing his armor in the Yu River. Both men, stripped bare, fought fiercely in the Yu River. Fei, having suffered seven wounds in his earlier charge, gradually weakened and was killed by Yi in the water. But the current was fierce, and his body was never found.”

In the first year of the Kaiyuan era, the Grand Ancestor ascended the throne and proclaimed himself emperor. Recording Fei’s past achievements, he posthumously enfeoffed him as General Who Upholds Righteousness, with the posthumous name Wu. His son Bao had vanished without a trace, leaving no heir.

“Zhao Yun, styled Zilong, was a man of Zhending in Changshan. Yun stood eight *chi* tall, with a majestic and imposing bearing. He was highly skilled in archery and horsemanship, understood military matters, and was adept at formations. At the end of the Zhongping era, the Wuhuan of Liaoxi rebelled. Yun was recommended by his commandery and led volunteer followers to join the Grand Ancestor. When the Grand Ancestor was trapped by the Wuhuan at the Daling River and could not cross, Yun led seventeen horsemen to the opposite bank and made himself seen. Unflinching against blades and arrows, he charged into a thousand horsemen several times. His attendants all fell, yet Yun alone continued charging and killing without cease, stunning both riverbanks. The Grand Ancestor, stirred by his deed, personally took up his blade and crossed the river, calling upon the various mixed Hu tribes to kill Wuhuan in exchange for amnesty, and thus escaped. At that time, the army’s civil officials, including Xi Zhong, were all present and were spared disaster because of this. Yun thereafter accompanied the Grand Ancestor on his campaigns.”

Yun’s valor and fortitude were the finest in the three armies, and he was always the first to ascend walls and break formations. In the first year of Jian’an, the Grand Ancestor fought Yuan Shao at Handan. After the two armies had arrayed, Shao’s general Wen Chou, who had always been renowned for his bravery, requested a champion’s duel. The Grand Ancestor looked around at his generals and ordered Yun to go forth and fight. Chou was fierce and unafraid of death, utterly reckless. Yun used skill to overcome strength, and when Chou’s strength was spent, stabbed him from his horse. Shao, watching Chou die, had his hands tremble violently, and his army’s morale was greatly dampened. The Grand Ancestor then waved his army forward to attack Shao. Yun seized the moment to return to formation, lead his own unit, and attack Tao Sheng’s division on Shao’s left wing. Sheng’s troops all bore shields that arrows could not penetrate. Yun ordered his men to hurl their spears at them. Sheng’s division fell into chaos. Gao Shun led his troops to seize the advantage, beheaded Tao Sheng, and routed the left wing of Shao’s army. The battle was thus won.

In the autumn of the fifth year of Jian’an, the Grand Ancestor attacked Liangzhou, with Yun as the vanguard. They emerged from Sanguan Pass and seized the Wudu road. At that time, the Di King Yang Qianwan and seven or eight other chieftains, under Han Sui’s orders, each commanded over ten thousand men and had locked down Mount Wu and the Di road, cutting off Longxi. Where the road was narrow and perilous, footpaths barely passable, the rebels fortified the heights. Yun had originally intended to abandon the route and return north to Hanyang, but hearing that the Grand Ancestor had already reached Yongshi and was pressing Han Sui at Yuzhong, he again traveled west to observe the terrain. Returning, he reported to Cheng Yin: “The rebels are numerous and have blocked Mount Wu and the Di road, but they lack unified command and cannot support each other. They can be defeated!” Yin and the other generals all said: “These words may be true, but our troops are few and the road is perilous. Even if we win one or two engagements, it will be difficult to penetrate deeply. I fear we cannot defeat them all!” Yun replied: “This is what is meant by ‘one against one,’ and what General Wei spoke of — ‘when brave men meet on a narrow path, the brave one wins.’ Break two or three of them, and the rest will collapse on their own.” He then advanced to the foot of Mount Wu and established camp. With the entire army of six thousand, he launched an uphill assault, taking the heads of Yang Qianwan and one Di king. Before they had reached the third, the rebels had all collapsed and fled. Thus the route from Mount Wu to Longxi was opened. Longxi was undefended. Yun again had Yin lead the troops to hold Zhang County, while he himself selected eight hundred elite horsemen and personally went against the current of the Tao River, traveling north out of the Di road. Reaching the Yellow River, he had just set up a stockade when he encountered Han Sui, who had abandoned Yuzhong and traveled west to this point, with no fewer than seven thousand men. Yun ordered his attendants to furl their banners and hide within the stockade, while he alone, holding his lance horizontally, planted his banner before the camp. Sui gazed from afar, saw the banners and encampment, and was so terrified that he wept. He then returned east and surrendered to the Grand Ancestor. When the Grand Ancestor heard of this, he sighed and said: “Zilong is made entirely of gall!” He ranked him first in the pacification of Liangzhou, promoted him to Champion General, and increased his stipend.

At that time, Yun’s rank was foremost among the generals, and there was considerable discussion in the army. When the Grand Ancestor asked the reason, Pang De replied: “It is nothing — he simply does not wish to be second.” The Grand Ancestor understood his meaning and laughed, saying: “First, Zilong has served in the army for several years and has never vied for merit. Second, although the generals are mostly heroes, Yunchang is arrogant and overbearing due to his ability, Demou is self-important due to his seniority, Bojin is ignorant of the larger picture, you handle minor matters with partiality and selfishness, and Wenyuan is fierce and untamed. Only Zilong does not trouble my heart. He stands above the other generals, and so today I bestow this rank upon him to encourage them all.” When the others heard this, they all bowed in submission and felt no jealousy. Later, when Zhang Lu heard that the Grand Ancestor had pacified Liangzhou, he surrendered Hanzhong. The Grand Ancestor accepted, and as before appointed him Governor of Hanzhong. Because of bandit troubles in Liangzhou, he also ordered Yun to garrison there, supervising the two commanderies of Hanzhong and Wudu.

In the fourth year of Jian’an, the Grand Ancestor was enfeoffed as Duke of Yan and built the Bronze Bird Terrace in Ye. He promoted Yun to the rank of Vice Grand Commandant, and Yun continued to garrison Hanzhong. In the seventh year of Jian’an, the Grand Ancestor, having just pacified the Central Plains, launched a three-pronged attack on Shu. Yun directly led twenty thousand infantry and cavalry from the central route out of Yangping, heading straight for Baishui. The Shu army scattered at the sight of Yun’s banners, and thus Baishui Pass was taken. The Shu general Zhang Ren occupied Jiameng Pass, holding the strategic position to defend it. Yun halted his troops and secretly constructed thunderbolt catapults. In ten days they were completed, and he launched stone projectiles to strike the pass walls. Jiameng fell within days. Within a month, Yun had broken through the famous passes along the Shu roads in succession, his unit suffering not a single casualty. Shu was shaken and withdrew into Jiange, burning the plank roads to protect themselves. Later, a great upheaval occurred within Shu, leaving Jiange undefended. Zhang Ren came out to offer battle and was slain by Yun. The Shu roads were thus opened. At that time, the realm was about to be settled. The generals who followed the Grand Ancestor, such as Guan Yu, mostly took many concubines. Only Yun did not marry. When the Grand Ancestor asked him why, Yun said: “The realm is not yet settled, and the sleeping mat is not yet at peace. How dare Yun neglect my lord’s great enterprise for personal matters?” The Grand Ancestor praised him, saying: “Zilong is a true man!”

In the first year of the Kaiyuan era, the Grand Ancestor accepted the abdication and ascended the throne. Yun was enfeoffed with five Battalion Commander and appointed Governor of Liangzhou. In the eleventh year of Kaiyuan, he was transferred to be Governor of Zangzhou, garrisoning Lancheng. Yun was skilled at pacifying the Qiang and Rong tribes, and all the Hu submitted to him. In the spring of the nineteenth year of Kaiyuan, Yun’s mother passed away, and he returned to Luoyang to arrange the funeral. In the autumn, he heard that Han Li and the various Qiang had rebelled and besieged Cheshi Commandery. Li was the son of Han Sui. The Grand Ancestor summoned Yun, bestowed upon him a staff of authority, and ordered him to return to Zangzhou. Yun led several dozen personal guards, each man with three horses, and traveled day and night back to Zangzhou. Upon arrival, he personally led five hundred horsemen and arrayed them before the Qiang formation. The Qiang scouts urgently reported to the central army. The Qiang chieftain asked in surprise: “Who is it?” The report came: “Lord Zhao has arrived.” The chieftain said in alarm: “Lord Zhao is still alive?” He hurried out to greet him. Yun asked why they had rebelled. They answered: “Han Li said that the White Horse Emperor had abandoned the realm, that Lord Zhao had passed away, and that the Middle Kingdom was without a master. Moreover, this spring there was a great drought, and we lacked grain, so we came to seek food.” Yun said: “Now that I have arrived, which of you dares to answer a challenge?” The chieftains all knelt and apologized, saying: “Please, Lord Zhao, punish us. We were deceived by him through our own negligence and truly did not dare to rebel.” Yun said: “The Son of Heaven enjoys ten thousand years of life. You shall await His Majesty’s judgment.” The Hu said: “Now we shall attack Li. Please allow us to serve as the vanguard, seeking to atone for our crimes through merit.” Yun granted this. When Li heard that Yun had arrived and that the various Qiang had submitted to him, he requested to surrender. Because the Western Regions were far and Zangzhou lacked grain, Yun accepted, ordering Li to transport grain to Zangzhou. Li dared not disobey. In the twenty-first year of Kaiyuan, the Grand Ancestor replaced Yun with Pang De as Governor of Zangzhou and summoned Yun back to Luoyang, increasing his fief by three Battalion Commander and appointing him Governor of Sizhou.

When Emperor Taizong the Benevolent ascended the throne and changed the reign title to Zhenguan, Yun submitted a memorial requesting to be allowed to retire. The Emperor rejected his petition. Yun governed his household with strict discipline; his family members understood propriety and abided by the law. His sons Tong and Guang were both accomplished in both civil and military arts. Guang was especially skilled in archery and renowned in Luoyang. At that time, many of the noble houses in Luoyang had members who broke the law; only Yun and a few others were uninvolved in such matters.

In the third year of Zhenguan, Kebineng, taking advantage of the Grand Ancestor’s death, united the three Xianbei divisions to attack Shanzhou, break through Yunzhong, and reach Yanmen. The realm was shaken. Taizong appointed Yun as Commander of the Imperial Guard and personally led a campaign against them, arraying the army against the Xianbei at Yanmen. At that time, the warriors of the three Xianbei divisions and Kebineng’s royal court were all boasting of their valor and challenging our army to combat before the lines. Yun therefore requested to fight. Taizong said: “General, you are advanced in years. If the slightest mishap should occur, it would tarnish a lifetime of heroic reputation — that would not be fitting.” Yun said with a solemn expression: “Since the late Emperor graced me with his favor and entrusted me with regional responsibilities, I have, mindful of my status, not personally entered the fray. Now, fortunately, Your Majesty is leading the campaign in person, and I again request to perform the ritual of a champion’s duel.” Taizong, impressed by his resolve, granted the request and also ordered his son Guang to observe the formation. Yun emerged from the ranks. The Xianbei Hu, seeing his hair and beard were completely white, burst into mocking laughter. Yun did not answer them. He spurred his horse, leveled his spear, and stabbed an enemy from his horse. He did this four times.

The Xianbei were quite cowed and then challenged him to an archery contest. Guang, fearing that Yun’s strength was failing, spurred his horse forth and pointed at the feathered warriors of the four divisions, saying: “Today I see you all have stuck markers in your heads, offering them for sale. You may all receive death together.” The Xianbei feathered warriors were those who wore eagle feathers in their helmets — the champions of each division. The four Hu were enraged and spurred their horses forth. Guang took up a five-*dan* bow, nocked four arrows, and loosed three of them, striking three men. The survivor, terrified, wheeled his horse to flee. Guang shot again, striking his horse. The Hu returned to his lines on foot and was killed by Kebineng. The entire Xianbei formation fell silent, while our army’s cheers shook the heavens. Taizong praised him, saying: “A tiger father begets no dog of a son.” He then waved the army forward in a general assault, routing the Xianbei, and returned in triumph. After the victory, Yun rebuked Guang, saying: “Why did your arrow strike the horse? Has your skill grown slack from idleness?” Guang apologized, saying: “It was not so. Father, though past seventy, still stabbed four men. Therefore, your son shot only three, not daring to match Father’s shoulder.” The people of the time praised this. Upon returning to Luoyang and assessing merits, Yun’s fief was increased to ten Battalion Commander, and he was placed in charge of the Privy Council. Guang was enfeoffed with two Battalion Commander and appointed Vice Commander of the Imperial Guard.

In the fifth year of Zhenguan, Taizong appointed Guang as marshal and sent him to campaign against the Xianbei. Guang led the army into Mobei, beheaded Kebineng, and the northern frontier was thus pacified. Taizong, overjoyed, bestowed upon Guang the imperial surname and promoted him to Commander of the Imperial Guard. At that time, the Censorate remonstrated, saying: “The house of Chancellor Zhao indeed has great merit. However, bestowing the imperial surname is the utmost in honor and favor. Now Chancellor Zhao heads the Censorate, controlling the movement of the realm’s troops, while his son commands the Imperial Guard. This is not appropriate.” Taizong then asked his ministers: “Does Chancellor Zhao have ability?” They answered: “He does.” He asked: “Does Chancellor Zhao have virtue?” They answered: “He stands above all other ministers.” He asked: “Are you all jealous?” The ministers apologized, saying: “We dare not. We truly cannot compare to him.” Thus they remonstrated no further.

In the seventh year of Zhenguan, Yun died of illness. He was given the posthumous name Wuzhong, granted a place in the Imperial Ancestral Temple, and his son Tong inherited his title.

——

*Old Book of Yan*, Volume 69, Biographies 19

The Appraisal says: As Han gave way to Yan, the Grand Ancestor established these martial achievements. At that time, the realm’s six renowned generals were foremost. Lord Han followed the Grand Ancestor from his youth, enduring many hardships and dangers — the utmost in loyalty. Lord Cheng planned with the greater picture in mind, never calculating personal gain. Lord Gao revived the legacy of Peng and Qing, rising from a lowly attendant, and was ever able to use righteousness to safeguard himself. Lord Guan could fight on horseback and govern when dismounted, putting the people first in all matters. Lord Zhang held fast to his original heart, never forgetting righteousness even in a chaotic age. Lord Zhao wielded power that tilted the realm, yet the court did not suspect him; he stood at the pinnacle of ministers, yet the multitude did not envy him. Worthy indeed — all were pillars of the state. The prosperity of Yan truly depended upon them.

(End of Chapter)