The 24 heroes are:
Sun Wuji (about 599-659), the eldest son of Zhao Guogong, was born as a scholar. The leader of the 24 heroes of Lingyan Pavilion, the brother of Empress Changsun, and the brother-in-law of Li Shimin. He had been friendly with Li Shimin since childhood. After Li Yuan raised an army in Taiyuan, he took refuge with Li Shimin. He played a mastermind role in the Xuanwu Gate Incident. Trusted by Li Shimin for life. After Li Shimin's death, he took sole power and got rid of Princess Gaoyang. By the way, he also brought along Taizong's favorite son, King Wu Li Ke. He was tabooed by Emperor Gaozong for interfering in Li Zhi's private life. In the end, the struggle failed and he died in the hands of Wu Zetian, and his whole family was implicated.
Li Xiaogong (591-640), Prince of Zhaojun, was a member of the Tang clan. His father was Li Yuan's cousin. After Li Yuan launched his army, he was responsible for managing Bashu. All areas south of the Yangtze River were under his command, and his military exploits rivaled those of Li Shimin. After Li Shimin ascended the throne, he withdrew from the center of power and entertained himself with singing and dancing beauties. In the fourteenth year of Zhenguan, he died of a sudden illness.
Du Ruhui (585-630), Duke of Cai, was a scholar. Recommended by Fang Xuanling, he was highly regarded by Li Shimin and became the first of the eighteen bachelors. The mastermind of the Xuanwu Gate Incident. During the Zhenguan period, he and Fang Xuanling took charge of the government together, but died of illness in the fourth year of Zhenguan at the age of 46. Li Shimin deeply regretted his death and was extremely sad and honorable after his death. It can be said that "he was born great and died gloriously." It is said that one time, Emperor Taizong of the Tang Dynasty ate a piece of delicious cantaloupe and suddenly remembered Du Ruhui for some reason. Send royal delicacies as a memorial service. However, Du Ruhui's second son, Princess Chengyang's consort, was later beheaded for being involved in Prince Li Chengqian's rebellion. The eldest son of Xijue, Du Gou, was originally the governor of Cizhou. Due to the case of his younger brother, he was demoted to Lingnan and died in the countryside.
Zheng Guogong Wei Zheng (580-643) was a scholar. He was originally Li Mi's counselor, and later followed Li Mi to surrender to the Tang Dynasty. Established as a subordinate for the prince. After the Xuanwu Gate Incident, he surrendered to Li Shimin. Because he senses the kindness he encounters, he knows everything he knows and speaks up, and he is famous for giving advice. When Wei Zheng was alive, he was honored as "Mirror" by Taizong, but after his death, Li Shimin ordered that the previous engagement of Princess Hengshan to Wei Zheng's eldest son, Wei Shuyu, be abandoned, and he also destroyed people's tombstones to express his personal anger. It’s really not Mingjun’s fault!
Liang Guogong Fang Xuanling (579-648) was born as a scholar. Li Shimin was an important staff member and was good at strategy. The mastermind of the Xuanwu Gate Incident. During the Zhenguan period, he was responsible for administration for nearly twenty years and won Li Shimin's trust. He died at the age of 70. Three days after Taizong abolished the court, he presented it to the Taiwei and was buried with him in Zhaoling. But then Zifang Yiai and Princess Gaoyang and his wife were executed for treason. The eldest son, Fang Yi, was implicated and became a commoner. Fang Xuanling's tablet was also ordered to be removed from Taizong Temple.
Gao Shilian (575-647), Duke of Shen State, was a scholar. Changsun Wuji's biological uncle took the initiative to betroth Queen Changsun to Li Shimin. He was good at administration and literature. He was Li Shimin's confidant and participated in the planning of the Xuanwu Gate Incident. There are three generations of prime ministers in the same family, and they are all in the limelight.
Chi Jingde (585-658), the Duke of E State, was a military general. He was originally a general under Liu Wu and Zhou, but later surrendered to Li Shimin. He had the merit of riding alone as the savior and participated in Li Shimin's previous battles. During the Xuanwu Gate Incident, he personally killed Qi King Yuanji, and led his troops to force Li Yuan to issue an edict to make Li Shimin the crown prince. After becoming successful, he retired, believed in Taoism in his later years, stayed away from politics, and died a happy death. One of the folk "door gods" of later generations.
Li Jing (571-649), Duke of Wei, was a military general. The legendary Hong Fu’s husband. He tried to expose Li Yuan's rebellion and was almost executed by Li Yuan. Fortunately, he was saved by Li Shimin. Did not participate in the Xuanwu Gate Incident. During the Zhenguan period, he was responsible for resisting the Turks, and his military exploits were unparalleled. He died of illness at home at the age of 79. In the end, he became the King of Tota Li in folklore.
Xiao Yu (574-648), Duke of Song Dynasty, was born as a scholar. The younger brother of Emperor Yang of Sui Dynasty and Empress Xiao. After Li Yuan raised an army, he surrendered to the Tang Dynasty and was put in great use by Li Yuan. After Li Shimin came to the throne, he was at odds with Fang Xuanling and Du Ruhui, and offended Li Shimin many times, causing ups and downs in his official career. He died of illness at the age of 74 and was buried in Zhaoling.
Duan Zhixuan (579-642), the Duke of Baoguo, was a military general. Li Yuan's old department when he was in Taiyuan. Participated in all important battles. When the Li Shimin brothers were fighting, they refused to win over Jiancheng and Yuanji, stayed loyal to Li Shimin, and participated in the Xuanwu Gate Incident. After he died of illness, he was buried in Zhaoling.
Kui Guogong Liu Hongji (582-650) was a military general. When Taiyuan raised troops, he was responsible for recruiting warriors and made great achievements. After conquering Chang'an, he was ranked first in military merit. Due to the deterioration of the relationship between the Tang Dynasty and the Turks, they were stationed in the north to resist the Turks all year round. After he died of illness, he was buried in Zhaoling.
Qu Tutong (557-628), Duke of Jiang, was a military general. He served as Yang Jian and Yang Guang and had great military exploits. After Li Yuan raised his troops, he attacked Chang'an. Qu Tutong led his men to fight to the death. After being exhausted, he attempted suicide and finally surrendered to Li Yuan. Participated in all major military operations of the Tang Dynasty, and was ranked first in military merits when he destroyed Wang Shichong. "Old Tang Book" commented on him: "He was loyal to the Sui Dynasty and made contributions to the Tang Dynasty. He served both countries and became more famous."
Yin Kaishan, the Duke of Xunguo (57?-622), was a military general. Li Yuan's old department. When attacking Xue Ju, he was defeated in Qianshuiyuan. He and Liu Wenjing were held accountable and demoted to common people. Later, Li Shimin succeeded in destroying the Xue family. Got sick and died.
Chai Shao, Duke of Qiao (59?-638), was a military general. Li Yuan's son-in-law married Princess Pingyang. Both husband and wife are heroes. Participated in important battles such as the conquest of Chang'an and the destruction of Xue Ju and Wang Shichong. However, his son Chai Lingwu and Princess Baling and his wife both died at the hands of Zhang Sun Wuji.
Sun Shunde (58?-63?), the eldest son of Pi State, was a relative. The uncle of Queen Changsun. When Taiyuan raised troops, he and Liu Hongji were responsible for recruiting warriors and made great achievements. He served as the vanguard when he attacked Chang'an and captured the Sui general Qu Tutong. Later, due to greed in his position as an official, he was demoted several times and finally fell ill and died.
Xunjie Gong Zhang Liang (59?-646) was born as a farmer. Originally a subordinate of Li Mi. When the Li Shimin brothers were fighting, he sent him to Luoyang to recruit private parties. He was reported by Yuan Ji and imprisoned. He refused to confess and protected Li Shimin, so he was meritorious. In the 20th year of Zhenguan, someone reported that Zhang Liang had prophesied that "a king with a long bow will be the capital of other cities". In addition, he secretly recruited 500 adopted sons, and he was suspected of treason. Taizong ordered him to be executed, and he lost his family property.
The Duke of Chen Guojunji (59?-643) was a military general. Li Shimin's confidant and served as his staff all year round. The main planner of the Xuanwumen Incident. Commander Ren will defeat Gaochang. After returning to the court, he was impeached for embezzling the spoils of Gaochang and held a grudge. He attempted to murder Li Shimin and support his eldest son Li Chengqian, but was killed after the incident was revealed. His face did not change when he was beheaded. All his wives were exiled to Lingnan.
The Duke of Tan, Zhang Gongjin (594-632), was a military general. Originally a subordinate of Wang Shichong, he later surrendered to the Tang Dynasty. He was appreciated for his participation in the planning of the Xuanwumen Incident, and his merits were great. After Li Shimin ascended the throne, he assisted Li Jing in destroying the Turks. He was only 39 years old when he died of illness.
Cheng Zhijie (59?-665), Duke of Lu State, was a military general. Cheng Yaojin in the novel was originally a brave general of the Wagang Army. After Li Mi failed, he surrendered to Wang Shichong. Because he was dissatisfied with the king's behavior, he surrendered to the Tang Dynasty together with Qin Shubao and was assigned to Li Shimin's account. Participated in Li Shimin's previous battles. Cheng Yaojin is the most frequently photographed novelist of all time. From "Romance of the Sui and Tang Dynasties" to "Xue Gang's Revolt against the Tang Dynasty", everything related to that period of history has his figure as a wise and foolish man. Retire in old age and die well, and future generations will also have a good end.
Yongxing Gong Yu Shinan (558-638) was a scholar and a master of calligraphy. The younger brother of the traitor Yu Shiji of the Sui Dynasty, he was famous for his literature since childhood. He once attached himself to Dou Jiande and joined Li Shimin's shogunate after Dou Jiande's death. After that, he devoted himself to assisting Li Shimin and was evaluated as having the five qualities of virtue, loyalty, erudition, diction, and calligraphy. Died at the age of 81.
Chongqing Xianggong Liu Zhenghui (58?-635) was a military general. He raised troops with Li Yuan and was responsible for staying in Taiyuan. He was captured during Liu Wuzhou's attack. He was loyal and unyielding, and even looked for opportunities to inquire about Liu Wuzhou's military situation and reported secretly to Li Yuan. Liu Wuzhou was rescued after his death.
Tang Jian (579-656), Duke of Ju State, was a scholar. Befriend Li Yuan. Participated in Li Yuan's plan to raise troops in Taiyuan. His greatest contribution was to expose Dugu Huaien's rebellion, and he was granted immunity from death penalty once. In the early years of Zhenguan, he was responsible for diplomatic affairs with Turks. He died at the age of 78 and was buried in Zhaoling.
The British Duke Li Shiji (594-669) was a military general. His real surname is Xu, also known as Li Ji, Xu Maogong in the novel. He was originally General Wagang. After Li Mi surrendered to the Tang Dynasty, he became an independent force and was called a "pure minister" by Li Yuan. Did not participate in the Xuanwu Gate Incident. Together with Li Jing, he destroyed the Turks. In the next sixteen years, he was responsible for the defense of the northern part of the Tang Dynasty. He also followed Li Shimin to attack Goryeo.
He himself was loyal to the imperial court, but when Wu Zetian was in power, his grandson Li Jingye rebelled. Wu Zetian issued an edict to hunt down Li Jingye's ancestor and father's official title, dig graves and cut coffins, and restore the original surname to Xu. As a result, Li Shiji lost his life in the later years.
Qin Shubao (59?-638), Duke of Hu State, was a military general. General Wagang. He made great contributions in the battles between Li Mi, Yu Wenhua and Tongshan. After Li Mi failed, he surrendered to Wang Shichong. Because he was dissatisfied with the king's behavior, he and Cheng Zhijie surrendered to Tang Dynasty and were assigned to Li Shimin's account. Participated in Li Shimin's previous battles and always charged first in every battle. He was ill for many years and was buried in Zhaoling after his death. One of the folk "door gods" of later generations.