Gao Yun 高允 390-487

He was born in Bohai commandery (in present-day Hebei), was a talented official and writer who served five successive emperors in the Northern Wei. As a young man, after abandoning a monastic career, Gao studied astronomy, astrology, and history and served as a commandery official. In 431, he was summoned to the capital Pingcheng, where he eventually joined the staff of Cui Hao 崔浩 (d.450), then prime minister, with whom he worked closely in compiling a history of the Northern Wei. From the 450s up until his death, he steadily rose in power and continued to be involved in the compilation work.

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