Chang, known as Hengyang Xianwang and styled Jingye, was the sixth son of Gaozu. Towards the end of the Taiqing period of the Liang Dynasty, when Gaozu was campaigning south against Li Ben, he let Chang and Empress Xuan follow Shen Ke back to Wuxing. When Gaozu went east to campaign against Hou Jing, Chang, Empress Xuan, and Emperor Shizu were all captured by Hou Jing. After Hou Jing was defeated, Chang was appointed as the Prince of Changchengguo and the Prefect of Wuxing when he was just sixteen.
Chang was very handsome, with a remarkable demeanor, and was intelligent and clever. He was well-versed in political matters. Gaozu sent Xie Zhe from Chen County and Cai Jing from Jiyang to assist Chang in governing Wuxing County, and sent Du Zhiwei from Wu County to teach Chang. Chang had an exceptional memory for reading, understood the principles in books thoroughly, and was adept at analyzing problems. Later, he went to Jingzhou with Gaozu, and Liang Yuandi appointed him as a Cavalier Attendant in the Imperial Guard. When Jingzhou fell, he moved to the Guanzhong region with Gaozu. Due to Gaozu's relationship, Western Wei treated them very politely.
After Gaozu became emperor, he sent envoys to Western Wei multiple times to request the return of Gaozong and Chang. The Zhou Dynasty agreed, but they were only allowed to return after Gaozu's death. At that time, Wang Lin was causing unrest in the central and lower Yangtze River region, and Chang stayed in Anlu. After Wang Lin was subdued, in the second month of the first year of Tianjia, Chang set off from Anlu, crossed the Yangtze River at Lushan Crossing. At this time, Prince Baling Xiao Yan and other officials submitted a joint memorial:
Hengyang Xianwang Chang, Nankang Minwang Tan Lang, sons Fang Tai and Fang Qing
I've heard that the descendants are the backbone of the nation; the prosperity of the Zhou Dynasty serves as a prime example: the enfeoffment of vassal states, the strengthening of borders— the Han Dynasty also did the same— so that they could continue for generations, all relying on vassal states like Xingguo and Weiguo. It is by the strength of the Yellow River and Yangtze River basins that the stability of the dynasty can be maintained.
Your Majesty, you are wise and valiant, with remarkable virtue. Your wisdom is profound and unfathomable, rivaling the very forces of nature. When the dynasty was newly established and the situation was difficult, you assisted the emperor, upheld justice, and commanded respect across the realm, maintaining internal stability. This is why the glory of the Great Yu era was revived, protecting the people. However, after the passing of the emperor, the army was on distant expeditions, the heir was cut off from the court, and there was uncertainty about the succession, endangering the royal ancestral temple and the stability of the kingdom. Later, the heir to the throne returned to the capital, and after careful deliberation among the ministers, it was decided to ascend the throne to honor our ancestors and usher in a prosperous era, gaining the support of the people, ensuring peace for the imperial tomb, and gradually restoring the strength of the country. These are all positive signs today, signifying the will of heaven and the people's desires. Wang Lin has rebelled, committing countless crimes and evading justice for far too long. Now, he has colluded with barbarians, causing chaos and spreading flags of warships along the rivers, with the army running rampant, the people exhausted, the treasury empty, and the entire nation gripped by anxiety. Border defenses are also in jeopardy. You work tirelessly, overseeing state affairs personally, issuing decrees, defeating the rebel forces, and restoring national unity. Your grand vision is coming to fruition, and the call for benevolence and righteousness resonates throughout the land. Your virtuous leadership uplifts everyone, and the people respond enthusiastically. Your accomplishments eclipse those of Great Yu, and your conduct exceeds that of Emperor Yao. This not only secures stability for the kingdom but also guarantees the welfare of the people!
The sixth prince, Chang, was sent to the border as a hostage at a young age. After signing the agreement, he fell into the hands of the enemy and was trapped beyond the pass, leaving him unable to return. Your Majesty, your love for your son is profound, and you have always wished to accommodate him, but you must also consider the affairs of the state! Selflessness, fairness, and justice are the most important. How can personal feelings overshadow the affairs of the state? We must adhere to the traditions of our ancestors, imitating the wise monarchs of ancient times, such as the feudal lords of the Zhou Dynasty and the relatives of the Han Dynasty. Xiangzhou is strategically important, related to the country's defense, and only those of proven loyalty can hold positions there. Therefore, Chang should be sent there, and a grand ceremony should be held. After discussion, we have decided to appoint Chang as the Governor of Xiangzhou, General of the Cavalry, Prince of Hengyang County, with a fief of five thousand households, three covered carriages, an honor guard, and twenty sword-bearing guards. This imperial edict can now be executed.
The Emperor said, "It can be done." In March, he arrived at the borders of Xiangzhou, and the Emperor sent people to welcome him along the way. However, while crossing the river, the boat capsized, and he drowned.
On the Gengyin day in April, my father's coffin arrived in the capital. The Emperor personally came out to pay his respects.
The emperor then issued a decree, saying: "Recognizing merit, honoring family ties, this is the tradition of the generations, and the rule of the emperors of the past. The newly appointed commander, Cavalry Attendant, Commander of Military Affairs in Xiangzhou, General of Cavalry, Governor of Xiangzhou, Prince of Hengyang, Chang, he is intelligent and wise, of noble character, filial and respectful to the core, his intelligence and wisdom evident. In the late years of the Liang Dynasty, the world was in chaos, the ancestral shrines and state altars were on the verge of collapse, the Western Capital was lost, and he was trapped in the Guanlong area. When the Great Zhou Dynasty was just established, the border minority tribes rebelled again, envoys could not go to pay respects, and there was no communication at all, only watching them fight like crows and white rabbits. Now, all officials have worked together to overcome many difficulties and obstacles, easily recapturing the capital without needing to take a detour. The Zhou Dynasty values maintaining friendly relations, only then was he able to return safely; we only heard this news this morning, finally feeling at ease. Repaying kindness is easier said than done, but I failed to assist him properly; when a person dies, everything is over, and his sudden death makes me even more sorrowful. The sorrow of bidding farewell at the mouth of the Yangtze River is still fresh in my memory, the longing for him on Mount Hengshan is irreplaceable; quietly thinking of him, my heart feels like it's being sliced open. The funeral should be solemnly handled to honor my grief. Posthumously bestow upon him the title of Palace Attendant, Acting Yellow Battle-axe, Commander of military affairs both domestically and abroad, Grand Preceptor, Governor of Yangzhou. Reward him with the secret treasures of Dongyuan and Wuming, the nine-tiered ceremonial carriage, the left standard of the Yellow Chamber, and one hundred guards, chariots, and feathered banners and musicians. The funeral specifications will follow the standards of the Eastern Ping Xian Wang of the Han Dynasty and the Yuzhang Wenxian Wang of the Qi Dynasty. Then, appoint the Grand Minister of Works to welcome and escort the coffin, with the Grand Herald assisting with the escort; the court will handle all funeral arrangements." Finally, since he had no sons, Emperor Taizu permitted his seventh son, Boxin, to be adopted as his heir.
Prince Tan Lang of Nankang, the younger brother of his great-grandmother, was the son of Duke Xiu Xian of Zhong Zhuang. Xiu Xian was very ambitious and full of ambition when he was young. Emperor Jianwen of the Liang Dynasty held him in high regard even as a crown prince. During the Taiqing period, Emperor Wu of the Liang Dynasty came to terms with Hou Jing and fought against enemies from the north, sending Xiu Xian to recruit soldiers. Xiu Xian successfully recruited over a thousand soldiers and was appointed chief commander of Wende. He passed away shortly thereafter. After the founding of the Chen Dynasty by Chen Baxian, the founder of the Chen Dynasty, he often praised Xiu Xian, saying, "If my brother were still alive, capturing the Yellow River and Luoyang would be a piece of cake!" After Emperor Jing of the Liang Dynasty took the throne, he posthumously granted Xiu Xian the titles of attendant and governor, general of the Valiant Cavalry, governor of Nanxu Province, Duke of Wukang County, with a fief of one thousand households. After Chen Baxian usurped the throne, he posthumously conferred upon him the titles of attendant, General of Chariots and Cavalry, Minister of Education, and Prince of Nankang County, with a fief of two thousand households, and conferred the posthumous title of Zhong Zhuang.
Tan Lang lost his father when he was very young, and Chen Baxian, the founder, especially favored him, even more than his own sons. Tan Lang was courageous and exceptionally wise, adept at calming and managing others. After the suppression of the Hou Jing rebellion, Tan Lang began his career as an assistant in the Imperial Library. When Chen Baxian crossed the Yangtze River to lay siege to Guangling, a man named Dongfang Guang rebelled in the Suyu area, so Tan Lang and Du Sengming were dispatched from the Huai River to Sishui to provide support. When reinforcements from Qi arrived in force, Tan Lang and Du Sengming constructed fortifications to resist. Eventually, they received orders to return to the capital, leading thirty thousand households of the Suyu rebels across the Yangtze River. After Chen Baxian executed Wang Sengbian, he assigned Tan Lang to guard Jingkou and manage the prefectural affairs. In the first year of the Shaotai era, Tan Lang was appointed Deputy Director of the Imperial Library while concurrently serving as Governor of Nanxu Province.
Two years later, Xu Sihui and Ren Yue led Qi State's army to attack the capital and requested peace talks, also requesting that the Emperor send his nephews as hostages. At that time, many regions across the country had not yet submitted to the court, the capital's military strength was weak, and food supply was insufficient. Both civil and military officials in the court felt that it was necessary to make peace with Qi State and calm things down. The Emperor found this situation challenging, but he could not go against everyone's wishes, so he said in the court, "As the Emperor, I am powerless. I have been powerless to defeat the invaders in the Central Plains. Now, all the ministers in the court are wanting to quickly end the war, establish friendly relations with Qi State, and stabilize the borders. If I go against everyone's opinions, they will accuse me of being only concerned for my own nephews. Therefore, I have decided to send Tan Lang as a hostage. However, Qi State is notoriously untrustworthy. They will definitely act deceitfully, believing we are weak and easily fooled, and they will definitely go back on their word. If the Qi State army really attacks, all the ministers must fight with me to resist!"
The Emperor was worried that Tan Lang might be afraid and run away halfway, so he personally led the troops to meet him at Jingkou. After sending Tan Lang back to the capital, he sent him to Qi State as a hostage. As expected, the Qi State indeed betrayed their promise and later sent Xiao Gui and others to join Xu Sihui in crossing the river to attack the Southern Dynasty. The Emperor engaged them in battle and achieved a resounding victory, capturing Xiao Gui, Dongfang Lao, and others. The Qi State requested to cede territory and pay reparations, and also sent horses and cattle to redeem the captives, but the Emperor outright refused. Xiao Gui and the others were executed, and the Qi State also executed Tan Lang in Jinyang when he was only twenty-eight years old. At that time, the Southern Dynasty had already cut ties with Qi State, leaving them unaware of the situation. After ascending the throne, the Emperor posthumously honored Tan Lang as the Prince of Nankang, granting him the same honors as a loyal and valiant prince. Only in the second year of Tianjia did the Qi State send envoys to negotiate peace, and the Southern Dynasty finally became aware of Tan Lang's death.
Emperor Shizu decreed: "Remembering our ancestors and handling the affairs of the future with caution are ancient teachings. Prince Nan Kang Tan Lang was intelligent and virtuous, filial to his parents. He went to the state of Qi as a hostage to ease the crisis at that time. Just as the country was flourishing, he had not yet returned. I have been worrying about him day and night, missing him constantly. As soon as the envoys from Qi arrived, the news of his death arrived. I was overwhelmed with grief, more intense than the usual sorrow. He should be posthumously awarded a higher title to honor his ancestors. He is posthumously appointed as Grand Minister, General of Pacification, Supervisor of the Imperial Household with Equal Rank, and Governor of Nan Xu Province, who is posthumously titled the Compassionate King." Then Jiang Dezao and Liu Shizhi, who were concurrently serving as Minister of Rites, were sent to meet Tan Lang's coffin. It took until the spring of the third year for the coffin to be returned to the capital.
Before Tan Lang went to Qi to serve as an official, he had two sons: Fang Tai and Fang Qing. Later, when he went to Qi, he took two concubines with him and had two more sons in the north: Fang Hua and Fang Kuang, whom he also brought back.
Fang Tai was rough and unruly from a young age, hanging out with idle troublemakers and drifting. However, because he was the son of Prince Nan Kang Tan Lang, the emperor was particularly lenient with him and rarely punished him. In the first year of Tianjia, the emperor decreed: "Prince Nan Kang Tan Lang went to Qi and returned with an unpredictable mind. The national temple is currently under construction and requires someone to preside over the sacrifices. Let his eldest son Fang Tai be the heir to the title of Prince of Nan Kang." Later, when it was heard that Tan Lang had died, Fang Tai inherited the title of Prince of Nan Kang. Not long after, he was appointed as General of Pacification, Intendant of Danyang, and was assigned subordinates. In the fourth year of the Taijian era, he was promoted to the position of Commissioner, Commander of the nineteen prefectures of Guang, Heng, Jiao, Yue, Cheng, Ding, Ming, Xin, He, Luo, De, Yi, Huang, Li, An, Jian, Shi, Ya, as well as the Middle General of Pacification of Yue, and Governor of Guangzhou, wielding great power.
As a result, this guy, after becoming an official, was especially cruel, causing public outcry. He was reported to the court and got kicked out of his job. Not long after, he was given the title of Governor of Yuzhang Commandery, with some staff under him. During his time in office in Yuzhang, he didn't care about the people's suffering. As his term was about to end, he let his guys repeatedly rob the locals, set fire to homes, loot everywhere, and strong-armed the rich into paying up. When it was time for him to be transferred, he dragged his feet and wouldn't leave. Upon returning to the capital, the emperor told him to be the Minister of Ceremonies, keeping his General title and staff. Before he could take up his new position, he got called out by Chief Censor Zong Yuanrao and was dismissed from office once again, having to head home with just his title.
In the eleventh year, Fang Tai first got the General of Ningyuan gig, working right in the palace. Not long after, he was promoted to Cavalier Attendant, with a few staff members under him. In August of that year, Emperor Gaozong went to Dazhuangguan for entertainment and put on a big military parade, ordering General Ren Zhong to lead a hundred thousand foot soldiers and cavalry to form formations at Xuanwu Lake, while General Chen Jing led five hundred warships to cruise on the Guabu River. Emperor Gaozong stood at Xuanwu Gate to check it out, then threw a banquet for the officials to enjoy together. After watching the military parade, the emperor hit up Leyou Garden to enjoy some music and jam on instruments. Later, the emperor checked out the troops, then headed back to the palace.
At this time, Fang Tai was about to follow the emperor, but suddenly claimed that his mother was ill and he couldn't attend. As a result, he sneaked away into the countryside to engage in the abduction of women. He was caught by local authorities. What's even more outrageous is that he resisted with weapons and even injured the imperial guards. This incident was reported to the emperor. When the emperor heard about it, he flew into a rage and had Fang Tai imprisoned. Initially, Fang Tai only confessed to abducting women, not admitting to injuring the guards. The emperor said, "If you don’t confess, I will uncover the truth!" Fang Tai had no choice but to admit it.
At this time, the Chief Imperial Censor Xu Junfu reported: "I have heard that a ruler's heart should show no mercy to those who err. The foundation of national governance should not violate the law out of sympathy. Although Prince Nangang Chen Fang Tai is estranged from the royal family, he still has familial ties, and he has no merits or achievements. Your Majesty has already forgiven his previous mistakes and reinstated him. But he committed such a grave offense while holding a high office! When the emperor was traveling, officials were busy and the army was in formation, but he committed such an offense, which is a great sin. He should be severely punished, dismissed, and investigated. After discussing, we request that the facts be handled, remove Fang Tai's official position, and strip him of his title and land." The emperor approved the memorial. Before long, his official position and title were reinstated.
During the Zhengming era, Fang Tai was appointed as an Attendant of the Palace, while retaining his generalship. Three years later, the Sui forces crossed the Yangtze River, and Fang Tai, along with General Zhongwu, the Governor of Nanyu Province Fan Meng, and Left Guard General Jiang Yuanxun, led the navy to patrol back and forth in the vicinity of Baixia (present-day Nanjing), cutting off the Sui forces' access to the river. The Sui army sent the marching commander and chief of staff, Gao Feng, to lead ships upstream. Fan Meng and Jiang Yuanxun surrendered, Fang Tai's troops dispersed, and Fang Tai had to abandon the ship and flee. When Taicheng was captured, he and the emperor entered Chang'an together. During the Daye era of the Sui Dynasty, he served as the Prefect of the Palace.
Fang Qing was intelligent and quick-witted from a young age, reading extensively across various subjects. As he grew older, he demonstrated significant talent and strategic acumen. During the Tianjia era, he was appointed as the Marquis of Linru County. Shortly after, he also served as an Imperial Censor, the Prince's Horsekeeper, concurrently serving as the Minister of Rites, and was on duty in the palace. In the ninth year of Taijian, he was appointed General of Light Chariots, Prefect of Dingzhou, and Military Governor of Dingzhou. After completing his term, he served as a Cavalier Attendant while also holding the position of Minister of Rites. In the second year of Zhide, he was promoted to General of Intelligent Warfare and Inspector of Wuzhou.
Initially, the Governor of Guangzhou, Ma Jing, had been in Lingnan for a long time, winning the hearts of the people and having a strong military force, causing suspicion from the court. Therefore, the court appointed Fang Qing as the General of Benevolent Might and the Governor of Guangzhou to employ military force against Ma Jing. Following Ma Jing's execution, Fang Qing was promoted to General of Xuan Yi. Fang Qing was renowned for his integrity and prudence, earning the deep affection of the people. Four years later, he was elevated to General of Yunhui.
In the third year of the Zhengming era, the Sui forces crossed the Yangtze River. Wang Yong, the governor of Hengzhou, sent Dai Zhilie, the governor of Gaozhou, to lead five hundred cavalry to meet Fang Qing, hoping to appoint him as the Governor-General in charge of military operations. I’m not quite sure what "Governor-General" specifically means, but it’s definitely an important title. At this time, Wei Guang, the Sui army commander, led his troops across the mountains and announced an imperial edict from Emperor Wen of the Sui Dynasty, stating that if Lingnan was brought under control, Wang Yong and the governor of Fengzhou, Zheng Wanqing, would continue in their original positions. Hearing this, Fang Qing worried that Wang Yong might betray him, so he decided to resist Dai Zhilie and led his troops into battle. Dai Zhilie engaged Fang Qing in battle but was defeated. Fang Qing was killed in Guangzhou, and his wife and children were captured.
Wang Yong became the Prefect of Jinling during the Taijian period, was highly capable and well-respected. Later, when Ma Jing rebelled, the court appointed Wang Yong as the General of Superiority, the Governor of Eastern Hengzhou, and concurrently as the Internal Historian of Shixing County, to counter Ma Jing's forces. After Ma Jing was killed, Wang Yong was granted the title of Viscount of Longyang County for his contributions. When the Sui army reached the Yangtze River, the court appointed Wang Yong as the Commissioner with the title of General of Guangsheng, overseeing military operations across twenty-four states, including Hengzhou, Guangzhou, Jiaozhou, Guizhou, and Wuzhou, and sent him to reinforce the troops. Consequently, the capital fell, and Wang Yong issued orders within his jurisdiction to recruit soldiers for defense, stationing five thousand troops in the mountains under his brother Deng Hao's command. He also sent people to meet Ma Jing, hoping to leverage Ma Jing's name to gain military control. After Ma Jing's defeat, Wang Yong captured his wife and children, confiscated his property and rewarded his soldiers. He also ordered his subordinates Wang Zhongxuan and Zeng Xiaowu to meet the Western Hengzhou Governor, Prince Baoxin of Hengyang, who, fearing for his life, fled to Qingyuan County, only to be pursued and killed by Zeng Xiaowu. By this time, Wei Guang's army had already attacked the mountains, and Fengzhou Prefect Zheng Wanqing defended the city and refused to obey Wang Yong's orders. The women of the Gaoliang region took up arms in support of the Sui army and captured nearby counties, forcing Wang Yong to surrender with his army. Upon reaching Jingzhou, Wang Yong fell ill and died. The Sui Dynasty posthumously honored him with the titles of Grand General and Governor of Songzhou, and conferred upon him the title of Duke of Guiren County.
Zheng Wanqing was from Xingyang and was a relative of Shao Shu, the governor of Sizhou in the Liang Dynasty. His father, Min, defected to the Northern Wei after the Liang Dynasty collapsed. Zheng Wanqing was very intelligent and capable. During the time of Emperor Zhouwu, he served as City Grand Master and was later appointed as the governor of Wenzhou. During the Kaihuang period of the Sui Dynasty, he defected to the Sui Dynasty along with Sima Xiaonan. He was soon appointed as Cavalier Attendant, General of Zhao Wu, and the governor of Fengzhou. He implemented effective policies in Fengzhou, and local officials and people requested to erect a stele in his honor, which the court approved.
Initially, Zheng Wanqing was highly regarded by Emperor Wen of Sui during the Zhou Dynasty period before the Sui Dynasty was established. After the establishment of the Sui Dynasty, he had always longed to return north. When Wang Yong killed Ma Jing, Zheng Wanqing led the state troops to resist Wang Yong and sent envoys through a secret passage to surrender to the Sui army. He was titled as Senior General and soon passed away.
Historians say: Xian Wang and Min Wang, their positions were prominent, shining like stars in the sky. Some were favored because of their close ties, some were favored and trusted as the emperor's adopted sons, but due to various obstacles, they ultimately failed to achieve their ambitions, passing away at a young age, which is regrettable! "Xian and Min, two kings, united in glory, some were intimate as sons, some were favored as sons, but due to various obstacles, they were unable to achieve success and passed away early. What a tragedy!"
