In the tenth month of the first year of the Yongding era, on this day, Gaozu ascended to the throne as emperor in the southern suburbs and offered sacrifices to heaven before a sacrificial fire, saying: "I, Ba Xian, the emperor, boldly offer sacrifices to heaven and earth with a black bull and a ram: the Liang Dynasty fell into decline and eventually perished due to corruption and exploitation; this was the inevitable course of history and the will of heaven, eventually passing the throne to me, Ba Xian. Since ancient times, governing the people requires selecting talents, regardless of their background. Saintly monarchs like Yao, Shun, and Yu never thought of permanently holding power; monarchs of the Xia, Shang, and Zhou dynasties also considered abdication, but in the end, talented individuals ruled the world, governed the four seas, sheltered the people, and stabilized and prospered the country. In the final years of the Liang Dynasty, the national fortune declined, calamities continued, barbarians invaded, the sacred artifacts changed hands several times, the rightful emperor could not perform ancestral worship, heaven did not relent in the face of disasters; instead, it faced rebellions, legitimate heirs were deposed, royal relatives fought for power and profit, and the country was in chaos, with no order or discipline. I, Ba Xian, rose to resist the enemy, rescued the people from danger, quelled the rebellion, deposed the tyrant, and enthroned a new emperor; all of which are my achievements. I have done my utmost to stabilize the country and ensure the people's peace. Now that the country is stabilizing, it is moving towards prosperity. Recently, auspicious signs have emerged, celestial phenomena have changed, indicating a change of dynasty and the people's hearts returning, and all spirits sincerely wishing for it. The Liang Emperor passed the throne to me. I know my abilities and virtues are lacking, and I repeatedly declined, but ultimately accepted. Because the people need a backbone, state affairs cannot be delayed, and heaven favors me, I can no longer refuse. I respect the majesty of heaven and accept this great land, and I will forever remember my original intentions and will never fail this heavy responsibility. I choose an auspicious day, ascend the altar to accept the abdication, offer sacrifices to heaven and earth, respond to the expectations of the people, and forever bless the great Chen land. During the ceremony, thick fog had previously shrouded the area, causing darkness both day and night, but on this day, the weather turned exceptionally clear, and those with insight recognized it as the will of heaven.
"After the ceremony, Emperor Gaozu went back to the palace, came to the front of the Taiji Hall, and issued an edict that said:"
The alternation of the Five Virtues is the way emperors throughout history follow the mandate of heaven; the succession of the Three Principles is the rule of continuity for the Xia, Shang, and Zhou dynasties. Although dynasties change and forms vary, whether through abdication or conquest, the ultimate goal is to enlighten the people and bring stability to the realm. Though I am of mediocre talent, I find myself in this chaotic era, where the country has endured repeated turmoil, nearly facing extinction. I worked diligently to pacify the rebellions, relying on the merits of the soldiers to restore order and rebuild our homeland. The fate of the Liang dynasty has run its course, and the course of history is irreversible. I followed the ancient teaching of having capable people in power and eventually obtained the divine favor. I know my virtues are insufficient; I declined many times but ultimately accepted the grace of heaven, followed the will of the people, inherited the foundation of the Liang dynasty, made offerings to heaven and earth, continued the legacy of the hundred kings, and ruled the realm, feeling like I was crossing a river without knowing which way to go. Now that the country is settled and the throne has just been established, I hope to spread blessings to everyone across the land. I grant a general amnesty for all, renaming the second year of Liang Taiping as the first year of Yongding. I grant two levels of titles to the people, promoting officials of both civil and military ranks by two levels. For the widowed, orphaned, lonely, and those unable to support themselves, each will receive five hu of grain. Previous unpaid taxes and debts are all forgiven. Those who violated local rules—engaged in corruption, bribery, adultery, or theft—will have their records cleared and can start anew. Those who lost their official positions and titles, were imprisoned, or had their achievements revoked will all have their original status restored.
Another decree was issued, stating: "The Book of Rites records the ceremonial systems of the Qi and Song states, and the Book of Songs praises the wise monarchs, which have been followed by generations. The Liang Dynasty also adhered to these ceremonial systems. Now that the destiny of the Liang Dynasty has reached its conclusion, we should follow the old customs. Jiangyin County shall be established as Jiangyin Kingdom in honor of Emperor Wu of Liang, retaining the era name of the Liang Dynasty. The attire, banners, and decorations shall remain unchanged, and the palaces and living conditions shall be generous." Another decree was issued to honor the Empress Dowager of Liang as the Royal Matriarch of Jiangyin Kingdom, and the Empress as the Concubine of Jiangyin Kingdom. Another decree was issued directing all officials to fulfill their responsibilities. On that day, the founder went to Zhongshan to pay respects at the Temple of Emperor Wu of Liang. On the Wuyin day, the founder went to the Hualin Garden to personally handle cases and pardon prisoners. On the Jimao day, the founder dispatched envoys to offer solace to the people across the regions, and issued decrees to the prefectures and counties, stating:
The transition between the Shang and Zhou dynasties was in accordance with the mandate of heaven; Xuanyuan and Fuxi successively became emperors, which was also an expression of following the will of heaven. The Liang dynasty's governance was marked by a lack of virtue, and wars continued for many years, with the eastern capital falling and the western capital under siege. Xiao Bo and Hou Jing's rebellions were even more severe than those of Zhao Lun and Liu Zai. Zhenyang rebelled, colluding with bandits, and the Jiangnan region was long controlled by the Xianbei people; Jinling had long ceased to be the capital of the Liang dynasty. Since time immemorial, from the primordial chaos to the emergence of the dragon and phoenix, from the early days of the Eastern Han Dynasty to the chaos of the Yongjia period of the Western Jin Dynasty, the world was divided, and no dynasty was as chaotic as the Liang dynasty. My qualifications are mediocre, but I have seized the opportunity for prosperity. Since ancient times, I have pacified the south, fought in all directions, crossed the sea by boat, and traversed mountains and ridges. Wherever I went, I was able to pacify. I endured the hardships of travel, leading my troops into battle, offered sacrifices to the ancestors of the Liang dynasty six times, and defeated powerful enemies ten times. This is beyond human capability; it is solely the will of heaven. The fate of the Liang dynasty has run its course. I have repeatedly declined, humbly voicing my thoughts, like Shun avoiding abdication and Boyi retiring, but the courtiers strongly supported me, and the people eagerly anticipated it. The mandate of heaven cannot be violated, and I finally accepted the throne. On the day of Yihai this month, I ascended the altar to accept the abdication. Thinking of inheriting the foundation of the Liang dynasty, I am filled with deep shame. Since the decline of the Liang dynasty, the heat of summer has waned, and autumn rains have finally arrived. The next day, the ceremony was held, and the ceremonial mound had been prepared. The dust and clouds dispersed, and the stars were clearly visible. The morning sun shone, the dew sparkled on Sanwei Mountain, the morning light and the bright moon reflected each other, and colorful auspicious clouds surrounded us. I am aware of my limited virtues and feel unworthy of such an honor. At dawn, as the country is just beginning to rise, I am working hard to build a prosperous era. Ministers, you hold important positions and assist me in governing the country. You must be considerate of the suffering of the people, honest and fair, showing compassion to the impoverished and using strict laws to deter thieves. If bandits cause chaos or barbarians invade, or if bandits occupy strategic locations in mountain valleys, forgive them, demonstrating our tolerance. If they persist in their obstinacy, they will receive no mercy. I have dispatched messengers to communicate my will, and I hope you will enact just governance and live up to my expectations.
On the day of Gengchen, the Emperor ordered the extraction of the Buddha's tooth from the residence of Du Lao and summoned four groups of monks to convene an assembly without barriers. The Emperor personally approached the court to pay his respects. It is said that this Buddha's tooth was obtained by the monk Fa Xian of the Qi Dynasty in the country of Uchan and has been enshrined in Dinglin Temple. Shortly before his death, it was entrusted to his brother Hui Zhi by the monk Huixing of Sheshan Qingyun Temple.
In the first month of the year 558 AD, the Emperor decreed: the establishment of official positions and their respective duties depends on the urgency of each matter. The ceremonial vehicles and horses also vary according to the situation. The five schools of the Jin Dynasty sounded their horns to clear the way; the nine ministers of the Han Dynasty called out in order. Can the official system of the Yu and Shun eras be compared to that of the Xia Dynasty? Can the simplicity of the Yin and Shang Dynasties and the cultural governance of the Zhou Dynasty always follow a fixed pattern? I inherited the throne by divine arrangement. I have been contemplating the appointment of officials, aiming to align with the realities of the time. During the Tianjian period of the Liang Dynasty, the Left and Right Valiant Cavalry Generals presided over the Zhu Yi Direct Pavilion, each with ceremonial guards. Chang Yi, the Governor of North Xuzhou, was the first to hold this position. After years of conflict, the court's regulations and systems have been lost, and young people today seldom hear about the old regulations. With the abolition of the Left and Right Valiant Cavalry Generals' positions, civil and military officials should possess a thorough understanding. Civil officials should be those who are loyal and dedicated, and military officials should be those who have merit. The ceremonial guards should be the same as those of the Prince's Left and Right Guards. The appointments of other officials will be carefully detailed and regulated by the Ministry of Personnel.
General Che Qi, Hou Jian, has been promoted to Minister of State. General Zhong Quan, Wang Chong, has been appointed as the Tutor of the Crown Prince. General Xu Shipu is now the General of the Guard, and Wu Mingche, Governor of Nanyanzhou, has been promoted to General of Annan. Governor of Hengzhou Ouyang Yue has been promoted to General of Zhen Nan. In the first month, the Emperor personally sacrificed to Heaven at the southern suburbs. The Emperor decreed: "I have received the mandate from heaven, just ascended the throne, and now it is an auspicious day in the first month. Sacrificing to Heaven at the southern suburbs, the world is at peace, and the people are living in peace and happiness. I hope that all the people of the country can reform themselves. The disasters of the previous dynasty still have an impact, and the war has not stopped. Taxes are heavy, but I have been aware of these problems for some time. I always worry that the people are restless day and night. All crimes, regardless of severity, whether already investigated or not, are hereby pardoned before today. The rebel forces in the west, starting from Wang Lin, are allowed to repent and start anew, with no further pursuit. The recently recruited militia, originally intended to deal with the rebel forces in the west, should now be disbanded, and they should return home to farm. Any undelivered military supplies should be halted, and half of the owed grain from the first year should be waived. The military units of the provinces and counties are prohibited from collecting from the people without cause and must treat the people well. Anyone who harasses the people will face severe punishment."
On the third day of the first lunar month, the emperor personally performed sacrificial rites at the Northern Suburbs. On the third day of the first lunar month, General Zhenyuan and Governor of Liangzhou Zhang Li submitted a memorial stating: In the eighth month of the year Yi Hai, at the border of Dantu and Lanling counties, a new sandy area suddenly emerged on the mountainside due to rising sea levels, covering over a thousand hectares of fertile land suitable for farming. On the third day of the first lunar month, the emperor personally performed sacrificial rites at the Mingtang. On the second day of the second lunar month, Governor of Southern Yuzhou Shen Tai fled to the Qi country. On the second day of the second lunar month, the emperor issued an edict appointing General of Chariots and Cavalry, Minister of Works, Hou Tian to command the land and naval forces to stop the invasion of the Qi country. On the third day of the third lunar month, the emperor issued an edict stating: Punishments should not affect one's descendants; this has been an ancient practice. For doubtful crimes, leniency should be exercised; this is a strategy for governing the country. Shen Tai is widely known for his inconsistency. Although he had some achievements in the past, he continued to enjoy the court's favor, having been appointed as the magistrate of a prominent county, promoted several times, and after returning to the capital following the campaign in Hankou, he held important positions, owned over four hundred hectares of good farmland, boasted over three thousand followers, and had reached the pinnacle of wealth and status.
He became too arrogant and overconfident, so he faced divine punishment, rebelled without reason, and sided with the enemy. Although sages can discern human nature, even emperors struggle to fully grasp it. Emperor Guangwu was once deceived by Pang Meng, and Emperor Wu of Wei did not understand Yu Jin, as long as the court remains true to the people. Shen Tai's subordinates and their families were permitted to resume their normal lives. Anyone in the army who intimidates, coerces, or plunders the populace will be charged with rebellion. If men and women are hidden, they can file a complaint with the authorities. Those who wish to follow Prince Linchuan and the generals to earn merit are welcome. In early March, the emperor went to the harem to hear cases, then went to the bridge to admire the scenery and wrote a poem for his officials. This month, Wang Lin supported Prince Yongjia Xiao Zhuang as emperor in Yingzhou. In early April, the emperor personally made sacrifices to the ancestral temple. In early April, Prince Jiangyin passed away, and the emperor instructed the Grand Preceptor to pay his respects, while the Minister of Works supervised the funeral arrangements; the court covered all funeral expenses. Liang Wulin Marquis Xiao Zi's son Xiao Sijin inherited the title of Prince Jiangyin. In early April, the emperor went to Shitoucheng to see off Minister of Works Hou Tian. In early April, purple smoke appeared in the east of Chongyundian, soaring into the sky. In early May, an earthquake occurred in the capital. In early May, the lord of the southern city of Guangling in Qi, Zhang Xianhe, and the Chief Clerk Zhang Sengna led their subordinates to surrender. In early May, the emperor went to the solemn temple to make a sacrifice. In early May, the officials requested the emperor to return to the palace. In early June, the emperor commanded Minister of Works Hou Tian and General Xu Du to lead the navy as the vanguard against Wang Lin.
In early July, the emperor arrived at Shitoucheng to personally bid farewell to Hou Han and the others. In early July, Zhou Di, the governor of Jiangzhou, captured Wang Lin's generals Li Xiaoqin, Fan Meng, and Yu Xiaoqing at Gongtang. In early July, the emperor sent the Minister of Personnel Affairs Xie Zhe to persuade Wang Lin to surrender. In early July, a six-spiked Jiahe rice plant grew in Wucheng. When the Taiji Hall was burned down during the chaos of Hou Jing, the court discussed its reconstruction but found they lacked a pillar. Only now has a camphor wood, measuring 18 feet in diameter and 45 feet in length, been found drifting to Taojiahouzhu, and General Zou Zidu reported this. The emperor ordered the Minister of the Central Secretariat Shen Zhong to concurrently serve as the Minister of Personnel Affairs, and the Minister Cai Chou to concurrently serve as the Chief Architect, to oversee the reconstruction of the Taiji Hall. In early August, Guangliang County was changed to Chenliu County. In early August, the emperor ordered Prince Linqian of Linchuan to lead 50,000 naval forces to march west from the capital to attack Wang Lin, and the emperor personally saw him off at Yecheng Temple. Former Yitong Sanqi and Governor of Nanyu Province Zhou Wenyu, former General Zhenbei, Governor of Nanxu Province, and newly appointed Yitong Sanqi Hou Andu returned from Wang Lin and requested to surrender, and they were summoned and pardoned on the same day. In early August, the emperor ordered the restoration of the official positions of Zhou Wenyu and others. In early August, the prince was posthumously titled Prince of Yuzhang, with the posthumous name Xianwang; the prince was posthumously titled Prince of Changsha, with the posthumous name Siwang; the eldest daughter was posthumously titled Princess Yigong. Xie Zhe reported back to the court that Wang Lin requested permission to return to Xiangchuan for defense, and the emperor ordered the army to temporarily suspend their offensive. In early August, the western expeditionary army arrived at Dalei. In early August, General Xinwei and Governor of Jiangzhou Zhou Di was appointed as Yitong Sanqi and promoted to Pingnan General. Nanzhao County, previously under the jurisdiction of Nanxu Province, was renamed Donghai County. In early October, the emperor sent General Zhen Nan and Yitong Sanqi Zhou Wenyu to lead the army from Yuzhang to launch an attack against Yu Xiaomai. In early October, the emperor transcribed the "Sutra of Golden Light" at Zhuangyan Temple.
In early October, General Ren Wei was appointed to Gaozhou.
In the first month of the year 620 AD, on the first day, known as Ji Chou, the Azure Dragon appeared in the east. On the fourteenth day of the first month, Ouyang Pei was promoted to General of the South and appointed Governor of Guangzhou, and was also granted the title of Kaifu Yitong Sansi. That night, there was a heavy snowfall, and the next morning, footprints of a dragon appeared in front of the Tai Chi Hall. On the seventeenth day of the first month, Ouyang Pei, the Governor of Guangzhou, reported seeing a white dragon on the south bank of Guangzhou, its body several dozen zhang long and so thick that eight or nine people would be needed to encircle it. It flew along the road to Tianjing Ridge on the west side of the city. At the same time, in the small stone pagoda at Luofu Mountain Temple, a celestial being appeared, standing over three zhang tall, completely white, and dressed in splendid attire. On the twentieth day of the first month, the emperor issued a decree stating: "The sisters of the Princes of Nankang and Shixing have been enfeoffed; according to tradition, they can only be wives of feudal lords. These two princes have a special affection for them, so they should be treated with honor. Their processions and treatment should be on par with those of imperial princesses." On the twenty-seventh day of the first month, the emperor ordered Prince Xiao Qian of Linchuan to oversee litigation cases in Yangzhou and Xuzhou.
On the eighth day of the second month, Chunyu Liang was appointed as the Governor of the Left of the Imperial Guards and promoted to Grand General of the West. On the tenth day of the second month, the Minister of War, Hou Tian, led troops into Hezhou from the Yangtze River and burned the ships of the Qi state. On the seventh day of the third month, Hou Tian returned from Hefei, and the army returned in triumph. On the seventh day of the fourth month, the emperor issued a decree saying, "Opening the granaries to provide relief to the disaster-stricken people is a great benefit to the people. Inspecting various places to show concern for the hardships of the people is the example set by past emperors. I am currently in power in this era, bearing this heavy responsibility, but my virtue as a monarch is still lacking, the people's suffering remains severe, and disasters continue in various places. I feel deeply guilty. This is all because I have not heard the suffering of the people, and the reports from thousands of miles away have not been responded to in time. How could there be negligence in the widespread practice of benevolent governance? The current state of devastation in the country has led to the people having yet to regain their strength. Wuzhou and Jinzhou suffered locust and drought disasters last year. Even though prayers were offered, there was still no harvest, and every household faces the dilemma of not being able to fill their stomachs and not being able to eat enough. With the people living in hardship, what can the country count on? I have already sent the Imperial Secretary Jiang Dezao to Dongyang to investigate the situation with local officials and allocate food from the national treasury to assist the disaster-stricken people. Although everyone cannot be fed, I hope to ease their hunger a little." On the tenth day of the third month, the emperor ordered the re-establishment of the Bachelor of the West Province and allowed skilled individuals to participate. On the thirteenth day of the third month, General Xu Du was sent to Wankou to fortify the city defenses.
It hadn't rained during this time. On March 19th, the emperor went to Zhongshan to worship at the Jiang Emperor's temple, and it rained that day, continuing until the end of the month. On May 1st, a solar eclipse occurred. Officials reported that according to the old rules, the emperor should wear a scarlet robe and a crown at the palace entrance. The emperor decreed, "This is following the old rules of the past, which I think is inappropriate. During a solar eclipse, we should wear imperial robes to worship the sun, seeking blessings from heaven. From now on, this rule shall be followed." On May 3rd, envoys from Funan country presented tribute. On May 20th, Xiong Tanlang, the governor of Beijiang Province, killed General Zhou Wenyu during a military campaign and rebelled. Wang Lin sent his generals Chang Zhongai and Cao Qing to support Yu Xiaomai. On June 5th, Duke Yitong An Du defeated Chang Zhongai and others, capturing Wang Lin's brother Wang Xi along with chief commander Yang Jian and more than thirty others. Chang Zhongai managed to escape. On June 7th, the people of Lushan executed him and sent his head to the capital. On June 11th, the army returned in triumph. The emperor decreed, "Xiong Tanlang committed treason and deserves no mercy. The army has been ordered to continue pursuing him and execute him as a warning to others." The emperor ordered Prince Xiao Qian of Linchuan to go to Wankou to build defenses and appointed Qian Daoji as the defender. On June 14th, the emperor's health was declining, and he sent Wang Tong, who was acting as Grand Preceptor and Left Supervisor of the Left, to report his illness at the ancestral temple, and Xie Zhe, who was acting as Grand Preceptor and Prefect of the Palace Secretariat, to report his illness at the major shrines. On June 18th, the emperor showed slight improvement. The coffin of the former Minister of Works, Zhou Wenyu, was transported back from Jianchang. On June 19th, the emperor, dressed in mourning attire, mourned Zhou Wenyu in the East Hall, very sad. On June 20th, the emperor handled judicial cases. That evening, Mars was guarding his heart. The emperor's health took a turn for the worse. On June 19th, the emperor passed away in the Xuanji Hall at the age of fifty-seven. The posthumous edict designated Prince Xiao Qian of Linchuan as his successor. On June 22nd, the late emperor's coffin was transferred to the western steps of Taiji Hall. On August 11th, the courtiers bestowed upon him the title of Martial Emperor posthumously, with the temple name Gaozu. On August 13th, the Martial Emperor was buried in Wan'an Mausoleum.
The founding emperor used his wisdom to calm the people and military might to suppress rebellions. His wise strategies were unmatched, which enabled him to conquer in all directions and overcome numerous challenges. Once he ascended to power and held great authority, he promoted a lenient political approach, prioritizing the well-being of the people. Although at times he needed to mobilize military reserves due to emergencies, he lived a simple life, subsisting on just a few simple dishes and using only basic utensils and plates made from pottery and shells, even at private banquets. He never indulged in excess or wastefulness. When he quelled the rebellion of Hou Jing and established the Shao Tai era, the rewards bestowed upon his soldiers were substantial. Even the palace concubines refrained from wearing extravagant clothing or jewelry, and the court musicians were kept in the background. After he ascended to the throne, he practiced even greater frugality, which contributed to his remarkable achievements and renown.
Yao Cha, the Minister of Personnel of the Chen Dynasty, said: The founding emperor was wise and resolute, possessing a broad vision and remarkable adaptability. He can be considered a figure after Emperor Liu Bang of the Han Dynasty and Emperor Cao Cao of the Wei Dynasty. After the capital fell, he was able to turn the tide, as if favored by the heavens. Wang Sengbian lacked the talent of Yi Yin and left behind the resentment of being trapped in the palace, even though he was escorted away by Qin soldiers; he did not anticipate Mu Ying's tears. The founding emperor, however, could read the signs of the times, save the state from peril, rise to power, and stabilize the chaos. His legacy began here, not merely from the victory at Kanli Shengcheng! Therefore, in that turbulent era, he changed the situation, bringing joy to the people and alleviating their suffering. Compared to the past, his accomplishments were truly remarkable!
