Xiong Tanlang, from Nanchang, comes from a prominent family. He was wild and unruly since childhood, incredibly strong, and had a tall, imposing stature. During the rebellion led by Hou Jing, he gathered a group of young people, took over Fengcheng County, and became a bandit leader, attracting many fugitives to his cause. Later, he was appointed governor of Bashan by Emperor Liang Yuan. After the fall of Jingzhou, Tanlang's power grew. He plundered neighboring counties, capturing and selling people, and became a major scourge in the mountains.
When Hou Tian guarded Yuzhang, Tanlang put on a façade of obedience but secretly plotted against Hou Tian. When Hou Fang'er rebelled against Hou Tian and needed to deal with him, Tanlang offered him strategic advice. After Hou Tian's defeat, Tanlang seized many of his warhorses, weapons, and family members. Later, when Xiao Bo crossed the mountains and Ouyang Pin led the vanguard, Tanlang deceived Ouyang Pin into attacking Huang Fabian together, then went to inform Huang Fabian that they would attack Ouyang Pin together, even making a deal with Huang Fabian: "After success, the spoils belong to me." As they marched, he and Ouyang Pin coordinated their advance, deceiving Ouyang Pin by saying, "My brother Yu Xiaoqing wants to ambush us; we need to keep some troops on guard, and we don't have enough weapons and equipment; it may not be sufficient." Ouyang Pin then sent him three hundred sets of armor. When they reached the city, about to go to war, Tanlang pretended to retreat, allowing Huang Fabian to attack. Ouyang Pin lost his reinforcements, causing him to panic and retreat, and Tanlang took advantage, taking all of Ouyang Pin's warhorses and weapons.
At that time, Chen Ding was also camped with his troops in Bashan. Tanlang pretended to marry his daughter to Chen Ding's son. He also told Chen Ding, "Zhou Di and my brother Yu Xiaoqing are not happy about this marriage; heavy troops must be sent to welcome the bride." Chen Ding then sent three hundred elite soldiers and twenty local strongmen to welcome the bride, but upon their arrival at Tanlang's camp, they were all captured, their horses and weapons were taken, and Tanlang demanded an exorbitant ransom for their release.
In the year 553 AD, Tan Lang, as a powerful leader in the Nanchuan region, was appointed as the General of the Cavalry as was customary. Shortly after, he was promoted to the title of General, Governor of Guizhou, while also serving as the magistrate of Fengcheng County, and later became the governor of Yichun and Yuzhang. At that time, Wang Lin sent Li Xiaochin and others to accompany Yu Xiaoqing to attack Zhou Di in Linqing, and Tan Lang led his own troops to provide support. That year, in recognition of his achievements, Tan Lang was appointed as General, Cavalier of the Palace Guard, General of Ningyuan, and was granted the title of Marquis of Yonghua, with a fief of one thousand households, and was also assigned a ceremonial guard. In recognition of his resistance against Wang Lin, he was further promoted to General of the West, retaining his previous official positions. Later, when Zhou Wenyu attacked Yu Xiaoqing in Yuzhang, Tan Lang led his troops to support them, which led to Zhou Wenyu's defeat. Tan Lang then killed Zhou Wenyu to curry favor with Wang Lin (this event is also mentioned in "Zhou Wenyu's Biography"). Afterwards, Tan Lang captured all the generals under Zhou Wenyu, seized control of Xingan County, and built fortifications along the riverbank.
When Wang Lin advanced to the east, Emperor Liang Xiaoyi summoned the troops from Nanchuan, and the governors of Jiangzhou and Gaozhou, Zhou Di and Huang Fabian, wanted to provide support from downstream. Tan Lang occupied the city and deployed warships to block their advance. Zhou Di and Huang Fabian then led the southern forces to construct fortifications and besiege Tan Lang, cutting off the communication between Tan Lang and Wang Lin. After Wang Lin was defeated and fled, Tan Lang's subordinates rebelled against him. Zhou Di broke through Tan Lang's defenses, capturing tens of thousands of civilians. Tan Lang fled to a village, where he was slain by the villagers. His head was sent to the capital city and exhibited at Zhuque Temple. Subsequently, all members of Tan Lang's family, young and old alike, were executed.
Zhou Di was a man from Nan City of Linchuan. When he was young, he lived in the mountains, was very strong and could draw a powerful bow, and earned a living through hunting. During the Hou Jing rebellion, Zhou Di's kinsman Zhou Xu rose up in Linchuan, and Xiao Yi, the Prince of Shixing in the Liang Dynasty, gave the position of governor to Zhou Xu. Zhou Di recruited people from his hometown to follow Zhou Xu, and he always led the charge in battle with great valor. The generals under Zhou Xu were all from prominent families in the county and gradually became overbearing. Zhou Xu tried to control them, but those generals resented him and conspired to kill Zhou Xu, electing Zhou Di as their leader. Zhou Di then occupied Linchuan and constructed a city at Gongtang. The Emperor Yuan of the Liang Dynasty, Xiao Yi, appointed Zhou Di as the holder of the law, the attendant cavalier, and the General of Strong Military, the governor of Gaozhou, and made him Marquis of Linru County, with a fief of five hundred households.
In the year 553 AD, I was appointed as the Interior Minister of Linchuan. Not long after, I was also given the titles of the holder of the law, the attendant cavalier, the general of trustworthy might, the governor of Hengzhou, and also served as the Interior Minister of Linchuan. At that time, Zhou Wenyu was attacking Xiao Bo, and I simply stayed on my own territory and waited to see how the situation developed. Zhou Wenyu sent his chief of staff Lu Shancai to discuss matters with me, and without hesitation, I provided a large supply of grain and fodder to support Zhou Wenyu. Xiao Bo was defeated, and because of my contributions, I was promoted to General Zhenyuan and subsequently appointed governor of Jiangzhou.
After Emperor Gaozu ascended the throne, Wang Lin led his troops south. At that time, I aimed to seize Nanchuan, so I summoned the governors and magistrates of the eight counties under my command, formed an alliance, and claimed we were responding to the court's call to go to the capital to support the king. The court was afraid that I would cause trouble, so they quickly sent someone to appease me. When Wang Lin arrived in Pancheng, the lord of Xinwu Cave, Yu Xiaoqing, raised troops to support Wang Lin. Wang Lin felt that the various counties of Nanchuan would be easy pickings, so he sent his generals Li Xiaoqin, Fan Meng, and others south to gather supplies. Fan Meng and the others joined forces with Yu Xiaoqing, with a total of about 20,000 troops, marching straight toward Gongtang. They captured eight cities along the way and were aggressively coming to deal with me. I sent Zhou Fu to lead the army to station in the old county of Linchuan, cut off the river mouth, and then personally went into battle. As a result, I scored a resounding victory, captured Li Xiaoqin, Fan Meng, and Yu Xiaoqing alive, and sent them to the capital. The captured weapons piled up like a mountain, and there were also many captured soldiers and horses, all of which I reported to the court. In the year 558 AD, due to my merit, I was once again appointed as General of Pingnan and granted the title of Palace Governor, with an increase of 1,500 households, and accompanied by an honor guard.
After Chen Baxian became emperor, he appointed Chen Baxian as General of Annan. Later, Xiong Tanlang rebelled, and he, together with Zhou Fu and Huang Fabian, led their troops to besiege Xiong Tanlang, killed him, and completely quelled the rebellion.
After Wang Lin was defeated, the emperor summoned Wang Lin to take command of Pancheng and called his son into the palace. He hesitated, glanced around, and ultimately refused to go. Zhou Fu, the Prefect of Yuzhang, had once been his subordinate. At this time, Zhou Fu and Huang Fabian took their troops to the capital to see the emperor. The emperor commended them for quelling Xiong Tanlang and rewarded them with promotions. When he heard about this, he was quite displeased and secretly colluded with Liu Yi.
When the imperial army launched an attack on Liu Yi, he became fearful and uneasy, so he sent his younger brother Fang Xing to lead troops to attack Zhou Fu. Zhou Fu fought against them and defeated them. He subsequently sent troops to attack Hua Jiao in Pancheng, but the plan was uncovered, and they were all captured by Hua Jiao.
In the spring of the third year of Tianjia, the emperor issued an edict pardoning the people of Nanchuan who were affected by his mistakes. He then appointed Wu Mingche, the governor of Jiangzhou, to lead a large army to join forces with Huang Fabian, the governor of Gaozhou, and Zhou Fu, the governor of Yuzhang, to attack him. At this time, the Ministry of Personnel issued an order:
Dear residents of Linchuan County: In the past, when the Western Capital was prosperous, the Kings of Xin and Yue betrayed the court; after the Eastern Capital was revived, the Kings of Meng and Chong made mistakes. It is said that powerful figures fight each other and are ultimately killed; this has been true since ancient times.
This rebel Zhou Di was originally an official of the court. After the fall of the Liang Dynasty, he became a tyrant in the mountainous regions, plundering and looting. Our founding emperor personally led the Baiyue army and stationed it in Jiujiang, cleansing the area of its filth, granting him official positions and military authority, and even rewarding him with jade ornaments and animal tokens. The emperor's kindness towards him was immense.
After the establishment of the court, the court made various sincere gestures toward Zhou Di, but despite the difficult national situation, he took no action. The emperor rewarded him with high positions and wealth, allowing him to command the army and oppress the people, taking advantage of his strategic location. Recently, Wang Lin had just begun a rebellion, Xiao Bo had not yet been pacified, and Zhou Di colluded with the Three Xiang regions, connecting with the Five Ridges region of Lingnan. After the pacification of Hengyang and Guangzhou, he should have remained loyal, but instead rebelled again in Jiangling and Yizhou, occupying a whole county, harboring malicious intentions and behaving inconsistently.
Mainly because the Xinwu region had not yet been pacified, it is remote, with powerful military forces merging and competing with one another, forming this situation. He looted wealth, captured civilians, and considered them his personal property, never reporting victories to the court. The court sent envoys to persuade him, but he wavered and tried to play both sides. The court was generous and promoted him, giving him high status, wealth, and honor, surpassing other meritorious officials.
However, he led troops across the mountains to support other rebel forces, then suddenly refused to obey the court's orders. So Sikong Mingong advised him to reconcile with the court and be like brothers, because your cities are connected like lips and teeth; if Pengcheng falls, you will not be spared. But he formed factions and engaged in self-serving activities for these reasons.
When enemies invaded the north and rebel forces caused chaos in the west, Zhou Di even supplied the enemy with food and shoes, accepted their titles and military organization, completely obeying the rebel forces. When the imperial army returned victorious and quelled the rebellion, Zhou Di fled. The court issued decrees to reassure the people, and many officials advised him to submit, but he remained stubborn.
Thanks to the efforts of Yitong Faben, as well as the assistance of Anxi Zhou Fu, the court had a system of rewards and punishments that should reward capable officials, but Zhou Di repaid kindness with enmity, resorting to schemes and escalating his actions. He was summoned to Piancheng but did not show up for many years, requesting to send his son to replace him, and did not come to court for many years.
He colluded with fugitives, recruited criminals, and secretly contacted the capital to plot treachery. He privately collected taxes, did not hand them over to the court, oppressed merchants and harmed the common people, colluded with rebel forces, working together to undermine the court, attempting to jointly defy the court.
He believed our army was lacking, the Baiyue region was still unrested, yet he managed to breach Shucheng, captured the wives and children of the people, launched military operations in Li County, captured local leaders, besieged cities. Fortunately, the court had prepared in advance and swiftly defeated them. Generals Hua Jiao and Lu Zilong led the troops to defeat the rebels, ensuring the safety of the entire region. Hua Jiao held the title of Fake Festival, Imperial Guards Cavalry Commandant, General of Benevolent Might, and Marquis of Huiren County; Lu Zilong served as General of Ming Wei, Prefect of Luling, and Viscount of Yiyang County.
General Zhou Fu served as Imperial Commissioner, Cavalry Commandant, General of the West, Inspector of Dingzhou, Prefect of Yuzhang, and Marquis of Xifeng County. He personally led the charge, leading his soldiers to victory against overwhelming odds, slaughtered tens of thousands of foes, and captured thousands. After the battle, he promptly set about repairing the city defenses.
General Fa Bi served as Commissioner and General of Annan, Household Secretary, Inspector of Gaozhou, and Marquis of Xinjian County. He was already famous for his military achievements and loyalty. Before receiving the imperial edict, he had already mobilized troops to assist Zhou Fu and later supported Lu Zilong. He led his soldiers day and night, pursued the fleeing enemies, and utterly vanquished the rebels. This victory was achieved thanks to the courage and decisiveness of the generals.
Now, the court has sent out Liu Guangde, Sun Xiao, Lu Guangda, and Lu Xida to command ten thousand soldiers from Xingkou. Liu Guangde served as Marshal of Zhen Nan, Grand Minister of Xiangdong; Sun Xiao served as Marshal of Pingxi; Lu Guangda was the Prefect of Beixin Cai; Lu Xida served as Commissioner, General of Annan, Inspector of Wuzhou, and Marquis of Pengze County.
At the same time, the court dispatched Hu Shuo, Qian Facheng, Fan Yi, Jiao Sengdu, Zhang Zhida, and Wu Mingche to lead a large army by land and water to advance straight towards Linchuan. Hu Shuo was the former Prefect of Wuxing; Qian Facheng was General of Accomplishments, former Prefect of Xuancheng; Fan Yi was the Prefect of Tianmen and Yiyang; Jiao Sengdu was General Yunhui, Governor of Hezhou, Marquis of Nangu; Zhang Zhida was General Yanwu, Governor of Jianzhou, Viscount of Chen; Wu Mingche was the commissioner, Commander-in-Chief of military affairs in Jiangwu, General of Annan, Magistrate of Jiangzhou, Marquis of Anwu County. Liu Shijing, Cai Senggui, Liu Feng, Lu Zilong, and Que Shendu followed the command of General Fa Jun; together they recaptured the former counties. Liu Shijing was the Prefect of Ancheng; Cai Senggui was the Prefect of Bashan; Liu Feng was the Prefect of Nankang; Lu Zilong was the Prefect of Luling; Que Shendu was the Prefect of Ancheng. In addition, the court also ordered Hua Jiao, Pan Chuntuo, and Zhang Zhaoda to command elite troops to launch a direct assault on the enemy camp. Hua Jiao was the Prefect of Xunyang; Pan Chuntuo was General Guanglie, Magistrate of Bazu; Zhang Zhaoda was General Pingxi, Magistrate of Yingzhou, Marquis of Xinle. The court also ordered General Du to lead reinforcements. General Du held the titles of Commissioner, Cavalry Attendant, and General of Zhen Nan, Governor of Xiangzhou, Duke of Xiangdong; he dispatched troops from various routes one after another, with a mighty force by land and water. At the same time, the court also ordered Ouyang Pin to command his son Ouyang Sheng, Ouyang Sui, and other generals, to command elite troops from Lingnan northward. Ouyang Pin was General of Zhen Nan, Governor of Xiangzhou; Ouyang Sheng was the Governor of Jiaozhou; Ouyang Sui was the newly appointed Prince's Right Rate; Hou Xiao was the Governor of Hengzhou.
Armies from all corners rushed thousands of miles, converging from all directions, like a noose tightening around a rabbit, leaving it no way to escape. General Andusi Kong has already quelled the rebellion and will soon return victorious. After the celebration banquet, the army will pursue and completely eliminate the rebels, as swift as singeing hair.
The court has issued clear orders, placing the blame solely on the rebel leaders; the common people are innocent and will be fully pardoned. Those who take the chance to earn merit will receive extra rewards; those who continue their wrongdoing will face harsh punishment, with no mercy.
Wu Mingche led his troops against the remnants of Hou Jing but was unable to defeat them. The Emperor then dispatched Gao Zong to lead the campaign, where Hou Jing's forces were defeated, his family was captured, and he narrowly escaped, fleeing over the mountains to Jin'an to seek refuge with Chen Baoying. Chen Baoying provided him with troops and supplies and even sent his own son, Chen Zhongchen, to accompany him.
In the autumn of the second year of his rebellion, Hou Jing crossed Dongxing Ridge once more. The people from Dongxing, Nancheng, and Yongcheng counties, all of whom were his former subordinates, came to his aid. The emperor dispatched Zhang Zhaoda to quell him, and Hou Jing fled to the mountains. During Hou Jing's rebellion, the common people lost their jobs and turned to looting. However, Hou Jing's troops refrained from looting and instead distributed land for the people to farm. Everyone had surplus food, social order was well-preserved, and taxes were collected on time. Other counties faced food shortages and depended on supplies from Hou Jing's territory. Hou Jing was down-to-earth and unpretentious, wearing short cotton robes in winter and lightweight purple silk garments in summer, often going barefoot. Despite the presence of guards and musicians, he remained unaffected, spending time making ropes and splitting bamboo. He was generous in his giving, never shortchanging anyone. Though not particularly eloquent, he was honest and reliable, which earned him the respect of the people of Linqing. Therefore, this time, everyone banded together to hide him, and even though the court had ordered harsh punishment, no one was willing to turn him in.
Zhang Zhaoda also crossed the mountains, stationed at Jian'an, and fought against Chen Baoying. Hou Jing regrouped his forces and emerged from Dongxing. At that time, Qian Su, the Prefect of Xuancheng, defended Dongxing, but ultimately surrendered to Hou Jing. Chen Xiang, the Inspector of Wuzhou, led troops to attack Hou Jing, but suffered a crushing defeat. Qianhua Hou Chen Chao and the Prefect of Chenliu, Zhang Sui, both died in battle, and Hou Jing's power grew even stronger. The Emperor then sent Cheng Lingxi to subdue him, who ultimately defeated him. Hou Jing and a dozen followers hid in a cave. Eventually, his followers could no longer endure it. Later, Hou Jing discreetly sent someone to buy fish and meat in Linchuan City. Due to a foot injury, he stopped to rest at an inn, where the innkeeper informed Luo Ya, the Prefect of Linchuan. Luo Ya apprehended the man and forced him to reveal Hou Jing's whereabouts. He then dispatched elite soldiers into the mountains, lured Hou Jing out under the pretense of hunting, set an ambush along the way, and killed him. His head was sent to the capital and displayed at Zhuque Temple for three days.
Liu Yi, hailing from Changshan in Dongyang, belonged to a prominent local family. He was adept at putting on airs and speaking in an ostentatious manner. In the village, he had a reputation for ruthlessness, leading a gang of thugs who frequently oppressed the poor. Local officials were powerless to stop him. Later, he rose to become the commander of Crab Port during the Liang Dynasty, and also served as the county magistrate of Jin'an and Angu. When Hou Jing rebelled, he returned to his hometown and mustered a force. Unfortunately, the Dongyang Magistrate held a grudge against him and sent troops to eliminate him, not sparing even his wife and children. Unable to tolerate this, Shen Xun, the Prefect of Dongyang, relinquished his position to Liu Yi. Liu Yi appointed his nephew Liu Chao as the acting Magistrate while he accompanied Shen Xun to the capital.
After the fall of the capital, Liuyi followed Lord Xiaolian of Lincheng, who regarded him as a trusted confidant and appointed him to military command. However, Liuyi was excessively ruthless and lacked any long-term strategy, which led to resentment among Xiaolian's troops. Later, Song Zixian crossed the Zhejiang River with his army, and Liuyi fled back to his hometown, and subsequently surrendered along with his troops to Song Zixian. At this time, Xiaolian was rushing to Xinyan Ridge in Dongyang, wanting to go to Poyang. Liuyi served as a guide for Song Zixian and assisted in capturing Xiaolian. Hou Jing later named Liuyi the prefect of Dongyang and also took his wife and children hostage.
Hou Jing's subordinate Liu Shenmao rebelled against him, and Liuyi outwardly cooperated with Liu Shenmao while secretly conspiring with Hou Jing. After Liu Shenmao was defeated and killed, it was only Liuyi who emerged unscathed. After Hou Jing was subdued, Wang Sengbian sent Liuyi to Dongyang to pacify the people. He gathered local militias and seized strategic positions, and his forces continued to grow, which instilled fear in the local provinces and counties. Later, Emperor Liang appointed him as the magistrate of Xinyan County. Following the fall of Jingzhou, Wang Sengbian appointed him as the prefect of Dongyang. After Emperor Wu of Liang pacified Kuaiji, although Liuyi was in charge of transporting grain and supplies, he effectively controlled the entire Dongyang region and held significant power.
In recognition of his achievements, he was appointed as commissioner, Cavalier Attendant, General of Trustworthy Valor, and Inspector of Jinzhou Province, concurrently serving as the prefect of Dongyang, and granted the title of Marquis of Yongxing County with a fief comprising five hundred households. That same year, he was promoted to Cavalier Attendant, General of Trustworthy Might, and his fief increased to eight hundred households. Moreover, Emperor Wu of Liang even arranged the marriage of his eldest daughter, Princess Feng'an, to Liuyi's third son, Liuzhenchen. In the second year of Yongding, the court summoned him to serve as commissioner, Cavalier Attendant, Commander of Military Affairs in Southern Xuzhou, General Who Pacifies the North, and Governor of Southern Xuzhou, but he consistently declined the offer.
After the emperor ascended the throne, he promoted me to be the military governor of Jinzhou, General of Annam, governor of Jinzhou, and magistrate of Dongyang. That rebel sent his chief of staff, Wang Si, as an envoy to the court. Wang Si always said that the court was very weak, and the rebel took him at his word. Although he pretended to be submissive outwardly, he always had ulterior motives, secretly exchanging letters with Wang Lin between the Poyang and Xin'an mountain ranges. Wang Lin also sent people to Dongyang to arrange positions for local officials.
When Wang Lin failed, the emperor sent General Shen Ke of the Left Guard to replace the rebel as the county magistrate, actually intending to attack him with troops. The rebel led his troops to Xiahui to resist; Shen Ke fought with him, lost, and retreated to Qiantang. The rebel then submitted a letter of apology. At that time, the court's army was busy dealing with Xiangzhou and Yingzhou, so the emperor issued a decree to comfort him, hoping to keep him in check. The rebel also knew that the court would ultimately seek to punish him, so he sent troops to garrison Xiahui and Jiande to guard against incursions from the river.
After Xiangzhou was pacified, the emperor issued a decree saying:
In the past, the four crimes were hard to overlook, and there was no forgiveness for Dagui; the Nine Li had fallen from grace, and Shaohao must be punished.
Since ancient times, emperors and generals have not been greedy for conquest unless necessary. The rebel Liu Yi should have been eliminated several times, but he has been preparing weapons and accumulating strength for many years. He presented tribute like a dragon leaping from a thousand miles away; when retreating, he hesitated, always in a state of indecision. In his middle age, he colluded with Panyu in secret. Although the court offered him a way out, granted him a title, and even married his daughter to him, hoping he would reform, he continued to act recklessly. Wang Lin occupied the middle reaches of the Yangtze River, and he had close dealings with Wang Lin, even opening up a road in the Nanchuan mountains, self-proclaiming as the master of the east, colluding with rebels, intent only on causing trouble.
The rebellion has been quelled now; he feels fear inside, alone and helpless, like a startled bird and a cornered beast wanting to crash into a wall. Although he sent his family as hostages, it was merely a facade; his son returned to the court, but deep down, he remained unconvinced.
My goal is to completely resolve this issue; no matter what mistakes he has made, I have patiently advised him. But he still did as he pleased, worsened the situation, and eventually openly rebelled. I can no longer tolerate him. Furthermore, his territory is prosperous, while the southern court is impoverished. He has long monopolized the national taxes, exploited the people, even severing supplies of crucial military materials, such as bamboo arrows, rendering the court powerless. These petty bandits seized the opportunity to oppress the people. My heart aches for the common people. The western barbarians have all submitted willingly, voluntarily paying tribute to the court; even the Qin state followed suit, returning the occupied land and stabilizing the borders. This minor rebellion must be eradicated. Therefore, I will dispatch messengers with my orders to apprehend him! The Commander of Southern Xu Province, General Conquering the North, Minister of Works, and Governor of Kaiyang County, An Du, is tasked with capturing and executing him, and I will not pursue any other matters.
Reports indicate that the troops advanced from the Qiantang River, while General An attacked him from the mountain roads of Kuaiji and Zhuji. Upon hearing that the troops had arrived, he was filled with terror, abandoning the county and fleeing to Taozhi Ridge, establishing a checkpoint at the pass to defend himself. In the spring of the following year, General An broke through his checkpoint, and he and his second son, loyal minister, fled to Chen Baoying. The troops subsequently captured his remaining followers, numbering in the thousands. In the fifth year of Tianjia, Chen Baoying was also subdued, and he was apprehended and executed in Jiankang. All his children, nephews, and followers were executed, regardless of status; only his third son, Zhenchen, was spared due to his marriage to a princess.
Chen Baoying was an official under the Marquis of Jin'an. His family was one of the four prominent families in central Fujian. His father, Yu, was very capable and a renowned local power broker. Chen Baoying was known for his unpredictability and cunning. During the Liang Dynasty, there were several rebellions in the Jin'an area, leading to the deaths of numerous county officials. Initially, his father played a role in inciting these rebellions, but later became a guide for government troops to suppress them. Consequently, the local military power came under his father's control.
During the rebellion led by Hou Jing, the Jin'an Prefect, Xiao Yun, entrusted all local matters to Xiao Baoying. Xiao Yun was elderly and focused solely on the county's political affairs, leaving Xiao Baoying in charge of military matters. At that time, the eastern regions suffered from famine, especially in Kuaiji County, where approximately one-seventh to one-eighth of the population perished. People resorted to selling their children, yet Jin'an County remained relatively prosperous. Xiao Baoying sent troops by sea to assault Lin'an, Yongjia, Kuaiji, Yuyao, Zhuji, and other regions. He also engaged in trade, exchanging food for jade, silk, and even people. Those who could obtain ships all flocked to him. Consequently, Xiao Baoying amassed considerable wealth and built a formidable military force. After Hou Jing's rebellion was suppressed, Emperor Yuan appointed Xiao Baoying as the new Prefect of Jin'an.
During the reign of Gaozu, Xiao Yun wanted to retire and go back home, so he requested to pass on the position of county magistrate to Xiao Baoying, which Gaozu agreed to. In the first year of Shaotai, Xiao Baoying was appointed as General of Zhuangwu, Jin'an Prefect, and was soon promoted to Cavalry Consultant. In the second year, he was granted the title of Marquis of Huoguan County, with a fief of five hundred households. At that time, the Dongxi Ling roads were blocked by bandits, so Xiao Baoying sailed to Kuaiji to pay tribute. After Gaozu became emperor, Xiao Baoying was appointed as Commissioner of the Imperial Envoy, an Imperial Consultant of the Cavalry, a Faithful General, the Governor of Minzhou, while also serving as the Prefect of Kuaiji. After Shizu ascended to the throne, Xiao Baoying was promoted to General of Xuanyi, his father was posthumously appointed as a Grand Master of Splendor, and the Chief of the Imperial Clan was tasked with investigating Xiao Baoying's family tree, including him in the imperial clan, and sending officials to confer titles upon his children, regardless of their status.
Xiao Baoying married the daughter of Liu Yi. When Hou Andu launched an attack on Liu Yi, Xiao Baoying sent troops to assist and provided supplies to Zhou Di for his attack on Linchuan. Later, General Zhang Zhaoda defeated Zhou Di in Dongxing and Nancheng, so Shizu ordered Zhang Zhaoda to lead a large army across the mountains from Jian'an South Road, and ordered Yu Xiaoqing, the Governor of Yuxi and Concurrent Prefect of Xinyi, to lead the armies of Kuaiji, Dongyang, Linhai, Yongjia, and other places from the east to surround and subdue Xiao Baoying, and also ordered the Chief of the Imperial Clan to revoke Xiao Baoying's imperial clan status. The Ministry of Personnel issued a decree, stating:
To the people of Jin'an: In ancient times, the Han Dynasty did not thoroughly investigate the rebellion in Longxi; the rebellion in Liaodong was met with leniency by the Wei Kingdom. However, you, Xiao Baoying, have not achieved merit like the Han Dynasty, nor are you of the same surname as the Xia Dynasty, yet you are like Wu Bi's son, drawing troops from across the sea, going against the orders of Yi Qi, committing offenses as noted in the "Gan Shi." Furthermore, your family has no ties to the court, your reputation is not recorded in history, yet you've rebelled three times and committed four major offenses!
Speaking of the father and son Chen Baoying in the Min region, they were originally a group of bandits who made their living by being overbearing and tyrannical. In the late years of the Liang Dynasty when the world was in chaos, the Min region was remote and isolated. Chen Baoying's father was a ruthless character who incited the barbarians in the mountains, each with disheveled hair claiming to be a leader, utterly ignoring any rules, only knowing how to oppress the people and act tyrannically, before reluctantly stopping. Despite their many misdeeds, like fish that have slipped through the net, they lived carefree and prosperous lives.
The Southeast region has always been a place where the aura of emperors gathers. However, the court repeatedly showed them leniency and favor, promoting him to the position of county magistrate, rewarding him with many treasures, even establishing a state for him, making him a prince. After being rewarded, Chen Baoying still lived in a simple house, with only ten carriages to travel in, yet receiving a generous salary. Following the policy of the Han Dynasty, the court further ennobled him as a marquis, granting numerous rewards, even benefiting children in the countryside.
However, Chen Baoying and his son repaid kindness with ingratitude, nurturing ambitions, secretly colluding with other rebellious forces, forming alliances, supporting each other, and growing in power. When our army attacked the western part of Qinwang Mountain and the southern part of Huize, Chen Baoying and his son dared to take up arms to aid these ruthless rebels against the court, only to be defeated by us, with many rebels being killed.
Considering their plight, we treated the captives with leniency and let them go. We even sent envoys with decrees, hoping they would see the error of their ways. However, Chen Baoying and his son continued to take risks and persisted in their wrongdoings, deceiving the people and hiding in the mountains. This is akin to Yuan Xi lamenting deserters at a banquet and Ma Yuan seeing a frog at the bottom of a well; they still do not know how to repent.
Chen Baoying and his son not only plundered the common folk, but also seized all the wealth of the region, turning the entire populace into their slaves. They colluded with each other, and their power continued to swell, even venturing to the coast to pillage, burning, killing, and pillaging indiscriminately, committing heinous acts. Can we allow such people to go unpunished? This is utterly unacceptable!
Very well, I shall promptly send forth Sha Prefect Yu Wenjing, Mingwei General Cheng Wenji, Acting General Gan Ta, Acting General Tan Tian, Acting General Chen Siqing, Former General Xu Zhiyuan, Mingyi General Hui Ji, Kaiyuan General Zhao Tuan, Chief General Lin Feng, Acting General Yu Xing, Governor of Jin'an Zhao Tuan, Supervisor of the Eastern Expeditionary Army Yu Xiaoqing, with twenty thousand elite troops, cutting through the waves, boldly heading to annihilate Sun En's lair! These people are all seasoned warriors, highly trained elite troops; they have fought alongside General Yang Pu on numerous occasions, as fierce as slaying a dragon in the river, causing the River God Feng Yi to sound the war drums, with the giant turtle pulling the chariot, adorned with splendid banners!
Steadfast and loyal Yi'an Prefect Zhang Shaobin has repeatedly sent envoys seeking assistance; Nankang Interior Pei Ji, newly appointed Light Chariot General Liu Feng, and Dong Hengzhou Prefect Qian Daoji also swiftly mobilized their forces to join Zhang Shaobin.
Former Grand Commandant Ouyang Gong, previously submitted a request to deploy troops to attack Sun En. His foresight and insightful suggestions, similar to Ban Chao's military strategies, were brilliant. Although he has passed away, his aspirations and wishes, like Yan Hui's, must not be forgotten. General Ouyang Xiu, known as "Who Conquers the South," has also passed away, yet the Emperor still remembers his last wishes. The regrets of Zhou Nan, Ouyang Xiu's courtesy name, his son Ouyang Ge has inherited his father's aspirations. Leading a combined force of twenty thousand troops by land and sea, he masters the waterways like taming whales and the land routes like catching wild boars, leading the armies of Hengzhou and Guangzhou to join our six armies.
Li, the Prefect of Tongguan, Dai Huang, the Prefect of Mingzhou, Qu Baishou, the Prefect of Xinzhou, General Xiu Xingshi, Zhang Sui, the Prefect of Chenliu, Que Shen, the former Interior Minister of Ancheng, Lu Zilong, the former Prefect of Luling, Ren Mannu, the former Prefect of Yuning, Huang Fuzi, the Prefect of Bashan, Rong Zhao General, Heir Apparent of Xiangdong Xu Jingcheng, Lu Guangda, the Inspector of Wuzhou, former Inspector of Wuzhou and Marquis of Suixing County Xiang, along with the Imperial Commissioner, the Commander of various military affairs, the Cavalry Commandant, and Guard General Zhao Da, with five thousand cavalry and twenty thousand infantry, directly crossed Shao Wu and then stationed in Jin'an. They marched in formation, overcoming rugged terrain, planning to encircle the enemy with combined forces for a quick victory.
Next, the former Prefect of Xuancheng, Qian Su, and the Prefect of Linchuan, Luo Ya, the Left Guard of the Crown Prince Sun Xu, the Prefect of Xunyang Mo Jinglong, and the Prefect of Yuzhang Liu Guangde, based on the circumstances, suppressed and intercepted along the way to coordinate with the main army.
The Imperial Commissioner, the Cavalry Commandant, General Who Guards the South, Household Secretary with Equal Rank to the Three Excellencies, Inspector of Jiangzhou, Marquis of Xinjian County Fa Bian, is stationed along the river, serving as the rear guard for the main army.
This military operation is aimed only at Yuan'e and his son, Liuyi. As long as other participants can repent in time, demonstrate their merits, and redeem themselves, not only will they not be held accountable, but they will also be rewarded and promoted. As for the people of Jianzhou and Jinzhou who have suffered from long-term wars, the army will take good care of them so they can live in peace. Displaced individuals will also be able to return to their hometowns. Rewards for those who have made achievements are already prepared. If they continue to do wrong, they shouldn't blame the sword for being merciless.
After Zhao Da took down Zhou Di, he crossed the Dongxing Ridge and stationed in Jian'an. At the same time, Yu Xiaoqing also attacked Jinxian by sea. Baoying occupied the shore of Jian'an Lake and stubbornly resisted the imperial army, setting up defensive fortifications on both land and water. Zhao Da adopted a strategy of defensive defense, not launching a proactive attack, but ordering soldiers to cut wood to make pontoon bridges. After the water level rose, he used the water flow to break through the enemy's water barrier, and then launched a joint attack on land and water. The army of Baoying was defeated; Baoying himself fled to the mountains and was eventually captured. He and twenty of his sons were escorted to Jiankang and publicly executed in the busy marketplace.
Historical records say that in the late years of the Liang Dynasty, the world was in chaos, with disasters all around, and various evildoers rose in rebellion. The local leaders in the counties and the tyrants in the villages relied on robbery and looting to expand themselves, acting with arrogance and lawlessness. Emperor Gaozu emerged at just the right moment, quelled the rebellion, and restored stability. People like Xiong Tanlang, Zhou Di, Liuyi, and Chen Baoying, although they caught a good time, still had sinister intentions and sought to stir up trouble.
Tan Lang, that kid, was up to no good, and in the end, his whole clan was wiped out, which is just what he deserved. As for Chen Baoying and Liu Yi, our founding Emperor either married into their families to gain their loyalty or showed them favor. In fact, he could have easily controlled them, but our founding Emperor was merciful and magnanimous, wanting to win people over with virtue. As a result, these two turned against him, each with their own ambitions, and even had dreams of seizing the throne in the Huainan region. While they weren't as powerful as Shu Han back then, they were ambitious and sought to be emperors. Sadly, they were incredibly foolish, and in the end, they led to the slaughter of five clans and seven families; they got what was coming to them!
