The Later Emperor, his name was Li Shubao, styled Yuanshou, also known as Huangnu, was the legitimate eldest son of Emperor Gaozong. He was born on the wuyin day of the eleventh month in the second year of the Chengsheng era in Liang (specific date), in Jiangling.
The following year, Jiangling was captured, and his father Emperor Gaozong fled with his family to Guanzhong, leaving the young Later Emperor alone in Rangcheng. It wasn't until the third year of the Tianjia era that the Later Emperor was brought back to the capital and appointed as the Prince of Ancheng.
In the first year of the Tiankang era, he was appointed as the General of Ningyuan and was given a few aides. In the second year of the Guangda era, he was promoted to the Central Attendant of the Crown Prince; not long after, he became a Palace Attendant while maintaining his previous positions.
On the jiawu day of the first month of the first year of the Taijian era (specific date), he was finally named Crown Prince.
On January 1st, 561 AD, Emperor Gaozong passed away. The next day, Prince Shuling of Shixing rebelled but was quickly suppressed. On the third day of the first month, the Crown Prince ascended to the throne in the front hall of the Taiji, becoming the new Emperor. In his decree, he stated: "Heaven has sent calamity upon us, at the sudden passing of the late Emperor, I am overwhelmed with grief and do not know how to proceed. Now that I have ascended to the throne, the responsibility is heavy, like navigating a vast sea without a compass. I need all ministers' assistance to govern the country effectively. In order to carry on the late Emperor's vision and benefit the people, I have decided to issue a general amnesty! All serving civil and military officials, and to those who are filial to their parents and hardworking, will be promoted by one rank. For elderly individuals who cannot support themselves, each will receive five dou of grain and two pieces of cloth."
On the ninth day of the first lunar month, the Emperor appointed Prince Xiao Shujian of Changsha as the General of Cavalry, Governor of Southern Xu Province; Xiao Mohe as General of Cavalry, Governor of Southern Xuzhou; Fan Yi was promoted to General of the Western Expedition; Ren Zhong was promoted to General of the Southern Defense; Shen Ke was appointed as a distinguished official, Grand Master of Golden Purple and Light; Lu Guangda was promoted to General of Anxi; Zhang Dabao was appointed as the Central Military Guard. On the eleventh day of the first lunar month, the Empress was elevated to Empress Dowager, and the name of the Empress Dowager's palace was changed to Hongfan Palace. On the thirteenth day of the first lunar month, Prince Jinxi Xiao Shuwen was appointed as General of Promotion and Beneficence, Intendant of Danyang. On the fifteenth day of the first lunar month, his younger brother Xiao Shuzhong was appointed as Prince of Shixing, tasked with honoring King Shaolie. On the seventeenth day of the first lunar month, Lady Shen was appointed as Empress. On the nineteenth day of the first lunar month, Prince Xiao Shuyan was appointed as Prince of Xunyang, Xiao Shushen as Prince of Yueyang, Xiao Shuda as Prince of Yiyang, Xiao Shuxiong as Prince of Bashan, and Xiao Shuyu as Prince of Wuchang. On the twentieth day of the first lunar month, Prince Xiaoboshan of Poyang was promoted to Grand General of Central Command; Prince Xiaobogong of Jin'an was promoted to General of the Front and Palace Attendant; Prince Xiaoboren of Luling was promoted to General of the Front; Prince Xiao Shuying of Yuzhang was promoted to General of the South; Prince Xiao Shuqing of Jian'an was promoted to General of the South. Xuling was appointed as Left Grand Master of Light, also serving as the Grand Tutor to the Crown Prince. On the twenty-fourth day of the first lunar month, a lavish banquet was hosted in the Taiji Front Hall.
On the eighth day of March, the emperor issued another decree, stating: "Hard work in farming is the foundation of the country and the vital lifeblood of the people. Although the tax systems of past dynasties have been different, fertile land generally has high taxes while barren land has low taxes. However, many people are now committing fraud, tax records are altered each year, farmers fear inspections, and officials seize the opportunity to oppress the people. Farmers have abandoned their tools and have become idle, severely affecting the country's production. Now is the good season for spring plowing; to encourage everyone to cultivate the land, all newly cultivated land will be tax-exempt. Neglected private and public fields can also be freely cultivated. If everyone farms diligently, the country will prosper, and I will reward those who farm earnestly."
On the tenth day of March, the emperor issued another decree: "For the long-term stability of the country, past emperors have always prioritized the selection of talented individuals. Although I have limited abilities, I bear a great responsibility and cannot stand idly by. I often lie awake at night, trying to find talents, but have had little success. Therefore, I command all officials of rank nine or higher to recommend one talented individual each. Recommendations should be honest and truthful, not fabricated. Those with talent who have been marginalized should also step forward to contribute to the nation."
The emperor issued another edict, saying, "In ancient times, wise monarchs, even if they were both virtuous and talented, were humble in accepting advice and sought opinions widely. After inheriting the throne, I also hope to listen to everyone's opinions, regardless of rank. As long as there are good suggestions, I will humbly accept them." On the seventeenth day of the third month, Prince Jin'an Xiao Bogong was appointed as the General of Annan and the Inspector of Xiangzhou; Prince Yongyang Xiao Bozhi was appointed as the Minister of Personnel; Zhang Dabao was appointed as the Inspector of Fengzhou. On the seventh day of the fourth month, the emperor appointed Prince Yongkang Xiao Yin as the Crown Prince and granted titles to those who had served the nation as parents, while rewarding officials and nobles with different amounts of silk and cloth. On the ninth day of the fourth month, the emperor issued a decree, saying, "In order to be frugal, the production of gold and silver utensils and other luxury goods is prohibited. Monks, nuns, Taoists, and others are also prohibited from engaging in cult activities, and all superstitious activities such as immoral sacrifices and demonic books are strictly prohibited." On the twelfth day of the fourth month, the emperor issued a decree, saying, "We had previously regained control of the Huai-Si region, and the local leaders had submitted to us. Now, those areas have been lost again, and I am worried that they may turn against us. Therefore, it is ordered that those who had previously been hostages should be provided with clothing, food, and wine before being sent back to their homes. If they wish to stay in the court as officials or have other matters to attend to, they may do as they please." On the first day of the sixth month, Sun Chang was appointed as the Central Protectorate General. On the eighth day of the seventh month, a general amnesty was granted. During this month, the Yangtze River turned a blood-red color, from the capital all the way to Jingzhou. On the night of the tenth day of the eighth month, a sound resembling wind and water crashing was heard in the sky. The same sound was heard on the night of the twelfth day of the eighth month. On the thirteenth day of the eighth month, Lu Guangda was appointed as the General of the Left. On the fifth day of the ninth month, a grand banquet was held in the Taiji Palace, and a general amnesty was granted. On the night of the eighth day of the ninth month, a sound like flying insects was heard from the northeast, gradually moving towards the northwest. On the twelfth day of the ninth month, the bright star Venus was visible during the day. On the thirteenth day of the ninth month, Prince of Changsha Xiao Shujian was appointed as the Minister of Engineering, while Prince of Yuzhang Xiao Shuying remained as the General Who Conquers the South and was granted the privilege of setting up his own household.
In the first month of the first year of the Zhengde era (1505 AD), the emperor issued a decree saying: "My abilities are limited; I have inherited the legacy of my ancestors, and I am deeply worried. I often struggle with my health, my experience in governing the country is insufficient, and my ability to handle political affairs is not strong. I feel like I'm walking on thin ice and driving a broken-down vehicle; it feels dangerous. However, the changing seasons and the constant movement of the sun, moon, and stars, the courtiers coming to pay their respects, and the palace filled with tribute, although these scenes are not new, the change of seasons makes me feel particularly different. I often think of the late emperor's achievements. I miss the past. Whenever I stand in the palace, I feel a knot in my stomach; sitting on the throne, I feel anxious. I will do my best to inherit the late emperor's will, work hard to govern the country, educate the people, bring peace to the realm, and ensure that people can live and work happily. I will adopt gentle and straightforward measures to create a peaceful scene in the world. Therefore, I have decided to grant a general amnesty and change the fifteenth year of Taijian to the first year of the Zhengde era." The emperor then appointed Prince Shuying of Yuzhang as the Grand General of the Central Guards; Prince Shujian of Changsha as the Governor of Jiangzhou; Sima Xiaonan as the General of Chariots and Cavalry; Prince Shuwen of Jinxixi as the Governor of Yangzhou; Ren Zhong as the Leading General; Lu Guangda as the General for Pacifying the South and the Governor of Nanyuzhou; and Jiang Zong as the Minister of Rites.
On the twelfth day of the first month, the crown prince was named Prince Shi'an. On the sixth day of the second month, Prince Shuzhong of Shixing was appointed Governor of Yangzhou. On the fifth day of the fourth month, Li Yourong, the Governor of Jiaozhou, presented a tamed elephant as tribute. On the sixth day of the fourth month, Prince Shuwen of Jinxi, who had previously served as General of Chariots and Cavalry and Governor of Yangzhou, was appointed as the Governor of Jiangzhou. On the fourth day of the eighth month, Prince Shujian of Changsha was appointed Minister of Works. On the fourth day of the ninth month, a sound like insects flying was heard from the southeast sky. On the fourth day of the tenth month, Prince Shuping was established as Prince of Xiangdong, Shu'ao as Prince of Linhe, Shuxuan as Prince of Yangshan, and Shumu as Prince of Xiyang. On the fifth day of the tenth month, Xu Ling, the Palace Attendant, General of the Right, Chief Clerk of the Left, and Tutor of the Crown Prince, passed away. On the tenth day of the tenth month, Prince Shujian was established as Prince of Nan'an, Shucheng as Prince of Nanjun, Shuxing as Prince of Yuanling, Shushao as Prince of Yueshan, and Shuchun as Prince of Xinxing. On the nineteenth day of the twelfth month, envoys from the country of Touhe presented treasures as tribute. The Minister of Works, Prince Shujian of Changsha, was dismissed from office due to committing a crime. On the night of the twenty-first day of the twelfth month, the sky opened up from the northwest to the southeast, showing a yellow-green hue and producing a rumbling sound like thunder. In the second year of the common era, on the Dingmao day of spring, the emperor sent envoys to inspect the customs of the people in various places. General Pingnan, Governor of Yuzhou, Lu Guangda, was promoted to General of Annan. On the day of Guisi, a general amnesty was issued across the country.
On the fifth day of May in summer, His Majesty appointed Prince Bozhi of Yongyang as General of Pacifying the East, Governor of Yangzhou; Prince Shuwen of Jinxi as General of Trustworthy Might, Governor of Xiangzhou; Prince Shuchong of Shixing as Governor of Jiangzhou; Prince Yi of Nanping as Governor of Yangzhou; and Jiang Zong as Chief Clerk. On the fifth day of the seventh month in autumn, His Majesty appointed Prince Shujian of Changsha as Palace Attendant, General of the Left. On the day of Renwu, the Crown Prince held a ceremony to mark his coming of age, during which officials and generals received silk fabrics as rewards. Those who showed filial piety, worked hard in farming, and supported their parents were promoted by an extra rank. Those who were widowed, orphaned, or unable to support themselves were each rewarded with five bushels of grain. On the day of Guiwei in September, the star of Jupiter appeared in the daytime.
In the winter month of October, on the Jiyou day, the emperor issued a decree saying: "Farming and digging are the means to self-sufficiency, which reflects a simple and honest ethos, while tax collection has a long history. This is because of the financial difficulties of the country, and it is inevitable. However, there are more and more laws, many thieves and robbers, and the social atmosphere is extravagant and hypocritical, with few good government decrees. I work tirelessly day and night, worrying about every little mistake, crying my heart out, blaming myself endlessly, guilty for failing to govern the realm properly. I hope to review previous orders, allowing prosperous regions to share some of the burdens, and if it is heard that the rich and the poor can develop together, and the weak areas can also get out of trouble, isn't this what it means to revitalize the poor and aid disaster victims? This is exactly the oppressive policies resulting from local officials exploiting the populace! As the saying goes, 'If the people are impoverished, how can the ruler enjoy wealth?' Since the fourteenth year of Taijian, all outstanding taxes are hereby forgiven. All court officials must handle affairs fairly and justly, not to harm the people for personal gain, not disturbing the court for their own political achievements." On the day of Jingyin in November, there was a general amnesty. On the day of Renshen, the Panpan kingdom sent envoys to present tributes. On the day of Wuyin, the Baekje kingdom sent envoys to present tributes. On the first day of the first month of the year 563 AD, on Wuwu day, a solar eclipse took place. On Gengwu day, Xiao Shujian was appointed as the Left General, holding the title of Yitong Sanqi; Fan Yi was appointed as the General of the Guard; Lu Qiong was appointed as the Minister of Personnel; and Yuan Jing was promoted to a special position. On the day of Xinyou in March, the former Governor of Fengzhou, Zhang Dabao, rebelled. On the day of Gengxu in April, the leader of the Fengzhou rebels, Chen Jingxiang, killed Zhang Dabao and sent his head to the capital. On the night of Wuzi in August, the elder star appeared. On the day of Jiyou, Xie Mou was appointed as the Minister of Personnel. On the day of Jiaxu in September, Yuan Jing, a special person and a grand master of the Golden Purple Light, passed away. On the day of Jichou in October, the Dandan kingdom sent envoys to present various offerings.
On the eleventh day of the eleventh month of the year, the emperor issued a decree stating: "Confucius was born with the qualities of a sage, his virtue is as great as heaven and earth, his musical theories are profound and intricate, his brilliance shines as brightly as the sun and moon, his teachings have enriched future generations, and he has opened up the wisdom of the people. During the Liang Dynasty, Confucius' tomb was abandoned for over thirty years, overgrown with weeds. We have always revered him and have never forgotten. With the country now thriving, the 'Book of Songs' and 'Book of Odes' can be sung, and the 'Book of Changes' has been thoroughly interpreted. Although Confucius' lute and shoes have been lost, we will not forget him. We must renovate Confucius' temple, restore it to its former glory, and hold sacrifices on time." On Xin Si, the emperor went to Changgan Temple and ordered a general amnesty. On the twelfth day of the twelfth month, the bright star appeared during the day. On Xin Mao, the crown prince emerged from the Imperial Academy and gave a lecture on the 'Classic of Filial Piety,' and on Wu Xu, the lecture was completed. On Xin Chou, a sacrificial ceremony was held at Confucius' temple. After the ceremony, a grand banquet was hosted, inviting the royal officials. On Gui Mao, envoys from Goryeo presented tributes. That year, Xiao Kui passed away, and his son, Xiao Cong, succeeded him.
In the spring of a certain year, on a specific day in the first month, the emperor proclaimed: "Emperor Yao set up the Drum of Remonstrance, and King Yu welcomed direct counsel, all for the purpose of accepting remonstrances. This has been a long-standing practice in history. Delaying action out of fear of making mistakes goes against ancient wisdom. The key to governing a country is to foster open dialogue and heed diverse opinions. My capabilities are limited; I have inherited my ancestors' legacy, but I have not been able to humbly accept advice. I am burdened daily by the affairs of state, and many matters go unaddressed and unheard. Thus, I hope everyone will feel free to share their opinions and valuable suggestions. From court ministers to ordinary citizens, I urge everyone to recommend talented individuals and share their insights widely. Even a commoner’s useful suggestion will be heard by me personally; I look forward to everyone’s assistance." The emperor then promoted several royal ministers, including Prince Boshan of Poyang, Prince Suying of Yuzhang, and Prince Sujian of Changsha, all of whom received promotions.
On a certain day in the second month, Prince Bogong of Jin'an was promoted. That same month, the emperor also granted royal titles to several of his brothers, namely Prince Sumo of Badong, Prince Suxian of Linjiang, Prince Sutan of Xinhui, and Prince Sulong of Xinning. In May, the emperor named Prince Zhuang as the King of Kuaiji. In September, the emperor visited Xuanwu Lake for a military review, hosted a banquet for the courtiers, and invited everyone to compose poetry. In that same month, Prince Boshan of Poyang was appointed as the Inspector of Dongyangzhou, and Prince Shushen of Yueyang was appointed as the Intendant of Danyang. In that same month, an envoy from the kingdom of Baekje arrived to present tribute. In October, Jiang Zong was promoted to the position of Prefect of the Masters of Writing, and Xie Feng was elevated to Supervisor of the Masters of Writing.
On a certain day in November, the emperor issued another decree, saying: "The purpose of criminal law is to deter rebellion, and benevolent governance is to educate the people. These two methods have always been the key to governing a country since ancient times, as all emperors have done. However, nowadays, few are willing to speak their minds, and conflicts are rare. Just like the tales of startled horses at Wei Bridge and the oxen that wandered off in the peach grove, few dare to speak frankly. Although some people behave rudely, insult others, and deserve punishment, those who make mistakes out of ignorance should be treated with tolerance. If things are not going well in politics, it is because I, as the emperor, have not done well, and I should blame myself. Relying solely on criminal law to govern a country is not enough. Therefore, I have been restless and worried. Now, the country is like a broken jade bi and scattered pearls, but there are already signs of improvement, so I have decided to grant a general amnesty!"
In January of the year 675 AD, the emperor promoted several princes. Prince Boxin of Hengyang was promoted to General of the Front, Prince Boren of Luling was promoted to Grand Minister, Prince Shushen of Yueyang was appointed Governor of Xiangzhou, and Prince Shuda of Yiyang was appointed Intendant of Danyang.
On that day, the emperor also issued an edict, roughly stating: In the past, those despotic rulers made life unbearable for the people, and the country was in chaos. On the other hand, I have strived to improve the governance of the country, but the common people continued to endure hardship. Now that the country is at peace and flourishing, it's a promising sign, so a general amnesty will be granted, and the Fifth Year of Virtue will be changed to the First Year of Zhengming.
The edict states: "Emperor Bai, in the past, beat the drum of harmony; King Ji and Queen Jiang, in the distant past, were favored by the wind. The laws have been established, but good influence does not spread. Rituals and righteousness have been violated, and evil deeds have been committed. Why do those who are simple and honest not return, while those who are extravagant and competitive are favored? I, as the ruler, have been fair and just, upholding the heavenly mandate and maintaining order on all sides. Yet the common people have endured the five forms of punishment. It is indeed challenging to maintain peace and harmony due to excessive laws and regulations. Therefore, we must not be complacent and must be cautious in our actions. Now, with the changing of the seasons and the submission of all nations, Lingzhi is offered to the rising sun, and dew is condensed in the new year. From this spring onwards, we shall promote virtue and spread benevolence, aiming for a new era of governance. It is hereby decreed that a nationwide pardon be granted, and the fifth year of Zhide be changed to the first year of Zhenming."
A few days later, there was an earthquake. Subsequently, Prince Boxin of Hengyang was promoted to General of the South and Governor of Xihengzhou. In the second month, Prince Bogong of Jin'an was appointed General of the Center Guard, and Prince Shuqing of Jian'an was appointed Supervisor of the Imperial Library. The Emperor also ordered that all overdue taxes be forgiven.
"On the day of Dingmao, in the first year of Zhide, those who have not paid their taxes and debts are to be forgiven."
In the eighth month of autumn, the elders said they saw the Old Man Star. Xiao Moho was promoted to General of the Valiant Cavalry. In the ninth month, Prince Shuying of Yuzhang was appointed Grand General of the Valiant Cavalry. Prince Xiao Yan of Anping and Prince Xiao Huan of Yixing surrendered to the court with over 100,000 men.
The Emperor issued another nationwide pardon.
In the eleventh month of winter, the Emperor separated Wu County from Yangzhou and established Wuzhou. He also elevated Qiantang County to a prefecture under Wuzhou. Xiao Yan was appointed General of the East, Privy Treasurer, and Governor of Dongyang, while Xiao Huan was appointed General of Wuzhou. Prince Shuying of Yuzhang was also appointed Minister of Works. In the twelfth month, Prince Boshan of Poyang was appointed Grand General of the Guards, and Prince Bogong of Jin'an was appointed General of the Center Guard and Right Guanglu Grandee.
In a certain year, on the first day of the first month, which was the day of Xin Si, the emperor appointed Prince Quan as the Prince of Dongyang and appointed Prince Tian as the Prince of Qiantang. In the same month, the emperor sent Cavalier Attendant Zhou Luohan with troops to camp at the Gorge Pass. In the fourth month, on the Wu Shen day, a sudden swarm of rats appeared, running from the Caizhou shore to the Stone Ferry across the Huai River, all the way to the banks of the Qingtang River. Many rats died over several days, their bodies swept into the river by the current. On the same day, the Wu Wu day, the emperor appointed Cai Zheng as the Minister of Personnel. In that month, the water in the southern part of Yingzhou was as black as ink. On the Ren Wu day of the fifth month, the emperor appointed Prince Boren of Luling, the General of the Front, as a Special Envoy. On the Jia Wu day, while the East Yechi was casting iron, a red object fell from the sky, about the size of several dou of rice, with a loud bang like thunder, splashing molten iron outside the wall and igniting the homes of the common people. On the Wu Xu day of the sixth month, envoys from the Kingdom of Funan came to pay tribute. On the Geng Zi day, the emperor deposed Crown Prince Yin and made him the King of Wuxing, and appointed Prince Shenan of Shi'an, the Military Advisor General and Governor of Yangzhou, as the new crown prince. On the Xin Chou day, the emperor promoted General of South Pacification, Prince Nanping of Jiangzhou, to General of the South; promoted Loyal and Martial General Prince Yongjia of Nanxuzhou to General of the North; Prince Zhuang of Kuaiji became General of the Front, Governor of Yangzhou; General of Proclamation of Virtue, Grand Secretary Jiang Zong, was promoted to General of the Central Authority; the Cloud Banner General, Prince's Attendant Yuan Xian, became the Supervisor of the Masters of Writing; the Supervisor of the Masters of Writing Xie Feng became a Special Envoy; the General of Ningyuan, newly appointed Minister of Personnel Cai Zheng, was promoted to General of the Right. On the Jia Chen day, the emperor appointed General of the Right, Lu Guangda, as the Commander of the Central Army. On the Ding Si day, a strong wind blew in from the northwest, pushing the water of the Huai River into Shitoucheng, flooding the banks of the Huai River and sweeping many boats away.
On the 10th day of the tenth month in the Ji Hai year, the Emperor appointed his son Fan as the King of Wu Commandery. On the day of Xin Chou, the Emperor appointed Yao Cha, the Minister of Revenue and Chief Grand Historian, as the Minister of Personnel. On the day of Ji You, the Emperor went hunting at Mo Fu Mountain. On the 11th day of the eleventh month in the year of Ding Mao, the Emperor issued a decree saying, "When handling cases, one should be lenient. This is the example set by emperors throughout history. We should try to minimize killings, as this is the essence of a benevolent person. Since the cessation of elaborate rituals, officials have become harsh, and the laws have become increasingly complex, leaving people confused. When I became Emperor, society was in turmoil, and the standards of rewards and punishments were not yet determined. I often feel overwhelmed by the matters at hand. When I see the prisoners in jail, I feel great sympathy, and I have decided to personally oversee cases in the Hall of Supreme Justice." On the day of Ren Shen, the Emperor appointed the General of the South and Inspector of Jiangzhou, Prince Nanping Yi, as the General of the West and Inspector of Yingzhou; the General of the North and Inspector of Southern Xuzhou, Prince Yongjia Yan, as the General of the South and Inspector of Jiangzhou; and the Military Strategist General, Prince Nanhai Qian, as the General of the North and Inspector of Southern Xuzhou. On the day of Jing Zi, the Emperor appointed his younger brother Shu Rong as the King of Xinchang, and his younger brother Shu Kuang as the King of Taiyuan. In this month, the Sui Dynasty dispatched Prince Jin Guang with troops to engage in battle, from Bashu through the Mian Han River basin to Guangling. Dozens of armies launched a coordinated attack, and the defending forces along the river reported the situation repeatedly. At that time, the newly appointed Inspector of Xiangzhou, Shi Wenqing, and the Imperial Secretary Shen Keqing were in charge of the court's secrets, but they concealed the situation and failed to take necessary precautions.
In the first month of the year 589 AD, the weather was gloomy and thick fog covered the land. On this day, the general He Ruobi of the Sui Dynasty set out from the northern front, crossed the Yangtze River, and arrived at Jingkou, while another general, Han Qinhuh, set out from the southern front, crossed the Yangtze River, and arrived at Caishiji, preparing to join forces with He Ruobi's army. The next day, the guard at Caishiji, Xu Zijian, quickly reported the urgent military situation. On the third day, the court convened the ministers to discuss military strategy. On the fourth day, the entire city was put under martial law; the court appointed Xiao Moha, Fan Yi, and Lu Guangda as the commanders, and at the same time sent Fan Meng to lead the navy against Baixia, while Gao Wenzou led the army to guard South Yuzhou. On the sixth day, He Ruobi captured South Xuzhou. On the seventh day, Han Qinhuh broke through South Yuzhou, while Gao Wenzou's forces were defeated and forced to retreat. Thus, the Sui army's two major forces advanced simultaneously from the north and south.
Emperor Chen quickly sent Prince Yu of Yuzhang to guard the imperial palace, Xiao Moha to guard Leyou Garden, Fan Yi to guard Qiduo Temple, Lu Guangda to guard Baitugang, and Kong Fan to guard Baotian Temple. On the ninth day, Ren Zhong arrived from Wuxing and stationed at Zhuque Gate. On the eleventh day, He Ruobi captured Zhongshan and established his camp southeast of Baitugang. On the fourteenth day, Emperor Chen sent troops to battle He Ruobi, resulting in a crushing defeat. He Ruobi pressed his advantage and advanced towards Leyou Garden, where Lu Guangda led the remaining troops in a desperate defense, but it was futile. He Ruobi attacked the imperial palace and burned down the North Gate. At this time, Han Qinhuh led his army from Xinlin to Shizigang, where Ren Zhong surrendered to Han Qinhuh and guided him through Zhuque Canal to enter the imperial palace via the South Gate.
Therefore, all the civil and military officials in the imperial palace fled, only Yuan Xian, the Minister of Works, remained in the hall. Jiang Zong, the Minister of Works, Yao Cha, the Minister of Personnel, Yuan Quan, the Minister of Revenue, the former Minister of Revenue, Wang Yuan, and Wang Kuan, the Palace Attendant, all stayed in the Ministry of Works. When Chen Houzhu learned that the enemy was at the gates, she escaped from the rear hall of Jingyang Palace with a dozen palace maids, planning to jump into the well to end her life. Yuan Xian desperately tried to persuade her, but Chen Houzhu did not listen. At that moment, Xiahou Gongyun, the Attendant, blocked the well, and Chen Houzhu and her companions were locked in a standoff for a long time before they were finally persuaded to relent. That night, Chen Houzhu was captured by the Sui army. The following day, Yang Guang, the Prince of Jin, entered Jiankang City.
On the sixth day of the third lunar month, Chen Houzhu and the royal officials set out from Jiankang to Chang'an. On the twenty-ninth day of the eleventh month in the year 589, Chen Houzhu died in Luoyang at the age of fifty-two. The Sui Dynasty posthumously granted him the title of Grand General, made him Duke of Changcheng County, bestowed upon him the posthumous title of Emperor Yang, and he was buried in Mangshan, Luoyang.
In historical records, Zheng Guogong Wei Zheng said to the courtier: Emperor Gaozu started from the fields and demonstrated exceptional talent and foresight. He initially assisted the local areas, showcasing outstanding abilities, subduing the South Sea, and wholeheartedly seeking to stabilize the world. Later, he marched north to suppress the rebellion of Hou Jing, saving the nearly extinct Liang Dynasty. Although the country once declined, it eventually recovered, the nation's fortunes were restored, the people enjoyed peace and prosperity, and everything returned to a state of normalcy. King Wei usurped the Han Dynasty's territory, and Emperor Wu of Song overthrew the Jin Dynasty; their achievements were truly unmatched. However, at that time, internal rebellions had not been quelled, and there were powerful external enemies. Wang Lin rebelled in the upper reaches of the Yangtze River, and the states of Zhou and Qi were in turmoil in the Jianghan region. Emperor Gaozu was in a precarious position, like a frightened bird, and could fall at any moment. In this situation, he suddenly usurped the throne and declared himself emperor; although blessed by the heavens, wasn't it a bit too hasty? However, Emperor Gaozu had grand ambitions and a broad-minded outlook; he could even promote talents from enemies, select talents from fugitives, overlook their corruption, pardon their crimes, entrust them with significant responsibilities, and they all worked for him. This enabled him to achieve victory in a hundred battles and eventually establish control over a third of the realm, standing alongside the other two powerful rulers, equal to them in stature!
Emperor Shizu was talented and intelligent, wise and decisive. He participated in national affairs early on, understood the hardships of the people, and made efforts to select effective governance, hoping to realize a time of enlightened rule. He implemented benevolent policies, held wrongdoers accountable, pacified various rebellions, and deterred surrounding enemies. Although his benevolence and educational efforts did not resonate deeply with the populace, his diligence and frugality set a standard for future generations. If he were not so shrewd and capable, he would still be a capable emperor who could maintain stability. Although he was older than King Cheng of Zhou, he made fewer mistakes than King Taijia of Shang. He was as approachable to the people as the Duke of Zhou, but lacked the ambition of Yi Yin. He no longer had the keen discernment he once had, which led to the incident at Tong Palace. Blaming him for it would be an easy task!
Emperor Gaozong was initially a humble commoner with a generous spirit. After ascending the throne, the people united behind him. He exhibited kindness and tolerance towards the populace. He was brave and skilled in battle, always justifying his military campaigns. He expanded the territory by a thousand miles, occupying the Huai River and Si River basins. His relentless drive to capture cities and expand territory was rarely seen in recent history. However, later on, the emperor became extravagant, the people were overworked, the army became arrogant, and the soldiers' morale declined. The treasury was depleted, resulting in a series of military defeats. At this time, the powerful Qin state began to eye the regions south of the Yangtze River. Li Ke said that the downfall of Wu resulted from its repeated victories in battle, which led to the exhaustion of the people. These victories bred arrogance in the ruler; ruling over exhausted people with arrogance inevitably leads to downfall. This is truly correct! Emperor Gaozong initially won the hearts of the people with his kindness and generosity, but ultimately failed due to extravagance and debauchery. The foundation of a culturally and militarily prosperous era was shattered in an instant.
The last emperor was born in the inner palace, raised by women from a young age, and the country was already in decline. He was completely unaware of the hardships of farming. At first, he was afraid of danger and issued several decrees expressing sympathy for the people. Later, he eventually settled down a bit but sank deeper into a life of luxury and excess. He partied and drank with his ministers, surrounded himself with sycophants, and handed over important political affairs to them. This led to a court devoid of upright and outspoken ministers, and everyone in power was greedy and corrupt. Politics became increasingly chaotic, with countless injustices and wrongful accusations. He partied every night, spoiled his concubines, and turned a blind eye to state affairs. The country was on the verge of disaster, with deceit running rampant between the upper and lower classes, and internal strife. He faltered in the face of danger and eventually took his own life by jumping into a well, in a desperate attempt to escape reality. Just look at him—he truly brought shame to the people!
Throughout the history of emperors, after the founding emperor ascended the throne, they all wanted to shine alongside the sun and moon, harmonize with heaven and earth, imitate the Five Emperors, and learn from the Three Kings. However, few could start well and end well. Why is that? It is because most of them had mediocre abilities, weak wills, spoke of benevolence and righteousness but desired pleasure in their hearts. Benevolence and righteousness benefit the world, but the road is long; pleasure satisfies personal desires, but is easily achieved. What is easily achieved is difficult to maintain in the long run, and a distant road is hard to pursue with a firm will. Those who flatter, observe, and cater to others' preferences guide them like bullets rolling down a slope or unstoppable floodwaters. If it were not for those with exceptional talents and noble character from birth, who could forsake their own pleasures for the sake of the people? Therefore, wise rulers like King Cheng, King Kang, Emperor Wen, and Emperor Jing are a rarity throughout history; while foolish rulers such as those of the Gui, Xin, You, and Li dynasties have been seen in every generation, bringing disaster to the nation, ruining their reputations, and becoming a laughingstock. Isn't that truly heartbreaking? The ancients said that most monarchs who led their country to ruin were talented. Look at the Liang, Chen, and Sui dynasties; this is certainly true. Therefore, failing to prioritize education while chasing after grandiose rhetoric will only promote a culture of hypocrisy, ultimately leading to the downfall of the country. Historical records indicate that before ascending the throne, the last emperor displayed extraordinary talent during his time in the prince's palace. When he became emperor, it was truly the will of heaven and the people!
When it comes to the aspects of rituals, music, law, and governance, he strictly adhered to ancestral traditions and also strongly advocated for the Six Arts while opening up pathways for the imperial examinations. Therefore, scholars aspiring to become officials eagerly competed in the exams, and truly talented scholars also flocked to the court. Moreover, envoys from various regions came to pay tribute in an unending stream throughout the year. From the Zhengshi period of the Wei Dynasty to the middle of the Jin Dynasty, while some senior officials possessed talent, they merely participated in discussions on national affairs. Documents, records, and accounts were all handled by minor officials, and this practice persisted until the Chen Dynasty.
As for the later ruler, he followed this practice and showed no inclination for reform. Therefore, individuals like Shi Wenqing and Shen Keqing managed national affairs. These cunning individuals exploited the populace for rewards and promotions, with no regard for national matters. As a result, the government became increasingly corrupt, leading to turmoil in neighboring states. This likely reflects the cycle of dynastic change, just as a bell tolls one hundred and six times, the jade tripod too must be replaced. It is not solely due to the failure of human governance, but also because it is the will of heaven.
