Once upon a time, it was said that Wang Shuling, also known as Zisong, was Emperor Gaozong's second son. During the Chengsheng era of the Liang Dynasty, Shuling was born while Emperor Gaozong was still serving as a general in Jiangling. Later, when Jiangling fell to enemy forces, Emperor Gaozong fled with his family to Guanzhong, leaving Shuling behind in Rangcheng. When Emperor Gaozong returned with his troops, he left the Crown Prince (who would later become the Emperor) and Shuling as hostages in enemy territory. In the third year of the Tianjia reign, Emperor Gaozong brought back the Crown Prince (later the Emperor) to the capital, and Shuling returned with him, and was granted the title of Marquis of Kangle with a fief of five hundred households.
In this way, Shuling made the remarkable transition from a child abandoned in the chaos of war to being granted the title of marquis. His life experiences also reflected the turbulent times of that era.
Shuling was known for his eloquence from a young age, was vain, strong-willed, and dismissive of others. In the first year of Guangda, he was appointed as the Deputy Minister of the Palace Library. The following year, he was dispatched to serve as the Commissioner, Commander of Military Affairs in Jiangzhou, General of the Southern Army, and Governor of Jiangzhou. In the first year of Taijian, he was granted the title of Prince of Shixing County, tasked with overseeing the worship of King Shaolie. He was subsequently promoted to Commissioner, Commander of Military Affairs across the three provinces of Jiang, Ying, and Jin, and Military Strategist General, while retaining his position as Governor. At that time, Shuling was just sixteen years old and managed political affairs independently, with his subordinates unable to have any say. He was strict and harsh, instilling both fear and resentment in his subordinates. He coerced imperial relatives and dismissed county officials alike into serving him.
Qian Facheng, the interior minister of Yu Zhang, went to visit him, but Shuling unexpectedly sent his son Jiqing to hold the horse. Jiqing felt humiliated and did not arrive promptly. Shuling was furious, which drove him to commit suicide. Even though those states and counties were outside his jurisdiction, he would meddle in their affairs and even adjudicate cases. If the court officials and lower-ranking officials did not please him, he would falsely accuse them and have them sentenced to death. Not long after, he was promoted to Cloud Banner General and appointed Cavalier Attendant. Three years later, he was appointed as an Attendant. Four years later, he was promoted to Commander of military affairs in Xiang, Heng, Gui, and Wu states, General for Pacifying the South, Governor of Xiang state, while retaining his roles as Attendant and Commissioner of Authority. Officials from various states trembled in fear at the news of his arrival. Shuling became more and more arrogant, waging campaigns against the barbarians and pocketing all the spoils without rewarding his subordinates. He imposed taxes and labor duties with complete disregard. He often stayed up all night, lit candles until dawn, gathered guests, and chatted about trivial matters without restraint. Although he did not drink, he enjoyed preparing exquisite dishes and indulged in feasting throughout the day. He only slept for a while from morning to noon. His subordinates did not dare to present official documents unless summoned. Those who were punished by him were imprisoned for years with no concern from him. The area south of Xiaoxiang was entirely under his thumb, with hardly anyone escaping his grasp. Anyone who dared to escape would find their families killed. County officials were too afraid to report to Emperor Gaozong, who remained oblivious to these happenings. Later, he was promoted to General of the Southern Garrison, received a band, and subsequently became General of the Guards. Nine years later, he was appointed as Commissioner of Authority and Commander of military affairs in Yang, Xu, Dongyang, and Nanyu states, while retaining his roles as Attendant, General, and band.
Emperor Gaozong was gravely ill, and the crown prince and other princes went to attend his illness. As a result, Emperor Gaozong died in Xuanfu Hall. The next morning, the new emperor, overcome with grief, collapsed to the ground in tears, at which point Prince Ling suddenly lunged at the new emperor's neck with a sharpened knife! Upon hearing the news, the empress dowager rushed to the rescue, but Prince Ling struck her multiple times. Fortunately, the new emperor's wet nurse, Wu, was by the empress dowager's side and pulled the new emperor's arm from behind, enabling him to rise. Prince Ling attempted to seize the emperor's clothing, but the emperor managed to break free. At this moment, Prince Jian of Changsha rushed forward, seized Prince Ling, took away his knife, tied him to a pillar, and bound him with his own sleeves. Wu, the wet nurse, had already helped the new emperor avoid danger, while Prince Jian scoured the area for the new emperor, ready to follow the emperor's orders.
Taking advantage of the situation, Prince Ling broke free from his restraints, rushed out of Yunlong Gate, and hastily returned to the Eastern Palace, where he gathered his soldiers and bestowed gold and silver upon them. He called on the kings and generals outside, but only Prince Bogu of Xin'an responded, arriving to lend support. Prince Ling only gathered about a thousand people and originally intended to defend the city, but before long, General Xiao Mohe arrived at the palace's west gate with his troops. Prince Ling was in a desperate predicament, filled with fear, so he dispatched his secretary Wei Liang, carrying a drum, to meet Xiao Mohe, and even said to him, "If things are settled, I will make you a high-ranking official in the court!" Xiao Mohe misled him, saying, "I have to wait for the king's trusted general to come in person before I can take orders." Prince Ling then sent Dai Wen and Tan Qilin to meet Xiao Mohe, but Xiao Mohe apprehended them and sent them to the court, where they were executed beneath the eaves.
Shu Ling knew that the situation was over, so he threw his concubine Zhang and seven favored maidens into a well to drown. Shu Ling had troops stationed in Xinlin, so he took hundreds of troops and crossed the river by small ferry, planning to head to Xinlin and then sail north. When they reached Baiyang Road, the imperial army intercepted them. Bogu spotted the approaching army and quickly ducked into an alley. Shu Ling chased after him on horseback, drew his sword to strike, but Bogu dashed out again. Most of Shu Ling's men abandoned their helmets and armor and fled in disarray. Xiao Mohe, Ma Rong, and Chen Zhishen charged forward to kill Shu Ling, who fell dead on the spot. Eunuch Wang Feiqin then stabbed Shu Ling more than ten times, while Ma Rong and Chen Zhonghua severed Shu Ling's head and brought it to the court. From the hour of the Tiger to the hour of the Snake, the rebellion was finally suppressed.
Ministers reported: "That traitor, formerly the Imperial Attendant, General of the Central Army, and Prince Shiling of Shixing, was fierce and violent since childhood and became even more greedy and cruel as he grew older. He was sent to pacify Xiangnan and then stationed in Jiujiang, where he completely plundered the local populace. With his fierce eyes and wolf-like howls, he was frivolous and dissolute, disrespectful to his parents and unkind to the common people, obstructed the army, cruel and brutal, lacking in propriety and integrity, only knowing how to kill. While living in remote areas, he indulged in wine and women, fathering children in inns day and night. He hid by day and roamed by night, constantly engaging in deceitful and underhanded activities, robbing the people, and even digging up graves to steal property. Master Xie assisted in establishing the Jin dynasty and created a situation in Jiangzuo, yet Shiling actually opened Master Xie's coffin, desecrating the corpse, a truly shocking act! Since the late emperor fell ill, the next day, while serving medicine, Shiling, a senior court official, showed no outward signs of sorrow, all the while plotting to rebel and assassinate the emperor. When the late emperor's condition worsened, the emperor wept in agony, and Shiling actually prostrated himself, reaching out towards the emperor's carriage. The empress dowager arrived on the scene, and Shiling brandished his sword; his cruelty and brutality were unparalleled in history. Fortunately, Prince Changsha, Shujian, loyal, filial, brave, and decisive, stopped Shiling just in time, ensuring the emperor's safety. Shiling fled to the east city, rallying his accomplices; his remaining forces still formidable, and ultimately killed his own wife and children. Even though Shiling has been executed, our anger remains unabated. After deliberation, we request that, in accordance with the ancient customs of the Song dynasty, his body be thrown into the river to desecrate his residence, and his maternal family's tomb of the Peng clan be destroyed to appease the spirits of the Xie family in the afterlife."
The emperor ordered, "This cruel and tyrannical man dared to cause chaos in the palace. Fortunately, our ancestors blessed us and he was eliminated in time. Hearing this news fills me with both sadness and anger. The court officials have proposed a solution, so handle it according to their petition!"
All of Shuling’s sons were executed that day. The former Intendant of Hengyang, Peng Hao, the Advisory Military Officer and Recorder Zheng Xin, the Middle Recording Officer and Recorder Wei Liang, and the Official Signatory Yu Gongxi all received punishment. Peng Hao was Shuling's uncle, who had served under Emperor Gaozong in Guanzhong and achieved some merits. Later, relying on Shuling's relationship, he successively served as the governor of Liyang and Hengyang counties. Zheng Xin was adept at record-keeping and was trusted by Shuling, participating in Shuling's schemes. Wei Liang was from Jingzhao, the son of the Grand Master and Guard General Wei Can of the Liang Dynasty, and he was highly regarded by Shuling for his profound knowledge.
Chen Zhishen was appointed as the Intendant of Balang and titled as the Viscount of You'an County for his merit in pacifying Shuling. Chen Zhonghua was appointed as the Prefect of Xiagui and titled as the Viscount of Xinyi County. Wang Feiqin was appointed as the General of Fubo. They all received rewards accordingly.
Prince Bogu of Xin'an, styled Laozhi, was the fifth son of the founder. He was born with a chest like a tortoise shell, bright and spirited eyes, short stature, but eloquent and good at debating. In the sixth year of Tianjia, he was appointed as the Prince of Xin'an County with a fief that included two thousand households. After the accession of the deposed emperor, he was appointed as the Commissioner overseeing military affairs in the three counties of Nanlangye, Pengcheng, and Donghai, General of the Cloud Banner, and the Prefect of Pengcheng and Langye counties. Shortly after, he was transferred to the central government as the Intendant of Danyang, while retaining his military rank.
In the first year of Taijian, he was promoted to the position of Zhiwu General, while retaining the position of Danyang Prefect. After his term ended, he was promoted to Yiyou General. Shortly after, he was appointed as Commissioner of Imperial Envoys, Commander of Military Affairs in Wuxing, Pingdong General, and Wuxing Prefect. Four years later, he returned to the court as Shizhong, Yiqian General, and later was promoted to Anqian General and Zhonglingjun. Seven years later, he was sent to the local area as Commissioner of Imperial Envoys, Cavalier Attendant, Commander of Military Affairs in Nanxu, Nanyu, Nan, and Beiyuan Four Provinces, Zhenbei General, and Governor of Nanxu Province. Bogu was particularly fond of drinking and spent his salary without restraint, rarely saving any money. When drunk, he often asked others for things, and he was regarded as the poorest among the princes. Emperor Gaozong always sympathized with him and gave him extra rewards. Bogu was impulsive, enjoyed fighting, and neglected state affairs while serving as an official, spending his days hunting. Sometimes he even lay in his carriage and napped in the grass, inviting common people to join him, often playing for ten days or even half a month. The deer he hunted were sent alive to the palace. Although Emperor Gaozong knew about these matters and sent people to reprimand him many times, it had no effect. Ten years later, he returned to the court, serving again as Shizhong and Zhenyou General, and soon after was appointed as Hujun General. In the same year, he was appointed as Grand Scholar of the National Academy, concurrently serving as Zuo Xiaoqi General, while retaining his positions as Shizhong and Zhenyou General. Bogu was very knowledgeable in metaphysics but knew nothing about other subjects. However, in debates, he often came up with unique insights. He was very strict in his official duties. If anyone in the National Academy was lazy and did not study, he would punish them severely. The students were all afraid of him, so the learning atmosphere improved significantly. In the twelfth year, he also served as Zongzheng Qing. In the thirteenth year, he was appointed as Commissioner, Commander of Military Affairs in Yang, Nanxu, Dongyang, and Nanyu Four Provinces, and Governor of Yangzhou, while retaining his positions as Shizhong and General.
Legend has it that when Wu Zetian's son Li Xian became the heir apparent, he was particularly close to a man named Cui Bogu, and the two of them were always together. Cui Bogu had a knack for cracking jokes, and every time Li Xian's father, Gao Zong, held a banquet, he would bring Cui Bogu along. As a result, Li Xian's uncle, Li Shuliang, who held an official position in Jiangzhou, was envious of Cui Bogu's favoritism, so he sought to dig up dirt on Cui Bogu, hoping to seize an opportunity to bring him down.
Later, when Li Shuliang returned to the court, Cui Bogu, afraid of getting into trouble, tried to flatter Li Shuliang to see what he was up to. So, the two of them started attacking the court officials together, regardless of their high positions or seniority, fearlessly confronting them. Cui Bogu was an avid hunter while Li Shuliang was into tomb raiding, so they often went out to play together in the wilderness, and their relationship grew stronger. Eventually, they conspired to rebel. Cui Bogu worked in the palace, and he would tell Li Shuliang any secret information he heard.
When Li Shuliang fled to the Eastern Palace to rebel, he even sent word to Cui Bogu. Cui Bogu rode his horse alone and rushed over to assist Li Shuliang in leading the fight. Realizing things were going downhill, they tried to escape, but the city gates were already closed, so they made a run for Baiyang Road together. They ran into the imperial army and were caught in the crossfire, and were killed at the Dongchang Pavilion gate when he was just 28. The Emperor decreed: "Cui Bogu participated in this rebellion and died on the road. By the book, he should face the consequences. I can't bear to do it, so I permit him to be buried with the rites of a commoner." He also decreed: "Cui Bogu participated in this heinous rebellion and severed his ties with heaven. Typically, his whole family would face punishment, but considering that his children are too young and innocent, I’ll grant them the status of commoners." Cui Bogu's family members were also pardoned.
Historical records state: Confucius said, "Wealth and status are what everyone desires, but they should not be possessed if obtained through improper means." From the emperor to the common people, there are distinctions between legitimate and illegitimate children, as well as between elders and younger ones. Li Shuliang was hot-tempered and overly eager for quick success, which ultimately led him to commit a serious crime. Although Cui Bogu was just an errand boy, he cannot escape responsibility, which is truly unfortunate!
