Emperor Wu of the Liang Dynasty, also known as Xiao Baxian, with the courtesy name Xingguo and the nickname Fasheng, was a native of Ruoli, located beneath the Great Wall of Wuxing, and a descendant of Chen Shi, a Grand Minister during the Han Dynasty. His family had lived in Yingchuan for generations. Chen Shi's great-grandson was Chen Zhun, who served as the Grand Commandant in the Jin Dynasty. Chen Zhun had a son named Chen Kuang, who had a son named Chen Da. During the Yongjia period, due to warfare, Chen Da's family moved south. He served as an advisor to the Chancellor, then as a stable boy for the Crown Prince, and finally was sent to the Great Wall as a county magistrate. He loved the scenery there and settled down. He once told his close ones, "The mountains and rivers here are beautiful. In the future, surely a king will rise here. In two hundred years, my descendants will surely enjoy this blessing." Chen Da had a son named Chen Kang, who also served as an advisor to the Chancellor, but due to warfare, he became a resident of the Great Wall. Chen Kang had a son named Chen Ying, who had a son named Chen Gongbi, who had a son named Chen Ding, who had a son named Chen Gao, who had a son named Chen Yong, who had a son named Chen Meng, who had a son named Chen Daoju, who had a son named Chen Wenzan, the father of Xiao Baxian.
Emperor Xiao Baxian was born in the second year of the Tianjian era of the Liang Dynasty, which was the year of Guiwei. He was handsome and ambitious from a young age, but did not focus on his work or care about production and life. As he grew up, he began to study military books and trained in martial arts. He was intelligent and decisive, and people at the time admired him greatly. He stood seven feet five inches tall, with features reminiscent of a dragon and a phoenix, and a commanding presence. Once, when he was visiting Yixing and staying at the Xu family, he dreamed that the sky split open several feet wide, and four people in red clothes carried the sun towards him, asking him to open his mouth and swallow the sun. Upon waking, he still felt warmth in his stomach, and this incident stayed with Xiao Baxian.
During the early years of the Datong period, the newly appointed Marquis of Xin Yu, Xiao Ying, served as the Governor of Wuxing and placed great importance on Yang Jian (Gaozu), pointing to Yang Jian in front of his subordinates and saying, "This person will definitely achieve great things in the future." Later, Xiao Ying became the Governor of Guangzhou, where Yang Jian was serving as a military officer, following Xiao Ying to Guangzhou for garrison duty.
Xiao Ying tasked Yang Jian with recruiting soldiers and horses, and he quickly recruited over a thousand men. Afterwards, Xiao Ying ordered Yang Jian to oversee Songlong County. At that time, the people in the two counties under his jurisdiction in Anhua were unruly, so Yang Jian managed to subdue them. Not long after, Yang Jian was promoted to the Supervisor of Xijiang and the Prefect of Gaoyao County.
Earlier, Marquis Wulin, Xiao Zi, was the Inspector of Jiaozhou. Due to his harsh demeanor, he lost the people's support, and the local Li Ben joined forces with several heroes from different states to rebel. The court then sent the Inspectors of Gaozhou, Sun Jiong, and Xinzhou, Lu Zixiong, to lead troops to suppress the rebellion. However, they delayed their attack and were ultimately executed in Guangzhou.
Lu Zixiong's son, Sun Jiong's nephew, and their commanders Du Tianhe and Du Sengming rebelled together, captured the Inspector of Nanjiang, Shen Yi, and then attacked Guangzhou, launching relentless attacks day and night, terrifying the people in the city.
Yang Jian led three thousand elite soldiers to quickly rush to the rescue, fought numerous battles, all of which he won. Du Tianhe was shot dead by an arrow in battle, and the rebels were decisively defeated, with Du Sengming surrendering. Emperor Wu of Liang was greatly surprised to hear this, so he appointed Yang Jian as the General of the Imperial Guard, granted him the title of Xin'anzi, granted him a fief consisting of three hundred households, and sent a painter to paint his portrait to admire his likeness.
In that winter, Xiao Ying passed away. The following year, Gaozu returned to the capital after completing the funeral rites, and the court issued an edict appointing him as the Sima of Jiaozhou and the Prefect of Wuping upon his arrival at Dayu Ridge. He was ordered to head south alongside Governor Yang Pu to quell the rebellion. Gaozu quickly gathered courageous soldiers and equipped them with top-notch weapons and gear. Yang Pu exclaimed with enthusiasm, "The one who can defeat the rebels must be Chen Siwu (Gaozu)!" Thus, he entrusted the critical task of quelling the rebellion to Gaozu. Gaozu led the army from Panyu. At that point, Xiao Bo was serving as the governor of Dingzhou when he met Gaozu at Xijiang. Xiao Bo knew the soldiers were apprehensive about long campaigns, so he secretly bribed and lured them, and even went so far as to slander Yang Pu. Yang Pu called a meeting with the generals to strategize, and Gaozu replied, "The rebellion in Jiaozhi was incited by members of the imperial family, causing several states and counties to rebel for several years. The governor of Dingzhou is only focused on short-term gains, neglecting the bigger picture. We are tasked with quelling the rebels and must fight to the last. How can we disregard the nation's laws simply out of fear of the imperial family? If we let fear shake the army's morale now, do we even need to head to Jiaozhou to confront the rebels? The army that suppresses the rebels will immediately turn back!"
Therefore, Gaozu ordered the troops to regroup and advance with the beating of drums. In November, the troops reached Jiaozhou. The rebel leader, Benzong, led tens of thousands of soldiers to build defenses at the Suli River mouth and resisted the official troops. Yang Putui recommended Gaozu as the vanguard, and Gaozu was unstoppable. He chased Benzong to Dianche Lake, built fortifications in the Qu Lao area, constructed numerous ships, filling the lake. The official troops hesitated at the lake's mouth, too afraid to advance. Gaozu said to the generals, "Our troops are worn out, and the soldiers are fatigued. This stalemate is not a long-term solution. Moreover, we are deep in enemy territory. If we lose a battle, it will be difficult to save our lives. The rebel forces are in disarray, and their morale is low. The enemy forces are easily defeated. We should bravely fight to win. If we hesitate without cause, we will miss the opportunity." The generals remained silent and did not respond.
That night, the river suddenly surged seven feet, flooding into the lake. Gaozu led the troops to quickly advance with the rising tide, and other armies followed suit, shouting and charging forward. The rebel army was defeated. Benzong fled into the caves of Qu Lao, where he was slain by the local inhabitants. His head was sent to the capital, signifying the first year of Taiqing. Benzong's brother, Tianbao, fled to Jiuzhen and, along with the bandit leader Li Shaolong, led twenty thousand remaining troops to eliminate the Governor of Dezhou, Chen Wenjie, and then besieged Aizhou. Gaozu once more led the troops to quell the rebellion. Subsequently, Gaozu was appointed General of Zhenyuan, Supervisor of Xijiang, Prefect of Gaoyao, and Supervisor of Military Affairs of Seven Counties.
In the winter of the year 551 AD, Hou Jing led his troops to attack Jiankang (the capital at that time), and Gaozu, referring to Chen Baxian, prepared to lead his troops to the rescue. As a result, the Guangzhou governor Yuan Jingzhong secretly harbored malicious intentions towards Gaozu. Gaozu had long since seen through his scheme, so he secretly conferred with the governor of Chengzhou, Wang Huaiming, and other officials, preparing for martial law.
In July of the year 552 AD, Gaozu gathered militia in Nanhai and issued a proclamation to attack Yuan Jingzhong. Yuan Jingzhong was left with no options and ultimately hanged himself in an attic. Gaozu then welcomed Xiao Bo to guard Guangzhou. At that time, Ouyang Wei, the Grand Historian of Linhe, served as the governor of Hengzhou. Lan Yu, Lan Jing, and other dissidents incited the people of ten counties including Shixing to rebel against Ouyang Wei. Ouyang Wei appealed to Xiao Bo for assistance, who ordered Gaozu to go to the rescue. As a result, Gaozu defeated Lan Yu and his companions and was appointed as the magistrate of Shixing County.
In November, Gaozu sent Du Sengming and Hu Ying with two thousand men to camp on the mountain and actively forged alliances with the heroes of Shixing, planning big things together. Hou Andu, Zhang Si, and more than a thousand men also came to join Gaozu. When Xiao Bo heard about this, he sent Zhong Xiuyue to persuade Gaozu, saying, "Hou Jing is a brave and skilled warrior, unrivaled in the realm. Previously, with a hundred thousand reinforcements, strong soldiers and horses, no one dared to confront him head-on, allowing Hou Jing, this barbarian, to prevail. Now you are leading so few people. What do you plan to do? It is said that the nobles in the north of the mountains are also restless. Hedong and Guiyang have been slaughtered successively, and the Shaoling and Kaijian areas are also in flames of war. Li Qianshi has joined Dayang and taken away horses and weapons. You are now isolated and helpless. How can you act recklessly? It is better to stay in Shixing first, build your reputation from a distance, protect this base, and seek good fortune."
Gaozu cried and said to Zhong Xiuyue, "I never had any real talent; I was merely fortunate to receive the country's favor. When I heard that Hou Jing had crossed the river, I wanted to go to the rescue, but was stopped by Yuan and Lan, which delayed my journey. Now that the capital has fallen, the emperor has suffered disgrace, and when the monarch is humiliated, the subjects are doomed. Who dares to cherish their own life! You are a royal relative with great responsibility, but you cannot lead the army thousands of miles to avenge the emperor. This is already quite commendable. The emperor has specially ordered it, which is very moving. My plan has been decided; please inform the emperor." Gaozu then sent messengers to take the back roads to Jiangling to report the military situation to the court and request deployment.
At this time, Cai Luyang raised an army and took control of Nankang, and Xiao Bo sent his confidant Tan Shiyan to serve as the magistrate of Qujiang County, colluding with Cai Luyang to resist the rebel army. In the first month of the first year of Dabao, Gaozu set out from Shixing and arrived at Dayuling. Cai Luyang stationed his troops in Nanye, establishing four fortifications to resist Gaozu. Gaozu fought against Cai Luyang, defeated him, and forced him to flee. Gaozu then stationed his troops in Nankang. The Prince of Xiangdong appointed Gaozu as an external cavalier attendant and general of mighty authority, governor of Jiaozhou, and changed his title to Count of Nanye.
In June, Lao Gao (referring to Gaozu) began to renovate Qitou Ancient City and then moved there to live. Li Qianshi, the governor of Gaozhou, occupied Dagao and sent his general Du Pinghu to lead a thousand troops to attack Ganshi and Yuliang. Lao Gao immediately ordered Zhou Wenyu to drive them away, and Li Qianshi was scared and fled to Ningdu. The emperor directly appointed Lao Gao as a cavalier attendant and general of trust, governor of Yuzhou, concurrently as the interior minister of Yuchang, and changed his title to Marquis of Changcheng County. Shortly after, the emperor appointed him as a cavalier attendant, general of trust, commander of the six counties, military adviser general, governor of Nanjiang Prefecture, while keeping his other titles.
At that time, the people of Ningdu, under the leadership of Liu Ai, were hastily dispatched with ships, weapons, and soldiers to Li Qianshi, preparing to attack Nankang. Lao Gao quickly sent Du Sengming and twenty thousand troops to garrison at Baikou Pass and built fortifications to resist Li Qianshi. Li Qianshi also quickly fortified his city to confront Lao Gao. In March of the following year, Du Sengming's troops broke through Li Qianshi's defenses, captured him, and delivered him to Nankang, where Lao Gao had him executed. The emperor subsequently ordered Lao Gao to lead troops to subdue Jiangzhou and appointed him as the governor of Jiangzhou, while maintaining his other positions.
In June, Gaozu set out from Nankang. The Gan Stone in Nankang was once known for its twenty-four ridges, with many huge rocks making it difficult to traverse. When Gaozu set out, the water suddenly rose several feet high, submerging all the rocks within three hundred miles. When the army reached Xichang, some people saw a dragon by the water, approximately fifteen feet long, colorful and vibrant, drawing in tens of thousands of onlookers. At that time, the court dispatched General Wang Sengbian to lead troops to suppress Hou Jing.
In August, Wang Sengbian's army reached Piancheng, where Gaozu, Du Sengming, and the local elite from Nanchuan, totaling thirty thousand troops, joined forces with Wang Sengbian. The western army was facing food shortages, so Gaozu allocated three hundred thousand stones of grain from the previous stockpile of five hundred thousand stones to support them, and the army camped at Baqiu. Meanwhile, Hou Jing deposed Emperor Jianwen and proclaimed Prince Dong as the new emperor. Gaozu sent Shen Gun, who was also the chief historian, with a memorial to Jiangling to persuade him to step down. In November, the court appointed Gaozu as the imperial commissioner, commander of the military forces in Kuaiji, Dongyang, Xin'an, Linhai, and Yongjia, as well as the General Who Pacifies the East, governor of Dongyang, and concurrently the magistrate of Kuaiji and the interior minister of Yuzhang, while maintaining his other positions.
In the first month of the third year, Gaozu led thirty thousand soldiers, five thousand powerful crossbows, and two thousand ships from Yuzhang. In the second month, the army arrived at Sangluo Island, and Chief Clerk Jiang Yuanli was dispatched to Jiangling with a memorial, and the court granted Gaozu a military band. Wang Sengbian had already departed from Piancheng, met Gaozu at Baimaowan, disembarked, and performed a livestock sacrifice, making an oath. The army marched to Wuhu, and Hou Jing's general Zhang Hei abandoned the city and fled. In the third month, Gaozu and his forces captured Gushu, and then camped at Caizhou. Hou Jing climbed the stone city to observe the situation, feeling discontented, he said to those around him, "This army is surrounded by an aura of purple energy; it won't be easy to handle." So he filled boats with stones to obstruct the mouth of the Huai River, constructed walls along the Huai River, extending over ten miles from the stone city to Qingxi, connecting the towers and walls.
The generals were undecided, so Wang Sengbian sent Du Ye to consult with Gaozu. Gaozu said, "Previously, Liu Zhongli had hundreds of thousands of troops stationed across the river, while Wei Can was at Qingxi. They did not cross the river, and the enemy climbed to high ground to observe, coordinating their efforts and doing as they pleased, which led to the defeat of our army. Now we are besieging Shitou City; we must cross to the north bank. If the generals cannot charge into battle, let's first set up barricades." Gaozu then built barricades on the west side of Shitou City, linking the various forces into eight strongholds that extended northeast. The enemy feared that the western route would be cut off, so they also built five cities in the northeast fruit forest to block the main road. Hou Jing led over ten thousand men and over eight hundred cavalry to advance. Gaozu said, "In military strategy, those skilled in warfare are like a mountain snake, aware of their surroundings. Now our army is numerous, and the enemy's army is few; we should disperse the enemy's forces, use our weaknesses to outsmart their strengths. Why concentrate their sharpness, making them certain to die?" So he ordered the generals to deploy their troops separately. The enemy charged straight at Wang Sengzhi, who fell back slightly, so Gaozu sent Xu Du to lead two thousand crossbowmen to intercept from behind, and the enemy retreated. Gaozu, Wang Lin, Du Gan, and others led the cavalry to pursue with all their might, and the enemy retreated to their barricades. Hou Jing's subordinate, Lu Hui, cautiously opened the north gate of Shitou City and surrendered. Dangzhu Daimian, Cao Xuan, and others captured a city in Guolin, and the army captured four cities. The enemy counterattacked fiercely, fought to the last man, and reclaimed the cities and barricades we had taken. Gaozu was furious, personally led the army to attack; the soldiers scaled the barricades and charged in, causing the enemy to scatter and flee. Hou Jing, along with over a hundred cavalry, discarded his spear and grabbed a sword, charging left and right without wavering, and his army collapsed, being chased to Ximing Gate. When Hou Jing reached the palace, he didn't dare to enter, so he sent a trusted aide to fetch his two sons before making his escape. Gaozu led the army from Guangling to come to the rescue and encountered Hou Jing's general Guo Yuanjian defecting to Northern Qi. Gaozu welcomed his three thousand troops and then headed back. Wang Sengbian requested Gaozu to guard Jingkou.
In May, Qi sent Xin Shu to besiege Yan Chaoda in Qin County. My father (Emperor Gaozu) sent Xu Du to assist in the defense. The Qi army had a total of seventy thousand troops; they filled moats, piled up earth mounds, dug tunnels, and launched a fierce attack. My father had no choice but to personally lead ten thousand troops to break the siege, attacking from all sides, with arrows flying everywhere, chaos broke out! As a result, the King of Qi was killed by a stray arrow, and we also cut off the heads of hundreds of Qi soldiers. Seeing the situation was not in their favor, the Qi army quickly retreated. After the battle, my father returned with the army to the south and sent the military secretary Liu Benren to Jiangling to report the victory.
In July, the common people from outside Guangling, Zhu Sheng and Zhang Xiang, secretly united and attacked the Qi governor Wen Zhongyong, sending someone to inform us. My father immediately led troops across the river to support them. Coincidentally, at this time, the people of Qi came to seek peace, wanting to cede the land of Guangling. Wang Sengbian agreed and informed my father. So my father led the troops back to South Xuzhou, with over ten thousand households from the north following us south! The court seized the opportunity to appoint my father as the Commissioner, Cavalry Commandant, Commander of Military Affairs in South Xuzhou, General Conquering the North, while his other titles remained unchanged. When Wang Sengbian went to campaign against Lu Na, the court appointed my father to replace him in guarding Yangzhou. In November, the King of Xiangdong ascended the throne in Jiangling, marking the start of the first year of Chengsheng. After the pacification of Xiangzhou, my father returned to guard Jingkou. In the third year of the third month, my father was promoted to Grand Minister, with other titles remaining the same.
In November, Western Wei captured Jiangling. Our Emperor (Gaozu) and Wang Sengbian jointly submitted a memorial to Jiangzhou, requesting Prince Jin'an to assume the regency as Grand Preceptor, and also sent Chief Historian Xie Zhe to deliver the memorial urging Prince Jin'an to ascend the throne.
In December, Prince Jin'an came from Xunyang and stayed in the palace. The emperor rewarded him with twenty sword-bearing guards. In May of the fourth year, the state of Qi sent back Lord Zhenyang, Xiao Yuanming, to assume the role of emperor. Wang Sengbian accepted the position and declared himself emperor, renaming the era to Tiancheng, and appointed Prince Jin'an as the crown prince. Initially, when the state of Qi wanted to send back Xiao Yuanming, the emperor was initially opposed. He sent envoys to persuade Wang Sengbian multiple times, but he remained steadfast in his refusal. The emperor, feeling frustrated, confided in those close to him, saying, "Although Emperor Wu comes from a strong royal family and ruled the entire country, only Emperor Xiaoyuan can avenge grievances and resolve crises. His contributions are monumental, unprecedented in history. Both Wang Sengbian and I have been entrusted by the emperor. Before I could finish speaking, his voice lingered in my ears. I never expected him to have ulterior motives. The crown prince is the grandson of the founding emperor and the son of the original emperor. The entire nation watches, their hearts aligned with him. What has he done wrong to be deposed and driven to seek refuge among the barbarians, and have an unsuitable person appointed as emperor? His actions reveal his intentions." Therefore, the emperor secretly prepared thousands of garments, along with silk, satin, and treasures, to reward his loyal soldiers.
On the Renyin day in September, the emperor summoned Xu Du, Hou Andu, and Zhou Wenyu to discuss military strategies. He also assembled the troops, distributed gold, silver, and treasures, and set off with both land and naval forces. That night, they departed from Southern Xuzhou to attack Wang Sengbian. On the day of Jiachen, the emperor's forces arrived at the base of Shitoucheng and sent warriors to scale the northern walls. At that time, Wang Sengbian was handling state affairs when he received word that the army had arrived. Soon, the defenders rushed out, and Wang Sengbian hurriedly fled, meeting his third son, Xiao Xiu. The two of them emerged from the palace with dozens of followers, fighting back fiercely. The emperor's army arrived shortly after, and Wang Sengbian, outnumbered, fled to the southern city tower. Seizing the opportunity, the emperor ordered a fire to be set, leaving Wang Sengbian with no escape and he was captured. That night, both Wang Sengbian and Xiao Xiu were strangled to death. On Jingwu day, Marquis Zhenyang, Xiao Yuanming, abdicated, and all officials rallied behind Prince Jin'an, petitioning for his ascension to the throne. On Jiyou day in October, Prince Jin'an ascended the throne, changing the reign title from the fourth year of Chengsheng to the first year of Shaotai. On the day of Renzi, the emperor was appointed as the Imperial Attendant, Grand Commander of all military affairs inside and outside the capital, General of Cavalry and Chariots, and Governor of Yangzhou and Southern Xuzhou, retaining the titles of Jie, Sikong, Banjian, Gu Chui, and other official positions. The emperor was also granted one hundred elite soldiers to serve as his palace guard.
Du Gan, the Governor of Zhenzhou, captured Wuxing and rebelled with the Prefect of Yixing, Wei Zai. The Emperor ordered Zhou Wenyu to lead troops to attack Wei Zai, while Du Gan dispatched his cousin, Beisou, to resist with his forces. Beisou was defeated and fled back to Yixing. Later, the Emperor personally led troops eastward, leaving the Governors of Gaozhou, Hou Andu, and Shizhou, Du Leng, to guard the capital. After the army arrived at Yixing, they quickly broke through the water stronghold of Yixing. The Governor of Qinzhou, Xu Sihui, took advantage of the situation to occupy Yixing City, defected to the rebels, and also persuaded the Governor of Nanyuzhou, Ren Yue, to rebel together, who provided military support from the Kingdom of Qi. Xu Sihui and his men felt the capital was vulnerable, so they marched five thousand elite soldiers directly toward the capital. Hou Andu was left with only five hundred elite soldiers to meet them in battle, and Xu Sihui and his men were defeated and retreated back to Shitou City. Not long after, Wei Zai and Beisou surrendered, and the Emperor granted them clemency.
Because Xu Sihui and his men were at the city gates, the Emperor was forced to withdraw his troops to the capital and ordered Zhou Wenyu to attack Du Gan. In November, the Kingdom of Qi sent five thousand soldiers to cross the river and occupy Gushu. The Emperor ordered the Governor of Hezhou, Xu Du, to construct a camp at Yecheng Temple, extending all the way to the bank of the Huai River. The Kingdom of Qi sent the Governors of Anzhou, Zhai Zichong, Chuzhou, Liu Shirong, and Huaizhou, Liu Damao, with ten thousand soldiers, transporting thirty thousand bushels of grain and one thousand horses to Shitou City. The Emperor sent Hou Andu to lead the navy to launch a night attack on Husu, incinerating more than a thousand ships of the Kingdom of Qi. Zhou Tiewu led the navy to cut off the supply line of the Kingdom of Qi, and also captured the Governor of North Xuzhou of the Kingdom of Qi, Zhang Lingzhou, seizing several thousand bushels of grain. The Emperor also ordered Wei Zai to construct a city at Dahang and had Du Leng guard it. The Kingdom of Qi also built two fortresses south of Cangmen Water to withstand the imperial forces.
Xu Sihui and his men attacked the Yecheng stronghold, and the Emperor personally led the elite cavalry out from the Ximing Gate, attacking the enemy and causing them to be defeated. Xu Sihui left Liu Dama and others to guard the city, while he went to Chishi to gather stones, to welcome the reinforcements from the Qi Kingdom. In December, the Emperor sent Hou Andu to lead the navy to attack Xu Sihui's family in Qinzhou, capturing hundreds of people. The imperial army used warships to block the mouth of the Huai River, cutting off the enemy's supply route by water. Previously, the planet Jupiter had vanished in November, only to reappear in December. The Emperor ordered the troops to deploy and set up pontoon bridges at Yecheng, attacking the two camps of the Qi Kingdom in the south of the water. Liu Dama and others crossed the Huai River and lined up, with the Emperor personally overseeing the battle, ordering the camps set ablaze, causing thick smoke to cover the sky. The enemy army was defeated, scrambling for boats, pushing and shoving each other, with thousands perishing. At that time, the people gathered by the Huai River to watch the battle, with cheers that shook the heavens. The imperial army pursued the victory, each soldier displaying unmatched bravery, capturing all the boats and demoralizing the enemy. That day, Xu Sihui, Ren Yue, and others commanded over 10,000 troops of the Qi army to retreat to defend Shitou City, while the Emperor sent troops to Jiangning, occupying strategic positions and cutting off the enemy's path. The Qi army dared not advance, stationed at Jiangning Pukou, and the Emperor sent Hou Andu to lead the navy to attack, securing a resounding victory. Xu Sihui and his men escaped on small boats, and the imperial army seized a vast quantity of military supplies. Finally, the imperial army surrounded and attacked Shitou City from all sides, breaking through the small city in the northeast corner, battling until the early hours. Liu Dama sent envoys to request peace talks, and the Emperor consented. Both sides held a ceremony outside the city gates, formalized a treaty, and allowed the Qi army's officers and soldiers to leave freely without harm. The Emperor led tens of thousands of troops to escort the Qi forces back to the north.
In the year of Renxu (582 AD), the Grand Historian of Hezhou in the Qi Dynasty, Wu Wanyuan, traveled all the way from the southern prefectures and counties back to Liyang. Jiangning County Magistrate Chen Sihuo and Yellow Gate Attendant Cao Lang rose in rebellion at Gushu, and Emperor Gaozu ordered Hou Andu, Xu Du, and others to go and suppress the rebellion, killing thousands of people, their bodies piled up at Jingguan. The rebellions at Shitoucheng, Caishiji, and Nanzhoudou were quelled, along with countless captured warhorses, weapons, ships, and provisions. That month, Du Gan also surrendered.
On the Guiwei day of the first month of the following year, Emperor Gaozu executed Du Gan in Wuxing. Du Gan's brother, Du Beisou, and Sima Shen Xiaodun were also executed. On the Gengshen day of the second month, Emperor Gaozu sent Hou Andu and Zhou Tiewu to lead warships to prepare to attack Jiangzhou, and camped at Liangshan, establishing their encampment. On the day of Jiazi, the Emperor ordered that officials on military duty could ride horses within the city. On the day of Wuchen, Wang Yu, who had previously served as a military officer at Ningyuan Stone City, found a jade seal with four knobs on the beach of Shitoucheng, and reported this to Emperor Gaozu, who then informed the court.
On the day of Wuxu in the third month, the Qi Dynasty dispatched naval commanders Xiao Gui, She Di Fuli, Yao Nanzong, Dongfang Lao, Shizhong Pei Yingqi, Dong Guangzhou Governor Dugu Bi'e, Luozhou Governor Li Xiguang, as well as Ren Yue, Xu Sihui, and others, leading a hundred thousand troops to attack Liangshan from the camp. The rebel leader Huang Cong launched a counterattack but was ultimately defeated, and the front army's ships were burned, forcing the Qi forces to retreat to Wuhu. Emperor Gaozu then sent Shentai, the Governor of Dingzhou, and Pei Ji, the Prefect of Wujun, to support Hou Andu in defending Liangshan against the Qi army.
From last winter to this year, Zhongshan, Meigang, Nanjian, as well as Jingkou and the surrounding areas of Jiangning County, frequently saw sweet dew, sometimes falling in amounts of around three liters at a time, with droplets of sweet dew as large as chess pieces. Emperor Gaozu also brought this matter to the court's attention.
On April 14th, Gaozu went to Liangshan to inspect the army. On May 7th, the Qi army left Wuhu and reached the old city of Moling ten days later. Gaozu assigned Zhou Wenyu to Fangshan, Xu Du to Mamu, and Du Leng to Dahangnan. On the fifteenth day, Gaozu, accompanied by imperial relatives, court ministers, and generals, performed a ritual to honor heaven and earth outside the Great Marshal's Gate beneath the White Beast Pavilion, condemning the Qi state for violating the alliance, speaking passionately, tears streaming down his face, making all who participated in the alliance hang their heads in shame, while the soldiers were filled with fervor. On the seventeenth day, the Qi army crossed the Huai River at the old county of Moling, built bridges and fortifications, then crossed with their troops and horses. That evening, they arrived at Fangshan. Hou Andu, Zhou Wenyu, Xu Du, and others each led their troops back to the capital. On the nineteenth day, the Qi army advanced from Fangshan to Ertang, and even reconnaissance troops reached the outskirts of Jiankang. Zhou Wenyu and Hou Andu camped at Baitugang, with both sides evenly matched, which terrified the people of Jiankang. Gaozu secretly mobilized three thousand elite troops under Shen Tai, crossed the river to surprise the Qi army, and captured over a hundred ships and tens of thousands of measures of grain from the Qi governor Zhao Yanshen at Guabu. On that day, the emperor stationed the Imperial Guards at Changle Temple.
On the third day of June, the Qi army secretly sneaked into the Longwei area of Zhongshan. On the sixth day, they advanced to Mofu Mountain. Gaozu dispatched Qian Ming to lead the navy in an attack on Jiang Cheng, intercepting the Qi army’s supply convoy and capturing all their boats and food. Starving, the Qi army resorted to slaughtering horses and donkeys for food. On the ninth day, the Qi army crossed Zhongshan, while Gaozu's army stationed in Leyouyuan to the east and Fuzhoushan to the north, cutting off the Qi army's supply routes. On the eleventh day, the Qi army arrived at the south of Mofu Mountain in the northwest of Xuanwu Lake, preparing to occupy Beijiaotan. Gaozu's army moved from the east of Fuzhoushan and stationed to the north of Jiaotan, facing the Qi army. That night, heavy rain poured down, accompanied by thunder and lightning, strong winds toppled trees, and the ground was flooded over ten feet deep. The Qi army was soaked in mud and water day and night, cooking with hanging pots. However, the water in the city and north of Chaogou receded, the road dried up, and the imperial army was able to rest in shifts. On the thirteenth day, the rain stopped slightly, and Gaozu ordered the army to feed the horses, prepare food, and attack at dawn. On the morning of the fourteenth day, Gaozu personally led the elite soldiers to launch an attack from the south of Mofu Mountain, with various troops led by Wu Mingche, Shen Tai, and others attacking from the front and back in a fierce assault. Hou Andu led the army from Bai Xia to strike from behind the Qi army, which was routed, resulting in the death and capture of thousands, with countless others trampled to death. Xu Sihui and his brother Xu Sizong were captured alive and beheaded as a warning. The pursuit continued until they reached Linyi. The forces in Jiang Cheng, Sheshan, Zhongshan, and elsewhere also claimed victories, capturing a total of forty-six generals including Xiao Gui, Dongfang Lao, Wang Jingbao, Li Xiguang, and Pei Yingqi. The Qi soldiers who escaped to the river made rafts out of reeds to cross but drowned in the river, with their bodies floating to Jingkou, clogging the riverbank. On the sixteenth day, the army marched to Nanzhou and burned the enemy's ships. On the eighteenth day, Liu Guiyi, Xu Siyan, and Fu Yezhu were executed in Jiankang City. Martial law was lifted on that day. On the nineteenth day, Xiao Gui, Dongfang Lao, Wang Jingbao, Li Xiguang, and Pei Yingqi were all executed. Gaozu submitted a request to transfer control of Nanxuzhou to Hou Andu.
On the tenth day of the seventh month, the court issued an edict granting the position of Chief Minister, Minister of State, and Governor of Yangzhou to the ancestor, elevating him to the rank of Duke, increasing his fief by five thousand households, while his duties as Imperial Attendant, Imperial Commissioner, Supreme Commander, General, Prefect of the Masters of Writing, Standard Bearer, Drummer, and Protector of the Armored Guards remained unchanged, and he was also given a carriage adorned with oil umbrellas and black wheels. This month, Hou Zhi led Jiangzhou to surrender. The ancestor dispatched Hou Andu to guard the upper reaches and pacify the various counties in the south.
On the day of Guimao in the eighth month, the Minister of State, He E, and the Governor of Xinzhou, Hua Zhi, each presented a jade seal to the emperor. The emperor handed the jade seals to the ancestor, and then issued a decree granting Anji County and Wukang County, totaling five thousand households, to the ancestor as a reward.
In the ninth month of Renyin, the era name was changed to Taiping Yuan. The emperor further elevated the ancestor to the position of Prime Minister, overseeing the Ministry of Works, and appointed him as Grand General of the Guards; changed the title of Governor to Governor-General; granted the title of Duke of Yixing County to the ancestor; and maintained the same treatment for Imperial Attendant, Minister of State, Supreme Commander, Standard Bearer, Drummer, Armored Guard, and carriage adorned with oil umbrellas and black wheels as before. On Dingwei, the Imperial Attendant Wang Peng submitted a memorial stating that on the fifth day of the month, at dawn, he saw dragon tracks along the Imperial Way, stretching from the Grand Temple to the Xiangque, a length of three to four li! On Gengshen, the emperor posthumously honored the ancestor's father with the titles of Imperial Attendant and Grand Master of Splendid Happiness, granting him a gold seal and purple ribbon, posthumously enfeoffed as Duke of Yixing County, with the posthumous title of Gong. On Jiaxu in the tenth month, the emperor decreed that in the future, when the Prime Minister paid his respects at court, a separate couch should be set up for him to sit closer to the imperial throne.
In the first month of the second year of the reign, the Emperor met with envoys from various nations in the Taiji East Hall and added ten more sword-wielding warriors to the ranks of Gaozu, making a total of thirty, with the same privileges as before. On the day of Dingwei (丁未), the Emperor posthumously honored Gaozu's brother Daotan as a Cavalier Attendant, Envoy, General Who Pacifies the North, Inspector of South Yanzhou, Duke of Changcheng County, who was posthumously honored with the title Zhaolie; posthumously honored Gaozu's brother Xiuxian as Palace Attendant, Envoy, General of the Valiant Cavalry, Inspector of South Xuzhou, Marquis of Wukang County, who was posthumously honored with the title Zhongzhuang, both were granted a fief of two thousand households. On the day of Jiayin (甲寅), the Emperor sent the attendant who also served as Palace Attendant, Lu Shan, to confer the title of Lady Yixingguo on Gaozu's brother's wife, Lady Zhang, of Changcheng County. On the day of Dingmao (丁卯), the Emperor posthumously honored Gaozu's grandfather with the title of Palace Attendant and Minister of Ceremonies, with the posthumous title of Xiaoxiao; posthumously honored Gaozu's grandmother, Lady Xu, as Lady of Jiaxing County in Wujun, with the posthumous title of Jing; posthumously honored Gaozu's mother, Lady Zhang, as Lady Yixingguo, with the posthumous title of Xuan.
In the second month of the year, Emperor Xiao Bo initiated a rebellion, crossed the mountains from Guangzhou, and established his base in Nankang, sending his generals Ouyang Wei, Fu Tai, and his son Fu Zi as the vanguard, advancing all the way to Yuzhang and seizing key strategic positions. The Inspector of Nanjiangzhou, Yu Xiaoqing, also joined in Xiao Bo's rebellion. Gaozu then ordered Zhou Wenyu and Hou Andu to lead troops to quell the uprising.
On the fifteenth day of August, my father was appointed as the Grand Tutor by the emperor and was also given the Yellow Ceremonial Axe (a symbol of high-ranking officials). He was allowed to wear shoes and carry a sword when attending court, was not required to bow upon entering court, and did not have to announce his name when meeting the emperor. The emperor also bestowed upon him a complete set of feathered banners and musicians (a ceremonial procession). His previous positions as Privy Counselor, Commander-in-Chief, Minister of Works, General of the Imperial Guards, Governor of Yangzhou, and Duke of Yixing, as well as his ceremonial sword, armor, and oil-clothed chariot (all part of the ceremonial procession) were all retained. On the seventh day of the ninth month, the emperor bestowed upon my father two additional sets of feathered banners and musicians, enhancing the grandeur of the procession. At that time, the Governor of Xiangzhou, Wang Lin, rebelled and refused to obey the court's orders, so my father dispatched Zhou Wenyu and Hou Andu to quell the rebellion.
On the ninth day of the ninth month, the emperor issued a sacred decree:
It is said that long, long ago, when the heavens and earth were in chaos, the establishment of the human emperor was established through the rulers of the primordial era. Therefore, wise monarchs summoned talent from all corners, while powerful kings governed the myriad nations. Some monarchs unified the world based on the achievements of their ancestors; others rose to prominence through royal favor. In times of national crisis, they remained steadfast; in times of prosperity, they shone brightly. This is an unchanging truth that monarchs throughout the ages have followed.
The Grand Tutor, Duke of Yixing, excels in both civil and military matters, possessing both sagacity and martial prowess. Naturally endowed with benevolence and virtue, he has rescued the people from fire and water. In his early years, he traveled far overseas and served in Jiaozhi and Vietnam. Later, the country faced misfortune, with wars raging and China on the brink of destruction, causing the people to wander like cornered beasts, seemingly abandoned by the heavens.
However, when things hit rock bottom, Duke Yixing emerged and saved the country on the brink of collapse, saving the people from impending disaster. He crossed rivers by boat, overcame numerous obstacles, and ultimately eliminated the rebels, pacifying the rebellions in places like Shitou and Gushu, restoring peace to the land. For this, he was appointed as the Grand General, defending the capital, avenging the late emperor, and quelling the rebellions, his achievements surpassing even those of the great ministers Yao, Shun, and Yu, let alone those of the Yin and Zhou dynasties.
However, chaos erupted in the Jingchu region, bringing calamity. The emperor was forced into a corner, the Five Barbarians invaded, each looking to carve up the Central Plains. Amidst the chaos, no one could save the situation; powerful ministers even dethroned the emperor, forcing Duke Yixing to watch as the people suffered and endured humiliation. He had to cut his hair to seek help, yet no one paid attention, leaving him with no choice but to flee and hide.
Later, Duke Yixing swiftly quelled the rebellions once again, regaining the emperor's trust. It was truly a miracle, a man with no prior achievements being trusted again, truly astonishing. With loyalty and righteousness, he eradicated traitors and pacified rebellions from Jishan to Panyu, Lize, all the way to the north and west suburbs, wiping out every last rebel without mercy. The people's fate, the rise and fall of the country, all depended on him.
Therefore, he enforced rites and laws, established regulations, ensuring stability and unity both domestically and abroad, bringing peace far and wide. Living a simple life, kind and honest, his achievements spread throughout the world, his righteousness resonating throughout the world. Since the times of Fuxi, Shennong, Yan Emperor, and Huangdi, no wise monarch had ruled the world quite like him.
His contributions were immense, yet he received less recognition than Emperors Huan and Wen, let alone Yi Yin and Duke Zhou. The ministers who had served felt a sense of regret for him. His modesty and caution delayed the arrival of rewards. We must not forget his contributions and must restore the old court system and elevate his status.
Just like the ancient Emperor Chonghua and the wise Guirui Xianren, their merits should be forever remembered, and their descendants should also be given prominent roles. Just as Jiandanfu inherited Houji's official position in the Yin and Shang dynasties, Emperor Yao appointed Xihe to inherit Chongli's position, the descendants of Yixing Gong should also be given prominent roles.
Therefore, the court appointed him as Prime Minister, overseeing all officials, bestowed upon him the title of Chen Gong across ten counties, bestowed upon him the Nine Honors of nobility, rewarded him with a jade seal and court attire, and gave him a crown for distant journeys and a green sash, placing his status above that of the princes, while also retaining his positions as General of the Guards and Governor of Yangzhou.
The edict states:
Oh, great heavens! By the operation of the sun and moon, brightness and integrity are revealed; Mother Earth is also powerful, relying on mountains and rivers to support all things. Therefore, the heavens are supreme, and the ministers who assist the emperor must be upright and diligent; as for the king, he must govern the country well, and the ministers who assist him must be virtuous and talented. Look at the powerful ministers of King Wen and King Wu, as precious as the jade ring of Panxi; the ministers of the Yao and Shun periods, radiant like the golden plate of Ronghe. Furthermore, you, with aspirations as lofty as a swan's, have endured life-threatening trials. You saved the crumbling situation in Jieshi, extinguished the raging fire on Kunlun Mountain, commanded with unwavering composure, and led capable ministers like Wei and Peng, quelling the rebellions in Qi and Jin, achieving great merit. Yet you never boast of your achievements, remain unbothered by fame and fortune, truly remarkable! Now, I am issuing this decree to you, listen carefully to my command:
Great is the Qian principle, upheld by the sun and moon's steadfastness; supreme is the Kun element, relying on mountains and rivers to carry all things. Therefore, only heaven is great, those who ascend are honored and bright; only the king can establish the nation, and those who assist are truly revered. Thus, the ministers of the civil and military enrich the jade ornaments of Panxi; the ministers of Yao and Shun engrave the golden tablets of Ronghe. How can one not admire the grandeur of unity, and avoid the dangers of the Nine Suns? Rescuing from the rapids at Jieshi, extinguishing fires at Kuncen, driving through Wei and Peng, striding across Qi and Jin, performing miraculous deeds without boasting, following the path of the saints without seeking fame? Now I am about to confer official duties, so please listen to my command:
Recently, the heavens have not been helping, our country has become a mess, full of loopholes, and bandits have even infiltrated. The common people are suffering, and no one has been spared. Alas, the suffering from Qiaoshan is still fresh, and Pingyang has encountered trouble again; disasters seem to be never-ending.
After ascending to the throne, in order to save the people, the Emperor went south to Dianchi, north to Guilin, quelled rebellions, stabilized the country, eliminated rebels in the Central Plains, and resolved the troubles in Mengsi, restoring peace to the country and opening the path to prosperity. This is a great accomplishment for the royal family!
However, good times did not last; natural and human-made disasters followed one after another. Rebellions in the south, the capital in the west was breached, rebels causing chaos everywhere, seizing power and even colluding with traitors, attempting to rebel. At that time, you had already faced demotion to Tonggong, and narrowly escaped danger in Hange. The royal family's fortunes were nearly spent, the country was in great danger, like a thin thread that could break at any moment. You resolutely stepped forward, saved the court, regained Juqi, quelled the rebellions, and preserved the royal family. Only then could I ascend the throne again, return to the palace; your merit is comparable to Emperor Jianwu and King Xuan! This is yet another remarkable achievement of yours in rescuing the royal family!
When you first took office, you toured everywhere, visiting the Three Rivers and Five Mountain Ranges, bringing peace and stability to all regions. Later, when Sun Lu and Lu Sun launched invasions, the Yue and Mo tribes also invaded, putting the border areas at risk of annihilation. With your decisive intervention, the rebels were swiftly crushed, and the rebellion was quickly quelled. Without your heroic actions, the southern border would have been lost long ago. This is also a testament to your leadership!
During the waning years of the Datong Dynasty, border security was lax. There was a man named Li Ben who audaciously seized control of our provinces, Jiaozhou and Aizhou, and dared to call himself a great figure, acting even more arrogantly than Wei Tao, and even surpassed Liang Shuo by occupying Lianzhou. Our general, wise and brave, full of cunning strategies, swift as lightning, fierce as the wind, commandeered a tall ship and crossed the sea directly. Places like Xinchang and Dianche were conquered only after he faced numerous difficulties; places like Suli and Jianing transformed into battlefields strewn with bones. From the San Mountain Liao Cave to the Bajiao Manzou, those remote villages by the water and volcanic regions, where Ma Yuan and Tao Huang had never been before, now tremble at the reputation of our general, coming to pay tribute and offer gifts to the court, submitting documents to the court. This is also the general's credit!
Since the invaders entered the Yangtze River basin, the palace has suffered indignities; the general, unable to eat or sleep, always ready for battle, filled with anger, his spirit soaring to the heavens. The officials in Panyu and Lianzhou were nothing more than uncivilized barbarians, colluding in their treachery. The general, drawing upon his unwavering loyalty and bravery, seized the opportunity, swiftly crushed the rebellion, captured the magistrate of Pei, sounded the war drums, pacified Xinye, and then pressed on. This is also the general's credit!
In troubled times, the world was not peaceful; chaos was everywhere, and some of these powerful youths were particularly arrogant, causing trouble in the Hengshan area, with enemies at the gates and even joining forces with tribes from the north. This nobleman, because the country was in danger and the borders were on high alert, cared for nothing else but to save the country and its people, uniting allies and eliminating those villains. The villains were terrified and fled in all directions, surrendering without resistance. Finally, the southern folks could live in peace, all thanks to this nobleman!
He marched straight toward the capital, vanquishing all the local warlords and bandits he encountered along the way. Those deserters and bandits, gathered near the capital, were preparing to cause chaos, but before they could act, this nobleman defeated them thoroughly. The towering city walls and siege towers never even had a chance to be deployed before being overwhelmed. This nobleman was incredibly brave and unstoppable, breaking the strong fortresses on the mountains and the powerful armies on the plains. He quelled the rebellion, and it was all due to his efforts!
Later, the rebels gathered in Dagao, with many soldiers pleading for their lives and refugees in despair, as fierce as the armies of Ma Teng and Du Ta. They attacked cities and territories everywhere, from north to south, waging war for years, extremely fierce. This nobleman strategized and commanded with precision; the soldiers united as one, bravely battling the enemy like a relentless storm, quickly quelling the rebellion. The counties no longer echoed with panicked dog barks, nor did the mountain temples hear the cries of foxes. This, too, was a testament to his efforts!
The imperial army launched a campaign against the rebels, facing shortages of food and military supplies, leaving the soldiers emaciated. This official collected provisions in Lize and stockpiled supplies in Baqiu, with provisions piled high like mountains. The people warmly welcomed the army with open arms, and there were no difficulties in transporting supplies. The rebels, well-equipped, could not resist this official's army. The soldiers' morale soared, and they eventually defeated the rebels. This was his achievement!
This official's strategic prowess was exceptional, with a vast army that resembled clouds. In battles with the enemy in Piancheng, he used various tactics and focused on uniting everyone for victory. Just as Lord Jin made a solemn oath at Baishui to unite with his allies, or the sincere treatment between King Xiao and his allies, both sides were deeply moved and united for battle. This was his achievement!
Gushu served as a vital transportation hub, and Xiaohan was a crucial pass. With only a single army, this official defeated three rebel leaders, leading to the rebels scattering and the pass being breached. Countless rebels were eliminated in the ensuing chaos, and the treacherous pass of Ebang was breached. This was his achievement!
The rebel forces gathered around the capital, while the traitors remained stationed near the imperial city. The imperial city was strategically positioned, making it easy to defend but hard to attack. The rebels took advantage of this advantageous position and, bolstered by their strong forces, held their ground. This lord swiftly dispatched troops, broke through the rebel defenses, quickly eliminated the rebels, ensured strict military discipline and stabilized the political situation of the country. People resumed their neat attire and restored the rituals and music. The people of Chu watched with anticipation, and the elders of the Han dynasty were filled with joy. This was his merit!
Just as the internal strife was calming, the vassals started rebelling, and the border was in urgent peril. The Xianbei tribes invaded the borders; these were all barbarian leaders, with even some nobles and aristocrats joining in. The rebels were active in Huainan, and the haunting sound of the barbarian flute echoed in the northern part of Xuzhou. This lord commanded a formidable army by land and sea, swept through the enemy forces, eliminated the rebels, and the rebels surrendered in droves. Their chariots were abandoned, and they turned and fled when they encountered mud, with their warhorses collapsing from exhaustion. This was his merit!
This lord quelled the rebellion and made significant contributions to the court, but Sun Ning and his faction conspired with foreign enemies. Luoyang and the surrounding areas became the enemy's base. Even though Jinling was strategically located, the court found itself overshadowed by the specter of war, with dust flying during the day and the haunting sound of the barbarian flute at night. This lord devised a battle strategy and established the Bagua formation, selected elite soldiers, captured the rebels, and reclaimed lost territory, slaughtered enemies like Li Guang and pardoned captives like Pang Yuan. This was his merit!
As Ren Yao rebelled, the rebels became fierce and brutal, driven by greed and ambition. They set up camp near the northern capital, preparing to launch an attack on the eastern capital. This lord launched a two-pronged attack and eliminated the rebels; the Rongdi were slaughtered at the national gate, and the barbarian leaders faced execution in the military camp. The bodies of the rebels piled up like mountains, filling the Sui River to the brim. This was his merit!
There were people in the court colluding with the rebels, and some local officials were also involved. This official quickly sent troops, prepared for battle, and the leader of the rebels was so scared that he surrendered quickly, burning incense, bowing in repentance, and burning books to demonstrate submission. This is his contribution again!
The bandits were cruel and brutal, causing chaos in specific areas, obstructing officials and soldiers, and exploiting natural disasters to create chaos. From ancient times to the present, there has never been such a brutal rebellion. Although this official's ancestral home is in Ruying, he has lived in the southeast for generations, but he cares about his hometown, is filled with righteous indignation, and is brave and decisive. He formulated strategies and eliminated the rebels, as easy as catching small fish. This is his contribution again!
The world is in chaos, with many thieves and bandits. The rebels in Zhejiang united to rebel, and there were many of them. This official selected elite soldiers and strong generals, swiftly defeating the rebels, like melting snow. The rebels were swiftly defeated, like a thunderclap, and like Goujian harshly punishing the rebels. His achievements and sacred traces are the same as those of wise monarchs throughout history. This is his contribution again!
Rebels of the same surname were fierce and brutal, relying on clan relationships to plot harm to the country. They gathered armies, threatened the capital, led the barbarians, and prepared to attack the eastern capital. This official formulated battle plans in the court, decided victory or defeat in the court, and the rebels were quickly eliminated without needing to mobilize the court's main army. The country returned to peace. This is his contribution again!
The rebels in Yuzhang, taking advantage of the terrain and their extensive preparations, had been accumulating strength for many years, and they joined forces with the rebels in Jiaozhou and Guangzhou. Lü Jia was captured, Wu Bi was killed, and this official led the army to attack the rebels, broke their camps, captured the rebels, demonstrated the court's military might at Kuangshan, and regained lost territory at Lize. This is his contribution again!
There were rebellions in various places in the world, and this official's military prowess and civil governance both flourished. He wrote letters to various places, calling on everyone to submit to the court. All parts of the country submitted to the court, and no one dared to resist. This is his contribution again!
A rebellion occurred in the capital, the palace was in ruins, and the Nine Gates of the capital were desolate. The Qin Palace could still be seen, but the Lu Palace no longer existed. Court officials were all wearing foreign clothing, with only a few still dressed in Han clothing. People sang sad songs, lamenting the decline of the country. This official toiled day and night to rebuild the palace and restore the nation's glory. Oh, imperial envoys! You must obey my orders seriously, assist the divine and the land, work hard to build the country, and work towards the prosperity of our great nation, to honor our forebears and uphold the great achievements of my imperial lineage! I hope you can do it! Remember my words, serve the country well, make the country stronger and more prosperous, continue the good foundation left by our ancestors, so that the spirits of my ancestors in heaven can find solace! On the day of Wuchen in October, the imperial ancestor was promoted to king, with territories including the four counties of Kuaiji, Linhai, Yongjia, and Jian'an in Yangzhou; the two counties of Jinling and Xinyi in South Xuzhou; and the four counties of Xunyang, Yuzhang, Ancheng, and Luling in Jiangzhou. Plus the previous territories, a total of twenty counties, and the addition of the fiefdom of Chen Guo. His original positions of Prime Minister, Governor of Yangzhou, and Grand General of the Guards were all retained. The emperor also ordered that the Chen King be given twelve additional crown decorations (pearls hanging from the crown symbolizing rank), allowed to use the emperor's banners, sound the alarm while traveling, drive the emperor's dedicated chariot, ride in a chariot with golden fittings, drive six horses, and have five auxiliary carriages for various purposes. He could use military flags and ceremonial guards, perform the "Eight Yi" music and dance, and establish the Zhongju Palace County (court musical instruments and ceremonial vessels). The titles and ranks of the Chen King's queen, princes, and princesses, and the officials of Chen Guo adhered to previous customs. On the day of Xinwei, the Liang Emperor abdicated the throne to the Chen King; the decree read:
It is said that the Five Elements undergo a cyclical change in three phases, and governing the people should be the work of sages. To be able to govern the world, unify the world, protect the people, and promote great virtues, this is the true work of sages. Eliminating old evils to bring clarity and brightness to the world, throughout history, all emperors have followed this principle. However, later on, during the weakened Liang Dynasty, disasters occurred frequently, and the world fell into chaos, like a snake ensnared. After the era of the Holy, they faced strong enemies invading like wild boars. During the Tiancheng era, the usurpation of power happened again, with darkness shrouding the sun and moon, ancestral temples left in neglect, and the people suffering, the country and its people in danger. The fate of the Great Wu and Yuan Dynasties is like a string of pearls about to break, in great peril; I worry every night, always keeping it in mind.
At this time, Prince Chen received a mandate from the heavens, towering like a mountain, with the virtues of heaven and earth, bright as the sun and moon. He saved the country from turmoil and rescued the suffering people. He conquered rebellions, his reputation spreading far and wide, his benevolence extending to all nations. He restored sublime music, revived the abandoned rituals and music system, built Confucian academies, and withdrew the army from barracks. His achievements rival those of Emperor Shun and King Yu, standing out as both remarkable and unprecedented. Countries brought treasures as tribute, not merely reminiscent of the era of Emperor Shun. They offered rare birds and exotic animals, not just like in the Zhou Dynasty. Various treasures, auspicious signs, and sweet dew along with clear springs began to appear everywhere, with bountiful harvests and lush vegetation covering the outskirts.
His merits are obvious, moving heaven, and heaven has sent down auspicious signs, signaling the inevitable change of dynasties. The legal disputes have been resolved, and the people are joyful and elated; this is all the will of heaven. Although I am mediocre and shallow in knowledge, I know that the rise and fall of history has been continuing for a long time. How could I forget the lessons of past dynasties and the people's hopes? Therefore, I have decided to abdicate and pass the throne to King Chen, following the examples of the Tang, Yu, Song, and Qi dynasties.
The edict reads:
King Chen, think back to ancient times, the earliest humans, predating Li Lian, Li Lu, Rong Cheng, and Da Ting. They recorded events by tying knots in cords and drawing birds; the events of that time are too distant and vague. It is difficult to explain them clearly.
From Emperor Fu Xi, Shen Nong, Xuan Yuan, and Hao Tian Shi, to King Tang Tao and King Yu, some governed the realm in simple garments, some governed through non-interference, and the people lived in peace and happiness. They could relinquish the throne as easily as tossing aside old ropes or slipping off worn-out shoes. Individuals like Xu You were able to renounce the throne; people like Shan Juan could pass the throne to others. Therefore, grasping the laws of celestial movements does not stem from nobility; golden roots and jade wheels are not symbols of ruling the world. As they grow old and weary, they will laugh and pass the throne to talented individuals, write songs and poems, and hand over power to those with abilities. The legacies and achievements they leave behind are well-documented in history books. The Han and Wei dynasties followed this practice; this is the true account of history; the Song and Qi dynasties also embraced this spirit.
Our ancestral emperor ruled in accordance with the mandate of heaven, holding the fate of the country in his hands, restoring the glory of the three dynasties, and our ancestors were all wise rulers. However, in the disastrous Year of Yangjiu, corrupt officials rose to power, the western capital fell, foreign tribes invaded, the court was inept, the people suffered immensely, the country was on the brink of danger, and the imperial power was in jeopardy.
But you, King Chen, you are a wise and valiant monarch, adept in both civil and military affairs, governing the nation in tune with the times. Heaven has bestowed upon you wisdom and courage; you are a hero among men, shining like the sun, majestic like a dragon. You rallied troops to quell the rebellions in Panyu and Pengli, eliminated the rebels, and stabilized the capital region. You also accepted the abdication of the emperor, assisting him like Yi Yin and Huo Guang, ensuring the country's stability. Rebellions occurred in Zhenze, Jiyin, and other places, with foreign tribes such as the Hu and Jie invading the Central Plains multiple times. You led the army to suppress the rebellions, eliminate the enemies, and even led campaigns against the Xianyun, defeating the Six Rong tribes. Rebellions broke out in Lingnan, Xiang, and Ying regions, and you swiftly suppressed them, executing the leaders of the rebellions. As a result, the country's political situation stabilized, the people lived in peace and prosperity, your benevolence spread across the land, and even the sea dragons emerged to celebrate.
Now, a comet streaks across the sky, a portent of dynastic change; the sun is eclipsed, another omen of dynastic change. Therefore, we have risen to suppress the rebellion; you are a monarch fulfilling the mandate of heaven, like the Yellow Dragon carrying the boat, blessed by the heavens. People from all corners rallied to your call. Your efforts to stabilize the country align with both the people's will and the mandate of heaven.
For the past seven hundred years, the throne has not been held exclusively by one family. The previous Mu De dynasty has come to an end, and the mandate of heaven now passes to the Liang Dynasty. This reflects both the will of heaven and your own talent and virtue. We are broadly seeking opinions and gaining the court officials' support for your ascension to the throne. In accordance with the people's will, we pass the imperial throne to you. We hope that you will govern the country well, bring peace to the realm, and live up to the expectations of the people.
The grand sacrificial ceremony to Heaven has solidified the nation's future. Isn't that impressive?
The two former emperors and empresses were wise and enlightened, blessing the country. However, with foreign invasions, the people have been left homeless, and it is hard to claim that this land still belongs to the Liang Dynasty. I feel inadequate, having faced numerous hardships since my childhood. Thanks to the assistance of the ministers, I have been able to come this far. King Cheng of Zhou and Emperor Han Hui both ascended to the throne young and encountered many challenges. In times of peace, I would have preferred to retreat to the mountains, like the ancient figures Boyi and Shuqi.
However, King Tong has now ascended to the throne. He is intelligent, exceptionally talented, virtuous, and cherished by the people. His deeds encompass all like the vast sky and shine with the brilliance of the sun. He has built upon the legacy of Great Yu, ushered in a flourishing era reminiscent of the Zhou Dynasty, quelled rebellions, defeated enemies, and achieved glorious victories. He emulates Yao and Shun, follows the path of civil and martial virtues, and the nation thrives in peace and prosperity, with omens of good fortune everywhere. His achievements are widely known, and the people all support him; this is not merely a sign, but also the divine will. A sagacious monarch has emerged, guiding the nation toward a more glorious future.
Since ancient times, through countless upheavals and wars, a new era is about to begin in the world. I recognize that both King Tong and King Jia are capable leaders, so I have sought their advice many times. In the age of Wood Virtue, my forebear ascended to the throne; now, in the age of Fire Virtue, I now bequeath the throne to King Tong.
I have drawn upon the experiences of my predecessors and sought the counsel of my ministers, confident that heaven will bless us and that the people will wholeheartedly rally behind the new ruler. Now, I am dispatching envoys bearing the imperial seal to formally transfer the throne to King Tong and King Jia, in accordance with the ancient ceremonies of Tang, Yao, and Shun.
It is proclaimed that the empress has ascended to the highest position and will nurture the populace, advance the great legacies of her predecessors, and fulfill the divine will!
The meaning of this sentence is that the queen has ascended to the throne; she will govern the country well, benefit the people, and continue the unfinished work of the previous emperor, as this is ordained by heaven. This is a solemn congratulation and expectation, full of anticipation for a prosperous future. "May the queen ascend the throne, nurture the people, illuminate great wisdom, and inherit the mandate of the heavens!" It feels very solemn to read this sentence, which is itself very majestic.
On this day, Emperor Liang Wu abdicated in the side chamber. The founding emperor, having shown humility several times, finally agreed to ascend the throne as requested by the ministers.
After ascending the throne, the founding emperor issued a general amnesty and changed the era name to Tianjian. The courtiers petitioned to honor his mother as the empress dowager, but the founding emperor said, "My mother is old and cannot endure such an honor." The courtiers insisted, and he agreed.
At that time, Xiao Yan was the Emperor of Liang, already over seventy years old, his ambitions having waned, and much of the court affairs were entrusted to his sons. The founding emperor, newly ascended, was only thirty years old, wise and capable, with a strong determination for reform.
Upon ascending the throne, the founding emperor immediately issued decrees to promote construction, build palaces, stockpile grains and money, reorganize the bureaucracy, and govern with dedication. He also issued orders to encourage agriculture and silk production, promote production, reduce taxes, and win the people's hearts.
