Real Histories
Helian Bobo, with the courtesy name Qujie, is a descendant of the Xiongnu Right Noble King Qubei and is also related to Liu Yuanhai. His great-grandfather, Wu, was appointed as the Lord of Loufan during the time of Liu Cong and also served as the General of Anbei, overseer of Xianbei military affairs, and the Dingling Colonel, who held significant power and occupied the Sulu River region. He was later defeated by King Dai Yilu and fled beyond the borders.
His grandfather, Baozi, managed to reunite various tribes and became their leader again. Shi Jilong even sent an envoy to bestow upon him the titles of General of Pingbei, Right Noble King, and Dingling Chanyu. His father Wei Chen later settled inside the border, and Fu Jian appointed him as the Western Chanyu, allowing him to command the various Hu tribes in the Hexi region, stationed in Dailai City. After Fu Jian's state descended into chaos, Wei Chen occupied the Shuofang area, commanding a force of 38,000 archers. Later, the Northern Wei army launched an attack, and Wei Chen sent his son Lisiti to resist, but they were ultimately defeated. The Wei army pursued their advantage, crossed the Yellow River, captured Dailai City, took Wei Chen prisoner, and executed him.
Helian Bobo fled to the Chigan tribe. Doufu, the leader of Chigan, handed Helian Bobo over to the Northern Wei. Doufu's nephew, Ali, was stationed in Dailuochuan at that time. Upon hearing that Helian Bobo was to be surrendered, he hurried over to persuade them, saying, "Even if a bird falls into someone's hands, it should still be given a chance to escape. Moreover, Helian Bobo's kingdom has been destroyed, his family is in ruins, and he seeks refuge with us. Even if we cannot accommodate him, we should let him escape on his own. Capturing him and sending him away now is not a righteous act!" Doufu was afraid of being blamed by the Wei kingdom and did not listen to him. Ali secretly dispatched elite soldiers to intercept Helian Bobo on his way back and delivered him to Gao Ping, a subordinate of Yao Xing, who subsequently married his daughter to him.
It is said that this Bo Bo character, standing at a towering eight feet five inches, with a waist as thick as ten men, is both smart and beautiful; his appearance alone makes people feel he’s extraordinary. Yao Xing took one look and felt that this guy was quite impressive, lavished attention on him, directly appointed him as the General of the Valiant Cavalry, and also appointed him as the Carriage Attendant, often allowing him to participate in important court meetings, even more favored than those veteran ministers who had earned their stripes. Yao Xing's younger brother Yao Yong, however, could not bear to see it. He said to Yao Xing, "Big brother, this Bo Bo has a bad character and is utterly unreliable. You are too good to him. I have serious reservations." Yao Xing, however, said, "Bo Bo has the talent to govern. I want to use his abilities and work with him to pacify the world. What's wrong with that?" So, he promoted Bo Bo to the General of An Yuan, appointed him as the Marquis of Yangchuan, and sent him to Gao Ping to assist Mei Yi in guarding the border, assigning him over thirty thousand troops, including some minority ethnic groups from three cities, Shuofang, and the Wei Chen tribe, to scout the movements of the Wei Kingdom. Yao Yong strongly warned against it, insisting it would end in disaster. Yao Xing asked him, "What makes you think he has a bad character?" Yao Yong said, "Bo Bo is arrogant and disrespectful to superiors, cruel to subordinates, inherently greedy, lacking in loyalty, and opportunistic. You are too good to him. He’ll become a disaster for the border sooner or later!" Yao Xing finally dispelled the idea. Some time later, Yao Xing appointed Bo Bo as the Peacekeeper General of the North and Duke of Wuyuan, assigning him over twenty thousand Xianbei troops and troops from other tribes to guard Shuofang. At that time, the Xianbei leader in Hexi, Du Lun, presented eight thousand horses to Yao Xing, crossed the Yellow River and arrived in the capital. Bo Bo captured Du Lun and rallied over thirty thousand of his troops, pretended to be hunting in Gaopingchuan, and then suddenly attacked, killed Mei Yi, and absorbed his army, boosting his forces to tens of thousands in a single stroke.
In the third year of Yixi, Bubo proclaimed himself the Heavenly King and Grand Chanyu, issued a general amnesty, changed the era name to Longsheng, and set up various official positions. He claimed descent from the Xiongnu Xiahou clan and established the Great Xia Kingdom. He appointed his eldest brother as Prime Minister and Duke of Dai, his second brother as Grand General and Duke of Wei, Chigan Ali as Grand Master of Records and Duke of Liang, his younger brother Ali Luo as General of the South and Commandant of the Capital, Ruomen as Prefect of the Masters of Writing, Chiyijian as General of the West and Supervisor of the Left of the Masters of Writing, Yidou as General of the North and Supervisor of the Right of the Masters of Writing, and the rest of his brothers were given official positions. That year, we defeated the Xianbei tribe led by Xuegan and two others, capturing tens of thousands of prisoners. Next, we attacked the garrisons north of the Three Cities occupied by Yao Xing, killing their leaders, Yang Pi and Yao Shisheng. The generals advised, "This place is too dangerous; we shouldn't go!" They earnestly urged Bubo, "Your Majesty, if you want to unify the country and eventually march south to take Chang'an, you should first secure your territory and reassure the people to ensure success." Gaoping has a strategic location and fertile land, making it a great choice for the capital.
Bobo said, "You only see one point, but not the other. Our cause has just begun, our army is still too small, and Yao Xing is just a temporary hero; the timing for attacking Guanzhong isn't right yet. Besides, the garrisons in his cities all follow his orders. If we only defend one city, they will definitely concentrate their forces to attack us. We can't defeat them, and we'll be done for soon. I want to use cavalry to attack them unexpectedly like clouds, swiftly like the wind. If they save the front, I will attack the rear; if they save the rear, I will attack the front, making them run for their lives while we can live life easily. In less than ten years, Lingbei and Hedong will be ours! Once Yao Xing is gone, we can take our time to seize Chang'an. Yao Hong is weak and useless; I've already got a plan to deal with him. Even the Yellow Emperor migrated for over twenty years in the past, what's so special about that!" So Bobo led his troops to plunder Lingbei, and the city gates in Lingbei wouldn't even open during the day. Yao Xing sighed, "I didn't heed Huang Er's advice, and look where that's got me!" This Huang Er is Yao Yong's nickname. Speaking of Bobo, he had just become king and went to propose to Tuoba Kutai, but she didn't even give him a second glance. Bobo was furious and immediately led twenty thousand cavalry into battle! From Yangfei to Zhiyang, a distance of over three hundred miles, over ten thousand people were killed, and twenty-seven thousand were taken captive, along with loads of cattle, sheep, and horses. Only then did he head back, feeling satisfied.
Tu Fa Nu Tan led his troops in pursuit. His general, Jiao Lang, quickly advised him, "Bo Bo is a talented and formidable leader; his soldiers are formidable. We cannot underestimate him! Now that he has plundered so much, his soldiers are all thinking of going home and fighting individually. It will be difficult for us to confront him head-on. We should take a detour to the north, cross the river to Wanhu Dui, set up camp by the river, and cut off his escape, ensuring victory!"
Another general, He Lian Nu, disagreed, "Bo Bo has survived by luck; now he is leading an disorganized mob to attack. His luck will run out soon. Now that he has plundered so many treasures, his soldiers are only thinking about sharing the spoils; they're not interested in fighting. Our army is closing in; he will surely be defeated! If we retreat now, he will think we are afraid of him. Our morale is high; we should pursue quickly!"
Tu Fa Nu Tan made the final decision: "I've made my decision: anyone who dares to oppose me will face death!"
When Bo Bo heard that Tu Fa Nu Tan was coming after him, he was delighted. He quickly dug through the ice and buried his chariots in Yangwu Shan County to block the road. Tu Fa Nu Tan sent his elite archers to shoot at Bo Bo, and one arrow hit Bo Bo's left arm. Bo Bo was even more furious; he immediately counterattacked, defeating Tu Fa Nu Tan, chasing and killing for over 80 li, inflicting heavy casualties. He also decapitated over a dozen generals, piling their heads into a mound, named "Skull Tower," before making his way back to Lingbei.
Later, Bobo fought another battle against General Yao Xing's general, Zhang Fosheng, at Qingshiyuan, and won again, capturing and killing five thousand seven hundred enemy troops. Yao Xing was displeased and sent General Qinandai with twenty thousand men to attack. Bobo retreated to Hequ. Qinandai saw Bobo running far away, so he let his guard down and his troops began to loot. Bobo launched an ambush, capturing over seven thousand enemy troops and seizing a significant amount of weapons and warhorses. Qinandai fled in humiliation, and Bobo chased him to Mucheng, where he broke through the city, captured Qinandai, and took more than thirteen thousand soldiers and ten thousand warhorses. Many ethnic minority groups in Lingbei surrendered, and Bobo sent people to manage these areas and pacify the people. Later, Bobo led twenty thousand cavalry to Gaogang, arrived at Wujing, raided over seven thousand households of the Hu people in Pingliang, reinforced the rear, and then stationed in Yilichuan. When Yao Xing's forces reached Sancheng, Helian Bobo saw that Yao Xing's army had not fully assembled yet, so he led his cavalry to attack. Yao Xing was frightened and sent General Yao Wenzong to resist. Bobo feigned retreat, setting up an ambush instead. Yao Xing sent Yao Yusheng and others to chase, but they fell into the ambush and were all captured. Yao Xing assembled General Wang Xi along with over three thousand households of Qiang and Hu people at Chiqi Fortress, and Bobo attacked again. Wang Xi was particularly brave and strong, fighting in close combat, wounding many of Bobo's troops. Later, Bobo cut off the water source of the fortress, and the people inside had no option but to surrender Wang Xi. Bobo said to Wang Xi, "You are a loyal minister! I was just thinking of uniting the realm with you!" Wang Xi replied, "I am grateful for your kindness, so let me die with dignity!" He then took his own life along with dozens of his followers.
Bobo then captured the fortress held by Yao Xing's general Jin Luosheng, as well as the city defended by Mi Jiahaodi. He relocated over seven thousand households to the capital and appointed Yao Xing's prime minister You Di to oversee Youzhou, sending him to garrison there. Bobo's nephew, Left General Luo Ti, led ten thousand infantry and cavalry to attack Dingyang, which was defended by Yao Xing's general Yao Guangdu. He captured the city, killed over four thousand soldiers, and rewarded Yao Guangdu's daughter to his troops. Then Bobo appointed Yao Guangdu as Grand Minister of Ceremonies. Bobo then attacked Qingshui City, which was defended by Yao Xing's general Yao Shoudou, who fled to Shanggui. Bobo then relocated sixteen thousand households from Qingshui City to the capital. That year, Qi Nan and Yao Guangdu conspired to rebel, and both were killed by Bobo. Yao Xing's general Yao Xiang abandoned three cities and retreated south to Dasu. Bobo sent General Pingdong Lu Yi to pursue him, capturing Yao Xiang along with all his troops. Yao Xiang was brought before Bobo, who scolded him before executing him. That year, Bobo led thirty thousand cavalry to attack Anding, clashing with Yao Xing's general Yang Fosong at Qingshi Beiyuan. He defeated Yang, capturing forty-five thousand soldiers and seizing twenty thousand war horses. Next, he launched an attack on another of Yao Xing's generals, Dang Zhilong, in Dongxiang. He defeated Dang Zhilong and appointed him as Guanglu Xun, relocating over three thousand households from his domain to Ercheng. During this time, Yao Xing's Zhenbei Army Advisor Wang Maide defected to Bobo.
Bo Bo said to Wang Mai De: "I am a descendant of the Great Yu. Our family has lived in Youzhou and Shuozhou for generations. Our ancestors were wise and brave; we have always been adversaries of the Han and Wei dynasties. In the intervening generations, we were weak and consistently under the control of others. In my generation, I have failed to live up to my ancestors' legacy. As a result, the country was destroyed, the family was ruined, and we were scattered as refugees. Now I want to rise in accordance with the will of heaven and restore the career of the Great Yu. What do you think?"
Wang Mai De replied: "Since the Eastern Jin lost control and the imperial power moved south, heroes from all over are towering like mountains, and everyone wants to contend for the world. Your Majesty, you have accumulated merits for generations. To restore the north again, your courage surpasses that of the Han emperors, and your wise strategies exceed those of the ancestors of the Wei dynasty. Shouldn't you seize this heavenly opportunity to accomplish something great? However, although the power of the Qin state is weak now, the powers of various local fiefdoms are still strong. I suggest you accumulate strength first, wait for the right time, and act cautiously."
Bo Bo thought Wang Mai De made sense, so he appointed him as a military strategist.
He pardoned all the people in the territory, changed the era name to Fengxiang, and appointed Chi Gan Ali as the chief architect, responsible for palace construction. Then, he gathered a hundred thousand troops from various tribes in Lingbei and started building a new capital to the north of Shuofang and south of Heishui. Bo Bo boasted, "I'm gonna unify the country and rule the world, so this new capital will be called Tongwan!" Ali was skilled but extremely cruel. During the construction of the city, he used steamed earth to build, demanding the soil be compacted to an inch deep. If the standard was not met, he would kill the craftsmen and continue compacting the soil. Bo Bo saw this as a sign of loyalty, so he entrusted him with the task of building the capital.
Next, Ali started making weapons again, which were crafted of superb quality! After finishing them, he presented them to Bobo. If the arrows couldn't penetrate the armor, the archers would face dire consequences; if they could penetrate, the armor makers would be in grave danger. He also forged a sword called "Daxia Longque," with a handle shaped like a dragon and a bird, engraved with the words: "An ancient weapon of great sharpness, as renowned as the Zhanlu sword from the states of Wu and Chu. Daxia Longque, renowned in the capital. It can strike from a distance with great precision. Like the wind sweeping through grass, it commands respect throughout the nine regions." At that time, this sword was regarded as a prized treasure. He also cast a huge bronze drum, as well as bronze statues of Fei Lian, Weng Zhong, bronze camels, and dragon beasts, all decorated with gold, placed in front of the palace. He sacrificed thousands of craftsmen to create these exquisite objects.
Then, Bobo intended to launch an attack on Qifu Chipan. Minister Wang Maide swiftly counseled him, saying, "Great King, when leading troops into battle, you should win people over through virtue, not through brute force! Moreover, Qifu Chipan is a friendly neighboring country to us. They have just experienced a funeral, and attacking them now would not be seizing an opportunity but rather inviting disaster from above! Even if you rely on sheer numbers to exploit their mourning for war, an ordinary person would find it disgraceful, much less an emperor like you!" After listening to this, Bobo said, "You are absolutely right! If you hadn't pointed that out, I might not have considered these matters!"
That year, the emperor issued a decree stating: "My imperial ancestors migrated from the north to Youzhou and Shuozhou, and changed their surname to Si, whose pronunciation differs from that in the Central Plains. Therefore, I adopted my mother's surname, Liu. However, it is considered improper for a son to carry his mother's surname. In ancient times, surnames were not fixed; some derived from their birthplace while others came from their ancestors' names. I now wish to adopt a more fitting surname. The emperor is born by the mandate of heaven, the Son of Heaven; this identity is immensely noble and closely tied to the heavens. Therefore, I have decided to change my surname to Helian, hoping to align with the will of heaven and to enjoy an everlasting era of peace and prosperity. The noble position of the Son of Heaven cannot be shared by collateral descendants. Those who are not direct descendants shall bear the surname Tiefashi! I hope my descendants will be as strong and steadfast as iron, each capable of fighting bravely and emerging victorious!" He then appointed Liang as the empress, designated his son Gao as the crown prince, and bestowed dukedoms upon several of his sons: the dukes of Yan Yangping, Chang Taiyuan, Lun Jiuquan, Ding Pingyuan, Man Henan, and An Zhongshan. He then led his troops to confront General Yao Kui of Yao Xing, fought in Xingcheng for twenty days before finally capturing it, captured Yao Kui along with his generals: Yao Dayong, Yao Anhe, Yao Lipu, Yin Di, and others, and executed twenty thousand enemy soldiers.
Afterwards, he sent Wulogu, the Vice Minister of Justice, to form an alliance with Juqu Mengxun. The letter stated: "Since the downfall of the Eastern Jin Dynasty, chaos has spread throughout the country. Zhao and Wei have become infested with snakes and vermin, while Qin and Long have become habitats for wolves and leopards. The once prosperous capitals are now overgrown wastelands, and the people are suffering in dire straits, unsure of whom to rely on. Now, heaven is determined to change this situation and place hope in our two families. Our territories are adjacent, our roads connected, and we should cultivate friendship and face difficulties together. Throughout history, without oaths, we cannot show our respect for the divine, and without firm commitments, lasting friendships cannot be guaranteed. However, the alliances between Jin and Chu, and Wu and Shu have historically fallen apart. Our situation is different, having forged a deep friendship even before our first words. We should put an end to warfare, govern together, and if there is conflict, raise our banners together; in times of peace, let us learn from the customs of Lu and Wei, help each other, and pass down this friendship for generations." Juqu Mengxun sent his general Juqu Hanping to form an alliance. I heard that Yao Hong sent Yao Song to confront the Di King Yang Sheng, so I led forty thousand cavalry to attack Shanggui. Before arriving, Yao Song was killed by Yang Sheng. We captured Shanggui in twenty days, killing Yao Hong's prefect, Yao Ping, along with five thousand soldiers, and then we destroyed the city before departing. We then attacked Yinmi, killing the general Yao Liangzi and over ten thousand soldiers. I appointed my son, Chang, as the Governor of Yongzhou and stationed him at Yinmi.
Yao Hong's general Yao Hui abandoned Anding City and fled to Chang'an. Hu Yan and Hua Tao, along with fifty thousand households from Anding City, occupied Anding and surrendered to me. I appointed Hu Yan as an attendant and Hua Tao as the Minister of Works, allowing them to garrison Dongyanggou'er Town and assigning them five thousand Xianbei soldiers. Then I went on to attack Yao Hong's general Yao Chen. In Yong City, Yao Chen also fled to Chang'an. I continued to advance and reached near Meicheng. Yao Hong sent his general Yao Shao to stop me, so I retreated to Anding. Consequently, Hu Yan and the others turned against Gou'er, killing him and then surrendering the city back to Yao Hong. I withdrew to Xingcheng, chuckling to the ministers, "Liu Yu's attack on the Qin Kingdom was a simultaneous land and water assault, and Liu Yu also had a brilliant strategy. How could Yao Hong possibly hold out? Judging by the timing, terrain, and popular support, I’m confident I can defeat him. Besides, there is internal turmoil among his brothers; how could they possibly resist others? After Liu Yu takes Chang'an, he will definitely hurry back, which will allow my son and the soldiers to guard Guanzhong. Once Liu Yu leaves, capturing Guanzhong will be as easy as picking up a blade of grass, without the need for more troops." So we rested and reorganized the army. Shortly afterwards, I advanced again and occupied Anding. Yao Hong's garrison in Lingbei and the counties surrendered, so the entire Lingbei region belonged to me. After Liu Yu defeated Later Qin and entered Chang'an, he sent envoys to the Xia Emperor Helian Bobo, seeking to establish friendly relations and become brothers. Helian Bobo had the Minister of the Central Secretariat, Huangfu Hui, draft a reply letter, memorize it, dictate it to his secretary in front of Liu Yu's envoy, seal it, and send it back to Liu Yu. When Liu Yu read the letter, he thought it was exceptionally well-written. The envoy remarked that Helian Bobo appeared especially majestic and imposing, making Liu Yu sigh, "I can't compare to him!" Later, Helian Bobo returned to lead his troops, leaving his son Liu Yizhen to guard Chang'an, while he himself returned.
After hearing this, Helian Bobo was very happy and asked Wang Maidi, "I want to attack Chang'an, how should I do it?" Wang Maidi said, "Liu Yu destroyed the Qin Kingdom, but it was all chaos without bringing any good days to the people. The geographical location of Guanzhong is so advantageous, yet it is guarded by an incompetent child; this is not a long-term plan. Liu Yu is retreating in a hurry, wanting to seize the throne quickly and has no time to deal with the Central Plains. Your Majesty, you lead the righteous army, fighting against traitors; the people are eagerly awaiting your army's arrival to rescue them, waiting like they are looking at the stars and the moon. Qingni and Shangluo are essential passages for the Southern Army; you should send troops to guard and cut off their supply routes. Then block Tongguan, seal off Xiaoshan and Shanshan, and cut off their water and land transportation. Your Majesty, as long as you issue a decree to attack from Chang'an and proclaim your benevolence, the people of Guanzhong will welcome the army. Liu Yizhen is guarding an empty city alone; he won't be able to escape. Within ten days, he will surrender obediently; this is known as winning without bloodshed, turning the enemy's own strength against them!"
Helian Bobo agreed with Wang Maidi's plan and sent his son Helian Gui to lead 20,000 cavalry as vanguard, serving as Grand Marshal, heading south to attack Chang'an. At the same time, former general Helian Chang was stationed at Tongguan, appointing Wang Maidi as the Grand Marshal's Right Historian, responsible for cutting off the traffic line of Qingni; he himself led the army to follow. When Helian Gui arrived at Weiyang, he encountered frequent surrenders along the way. Liu Yizhen sent General Longxiang Shen Tianzi to resist, but he was defeated and retreated to Liu Huibao. Shen Tianzi had a poor relationship with Liu Yizhen's Sima, Wang Zhen'e, and took the opportunity to kill him when he left the city; Liu Yizhen then killed Shen Tianzi. Liu Yizhen called all the troops outside the city into the city and closed the gates and fortified the defenses. All the counties in Guanzhong surrendered. Helian Gui attempted a night assault on Chang'an but was unsuccessful in capturing it. Helian Bobo set up camp in Xianyang, effectively cutting off the supply of firewood to Chang'an.
After hearing this, Liu Yu was very afraid, so he summoned Liu Yizhen back from the eastern town of Luoyang, appointed Zhu Lingshi as the governor of Yongzhou, and continued to guard Chang'an. After Liu Yizhen carried out some plundering, he fled to Bashang. The people drove away Zhu Lingshi and welcomed Helian Bobo into Chang'an. Helian Gui led thirty thousand troops to chase Liu Yizhen; the Jin forces suffered a major defeat, and Liu Yizhen escaped alone. Wang Maide captured Jin Ning Shuo General Fu Hongzhi, Fu Guo General Kuai En, and Liu Yizhen's Sima Mao Xiuzhi in Qingni, even piling up their heads to make a trophy. So Helian Bobo held a feast in Chang'an to reward the soldiers, raised his glass to Wang Maide, and said, "The things you said before have all come true. You are truly a prophet! Even the gods of the ancestral temple and the country would surely thank you for your strategies! This glass of wine is for you!" So Helian Bobo appointed Wang Maide as the Minister of State, gave him the title of Champion General, and made him the Marquis of Heyang.
Helian Bobo captured Tongguan, where Cao Cao had stationed in the past, and captured Zhu Lingshi and General Longxiang Wang Jing, escorting them to Chang'an. The ministers advised him to proclaim himself emperor, but Bobo said, "I lack the ability to bring peace to these troubled times and cannot save the people. I have been in armor and helmet, waiting with a weapon for twelve years, yet the world remains divided, and the rebels are still rampant. I truly don't know how to answer to my ancestors! I plan to give up the throne, then return to my old home in the northern frontier, live quietly, play the qin, read books, and live out my old age. The title of emperor is not something a person of my character can bear!" After repeated requests from the ministers, he finally agreed.
Then, he set up an altar in Bashang, boldly declared himself emperor, granted amnesty to the world, and changed the era name to Changwu. He also dispatched General Chihouhou with twenty thousand troops to attack the Jin Dynasty's Governor of Bingzhou, Mao Dezhu, at Puban. Mao Dezhu fled to Luoyang, so Bobo appointed Chihouhou as the Governor of Bingzhou to defend Puban.
Bobo returned to Chang'an and sent someone to invite the hermit Wei Zusai from Jingzhao. After Wei Zusai arrived, he showed excessive respect and caution, which angered Bobo. Bobo said, "I invited you as a man of great talent, but you treated me with such an inappropriate attitude! You didn't pay respects to Yao Xing before; why do so for me now? I am not dead yet; you don't even treat me as an emperor. After I die, where do you plan to place me, you who only know how to manipulate words?" So Bobo killed Wei Zusai.
The ministers advised him to move the capital to Chang'an, but Bobo said, "Of course I know Chang'an is the capital of the emperors of the past, with its strategic location, easy to defend and hard to attack! But Jingzhou and Wudi are too far away to pose a threat. We are adjacent to Dong Wei, only a few hundred miles away from Tung Wan. If we move the capital to Chang'an, Tung Wan may not be able to hold. If I stay in Tung Wan, they will not dare to cross the river. You just didn't see this point!" The ministers all said, "We didn't consider these." So Bobo established the Nantai in Chang'an, appointed Gui as the Grand General and Governor of Yongzhou, and also managed the affairs of the Minister of Nantai.
Bobo returned to Tung Wan, the palace was finished, and he issued a general amnesty, changing the era name to Zhenxing. He inscribed stone monuments on the southern side of the capital, praising his own achievements, with the inscription as follows:
... (this is a poem couplet, the original text is quoted) ...
It is said that people of noble character can establish immortal achievements; those who accumulate virtues and do good deeds can enjoy endless blessings. In the times of Yao and Shun, the world suffered many disasters. Our ancestor Dayu, with his extraordinary abilities, stepped forward at a critical moment, opened the Longmen Pass, opened the Yique Pass, dredged the Three Rivers, managed the Nine Rivers, resolved great disasters, and saved the people from water and fire. His achievements can be compared to heaven and earth; his supernatural powers were immense, transcending the natural order. As a result, he was blessed by heaven and aided by divine spirits, abdicated, and laid the foundation of the Xia Dynasty. The Xia Dynasty lasted for twenty generations, lasting four hundred years, with wise monarchs and ministers who rose to power in succession, inheriting the achievements of Xia Yu. Their achievements are unmatched in history.
However, the ways of heaven are unpredictable, and sometimes dangerous situations may arise. Xia Jie was cruel and unjust, leading to the downfall of the Xia Dynasty, and the Shang Dynasty also declined as a result, causing the glory of the Xia Dynasty to wane, and the country's rule was interrupted. However, the prosperity of the Xia Dynasty did not end there; its blessings have endured through the ages. The descendants of the Xia Dynasty, some flourished in the southern deserts, while others established their homes in the north, with influence extending from the Kunlun Mountains in the west to the other side of the sea in the east. From the beginning of the Xia Dynasty until now, it has been over two thousand years. Although many dynasties have come and gone, with instances of usurpation and violence in the Qin and Yong states, and wars over land in the Zhou and Yu states, the descendants of the Xia Dynasty have consistently maintained peace in Youzhou and the northern regions, with the rulers always respected; the coastal areas have remained stable and peaceful, with the people living in peace and prosperity, without major upheavals.
Therefore, the descendants of the Xia Dynasty command an army exceeding one million; they are brave and skilled in battle, having repeatedly invaded the Qin and Zhao states, causing chaos in the Central Plains and leaving various vassal states in disarray. This situation has persisted for a long time. Thus, even if a small force is sent out, they can defeat the Zhou army in Jingyang; even a brief uprising can thwart the ambitions of the Han Dynasty's ancestors in Pingyang. Even those who inherit the legacy of the hegemon shine like the rising sun; even the brave heroes shine briefly like the moon in the night sky. Since the beginning of time, there has never been such a prosperous situation! If not for the Xia Dynasty's long rule and strong foundation, how could it have thrived and shone so brightly, growing even more prosperous after enduring hardships and becoming even more brilliant?! "A great virtue must establish an enduring legacy; accumulated blessings must enjoy endless fortune."
The emperor issued a command for conquest, and great success is on the horizon. The emperor was born to fulfill the mandate of heaven, to follow the will of heaven, to respond to the trend of the times, and to satisfy the desires of the people. The emperor personally visited Beijing, and his name echoed throughout the land; the emperor toured the entire country, and his reputation reached the four corners of the earth. At a time when warlords were vying for power and evil forces were rising, the emperor managed a multitude of affairs every day, governed diligently, strategized behind the scenes, achieved victories from afar, personally led the army, and was undefeated in battle. As a result, the accumulated wealth of three generations of the pretender Qin state was finally wiped out in the Guanzhong and Longxi regions; the people in the Heyuan region surrendered upon seeing the imperial flag, and the northern nomadic tribes submitted to the emperor's authority and paid tribute. The emperor's grace extended far and wide, intimidating rebels with his majesty, governing with both culture and military might, conducting sacrifices alongside military campaigns. Within five years, the social atmosphere greatly improved, and after seven years, the emperor's rule became even more solidified.
The emperor observed from afar the foundation laid by King Wen of Zhou for founding a country, surveyed the terrain up close, and ultimately selected a site to build the capital. The capital city was backed by famous mountains, faced a great river, had a crossing to the left and a dangerous pass to the right. The towering city walls blocked out the sunlight, reaching high into the clouds, stretching for thousands of miles like a heavenly lake. The city's geographical location was strategically advantageous, easy to defend and difficult to attack, surpassing Xianyang and more magnificent than Zhouluo. Following the ancient imperial ritual of sacrificing outside the city, the emperor perfected the sacrificial system of the seven temples, built the sacrificial altars for the Left and Right, held ceremonies at the Temple of Taiyi, and constructed palaces in the style of ancient imperial sleeping quarters. The lofty palaces were magnificent, the Lingzhao of Hualin Garden, the lofty palaces and hidden chambers, interconnected houses and corridors, wide roads and gardens, all arranged in magnificent order, like the Purple Star encircling the North Star, with Langfeng Terrace rising majestically above the land.
Officials and common people alike all believed that this imperial palace was grander in scale than the palaces of previous emperors. Therefore, the emperor enlisted extraordinary talents like Wang Er and skilled craftsmen like Ban Shu, gathered the finest wood from Denglin, collected exquisite jade from Mount Heng, and received contributions of gold, silver, and treasures from all over the country. The emperor personally participated in the design and construction, constructing a detached palace south of the terrace and an additional hall north of the Palace of Eternal Peace. The palace towered into the clouds, with a remarkably deep foundation, exquisitely carved black roof beams that arched like rainbows, and overhanging eaves like soaring eagles. After the completion of the interior and exterior of the palace, the imperial throne was positioned at the intersection of the five elements, the four corners of the palace were arranged, and the emperor's throne was also placed. The warm and cool sections of the palace harmonized beautifully, decorated with pearls and golden mirrors. Although sunlight shone in from outside, the palace's interior remained unaffected by the passage of day and night; although there were changes in yin and yang outside, there were no changes in temperature inside. Therefore, even the most observant individuals struggled to articulate its magnificence, and knowledgeable individuals could not fully comprehend its splendor. This was truly a miracle created by the divine, beyond the reach of human effort. If one were to seek a similar structure to compare it to, based on its appearance to speculate on its true nature, based on its materials to infer its name, its uniqueness defied description. Even the pagoda of the Tathagata Buddha on Mount Sumeru or the heavenly palace of Emperor Shakra in the Trayastrimsa Heaven paled in comparison, especially when it came to its decorations.
In the time of King Zhou Xuan, he liked to recite poetry and write essays in the study. Whenever there was a happy event in the palace, he would promptly summon musicians to compose songs of praise. Furthermore, our Taiwei Palace has just been completed, the capital has just been finished, and the system established by the Wenchang Emperor has just been put in place. Everything is beginning anew, with all the officials in order, envoys from all nations coming to court, and the common people are experiencing a broadening of their horizons. The world is celebrating this peaceful and prosperous era. How can we not compose music and sing songs, and have them engraved in gold and stone for future generations to cherish? Therefore, let us erect a monument to celebrate this prosperous era, so that the beauty of this era may be passed down through the ages, and the emperor's virtues will endure through time! The monument is written as follows:
"Ode to the Radiant Divine Blessings, matching Qian Bilong. Grand Yu, magnificent holy achievements. Benevolence embraced by the people, virtue reaching the mysterious sky. The emperor bestowed the jade scepter, showing humility and receiving the end. The sage king upheld the legacy, shining and explaining the distinguished wind. The path is not always smooth, and sometimes the numbers do not compete. The golden essence moves south, and the heavenly light reflects north. The divine blessings are flourishing, the world's leaves are flourishing. Only ancestors and fathers, broadening and resting in peace. Like the sun and moon, connecting light and reflecting mirrors. Mysterious symbols and auspicious virtues, the cycle of heaven returns. The birth bell rings for me, the dragon flies according to the map. Majestic and martial, expansive and holy figure. The reputation spreads internally, and the demons are expelled externally. The transformation illuminates the four directions, the power pervades all realms. The system of the capital, the king always follows. Extending the land, establishing the imperial capital. The land flourishes in glorious shape, common people come, and it is completed in no time. The grand platform rises high, the beautiful pavilion in the clouds. Thousands of pavilions in every corner, ten thousand pavilions connecting the screens. Bright as the dawn, shining like the stars. The separate palace has been constructed, separate buildings and clouds are scattered. Constructing the lofty Ming, looking up to the heavenly rites. Hanging bells in the wind, flying carriages and descending clouds. The warm halls rise majestically, the layered city is uneven. The pillars are carved with mythical beasts, the joints are engraved with dragons. Adorned with precious gems, decorated with rare wonders. Praised for their virtues, their names are elevated by their deeds. Great is the imperial family, magnificent are their achievements! The noble spiritual realm, the beauty is still endless. Following the tracks of the past, leaving behind the hegemony. Passing on for eternity, shining for countless generations."
The meaning of this inscription is that our royal fortune is thriving, in harmony with heaven and earth! Just think about the monumental achievements of Yu the Great in controlling the floods! The emperor is kind and loves the people, his benevolence extends across the land, his virtues are noble, reaching up to the heavens! The emperor inherited the abdication system of Yao and Shun, carrying forward the excellent traditions of our ancestors. While the will of heaven can be unpredictable at times, our country continues to prosper and thrive. Our ancestors were diligent in governance and loved the people, which is why they were able to make the country stronger and stronger, shining like the sun and moon, their brilliance everlasting! Heaven has favored our emperor, fulfilling the prophecy of the dragon soaring through the skies. The emperor is wise and martial, with a grand demeanor, enacting benevolent policies and eradicating all evil, his blessings spreading across the four seas, his reputation far and wide! Building a capital city has been a common practice among emperors throughout history, and now we have also built this magnificent imperial capital, boasting superior geography and favorable conditions, the people working together, it was completed in no time! The palaces tower into the clouds, the pavilions and towers are breathtakingly beautiful, a multitude of palaces interconnected, magnificent and splendid, like the morning sun, shining like stars in the night sky! Not only is the main palace magnificent, but each of the other palaces has its own unique features, built according to celestial laws, with flying eaves and towering corners, majestic and grand, lavishly adorned with precious gems and treasures, truly deserving of its name! The greatness of the royal family and their remarkable achievements make this imperial city even more glorious! The magnificence of this imperial city will be remembered for generations, surpassing even the legendary Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors, setting an example for future emperors, ensuring that the brilliance of this prosperous era shines on for generations to come!
Hu Yizhou named the palace of Helian Bobo as follows: the south gate is called Chaosong Gate, the east gate is called Zhaowei Gate, the west gate is called Fuliang Gate, and the north gate is called Pingshuo Gate. He also honored Helian Bobo's ancestors: his great-grandfather Xun'er was named Emperor Yuan, his grandfather Wu was named Emperor Jing, his grandfather Baozi was named Emperor Xuan, and his father Wei Chen was named Emperor Huan with the temple name Taizu; his mother, Lady Fu, was named Empress Huanwen.
Helian Bobo was born fierce and violent, especially fond of killing, lacking any sense of righteousness or morality. He often sat on the city wall with a bow and arrow by his side, ready to kill at the slightest provocation. If ministers dared to meet his gaze in a way he found displeasing, he would blind them; if they dared to smile at him, he would slice off their lips; if they dared to advise him, he would accuse them of treason, cut off their tongues, and then behead them. The common people lived in constant fear, making their lives unbearable. He ruled as emperor for thirteen years, then abdicated in favor of Emperor Wen of Song, Liu Yilong, and died in the second year of Song Yuanjia. His son Helian Chang inherited the throne but was captured by Northern Wei shortly after. His brother Helian Ding declared himself emperor in Pingliang but was also overthrown by Northern Wei. It took only twenty-six years from Helian Bobo to Helian Ding for their dynasty to fall.
The historical records say: Helian Bobo is a descendant of the Xiongnu, inhabiting the frontier regions. At that time, the Central Plains dynasty was in a period of division, and he seized the opportunity to incite chaos, take up arms, and seize the Shuofang region. He imitated the institutions of the Central Plains dynasty to build palaces, construct ancestral temples, and usurp the titles of the former kings, continuing to use the rituals and systems of the Central Plains, compelling talented individuals to serve him, attempting to unify the country. It must be said that he was indeed very talented, remarkable in demeanor and striking in appearance. Yao Xing held him in high regard upon meeting him, and Emperor Wen of the Song Dynasty, Liu Yu, was also shocked to hear about him. Could such a genius truly have emerged from the Yinshan Mountains? Otherwise, how could there be such a figure? Although he was outstanding in talent, his brutal nature remained unchanged. He covered up his faults, rejected others' advice, and ruthlessly killed courtiers, creating panic in the court, leaving loyal ministers and generals mute. His downfall was already inevitable, and even his son suffered the same fate, which cannot simply be attributed to bad luck.
Praise: A descendant of purity, a king among names. Howling like a dragon, stirring up strife.
Though wielding divine artifacts, still deemed a perilous force.
Juqu Mengxun is a descendant of the Hu people from the area near Lushui in Linsong. His ancestors were the Left Juqu of the Xiongnu, and thus he adopted his official title as his surname. Mengxun is a well-read and knowledgeable person, with extensive knowledge and a bit of understanding of astronomy. He is a person of great talent and cunning. Liang Xi and Lu Guang both find him impressive and somewhat fear him, so Mengxun often indulges in drinking and merrymaking, intentionally hiding his true abilities.
One day, his uncle Luo Qiu and Qu Zhou followed Lu Guang to fight in Henan, but the vanguard troops under Lu Guang suffered a crushing defeat. Qu Zhou said to his brother Luo Qiu, "Our master has become old, confused, arrogant, and overbearing. His sons are fighting each other, and those treacherous officials are watching us all the time. Now that the army has lost the battle, and it’s easy for capable and courageous individuals to attract suspicion. Can we not be afraid? Lu Guang usually fears us. Instead of waiting for death, why not lead our soldiers west to catch him off guard, shout rebellion, and easily take Liangzhou?" Luo Qiu said, "You make sense, but our family has been loyal for generations and is deeply respected by the local people. We would rather be wronged by others than wrong others." Ultimately, both brothers met their end at the hands of Lu Guang.
Tens of thousands of relatives and friends gathered to pay their respects at the funeral of Luo Qiu and Qu Zhou. Mengxun wept before the crowd, "Back in the weakened days of the Han Dynasty, my ancestors helped Dou Rong defend the safety of the Hexi region. Now Lu Guang is incompetent and cruel, how can we not carry on our ancestors' legacy to bring stability to the world and avenge our two uncles?" Everyone shouted in unison.
Therefore, Meng Xun executed Ma Sui, the Zhongtian Guard of Lu Guang, and Jing Xiang, the magistrate of Linsong County, to pledge their loyalty. Within ten days, he gathered more than 10,000 troops. They occupied Jinshan and supported Meng Xun's cousin Nancheng in nominating Duan Ye as the Governor, Grand Commander, Dragon Cavalry General, Governor of Liangzhou, and Duke of Jiankang. They changed the Longfei era of Lu Guang to the Shensi era. Duan Ye appointed Meng Xun as the Governor of Zhangye and Nancheng as the Assistant General, entrusting all military and state affairs to the two brothers.
Duan Ye planned to send Meng Xun to attack Xijun, which everyone thought was unreliable. Meng Xun said, "We must take Xijun, which is blocking the mountain pass." Duan Ye agreed and sent Meng Xun. Meng Xun used water to flood the city, causing the walls to collapse, and captured the prefect Lu Chun. Wang De surrendered Jinchang, and Meng Min surrendered Dunhuang to Duan Ye. Duan Ye conferred the title of Marquis of Linchi upon Meng Xun.
Lu Hong fled from Zhangye to the east, and Duan Ye considered whether he should pursue him. Meng Xun advised him, "There are rules in war. Don't chase the retreating enemy too closely, especially not those who are desperate. Let him go and deal with him later." Duan Ye said, "If we let the enemy escape today, we will regret it in the future!" As a result, he pursued Lu Hong and suffered a crushing defeat. Duan Ye escaped with the help of Meng Xun and lamented, "I should have heeded the advice of strategists like Zhang Liang. Now I am in this situation."
Later, Duan Ye built Xi'an City and appointed his general Zang Mohai as the governor. Meng Xun commented, "Zang Mohai is brave but lacks common sense. He only knows how to charge forward without considering retreat. Building a city for him is akin to constructing his own tomb." Duan Ye did not listen to him. Shortly after, he was defeated by Lu Zuan. Meng Xun feared that Duan Ye would not tolerate him, so he maintained a low profile and sought to avoid direct confrontations with Duan Ye.
Duan Ye later declared himself king, self-proclaimed King of Liang, appointing Meng Xun as the Left Minister and Liang Zhongyong as the Right Minister. Lv Guang sent his two sons, Lv Shao and Lv Zuan, to attack Duan Ye. Duan Ye sought assistance from Tuoba Wugu, who sent his brother Lu Gu and Yang Gui to assist. Lv Shao saw that Duan Ye's side had strong troops and horses, so he planned to take the mountain route from the east to flank Sanmen Pass. Lv Zuan said, "Bypassing the mountain road will make us look weak; we're bound to lose! It's better to establish a solid defense and hold our ground; they will be afraid to attack us easily." Lv Shao then led his troops south. Duan Ye braced for battle, and Meng Xun cautioned, "Yang Gui relies on the powerful Xianbei cavalry and has other intentions! Lv Shao and Lv Zuan's troops are already at a disadvantage and will definitely fight to survive. Not engaging in battle is as stable as Mount Tai; fighting is as dangerous as a stacked egg!" Duan Ye agreed and decided not to engage in battle. Lv Shao also found it difficult, so both sides withdrew their troops. Duan Ye was particularly afraid of Meng Xun and wanted to keep him at a distance. He arranged for Meng Xun's uncle, Yi Sheng, to be the Prefect of Jiuquan, while Meng Xun himself was sent to be the Prefect of Linchi. Duan Ye had a secretary named Ma Quan, who was talented and had exceptional military skills. Duan Ye placed great trust in him while often looking down on Meng Xun. Meng Xun felt both fear and resentment, so he secretly reported to Duan Ye, "There is nothing to worry about in the world; you should be wary of Ma Quan!" Upon hearing this, Duan Ye went so far as to kill Ma Quan.
Meng Xun said to his son Cheng, "Duan Ye is both foolish and inept, not at all the right person to restore order in these chaotic times. He only trusts rumors, prefers sycophants, and has no judgment whatsoever. He is most afraid of Suo Si and Ma Quan, and now that both of them are dead, I want to get rid of Duan Ye to assist my brother. What do you think?" His son Cheng replied, "Duan Ye is now alone. Our current status has been achieved through our own efforts. With the two of us brothers together, everyone supports us like fish need water. Betraying him now is not a good sign." So Meng Xun dismissed the idea.
Meng Xun, who was always feared by Duan Ye, felt uneasy and requested a transfer to Xi'an to serve as prefect. Duan Ye, fearing Meng Xun's ambition and potential rebellion, agreed to his request.
Meng Xun and Cheng planned to go to Lanmen Mountain for a sacrifice. Meng Xun secretly sent Sima Xuxian to inform Duan Ye, "Cheng intends to rebel. He is using the sacrifice at Lanmen Mountain as a cover for his true intentions. If they actually go to Lanmen Mountain for the sacrifice, what I said will prove true." Sure enough, on that day, as expected, Cheng and Meng Xun went to Lanmen Mountain together. Duan Ye captured Cheng and ordered him to take his own life.
Cheng said, "Meng Xun intends to rebel; he had already told me before, but because of our brotherly bond, I endured and didn't say anything. Now that I am alive, my subordinates may not listen to me, so I invited him to the sacrifice to set him up. If I die today, Meng Xun will rebel tomorrow night. Please pretend to believe I'm dead, spread news of my crimes, and Meng Xun will definitely rebel. By then, I can put on armor and lead the troops to defeat him, and things will surely be resolved smoothly." But Duan Ye refused to believe him.
Meng Xun heard that Nan Cheng had died, weeping and saying to everyone, "Nan Cheng was loyal to Duke Duan but was tragically killed. Can you all help me seek revenge? Also, the state is in chaos now, and Duke Ye may not be able to control the situation. I initially followed him because I regarded him as a hero akin to Chen Sheng and Wu Guang, but I didn't expect him to believe slander, be suspicious, and vainly kill loyal people. How can we stand by while the people suffer?" Nan Cheng was known for his kindness, and everyone cried with sorrow and indignation, responding to Meng Xun one after another. By the time they arrived at Di Chi, the army had grown to over ten thousand. Zang Mohai, the town commander, also led his subordinates to join Meng Xun, and the Qiang and Hu people also rose up in response. Meng Xun camped at Houwu. Duke Ye initially suspected his right-hand general Tian Ang, imprisoned him, and then apologized and pardoned him, sending him to attack Meng Xun with other warriors like Liang Zhongyong. Duke Ye's general Wang Fengsun said to him, "The Tian family of Xiping has always been rebellious. Tian Ang appears respectful but is actually cruel, ambitious, dangerous, and cannot be trusted!" Duke Ye replied, "I've suspected him for a long time, but besides Tian Ang, I have no one else to go after Meng Xun." Wang Fengsun's suggestion was not adopted, and after Tian Ang arrived at Houwu, he led five hundred cavalry to join Meng Xun. When Meng Xun arrived at Zhangye, Tian Cheng'ai, Tian Ang's nephew, opened the city gates to welcome him, and Duke Ye's soldiers scattered. Meng Xun shouted loudly, "Where is the General of the West?" The soldiers replied, "Here!" Duke Ye said, "I stand alone, cast out by the powerful, and can only ask you to spare my life, let me escape to Lingnan; perhaps I can rise again and be reunited with my family." With that, Meng Xun executed Duke Ye.
Lao Meng, a native of Jingzhao, was well-read and skilled at writing articles. He had served as Du Jin's secretary and had even been to the frontier with him. He was an upright person, an old-school scholar with no political acumen, and was lenient in managing his subordinates, who often acted on their own. He was particularly superstitious about divination, prophecies, witchcraft, and various signs of good and bad luck, making him easily manipulated by unscrupulous individuals.
In the fifth year of the Long'an era, Liang Zhongyong, Fang Gui, Tian Ang, and others supported Meng Xun as the Commissioner, Grand Commander, Grand General, Governor of Liangzhou, and Duke of Zhangye. They also declared amnesty in the areas under his jurisdiction and changed the era name to Yong'an. He appointed his cousin Funu as General of the Guard, Prefect of Zhangye, and Marquis of Peace, his younger brother Meng Nuo as General of Loyalty, Marquis of Dugu, Tian Ang as General of the South, Prefect of Xijun, Zang Mohai as General of the State, and Fang Gui and Liang Zhongyong as Chief Historians, with Zhang Zhi and Xie Zhengli serving as Chief Marshals. This wave of appointments was well-received by both civil and military officials, all of whom were highly capable.
At that time, Yao Xing dispatched General Yao Shuode to attack Lv Long; the battle took place in Guzang. Meng Xun sent Li Dian, a junior officer, to contact Yao Xing, seeking to negotiate. Meng Xun thought that Lv Long had already surrendered to Yao Xing, and the counties of Jiuquan and Liangning had also rebelled and joined Li Xuansheng. Therefore, he sent General Jianzhong Meng Nuo and Chief Clerk Zhang Qian of the administrative office to Guzang to see Yao Shuode, requesting Yao Xing to send troops to escort them and take the county’s people to migrate east together. Yao Shuode was very happy, so he appointed Zhang Qian as the Prefect of Zhangye and Meng Nuo as the Prefect of Jiankang. Zhang Qian advised Meng Xun to move east quickly. Meng Nuo privately advised Meng Xun, "Lv Long's forces are still intact, Guzang city has not been taken, Yao Shuode's food is running out, and he can't hold on for long. Why leave your homeland and be subject to others?" Deputy General Mo Hai agreed, "Jianzhong is right!" After hearing this, Meng Xun executed Zhang Qian and then issued an order, saying, "My abilities are limited, but I have been fortunate to serve in this position. I have not been able to revitalize the country, suppress rebellions, and have allowed the enemy to run rampant in the capital like pests and in the west like wild boars. War is constant, the people are not at peace, the farming season has been disrupted, and the common people cannot eat. Now we should abolish all kinds of corvee, let everyone focus on farming, formulate various rules and regulations, and make full use of land resources." It is said that Liang Zhongyong became the Prefect of Xijun and then went to Li Xuansheng. Meng Xun heard about this, laughed, and said, "I have a deep friendship with Zhongyong, but he actually doesn't believe me and only seeks his own abilities. That's not surprising!" After that, he sent Zhongyong's entire family back.
Meng Xun issued an order, saying: "Emperor Jin Wen listened to the opinions of the common folk, which is why he attracted so many outstanding talents and governed the country so well. Besides, I have a shallow character and limited knowledge. How can I not humbly listen to various opinions to reflect on my actions? All officials must actively seek and recommend outstanding talents, gather a wide range of opinions, to help me make up for my shortcomings."
Then, Meng Xun sent General Zang Mohai to attack the mountain bandits in the north, achieving a great victory. General Qinan, sent by Yao Xing, led forty thousand troops to meet Lu Long. Lu Long advised Qinan to attack Meng Xun, but Qinan did not listen. As a result, Mohai defeated Qinan's vanguard, and Qinan had no choice but to ally with Meng Xun and return.
Meng Xun's uncle, the Chief Military Officer Zhongtian, and his confidant, Prefect Kong Du of Linsong, were arrogant and extravagant, making life unbearable for the common folk. Meng Xun said: "It is these two uncles who are causing trouble in my country. How can they manage the people well!" So he ordered them to take their own lives.
Meng Xun attacked Di Luopan in Fanhe but failed, so he relocated over five hundred households from Di Luopan before returning. Yao Xing sent Liang Fei and Zhang Gou to deliver an official position to Meng Xun, appointing him as Grand General of the West, Inspector of Shazhou, and Marquis of Xihai. At the same time, Yao Xing also appointed Tufa Nutan as General of Chariots and Cavalry, Duke of Guangwu. Meng Xun was quite upset when he heard this, and said to Liang Fei and the others: "Tufa Nutan was only given the title of Duke, while I was only appointed as a Marquis. What’s the deal with that?"
Zhang Guo replied, "Tufa Natan is superficial and cunning, lacks a sense of benevolence and righteousness, and his sincerity towards the court is not very apparent. The court granted him such a high title to recognize his loyalty and to demonstrate its grace. General, you are steadfast and have made great contributions. You should enter the core of the court and assist the emperor. How could the court not trust you? Court titles should reflect achievements, and positions should align with virtues. Look at Yin Wei and Yao Chao; when they first made achievements, generals like Qi Nan and Xu Luo were only at the second rank, with titles only up to marquis. Your achievements far surpass theirs; why, then, is your rank lower? Dou Rong is so humble that he doesn’t wish to outshine the elder officials. Why are you suddenly asking about this?"
Meng Xun also said, "Why didn’t the court directly bestow a title on me in Zhangye, but instead had to travel so far to bestow me in the Western Sea?" Zhang Guo explained, "Zhangye is within the court's planning range, and you already own it. The court bestows the Western Sea upon you to expand your territory." Meng Xun was very happy to hear this and accepted the reward.
At that time, there was an earthquake; mountains collapsed and trees were broken. The Grand Historian Liu Liang told Meng Xun, "Xinyou is metal. The earthquake occurred in metal, and metal restrains wood. If the army moves east, it may not go smoothly." At that time, strange lights frequently appeared in Zhangye City, but Meng Xun said, "This is a sign that the royal aura is coming into being, a sign that we shall achieve victory in every battle!" So he led his troops to attack Yang Tong, the Prefect of Tufa West County, at Rile. Yang Tong surrendered, and Meng Xun appointed him as the Right Chief Historian, rewarding him generously, even more than those veteran officials.
The Prefect of Zhangye, Ju Hule, fled and sought refuge in Xiliang. He appointed his brother Chengdu to be the Prefect of Jinshan, and Chengdu's mother was Luo Qiu; he also appointed Shan as the Prefect of Xijun, and Shan's mother was Qu Zhou. Later, when Ju Hule returned from Xiliang, Meng Xun treated him just as he had before.
Meng Xun led twenty thousand cavalry troops on an eastern expedition, encamped at Danling. The northern leader, Si Pan, led three thousand men to surrender to him.
Two trees whose branches are intertwined grew in Yong'an. County magistrate Zhang Pi reported: "Different branches on the same trunk, suggesting harmony from distant lands; different roots growing together, symbolizing unity from top to bottom." This signifies a peaceful world and a good omen for the people.
Meng Xun humbly said, "These are the results of the diligent and benevolent governance of the two-thousand-stone officials, not something my meager virtue could inspire!" He did not dare to take credit and attributed the success to the responsible officials.
Meng Xun led thirty thousand infantry and cavalry to attack Tu Fa Lu Tan, and the army camped in Xijun. Suddenly, a strong wind blew in from the northwest, with colorful auspicious light appearing in the wind. In no time, the sky darkened. This strange phenomenon frightened everyone, indicating that the battle would not go well. Later, Meng Xun resettled thousands of households in Xianmei territory and withdrew his troops. The battle felt inexplicable, as if the will of heaven was beyond comprehension.
Tu Fa Lu Tan caught up with Meng Xun and chased him to Qiongquan, where Meng Xun prepared himself to fight. His subordinates advised, "The enemy has already set up camp; we shouldn't attack recklessly!" Meng Xun replied, "Lu Tan must think we are exhausted from the long journey and will underestimate us. Their camp is not yet fully established; now is the ideal moment for us to defeat them!" Meng Xun then ordered an attack, defeating the enemy, pursuing them to Guzang, and subduing countless people from both the Hu and Han ethnic groups. The battle was fought brilliantly, gaining unstoppable momentum!
Nuo Tan was afraid, sought reconciliation, and Meng Xun agreed, then returned to court. Unexpectedly, after Nuo Tan fled south to Ledu, the Wei'an man Jiao Lang actually declared himself king in Guzang. Meng Xun then led thirty thousand infantry and cavalry to attack Jiao Lang. After capturing Guzang, he pardoned Jiao Lang. Meng Xun hosted a banquet at Qian Guang Palace to entertain officials and soldiers, rewarding them with gold horses of varying ranks. Because Zhang Mubo was knowledgeable in history and literature, Meng Xun promoted him to be the Minister of the Central Secretariat, entrusting him with significant responsibilities. He also appointed Zhang Mubo's brother, Zhang Nuo, as the Protector of Qiang, Inspector of Qinzhou, and Marquis of Anping, stationed in Guzang. Unfortunately, Zhang Nuo died not long after. Meng Xun then appointed Zhang Mubo's cousin, Zhang Yizi, as General of the Capital, Protector of Qiang, Inspector of Qinzhou, stationed in Guzang. This was truly a case of some families rejoicing while others mourned! Not long after, Meng Xun moved to Guzang, declared himself emperor in the eighth year of the Yixi era, proclaiming himself the King of Hexi, granting amnesty throughout the territory, and changing the era name to Xuanshi. He imitated the practices of Lü Guang when he was the King of Sanhe, establishing bureaucratic institutions, renovating palaces, constructing city gates, and various other buildings. He also appointed his son Meng Zhengde as Crown Prince, and bestowed upon him the titles of Grand General of the Guards and Recorder of the Imperial Library. Thus, this King of Hexi had officially ascended the throne! Nuo Tan led troops to attack, but Meng Xun defeated him at Ruohouwu. Meanwhile, the Prefect of Huanghe, Wenzhi, occupied Huangchuan, and General Cheng Yihou surrendered to Meng Xun. Meng Xun then appointed Wenzhi as Grand General of the East, Prefect of Guangwu, Marquis of Zhenwu, and Cheng Yihou was appointed as General of Zhenwei, Prefect of Huangchuan, while General Wang Jian was appointed as the Prefect of Huanghe.
Meng Xun wrote in a letter: "In ancient times, those wise kings who were able to restore order all first pacified the four corners before implementing good customs. Although I am not capable of pacifying rebellions, my duty is to save the people, while the cunning Nü Tan occupies the old capital and oppresses the people. The slaughter in Dongyuan is even more brutal than the Battle of Changping; the chaos at the borders is more serious than the invasions of the Xiongnu. Whenever I think of the innocent people suffering, I can't eat or sleep in peace; I put on my armor and helmet and travel through the dust. Although I have captured his stronghold, he still refuses to surrender. Nü Tan's brother, Wen Zhi, following the example of Xiang Bo, has occupied important cities and seeks to submit. From Xiping to the south, all cities have surrendered one after another. Only this evil and ruthless fiend Nü Tan remains entrenched in Ledian. Surrounded on all sides, how much longer can he hold out? The time is right, the opportunity is ripe, and we will soon pacify the rebellion and let the people live in peace. Spread this news to everyone so they all know."
Meng Xun sent troops advancing westward like vines, with the champion general Fu En leading ten thousand cavalry to attack the Beihé and Wūtí minority tribes, achieving a resounding victory and capturing more than two thousand enemies. While Meng Xun was resting in Xintai, the eunuch Wang Huaizu launched an attack, injuring his foot. Meng Xun's wife, Lady Meng, caught Wang Huaizu and killed him, wiping out his entire clan.
Meng Xun's mother, Madam Che, became seriously ill. Meng Xun went up to Nanjing Gate, distributing money to reward the people. He wrote a letter saying, "I depend on the spirits of our ancestors and the blessings of heaven and earth to turn the tide and rescue the people from danger, and I hope to eliminate evil and bless the people with peace. However, the Empress Dowager is gravely ill, and her condition is deteriorating. Could this be due to unjust punishments and the grievances of the people? Are the heavy taxes and labor burdens too much for the people to bear? Are the incompetent officials in the court responsible for the disasters befalling us? I have reflected deeply on my actions, unsure of what mistakes I might have made. Therefore, I declare a general amnesty, pardoning all crimes except for those punishable by death." Not long after, Madam Che passed away. Meng Xun dispatched his generals to transport grain along the Huang River, while he personally led the army to seize Guangwu County from Qifu Chipan. Due to delays in grain transport, he traveled from Guangwu County to the Huang River and crossed the Haoli River. Qifu Chipan sent his general, Qifu Tuniyin, to intercept Meng Xun, but was ultimately defeated and killed. Qifu Chipan then sent generals Wang Heng, Zhe Fei, and Qu Jing to lead ten thousand cavalry to occupy Lejie Ridge. Meng Xun pressed forward, fighting and defeating them, capturing more than seven hundred soldiers, including Zhe Fei, while Qu Jing escaped. Meng Xun appointed his brother Meng Hanping as General of the Zhe Chong and Prefect of the Huang River before he withdrew his troops.
During the Jin Dynasty, the Governor of Yizhou, Zhu Lingshi, sent envoys to contact Meng Xun. Meng Xun sent his retainer, Huang Xun, to visit Yizhou and also submitted a memorial to the court, saying: "Calamities have befallen the people, the world is in chaos; only the south still has a glimmer of hope, and the common people suffer under the oppression of foreign forces. Your Majesty, you have inherited the legacy of your ancestors; your civil and military accomplishments surpass those of both the Zhou and Han Dynasties, and your benevolence and grace extend throughout the realm. Although I am just a barbarian from the borderlands and I am not particularly talented, I was accidentally chosen as the leader by the people of Hexi. My ancestors have always received the grace of the emperor; even though they have experienced many dangers, they have always remained loyal to the court, just like the loyal figures Boyi and Shuqi, always thinking of the court. Last winter, the Governor of Yizhou, Zhu Lingshi, sent envoys to see me, which informed me about the situation at court. I heard that General Liu Yu is actively preparing for war, ready to recover the Central Plains; this is indeed a blessing for the Great Jin Dynasty, and Your Majesty has also received wise assistance. I have heard that both Shao Kang's restoration of the Xia Dynasty and Emperor Guangwu's restoration of the Han Dynasty began from humble beginnings and eventually achieved success, leaving behind poems and songs such as 'Chariot Attack' to praise them. Your Majesty currently occupies the entire Chu region, with elite troops from both Jingzhou and Yangzhou; why remain complacent, allowing the two capitals to fall into enemy hands? If the court's army can advance north, there is hope of recovering lost territories. I am willing to lead the Hexi troops as the vanguard of Great Jin's right wing."
Chipan led an army of 30,000 to attack Huanghe. Han Ping fought fiercely and sent Sima Weiren to sneak attack Chipan at night, managing to behead hundreds of enemy soldiers. Chipan, seeing that he couldn't win, decided to retreat, prioritizing the evacuation of the elderly and weak soldiers first. Han Ping's Chief of Staff, Jiao Chang, and General Duan Jing secretly advised him to surrender, but Chipan launched another attack on Han Ping. After listening to Jiao Chang and Duan Jing, Han Ping bound himself and surrendered. Weiren and over a hundred soldiers held the south gate tower for three days without coming down. Eventually, they were captured by Chipan due to being outnumbered. Chipan was very angry and wanted to kill Weiren. Duan Hui swiftly intervened, arguing, "Weiren fought valiantly in a crucial moment, showing no fear of death. This is a testament to his loyalty and righteousness! He should be spared to inspire others to be loyal to the court." Chipan then took Weiren back. Weiren stayed with Chipan for five years, with Duan Hui advocating for him repeatedly before finally allowing him to return to Guzang. Upon his return, Meng Xun grasped his hand and said, "You are truly my Su Wu!" and appointed him as the Governor of Gaochang Province. He was respected in his position and loved by the people, though he had a penchant for greed. Meng Xun traveled west to Jinshan to perform sacrifices and sent Juqu Guangzong with 10,000 cavalry to attack the Wuti tribe, and returned victorious. Meng Xun then continued west to Tiaodou, dispatching General Juqu Chengdu with 5,000 cavalry to assault the Beihe tribe. Meng Xun himself led the way with 30,000 troops, and the Beihe tribe ultimately surrendered. They then traveled west along the coast to Yanchi to pay homage at the Temple of the Queen Mother of the West. Inside the temple hung a painting titled "Mysterious Stone God." Meng Xun commissioned Zhang Mu, the Deputy Minister of the Central Secretariat, to write a poem that was then engraved at the temple entrance before he returned to Jinshan.
Meng Xun issued an edict saying, "It has been dry since spring, and the crops have all withered. The lush green fields have suddenly turned into dry land. Is my law unjust, with false accusations and wrongful cases below? Is the corvée too heavy, the taxes too high, angering the heavens? I have many shortcomings; it is all my fault. As the Book of Documents states, 'If the people make mistakes, the responsibility lies with me alone.' Therefore, from now on, except for capital punishment, all criminals are pardoned!" The next day, a heavy rain fell.
Meng Xun heard that Liu Yu had defeated Yao Hong, and he was furious. There was a doorkeeper named Liu Xiang under him, who was discussing matters with Meng Xun, and Meng Xun directly said, "You dare to talk in front of me even after hearing that Liu Yu has crossed the pass!" And he killed Liu Xiang. He was known for his violent temper. Then he said to those around him, "In ancient times, they never attacked the local lords during battles. The Yao clan are descendants of Emperor Shun and descendants of the Yellow Emperor! Now the town is under the protection of Xuanyuan, but Liu Yu has destroyed them, and he will not be able to hold onto Guanzhong for long."
Meng Xun was defeated by Li Shiye in Xianzhijian, and then gathered his scattered troops to regroup for another battle. At this time, the former general Chengdu stepped forward to advise him, saying, "I heard that the founding emperor was defeated in Pengcheng back in the day, but ultimately, he established the Great Han Dynasty. You should quickly pull back your troops and carefully consider your future plans." Meng Xun listened and returned to Jiankang City.
His subordinates presented him with a memorial, roughly stating: "Establishing official positions and allocating responsibilities is for the governance of the country and the stability of society; only by diligently and responsibly fulfilling their duties can state affairs be orderly. Officials should wholeheartedly serve the public and fulfill their duties; once assigned a task, one should selflessly complete it. Since the court has been in turmoil and wars have broken out, everyone has been busy rebuilding their homes and have neglected to follow the old rules. However, many courtiers are now violating the system and not abiding by the laws; some official documents are piled up on the imperial desk while the officials are napping at home; some matters that clearly need attention are being ignored. Up to now, the court's system of rewards and punishments has become practically meaningless; various opinions and suggestions have been suppressed, good and bad people are blended together, everyone has lost their drive and is just trying to get through each day. What happened to the ideals of selflessness and loyalty to the court? Now that the imperial favor is abundant and the world is at peace, it is time to reform the regulations and restore the old system." Mong Xun adopted this suggestion and ordered General Yao Ai and Secretary Fang Gui to draft court regulations. After a few days of implementation, all civil and military officials became more disciplined.
The Chief Historian, Zhang Yan, told Mong Xun, "There will be a battle on the west side of Linze City this year." Mong Xun then sent his son Zhengde to station troops at Ruohouwu.
When Mong Xun arrived at Bai'an, he said to Zhang Yan, "I expect to accomplish something significant this year, but this year, the Grand Duke is in Shen, and so is the Month Builder. Now isn't the right time to go west. Let's first go south to inspect; wait for them to submit on their own; we need to act as the hosts, not the guests, in order to comply with the will of heaven. Plans should be adaptable, and keep them under wraps." So he attacked Haowei, but a snake was coiled in front of the camp. Mong Xun laughed and said, "It used to be soaring snakes; now it is coiled in front of my tent. This is a heavenly sign for me to pull back and first capture Jiuquan." So he burned the siege equipment and withdrew, stationed at Chuanyan.
It is said that Li Shiye is recruiting troops to attack Zhangye. Meng Xun said, "He took the bait. But I'm worried that if he catches wind of our troop withdrawal, he won't have the guts to show up. In warfare, the most important thing is to adapt to changing circumstances." So he issued a statement to the western territories, claiming that he had captured Haowei and was preparing to attack Huanggu. Li Shiye was thrilled to hear this, so he led his troops into Dudu Gully. Meng Xun secretly led his troops to ambush, defeated Li Shiye at Bad City, and then captured Jiuquan. The people enjoyed peace and prosperity, with no disturbances caused by the military. He appointed his son Mao Qian as the prefect of Jiuquan, and Li Shiye's former subordinates were appointed according to their skills.
Meng Xun proclaimed himself governor in the fifth year of the Yong'an reign of Emperor An of Eastern Jin, and declared himself emperor in the eighth year of the Yixi era. Eight years later, the Song dynasty took over, and he passed away in the tenth year of the Yuanjia era at the age of sixty-six, having reigned for thirty-three years. His son Mao Qian succeeded him but was captured by the Wei Kingdom six years later, resulting in the fall of the Meng Xun family's power after thirty-nine years.
Historical records state: Meng Xun hailed from a backwater, yet became a major player in the border regions. He experienced the betrayal of the court by Lu Guang, nursing a grudge against his enemies. He supported Duan Ye to save the situation at that time, following the examples set by Eastern Wu and the Chen dynasty. He recruited troops at Baijian, sought peace with Nanliang; he marched to Danling, and the enemies in the north all surrendered. However, he was ruthless in pursuit of personal gain, ultimately leading to the ruin of his family. Although he could control a region, he also possessed various evil qualities.
Praise: Spotting talents, yet fearing the capable. Partying and hiding one's smarts, masking true intentions. Satisfying wicked desires, bragging about false accomplishments. Playing cunning games, competing fiercely in today's world.
Murong Chao, known as Zuming, is the son of Murong De, the King of Beihai. After Fu Jian captured the city of Ye, he made Murong De the Prefect of Guangwu. Several years later, Murong De resigned from his position and moved to Zhangye. When Murong De went on a campaign to the south, he left behind a golden sword as a token and never returned. When Murong Chui raised his banner in Shandong, Fu Chang captured Murong De and his sons and had them executed. Murong De's elderly mother, Lady Gongsun, managed to escape, while his wife, Lady Duan, who was still pregnant at the time, was imprisoned. The jailer, Huyan Ping, a former subordinate of Murong De, who had previously been pardoned for a serious crime, secretly smuggled Lady Gongsun and Lady Duan to the Qiang region, where Murong Chao came into the world.
When Murong Chao was ten years old, his grandma Gongsun passed away. Before her death, she handed him this golden sword and said, "If the world is at peace and you can return to the east, then return this sword to your uncle." Huyan Ping then took Murong Chao and his mother to Lu Guang for help. Later, Lu Long surrendered to Yao Xing, and Murong Chao moved to Chang'an with the people of Liangzhou. Murong Chao's mother said to him, "We survived thanks to the Huyan family's help. Although Huyan Ping has passed away, I still want you to marry his daughter to show our gratitude." So Murong Chao married Huyan Ping's daughter. Murong Chao knew his uncles were all in the east and feared being captured by Yao Xing, so he pretended to be crazy and started begging on the streets. The people of Chang'an looked down their noses at him; only Yao Shao felt that he was different and advised Yao Xing to give him an official position. Yao Xing summoned Murong Chao for a conversation, but Murong Chao was very cautious and said nothing. Yao Xing took a disliking to him and remarked to Yao Shao, "There's a saying: 'Just because someone is good-looking doesn't mean they're smart,' he's just talking nonsense!" So, Murong Chao went about his business freely, with no one paying him any mind.
Later, Murong De sent someone to pick him up, and Murong Chao left without informing his mother and wife. When he arrived in Guanggu, he presented the golden dagger to Murong De and detailed the instructions his grandmother gave him before she passed away. Murong De held him and wept uncontrollably. Murong Chao was eight feet tall, with a nine-foot waist, handsome and elegant. Murong De held him in high regard, named him "Chao," appointed him as an Attendant, General of the Cavalry, and Colonel of the Imperial Guard, granting him the authority to establish his own household and appoint officials. Murong De had no sons and wanted to appoint Murong Chao as his heir, so he had a mansion built for him inside Wanchun Gate and visited him every day. Murong Chao also understood Murong De's intentions, served faithfully at home, and was humble and courteous when going out, earning him praise from all quarters. Before long, Murong Chao was appointed as the Crown Prince.
It is said that Helian Bobo died, and his son Helian Chao seized the throne and proclaimed himself emperor in the first year of Yixi, issuing a general amnesty and renaming the era Taishang. He bestowed the title of Empress Dowager on Bobo's wife, Lady Duan. Then, he promoted Murong Zhong to be the Commander-in-Chief of the national army and the Recorder of the Imperial Secretariat; Murong Fa was appointed as the Grand General of Southern Conquest, overseeing the armies of Xuzhou, Yanzhou, Yangzhou, and Nanyanzhou; Murong Zhen was promoted to be the Chief of the Imperial Secretariat and the Prefect of the Masters of Writing; Fu was appointed as the Grand Commandant; Ju Zhong was appointed as the Minister of Works; Pan Cong was appointed as the Grand Master of Splendid Happiness; Feng Song was appointed as the Deputy Director of the Left in the Imperial Secretariat; and others received their respective honors. Later, he appointed Murong Zhong as the Governor of Qingzhou, Duan Hong as the Inspector of Xuzhou, Gong Sun Wulou as the General of Military Guards, also serving as the Colonel of the Tuns, and participating in court affairs.
Feng Fu said to Helian Chao, "I’ve heard that important officials shouldn’t be assigned to remote areas, and those with average abilities shouldn’t remain at the heart of the court. Murong Zhong is a key pillar of the nation and a vital support for the state; Duan Hong is an imperial relative, well-respected, and should be involved in core decision-making, not sent off to guard remote areas. Now Murong Zhong and the others have been sent to the border, while Gongsun Wulou is assisting you in the court. This really makes me uneasy!" Helian Chao, newly on the throne, was wary of the power held by Murong Zhong and the others, so he asked for Gongsun Wulou's opinion. Gongsun Wulou was eager to seize control of the court and did not want Murong Zhong and the others to stay, so he kept badmouthing them to Helian Chao. But in the end, Feng Fu's advice was ignored. Murong Zhong and Duan Hong were quite unhappy about it, muttering to each other, "I’m worried this yellow dog skin will end up patching the fox fur coat!" When Gongsun Wulou caught wind of this, their rift only grew.
Initially, Helian Chao set out from Chang'an to Liangfu. At that time, Murong Fa was serving as the Inspector of Yanzhou, and when Southern General's Assistant Yue Shou returned, he said to Murong Fa, "I have met the Prince of Beihai (referring to Helian Chao) before. He is smart, dignified, and impressive in presence. This made me see just how many talented people there are in the royal family, just like how a jade forest is full of treasures." Murong Fa replied, "In the past, Cheng Fang Su falsely claimed to be the Crown Prince, and people could not distinguish between truth and falsehood. Is Helian Chao also a royal?" Helian Chao heard this and was furious, his anger clearly showing on his face. Murong Fa was also angered and sent Yue Shou to live in an outside mansion, which created a lasting grudge between them. After Helian Bobo's death, Murong Fa did not attend the funeral, so Helian Chao sent messengers to scold him. Murong Fa was constantly worried about trouble, so he conspired with Murong Zhong, Duan Hong, and others to rebel. When Helian Chao found out about this, he sent troops to deal with them. Murong Zhong pretended to be ill and did not go, so Helian Chao arrested his associates: Murong Tong, the Palace Attendant; Murong Gen, the Right Guard; and Duan Feng, the Cavalry Commandant, killing them all. He also had Minister Feng Song executed by being torn apart by chariots outside the east gate. The General of the Western Guard, Feng Rong, managed to escape to Wei.
Chao commanded Murong Zhen to launch an attack on Qingzhou, Murong Yu to attack Xuzhou, and Murong Ning and Han Fan to assault Liangfu. Murong Yu captured Jucheng, and the Xuzhou governor, Duan Hong, fled to the Wei Kingdom. Feng Rong led a band of bandits to assault Shisai City, where they killed the Grand General of the West, Yu Yu, and the people of Qingzhou and Yanzhou were terrified, filled with anxiety and gossip. Murong Ning plotted to assassinate Han Fan before launching a surprise attack on Guanggu. Han Fan found out and attacked Murong Ning, who then fled to Liangfu. Han Fan absorbed Murong Ning's forces, attacked Liangfu, captured it, and Murong Ning fled to Yao Xing, while Murong Fa also fled and went to the Wei Kingdom. Murong Zhen seized Qingzhou, where Zhong Shi murdered his wife and children. Murong Zhen escaped via a tunnel and rode alone on horseback to Yao Xing. At that time, Chao was utterly neglecting state affairs, only enjoying hunting and playing, causing suffering to the people. His advisor, Han Zhuo, earnestly urged him to change his ways, but Chao turned a deaf ear. Chao also intended to reinstate corporal punishment and establish a nine-rank peerage system, issuing a proclamation throughout the realm that stated:
Ah, the calamities surrounding the Yangjiu are endless; the Yongkang era was indeed fraught with disasters! Ever since the fall of the Northern Capital, the laws and regulations have all been destroyed, not a single one remains. Governing the realm is the fundamental task; if moral persuasion fails, then we must resort to criminal law. Even great sages like Yu Shun had Jiu Yao draft the criminal laws, which shows that punishment is unavoidable! In the early days of Emperor Jixing's reign, the nation was newly established and embroiled in constant warfare; there was no time to revise laws and regulations. As for me, lacking in virtue and having inherited the throne, I governed the country improperly, resulting in chaos in the court and even wars, while neglecting laws and rituals. Now that the realm is at peace, it is time to reform the laws. Shangshu, quickly summon the officials and ministers for a discussion! Those disloyal and unfilial scoundrels, like Feng Song, cannot be satisfied even with beheading; they should face cruel punishments such as boiling and flaying, and these should be codified as capital offenses.
Corporal punishment is a system left by the ancient sages, an unchangeable code of law. Although Emperor Wen of Han attempted reforms, he struggled to manage their severity. Nowadays, more and more people are committing crimes, and more and more people are being executed. Corporal punishment has proven effective in educating the populace, and the punishment is severe. During the reigns of Emperor Guangwu and Emperor Jianwu, our ancestors contemplated reinstating corporal punishment, but unfortunately they passed away before they could do so. You should have officials above the rank of Doctor consult the ancient texts, "Lv Xing," as well as the laws of the Han, Wei, and Jin dynasties, make modifications and additions, and formulate a new set of laws. There are approximately three thousand forms of punishment associated with the Five Punishments, but the gravest offense remains unfiliality. Confucius said, "Without being a sage, one cannot establish laws; without being filial, one cannot have family affection. This is the root of disorder in the world!" The brutal tortures of dismemberment and boiling, although not among the Five Punishments, have existed since ancient times. Qu Mi was subjected to dismemberment, recorded in the "Spring and Autumn Annals"; Duke Ai was boiled to death, also happening in ancient times. During Emperor Shizong's reign in the Qi state, he found it difficult to find peace due to concerns about improper punishments. For rulers, punishments are as vital as one's left and right hands. Therefore, Confucius said, "If punishments are not fair, people will have no one to rely on." So Xiao He was ennobled for establishing laws, and Shusun Tong was ennobled for establishing rituals. Establishing achievements and systems has been crucial throughout history. You should discuss thoroughly, make additions and modifications, and formulate a set of laws suitable for our era. The Zhou dynasty and the Han dynasty both had the system of tribute students, while the Wei dynasty established the Nine Ranks of Officials system. You should also deliberate on which of these two systems is superior. The ministers had differing opinions, so the issue was set aside for the time being. Murong Chao's mother and wife had been detained by Yao Xing in Chang'an for some time. Yao Xing forced Murong Chao to declare himself a vassal and demanded a hefty ransom, threatening to attack Wukou and kill a thousand people if he refused to comply. Upon receiving the letter, Murong Chao promptly convened his ministers to discuss countermeasures.
Left Supervisor Duan Hui said, "Back in the day when King Huai of Chu was imprisoned, Emperor Gaozu Liu Bang did not bow down. Now Your Majesty has inherited the ancestral legacy; you cannot lower the dignity of the emperor because of personal matters! Furthermore, those musicians from the Taile music troupe are just actors; we cannot yield to them. What if they tarnish our customs and traditions? I suggest we directly attack Wu's borders and kill them all!"
Minister Zhang Hua, however, said, "If we go to attack Wu's borders, we will surely offend them, and they will come to attack us as well. The consequences of a war between our two countries would be dire, and there will be no benefit to the country. Back in the day, Sun Quan submitted to Wei for the sake of the people's lives; Hui Shi abandoned his aspirations for the sake of his son's life and honored the state of Qi. Your Majesty, for your mother's sake, you are now in turmoil, so why not temporarily set aside your pride and show filial piety? This is called weighing the benefits and drawbacks, a method used by emperors throughout history. Han Fan and Yao Xing were both colleagues of the Crown Prince of Qin, and they are eloquent and persuasive. Sending Han Fan to negotiate with Yao Xing, lowering the national status and asking for the release of the prisoners. Although this means temporarily submitting to another, it will preserve the country and enhance its reputation globally."
Murong Chao, upon hearing this, happily said, "Minister Zhang really speaks to my heart!" So he sent Han Fan to negotiate with Yao Xing in Chang'an. When Han Fan arrived in Chang'an, Yao Xing asked him, "When Feng Kai came, the King of Yan and I sat on equal footing, but you are so humble. Is this in accordance with the etiquette of 'small states serving large states'? Or is it to show filial piety to your mother?"
Han Fan replied, "During the Zhou Dynasty, noble titles were divided into five ranks, with different levels for dukes and marquises, hence the etiquette of great and small states. Your Majesty, you are thriving in the Western Qin, restoring the ancestral legacy, while our emperor is inheriting the ancestral will, establishing the Eastern Qi, and the country is strong and prosperous, proclaiming himself emperor. We come to you in friendship, with a humble attitude. If we are too aggressive, it could harm our relationship, just like the alliance between the Wu and Jin states or the territorial disputes between Teng and Xue states, resulting in mutual harm. This would damage the reputation of your Western Qin and our Yan state, which concerns me greatly."
Yao Xing became angry upon hearing this, "Are you saying that discussing the etiquette of small and large states is meaningless?" Han Fan replied, "Although it is about the etiquette of small and large states, it is also because our emperor is filial to his mother, surpassing Emperor Shun's devotion to Empress Huang, hoping Your Majesty can understand his filial piety and show mercy by releasing the prisoners."
Yao Xing said, "I haven't seen Jia Yi for a long time. I thought I was better than him, but now I see I'm not!" Yao Xing then took on the demeanor of an old friend, chatted with Han Fan, and said, "I have met the King of Yan; he looks dignified, but he still has a long way to go when it comes to eloquence." Han Fan replied, "Great wisdom appears foolish; that's the nature of sages. Besides, you are currently keeping your talents under wraps. If you shine as bright as the sun and moon, how can you accomplish anything significant?" Yao Xing laughed heartily, "You are truly a smooth talker!"
Han Fan seized the opportunity to continue persuading Yao Xing, who was quite pleased and rewarded him with a thousand gold coins, promising to send back Murong Chao's mother and wife. At that moment, Murong Ning ran from Liangfu to Yao Xing and said, "The King of Yan's submission is not sincere at all; he is only doing it for his mother. Ancient emperors would raise troops to demand hostages; how can we just hand his mother back to him? If we give his mother back to him, he definitely won't submit to you again. We should first have him hand over the musicians, and then return his mother to him."
Yao Xing changed his mind after listening to Murong Ning's words and sent envoys to negotiate with Murong Chao. Murong Chao sent Zhang Hua and Zong Zhengyuan to Chang'an, sending Yao Xing one hundred and twenty court musicians. Yao Xing was very happy and hosted a banquet for Zhang Hua. After three rounds of toasts, music filled the air, and Yao Xing's chamberlain Yin Ya said to Zhang Hua, "When the Yin dynasty was about to perish, the musicians fled to the Zhou dynasty; now the Western Qin state is strong, and musicians from Yan state also come to pay tribute. The signs of prosperity and decline are all around us!" Zhang Hua said, "Throughout history, different emperors have their own governing philosophies, and the effectiveness of strategies often becomes clear only after they bear fruit. That's why Laozi said, 'To obtain something, one must first give something.' Now that the envoy from Western Qin has arrived and the envoy from Yan state has returned, the signs of fortune and misfortune are present!" Yao Xing angrily said, "In the past, the states of Qi and Chu argued endlessly and eventually went to war. How dare you, a mere official from a small state, challenge the ministers of the court!" Zhang Hua humbly said, "I was sent on a mission to establish friendly relations with your country. Since your country has allowed officials from a small state to come to court, insulting our nation's honor, how can I not do my best to reciprocate!" Yao Xing was quite pleased and sent Murong Chao's mother and wife back.
In the year 407 AD, Liu Yu posthumously honored his father with the title of Emperor Mu, appointed his mother Duan as Empress Dowager, and his wife Hu Yan as Empress. During a sacrificial ceremony at the southern outskirts, as he was about to ascend the altar, a large, rat-like beast, entirely red and roughly the size of a horse, suddenly appeared next to the round mound. After a while, the beast disappeared. Immediately after, a huge storm arose, darkening the sky and the earth, causing the sacrificial implements to be blown away. Terrified, Liu Yu discreetly asked the Grand Astrologer Cheng Gong Sui about what was happening. Cheng Gong Sui replied, "Your Majesty, you trust treacherous officials too much, and have killed loyal subjects, and imposed heavy taxes along with harsh labor, which is why this is happening." Frightened, Liu Yu quickly ordered a general amnesty and condemned Gong Sun Wulou and others. However, not long after, he reinstated these individuals to their former positions. That year, an earthquake occurred in Guanggu, the Tianqi River overflowed, well water overflowed, the female waters ran dry, the Yellow River and Ji River froze, but the Mian River did not freeze.
One day, Liu Yu received the courtiers' homage in the Dongyang Hall, and upon hearing the music, he felt that the orchestra was performing poorly. Regretting that he had given the musician to Yao Xing, he decided to launch an attack. His general Han Zhuo advised him, "The late emperor only recovered the land of Sanqi because the old capital fell. Even a wise man wouldn’t act rashly if the timing isn’t right. Your Majesty has inherited the foundation of the late emperor; you should keep a low profile and recuperate, waiting for the right time to send troops again. You absolutely cannot provoke enemies in the south and make enemies everywhere!" Liu Yu said, "I have made up my mind, no need for you to say more." So, he sent Hu Gu Ti, Gong Sun Gui, and others to lead the cavalry in an attack on Suyu, captured the Sunping Prefect Liu Qianzai and the Jiyin Prefect Xu Ruan, looted a substantial amount of goods, and captured 2500 men and women, handing them over to the Imperial Music Office for training in singing and dancing.
At that time, Gongsun Wulou served as the Imperial Attendant and Minister, and also held the title of General of the Left Guard, consolidating significant power over court politics. His older brother, Gongsun Gui, was a Champion General and the Duke of Changshan, while his uncle, Gongsun Jue, held the title of General of the Martial Guards and Duke of Xingle. Gongsun Wulou's family and relatives gathered in the court, and no one, whether inside or outside the court, dared to defy him. Liu Yu was rewarded for his achievements in the campaign against Suyu by granting titles of county dukes to Hugu Ti and others. Murong Zhen stepped forward to offer counsel, saying, "I’ve heard that rewards should reflect the scale of one’s achievements, and without achievements, one cannot be appointed as a marquis. Now Gongsun Gui leads troops to fight and harm the people, yet Your Majesty chooses to reward him. Isn’t that a bit inappropriate? Truthful advice is often hard to swallow, and only close relatives will speak frankly. Though my abilities are modest and my status low, I must speak my mind, hoping that Your Majesty will consider it carefully." Liu Yu became angry upon hearing this and dismissed him. Since then, the court ministers fell silent and no longer dared to speak. There was a person named Wang Yan who was a small official in the Ministry of Personnel at that time. Wang Yan was particularly skilled at flattering Wulou, going out of his way to curry favor. As a result, he rose through the ranks quickly, first becoming a Ministerial Clerk, then being appointed as the Prefect of Jinan, and eventually attaining the high rank of Deputy Minister of Personnel. People at the time coined a catchy phrase, saying, "If you want to become a marquis, you’ve got to flatter Wulou!"
This "Five-story figure" does not refer to a tall building, but to a powerful figure who held immense power over the court and society at the time. The specific identity is not explicitly mentioned in historical records, but judging from Wang Yansheng's promotion experience, this "Five-story" was undoubtedly a person of high status and power, capable of elevating a minor official like Shi Yuan to great heights, highlighting their immense influence. Therefore, the saying "To gain a title, serve the Five-story" became a reflection of society back then, showing how easy it was to rise through the ranks by cozying up to the powerful back then. Wang Yansheng's story became a popular topic of discussion for later generations, serving as a reminder for people to stay on the right path and not sacrifice their principles for petty gains.
Gongsun Wulou sent three thousand cavalry to attack Jinan, captured the governor Zhao Yuan and abducted thousands of men and women before making their escape. Liu Yu readied his troops to confront them, while Liu Chao gathered the ministers to strategize against the enemy.
Gongsun Wulou said, "The Wu army is light, quick, and loves to engage in battle. They're fiercely aggressive in the initial charge, and we can't take them on directly. We need to take Daxian Mountain, block their entry, stall their advance, and sap their morale. We can also select two thousand elite cavalry to move south along the coast, cutting off their supply line; and order Duan Hui to lead the army from Yanzhou to advance south from Shandong. This pincer strategy is our best bet. We can also command the local defenders to hold onto strategic positions, burn everything but the essentials, wipe out the crops, and cut off the enemy's supplies. Fortifying our defenses and waiting for the enemy to show weaknesses is a solid plan. Letting the enemy into Daxian Mountain and then fighting them outside the city would be the worst move."
Liu Chao said, "Jingdu has a large population and is wealthy. We can't just evacuate everyone at once. We can't harvest the crops in time. I can't bring myself to destroy the crops just to protect our lives and defend the city. Now we have the advantage of controlling five states, taking advantage of the natural defenses provided by the mountains and rivers, possessing tens of thousands of war chariots, and countless cavalry units. Even if the enemy crosses the Daxian Mountain and reaches the plains, we can still chase them down with our elite cavalry and capture them all." Helailu pleaded with him not to, but Liu Chao did not listen. Helailu withdrew and said to Gongsun Wulou, "The emperor does not listen to our strategies; our doom is near!"
Murong Zhen said, "If we follow the emperor's orders, we must fight using cavalry in the plains. We should go out and confront the enemy; even if we are defeated, we can always fall back. We should not let the enemy enter the Daxian Mountain and get ourselves into a tight spot. In the past, Cheng Anjun did not defend Jingxing Pass and was eventually defeated by Han Xin; Zhuge Zhan did not occupy the crucial Shuma Valley and was eventually captured by Deng Ai. I believe that timing is less important than having the right terrain, so defending the Daxian Mountain is the best strategy." Liu Chao still did not listen. After Murong Zhen left, he said to Han Zhuo, "The emperor cannot destroy the crops and defend the dangerous terrain, nor is he willing to relocate the people to avoid the enemy, just like Liu Zhang did. The country is doomed this year; I am sure to die, and you scholars from the Central Plains will be branded as slaves." Liu Chao was furious when he heard this, and he had Murong Zhen thrown in prison. Then, Liu Chao called up the troops in Juxian and Liangfu, reinforced the city walls, selected soldiers and warhorses, and built up our forces to wait for the enemy.
In the summer, the imperial army was stationed in Dongguan. Murong Chao sent out six generals including Duan Hui and He Lailu, leading fifty thousand soldiers to occupy Linqu. Not long after, the imperial army crossed Xianshan, which made Murong Chao panic. He rushed to Linqu with forty thousand soldiers to join Duan Hui and the others. Murong Chao said to Gongsun Wulou, "We should quickly occupy Chuanyuan. If the Jin army arrives there and has no water to drink, they won't be able to fight." Gongsun Wulou quickly rode to occupy Chuanyuan. However, Liu Yu's vanguard general Meng Longfu had already arrived there, defeating Gongsun Wulou, who then had to retreat.
Liu Yu then sent the consultant Tan Shao to lead elite soldiers to break through Linqu. Terrified, Murong Chao fled on horseback alone to the south of the city in search of Duan Hui. Unfortunately, Duan Hui's army was also defeated, and Liu Yu's army immediately killed Duan Hui. Murong Chao fled back to Guanggu, moved the palace residents to a small city for safety, and sent Secretary Zhang Gang to request help from Yao Xing. Murong Chao pardoned Murong Zhen, promoting him to the position of Minister and Commander-in-Chief of all military forces. Murong Chao then summoned his officials, apologizing to them, "I have inherited my ancestors' legacy, but I have failed to appoint talented individuals and utilize good people. Instead, I have been stubborn and made decisions on my own. Now, it’s too late for regrets! Wise individuals will always display their talents in times of crisis, and loyal ministers will show their integrity in times of danger. You ministers must work together to find ways to overcome our current difficulties."
Murong Zhen continued, "The people's hopes rest solely on you. Your Majesty personally led the army but suffered a defeat. The ministers are all disheartened, and the people's morale is low. We can no longer rely on the situation, both inside and out. I’ve heard that Xiqin is also dealing with internal strife, so they may not have the resources to send troops to rescue us. We need to resolve to fight one more battle for the mandate of heaven. There are still tens of thousands of soldiers who have scattered back to the city. We can gather all the gold, silver, treasures, and palace maids to motivate them to fight again. If the heavens bless us, we can defeat the enemy. If we fail, it's better to die fighting than to starve to death trapped. We can’t just sit back and wait to die!" Situ Murong Hui said, "That's not the way to think. The Jin army is riding high on morale and fierce. What can we possibly do to resist them with defeated generals? Although Xiqin and Houqin are mutually restraining each other, it’s not something to worry about. Moreover, when we’re in trouble, Xiqin will surely come to help us. However, historically, if we don’t send high-ranking officials, we won’t get the heavy reinforcements we need. Zhao sent envoys three times to seek help, but the Chu army did not send troops. When Pingyuan Jun sent an envoy, reinforcements arrived immediately. The Minister of Works, Han Fande, is well-respected in both Yan and Qin, so we should send him to ask for help to get through this tough spot." So, Murong Chao sent Han Fande and Wang Pu to ask Yao Xing for help.
Not long after, Helian Bobo surrounded Guanggu City, sealing off all sides. Someone secretly told Helian Bobo's army, "If we can get Zhang Gang to be the commander of the siege equipment, the city can be captured." This month, Zhang Gang returned from Chang'an and chose to ally with Helian Bobo. Helian Bobo ordered Zhang Gang to shout from atop the city walls, "Bobo has defeated the Qin army; no one is coming to save you!" Murong Chao was furious when he heard this. He picked up a crossbow and shot at Zhang Gang, who then retreated. Zhang Hua, the Right Minister, and Feng Kai, the Minister of the Center, were both captured by Helian Bobo's army. Helian Bobo ordered Zhang Hua and Feng Kai to write a letter to Murong Chao, urging him to surrender quickly. Murong Chao then wrote a letter to Helian Bobo, requesting to become his vassal, with the Great Xian Mountain as the border, and offering a thousand war horses for peace, but Helian Bobo refused the offer.
Reinforcements from Jiangnan arrived one after another. Minister Zhang Jun returned from Chang'an and also decided to surrender to Helian Bobo. He suggested to Helian Bobo, "The reason why the people of Yan are holding out is because they rely on Han Fan outside and hope for assistance from Qin. Han Fan's reputation is currently high, and he has a good relationship with Yao Xing. If Bobo defeats the Yan forces, Qin will definitely come to Yan's aid. We should secretly write to Han Fan, enticing him with promises of great rewards. Once Han Fan arrives, the people of Yan will lose hope and naturally surrender." Helian Bobo accepted his suggestion, appointed Han Fan as a Cavalry Attendant, and wrote a letter to surrender him. Meanwhile, Yao Xing dispatched his general Yao Qiang to lead ten thousand infantry and cavalry to accompany Han Fan to Luoyang in search of his general Yao Shao, and they joined forces to come to the rescue. Just as Helian Bobo was achieving victory over the Qin army, Yao Xing summoned Yao Qiang back to Chang'an. Han Fan sighed and remarked, "Is heaven really going to bring about the downfall of Yan?" At that moment, he received a letter from Helian Bobo and then surrendered to him. Helian Bobo said to Han Fan, "If you wish to achieve the same kind of merit as Shen Baoxu, why return empty-handed?" Han Fan replied, "Since my ancestors were favored by the Yan country, I have wept bitterly in the Qin court, hoping to save Yan from the brink of destruction. In this tumultuous time for the Western Zhou, my loyalty has not made a difference; it seems that heaven intends to bring down this declining country to aid Your Excellency. Wise men seize opportunities; how could I not do my utmost?"
The next day, Helián Bóbó inspected the city walls with Han Fan, causing the people to panic and abandon their resolve to defend. Helián Bóbó told Han Fan, "You should go to the city below and inform them of their fate." Han Fan replied, "Although I have received your special favor, I still cannot bring myself to harm the Yan Kingdom." Helián Bóbó admired him and chose not to pressure him. His advisors advised Helián Bóbó to kill Han Fan's family to prevent future betrayals. Mùróng Chāo knew that the situation was hopeless, and his brother Mùróng Dé had always been loyal, so he did not punish Han Fan. That year, Donglai experienced a bloody rain, and the gates of Guanggu wept in the night.
On the first day of the first month of the following year, Shí Chāo ascended to Tiānmén, summoned his ministers to the city wall, slaughtered horses as a reward for the soldiers, and promoted all civil and military officials. Shí Chāo's concubine Lady Wèi followed him to the city wall, saw the formidable army and began to cry as she held Shí Chāo's hand. Hán Zhuó quickly advised, "Your Majesty is currently in a critical situation of life and death. It is a difficult time, yet you allow women to cry like this. How can this be appropriate?" Shí Chāo wiped his eyes and thanked him. His chief secretary Dǒng Ruì advised him to surrender, which infuriated Shí Chāo, leading him to imprison him.
Then, Helailu, Gongsun Wulou, and others dug a tunnel to break out, but failed. The Hejian man Xuan Wen advised Murong Yu: "When the King of Zhao attacked Cao Yi, astrologers believed that the Mian River surrounded the city and was difficult to conquer. They suggested blocking the Wulongkou first, so that the city would eventually fall. Shi Jilong accepted this suggestion, which led to Duan Kang's surrender. Shortly after their surrender, they were attacked again. The old foundation is still there, so we can block it." Murong Yu followed his advice. At this time, most of the men, women, and children in the city were suffering from beriberi (a disease caused by vitamin deficiency). Shi Chao rode a carriage to the city tower, and Shangshu Yueshou said to him: "Heaven and Earth are not benevolent, helping the enemy to do evil. The soldiers are getting sick and dying every day. Defending this beleaguered city without any external support, the timing, location, and support are all against us. If the situation is already lost, like Yao and Shun abdicating, it would be wiser to avert disaster and surrender early with dignity. We should follow the examples of Xu and Zheng, preserving the honor of our ancestors." Shi Chao sighed: "Rise and fall, success and failure, are all determined by fate! I would rather die in battle with my sword than bow down and seek survival!"
Therefore, Zhang Gang constructed a siege tower for Murong Yu, which was covered with wooden planks and leather on the outside, equipped with numerous ingenious mechanisms, which could withstand the stones and arrows fired from the city walls; he also made flying towers, hanging ladders, wooden screens, and other siege weapons, advancing directly towards the city walls. In his fury, Shi Chao hanged and dismembered Zhang Gang's mother. The city’s inhabitants surrendered en masse. Murong Yu launched a multi-pronged assault, causing heavy casualties among the enemy forces, and Yue Shou ultimately opened the city gates to welcome the royal army. Shi Chao fled with several dozen cavalry but was captured by Murong Yu's army. Murong Yu accused him of treason for refusing to surrender, but Shi Chao remained composed, saying nothing, and entrusted his mother to Liu Jingxuan. Ultimately, Shi Chao was escorted to Jiankang City and executed by beheading at the age of twenty-six, having ruled for six years. From Shi Le's usurpation in the fourth year of Long'an to the downfall of Shi Chao the Second, a total of eleven years elapsed, and he was extinguished in the sixth year of Yixi.
Murong Zhong, known by his courtesy name Daoming, was the younger brother of Murong De. He had insight and courage from a young age, displaying neither joy nor anger, intelligent and quick-witted, with clear reasoning and strong expressive skills. Especially in critical moments against the enemy, he demonstrated both wisdom and courage, devising numerous brilliant strategies which Murong De successfully adopted. Thus, Murong De entrusted him with all political matters, big and small, making Murong Zhong his trusted aide, despite not having accomplished any significant feats. Later, Gongsun Wulou, fearing that Murong Zhong's influence would overshadow him, persuaded Murong Chao to kill Murong Zhong. Consequently, Murong Zhong plotted a rebellion. After its failure, he fled to Yao Xing, who appointed him as the Prefect of Shiping and the Marquis of Guiyi.
Feng Fu, courtesy name Chudao, was from Zexian, Bohai. His grandfather Feng Quan was a General of Zhenwei, and his father Feng Fang was Minister of Personnel under Murong Wei. Feng Fu was intelligent, gentle, and generous since childhood, exuding the qualities of a noble gentleman. After Murong Bao usurped the throne, Feng Fu rose through the ranks and eventually became the Minister of Personnel. After Lan Han usurped the throne, Feng Fu fled south to Bi Lunhun, who recommended him for the position of Governor of Bohai. Upon Murong De's arrival at Jucheng, Feng Fu surrendered. Murong De said, "I have pacified Qingzhou, but what truly brings me joy is having you!" Feng Fu often participated in handling political affairs and secret planning. Although he held a high position, he was humble, cautious, receptive to counsel, and embodied the qualities of a great minister. After Murong Chao took the throne, he began to favor treacherous individuals; many actions contradicted the established norms, the laws decayed, and cruelty escalated. Feng Fu offered him counsel repeatedly, but Murong Chao did not listen. Later, at court, Murong Chao asked Feng Fu, "Which king in history can I be compared to?" Feng Fu replied, "A tyrant like Jie and Zhou." Murong Chao was filled with shame and anger. Feng Fu calmly exited without altering his expression. Sikong Ju Zhong, alarmed, said to Feng Fu, "How can you be so strong when speaking to the emperor? You ought to apologize!" Feng Fu said, "I am seventy years old this year, about to die, merely seeking a place to rest." Ultimately, he chose not to apologize. Three years later, Murong Chao passed away, and Feng Fu also died in the same year at the age of seventy-one. He left behind numerous writings that have been preserved through the ages.
Historians commented that Murong De appointed his uncle, Murong Zhong, to important positions. However, during the national crisis, Murong Zhong did not perform well. After Murong De's death, Murong Zhong seized the throne. Is this how people typically behave? Nevertheless, Murong De had a commanding presence and a grand vision for strategy. During the period of national division, he had the means to vie for power, occupying the entire Qingzhou, taking the imperial throne, wielding his sword against Qin and Wei, organizing the army, with the goal of pacifying Jingzhou and Wudi, promoting Confucianism to enhance social customs, and actively seeking out honest advice to motivate himself. From his governance of the country, there are still many commendable aspects.
This guy inherited his ancestors' legacy, hoping to become a dominant ruler. However, he completely ignored the plight of the common people, only indulging in eating, drinking, and playing all day long. He marginalized loyal ministers and generals, favoring villains and sycophants instead. The emperor believed the slander, which drove a wedge between him and his loyal relatives and ministers. The solid legacy his ancestors left quickly fell apart, and the family's prestige plummeted. In the end, he plunged the country into chaos, losing territory, attracting enemies, and eventually both the emperor and ministers were captured, and the imperial ancestral temple became a ruin. Upon careful consideration, this wasn't just bad luck; it was all his own fault.
In conclusion, this guy was nothing more than a villain in hero's clothing, manipulating schemes and deceit to turn his failures into victories. Although he occupied a lot of territory, his reputation was terrible. He took over an illegitimate imperial throne, dragging the country into chaos. The court lost good strategists, and the whole court was in deep sorrow and despair.
"A deceitful villain, turning defeat into victory; occupying Qing soil, infamous in the realm; inheriting a false reign, disrupting the nation's path; the temple has lost its wise counsel, the court mourns in sorrow."
Murong De, courtesy name Xuanming, was the youngest son of Murong Huang. His mother, Lady Gongsun, once dreamed of the sun falling into her navel, and then gave birth to him while she was napping during the day. Murong De was not yet twenty years old, standing eight feet two inches tall, with a tall, strong build and a forehead marked with the patterns of a rising sun and crescent moon. He was well-read, cautious, and multi-talented.
After Murong Jun usurped the throne and declared himself emperor, he was granted the title Duke of Liang and later served as Inspector of Youzhou and General of the Left Guard. When Murong Wei succeeded to the throne, Murong De was appointed as Prince of Fanyang, and later promoted to Minister of Wei, also receiving the title of Cavalier Attendant. Not long after, Fu Jian's general, Fu Shuang, rebelled in Shan territory, while another general of Fu Jian, Fu Liu, launched an attack on Fúhán, apparently in support of Fu Shuang. Murong De advised Murong Wei to take advantage of this situation to attack Fu Jian, speaking with passion and insight. Many wise individuals regarded him as far-sighted, but sadly, Murong Wei ignored his advice. Murong De's older brother, Murong Chui, greatly admired him, often having serious discussions about national affairs with him. Murong Chui remarked to him, "Your knowledge and abilities have greatly improved; you're no longer the naive kid you used to be!" During the Battle of Fangtou, Murong De was the General Who Conquers the South and, alongside Murong Chui, defeated the Jin army. Later, Murong Chui defected to Fu Jian, which resulted in Murong De being dismissed from his post.
Later, Murong Wei was defeated in battle and captured and taken to Chang'an. Fu Jian appointed Murong De as the Prefect of Zhangye, and it was only a few years later that Murong De was dismissed from his post and returned to his hometown. When Fu Jian led his troops to the banks of the Yangtze River, he appointed Murong De as the General of Fierce Valor. After Fu Jian was defeated, he became separated from Lady Zhang, and Murong Wei wanted to send someone to protect her. Murong De solemnly said to Murong Wei, "In the past, King Zhuang of Chu destroyed the state of Chen because he followed the advice of a shaman and abandoned Lady Xia. Women like Lady Xia are ill-omened and can mislead rulers. Women should not accompany us into battle, and the defeat of the Qin was precisely due to this. We should pretend we haven't seen her, so why protect her?" Murong Wei did not listen to his advice, and Murong De angrily left on horseback. When they reached Yingyang, Murong De said to Murong Wei, "In the past, Goujian in Kuaiji endured in silence and grew stronger, eventually destroying the state of Wu. A wise ruler must act according to the times to win every battle. Now, heaven is punishing Fu Jian, which is why he was defeated. We should seize this opportunity to reclaim our homeland!" Still, Murong Wei did not listen to him. Therefore, Murong De followed Murong Chui to Ye City.
When the King of Yan was preparing to confer the title of King of Yan upon him, he first appointed him as the Grand General of Chariots and Cavalry, and then appointed him as the King of Fanyang, allowing him to reside in the capital, take part in court affairs and help manage state matters. After some time, he was promoted to the position of Grand Minister. At that time, Murong Yong occupied Changzi with an army of a hundred thousand, and the King of Yan planned to launch a military campaign against him. Most of the ministers believed that this venture was too risky and uncertain. At this time, the Grand Minister stepped forward and said, "Our ancestors have accumulated virtues and good deeds over three generations, leaving behind a good reputation that still exists today! This is why the emperor was able to ascend the throne without difficulty, not just by luck. Although the emperor is brave and good at war, it is also due to the support our ancestors garnered! The people in the Yan and Zhao regions are willing to serve the Yan country. Now, Murong Yong has declared himself king, instigating various ethnic groups to rebel, resulting in widespread unrest. We should deal with him first before we can restore peace to the realm. When Emperor Guangwu attacked Su Mao back then, he did not concern himself with the exhaustion of his officials. This is not unrighteousness, but an urgent situation! Military doctrine states that force should only be used as a last resort. Your Majesty, do you believe this is such a time?" The King of Yan smiled and said to his confidant, "The Grand Minister's view aligns with my own! When two people unite in purpose, their strength can match that of a sharp blade cutting through iron. My decision is final!" So, the King of Yan decided to send troops. When the King of Yan was on his deathbed, he specifically instructed his son Yan Bao to entrust Ye City to the Grand Minister for its safeguarding. After Yan Bao succeeded to the throne, he appointed the Grand Minister as the Imperial Commissioner, Commander-in-Chief of the Military Affairs of Jizhou, Yanzhou, Qingzhou, Xuzhou, Jingzhou, and Yuzhou, Special Advanced, Grand General of Chariots and Cavalry, Governor of Jizhou, and also appointed him as the Colonel of the Southern Barbarians, assigning him to defend Ye City, and dissolved the Ministry of Works, granting him full authority over the affairs of the southern minority regions.
Tuoba Zhang led troops to attack Ye City, so Murong De sent Prince Nan'an, Murong Qing, to launch a nighttime surprise attack, defeating Tuoba Zhang. Tuoba Zhang's army retreated to the area around Xincheng, and Murong Qing wanted to pursue the victory. However, Han Zhuo, a senior officer, stepped forward and said, "In ancient times, people would decide the outcome in the court before going to war. Now, these four reasons indicate that we cannot engage the Wei army, and three additional reasons suggest that Yan should not act impulsively. First, the Wei army has advanced deep into enemy territory, clearly indicating their intention for a field battle, so we cannot fight them; second, they have entrenched their troops in a precarious position in our heartland, so we definitely should not engage them; third, their vanguard has already been defeated, and their rear must have bolstered defenses, so we should not fight them; fourth, their army is larger than ours, therefore, we definitely should not engage them. Furthermore, fighting on our home turf, first, there is no need for rash actions; second, if we suffer a defeat, the army's morale will plummet; third, the city walls aren't fully repaired yet, and we aren't prepared if the enemy comes, so we shouldn't act hastily. These are all major blunders in military strategy. It is better for us to prepare our defenses and wait for the enemy to tire themselves out. They've brought supplies from far away and can't scavenge much in the wild. Over time, their army will lose morale from running low on supplies. If we take the offensive, their army will suffer heavy casualties, and when they are exhausted, we can seize the opportunity. With careful planning, victory can be ours." Murong De said, "Han's advice is truly a brilliant strategy!" So he recalled Murong Qing's army.
The Wei army sent Helailu with cavalry and Tuoba Zhang to besiege Ye City once more. Murong De sent his aide Liu Zao to seek help from Yao Xing, inquiring about the condition of his maternal uncle. Yao Xing's army failed to arrive, leaving everyone in fear. Murong De personally rewarded and reassured the soldiers, who were moved and willing to follow him through thick and thin. Tuoba Zhang and Helailu had internal conflicts and secretly withdrew their troops. The military officer Sima Ding Jian surrendered, saying that Tuoba Zhang's army was exhausted and could be defeated. Murong De sent troops to pursue and defeat Tuoba Zhang's army, thereby stabilizing morale.
During this time, the Wei army was attacking Zhongshan, and Murong Bao fled to Jicheng. Murong Xiang declared himself emperor once more. Liu Zao came from Yao Xing to seek refuge with Tuoba De. Yao Xing's Tai Shiling Gao Lu sent his nephew Wang Jinghui to accompany Liu Zao, bringing a jade seal inscribed with a secret prophecy: "Those with virtue will prosper, those without virtue will perish. Virtue receives the mandate of heaven, soft but firm." Additionally, a rumor circulated: "Strong winds rise, dust flies, eight wells and three knives rise, the four seas are in turmoil, and Zhongshan is in chaos; only the virtuous man will hold the Three Towers."
Therefore, Tuoba De's ministers discussed that Murong Xiang had proclaimed himself emperor in Zhongshan, Wei's army was strong, and Murong Bao's fate was unknown in Jizhou. They advised Tuoba De to promptly proclaim himself emperor. Tuoba De was reluctant to comply. Later, Murong Da fled from Longcheng to Ye City, saying that Murong Bao was still alive, and the ministers stopped persuading Tuoba De. Shortly after, Murong Bao appointed Tuoba De as prime minister and governor of Jizhou, granting him the authority to wield imperial power and govern the Southern Xia region.
Murong Lin, De's son, rushed from Yitai to Ye City and quickly told Murong De, "Zhongshan City is lost, and the Wei army will surely take advantage of their victory to launch an attack on Ye City. Although our food and supplies are sufficient, defending it will be very challenging, and the people are anxious, and morale is low; we won't be able to fight at all. While the Wei army hasn't arrived yet, let's quickly move everyone south to cross the river, seek refuge with King Lu Yang, take control of Huatai, gather our forces, stockpile supplies, and wait for the right moment to act; this is our best strategy! Although the Wei army has taken Zhongshan, they won’t linger for long; at most, they'll just plunder and then pull back. The people don't want to move, and changes will naturally happen when the time comes; we can then send troops north to support them, and the Wei army will be caught in a pincer attack, while those who long for home will have someone to rely on. By generously offering aid and recruiting exiles, we can easily reclaim our lost territory." Earlier, Murong He had also advised Murong De to relocate south, and Murong De agreed.
In the second year of the Long'an era, Murong De led forty thousand families and twenty-seven thousand carts from Ye City to move to Huatai. Along the way, they encountered a strong wind, which caused many boats to capsize. The Wei army was closing in, and panic set in among the people. Someone suggested retreating to Liyang. Unexpectedly, the river froze that night, allowing the army to cross the Yellow River without a hitch. The next morning, when the Wei army arrived, the ice had melted, truly a stroke of divine intervention. Murong De renamed the Liyang ferry crossing to Tianqiao Ferry. After arriving in Huatai, a celestial phenomenon appeared in the sky, in the position of the Weiji constellation; white jade was found in the Zhang River, shaped like a jade seal. Inspired by Emperor Yuan of Yan, Murong De declared a new era, granted a general amnesty, sparing all but those convicted of capital offenses, and established various official positions. He appointed Murong Lin as Minister of Works and also as the Chief of the Masters of Writing, Murong Fa as the General of the Central Army, Muyu Ba as Prefect of the Masters of Writing on the Left, Ding Tong as Prefect of the Masters of Writing on the Right, and other officials were also rewarded.
Initially, auspicious signs appeared in the Hejian region—a qilin, which Murong Lin took as a good omen. However, he secretly plotted a rebellion and was executed once his plans were uncovered. That summer, the Wei general Helailu surrendered to Murong De.
Murong Bao fled from Longcheng all the way south to Liyang and sent Zhao Si to invite Murong Zhong to come. Murong Zhong originally opposed Murong De proclaiming himself emperor. When he heard the news, he was furious, so he arrested Zhao Si and threw him in prison, then quickly sent word to Murong De. Murong De said to his ministers, "Before, you advised me to act as regent for the good of the country. It was also because the emperor was in exile and the people were without a ruler that I followed your advice, temporarily taking on this responsibility to bring stability to the people. Now that the emperor has returned, I intend to personally welcome him, apologize, and then resign to return home. What do you think?" Zhang Hua, the Minister of the Yellow Gate, quickly responded, "In this chaotic world, without a capable and strategic leader, nothing significant can be accomplished; in this situation, a weak person cannot save the country! If Your Majesty shows too much mercy by giving up the easily attainable throne, once you lose power, your life will be at risk, so why retreat?" Murong De sighed and said, "I follow the example of the ancients, first seizing power and then holding onto it, but this approach doesn't seem very effective. Therefore, I find myself hesitant and conflicted."
Mu Yu Hu asked Murong De to send someone to investigate the situation regarding Murong Bao. Murong De, in tears, sent him out. Then, Murong De led hundreds of strong soldiers northward, following Zhao Si as they plotted to kill Murong Bao. Initially, after sending Zhao Si away, Murong Bao learned that Murong De had usurped the throne and fled north in fear. After Mu Yu Hu went and failed to find Murong Bao, he returned with Zhao Si. Murong De believed that Zhao Si was well-versed in historical references and wanted to employ him again. Zhao Si replied, "Guan Yu was highly valued by Cao Cao yet still remembered Liu Bei's kindness. Though I am a criminal, I have received the emperor's favor and am as loyal as a dog—if not more so as a human! Please let me go back to serve the emperor to show my loyalty." Murong De insisted on retaining him, to which Zhao Si angrily responded, "Your Highness, as the emperor's uncle and a man of high status, should not prioritize your own selfish interests over stabilizing the realm. While I cannot weep for the Qin State like Shen Xu, I hope for loyalty and righteousness between ruler and subject, rather than the current chaos." Murong De was furious and killed Zhao Si.
During the Jin Dynasty, Luqiu Xian, the Prefect of Nanyang, and Deng Qi, the General of Ning Shuo, led twenty thousand troops to attack Murong De, setting up camp in Guancheng. Murong De dispatched his generals Murong Fa and Murong He to resist the attack, but they were defeated. Murong De executed Sima Jinguai, Murong Fa's Marshal, for failing to pursue the Jin army.
Initially, Fu Deng was defeated and eliminated by Yao Xing. His brother Fu Guang surrendered with his tribe to Yao Xing of Later Qin, who appointed him as the Champion General, allowing him to reside in Qihuo Fortress.
At this time, Yinghuo was stationed at Dongjing, and some claimed that the Qin state was on the verge of revival. Fu Guang proclaimed himself King of Qin and defeated Murong Zhong, a general of Later Qin. At that time, Later Qin had just established its capital in Huatai, sandwiched between Eastern Jin and Later Yan, with fewer than ten cities in its territory and an army of only a few tens of thousands.
After Murong Zhong's defeat, many would-be rebels flocked to Fu Guang. Yao Xing left Murong in charge of guarding Huatai and personally led his army to confront Fu Guang, ultimately killing him. When Fu Jian first arrived in Liyang, Chief Minister Li Bian advised him to surrender, but Fu Jian refused. Li Bian, fearing that the plot would be exposed, lured the Jin army into Guancheng, hoping that Fu Jian would mobilize his troops himself and then cause chaos in the rear. However, Fu Jian did not mobilize his troops, and Li Bian became increasingly uneasy. When Fu Jian prepared for battle, Li Bian once again advised him to surrender, but Fu Jian still refused. In a fit of rage, Li Bian killed Fu Jian and then surrendered Huatai to the state of Wei. At that time, the soldiers' families were still in the city, and Fu Jian intended to attack Huatai. Han Fan said to Fu Jian, "The Wei army has taken the city, seizing our nation's wealth and resources. The roles of guest and host have completely reversed, and people are in panic and cannot fight. We should first secure a foothold in Guanzhong, then build up our strength and plan for the future; this is the best strategy." Fu Jian then called off the troops. Fu Jian's Right Guard General, Murong Yun, killed Li Bian, leading over 20,000 soldiers' families to safety, and the morale of all three armies soared.
Fu Jian said to everyone, "Although Fu Guang has been pacified, the army has lost its stronghold, facing strong enemies in front and nowhere to retreat. What should we do?" Zhang Hua suggested, "Pengcheng is situated near mountains and rivers; it was the old capital of the Chu State, boasting a strategic location and a large population. We can capture it and establish it as our base." Murong Zhong, Muyu Hu, Feng Cheng, Han Zhuo, and others strongly advocated for an attack on Huatai, but Pan Cong said, "Huatai is well-connected and not a suitable residence for emperors. Moreover, to the north lies the formidable Wei State, and to the west, the powerful Qin State; we must not underestimate these two powers. Pengcheng is barren, sparsely populated, and has flat terrain that lacks strategic advantages; the Jin dynasty's forces will surely resist us. Additionally, it is near the Yangtze River, with navigable waterways, heavy rainfall in autumn and summer, and lakes all around. Besides, naval warfare is our weak point, while it is a strength of the Wu State. Even if we capture it, it won't be a sustainable strategy. Qingzhou and Qizhou are fertile regions, often referred to as Eastern Qin, covering over two thousand li and home to over a hundred thousand people; it is considered a crucial battleground for military strategists. The talented individuals of the Three Qis are all waiting for their chance; who wouldn't want to find a wise leader to achieve success and glory? Guanggu, constructed by Cao Yi, features steep mountains and rivers, making it suitable as an imperial capital. We should first send someone persuasive, followed by the army. Lu Hun had betrayed the court before; he will definitely change his mind. If they remain obstinate, the army will advance, and they will inevitably crumble. Once we occupy it, we should fortify our position and build our strength, waiting for the right moment to strike, similar to how the Han dynasty controlled Guanzhong and Henei."
Fu Jian couldn't make up his mind. Shaman Langong was an expert in divination, so Fu Jian asked him what to do. Langong said, "I have carefully studied three strategies, and Pan Shangshu's suggestion can be considered a strategy for national rejuvenation. At the beginning of this year, the Changxing Star appeared in the Kui Lou constellation, then passed through the Xuwei constellation, which signifies renewal. It should first stabilize the former Lu territory, patrol the Langya region, wait for the autumn season, and then march north to attack the Qi state. This aligns with the will of heaven." Fu Jian was very happy, so he led his army southward. The counties along the northern border of Yanzhou surrendered, and Fu Jian appointed officials to reassure the people. He comforted the elderly, and the army did not plunder at will. The people were very stable, with a continuous supply of cattle and wine along the roads.
The envoy from the De faction went to persuade the prefect of Qi, Prefect Bilu Hun, to surrender, but Hun refused. So Prince De dispatched Murong Zhong with twenty thousand infantry and cavalry to confront him. Prince De occupied Langye, and many residents of Xuzhou and Yanzhou surrendered, totaling over one hundred thousand. As they moved north from Langye, over forty thousand people came out to welcome Prince De.
Duke De advanced his troops to attack Jucheng. The defending general Ren An abandoned the city and made a hasty retreat, so Duke De sent Pan Cong to guard Jucheng. Murong Zhong issued a proclamation to the various counties of Qingzhou, roughly stating: "The rise and fall of nations follow a certain pattern, as seen in many historical examples. Great achievements are born out of hardships, as recorded in history books. Just like Emperor Xuan Liu Xiu rose during the decline of the Zhou Dynasty, and Emperor Guangwu Liu Xiu established a new dynasty during the decline of the Han Dynasty, these are all historical inevitabilities, the cycles of rise and fall for emperors. Since the Yongkang period, the world has been in turmoil, like a giant whale escaping from a fishing net; the land of Huaxia has fractured into four parts, and the people are displaced and destitute. The rebel Pi Lu Hun's father, Pi Lu Wei, once rebelled with Duan Kang in Zichuan. At that time, the Grand Preceptor led an expedition to the east and completely crushed their rebellion. Despite the collapse of his family, Hun managed to escape, but instead of showing gratitude, he continued his father's evil deeds, occupying Dongqin, colluding with the states of Wuyue, harming the people, and sending wealth to the South Sea. The Emperor has risen in accordance with the Mandate of Heaven, once again appointed by the heavens. It is only because Yingqiu has temporarily blocked the advance of the royal army that he led over two hundred thousand troops from seven provinces to inspect Mount Tai and suppress the rebellion in the Qi and Lu regions. Han Xin, as a deputy general, defeated the Qi state without a battle; Geng Yan led a small army to defeat the infantry and quickly achieved victory. Moreover, we now have a powerful army. Eliminating a small rebel is as easy as snapping a twig. Although I am not capable, I am honored to lead the vanguard, commanding 120,000 elite cavalry from the Wuhuan and brave warriors from Sanhe. They are fierce in battle, burning bright like the setting sun, their weapons waving as bright as the moon in autumn. With such an army attacking a city, which city could withstand us? With such an army in battle, which enemy can defeat us? In the past, Dou Rong led the Hexi region to submit to the Han Dynasty and was praised by later generations; Peng Chong rebelled in Yuyang and ultimately died at the hands of slaves; in modern times, Cao Yi was captured by Later Zhao for his arrogance; Duan Kang rebelled and was eliminated by the previous dynasty. These are all examples of the rise and fall of history! If Hun can repent, we will show him double favor; if he dares to resist the royal army, he will surely fail and be annihilated. The talents of Jixia Academy, the warriors of Daibei, who can defeat Hun and bring him back will be rewarded as if they had helped the emperor secure his legacy."
Or else, if he doesn't take the chance to surrender, he'll end up losing everything!
Pi Lu Hun heard that the army of Duke De was approaching, so he led over 8,000 households to relocate to Guanggu. After receiving the edict, counties across the region surrendered to Duke De in quick succession. Hun was afraid and fled to the Wei Kingdom with his wife and children. Duke De dispatched Liu Gang, the Chief of Archers, to pursue and execute him, and he was beheaded in Jucheng. Hun's aide Zhang Ying often wrote edicts with him, using extremely arrogant and disrespectful language. After capturing him, Duke De chose to pardon him. Zhang Ying remained calm and slowly said, "To me, Hun is like Han Xin to Kuai Tong. Kuai Tong was pardoned by Emperor Gaozu of Han, but I am to be executed by Your Majesty. Compared to those of ancient times, my fate is truly unfortunate! Even if I am killed, I will accept it, but I am worried that the teachings of Yao and Shun have not yet spread throughout the world." Though Duke De initially praised his words, he ultimately had him executed. Duke De eventually captured Guanggu.
In the year 4 CE, he declared himself emperor, held a coronation ceremony in the southern suburbs, granted amnesty to all, changed the era name to Jianping, constructed a palace south of the main palace for ancestral worship, and sent envoys to report to the court about the successful coronation. He appointed Murong Zhong as Minister of Works and Murong Bo as Minister of Public Works, Feng Fu as Left Deputy Director, and Murong Hu as Right Deputy Director. He also sent the Minister of Finance Feng Kai and the Deputy Director of the Palace Secretariat Feng Cheng to inspect the welfare of the people in different regions, ensuring that the soldiers were well-treated along the way. He crowned Lady Duan as Empress. He also established a school, selecting 200 children from the families of officials ranked second tier and above to attend the Imperial College.
Later, he hosted a banquet for his ministers. After three rounds of drinks, he smiled and said, "Although I am of mediocre talent, I can respectfully sit on the emperor's throne, receive the tribute of vassals, maintain a lofty position without arrogance, and diligently attend to state affairs day and night. Can this be compared to any of the emperors from history?" At this moment, the governor of Qingzhou, Ju Zhong, said, "Your Majesty is a wise ruler of the restoration, comparable to Shaokang and Emperor Guangwu!" Upon hearing this, he happily ordered his attendants to give Ju Zhong a thousand pieces of silk. Ju Zhong felt the reward was too much and wanted to decline, but he said, "You know how to flatter me; I don't know how to reward you yet! What you said is not true, so I am also rewarding you with mere flattery. There's nothing wrong with giving rewards, so why refuse?" Han Fan advised, "I've heard that the emperor's words should not be taken lightly; loyal ministers do not tell lies. Today's conversation, deceiving one another, can be said that both the ruler and his ministers have compromised their integrity." He was very pleased and granted Han Fan fifty pieces of silk. From then on, the ministers dared to speak frankly, and many upright individuals began to emerge in the court.
His maternal uncle is in Chang'an, so he sent Du Hong from Pingyuan to visit Chang'an and check on his well-being. Du Hong said, "If I arrive in Chang'an and do not report your situation to the Empress Dowager in time, I will immediately head west to Zhangye and die in loyalty. My father, Du Xiong, is over sixty and has yet to receive an official position. I ask you to grant him an official position in our hometown as a testament to our loyalty." Zhang Hua spoke out against this, saying, "Du Hong has not even set off yet and is clearly driven by greed; he cannot be allowed to go." He said, "I'm about to spend all my worthless money to gather those willing to die for me. Moreover, for the sake of my relatives, how could I possibly be stingy! Besides, Du Hong is visiting relatives for me, asking for an official position for his father. Although it seems to be for personal gain on the surface, deep down it is loyalty and filial piety." So, he appointed Du Xiong as the magistrate of Pingyuan County. Once Du Hong reached Zhangye, he was killed by bandits. He was heartbroken upon hearing the news and treated his wife and children kindly.
The following year, De entered the territory of Qi and climbed Yingqiu to gaze at Yan Ying's tomb. He turned to those around him and said, "According to the rites, nobles cannot be buried near the city wall. Ping Zhong was an ancient sage well-versed in rites, but during his life, he lived near the market, yet was buried near the city wall after death. What could explain this?"
A scholar from Qingzhou, named Yan Mo, answered, "Confucius praised my ancestor Ping Zhong for his exemplary virtue. Are you not aware that he built his house tall while treating others simply? As he managed political affairs close to home, he practiced frugality to set a good example for society. He lived in a humble dwelling during his lifetime; why would he choose an extravagant burial site afterward? Perhaps he wished to be remembered for his aspirations by being buried close to home!" Thus, De took Yan Mo to the Temple of King Jing of Yang City from the Han Dynasty, hosted a banquet for the elders at Shenchi, then climbed Sheshou Mountain, looked east towards Dingzu Mountain, and spotted Niushan, couldn't help but sigh, "No one from ancient times is immortal!" Feeling sorrowful, he contemplated retirement. He then inquired of Yan Mo about the mountains and rivers of Qi, as well as the tales of its sages. Yan Mo provided detailed answers and illustrated his points by drawing in the dirt. De was very impressed with him and appointed him as a Shangshu Lang. Later, De set up a smelting factory in Shangshan and a salt field in Wuchangze to bolster the supply of resources for the military. One of De's former subordinates, named Zhao Rong, came from Chang'an to report the deaths of his mother and elder brother to De. Upon hearing this news, De was stricken with grief, coughed up blood, and fainted, falling ill as a result. His Colonel, Mu Rong Da, seized the opportunity to stage a rebellion, sending his general Huang Qiu to attack Duanmen Gate, and the palace guard, Hou Chimei, shockingly opened the gate to let them in. The Chamberlain Xun quickly assisted De in climbing over the wall to escape, hiding him in the inner hall. Duan Hong and others heard about the turmoil in the palace, so they stationed troops at the various city gates. Upon returning to the palace, De executed Hou Chimei and the others involved. Fearing for his life, Mu Rong Da fled to the State of Wei. Mu Rong Fa and the Wei army clashed with the Ji Bei soldiers at Biaoyu, resulting in a defeat for the Wei army.
Han Zhuo wrote in his memorial: "Two bandits remain unaddressed, the national disgrace persists, the Guanzhong region has become a den of wolves, Yangzhou and Yuezhou have turned into forests dominated by owls, the palaces and temples of the three capitals lie in ruins, the tombs of the four emperors lie overgrown with weeds, and no one is guarding them. Isn’t this a day of sorrow for the righteous and a moment for heroes to rise? However, the royal family has suffered repeated disasters, and its prestige and power have not been restored, letting rebellion persist like an unbroken serpent and a wild boar gasping for air. The people are filled with resentment, believing that peace cannot endure, and the morning tranquility cannot last until the end of the year. Your Majesty, if you wish to restore the nation, you must pay attention to recuperation and care for the people who have lost their land, allowing them to gradually recover and resume production without forcing them into labor; show compassion to the weary populace and refrain from adding to their burdens. Only then can the people find peace and stability in Yingqiu, but it is difficult to establish a long-term foothold in places like Qin and Yue. The rebels are now numerous and strong, occupying three sides of us, constantly watching for the country's weaknesses. We should carefully assess the strength of the enemy and ourselves, analyze the possibilities of victory and defeat, train the army, stockpile food and forage, actively prepare to suppress the rebels to avenge the national disgrace, and passively ensure the security of the country. However, because of the corrupt policies of Qin and Jin, the people deceive each other and hide, with dozens of families sharing one household registration, and thousands of people sharing one household registration, attaching themselves to the city and society, not afraid of inspections, openly evading corvée labor, committing crimes at will, destroying customs, and violating laws, which the law does not tolerate, yet remains uninvestigated and unpunished. We should now obscure the true number of household registrations, re-register and compile them, which will enhance the court's efficiency in governance while also bolstering military strength and resources."
If my advice is adopted, I would not hesitate to face the risk of enduring the harsh punishment meted out to Shang Yang, a historical figure known for his strict legalism, or to confront the calamities suffered by Yue Wan, who endured great trials for his beliefs.
The emperor adopted his advice and sent General Murong Zhen to reinforce border security and prevent the populace from fleeing. Han Zhuo was appointed as the Imperial Envoy, Cavalier Attendant, and Secretary of the Xing Tai, inspecting the districts and registering hidden households, uncovering a total of fifty-eight thousand. Han Zhuo was known for his integrity and honesty, bringing peace to the people wherever he went.
Emperor Dezong personally presided over the exams, and after the exams, he hosted a banquet for the candidates. He gazed into the distance before turning to Shangshu Lu Sui and saying, "Qi and Lu have always produced talents. In their heyday, people like Jie, Shen, Ba Sheng, Chunyu, Zou, and Tian dressed in gorgeous clothes, rode in decorated carriages by clear ponds, wielded long swords and spoke eloquently, showcasing their extraordinary talent. With just a gesture, they could write beautiful articles; with a movement, they could produce majestic charm. But now? Only weeds and graves remain; the former glory has faded into obscurity. Reflecting on this fills me with deep emotion!" Lu Sui replied, "Emperor Wu worshipped the tomb of Bi Gan, and Emperor Gaozu worshipped the tomb of Xing Lingjun, because they valued talents and remembered the past history. Your Majesty is even more benevolent, spreading your grace to those in the afterlife. If those departed talents were aware, they would undoubtedly be moved to tears with gratitude."
Previously, there was a demonic bandit king who gathered followers and troops at Mount Tai, self-proclaiming himself the Emperor of Taiping. His father was given the title of Supreme Emperor, his brother the General of the East, and his younger brother the General of the West. Murong Zhen led an army to confront him, captured him, and executed him by beheading in the capital. Before his execution, someone asked about the fate of his father and brothers. King Shi replied, "The Supreme Emperor is in exile, and both the General of the East and the General of the West were killed by the bandits. I am the only one left, utterly alone and desolate!" His wife angrily said, "It's your big mouth that got us into this mess, and you still say that!" King Shi said, "Empress! Since ancient times, there has never been a family that doesn't decline, nor a nation that doesn't fall!" The soldiers carrying out the execution used a sword to execute him, and he gazed up at the sky and declared, "Even in death, I will never renounce my title as Emperor!" When Emperor Dezong heard this, he merely smiled.
Huan Xuan wanted to seize power and eliminate anyone who opposed him. Liu Gui, the Governor of Jizhou, Sima Xiuzhi, the Prefect of Xiangcheng, Liu Jingxuan, the General of Pacifying the Barbarians, Gao Yazhi, the Magistrate of Guangling, and Zhang Dan, the Administrator of Jiangdu, all felt uneasy and ran to Liu Yu. Then Han Fan, a Minister of the Palace Secretariat under Liu Yu, submitted a memorial saying: "In order for an emperor to succeed, he must seize the opportunity and plan carefully. Having the right person without the right time is not enough, and having the right time without the right person is also not enough. Success can only be achieved when both the person and the time are right. Since the chaos in the Jin Dynasty, it has been seven years. Huan Xuan's rebellion is worse than Dong Zhuo's; even the heavens cannot bear to see it. The people are in turmoil, and the suffering is widespread. Now is the best opportunity! You are so capable; if you just offer some guidance and lead the troops in battle, you can succeed effortlessly, like sound follows echo, like actions cast shadows. The population in the Jianghuai region is small, and the military presence is thin. If ten thousand infantry and cavalry are dispatched to swiftly attack, heading straight for Jiangling and Kuaiji, we'll definitely win, and the people will welcome us with open arms. By occupying thousands of miles of territory and having a military force exceeding one hundred thousand, we can defeat the Qin Dynasty and resist the Wei Dynasty. If we want to grow our territory and safeguard our nation, now is the best time! If we miss this opportunity and wait for other capable individuals to rise up and defeat Huan Xuan, bringing peace to the world, it'll be tough for us to make any moves. We won't even be able to capture Jianye, let alone the areas north of the Yangtze River. Once we miss this chance, trouble's gonna come, and it'll be too late to regret it! You must consider this carefully!"
Liu Yu said, "Since I have failed several times, the national agenda has been stalled, allowing those evildoers to cause chaos. The capital has fallen into disrepair. Every time I think about this, I feel a deep anger. Shao Kang only led a small army in the past, and he destroyed the Xia Dynasty, reestablishing the Shang Dynasty. Furthermore, I currently control the territory of Sanqi, with the military forces of five provinces at my disposal. I have trained the army and instilled in them the principles of etiquette, ensuring that everyone understands their purpose. Everyone is eagerly awaiting the call to action! I had initially intended to pacify the Central Plains first, eliminate those rebellious guys, and then implement a good system to govern the whole country, allowing the army to drink from the Yangtze River and raise our banner on Longshan. This goal has not been achieved yet, so I am currently biding my time. Ministers, please deliberate carefully." Everyone felt that Huan Xuan had just gained power and could not move against him for now, so they decided against it. Therefore, Liu Yu trained his army in the west of the city, comprising 370,000 infantry, 17,000 chariots, and 53,000 cavalry. The army was deployed across the mountains and fields, with banners unfurling and drums resounding. Liu Yu ascended a vantage point and said to Liu Gui and Gao Ya, "In the past, Xi Ke avenged Qi, and Wu Zixu avenged Wu. They both realized their wishes in the end, leaving a lasting reputation. Since you have chosen to follow me, you must not let your ambitions go unfulfilled like theirs." Gao Ya and the others bowed and thanked him, saying, "It is thanks to Your Majesty's grace that we have survived. Even if we were to be torn asunder, we cannot repay your kindness!" At this time, it was heard that Huan Xuan had failed. Liu Yu appointed Murong Zhen as the vanguard and Murong Zhong as the grand marshal, giving them 20,000 infantry and 5,000 cavalry to prepare for departure. However, Liu Yu fell ill, so the military campaign was put on hold.
Initially, Liu Yu summoned his nephew Liu Chao from Chang'an. When Liu Chao arrived, Liu Yu dreamed one night that his father told him, "Since you have no son, why not make Liu Chao the crown prince early? Otherwise, evil people will harbor ill intentions." When Liu Yu woke up, he told his wife, "The spirit of the late emperor is guiding me. Interpreting this dream, I believe I am nearing my end." He then issued a decree appointing Liu Chao as crown prince and declared a nationwide amnesty, elevating the ranks of officials who were in mourning for their fathers by two levels.
Liu Yu died that month, in the first year of the Yi Xi era, at the age of seventy. That night, he had over ten coffins prepared, which were discreetly taken out through the four city gates and secretly buried in a valley, ensuring that no one knew the location of his burial. He reigned for five years and was posthumously honored as Emperor Xianwu.
Tufa Wugu is a member of the Xianbei ethnic group from Hexi. His ancestors were of the same lineage as the Northern Wei. His eighth-generation ancestor, Pigou, moved with his clan from the northern border to Hexi, with their territory stretching from the wheat fields and Qiandun in the east to Shiluo in the west, Jiaohe in the south, and bordering the vast desert to the north. After Pigou's death, his son Shoutian succeeded him. Interestingly, while Shoutian was still in his mother's womb, his mother Huyeshi unexpectedly gave birth to him right there in her blanket while sleeping. The Xianbei refer to a blanket as "Tufa," which is why they adopted it as their surname. After Shoutian died, his grandson Shuji succeeded him. He was a robust and cunning young man. During the Taishi era of the Jin Dynasty, he killed the Qinzhou Inspector Hu Lie at Wan Hudui and defeated the Liangzhou Inspector Su Yu at Jinshan, suddenly occupying the entire Liangzhou. Emperor Wu of Jin was so worried about this that he hardly had time to eat. Later, he was defeated by Malong, and his subordinates killed him before surrendering. Following Wuwan's death, his grandson Tuijin succeeded him. After Tuijin died, his son Sifujian took over, as the clan's power gradually grew stronger. Wugu is Sifujian's son.
After Wugudang ascended to the throne, he focused on developing agriculture and silkworm farming, and maintained good relations with his neighbors. Lu Guang sent him titles such as False Festival, Champion General, Grand Marshal of Hexi Xianbei, and Marquis of Guangwu County. Wugudang asked his generals, "Lu Guang is so far away from us; should we accept the titles he has sent?" The others replied, "We have plenty of troops; why should we take orders from him?" Just as Wugudang was about to refuse, his general Shi Zhenruo intervened, saying, "Our position isn't stable yet; we need to be cautious. Lu Guang is skilled at governing, and there is no war in the territory. If we confront him directly, whether big or small, we won't stand a chance. It'll be too late to regret it once we act. It's wiser to accept his titles for now, flatter him, and settle the score later." Wugudang accepted Lu Guang's appointment. Wugudang defeated the Yifu and Zhejue tribes decisively and then sent his general Shi Yigan to build a fortress in Lianchuan to assert control over those tribes. Wugudang climbed Lianchuan Mountain and cried silently, without saying a word. Shi Yigan approached and said, "I’ve heard that when a lord is sad, his subjects feel ashamed; when a lord is ashamed, his subjects may perish. Your Majesty, is your unhappiness because of Lu Guang? Lu Guang is old, and his army has been defeated one after another. Now we are strong, occupying the strategic Dachuan; we can easily take on a hundred, what's Lu Guang to us!"
Wu Gu said, "I know Lü Guang is getting old. However, my ancestors used benevolence to influence distant people. All ethnic groups fear our authority. Luling, Qihan, and other places have all submitted obediently; even those thousands of miles away listen to us. But after I inherited my ancestors' legacy, all the tribes have rebelled. Those nearby have defied my orders; how can we expect those far away to obey? That's why I cry!" His general Fu Hun said, "Your Majesty, why not inspire the army and swear to punish their crimes?" Wu Gu took his advice and went on to defeat the rebellious tribes. Lü Guang appointed Wu Gu as the Duke of Guangwu. Later, Wu Gu defeated the Yiyun Xianbei.
Lü Guang sent envoys again, appointing Wu Gu as the Grand General of the South, Governor of Yizhou, and King of the Left. Wu Gu said to the envoys, "Lü Guang originally occupied these provinces and territories by force, but he did not use benevolence to pacify the people from afar, nor did he govern the people well. His sons were hedonistic, and his three nephews were tyrannical. Every province was on the brink of collapse, and the common people were barely able to fill their stomachs. How can I go against the will of the people and accept such unjust titles? The rise and fall of emperors is not a fixed principle! If tyranny is practiced, destruction will follow; if benevolence is practiced, prosperity will ensue. I intend to align with the will of heaven and the people and become the rightful ruler of this world!" After he spoke, he dismissed the procession and musicians sent by Lü Guang, declined Lü Guang's appointment, and sent the envoys away.
In the year 311 AD, he proclaimed himself as the Grand Commander, Grand General, Great Chanyu, and King of Xiping, then declared a general amnesty throughout his realm and changed his era name to "Taichu." He led his troops to Guangwu, capturing Jincheng. The Jin Dynasty sent General Dou Gou to fight him, but faced a crushing defeat at Jieting. The three counties of Ledu, Huanghe, and Jiaohe surrendered to him, and tens of thousands of Qiang and Hu households in Lingnan rallied to his cause. Yang Gui and Wang Qiji brought thousands of households to join him. Wugu also gave himself the title of King of Wuwei.
Three years later, he moved to Ledu and appointed his younger brother Li Lugu as Grand General of the Valiant Cavalry and Duke of Xiping, tasking him with pacifying the local tribes; and appointed Nu Tan as Grand General of Chariots and Cavalry and Duke of Guangwu, to guard Xiping. He also treated Yang Gui as an honored guest. Just look at his team; they were all exceptionally talented! Jin Sheng and Shi Lianzhen are elite figures among the ethnic minorities; Yin Xun and Guo Xing are respected figures in the Western region; Yang Tong, Yang Zhen, Wei Yin, Qu Chengming, Guo Huang, Guo Fen, Shi Gao, and Lu Song are outstanding figures in both civil and military domains; Liang Chang, Han Pi, Zhang Chang, and Guo Shao are talented and prestigious individuals in the Central Plains; Jin Shu, Xue Qiao, Zhao Zhen, Wang Zhong, Zhao Chao, and Su Ba are noble and prestigious families in the Qin and Yong regions. He arranged all these people in important positions, allowing them to fully utilize their talents. In short, he was remarkably skilled at talent management!
Wugu calmly addressed his subordinates, "The region around Longyou consists of only a few counties! Due to the wars, it has fragmented into more than ten small states. Gan Gui accepted the court's appointment and declared himself king in Henan, while Duan Ye led troops in Zhangye, oppressing the Di people and secretly occupying Guzang. I carry on the ambitions of my father and brothers, and I intend to pacify the Western Xia. We must defeat them one by one; which should we attack first?"
Yang Tong stood up and said, "Qian Gui originally belonged to us; he will inevitably submit in due time. Duan Ye is merely a scholar with little talent for governance; he was compelled by the powerful minister and had no choice in the matter. Fighting a thousand miles away presents significant logistical challenges, and his relationship with us is not bad. We can pledge to share the burdens of disaster, wait until he is weakened before we strike; a direct attack now would be unwise. Lu Guang is getting old; his sons Lu Zuan and Lu Hong have some talent in both civil and military affairs, but the two brothers harbor mutual suspicions. If we strike aggressively, they will likely crumble swiftly. It is best to send cavalry to station in Haowei, control Lianchuan, and then take advantage of the situation, disturbing them in multiple ways. If they save the east, we attack the west; if they save the west, we attack the east, wearing them down to the point where the common people cannot even farm. It's time to divide and conquer! In less than two years, we can take down Guzang. Once Guzang is taken, those two guys don't need us to take action; they will naturally surrender." Wu Gu felt that what Yang Tong said made sense and was already planning to annex them.
When Lu Zuan attacked Duan Ye, he sent Li Lugu to his rescue. Fearing defeat, Lu Zuan burned the grain supplies in Dichi and Zhangye before withdrawing his troops. Lu Zuan appointed Li Lugu as the Governor of Liangzhou, where he was stationed in Xiping, and promoted Nuo Tan to participate in state affairs in the court.
That year, Wu Gu drank too much, fell from his horse, and injured his ribs. He chuckled and remarked, "I nearly gave Lu Guang and his son a reason to celebrate." Shortly thereafter, his injuries worsened, and he turned to his subordinates, saying, "The war is not over yet; we should quickly appoint a successor." After uttering those words, he passed away. He reigned for three years and, following his death, was posthumously honored as the Martial King, with the temple name Liezu. His brother, Li Lugu, ascended to the throne.
Li Luogu declared himself emperor in the third year of Long'an, granting amnesty to all prisoners convicted of crimes less severe than capital offenses, and then moved to Xiping to live. He sent his secretary, Qu Liangming, to consult with Duan Ye. Duan Ye said, "Your esteemed predecessor laid the foundation for the nation and achieved greater merits than his forebears. He should be honored as the founding emperor of the country. Since he has a son, why not appoint him as the heir?" Qu Liangming replied, "His son, Qiangnu, was designated as the heir by the previous emperor." Duan Ye said, "Historically, King Cheng was young and was assisted by the Duke of Zhou and the Duke of Shao. Emperor Zhao of Han ascended the throne at the age of eight and was assisted by Jin Midi and Huo Guang. Even if the heir is young, with two wise uncles to support him, wouldn't that be beneficial?" Qu Liangming said, "Emperor Xuan of Song was able to transfer the throne to another, as noted in the 'Spring and Autumn Annals'; Sun Ce handed over affairs to Sun Quan, ultimately achieving the foundation of the Wu state. Moreover, the principle of 'elder brother succeeds' was established by King Tang of the Shang Dynasty, as well as a saying of the saints, which has been practiced for thousands of years. Why must it be the son who inherits, and not the younger brother of the elder brother?" Duan Ye said, "Well said! This indeed reflects the duty of an envoy."
Li Luogu heard that Lu Guang had died, so he sent his generals Jin Shu and Su Qiao to station five thousand cavalry at Changsong Mokou.
After more than a year, he granted amnesty again within the territory and changed the era name to Jianhe. Those upright and benevolent officials holding the rank of two thousand stones were all bestowed the title of Marquis within the Passes.
Lü Zuan launched an attack against him, and Li Lugu sent Nu Tan to resist. Lü Zuan's elite army quickly advanced to Sandui (placename), causing fear among his three armies. Nu Tan dismounted and sat on a wooden bed, boosting the morale of the army. He fought against Lü Zuan, defeated him, and killed over two thousand enemies. Lü Zuan then attacked Duan Ye, and Nu Tan led ten thousand cavalry to launch a surprise attack on Guzang. Lü Zuan's brother Lü Wei guarded the north and south cities and refused to come out. Nu Tan set up a feast at the Zhu Ming Gate, rewarding the soldiers with wine and food, then demonstrated his military prowess at Qingyang Gate, capturing over eight thousand households before returning triumphantly.
Qifu Gangui was defeated by Yao Xing and fled to Jin Xing with a few hundred cavalry, being treated like a noble. Gangui also sent his son Qian and others as hostages to Xiping. General Zhenbei Ju Yan told Li Lugu, "Gangui was originally a subordinate small country; he self-proclaimed king, and now that things aren't going well, he has come to surrender, not sincerely. If he goes to Dongqin, it would definitely attract their army to invade us, which wouldn't be good for us. He should be moved to Yifeng to block his escape route." Li Lugu said, "I'm trying to win people's hearts with sincerity. If Gangui surrenders and I move him away, people will say I am not trustworthy." Shortly after, Gangui did indeed escape and defected to Yao Xing. Li Lugu told Ju Yan, "I didn't listen to you; Gangui betrayed, you were right about this!" Ju Yan pursued Gangui to the Yellow River but came back empty-handed.
Li Lu Gu ruled as king for two years; there appeared a dragon in Changning and a qilin in Suiqiang. Therefore, the ministers advised him to proclaim himself king, and in the fifth year of Long'an, he proclaimed himself King of Hexi. His general, Tuo Wulun, advised him, "Our ancestors originally rose from Youzhou and Shuozhou, with disheveled hair and crude clothing, without the ceremonial attire of crowns. They were nomadic and lacked the system of cities, yet they were able to occupy half of the world and dominate the four directions. Now proclaiming oneself king and emperor indeed conforms to the will of heaven. However, living in luxury is not a long-term plan; stockpiling food and wealth will only encourage the ambitions of our enemies. Moreover, engaging in war immediately after proclaiming oneself king will likely lead to failure, as evidenced by the cases of Chen Sheng and Xiang Yu! We should resettle the people of the Jin Dynasty in various cities, encourage them to develop agriculture to supply the needs of the country, while we train the army to conquer those who do not obey. If there are changes on both sides, employ strategies to hold them off; if the enemy is stronger than us, move to avoid their attacks. Wouldn't that be better?" Li Lu Gu listened to his advice.
Then Li Lu Gu led his troops to attack Lulong, defeated Lulong, and captured Lulong's Right Minister Yang Huan. Nü Tan said to Yang Huan, "You remained in a perilous state, failing to seek out a wise lord, and as you grew older, you became a captive. How can you be considered a wise man?" Yang Huan said, "I have received great kindness from the Lü family, held important positions, and even if the floodwaters rise, I want to do my best to rescue those who are about to drown. I am ashamed to betray my loyalty and seek refuge with a wise ruler." Nü Tan said, "You are truly a loyal subject!" and appointed him as Left Sima.
Li Lu Gu said to his subordinates, "I don’t have much talent in governing the country, but I inherited the throne and have become quite proud and complacent. I’ve been emperor for three years now. Although I work diligently day and night, thinking about promoting education, the enforcement of the law has not been satisfactory, and there are still many issues in society. I’ve sent troops into battle many times, but I haven’t managed to expand our territory. I want to elevate talented individuals, but there’s still a backlog of talent waiting. Is it because I haven’t used people wisely, or is it my own lack of insight? Please share your thoughts honestly; I’ll listen carefully." Shi Gao, an official from the Ministry of Worship, replied, "In ancient times, emperors focused on preserving the army as the top priority in battles, followed by conquering enemy states, rescuing people from peril, and always prioritizing the well-being of the people. Now, you don’t prioritize the people’s stability, only focused on relocating people. People are uprooted from their peaceful homes, which leads to rebellions. Therefore, although you may conquer cities and territories, the land has not expanded much. In selecting talent now, you must first consider martial skills while viewing scholarly pursuits as insignificant. This isn’t the way to attract talent or build a lasting legacy. Confucius said, 'Without learning proper conduct, one cannot stand.' We should establish schools and select respected scholars to educate the youth." Li Lu Gu agreed with him and appointed Tian Xuan Chong and Zhao Dan as professors responsible for educating the youth.
At that time, Li Luogu, even though he had usurped the throne and declared himself emperor, still acknowledged Yao Xing's authority. Yang Huan's elder brother had once served Yao Chang but died young. Yao Xing heard that Yang Huan was virtuous and talented, so he summoned him. Li Luogu held a farewell banquet for Yang Huan in the east of the city, saying to him, "I had hoped to accomplish great things alongside you, but things did not go as planned. The sorrow of our parting feels even greater than that of ancient times. Just as the Kunpeng cannot soar without the vast sea, and the phoenix cannot spread its wings without the tall wutong tree, your talent in assisting a ruler is as precious as a night pearl and should be displayed in the court, renowned throughout the world. The small Hexi region cannot hold your talents. I hope you will continue to strive for greatness in the future." Yang Huan cried and said, "I previously served the Lü family poorly. Your Majesty forgave me when you captured me and regarded me as a talented individual. I have always wished to serve Your Majesty and make a name for myself, but now that the opportunity has finally come, I must leave. How can I forget this feeling of parting with deep affection?" Li Luogu also wept at this.
Nu Tan reportedly attacked and quickly captured Meng Yi, the Prefect of Changsong in Lulong. Nu Tan seized Meng Yi and questioned him, saying, "You must act at the right moment to earn rewards; clinging to a faulty strategy will only lead to punishment. I am about to lead my troops to Yumen Pass to pacify the Qin and Long regions, yet you cling to a struggling city, causing delays in the court's orders. Surely, you know the country has laws and regulations?"
Meng Yi replied, "You openly condemn the Hexi region, your reputation spreads far and wide, using benevolence to soothe the distant populace, using force to punish those who do not follow the rules. How could someone insignificant like me, Meng Yi, dare to defy fate! To be defeated in battle and killed is my destiny. However, I am deeply loyal to the Lü family and to you. I am deeply grateful for the Lü family's grace, entrusted with the important task of guarding the border. If you arrive, I will surrender, but I fear this may place you in a difficult position. It is all up to you to decide."
Nutan was greatly pleased to hear this, untied his ropes, and treated him with the courtesy due to a guest. He then relocated over two thousand households from Xianmei and Lijian back. Nutan admired Meng Yi's loyalty and integrity, appointing him as the Left Sima. Meng Yi requested, "The Lü family is on the brink of extinction, and the court is clearly planning to annex the Hexi region. As a subject of the Lü family, I have failed to safeguard their legacy while accepting your favor. I am not at ease in my heart. I thank you for your kindness; please allow me to commit suicide in Guzang City, so that my name may be remembered for generations." Nutan was moved by his loyalty and granted him his wish.
Lü Long was attacked by Juqu Mengxun and sent messengers requesting support. Li Luguo gathered his men to discuss. The Deputy Secretary of the Ministry of Personnel, Po Yanlun, said, "Currently, Guzang City is suffering from severe famine; the situation is dire, food is prohibitively expensive, there is no grass in the fields, and supplies are nonexistent. Mengxun has come a long way to attack; his food and grass supply is also difficult, so why not let these two enemies weaken each other, and then we can take advantage of the situation to attack? Even if Mengxun captures Guzang City, he will struggle to maintain control, and there is no necessity to send reinforcements."
Nutan remarked, "You only see one side, not the other. Although Guzang City is now empty and in decline, it has an advantageous geographical position and is the center of the Western Regions. We must act quickly to save it." Li Lugu said, "General Chariot (referring to Nutan) is right; I also think so." So, Nutan was sent to lead ten thousand cavalry to rescue. When they arrived at Changsong, Meng Xun had already retreated, and Nutan brought back over five hundred households from Liangze and Duanzhong.
Li Lugu fell ill and lay in bed, feeling quite unwell. He ordered, "There are many dangers inside and outside now, and many national affairs. Let my son Chariot succeed me and fulfill the wishes of the former king." He passed away three years into his reign and was buried in the southeast of Xiping. He was posthumously named King Kang. His brother Nutan inherited the throne.
Nutan displayed intelligence and talent from an early age. His father admired him and said to his other sons, "Nutan is intelligent and capable, a standard you can't match." Therefore, the other brothers never thought of passing the throne to their own sons, but all wanted to pass it to Nutan. Once Li Lugu ascended to the throne, he largely neglected governance, leaving all national affairs to Nutan. In the inaugural year of Yuanxing, Nutan proclaimed himself as the King of Liang, moved the capital to Ledu, and changed the era name to Hongchang.
Initially, during Qifu Gangui's time in Jin Xing, he once sent his son Chipan as a hostage to ensure safety. Later, Chipan managed to escape but was recaptured by pursuers. Li Luguo ordered his execution. Nu Tan said, "When a subject escapes and returns to seek refuge with his father, this principle has been recognized throughout history. Therefore, Cao Cao, the Emperor Wu of Wei, praised Guan Yu's seeking refuge, and King Zhaoxiang of Qin forgave King Qingxiang's departure. Although Chipan did flee, his filial piety deserves commendation, demonstrating our generosity." So Chipan was pardoned. At this point, Chipan fled once more to Yun Street, and Nu Tan also sent his wife and children to be with him.
Yao Xing sent envoys to appoint Nu Tan as the General of Chariots and Cavalry and the Duke of Guangwu. Nu Tan undertook extensive construction projects in Le Du, including the building of city walls. General Qi Nan led his troops to greet Lu Long in Guzang, while Nu Tan commanded the garrison forces in Changsong and Weian to evade them.
The Governor of Liangzhou, Wang Shang, sent his chief clerk, Zong Chang, to negotiate a marriage alliance with Helian Bobo. Zong Chang's father, Zong Xie, had previously served as the Prefect of Huanghe under Lü Guang and later became a Gentleman of the Imperial Secretariat. He had previously met Helian Bobo in Guangwu, where he took Helian Bobo's hand and said, "You are truly a remarkable and gifted individual. You will surely pacify the world in the future. Sadly, I am too old and may not live to witness it. I place my sons, Zong Chang and his brother, in your care."
Now, Helian Bobo said to Zong Chang, "I have average abilities, yet your father valued me. I have always kept your father in my thoughts. Just like in the Book of Songs, it says: 'How could I ever forget this friendship?' I never thought I would see you today." Zong Chang replied, "Your kindness is akin to that of Emperor Cao Cao of Wei; thinking of my father so much, even Zhu Hui's care for Zhang Kan and Uncle Xiang's nurturing of Ru Qi's son pale in comparison to your kindness!" As they enjoyed their drinks, they started reminiscing about the past. Helian Bobo said, "You are a talent like Lu Su, but it's a shame we can't achieve great things together!"
Seeing that Yao Xing was powerful, Helian Bobo secretly planned to attack Guzang. He revoked Yao Xing's era name, dismissed officials such as the Shangshu Cheng Lang, and sent the military officer Guan Shang to report the situation to Yao Xing. Yao Xing said to Guan Shang, "Helian Bobo surrendered and offered gifts; he is the country's barrier. Why did he raise troops without permission and build such a large city? Is this how a loyal subject behaves?" Guan Shang replied, "Princes build cities for defense; this is the system of the former kings, to appease the people, protect the army, and guard against unforeseen events. General Helian Bobo is stationed in a remote area, near formidable foes, with the Qiang tribes not completely subdued to the south, and the Mengsun rebelling to the west. He is defending the borders of the realm; you have misjudged him." Yao Xing laughed heartily after hearing this and said, "You are right!"
Nutan sent his general Wenzhi to attack the Southern Qiang and Western Xiongnu, achieving resounding victories. He then submitted a memorial to Yao Xing, requesting to obtain Liangzhou, but his request was denied. However, Yao Xing promoted Nutan to Cavalier Attendant-in-Ordinary and expanded his fief by two thousand households.
Afterwards, Lü Tan led the army to attack Juqu Mengxun and reached Di Chi. Mengxun fiercely defended the city, even set fire to the crops in the fields. Lü Tan withdrew his troops after arriving at Chiquan and then presented 3,000 horses and 30,000 sheep to Yao Xing. Yao Xing was overjoyed and immediately appointed Lü Tan as the Governor of Hexi, Commander of all military affairs, Grand General of Chariots and Cavalry, Commander of the Xiongnu Guards, and Governor of Liangzhou. He also retained his previous titles of Cavalier Attendant and Duke, and was assigned to guard Guzang.
Lü Tan led 30,000 infantry and cavalry to attack Wujian, where Wang Shang, the Governor of Liangzhou, sent Xin Chao, Meng Yi, and Peng Min to meet him. Wang Shang himself came out from Qingyang Gate, while General Wenzhi entered from Liangfeng Gate. Zong Chang served as the escort to send Wang Shang back to Chang'an. At that moment, Lü Tan seized Zong Chang and said, "I have acquired over 3,000 households in Liangzhou, and you are the only one I truly care about. How could you leave me?" Zong Chang replied, "I am sending away my former master now to serve Your Highness faithfully!" Lü Tan then asked, "I have just arrived in Guizhou and want to implement a strategy of pacifying distant lands and stabilizing neighboring areas. What’s your opinion?"
Zong Chang analyzed and said, "Although Liangzhou is somewhat in decline now, its terrain is strategically significant, and the key is in how the leaders govern. Duan Yi and Meng Yi are longstanding veterans in the Wuwei region; Xin Chao and Peng Min are elites in Qinzhou and Longzhou; Pei Min and Ma Fu are noble families from the Central Plains; Zhang Chang is an old aristocrat in Liangzhou; Zhang Mu, Bian Xian, Wen Qi, Yang Ban, Liang Song, and Zhao Chang are all fierce warriors. As long as you can use your talents, govern the people with prestige, develop agriculture, strengthen the military, and promote cultural education, then you can dominate the world; what does Hexi matter?" Nuo Tan was delighted to hear this and rewarded Zong Chang with twenty horses. Then, he hosted a banquet for civil and military officials in the Qian Guang Palace and also rewarded them with golden horses, with varying amounts for each.
Yao Xing sent Xi Cao to discuss terms with the General of Chariots and Cavalry (referring to Yao Chang). Yao Xing asked Xi Cao, "The General of Chariots and Cavalry is now firmly in control of Liangzhou, returning in glory. Is this really his merit?" Xi Cao replied, "The General of Chariots and Cavalry has accumulated a lot of merit in the Hexi region, but his reputation was not very prominent before. He fought alone, surrendered from a distance; Your Majesty appoints based on merit; this is the usual practice, how can we even discuss his merit?" Yao Xing said, "If I didn't give him Liangzhou, where would he have gotten Liangzhou?"
Shi Gao explained, "The Hexi region is in turmoil, and the Lv family group is also in disarray, all because the two brothers of the Chariots and Cavalry General have exerted their full efforts. Your Majesty, although you have great power, Liangzhou remains outside your grasp. In the past, the Zhou and Shao states dispatched large armies to conquer Liangzhou, but they were defeated at Guzang; the Qi state also led a large army to attack, but was thwarted at Zhangye. The Chariots and Cavalry General single-handedly defended the besieged city and had to resist external enemies. Had Your Majesty not refrained from military action for over a decade, exhausting the nation's resources, Liangzhou would not have been so easily captured. Now you use a feigned title to placate him while secretly reaping significant rewards; this is a shrewd strategy, aligned with the will of heaven, and even a promotion to an official position is in line with the times."
Yao Xing was very happy and immediately appointed Shi Gao as the commander of the cavalry.
Nu Tan invited the officials to a banquet in the Xuan De Hall and sighed, "The ancients said, 'Those who do things do not take credit, those who take credit do not do real things,' which is really true!" Meng Yi continued, "King Wen of Zhou built cities and gardens, repaired ancestral temples, leaving a foundation for future generations, but as soon as the Qin army arrived at the Yellow River, it collapsed. Liang Xi once wielded great power, controlling the territory of Western Xia, but was defeated in Jiuquan and died in Pengji. The Lv family group was once powerful, but their country fell apart and they were forced to offer precious jade to Qinzhou and Yongzhou for peace. Kuan Rao once said, 'Wealth and glory are ever-changing, and ownership can change in the blink of an eye.' This Xuan De Hall has been standing for almost a hundred years, with twelve owners; only through sincerity and timely responses can lasting peace be achieved, and only benevolence and righteousness can maintain eternal peace. I hope Your Majesty will heed this as a cautionary tale."
Nu Tan said, "If it weren't for you, I wouldn't have heard such straightforward advice!" Though Nu Tan was subject to Yao Xing's authority, his attire and demeanor were regal. He appointed Zong Chang as the chief steward of the Grand Treasury, overseeing the administrative affairs as well.
It is said that Nu Tan, pretending to go have fun by the river, ended up relocating over 30,000 Qiang households from Xiping and Huanghe to the four regions of Wuxing, Fanhe, Wuwei, and Changsong. He also brought in more than 50,000 soldiers from the Rong and Xia tribes, held a massive military parade in Fangting, and then led the troops to attack Juqu Mengxun, heading straight into western Shaanxi. As a result, Mengxun rallied his troops to resist, and the two armies fought at Junshi, with Nu Tan losing. Nu Tan quickly led 20,000 cavalry and brought 40,000 stones of grain to support the western county, but Mengxun launched an attack on the western county and took control of it.
Later, Nu Tan fought against Helian Bobo in Yangwu and lost again, with more than ten of his generals killed. Nu Tan fled to the southern mountains with a few cavalry, narrowly avoiding being captured by pursuers. Fearing assaults from both directions, Nu Tan relocated all the people within a 300-li radius to Guzang, creating widespread panic and resentment throughout the country. At this time, a man named Tuge Chengqier, seeing the suffering of the people, led his more than 300 followers to rebel in the north city, hoping to install Liang Gui as their leader. However, Liang Gui refused to show his face and ignored them.
Overnight, the gathered rebel army swelled to several thousand. At this point, the palace guard Zhang Meng stood up and declared to everyone, "The Emperor's defeat in Yangwu was due to underestimating the enemy and advancing recklessly! A wise ruler acknowledges their mistakes and corrects them. Why do you follow this villain to do such unjust things? We still have the army in the palace, and the situation is so dangerous now. It will be too late for regrets!" Hearing this, the crowd dispersed. Chengqier fled to Yanran, but the palace cavalry, led by Bai Lu, caught up with him and killed him.
Afterwards, the military adviser Liang Pou, assistant marshal Bian Xian, and seven others conspired to rebel, but Nu Tan had them all executed.
Yao Xing heard that Nu Tan defeated the chaotic forces of Bo Bo in Yangwu, and there were rebellions in the border areas and Liangzhou, so he sent Minister Wei Zong to explore the situation in Liangzhou. Nu Tan discussed the strategy of the six states forming alliances and the tactics of warfare among nations, covering topics from destiny's rise and fall to the successes and failures of human endeavors, with various unpredictable twists. Wei Zong listened attentively and praised him repeatedly, saying that Nu Tan's eloquence was truly remarkable!
After Wei Zong left, he sighed, "Those capable of governing and ensuring national security don't necessarily have to come from a prestigious family; those who can quell rebellions and save the people from disaster don't necessarily have to be well-educated. Besides the Five Classics and the grand ceremonies, there are many other talented individuals out there! Nu Tan is a military genius—truly an extraordinary individual; people like You Yu and Ri Di simply can't compare to him!"
After returning to Chang'an, Wei Zong told Yao Xing, "Although Liangzhou has experienced war and chaos, the people's morale hasn't completely broken down. Nu Tan is shrewd and relies on geographical advantages, making him a tough opponent!" Yao Xing said, "If he can take down the disorganized forces of Bo Bo, surely I can defeat him with the full might of our army?"
Wei Zong replied, "The situation can change in an instant, and the development of events may be completely different. Those who underestimate the enemy are easily defeated, and those who are good at defense are difficult to break. In the Battle of Yangwu, Nu Tan was defeated by Bo Bo because he underestimated the enemy. Now that we are pressing with a large army, he will definitely strengthen his defense and seek self-defense. I doubt anyone in the court can rival Nu Tan's strategies. Even if we launch a strong offensive, victory isn't guaranteed." Ignoring Wei Zong's advice, Yao Xing sent General Yao Bi and Lian Cheng to lead thirty thousand infantry and cavalry to attack Liangzhou, and also dispatched Yao Xian for support. He wrote a letter to Nu Tan, saying, "I've sent the Left Chancellor Qi Nan to pursue Bo Bo, fearing that he will escape to the west, so I've ordered Yao Bi and his men to intercept him in Hexi." Nu Tan took it at face value and failed to make any preparations.
Yao Bi's army arrived at Mokou, where Prefect Su Ba of Changsong defended the city. Yao Bi urged Su Ba to surrender, but Su Ba replied, "You have violated the alliance and attacked us, your submissive vassals. Heaven won't bless you! I'd rather be a ghost in Liangzhou than give up!" The city was breached, and Su Ba was killed. Yao Bi arrived at Guzang and stationed at Xiyuan. Locals Wang Zhong, Song Zhong, Wang E, and others secretly conspired, preparing to capture Yao Bi's messengers. Nulan wanted to eliminate these traitors, but the front army general Yili Yanhou said, "We have strong enemies outside and internal spies. The situation is critical and perilous. We should kill them all to stabilize the situation." Nulan agreed and killed more than 5,000 people, giving the women as rewards to the soldiers. He ordered each county to drive cattle and sheep to the wilderness, and if they resisted, the soldiers could plunder. Nulan sent ten generals, including General Jubu Yan and General Jinggui, to lead the cavalry to attack separately, defeating Yao Bi's forces, killing over 7,000. Yao Bi held his position, and Nulan couldn't capture him, so he diverted the upstream water to try to wear them down in a prolonged battle. Just then, a heavy rain caused the dam to break, allowing Yao Bi's forces to escape. Upon hearing of Yao Bi's defeat, Yao Xian hastened to support him with a strong force. He sent five archers, including Meng Qin, to challenge at the Liangfeng Gate, but before they could shoot, they were rushed and killed by General Song Yi and others. Yao Xian then blamed the defeat on Nulan, sent an apology to Nulan, and withdrew his troops. Nulan was aware that he had usurped the throne of the King of Liang, so he announced a general amnesty, renamed the era Jiaping, and created several new official positions.
He appointed his wife, Lady Zhejue, as the Empress, and his son, Wutai, as both the Crown Prince and the Left Minister, in charge of handling government affairs. The Chief Historian Zhao Chao became the Left Minister, while the Chief Historian Guo Xing became the Right Minister. General Juyan was appointed as the Grand Commandant, and General Jinggui was appointed as the Colonel of the Retainers. Other official appointments were also arranged accordingly.
General Kumu and the Cavalry Commander Hu Kang were sent to attack Juqu Mengxun, and they returned after seizing over a thousand households in the Linsong region. Mengxun, furious, led five thousand cavalry to Xianmei Fangting, defeating the Chega Xianbei forces, and then retreated. Later, Juyan went to attack Mengxun again, but returned defeated.
Nurtan intended to personally lead the troops to attack Mengxun, but Zhao Chao and the Court Astrologer Jingbao hurriedly advised him, saying, "The Taibai star has not yet appeared, and the annual star is in the west. We should stay put and avoid trouble, as it is not suitable to go to war. Recently, astronomical phenomena have been chaotic, with storms and rain not following their usual patterns. Only by focusing on self-cultivation can we ensure safety and stability." Nurtan said, "Mengxun has been outrageous in recent years, coming to our territory, plundering the border, and destroying crops. I've been building up my strength, waiting for the right moment to take my revenge. Now that the army is fully assembled, are you trying to lower our morale?" Jingbao said, "Your Majesty, please don’t think badly of me. Let me observe the signs in the sky. If I see something wrong and do not speak up, then I am not a qualified subject. The signs in the sky are pretty clear, and going to war will definitely not be beneficial."
Nu Tan said, "I will lead fifty thousand light cavalry troops to attack him. If Monsun uses both infantry and cavalry together, their speed will differ from ours. If they attempt to reinforce the right flank, we will strike their left flank; if they charge forward, we will attack their rear. In short, we won't confront them directly, so what is there to be afraid of?" Jing Bao said, "The signs from the heavens are never wrong; there will surely be changes." Nu Tan became angry, locked up Jing Bao, and said, "If you succeed, I'll execute you as an example; if you fail, I'll make you a marquis."
Consequently, Monsun intercepted them with his troops, and the two sides fought at Qiongquan. Nu Tan suffered a crushing defeat and fled on horseback, all by himself. Jing Bao was captured by Monsun, who said to him, "You understand astronomy, hold a high position in their country, yet you go against the will of heaven. Where has your cleverness gone?" Jing Bao replied, "I'm not foolish; it's just that no one listened to my advice." Monsun said, "In the past, Emperor Gaozu of Han was trapped in Pingcheng but escaped because he followed Lou Jing's strategy; Yuan Shao was defeated at Guandu, and Tian Feng was killed. Your strategy is similar to these two, and your lord's character is hard to fathom. You might receive rewards like Lou Jing, but I'm letting you go now, fearing you could end up like Tian Feng." Jing Bao said, "While my lord may not be as powerful as Emperor Gaozu, he is certainly not like Yuan Shao. I never expected to be made a marquis, so why should I worry about bad luck?" Monsun then released him.
Upon returning to Guzang, Nu Tan apologized to Jing Bao, saying, "You're like the divination tools I rely on, but I didn't heed your advice. It was my mistake." He then appointed Jing Bao as the Marquis of Anting.
Meng Xun led his army to attack Guzang. The common people were terrified due to the earlier massacre in Dongyuan, and they all fled in panic. Tribes from Diejue, Maitian, and Chegai all surrendered to Meng Xun. Nuo Tan sent people to negotiate peace, and Meng Xun agreed, then sent his son along with Colonel Jingu as hostages. However, Jingu escaped immediately upon arriving at Hukeng, while his son was caught by pursuers. Meng Xun relocated more than eight thousand households back. The Right Guard of Zhe Jueqi Town rebelled and took control of Shiluoshan.
Nuo Tan feared being annihilated by Meng Xun and was also worried that Qizhen would attack Lingnan, so he moved to Ledu, leaving the Grand Minister Cheng Gongxu to guard Guzang. As soon as Nuo Tan left the city, Jiao Chen and Wang Hou immediately closed the gates and rebelled, gathering over three thousand households and taking control of the southern city. Chen appointed Jiao Lang as the Grand Marshal and Longxiang as the Grand General, and he appointed himself as the Governor of Liangzhou, then surrendered to Meng Xun. General Jingu went to attack Qizhen in Shiluoshan, but was ultimately defeated and killed.
Buoyed by the momentum from capturing Guzang, Meng Xun launched another attack. Nuo Tan dispatched Anbei Duan Gou and Left General Yun Lian to exploit Meng Xun's distraction, successfully relocating over three thousand households to Xiping. Meng Xun surrounded Ledu, but after thirty days of unsuccessful fighting, he sent a message to Nuo Tan: "If you send your precious son as a hostage, I will withdraw my troops." Nuo Tan replied, "Whether you withdraw depends on the strength of your forces. Your words are untrustworthy; you've violated our agreement. What hostage could I possibly offer you?" Meng Xun was very angry and began constructing fortifications, preparing for a protracted battle. After strong urging from his ministers, Nuo Tan finally sent his son Anzhou as a hostage. Meng Xun then withdrew his troops.
The Tuyuhun leader Shu Luogan led his army to fight, and Nuo Tan sent his son Wutai to resist, but he was ultimately defeated by Shu Luogan.
Nu Tan wanted to attack Meng Xun again, but his military adviser Meng Kai cautioned him, "Meng Xun has just occupied Guzang and is gaining momentum. We should stabilize our position, wait for the right opportunity to make our move, and not act rashly!" Nu Tan did not listen. As a result, the five armies launched a coordinated attack, reaching Fanhe and Tiaodou, plundering more than five thousand households.
At this time, Nu Tan's general Qu You once again advised, "Your Majesty, we have come so far, bringing our families and belongings with us; the roads are filled with goods. We should quickly retreat and cross the dangerous mountain roads as soon as possible. Meng Xun is a formidable general, and his soldiers are all experienced in battle. If we rush in with lightly armed troops and disrupt Meng Xun's plans, the enemy attacks from the outside, our rear will be chaotic, and that could be very dangerous!" But the Chief Guard Yi Liyan said, "Our army is strong and morale is high. They are infantry, we are cavalry, not on the same level. If we retreat now, we will lose all our belongings and appear weak, which is not a good solution!" Unable to convince them, Qu You went outside to share with his brothers, "It seems like it's fate! Our brothers are in for a tough time this time." Not long after, a thick fog and heavy rain set in, Meng Xun's army arrived, and Nu Tan retreated in disgrace.
Meng Xun pursued his victory and surrounded the city of Ledu. Nu Tan could only defend the city, sending his son Rang Gan as a hostage. Meng Xun then withdrew. After a long time, Meng Xun dispatched Anxi Gebo Yao to lead his troops west. Meng Xun attacked Xiping, plundered the people and livestock, before heading back.
Meng Kai, the Han Chuan guard, submitted a memorial accusing Wen Zhi, the Prefect of Zhen Nan and Huanghe, of being addicted to drink and debauchery, neglecting state affairs. Nutan said to Yiliyan, "Our territory is almost lost, and the only one we can rely on is Wen Zhi. What should we do?" Yiliyan replied, "We should call him in and give him a stern warning and help him turn over a new leaf." Nutan called Wen Zhi, and after seeing him, Nutan reproached him, saying, "My two brothers died young; I have failed to uphold their legacy, and my governance has been poor. I feel like I'm living dead. I hope you can defend the country like Zixian and revive the Wu kingdom like Wenzhong! But I heard that you only care about drinking and neglecting state affairs. I am already old; if you continue like this, our ancestors' legacy will have no one to continue!" Wen Zhi quickly apologized.
In Handan, Wei Zhang and others conspired to murder Meng Kai, and Qifu Chipan from the southern Qi country also participated. Guo Yue stopped them, saying, "Meng Yin is kind and treats the people well. What crime has he committed to deserve death?! I would rather die standing up than betray my lord and live in disgrace!" So Guo Yue secretly told Meng Kai about this, set a trap, and lured Wei Zhang and the others into a drinking party, and ended up killing over forty of them. Meng Kai was worried that Qifu Chipan's army would soon arrive, so he quickly sent someone to inform Wen Zhi, who then dispatched General Pizhen to provide support. When Qifu Chipan's army arrived at the city, they heard that General Pizhen had come, so they retreated.
Mongson launched another attack on Ledu, but after twenty days of fighting, he couldn't capture it and was forced to retreat. General Wen Zhi of Zhen Nan ceded the Huanghe region to Mongson and also relocated over five thousand households to Guzang. Mongson attacked again, and Nutan sent Grand Commandant Juyan as a hostage, which finally prompted Mongson to retreat.
Nutan intended to launch a western expedition against the Yifu tribe. Meng Kai advised, "We haven't had a harvest for several consecutive years, and everyone is starving. In the south, we face a threat from Qifu Chipan, while in the north, we are harassed by Meng Xun. The people are anxious and cannot settle down. While a distant expedition might lead to victory, it will undoubtedly create more problems down the line. It would be wiser to first form an alliance with Qifu Chipan to tackle the food issue together, pacify the tribes, increase military resources, accumulate strength, organize the army, and wait for the right time to act. The Book of Changes says, 'The rise and fall of a country depends on agricultural production.' I hope Your Majesty will think this over carefully." Nutan replied, "You don’t need to undermine everyone’s morale with what I've decided." Then Nutan said to Crown Prince Wutai, "We have not had a harvest for several years, and there are difficulties both internally and externally. We need to launch a western expedition to address this issue. Meng Xun has just left and will not return in the short term. Our main concern now is Qifu Chipan. They're not well-known, have a small force, and should be easy to handle. I can take care of them in a month at most. You guard Le Du well and don't lose it." Nutan then led 7,000 cavalry to attack the Yifu tribe, securing a major victory and capturing more than 400,000 cattle, sheep, and horses.
It is said that Chipan led his troops to launch a surprise attack. Wei Su, the military officer in charge, hurried to Wutai (equivalent to the military command center) and said, "Our outer city is too big to defend! We should gather the common people in the inner city, while I and other soldiers of the Jin Dynasty resist the enemy in the outer city. Even if we lose, we still have the inner city as our last line of defense." But Wutai replied, "Those bandits are pretty weak and will probably run off soon. What’s there to worry about?"
Actually, Wutai was afraid that there might be some people in the Jin dynasty who would rebel, so he imprisoned all the powerful and intelligent people in the city. Meng Kai cried and said, "Chipan is utterly despicable; even heaven and earth can't stand for this! If we go into battle, it's for our country; even if we die, our names will live on. Even if we retreat, we have to think about our families—how could we possibly rebel?! The situation is urgent now; everyone wants to contribute to the country. Why do you still doubt us?" Wutai replied, "I know you are loyal, but I am afraid that others will desert in the face of the enemy, so I kept you here so I could trust you to guard the city."
As a result, in under ten days, the outer city fell.
Anxi Fanni ran all the way from Xiping to inform Nutan of the critical situation. Nutan said to everyone, "Now the city of Ledu has been captured by Chipan; all the men in the city have been killed, and the women have been given to the soldiers. Even if we want to go back, there is nowhere to go! Who can help me gather some funds to ransom our wives and children from the Qihan? I would be grateful! If we don't act, we'll only return to Chipan as slaves. How can you bear the thought of your wives and children being taken by others?!" After speaking, he led the troops westward, and many people followed him back. Nutan sent General Duangou of Zhenbei to pursue the others, but he did not return. Now, most of the soldiers have scattered, leaving only Gebo from the Central Army, Luogong from the Rear Army, Anxi Fanni, and the scattered cavalry attendant Yin Lilu by Nutan's side.
Nu Tan sighed and said, "Meng Xun and Chi Pan have both surrendered to me in the past, and now I have to go back to seek refuge with them. This feels so humiliating! The world is vast, yet I can't find a place to call home; it's truly agonizing! Meng Xun is of similar age to me, and Chi Pan has a marital relationship with me. They both regard me with caution, so my situation is undoubtedly perilous. Rather than facing death together, it's wiser to separate; perhaps we can still survive. Fan Ni, the nephew of the clan leader, represents the hope of our family. We still have nearly twenty thousand families in the north! Meng Xun is currently recruiting talents everywhere for the survival of the family; you must go to the west! He Bo, Luo Gong, you go with Fan Ni. I'm too old to go anywhere now; I would rather go see my wife and children before I die!" So, Nu Tan sought refuge with Chi Pan, only Yin Li Lu followed him.
Nu Tan said to Yin Li Lu, "It's only natural for people to seek good fortune and avoid misfortune. All my relatives and friends have left; why do you still stay by my side?" Yin Li Lu replied, "My old mother is still at home; my mind is in turmoil right now. But loyalty and filial piety, I find it hard to balance. While I can't follow in Shen Baoxu's footsteps and go west to plead with the King of Chu, or go east to persuade the King of Qin like Mao Sui, I am willing to serve His Majesty even in chains; this is my solemn duty. I can only hope His Majesty has a grand vision and weighs the pros and cons carefully." Nu Tan sighed after hearing this, "Understanding people is hard, and being a good person is just as challenging. My ministers and relatives have all abandoned me; the only one who never left me is you. The pine and cypress show their resilience in the cold, and you are the one who stays steadfast!" Nu Tan arrived in Xi Ping, and Chi Pan sent his men to greet him outside the city and welcomed him with the highest honors.
At the beginning, Yedu fell, and many cities surrendered to Chipan. Only the general Wei Xianzheng of Nutan defended the city of Haowei, refusing to surrender. Chipan called out to him, "Yedu has fallen, your wife and children are in my hands, you are defending a city alone, what are you trying to achieve?" Xianzheng said, "I have been greatly favored by the King of Liang; I am a barrier for the country. Even though I know Yedu has fallen and my wife and children have been captured, surrendering first may bring rewards, and being killed later doesn't matter. But I do not know if the Emperor is alive or dead, so I dare not surrender. My wife and children are less significant matters; how can they shake my determination! In the past, Luo Xian waited for the court's orders, and Emperor Jin admired him; Wen Pin surrendered later, and Emperor Wu of Wei did not blame him. For the sake of immediate glory and wealth, forgetting the heavy responsibility on my shoulders, I truly feel ashamed; how could you, my King, associate with such a person!" Chipan sent Wutai to persuade Xianzheng to surrender, but Xianzheng said, "As the heir to the throne, if you cannot be loyal and responsible, and instead get captured, abandon your father, betray your sovereign, and destroy the foundation of the ages, how could I ever compare to you!" Eventually, news came that Nutan had arrived in the south, and Xianzheng surrendered. Chipan appointed Nutan as the Grand General of Cavalry and Duke of Zounan. Over a year later, Nutan was poisoned by Chipan. His advisors urged Nutan to take the antidote, but Nutan said, "Is it worth treating my illness?" and then died. At the time of his death, he was fifty-one, reigned for thirteen years, and was posthumously named King Jing. Wutai was later killed by Chipan as well. Nutan's sons Baozhou, Poqiang, Juyan's son Fulong, Lugu's grandson Fuzhou, and Wugu's grandson Chengbo all escaped to Juqu Mengxun. Eventually, they surrendered to the Wei Kingdom, and Wei appointed Baozhou as King of Zhangye, Fulong as Duke of Jiuquan, Poqiang as Duke of Xiping, Fuzhou as Duke of Yongping, and Chengbo as Duke of Changsong.
In the first year of the Long'an era of Emperor An of the Eastern Jin Dynasty, Wuguo proclaimed himself emperor. By Nu Tan's time, it was the third generation, lasting a total of nineteen years, until it was destroyed in the tenth year of the Yixi era of Emperor An of the Eastern Jin Dynasty. According to historical records, the Bald family had been powerful tribal leaders for several generations who controlled the border regions. They were formidable and would only launch attacks under the full moon when their enemies were off guard. Their disregard for etiquette limited their influence. Wuguo heeded Fu Hun's strategy to organize the army against those who resisted; Lu Gu followed Shi Gao's advice to establish schools and enroll students. This enabled them to expand the Hexi Corridor's territory and stand against powerful nations. Territory must be claimed by people, and that’s exactly what they did! Nu Tan built upon the foundation laid by his brothers, easily defeating the Lü family and seizing Guzang with their strength. But later, he grew greedy and arrogant, which ultimately led to his downfall. He resorted to military aggression to fulfill his own ambitions, resulting in the country's downfall and his own demise, which could be seen as a form of fortune. In the past, Song Shanggong's love for war brought disaster to Huaduo; Chu Lingwang's love for war ended in death at Qianxi. People from different eras share the same fate, and Nu Tan serves as a prime example! Praise: The Bald brothers dominated numerous barbarian tribes, expanded the territory of Hexi, and quelled the chaos in the Western Regions. Nu Tan was outstanding, a heroic figure at the time. However, his militaristic pursuits led to the nation's downfall and tarnished his reputation.
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