Fu Hong, courtesy name Guangshi, was a member of the Di tribe from Lueyang in the Linwei area. His ancestors were said to be descendants of the Hu clan, and they were leaders of the Western Rong tribe for generations. A five-zhang long, five-jointed reed similar to bamboo grew in their family pond, so they were called the "Reed Family," which became their surname. His father was named Fu Huaigui, the leader of a small tribe. Earlier, there was heavy rain in the Longyou area, and the people were suffering, with rumors spreading: "If the rain doesn't stop, a flood will definitely break out!" So his father named him "Hong" in light of the situation. Fu Hong was generous and resourceful, skilled in martial arts and good at horseback archery. During the Yongjia Rebellion, he spent lavishly to recruit talents from across the land, looking for ways to stabilize the nation and address the crisis. His kinsmen Pu Guang, Pu Tu, and others elected him as their leader. Later, after Liu Yao declared himself emperor in Chang'an, Pu Guang and the others forced Fu Hong to surrender to Liu Yao, who subsequently appointed him as the Marquis of Liangyi. After Liu Yao's defeat, Fu Hong retreated to Longshan. When Shi Le (Shi Jilong) wanted to attack Shanggui, Fu Hong surrendered to him. Shi Le was pleased and appointed him Champion General, putting him in charge of military affairs in the western regions. After Shi Le eliminated Shi Sheng, Fu Hong suggested relocating the wealthy and Qiang people from the Guanzhong area to Luoyang. Shi Le accepted his suggestion, appointing Fu Hong as the Dragon Cavalry General and the Commander of Floating Capital, stationed in Fangtou. Fu Hong achieved numerous military successes and was appointed as the Duke of Xiping County, with over two thousand of his subordinates appointed as Marquises within the Passes. He also became a Marquis within the Passes.
Ran Min once said to Shi Le, "Fu Hong is very impressive, and his sons are also very capable. We should secretly get rid of him." But Shi Le trusted him more and more. When Shi Zun took over, Ran Min advised him again, and Shi Zun removed Fu Hong from his position as governor while keeping his other titles. Fu Hong was resentful and sent someone to surrender to the Eastern Jin Dynasty. Later, Shi Jian killed Shi Zun, and uprisings erupted across the land. By then, Fu Hong had already taken control of over a hundred thousand troops. In 352 AD, the emperor appointed Fu Hong as Grand General of the Northern Expedition, military commander of Hebei, Inspector of Jizhou, and Duke of Guangchuan, which were all prestigious positions. Some advised Fu Hong to proclaim himself emperor, and he thought it was possible because of a prophecy about someone destined to be a "grass knot king," and his grandson Fu Jian had a birthmark resembling a grass knot, which only reinforced his belief. So he changed his surname to Fu, proclaimed himself Grand General, Grand Chanyu, and King of Sanqin, with an air of arrogance. Fu Hong told his advisor Hu Wen, "With a hundred thousand troops under my command and such good territory, Ran Min and Murong Jun stand no chance against me. Yao Xiang and his son also cannot compete with me. Taking over the world will be a walk in the park compared to what Liu Bang faced!"
Initially, Shi Le sent Ma Qiu to guard Fohan, but later Ran Min rebelled, and Ma Qiu fled to Ye City. Fu Hong sent his son Fu Xiong to capture him, and he was indeed apprehended. Ma Qiu was then appointed as his military strategist and general. Ma Qiu suggested to Fu Hong to attack Chang'an to the west, and Fu Hong thought it was a good idea. However, Ma Qiu later poisoned Fu Hong at a banquet, attempting to usurp his military authority. Fu Hong's son, Fu Jian, arrived in time and killed Ma Qiu. Before he died, Fu Hong said to Fu Jian, "I didn't go into Guanzhong before because I thought the Central Plains could be taken quickly. Now I've been tricked by this scoundrel. The Central Plains are not something you and your brothers can handle. Guanzhong is strategically important. After I die, you must quickly march west!" After saying this, he passed away at the age of sixty-six. Fu Jian later usurped the throne and was posthumously named Emperor Huiwu.
Fu Jian, styled Jianye, was Fu Hong's third son. Before he was born, his mother Jiang Shi dreamed of a large black bear, and later became pregnant. Fu Jian grew up to be brave and decisive, excelling in horsemanship, generous and kind-hearted, highly regarded by Shi Le and his son. While Shi Le appeared to respect the Fu family, he actually feared them, so he secretly eliminated Fu Hong's other sons, sparing only Fu Jian. After Fu Hong's death, Fu Jian inherited his career, abandoned the title of "King of Qin," and used the title of the Jin Dynasty, even sending people to the capital to report the funeral and indicating his willingness to comply with the court's orders.
The city of Chang'an was seized by Du Hong, who proclaimed himself the Northern Expedition General of the Jin Dynasty and Governor of Yongzhou, with numerous Qiang and Xia tribes rallying to his side. Fu Jian plotted to gain control of Guanzhong, fearing that Du Hong would know his plan, so he feigned acceptance of Shi Zhi's official position, built a palace in Fangtou, ordered his men to plant wheat, feigning a lack of intent to advance west. Anyone who discovered his true intentions would be executed immediately as a warning to others!
Later, Fu Jian took the title of General Who Conquers the West of the Jin Dynasty, Commander of the military forces in Guanzhong, and Inspector of Yongzhou upon himself. He led a large army to the west, by constructing a pontoon bridge to cross the river at Mengjin. He sent his brother Fu Xiong with five thousand infantry and cavalry to advance from Tongguan, while his nephew Fu Jing entered Hedong from Zhiguan. Fu Jian held Fu Jing's hand and said, "If we fail in this battle, you will die in the north, I will die in the south; we'll meet again in the afterlife!" After crossing the river, Fu Jian set fire to the pontoon bridge and followed closely behind Fu Xiong with his army. Du Hong sent General Zhang Xian to intercept Fu Jian at Tongguan, but was soundly defeated by Fu Jian. Despite winning, Fu Jian wrote a letter to Du Hong, sent him valuable horses and treasures, inviting him to accept a noble title in Chang'an. Du Hong said, "Your gifts are too extravagant, and your words too flattering; are you trying to trick me?" So he mobilized all the soldiers in Guanzhong to resist.
Fu Jian divined and received the 'Li' hexagram with the changing line at the top, and said, "After a small-scale operation, there will be a large-scale operation; this is a good omen. In the past, my scale was small when going east, now going west with a large scale, which is more auspicious?" At that time, many stars were moving westward along the Yellow River, and fortune tellers said this was a sign that the people were heading back west. Fu Jian continued his attack, reaching Chishui, sending Fu Xiong to strike the region north of the Wei River, defeating Zhang Xian at Yinpan and capturing him. All cities in Guanzhong fell; wherever Fu Jing went, surrender followed. The Sui region was largely pacified. Fu Jian led his troops to Chang'an, while Du Hong escaped to Sizhu. Fu Jian entered Chang'an, became emperor there, sent people to report victory to the capital, and established peace with Huan Wen.
Fu Jian's military adviser, General Jia Xuanshuo, and others recommended Fu Jian to be appointed as Imperial Attendant, Grand General of all military affairs in Guanzhong, Great Chanyu, and Prince of Qin. Fu Jian angrily said, "The size of my official position is not for you to decide!" Later, Fu Jian secretly sent someone to hint to Jia Xuanshuo and others to petition for him to be honored as emperor. In the seventh year of Yonghe, Fu Jian proclaimed himself Tian Wang and Great Chanyu, pardoned all death row inmates in his realm, changed the era name to 'Huangshi,' renovated ancestral shrines and state altars, and established a variety of officials in Chang'an. He appointed his wife Qiangshi as Empress Tian Wang, his son Fu Chang as Crown Prince Tian Wang, his brother Fu Xiong as Prime Minister, Grand Commander of all military forces, General of Cavalry and Chariots, and Governor of Yongzhou. Others were also rewarded with titles and land. Initially, when Du Hong fled, he sought refuge with Sima Xun, the Governor of Liangzhou under the Jin Dynasty. Later, Sima Xun led 30,000 troops to march into the Qin Chuan area and defeated Li Xiong, the ruler of Cheng Han, at Wuzhangyuan.
Eight years later, Li Xiong declared himself emperor at the Taiji Hall, many ministers were granted the title of king, and he also bestowed the title of Grand Chanyu upon his son Li Chang. Du Hong, stationed in Yiqiu, was killed by his own general Zhang Ju, who then proclaimed himself the King of Qin and established various official positions. Li Xiong led an army of twenty thousand infantry and cavalry to attack Zhang Ju and killed him. Upon returning from Yiqiu, Li Xiong sent Li Xiong and Li Jing to lead troops to plunder the Guandong area and supported Zhang Yu, the Inspector of Yuzhou under Shi Le, in Xuchang, where they battled with Xie Shang, the General of the West for the Jin Dynasty, which resulted in a defeat for the Jin army. Li Xiong pursued the victory and attacked the Jin army all the way to their camp gates, killing most of the Jin soldiers, capturing Zhang Yu and his subordinates, bringing them back to Chang'an and appointing Zhang Yu as Minister of Works and Inspector of Yuzhou, stationed in Xuchang. Li Xiong then attacked Wang Zhuo, who fled to Liangzhou, while Li Xiong stationed his forces in Longdong. Zhang Chonghua appointed Wang Zhuo as the Grand General for the Conquest of the East, and had him join forces with generals Zhang Hong and Song Xiu to attack Li Xiong. Li Xiong and Li Jing led their troops to defeat them, capturing Zhang Hong and Song Xiu, and escorting them back to Chang'an. Initially, Zhang Yu surrendered to Li Xiong from Xuchang; Li Xiong took Zhang Yu's stepmother Han Shi as his consort and often said in front of others to Zhang Yu, "You are my son!" Zhang Yu felt ashamed and resentful, so he united with some generals in Guanzhong, intending to offer Yongzhou to the Jin Dynasty. He also conspired with Li Xiong's Chamberlain Liu Huang to launch a night attack on Li Xiong, but their plan was uncovered, and Zhang Yu was killed. Afterwards, Kong Te rebelled in Chiyang, Liu Zhen and Xiahou Xian rebelled in Hu, Qiao Jing rebelled in Yong, Hu Yangchi rebelled in Sizhu, and Hu Yan Du rebelled in Bachi, totaling tens of thousands, all sending envoys to Huan Wen, the Jin Dynasty's General of the West, and Yin Hao, the General of the Central Army, requesting assistance.
Li Xiong sent Li Jing to raid Shangluo County and established Jingzhou in Fengyang County to bring in precious treasures from the south, including gold, silver, bows, arrows, bamboo poles, lacquer, and wax, thereby filling the treasury with a wealth of treasures. It is said that ten years ago, Fu Jian led forty thousand troops towards Chang'an. He sent a general to enter Xichuan from Jinkou, attack Shangluo, capture the governor of Jingzhou, Guo Jing, and also sent Sima Xun to plunder the western border regions. Guo Jing then sent his son, Chang, along with Xiong, Jing, and others, to lead fifty thousand troops to confront Fu Jian at Yaoliu City, looking worried. Fu Jian advanced all the way to Bashang, where Guo Jing's son retreated to the south of the city. Guo Jing held out in a small city in Chang'an with six thousand surviving soldiers and sent thirty thousand elite soldiers to act as guerrilla fighters to harass Fu Jian. Several counties near Chang'an surrendered to Fu Jian. Guo Jing also sent Xiong with seven thousand cavalry to fight Huan Chong at Bailuyuan, which ended in a major defeat, while Sima Xun was defeated at Ziyugu. When Guo Jing first learned of Fu Jian's approach, he harvested the crops and burned the fields, trying to starve Fu Jian's army. Later, Fu Jian moved more than three thousand households out of Guanzhong and pulled back his troops. At Tongguan, he fought Guo Jing's son and lost, and Sima Xun made his escape back to Hanzhong. The following year, the Qimo army from the west sent his son as a hostage to Chang'an. Fu Jian then built a guesthouse at Pingshuo Gate to win over the distant minority groups and built a spiritual platform at Dumen. He also established agreements with the people, cut taxes, streamlined the palaces, dedicated himself to governance, treated the elderly well, promoted Confucianism, and the people of Guanzhong felt their lives were getting better.
In Xinping County, a commoner saw a giant and told the county magistrate Zhang Jing, "The Fu clan is chosen by heaven. Now that there will be peace, people outside should come back quickly so they can live in peace." Zhang Jing asked him for his name, but he did not answer and disappeared shortly after. The county magistrate reported this to Fu Jian, who thought it was some kind of demon and imprisoned Zhang Jing. Soon after, there was a heavy rainstorm, causing floods in the Yellow River and Wei River. The guards at Pujin Pass found a shoe in the river, seven feet three inches long, with footprints that were over a foot deep. Fu Jian exclaimed, "Between heaven and earth, there are all sorts of strange things. The giant Zhang Jing saw must be real!" He subsequently pardoned Zhang Jing. Later, a locust plague broke out, devouring all the grass from Huayin to Longshan. Livestock started to turn on each other, and wild beasts, including wolves, began to prey on humans, rendering the roads impassable. Fu Jian waived the commoners' taxes, reduced his own food intake, wore plain clothes, and no longer stayed in the main hall.
Initially, Huan Wen marched his troops into Guanzhong, and Fu Jian's crown prince, Fu Chang, fought against Huan Wen and was struck down by a stray arrow. Fu Jian subsequently named Fu Chang's son, Fu Sheng, as the new crown prince. Later, Fu Jian fell ill, and Fu Jing led troops to storm the Eastern Palace, planning to kill Fu Sheng and claim the throne for himself. Upon hearing the commotion, Fu Jian hurriedly went to the gate, causing everyone to drop their weapons and flee. Fu Jian caught Fu Jing and killed him. A few days later, Fu Jian passed away at the age of thirty-nine, having reigned as emperor for four years. He was posthumously honored as the Ming Emperor, with the temple name Shizong, which was later changed to Gaozu.
Fu Sheng, style name Changsheng, was the third son of Fu Jian. He was a troublemaker as a child, and his grandfather Fu Hong particularly disliked him. Fu Sheng was blind in one eye. When he was young, Fu Hong would make fun of him, asking the guards, "I heard that when a blind person sheds a tear, is it true?" The guard replied, "It's true." Fu Sheng got angry and stabbed himself with a dagger, drawing blood, saying, "Is this also a tear?" Fu Hong was startled and hit him. Fu Sheng said, "I can endure knives and spears, but I won't tolerate being whipped." Fu Hong said, "If you continue like this, I will make you a slave!" Fu Sheng replied, "I'd rather be like Shi Le than be a slave!" Fu Hong was afraid and covered Fu Sheng's mouth with his foot, saying to Fu Jian, "This kid is too arrogant; he should've been dealt with earlier, otherwise he will definitely cause trouble when he grows up!" Fu Jian originally wanted to kill him, but Fu Xiong stopped him, saying, "Children will naturally change as they grow up, why be so cruel?" Fu Jian backed down. When Fu Sheng grew up, he was immensely strong, capable of lifting a thousand pounds, brave and skilled in combat, able to kill fierce beasts with his bare hands, run faster than a horse, and was unmatched in archery. When Huan Wen came to battle, Fu Sheng charged solo into the enemy ranks, killing more than a dozen generals. After Fu Chang died, Fu Jian fulfilled a prophecy of "three sheep and five eyes" by making Fu Chang the crown prince. After Fu Jian's death, Fu Sheng seized the throne and became emperor, declaring a nationwide amnesty and changing the reign title to Shouguang, during the twelfth year of Yonghe in the Eastern Jin Dynasty. He named his mother, Lady Qiang, Empress Dowager, and his wife, Lady Liang, Empress. He appointed Lv Polou as the Attendant, Left Grand General, Fu An as the Grand Commandant, Fu Liu as the Grand General of Eastern Expeditions, Governor of Bingzhou, stationed in Puban, Fu Jiao as the Grand General of the East, Governor of Yuzhou, stationed in Shancheng, and other officials were appointed to suitable posts.
It is said that in the past, Shi Sheng fought bravely against Huan Wen and died in battle, and his son Shi Huai also died heroically before he could be appointed an official. Later, when Shi Sheng went out for a stroll, his wife Fan Shi wrote him a letter on the road, extolling the loyalty and bravery of Shi Huai and requesting the emperor to reward her son. Shi Sheng, upon reading this, was enraged and shot Fan Shi with an arrow.
Afterwards, the self-proclaimed Minister of Personnel Hu Wen and the Minister of Personnel Wang Yu hurried to advise Shi Sheng: "Recently, there have been ominous stars appearing near the Big Dipper in the sky, and Mars has even run to the Eastern Well constellation. The Big Dipper represents the emperor's seat, and the Eastern Well constellation is the territory of the Qin State. According to divination, within three years, a great calamity will occur in the country, and the ministers will also be killed. Your Majesty should emulate King Wen of Zhou, cultivate virtue to resolve disasters, and show kindness and harmony to the ministers to create a prosperous era like that of King Kang of Zhou!" Shi Sheng dismissed their warnings, stating, "The Empress and I govern the world together, which is sufficient to withstand any calamities. Grand Tutor Mao, Chief of Chariots Liang, and Chief Steward Liang assist in court affairs and can also be considered as ministers." After speaking, he went on to execute Empress Liang, along with Mao Gui, Liang Leng, and Liang An. Not long after, he also executed the Palace Attendant and Prime Minister Lei Ruo'er, along with his nine sons and twenty-seven grandsons. Consequently, the Qiang people revolted. Lei Ruo'er was the leader of the Nan'an Qiang people, renowned for his integrity and willingness to speak truth to power. He often advised against the favoritism of Zhao Shao and Dong Rong in court, but was wrongfully accused by Zhao Shao and Dong Rong, leading to his execution.
Although Shisheng has done many bad things, he still does as he pleases, is obsessed with wine and women, and is cruel and without any sense of justice. He often shows off his power in front of courtiers, with hammers, pliers, saws, and chisels by his side. He also believed Dong Rong's slander and killed the Minister of State Wang Duo, claiming it was to fulfill the ominous signs of the solar eclipse. Once, he held a banquet for his officials in the Taiji Hall, got completely drunk, reveling in the music and singing. He commanded Minister Xing Lao to keep the wine flowing, but then got angry and, in a fit of rage, shot Xing Lao dead with an arrow. The courtiers were terrified and drank desperately, becoming utterly drunk and disheveled, but Shisheng found the scene amusing.
When news of Zhang Zuo's death reached them, the young Liangzhou governor, Zhang Xuanliang, sent Yan Fu and Liang Shu to deliver a message to Governor Zhang Guan of Liangzhou. Zhang Guan demanded to know their purpose, stating his family's loyalty to the court and the Jin Dynasty, and that they had no dealings with outside forces.
Yan Fu and Liang Shu explained that the Jin King aims to foster friendly relations with neighboring states, despite geographical barriers, to exchange ideas and achievements. They stressed the Jin King's wish to form an alliance with Zhang Guan and build a strong friendship, hence their visit.
Zhang Jian said, "Yang Hu and Lu Kang were special cases at the time, not entirely loyal to the court. Our Zhang family has been loyal to the court for generations, never changing. If we ally with Fu Jian, it would go against the wishes of our forebears and disappoint the people of the Hexi region." Yan Fu and Liang Shu said, "In the past, Weizi left the Yin Dynasty, and Xiang Bo who surrendered to the Han Dynasty, although they betrayed their monarch and relatives, history praises them for their foresight. After the Jin Dynasty fell, the remnants sought refuge in Jiangnan; their fate was sealed, and they had long since declined. Therefore, our Jin king changed his strategy and submitted to the Former Zhao; this was a shrewd decision based on the changing circumstances. If you want to dominate in Hexi, your forces stand no chance against the Qin army; if you want to continue to be loyal to the already fallen Jin Dynasty, that goes against the wishes of our ancestors. It is better to follow the example of Dou Rong who surrendered to the Han Dynasty, learning from the strategy of the former kings who surrendered to the Former Zhao; only then can we ensure the family's prosperity and enjoy lasting blessings."
Zhang Jian said, "People in the Central Plains are untrustworthy; they like to break their promises. We were friendly with the Shi clan (referring to the Later Zhao) before, and they attacked us in no time. This is the way of life in the Central Plains; the lesson is clear before us, and there is no need to talk about reconciliation." Yan Fu and Liang Shu said, "The political systems of the Xia, Shang, and Zhou dynasties differ; the customs of the Five Emperors era are different. The Zhao state is full of deceit, while the Qin state values integrity; how can we lump them together? Zhang Chang and Yang Chu each have their own armies and do not pay tribute to the court. The previous emperor sent troops to capture them, pardoned their death penalty, and even appointed them as officials. Now that the king has inherited the throne, benevolence is spread throughout the world, keeping promises, and governing the realm effectively; he cannot be compared to the Former Zhao."
Zhang Guan said, "If the Qin army is strong and powerful, we can first conquer Jiangnan, and naturally the world will fall to Qin, so why should we follow Fu Jian's orders?" Yan Fu and Liang Shu said, "The late emperor was both wise and martial, laid a great foundation, forced Yan to pay tribute, and all eight states submitted to the court. Now the king has inherited the throne; he will surely make the country even more prosperous. He hopes to establish prestige in the Hexi region, but the Central Plains has yet to be fully pacified, so he needs to use force to conquer Jiangnan, while Liangzhou can be managed with a policy of appeasement. Therefore, he sent us to extend goodwill first. If you miss this opportunity, you could postpone the attack on Jiangnan for a few years and recall the army first; otherwise, Liangzhou might not hold out." Zhang Guan said, "I command the territory of three states, with an army of one hundred thousand, connected to Kunlun Mountain in the west and the Great River in the east. That’s more than enough to wage war, let alone defend myself! What can Qin possibly do to me?" Yan Fu and Liang Shu said, "Although Guizhou is strategically important, can it even compare to Hangu Pass? Can the five counties you command compare to the troops of Qin and Yongzhou? Zhang Ju and Du Hong rely on the power of Former Zhao, rely on natural defenses, rely on the elite troops of Sanqin, rely on abundant resources, gathering strong soldiers and brave generals, believing they can pacify the realm and secure Guanzhong, but with a single command from the late emperor, they collapsed and swiftly surrendered. While Yan is strong in the eastern region, due to geographical and situational factors, they still submit to the court and pay tribute. We have received arrows from the Xiongnu and treasures from the Nine Yi; the Xiongnu Chanyu kneels and submits, all the vassals have come to submit. We have over a million soldiers, can easily cross the Yellow River; what do you have to counter this? Why not take a leaf out of the former king's book and submit to Former Zhao, enjoying peace and prosperity for generations to come, and serve as Qin's western bulwark?"
Zhang Guan said, "But the virtue and righteousness of the Qin state is renowned throughout the world; why does Jiangnan refuse to submit?" Yan Fu and Liang Shu replied, "The practice of tattooing, relying on the natural defenses of the mountains and rivers, due to the inaccessibility of the roads, they first rebel and then submit; this has been the case since ancient times, not just recently! Therefore, as stated in the Book of Songs, 'The foolish and uncivilized see the great state as an enemy.' This means that virtue and righteousness cannot influence them." Zhang Guan said, "The Qin state has occupied the old capital of the Han dynasty, boasting vast territories and a large population; who currently holds the leadership?"
Yan Fu and Liang Shu said: "The royal relatives, loyal figures akin to Duke Zhou, include such as Grand Commandant Fu An of Wudu, General Fu Liu, the Conqueror of the East; well-versed in both civil and military affairs, outstanding in ability, capable of managing officials domestically while engaging in warfare abroad, include General Wei, King Guangping Fu Huangmei, Rear General Prince Qinghe Fu Fa, Dragon Cavalry General Prince Donghai Fu Jian and his brothers; elder statesmen of high moral standing, comparable to Yi Yin and Jiang Shang, include Grand Preceptor, Chief of the Imperial Secretariat Duke Guangning Yu Zun; upright, just, and uncompromisingly honest individuals include Left Chief Clerk Qiang Ping, Golden Purple Chief Clerk Cheng Gong, and Niu Yi; knowledgeable and talented, excelling in various disciplines, include Director of the Palace Library Hu Wen, Prefect of the Palace Secretariat Wang Yu, Gentleman of the Yellow Gate Li Rou; brave, decisive, resourceful, and intelligent individuals include General of the Left Guard Li Wei and General of the Right Guard Fu Ya; skilled and capable of carrying out commands, include Special Attendant, Chief Imperial Censor Liang Pinglao, Special Attendant, Chief Clerk Qiang Wang, and Attendant, Chief of the Imperial Secretariat Lv Polou; renowned for their literary prowess, these literary masters include Right Supervisor of the Imperial Secretariat Dong Rong, Director of the Palace Library Wang Yang, and Compiler Liang Dan; valiant and battle-hardened, undefeated in warfare, like Guan Yu and Zhang Fei, individuals who can take on thousands include Former General, King Xinxing Fu Fei, Establishing Righteousness General Deng Qiang, Loyal Establishing General Peng Yue, Secure Distant General Fan Junan, and Establishing Martial General Xu Sheng; court ministers and local officials alike are well-versed in both civil and military matters, and there are numerous others with talent, strategy, and integrity, such as Wang Meng and Zhu Yong, who are abundant. The pool of talent is truly vast! Yao Xiang and Zhang Ping are both outstanding talents of their time, each commanding tens of thousands of troops in remote areas, both submitting to the court and requesting to become subjects. Small nations shouldn't bow to larger ones; this behavior is criticized in the 'Spring and Autumn Annals,' so consider it carefully."
Zhang Guan laughed and said, "This matter should be decided by the Liang King, not by me alone." Yan Fu and Liang Shu said, "Although the Liang King is wise and intelligent, he's still quite young. You're in such an important position, and the safety of Liangzhou rests on your shoulders."
Murong Jun sent General Muyu Changqing with seven thousand troops to Zhiguan to attack the Pei family fortress where Governor Zhang Zhe of Youzhou was stationed. At the same time, General Liu Du of the Jin Dynasty led four thousand troops to attack the Lu family fortress where Governor Yuan Lang of Qingzhou was stationed. Fu Sheng sent his former general, Fu Fei, to intercept the Jin army and also sent Deng Qiang to intercept the Yan army. Before Fu Fei could arrive, Liu Du had already retreated. Deng Qiang and Muyu Changqing fought a battle in the south of the fortress, defeating the Jin army, capturing Muyu Changqing, and seizing over two thousand seven hundred heads.
Yao Xiang led over ten thousand troops to assault the Xiongnu fortress where the Prefect of Pingyang, Fu Chan, was stationed. Fu Liu attempted a rescue but was defeated by Yao Xiang and forced to retreat to Puban. Yao Xiang capitalized on his victory to assault the Xiongnu fortress, killed Fu Chan, and massacred everyone in the fortress. He then sent envoys to Fu Sheng requesting safe passage back to Longxi. Fu Sheng initially agreed, but Fu Jian advised him, saying, "Yao Xiang is very dangerous. If we let him return to Longxi now, he will definitely become a great threat. It would be wiser to bribe him with a hefty sum and wait for a chance to take him out." Fu Sheng reconsidered and halted the passage. He sent envoys to Yao Xiang to confer titles and honors, but Yao Xiang not only refused the offer but also killed the envoys, burned the edict, and then went on to raid the Hedong region. Fu Sheng was furious and ordered the Grand General Zhang Ping to attack Yao Xiang. Yao Xiang then adopted a humble tone, offered generous gifts, and became sworn brothers with Zhang Ping, secretly collaborating with him.
Fu Sheng recruited labor from the Sānfǔ region to build the Wei Bridge. The Grand Minister of Golden Purple Light, Cheng Gong, believed this would hinder agricultural production and disrupt the seasonal cycles, so he strongly advised against it. Fu Sheng was furious and had him killed.
A fierce wind swept through Chang'an; houses were overturned, trees were uprooted, pedestrians were thrown off balance, and the palace was in chaos. Some said it was bandits, so the palace gates were closed during the day and only opened five days later. Fu Sheng executed those who spread the rumors and even cut open one of their chests to extract their heart. Qiang Ping, the Grand Minister of the Left, advised, "It is New Year's Day; the sun has even been eclipsed, the yang energy is weakening, a strong wind is blowing, and there are continuous disasters of floods and droughts, as well as animal attacks. This is all because Your Majesty is not handling state affairs diligently, disrupting the harmony of yin and yang. I hope Your Majesty will protect the people, treat them fairly, set aside petty suspicions, and forgive significant transgressions, respect the ancestral temples, love the courtiers, abandon harshness, and bestow blessings like those of spring. This way, evil will cease, disasters will disappear, and the heavens will bless the royal family with eternal happiness." Fu Sheng was enraged and deemed this to be treasonous, so he killed Qiang Ping by breaking his skull.
Princess Pingyang was imprisoned. At that time, officials Fu Huangmei, Fu Fei, and Deng Qiang were dining with the emperor in the palace. They knelt down and advised earnestly, claiming it was for the Empress Dowager's sake. Princess Pingyang was the emperor's mother's sister, but the emperor did not listen at all, leading to the death of his mother, Qiang Shi, from anger.
The emperor also wrote a letter, saying, "I am the emperor who holds the Mandate of Heaven, inherited the foundation of my ancestors, and rules over all nations, nurturing the people! Since becoming emperor, what wrongs have I committed that slanderous voices are everywhere? Killing over a thousand people, and they call me cruel? Isn't it common for people to be so crowded that they have to push against each other? What more can I do besides punishing them severely?" At that time, fierce beasts and wolves were particularly rampant, blocking the roads during the day and tearing off roofs at night, attacking people but leaving livestock alone. In the first year of the emperor's reign, fierce beasts killed over seven hundred people, causing the people to suffer and crowd together in villages. The situation worsened, and farming activities came to a halt. Both inside and outside the court, people were fearful. The ministers suggested making sacrifices and praying to avert disasters, but the emperor said, "Wild beasts only eat people when they are hungry, and when they are full, they will naturally stop. They cannot cause trouble every year. How could the heavens not protect the people and send disasters every year? This is because the people keep making mistakes, and the heavens are helping me punish and teach the people! As long as they don't make mistakes, why blame the heavens?"
This emperor was particularly cruel. Once in the palace, he met his brother and sister walking together and forced them to do inappropriate things. When they refused, the emperor, in a fit of rage, killed them all. Another time, he held a banquet for the ministers in Xianyang, but anyone who arrived late had their heads chopped off. He also asked the imperial physician, Cheng Yan, to prepare a medicine for him to protect against miscarriage and inquired about the effectiveness of ginseng and how much medicine to take. Cheng Yan said, "Although there is a shortage of medicinal ingredients, it can be used as a substitute." The emperor thought Cheng Yan was mocking his poor eyesight, so he gouged out Cheng Yan's eyes before killing him. Some officials reported, "The planet Jupiter has aligned with the Eastern Well star. The Eastern Well star is Qin's boundary star, and Jupiter is a star of punishment. There will definitely be a rebellion in the capital!" However, the emperor said, "What's so strange about stars wanting to drink from a well?"
Yao Xiang sent Yao Lan and Wang Qinlu to recruit the Qiang and Hu people in Fucheng, Dingyang, Beidi, and Qinchuan. These Qiang and Hu people all agreed, gathering a total of 27,000 troops and then occupying Huangluo. Fu Sheng then sent Fu Huangmei, Fu Jian, and Deng Qiang with 15,000 infantry and cavalry to attack him. Yao Xiang dug deep trenches and high ramparts, stubbornly defending without engaging in battle. Deng Qiang said to Fu Huangmei, "Yao Xiang is like a wounded bird; as long as we scare him a little, we can catch him. He has been defeated several times by Huan Wen and Zhang Ping before, and his spirit is long gone. Now he is hiding in a fortified camp and not coming out; he's in a desperate situation. Yao Xiang has a strong personality and is easily provoked. If we charge directly, with overwhelming force, to pressure his camp, he will definitely not be able to bear it and will come out to fight us. Then we can defeat him in one battle!" Fu Huangmei followed his advice and sent Deng Qiang with 3,000 cavalry to harass the camp gate. Yao Xiang, infuriated, led all his troops into battle. Deng Qiang feigned weakness and led the cavalry to retreat. Yao Xiang chased them to Sanyuan, and Deng Qiang turned back to ambush Yao Xiang. At this time, Fu Huangmei and Fu Jian also arrived, and a major battle ensued. As a result, Yao Xiang was killed, his entire army was captured, and Fu Huangmei and his men returned in triumph. Although Fu Huangmei had achieved great success, Fu Sheng did not reward him at all; instead, he often humiliated him in front of others. Fu Huangmei was very angry and plotted to kill Fu Sheng and become emperor himself. The conspiracy was uncovered, and he was executed, along with many of his relatives and friends meeting the same fate.
Initially, Fu Sheng dreamed of a giant fish devouring bulrushes, and a rumor was circulating in Chang'an: "The big fish in the East Sea turns into a dragon, the man becomes a king, and the woman becomes a princess. Inquire about the location east of Luomen." This "East Sea" refers to Fu Jian, who was then the Dragon Cavalry General, living east of Luomen. Fu Sheng did not know that this referred to Fu Jian. Because of this dream and the rumor, he executed the Attendant, Grand Preceptor, and Minister of the Imperial Secretariat, Yu Zun, along with his seven sons and ten grandsons. At that time, another rumor circulated: "The empty city of Baili Wang, lush and verdant. The blind child does not know the law, and cannot see the stars." Consequently, Fu Sheng ordered the demolition of all empty cities to avert disaster. The Chief Minister of Golden Purple Brightness and Lu, Niu Yi, feared that he could not escape his fate and requested to be stationed outside Lu. Fu Sheng said, "You are loyal and upright; you should stay by my side to assist me in my duties. There is no reason to send you to guard in a distant place." He then appointed him as the commander of the central army. Overwhelmed by fear, Niu Yi took his own life upon returning home.
From the beginning, this young man had always been fierce and violent, and he had a particular fondness for drinking. Before his death, he worried that his son would be unable to uphold the family legacy, so he warned him: "If the chieftains and ministers do not listen to you, you may gradually eliminate them."
After his son succeeded to the throne, he was even more brutal than his father, indulging in wine and pleasure day and night. The ministers would go to court as usual on the first and fifteenth of every month, but rarely saw him. Sometimes they had to wait until night for him to appear. He would often get angry during court sessions, only thinking about killing. He would often be drunk for months on end, leaving official documents to pile up unaddressed. He would listen to the whispers of treacherous men, and his rewards and punishments were unpredictable. Some ministers would flatter him by saying, "Your Majesty is wise and benevolent, governing the world, bringing peace and harmony!" Upon hearing this, he would say, "You are just trying to please me!" and then have them killed. If anyone suggested his punishments were too severe, he would retort, "You are slandering me!" and have them killed as well. Even if his concubines showed the slightest sign of disobedience, he would kill them and cast their bodies into the Wei River. He would force palace maids and men into public debauchery. He would have people skin cows, sheep, donkeys, and horses, burn live chickens, ducks, and geese, and throw them by the dozens into the palace. He would even skin the faces of dead prisoners, have them dance and sing, and make the ministers watch as entertainment. The imperial family, meritorious officials, relatives, and loyal subjects were all killed by him, leading court officials to feign illness and retreat home, and the common people to be fearful, only daring to glance at each other on the streets.
He also had problems with his eyes, and any words containing "insufficient," "lack," "few," "none," "deficient," "injured," "mutilated," "destroyed," "biased," or "only" could not be said in his presence. Any ministers who displeased him were killed in uncountable numbers, with some having their legs severed, abdomens sliced open, ribs cut, or necks sawed, with at least a thousand people meeting such fates.
The Grand Astrologer Kang Quan told him, "Last night, three moons appeared together, and the comet entered the Taiwei Constellation and then the Dongjing Constellation. Also, it has been overcast since the beginning of last month without any rain, and it has not stopped until now. There may be a rebellion among your subjects, so I hope Your Majesty can practice virtue to avert this disaster." Upon hearing this, he became furious, thinking it was deceptive words meant to mislead the public, and had Kang Quan killed.
That night, Fu Sheng told his servant, "Even Brother Ah Fa (Fu Fa) can no longer be trusted; he will be eliminated tomorrow." That night, Prince Qinghe Fu Fa dreamed that a divine being warned him, "Disaster will strike your family tomorrow; only those who are forewarned can escape." Fu Fa woke up, his heart racing with fear. At that moment, the servant came to deliver the news, and Fu Fa, along with officials Liang Pinglao and Qiang Wang, led a few hundred strong men to sneak into the Yunlong Gate. Fu Jian and Lady Lu led over three hundred followers shouting closely behind, and the palace guards abandoned their posts to join Fu Jian. Fu Sheng was still groggy and unaware. Fu Jian's troops had already arrived, took Fu Sheng to another room, deposed him from the throne, and shortly after declared him King of Yue, then killed him. Before his death, Fu Sheng drank several bowls of wine, got drunk, and was oblivious. He died at the age of twenty-three, ruled for two years, and was posthumously honored as King Li.
Fu Xiong, styled Yuancai, was the younger brother of Fu Hong. He was skilled in military strategy from a young age, was highly strategic, was known for promoting talented individuals from humble backgrounds, was an exceptional equestrian and archer, and had great political abilities. After Fu Jian became emperor, Fu Xiong, as a founding hero, held power nearly equal to that of the emperor, but he remained modest and cautious, adhering to the law. Fu Jian often remarked, "Yuancai, you are like my beloved Ji Dan!" After Fu Xiong's death, Fu Jian wept bitterly, saying, "Does heaven not wish for me to unify the nation? Why did it snatch Yuancai away so soon?" His son, Fu Jian, is recorded elsewhere.
Wang Duo, also known as Ansheng, was from Bachi City in Jingzhao. He was knowledgeable, talented, and well-versed in astronomy and calendars. When Fu Hong was campaigning against Liang Du, he appointed Wang Duo as a military advisor and told Fu Hong, "It is foretold that a king will emerge from the Fu clan, and you are that person." Fu Hong wholeheartedly agreed with him. After Wang Duo became the Prime Minister, he became renowned for his humility in not seeking credit for his achievements. Fu Jian often exclaimed, "If all officials in the world were like Lord Wang, would yin and yang be in harmony?" He greatly respected Wang Duo. Wang Duo was upright and hated evil; he liked to speak his mind. He hated Dong Rong and Qiang Guo as if they were enemies, and almost never spoke to them whenever he saw them in court. Someone advised him, "Minister Dong's power is currently strong; you should lower your stance a bit." Wang Duo replied, "What kind of lowlife is Dong Long, to make a nobleman like me speak to him!" Overcome with shame, Dong Rong then persuaded Fu Sheng to kill Wang Duo. During the execution, Dong Rong said to Wang Duo, "Do you still have the nerve to call Dong Long a lowlife?" Wang Duo glared at him, rebuking him loudly. Long, by the way, was Dong Rong's nickname.
