Yao Xing, also known as Zilue, is the eldest son of Yao Chang. During Fu Jian's reign, he was the Crown Prince's Attendant. When his father Yao Chang was in charge of the horse stables, Yao Xing braved the dangers and ran all the way from Chang'an to his father's side. Later, Yao Chang was proclaimed Crown Prince, and every time he went out to battle, he left Yao Xing in charge of rear operations. When Yao Chang guarded Chang'an, Yao Xing was deeply loved by the people for his benevolent governance. He often studied the classics with his colleagues Liang Xi, Fan Xu, and others, never neglecting his studies due to the turmoil of war. At that time, people greatly admired him.
After Yao Chang's death, Yao Xing chose not to publicly mourn, but instead had his uncle Yao Xu guard Anding, Yao Shuode guard Yinmi, and his younger brother Yao Chong guard Chang'an. Yao Shuode's subordinates advised him, "General, you have high prestige and a strong army. Now that the Crown Prince has passed away, there will surely be suspicions at court. This isn't sustainable! You should quickly escape to Qinzhou, observe the situation, and then make a decision." Yao Shuode said, "The Crown Prince was kind and wise; there should not be any suspicions. Now that Fu Deng has not been eliminated, if we start internal discord ourselves, won't it be like chasing after the two Yuans and end up handing our own heads on a platter? I'd rather die fighting than do that!" Yao Xing later treated Yao Shuode kindly before sending him away.
Yao Xing declared himself the Grand General, appointed Yin Wei as his Chief of Staff, and Di Bozhi as the Marshal, leading the army to attack Fu Deng. Liu Jinu, the magistrate of Xianyang, rebelled by occupying Bishi Fort. Yao Xing quickly launched an attack and captured Liu Jinu. Fu Deng marched toward the Abandoned Bridge from the direction of Liumu, while Yao Xiang, the magistrate of Shiping, took position at Mawei Fort to intercept Fu Deng. Fu Deng's army was formidable, and Yao Xing worried that Yao Xiang would be unable to hold out, so he personally led the elite cavalry to pin down Fu Deng, while sending Yin Wei to lead the infantry to support Yao Xiang. Yin Wei followed Yao Xiang's strategy, occupying the Abandoned Bridge to resist Fu Deng. Fu Deng mounted a fierce assault against Yin Wei, who was about to go to battle. Yao Xing quickly dispatched Di Bozhi to advise Yin Wei: "The art of war teaches us to defeat the enemy without engaging in battle; this is the current situation. Fu Deng is a desperate enemy; we need to be cautious and avoid rash actions." Yin Wei replied: "The late Emperor has just passed away, and people are in panic. If we do not seize the opportunity to fight hard and eliminate this traitor, it will be a disaster! I am willing to fight to the death!" So he engaged Fu Deng in battle, securing a decisive victory. Twelve to thirteen thousand of Fu Deng's soldiers died due to lack of water, and the entire army was routed that night, with Fu Deng fleeing to Yongcheng. Yao Xing then mourned his loss and held a funeral. In the nineteenth year of Taiyuan, Yao Xing proclaimed himself Emperor at Huaili, granted a general amnesty, changed the era name to Huangchu, and then proceeded to Anding. Fu Deng sent his brother Fu Guang to guard Yongzhou and his son Fu Chong stationed at Hukong Fort. Hearing of Fu Deng's defeat, both Fu Guang and Fu Chong abandoned their posts and fled. With no refuge left, Fu Deng fled to Pingliang, taking the remaining troops into Mamoshan. Yao Xing set out from Anding and arrived in Jingyang, engaging Fu Deng in battle in the mountains and killing him. Fu Deng's subordinates scattered, and the common people returned to farming. Yao Xing relocated thirty thousand households from Yinmi to Chang'an, divided the households into four groups, and established four military units to oversee them.
Qiang Xi of Annan and Yang Duo from Zhenyuan rebelled, electing Dou Chong as the leader of the alliance and causing unrest everywhere. The army was dispatched to quell them, and upon reaching Wugong, Yang Duo's nephew, Yang Liangguo, killed him and surrendered. Dou Chong's brother, Dou Zhangwu, fell out with him, prompting Dou Chong to flee to Qiang Xi. Upon hearing of the approaching army, Qiang Xi fled to Qinzhou with two thousand families. Dou Chong fled to Qianchuan, where the Di leader, Chou Gao, captured him and surrendered him to the army. Dou Chong's brother surrendered to the army with his subordinates.
The army bestowed the title of Prince of Jin upon Zhen Lu Xu, appointed Xi Shuo De as the King of Longxi, and enfeoffed Nan Jing and other meritorious officials such as Yin Wei, Qi Nan, and Yang Fosong as dukes, with other enfeoffments varying.
Xue Bo of the Xianbei in Ercheng was besieged by the Wei army and sent messengers to request reinforcements. The army dispatched Yao Chong to their aid. After the Wei army's withdrawal, Xue Bo revolted once more, and Yao Chong captured him, returning with a substantial number of troops and horses.
The army posthumously honored his stepmother Sun Shi as the Empress Dowager, permitting her to receive offerings in the ancestral temple. Yang Sheng defended Qiuchi, sent envoys to request an official appointment from the court, and was appointed as the Commissioner, General of the South, and Duke of Qiuchi. Xianbei Yue Zhi led a rebellion with twenty thousand households, surrendered to the army, and was resettled in Chengji, appointed as the Commissioner, General of the West, and Duke of Pingxiang.
Yao Shuode defeated the Hu leader Jin Bao at Pingliang in Luocheng. Initially, Jiang Ru occupied the county of Shanggui and rebelled, claiming to be the governor of Qinzhou. Yao Shuode went to confront him, and Jiang Ru surrendered along with his followers. Yao Shuode was appointed governor of Qinzhou and concurrently served as the protector of the Eastern Qiang, stationed in Shanggui. Jiang Ru was appointed as a Minister. Qiang Xi and the influential clan Quan Gancheng from Lueyang led thirty thousand troops to besiege Shanggui, but Yao Shuode managed to defeat them. Qiang Xi fled to Chouchi and then made his way back to the Jin Dynasty. Yao Shuode went west to attack Quan Gancheng, who surrendered. The military edict mandated that each county recommend one virtuous, filial, and honest official annually. Murong Yong was defeated at the hands of Murong Chui, and the Governor of Hedong, Liu Gong, and others each commanded troops in defense. Fu Jian sent Yao Xu to attack them. Liu Gong and the others relied on the Yellow River for defense, which prevented Yao Xu from crossing. General Zhen Dong, Xue Qiang, first secured Yangshi Bi, then guided Yao Xu across the Yellow River at Longmen, before entering Puban. Liu Gong found himself in a difficult position and requested to surrender. Fu Jian relocated six thousand households from Xinping and Anding to Puban.
Fu Jian's mother died, and Fu Jian was deeply saddened and overwhelmed by grief, neglecting state affairs. The ministers deliberated and concluded that, according to the customs of the Han and Wei dynasties, normal duties should resume after the burial. Li Song, the Shangshu Lang, wrote: "Filial piety is a significant principle of the former kings and should align with the nature of the sages, promoting moral education. After the burial, one should wear plain clothes to attend court, setting an example for the world; this is an act of filial piety!" Yin Wei countered: "The mourning practices of the emperors, as established by the Han and Wei, are the standards. Li Song is disregarding common sense and overstepping the established rituals; he should be handed over to the relevant departments for processing, to be dealt with based on the rules. After the burial, normal activities should resume, and the previous discussions should be followed." Fu Jian said: "Li Song is a loyal minister and filial son; what crime did he commit? Yin Puye abandoned the statutes of the former kings but wants to follow the expedient measures of Han and Wei. How can this be the behavior of a wise minister in the court? Let's follow Li Song's opinion!"
The Xianbei Xue Bo rebelled and fled to the north of the mountains; the various tribes of Shangjun and Erchuan rallied to his cause and surrounded the residence of General Anyuan Yao Xiang in Jincheng. Fu Jian sent Yao Chong and Yin Wei to attack him. Xue Bo marched from the Sanjiao area to Jincheng; Yao Chong established camps to contain him, but the logistics fell short, leading to famine among the three armies. Yin Wei said to Yao Chong: "The Deputy Grand General Mi Jie Gaodi and the General of Establishing Righteousness Du Cheng are leaders of various tribes, with official ranks of third grade. They are responsible for transportation but have delayed it, causing the three armies to lack food. They should face clear punishment to serve as a warning to others." So they were killed. The various tribes were terrified, and the supply of food transported suddenly surged by over 500,000 stones. Fu Jian personally led 20,000 infantry and cavalry to confront Xue Bo, who, in fear, abandoned his army and fled to Gaoping Gong Mei Yu, where Mei Yu captured him and delivered him to Fu Jian.
The Xuan clan's Yao Maidexiang plotted to kill Fu Jian during his mother She Shi's funeral. Someone reported this to Fu Jian, who initially did not believe it, so he sent Li Song to act as if he were going. Yao Maidexiang revealed the plan to Li Song, and when Li Song returned and reported the situation to Fu Jian, Fu Jian ordered the execution of Yao Maidexiang and his accomplices. Fu Jian then ordered the people to cease the production of luxurious textiles and immoral rituals. Fu Jian launched an attack on Hucheng, where the Jin Dynasty's Hongnong Prefect Tao Zhongshan and Huashan Prefect Dong Mai surrendered to him. He then attacked Shancheng, captured Shangluo, and sent Yao Chong to attack Luoyang. The Jin Dynasty's Henan Prefect Xiahou Zong fiercely defended Jinyong City, thwarting Yao Chong's attempts to capture it, so Yao Chong took Bai Valley and relocated more than 20,000 households of refugees from Xihe, Yanyan, Hedong, Peiqi, and Hanxi. Fu Jian ordered that the soldiers who died in battle be buried on the spot and their relatives be found to honor their memory. The Di tribesmen from Wudu, including Tu Fei and Dan Tie, killed Longdong Prefect Yao Hui, looted over 3,000 households, and rebelled in Fangshan. Fu Jian sent Yao Shao and his men to quell the rebellion, resulting in the deaths of Tu Fei and Dan Tie. He also sent Di Bozhi to Hanzhong to receive over 10,000 households of refugees led by Cao Hui and Niu Shou.
Fu Jian attached great importance to political affairs, widely welcoming talents. As long as someone proposed a good suggestion, he would extend special favors. Du Jin from Jingzhao, Ji Mo from Fengyi, and Zhou Bao from Shiping presented current political affairs to him and were promoted to important official positions. Jiang Kang from Tianshui, Chunyu Qi from Dongping, and Guo Gao from Fengyi were all respected Confucian masters, knowledgeable and virtuous, each boasting hundreds of disciples. They lectured in Chang'an, drawing in tens of thousands of students. After dealing with political affairs, Fu Jian would invite Jiang Kang and others to the East Hall to delve into philosophical discussions. Hu Bian from Liangzhou migrated to Luoyang from the east during Fu Jian's reign, boasting over a thousand disciples. Many aspiring scholars from Guanzhong went to study under him. Fu Jian ordered the guards in Guanzhong not to restrict students seeking academic advice and personal development as they traveled in and out of the region. As a result, a culture of learning thrived and Confucianism prospered.
Counselor Gu Chengshen, Zhongshu Shilang Wang Shang, Shangshu Lang Ma Dai, and others participated in handling confidential political affairs due to their refined and principled writing style. Gu Chengshen was charming and distinguished, always concerned about major events in the world. At that time, Wei Gao from Jingzhao imitated Ruan Ji's behavior, playing music and drinking after his mother's death. Gu Chengshen heard about it and wept, saying, "I should have killed him in private to promote social norms." He then went to find Wei Gao with a sword. Wei Gao was frightened and fled, never willing to see Gu Chengshen again.
Finally, Fu Jian dispatched General Yang Fosong to seize Luoyang.
The emperor decreed that the common people who had sold themselves into servile positions during the famine years should regain their status as free citizens. Due to frequent solar and lunar eclipses and continuous disasters, the emperor decided to relinquish his title to that of a king and ordered all court ministers and local officials to be demoted by one rank. As a result, Grand Marshal Zhao Min and 53 other ministers submitted a memorial stating, "Your Majesty's achievements are outstanding, your benevolence is felt across the realm, your reputation is far-reaching, and your teachings are widely spread. Even the accomplishments of King Tang in establishing the Shang Dynasty and King Wu in establishing the Zhou Dynasty cannot compare to Your Majesty's. Now is the time to pacify the regions of Jiang and Wu and offer sacrifices to the central mountains in order to achieve success. How can you demote yourself and defy the will of heaven?" The emperor replied, "King Tang of the Shang Dynasty and King Yu of the Xia Dynasty, whose virtues surpassed those of all past emperors, still remained humble and cautious, not daring to occupy the highest position. Moreover, my talents are mediocre; how can I take that position?" Therefore, the emperor sent Zhao Min to offer sacrifices at the ancestral temple and announced a nationwide amnesty, changing the era name to Hongshi. Depending on the circumstances, he rewarded orphans and widows with some grain and cloth, and those over seventy years old with extra clothing and canes. Previously, the magistrate of Shiping, Zhou Ban, and the county magistrate of Huaili, Li Qingshan, were executed for corruption, which led to greater honesty among the counties. After Luoyang city fell, many cities north of the Huai River and Han River requested to surrender. The emperor decreed that grandparents, parents, and siblings were permitted to keep illegal matters hidden from one another. Yao Xu and Yao Shuode declined the title of king due to the emperor's demotion, but the emperor did not agree.
Weihua of Jingzhao, Xiahou Gui from Qiao County, Pangtiao from Shiping, and others led ten thousand people fleeing from Xiangyang to defected to the emperor. The emperor received them in the East Hall and asked Weihua, "Since the Jin Dynasty moved south, it has been peaceful for a long time. How is the current political situation, education, and customs?" Weihua replied, "Although the emperor of the Jin Dynasty holds the title, he lacks actual ruling power. The prime ministers hold power; there are conflicting laws, and power is not in the court; this has become the norm; laws are harsh, and customs are extravagant. Since Huan Wen and Xie An, there has not been a strict and tolerant rule." The emperor was very pleased and appointed Weihua as the Minister of the Central Secretariat.
The Prefect of Hedong, Yao Xu, treated Xing with great respect, like a family member. Xing granted titles to the sons of Yao Luwei, Zhao Edi, Wang Ping, Ma Wanzai, Huang Shi, and others, who were officials of the previous dynasty. He ordered officials to recommend talented and virtuous individuals and abolished outdated laws. The Assistant Minister of the Ministry of War, Bian Xi from Jincheng, suggested simplifying cumbersome military orders. Xing agreed it was a good idea and modified the military orders based on the methods of the Sun and Wu dynasties. Xing established a legal academy in Chang'an, summoned dispersed officials from various regions to study law, and those who excelled were sent back to their hometowns to address criminal cases. Cases that counties and prefectures could not solve were reported to the Ministry of Justice. Xing often personally presided over difficult cases at the Consultation Hall, and at that time, people said there were no wrongful convictions.
Yao Xu and Yao Shuode both declined noble titles, which Xing accepted. As Yao Xu and Yao Shuode grew in power, Xing was worried that dishonest individuals might lead them astray, so he selected honest and upright individuals to assist them. Xing believed that the Commandant of the Capital, Guo Fu, the Prefect of Fufeng, Qiang Chao, the Magistrate of Chang'an, Yu Pei, the Magistrate of Huaili, Peng Ming, and the Assistant Minister of the Granary, Wang Nian, were known for their integrity and diligence. He ordered rewards for them, increased Guo Fu's fiefdom by one hundred households, appointed Qiang Chao as the Marquis of Guannei, and promoted Yu Pei and others by one rank.
Xing Pai Yao Shuo De led the Longyou troops to attack Qifu Gangui, while secretly bringing reinforcements. Qifu Gangui was defeated and fled, with 36,000 troops surrendering and 60,000 pieces of armor and horses captured. The army refrained from plundering, and the local people supported them. As Xing advanced to Fuhan, he rewarded everyone from nobles to soldiers. During Xing's western campaign, a man named Mei Yi attempted to ambush Anding but was dissuaded by Changshi Huangfuxu. Mei Yi regretted his earlier intentions and secretly plotted to kill Huangfuxu. Qifu Gangui surrendered and was appointed General Zhenyuan, Governor of Hezhou, and Marquis of Guiyi, with his troops placed under his command. Xing issued orders allowing generals to return home for funerals, specifying a time limit for their return. During border conflicts, a hundred-day leave was granted for family emergencies. If a border general left without proper explanation for a significant family event, they would face punishment. Xing also dispatched General Liu Song and 237 others back to Jianye.
It is said that the Wei army attacked Meiyu (梅奕于), and Meiyu left his troops behind, fleeing to Qinzhou with several thousand cavalry, accompanied by Helian Bobo. The Wei army advanced to Wating, causing panic in Chang'an city, with the city gates tightly shut and defenses in place. At the same time, the Wei Prefect of Pingyang invaded Hedong. Therefore, the emperor decided to conduct military training, holding a grand military review in the western part of the city, where the bravest and strongest soldiers were summoned to the palace. Then, the emperor summoned the ministers in the East Hall to discuss the plan to attack Wei. The ministers advised against it, but the emperor remained adamant. The Minister of Justice, Yao Xian, suggested, "Your Majesty is the stabilizing force of the realm; you should not lead the charge personally. Instead, you can send generals to lead the troops and provide them with well-devised strategies." However, the emperor said, "The most important duty of an emperor is to expand our territory and quell rebellions. How can I refuse?"
Next, the emperor appointed his son Hong as the Crown Prince, issued a nationwide amnesty, and bestowed noble titles upon those who had demonstrated filial piety. He sent Yao Ping, Di Bozhi, and others to lead forty thousand infantry and cavalry to attack Wei, and sent Yao Shuode, Yao Mu, and sixty thousand infantry and cavalry to attack Lv Long. Upon Yao Ping's army's arrival in Hedong, the emperor sent Guangyuan Dong'e, Lijie Leixing, and Prince Jianzhong Duo to lead the elite cavalry from Xingcheng and Lingbei to support from Hening, followed by Tang Xiaofang and Ji Nu Yaoliangguo leading the elite soldiers from Guanzhong, Yao Xu leading the army in Hedong as the vanguard commander, Yao Shao leading the army in Luodong, Yao Xiang leading the cavalry in Shaofang, all troops gathering in Pingwang, poised to rendezvous with the emperor. The emperor also appointed Meiyu as the acting governor of Shanggui, with Zhongjun and Guangling Gonglian acting as temporary overseers of Luoyang, while Yao Xian and the Minister of the Imperial Secretariat Yao Huang assisted Crown Prince Hong, staying on duty at the West Palace.
Yao Shuode reached Guzang, defeated the army of Lv Long, captured and executed ten thousand people. Lv Long's generals, including Lv Ta, surrendered with twenty-five thousand soldiers. Before this, Tufa Lilugu occupied Xiping, Juqu Mengxun occupied Zhangye, and Li Xuansheng occupied Dunhuang; all of them were keeping each other in check against Lv Long. At this point, they all sent envoys to surrender. Emperor Xing set out from Chang'an with forty-seven thousand soldiers to support Yao Ping. Yao Ping attacked Qiancheng of the Wei Kingdom, captured it, and then occupied Chaibi. The Wei army launched a massive attack on Yao Ping, cutting off the defenses along the Fen River. Emperor Xing arrived at Puban, hesitated and chose not to advance.
When Shi Le attacked Lv Long, he adopted a strategy of winning over the people, persuading enemy forces to surrender, appointing officials, and stockpiling supplies, preparing for a protracted war. Lv Long was afraid and surrendered. Shi Le's army was disciplined, did not commit any offenses, worshipped the ancestors, respected Confucian scholars, and the people in the Western Regions were quite pleased.
Yao Ping ran out of food and ammunition, then jumped into the Fen River with thirty of his cavalry. Ten generals, including Di Bozhi, along with over forty thousand soldiers, were captured by the Wei army. Shi Le ordered generous rewards for the fallen soldiers. The Wei army pressed their advantage and attacked Puban, but Yao Xu held his ground and the Wei army eventually withdrew. Shi Le moved over ten thousand wealthy households from the Hexi region to Chang'an.
During the Jin Dynasty, General of Assistant Yuan Qianzhi, Liu Shou, General of Ning Shuo, Gao Changqing, Guanjun General, Guo Gong, General of Longxiang, and others, fearing Huan Xuan, all defected to Shi Le. Shi Le welcomed them in the East Hall and said to Yuan Qianzhi and the others, "Although Huan Xuan is nominally a subject of the Jin Dynasty, he is, in fact, a traitor to the Jin Dynasty. How does his talent and character stack up against his father's? Can he achieve anything significant?" Yuan Qianzhi replied, "Relying on the power of his family, Huan Xuan took control of Jingzhou and Chuzhou, taking advantage of the political corruption of the Jin Dynasty. He effectively usurped the position of Prime Minister. He is cruel, lacking familial loyalty, suspicious and fond of killing, appointing officials based on favoritism rather than merit, lacking fair standards, and is far inferior to his father. Now that he has seized great power in court, he will definitely usurp the throne, but he is not someone inherently suited to be emperor and can be eliminated by others. This is a chance provided by fate for Your Majesty. I hope Your Majesty will take action quickly to pacify the Wu and Chu regions." Shi Le was very pleased and appointed Yuan Qianzhi as Grand Minister of Agriculture, while the others were given corresponding official positions. Yuan Qianzhi firmly declined and asked to serve at the border, so he was reassigned as General of False Ceremonies, General of Ningnan, and Governor of Guangzhou. Shi Le named his consort, Zhang Shi, Empress, and his sons Yi, Bi, Guang, Xuan, Shen, Yin, Pu, Zhi, Kui, Yu, and Guo'er as dukes. He also appointed Liang Fei as Grand Minister of Ceremonies, Zhang Gou of Xinping as Vice Envoy, Tuofa Lutan as General of Chariots and Cavalry and Duke Guangwu, Juqu Mengxun as General of the West, Governor of Shazhou and Marquis of Xihai, and Li Xuan as General of Anxi and Marquis of Gaochang.
Goodness, General Zhaoyao of Zhenyuan led 20,000 troops to the west to set up camp at Jincheng. Unfortunately, Wang Song led cavalry to help Lv Long guard Guzang, but he was surrounded by Wen Zhen, the younger brother of Nu Tan, at Wei'an, was defeated, captured, and sent straight to Nu Tan. Nu Tan was furious when he heard this, immediately sent Wang Song back to Chang'an, and blamed Wen Zhen, apologizing and taking responsibility.
The emperor issued a decree to promote and appoint the meritorious generals of the Battle of Mawei Hill and exempted the fortresses from taxes for twenty years. The emperor led a simple life, not using gold, silver, or jade decorations on his horse and carriage, and the people followed his example, embracing simplicity and integrity. However, he had a particular fondness for hunting, which negatively impacted the farmers. Duyan, the magistrate of Jingzhao, thought the emperor needed better advisors, so he penned a poem called "Fengcao" to offer counsel to the emperor; Yun, the magistrate of Fengyi, composed a piece titled "De Lie Fu" to critique the emperor. After reading them, the emperor praised their efforts and rewarded them with gold, silver, and treasures, but he just couldn't shake his hunting habit.
The Prefect Peng Quan of Jinzhou surrendered his territory to the emperor. The emperor then sent Yang Fosong leading five thousand cavalry, along with Zhao Yao, the Governor of Jingzhou, to welcome Peng Quan, seized the region of Nanxiang, captured General Jianwei Liu Song, and before returning after advancing as far as Liangguo. The emperor also sent Xi Que, who was also a Cavalier Attendant, to Liangzhou to bring Lü Chao, the brother of Lü Long, to serve in Chang'an, which Lü Long agreed to. Lü Long feared an attack from Tu Fa Nu Tan, so he submitted a request to relocate to Chang'an. The emperor then sent Qi Nan, General of the West Yao Jie, General of the Distant Qifu Gangui, and General Zhao Yao to lead forty thousand infantry and cavalry to welcome Lü Long in Hexi. Upon arriving in Guzang, Qi Nan appointed his Marshal Wang Shang as the Governor of Liangzhou, giving him three thousand troops to guard Guzang, and appointed Yan Song as the Prefect of Cangsong and Guo Jiang as the Prefect of Fanhe, stationing troops in both cities, and then moved Lü Long and his relatives and subordinates to Chang'an. Juqu Mengxun also sent his brother to bring local products. Wang Shang won over the people of Liangzhou with sincerity and kindness, and the people were very grateful and all pledged their allegiance to him. The Xianbei people from the north also sent envoys to offer tribute as a sign of friendship. Huan Xuan sent people to invite Xin Gongjing and He Danzhi. The emperor kept Xin Gongjing but sent away He Danzhi, telling him, "Huan Xuan does not take into account the timing, location, and support of the people, and seeks to usurp the throne. Heaven will not forget the Jin dynasty and will surely ensure that someone rises up in rebellion against him. I believe he will ultimately fail. When you meet him now, you will witness his downfall, and that day will not be far off." When Xin Gongjing arrived in Chang'an, the emperor summoned him; however, he refused to kneel in respect. The emperor said, "I intend to put you in charge of affairs in the southeast." Xin Gongjing replied, "I'd rather die for my country than serve a traitor!" The emperor was very angry and confined him to a small chamber. Later, Xin Gongjing managed to escape over the wall and return.
The emperor sent his generals Yao Shuode, Yao Liancheng, Yao Shoudou, and others to lead thirty thousand troops to attack Yang Sheng's Chou Pool. Shoudou advanced from Dangchang, and Liancheng marched from Xiabian. Yang Sheng sent his brother Yang Shou to resist Liancheng, and sent his son Yang Bin to resist Shoudou. Shoudou was defeated by Yang Bin, and his army was captured. Yang Shou and his men, fearing defeat, surrendered. Yao Shuode then returned to the capital. Zhao Ce, the governor of Ru'nan during the Jin Dynasty, abandoned his city and sought refuge with the emperor.
The emperor went to the Garden of Tranquility, bringing some monks to listen to Kumarajiva deliver a fluent explanation of the Buddhist scriptures at the Chengxuan Hall. Kumarajiva explained fluently, and upon reviewing the previous scriptures, he found many errors that did not match the original texts. The emperor, Kumarajiva, and over eight hundred monks including Senglue, Sengqian, Daoshu, Sengrui, Daotan, Sengzhao, Tanshun, and others, together proofread the "Mahaprajnaparamita Sutra." Kumarajiva held the original texts, the emperor held the previous scriptures, and they cross-checked each other. The discrepancies between the new translations and the previous scriptures were all logically consistent. Later, they also proofread hundreds of scrolls of scriptures and treatises. The new scriptures were all translated by Kumarajiva. The emperor devoutly believed in Buddhism, and all officials and even monks from afar followed suit, with over five thousand monks coming. He built a pagoda in Yonggui and a Bodhi platform in the palace, where thousands of monks meditated. All provinces followed suit, with nearly nine out of ten households embracing Buddhism.
The emperor then sent Yao Shuode and Champion General Xu Luosheng to attack Chou Pool, and also sent General Zhaokun to advance from Dangchang, and General Lianju to attack Hanzhong.
Legend has it that Liu Yu defeated Huan Xuan and brought Emperor An back. Consequently, Huan Qian, Huan Yi, Huan Wei, Huan Mi, Huan Yin, and General He Danzhi all fled to Xingcheng of Xia. Liu Yu sent the Chief General Heng Kai to discuss establishing good relations with Yao Xing of Xia. Yao Xing sent Ji Mo to reply to Liu Yu, and thereafter, envoys from both states frequently exchanged visits.
The Jin Dynasty wanted several counties in the southern territories, and Yao Xing agreed. The ministers all opposed, believing this was unwise. However, Yao Xing said, "Peace in the world is the best. Liu Yu has risen from obscurity to where he is today, helping stabilize the Jin Dynasty. Why should I destroy such a good situation over a few counties?" So, he ceded twelve counties, including Nanxiang, Shunyang, Xinye, and Wuyin, to the Jin Dynasty.
Yao Shuode and his forces defeated Yang Sheng multiple times, which made Yang Sheng fearful and led him to request surrender, offering his son Nandang and several followers as hostages. Only then did Yao Shuode withdraw his troops. Yao Xing appointed Yang Sheng as the Commissioner, Cavalier Attendant-in-Ordinary, Commander of Yizhou and Ningzhou military affairs, General Who Conquers the South, Chief of the Palace, Governor of Yizhou, and Marquis of Wudu, with numerous official titles. General Lian captured Chenggu, relocating over 3,000 households from Hanzhong to Guanzhong.
Yao Xing issued a decree across the realm and the court, forbidding the use of his uncles Yao Xu and Yao Shuode's names, as a sign of special respect for them. Yao Xing was humble and filial, treating Yao Xu and Yao Shuode with familial respect, always impeccably dressed and respectful, always addressing them with honorifics, prioritizing their needs in travel and attire before his own. He always consulted his uncles on important court matters before making decisions.
Tai Shiling Guo Kun told Yao Xing: "In the years of Xu and Hai (戌亥年), there will be bandits causing chaos in the northwest. You need to be cautious and on guard! When the time comes to mobilize troops, it will be like quicksand, with casualties piling up like a tangled mess. The flames of war will reach Longshan, and the Xianbei and Wuhuan will find no peace. The court will be stretched thin too!" At that time, springs began to bubble up everywhere, and people believed that drinking from them could cure illnesses, but it was later found to be mostly untrue. There were also charlatans claiming to be goddesses, and Yao Xing ordered them all to be killed to put an end to it. Yao Xing held a large military review from Du You to Yang Mu. Yao Shuode came to pay his respects, and Yao Xing declared a nationwide amnesty. When Yao Shuode made his way back to Qinzhou, Yao Xing personally escorted him, returning only after reaching Yongzhou. Tufa Nantan sent Fu Jian three thousand horses and thirty thousand sheep. Fu Jian recognized Nantan's loyalty, so he appointed him governor of Liangzhou and recalled the former governor, Wang Shang, to Chang'an.
In Liangzhou, Shentu Ying and over two hundred others sent the chief clerk Hu Wei to find Fu Jian and request that Wang Shang be allowed to stay, but Fu Jian refused. Fu Jian asked Hu Wei to speak to him in person. Hu Wei, in tears, pleaded with Fu Jian, "We have been serving the court faithfully in Liangzhou for the past five years. Wang Shang's governance is also very good. We, the guardians of this isolated city, who take risks, rely on Your Majesty's prestige and Wang Shang's good governance. Now you are defying the will of heaven and the desires of the people, handing over our land and resources to those barbaric tribes. If Nuo Tan truly possesses the capability to replace Wang Shang, I wouldn't dare to say anything. But I heard that you are using the horses and sheep of our people in Liangzhou to exchange for Nuo Tan's loyalty. If this is true, it is simply treating our people like commodities and our livestock as mere trash! If there is really a need for horses to supply the army, as long as the Ministry of Personnel orders it, over 30,000 households could each provide a horse. Why surrender all of Liangzhou to this treacherous barbarian? Historically, Emperor Wu of Han exhausted the nation's resources to build the Hexi Corridor, cut off the Rongdi of the Western Regions, and severed the right arm of the Xiongnu, so he could eventually eliminate the King of Da Yuan, Wu Guai. Now Your Majesty is implementing policies outside Yumen Pass to bring civilization to the Western Regions. How can you give the land of five counties to those fierce barbarians and abandon the loyal Han people to their ruthless foes? This not only risks plunging the people of Liangzhou into dire straits, but also destabilizes the court's rear, affecting Your Majesty's rule!"
After listening to Hu Wei's words, Fu Jian sent the Xiping man Che Pu to stop Wang Shang and also sent someone to persuade Nuo Tan. By then, Nuo Tan had arrived in Guzang (the capital of Liangzhou), and Che Pu briefed him on the situation. Nuo Tan, feeling frightened, forced Wang Shang to leave Liangzhou and entered the city of Guzang himself.
After Wang Shang arrived in Chang'an, he executed fugitives like Bo He without proper authorization, violating the law and was imprisoned in Nantai Prison. The deputy magistrate Zong Chang, the magistrate Zhang Mu, the registrar Bian Xian, and Hu Wei of Liangzhou jointly submitted a petition to plead for Wang Shang, saying: The county I am in is situated in a remote border area, adjacent to strong enemies, and it is hard to maintain peace even during peaceful times. When turmoil arises, it faces the threat of destruction. Since the decline of the Zhang family, good practices have vanished; the Lv family is nearing extinction, and those vicious and ruthless individuals exploit the situation to stir up trouble. The people have endured the ravages of war, and Western Xia has also suffered great disasters. Fortunately, the emperor's grace is widely spread, and the imperial decree has reached the farthest reaches. Governor Wang Shang took over this county on the brink of extinction. In the critical situation, he traveled light, lived simply, and shared in the hardships with the people, encouraged them to cultivate and raise silkworms, and left no agricultural task unattended. Then, he strengthened military might, crushed the rebellion, and restored peace. Those rebels rapidly melted away like ice and snow in the sun, and collapsed rapidly like autumn frost falling leaves. His achievements were truly remarkable! Unfortunately, just as his efforts were underway, the court revoked his appointment, preventing him from completing this great task, and the chance was lost. At that moment, who wouldn’t feel a sense of regret about this?
I traveled far to the border, working diligently. Although my contributions have yet to be acknowledged, I have never made any mistakes in official duties. It has been twenty days since I arrived in the capital, but the emperor has not yet issued a new appointment, and the accusations against me are intensifying. Because I brought back the palace maid Pei and executed the fugitive soldier Bo He and others, I faced impeachment from the Southern Court. Fortunately, the emperor saw through the matter and temporarily spared me from imprisonment, but the criticism and accusations against me continue unabated. Pei, nearly fifty, with gray hair, lives alone at her family home and is not even a suitable candidate for the royal family. She is old and weak, ugly—what good would bringing her back to the capital do? The border areas need strong defense; the strength of our soldiers is vital. Bo He and others deserved execution as a warning to others and for the peace of the border. If I am punished for not bringing Pei back, it would merely be a minor oversight. In terms of contributions, mine are significant, while my faults are minor. However, those officials are nitpicking, forgetting my merits and resenting my mistakes, which is the reason wise ministers of old wept bitterly, and the reason I cry to the sky now.
Furthermore, I have served the court under two emperors; my abilities and past performance are well-known to the emperor. Even if I have minor faults, my contributions should more than compensate. I hope the emperor will grant me his utmost favor and demonstrate his benevolence. Like all of you, I hail from the Western State and have no influential background; I have always been mired in the corrupt bureaucracy, with no opportunity to advance. Now that the emperor's favor has shone upon me, I am eager to serve the court, so I take the liberty of writing this letter to you, hoping Your Majesty will understand my sentiments.
After the emperor read my letter, he was very happy and asked his Minister of the Yellow Gate, Yao Wenzu, "Do you know this person named Zong Chang?" Yao Wenzu said, "He is a renowned talent from our Western State." The emperor said, "I heard that he writes very well and is very talented, but he can be a bit obstinate." Yao Wenzu said, "He is currently imprisoned in the Nantai Prison and is not allowed to communicate with anyone, while Zong Chang lives in the home of Yang Huan. Clearly, Yang Huan is more open-minded than he is." The emperor asked, "So, does Yang Huan have more insights?" Yao Wenzu said, "People in the Western State believe Zong Chang is far superior to Yang Huan. Before, Zong Chang had a good relationship with Lv Chao; Your Majesty can ask him."
So the emperor asked Lv Chao, "How is Zong Chang's literary talent? Who can he be compared to?" Lv Chao said, "When Zong Chang was in the Western State, everyone admired him. His literary talent can be compared to Chen Lin and Xu Gan of the Wei Kingdom, as well as Pan Yue and Lu Ji of the Jin Dynasty." The emperor was a bit surprised and asked Lv Chao, "How can such a small place like Liangzhou produce such a talented person?" Lv Chao said, "I have compared my writings to Zong Chang's, and I think he is far more than just that. Just like fine jade comes from the Kunlun Mountains and pearls are found by the sea. If you must measure talent by region, then the literary talent of Wen Ming from the Xia Dynasty would be overlooked, and King Wen of the Zhou Dynasty would be considered useless by the Eastern Barbarians. What matters is whether his writings are good, not where he hails from." The emperor was very happy to hear this and pardoned Zong Chang's crime, appointing him as a Shangshu.
