Murong Bao, style name Daoyou, was the fourth son of Murong Chui. When he was young, he was frivolous and lacked ambition, preferring to be around flatterers. During the reign of Fu Jian, he served as the stable attendant of the Crown Prince and the Commander of Wan Nian. In the battle for the fertile lands along the Huai River, Fu Jian appointed him General of Lingjiang. After becoming the Crown Prince, he started to study diligently, improve himself, enjoyed reading and engaging in discussions, and was skilled at currying favor with the lower officials around Murong Chui to gain a good reputation. The officials of Murong Chui's court praised him, and Murong Chui himself considered him a worthy successor to the family legacy.
After Murong Chui's death, Murong Bao ascended to the throne the following year, issuing a general amnesty and changing the era name to Yongkang. He appointed the Grand Commandant Ku Ruguan as the Grand Preceptor and Left Grand Minister of Guanglu, and Duan Chong as the Grand Guardian, and rewarded other officials appropriately. Following Murong Chui's will, he carried out a census, disbanded local armies, integrated them into the local administrations, sorted through the old records of the aristocracy, and clarified their official ranks. However, his laws were strict, his governance severe, and the relationship between the ruling and common classes soured, leading nine out of ten households to contemplate rebellion.
At first, Murong Chui was very worried about the question of Murong Bao's successor, because he had not had time to establish a crown prince for him. Murong Bao's illegitimate son, Murong Hui, was very talented and had great military ability, and Murong Chui held him in high regard. Later, when Murong Bao went on a northern expedition, he let Murong Hui handle palace affairs, with a status equal to that of the crown prince, which clearly indicated Murong Chui's intentions. When Murong Chui attacked the Wei Kingdom, he assigned Murong Hui to guard Youzhou because Longcheng was the old capital and the ancestral temples were there, entrusting the important defense of the northeastern region to him and selecting many outstanding officials to enhance his prestige. Before he died, Murong Chui entrusted Murong Hui to Murong Bao, urging him to ensure his succession. However, Murong Bao favored his youngest son, Murong Ce, and had no intention of considering Murong Hui. Murong Bao's eldest son, Murong Sheng, who was the same age as Murong Hui and older, felt that Murong Hui should not ascend to the throne before him, so he proposed that Murong Ce would be a better choice as the crown prince, but did not directly belittle Murong Hui. Murong Bao was pleased by this suggestion and discussed it with Prince Zhao Murong Lin and Prince Gaoyang Murong Long, who agreed with his proposal. Therefore, Murong Bao, along with them, decided to name Duan Shi as the empress, Murong Ce as the crown prince, and elevate Murong Sheng and Murong Hui to the rank of king. Murong Ce, whose courtesy name was Daofu, was just eleven years old, handsome but foolish and not intelligent.
It is said that the Wei army attacked Bingzhou, and the General of Chariots and Cavalry, Shi Le (Nong), fought valiantly but was ultimately defeated and retreated to Jinyang. Sima Muyu Song tightly closed the city gates, preventing Shi Le from entering the city. Shi Le fled back to Zhongshan with a few thousand cavalrymen. When he arrived in Luchuan, the Wei army caught up with him, and most of the cavalrymen were killed, leaving only him to make his escape on horseback.
Bao convened the ministers in the eastern hall to discuss countermeasures. Zhongshan Prefect Fu Mo said, "The Wei army is too powerful, making a rapid advance of a thousand miles with fierce momentum and soaring morale. They are like wild horses running on the plain without reins; the situation is extremely unfavorable for us and hard to withstand. We should rely on strategic strongholds." Chief of the Palace Secretariat Pi Sui said, "The Wei army has many cavalry troops and moves quickly. The food they carry is only enough for about ten days. Each county should mobilize a fortress from every thousand households, dig deep ditches, build high walls, and adopt a strategy of fortifying defenses and clearing the fields. If the Wei army cannot find anything to plunder, their food supply will be exhausted in no more than sixty days, and they will naturally retreat." Minister of Works Feng Yi said, "The Wei army now has one hundred thousand men, the mightiest enemy in the realm. Even if the common people want to organize for self-defense, it would be difficult to achieve and would only serve to deliver food and troops to the enemy, which would easily undermine the people's confidence and portray us as weak. It is better to secure the passes and resist with determination, and that is the best strategy." Murong Lin also said, "The Wei army is currently riding high and seems unbeatable. We should prioritize protecting ourselves, make thorough defensive preparations, and launch a counterattack when they are fatigued."
Therefore, they reinforced the city walls, stockpiled food, and prepared for long-term warfare. The Wei army failed to capture Zhongshan, so they instead occupied Boling and Lukou. When the other generals learned that the Wei army was approaching, they panicked and fled, and all counties surrendered to the Wei Kingdom. Shi Hu learned of the internal strife within the Wei Kingdom, so he led 120,000 infantry and 37,000 cavalry to battle, camping at Quyang Baishi. The Wei army advanced to Xinliang, and Shi Hu, fearing the fighting strength of the Wei army, sent General Long to launch a night attack, but they were defeated and had to retreat. The Wei army arrived in an orderly manner in front of Shi Hu's camp, and both sides faced off, with the soldiers feeling extremely fearful and morale at an all-time low. Shi Le and Murong Lin advised Shi Hu to return to Zhongshan, so Shi Hu withdrew his troops. The Wei army pursued relentlessly, and Shi Hu, Shi Le, and others abandoned their large army, escaping with 20,000 cavalry. At that time, a heavy snowstorm hit, and bodies lay frozen one after another along the road. Shi Hu feared being overtaken by the Wei army, so he ordered everyone to take off their robes, discard their weapons and armor, and escape lightly.
The Wei army attacked Zhongshan and camped at Fanglin Garden. That night, Minister Murong Hao conspired to kill Murong Bao and install Murong Lin as emperor. Murong Hao's nephew Su Ni exposed this plan, and Murong Bao immediately sent Murong Long to arrest Murong Hao. Murong Hao and his dozens of accomplices seized the opportunity amid the chaos to break through the city gate and escape, fleeing to the Wei Kingdom.
When Murong Lin heard about this, he was in a state of panic and led troops to seize the Left Guard General and the King of Beidi, Murong Jing, intending to kill Murong Bao with the Imperial Guards. Murong Jing, a loyal man, strongly disagreed, and in a fit of rage, Murong Lin killed Murong Jing and then fled to the Dingling tribe in fear.
At first, Murong Bao heard that Wei was planning to attack, so he intended to send Murong Hui to lead the army of Youzhou and Bingzhou to provide support to Zhongshan. However, Lin (Murong Lin) betrayed him, and Murong Bao was afraid that Lin would take Murong Hui's army, so he planned to send troops to meet Murong Hui. Lin's attendant Duan Pingzi escaped back from the Dingling, reporting that Lin was recruiting Dingling people and that his army was very powerful, planning to attack Murong Hui's forces and then occupy Longcheng to the east. Murong Bao, accompanied by the Crown Prince and others, led over 10,000 cavalry to meet Murong Hui in Jicheng, while assigning Murong Xiang, Duke of Kaifeng, to guard Zhongshan. Murong Hui appeared to accept it respectfully, but secretly prepared for conflict, organizing the army with 20,000 infantry and cavalry, setting up formations and advancing towards Murong Bao south of Jicheng. Murong Bao allocated some troops to Nong and Long, and sent Duke Ku Ruguanji of Xihe to lead 3,000 men to help defend Zhongshan. Murong Hui was dissatisfied with Murong Bao's appointment of Murong Ce as Crown Prince. Murong Bao informed Nong and Long about this, and they both replied, "Murong Hui is young and holds an important position; his arrogance is merely a habit and not a serious issue. We should advise him respectfully."
The soldiers from Youzhou and Bingzhou all greatly admire Murong Hui's benevolence and do not want to leave him. They all plead, "Prince Qinghe is exceptionally talented, a master of martial arts, and possesses remarkable intelligence. We are all united with him to the death, grateful for his generosity, and our morale is high. We hope Your Majesty, the Crown Prince, and the other princes will stay in the palace in Jicheng, and let Prince Qinghe lead us to break the siege of the capital, and then welcome Your Majesty's chariot." The close advisors around Murong Bao are jealous of Murong Hui's bravery and talent, badmouthing him to Murong Bao. Murong Bao refuses their request, causing widespread dissatisfaction. The people around him advise Murong Bao to kill Murong Hui. Shi Yuni returned to Murong Hui and told him, "The people around you are secretly plotting to kill you, and the Emperor also intends to do so. You rely on your parents, but your father has other plans; you rely on the army, but the army is no longer under your control. You're in a tight spot, and it might be hard to ensure your own safety. You might consider eliminating two princes and deposing the Crown Prince, living in the Eastern Palace yourself, and serving as both a general and a minister to support the state." Murong Hui chose not to follow this advice.
Murong Bao said to Nong and Long, "From what I see of Murong Hui's situation, things are sure to change. We should eliminate him sooner rather than later. Otherwise, it may lead to a disaster." Nong replied, "Nowadays, bandits are causing chaos, and the Zhongzhou region is in turmoil. Murong Hui guards the old capital, maintains stability for the people, and when the capital is in trouble, he rushes from afar to support. His reputation is sufficient to intimidate the barbarians. Moreover, he has not shown any clear signs of rebellion. We should hold off for now. Now the state is in imminent danger, like a string of pearls about to snap. If we continue to kill each other internally, it will damage our prestige." Murong Bao said, "Murong Hui already has rebellious intentions, but you are being too soft-hearted to consider getting rid of him. Once things break out, he will definitely kill the princes first and then deal with me. After the truth comes out, you will remember my words." After repeated persuasion from Nong and others, Murong Bao relented. Upon hearing this, Murong Hui became even more afraid and fled to Huangyugu in Guangdu. Murong Hui sent Chounigu and others to lead more than two thousand warriors to attack Nong and Long separately. Long was killed that night, and Nong was seriously injured. Later, Murong Hui returned to Murong Bao's side. Murong Bao wanted to kill Murong Hui, so he deceived him into feeling safe and secretly sent the Left Guard Muyu Teng to kill Murong Hui, but he was unsuccessful. Murong Hui fled back to his own army and then led his troops to attack Murong Bao. Murong Bao fled to Longcheng with a few hundred riders, and Murong Hui led his army to pursue him. He sent messengers to request the execution of the traitors around Murong Bao and asked for the crown prince, but Murong Bao did not agree. Murong Hui surrounded Longcheng, and the attendant Gao Yun led over a hundred brave men to attack Murong Hui that night, defeating him. Murong Hui's army completely dispersed, and he managed to escape back to Zhongshan alone. He then scaled the wall to enter the city, where he was killed by Murong Xiang.
He self-styled himself with noble titles, created various official posts, and even changed the reign title. He lived a life of debauchery, drinking and revelry, indiscriminately killing innocents, with more than five hundred people killed, from nobles to commoners, instilling fear among both the court and the populace; no one dared to speak out or oppose him. The city suffered a severe famine, and even several dozen officials and ministers in the court starved to death.
Lin led the Dingling army to attack Zhongshan, killing the self-styled noble and his cronies, more than three hundred people, then Lin declared himself emperor and also established a noble title. The starvation situation in Zhongshan worsened, so Lin then seized Xinshi, clashed with the Wei army at Yitai, and his army was defeated. The Wei army pressed their advantage, attacked Zhongshan city, and Lin had to flee to Ye city.
Murong De sent the attendant Li Yan to persuade Murong Bao to march south to attack Later Yan, and Murong Bao was thrilled by this news. Murong Sheng quickly advised against it, noting that the army was exhausted and the people were suffering, and that Later Yan had just pacified the Central Plains, so they should take time to rest and recuperate, observe the situation, and choose the right time to attack, waiting a few years before making a decision. Murong Bao initially considered his advice. However, military officer Murong Yu Teng interjected, "Now that the army is fully assembled, we should seize the opportunity of the recently pacified chaos and quickly go to war to strive for victory. It's easy to get people to listen, but harder to have them collaborate on strategies. You should make your own decision; avoid being swayed by too many differing opinions, leading to discord and affecting the army's morale." Murong Bao said, "My decision has been made; anyone who dares to oppose will be executed!"
Murong Bao departed from Longcheng, appointing Muyu Teng as the Grand Marshal, Murong Nong as the Central Army commander, and with himself serving as the rear guard, bringing along a total of thirty thousand troops, both infantry and cavalry, to Yilian. At this time, Chang Shangduan Sugou and Song Chimei exploited the widespread discontent over the hardships of war, killing the Sikong and King Zhong of Lelang, and forcing King Chong of Gaoyang to ascend to the throne. Murong Bao rode with only a handful of companions to Murong Nong, before leading his troops to confront Sugou. Fearful of war, everyone surrendered to Sugou in droves. Muyu Teng's forces also suffered defeat, and Murong Bao and Murong Nong quickly retreated back to Longcheng.
Lan Han secretly conspired with Sugou, who launched an attack on Longcheng with his troops. Murong Nong, deceived by Lan Han, secretly went to meet with the enemy, only to meet his end at the hands of Sugou. Everyone scattered in a desperate bid for survival, and Murong Bao, along with Murong Sheng, Muyu Teng, and others, fled south. Lan Han installed Crown Prince Murong Ce as regent, sent people to welcome Murong Bao, and had a meeting in Jicheng. Murong Bao wished to return north, but Murong Sheng and the others advised him, expressing uncertainty about Lan Han's sincerity, and warned that if he returned alone, it might be too late if Lan Han had a change of heart. Murong Bao followed their advice and headed south from Jicheng. When he reached Liyang, he learned that Murong De had proclaimed himself emperor, and he was filled with fear and chose to retreat.
He sent Mu Yuteng to recruit scattered soldiers and brave warriors in Julu, while Murong Sheng recruited heroes in Jizhou, and Duan Yi and Duan Wen gathered troops in Neihuang. Everyone responded enthusiastically and agreed on a meeting time. At this time, Lan Han sent General Su Chao to meet Murong Bao. Murong Bao considered Lan Han to be his nephew-in-law, and Murong Sheng was Lan Han's son-in-law, so he felt he could trust him and returned. Lan Han lured Murong Bao into his mansion and killed him. That year, Murong Bao was forty-four years old, having been in power for three years, in the third year of the Long'an era of Eastern Jin. Lan Han also murdered Murong Bao's crown prince, Murong Ce, along with over a hundred royal ministers. Lan Han declared himself Grand Commander, Grand General, Grand Chanyu, and King of Changli. Murong Sheng usurped the throne and posthumously honored Murong Bao as Emperor Huimin, with the temple name Liezong.
After Murong Huang moved to Longcheng, he planted pine trees as a symbol of the community deity. Later, when the Qin state conquered Yan, a strong wind knocked down the pine tree. A few years later, two mulberry trees unexpectedly sprouted in the place where the deity was. Previously, there had been no mulberry trees in Liaodong, until Murong Hui established friendly relations with the Jin Dynasty and imported mulberry seeds from Jiangnan; the mulberry trees in Pingzhou originated from the Wu region. After Murong Hui's death, people viewed these mulberry trees as a symbol of the Wu King's resurgence and held them in high regard. As the mulberry trees were nearing withering, another strong wind knocked down one of them.
Murong Sheng, courtesy name Daoyun, is the eldest son of Murong Bao. He was calm and intelligent from a young age, with great strategic ability. After Fu Jian destroyed the Murong clan, Murong Sheng secretly fled to Murong Chong. After Murong Chong declared himself emperor, he was arrogant and unfair in his rewards and punishments, and his decrees were unclear. When Murong Sheng was twelve years old, he said to his uncle Murong Rou, "The wisdom of the Prince of Zhongshan (Murong Chong) is not superior to others, his talent is not outstanding, and he has not yet shown kindness to the people. He is already arrogant and conceited. In my view, such a situation rarely ends well." Not long after, Murong Chong was killed by Duanmu Yan. Murong Sheng followed Murong Yong to the east to seek refuge with Murong Chui. He said to Murong Rou, "We are now on the edge of a knife, and also in an atmosphere of distrust. Foolish people will be suspected by others, and smart people will be as precarious as a bird's nest. We should soar high like a swan, flying thousands of miles, not waiting to be captured." So he and Murong Rou, along with his brother Murong Hui, secretly headed east to seek refuge with Murong Chui.
Encountering bandits in Shanzhou, Murong Sheng said, "I stand six feet tall; I will not drown if I fall into the water, and I will not burn if I fall into the fire. Do you want to try my skills? Try shooting me with an arrow from a hundred paces. If you hit me, you'd better watch your back; if you miss, you should just give up!" The bandit tried to shoot an arrow, and Murong Sheng shot the bandit with one arrow. The bandit said, "You are from a noble family; I was just sizing you up!" So he gave him some money and let him go. A year later, Murong Yong killed all the descendants of Murong Jun and Murong Chui, leaving no one alive. When Murong Sheng arrived, Murong Chui asked him about the situation in the west, and Murong Sheng illustrated it by sketching in the dirt. Murong Chui smiled and said, "Back then, when Cao Cao touched Emperor Ming's head, he made him a marquis. The bond between ancestors and their grandchildren has always existed!" So he appointed Murong Sheng as the Duke of Changle. He was brave and resolute, with the heroic spirit of his uncle Murong Quan.
Bao, also known as Murong Bao, was enthroned as king. He marched south from Longcheng to engage in battle, entrusting the management of the rear to Murong Sheng. Later, Duan Sugubu staged a rebellion, and Murong Bao hurried back to defend. He was almost caught by Duan Sugubu, but thanks to Murong Sheng, he managed to escape. Murong Sheng offered good strategies to Murong Bao many times, but Murong Bao did not adopt them, resulting in a series of defeats. After Murong Bao returned to Longcheng, Murong Sheng remained behind. Later, Murong Bao was killed by Lan Han, and Murong Sheng rushed to pay his respects. General Zhang Zhen strongly advised against it, arguing that it was too perilous. Murong Sheng said, "I am now going to risk my life to convey my condolences. Lan Han is rather dim-witted and will surely consider our relationship by marriage, and he won’t harm me. One month will be sufficient for me to carry out my plan." So he went. Lan Han's wife, Lady Yi, cried and begged for mercy, and Lan Han was also saddened by this, so he sent his son Mu to meet Murong Sheng and placed him in the palace, treating him with the same respect he had previously received. Lan Han's older brother, Ti, and his younger brother attempted to convince him to execute Murong Sheng, but Lan Han did not listen. Murong Qi, who is Lan Han's grandson, also received a pardon from him. Murong Qi went to see Murong Sheng, and the two discussed countermeasures together.
Murong Sheng dispatched Murong Qi to raise a rebellion, commanding an army of several thousand. Lan Han sent Lanti to suppress Murong Qi. Lanti was arrogant and showed blatant disrespect towards Lan Han. Murong Sheng remarked to Lan Han, "Murong Qi is merely a child and is incapable of achieving this alone. He must have someone backing him. Lanti is too arrogant to be trusted with a large army." Enraged, Lan Han had Lanti executed. He then sent his trusted general, Chounimu, to attack Murong Qi. Lan Han's brothers, frightened by Lanti's death, betrayed him and overwhelmed Chounimu's forces. Terrified, Lan Han sent his son Mu to lead the attack. Mu said to Lan Han, "Murong Sheng is my foe. With Murong Qi in rebellion, Murong Sheng will undoubtedly lend his support. We must also consider the internal strife that we should not ignore." Lan Han plotted to eliminate Murong Sheng and summoned him for an inspection. Murong Sheng's wife alerted him to the situation, so he feigned a severe illness and stayed indoors, leading Lan Han to abandon his plan.
Li Han, Wei Shuang, Liu Zhi, Zhang Hao, and Zhang Zhen were all former friends of Murong Sheng. Lan Mu considered them his trusted confidants. Li Han and the others entered the palace multiple times to see Murong Sheng, secretly plotting major events. Just as Mu was preparing to attack Lan Nan and his allies, he killed them, held a feast to reward the soldiers, and both Lan Han and Mu got drunk. Murong Sheng seized the opportunity to sneak out at night, stripped off his clothes, climbed over the wall into the Eastern Palace, and killed Mu with Li Han and the others. They shouted together to attack Lan Han and killed him. Lan Han's two sons, Lu Gong and Chen Gong Yang, were stationed at Lingzhi and Bailang, respectively. Murong Sheng sent Li Han and Zhang Zhen to attack and kill them. As a result, stability was restored both internally and externally, and the people were pleased. Murong Sheng was humble and cautious, refraining from taking the title of emperor. That year, he took the title of King of Changle and granted amnesty to all criminals within the territory, changing the era to Jianping. The princes were demoted to dukes, and all civil and military officials were restored to their original positions.
Initially, Murong Qi gathered a group of people in Jian'an, preparing to attack Lan Han, and the common people rallied to his cause. Lan Han sent his nephew Quan to attack Murong Qi, but Murong Qi defeated Quan and then camped at Yilian. After Sheng Le (Murong Sheng) killed Lan Han, he ordered Murong Qi to withdraw his troops. Unexpectedly, Murong Qi revolted against Sheng Le with Yan Sheng of the Dingling tribe and Long, the king of the Wuhuan tribe, leading his troops to Henggou, just ten miles from Longcheng. Sheng Le commanded his troops and defeated them, captured Murong Qi, and killed over a hundred, including Long and Yan Sheng.
Sheng Le then proclaimed himself emperor, granting a general amnesty to all offenders except those sentenced to death. He honored his uncle Xian Zhuang as Emperor Xian Zhuang, honored his empress dowager Duan Shi as Empress Dowager, and Xian Zhuang's consort Ding Shi as Empress Xian Zhuang, and honored after death the Crown Prince Ce as Crown Prince Xian Ai. Later, the Governor of Youzhou, Murong Hao, the Minister of Works and Left Deputy Director, Zhang Tong, and the Intendant of Changli, Zhang Shun, conspired to rebel and were all killed by Sheng Le. He also changed the reign title to Chang Le. At that time, those who committed crimes had to end their lives within ten days, without any physical punishment, so most cases in the prisons were true.
Prince Gao Jili sent envoys to present various treasures, including a bird with a white body and a green head, which flew to the palace's main gate, flitted around the eastern garden, and stayed for twenty days before departing. Sheng Le then renamed the eastern garden as the White Bird Garden.
Upon hearing discussions about poetry and the Duke of Zhou, the emperor turned to his courtiers and said, "The Duke of Zhou assisted King Cheng but failed to move the hearts of the people with sincerity, even resorting to killing his brothers to silence rumors, yet he is still praised in history and celebrated in music. As for someone like me, Grand Preceptor Huan Wang, who inherited the legacy of a hundred kings and ruled when the emperor was young, facing two strong enemies eyeing the borders, the situation was even tougher than before. I administered the court with transparency, expanded the territory by a thousand miles, united the clans with rituals, governed the vassals with benevolence and laws, and the state was stable and united, with no dissent. My achievements are so great, how can they be compared to the Duke of Zhou's! However, no one recites my 'Yan Song,' my contributions have been overlooked; this is not a good sign." The emperor then ordered the Chancellery to rewrite the 'Yan Song' to celebrate his achievements.
The emperor once again summoned the Minister of State, Chang Zhong, the Minister of Public Works, Yang Qiu, and the Secretary, Lang Fu, to the Eastern Hall, and asked, "Gentlemen of old regarded Duke Zhou as loyal and wise. Isn't that right?" Yang Qiu replied, "Duke Zhou held the power of regency, yet he could understand the opinions of his ministers and the rumors, using his strong character to inspire the emperor. His righteousness was in line with the divine, and his blessings have endured through the ages. Thus, he has been celebrated for his nobility throughout the ages, and later emperors could not take away his glory." The emperor asked, "What do you think, Chang Zhong?" Chang Zhong replied, "When King Wu was seriously ill, Duke Zhou sincerely requested to govern, in the face of rumors. His righteous deeds stirred heaven and earth. He whipped his son, Bo Qin, to teach him, to cultivate royal virtue. Duke Zhou's loyalty as a minister and his wise accomplishments are unparalleled in the Book of Songs and the Book of Documents from ancient times to the present."
The Emperor said, "The two lords' opinions are truly strange! I find Zhou Gong to be hypocritical; I see no loyalty or wisdom in him. Previously, King Wu had a dream when he was nine years old and told King Wen. King Wen said, 'I will live to be one hundred years old, you will live to be ninety; I will give you three more years.' When King Wen passed away, King Wu did indeed live to ninety. He wished to die in place of King Wen before his time was up; isn’t that deception? If this is considered superstitious fate, then it lacks wisdom. He wielded the power of the emperor yet failed to see his true nature, which led to conflict between brothers. King Wen's teachings were from near to far, so he punished his own wife and brother. Zhou Gong violated his father's teachings and engaged in suspicious acts, killing his own kin to satisfy personal grudges; where is the loyalty in that? The problem was that there were no honest historians at that time, and later Confucian scholars perpetuated his fallacies." Chang Zhong said, "Open the golden box and let the truth come to light, which can also prove that he was not deceiving. Faced with rumors from his uncle, he managed to uphold justice and ultimately stabilize the ancestral state, restore King Cheng's rule, assist him in achieving great accomplishments, usher in an era of peace and prosperity, establish rituals, create music, bestow endless blessings; it cannot be denied that this is the highest virtue."
The emperor said, "You are only speaking based on previous writings, without delving into the fundamental truths of the matter. Let me analyze it now. The Zhou Dynasty began to accumulate virtues and perform good deeds from the time of Hou Ji, all the way to King Wen and King Wu. King Wen and King Wu, as great sages, followed the mandate of Heaven and gained the world, with the people admiring their virtues and all under Heaven submitting to their benevolent rule. Although King Cheng was young, he inherited the great cause and sought divination on the rise and fall of the country, asking Lu Shang, Duke Shao, Duke Mao, and Duke Bi to be his teachers. Even without the Duke of Zhou acting as regent, the Way of the King could still be realized. The Duke of Zhou had no reason to shoulder all the risks alone, consolidating all power in the court, and not showing the proper respect to King Cheng. Guan Shu and Cai Shu were loyal to the royal family, believing that the Duke of Zhou ruling in place of the king was not the behavior of a subject, so they said that the Duke of Zhou would harm King Cheng. The Duke of Zhou should have shown an attitude of obeying the mandate of Heaven, using sincerity and justice to dispel the doubts of the people; instead, he mobilized troops and arbitrarily executed ministers. His disloyalty to the monarch was revealed to the world, yet he still had King Cheng sing "The Owl" to shift blame—what kind of justification is this? Also, the Duke of Zhou always reported to Duke Shao and Duke Zhou in his actions. The fact that Duke Shao and Duke Zhou could have vindicated him, yet they allowed King Cheng to doubt the Duke of Zhou, shows that they also harbored doubts about him. It was only because estranged relatives were not as close as intimate ones that they advised Guan Shu and Cai Shu; one could argue that his loyalty was not evident at that time, and his benevolence did not extend to his brothers. He knew that public opinion was important, that the mandate of Heaven was not in his hands, and only then did he return power to King Cheng; this is true loyalty. The signs of strong winds uprooting trees are a sign of Heaven blessing the Zhou Dynasty, not forgetting the contributions of King Wen and King Wu, so the Duke of Zhou's initial faults were pardoned in order to achieve the great work of the Zhou family. Examining the Duke of Zhou's thoughts and probing into his actions, he was actually a sinner of the world; how can he be considered to possess the highest virtue? After the Duke of Zhou was restored, Duke Shao and Duke Zhou remained silent about the truth of the matter to demonstrate the loyalty of Guan Shu and Cai Shu."
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Changshi asked Chang Zhong, "Who is more powerful, Yi Yin or Zhou Gong?" Chang Zhong replied, "Although Yi Yin was not as close to the king as Zhou Gong, he also made significant contributions during his time. When Tai Jia failed to govern well and was sent into exile at Tong Palace by Yi Yin, it was only after Tai Jia reflected on his actions and repented that Yi Yin helped him back to the throne. This incident left no resentment between Yi Yin and the king, nor did it harm Yi Yin's reputation. It helped maintain the state and its people, leaving a lasting legacy. I believe Yi Yin's merits surpass those of Zhou Gong."
Sheng Shizhong retorted, "Yi Yin, with his status as an elder statesman and high position, didn't fully support Tai Jia in establishing his rule after his succession. Instead, he kept Tai Jia confined in Tong Palace, similar to how Xia Jie harmed Yi. How can he be compared to Zhou Gong?" Lang Fu continued, "Yi Yin, though in the position of a subject, couldn't guide the king and was worried that the foundation laid by Cheng Tang would decline as a result. That's why he kept Tai Jia confined in Tong Palace, so he could experience the hardships of farming like the common folk, before reinstating him to the throne. That's where his loyalty truly lies!"
Sheng Shizhong continued to argue: "If Yi Yin could depose a monarch, why couldn't he properly assist him and help him become a wise ruler? If Tai Jia's temperament is like that of Jie and Zhou, he wouldn't be able to become a wise ruler in just three years. If Tai Jia is originally gentle and easy to advise, then Yi Yin should do his best to advise and help him improve his virtue. How can he imprison the monarch and usurp the high position for himself? Furthermore, ministers ought to serve their monarch with complete loyalty; how can they engage in deceit and conceal their intentions, causing the monarch to do bad things? Regarding Tai Jia, I have come to a clear understanding. Tai Jia is a very wise ruler. Yi Yin assisted three dynasties without dispute, but he was worried about losing the achievements passed down from his ancestors, so he hid his brilliance, willingly exiled by Yi Yin as a testament to his loyalty. Only those of exceptional character can accomplish remarkable feats, and their insights are different from ordinary people. Just as Tai Bo relinquished the throne three times, it was not until Confucius appeared that his supreme virtue was revealed."
Fu Shizhong said: "Tai Bo relinquished the throne three times, and it was not until Confucius appeared that his supreme virtue was revealed. Tai Jia was misunderstood by the world, but Your Majesty has vindicated him." Thus, everyone engaged in discussion, feasting, and composing poetry, while the emperor rewarded them with various amounts of gold and silk.
The Governor of Liaoxi, Li Lang, served as governor of Liaoxi for ten years, governing the region with efficiency and authority, which raised the suspicions of the court's senior minister, Sima Shi. The court summoned him back to the capital on multiple occasions, but he always refused. Because his mother lived in Longcheng, he was too afraid to rebel openly, so he secretly conspired with the Wei army, hoping to secure an escape route for himself. He then petitioned the court to send troops to defend against the enemy, but Sima Shi remarked, "This has to be a trick!" He then summoned his envoy for questioning, and indeed confirmed Li Lang's betrayal. Sima Shi ordered the annihilation of his entire family and sent General Fuguo, Li Han, to lead cavalry to attack him. When the army reached Jian'an, Sima Shi summoned Li Han back. Upon hearing that his family had been killed, Li Lang, with over three thousand households, defended the city. When he heard that Li Han had been summoned back halfway, he thought there was a change within the court, so he left his son behind to guard Lingzhi, while he went to Beiping himself to meet the Wei forces. Li Han was already aware of the situation, launched an attack, and seized Lingzhi, and sent Guangwei, Meng Guangping, to lead cavalry to pursue and kill Li Lang. Initially, when Sima Shi recalled Li Han, the ministers were unaware of the reason. After Li Han killed Li Lang, Sima Shi said to the ministers, "The reason for recalling Li Han earlier was for this very reason. Li Lang had just rebelled and would surely fear the might of the imperial army. He would either team up to raid the civilians or flee to the deep mountains and forests, making it hard to bring him under control for some time. Therefore, I deliberately summoned him back to let him drop his guard, and then suddenly attack him, which would definitely succeed." The ministers replied, "We never anticipated it would be so intricate!"
After Li Han returned from Liaoxi, he heard that Sima Shi had killed his general Wei Shuang, so he became fearful and abandoned his troops to flee. Later, after confessing, Sima Shi restored his title. Sima Shi said to the attendant Sun Qing, "Li Han commanded the three armies and was entrusted with an important mission, yet he failed to see it through and fled without cause; according to military law, this is a capital offense. However, during the late emperor's refuge, people's spirits were fractured; relatives were suspicious of each other, and court ministers were disloyal. Yet Li Han risked his life and remained loyal and dedicated, so I pardoned his offense." Sima Shi renounced the title of emperor and referred to himself as the King of Commoners. The Wei army launched an attack on Youzhou and captured its governor, Lu Pu. Sima Shi dispatched Meng Guangping for a rescue mission, but he arrived too late. Sima Shi led thirty thousand troops to attack Goguryeo, assaulting the new city and Nansu of Goguryeo, both of which were captured; their food and wealth were taken away, and more than five thousand households were resettled in Liaoxi. The emperor convened all officials in the East Hall to evaluate their talents and skills and finally selected twelve individuals. He then instructed each department to recommend a talented individual who possessed both civil and military skills to assist the court. The emperor designated his son as the Prince of Liaoxi and granted amnesty throughout the realm, allowing forgiveness for all crimes except capital offenses. He hosted a banquet for the officials in the newly constructed Changsheng Hall and said, "Officials, share your aspirations; I wish to hear them." The Minister of War Ding Xin, who was merely fifteen at the time and the emperor's nephew, spoke up, "Your Majesty, it is important to be humble and cautious in your position, avoiding arrogance and rashness; this is my wish." The emperor smiled and remarked, "Minister Ding is so young; how can he express such mature and sage words!" The emperor employed strict methods to manage his subordinates, was proud and irritable, which resulted in few people being close to him, and he harbored suspicion and jealousy; thus Ding Xin's words struck a nerve.
The emperor led troops to attack the Kumo Xi tribe and returned in triumph. However, General Murong Guo, General of the Palace Qin Yu, Duan Zan, and others conspired to lead the Forbidden Army to attack the emperor. The plot was uncovered, resulting in the deaths of over five hundred people. Former General Duan Ji, Qin Xing, son of Qin Yu, Duan Tai, son of Duan Zan, and others, seeing the unrest in people's hearts, created a ruckus in the Forbidden City at night. When the emperor learned of the unrest, he led his guards to battle, and the rebel forces quickly scattered. Shortly after, an assailant struck from the shadows and wounded the emperor. The emperor was carried to the front hall, where he quickly organized the Imperial Guards, and his uncle Hejian Gong Xi was summoned to settle affairs after his passing. Before Hejian Gong Xi arrived, the emperor died at the age of twenty-nine, after reigning for three years. He was posthumously honored as Emperor Zhaowu, interred at Xingping Tomb, and given the temple name Zhongzong.
The emperor had a difficult upbringing, constantly moving around; as an adult, he faced family tragedies and various dangers, enduring the trials and tribulations of life. Due to his fear of hidden dangers and inability to address them promptly, he implemented harsh laws, squelching even the faintest hint of suspicion at its inception to prevent future troubles. As a result, everyone lived in fear, leaving everyone feeling insecure; even loyal relatives turned against him, and nearly all of his former officials were executed. His cruelty and ruthlessness ultimately resulted in a tragic end. This was the fifth year of the Long'an era.
Xi, styled Daowen, was the emperor's younger brother, initially granted the title of Prince of Hejian. During the rebellion of Duan Sugou, many princes were implicated, but Xi escaped unscathed due to his good relationship with the Prince of Gaoyang, Chong. Later, Lan Han seized power and appointed Xi as the Duke of Liaodong, in charge of ancestral sacrifices. When Emperor Sheng ascended the throne, Xi was demoted to a lower rank but appointed as Commander-in-Chief of the military, Grand General of the Cavalry, Left Deputy of the Imperial Secretariat, and concurrently the Central Commander. He accompanied the emperor in campaigns against Goguryeo and the Khitan, always leading the charge more bravely than other generals. Emperor Sheng once remarked, "My uncle is truly valiant and courageous, possessing the demeanor of our founding emperor, although slightly lacking in grand strategic vision."
After Emperor Sheng's death, his Empress Dowager Ding believed the country needed a more mature monarch. While most believed the Prince of Pingyuan should ascend the throne, Empress Dowager Ding was determined to have Xi crowned, deposing the crown prince and bringing Xi into the palace. Advised by ministers to ascend the throne, Xi declined, suggesting the Prince of Yuan should be emperor, who in turn declined in favor of Xi. Eventually, Xi accepted the throne and became emperor. He executed ministers like Duan Ji and Qin Xing, along with their families. The Prince of Yuan was executed for his involvement, being the fourth son of the former emperor. Upon his ascension, Xi granted a general pardon, changed the era name to Guangshi, renamed the Northern Yan platform as the Grand Chanyu platform, and established the positions of Left and Right Assistants above the Secretariat.
Initially, Xi and Empress Dowager Ding had a romantic relationship, which led her to support his rise to power. However, Xi later favored Lady Fu, angering Empress Dowager Ding, who harbored resentment and cursed him, conspiring with her nephew, the Minister of War Ding Xin, to depose Xi. Upon learning of this plot, Xi was furious, forcing Empress Dowager Ding to commit suicide and arranging a burial worthy of an empress, while also executing Ding Xin.
While Xi was hunting in Beiyuan, the county magistrate Gao He killed the Chief Commandant Zhang Xian, and then refused to let Xi enter. Xi immediately rode back, and Gao He and his men surrendered and threw down their weapons. After entering the city, Xi killed them all. Later, Xi summoned the elders from various states, counties, and the eight tribes of the Chanyu in the Eastern Palace to inquire about their grievances.
Oh, that was a huge project! A Longteng Garden was constructed, spanning over ten miles, involving twenty thousand people working! There was also a Jingyun Mountain piled up in the garden, with a base width of five hundred steps and a peak height of seventeen zhang; it was quite grand just to think about it! Xi also built the Xiaoyao Palace and Ganlu Hall, with several hundred rooms connected together, pavilions and towers linked to each other; it looked grand. He even dug a Tianhe Canal to channel water into the palace. For his consort Fu Shi, he specially built the Qu Guang Sea and Qingliang Pool.
Oh, this project, during the peak of summer heat, the soldiers were so worn out that they had no time to rest; many people died from the heat, it was really tragic! One day, he was enjoying himself in the southern part of the city, sitting under a big willow tree to rest, when suddenly someone yelled, "Your Majesty, don't leave!" He immediately got angry and directly ordered the tree to be cut down, only to have a several zhang long snake crawl out! It was terrifying!
Later, he declared Fu Shi to be the empress and granted amnesty to the whole world, releasing those with minor offenses. He also marched north to fight the Khitans, achieving complete victory! Unfortunately, Fu Shi later passed away; he posthumously named her Empress Min and posthumously honored Fu Mo, Fu Shi's father, as the Grand Preceptor, with the posthumous title of Wenxian Duke. Both of them were beautiful and charming; they loved to sneak out and enjoy themselves, and the emperor didn't mind. Anyone seeking an audience with the emperor had to go through them; even matters of rewards, punishments, and major state affairs were in their hands. Earlier, when the consort Fu Shi fell ill, a man named Wang Wen from Longcheng claimed he could heal her, but soon after, the consort passed away. In his rage, the emperor had Wang Wen torn apart by five horses and then burned!
Later, he became infatuated with traveling and hunting, taking Fu Shi along with him, going north to Bailushan, east to Qingling, and south to the Canghai Sea. The common people were suffering immensely! The soldiers either fell prey to wild beasts or froze to death, resulting in over five thousand casualties! At that moment, Goguryeo launched an attack on Yanjun, killing over a hundred. The emperor led his troops against Goguryeo, bringing Fu Shi along, utilizing siege engines and tunnels to assault Liaodong. The emperor even said, "After breaking through the enemy's city, I will enter with the empress in a carriage, and soldiers are not allowed to go first!" Consequently, the city was heavily fortified and remained unconquerable. Eventually, heavy snowfall ensued, causing many soldiers to freeze to death, forcing a withdrawal. He renamed Fengyang Gate in Ye City to Hongguang Gate and constructed three tiers of steps. He and Fu Shi went to attack the Khitan, but upon seeing the Khitan troops were strong and well-equipped, he considered retreating. However, Fu Shi disagreed, leading them to abandon their baggage, travel light, and attempt a surprise attack on Goguryeo. They journeyed over three thousand miles, exhausted, and many succumbed to the cold. The assault on Mudicheng also failed, forcing them to return empty-handed. He ordered the execution of all the aristocratic youth. The city remained as prosperous as ever, boasting a military strength akin to that of a garrison. I appointed Qiu Ni Ni as the Grand General of the East and Inspector of Yingzhou, stationing him in Suyun; the Duke of Shangyong Yi as General of the West and Inspector of Youzhou, stationed in Lingshi; and Liu Mu, the Minister of Works, as Grand General of the South and Inspector of Jizhou, stationed in Feiru.
For the sake of Fu Shi, I built the Chenghua Palace, which is twice the height of the original. We transported soil from the north gate, and the price of soil soared to match that of grain. The military commander Du Jing had the audacity to carry a coffin and rush to the palace to advise me. I was furious and killed him on the spot! Fu Shi, this woman, in summer, she craved frozen fish, and in winter, she demanded fresh ground yellow; she ordered the officials to fulfill these demands. If they failed, they faced the death penalty. When Fu Shi died, I was devastated. I cried like I had lost my own parents, holding her body, crying and touching her, saying, "Your body is cold, and your life is over!" I fainted right then and there, and it took me a long time to come to. After she was buried, I opened the coffin again... (obscene details omitted here). I donned mourning clothes, ate plain porridge, and compelled all the officials to weep in the palace. The monks were also required to wear simple robes. I had the officials scrutinize who cried genuinely. Those who shed tears were deemed loyal and filial, while those who didn't faced immediate punishment! The ministers were terrified, each one managing to squeeze out tears.
Murong Long's wife, Lady Zhang, is my sister-in-law. She is beautiful, intelligent, and capable. I wanted to use her as a sacrifice for the Fu family, so I wanted to find an excuse to have her killed. I deliberately ruined her shoes and discovered old felt inside, using this to have her killed. Her three daughters begged for mercy on their knees, but I refused. I ordered everyone in the country to take part in constructing the Fu family tomb, emptying the national treasury. The tomb lies deep underground, with tunnels extending for miles around it, and the tomb chamber features portraits of eight high-ranking officials. I even said, "Build it well, I want to be buried here after I die!" Those in the know recognized this as a bad omen. My right-hand man Wei Qiu and others are afraid of being buried with me, so they are preparing themselves and waiting. The Fu family's tomb is called Huiping Tomb. I walked with my hair disheveled and barefoot, following Lady Fu's coffin. The funeral carriage was so massive that it damaged the northern gate as it passed through. The elders whispered to each other, "The Murong family has brought this destruction upon themselves; it won't be long now!"
Now, General of the Guards Feng Ba and Left Guard General Zhang Xing had previously escaped after committing offenses, as Fu Xi's rule was too cruel. They, along with Feng Ba's cousin Feng Wanni and twenty-one others, formed an alliance and elected Murong Yun as their leader. They then barricaded themselves inside with over five thousand men from the Imperial Sword Repository, prepared to fight to the last man. A eunuch named Zhao Luosheng reported this to Fu Xi, and Fu Xi said, "They're just a bunch of petty bandits; I'll handle them myself!" So he quickly gathered his army and personally led them to crush the rebellion.
Upon arriving in Longcheng in the evening, they attempted to capture the northern gate but were defeated. Fu Xi escaped to Longteng Wan in disguise, hiding in the woods. However, he was soon captured. Murong Yun captured him and killed him, and buried Fu Xi along with his sons in the northern part of the city. Fu Xi was only twenty-three years old that year and had been emperor for six years. Later, Murong Yun interred him in the Fu family tomb and bestowed upon him the posthumous title of Emperor Zhaowen.
Murong Yun ascended to the throne in the eighth year of Taiyuan and ruled until the generation of Fu Xi, a total of twenty-four years, before being overthrown in the third year of Yixi. Once, there was a folk rhyme that went: "One bundle of straw, two heads, a bald-headed child comes to destroy Yan." The character "藁" consists of grass on top and grain below. Once both ends are burned, the grain and grass disappear, forming the character "高" (high). Murong Yun's father was Murong Ba, nicknamed Bald Head. He had three sons, with Murong Yun as the youngest. Later, Fu Xi was indeed overthrown by Murong Yun, just as foretold in the nursery rhyme.
Murong Yun, styled Ziyu, was adopted by Murong Bao. His grandfather, Murong He, was a collateral line of the Goguryeo royal family and claimed descent from the Gao Yang clan, which is why he bore the surname Gao. Murong Yun was steady, insightful, and not talkative, causing people at the time to perceive him as foolish, except for Feng Ba, who recognized his grand ambitions and became his friend. When Murong Bao was crown prince, Murong Yun, known for his martial prowess, served in the Eastern Palace and was appointed as an attendant, and even managed to defeat Murong Hui's army. After Murong Bao became emperor, he granted Murong Yun the surname Murong and conferred upon him the title of Duke of Xiyang.
Gao Yun held Fu Shi's funeral, and Feng Ba visited him to discuss his plans. Gao Yun said fearfully, "I have been seriously ill for many years, as you all know. I hope to consider other options." Feng Ba insisted, "The Murong clan has already fallen, the King of Hejian is ruthless and heartless, and he is deceived by a seductive woman, defying the natural order. The people are suffering greatly; nine out of ten families are yearning for a change in dynasty! This is their moment to fall! As a descendant of the Gao family, how can you serve another's interests? This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity; how can you turn it down?" Feng Ba finally dragged Gao Yun out. Gao Yun said, "I'm seriously ill and haven't been involved in politics for quite some time. You are now planning a major event, wrongly placing the burden on me. My hesitation isn't for myself, but because I lack the virtue needed to save the common people!" Feng Ba and the others still forced him, and Gao Yun finally accepted the position of Heavenly King, restored the surname of Gao, issued a general amnesty, changed the era to Zhengshi, and named the nation Dayan. He appointed Feng Ba as the Privy Councilor, Commander-in-Chief of all military forces, Grand General of the Northern Expedition, Secretary of the Imperial Secretariat, Duke of Wuyi, and conferred titles on over fifty counts, lords, and village marquises. He rewarded the soldiers with varying amounts of food and cloth supplies. The former officials of Gao Xi were also restored to their titles. Gao Yun named his wife, Li, as the Queen Mother, and his son Gao Peng as the Crown Prince. Later, Mu Yu Liang, the Chief of the Yue Cavalry, plotted a rebellion but was killed by Gao Yun.
When Gao Yun was working in the east hall, his trusted ministers Li Ban and Tao Ren, armed with swords and carrying documents, entered, claiming they had something to report. They then drew their swords and launched an attack on Gao Yun. Gao Yun used the table to fend off Li Ban, but Tao Ren charged in and fatally struck Gao Yun. Feng Ba moved Gao Yun's body to the Eastern Palace and posthumously conferred the title of Emperor Huiyi upon him. Gao Yun felt he lacked both merit and virtue, yet ascended to the throne due to the backing of influential figures, and he lived in constant fear. Therefore, he trusted these warriors implicitly and regarded them as his closest confidants. Li Ban, Tao Ren, and others oversaw the Imperial Guards and exercised military authority, and Gao Yun lavished them with tens of millions each month, ensuring they shared the same food, clothing, and living conditions as he did. Ultimately, this contributed to his own downfall.
The historical records say: The four stars in the east gather together, the fortunes of Jinling have waned; five horses float southward, a formidable enemy outside Yumen Pass is on the move. The dynasties are in constant flux, and hardships and difficulties never cease. Murong Chui, born with outstanding talents, made waves in both court and society. Despite being viewed with suspicion because of his exceptional talents, he maintained a lenient political stance to protect himself. Yonggu held him in high regard, and Murong Chui devoted himself to assisting him wholeheartedly. However, like a wild falcon, he was hard to tame, with ambitious aspirations in his heart. A rebellion erupted in Huainan; his three nephews were already plotting rebellion. The troops in Hesuo split into five factions, and signs of the Five Woods auspicious omen had appeared. He killed Feilong, flew far away, crossed Shimen, and embarked on a long journey. The Zhai forces gradually surrendered, the forces in Ye City scattered under the cover of night, he recovered the former territories of Zhao and Wei, and compelled heroes and champions to serve him. He defeated the fifty thousand army at Hequ with strategy; he surrendered the seven counties of Liyang with secret tactics. He reclaimed the former territories of Liaoyin, established a new foundation in Zhongshan, emulated the imperial rites at ancestral shrines, and prepared to usurp the throne. Thanks to Chong'er’s return to Jin, it was thanks to the efforts of five ministers; with Goujian able to deceive the state of Wu, it was thanks to five thousand soldiers. Murong Chui's accomplishments set him apart from the two hegemons of the Spring and Autumn Period. Despite having a relatively weak military, he was able to win against superior forces, capture cities and forts, as if he were toppling mountains and riding the clouds. Although the people of Weiguo had forgotten the pain of their lost nation and once again dominated the east, Ren Hao and Yi Yin felt uneasy, burdened by guilt over their western neighbors, while Fu Jian's cunning and treachery paled in comparison to the cruelty of the Jin family.
Bao rose to power because of his superficial reputation. He governed the people with his literary talent, but the palace was rife with complaints and formidable enemies were invading from outside. Although he did not suffer any harm, he ultimately brought about his own demise. During his heyday, he was both filial and benevolent, and his literary and martial achievements did not decline. He honed his talents, pacified enemies, blamed himself, and remained humble. In chaotic times, he was a rare talent. Xi was not a wise ruler; his rule relied on debauchery. Like the Li Rong, he sought pleasure in the harem; his concubines, like dark-haired concubines, were favored for their beautiful black hair. He carelessly sailed on the Qu Guang Sea, went to Jingyun Mountain to watch the morning glow, and indulged in extravagance, which led to widespread discontent. Ultimately, his ancestral temple was destroyed, and he was ultimately exiled by the Feng family. It is said that in this poem: the barbarians are oppressing us, plunging the country into chaos, and neither heaven nor the people can change this. This battle is incredibly perilous! Speed and precision are crucial; striking first ensures victory. The so-called heroes are being relentlessly driven and have no choice but to bravely fight the enemy. It is truly a chaotic world, where even heroes are inevitably embroiled. We have vanquished the enemies of Yan, Yi, and Wei, completely annihilating them! However, bad things have happened, as some thieves have stealthily rewritten history, usurping the rightful credit and glory. This is utterly infuriating!
A heart full of treasures breeds chaos, the Shengqing family is in turmoil. The emperor is extremely arrogant and indulgent, and the people are filled with resentment and sorrow. This means that because the emperor is incompetent and corrupt, there are many internal conflicts in the country, and the common people are seething with anger. It's all because of the emperor's fault! The sins lead to self-inflicted suffering, and disasters cannot be avoided. The final line summarizes that all this is due to the emperor's misdeeds, and it truly reflects the old saying, "You reap what you sow!"
