Liu Yao, styled Yongming, is a family member of Yuan Hai. He lost both his parents at a young age and was raised by Yuan Hai. He was exceptionally intelligent and had extraordinary talents from a young age. When he was eight, he went hunting with Yuan Hai in the Western Mountains and encountered a heavy rain, seeking shelter under a tree. Suddenly, a loud thunder shook the big tree, making everyone around fall down in fear, except for Liu Yao, who remained unfazed. Yuan Hai was surprised and said, "He is truly a rare talent in our family. I have not raised him in vain!" He stood nine feet three inches tall, with naturally white eyebrows, with red, gleaming eyes, and his beard, though made up of fewer than a hundred strands, reached five feet long. He had a charismatic and unorthodox personality, well-read, skilled in writing and calligraphy, and a master of martial arts. He was known as an expert marksman, able to shoot through an inch-thick iron sheet. He had a particular passion for military texts, able to recite many of them from memory. He often held Wu Qi and Deng Ai in contempt, comparing himself to Yue Yi, Xiao He, and Cao Cao. Although many disagreed with him, wise individuals commented, "Yongming, he is on the same level as the founding emperor of Han and the martial emperor of Wei. How can you compare yourself to him?"
At the age of twenty, he faced a death sentence in Luoyang due to being implicated in a matter, fled to Goryeo to hide, and later returned to his hometown only after receiving a pardon. He believed he looked different from others and worried about not being accepted by society, so he secluded himself in Guanze Mountain, with only music and books for company. One night, while he was alone at home, two young boys came and knelt down, saying, "King Guanze sent us to pay respects to Emperor Zhao and present a precious sword." After saying this, they set the sword down, bowed again, and left. Liu Yao lit a candle to examine the sword, which was two feet long, radiant, with a scabbard made of red jade, and inscribed with the words, "Divine sword, ward off all poisons." Liu Yao then carried this sword. The sword changed colors with the seasons.
Throughout his life, Yuan Hai held several prominent positions, eventually becoming Chancellor, commanding the national military, and guarding Chang'an. When Jin Zhun rebelled, Yuan Hai rushed from Chang'an to quell the rebellion. When they reached Chibi, Grand Protector Huyan Yan and others arrived from Pingyang to support, and together with Grand Tutor Zhu Ji and Grand Commandant Fan Long, they proclaimed Liu Yao emperor. Liu Yao proclaimed himself emperor in the first year of Taixing, granting a general amnesty except for Jin Zhun's family, and changed the era name to Guangchu. He appointed Zhu Ji as Minister of Rites, Huyan Yan as Minister of Public Works, and restored the original positions of officials under Fan Long. He also stationed General Liu Ya and General Liu Ce in Fenyin to create a balance of power against Shi Le.
Shi Le sent the Imperial Attendant Bu Tai to persuade Jin Zhun to surrender. As a result, Jin Zhun arrested Bu Tai and sent him to Shi Yao. Shi Yao said to Bu Tai: "In the later years of the late emperor's reign, the court was in chaos, power was in the hands of eunuchs, and loyal officials were being killed. This is the time for righteous men to step forward and uphold justice! Minister of Works (Sikong), you are truly loyal, exercising power like Yi Yin and Huo Guang, saving the people from danger. Your merits are comparable to those of ancient sages, and your virtue moves heaven and earth. I am now about to pacify this chaos, and I will absolutely not treat gentlemen and virtuous men with underhanded means. If you are truly loyal, welcome my army sooner, and let the Jin family be in charge of political affairs in the future, while I will oversee the sacrifices. Tell the Minister of Works and the ministers in the court about my intentions."
Bu Tai returned to Pingyang and faithfully conveyed Shi Yao's intentions to Jin Zhun. Jin Zhun, because he had killed Shi Yao's mother and elder brother, hesitated and could not make up his mind. Not long after, Qiao Tai, Wang Teng, Jin Kang, Ma Zhong, and others killed Jin Zhun, proclaimed Jin Ming, the Minister of Works, as their leader, and then sent Bu Tai with the Imperial Seal to surrender to Shi Yao. Shi Yao was overjoyed and said to Bu Tai, "Thanks to you, I can become emperor and receive the Imperial Seal!"
When Shi Le heard about this, he was very angry and sent more troops to attack Shi Yao. Jin Ming suffered defeat after defeat in battle and sent people to ask Shi Yao for help. Shi Yao sent Liu Ya, Liu Ce, and others to meet them. Jin Ming led 15,000 men, women, and children in Pingyang to surrender to Shi Yao. Shi Yao ordered the execution of Jin Ming, and the entire Jin family was eradicated. Shi Yao also sent Liu Ya to bring back his mother Hu Shi's coffin to Pingyang, then reburied her in Suyi with the tomb name Yangling, posthumously honored her as Empress Xuanming. Shi Yao also posthumously honored his great-grandfather as Emperor Jing, his grandfather as Emperor Xian, and his father as Emperor Xuan Cheng.
Shi Yao moved the capital to Chang'an and built the Guangshi Hall in front of the palace and the Ziguang Hall behind it. He appointed his wife, Empress Yang, as the empress, his son, Xi, as the crown prince, and his other sons were granted titles as kings of various regions. He also renovated the ancestral temples, altars, and sacrificial altars. He continued to use the gold and silver currency from the Jin Dynasty, adopted the name Zhao for the country, and issued a general amnesty, pardoning all crimes punishable by death.
Huang Shiduo, the son of Huang Shisong, led a rebellion in Xinping and Fufeng, attracting a few thousand troops to join forces with King Bao of Nanyang. King Bao appointed officials to govern various regions, and Huang Shiduo gained support from the Di and Qiang tribes in the Qin and Long regions.
On the imperial side, the Emperor dispatched Generals Liu Ya and Liu Hou to besiege Yang Man in Chencang, but they were unable to capture the city after twenty days of battle. The Emperor then personally led reinforcements but was cautioned by the imperial astrologer about ominous signs, prompting him to halt his advance and await further orders.
During this time, Chang'an experienced a significant earthquake. Empress Yang, who was particularly favored and influential, was later speculated to have some connection to the earthquake.
Three years later, the emperor finally set out from Yongcheng and once again attacked Chencang. Yang Man and Wang Lian discussed, saying: "The scout has just returned, saying that the emperor brought five cow banners this time, and many people said that the Hu emperor himself has come. At this rate, we probably won't be able to hold out! We don't have much food left, and we can't last long. If we defend the city and are besieged for a hundred days, we'll be done for without even putting up a fight. It's better to rally everyone and take the fight to them. If we win, we won't need to send out proclamations in the Guanzhong region; everyone will come to join us. If we lose, we're all going to die anyway, sooner or later." So they gathered all their forces outside the city to confront the emperor's army, and they were defeated by the emperor. Wang Lian was killed in battle, while Yang Man fled to the Southern Di region. The emperor pursued them in victory, capturing Caobi, and Songdu fled to Longcheng, while Anding was also captured. Wang Bao, fearing for his life, quickly moved to Sangcheng, and the Di and Qiang people all followed him. The emperor returned triumphantly to Chang'an, appointing Liu Yasheng as the Grand Minister. Jin Dynasty general Li Ju launched a surprise attack on Jinyong and successfully took it. The emperor's Left Gentleman General Song Shi and General Zhenwei Song Shu surrendered to Shi Le. The emperor then appointed Grand General and Guangping King Yue as the Grand General for Conquering the East, stationed in Luoyang. However, a serious epidemic broke out among the troops, and Yue had to set up camp in Mianchi. Shi Le sent Shi Sheng to support Song Shi and the others, with a strong force. The emperor's generals Yin An, Zhao Shen, and others surrendered Luoyang to Shi Sheng, so General Yue had no choice but to retreat and set up camp in Shancheng. Inside the West Ming Gate, a large tree had been snapped by the wind.
Overnight, this tree that was blown down unexpectedly transformed into a human figure! With hair a foot long and a three-inch beard, all in yellow and white colors, it looked like hands clasped in front of the chest, with two legs wearing a skirt-like garment. It had no eyes or nose. Every night, it would make sounds. After ten days, branches sprouted from the trunk, and it eventually grew into a lush tree.
"The tree inside the Ximing Gate was broken by the wind. After one night, the tree turned into a human figure, with hair a foot long, a three-inch beard, all in yellow and white colors, with a gesture of clasped hands, and two feet wearing a skirt-like shape, but no eyes or nose. There was sound every night, and after ten days, branches grew, eventually becoming a large tree with lush branches and leaves." This account is truly miraculous! Who would have imagined that a tree broken by the wind could actually transform into a human figure, and then grow back into a large tree! It's simply a miracle!
Colonel Yin Che of Changshui rebelled, secretly colluding with Xu Kupeng, the leader of the Ba tribe. General Yao executed Yin Che and imprisoned more than fifty others, including Xu Kupeng, in the Afang Palace, preparing to execute them. Grand Master You Ziyuan fervently advised against this, but General Yao did not listen. You Ziyuan knelt down and knocked his head against the ground, breaking it and causing blood to gush, which only infuriated General Yao further. He imprisoned You Ziyuan and then executed all of them, leaving their bodies in the streets for ten days before finally discarding them into the river. This led to a full-scale rebellion by the Ba tribe, proclaiming Juqu Zhi, the King of Ba Guishan, as their leader, with backing from the Qiang, Di, Ba, and Jie tribes, totaling over three hundred thousand individuals. The Guanzhong region descended into chaos, with city gates barred during the day.
Youzi Yuan, who was far away in prison, sent another letter of remonstrance. General Yao was even more furious, ripped up the memorial, and scolded, "This lackey from Dali County is on the brink of death yet still dares to act like this. Does he think he’s going to die too late?" He then ordered his men to hurry up and kill Youzi Yuan. Liu Ya, Zhu Ji, Hu Yan, and the others quickly urged him, "Youzi Yuan is still persisting in remonstrating even after being imprisoned. This shows his loyalty to the country. He doesn’t even know he is about to die. Even if Your Majesty does not use his strategies, he shouldn’t be killed! If Youzi Yuan is killed today, we’ll follow him to the grave tomorrow, so everyone will see Your Majesty's mistake. Everyone will turn against Your Majesty and jump into the sea to end it all. Who will Your Majesty have left then?" General Yao finally cooled off and spared Youzi Yuan.
General Yao then ordered martial law nationwide and prepared to personally go to quell Ju Quzhi. Youziyuan said, "Your Majesty, if you would heed my advice, you need not take action yourself. The rebellion can be quelled within a month." General Yao said, "Tell me." Youziyuan said, "They do not have grand ambitions to seize the world; they are just driven to desperation by Your Majesty's strict rule. The dead cannot be revived, so why not pardon the families, elders, women, and children of the rebels, let them take care of each other, proclaim a general amnesty, and allow everyone to start anew? If they have a way out and still refuse to surrender, what are they waiting for? If Ju Quzhi refuses to surrender due to serious crimes, please lend me five thousand troops so I can deal with him for you, without bothering Your Majesty's generals. Otherwise, with the rebels being numerous and scattered throughout the valleys, even with overwhelming force to suppress them, it may take several years to quell them." General Yao was very pleased and appointed Youziyuan as Grand General of Chariots and Cavalry, Supervisor of the Masters of Writing, and Commander-in-Chief of the military forces in Yong and Qin. Amnesty was granted nationwide. Youziyuan arrived in Yongcheng, where more than a hundred thousand people surrendered. He then marched to Anding, where the Di and Qiang tribes surrendered, except for over five thousand households of the Ju clan who were hiding in secluded areas. After engaging them in battle, they were also subdued. He then returned to the capital, passing through Longyou, where Chen An welcomed him on the outskirts. Initially, more than a hundred thousand Di and Qiang people in Shangjun refused to surrender in the area of Xianshan. Their leader, Daxu, proclaimed himself king and called himself the King of Qin. General Youziyuan led his troops to their camp, and Daxu came out to resist with his men. After five battles, they were all defeated by Youziyuan. Daxu, fearing defeat, sought to surrender, but his son, Yiyu, shouted loudly in front of everyone, "When Liu Yao personally came to attack us before, he couldn't do anything to me. Now this small army wants us to surrender!" Then, Yiyu rallied fifty thousand elite soldiers and launched a fierce assault on the camp gates at dawn.
The people around all advised General Ziyuan to quickly go out to battle; however, Ziyuan said, "I heard that this Yiyu is fierce and unbeatable, and his troops are even more powerful. On top of that, his father was just defeated, so he’s likely furious. The Western Rong people are known for their bravery and combat skills, and their attack power far exceeds ours. It’s better to hold our ground for now and wait for their momentum to weaken before striking." So, General Ziyuan ordered the camp to be defended and not to attack actively. Seeing that Ziyuan wasn’t coming out, Yiyu grew even more arrogant. General Ziyuan waited for Yiyu to let his guard down. In the evening, he ordered the whole army to eat dry rations and prepare for battle. Early the next morning, a strong wind and heavy fog arose, and General Ziyuan said, "Heaven is helping us!" He personally led the charge, secured the camp, broke through the encirclement, and by dawn, he had surrounded Yiyu's army, captured Yiyu alive, and taken all the soldiers prisoner. Daxu was so frightened that he quickly surrendered, even cutting his own face to prove his submission.
General Ziyuan reported Daxu's surrender to Liu Yao, who appointed Daxu as the General of the Western Campaign and the Lord of the Western Rong, and relocated Yiyu, his brothers, and their tribe of over 200,000 people to Chang'an. Among the various tribes of the Western Rong, Daxu's power was the strongest, and other tribes followed him in rebellion. With Daxu’s surrender, the other tribes quickly followed suit.
The emperor was particularly delighted and hosted a banquet for the courtiers in the Eastern Hall. He talked about his life experiences and couldn't help shedding tears. He then ordered that it be written: "Commending merits has always been the precedent set by previous emperors; showing compassion for widows and orphans is also the tradition of wise rulers throughout history. Therefore, the Emperor Shizu, after establishing his reign in Hebei, rewarded the grandson of Yan You; the Emperor Wu of Wei, during battles in Liang and Song, also paid tribute to the tomb of Qiao Gong. The recently appointed Grand Minister, Duke Cui Yue of Lamentation, Minister of State Cao Xun, Tai Shou of Jinyang Wang Zhong, Prince's Attendant Liu Sui, and others, some of whom knew me from my childhood, some of whom helped me in my most difficult times. Thinking of these gentlemen, I feel a deep sorrow. Isn't it said in the Classic of Poetry: 'The kindness stored in the heart, when will it be forgotten!' Cui Yue had received commendation in the early years of the Han Dynasty, but at that time the country was in decline and the ceremonies were not fully established. Now, Cui Yue may now be posthumously honored as the Imperial Envoy, Privy Councilor, Grand Minister, Duke of Liaodong; Cao Xun as Grand Minister of Works, Duke of Nanjun; Liu Sui as Chief of the Imperial Clan, Duke of Pingchang; Wang Zhong as General of the Garrison, Marquis of Anping, and all of them shall be appointed as Cavalier Attendants. However, their tombs have all been neglected, making it impossible to express my sorrow. The relevant departments should promptly trace the descendants of Cui Yue and others, allocate land for their ancestral rites, to express my intentions."
When the emperor was on the run, he escaped with Cao Xun to Liu Sui's home, where Liu Sui hid him in a book box and then sent him to Wang Zhong, who then sent him to Korea. Over a year later, they found themselves hungry and destitute, so they changed their names and became soldiers in the county. At that time, Cui Yue was the county magistrate in Korea. When he saw the emperor, he felt he recognized him and questioned him about his background. The emperor knelt and confessed, crying as he begged for help. Cui Yue said, "Do you really think Cui Yuansong is less capable than Sun Binshuo? Why are you so afraid? The court is actively hunting for you, and your safety cannot be guaranteed among the people. This county is remote and safer. If anything happens, you can simply take off your official robe and come with me. My family is already in decline, with no brothers to worry about, and I have a fragile life with no sons. You are like my son, so don't worry too much. A real man can find help even from animals, let alone a gentleman like you!" So, he gave the emperor clothes and basic supplies and supported him in studying. The emperor followed Cui Yue and solved various difficult problems, which deepened Cui Yue's gratitude towards him. Cui Yue also told the emperor, "Liu Sheng (referring to the emperor) is elegant and talented, a natural talent! Whenever there’s even a slight stir in the world, heroes will emerge, and you are that person!" Cao Xun also showed loyalty to the emperor in times of danger, so the emperor was very grateful to him as well. The emperor built a university on the east side of the Changle Palace and a school on the west side of the Wenyang Palace. They recruited people under the age of twenty-five and over the age of thirteen, as long as they were of sound mind and willing to receive education, ultimately recruiting fifteen hundred people. They then selected respected and learned scholars from the court and scholars well-versed in Confucian classics to teach them. Liu Jun, the Director of the Palace Library, was appointed as the National Sacrificial Minister.
A position of Chongwen Jijiu was created, at a rank comparable to that of Guozi Jijiu. Dong Jingdao, the Cavalry Minister, was promoted to Chongwen Jijiu due to his expertise in Confucian classics. Meanwhile, You Ziyuan was appointed as the Chancellor.
The emperor wants to build Fengming Temple, and is also building a palace to the west, Lingxiao Terrace at Hachi, and also plans to construct Shouling to the southwest of Baling. The courtiers Qiao Yuhe and He Bao advised in a memorial, roughly saying: "We have heard that when a monarch rises and develops, he must follow the will of the heavens and respond to the people's wishes. Just like Duke Wen of Wei, after the country was destroyed, the ancestral temples and altars were ruined, but he still went to build palaces where the stars and constellations were located. He was so eager at that time, so he was able to restore the achievements of Kang Shu and Duke Wu, continuing the prosperity for nine hundred years. Now the emperor wants to build Fengming Temple, and the common people feel uneasy about this, saying that building a temple is enough to pacify Liangzhou. The emperor also wants to build the Western Palace, larger than the Afang Palace. Just think of the cost and the manpower required! This money is enough to conquer Wu and Shu, to eliminate Qi and Wei. Your Majesty, during your reign, is acting like a ruler of a doomed nation! Throughout history, which wise ruler hasn't made mistakes? Your Majesty, this time, you have indeed made a mistake. The important thing about making mistakes is being able to correct them, but it's hard to admit when you're wrong. We also heard that the emperor wants to build Shouling, with a perimeter of four li and a depth of twenty-five zhang, using bronze for the coffin and decorating it with gold; I fear the country cannot bear such a heavy cost. Furthermore, we heard that Emperor Yao was buried in Gulin, with markets operating as usual; Emperor Zhuanxu was buried in Guangyang, with the tomb not reaching the spring water. This is how wise kings handled their burial matters. The tomb of the First Emperor of Qin was three springs deep and seven li in perimeter, but shortly after his death, it was destroyed; this is how a foolish ruler deals with his burial. Confucius believed that using stone coffins was no better than letting the body decay quickly; Wang Sunluo was buried simply and plainly, and wise people praised him. No nation has ever escaped extinction throughout history, no tomb has ever been left unexcavated, so the wise kings knew the dangers of lavish burials and did not do so. Ministers hope that the tombs will be as majestic as mountains, but the safety and stability of the country must come first! The rise and fall, success and failure, and the balance of extravagance and frugality are all evident; I urge Your Majesty to reflect on this matter carefully.
Quotation not provided.
The emperor was very pleased to hear this and issued a decree saying, "You two have truly inherited the virtues of the ancients and are the backbone of the nation! If it weren't for you, how could I have heard these words! Emperor Xiaoming was able to listen to Zhongli's advice during the era of peace and prosperity, especially now that the country is in decline. How could I not seriously consider your advice! I hereby order the immediate cessation of construction at the Mausoleum of Longevity, and all work will proceed according to the standards of the Mausoleum of Ba. As the Book of Songs says, 'No words should go unspoken, and no kindness should go unacknowledged.' Feng Qiaoyu is appointed An Changzi and He Bao is appointed Pingyu Zi, both serving as Grand Councillors. Announce this to the people everywhere, so they know the court values counsel and welcomes suggestions. From now on, if there are any policies or measures that are not appropriate or beneficial to the country, speak up and offer advice without hesitation." The emperor then allocated a portion of land in Fengshui Yuan to the poor and needy.
Mount Zhongnan collapsed, and a resident of Chang'an, Liu Zhong, found a piece of white jade one foot square with inscriptions. The jade read, "The emperor is lost, the emperor is lost, Zhao Chang is defeated. The well has run dry, the five beams are broken, and the E and You are in turmoil. Alas! Alas! The red cow struggles to the end!" At that moment, the court officials congratulated one another, believing this to be a good omen for defeating the enemy. Emperor Shile was particularly delighted; after fasting for seven days, he accepted the jade in the ancestral temple, declared a general amnesty, and appointed Liu Zhong as the Grand Officer of Auspicious Gifts.
Liu Jun, the Minister of the Palace Secretariat, stood up and said, "I have heard that the ruler and the mountains and rivers are interconnected; therefore, when mountains crumble and rivers run dry, the ruler must be vigilant. Zhongnan Mountain is the barrier of the capital, the symbol of the country. Its sudden collapse is truly alarming! Similar calamities befell the end of the Xia, Shang, and Zhou Dynasties. Today, everyone claims this is an auspicious sign, but I am alone in believing otherwise. I know this may anger the emperor and go against the opinions of others, but I find such talk unacceptable; I believe the situation is quite different. Why? Just as jade is to mountains and rocks, so too is a ruler to his subjects. The collapse of mountains and rocks symbolizes the overthrow of the country and the turmoil of the people. The phrase 'the emperor falls, Zhao Chang prevails' means that the imperial family will be defeated by the Zhao state, and Zhao will prosper as a result. Currently, the capital of Da Zhao lies in Qin Yong, and you, Shi Le, have already controlled the entire land of Zhao. The prosperity of Zhao should happen to you, Shi Le, not to our Da Jin. 'The well is dry, forming the Five Beams' refers to the Eastern Well, which is the star field of the Qin state; 'Five' refers to the Five Chariots, 'Beams' refers to the Great Beam. The Five Chariots and Great Beam are the star field of the Zhao state. This implies that the Qin state will fall, leading to the rise of Zhao. 'E' is the name of an ancient calendar year, meaning that in the year of E You, there will be incidents of armies being defeated and generals being killed. 'Kun' refers to Kun Dun, the name of the year of Zi; Xuan Xiao is also in the year of Zi, meaning that in the year of Zi, the country will perish. 'Red cow fighting fiercely' refers to Chi Fen Ruo, the name of the year of Chou. 'Cow' refers to the Cowherd star, the star field in the northeast; in the year of Chou, this means that the country will perish and disappear completely. This is a divine warning for you, urging Your Majesty to govern diligently, care for the people, cultivate virtue, and avert disasters. Even if this is deemed auspicious, I urge Your Majesty to remain vigilant and take it to heart. As the saying goes, 'Even in times of peace, vigilance is essential.' I hope Your Majesty will emulate the virtue of Duke Zhou, who swore an oath at Mengjin, cast aside the ominous signs of Duke Guo's temple dream, reflect earnestly on oneself, and prepare for potential disasters."
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After Shi Le heard Liu Jun's words, his face clearly changed. However, the Imperial Censor accused Liu Jun of speaking nonsense, misrepresenting auspicious signs, and requested that he be punished for the crime of disrespect. The emperor said, "It is really hard to say whether these auspicious signs or disasters are good or bad. I need to reflect deeply on my own shortcomings. I have received a lot of help and benefits from loyal ministers and good generals, so what crime have I committed?" It is said that Du Yu led troops to attack the Di and Qiang peoples, and the Chouchi's Yang Nandi led his men to resist. As a result, Du Yu's vanguard troops defeated them, and Yang Nandi retreated back to Chouchi. After that, many members of the Di and Qiang in Chouchi surrendered to Du Yu. Then, Du Yu went west to attack Yang Tao of Nan'an. When Yang Tao heard that Du Yu was coming, he was terrified and hastily surrendered with Longxi Prefect Liang Xun. Du Yu was overjoyed and ennobled them as marquises. Then, he sent the Court Attendant Qiao Yu with five thousand soldiers to relocate Yang Tao and over ten thousand households from Longyou to Chang'an. Du Yu went to attack Chouchi again. At this time, Du Yu fell ill, and the epidemic was severe. Everyone discussed withdrawing the troops. However, they were worried that Yang Nandi would launch a surprise attack from behind, so Du Yu sent his Chief Clerk Wang Guang to Chouchi to negotiate with Yang Nandi. Wang Guang's visit really worked, and Yang Nandi sent people to show submission. Upon hearing this, Du Yu was overjoyed and immediately granted Yang Nandi a number of official titles: Imperial Protector, Court Attendant, Acting Yellow Battle-axe, Commander-in-Chief of the Military Affairs of Yining, Ning, Nan, Qin, Liang, Ba, and six other provinces, Grand General, Governor of Yining, Nan, and Qin, Commander of the Southern Protectorate of the Di, General of the Southern Qiang, King of Wudu! Not only that, Yang Nandi's sons and grandsons were also granted official positions, with fifteen of them becoming marquises or officials holding the rank of two thousand stones.
Chen An went to see Liu Yao, but Liu Yao was too ill to receive him. In anger, Chen An believed Liu Yao was on the verge of death, so he and his men looted before returning. Liu Yao's illness was indeed severe, and he was transported back in a carriage, with his general Hu Yan Shi escorting the supplies behind. Chen An intercepted them on the road with his best soldiers. With no way to fight back, Hu Yan Shi and Chief Clerk Lu Ping were killed by Chen An. Chen An grabbed Hu Yan Shi and said, "Liu Yao is dead, who will you assist now? I intend to achieve great things with you." Hu Yan Shi cursed Chen An, saying, "You’re living off others' goodwill while hiding in safety, betrayed Sima Bao before, and now this. Who do you think you are, an emperor? I worry you'll soon find yourself beheaded and hung in the streets of Shanggui; what greatness are you even talking about? Just kill me and hang my head at the east gate of Shanggui, see how the army enters the city!" Furious, Chen An executed Hu Yan Shi. He promoted Lu Ping to staff officer and sent his brother Chen Ji and General Zhang Ming to lead twenty thousand cavalry to hunt down Liu Yao. Liu Yao's guard Hu Yan Yu fought back, defeating Chen An's forces and capturing all of them. Terrified, Chen An hurried back to Shanggui. Liu Yao made his way back from Nan'an.
Chen An sent his generals Liu Lie and Zhao Han to attack Qiancheng and captured it, and the Di and Qiang tribes of Xizhou all surrendered to Chen An. Chen An's army was strong, with over 100,000 soldiers. He claimed the titles of Protector-General, Grand Commander, Acting Yellow Battle-Axe, Grand General, and Governor of the four provinces of Yong, Liang, Qin, and Liang, while also appointing Zhao Mu as Prime Minister and Left Chancellor. Lu Ping wept bitterly before Chen An, exclaiming, "I truly cannot bear to see you die!" Chen An was furious and ordered Lu Ping to be executed. Lu Ping said, "Death is my fate; hang my head on the streets of Qinzhou, and see how Zhao Wang kills Chen An!" Thus, Lu Ping was executed as well. When Liu Yao heard that Lu Ping had died, he was very sad and said, "Virtuous people are the hope of the world. Killing virtuous people blocks the will of the people. Even a benevolent ruler in times of peace would not dare to go against the will of his subjects, let alone govern the world! Chen An is now recruiting talents, but he killed a virtuous man, cutting off the hope of the time. I know he will not achieve great things."
King Xiu Tu Shi Wu surrendered Sangcheng to Liu Yao. Liu Yao was very happy and appointed Shi Wu as Protector-General, Commander of the Qin and Longshan Yi tribes, Grand General of the West, Governor of Qinzhou, and titled him King of Jiuquan. Later, Liu Yao's wife Yang Shi died, and Liu Yao posthumously honored her as Empress Xianwen. Yang Shi was greatly favored by Liu Yao during his lifetime; she even participated in politics and gave birth to three sons for Liu Yao: Xi, Xi, and Chan.
Emperor Yao ordered that those without official positions were not allowed to ride horses; only family members of officials with a salary of over 800 stones were permitted to wear embroidered clothes. Alcohol consumption was permitted only after the autumn harvest, and those who did not offer sacrifices to the ancestral temple and the deities were not allowed to kill cows; violators would face execution. Emperor Yao personally went to the Imperial Academy and examined students with good grades, directly appointing them as Junior Officials.
Tsk tsk, this emperor really values talent! There's an even more outrageous situation: two men from Shan Prefecture, Su Fu and Wu Changping, have inexplicably transformed into women! Mr. Shi remarked in Shan Prefecture, "Don't discuss this matter in the east." The Emperor Yao wants to bury his father and wife, personally traveling to Su Yi to oversee the planning of the tombs’ dimensions. He had people build mounds for the tombs, with a circumference of two li. The tomb builders were exhausted, lighting candles, filled with complaints and cries that echoed down the road. An official named You Zi quickly advised, "I heard that a wise monarch and loyal ministers, when burying their parents, only need a coffin big enough to fit the body, a coffin case big enough to fit the coffin, a tomb big enough to fit the coffin case, without the need for additional burial mounds. This is the best long-term plan! Your Majesty, you are wise and compassionate, with a far-reaching vision, always putting frugality and love for the people first; the treasury’s funds are essential! The cost of these two tombs is projected to reach several hundred million, requiring sixty thousand laborers to work for a hundred days, totaling six million man-days! These two tombs, dug beneath the third spring, rising a hundred feet above, piled with stones into mountains, piled with earth into mounds, even excavating hundreds of ancient tombs, the laborers sighed and complained, their resentment growing, corpses strewn across the wilderness, cries shaking the heavens. I believe this serves no benefit to the late emperor and empress, instead wasting the country's resources in vain! Your Majesty, if you follow the thriftiness of Yao and Shun, the cost of the project will not exceed a million, the expenses will not exceed a few thousand, there will be no resentful spirits below, no resentful people above, the late emperor and empress would rest in peace, and you can enjoy the good name of Shun, Yu, and Duke of Zhou. Please consider this carefully!" The Emperor Yao did not listen, sending General Liu Yue with ten thousand cavalry to meet the coffins of his father and brother Hui in Taiyuan. As a result, a plague broke out on the way, resulting in the deaths of several thousand individuals.
In Luoyang, a man named Zhang Lu had been dead for twenty-seven days, but thieves dug up his grave and Zhang Lu miraculously revived! Isn't that incredible? Later, Emperor Yao buried his father in Yongyuan Ling, and his wife, Lady Yang, was buried in Xianping Ling. He then declared a general amnesty, pardoning all criminals for crimes punishable by less than death and granting a two-level promotion in title to everyone. The elderly, the sick, the impoverished, and those unable to care for themselves were given varying amounts of cloth and silk.
In the first year of the Taiping era, Chen An led his troops in an attack against Liu Gong of Xiliang, but Liu Gong managed to defeat Chen An in Nan'an. At this time, King Xiutu Shi Wu came from Sangcheng in an attempt to lift the siege of Nan'an. Upon hearing this news, Chen An was alarmed and quickly made his way back to Shanggui. He ran into Shi Wu in a melon patch. Realizing he was outnumbered, Shi Wu quickly retreated to Zhang Chun's old camp to hide. Chen An pursued Shi Wu while cursing, "You treacherous barbarian! I must capture him alive and then take out Liu Gong!" Shi Wu held the camp firmly.
Meanwhile, Liu Gong seized the opportunity to defeat Chen An's rear forces, capturing and killing tens of thousands of Chen An's troops. Chen An rushed back to save his troops but was once again defeated by Liu Gong. Soon after, Shi Wu's main forces arrived, and Chen An's forces were utterly routed, with just eight thousand cavalry retreating to Longcheng. Liu Gong assigned Shi Wu to guard the rear forces and personally led the charge, achieving victory in every battle and eventually besieged Chen An in Longcheng.
Torrential rain poured down, thunder deafening, shaking and damaging the gatehouse of Yao, Chen An's father, tomb. The strong wind blew Yao's father's sleeping quarters over fifty steps beyond the courtyard wall. Chen An hid in the main hall, dressed in plain clothes, mourning in the east hall for five days in plain clothes, then ordered his generals Liu Xi and Liang Xu to restore the tomb. The pine and cypress trees in the tomb had flourished into a small forest, but now they had all withered.
Later, Chen An appointed his Grand Marshal Liu Yasheng as the Grand Preceptor, granting him many privileges: he could wear his sword and shoes to court, walk slowly during court sessions, not have to kneel when meeting the emperor, and was allocated one thousand infantry, one hundred cavalry, and one hundred armed soldiers to enter the palace. Additionally, sixty sword-bearing guards were added, along with two drum and music bands.
It is said that Helian Yao took command of an army to assault Chen An, besieging him in Longcheng. Chen An repeatedly challenged the enemy, defeating Helian Yao's forces and capturing over eight thousand enemy soldiers. Helian Yao's General Liu Gan captured Pingxiang, and the other counties on Longshan surrendered. Helian Yao then granted amnesty to all those in Longyou who had committed non-capital offenses, except for Chen An and Zhao Mu.
Chen An left Yang Bozhi, Jiang Chong'er, and others behind to defend Longcheng, while he led a few hundred cavalry to break through, intending to gather forces from Shanggui and Pingxiang to rescue the besieged Longcheng. However, just as he broke through, Chen An learned that Shanggui was under siege and Pingxiang had fallen, so he had to flee south to the region of Shaanxi. Helian Yao sent Generals Ping Xian and Qiu Zhongbo to lead elite cavalry to pursue Chen An, defeating him in several battles and capturing over four hundred enemy soldiers.
Chen An led a dozen valiant warriors to resist stubbornly in the Shaanxi region. Chen An waved a seven-foot-long broadsword in his left hand and held an eight-foot-long spear in his right hand. In close combat, he used both weapons together and could kill five or six enemies each time. If the distance was far, he would ride a horse while shooting arrows from his bow, then quickly escape. Ping Xian was also a very brave man, agile and swift as a bird in flight. He fought with Chen An three times and only retreated after seizing Chen An's spear. Just then, it was dark and raining heavily. Chen An abandoned his horse and trekked across the mountains on foot with five or six followers, hiding in the mountain gullies. The next day, General Huyan Qing of Fu Wei pursued Chen An's trail and finally killed him in the mountain gully. Hearing this news, Helian Yao was very happy. Chen An was skilled at comforting the people during his life. Whether good or bad, safe or dangerous, he shared the hardships with his soldiers. Therefore, after his death, the people of the Longshan area sang songs in his honor: "There is Chen An, a hero on the Long Mountain, though small in stature, his heart was vast. He loves and cares for his soldiers like his own heart... In the first three battles, he lost his spear, abandoned his horse and fled to the secluded rocks, hanging his head in shame for the lack of reinforcements. The waters flow west, while the river flows east, once gone, what can I do to return!" Helian Yao was both happy and regretful after hearing this song, and ordered the music department to record it. Later, Yang Bozhi killed Jiang Chong'er and surrendered with Longcheng. Song Ting killed Zhao Mu and surrendered with Shanggui. Helian Yao relocated over two thousand households from the Yang and Jiang clans in the Qinzhou region to Chang'an. The various Di and Qiang tribes also surrendered and sent hostages to show their submission.
At that time, Liu Yue was in a stalemate with the Governor of Liangzhou, Zhang Mao, on the riverbank, while Fu Jian's brother, Fu Yao, led an army of 285,000 troops from Longxi marching to Xihai. He set up his formation by the river, with the camp extending over a hundred miles, drums beating loudly, creating a deafening noise, truly an unprecedentedly powerful army! When Zhang Mao's soldiers heard that Fu Yao was coming, they were all frightened and fled in panic.
Fu Yao's momentum was grand, declaring that he would cross the river from multiple directions simultaneously and attack directly towards Guzang (the capital of Liangzhou). The people of Liangzhou were terrified, in a state of panic, completely at a loss. The generals were eager to cross the river and launch an attack, but Fu Yao responded, "Although our army is powerful, it doesn’t match the strength of Cao Cao's forces at the Battle of Red Cliffs. Most of the enemies we've scared off are likely just bluffing. Besides, the soldiers guarding the center of our army are all old and weak, not fit for battle. Zhang Mao must think I’ve just subdued Chen An, with a strong army and impressive might; he probably sees his forces as no match for ours, so he’ll likely surrender quickly and offer tribute. What more could I possibly want! Just wait, within ten days or so, if Zhang Mao doesn’t send an envoy to surrender, I’ll admit defeat to all of you!"
When Zhang Maoyi heard this, he was terrified. Sure enough, envoys came to pay tribute, bringing more than a thousand horses, three thousand cattle, and a hundred thousand sheep, three hundred and eighty jin of gold and seven hundred jin of silver, twenty stunning women, along with countless treasures, rare artifacts, and local specialties. Fu Yao was overjoyed and immediately appointed Tian Song as the envoy, granting Zhang Maoyi a host of titles including "Imperial Commissioner, Acting Yellow Axe, Palace Attendant, Governor of Liang, Nan, Bei, Qin, Liang, Yi, Ba, Han, Longyou, Western Regions, Miscellaneous Barbarians, Xiongnu, Grand Tutor, Chief Marshal, Governor of Liangzhou, Commander of the Western Regions, Protector of the Di and Qiang, Prince of Liang," and so on. After Fu Yao returned from Hexi, he even had Hu Yuan's parents' tombs constructed to tower into the sky, ninety feet high! Yang Nandi was very afraid because Chen An was subdued, so he fled to Hanzhong. General Liu Hou pursued him, capturing over a thousand supply wagons and more than six thousand men and women, then sent these captives back to Chouchi. Fu Yao appointed Tian Song as the General of the South, Inspector of Yizhou, stationed in Chouchi; appointed Liu Yue as Palace Attendant, Commander-in-Chief of all military affairs, and promoted him to King of Zhongshan. At first, Jin Zhun rebelled, and Yao's eldest son Yin escaped to the Yujubu. Later, Yin returned on his own, and the people of Yujubu were taken aback and quickly prepared horses and clothes for him before sending him back. Yao was deeply saddened to see Yin, but also grateful for the loyalty of Yujubu, so he appointed Yin as Imperial Commissioner, Cavalry Attendant, General of Loyalty and Righteousness, and King of the Left. Yin, whose courtesy name was Yisun, was strikingly handsome, exceptionally intelligent, and remarkably eloquent. At just ten years old, he already stood seven feet five inches tall, with eyebrows and temples resembling a painting.
Yao's advisor, Cong, believed that Yin was quite exceptional, and said to Yao: "This child's demeanor and sense of righteousness are entirely different! He should be your heir. Consider how King Wen deposed Boyi Kao to establish King Wu." Yao replied: "For my vassal state, maintaining the sacrifices is sufficient. We must not disturb the hierarchy of seniority." Cong responded: "Your accomplishments resonate throughout the realm. Your realm boasts over a hundred cities. You serve as the Grand Tutor of the current dynasty and wield the authority for military campaigns. Among the marquises and counts, you alone possess the power to lead military campaigns. How can your son possibly be compared to those of other vassal states? Yin cannot match the high moral standards of Tai Bo. I merely wish for you to grant him a princely title." Yin is Jian, Yao's son’s style name. Thus, Yao appointed Jian as the King of Linhai and named Yin as the Crown Prince.
Although Yin has experienced the hardships of fleeing and wandering in desolate places since childhood, he is graceful and imposing; standing at eight feet three inches tall, with hair reaching his waist, exceptionally strong, an expert archer, quick on his feet, like the wind and clouds. This made Yao value him even more, and the courtiers also had high hopes for him. Yao then said to the courtiers, "Yi Sun can be described as 'unfading in the cold and unblemished.' Although Yi Guang has been established as the Crown Prince, he is young and somewhat reserved. He might struggle to fulfill the role of the current heir apparent, and it may be difficult to consolidate the state and protect Yi Guang. Yi Sun is older, has good morals, and was the previous heir apparent. I want to emulate King Wen of Zhou, learn from Emperor Guangwu, make the ancestral temple as solid as Mount Tai, and let Yi Guang enjoy endless blessings. What do you think, gentlemen?" His Grand Tutor Hu Yan Yan and others said together, "Your Majesty emulates the Zhou and Han dynasties and considers the country; this is not only a boon for us courtiers, but also a blessing for the ancestral temple and the realm." Left Guanglu Bu Tai, Crown Prince Taibao Han Guang and others said, "If Your Majesty believes that deposing the Crown Prince is the right course, you should not hesitate to share your thoughts. If Your Majesty is still hesitant, then we should also express our views. We believe that deposing the Crown Prince would be wrong. Why? King Wen of Zhou chose a virtuous person to be the Crown Prince before the Crown Prince was established, which can be understood. Emperor Guangwu deposed the Crown Prince because of his mother's reasons; how can this serve as a model for a righteous dynasty! Although Emperor Guangwu inherited the throne with the power of the East Sea, how can he be compared to Emperor Ming! Prince Yin is talented in both civil and military affairs, extraordinary in talent, and broad-minded, truly a rarity, worthy of being compared to King Wu of Zhou; but the Crown Prince is filial, affable, benevolent, and ambitious, enough to take on great responsibilities and become a wise monarch of the peaceful era. Moreover, the position of the Crown Prince is related to the people and gods of the world and should not be easily deposed. If Your Majesty really wants to depose the Crown Prince, we would rather die than obey, and would not dare to follow such a decree." Yao remained silent.
Yin cried and said, "A loving father should treat his son with kindness, just as it is said in the Book of Songs, 'Xiao Bian'. How could you abandon me, who stands in for Xi! Your Majesty has shown me such favor; I request to die here as a testament to my loyalty. Moreover, if Your Majesty can overlook my shortcomings and see me as somewhat capable, I can assist Yiguang and help him follow the path of righteousness." With tears streaming down his face, Yin moved the hearts of the courtiers. Yao, because the Crown Prince was born to Lady Yang, who was favored, could not bear to depose the Crown Prince and reconsidered his decision. Yao posthumously honored his late wife, Lady Bu, as Empress Yuandao, who was Yin's mother. Bu Tai, Yin's uncle, was highly regarded by Yao and appointed him as Senior Grand Tutor, Supervisor of the Left and Right Offices, and the leading Grand Tutor to the Crown Prince. Yin was titled as Prince of Yong'an, appointed as Palace Attendant, Grand General of the Guards, Commander of the Forbidden City Guards, Supervisor of the Left and Right Offices, Director of the Imperial Secretariat, and the leading Grand Tutor to the Crown Prince, bearing the title of Imperial Prince. He ordered Xi to treat Yin with the respect due to a family member.
Legend has it that a phoenix once resided in Weiyang Palace with five babies for five days, but these baby phoenixes cried out in despair and refused to eat, and eventually all died. At that time, Liu Yao was in charge.
Later, Shi Le's subordinate, Shi Ta, set out from Yanmen to Shangjun, attacked the General of Anguo and King of North Qiang, Penju, captured over three thousand people, and seized hundreds of thousands of cattle, sheep, and horses before returning. Upon hearing this, Liu Yao was furious; he immediately stood up and slammed his hand on the table. That day, Liu Yao arrived at Weicheng and sent Liu Yue to pursue Shi Ta. Liu Yao himself went to Fuping to provide support to Liu Yue. Liu Yue and Shi Ta fought by the river, defeating Shi Ta and killing him and his fifteen hundred soldiers, while over five thousand others drowned in the river. Finally, Liu Yue gathered all the captives and returned in triumph.
Yang Nandi returned from Hanzhong, conducted a surprise raid on Chouchi, emerged victorious, captured Tian Song, and brought Tian Song before him. Yang Nandi's men ordered Tian Song to kneel, but Tian Song glared and shouted, "Dogs of the Di! How can the Emperor's subjects kneel before you thieves!" Yang Nandi said, "Tian Song, I intend for us to accomplish great things together. You say you can be loyal to the Liu clan, can't I?" Tian Song angrily replied, "You thieves, lackeys of the Di, dare to covet what isn't yours! I'd rather be a ghost serving my country than be your servant, so why not just kill me now!" With that, he saw an opportunity with a soldier, grabbed his sword, and stabbed towards Yang Nandi, but missed and was instead killed by Yang Nandi.
The emperor sent Liu Yue to Luoyang to launch an attack on Shi Sheng, giving him five thousand elite troops from the surrounding counties and ten thousand elite guards to cross the river at Mengjin. General Zhendong Huyan Mo also led the army from Jingzhou to advance eastward from Mount Xiaochi. Liu Yue captured the two fortresses controlled by Shi Le, Mengjin and Shiliang, and captured more than five thousand enemy soldiers. He then surrounded the city of Jinyong, where Shi Sheng was based. Shi Jilong led forty thousand infantry and cavalry from Chenggao Pass to attack. Liu Yue set up his formation to prepare for battle. This led to a battle on the western outskirts of Luoyang, resulting in a defeat for Liu Yue's army, with Liu Yue himself shot with an arrow, forcing him to retreat to Shiliang. Shi Jilong then dug trenches and set up barricades to surround Shiliang, cutting off all lines of communication. Liu Yue's army, starving, resorted to killing and eating their horses. Shi Jilong also defeated and killed Huyan Mo. The emperor personally led his forces to rescue Liu Yue, but Shi Jilong dispatched thirty thousand cavalry to intercept them. The emperor's vanguard commander, Liu Hei, defeated Shi Cong, one of Shi Jilong's generals, at Bateman Hill. Upon reaching Jingu, the emperor inexplicably found himself in a panic in the dead of night, causing chaos in the ranks, forcing them to retreat to Mount Xiaochi. Later that night, panic struck again, and the soldiers scattered in all directions, eventually making their way back to Chang'an. Shi Jilong captured Liu Yue, his general Wang Teng, and more than eighty others, as well as three thousand Di and Qiang people, and escorted them to Xiangguo, where he killed nearly sixteen thousand soldiers. Upon returning from Mount Xiaochi, the emperor donned plain clothes and wept in the outskirts, not entering the city until seven days later.
In Wugong County, there were strange occurrences of pigs birthing dogs, and in Shanggui County, there were strange occurrences of horses birthing cows, as well as many other bizarre phenomena that were too numerous to count. The emperor ordered his ministers to each recommend a knowledgeable and upright person, and Sikong Liu Jun recommended Tai Chan, a military officer. The emperor personally went to the Eastern Hall and sent the Central Palace Gate to inquire about Tai Chan. Tai Chan explained in detail the reasons behind these strange occurrences. After seeing this, the emperor greatly admired him, summoned him to the Eastern Hall, and asked him about political matters. Tai Chan wept as he detailed the disasters and political failings, speaking very frankly. The emperor's expression changed; he treated him respectfully and immediately appointed him as a Doctor of Rites, a Councillor, and also the Chief Historiographer. Later, everything Tai Chan said came true, and the emperor valued him even more, promoting him three times within a year, successively holding the positions of Imperial Secretary, Grand Master of Ceremonies, and Tutor to the Crown Prince, eventually attaining the rank of Special Advisor.
The emperor appointed Liu Yin as Grand Marshal, enfeoffed him as the King of Nanyang, and assigned him the thirteen counties of Hanyang as his territory; he set up the Chanyu Platform in Weicheng, appointed him as the Grand Chanyu, and also established positions such as the Left and Right Wise Kings, all held by heroes from various ethnic groups such as the Hu, Jie, Xianbei, Di, and Qiang.
After Shi Yao returned to Chang'an, he fell ill due to anger and took quite some time to recover. The court granted amnesty to all criminals in Chang'an with sentences less severe than death. Then, he appointed Liu Xian, Prince of Runan, as Grand Commandant while also overseeing the Secretariat; appointed Liu Sui, Grand Master of Ceremonies, as Grand Minister of Works; and appointed Bu Tai as Grand Minister of State.
Shi Yao's wife, Lady Liu, was gravely ill. Shi Yao personally went to visit her and asked if she had anything to say. Lady Liu cried and said, "My uncle Liu Chang has no son. He raised me since I was young and has shown me great kindness. I have no way to repay his kindness, so I hope Your Majesty can advance him. My uncle Liu Ai's daughter is both beautiful and virtuous. I hope she can enter the palace to serve in Your Majesty's court." Shi Yao agreed to her request. After Lady Liu said these words, she passed away. Shi Yao posthumously granted her the title of Devoted Empress. Later, Shi Yao appointed Liu Chang as the Imperial Commissioner, Palace Attendant, Grand Minister of State, also overseeing the Secretariat, and bestowed upon him the title of Duke of Henan. He also granted Liu Chang's wife, Mrs. Zhang, the title of Lady Cixiang of Compassion, and appointed Liu Ai's daughter, Fang, as Empress, all to honor his wife's dying wish. Not long after, Shi Yao appointed General Liu Shu as the Grand Minister of State and Liu Chang as the Grand Guardian. He also recruited brave and strong sons of officials and nobles of lower rank to serve as his personal guards. They wore armor, rode horses, and followed him closely to charge into battle. The Secretaries Hao Shu and Zhi Dang strongly counseled against this, but Shi Yao, enraged, retaliated and ultimately had them poisoned with toxic wine.
In the third year of Xianhe, Shi Yao had a dream at night. He dreamed of three people with golden faces and vermilion lips walking eastward. They did not speak and retreated. After Shi Yao woke up, he bowed to the spot they had walked by. The next day, he summoned officials and others to discuss this matter. The courtiers congratulated one after another, thinking it was a good omen. Only the Grand Historian Ren Yi cautioned, saying, "These three people with golden faces and vermilion lips symbolize the end of the nation's fortunes. The east belongs to Zhen, which represents the emperor's position, symbolizing the beginning; gold belongs to Dui, representing decline; vermilion lips signify the end of things; their retreat after walking is a sign of retreat; your bow to them is submission to them; following in their footsteps means you will be unable to avoid losing territory. The Eastern Well is the boundary of the Qin state; Five Chariots is the boundary of the Zhao state. The Qin army will definitely launch a sudden attack, leading to the defeat of the monarch, losses in the army, and ultimately the defeat will occur in the Zhao state. From now on, three years later, or within seven hundred days, this will happen. I hope Your Majesty will be vigilant and take precautions early." Hearing this, Shi Yao was filled with fear, so he personally performed rituals at the outskirts and ancestral temples, repaired the shrines, and worshipped the mountains and rivers, leaving no site unvisited. He also granted amnesty to criminals below the death penalty throughout the country and reduced half of the taxes for the people. That year, Chang'an saw little rain from the start of spring through May.
Fu Jian sent his general Liu Lang with thirty thousand cavalry to launch a surprise attack on Yang Nandi's territory in Chouchi, but the attempt failed. Instead, they looted more than three thousand households and returned with nothing to show for it.
When Zhang Jun heard that Fu Jian's army had been defeated by the Shi clan, he immediately rejected the official position offered by Fu Jian and reclaimed his title as the Grand General and Governor of Liangzhou in the Jin Dynasty. He then sent the Prefect of Jincheng, Zhang Lang, along with the Protector of Fuhans, Xin Yan, and General Han Pu, leading tens of thousands of troops from Daxia to raid the counties of Qinzhou.
Fu Jian, upon hearing this, quickly dispatched Liu Yin with forty thousand infantry to attack them. The two armies faced off against each other by the Tao River for over seventy days. At a critical moment, Champion General Huyan Naji led his two thousand cavalry to directly cut off Zhang Jun's army's retreat. Liu Yin seized the opportunity and advanced his army, resulting in the collapse of Han Pu's army, which retreated back to Liangzhou. Liu Yin pursued relentlessly, chasing them to Lingju, where he killed twenty thousand enemy soldiers in one breath. Zhang Lang, Xin Yan, and their forces surrendered to Fu Jian, who was overjoyed, appointing them as generals and granting them noble titles.
Shi Le sent Shi Jilong with forty thousand troops to attack Zhang Yao from the west of Zhiguan. More than fifty counties in the Hedong region responded and joined the attack on Puban. Zhang Yao wanted to go from the east to rescue Puban, but he worried that Zhang Jun and Yang Nandi might take the opportunity to attack Chang'an, so he sent his Prince of Hejian, Wang Shu, to lead the Qiang army to station in Qinzhou. Zhang Yao dispatched elite naval and land forces from both domestic and foreign forces, while he himself crossed the river at Weiguan to the north. Shi Jilong was afraid and retreated with his troops. Zhang Yao pursued them and caught up to Gaohou, where a fierce battle ensued. Zhang Yao defeated Shi Jilong, killed Shi Jilong's general Shi Zhan, and the battlefield was strewn with bodies for over two hundred li, with countless military resources seized. Shi Jilong fled to Chaoge.
Zhang Yao then crossed the river at Dayang and launched an attack on Jinyong City, which was defended by Shi Sheng, and even breached the Qianjindang, causing the city to flood. However, Zhang Yao paid little attention to his soldiers, instead drinking and gambling with his favorites. When his subordinates advised him, Zhang Yao became angry, accusing them of spreading false rumors and had the advisors executed. Suddenly, a strong wind blew, knocking down trees and causing thick fog to obscure everything. Later, news came that Shi Jilong had already occupied Shimen, and it was learned that Shi Le had personally led a large army across the river. Only then did Zhang Yao decide to bolster the garrison at Xingyang and secure Huangma Pass.
Not long after, the scouts near the Luo River clashed with the vanguard of Shi Le's forces, captured a prisoner from the Jie tribe, and sent him to Zhang Yao. Zhang Yao asked, "Has Shi Le's main army arrived? How many men do they have?" The Jie prisoner said, "Shi Le's main army has arrived, powerful and unstoppable!" Zhang Yao's expression changed drastically; he ordered the siege of Jinyong City to be lifted and positioned his troops west of the Luo River, stretching for more than ten miles north and south. Zhang Yao had always liked drinking when he was younger, and he only got worse with age. When Shi Le arrived and Zhang Yao was about to go to battle, he first downed several dou of wine. He usually rode a red horse, but that day it kept stumbling for some unknown reason, so he switched to a smaller horse. Before heading into battle, he downed another dou of wine. When they reached Xiyang Gate, Zhang Yao had just set up his formation when Shi Le's general, Shi Kan, took the opportunity to launch an attack. Zhang Yao's army quickly fell into disarray. Zhang Yao, drunk, fled on horseback; his horse stumbled into a stone trough and slipped on the ice, sustaining over ten injuries, three of them serious. He was captured by Shi Kan and sent to Shi Le. Zhang Yao said, "King Shi! Do you still remember the pact we made at Chongmen?" Shi Le had Xu Guang relay to Zhang Yao, "Today's events are as the will of heaven, what more is there to say?" Shi Le imprisoned Zhang Yao in the Prime Minister's residence in Henan, had the doctor Li Yong attend to his wounds, and then sent him back to Xiangguo.
The people under Shi Le's command said that Shi Yao was seriously injured, so they carried him in a carriage and also let Li Yong sit with him. San Lao Sun Ji from Beiyuan Market summoned the courage to see Shi Yao, and Shi Le agreed. Sun Ji toasted to Shi Yao, saying, "You are the King of Gu, and everyone in Guanzhong calls you the Emperor. You should be cautious and protect your territory. By using force recklessly, you lost Luoyang. Your time is up; it's heaven's will to bring you down! Come, let's drink heartily!" Shi Yao said, "You are very generous with your toasts! I will definitely drink to my heart's content with you!" When Shi Le heard this, his expression immediately changed, and he sighed, saying, "A king of a fallen realm, and here he is being advised by an old man to drink."
Shi Le placed Shi Yao in the small city of Yongfeng in Xiangguo, arranging for singing girls and dancers to serve him, while also sending heavy troops to guard him. Shi Le also sent Liu Yue and Liu Zhen to visit Shi Yao on horseback, dressed in gorgeous attire. Shi Yao said, "I thought you all had long since disappeared; I didn't expect Shi Le to be so kind, keeping me around until now. But I killed Shi Le's brother, seriously breaking the alliance. This is all my doing!" After that, Shi Le and Shi Yao feasted in the city all day before Shi Yao left. Shi Le sent a letter to Shi Yao and his son Shi Xi, pressuring them to surrender. Shi Yao left a will for Shi Xi: "Assist the state well with the other ministers; don’t waver because of my actions!" Seeing this will infuriated Shi Le, and he later had Shi Yao killed.
Liu Yin, Liu Xian, and a few others discussed running to the west to seek refuge in Qinzhou. Shangshu Hu Xun stepped forward and said, "Although the emperor has died, the country is still intact, the soldiers are united, and there are no signs of rebellion. We can all work together to resist. It's not too late to run now!" Liu Yin disagreed, angry at Hu Xun for undermining morale, and in a fit of rage, he killed him. Then, Liu Yin took all the officials and fled to Shanggui, while Liu Hou and Liu Ce also abandoned their positions and followed.
The Guanzhong region had descended into chaos, with General Jiang Ying and Xin Shu occupying Chang'an with hundreds of thousands of troops, and even sending envoys to persuade Liu Yao to surrender. Liu Yao sent Shi Sheng with the army from Luoyang to respond. Liu Yin and Liu Zun marched out with tens of thousands of troops from Shanggui, preparing to attack Shi Sheng in Chang'an. The Qiang and Xia people from the counties of Longdong, Wudu, Anding, Xinping, Beidi, Fufeng, and Shiping also rose in support of Liu Yin. Liu Yin's army reached Zhongqiao, where Shi Sheng defended Chang'an. Liu Yao sent Shi Jilong to lead twenty thousand cavalry to intercept Liu Yin. The two armies fought at Yiqu, and Liu Yin was defeated by Shi Jilong, losing over five thousand men. Liu Yin fled back to Shanggui, with Shi Jilong in pursuit, leaving a gruesome trail of bodies. Shanggui fell quickly. Shi Jilong captured Liu Yao's fake crown prince Liu Xi, Prince of Nanyang Liu Yin, and other royal ministers, executing over three thousand people. Liu Yao's officials, exiled people from the eastern regions, and powerful families from the Qin and Yong areas, more than nine thousand people, were forcibly relocated to Xiangguo. In Luoyang, more than five thousand of Liu Yao's royal ministers and members of the Tuge people from five counties were killed. Liu Yao's reign as emperor came to an end after ten years, starting with Yuan Hai's self-proclamation in the fourth year of Yongjia, lasting for three generations, a total of twenty-seven years, before being overthrown in the fourth year of Xianhe.
The historian said that those northern tribes, though they may appear human, are actually cruel and ruthless. They abandon their rulers and relatives for personal gains, forgetting all about benevolence and morality when it comes to money. Even if they are driven far away, we still fear their invasion; if they are settled near the capital, they will seek opportunities to exploit our weaknesses. In the past, King You's mismanagement led to the invasion of the northern tribes, and the war reached the banks of the Yellow River; King Xiang lost control, and the barbarians' war horses appeared in the Guanlu region. Therefore, it is important to assess their strengths and weaknesses, master military strategies, understand the rise and fall of the country, and grasp the interests involved. For us Chinese, it is truly difficult to navigate.
Moreover, talent is flourishing in the Yuanhai region, and these people will rise to prominence in the future; given their special abilities, they will never settle for mediocrity. Therefore, they rise to power, calling out in unison, and dominate the region in no time, with royal family members turning on each other and no one able to compete with them. From Yi Zhi's strategy to the pacification of the rebellion by Gu Du Lun, the Xiongnu Chanyu no longer dares to cast their eyes northward, and the Xianyun have come to the southern suburbs to worship. Oh, heaven and earth, this is truly unjust!
If they were to learn our Han culture, become refined and elegant while retaining some of their original customs, that would be preferable. But they have no intention of doing so. Although Shi Le once paid tribute and Wang Mi pledged loyalty, they still retain their barbarian ways, and the relationship between rulers and subjects remains ambiguous. If they could embrace Confucian ideals, humbly accept, and conduct themselves with integrity, then they would truly be people of benevolence, righteousness, and morality, as the sages of old said.
The usurper has died, Xuanming has taken the throne, consolidated power over the army, and restored Guanhe's territory to its former borders. The army is now stronger than before. However, he is not honest at heart, short-sighted, and although he appears bright on the surface, he finds it difficult to follow through. He uses military force recklessly, harms the loyal, promotes the treacherous, is arrogant, allows eunuchs to wield power, inflicts brutal torture, sends out ruthless generals, leads fierce armies, attacks the Wei River, captures Luoyang, tramples through mountains and rivers with iron cavalry, the sound of Hu's war horns echoes by the water, loyalists are ruthlessly killed, and the bodies of civil and military officials litter the ground. The ancient system of land distribution has long been abolished, and the old palaces of the capital have fallen into ruin. Dew wets the clothes, and tears stream down the faces of those passing by.
In ancient times, Yao and Shun abdicated, succeeded in their achievements, and retired, handing power over to virtuous individuals. During the Three Dynasties period, although military force was also used, it was to save the world and follow the mandate of heaven. Think of King Wu overthrowing King Zhou; he seized the opportunity, raised troops to attack, and overthrew the Shang Dynasty—that was a righteous act. But what about Xuanming? How does he even compare to King Wu's righteous campaign? Therefore, the common people long for the past, feeling that the present is not as good as before. The barbaric Hu are ruthless and merciless, like jackals and tigers; they manipulate the emperor to command the feudal lords, forcing the emperor to do their bidding. Yu Min cried dry tears, and Xin Bin even offered blood to the heavens.
Life is precious, but death is not to be feared. For the greater good, sacrificing one's life is a noble cause. Worry for the country, share the ruler's burdens, until life ends. Throughout history, those who usurp power often meet a tragic fate. Therefore, disasters are looming, and corrupt officials are wreaking havoc, politics are neglected, the people are displaced, and the country is on the brink of collapse. Liu Cong's eventual fate was fortunate, not unfortunate.
Yao Tian was naturally brave and a skilled warrior, but unfortunately, he lived in troubled times. His military tactics were on par with Wang Jian, and his penchant for violence was akin to Dong Zhuo's. However, among his heirs, there were some who could be considered good. Zi Yuan advised him, and Gao Jing (probably a powerful official) temporarily calmed down; He Bao spoke frankly, and Feng Ming (likely another powerful official) stopped hesitating. However, where the army was camped, thorns grew thick, and by breaking ties with powerful vassals, he ended up creating formidable enemies for himself. When the heavens are displeased, it can manifest in the mortal realm, causing soldiers to flee in the night, unable to sober up from drinking, as if someone was secretly helping him, making his downfall as easy as picking up a blade of grass. Could this explain the rise of the Shi family? How did they decline so severely!
Praise: Only the Emperor is extraordinary, dwelling in the heavens. Dan Zhu rarely has successors; Maodun competes for supremacy. Hu banners flutter like the moon, northern horses gallop like the wind. Dust fills the Huai River, shouts echo in the palace. The court is silent, and the gates stand empty. Guo Qin's worries, Xin knows the art of war.
They say this guy was naturally brave, but unfortunately, he lived in chaotic times. His fighting skills were on par with Wang Jian's, and his killing spree could rival Dong Zhuo's. However, among his sons, there were a few who were not bad. There was one named Zi Yuan, who advised him, resulting in Gao Jing (probably a powerful official) temporarily calming down; there was also one named He Bao, who spoke frankly, leading to Feng Ming (probably another powerful official) no longer hesitating. The problem was, where the army was camped, it was full of thorns, and by breaking ties with those powerful vassals, he ended up creating powerful enemies for himself. It was as if the heavens wanted to destroy him, causing the soldiers to flee in the night, unable to get drunk, feeling as if someone was secretly pushing them towards their downfall, as easy as picking up a blade of grass. Was this because of the rise of the Shi family? How did they decline so rapidly!
This hymn does not need to be translated; the original text reads: Only the emperor lacks virtue, you reside in the heavens. Dan Zhu has few heirs, Maodun strives for dominance. The Hu banners wave in the moonlight, the northern steeds gallop in the wind. Dust rises along the Huai River, echoing through the river palace. The morning court of the Unending Palace lies silent, the gates of Yimen stand empty. The concerns of Guo Qin, Xin is knowledgeable in the art of war.
