Huan Xuan, courtesy name Jingdao, also known by another name as Lingbao, was the illegitimate son of Grand Marshal Huan Wen. One night, his mother Ma Shi was chatting with friends when they saw a shooting star fall into a copper basin filled with water, illuminated by the moonlight. It suddenly turned into a fireball about two inches in size, bright and clean. Everyone tried to scoop it up, and when Ma Shi succeeded, she swallowed it, experiencing a strange sensation before later becoming pregnant. When Huan Xuan was born, the room was aglow with light, and the fortune teller said this child was extraordinary, so they gave him the nickname Lingbao. Every time his grandmother carried him to Huan Wen's place, she would have someone else take him there, saying this child was much heavier than usual, and Huan Wen especially liked him, finding him to be exceptional. Before his death, Huan Wen designated him to inherit the title and become the Duke of Nanjun. When Huan Xuan was seven years old, Huan Wen passed away, and officials and officers from the mansion and the province went to pay their respects to Huan Xuan's uncle Huan Chong. Huan Chong gently touched Huan Xuan's head and remarked, "These are all your family's old ministers." Huan Xuan cried, tears streaming down his face, and everyone thought he was special.
As he grew up, Huan Xuan became strikingly handsome yet peculiar, with a carefree and unrestrained demeanor, extensive knowledge, and outstanding literary talent. He was always very proud, thinking highly of himself and being assertive in dealing with others, which made people fear him. The court was also suspicious of him, so he was not given important roles. It was not until he was twenty-three years old that he was appointed as a stable attendant for the crown prince. At the time, people thought Huan Wen showed signs of rebellion, so they deliberately gave Huan Xuan and his brothers some minor positions.
At the end of the Taiyuan era, Huan Xuan was sent to serve as the Prefect of Yixing, feeling discontented and unappreciated for his talents. One day, he gazed out over Zhenze Lake, lamenting, "My father was a prince of the Nine Provinces, yet here I am, reduced to being a prefect of the Five Lakes region!" So he resigned and returned home. Feeling that he came from a prestigious family but carried a bad reputation, he composed a memorial:
I heard that even the wise Duke Zhou was attacked by rumors from all sides; the great minister Yue Yi, who served the king, was also slandered and framed. The predicaments of wolves and tigers depicted in "Xiang Bo," the fierce rebukes in Su Shi's writings—honest people facing criticism—what era hasn't seen that? My late father received special favor from the court and even married into the royal family. He always wanted to repay the court's kindness with his actions. He seized the opportunity to pacify Ba and Shu in the west, to bring those throne-stealing rebels to justice beneath the Northern Gate, to restore the imperial tombs, to cleanse the national shame, to drink from the Ba and Chan rivers, and to raise flags in Zhao and Wei. The accomplishments of the loyal troops can't be summed up by just one or two victories. In the later years of the Taihe period, the imperial family faced the danger of being subverted in secret. So my late father followed the will of heaven, assisted the emperor in ascending the throne, and brought clarity to the realm by eliminating treachery. If these achievements had not been established, if these events had not succeeded, how could we justify our ancestral temples? Although King Taijia of the past was foolish, the Shang dynasty was not in danger; although the Changyi King of the Han dynasty was foolish, the disasters weren't as severe as those during the Three Dynasties. Therefore, the crisis of the Jin dynasty is more serious than that of the Shang and Han dynasties, and my late father's achievements surpass those of Yi Yin and Huo Guang. Yet, after my father achieved success, he was slandered and wronged in a time of clarity. A wise king should not forget those who have made outstanding contributions to the country, should not investigate hidden matters, or open the door to wicked distortion. My late father worked diligently for the country, his efforts were high, he supported the state, and pacified rebellions. If the court forgets his contributions, then I have nothing left to say.
As for the late emperor's ascension to the throne, it is Your Majesty's inheritance and governance from the south that I ask you all to recognize—whose achievement is this? Whose grace? Not only does this secure the peace and stability of the Jin dynasty, allowing our ancestors to receive their due sacrifices, but it is also a significant achievement for Your Majesty's family!
Recently, the power of court officials has been increasingly growing, and corrupt political practices are becoming more prevalent. Everyone is praising each other, saying that my brothers are all sinners of the Jin Dynasty. What reason do we have to keep living in this so-called enlightened era? What face do we have to accept the court's salary? If Your Majesty forgets the great achievements of the late emperor and believes those slanderous words, we brothers should return our titles to the court, be killed in the market, and then join the late emperor in the afterlife. If Your Majesty follows the late emperor's will and remembers the late emperor's merits, we hope Your Majesty can show a little favor.
After submitting the memorial, we received no response.
Xuan had been living a leisurely life in Jingchu for many years. The Governor of Jingzhou, Yin Zhongkan, respected him very much, even somewhat afraid of him. Later, the Chief Secretary, Wang Guobao, rose to power and sought to weaken the local military forces, causing widespread unease. He knew that Wang Gong was genuinely worried about the country and its people, and Xuan also secretly wanted to make achievements. So Xuan said to Yin Zhongkan, "Wang Guobao and people like you have never seen eye to eye, just worried that you haven't had the chance to clash yet. Now that he has power and is in cahoots with Wang Xu, he can do as he pleases. Wang Gong is a royal relative, upright and honest, respected by all, so Wang Guobao won't touch him for now, so he can only target you first. You were promoted by the late emperor and directly appointed to such an important position. Many people are not convinced and think that although you are talented, you’re not cut out to be a local official. If the court orders you to become the Chief Secretary and sends Yin Yi to replace you as the Governor of Jingzhou, what will you do?"
Yin Zhongkan said, "I have been worried about this for a long time. What do you propose we do?" Xuan replied, "Wang Guobao is cunning and vicious; everyone in the world knows this, and Wang Gong hates such people the most. Logically, Wang Gong will definitely stand up in today’s situation. Send someone discreetly to speak with Wang Gong, let him mobilize troops to attack Jinyang, and weaken the court from within. You lead all the troops of Jingchu downstream, rally behind Wang Gong as our leader, and the rest of us will rally to his cause. By then, no one will dare to oppose. If this plan succeeds, it could be as glorious as Huan Wen's achievements in the past!" Yin Zhongkan remained hesitant and indecisive. Not long after, a letter from Wang Gong arrived, inviting Yin Zhongkan and Xuan to aid the court. After Wang Guobao died, the conflict came to an end. Xuan requested an appointment in Guangzhou, and King Sima Daozi of Kuaiji was wary of him and did not want him lingering in Jingchu, so he agreed to his request.
At the start of the Long'an period, the court appointed Huan Xuan as the governor of Jiaozhou and Guangzhou, and conferred upon him the titles of General Jianwei and General Pingyue, giving him the authority to act as military governor. However, after receiving the imperial edict, Huan Xuan did not take up his post. That year, Wang Gong teamed up with Yu Kai to rebel, targeting Wang Yu, the governor of Jiangzhou, and his brother Sima Shang of Qiao. Huan Xuan and Huan Zhongkan were confident that Wang Gong would win this time, so they rallied to his cause. Huan Zhongkan supplied Huan Xuan with five thousand troops and instructed him to lead the charge alongside Yang Qianqi. When the army reached Penkou, Wang Yu fled to Linchuan, and Huan Xuan dispatched a deputy general to capture him. Huan Xuan and Yang Qianqi arrived at Shitoucheng, while Huan Zhongkan made his way to Wuhu. Consequently, Liu Laozhi, one of Wang Gong’s generals, defected and surrendered to the court. After Wang Gong was killed in battle, Yu Kai was also defeated and sought refuge with Huan Xuan's forces. Eventually, the court appointed Huan Xuan as the governor of Jiangzhou, and Huan Zhongkan and the others were reassigned. They all took boats back west, set up camp in Xunyang, and agreed to elect Huan Xuan as their leader.
Huan Xuan finally became pleased with himself, so he joined everyone in submitting a joint petition to the court, pleading for Wang Gong's name to be cleared and demanding the execution of Sima Shangzhi, Liu Laozhi, and others. The court was very afraid of them, so they dismissed Huan Xiu from his post and restored Huan Zhongkan's position, in hopes of easing the tensions. At first, when Huan Xuan was in Jingzhou, he was very arrogant and overbearing, and the common people and officials were afraid of him, even more than the governor himself. Huan Zhongkan's confidants advised him to kill Huan Xuan, but Huan Zhongkan refused. When he returned to Xunyang, leveraging his reputation and territory, he was elected as the leader, and Huan Xuan became even more arrogant. Yang Quanqi was inherently arrogant, always claiming to be a noble, and no one in the Jiangdong region could compare to him, but Huan Xuan always treated him with the attitude of treating common scholars, which deeply dissatisfied Yang Quanqi, even leading him to consider attacking Huan Xuan at the alliance meeting. Huan Zhongkan hated the ruthless nature of the Yang brothers, fearing that after they killed Huan Xuan, he would be the next target, so he did everything he could to prevent that. In the end, everyone returned to their respective stations as ordered. Huan Xuan was also aware that Yang Quanqi had ulterior motives, secretly plotting to usurp him, so he stationed himself in Xiakou. During the Long'an period, the court appointed Huan Xuan as the governor of the four counties in Jingzhou and also appointed his brother Huan Wei as the General Assistant and Colonel of the Southern Barbarians. Huan Zhongkan believed Huan Xuan was excessively arrogant and overbearing, so he formed an alliance with Liu Laozhi to support each other. Huan Xuan had always been at odds with Huan Zhongkan and Liu Laozhi, always worried that they would suddenly attack him, so he sought to expand his influence by any means necessary. The court also noticed the conflict between them, deliberately assigning the four counties under Liu Laozhi's jurisdiction to Huan Xuan, which understandably infuriated and terrified Liu Laozhi.
At this moment, Yao Xing launched an attack on Luoyang, so Liu Laozhi quickly hoisted his military banner and declared his intention to support Luoyang, but in reality, he aimed to secretly ally with Huan Zhongkan to ambush Huan Xuan. Huan Zhongkan seemed to ally with Liu Laozhi, but he had his reservations about Liu Laozhi, so he refused his request. He was also worried that he couldn't control Liu Laozhi, so he dispatched his cousin Huan Yu to deploy troops in the north to prevent Liu Laozhi from making any rash moves. Liu Laozhi realized he couldn't act independently and couldn't grasp Huan Zhongkan's true intentions, so he had no choice but to temporarily pull back his troops. Liu Laozhi's brother, Yang Guang, served as the Colonel of Southern Barbarians and wanted to stop Huan Wei, but Huan Zhongkan refused, so he appointed Yang Guang as the Prefect of both Yidu and Jianping and also granted him the title of General Conquering the Barbarians. Liu Laozhi's younger brother Liu Zijing was previously the Prefect of Jiangxia. Huan Xuan sent troops to attack Jiangxia, summoned Liu Zijing to his side, and appointed him as a military advisor.
Then, Huan Xuan mustered his forces for a westward campaign, also claiming he was going to rescue Luoyang. He wrote to Huan Zhongkan, saying that Liu Laozhi had accepted the court's favor but abandoned the country, and they should punish him together. Now he personally led the army straight to Jinyong City, hoping that Huan Zhongkan could capture Yang Guang. If Huan Zhongkan did not do this, he wouldn't be able to trust him. Huan Zhongkan initially aimed to appease both sides, but after receiving Huan Xuan's letter, he realized he could no longer manage the situation and warned Huan Xuan, "Not a single soldier from the Mian River will cross into the Yangtze!" Only then did Huan Xuan relent.
Later, Jingzhou suffered a major flood, and Huan Zhong assisted the flood victims, but the supplies in the warehouse were completely depleted. Huan Xuan seized this opportunity to attack Huan Zhong, first launching an attack on Baling. The Governor of Liangzhou, Guo Quan, stationed in Dangyang, passed through Xia Kou. Huan Xuan publicly declared that the court had appointed Guo Quan as his vanguard, so he handed over the army in Jiangxia to Guo Quan, giving him command of the various armies for a coordinated attack, while secretly informing his brother Huan Weili to coordinate from the inside. In a panic, Huan Wei wrote a letter to Huan Zhong. Huan Zhong detained Huan Wei as a hostage and asked him to write a sincere and sorrowful letter to Huan Xuan seeking peace. Huan Xuan remarked, "Zhong Kan is unable to act independently; he’s always strategizing for success and worrying about his son. My brother will be just fine."
Zhu Xu then arrived at Baling, and Zhong Kan dispatched troops to resist but was defeated by Zhu Xu. Zhu Xu advanced all the way to Yangkou, defeated Zhong Kan's student Dao Hu, and then pursued to Lingkou, only twenty miles away from Jiangling. Zhong Kan dispatched several units to intercept him. At that moment, Quan Qi hurried from Xiangyang to provide support, and together with his brother Guang, attacked Zhu Xu. Fearing their overwhelming forces, Zhu Xu withdrew to Matou. Quan Qi and his allies pursued closely, and the two sides engaged in fierce combat; however, Quan Qi was defeated and fled back to Xiangyang. Zhong Kan likewise fled to Zengcheng. Zhu Xu sent General Feng Gai to chase Quan Qi and captured him. Guang was also captured by others and handed over to Zhu Xu, who then killed Guang. Upon hearing of Quan Qi's death, Zhong Kan fled with a few hundred followers to Yao Xing, where he was captured by Feng Gai, who then executed Zhu Xu's orders to kill him.
In this way, Zhu Xu pacified Jingzhou and Yongzhou, and then submitted a request to take up the position of Governor of Jiangzhou and Jingzhou. The court appointed Zhu Xu as the commander of seven states: Jingzhou, Sizhou, Yongzhou, Qinzhou, Liangzhou, Yizhou, and Ningzhou, as well as the title of General and Governor of Jingzhou. At the same time, Huan Xiu was appointed as the Governor of Jiangzhou. Zhu Xu resolutely insisted on becoming the Governor of Jiangzhou in a memorial to the court, so the court allowed him to oversee eight states and eight counties in Yangzhou and Yuzhou, while also serving as the Governor of Jiangzhou. Zhu Xu also appointed Xie Wei as the Champion General and Governor of Yongzhou on his own authority. At that time, the bandits had not been completely pacified, so the court, reluctant to oppose his wishes, acquiesced. Zhu Xu then relied heavily on his loyal supporters, and his military strength grew stronger. He repeatedly petitioned to launch an attack against Sun En, but the court consistently refused. Later, when Sun En approached the capital, Zhu Xu gathered his troops, outwardly claiming loyalty to the emperor, but actually wanting to strengthen himself. He once again petitioned to attack Sun En. Coincidentally, Sun En had already fled, so Zhu Xu was commanded to withdraw his troops. He appointed Xie Wei as the Governor of Jiangzhou to defend Xiakou; appointed Sima Diao Chang as the Assistant General of Fuguo, commanding eight counties and guarding Xiangyang; and sent Huan Zhen, Huang Fu Fu, Feng Gai, and others to guard Penkou. He also relocated two thousand households of the Ju Zhang Man to Jiangnan and established Wuning County; recruited displaced persons and established Suian County; and appointed some county officials. The court ordered the summoning of the Governor of Guangzhou, Diao Kui, and the Prefect of Yuzhang, Guo Chang, but Zhu Xu detained them and refused to release them. He believed he had control over two-thirds of the realm, recognized the prevailing circumstances, and repeatedly proclaimed that auspicious signs had manifested, asserting that it was a divine omen granted to him.
Initially, Yu Kai sought refuge with Huan Xuan. Huan Xuan wanted to attack Sun En, so he appointed him as Right General. Once Huan Xuan had quelled the rebellion, Yu Kai resigned. Yu Kai worried that things might not go as planned and could implicate him, so he secretly conspired with Rear General Yuan Xian to act as an informant. In the early years of Yuanxing, Yuan Xian was ordered to attack Huan Xuan. Huan Xuan's cousin Shi Sheng was the Grand Tutor at the time and secretly wrote to Huan Xuan to report. Huan Xuan initially believed that, given the famine in Yangzhou and the ongoing unrest with Sun En, the court definitely had no time to deal with him, so he could build up his strength and wait for the right time to act. But when he heard that Yuan Xian was coming to attack him, he became anxious and sought to escape to Jiangling for safety. Grand Tutor Bian Fanzhi advised him, "You are brave and wise, renowned across the realm. Yuan Xian is merely a novice, and Liu Laozhi has lost the people's support. If we advance towards the capital with our forces and demonstrate our strength, offer some benefits, the enemy will crumble, waiting for us to claim the spoils of victory. Why let the enemy penetrate our territory and put ourselves in a passive position?" Huan Xuan was very happy to hear this, so he left his brother Huan Wei to guard Jiangling, and he himself issued a proclamation, leading his army southward, all the way to Xunyang. He then sent messengers to the capital with the proclamation, condemning Yuan Xian's crimes. When the proclamation reached the capital, Yuan Xian was frightened and even boarded a ship but dared not set sail. Huan Xuan, fearing that his soldiers would not obey him due to his previous loss of popular support and his current rebellion against the imperial order, was worried about withdrawing his troops. After passing Xunyang without seeing the imperial army, he felt even more elated, and his generals' morale soared. At this time, Yu Kai's conspiracy was exposed, and he was arrested. In Gushu, Huan Xuan dispatched generals Feng Gai, Fu Hong, Huang Fu Fu, and Suo Yuan to assault Prince Sima Shangzhi of Qiao. Sima Shangzhi was soundly defeated. Liu Laozhi dispatched his son, Liu Jingxuan, to surrender to Huan Xuan.
Liu Yu arrived at Xinting, and Yuan Xian's army collapsed on its own. Liu Yu entered Jiankang (modern-day Nanjing) and forged an edict saying, "The righteous army is gathering; Yuan Xian is deserving of a thousand deaths! Grand Tutor Sima Daozi has issued another decree, ordering you to surrender your weapons as a demonstration of your loyalty." He also forged another edict, promoting himself to high ranks, serving as the Chancellor, as well as concurrently serving as Palace Attendant, Commander-in-Chief of all military affairs, Prime Minister, Director of the Imperial Secretariat, Governor of Yangzhou, and Inspector of Xuzhou. He was also granted the symbolic highest authority of an imitation yellow battle-axe, feathered canopy, and drum, as well as twenty guards bearing swords. He also appointed four Chief Historians, Commanders, and Attendants, as well as two hundred armored guards who were allowed to enter the court.
Liu Yu submitted a memorial to impeach Grand Tutor Sima Daozi and Yuan Xian for their crimes, demoted Sima Daozi to Ancheng Commandery, and executed Yuan Xian in the busy marketplace. Afterwards, Liu Yu took over the Grand Tutor's residence and executed Mao Tai, the Grand Tutor's Household Manager, Mao Tai's brother General Mao Sui, Grand Tutor's Attendant Xun Xun, the former Governor of Yuzhou, Yu Kai, and his son, Ministry of Personnel official Yuan Zun, Prince Qiao Sima Shangzhi, among others. He exiled Sima Hui, the brother of Sima Shangzhi, Marquis of Guangjin Sima Yunzhi, Chief Clerk of the Mounted Cavalry Wang Dan, Grand Tutor's Registrar Mao Dun, and others to remote regions like Jianguang, and later pursued Hui and Yunzhi along the way. He also appointed his brother Liu Wei as General of Anxi, Governor of Jingzhou, and concurrently as Colonel of the Southern Barbarians; his brother Liu Qian as Left Supervisor, and appointed him as Middle General, responsible for selecting officials; younger brother Liu Xiu as Right General and Governor of the two provinces of Xuyan; Liu Sheng as Former General, Governor of Jiangzhou; Chief Clerk Bian Fanzhi as General of Jianwu and Intendant of Danyang; and Wang Mi as Imperial Secretary, Leading General. Subsequently, Liu Yu declared a general amnesty and renamed the era to Dahan. Liu Yu resigned from the position of Prime Minister, took the position of Grand Commandant, concurrently Leading General of the Western Expedition, and Governor of Yuzhou. He donned court attire and a green sash, increased the number of sword-bearing guards to sixty, was allowed to wear a sword and shoes in court, was not required to bow during court sessions, and was not required to announce his name when submitting reports.
Liu Yu planned to move to Gushu (now Dangtu, Anhui) to live and asked for everyone's opinions. Wang Mi replied, "The 'Gongyang Zhuan' asks why the Duke of Zhou didn't go to the state of Lu? It was to let the world return to the Zhou dynasty! I hope you can establish a solid foundation and emulate Zhou Gongdan." Liu Yu appreciated his answer but did not adopt his suggestion. So, Liu Yu began a large-scale construction project, building government offices, palaces, pavilions, gardens, and ponds, all magnificent and grand, before heading to Gushu to take up his new post. After arriving in Gushu, Liu Yu resigned from the position of recording secretary, and the court approved his request without hesitation, but all major court matters had to be cleared with him, while minor matters were handled by Huan Qian and Bian Fanzhi.
The common people had suffered greatly from the war, with constant fighting and bloodshed; they were fed up long ago and all hoped for peace throughout the land. When Huan Xuan came to power, he initially seemed decent, driving away the bad people and promoting some good people; the country appeared to be improving, and the capital was thriving.
However, the good times did not last long, as he later began to oppress the court, driving away the ministers, living a luxurious life, and engaging in many pointless endeavors, leaving everyone in the court and the nation disappointed, with no one having a peaceful day. At that time, Kuaiji suffered from famine; although Huan Xuan ordered disaster relief, the people fled to the countryside to survive. The Interior Minister Wang Yu summoned them back to receive relief food, but there was not much food to begin with, and the officials were slow in distributing it, leading to many people starving to death along the way, with nearly eight or nine out of ten perishing from hunger.
Huan Xuan also arrested Gao Su, the Prefect of Wuxing, General Zhu Qianzhi, Gao Ping, the cousin of Zhu Qianzhi, General Liu Xi, Liu Xi's younger brother Liu Jiwu, and Champion General Sun Wuzhong. These people were all staunch loyalists and former generals of the Northern Army. Liu Xi's older brother, Jizhou Inspector Liu Gui, as well as Ning Shuo General Gao Yazhi and his loyal son Lao Jingxuan, all fled to Murong De.
Huan Xuan boasted of his achievements in pacifying Yuan Xian, being appointed as Duke of Yuzhang, governing Ancheng County, which spans 225 li, with a population of 7,500. He also boasted of his achievements in pacifying Zhong Kan and Quan Qi, being appointed as Duke of Guiyang County, which covers an area of 75 li, with a population of 2,500. His former title as Prince of Nanchun was also retained. Later, he transferred the Duke of Yuzhang title to his nephew Huan Jun, downgrading his own title to Duke of Xidao County, and gave his title of Duke of Guiyang to him. He also issued an edict for Huan Wen to change his name, and anyone with the same name as Huan Wen was required to change their name as well. Huan Wen's mother, Lady Ma, was posthumously titled as Duchess of Yuzhang.
In the second year of Yuanxing, Huan Xuan pretended to submit a memorial requesting permission from the court to campaign against Yao Xing, and even had an edict issued by the court, but the court did not agree. In reality, Huan Xuan had no real strength to fight; he loved to boast, and when he couldn't follow through, he claimed he was merely obeying the court's orders. He originally wanted to show off but didn't know where to start. He had a few lightweight boats constructed first, intending to use them to transport clothes, treasures, and calligraphy. Some people advised him not to do that, but Huan Xuan said, "Calligraphy, clothes, and treasures should always be kept nearby. Besides, with the urgency of the war, in case of an accident, these items are easy to transport." Everyone found it quite amusing.
This year, Brother Xuan Huan Wei passed away, and the court posthumously honored him with the title of Grand Chancellor and General of the Cavalry, then appointed Huan Xiu as his successor. Cao Jingzhi, an official in the court, told Huan Xuan that the Huan brothers, one in the court and one in the local area holding military power, might wield too much power and pose a threat. Huan Xuan took his advice and sent Huan Shikang, the Prefect of Nanguo, to serve as the General of the Western Central Army and concurrently as the Governor of Jingzhou. Huan Wei had initially risen through official ranks, but Huan Xuan held a lavish banquet to celebrate. When the news of Huan Wei's death was reported, Huan Xuan first wept bitterly, clutching his ceremonial staff, but soon dried his tears and began to celebrate. Huan Xuan had always relied on Huan Wei the most, and now that Huan Wei was dead, Huan Xuan felt lonely and in danger. The signs of his ambition to usurp power were becoming increasingly obvious, and he realized that people were voicing their discontent about him, so he was eager to finalize his plan to seize power. Yin Zhongwen, Bian Fanzhi, and others were pushing him to act. Therefore, Huan Xuan first reshuffled the appointments of officials across the court, dismissed the Prince of Langye from his position as Minister of the Left, and promoted himself to Grand Preceptor, and conferred numerous special honors. He appointed Huan Qian as Palace Attendant, General of the Guards, Grand Chancellor, and Director of the Imperial Secretariat; Wang Mi as Cavalier in Regular Attendance, Director of the Palace Library, and concurrently Minister of the Left; Huan Yin as Prefect of the Palace Library; and further conferred upon Huan Xiu the titles of Cavalier in Regular Attendance and Grand General Who Calms the Army. He also established schools to educate the children of hundreds of senior officials.
Next, Huan Xuan forged an edict, appointing himself as Chancellor and gaining authority over the appointment and dismissal of officials. He also declared ten counties including Nanjun, Nanping, Yidu, Tianmen, Lingling, Yingyang, Guiyang, Hengyang, Yiyang, and Jianping as the Chu Kingdom, proclaiming himself as the King of Chu, Governor of Yangzhou, General of the West, and Inspector of Yuzhou. He retained the positions of General of the West and Inspector of Yuzhou, and various rewards and gifts were bestowed upon him. The officials of the Chu Kingdom were set up according to the previous system. He even falsely issued an imperial decree, which allowed the emperor to personally crown him at the Taiji Hall. Huan Xuan repeatedly pretended to decline, so the emperor sent officials to persuade him. Huan Xuan then said, "I will only accept if the emperor personally comes in a royal carriage to give me the command." He also forged an edict, posthumously appointing his father Huan Wen as the King of Chu and Princess Nankang as the Queen of Chu.
He appointed Liu Jin as the Minister of the General of the West, Diao Kui as the Chief of the Central Army, Wang Ju as the Grand Preceptor, Yin Shuwen as the General of the Left Guard, and Huangfu Fu as the General of the Right Guard, with over sixty officials appointed to the Chu Kingdom. Huan Xuan resigned from the positions of General of the West and Inspector of Yuzhou, transferring all civil and military officials from the General of the West's office to the Chancellor's office.
Yu Ze heard that Huan Xuan received the Nine Honors (I don't know what these Nine Honors are), so he immediately rebelled and attacked Feng Gai in Xiangyang, forcing Feng Gai to retreat. Yu Ze had seven thousand men under him and held ancestral worship in seven temples at an altar he built in the south of the city. Southern Barbarians army officer Yu Bin, Anxi army officer Yang Daohu, and Deng Xiang's son from Jiang'an Prefecture all secretly helped Yu Ze. Yu Ze was originally a supporter of Huan Chong, but with Huan Wei dead and Shi Kang not yet arrived, he seized the opportunity to rebel, which alarmed the residents of Jiangling. Huan Liang, the son of Huan Ji, rebelled in Luo County, self-proclaimed as the General of Pacification of the South and the Governor of Xiangzhou, saying he wanted to punish Yu Ze. Southern Barbarians Colonel Yang Sengshou and Shi Kang attacked Xiangyang together, resulting in Yu Ze's army scattering and fleeing to Yao Xing, where Yu Bin and others were all killed. Tao Yanshou, the Changsha Prefect, heard that Huan Liang had rebelled during the chaos and sent troops to arrest him. Huan Xuan exiled Huan Liang to Hengyang and executed Huan Liang’s accomplice Huan Ao and others. Huan Xuan pretended to submit a request to return to his fiefdom, then issued an edict to keep himself, and sent people to proclaim the imperial decree while also firmly requesting to return in the memorial. He especially liked to deceive; those disorganized memorials were all part of his schemes. He said that there should be auspicious signs when changing dynasties, so he secretly ordered a grand cleanup around Linping Lake to celebrate with officials. He forged an edict saying, "How could I dare to hear of such miraculous occurrences! It is because of your noble conduct, Prime Minister, that such auspicious signs appear. From now on, in this era of peace and prosperity, everyone in the world is happy, and the feeling is indescribable!" He also pretended that sweet dew from Jiangzhou fell on the bamboo in Wang Chengji's home. Huan Xuan felt that there were recluses in all dynasties, but not in his era, so he summoned the sixth-generation descendant of Huangfu Mi, Huangfu Xi, to be an official and paid him a salary, but these individuals all declined, asserting their status as recluses, and contemporary people referred to them as "pretend recluses."
Huan Xuan also discussed the restoration of corporal punishment, such as beheading, constantly waffling and concocting endless variations, seriously disrupting government affairs. He was greedy and stingy, fond of strange and rare things, especially treasures, always wearing beads and jade ornaments. If someone had good calligraphy or paintings, or a beautiful house, he wanted to claim them for himself. If he couldn't directly take them, he would win them through gambling. He sent his subordinates to search everywhere, uprooting fruit trees, moving bamboo, not even sparing areas thousands of miles away, robbing the common people of their good fruits and bamboo. He had a particular fondness for flattery, disliked those who spoke frankly, and would often confiscate belongings from those he disliked and reward those he favored.
In November, Xuan Jiao crowned himself, wearing a crown with twelve pendants, imitating the emperor, putting on imperial ceremonies, traveling with gongs and drums, riding a golden chariot drawn by six horses, accompanied by five different types of auxiliary carriages, complete with all sorts of ceremonial teams and musical bands. The dance of the Eight Yis was also performed, with musical instruments such as bells, chimes, and drums neatly arranged. His wife became the empress, his son became the crown prince, his daughter and grandson were also given noble titles according to the old system, and given official titles.
In short, his behavior completely mimicked that of an emperor. Then, Xuan Jiao took the opportunity to dismiss a large number of court officials, demoting them to lower positions under the Grand Preceptor. He forged an edict appointing Wang Mi as both Grand Preceptor and Minister of Works, and had him hand over the imperial seal and abdicate the throne to himself. He then used the emperor's name to inform the ancestral temple of the abdication, sending the emperor to reside in the Yong'an Palace, and moving the spirit tablets of the Jin dynasty emperor to the Langye Temple.
Initially, Liu Yu feared the emperor would not issue an edict and that he might not be able to obtain the emperor's jade seal. He pressured Prince Liu Yifu of Linyuan to ask the emperor to write the edict himself, and then seized the opportunity to grab the jade seal. Upon arriving before the emperor, the jade seal was already laid out, which delighted Liu Yu. All the officials gathered in Gushu to persuade Liu Yu to seize the throne. Liu Yu feigned reluctance, but the ministers insisted, so Liu Yu established an altar seven miles south of the city, ascended the altar to claim the throne, and offered sacrifices of livestock to the heavens. The officials formed a procession behind him, but the ceremony was flawed, as they forgot to shout "Long live the emperor" and they did not change the emperor's era name.
Then, a proclamation was issued to the world, in which it is written: "Emperor Jin followed Heaven's mandate and passed the throne to me, Liu Yu. The rise and fall of emperors cannot be governed by anyone other than monarchs; only virtue can last. Therefore, to align with Heaven and serve the people, unity is necessary. A wise ruler cannot coexist with another, and a capable ruler cannot exist without a monarch. Thus, the succession of the Five Emperors and the rise and fall of the Three Dynasties. From the Han and Wei dynasties, they were established through achievements. Since the middle of the Jin Dynasty, the dynasties have changed and turmoil has continued. The chaos in the Western Sea nearly usurped the imperial throne. The achievements of nine generations have brought peace and stability, with promotions and demotions based on merit. Without the virtue of figures like the Great Yu, we may have been conquered by the barbarians. In the late Taiyuan years, the principles of gentlemanly conduct declined, grievances accumulated into disasters. By the time of the Long'an era, disasters plagued the people, and ethical relationships had all but vanished. Although I, Liu Yu, come from humble beginnings, abandoned by the court, how can I not feel sorrowful about this situation! The credit for quelling rebellions and restoring order rests entirely on the late emperor's grace. What credit do I, Liu Yu, have? Now is the time to take charge of the world; I have been chosen to take on this heavy responsibility. As an ordinary person, to bear such a heavy burden and open a new era, I depend on all the noble lords and ministers. I am genuinely apprehensive and will not allow myself to be complacent. The throne cannot remain vacant for long; sacrifices must be offered to the gods. Therefore, I dare not neglect to conduct a solemn and respectful ceremony, choosing an auspicious day to ascend the altar, offer sacrifices to the gods, to eternally meet the people's expectations, ensure all nations yield, and allow the spirits to partake of the offerings."
Next, Liu Yu issued a decree saying, "Heaven, Earth, and Humanity support each other to accomplish great deeds. The key is unity. Only upright individuals can wield great power. The rise and fall of emperors has profound origins. Since the Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors, dynasties have changed, each for different reasons, but ultimately leading to unity. My father, King Xuanwu, was destined for greatness and founded a great enterprise. Throughout difficulties and obstacles, he was unable to complete his grand vision, like chasing the sun, moon, and stars. With changing circumstances, a fortuitous opportunity emerged, enabling us to root out corruption and rescue the people. The Jin Dynasty suffered numerous disasters, its laws adhering to the traditions of the Tang and Yu dynasties, inheriting the practices of the Han and Wei. Eventually, the blessings of the world converged upon me. In spite of my shortcomings, I accepted the throne at the southern altar, upholding the legacy of my forebears. I am grateful for this opportunity and hope to usher in a new era with the people. Therefore, a general amnesty was declared, the era was renamed Yongshi, titles were bestowed upon all, with three ranks for those who are filial and virtuous, and five measures of grain for those unable to support themselves. However, these rewards were largely superficial and lacked real meaning."
The first edict was issued, changing the reign title to Jiànshǐ. Right Minister Wáng Yōuzhī remarked, "Jiànshǐ is an illegitimate title of King Lún of Zhào." It was then changed to Yǒngshǐ, which was the initial reign title of Wáng Máng's usurpation of power; all these reign titles were inauspicious, signifying rebellion. Liú Yù issued another edict stating, "The Three Kowtows are guests, a tradition that has long existed. By the time of Hàn and Wèi, the territories were established. The Jìn Dynasty, adhering to the mandate of heaven, abdicated the throne in my favor, in accordance with ancient customs; I accepted this land." The Jìn Gōng Emperor was titled as the King of Pínggù, treated the same as before. The Jìn Gōng Emperor was relocated to Xún Yáng, where he resided in the Yè Palace. Empress Yǒng'ān was demoted to the title of Lord of Línglíng, the King of Lángyé was appointed as the Duke of Shíyáng County, and the King of Wǔlíng Liú Zūn was appointed as the Marquis of Péngzé County. Liú Yù was posthumously honored as Emperor Wēn Xuān, with the temple name Tàimíao, and the Princess of Nánkāng was posthumously titled as Empress Xuān. Liú Yù's son Liú Yìfú was designated as the King of Yùzhāng County, Liú Yù's grandson Liú Fàngzhī was appointed as the King of Níngdū, Liú Yù's grandson Liú Zhìyù was appointed as the King of Línyuán, Liú Yù's second son Liú Yìkāng was appointed as the Right General, the King of Wǔlíng, and Liú Yù's son Liú Yìwèi was appointed as the King of Lílíng County. Liú Yù's son Liú Chōng was posthumously honored as the Grand Tutor and King of Xuānchéng, with his son Liú Yìn inheriting the title and serving as the Minister of Personnel; Liú Chōng's second son Liú Qiān was appointed as the Inspector of Yángzhōu, the King of Xīn'ān; Liú Qiān's brother Liú Xiū was appointed as the Grand General, the King of Ānchéng; Liú Yù's older brother Liú Xīn was appointed as the King of Lín'hè; Liú Yù's brother Liú Yǐ was appointed as the King of Fùyáng; Liú Yù's brother Liú Wěi was posthumously honored as the Palace Attendant and Grand General, King of Yìxīng, with his son Liú Jùn inheriting the title and serving as the General of the State; Liú Jùn's brother Liú Mài was appointed as the King of Xīchāng. Wáng Mì was appointed as the Duke of Wǔchāng, accompanied by twenty sword-bearing guards; Biàn Fànzhī was appointed as the Duke of Línrǔ; Yīn Zhòngwén was appointed as the Duke of Dōngxīng; Féng Gāi was appointed as the Marquis of Yúfù. The Duke of Shǐ'ān County was demoted to the title of County Duke, the Duke of Chángshā County was demoted to the Duke of Línxīang County, and the Duke of Lúlíng County was demoted to the Duke of Bāqiū County, each overseeing a thousand households. The Kings of Kānglè, Wǔchāng, Nánchāng, Wàngcài, Jiànxīng, Yǒngxiū, and Guānyáng were all demoted to Marquis of a Hundred Households, while the titles of the nobles remained unchanged. The titles of various expeditionary army units were generally elevated, each receiving different designations. The Prime Minister's Left Chief Historian Wáng Suí was appointed as the Head of the Palace Secretariat. The mother of Huán Qián, Lady Yú, was honored as Grand Consort of Xuānchéng, receiving special treatment and carriages. The tomb of Liú Yù's father was named Yǒngchóng Mausoleum, with forty guards stationed.
Xiao Yi, the Emperor Yuan of Liang, entered the palace as the wind was howling, and all the flags and ceremonial guards were blown down. At the gathering in the West Hall, there was a band and courtesans, with a crimson curtain embroidered with gold thread hanging in the hall, featuring golden dragons at each corner, topped with colorful feather tassels. The ministers privately discussed, "This looks strikingly similar to the ancient yoke carriages, similar to Wang Mang's Xian Gai! The dragon horns, isn't this 'The dragon soars with regret'?" He also had a golden root cart constructed, which was pulled by six horses.
This month, Xiao Yi personally listened to cases, inspected prisoners, and regardless of the severity of the crimes, many were released. There were beggars being carried on stretchers, and Xiao Yi sometimes gave alms. He enjoyed doing these small acts of kindness. He considered himself to possess the virtue of water, and in the Renchen year, he made sacrifices at the ancestral temple. He renamed the Minister of Justice as the Department of Thieves and also included positions such as strong crossbowmen and elite archers. In the third year of Yuanxing, which was the second year of Yongshi for Xiao Yi, the Minister of Justice mistakenly wrote "Spring Collection" as "Spring Harvest," resulting in all related officials being demoted. Xiao Yi struggled to grasp the main points but reveled in getting caught up in trivial details; that was his style.
He appointed his wife, Lady Liu, as Empress, with plans to build a palace; he moved into the Eastern Palace. He opened the East Side Gate, Pingchang Gate, Guangmo Gate, and several other palace gates, each with three doors. He also built an extra-large carriage that could seat thirty people and required two hundred people to carry. He had a particular fondness for hunting and leisure activities, but due to his obesity, he could not ride a horse, so he had a rotating "wandering carriage" constructed to facilitate easy turns. He did not revere his ancestors and had doubts about the ancestral sacrificial rites, so he asked his ministers. Cavalier Attendant Xu Guang, referencing the classics of the Jin Dynasty, believed that seven ancestral temples should be honored. He also said that respecting the father would make the son happy, and the higher the position, the more important it was to follow this principle; the greater the influence, the more widespread the respect for ancestors should be. Xiao Yi said: "The Book of Rites states 'Three Zhao and Three Mu,' plus the Grand Ancestor makes a total of seven temples. The Grand Ancestor must be in the center of the temple, with Zhao and Mu arranged from bottom to top, so they cannot be counted backwards. According to ritual law, the Grand Ancestor should face east, with Zhao on the left and Mu on the right. In the Jin Dynasty temples, the emperor is in the Zhao and Mu ranks and cannot be placed in the Grand Ancestor's position. If Zhao and Mu are mistaken, there will be no place for the Grand Ancestor, which is a serious mistake!" Xiao Yi's ancestors above his great-grandfather did not have prominent positions, so he did not want to include them in the ancestral temple. He built only one temple, and the sacrifices at the suburban temple lasted just two days. The Director of the Secretariat Bian Chengzhi said: "If the ancestors are not worshiped, you can see that the country's prosperity will not last long!" He also demolished the small temples of the Jin Dynasty to expand the pavilion. There was no designated place for honoring his stepmother, and during the mourning period, guests would gather for festivities on the anniversary, only expressing grief upon his death. He did not cease musical performances during the mourning period.
When Xiao Yi was passing through Shuimen, a strong wind blew away his procession. In the evening, the tide surged into Stone City, washing away many large wooden logs and resulting in numerous deaths. The strong wind also toppled the floors of the Vermilion Bird Gate, causing several upper levels to cave in.
After Xuan Xiao usurped the throne and became emperor, he became extravagant and indulgent, endlessly hunting and reveling, creating chaos both day and night. On the day of his brother Wei's funeral, he mourned in the morning but went out to revel in the evening, even riding out for a wild run several times in a day. His temper was quick and violent, pressuring people to work urgently, making officials wait for him at the palace gate. The palace was in disarray, losing any semblance of an imperial court. The common people were exhausted, and both the court and the people were weary, with discontent simmering and thoughts of rebellion brewing.
At this time, Liu Yu, Liu Yi, He Wuji, and others discussed how to restore the Han dynasty. Liu Yu first killed Huan Xiu in Jingkou, then killed Huan Hong in Guangling. The Prefect of Henan, Xin Huxing, the Prefect of Hongnong, Wang Yuande, General Zhenwei Tong Houzhi, and the Prefect of Jingling, Liu Mai, secretly planned to coordinate inside and outside. On the day of action, Liu Yu sent Zhou Anmu to inform Liu Mai, but Liu Mai panicked and informed Xuan Xiao. Xuan Xiao, in a panic, immediately had Xin Huxing and the others executed, with Zhou Anmu barely escaping. Xuan Xiao appointed Liu Mai as the Marquis of Chongan, only to have him killed overnight.
Liu Yu led the righteous forces to Zhuli. Sima Xiuxuan returned to the palace, followed by a group of ministers, and he called all the officials to the province. He ordered the amnesty of six provinces, including Yangzhou, Yuzhou, Xuzhou, Yanzhou, Qingzhou, and Jizhou, promoted Huan Qian to Commander-in-Chief, and granted him temporary governing powers. He replaced Huan Xiu with Yin Zhongwen and sent Wu Fuzhi, the Prefect of Dunqiu, and General Huang Fufu of the Right Guard to the north to confront the righteous forces. Liu Yu and his men fought Wu Fuzhi on the river and killed him instantly, then fought Huang Fufu at Luoluqiao and killed him as well. Sima Xiuxuan was terrified upon hearing this, so he gathered diviners and fortune-tellers to seek good luck and avoid disaster through various superstitious practices. He then asked everyone, "Am I doomed to fail?" Cao Jingzhi replied, "Heaven is displeased, and the people are resentful; I am really scared!" Sima Xiuxuan said, "I can understand the people's resentment, but why is Heaven angry?" Cao Jingzhi replied, "You keep relocating the ancestral temple of the Jin Dynasty; there is no stable place. You perform rituals for the Great Chu dynasty but not for the ancestors. That's why Heaven is angry!" Sima Xiuxuan said, "Why didn't you advise me earlier?" Cao Jingzhi said, "The ministers around His Majesty all think it's the golden age of Yao and Shun; how could I dare to speak?" Sima Xiuxuan became even more angry and afraid, so he deployed Huan Qian and He Danzhi to Dongling and deployed Bian Fanzhi to the west of Fuzhou Mountain, amounting to twenty thousand troops to confront the righteous forces.
Liu Yu arrived at Jiangshan and ordered the weak soldiers to wear oil-soaked clothes and climb up the mountain, planting flags in multiple locations to launch simultaneous attacks. Sima Xiuxuan sent scouts to report back, saying, "Liu Yu's army is everywhere; we don't know how many there are." Sima Xiuxuan grew increasingly anxious and sent General Yu Yizhi with elite soldiers to support other armies. With a strong northeast wind, the rebels ignited fires, thick smoke blanketed the sky, and the sounds of battle reverberated throughout the capital. Liu Yu charged forward, swinging a large axe, causing Huan Qian and his forces to crumble instantly. Sima Xiuxuan led thousands of trusted followers, claiming he would lead the charge, then left through the Nanyue Gate with his son Sima Sheng and nephew Sima Jun, heading west to Shitoucheng, where Yin Zhongwen had boats ready for their escape south.
Initially, while in Gushu, Sima Xiuxuan frequently observed strange celestial phenomena; on the night he usurped the throne, the moon and Venus were aligned, and he even joined the Feathered Forest Army, which he greatly detested. As he fled, those around him urged him to resist, but he had no time to reply, merely pointing at the sky. He had not eaten for several days, and despite receiving simple meals, he could not force himself to eat. Sima Sheng, only a few years old at the time, clutched Sima Xiuxuan's chest, comforting him, as Sima Xiuxuan was overwhelmed with grief.
Liu Yu appointed Sima Zun, the Prince of Wuling, to manage political affairs, establish a government office, and oversee the officials. He then dispatched Liu Yi and Liu Daogui to pursue Sima Xiuxuan, executing his brothers and nephews in the process, including Shikang's brother Shiquan and Shizhen's brother Shihong.
Simaxiu Xuan arrived in Xunyang, where the governor of Jiangzhou, Guo Chang, provided him with weapons, supplies, and troops. Yin Zhongwen later arrived and, seeing Simaxiu Xuan's fleet and grand procession from afar, exclaimed, "To rise again in the face of defeat, truly remarkable!" Simaxiu Xuan then forced the emperor to flee to the west. Huan Xin gathered his followers and planned a rebellion in Liyang, but was defeated by Zhuge Changmin, the Interior Minister of Xuan Cheng. Simaxiu Xuan wrote a diary on the way, detailing his resistance against the rebel army, boasting about his strategic planning and blaming the failure on disobedient generals instead of military shortcomings. He did not consult his subordinates, instead immersing himself in reading and promoting his own achievements.
Upon arriving in Jiangling, Simaxiu Xuan was received by Shi Kang, who set up a tent for him in the south of the city, appointed various officials, and appointed Bian Fanzhi as the Minister of Personnel, filling other positions with individuals based on minor offenses. Simaxiu Xuan then began constructing a large fleet, amassing an army of 20,000 men within a month, with well-equipped ships and weapons. He told his followers, "You have followed me through thick and thin. Those who have seized power in the capital will soon submit to us! Imagine the feeling when you enter the city of stone; it will be like becoming immortals!"
After the defeat at the Battle of Feishui, Emperor Xuanwu, fearing his laws were not strict enough, became quick-tempered, indiscriminately killing innocent people, leading to widespread resentment. Yin Zhongwen advised him, "Your Majesty, when you were young, your reputation was renowned near and far. You quickly pacified Jingzhou and Yongzhou, stabilized the court, and your fame spread throughout the land. Now that you have secured the position of emperor, encountering such misfortune is not due to lack of prestige! The people are looking forward to your benevolence; you should show compassion in your governance to ease their concerns."
Emperor Xuanwu was immediately angered and said, "Emperor Gaozu of Han and Emperor Wu of Wei also encountered defeats, which was due to their subordinates losing the battles! It was due to the unfavorable celestial signs that we relocated the capital back to the old Chu territory. Those ignorant and foolish people are spreading baseless rumors and creating unrest. It is time to use stern measures to discipline them, rather than showing kindness!" Xuanwu's ministers referred to him by the title "Huan Zhao," and Huan Yin advised him, "‘Zhao’ is used to issue commands, not as a title. The emperors of the Han and Wei dynasties never used this title; only the Northern ruler Fu Jian was called 'Fu Zhao.' I hope Your Majesty will consider the practices of ancient emperors to set a precedent for future generations." Xuanwu replied, "It has already been called this way; it would be inauspicious to change it now. If we really want to change it, let's wait until things calm down."
The county officials of Jingzhou saw Emperor Xuanwu relocating the capital, and their attitudes were mixed. Some even sent envoys with discontent in their words. Emperor Xuanwu did not accept their petitions, and instead ordered all regions to submit congratulatory messages regarding his relocation.
The old emperor Liu Yilong sent three generals, He Danzhi, Yu Zhizu, and Huan Daogong, with several thousand troops to Piankou, to be garrisoned by Guo Quan. He also sent General Huan Zhen to recruit soldiers and buy horses in Yiyang, but when they reached Yiyang, they were ambushed by General Hu Hua, and Huan Zhen was forced to make a solitary escape on horseback.
Here, He Wuji and Liu Daogui defeated Guo Quan, He Danzhi, and Guo Changzhi on Sangluo Island, and then continued to march towards Xunyang. Liu Yilong himself also set off from Jiangling with two hundred warships, with Fu Hong and Yang Sengshou leading the vanguard. He also promoted the Prefect of Poyang, Xu Fang, to Cavalier Attendant-in-Ordinary, planning to send him to negotiate with the insurgents. He said to Xu Fang, "Those people do not understand the mandate of heaven and have caused chaos. Now they are afraid of disaster and dare not turn back. You have great prestige in the three provinces and can explain my intentions clearly. If they retreat and lay down their weapons, I will rearrange their official positions, ensuring that everyone is treated fairly. The river is right here; you have my word!"
Xu Fang replied, "Liu Yu is the mastermind of this rebellion, and Liu Yi was killed by you. It's impossible to negotiate. I'd better directly inform He Wuji of your intentions." Liu Yilong said, "If you can accomplish this, I will appoint you as the Prefect of Wuxing!" Xu Fang then took the order and went into He Wuji's camp.
Wei Yongzhi defeated Huan Xin in Liyang, and Zhuge Changmin defeated him in Shaobi. Huan Xin fled on horseback across the Huai River by himself. Here, Yin Hao led Dao Gui and the Prefect of Xiapi, Meng Huaiyu, in battle against Huan Xuan in Zhengrong Island. At that time, the insurgent army numbered only a few thousand, while Huan Xuan's army was very powerful. However, Huan Xuan was personally afraid of defeat, so he always had light boats floating beside the warships, and his soldiers were demoralized. The rebels seized the wind to start fires and advanced bravely. Huan Xuan's army was defeated, and their supplies were burned. They fled under the cover of night. Guo Quan surrendered.
Before Huan Xuan, generals such as Liu Tong and Feng Zhi gathered four hundred soldiers and attacked and breached Xunyang City. Yin Hao sent General Jianwei Liu Huaisu to pacify them. Huan Xuan left Empress Yong'an and the other empress in Balin. Yin Zhongwen was on Huan Xuan's boat at the time. He requested to go to another boat to gather scattered soldiers, but ended up rebelling against Huan Xuan, taking the two empresses and fleeing to Xiakou. Huan Xuan entered Jiangling City, where Feng Gai advised him to continue fighting. Huan Xuan intended to leave Hanchuan and seek refuge with Huan Xi, the governor of Liangzhou, but he was betrayed by his followers and his commands were not executed. As Huan Xuan rode out of the city, he was ambushed by people on both sides at the city gate. Amid the ensuing chaos, Huan Xuan finally managed to escape to a boat. At that time, Jingzhou's deputy Wang Kang escorted the emperor to the Nanjun Prefecture Office, where the governor Wang Tengzhi led officials and soldiers to guard them. Yizhou governor Mao Qu sent his grandson Youzhi and army officer Fei Tian to escort his brother Mao Fan's coffin to be buried in Jiangling, with two hundred soldiers. Mao Qu's son Mao Xiuzhi was Huan Xuan's cavalry captain. He deceived Huan Xuan into believing he could take him to Shu. When they reached Meihui Island, Fei Tian and Youzhi attacked Huan Xuan, raining arrows down on him. Huan Xuan's favored attendants, Ding Xianqi and Wan Gai, protected him with their bodies and were killed by dozens of arrows. Huan Xuan was also struck by arrows, and his son Huan Sheng hurriedly pulled them out. Yizhou protector Feng Qian rushed forward with a knife, and Huan Xuan offered him his jade belt, saying, "Who are you to dare kill the emperor?" Feng Qian replied, "I am here to eliminate this traitorous scoundrel!" and killed Huan Xuan, who was thirty-six years old at the time. He also killed five others, including Shi Kang and Jun, while Yu Yi died in battle. Huan Sheng pleaded, "I am Prince Yuzhang! Please spare my life!" but he was ultimately taken to Jiangling City and executed.
Initially, Huan Xuan felt uneasy in the palace, as if he were being haunted by spirits. He told those close to him, "I'm afraid I'm going to die, so I must race against time." During the Yuanxing period, a bizarre incident occurred in Hengyang in which a hen transformed into a rooster and died eighty days later. When Huan Xuan declared himself emperor in Chu, Hengyang became his territory. From seizing power to his downfall, this lasted a total of eighty years. At that time, there was a children's rhyme that went, "Changgan Alley, the alley is long, this year kill the husband, next year behead the Huan family." This ominous prediction actually came true. "Husband" refers to Yuan Xian.
In that month, Wang Tengzhi escorted the emperor to the Tai Fu. Huan Qian also gathered forces in Juzhong, held a funeral for Huan Xuan, established a memorial hall, and falsely posthumously titled him Emperor Wudao. Liu Yi and others beheaded Huan Xuan, displayed it on the beam for all to see, and the people were overjoyed to see this.
He Wuji and others launched an assault on Huan Qian at Matou, and Huan Wei was defeated at Longzhou. The insurgent forces pursued their victory; Liu Jingxuan, Liu Fan, and others fought fiercely with the enemy at Lingxi, and Dao Gui and his forces suffered defeat, resulting in over a thousand casualties. The insurgent forces retreated to Xunyang to repair ships and weapons. Mao Qu personally assumed the position of Governor of Liangzhou and sent troops to attack Hanzhong, killing Huan Xi. Zhang Changzhi, the Prefect of Jiangxia, and Liu Huaisu, the Prefect of Gaoping, attacked He Danzhi at Xisaiji and secured a decisive victory. Liu Jingxuan sent Huan Wei to replace Wang Kuang to defend Xiangyang. Dao Gui attacked Wuchang and defeated the pretender prefect Wang Min. Wei Yongzhi and Liu Fan defeated Huan Shisui at Baimao. The insurgent forces departed from Xunyang. Huan Liang, the self-proclaimed governor of Jiangzhou, invaded Yuzhang and was repulsed by Liu Jingxuan, the governor of Jiangzhou. The insurgent forces advanced towards Xiakou. The pretender General Feng Gai and others defended Xiakou, General Meng Shantu occupied Lucheng, and General Huan Shanke defended Yan Yuelei. Liu Yi attacked Lucheng, Dao Gui attacked Yan Yuelei, and He Wuji and Tan Zhi led warships in the river to form a formation, preventing the enemy from escaping. The insurgent forces launched a fierce attack. The sounds of battle echoed through the valleys; from morning until noon, both cities were breached, Feng Gai fled, and Huan Shanke was captured alive. Liu Yi and his allies subdued Baling. Mao Qu sent the Prefect of Fuling, Wen Chumao, to attack from the east, while Liu Jingxuan sent Huan Fangzhi to Yizhou, where he stationed at Yiling. Wen Chumao engaged in battle with Huan Fangzhi, who was defeated and retreated back to Jiangling.
In January of the year 405 AD, the Governor of Nanyang, Lu Zongzhi, led troops to attack Xiangyang and defeated Huan Wei, an imposter posing as the Governor of Yongzhou. Liu Yu and his army halted at Matou in Jiangling, escorted the emperor out of the military camp, and crossed the Jiangjin River. Lu Zongzhi led his troops to defeat Wen Kai, who was impersonating the Wubei Zhonglang General, all the way to Jinaan. Liu Yu personally confronted Lu Zongzhi, who ultimately suffered defeat. At that time, the Shu forces occupied Lingxi, and Liu Yi led Liu Yu, Liu Daogui, and others to defeat Feng Gai's army, mounting a fierce offensive and swiftly capturing Jiangling. Seeing Jiangling ablaze, Liu Yu realized the city had fallen, so he fled north with Huan Qian and others. On that day, Emperor An resumed his reign. There was a general amnesty, with only those who had rebelled being executed, while only Huan Yin received a pardon. Huan Liang came out from Yuzhang, proclaiming himself as the General Who Guards the South and the Governor of Xiangzhou. Fu Hong attacked Ancheng and Luling, and Liu Jingxuan sent troops to fight him, causing Fu Hong to flee to Xiangzhong.
In February, Huan Qian, He Danzhi, Wen Kai, and others fled to Yao Xing. Huan Zhen and Fu Hong came out from Yancheng, launching a surprise attack that resulted in the defeat of Jiangling. Liu Huaisu led troops from Yundu to fight Huan Zhen and his men, defeating them. General Tang Xing killed Huan Zhen, who was also impersonating the Fuguo General, while Liu Yi killed Liu Shuzu, who was impersonating the Governor of Zerlang, in Linzhang. Huan Liang and Fu Hong caused trouble again in Xiangzhong, killing county magistrates and officials. Tan Zhi defeated and killed Fu Hong in Xiangdong, while General Guo Mi killed Huan Liang in Yiyang. Others who had impersonated officials and formed gangs were also subdued. The court ordered Huan Yin and his associates to be exiled to Xin'an and other places.
Three years later, the Governor of Dongyang, Yin Zhongwen, and the Governor of Yongjia, Luo Qiu, conspired to rebel, seeking to install Huan Yin as emperor. Cao Jingzhi, Huan Shisong, Bian Chengzhi, Liu Yanzu, and others worked together in secret, but Liu Yu captured and killed them one by one, wiping out their entire families. Later, Huan Qian escaped to the Shu area, where the bandit Qiao Zong made him the Inspector of Jingzhou, leading troops southward, with many people in the Jingchu region rallying to his cause. When Huan Qian arrived at Zhijiang, Liu Daogui, the Inspector of Jingzhou, had him killed, and Fu Xin, the Inspector of Lianzhou, also had Huan Shisui killed, thus leading to the extinction of the Huan clan.
Bian Fanzhi, style name Jingzu, was a clever and wise man from Jiying Wanjuren, who was well-known at the time. During the Taiyuan era, he was promoted from Dan Yang Cheng to Prefect of Shi'an. He had a close relationship with Huan Xuan since his youth, and when Huan Xuan became Inspector of Jiangzhou, he appointed Bian Fanzhi as his Chief of Staff, entrusting him with significant responsibilities and confidential plans. Later, when Huan Xuan plotted to usurp power, he appointed Bian Fanzhi as the Intendant of Danyang. Bian Fanzhi and Yin Zhongwen secretly drafted the declaration of abdication, and Bian Fanzhi was promoted to General of Conquest and Cavalier in Regular Attendance. After Huan Xuan usurped the throne, he further appointed Bian Fanzhi as Palace Attendant, assigned him twenty sword-bearing guards, promoted him to General of the Rear, and granted him the title of Marquis of Linru County. The declaration of abdication was written by Bian Fanzhi himself.
Later, Huan Xuan became excessively extravagant, and Bian Fanzhi also began to embark on extravagant construction projects, building luxurious mansions. He considered himself a founding hero, extremely proud and arrogant, using his wealth and power to oppress the people, while his descendants were also arrogant and tyrannical, instilling fear and hatred in the populace. After the rebel army rose up, Bian Fanzhi stationed his troops at Fuzhou Mountain in the west, but was defeated by Liu Yi, forcing him to flee westward with Huan Xuan, who then appointed him as Chief Clerk of the Imperial Secretariat. After Huan Xuan was defeated by Liu Yi and others, his followers scattered and fled, with only Bian Fanzhi remaining by Huan Xuan's side. After Huan Xuan was captured, he was executed in Jiangling.
Yin Zhongwen is the younger brother of Colonel Yin Ji of the Southern Barbarians, who showed talent and was handsome from a young age. His brother Yin Zhongkan recommended him to Sima Daozi, the King of Kuaiji, who then recruited him as a military advisor and highly appreciated him. He was soon promoted to a military advisor and later served as the Chief of Staff for Yuan Xian's military campaigns. At that time, Huan Xuan had a falling out with the court, and Huan Xuan's sister was Yin Zhongwen's wife. She suspected Yin Zhongwen, instigated discord, resulting in his demotion to Governor of Xin'an. Despite being related to Huan Xuan, Yin Zhongwen and he were not close. When he heard that Huan Xuan had taken over the capital, he resigned from his governorship to join Huan Xuan. Huan Xuan was very pleased and appointed him as a military advisor. At that time, Wang Mi enjoyed favor but was not close to Huan Xuan; Bian Fan was closer but less well-treated, while Yin Zhongwen received favorable treatment from Huan Xuan, surpassing that of Wang Mi and Bian Fan. When Huan Xuan was planning to rebel, he appointed Yin Zhongwen to issue decrees and serve as both an attendant and the General of the Left Guard. When Huan Xuan accepted the Nine Bestowments, the memorial refusing the honors was also drafted by Yin Zhongwen.
Initially, Huan Xuan seized power and took the throne. Suddenly, his bed collapsed, and those beneath were terrified, their faces turning pale. At that moment, Xie Zhongwen said, "This must be because the emperor's virtue is so great that even the earth cannot bear it!" Huan Xuan was pleased to hear this. He rewarded his supporters who assisted him in seizing power, granting himself many official positions, lavish carriages, horses, and exquisite garments for his travels. His harem was filled with dozens of concubines, with constant singing and dancing. Nonetheless, he was both greedy and miserly, taking numerous bribes. Even though he amassed a fortune worth thousands of gold at home, he always felt it was insufficient. Eventually, Huan Xuan was defeated by Liu Yu and fled westward. The treasures they had hidden underground were reduced to rubble. Upon reaching Baling, he surrendered to the rebel forces along with two empresses, was appointed as the Chief Military Officer, and later promoted to a high-ranking official position.
The emperor had just regained power, and Xie Zhongwen submitted a memorial stating: "I have heard that when the surging waves hit the valley, the fish in the water cannot be calm; when the fierce wind sweeps across the plains, the leaves in the forest cannot be at peace. What is the reason for this? If one's strength is weak, they will be controlled by a stronger force, and if one is insignificant, they cannot protect themselves. Although this may be the truth, I dare not compare myself to it. When Emperor Huan Xuan usurped the throne in the past, he was indeed pressured by many people. But for someone like me, burdened with such great sins, I cannot stand up for the country and make the ultimate sacrifice; nor can I retire like Jie Zitui, resign from office, and live a simple life. I became complacent, chasing after the vanity of titles and rewards, and participated in the usurpation without adhering to my integrity. My reputation was damaged as a result, and my sins were aggravated, deserving severe punishment to distinguish loyalty from treason. Later, General Liu Yu restored the country and implemented lenient policies, yet still pardoned insignificant people like myself, showing the court's benevolence by granting me a position along with certain constraints. At that time, the court was in turmoil, and the harmony between heaven and man had not been restored. I forgot to retreat, so I reluctantly did things, thinking that I was worthy of the court. Now that the emperor has been reinstated, everything starts anew, the legal system is clear, everyone reminisces about the past, but I shamelessly occupy a prominent position, which is inappropriate! I humbly request to be relieved of my official duties so I can atone for my sins at home. Leaving the court is my wish." The emperor decreed not to allow it.
On the first day of the month, Yin Zhongwen went to the Grand Marshal's residence with everyone. There was an old locust tree in the residence, and he looked at it for a long time, sighed, and said, "This tree is lush, but it has lost its vitality!" Yin Zhongwen had always had a great reputation and believed he could definitely participate in court politics. Those who used to look down on him, like Xie Hun and his group, were now sitting on an equal footing with him. He often felt a sense of discontent and resentment. Later, he was suddenly transferred to be the Prefect of Dongyang, which only deepened his dissatisfaction.
Liu Yi values talent and holds Yin Zhongwen in high regard. Upon arriving in Fuyang, Liu Yi celebrated with him for several days. Yin Zhongwen sighed and said, "Look at the mountains and rivers; there will definitely be a figure like Sun Ce in the future!" He Wuji greatly admired him. Dongyang was governed by He Wuji, and Yin Zhongwen promised to visit him on the way. He Wuji intentionally encouraged him to drink more wine and asked the scholars in his household, such as Yin Chan and Kong Ning, to write articles in anticipation of Yin Zhongwen's arrival. Yin Zhongwen felt disheartened and confused, and ultimately did not go to He Wuji's mansion. He Wuji suspected that Yin Zhongwen looked down on him, was furious, and plotted to frame him.
Just as Murong Chao launched his invasion from the south, He Wuji said to Liu Yu, "Huan Yin and Yin Zhongwen are all internal threats, and we don't need to worry too much about the invaders from the north." In the third year of Yixi, He Wuji falsely accused Yin Zhongwen, Luo Qiu, and others of treason, and even his younger brother, Yin Shuwen, the Colonel of the Southern Barbarians, was killed alongside him. At that time, Yin Zhongwen could not bear to look at his own reflection in the mirror, and he was killed a few days later.
Yin Zhongwen was highly skilled in writing and was widely respected. Xie Lingyun once said, "If Yin Zhongwen could read as much as Yuan Bao, his literary talent would not be worse than Ban Gu." This implies that while Yin Zhongwen wrote extensively, he did not read much.
The history books say: Huan Xuan was a man who inherited the foundation left by his father, but engaged in nefarious deeds. He was inherently treacherous, felt resentment over his loss of office, harbored wolfish ambitions, and feigned victimhood in his petitions. He sought higher ground to express his discontent, looked for chances to instigate a rebellion, and schemed for what was not rightfully his. At first, he pretended to rely on Yin Zhongkan, but soon killed Yin Zhongkan to satisfy his desires. He then occupied the land of the entire Chu region, led an elite army, and took advantage of the decline of the Jin dynasty's power and the opportunity presented by the officials in Kuaiji County, who were drunk and dreamy. He unleashed his cunning schemes and indulged his brutal nature, audaciously leading a motley crew to rebel and attack the court. During the Tianchang era, chaos engulfed the land, and Huan Xuan's power grew stronger and stronger. In just over a year, it appeared that the Jin dynasty's rule was on the brink of collapse. He fancied himself capable of dynastic change, like Yao bequeathing the throne to Shun, and believed that the realm would enjoy lasting peace. However, not long after, righteous forces emerged like lightning, and loyalists charged in like thunder, and they captured the capital in less than half a day. A month later, Huan Xuan was killed, restoring the rightful order of dynastic succession and revitalizing the declining court. This incident tells us that the emperor's throne cannot be seized by stealth, and the right to govern cannot be taken for granted. The emperor's throne can only be claimed by those with extraordinary accomplishments, who bring benefit to the realm and receive heavenly omens of good fortune. Only then may they ascend to the throne, enjoy a lasting legacy, and meet the expectations of the people. What makes a petty man like Huan Xuan think he is qualified? He merely disrupted the court's order, upended common decency, led to his family's downfall, ultimately resulting in his own extermination!
It is said: Lingbao conceals thieves, infamous for its wickedness. Trust and loyalty are absent; treachery reigns. Openly defying authority, abusing power and indulging in corruption. Going against the will of heaven, tyrannizing the people, wreaking havoc on the clan and the nation.
