Murong De, courtesy name Xuanming, was the youngest son of Murong Huang. His mother, Lady Gongsun, once dreamed of the sun falling into her navel, and then gave birth to him while she was napping during the day. Murong De was not yet twenty years old, standing eight feet two inches tall, with a tall, strong build and a forehead marked with the patterns of a rising sun and crescent moon. He was well-read, cautious, and multi-talented.
After Murong Jun usurped the throne and declared himself emperor, he was granted the title Duke of Liang and later served as Inspector of Youzhou and General of the Left Guard. When Murong Wei succeeded to the throne, Murong De was appointed as Prince of Fanyang, and later promoted to Minister of Wei, also receiving the title of Cavalier Attendant. Not long after, Fu Jian's general, Fu Shuang, rebelled in Shan territory, while another general of Fu Jian, Fu Liu, launched an attack on Fúhán, apparently in support of Fu Shuang. Murong De advised Murong Wei to take advantage of this situation to attack Fu Jian, speaking with passion and insight. Many wise individuals regarded him as far-sighted, but sadly, Murong Wei ignored his advice. Murong De's older brother, Murong Chui, greatly admired him, often having serious discussions about national affairs with him. Murong Chui remarked to him, "Your knowledge and abilities have greatly improved; you're no longer the naive kid you used to be!" During the Battle of Fangtou, Murong De was the General Who Conquers the South and, alongside Murong Chui, defeated the Jin army. Later, Murong Chui defected to Fu Jian, which resulted in Murong De being dismissed from his post.
Later, Murong Wei was defeated in battle and captured and taken to Chang'an. Fu Jian appointed Murong De as the Prefect of Zhangye, and it was only a few years later that Murong De was dismissed from his post and returned to his hometown. When Fu Jian led his troops to the banks of the Yangtze River, he appointed Murong De as the General of Fierce Valor. After Fu Jian was defeated, he became separated from Lady Zhang, and Murong Wei wanted to send someone to protect her. Murong De solemnly said to Murong Wei, "In the past, King Zhuang of Chu destroyed the state of Chen because he followed the advice of a shaman and abandoned Lady Xia. Women like Lady Xia are ill-omened and can mislead rulers. Women should not accompany us into battle, and the defeat of the Qin was precisely due to this. We should pretend we haven't seen her, so why protect her?" Murong Wei did not listen to his advice, and Murong De angrily left on horseback. When they reached Yingyang, Murong De said to Murong Wei, "In the past, Goujian in Kuaiji endured in silence and grew stronger, eventually destroying the state of Wu. A wise ruler must act according to the times to win every battle. Now, heaven is punishing Fu Jian, which is why he was defeated. We should seize this opportunity to reclaim our homeland!" Still, Murong Wei did not listen to him. Therefore, Murong De followed Murong Chui to Ye City.
When the King of Yan was preparing to confer the title of King of Yan upon him, he first appointed him as the Grand General of Chariots and Cavalry, and then appointed him as the King of Fanyang, allowing him to reside in the capital, take part in court affairs and help manage state matters. After some time, he was promoted to the position of Grand Minister. At that time, Murong Yong occupied Changzi with an army of a hundred thousand, and the King of Yan planned to launch a military campaign against him. Most of the ministers believed that this venture was too risky and uncertain. At this time, the Grand Minister stepped forward and said, "Our ancestors have accumulated virtues and good deeds over three generations, leaving behind a good reputation that still exists today! This is why the emperor was able to ascend the throne without difficulty, not just by luck. Although the emperor is brave and good at war, it is also due to the support our ancestors garnered! The people in the Yan and Zhao regions are willing to serve the Yan country. Now, Murong Yong has declared himself king, instigating various ethnic groups to rebel, resulting in widespread unrest. We should deal with him first before we can restore peace to the realm. When Emperor Guangwu attacked Su Mao back then, he did not concern himself with the exhaustion of his officials. This is not unrighteousness, but an urgent situation! Military doctrine states that force should only be used as a last resort. Your Majesty, do you believe this is such a time?" The King of Yan smiled and said to his confidant, "The Grand Minister's view aligns with my own! When two people unite in purpose, their strength can match that of a sharp blade cutting through iron. My decision is final!" So, the King of Yan decided to send troops. When the King of Yan was on his deathbed, he specifically instructed his son Yan Bao to entrust Ye City to the Grand Minister for its safeguarding. After Yan Bao succeeded to the throne, he appointed the Grand Minister as the Imperial Commissioner, Commander-in-Chief of the Military Affairs of Jizhou, Yanzhou, Qingzhou, Xuzhou, Jingzhou, and Yuzhou, Special Advanced, Grand General of Chariots and Cavalry, Governor of Jizhou, and also appointed him as the Colonel of the Southern Barbarians, assigning him to defend Ye City, and dissolved the Ministry of Works, granting him full authority over the affairs of the southern minority regions.
Tuoba Zhang led troops to attack Ye City, so Murong De sent Prince Nan'an, Murong Qing, to launch a nighttime surprise attack, defeating Tuoba Zhang. Tuoba Zhang's army retreated to the area around Xincheng, and Murong Qing wanted to pursue the victory. However, Han Zhuo, a senior officer, stepped forward and said, "In ancient times, people would decide the outcome in the court before going to war. Now, these four reasons indicate that we cannot engage the Wei army, and three additional reasons suggest that Yan should not act impulsively. First, the Wei army has advanced deep into enemy territory, clearly indicating their intention for a field battle, so we cannot fight them; second, they have entrenched their troops in a precarious position in our heartland, so we definitely should not engage them; third, their vanguard has already been defeated, and their rear must have bolstered defenses, so we should not fight them; fourth, their army is larger than ours, therefore, we definitely should not engage them. Furthermore, fighting on our home turf, first, there is no need for rash actions; second, if we suffer a defeat, the army's morale will plummet; third, the city walls aren't fully repaired yet, and we aren't prepared if the enemy comes, so we shouldn't act hastily. These are all major blunders in military strategy. It is better for us to prepare our defenses and wait for the enemy to tire themselves out. They've brought supplies from far away and can't scavenge much in the wild. Over time, their army will lose morale from running low on supplies. If we take the offensive, their army will suffer heavy casualties, and when they are exhausted, we can seize the opportunity. With careful planning, victory can be ours." Murong De said, "Han's advice is truly a brilliant strategy!" So he recalled Murong Qing's army.
The Wei army sent Helailu with cavalry and Tuoba Zhang to besiege Ye City once more. Murong De sent his aide Liu Zao to seek help from Yao Xing, inquiring about the condition of his maternal uncle. Yao Xing's army failed to arrive, leaving everyone in fear. Murong De personally rewarded and reassured the soldiers, who were moved and willing to follow him through thick and thin. Tuoba Zhang and Helailu had internal conflicts and secretly withdrew their troops. The military officer Sima Ding Jian surrendered, saying that Tuoba Zhang's army was exhausted and could be defeated. Murong De sent troops to pursue and defeat Tuoba Zhang's army, thereby stabilizing morale.
During this time, the Wei army was attacking Zhongshan, and Murong Bao fled to Jicheng. Murong Xiang declared himself emperor once more. Liu Zao came from Yao Xing to seek refuge with Tuoba De. Yao Xing's Tai Shiling Gao Lu sent his nephew Wang Jinghui to accompany Liu Zao, bringing a jade seal inscribed with a secret prophecy: "Those with virtue will prosper, those without virtue will perish. Virtue receives the mandate of heaven, soft but firm." Additionally, a rumor circulated: "Strong winds rise, dust flies, eight wells and three knives rise, the four seas are in turmoil, and Zhongshan is in chaos; only the virtuous man will hold the Three Towers."
Therefore, Tuoba De's ministers discussed that Murong Xiang had proclaimed himself emperor in Zhongshan, Wei's army was strong, and Murong Bao's fate was unknown in Jizhou. They advised Tuoba De to promptly proclaim himself emperor. Tuoba De was reluctant to comply. Later, Murong Da fled from Longcheng to Ye City, saying that Murong Bao was still alive, and the ministers stopped persuading Tuoba De. Shortly after, Murong Bao appointed Tuoba De as prime minister and governor of Jizhou, granting him the authority to wield imperial power and govern the Southern Xia region.
Murong Lin, De's son, rushed from Yitai to Ye City and quickly told Murong De, "Zhongshan City is lost, and the Wei army will surely take advantage of their victory to launch an attack on Ye City. Although our food and supplies are sufficient, defending it will be very challenging, and the people are anxious, and morale is low; we won't be able to fight at all. While the Wei army hasn't arrived yet, let's quickly move everyone south to cross the river, seek refuge with King Lu Yang, take control of Huatai, gather our forces, stockpile supplies, and wait for the right moment to act; this is our best strategy! Although the Wei army has taken Zhongshan, they won’t linger for long; at most, they'll just plunder and then pull back. The people don't want to move, and changes will naturally happen when the time comes; we can then send troops north to support them, and the Wei army will be caught in a pincer attack, while those who long for home will have someone to rely on. By generously offering aid and recruiting exiles, we can easily reclaim our lost territory." Earlier, Murong He had also advised Murong De to relocate south, and Murong De agreed.
In the second year of the Long'an era, Murong De led forty thousand families and twenty-seven thousand carts from Ye City to move to Huatai. Along the way, they encountered a strong wind, which caused many boats to capsize. The Wei army was closing in, and panic set in among the people. Someone suggested retreating to Liyang. Unexpectedly, the river froze that night, allowing the army to cross the Yellow River without a hitch. The next morning, when the Wei army arrived, the ice had melted, truly a stroke of divine intervention. Murong De renamed the Liyang ferry crossing to Tianqiao Ferry. After arriving in Huatai, a celestial phenomenon appeared in the sky, in the position of the Weiji constellation; white jade was found in the Zhang River, shaped like a jade seal. Inspired by Emperor Yuan of Yan, Murong De declared a new era, granted a general amnesty, sparing all but those convicted of capital offenses, and established various official positions. He appointed Murong Lin as Minister of Works and also as the Chief of the Masters of Writing, Murong Fa as the General of the Central Army, Muyu Ba as Prefect of the Masters of Writing on the Left, Ding Tong as Prefect of the Masters of Writing on the Right, and other officials were also rewarded.
Initially, auspicious signs appeared in the Hejian region—a qilin, which Murong Lin took as a good omen. However, he secretly plotted a rebellion and was executed once his plans were uncovered. That summer, the Wei general Helailu surrendered to Murong De.
Murong Bao fled from Longcheng all the way south to Liyang and sent Zhao Si to invite Murong Zhong to come. Murong Zhong originally opposed Murong De proclaiming himself emperor. When he heard the news, he was furious, so he arrested Zhao Si and threw him in prison, then quickly sent word to Murong De. Murong De said to his ministers, "Before, you advised me to act as regent for the good of the country. It was also because the emperor was in exile and the people were without a ruler that I followed your advice, temporarily taking on this responsibility to bring stability to the people. Now that the emperor has returned, I intend to personally welcome him, apologize, and then resign to return home. What do you think?" Zhang Hua, the Minister of the Yellow Gate, quickly responded, "In this chaotic world, without a capable and strategic leader, nothing significant can be accomplished; in this situation, a weak person cannot save the country! If Your Majesty shows too much mercy by giving up the easily attainable throne, once you lose power, your life will be at risk, so why retreat?" Murong De sighed and said, "I follow the example of the ancients, first seizing power and then holding onto it, but this approach doesn't seem very effective. Therefore, I find myself hesitant and conflicted."
Mu Yu Hu asked Murong De to send someone to investigate the situation regarding Murong Bao. Murong De, in tears, sent him out. Then, Murong De led hundreds of strong soldiers northward, following Zhao Si as they plotted to kill Murong Bao. Initially, after sending Zhao Si away, Murong Bao learned that Murong De had usurped the throne and fled north in fear. After Mu Yu Hu went and failed to find Murong Bao, he returned with Zhao Si. Murong De believed that Zhao Si was well-versed in historical references and wanted to employ him again. Zhao Si replied, "Guan Yu was highly valued by Cao Cao yet still remembered Liu Bei's kindness. Though I am a criminal, I have received the emperor's favor and am as loyal as a dog—if not more so as a human! Please let me go back to serve the emperor to show my loyalty." Murong De insisted on retaining him, to which Zhao Si angrily responded, "Your Highness, as the emperor's uncle and a man of high status, should not prioritize your own selfish interests over stabilizing the realm. While I cannot weep for the Qin State like Shen Xu, I hope for loyalty and righteousness between ruler and subject, rather than the current chaos." Murong De was furious and killed Zhao Si.
During the Jin Dynasty, Luqiu Xian, the Prefect of Nanyang, and Deng Qi, the General of Ning Shuo, led twenty thousand troops to attack Murong De, setting up camp in Guancheng. Murong De dispatched his generals Murong Fa and Murong He to resist the attack, but they were defeated. Murong De executed Sima Jinguai, Murong Fa's Marshal, for failing to pursue the Jin army.
Initially, Fu Deng was defeated and eliminated by Yao Xing. His brother Fu Guang surrendered with his tribe to Yao Xing of Later Qin, who appointed him as the Champion General, allowing him to reside in Qihuo Fortress.
At this time, Yinghuo was stationed at Dongjing, and some claimed that the Qin state was on the verge of revival. Fu Guang proclaimed himself King of Qin and defeated Murong Zhong, a general of Later Qin. At that time, Later Qin had just established its capital in Huatai, sandwiched between Eastern Jin and Later Yan, with fewer than ten cities in its territory and an army of only a few tens of thousands.
After Murong Zhong's defeat, many would-be rebels flocked to Fu Guang. Yao Xing left Murong in charge of guarding Huatai and personally led his army to confront Fu Guang, ultimately killing him. When Fu Jian first arrived in Liyang, Chief Minister Li Bian advised him to surrender, but Fu Jian refused. Li Bian, fearing that the plot would be exposed, lured the Jin army into Guancheng, hoping that Fu Jian would mobilize his troops himself and then cause chaos in the rear. However, Fu Jian did not mobilize his troops, and Li Bian became increasingly uneasy. When Fu Jian prepared for battle, Li Bian once again advised him to surrender, but Fu Jian still refused. In a fit of rage, Li Bian killed Fu Jian and then surrendered Huatai to the state of Wei. At that time, the soldiers' families were still in the city, and Fu Jian intended to attack Huatai. Han Fan said to Fu Jian, "The Wei army has taken the city, seizing our nation's wealth and resources. The roles of guest and host have completely reversed, and people are in panic and cannot fight. We should first secure a foothold in Guanzhong, then build up our strength and plan for the future; this is the best strategy." Fu Jian then called off the troops. Fu Jian's Right Guard General, Murong Yun, killed Li Bian, leading over 20,000 soldiers' families to safety, and the morale of all three armies soared.
Fu Jian said to everyone, "Although Fu Guang has been pacified, the army has lost its stronghold, facing strong enemies in front and nowhere to retreat. What should we do?" Zhang Hua suggested, "Pengcheng is situated near mountains and rivers; it was the old capital of the Chu State, boasting a strategic location and a large population. We can capture it and establish it as our base." Murong Zhong, Muyu Hu, Feng Cheng, Han Zhuo, and others strongly advocated for an attack on Huatai, but Pan Cong said, "Huatai is well-connected and not a suitable residence for emperors. Moreover, to the north lies the formidable Wei State, and to the west, the powerful Qin State; we must not underestimate these two powers. Pengcheng is barren, sparsely populated, and has flat terrain that lacks strategic advantages; the Jin dynasty's forces will surely resist us. Additionally, it is near the Yangtze River, with navigable waterways, heavy rainfall in autumn and summer, and lakes all around. Besides, naval warfare is our weak point, while it is a strength of the Wu State. Even if we capture it, it won't be a sustainable strategy. Qingzhou and Qizhou are fertile regions, often referred to as Eastern Qin, covering over two thousand li and home to over a hundred thousand people; it is considered a crucial battleground for military strategists. The talented individuals of the Three Qis are all waiting for their chance; who wouldn't want to find a wise leader to achieve success and glory? Guanggu, constructed by Cao Yi, features steep mountains and rivers, making it suitable as an imperial capital. We should first send someone persuasive, followed by the army. Lu Hun had betrayed the court before; he will definitely change his mind. If they remain obstinate, the army will advance, and they will inevitably crumble. Once we occupy it, we should fortify our position and build our strength, waiting for the right moment to strike, similar to how the Han dynasty controlled Guanzhong and Henei."
Fu Jian couldn't make up his mind. Shaman Langong was an expert in divination, so Fu Jian asked him what to do. Langong said, "I have carefully studied three strategies, and Pan Shangshu's suggestion can be considered a strategy for national rejuvenation. At the beginning of this year, the Changxing Star appeared in the Kui Lou constellation, then passed through the Xuwei constellation, which signifies renewal. It should first stabilize the former Lu territory, patrol the Langya region, wait for the autumn season, and then march north to attack the Qi state. This aligns with the will of heaven." Fu Jian was very happy, so he led his army southward. The counties along the northern border of Yanzhou surrendered, and Fu Jian appointed officials to reassure the people. He comforted the elderly, and the army did not plunder at will. The people were very stable, with a continuous supply of cattle and wine along the roads.
The envoy from the De faction went to persuade the prefect of Qi, Prefect Bilu Hun, to surrender, but Hun refused. So Prince De dispatched Murong Zhong with twenty thousand infantry and cavalry to confront him. Prince De occupied Langye, and many residents of Xuzhou and Yanzhou surrendered, totaling over one hundred thousand. As they moved north from Langye, over forty thousand people came out to welcome Prince De.
Duke De advanced his troops to attack Jucheng. The defending general Ren An abandoned the city and made a hasty retreat, so Duke De sent Pan Cong to guard Jucheng. Murong Zhong issued a proclamation to the various counties of Qingzhou, roughly stating: "The rise and fall of nations follow a certain pattern, as seen in many historical examples. Great achievements are born out of hardships, as recorded in history books. Just like Emperor Xuan Liu Xiu rose during the decline of the Zhou Dynasty, and Emperor Guangwu Liu Xiu established a new dynasty during the decline of the Han Dynasty, these are all historical inevitabilities, the cycles of rise and fall for emperors. Since the Yongkang period, the world has been in turmoil, like a giant whale escaping from a fishing net; the land of Huaxia has fractured into four parts, and the people are displaced and destitute. The rebel Pi Lu Hun's father, Pi Lu Wei, once rebelled with Duan Kang in Zichuan. At that time, the Grand Preceptor led an expedition to the east and completely crushed their rebellion. Despite the collapse of his family, Hun managed to escape, but instead of showing gratitude, he continued his father's evil deeds, occupying Dongqin, colluding with the states of Wuyue, harming the people, and sending wealth to the South Sea. The Emperor has risen in accordance with the Mandate of Heaven, once again appointed by the heavens. It is only because Yingqiu has temporarily blocked the advance of the royal army that he led over two hundred thousand troops from seven provinces to inspect Mount Tai and suppress the rebellion in the Qi and Lu regions. Han Xin, as a deputy general, defeated the Qi state without a battle; Geng Yan led a small army to defeat the infantry and quickly achieved victory. Moreover, we now have a powerful army. Eliminating a small rebel is as easy as snapping a twig. Although I am not capable, I am honored to lead the vanguard, commanding 120,000 elite cavalry from the Wuhuan and brave warriors from Sanhe. They are fierce in battle, burning bright like the setting sun, their weapons waving as bright as the moon in autumn. With such an army attacking a city, which city could withstand us? With such an army in battle, which enemy can defeat us? In the past, Dou Rong led the Hexi region to submit to the Han Dynasty and was praised by later generations; Peng Chong rebelled in Yuyang and ultimately died at the hands of slaves; in modern times, Cao Yi was captured by Later Zhao for his arrogance; Duan Kang rebelled and was eliminated by the previous dynasty. These are all examples of the rise and fall of history! If Hun can repent, we will show him double favor; if he dares to resist the royal army, he will surely fail and be annihilated. The talents of Jixia Academy, the warriors of Daibei, who can defeat Hun and bring him back will be rewarded as if they had helped the emperor secure his legacy."
Or else, if he doesn't take the chance to surrender, he'll end up losing everything!
Pi Lu Hun heard that the army of Duke De was approaching, so he led over 8,000 households to relocate to Guanggu. After receiving the edict, counties across the region surrendered to Duke De in quick succession. Hun was afraid and fled to the Wei Kingdom with his wife and children. Duke De dispatched Liu Gang, the Chief of Archers, to pursue and execute him, and he was beheaded in Jucheng. Hun's aide Zhang Ying often wrote edicts with him, using extremely arrogant and disrespectful language. After capturing him, Duke De chose to pardon him. Zhang Ying remained calm and slowly said, "To me, Hun is like Han Xin to Kuai Tong. Kuai Tong was pardoned by Emperor Gaozu of Han, but I am to be executed by Your Majesty. Compared to those of ancient times, my fate is truly unfortunate! Even if I am killed, I will accept it, but I am worried that the teachings of Yao and Shun have not yet spread throughout the world." Though Duke De initially praised his words, he ultimately had him executed. Duke De eventually captured Guanggu.
In the year 4 CE, he declared himself emperor, held a coronation ceremony in the southern suburbs, granted amnesty to all, changed the era name to Jianping, constructed a palace south of the main palace for ancestral worship, and sent envoys to report to the court about the successful coronation. He appointed Murong Zhong as Minister of Works and Murong Bo as Minister of Public Works, Feng Fu as Left Deputy Director, and Murong Hu as Right Deputy Director. He also sent the Minister of Finance Feng Kai and the Deputy Director of the Palace Secretariat Feng Cheng to inspect the welfare of the people in different regions, ensuring that the soldiers were well-treated along the way. He crowned Lady Duan as Empress. He also established a school, selecting 200 children from the families of officials ranked second tier and above to attend the Imperial College.
Later, he hosted a banquet for his ministers. After three rounds of drinks, he smiled and said, "Although I am of mediocre talent, I can respectfully sit on the emperor's throne, receive the tribute of vassals, maintain a lofty position without arrogance, and diligently attend to state affairs day and night. Can this be compared to any of the emperors from history?" At this moment, the governor of Qingzhou, Ju Zhong, said, "Your Majesty is a wise ruler of the restoration, comparable to Shaokang and Emperor Guangwu!" Upon hearing this, he happily ordered his attendants to give Ju Zhong a thousand pieces of silk. Ju Zhong felt the reward was too much and wanted to decline, but he said, "You know how to flatter me; I don't know how to reward you yet! What you said is not true, so I am also rewarding you with mere flattery. There's nothing wrong with giving rewards, so why refuse?" Han Fan advised, "I've heard that the emperor's words should not be taken lightly; loyal ministers do not tell lies. Today's conversation, deceiving one another, can be said that both the ruler and his ministers have compromised their integrity." He was very pleased and granted Han Fan fifty pieces of silk. From then on, the ministers dared to speak frankly, and many upright individuals began to emerge in the court.
His maternal uncle is in Chang'an, so he sent Du Hong from Pingyuan to visit Chang'an and check on his well-being. Du Hong said, "If I arrive in Chang'an and do not report your situation to the Empress Dowager in time, I will immediately head west to Zhangye and die in loyalty. My father, Du Xiong, is over sixty and has yet to receive an official position. I ask you to grant him an official position in our hometown as a testament to our loyalty." Zhang Hua spoke out against this, saying, "Du Hong has not even set off yet and is clearly driven by greed; he cannot be allowed to go." He said, "I'm about to spend all my worthless money to gather those willing to die for me. Moreover, for the sake of my relatives, how could I possibly be stingy! Besides, Du Hong is visiting relatives for me, asking for an official position for his father. Although it seems to be for personal gain on the surface, deep down it is loyalty and filial piety." So, he appointed Du Xiong as the magistrate of Pingyuan County. Once Du Hong reached Zhangye, he was killed by bandits. He was heartbroken upon hearing the news and treated his wife and children kindly.
The following year, De entered the territory of Qi and climbed Yingqiu to gaze at Yan Ying's tomb. He turned to those around him and said, "According to the rites, nobles cannot be buried near the city wall. Ping Zhong was an ancient sage well-versed in rites, but during his life, he lived near the market, yet was buried near the city wall after death. What could explain this?"
A scholar from Qingzhou, named Yan Mo, answered, "Confucius praised my ancestor Ping Zhong for his exemplary virtue. Are you not aware that he built his house tall while treating others simply? As he managed political affairs close to home, he practiced frugality to set a good example for society. He lived in a humble dwelling during his lifetime; why would he choose an extravagant burial site afterward? Perhaps he wished to be remembered for his aspirations by being buried close to home!" Thus, De took Yan Mo to the Temple of King Jing of Yang City from the Han Dynasty, hosted a banquet for the elders at Shenchi, then climbed Sheshou Mountain, looked east towards Dingzu Mountain, and spotted Niushan, couldn't help but sigh, "No one from ancient times is immortal!" Feeling sorrowful, he contemplated retirement. He then inquired of Yan Mo about the mountains and rivers of Qi, as well as the tales of its sages. Yan Mo provided detailed answers and illustrated his points by drawing in the dirt. De was very impressed with him and appointed him as a Shangshu Lang. Later, De set up a smelting factory in Shangshan and a salt field in Wuchangze to bolster the supply of resources for the military. One of De's former subordinates, named Zhao Rong, came from Chang'an to report the deaths of his mother and elder brother to De. Upon hearing this news, De was stricken with grief, coughed up blood, and fainted, falling ill as a result. His Colonel, Mu Rong Da, seized the opportunity to stage a rebellion, sending his general Huang Qiu to attack Duanmen Gate, and the palace guard, Hou Chimei, shockingly opened the gate to let them in. The Chamberlain Xun quickly assisted De in climbing over the wall to escape, hiding him in the inner hall. Duan Hong and others heard about the turmoil in the palace, so they stationed troops at the various city gates. Upon returning to the palace, De executed Hou Chimei and the others involved. Fearing for his life, Mu Rong Da fled to the State of Wei. Mu Rong Fa and the Wei army clashed with the Ji Bei soldiers at Biaoyu, resulting in a defeat for the Wei army.
Han Zhuo wrote in his memorial: "Two bandits remain unaddressed, the national disgrace persists, the Guanzhong region has become a den of wolves, Yangzhou and Yuezhou have turned into forests dominated by owls, the palaces and temples of the three capitals lie in ruins, the tombs of the four emperors lie overgrown with weeds, and no one is guarding them. Isn’t this a day of sorrow for the righteous and a moment for heroes to rise? However, the royal family has suffered repeated disasters, and its prestige and power have not been restored, letting rebellion persist like an unbroken serpent and a wild boar gasping for air. The people are filled with resentment, believing that peace cannot endure, and the morning tranquility cannot last until the end of the year. Your Majesty, if you wish to restore the nation, you must pay attention to recuperation and care for the people who have lost their land, allowing them to gradually recover and resume production without forcing them into labor; show compassion to the weary populace and refrain from adding to their burdens. Only then can the people find peace and stability in Yingqiu, but it is difficult to establish a long-term foothold in places like Qin and Yue. The rebels are now numerous and strong, occupying three sides of us, constantly watching for the country's weaknesses. We should carefully assess the strength of the enemy and ourselves, analyze the possibilities of victory and defeat, train the army, stockpile food and forage, actively prepare to suppress the rebels to avenge the national disgrace, and passively ensure the security of the country. However, because of the corrupt policies of Qin and Jin, the people deceive each other and hide, with dozens of families sharing one household registration, and thousands of people sharing one household registration, attaching themselves to the city and society, not afraid of inspections, openly evading corvée labor, committing crimes at will, destroying customs, and violating laws, which the law does not tolerate, yet remains uninvestigated and unpunished. We should now obscure the true number of household registrations, re-register and compile them, which will enhance the court's efficiency in governance while also bolstering military strength and resources."
If my advice is adopted, I would not hesitate to face the risk of enduring the harsh punishment meted out to Shang Yang, a historical figure known for his strict legalism, or to confront the calamities suffered by Yue Wan, who endured great trials for his beliefs.
The emperor adopted his advice and sent General Murong Zhen to reinforce border security and prevent the populace from fleeing. Han Zhuo was appointed as the Imperial Envoy, Cavalier Attendant, and Secretary of the Xing Tai, inspecting the districts and registering hidden households, uncovering a total of fifty-eight thousand. Han Zhuo was known for his integrity and honesty, bringing peace to the people wherever he went.
Emperor Dezong personally presided over the exams, and after the exams, he hosted a banquet for the candidates. He gazed into the distance before turning to Shangshu Lu Sui and saying, "Qi and Lu have always produced talents. In their heyday, people like Jie, Shen, Ba Sheng, Chunyu, Zou, and Tian dressed in gorgeous clothes, rode in decorated carriages by clear ponds, wielded long swords and spoke eloquently, showcasing their extraordinary talent. With just a gesture, they could write beautiful articles; with a movement, they could produce majestic charm. But now? Only weeds and graves remain; the former glory has faded into obscurity. Reflecting on this fills me with deep emotion!" Lu Sui replied, "Emperor Wu worshipped the tomb of Bi Gan, and Emperor Gaozu worshipped the tomb of Xing Lingjun, because they valued talents and remembered the past history. Your Majesty is even more benevolent, spreading your grace to those in the afterlife. If those departed talents were aware, they would undoubtedly be moved to tears with gratitude."
Previously, there was a demonic bandit king who gathered followers and troops at Mount Tai, self-proclaiming himself the Emperor of Taiping. His father was given the title of Supreme Emperor, his brother the General of the East, and his younger brother the General of the West. Murong Zhen led an army to confront him, captured him, and executed him by beheading in the capital. Before his execution, someone asked about the fate of his father and brothers. King Shi replied, "The Supreme Emperor is in exile, and both the General of the East and the General of the West were killed by the bandits. I am the only one left, utterly alone and desolate!" His wife angrily said, "It's your big mouth that got us into this mess, and you still say that!" King Shi said, "Empress! Since ancient times, there has never been a family that doesn't decline, nor a nation that doesn't fall!" The soldiers carrying out the execution used a sword to execute him, and he gazed up at the sky and declared, "Even in death, I will never renounce my title as Emperor!" When Emperor Dezong heard this, he merely smiled.
Huan Xuan wanted to seize power and eliminate anyone who opposed him. Liu Gui, the Governor of Jizhou, Sima Xiuzhi, the Prefect of Xiangcheng, Liu Jingxuan, the General of Pacifying the Barbarians, Gao Yazhi, the Magistrate of Guangling, and Zhang Dan, the Administrator of Jiangdu, all felt uneasy and ran to Liu Yu. Then Han Fan, a Minister of the Palace Secretariat under Liu Yu, submitted a memorial saying: "In order for an emperor to succeed, he must seize the opportunity and plan carefully. Having the right person without the right time is not enough, and having the right time without the right person is also not enough. Success can only be achieved when both the person and the time are right. Since the chaos in the Jin Dynasty, it has been seven years. Huan Xuan's rebellion is worse than Dong Zhuo's; even the heavens cannot bear to see it. The people are in turmoil, and the suffering is widespread. Now is the best opportunity! You are so capable; if you just offer some guidance and lead the troops in battle, you can succeed effortlessly, like sound follows echo, like actions cast shadows. The population in the Jianghuai region is small, and the military presence is thin. If ten thousand infantry and cavalry are dispatched to swiftly attack, heading straight for Jiangling and Kuaiji, we'll definitely win, and the people will welcome us with open arms. By occupying thousands of miles of territory and having a military force exceeding one hundred thousand, we can defeat the Qin Dynasty and resist the Wei Dynasty. If we want to grow our territory and safeguard our nation, now is the best time! If we miss this opportunity and wait for other capable individuals to rise up and defeat Huan Xuan, bringing peace to the world, it'll be tough for us to make any moves. We won't even be able to capture Jianye, let alone the areas north of the Yangtze River. Once we miss this chance, trouble's gonna come, and it'll be too late to regret it! You must consider this carefully!"
Liu Yu said, "Since I have failed several times, the national agenda has been stalled, allowing those evildoers to cause chaos. The capital has fallen into disrepair. Every time I think about this, I feel a deep anger. Shao Kang only led a small army in the past, and he destroyed the Xia Dynasty, reestablishing the Shang Dynasty. Furthermore, I currently control the territory of Sanqi, with the military forces of five provinces at my disposal. I have trained the army and instilled in them the principles of etiquette, ensuring that everyone understands their purpose. Everyone is eagerly awaiting the call to action! I had initially intended to pacify the Central Plains first, eliminate those rebellious guys, and then implement a good system to govern the whole country, allowing the army to drink from the Yangtze River and raise our banner on Longshan. This goal has not been achieved yet, so I am currently biding my time. Ministers, please deliberate carefully." Everyone felt that Huan Xuan had just gained power and could not move against him for now, so they decided against it. Therefore, Liu Yu trained his army in the west of the city, comprising 370,000 infantry, 17,000 chariots, and 53,000 cavalry. The army was deployed across the mountains and fields, with banners unfurling and drums resounding. Liu Yu ascended a vantage point and said to Liu Gui and Gao Ya, "In the past, Xi Ke avenged Qi, and Wu Zixu avenged Wu. They both realized their wishes in the end, leaving a lasting reputation. Since you have chosen to follow me, you must not let your ambitions go unfulfilled like theirs." Gao Ya and the others bowed and thanked him, saying, "It is thanks to Your Majesty's grace that we have survived. Even if we were to be torn asunder, we cannot repay your kindness!" At this time, it was heard that Huan Xuan had failed. Liu Yu appointed Murong Zhen as the vanguard and Murong Zhong as the grand marshal, giving them 20,000 infantry and 5,000 cavalry to prepare for departure. However, Liu Yu fell ill, so the military campaign was put on hold.
Initially, Liu Yu summoned his nephew Liu Chao from Chang'an. When Liu Chao arrived, Liu Yu dreamed one night that his father told him, "Since you have no son, why not make Liu Chao the crown prince early? Otherwise, evil people will harbor ill intentions." When Liu Yu woke up, he told his wife, "The spirit of the late emperor is guiding me. Interpreting this dream, I believe I am nearing my end." He then issued a decree appointing Liu Chao as crown prince and declared a nationwide amnesty, elevating the ranks of officials who were in mourning for their fathers by two levels.
Liu Yu died that month, in the first year of the Yi Xi era, at the age of seventy. That night, he had over ten coffins prepared, which were discreetly taken out through the four city gates and secretly buried in a valley, ensuring that no one knew the location of his burial. He reigned for five years and was posthumously honored as Emperor Xianwu.
