Emperor Liang Wu's third son, the younger brother of Prince Zhaoming, was named Xiao Gang, whose courtesy name was Shi Zuan and whose nickname was Liutong. He was born in the second year of Tianjian, on the day of Dingwei in the tenth month, at Xianyang Palace. At the age of five, he was titled Prince Jin'an, with a fief of eight thousand households, enjoying a lifestyle befitting a prince. In the eighth year, he was appointed General of Yunhui, overseeing military affairs at Shitou Shu, and began to manage subordinate officials.
In the ninth year, he was promoted to the position of Governor, Commander of the military affairs of Southern and Northern Yanzhou, Qingzhou, Xuzhou, and Jizhou, and held the titles of General Xuan Yi and Governor of Nanyanzhou. In the twelfth year, he was recalled to the imperial court and appointed General Xuan Hui and Intendant of Danyang. In the thirteenth year, he was sent out again, serving as Governor, Commander of the military affairs of Jingzhou, Yongzhou, Liangzhou, Southern and Northern Qinzhou, Yizhou, and Ningzhou, Colonel of the Southern Barbarians, and Governor of Jingzhou, retaining his rank as General. In the fourteenth year, he was appointed as Commander of the military affairs of Jiangzhou, General of Yunhui, and Governor of Jiangzhou, still holding the title of Governor. In the seventeenth year, he was summoned back to the court to serve as General of the Western Central Army, leading the military affairs of Shitou Shu; shortly thereafter, he resumed his position as General Xuan Hui, Intendant of Danyang, and was also given the title of Palace Attendant, his rank growing steadily.
In the first year of Putong, he was appointed as Governor, Commander of the military affairs of Yizhou, Ningzhou, Yongzhou, Liangzhou, Southern and Northern Qinzhou, and Shaqizhou, Governor of Yizhou, but before he officially took office, his title was changed to General of Yunhui and Governor of Nanxuzhou. In the fourth year, he was reassigned as Governor, Commander of the military affairs of Yongzhou, Liangzhou, Southern and Northern Qinzhou, Yingshou, and Suijun, General of the West, Colonel of the Southern Barbarians, and Governor of Yongzhou. In the fifth year, his rank was elevated once again to General of Anbei. In the seventh year, his power expanded further as he was appointed as Commander of the military affairs of Jingzhou, Yizhou, and Nanliang. During that year, his mother, Lady Mu, passed away, and he requested permission from the court to return for the funeral. The Emperor approved his request, permitting him to attend to the funeral arrangements before returning to his duties.
In the first year of Zhongda Tong, the court ordered him to be equipped with a set of musical bands. In the second year, he was summoned back to the court and appointed as the military governor of Nanyang and Xuzhou, the General of the Cavalry, and the Governor of Yangzhou. In April of the third year, Crown Prince Zhaoming passed away. In May, the emperor issued a decree saying: "To govern the world, justice is necessary; to govern the four seas, universal love is necessary. The abdication of Yao and Shun relied on virtues; King Wen abandoned Boyi Kao and established King Wu, gaining the support of the upper and lower classes, and becoming renowned throughout the four seas. Now, the throne is vacant, the country is in turmoil, social order needs restoration, and the people's lives remain unstable. Without a wise, capable, and well-rounded ruler, how can one bear this heavy responsibility and inherit the throne? Prince Jing'an, Xiao Gang, is distinguished in literature, intelligent, filial to his parents, naturally respected, noble in character, and beloved by the people. He can be appointed as the Crown Prince." In July, Xiao Gang was enthroned as the Crown Prince in the imperial palace, tasked with overseeing repairs to the Eastern Palace, temporarily residing in the Eastern Mansion. In the year 504 AD (the third year of Taiqing) on the day of May Bingchen, the founding emperor passed away. On the day of May Xinsi, I ascended the throne as the emperor. I issued a decree saying: "I consider myself mediocre in talent; at a young age, I have taken on the heavy burden of losing my father. When the late emperor passed away, leaving behind the people, I was engulfed in grief, feeling lost in my sorrow. Though my virtues are lacking, I have inherited the throne and feel anxious and uncertain about how to lead. I can only rely on my ministers' support to safeguard the realm and its people. I will honor the late emperor's wishes, continue his legacy, and serve the people. Thus, I hereby declare a general amnesty!"
On the 5th day of the 5th month in the year, I issued another decree saying: "The governance of the world should be based on generosity, and the treatment of the people should prioritize benevolence and kindness. The foundation of a flourishing dynasty is not to enslave the people. Some have been captured for serving the country, some have been plundered on the border. What sins have the common people committed in the battles between the two countries? I am inadequate in ability, inheriting the great achievements of the late emperor, now leading the world, governing the realm. How can I let those people remain outlaws? All the slaves in the provinces, including their wives and children, who have been treated as servants by the northerners, should be released." On the 5th day of the 6th month, Wang was posthumously honored as Empress Jian. On the 6th day of the 6th month, Prince Sui of Nankang, Xiao Huili, was named Minister of Works. On the 7th day of the 6th month, Prince Xiao Daqi of Xuan Cheng was named Crown Prince. On the 8th day of the 6th month, Duke of Dangyang, Xiao Daxin, was named Prince of Xunyang County, Duke of Shicheng, Xiao Dakuan, was named Prince of Jiangxia County, Duke of Ningguo, Xiao Dalin, was named Prince of Nanhai County, Duke of Lincheng, Xiao Dalian, was named Prince of Nan County, Duke of Xifeng, Xiao Dachun, was named Prince of Anlu County, Duke of Xingan, Xiao Dacheng, was named Prince of Shanyang County, Duke of Linxiang, Xiao Dafeng, was named Prince of Yidu County.
On the 1st day of the 7th month, the Governor of Guangzhou, Yuan Jingzhong, joined forces with Hou Jing in rebellion. The Inspector of Xijiang, Chen Baxian, mobilized troops to quell the rebellion. Yuan Jingzhong took his own life, and Chen Baxian welcomed the Governor of Dingzhou, Xiao Bo, as the Governor of Guangzhou. On the 7th day of the 7th month, Wuzhou was established in Wu County, and Prince of Anlu, Xiao Dachun, was named Governor. On the 9th day of the 7th month, Minister of Works, Prince of Nankang, Xiao Huili, was named Prefect of the Imperial Secretariat, Prince of Nanhai, Xiao Dalin, was named Governor of Yangzhou, Prince of Xinxing, Xiao Dazhuang, was named Governor of Nanxu. In this month, a severe famine struck Jiujang, with tens of thousands starving to death. On the 10th day of the 8th month, General Who Conquers the East, Director of the Palace Secretariat, and Governor of Nanxu, Xiao Yuanzao, died. On the 16th day of the 10th month, an earthquake occurred. In the 12th month, emissaries from the kingdom of Baekje presented tribute.
In the first month of the year 550 AD, due to the national mourning period, no court meeting was held. The emperor issued a decree saying, "Governing the world is the supreme responsibility. The ancient Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors did not aspire to be emperors, so the achievements of emperors are merely the byproducts of sages. Honor and wealth are merely superficial. Emperor Taizu Wenhui had a grand vision and laid the foundation of the Western Zhou Dynasty; Emperor Gaozu Wuhuang's virtues spread throughout heaven and earth, and his wisdom encompassed all things. Amidst the chaos of the Qi Dynasty, traditions and laws fell into disarray, brothers turned against each other, and the rulers were insatiable. We had to step forward, follow the will of the people, and seek revenge. This is not for our own gain, but for the people. Thus, after our successes, we did not take pride, lived in simple palaces, ate simple food, showed great compassion, and issued decrees to comfort the people. Forty years have passed, and no one can do as we have done. My abilities are limited; in the face of such difficult circumstances, the people have suffered. I cannot save everything; I can only bear this in silence and strive to uphold my ancestors' legacy. Our current achievements are trivial and insufficient. I feel a deep sense of regret and have come to understand my shortcomings better. I should be more cautious and self-restrained, devoted to the public good. Even though the royal path has not yet been fully realized, and the mandate of heaven has not been fully grasped, I must depend on my ministers to collectively govern the nation. Now that I have ascended the throne, we must adhere to the traditional practices. I hereby declare a general amnesty and change the era from Taiqing 4 to Dabao 1." On the 14th day of the first month, a sandstorm swept across the land. On the 16th day of the first month, Venus crossed the sky, disappearing only on the 18th day of the first month. The Western Wei army attacked Anlu, captured the provincial governor of Sizhou, Liu Zhongli, and occupied the Handong region. On the 22nd day of the first month, the moon was visible during the day. On the 29th day of the first month, Zu Hao, the former magistrate of Jiangdu, rebelled, attacked Guangling, and killed the provincial governor of Nanyanzhou, Dong Shaoxian. Hou Jing led his naval and ground forces against Zu Hao.
On the seventh day of the second month, Hou Jing captured Guangling, resulting in the deaths of Zu Hao and others. On the tenth day of the second month, Prince Dachun of Anlu was appointed Governor of Dongyangzhou. Wuzhou was dissolved and reverted to a commandery. The emperor issued a decree saying, "Recently, there has been chaos in the eastern region, and the Jiangyang area is also quite chaotic. Thanks to the ministers' strategic planning and the soldiers' brave fighting, Wuzhou and Kuaiji Commanderies have been brought under control, Jizhou and Yanzhou have also restored peace, and the capital and surrounding areas are safe again, so martial law can be lifted." On the thirteenth day of the second month, Wang Ke, the Minister of Works, was appointed Left Supervisor. This month, Prince Lun of Shaoling arrived at Xiakou from Xunyang, and the Governor of Yingzhou, Prince Ke of Nanping, ceded Yingzhou to Prince Lun of Shaoling. On the fifteenth day of the second month, Hou Jing forced Emperor Taizong to flee to Xizhou.
On the seventh day of the fifth month, General Who Conquers the North and Prince of Poyang, Fan, passed away. From spring to summer, there was a severe famine, and people were killing each other, with the situation in the capital being particularly severe. On the eighth day of the sixth month, Prince Dalian of Nanjun was appointed to handle the affairs of Yangzhou. On the tenth day of the sixth month, the former Governor of Sizhou, Yang Yaren, fled from the Ministry of Works to Xizhou. On the fifth day of the seventh month, the rebel commander Ren Yue launched an attack on Jiangzhou, and Prince Daxin, the Governor of Xunyang, surrendered to Ren Yue. This month, Prince Dalian of Nanjun was appointed Governor of Jiangzhou. On the seventh day of the eighth month, Prince Yi of Xiangdong sent General Wang Sengbian, leading the army, to march towards Yingzhou. On the ninth day of the eighth month, Hou Jing declared himself Prime Minister and was titled King of Han, holding sway over twenty commanderies. Prince Lun of Shaoling fled after abandoning Yingzhou.
On the second day of October, Hou Jing once again forced Emperor Taizong to flee to Xizhou, where he held a feast and proclaimed himself Grand General of the Universe and Commander-in-Chief of all military operations. He appointed Prince Dajun as the Prince of Xiyang, Prince Dawei as the Prince of Wuning, Prince Daqiu as the Prince of Jian'an, Prince Daxin as the Prince of Yian, Prince Dazhi as the Prince of Suijian, and Prince Dayuan as the Prince of Leiliang. On the seventeenth day of October, Hou Jing executed the heir of Nankang, Prince Huili. In November, Ren Yue's forces captured Xiyang and then attacked Qichang with his troops, capturing Prince Hengyang Xian and escorting him to the capital where he was executed. Prince Yiyi of Xiangdong sent the former Ningzhou Inspector Xu Wensheng to lead the troops in resistance against Ren Yue. Prince Nanju and former Zhongbing Zhang Biao led a rebellion at Ruohe Mountain in Kuaiji, attacking and capturing several counties in Zhejiang.
In February of the year 551, Prince Shaoling Xiao Lun fled to Dongcheng in Anlu, where he was defeated by the Western Wei army and died in battle. In March, Hou Jing led his army from the west. On an unspecified date, Hou Jing departed from Shitoucheng in Jiankang and marched all the way to Xinlin, with boats lined up in a long procession. In April, they arrived at Xiyang. On Yihai Day, Hou Jing sent the impostor generals Song Zixian and Ren Yue to attack Yingzhou. On Bingzi Day, they captured Xiao Fangzhu, the Yingzhou Inspector. On the day of Ruanmeng Jiazi, Hou Jing attacked Baling, and the general sent by Prince Xiao Yi of Xiangdong, Wang Senbian, was unable to defeat Hou Jing in several engagements.
On the 5th day of the 5th month in the year of Guimai, King Xiao Yi of Xiangdong sent General Hu Sengyou and Governor Lu Fahe of Xinzhou to rescue Baling. Hou Jing sent Ren Yue to intercept the rescue troops. On the 1st day of the 6th month, Hu Sengyou and his men defeated Ren Yue and captured him. On the 2nd day of the 6th month, Hou Jing quickly withdrew, while Wang Sengbian led his troops to pursue him. On the 7th day of the 6th month, they took Lushan City and captured the Minister of State of Wei, Zhang Huaren, and the rebel leader Song Zixian and his men. Formerly following Prince Xiaohui of Poyang, General Hou Tian also raised his banner, attacking Yitong Yu Qing under Hou Jing, who was defeated and fled. On the 14th day of the 7th month, Hou Jing returned to Jiankang. On the 16th day of the 7th month, Wang Sengbian's army arrived at Pencity, and the rebel leader Fan Xirong, in charge of Jiangzhou, abandoned the city and fled. On the 17th day of the 8th month, Wang Sengzhen and Zheng Chong from Jinxi revolted, attacking the county town. The illegitimate Governor of Jinzhou, Xiahou Weisheng, and Yitong Ren Yan also fled. On the 19th day of the 8th month, Hou Jing sent Weiyuqing Peng Jun and Xiangong Wang Senggui to rush into the imperial palace, deposed Emperor Liang Xiao Yi, and made him King Jin'an, locking him up in Yongfu Province. Then Hou Jing killed Crown Prince Xiaodaqi, Prince Xunyang Xiaodaxin, Prince Xiyang Xiaodajun, Prince Wuning Xiaodawei, Prince Jianping Xiaodaqiu, Prince Yian Xiaodaxin, and twenty sons of Prince Xunyang. Hou Jing forged an edict of Emperor Liang, abdicating the throne in favor of Prince Yuchang Xiaodong, granting a general amnesty, and changing the era. He also sent assassins to kill Prince Nanhai Xiaodalin, Prince Nanjun Xiaodalian, Prince Anlu Xiaodaichun, and Prince Xinxing Xiaodaizhuang.
On the Renyin day in October, Emperor Yuan of Liang, Xiao Yi, said to his retainer, Yin Bu Hai, "I dreamed of swallowing dirt last night. Can you help me analyze what this means?" Yin Bu Hai replied, "In the past, Duke Wen of Jin, Chong Er, also ate soil, but later returned to Jin and became the ruler. Doesn't your dream resemble this?" At this moment, Wang Wei and others raised their wine cups to Emperor Yuan of Liang and said, "The Prime Minister has been aware of Your Majesty's worries for some time, so he asked us to come and wish you a long life." Emperor Yuan of Liang smiled and said, "A toast for longevity—can’t we drink to our heart’s content?" So everyone drank wine, ate food, and even brought out a curved lute to play for Emperor Yuan of Liang. Knowing he was not going to live long, Emperor Yuan of Liang drank to the point of drunkenness and said, "I never thought I could enjoy such happiness!" After getting drunk, he fell asleep. Wang Wei and Peng Jun brought a bag filled with soil, and Wang Xiuzuan sat on the bag. Thus, Emperor Yuan of Liang died in Yongfu Province at the age of forty-nine. Hou Jing falsely proclaimed him as the Ming Emperor, with the temple name Gaozong.
In a certain year, on Guichou day in March, Wang Sengbian led the officials to solemnly carry the coffin of Emperor Taizong into the court. Emperor Shizu posthumously conferred upon him the title of Emperor Jianwen, with the temple name Taizong. In April, on the day of Yichou, Emperor Taizong was buried at Zhuangling.
Oh, speaking of Emperor Taizong, when he was imprisoned, he wrote a passage on the wall, with a preface of his own, roughly meaning: "I am the upright official of the Liang Dynasty, Lanling Xiao Shizu, who has lived a righteous and honest life, always consistent. Even in the darkest room, I dare not do evil, let alone in broad daylight. Things have come to this point, it must be fate, what else can I do!" He also wrote two sorrowful poems.
Emperor Taizong was exceptionally intelligent from a young age, with remarkable understanding. He could write articles at the age of six. His grandfather, Emperor Gaozu, could not believe it. So, he tested him before the court. The result was that he wrote in a magnificent style, full of eloquence. Emperor Gaozu sighed, "This child is the Dong'e King of our family!" (Dong'e King refers to a person with outstanding talent.) As he grew up, he was kind, compassionate, and never easily angered. His face was full, his beard was as beautiful as a painting, and his eyes were bright and divine, making it difficult for people to look him in the eye. He read quickly and had a photographic memory, able to recall a wide range of classics and texts after just one reading. When it came to writing, he could write as soon as he picked up a pen. He was well-read, mastered Confucian classics, and was also able to discuss metaphysical concepts. At the age of eleven, he could handle government affairs and excelled in various positions wherever he was appointed. When his mother, Empress Dowager Mu, passed away, he was consumed by grief, growing so thin that his bones were visible. He cried day and night, even soaking the seats he sat on with his tears until they were ruined.
While in Xiangyang, he submitted a memorial requesting a northern expedition and dispatched Chief Historian Liu Jin, Sima Dong Dang, General Zhuangwu Du Huaibao, and General Zhenyuan Cao Yizong to lead a large army to set out, capturing the counties of Nanyang and Xinye. Li Zhi, the Inspector of South Jingzhou from Wei, also surrendered, expanding the territory by over a thousand li. After assuming office, he was tolerant and considerate towards his subordinates. He handled government affairs meticulously, never engaging in dishonesty. He had a great admiration for talented scholars, often meeting them to discuss poetry and literature, and wrote many articles himself. He once read aloud Emperor Gaozu's "Explanations of the Five Classics" in the Xuanpu Palace, with the entire court packed with listeners. He also had a special fondness for writing poetry, noting in his prefaces: "I have loved writing poetry since I was seven years old, and I've kept at it into old age, never tiring of it." However, his poetic style was seen as frivolous and flamboyant, which was referred to as "palace-style poetry" at the time. He wrote "Biography of Prince Zhaoming" in five volumes, "Biographies of Various Kings" in thirty volumes, "The Great Principles of Rites" in twenty volumes, "Interpretation of Laozi" in twenty volumes, "Interpretation of Zhuangzi" in twenty volumes, "Records of Long Spring" in one hundred volumes, and "Collection of Treasures and Gems" in three hundred volumes, all of which have been preserved through the ages. Historians note that Emperor Taizong was intelligent and wise from a young age, asking insightful questions and surpassing many throughout history. However, in his youth, he was somewhat frivolous and liked to play tricks, which was frowned upon by gentlemen. As he matured while in the Eastern Palace, his reputation spread throughout the world, and when he inherited the throne, he showed himself to be a capable emperor. Unfortunately, during the times of Emperor Wen and Emperor Jing, the nation's fortunes declined and faced challenges, dominated by treacherous officials, unable to realize his ambitions, ultimately meeting a tragic fate, which is truly a pity.
Alas, thinking about it is quite poignant. If only he could have seized power sooner, perhaps history would have been rewritten. ‘Square,’ ‘Symbol,’ ‘Scene,’ ‘Moving Clock,’ ‘Tun,’ ‘Peel’—these words clearly highlight the hardships and struggles of his era. Unfortunately, heroes find no opportunity to shine, and in the end, he ultimately could not escape his tragic fate. In the end, he was left to endure the cruelty of regret, alas! This line is truly heart-wrenching.
