In the year 500 AD (the first year of the Tianjian era) on the Bingyin day in April, Gaozu ascended to the throne in the southern outskirts and declared himself emperor. He built an altar, burned sacrificial wood, and declared to heaven and earth: "As Emperor Chen Yan, I respectfully offer sacrifices of black oxen and rams to the Heavenly Emperor and Empress, proclaiming that the fate of the Qi dynasty has come to an end and a new era is dawning. This is the will of heaven, granting me the imperial throne. Governing a country requires talented individuals; the mandate of heaven is not confined to a single family, nor is the imperial title hereditary. From Xie An and Yu Yunwen of the Tang dynasty, to the replacement of the Wei dynasty by the Han dynasty, and then the Jin and Song dynasties, these serve as exemplars of past dynasties. They ruled with moral integrity, benefited the people with their achievements, and protected the common people, leading to the prosperity of the country. In the late years of the Qi dynasty, the ruler was incompetent and cruel, with corrupt officials in power, spreading chaos and driving the nation towards ruin. The princes across the land were powerless, waiting for a chance yet unable to call upon the heavens. I, Gaozu, rose up in defiance, fought bravely, fought battles across vast distances, determined to save the people, led my troops in a desperate struggle, overthrowing the tyrannical rule and founding a new dynasty.
Since I took power, I have indeed done a lot in governing the country, helping the people, and bringing stability to the realm. Now, the auspicious signs in the heavens and the splendid landscapes of mountains and rivers reflect a time of peace and prosperity. The omens of the Qi dynasty's downfall have become evident, and the moment for a dynastic change has arrived. Minorities from all over the country have come to pay homage, and the people and deities are united as one. Therefore, the courtiers sincerely support me, believing it to be a command from heaven that cannot be refused. The Emperor of the Qi dynasty has also given up his rule and handed the throne to me. I am aware of my shortcomings and have declined the offer multiple times, yet ultimately I cannot refuse it. I must heed the favor of heaven and the hopes of the people. The throne cannot remain unoccupied for long, and the people require a strong leader; thus, I have taken on this weighty responsibility. Though my abilities are limited, I must govern the realm. I will always be vigilant and work diligently. Today, we hold the enthronement ceremony, offering sacrifices to heaven and earth, in hopes of bringing blessings, fostering a prosperous era, and ensuring the Liang dynasty's lasting prosperity. May heaven bestow its blessings upon us!
Goodness, after the ceremony ended, the emperor sat in the royal carriage and headed straight to the Jiankang Palace, arriving in front of the Taiji Hall. Then, he issued a decree, saying, "Look, this imperial throne, like the five vital energies, is passed down from generation to generation. All emperors in history have received their mandate from heaven in this way; the transitions between the Yin and Zhou dynasties also occurred due to the support of the people. Although dynasties change and times are different, the achievements of those wise monarchs have been passed down to this day. Which of them did not strive for the welfare of the people, spreading blessings to the people of the world? As for me, with mediocre talent and limited ability, I truly feel unworthy of this heavy responsibility, but due to the circumstances, I had to accept this imperial throne. I have inherited the legacy of the Qi dynasty and must shoulder the heavy responsibility of governing the world. Thinking of the achievements of those predecessors, I feel both fearful and ashamed! The Qi dynasty has come to an end; this is the will of fate. I follow the mandate of heaven and accept this great position. However, with my limited virtue, I feel unworthy of it, feeling both afraid of heaven and having to bear this great responsibility. I have held a grand ceremony to honor heaven and earth, accepting the rule of the world, to inherit the achievements of past emperors and rule over the world. It is like crossing a great river, and I feel lost and uncertain! The dynasty has just been established, and everything is still to be established, and I hope to spread my blessings throughout the country. Therefore, I hereby declare a general amnesty! Change the second year of the Qi dynasty's revival to the first year of Tianjian! All common people are granted two levels of titles; civil and military officials are promoted by two levels; those widows, orphans, and disabled individuals who cannot support themselves will each receive five measures of grain; all overdue taxes, debts, and old debts are forgiven; those who break local laws, commit corruption, bribery, debauchery, or theft will all be completely eliminated, cleansing their past transgressions and starting afresh!"
Next, the emperor issued another decree, bestowing the title of King of Baling upon the emperor of the Qi dynasty, granting him the revenues from a county. He also provided him with flags and chariots that only the emperor could use, and permitted him to continue using the era name of the Qi dynasty. The sacrificial rites, music, and ceremonial practices continued to adhere to the traditions of the Qi dynasty. The Queen Xuan of Qi became the consort of the Emperor Wen of Qi, and the Queen of the Qi dynasty became the concubine of the King of Baling.
Then, the emperor issued another imperial edict: "The rise and fall of dynasties are part of the natural order of history. The titles of the nobles and ministers of the Qi dynasty will have their ranks reduced. Those who have made significant contributions to the country will be given special consideration. The King of Song, Ru Yin, is an exception." He also ordered, "With the establishment of the new dynasty and peace throughout the land, all prisoners held in jails shall be released; those who were exiled can return home."
The emperor posthumously titled his father as Emperor Wen, with the temple name Taizu; his mother was honored as Empress Xian. The concubine Xi was also titled Empress De. His elder brother, the Grand Tutor Yi, was posthumously titled King of Changsha, with the posthumous title Xuanwu; the Rear Marshal of Qi was posthumously titled King of Yongyang, with the posthumous title Zhao; his younger brother, Chang, the Grand Minister of Qi, was posthumously titled King of Hengyang, with the posthumous title Xuan; the Gentleman of the Yellow Gate of Qi, Rong, was posthumously titled King of Guiyang, with the posthumous title Jian.
On that day, the emperor also issued an edict, bestowing titles on fifteen newly appointed military commanders who had made contributions in civil and military affairs, such as Xiahou Xiang, all being appointed as dukes and marquises, with differing allocations of land. My younger brother, Hong, the Chief of the Guard, was appointed as the Inspector of Yangzhou and honored as the King of Linchuan; Xiu was honored as the King of Ancheng and appointed as the Inspector of Southern Xuzhou; Wei was honored as the King of Jian'an and appointed as the Inspector of Yongzhou; Hui was honored as the King of Poyang and appointed as the General of the Left Guard; Dan was honored as the King of Shixing and appointed as the Inspector of Jingzhou.
On the day of Dingmao, the emperor promoted General Wang Mao to General of the Garrison. At the same time, he appointed Wang Liang, the Director of the Imperial Secretariat, as the Prefect of the Imperial Secretariat and General of the Central Army; Wang Ying, the Left Chief Historian of the Prime Minister, as the Director of the Imperial Secretariat and General of the Pacification Army; Shen Yue, the Minister of Personnel, as the Deputy Prefect of the Imperial Secretariat; and Fan Yun, the Senior Attendant, as the Imperial Attendant and Minister of Personnel. The emperor issued a decree saying: "Since the Song Dynasty, rulers have been living an extravagant and indulgent lifestyle, with wealth in the palace that is beyond counting, totaling several hundred billion. Considering the expenses of the five major cities across the nation, the common people are impoverished and in distress, with complaints everywhere; many have been wronged and driven to despair. Even wealthy families cannot be exempt from taxes; women in weaving and embroidery workshops continue to live in hardship. The country is deeply entrenched in issues, social morals are corrupt, there is nothing worse than this! Therefore, everyone in the pleasure palace, including servants from the Western Garden, must be released. If they are old and unable to take care of themselves, the court will provide them with food." On the day of Wuchen, General Gao Yun of the Chariot Cavalry was promoted to Grand General of the Chariot Cavalry; General Yu Da of Baekje was promoted to General of the Eastern Expedition; General Liang Mi of Dangchang was promoted to General of the Western Garrison; General Wu of Wo was promoted to General of the Eastern Expedition; and General Xiuliudai of Henan was promoted to General of the Western Expedition. The King of Baling passed away in Gushu, posthumously honored as Emperor Qihuo, and the funeral arrangements were made according to regulations. In the year XXX (Jisi year), the emperor appointed the Grand Master of Ceremonies Zhang Gui as the Right Grand Master of Ceremonies. In the year XXX (Gengwu year), General of the South and Governor of Jiangzhou, Chen Bozhi was promoted to General of the South Expedition.
The emperor decreed, "Observing the people's feelings and understanding customs are principles a wise ruler should uphold; inspecting all directions and understanding the people's sentiments are great achievements of a wise emperor. Therefore, the ancient wise monarchs were able to govern the country well and establish enlightened politics; they achieved great success in both civil and military affairs. They were able to see the subtle details, ultimately making the country prosperous and spreading knowledge far and wide. My abilities are mediocre; I am not proficient in the ways of governing, having inherited the foundation laid by my ancestors and bearing a great responsibility. I always take the ancient wise monarchs as my role models, proceeding cautiously as if walking on thin ice. I am thinking about how to uplift the people's spirits, cultivate morality, reduce killings, avoid cruelty, ease the laws, and implement benevolent governance to bring peace to the realm; however, my wisdom is limited, my abilities are lacking, and coupled with unfavorable circumstances, I have not yet been able to take action. I am constantly worried and unable to sleep at night. Therefore, I have decided to send eunuchs to various places for inspection, to observe political matters and listen to the people's concerns, seek out talents, and promote those who have been overlooked. Anyone with neglected fields, messy lawsuits, or corruption should report back to me quickly. If there are talented individuals who are in seclusion, or those with exceptional abilities waiting for their chance, or those with profound knowledge but not seeking fame, even those not seeking recognition from the court should be recommended, without any omissions. Let my eyes and ears be everywhere, as if I had seen them myself."
Another decree was issued, stating: "In ancient times, there was a system of using money to redeem sins. In ancient and middle periods, it was common to use cloth and silk to redeem sins, and the people were willing to abide by the law; there was no better way. However, in later times, the moral climate deteriorated, theft became rampant, and an increasing number of people committed offenses, with charges of all kinds being leveled against them. Every day, a large number of cases had to be dealt with, and the number of prisoners in jail increased year by year. The dead cannot be brought back to life, and those who have been punished cannot be returned to their former selves. In light of this situation, how can the country thrive? Every day, I worry about governing the country, pondering how to improve governance, carefully studying the systems of past emperors, choosing effective systems for governance, and sparing no effort to make the country prosperous, so that all people can feel my sincerity. Due to the long-standing corrupt customs, laws and regulations have grown increasingly convoluted. While there were four hundred laws in the time of Emperor Wen of Han, it is already a long time ago. While government affairs have been streamlined, daily government affairs should not be forgotten, yet many valuable suggestions have been put aside. Therefore, I have decided to adopt the ancient practices of the Zhou and Han dynasties, permitting offenders to atone for their sins with money. I will draft specific regulations and announce them to all later."
In a certain year (the year of Xinwei), the court appointed Cai Daogong as the governor of Sizhou, and appointed Xiao Baoyi as the King of Baling, responsible for honoring the ancestors of the Qi state. The administrative system of Wujin County in Nanlanling was restored, employing the previous management practices. At the same time, the court summoned Xie Fu to serve as the Left Guanglu Dafu and the Kaifu Yitong Sansi, and He Yin as the Right Guanglu Dafu. Nandonghai County was renamed Lanling County. Land surveys were carried out in the immigrant counties of Nansuzhou.
Next, in the year of Gui-You, the emperor decreed: "The customs of the Shang Dynasty have only recently changed, and the old traditions are still prevalent, making it difficult to convey the true state of affairs, a problem that has persisted for a long time. In order to strengthen communication and increase deterrence, it is ordered to set up a box next to the slander wood and the lung stone at the public carriage office. High-ranking officials who have something they cannot say openly, and common people who want to express their opinions, can drop their opinions into the slander wood box. Those who have contributed to the country, even if they feel sidelined, can write down their achievements and experiences and submit them to the lung stone box. Talented individuals who are overlooked, with abilities like Fu Shuo and Lv Shang, but facing the same fate as Qu Yuan and Jia Yi, feeling unjustly treated, can also write about their circumstances and drop it into the box. Those who abuse their power over the weak, and the wealthy who exploit the common people, leading to the impoverishment of the common people, yet unable to voice their plight to the court, can also write about their circumstances and place it in the box." In the year of Jia-Xu, the court ordered the cessation of celebrations far and wide.
Another decree stated: "The court's etiquette and document processing should be carried out according to the old regulations, the ranks and positions of officials should be well-defined, and there should be a certain etiquette between superiors and subordinates to demonstrate the dignity of royal authority. However, due to recent disasters, the court's management has been lax, and official promotions have relied more on nepotism rather than actual merit. Generals of the Six Armies hold positions as fourth-rank officials, while officials in green or purple robes are performing menial duties like maintaining records. Officials do not follow the rules among themselves, and the etiquette is in chaos. I feel deeply troubled and wish to correct this bad atmosphere. Careless and slothful officials often cause losses to the country, and even with standard punishments, it is difficult to deter them. Therefore, we have decided to severely punish those officials who violate the laws, enforcing the law with the severity of ancient Jia Chu, and whipping officials who break the rules. Specific measures will be collaboratively discussed, ensuring fairness and reasonableness."
In a certain year (Guiwei year), the emperor decreed: "Officials of the Prime Minister's Office can be promoted based on their merits and qualifications; if their positions are already filled, any surplus positions, including those in the Cavalry Guard, can be conferred upon them."
In the intercalary month (Dingyou year), Liang Miyong was appointed as the General of Anxi, Governor of Heliang, and formally titled the Prince of Dangchang. In a certain year (Renyin year), Xiahou Xiang was appointed as the Right Guanglu Daifu.
The emperor issued a decree, saying: "To improve all work and rectify internal and external atmospheres, the key lies in a rational division of labor, mutual oversight, and mutual accountability. However, recently everyone has been rigid and dogmatic, showing inflexibility in their duties; many individuals are being lazy and evasive, unwilling to take responsibility. Discipline is becoming increasingly lax, nearly turning into a norm. From now on, Duan You may report to me at any time, restoring the old system of the Yuanxi era."
On the night of May 乙亥, someone sneaked into the northern and southern sides of the imperial palace, set fire to the Shenhu Gate and the Zongzhang Temple, and killed Zhang Hongce, the Minister of Guard. On the day of 戊子, Chen Bozhi, the governor of Jiangzhou, rebelled, and the court quickly appointed General Wang Mao as the Southern Expedition General and Governor of Jiangzhou, leading troops to suppress the rebellion. On June 庚戌, Yang Shaoxian was appointed as the Governor of North Qinzhou and the King of Wudu. That month, Chen Bozhi fled to the Kingdom of Wei, and the rebellion in Jiangzhou was suppressed. However, not long after, Liu Jilian, the former governor of Yizhou, rebelled in Chengdu. On August 戊戌, Jiankang established three government offices. On 乙巳, Xiang Shupeng was appointed as the General of Anxi and granted the title of King of Dengzhi. On 丁未, the emperor ordered Wang Ying and seven others to collectively revise the laws and regulations. During this month, the emperor also ordered the Minister of Personnel, Cao Lang, to restore the previous system of submitting memorials. The states of Linyi and Gandhara sent envoys to pay tribute.
By winter, on November 己未, a small temple was built. On 甲子, the emperor's son Tong was appointed as the crown prince. On December 丙申, Zhang Ji was appointed as the General Protector. On 辛亥, Zhang Ji was dismissed. That year saw a severe drought, with five thousand coins required for a dou of rice, leading many people to starve.
In the spring of a certain year on the first day of the first month of the lunar calendar, the emperor issued a decree saying, "'Three Inquiries, Five Audiences', this comes from the teachings of the sages, 'Compassion and Justice in Judgment', this is even more important than previous decrees! All of this stems from that; it is for the cautious execution of punishments, to prevent wrongful convictions, and to achieve successful governance of the country. Since I became a prince, I have frequently presided over cases myself, striving to uncover the truth; regardless of the case's size, it must be thoroughly investigated. However, in recent years, the judicial system has slackened, and there have been shortcomings in this regard. An increasing number of people are being incarcerated, and the avenues for appealing wrongful convictions are decreasing. Now that I am the emperor, governing millions of people, although I handle cases diligently in the palace every day, I cannot grasp the situation across the empire. I am very worried that there will be wrongful convictions; this is no small matter! Therefore, I order that each state conduct monthly hearings, gather opinions broadly, choose the best methods, and ensure precision and accuracy!" The next day, the emperor appointed Shen Yue as the Left Minister, Fan Yun as the Right Minister, Prince Hui of Poyang as the Prefect of Nanxu, Wang Liang as the Left Grand Master, and Liu Qingyuan as the Central Commander of the Army. Two days later, the newly appointed Left Grand Master, Wang Liang, was dismissed.
In the fourth month of summer, the official Cai Fadu of the Ministry of Rites submitted the completed revisions of the "Liang Code" in twenty volumes, "Edicts" in thirty volumes, and "Statutes" in forty volumes. In the fifth month, Fan Yun, the Deputy Right Chief of the Ministry of Rites, passed away. The Governor of Yizhou, Deng Yuanqi, captured Chengdu, and the Emperor ordered to pardon all criminals in Yizhou. Afterwards, the Emperor ordered that all counties should cease offering tribute to the imperial palace; only the states and Kuaiji County could recommend local specialties, and if it was not a local specialty, it could not be presented. In the sixth month, due to severe flooding in Dongyang, Xin'an, and Feng'an counties that destroyed homes and property, the Emperor sent officials to investigate on-site and reduced the taxes of these three counties. That summer, an epidemic broke out. The Emperor appointed Xie Pu as the Minister of Works while also serving as the Minister of Personnel, and Wang Ying as the Deputy Right Chief of the Ministry of Rites. In the seventh month, envoys from Funan, Kucha, and Tokhara all came to pay tribute. In October, during the winter, the Northern Wei army invaded Sizhou. In November, there was thunder and lightning accompanied by heavy rain and dark skies, with thunder continuing at night. Shen Yue resigned from his position as Deputy Left Chief of the Ministry of Rites following his mother's death. On the seventh day of the third month in a certain year, Prince Hong of Linchuan, the General and Governor of Yangzhou, was promoted to General of the Central Army. On the same day, Wang Ying was promoted to Deputy Left Chief of the Ministry of Rites, Liu Yan was promoted to Deputy Right Chief of the Ministry of Rites, and Shen Yue was appointed as General of the Garrison. What frequent personnel changes!
In February, the Wei Kingdom captured Liangzhou; the situation in the country was grim. In March, the frost killed the crops, making this year's harvest particularly challenging. On May 14th, the King of Funan, Jiaochen Roshayabamo, was appointed as the General of Annan, which was seen as a diplomatic win. On June 1st, the Emperor issued an edict, noting that wise emperors of the past would tour the country annually to understand the people's plight and address their issues, but it had been a long time since this was done. Many common people couldn't make appeals because of long distances or poor health, so the Emperor decided to send envoys to inspect various regions, address wrongful cases, and enable the common people to seek justice. This edict truly reflects the Emperor's compassion! On June 27th, there was a general amnesty, a genuinely good day! On July 22nd, Xiahou Xiang was promoted to General of Chariots and Cavalry and Governor of Xiangzhou, while Yang Gong was appointed as the Central Guard. On July 29th, the Emperor appointed his son Zong as the Prince of Yuzhang Commandery. In August, the Wei Kingdom captured Sizhou, so the Emperor had to set up a new Sizhou in Nanyiyang to respond. On September 7th, Fuliang Chou was appointed as General of the Western Frontier, Governor of Western Qin and He States, and was also named the King of Henan. This month was packed with national events! Oh, and there was also some good news: the Northern Tianzhu Kingdom sent envoys to pay tribute, which was a small consolation. On November 29th, the Emperor issued another edict, stating that the criminal laws should be updated to reflect the times, as the laws from the Shang Dynasty were outdated, and with fewer inmates, the provision for redemption could be eliminated to lessen the burden on the common people. It appears the Emperor is quite progressive. This year, the country was plagued by epidemics everywhere, truly a year filled with disasters and hardships!
In a certain year (specific year not mentioned in the text) on the first day of the first month, the emperor decreed: "Currently, in the selection of officials among the nine ranks, those under thirty years old who are not well-versed in a classical text cannot be appointed to an official position. However, if someone possesses talent like Gan Luo or Yan Yuan, age restrictions do not apply." Then, one scholar for each of the Five Classics was appointed. Following this, General Zhenbei, the Governor of Yongzhou, and Prince Wei of Jian'an were appointed as Governors of Nanxuzhou; Prince Huai of Poyang was appointed as Governor of Yingzhou; and General Lü Qingyuan was appointed as Governor of Yongzhou. On one occasion, the palace performance "Phoenix Carrying a Letter" was canceled. Another day, the emperor decreed: "In sacrifices to the ancestral temples and to heaven and earth, the most important aspect is to be respectful and sincere. Even with the utmost sincerity, one still fears transgression. In the past dynasties, palace attendants were often permitted to observe these rituals, with extensive setting of curtains and palaces, noisy carriages and horses. This does not convey reverence for heaven or invoke the spirits of the heavens. Such practices amidst the clamor of carriages and horses evoke the mockery of past dynasties, so it should be stopped from now on." Afterwards, the emperor personally conducted sacrifices at the Southern Suburbs and ordered a pardon for the entire realm. On a certain day in the second month, Minister of Guard Yang Gong led the palace guards to station at Luokou. On another day in the same month, Governor of Jiaozhou Li Kai rebelled, and Chief Clerk Li Ye suppressed the rebellion. The court issued a pardon for Jiaozhou. Another day, former Governor of Yingzhou Cao Jingzong was appointed as Middle Guard. During this month, Jianxing Garden was constructed in Moling. On a certain day in the fourth month, Prince Liang Mibo was appointed as General of Anxi, Governor of Heluo, and Prince of Dangchang. Throughout this month, sweet dew fell continuously in Hualin Garden.
On a certain day in May, a Jiahe plant grew in Shuoyin Village, Jiankang County, with twelve ears of grain on one stem. On a day in June, the Confucius Temple was constructed. On another day in the same month, the North Star could be seen during the day. On a day in July, Zhang Gui, the Right Guanglu Dafu, passed away. On a day in August, the Old Man Star became visible. On a day in October, the court launched a northern expedition, appointing Wang Hong, the General of the Central Army and Governor of Yangzhou Linchuan, as the commander of the northern expedition, with Liu Gan, the Right Deputy of the Imperial Secretariat, serving as the deputy general. That year, in order to raise military funds, officials from the nobility and lower officials all contributed their national and land taxes to support military needs. On a day in November, Xie Pu, the Minister of Works and Prefect, was appointed as the leading general. On a certain day, the weather was fine, lightning flashed in the southwest, and thunder-like sounds were heard three times. In December, Xie Pu resigned from his official position due to his mother's death. That year was a good harvest, with rice priced at thirty coins per dou. On the first day of a certain year, the Emperor issued a decree stating, "The Zhou Dynasty and the Han Dynasty both selected talented individuals from all over the country. In recent years, talents have diminished, and many talented individuals have been forgotten and isolated, unable to hear their voices or see their abilities, leading to low morale and dwindling enthusiasm. Is this due to deliberate favoritism from the heavens? Actually, it is because we have not been good enough at recognizing and using talents. Although my abilities are limited, I must govern the people of this realm. My eyes and ears are limited, and I cannot take care of the entire country. I feel guilty about this and dare not slack off. Therefore, I order each region to select talented individuals from local prominent families who are not serving in the court." A few days later, the Emperor appointed Xie Pu as the Chief of the Imperial Secretariat, Minister of Works, and General of the Guards, Shen Yue as the Right Guanglu Dafu, and Prince Zong of Yuzhang as the Governor of South Xuzhou. A few days later, Wang Ying was appointed as the General of the Guards, while still serving as the Deputy. Later on, the Emperor appointed his son Gang as the Prince of Jin'an. On that day, Jupiter appeared during the day.
In February, Zhang Chong was appointed as the Minister of Personnel. On the first day of March, a solar eclipse occurred. The brother of Emperor Xuanwu of Wei and his fellow brothers surrendered. Liu Suxiao defeated Yuan Xi, the Governor of Qingzhou in Wei. Chen Bozhi also surrendered with his troops from Shouyang. In April, two bronze swords were discovered in the Gaochangren Mountain area of Luling, and an eight-eyed turtle was found in Shifeng County. The Emperor issued a decree saying: "I work diligently day and night, wholeheartedly for the people, carefully listen to various opinions, and handle all sorts of matters. For this reason, I have displayed evidence of wrongful cases in the streets of the capital, increased the officials overseeing the decrees, personally examined cases carefully, and strive for fair treatment in all cases, regardless of their size. However, my governance is still not perfect, and there are still many people detained in prisons, for which I feel deeply ashamed. Therefore, I order all prisons to arrange for judges and guards to take turns on duty, register information of prisoners, and report to me promptly if any wrongful cases are found." In May, Zhang Huishao captured the city of Suyu in Wei. The vanguard of King Hong of Linchuan captured Liangcheng. Wei Rui captured Hefei City. Pei Sui captured Yangshi City and Huoqiu City. That day, the planet Jupiter appeared in the daytime. In June, the vanguard of Huan He captured Qushan City. In July, Deng Zhiguo sent envoys to pay tribute. In August, the Old Man Star appeared. The Emperor ordered the construction of the Crown Prince's Palace. In November, an earthquake occurred in the capital. Due to the prolonged duration of military expeditions, the Emperor ordered a general amnesty throughout the country. The Wei army invaded Zhongli, prompting Cao Jingzong to lead a rescue mission. In December, Xie Fu passed away.
On the first day of the first month in a certain year, the emperor ordered: "Even the smallest treasure can be buried in mud and sand; for personal reasons, one might choose to stay silent, and a gentleman should take this as a lesson. Every day, I attend morning and evening court sessions, thinking about how to improve political strategies. Although there are many ministers in the court whose thoughts I can sense, the voices from distant regions have not yet reached the court. Some people are impoverished, while others have long journeys, and they want to speak but have no opportunity. How can we ensure that everyone can freely express their thoughts? If the common people across the country wish to share their views on laws and politics, which benefit the country and its people, and cannot submit them directly due to distance or other reasons, they can submit their opinions to the governor or county magistrate. All good suggestions, big or small, should be reported to the court." A few days later, the emperor ordered again: "Ruling the world isn’t for personal gain. If disasters, diseases, wars, floods, or fires occur, all these responsibilities fall on me, the emperor. Currently, those in charge of sacrifices tend to blame me for misfortunes during their prayers. I am willing to bear all of this to prevent disasters from affecting the common people and to bring them some peace. Do not pray for me, as it will only add to my burdens. This order must be upheld everywhere."
At the beginning of February, the Elder Star appeared. At the beginning of March, frost damaged the grass. This month, three stars appeared together in the sky over the capital. At the beginning of April, the titles of Left and Right Valiant Cavalry Generals and Left and Right Guerrilla Generals were created. Following this, Cao Jingzong and Wei Rui, among others, defeated the Northern Wei army, capturing countless enemies. Cao Jingzong was appointed as the General of the Army and also the Governor of Xuzhou. Wang Mao was appointed as the Right Minister of the Secretariat, and Prince An Cheng Wang Xiu was appointed as the General for Pacifying the South and concurrently the Governor of Jiangzhou. Hunan and Guangzhou were divided, leading to the establishment of Hengzhou. Prince Wang Hong was appointed as the Valiant Cavalry General, Prince Jian'an Wei was appointed as the Yangzhou Governor, Shen Yue was appointed as the Minister of the Left of the Secretariat, and Wang Ying was appointed as the General of the Central Army. At the beginning of May, Prince of Changsha Shen Ye was appointed as the Central Protector General. Yuan Ang was appointed as the Minister of Personnel. The titles of General of the Central Guard and General of the Central Authority were created, and the Valiant Cavalry General was renamed the Cloud Rider General, while the Guerrilla General was renamed the Cavalry Scout General. Prince Jian'an Wei was promoted to the General of the Central Authority. At the beginning of June, Xiahou Xiang was appointed as the Right Grand Master of Splendid Happiness, and Liu Yan was appointed as the General for Pacifying the South and concurrently the Governor of Hunan. In Xingwu County, a four-eyed turtle was caught.
On the first day of July, the Taibai star appeared during the day. A few days later, Guangzhou was carved out, and Gui Prefecture was established. Wang Mao was appointed General of the Imperial Guard. In early August, the emperor ordered a nationwide amnesty. It was a windy day, and many trees were blown down. The capital was hit by a flood, with the water level rising dramatically, submerging the imperial road seven feet deep. In September, a Jiahe plant with nine spikes on a single stalk was found in Jiangling County. A few days later, Yuewu Hall was renamed Deyang Hall, and Tingsong Hall was renamed Yixian Hall. Lv Sengzhen was appointed General of Pingbei and concurrently as Governor of Nanyanzhou, while Xiao Chang was appointed Governor of Guangzhou. In early October, Xu Mian was appointed Minister of Personnel. On an unspecified day in the intercalary month, Prince Hong of Linchuan was appointed Minister of Works, Shen Yue was appointed Grand Secretary, and Yuan Ang was appointed Right Deputy Director. Prince Dan of Shixing was promoted to General of Anxi. On a certain day, Xiahou Xiang was appointed Left Deputy Director of the Masters of Writing. On a certain day in December, Xiahou Xiang died. Chang Yong, the defending general of Huaiyang Town in Northern Wei, surrendered. Huozhou was carved out of Yuzhou.
On the first day of the seventh year of the Common Era, the emperor issued a decree saying: For the nation to grow, education must be given top priority. Without learning, we can't cultivate good talent. Since the establishment of the country, although agriculture and culture have been valued, talent cultivation is still not perfect enough, and goals are still lacking. This cannot be allowed! The children of nobles need proper education and must be taught to follow the rules. Now that the customs of various ethnic groups are gradually converging, schools should be vigorously established, more students should be recruited, ethics and morality should be learned, noble virtues should be cultivated, and good practices should be spread, ensuring education reaches the hearts of the people. On that day, General Wang Mao was promoted to General of Chariots and Cavalry. On the day of Wuxu, the Shenlong Que and Renhu Que were built outside the Duanmen and Simamen gates. On the day of Renzi, Cao Jingzong was appointed General of the Imperial Guard, and Xiao Jing was concurrently appointed General of the Vanguard.
On the day of Yimao in the second month, two bronze bells were found in Lujiang County. A new state gate was built south of Yuecheng. On the day of Yichou, the ranks of officials below the Town Guard General were expanded. On the day of Gengwu, it was ordered to establish a State Supervisor, County Superintendent, and Village Chief in each state, county, and district respectively, responsible for searching and recommending talents. On the day of Yihai, Goryeo King Gao Yun was appointed as Grand General of Fudong and given the title of Sifusansi; Lv Sengzhen was appointed as Leading Military General. On the day of Bingzi, Prince Shenye of Changsha was appointed as the Governor of Nanyanzhou and Leading Military General; Xiao Jing was appointed as Governor of Yongzhou; Liu Qingyuan was appointed as Military Guard General.
On the day of Yimao in the fourth month, the Crown Prince married his consort and pardoned all criminals sentenced to less than death, rewarding courtiers and attendants. On the day of Xinwei, a sacred turtle was found in Moling County. On the day of Wuyin, two ancient bronze swords were found in Yuyao County. On the day of Jihai in the fifth month, the Emperor ordered the restoration of the Four Ministers' positions—Zongzheng, Taipu, Dajiang, and Honglu—and added the positions of Taifu and Taizhou, thus completing the ranks of the Twelve Ministers. On the day of Guimao, Prince Xiu of Ancheng was appointed as General of Pingxi and Governor of Jingzhou; Prince Dan of Shixing was appointed as Military Guard General; Cao Jingzong was appointed as General of Annan and Governor of Jiangzhou. On the day of Xinyou in the sixth month, the houses within a five-li radius of the two tombs were rebuilt and renovated, and the tomb guards were renamed to Ling.
On the day of Dinghai in July, the moon was in the Di constellation. On the day of Guichou in August, Cao Jingzong died. On the day of Dingsi, criminals facing the death penalty whose cases were still open were pardoned. On the day of Jiaxu, Prince Ancheng Xiu was promoted to General of Anxi; Prince Poyang Hui was promoted to General of Pingxi. That night, the Elder Star appeared. On the day of Dinghai in September, the emperor decreed: "In ancient times, the sage kings personally participated in agricultural production, leaving behind examples. Even pheasants and hares have relevant legal provisions. Jiang Taigong was also demoted for neglect of duty. Mountains, forests, and swamps are the cradle of talent. Cutting down trees is a necessity for people's livelihood. But in recent years, the restrictions on mountains and forests have become increasingly strict. How can this be considered sharing benefits with the people? Any land occupied by officials, any restrictions, can be lifted." On the day of Renchen, the position of Young Charioteer was established. On the day of Guisi, Prince Ji was appointed as the King of Nankang County. On the day of Jihai, the moon was in the Dongjing constellation.
On the day of Bingyin in October, Zhang Ji was named as the Left Deputy of the Ministry of Personnel. On the day of Bingzi, the General of Yangguan of Wei, Xu Jingzhen, surrendered with his troops. The emperor ordered a major northern expedition, with Prince Shixing Dan leading the attack on Qinghe, and Wang Mao leading the attack on Suyu. On the day of Dingchou, the General of Xuanhu of Wei, Bai Zaosheng, and the Governor of Yuzhou, Hu Xun, surrendered with their troops. Bai Zaosheng was appointed as the General of Zhenbei and the Governor of Sizhou, and Hu Xun was appointed as the General of Pingbei and the Governor of Yuzhou. On the day of Xinsi in November, Yin County reported that sweet dew had fallen.
In the first month of the year 476 AD, on Xin-Snake Day, the emperor personally went to the southern suburbs to offer sacrifices, then granted a general amnesty to the entire realm, and all civil and military officials inside and outside the court received an additional year of salary. On Ren-Dragon Day, Cheng Jingjun, the Eastern Garrison Commander of the Wei Kingdom, defeated Yan Zhongbao, the lord of Su Yu City, and offered Su Yu City to the court. On Ren-Xu Day in the second month, the Star of the Elderly appeared. In April, the court renamed North Baxi County as Nanliangzhou. On Wu-Shen Day, the emperor appointed Prince Shixing, the General of the Guards, as the General of the Guards; Linchuan Wang Hong, the Minister of War and Prince of the East, as the Minister of Works and the Governor of Yangzhou; and Wang Mao, the General of Chariots and Cavalry and Prince's Attendant, continued to hold his original position and was further appointed as the Supervisor of the Palace Attendants. On Ding-Mao Day, Li Guoxing, the lord of Chu Wangcheng in the Wei Kingdom, also offered the city to the court. On Bing-Zi Day, the emperor appointed Wang Ying, the General of the Central Army and Intendant of Danyang, as the Grand Master of the Palace. On Ren-Wu Day in May, the emperor issued an edict, which read: "Learning is for the purpose of future governance. The sages of old understood this truth, and salaries are included, which are the experiences of our predecessors. I have been contemplating how to govern the country effectively, so I have always attached great importance to Confucianism, established many schools and nurtured talent. Now results are starting to emerge, outstanding talents are constantly appearing, and next, they should be promoted to various roles and appointed to official positions. Anyone who can understand a classic and study diligently will be promoted according to their abilities after the exam. Even those from humble backgrounds who grew up near markets and sheep pens must take official positions based on their abilities, and no one should be overlooked." On Gui-Snake Day in July, Prince Balang, Xiao Baoyi, passed away. On Wu-Wu Day in August, the Star of the Elderly appeared once more. On Yi-Snake Day in October, the emperor appointed Prince Shixing, General of the Central Army, as the General of the North and Governor of Nanliangzhou, and Prince Shenyue of Changsha, the Governor of Nanliangzhou, as the General of the Guard.
On the second day of the first month in 488 AD, the court appointed Shen Yue as Left Minister of Guanglu, while he continued to hold the position of Shao Fu; Wang Ying was appointed as Shangshu Ling; Prince Jian'an Wei was appointed as the General of the Guards, stationed at Jiankang; Prince Shixing Dan was appointed as the General of the Western Garrison and the Governor of Yizhou; Wang Liang was appointed as the Director of the Palace Library. On the fourth day, Prince Jin'an Gang was appointed as the Governor of South Yanzhou. On the eighth day, the construction of Yuanhuai Pond began, with the north bank extending from Shitoucheng to Dongye, and the south bank extending from Houzhu Limen to Sanqiao.
On the sixth day of the third month, the Emperor personally inspected the National University and rewarded the officials under the National University’s Jijiu with different amounts of cloth and silk. On the eleventh day of the third month, the Emperor issued a decree saying, "Princes should study the Book of Rites. Those noble sons should come to study, as this is the teachings of our ancestors, aimed at promoting etiquette and passing on education. The National University has officially commenced its classes, and outstanding young people should learn from each other. From now on, all eligible Crown Princes and noble sons should enroll." At this time, the Kingdom of Yutian sent envoys bearing rare items.
On the fourth day of the fourth month, the court reformed the selection system for the Shangshu Wudu officials, eliminating the Hanliu system (a method for selecting officials). The Kingdom of Linyi also sent envoys with a white monkey as tribute. On the ninth day of the fifth month, the Emperor issued a decree saying, "I constantly think about how to govern the country and do not dare to slack off even for a moment. However, the affairs of various departments are numerous and require different handling. If I cannot gather everyone’s opinions, I won’t be able to grasp the full situation. From now on, all departments—including the Imperial Court, provincial governments, prefectures, and garrisons—must hold regular meetings, discuss together, suggest improvements, and then report together." Unfortunately, Wang Liang, Director of the Palace Library, passed away this month.
On the tenth day of June, Zhu Sengyong, the Prefect of Xuancheng, was killed by bandits. On the eighteenth day of June, Prince Wei of Jian'an was appointed as General of the South and Inspector of Jiangzhou. On the sixth day of the intercalary month, bandits from Xuancheng raided Wuxing County, but the Prefect of Wuxing, Cai Zun, pacified them. On the sixth day of July, the Elder Star appeared. (This is a good omen!) On the eighteenth day of the twelfth month at the end of the year, the Emperor visited the Imperial Academy to assess the students' progress and rewarded the teachers with various gifts.
In the first month of the tenth year, on Xin Chou, the Emperor personally went to the southern suburbs to offer sacrifices, then granted a general amnesty and awarded an additional two years' salary to those working in the court. On Gui Mao, the court appointed Zhang Ji, the Minister of the Left, as General of the North, concurrently serving as Inspector of Qingzhou and Jizhou; while Hui, the Inspector of Yingzhou and Prince of Poyang, was appointed as General Who Guards the Army. On Jia Chen, Zong, the Prince of Yuzhang and Inspector of South Xuzhou, was transferred to become the Inspector of Yingzhou, and the General of Light Chariots, Prince Ji of Nankang, replaced him as the Inspector of South Xuzhou. On Wu Shen, news spread that a Zouyu, a legendary divine beast, had been spotted in Huarong County, Jingzhou. On this day, Wang Jian, the Minister of the Left, was promoted to Minister of Personnel. On Xin You, the Emperor once again personally visited the Temple of Brightness to offer sacrifices.
On the third day of the third month, a major event occurred. Deng Zhen, the governor of Dongguan County and Langye County, was killed by bandits. To make matters worse, these bandits also used the terrain of Qushan to lure the Wei army. The court immediately dispatched General Ma Xianpin of Zhenyuan to suppress them. This month, Lu Chang, the governor of Xuzhou in Wei, also led his army to Qushan, ready to confront these bandits head-on. On the fifth day of the fifth month (Dingchou), a black turtle with horns was found in Anfeng County. On Dingchou day, the military leader Lv Sengzhen passed away. On Jimao day, the court appointed Zhang Chong, the Grand Scholar, as the Left Minister of the Ministry of Rites, and the Prince's Attendant Liu Qingyuan as the General of the Army. On the sixth day of the sixth month (Yiyou), a lotus flower appeared in Leyou Garden, with three flowers blooming on one stem, truly a spectacle!
On the seventh day of the seventh month, the emperor issued an edict, stating that in ancient times, ministers could speak frankly and offer advice, all recorded in historical books. Throughout history, there have been excellent memorials, all aimed at governing the country and carrying out various political affairs. However, since the decline of the Jin Dynasty, a culture of pretense and ostentation has prevailed, passed down from generation to generation, becoming increasingly serious. This has led to an empty court, with no memorials like those of Ji Gong that speak frankly and offer advice, and few upright and outspoken individuals like Zheng Sheng in the court. The court's three Huai trees and eight official ranks, with so many officials, should provide more suggestions and memorials to better assist me in governing the country.
On the ninth day of the ninth month (Bingshen), a rumbling sound came from the northwest sky, with red mist billowing down to the ground, truly an ominous sign! On the twelfth day of the twelfth month (Guiyou), people in Lincheng County saw a mountain cart (a strange celestial phenomenon). On the day of Gengchen, Ma Xianpin achieved a great victory over the Wei army, killing over ten thousand people and successfully recapturing Qushan City, a truly heartening event! That year, the court commenced the construction of the palace city, constructing a city gate with three layers of towers, and opening two new roads. The country of Dangchang also sent envoys to present various rare and precious treasures.
In the first month of the year 482 AD, the emperor issued an edict, saying: "Our country's laws stipulate that elderly offenders should not have their families implicated. This is explicitly stated in our laws and customs, and there are precedents in history. This demonstrates the court's mercy, which means some culpability can be waived. However, in recent years, the laws have become increasingly severe, and even children and the elderly are being caught up in the punishments. While it is necessary to punish the wicked and promote the good, the methods should also be considered. We cannot let the young and old suffer together, which is truly unfortunate. Starting from now, for families with offenders, those with elderly or young members can be temporarily exempt from arrest." The emperor then promoted several officials, such as Shen Yue to Left Guanglu Doctor, Prince Jian'an Wei to Yitong Sansi, Prince Linchuan Hong to Grand Commandant, Wang Mao to Minister of Works, Wang Ying to General of the Left Security, Zhang Ji to General of the North Garrison, and so on. These are promotions and adjustments of official positions.
In February, the wild silkworms in Xinchang and Jiyang counties began to spin cocoons, which should be considered good news in agriculture. In March, the emperor ordered the pardoning of criminals in Yangzhou and Xuzhou, and also had a ritual altar built at Zhongshan for worship. On another day in the same month, envoys from Goryeo came to pay tribute. In April, the emperor issued another edict, saying: "In the great victory at Qushan last year, a large number of enemies were eliminated. Logically, the enemy corpses should be displayed as trophies of our military success. However, we are a force of benevolence and righteousness, so we should bury the enemy's bodies. This is the emperor's way of showing benevolence. Therefore, order the officials in Qingzhou to bury the enemy's bodies properly." Baekje, Funan, and Linyi also sent envoys to pay tribute. In June, Wang Mao was appointed as General of the Center. In September, envoys from Dangchang Kingdom came to pay tribute.
On a certain day in November, Yuan Ang was appointed as the Right Chancellor of the Imperial Secretariat and also served as the Governor of Wu Commandery. On another day of the same month, Prince Wang Hong of Linchuan was demoted to General of Chariots and Cavalry. Following that, the Queen Dowager Wang of Qi Xuan De passed away. On a certain day in December, Prince Xiu of Ancheng was appointed as General of the Central Guards, and Prince Hui of Poyang was appointed as General Who Pacifies the West and concurrently Inspector of Jingzhou. In that year, there were frequent changes in personnel both inside and outside the court, with lenient treatment of criminals, promotions and demotions of officials, as well as many tributes received from neighboring countries, making it a year filled with significant events and smaller matters.
In the first month of the twelfth year, on the Xinmao day of spring, the Emperor personally went to the Southern Suburbs to offer sacrifices, granting amnesty to all criminals sentenced to anything less than death. On the day of Xinyou in the second month, Yuan Ang, already serving as Right Chancellor of the Imperial Secretariat, was appointed as the Right Chancellor of the Imperial Secretariat. On the day of Bingyin, the Emperor issued a decree saying, "Burying the dead is in accordance with the great moral duty of the Zhou Dynasty, and using good coffins for burial is a commendable measure of the Han Dynasty. I have always been concerned about this matter and have been thinking about handling it as soon as possible. I have ordered for the proper burial and collection of bodies; however, due to delayed communication in remote areas, the execution has not been done well, and one can often see unburied bodies on the roadside. Seeing this, I am deeply saddened and grieved. I command officials in all regions to inspect their territories. If they find abandoned bodies or improperly dressed ones, they should collect and bury them immediately, providing suitable coffins. Only in this way can we honor the spirits and provide a proper resting place for the deceased."
On the day of Xinsi, the newly constructed Taiji Temple was completed and transformed into thirteen halls. On the day of Guimao in the third month, Wang Zhenguo, the governor of Xiangzhou, was appointed as the General of the Guard. On the day of Yichou in the leap month, Shenyue, the special advanced and middle general, died. In the summer of the fourth month, the capital suffered a major flood. On the day of Guisi in the sixth month, the newly constructed Taiji Temple expanded its foundation and widened it by nine feet. On the day of Gengzi, the Taiji Temple was completed. On the day of Wuxu in the ninth month of autumn, Jianan Wang Wei, the General of the South and the governor of Jiangzhou, was appointed as the General of Comfort, with all other positions remaining the same; Linchuan Wang Hong was appointed as the Sikong, and Wang Mao was appointed as the General of Biaoqi and the governor of Jiangzhou. On the day of Dinghai in October of winter, the emperor issued a decree saying, "The terrain of the Mingtang is low-lying and damp, which does not align with my vision. It can be considered to raise the foundation around it to show my sincerity and respect."
In the first month of a certain year (specific year inferred from historical records), the court appointed Wang Gang, the Duke of Jin'an, as the governor of Jingzhou. The next day, Pingxi General, the governor of Jingzhou, Wang Hui, was transferred to Yizhou, and his rank was elevated to Zhenxi General and Governor of Yizhou. A few days later, Yiyou General Ancheng Wang Xiu was appointed as the Anxi General and Governor of Yizhou.
On the second day of the second month, the emperor personally tilled the fields, symbolizing his emphasis on agriculture, and then ordered a general amnesty throughout the country, promoting those who showed filial piety and diligently worked the land by one rank. That year, it was reported that the Old Man Star had appeared, which was an auspicious sign! On the second day of the third month, the newly appointed General of Zhongfu, Jianan Wang Wei, was reassigned to the position of Left Guanglu Dafu.
In early April, envoys from the far-off kingdom of Linyi came to present various treasures. After a few days, the Prefect of Yingzhou, Prince Zong of Yuzhang, was appointed as the General of the Right Guard. In early May, Wei Rui, the Palace Attendant and Cavalry Commandant, was appointed as the General of the Central Guard. In early June, the Governor of Nanyanzhou, Xiao Jing, was appointed as the General of the Army, while the former General of the Army, Liu Qingyuan, was reassigned as the General of the Northern Front and Governor of Yongzhou. By early July, the Emperor appointed his sons Prince Lun as the Prince of Shaoling, Prince Yi as the Prince of Xiangdong, and Prince Ji as the Prince of Wuling. In early August, envoys from Funan and Yutian also arrived to offer tributes. That year, the court also built the Fu Mountain Dam. On the first day of the first month of the fourteenth year in spring, on Yisi day, the Crown Prince held his coming-of-age ceremony, the Emperor proclaimed a general amnesty, and those who honored their fathers were elevated in rank. Officials below the rank of nobles were also rewarded, and the usual tributes and celebrations from all corners were waived. The next day, on Bingwu day, Wang Ying, the General of the Left Guard and Grand Secretary, was promoted to the General of Central Authority. At the same time, the General Who Defends the West, Prince Dan of Shixing, was appointed as the General Who Maintains Order in the Center. On Xinhai day, the Emperor personally visited the Southern Suburbs to conduct sacrifices.
The emperor issued a decree saying: "I conduct the sacrificial rites with utmost respect and caution, proclaiming my intentions to the heavens, standing at the altar in ceremonial robes, holding a jade bi for the sacrifice, fully expressing my sincerity and respect. However, as I contemplate how to communicate with the heavens and promote education, I find many deficiencies in governing the country, the lax enforcement of laws, recognizing that we need everyone's strength to improve the people's livelihoods. Therefore, I command all regions to widely select talented individuals. If there are individuals living in seclusion in rural areas, not seeking fame or fortune, who have talent but are not recognized, or those with virtues, integrity, filial piety, and diligence in farming, all should be reported immediately, detailing their names and deeds. I will promote them to govern their regions, hoping that all officials will perform their duties effectively, ensuring the safety of the people. In addition, the regulations that impose severe punishments for minor offenses, which involve mutilation (such as nose-cutting) and tattooing as alternatives to the death penalty, are now reconsidered for those who have genuinely repented but have no means of reform; therefore, these regulations can be repealed."
On the Bingyin day, King Liu Yin of Ruyin passed away. On the Gengyin day in the second month, the state of Ruipi sent envoys bearing gifts. On the Wuxu day, the Old Man Star appeared. On the Xinchou day, General Wei Rui, who commanded the Central Protectorate, was appointed as the General Who Pacifies the North and the Inspector of Yongzhou; the newly appointed Central Soothing General Prince Taan of Shixing was appointed as the Inspector of Jingzhou. In the fourth month of summer on the Dingchou day, General Wang Mao, who commanded the Agile Cavalry, served as Palace Attendant with the Three Excellencies, and was Inspector of Jiangzhou, passed away. On the Dingsi day in the fifth month, Prince Gang of Jin'an was appointed as the Inspector of Jiangzhou, having previously served as the Inspector of Jingzhou. In the eighth month of autumn on the Yiwei day, the Old Man Star reappeared. On the Guihai day in the ninth month, Prince Shenye of Changsha was appointed as the General Who Guards the Army. The state of Langya also sent envoys to present treasures.
In the first month of the 15th year of the current era, the emperor issued a decree saying, "Observing the timing to implement education is the top priority of governing the country; taking into account various interests, we must prioritize the fundamentals, change customs, and implement good governance, starting from this point. Recently, due to some reform measures, everything must be reported through the proper channels, but the balance of leniency and strictness has yet to be established, and there are still many hardships for the common people, with too few honest and just officials. Therefore, I am constantly worried and sighing. Now I order all regions of the country, anywhere government orders negatively impact the common people, must be reported in detail. Local officials who are honest and upright should be praised, while those who are corrupt and exploit the people must be reported separately, and I will reward and punish accordingly. Local officials must oversee agricultural activities and personally inspect embankments, ensuring they do not neglect their duties, as this affects agricultural production. If tariffs and market taxes in some places are unreasonable, they should be readjusted according to the actual situation and may be appropriately reduced."
On the first day of the third month, a solar eclipse occurred. In April, Prince Zong of Yuzhang was appointed as the General of the Right and Protector General. An envoy from Goryeo presented tribute. In May, Prince Hong of Linchuan was appointed as the Supervisor of the Imperial Secretariat, with his original positions as regional inspector and Grand General of Chariots unchanged. In June, the construction of the small temple was completed. Later, Wang Ying, the Prefect of the Masters of Writing, was appointed as the Left Grand Master of Splendid Happiness, concurrently holding the offices of the Palace Attendant and the Three Excellencies. Yuan Ang, the Right Minister of Writing, was appointed as the Left Supervisor of the Masters of Writing, and Wang Jian, the Minister of Personnel, was appointed as the Right Supervisor of the Masters of Writing. In August, the Elder Star appeared. Envoys from Rui Rui and Henan presented tribute. In September, Wang Ying, the Left Grand Master of Splendid Happiness, passed away. Afterwards, the court proclaimed amnesty for the entire nation. In October, Prince Shenye of Changsha was appointed as the Governor of Xiangzhou. In November, Prince Zong of Yuzhang, the General of the Right, was appointed as the General of the Vanguard. Li Zhe, the Inspector of Jiaozhou, executed the rebel Ruan Zongxiao in Jiaozhou and sent his head to the capital. The court granted a special amnesty to Jiaozhou. Later, Wei Rui, the Inspector of Yongzhou, was appointed as the General of the Guard.
In the spring of the sixteenth year of the reign, on the Xinwei day of the first month, the emperor personally went to the southern outskirts to offer sacrifices and then issued a decree, saying: "Since I ascended the throne, I have always been focused on governing the country, but my methods are still not perfect, and I work tirelessly every day. I hope to stabilize and prosper the country as soon as possible. Now is the season when the Taihao clan controls the qi of heaven and earth, the Jumang star rises in the east, all things revive; it is a good day for sacrifices. I want to show my utmost respect to heaven, pray for the blessings of heaven, and let this atmosphere of peace may bless the people everywhere. Especially for those poor families, this year's three taxes will be exempted! For those who do not have land, appropriate assistance should be given according to the actual situation. If a child is born in a common family, taxes should be reduced or waived as per the regulations. They should receive assistance for widowed elderly people who cannot take care of themselves. This decree must be communicated across the nation. All states, counties, and districts must handle lawsuits in a timely manner, and prevent wrongful cases from piling up, treating them as seriously as if I were personally overseeing them."
On the Gengxu day of the second month, the Old Man star made its appearance. On the Jiayin day, the emperor appointed General Anqian, Prince Zong of Yuzhang, as the governor of Nanxuzhou. On the Bingzi day of the third month, the King of Henan sent envoys bearing various precious gifts. On the Jiazi day of the fourth month, the sacrificial animals in the ancestral temple were removed for the first time. A white bird was captured in Chaogou. On the Wushen day of the sixth month, the emperor appointed Prince Ji of Luling as the governor of Jiangzhou. On the Dingchou day of the seventh month, the emperor appointed the governor of Yingzhou, Prince Xiucheng of Ancheng, as the General of Zhenbei and the governor of Yongzhou. On the Xinchou day of the eighth month, the Old Man star appeared again. The Fu Nan Kingdom and Poli Kingdom sent envoys bearing various precious gifts. In October, during the ancestral temple sacrifices, vegetables and fruits were introduced in place of sacrificial animals.
In the first month of the year 729 AD, the emperor issued a decree saying: "It is only right for the common people to live in peace and prosperity, and this is the fundamental method of governing the country. I have always kept the common people in my thoughts, not forgetting their day and night toil. Therefore, I quickly thought of ways to increase their population and help them live better lives. However, the population has not increased much yet, and many people are still wandering far and wide. It is not their intention to leave their hometown! They have lost their livelihoods, and even if they want to return, they do not know how. Who can understand the feeling of wanting to go home? Now is the prosperous Kaiyuan era, a time of renewal. I hope that all the common people can return to their hometowns to live in peace and prosperity, so that every county is free of wasteland and refugees, and every household can live in peace and prosperity, with neighbors close by. For all those who left their hometown before the first day of the first month of 729 AD, with great compassion, I grant you six months to return, and exempt you from three years of taxes. For those who are too far from home, I will increase the travel time accordingly. If someone does not want to return, they can settle locally and continue paying their original taxes. If upon returning home, they find that their original home is gone, the elders and relatives in the village can apply to the county for the allocation of government land and housing, so that those who want to return home have a place to stay. For those who have had their property confiscated due to committing crimes, such as those involved in trading, managing markets, or participating in theft, their fields, houses, vehicles, and livestock are essential for their survival and cannot be fully confiscated. Enough must be left for their livelihood. Wealthy merchants and tycoons cannot consolidate their holdings. Those who have fled or rebelled, no matter how serious their crimes, as long as they voluntarily surrender, they can regain their civilian status. Even if they have been detained, they can return to their original positions. These regulations are documented so that everyone is aware."
On the tenth day of the second month, General of the Northern Garrison and Governor of Yong Province, Prince Xiu, the Ancheng King, passed away. On the eleventh day, a general amnesty was declared across the realm. On the twelfth day, Prince Ji of Nankang was appointed as the Governor of Nanyanzhou. On the seventh day of the third month, the Old Man Star reappeared. On the ninth day of the third month, Prince Wei of Jian'an was regranted the title of Prince Ping of Nanping. On the fifth day of the fifth month, Prince Hong of Linqian, the Grand General of the Cavalry and Governor of Yangzhou, was dismissed from office. On the sixth day of the fifth month, envoys from the Kingdom of Gan Tuo Li presented tribute. Xiao Jing was appointed as the General of the Right Flank, overseeing Yangzhou. On the eighth day of the fifth month, Prince Hong of Linqian was appointed as the General of the Central Army and the Supervisor of the Imperial Secretariat. On the sixth day of the sixth month, Prince Hui of Poyang was appointed as the Commander-in-Chief. Prince Hong of Linqian served as the Minister of the Army and the Supervisor of the Imperial Secretariat. On the eighteenth day of the sixth month, Cai Zun was appointed as the Minister of Personnel. On the seventh day of the eighth month, the Old Man Star reappeared. The Emperor decreed that all male slaves and female slaves in military camps who were over sixty and fifty years old respectively would be freed as commoners. On the second day of the tenth month, Prince Hong of Linqian was appointed as the Supervisor of the Imperial Secretariat and the Minister of the Army. On the eighth day of the eleventh month, Prince Wei of Nanping was appointed as the Grand Master of Joyous Splendor on the Left and the Supervisor of the Palace Secretariat.
In the spring of the year 476 AD, on the first few days of the first month, the Emperor appointed Prince Liu Hui of Poyang as the General Who Conquers the West, the Grand Master of Joyous Splendor, and the Governor of Jingzhou, which was quite a lucrative position! At the same time, the former Governor of Jingzhou, Prince Liu Dan of Shixing, was appointed as the General Who Pacifies the Center, the Grand Master of Joyous Splendor, and the Commander-in-Chief. There were more personnel adjustments, as Yuan Ang was promoted to the Prefect, Wang Jian was appointed as the Deputy Prefect of the Left, and Xu Mian became the Deputy Prefect of the Right. This was truly a large-scale reshuffle of officials!
A few days later, specifically on the day of Xinyou in the first month, the Emperor personally went to the southern suburbs to offer sacrifices to heaven and granted promotions and titles to the common people who were filial to their parents and diligent in farming, rewarding them with noble ranks. This was indeed a good omen! On the day of Wuwu in the second month, there were even more joyous events, as the Old Man Star appeared in the sky! This was a sign of auspiciousness! By the day of Dingsi in the fourth month, the Emperor proclaimed a general amnesty across the land, and the entire realm rejoiced! It was truly a time filled with unending joy!
Autumn has arrived, the seventh month of the Jiashen year, and the Elder Star has appeared again! This is truly a double blessing! Even more exciting is that the kingdoms of Yutian in the Western Regions and Funan in the South Seas have sent envoys bringing tribute, bringing a wealth of treasures! Truly a time of peace and prosperity, as envoys from across the seas come to pay their respects!
