Xiao Tong, courtesy name Deshi, was the eldest son of Emperor Wu of Liang; his mother was Lady Ding. At the beginning, Emperor Wu of Liang did not yet have a son, and during the uprising, the Crown Prince was born in September of the first year of the Xingyuan reign of Emperor Ming of Qi, in Xiangyang. After Emperor Wu of Liang proclaimed himself emperor, officials suggested appointing the Crown Prince and a Crown Prince's deputy, but Emperor Wu of Liang believed that the realm had only just been pacified, and many issues remained unresolved, so he did not agree. The ministers repeatedly requested it until, in the eleventh month of the first year of Tianjian, he was finally appointed as the Crown Prince. At that time, the Crown Prince was still young and continued to reside in the palace, with civil and military officials from the Eastern Palace rotating duty at Yongfu Province.
Xiao Tong was intelligent and wise from a young age, able to read the "Classic of Filial Piety" and "Analects" at the age of three, and had completed the Five Classics by the age of five, being able to recite them all. He began to move to the Eastern Palace on Gengxu day in the fifth month of the fifth year. The Crown Prince was naturally kind and filial, and ever since moving out of the palace, he always missed his parents and was very unhappy. Emperor Wu of Liang, upon knowing this, visited the Eastern Palace every five days, often staying in Yongfu Province for several days, sometimes not returning to the palace for three to five days. In the ninth month of the eighth year, he lectured on the "Classic of Filial Piety" in the Shou'an Hall, showing a deep understanding of the text. After the lecture, Emperor Wu of Liang personally took part in the sacrificial ceremony at the National Academy. On the first day of the first month of the fourteenth year, Emperor Wu of Liang personally crowned the Crown Prince in the Taiji Hall. Previously, the Crown Prince wore a traveling crown, with the crown ornament being a golden cicada and a green tassel; this time, Emperor Wu of Liang ordered to add the golden Bo Shan crown ornament to him.
Xiao Tong is handsome and elegant. He can read ten lines at once and never forgets what he reads. Every time he attends a court banquet or goes on a trip, he can compose over ten poems. If asked to improvise, he can quickly whip up a poem without needing any edits. Emperor Wu of Liang vigorously promoted Buddhism, personally preaching and expounding the sutras; the crown prince also devoutly believed in Buddhism and extensively read Buddhist scriptures. He built a Hall of Wisdom in the palace specifically for gathering to preach and expound the scriptures. He often invited famous monks to the hall to discuss Buddhist teachings, often going on until late at night. The crown prince had his own fresh insights into the three truths of Buddhism. In the fourth month of the first year of the Putong era, nectar fell upon the Hall of Wisdom, and everyone believed it was the result of the crown prince's virtuous calling.
In the eleventh month of the third year, King Shixing of Shixing died. According to the previous rules, the crown prince's handling of the funeral of collateral relatives was relatively simple in terms of etiquette, and the correspondence followed the usual customs. The crown prince sensed something was off about this, so he asked the Director of the Palace Secretariat, Liu Xiaochuo, to discuss it.
Liu Xiaochuo said: "Take a closer look at what 'exempting from mourning' really means. For a funeral held within three days, no music is played within a month; the music band stops playing during the mourning period as well. Although mourning can be exempted, there's still sadness in our hearts! Therefore, the music band does not play, following this logic. Since there is sadness in our hearts, mourning should be expressed, and after the mourning is over, music should be played according to the usual practice, showing that the mourning period has concluded, which makes sense. I think mourning should be expressed until the mourning is over." Xu Mian from the Palace Secretariat, Zhou She the Left Leader, and Lu Xiang the Household Manager all agreed with Liu Xiaochuo.
The Crown Prince said, "Zhang Jing's 'Yi Ji' states, 'According to the Rites, mourners must express their grief during the mourning period.' It also states, 'For a three-day mourning period, no music should be played within a month.' Liu Pushe remarked, 'The term 'Pang Jue' means to be exempt from mourning. Mourning can be exempted, but one’s heart will inevitably remain sorrowful. After mourning, music should be played according to the usual practice to indicate that the sadness has ended. This is reasonable.' But I think the feeling of sadness is not only present until the end of mourning. This perspective is grounded in emotion, making the first issue difficult to rationalize. To use Zhang Jing's words to justify playing music while disregarding his guidance on expressing grief creates inconsistency in Zhang Jing's own statements. The second issue is also difficult to handle. Lu Jialing only said, 'It has been like this for many years,' which may not constitute valid evidence; even if it has been like this for many years, the heart remains unsettled. Recently, I have frequently asked others about this matter. I had thought that grief ought to be expressed. Is Zhang Jing unaware that playing music is a significant matter while expressing grief is relatively minor? Thus, he prioritized a minor matter over a significant one, which must have its reasoning. Just like the Six Yi dance on New Year's Day, it is a national ceremony; even if there is some uneasiness in the heart, etiquette cannot be abolished. The same principle applies to military music. In comparison to music, correspondence is a lesser matter and can be guided by personal feelings. Band performances are external expressions, whereas correspondence is an internal reflection. Liu Pushe's viewpoint reflects a degree of unease. Let the ministers deliberate on this matter further."
Minister of Agriculture Ming Shanbin and Infantry Colonel Zhu Yi said, "The expression of grief should persist until the mourning period concludes." They subsequently instructed the scribe to codify this opinion as a permanent regulation.
In November, the Crown Prince's mother (the Consort) fell ill, and the Crown Prince stayed by her side day and night, never changing his clothes. After her passing, the Crown Prince followed the funeral procession back to the palace, not drinking a single drop of water and fainting from grief each time he cried. Emperor Gaozu sent a message through the Imperial Secretary, Gu Xie, saying, "Excessive grief will harm the body; this is the wisdom of the sages. The Book of Rites says that excessive mourning is worse than unfilial behavior. With me here, how can you treat yourself like this! You need to eat something right away!" Only after hearing the Emperor's words did the Crown Prince reluctantly manage to eat a few bites. From then until the burial, the Crown Prince survived on just one liter of wheat porridge each day. Emperor Gaozu ordered again, "I heard you are eating too little; your body is getting weaker. I am healthier than you are, but because of you, I am also distressed and anxious. So you must eat more porridge; don't make me worry all the time." Although the Emperor repeatedly ordered him to eat more, he only ate a little more than usual each day, refusing to touch any vegetables or fruits. The Crown Prince was originally strong, with a waist measurement of ten units, but by this time he had lost more than half of his weight. Every time he attended court, both civil and military officials and the common people would all weep at the sight of him.
When the Crown Prince came of age, Emperor Gaozu permitted him to take charge of government affairs, and all matters had to go through him. The Crown Prince was well-informed about various matters, understanding even the smallest details. If there were errors or fraud in the memorials, he would point them out immediately, explain right from wrong, and then have the other party correct it, never once impeaching anyone. In handling cases, he tended to impose lenient punishments, and people praised his kindness far and wide.
He was generous and tolerant, able to tolerate others, and never displayed his emotions, whether joy or anger. He held great admiration for talented individuals and was never weary of rewarding them. He often studied books on his own or discussed significant matters, both past and present, with scholars; in his leisure time, he wrote articles and essays, which was part of his daily routine. At that time, the Eastern Palace boasted a collection of thirty thousand books, drawing in scholars, and literary achievements of this magnitude had not been seen since the Jin and Song dynasties.
The prince likes landscapes and constructed pavilions and towers at Xuanpu to play with court officials and scholars. One time, while boating in the back pond, Marquis Guang remarked, "There should be music here!" The prince didn't respond but instead recited Zuo Si's "Invitation to Seclusion": "Why use silk and bamboo, when the mountains and waters have clear sounds." Marquis Guang fell silent in embarrassment. The prince had been away from the palace for over twenty years and never kept musicians. When he was young, the emperor gifted him a troupe of musicians, including female performers, but he didn't like them at all.
The prince lived a simple life, and when the army marched north and the price of food in the capital soared, he commanded himself to wear coarse clothing, cut back on meals, and subsist on simple fare. Whenever there was heavy rain or snow, the prince sent trusted aides to check on impoverished families and quietly assisted those who were destitute along the way. He even took his own clothes and cotton fabric to make padded jackets and pants for the impoverished who were suffering from the winter cold. If someone died and their family couldn't afford a burial, the prince would assist in preparing a coffin and burial plot. Whenever he learned that people in different regions were burdened by heavy taxes and labor, the prince always wore a worried expression. He always believed that if the population had not yet recovered, increasing labor demands and troubling the populace was unwise.
Wuxing County had experienced years of flooding and poor harvests. Some suggested digging the Grand Canal to recruit laborers from the three eastern counties to dig a canal that would divert the waters of Zhenze Lake. In the spring of the second year of Zhongdatong, the Emperor ordered Wang Bian, the former Governor of Jiaozhou, to lead troops in recruiting laborers from Wujun, Wuxing, and Yixing counties. The Crown Prince wrote a memorial saying, "I have heard that Wang Bian and others are to be recruited, using laborers from the three eastern counties to dig the canal and divert the water of Zhenze Lake, preventing Wuxing from suffering from floods. This is truly a compassionate initiative and a long-term strategy. Short-term labor will bring long-term benefits and will surely bring future benefits. However, I have some reservations. I have heard that Wuxing has suffered from poor harvests for many years, and the people are displaced; the ten cities of Wujun also suffered from poor harvests; only Yixing County had a good harvest last autumn, and it did not require labor. Now, the food in the eastern region is still expensive, and thieves often appear. Have the relevant authorities reported these circumstances? The conscripts have not yet returned, and there are already few young men. Although this issue may seem minor, I fear it may be challenging to execute smoothly. Once the officials call for labor, it will burden the people. Moreover, the labor recruitment locations are different in distance, and by the time they all gather, it will delay the spring planting. Last year was supposed to be a year of abundant harvest, but both public and private granaries have not been sufficiently stocked; if agricultural activities are delayed again this year, the situation could deteriorate. Furthermore, thieves always inquire about the truth and falsehood of the people. If good people go to serve labor, the thieves will become more rampant, and Wuxing will not benefit yet, but the inland will suffer first. I wonder if this project could be temporarily suspended until conditions improve? The Emperor has always been compassionate towards the people, wise and martial, and has long considered these issues. My understanding is limited, and I do not fully grasp these matters; I just have some concerns and want to report to the Emperor." The Emperor graciously accepted the Crown Prince's suggestion.
The Crown Prince was filial and cautious, deeply respectful toward the Emperor. He attended court every day, waiting at the palace gates before dawn. Although he lived in the Eastern Palace’s inner hall, he always faced the southwest direction, whether seated or standing on the steps. If summoned at night, he would sit and wait until dawn.
In the third year of the third month, the Crown Prince was bedridden due to illness. Worried that this would worry the Emperor, he insisted on personally writing a letter to report his condition. When his condition became more serious, those around him wanted to inform the Emperor, but he refused, saying, "How can I let the Emperor know I am this ill?" and couldn't help but cry. On the fourth day of the fourth month, the Crown Prince passed away at the age of thirty-one. The Emperor personally went to the Eastern Palace, weeping uncontrollably. He ordered the use of imperial court attire for his burial, bestowing upon him the posthumous title of "Zhao Ming Crown Prince." On the fifth day of the fifth month, the Crown Prince was buried at the Anning Tomb. The Emperor also had the Grand Minister of Works, Wang Yun, write a eulogy, which stated:
"The shimmering carriage hurried past, the royal carriage moved slowly forward; the feathered standards led the way, the cloud flags guarded the north. The Emperor mourns the early death of the Crown Prince, lamenting the premature loss of his virtues; in the military tent, he grieves deeply, and in the sacred grounds, his heart is broken. According to the rites, we praise the Crown Prince's achievements; proclaim to the world, eternally celebrating his virtues." The eulogy also wrote:
"The Crown Prince inherits the throne, radiant like the sun's fire; he is named Crown Prince, a wise and capable ruler. His virtues are as lofty as the heavens, and his achievements shine like the sun and moon; he presides over rituals and prays for divine blessings, carries on the legacy of the late emperor, and promotes greatness. He is intelligent and wise, well-timed in his actions; solemn and serious in appearance, yet gentle and kind at heart. His knowledge is vast, his mind as broad as the sea; he moves through life without being constrained by conventions, yet achieves extraordinary success. He treats others with generosity, elegance, and grace, filial to his parents, and cautious in his dealings. His character is noble, kind, and gentle, resembling that of a sage; he has done three good deeds, celebrated by all the people."
"The Crown Prince passed away at a young age, the cycle of life and death has reached its end; the Emperor is filled with deep grief and worry. The Emperor weeps day and night, subsisting on simple meals; even after the mourning period ends, his sorrow remains. The Crown Prince served the Emperor faithfully during his life, participating in sacrifices; respectful and cautious in greetings, humble and considerate in serving meals. The chariot was adorned with gold and jade ornaments, black steeds pulling the wheels; he reinforced the royal family and stabilized the nation, presided over sacrifices, and comforted the people. He handled state affairs diligently, everything was well-organized; he empathized with the struggles of the people, concerned about market prices. His heart was filled with compassion, and he was never unpredictable in his emotions; he was benevolent and kind, leaving blessings for future generations."
At the beginning, he studied very seriously, meticulously studying the classics, and held his teachers in high regard, humbly accepting their teachings. When studying, he was able to grasp concepts thoroughly; he was able to apply his knowledge flexibly and efficiently complete learning tasks. He delved deep into subtle and profound issues, diligently sought to understand the principles of nature; he immersed himself in astronomy and geography, studying the I Ching and the Eight Trigrams. He lost himself in books, savoring the sweetness of knowledge. He extensively studied various classics, nearly encompassing all literary works, drawing knowledge from vast texts and reading extensively. His writings amassed like mountains, capable of distinguishing between Confucian and Mohist thought; he inherited and promoted the teachings of Confucius, making Confucianism more brilliant. His poetic talent was extraordinary, transcending mere skill; his writings were elegant and implicit, rich in delicate emotions. He wrote in one go, without stopping; his writings were grand and eloquent.
Overall, he possessed extraordinary talent, embodying the virtues of many remarkable individuals; his knowledge was profound, and his writing was fluent and magnificent. Sometimes he displayed extraordinary talent in discussions, sometimes he showed exquisite skills in writing; his friends admired his character, and many talented individuals felt inferior. The court actively sought out talented individuals, like a garden that attracts virtuous scholars and a pond that draws in visitors; everyone helped each other, close-knit and supportive. He penned magnificent prose, drinking heartily with his friends; the court favored him, rewarding him generously. His admirable character became widely known, his career flourishing; his benevolence blessed the people, bringing prosperity, and people from all directions yearned for his benevolence and righteousness, and the world returned to him.
However, the heavens are unpredictable; disasters arrive, the stars grow dim, and the mountains and rivers crumble. As a distinguished guest of the court, his virtues will be remembered forever; his colleagues lose their support, only able to look up in remembrance. Alas, how sad it is!
The emperor is deeply grieved, his heart full of pain; his descendants cry endlessly, even more sorrowful. His relatives and friends are immersed in sorrow, and the people mourn as well; they worry that the country will decline because it has lost a pillar of the nation. Alas, how sad it is!
In early summer, the wheat is ripe; his guards are all in a panic, and his talents have fallen. His study is empty, his gatherings have ceased; his meals go untouched, only a lonely lamp accompanies him. Alas, how sad it is!
Choosing an auspicious day, using divination to determine the date; his tomb has long been prepared, and his coffin has been properly placed. The troops line up in formation, and civil and military officials all come to bid farewell. Formerly, when he traveled to Fuyang on the Zhang River, the guests were silent; now, as he returns to the outskirts, the funeral procession is grand and overwhelming. Alas, how sad it is!
As I leave the palace, I walk slowly along the road, looking at the imperial city, but unable to draw near, I can only gaze from a distance. The journey is long and arduous, my horse is tired and neighing constantly, my heart aches, and tears flow endlessly. Alas, how truly sad it is!
My sorrow blends with the sound of the flute, and my gloom blankets the world. Even the dense shade of midsummer feels as bleak as a winter forest. I wanted to turn back but found myself hesitating, as if something had disappeared before my eyes. Is the world really so heartless? All I can do is silently bear this immense grief. Alas, how truly sad it is!
I arrived at the quiet chamber of His Royal Highness, to pay homage to his achievements and read his writings and poems. He was loyal and upright, renowned throughout the world, and as his subject, I recorded these with a clear conscience. Alas, it is truly heartbreaking!
His Royal Highness, known for his kindness and virtue, left the entire court and populace in shock and sorrow after his passing. Men, women, young and old from the capital all ran to the palace gates to weep, and the streets echoed with cries. People from all over the country, even those on the borderlands, were heartbroken upon hearing the news. He left behind twenty volumes of writings, ten volumes of "Zheng Xu" (containing ancient and modern classical texts), twenty volumes of "Articles of Excellence" (containing his outstanding five-character poems), and thirty volumes of "Selected Writings."
His Royal Highness, named Renzong, was the eldest son of Emperor Taizong, born on the fifth day of the fifth month in the fourth year of the Common Era. In the fourth year of Zhongda Tong, he was appointed as the Prince of Xuan Cheng County, with a fief comprising two thousand households. He later served as an attendant, general of the Central Guards, and was given a ceremonial music band. In the fourth year of Datong, he was appointed as the Commissioner and Commander of military affairs in Yangzhou and Xuzhou, while continuing to serve as an attendant.
In the second year of Taiqing in October, Hou Jing rebelled and attacked the capital, and the Emperor appointed the Crown Prince as the Grand Commander of the Imperial Guard. In the fifth month of the third year, Emperor Taizong ascended the throne. In the sixth month of the Dinghai year, the Crown Prince was proclaimed as the Crown Prince. In the eighth month of the second year of Dabao, the rebel Hou Jing deposed Emperor Taizong and attempted to harm the Crown Prince. At that time, the rebels deceitfully claimed to summon the Crown Prince on Hou Jing's orders. The Crown Prince was reading the "Laozi" at the time and was about to rise when the rebels burst in. The Crown Prince remained calm and said, "I knew this day would come; I just didn't expect it to come so soon." The rebels tried to strangle him with his belt, but the Crown Prince said, "This won’t do; it won’t kill me." So he pointed to a rope under the tent pole and ordered them to hang him with it. Thus, His Royal Highness met his end at the age of twenty-eight.
The Crown Prince was gentle in character and exceptionally intelligent, never surrendered even when captured by the enemy. Initially, when Hou Jing marched westward, he took the Crown Prince along, but upon Hou Jing's defeat and return, the troops had already descended into chaos. The Crown Prince's boat was falling behind the main force, and those around him urged him to seize the chance to escape north. The Crown Prince said, "The country has fallen, and I should think of saving my own life? My father is in distress; how could I abandon him? If I were to run away now, it would be an act of betrayal, not merely a way to evade the enemy." With that, he broke down in tears and commanded the boat to press on. The enemy regarded the Crown Prince as dignified and was always wary of him, fearing he would become a threat in the future, so they decided to kill him first. In the first month of the Chengsheng era, in April, he was posthumously honored with the title of Mourning Crown Prince.
The Mourning Crown Prince, named Yuanliang with the courtesy name Degui, was the fourth son of the Emperor. He was initially appointed as the Marquis of Nan'an County, serving in Jingzhou under the Emperor. During the Taiqing era, he was appointed as the Commissioner of the Seven Provinces of Xiang, Ying, Gui, Ning, Cheng, He, and Luo, General of the Southern Pacification, and Governor of Xiangzhou. Shortly after, he was summoned back to the capital and appointed as an attendant, General of the Central Guard, and was assigned an honor guard. After the Emperor took power, he was proclaimed Crown Prince and renamed Yuanliang. On the bingzi day of the eleventh month of the first year of the Chengsheng era, he was officially named Crown Prince. Later, the Western Wei army captured Jingzhou City, and both the Crown Prince and the Emperor were killed by the Wei army.
This Crown Prince was very intelligent, much like his father the Emperor, but was known for his violent and suspicious temperament. After the Emperor's death, he was posthumously honored with the title of Mourning Crown Prince during the reign of Emperor Jing.
Yao Cha, the Minister of Personnel in the Chen Dynasty, once remarked: "When the rooster crows, one gets up early, diligently doing good work. This reflects the character of Emperor Shun." Common folk dressed in coarse clothes and hemp rope belts work tirelessly in the fields all day and can enjoy many rewards. Especially for those in high positions of power, they should always remember to work hard and uphold filial piety. Is there anything unattainable about the morality of Emperor Shun?
