Wang Sengbian, courtesy name Juncai, is the son of the Right Guard General Wang Shenian. When he was young, he followed his father to Jiankang (during the Tianjian period). He initially served as the Left Attendant of the Xiangdong Kingdom. When his father Wang Shenian became the Intendant of Danyang, he was promoted to the position of Military Advisor in the Intendant's office of Danyang. When his father Wang Shenian was appointed as the Administrator of Kuaiji Commandery, he also concurrently served as the Middle Army Consultant. When his father Wang Shenian was appointed to Jingzhou, he continued to serve as the Middle Army Consultant during his term of office. At that time, there was a rebellion in Wuning Commandery, so his father sent Wang Sengbian to quell the rebellion. Later, Wang Sengbian was promoted to General of Zhenwei and Governor of Wuning. Shortly after, he was further promoted to General of Zhenyuan and Governor of Guangping. After completing his term, he returned to the Wang residence and served as the Deputy Registrar, with no change in his military responsibilities. When his father was summoned to serve as the Protector of the Army, Wang Sengbian also concurrently served as the Deputy Commander of the Protector of the Army. When his father Wang Shenian was appointed to Jiangzhou, he was appointed as the General of Yunqi and Marshal, tasked with defending Piancheng. Shortly after, he was appointed as the Inspector of Anlu Commandery, but returned shortly after. He was then appointed as the Governor of Xincai, while retaining his military responsibilities. When his father Wang Shenian was appointed as the Inspector of Jingzhou, Wang Sengbian assumed the role of Advisory Military Officer in the office of the General of Zhenyi, and the court awarded him provisions for a thousand men. He then replaced Liu Zhongli as the Prefect of Jingling, and his title was changed to General of Xiongxin.
As the rebellion of Hou Jing unfolded, his father, Wang Shen Nian, ordered Wang Sengbian to lead ten thousand naval forces, responsible for both commanding the troops and transporting supplies, to provide assistance. Upon arriving in Jiankang, the palace was already breached, and the emperor had fled. Wang Sengbian, along with his brothers Liu Zhongli and Zhao Bochao, first surrendered to Hou Jing before meeting him. Hou Jing confiscated their troops and supplies but pretended to appease them. Not long after, Hou Jing sent Wang Sengbian back to Jingling. Wang Sengbian then traveled day and night westward to seek refuge with Xiao Yi (Shizu), the son of Emperor Liang Wu. Xiao Yi issued a decree appointing Wang Sengbian as the commander of the army.
Reports indicated that the situation in Jingzhou and Xiangzhou was somewhat unstable, and the military strategist had made an error, so the emperor (Shizu) ordered Sengbian and Bao Quan to lead troops to suppress the rebellion, allocating troops and supplies to them and setting a departure date. Sengbian felt that the troops in Jingzhou had not yet fully assembled and wanted to wait until everyone was ready before setting out. He said to Bao Quan, "We have all received the emperor's orders to head south for battle. Given our current strength, what should we do?" Bao Quan replied, "Since we have accepted the emperor's orders, we should set out with the troops swiftly, like melting snow. What is there to worry about?" Sengbian said, "No, although what you said is not wrong, it's just a nice-sounding phrase that scholars use. The troops in Hedong are strong fighters and well-equipped. They have just defeated the strategist and are waiting for us with full strength. We can't subdue them without at least ten thousand elite soldiers. My troops from Jingzhou have experienced many battles, and I’ve already sent someone to assemble them. They will arrive soon. Even though time is tight, we can still try to negotiate. I want to go with you to speak to the emperor, and I hope you can help me." Bao Quan said, "This battle will determine our success or failure. I’ll follow your lead, no matter the pace." The emperor had a notorious temper, and upon hearing some rumors, he thought Sengbian was deliberately delaying and became a little angry.
Monk Bian was just about to enter the palace. He said to Bao Quan, "I will go talk to the emperor first, just wait here." Bao Quan agreed. When he faced the emperor, the emperor asked, "Are you ready? When will you depart?" Monk Bian repeated what he had just told Bao Quan. The emperor was furious, drew his sword, and shouted, "Are you afraid to go?" Then he returned to the palace. Bao Quan was so scared that his face turned pale and he didn't dare say a word. After a while, the emperor sent dozens of guards to arrest Monk Bian. After being caught, the emperor said, "You are defying orders; you’re only digging your own grave!" Monk Bian said, "I receive the royal salary and have great responsibility. If I am killed today, I have no complaints; I just regret not being able to see my old mother." The emperor then cut him with a knife, hitting his left thigh, causing blood to flow. Monk Bian passed out and woke up after a while. He was then escorted to the Dali Temple, and his nephews were also arrested and imprisoned. Coincidentally, at this time, the army of Prince Yueyang attacked Jiangling, creating widespread panic. The emperor sent someone to the prison to consult Monk Bian. Monk Bian analyzed the situation thoroughly and proposed a strategy, and the emperor immediately pardoned him, appointing him as the commander of the city. Soon, the army of Prince Yueyang retreated, but Bao Quan could not capture Changsha. The emperor then appointed Monk Bian to replace Bao Quan. The emperor listed ten crimes of Bao Quan and sent the official Luo Chonghuan with three hundred men to go with Monk Bian. Upon arriving in Changsha, Monk Bian sent a messenger to inform Bao Quan, "Official Luo is here to help you." Bao Quan was surprised and said to those around him, "With Wang Jingling coming to help me, the rebels are no longer a concern."
Soon after, Luo Zhonghuan arrived with the imperial decree, followed by the soldiers led by Sengbian. Bao Quan was about to rise to greet them, but Sengbian turned his back to Bao Quan and sat down, saying, "Bao Lang, you are guilty. The imperial decree orders me to arrest you. Don't be courteous just because of our past." He then had Luo Zhonghuan read the decree, and Bao Quan got off the bed to kneel beside it. Sengbian reorganized the generals and launched a full-scale assault, eventually subduing the Xiang region.
Sengbian was reinstated as the commander. Hou Jing marched his army from Jiangxi to engage in battle, arriving at Xiashou. Sengbian was appointed as the grand commander, leading provincial governors Chunyu Liang of Bazhou, Du Gang of Dingzhou, Wang Lin of Yizhou, and Pei Zhiheng of Chenzhou to Xiyang. Upon reaching Baling, they learned that Yingzhou had fallen to Hou Jing, prompting Sengbian to fortify the city. The emperor ordered provincial governors Xu Sihui of Luozhou, Du Ze of Wuzhou, and Sengbian to rendezvous at Baling.
After Hou Jing captured Yingzhou, his army swelled and his men grew more ferocious, preparing to assault Jingzhou. He dispatched Ding He, posing as a Eunuch, to defend Jiangxia with five thousand soldiers, while General Song Zixian commanded ten thousand soldiers to assault Baling. Hou Jing led all his bandits and a massive army, both by land and water, to assault. The defending troops along the river were on high alert, surrendering upon sighting the advancing enemy. Sengbian ordered all the food along the river to be moved into the city and had both official and private boats sunk. As the enemy vanguard reached the river mouth, Sengbian commanded his troops to defend the city without raising flags or beating drums, pretending as if nothing was amiss.
The next day, the bandits crossed the river, and light cavalry arrived at the city gates, asking, "Who is in the city?" The response was, "It's General Wang leading the army." The bandits said, "Tell General Wang, this is the situation; why not surrender sooner?" Monk Bian sent someone to reply, "As long as the main army goes to attack Jingzhou, this city will naturally not be a hindrance. My whole family is in your hands; how could we possibly surrender?" The bandits left, but returned shortly after, saying, "Our king has arrived; why doesn't General Wang come out to meet our king?" Monk Bian did not reply. After a while, they brought Wang Xun and others to the city gates, and Wang Xun wrote a letter persuading the people in the city to surrender. Hou Jing ordered ships to gather at the North Temple, divided troops to enter the port, landed to build roads, set up numerous tents, deployed troops on the eastern hillside, cleared weeds, opened eight roads to attack the city, and sent five thousand troops to attack fiercely. The defenders shouted and cheered, arrows and stones rained down, killing many bandits, who then retreated.
The Emperor ordered General Hu Sengyou to lead troops to support Monk Bian. On that day, the bandits attacked Ba Ling again, attacking from ten directions by land and water, beating drums and shouting, fiercely attacking the city walls. The people on the city walls threw torches made of wood, burning enemy fortifications, throwing stones, and injuring many enemies. In the afternoon, the bandits retreated, then rebuilt a long fence around the city, arranged a large number of warships, and attacked the southwest corner of the city with tower ships; they also sent people to cross the bank, use horns and pushcarts to fill the moat, and use obstacle carts to approach the city walls, only stopping their attacks two days later. The bandits set up wooden barriers on their ships, piled thatch, and set it on fire to burn the water barriers, but the unfavorable wind ended up burning their own ships, forcing them to retreat.
Due to multiple defeats in battle, the bandit leader Ren Yue was captured by Lu Fa. Hou Jing burned down the camp and fled under the cover of night, with the army returning to Xia Shou. The emperor rewarded him for his achievements by appointing Seng Bian as General Who Conquers the East, Chief of the Palace Secretariat, and Governor of Jiangzhou, granting him the title of Duke of Changning County. The emperor ordered Seng Bian to lead the army from Baling, following the Yangtze River to pursue Xiao Jing. When the army arrived at Yingzhou's walls, they began to attack Lushan. Lushan's commander, Zhi Huaren, a cavalry general under Xiao Jing, led his troops in fierce resistance but was ultimately defeated by our forces, leading to his surrender. Seng Bian then commanded the army to cross the Yangtze River and attack Yingzhou, and quickly captured Luocheng. Song Zixian held out for a time in Jincheng, but was not immediately defeated. Song Zixian sent his subordinate Shi Linghu to lead three thousand men to open the city gates and engage in a decisive battle, but they were once again defeated by Seng Bian, with Shi Linghu captured and over a thousand of his soldiers killed. Song Zixian and his forces retreated to the granary gate, taking advantage of the natural defenses provided by the Yangtze River. Despite our army's fierce attacks, they were unable to break through. Upon hearing that Lushan had fallen and Luocheng in Yingzhou had been captured, Xiao Jing hurriedly led his remaining forces back to Jianye. Song Zixian and his forces were trapped and had no choice but to surrender, offering to hand over Yingzhou and return to Xiao Jing. Seng Bian feigned agreement, ordering one hundred ships to be prepared for them while intentionally stalling. Song Zixian believed it to be true and was preparing to board the ships to leave when Seng Bian ordered Du Gan to lead one thousand elite soldiers to climb the city walls and launch a surprise attack on the granary gate. The naval commander Song Yao led the warships to surround them on the river. Song Zixian suffered a complete defeat at Baiyangpu, captured alive and taken to Jiangling.
Next, Buddhist Monk Bian led the army to march towards Jiushui. The rebel army, led by the pretender Wei Yitong, Fan Xirong, and Lu Huilue, was still stationed in Piancheng. When Monk Bian's army arrived, Fan Xirong and the others abandoned the city and fled alongside Lincheng, the Governor of Jiangzhou. The Emperor appointed Monk Bian as Attendant, Minister of Works, and Grand General of the East, and even provided him with a band. The Emperor also ordered Monk Bian to temporarily station in Jiangzhou, waiting for all the troops to assemble before selecting the right moment to continue the assault.
After some time, the Emperor ordered all the troops in Jiangzhou to march together. Monk Bian reported the situation to the Emperor and declared victory in Jiangling. He led over a hundred generals to jointly urge the Emperor to ascend the throne. Just as he was preparing to march out, he submitted another memorial. Although the Emperor had not formally consented, he provided a favorable response. These events are all recorded in official history.
Monk Bian made a direct march to Jianye. He first ordered Hou Zhen, the Governor of Nanyuanzhou, to lead elite troops in swift boats to launch a surprise attack on the garrisons in Nanling and Quetou, quickly seizing them.
Before this, Chen Baxian led fifty thousand troops from Nanjiang, with a vanguard of five thousand that reached Penkou. Chen Baxian was a talented individual, with a reputation surpassing Monk Bian, making Monk Bian wary of him. Upon arriving at Penkou, they met at Baimaozhou and swore an oath at the altar. Chen Baxian drafted the oath, the contents of which were as follows:
"Hou Jing, the treacherous traitor, the cruel Jie Hu and his band, defies the heavens, committing atrocities; going against the grace of the court, invading our country, harming our people, and destroying our ancestral temples. Our founding emperor, Emperor Wu, was wise and martial, bestowed blessings upon the world, worked diligently for the people, nurtured the people like our parents, for over fifty years. He pitied Hou Jing's plight, wanting to save his life, placed him in an important position, and gave him extraordinary honors. What debt does our founding emperor owe Hou Jing? What grudges do our people have against him? Yet Hou Jing wields strong bows and powerful crossbows, approaches the court, ravages the outskirts, and slaughters living beings. Cutting open bodies, taking pleasure in it endlessly; exposing corpses, burning bones, utterly inhumane. The founding emperor subsisted on simple meals and resided in humble quarters, lived to be ninety years old, bore humiliation and hardship, ultimately died at the hands of the traitors. The emperor Daxing was gentle and respectful, carried on the achievements of the previous emperor, had no faults against Hou Jing, yet fell victim to his treachery. Members of the imperial family, from close to distant, were all killed by him. Does the world really think he is a subject, eating our food, drinking our water? How can we bear to hear such tragic events without feeling sorrow? Moreover, monks like Bian and Baxian, who have benefited from the court's grace, the favor of the previous dynasty, holding important military positions; yet they cannot do their utmost to jointly kill the traitors, remove the stain of shame from our land, repay the hatred of the sovereign, then what right do we have to call ourselves people? Today, the loyal Prime Minister Xuan Gan has already risen up, defeated the rebel army, captured their commander, leaving only Hou Jing in the capital. Chen Baxian and I, as generals, will unite our efforts to decisively eliminate the wicked Hou Jing, support the Prime Minister, inherit the great cause, and oversee the sacrifices. In the future, if there is any merit, any rewards, we, monks like Bian, will never seek personal gain; we will definitely lead by example, then the heavens, earth, ancestral temples, and all the gods will protect us."
Chen Baxian and I are united in purpose, with no suspicion between us. If we go against this, may we face divine retribution!
Then they climbed onto the altar, swore a blood oath, and read the oath together, tears welled up in everyone's eyes, and their words were passionate and stirring. It is said that when the king's army arrived near Nanzhou, the enemy commander, Hou Zijian, led tens of thousands of infantry and cavalry to the shore to taunt, with over a thousand warships, each manned by eighty oarsmen, moving like the wind. General Seng Bian ordered the small boats to retreat, while the large boats stopped on both banks. The enemy thought our navy was retreating, and they all rushed to chase after us. As a result, our army intercepted their retreat with the large boats, drumming and shouting on one side, and sending the enemy tumbling into the water during a fierce battle in the river. General Seng Bian then commanded the army to advance downstream, moving towards Dou Cheng in Shitou City, and then set up camp, tightening the noose on the enemy step by step. The enemy constructed five fortifications in the mountains for defense, and Hou Jing personally led the troops to battle, fighting a major battle against the king's army north of Shitou City. Wei Ba said to Seng Bian first, "These ugly rebels are out of options. They want to fight to the death, but we have more soldiers and generals, so we should focus on breaking their strength first." So, he mobilized two thousand powerful crossbows and attacked the two western fortifications of the enemy, while positioning troops to confront the enemy. General Seng Bian commanded the army to advance from behind, achieving yet another decisive victory. Lu Huilue heard that Hou Jing had been defeated, so he surrendered Shitou City, and General Seng Bian led his forces into the city, taking control of Shitou City.
After Hou Jing was defeated and retreated, he fled north to Zhu Fang. At this time, Hou Jing's scattered soldiers fled in all directions and reported the situation to Monk Seng Bian. Monk Seng Bian ordered the generals to garrison in Taicheng. That night, the soldiers accidentally started a fire while cutting down trees, and buildings such as the Taiji Hall and East and West Halls were all burned down. During this time, the soldiers plundered and exploited the citizens throughout the capital, grabbing the residents and stripping them bare. They rounded up the residents and forced them to pay for their freedom. From the Stone City to the East City, along the Huai River, cries could be heard everywhere, echoing throughout the capital, and the people were completely desperate.
Monk Seng Bian ordered Hou Jian and Pei Zhiheng to take five thousand elite soldiers and go east to attack Jing Hui (Jing). The monk captured more than twenty rebels, including Wang Wei, and sent them to Jiangling. The puppet governor Zhao Bochao surrendered to Hou Jian at the Wu Song River, and Hou Jian immediately sent Zhao Bochao to the monk. The monk said to Zhao Bochao, "Lord Zhao, you have enjoyed the great favor and grace of the court, but you have rebelled. What are you going to do about this now?" Then he ordered Zhao Bochao to be sent to Jiangling. After Zhao Bochao left, the monk addressed the guests and said, "The court only knew about Zhao Bochao before; who knew about me, Wang Seng Bian? The country was on the brink of ruin, but I saved it; people, rise and fall, glory and shame, what ever truly stays the same?" The guests all praised his merits. The monk was startled and humbly said, "This is all thanks to the emperor's wise and martial leadership and the generals' obedience to orders. Although I, old Wang, am a general leading troops, what ability do I really have?"
In this way, the rebels were all subdued, and the capital was also recovered. After the Emperor ascended the throne, he promoted the monk to General of the Guards and Minister of Works, added twenty sword-bearing guards, changed his title to Duke of Yongning County, with a fief of five thousand families, and his treatment as a Grand Tutor, Minister of Works, and Royal Herald remained the same as before.
It is said that later, bandits from Xiangzhou led by Lu Na broke through the forces of Prefect Ding Daogui in Hengzhou and captured all of Ding Daogui's troops and supplies at Lukou. Li Hongya led troops out from Lingling, claiming to help in attacking Lu Na. The court was unaware of Li Hongya's intentions and was very worried, so they sent the official Luo Chonghuan to invite the monk Bian to lead the army alongside General Yifenghou southward. Bian then urged generals such as Du Zer to lead a large army, departing from Jianye, and the army advanced to Baling. The court issued a decree appointing Bian as commander of the Eastern Forces and Hou Jing as commander of the Western Route. Previously, Hou Jing had offered the position of commander to Bian, but Bian did not accept, so the emperor established two commanders for the east and west to go south to suppress the rebel army.
At that time, Lu Na and his men occupied a place called Chelun, built walls on both sides of the river, and blocked the river. The soldiers were all brave and experienced veterans who had been through countless battles. Bian was cautious about acting rashly, so he slowly built a continuous wall to approach the enemy. Seeing that Bian did not dare to engage in direct combat, the bandits relaxed their guard. Bian took advantage of their unpreparedness, ordered both land and naval forces to attack simultaneously, personally holding the flag and drum to command the battle. The troops rushed forward one after another, fighting fiercely at Chelun, and together with General Hou Jing, they launched a full-scale attack, breaking through two enemy strongholds. The bandits were defeated and fled back to Changsha, forcing civilians into the city for defense. Bian pursued relentlessly, ordering the fortifications to be built around Changsha and commanding all the troops to speed up the construction of the walls, while personally overseeing the siege from a vantage point.
The bandits saw Monk Bian from a distance, knowing he was unprepared. Wu Zang, Li Xianming, and other bandits led a thousand elite soldiers, opened the city gates, and charged out with shields protecting them, heading straight for Monk Bian. At that time, Du Ze and Du Gan were by Monk Bian's side, with just over a hundred armored soldiers. They dispatched soldiers to engage the bandits. Li Xianming rode a warhorse covered in armor, leading a dozen cavalry, shouting as he charged into battle, but Monk Bian remained calm, sitting steadily on his platform. He commanded with bravery and decisiveness, eventually capturing Li Xianming and executing him on the spot. The bandits then retreated into the city. Initially, Lu Na's forces revolted under Wang Lin's banner, saying, "If the court releases Wang Lin, we will surrender." At that time, the various armies were attacking together, and the court did not agree to their demands. Prince Wuling led his army upstream on the Yangtze River, instilling fear both within the court and beyond, so the emperor sent Wang Lin to negotiate with them. At this point, Xiangzhou was finally pacified. Monk Bian returned to Jiangling, received an imperial decree to lead a large army westward, commanding twenty thousand naval troops, and the emperor held a farewell banquet for him at Tianju Temple. Soon after, Prince Wuling faced defeat, and Monk Bian returned to Jiangling from Zhijiang, and then proceeded to Jianye to take up his post.
This month, when I was still a child, I returned to Jiangling. Emperor Gao Yang of Northern Qi sent Guo Yuanjian to lead twenty thousand troops to establish a military formation in Hefei, preparing to launch a surprise attack on Jianye. He also sent generals Xing Jingyuan, Bu Liuhan Sa, Dongfang Lao, and others to lead troops to follow. At that time, Chen Baxian was guarding Jiankang. Upon hearing this news, he quickly sent a messenger to report to Jiangling. The emperor immediately ordered Seng Bian to go to Gushu and set up camp there. He first ordered the Governor of Yuzhou, Hou Tian, to lead three thousand elite soldiers to construct fortifications at Dongguan to resist the invading northern army. He also called upon the Prefect of Wu County, Zhang Biao, and the Prefect of Wuxing, Pei Zhi, to join Hou Tian at Dongguan to coordinate their efforts. They then fought a battle with the Northern Qi army and achieved a resounding victory. Seng Bian led the army back to Jianye in triumph.
In February of the third year of Chengsheng, the emperor issued a decree saying, "Select talents, employ the virtuous; this is noted in the classics of the Qin Dynasty. Unity of purpose is also reflected in the system of the Han Dynasty. The Book of Documents says, 'Just and impartial'; The Book of Han says, 'The above should be at peace with the below.' Therefore, we must rely on the grace of heaven to assist in achieving the grand cause. Seng Bian, the General Who Maintains Order, Minister of War, Prefect of Yangzhou, Nanyuzhou, and Dongyangzhou, General Who Guards the Army, Governor of Yangzhou, Duke of Yongning County, he is impressive in appearance and graceful in demeanor; his conduct serves as a model for scholars, his words and actions conform to ritual norms, his knowledge is profound, and he is proficient in military tactics. Over the years, he has campaigned in all directions, from west to east; the army has not been weary, and the people have no complaints. The establishment of the nation was fraught with challenges, experiencing countless dangers and difficulties. He should take on this important position and become a pillar of the country; entrust him with significant responsibilities to assist me in governing the state." The emperor then promoted Seng Bian to Grand Commandant, Grand General of Chariots and Cavalry, while keeping his other official positions unchanged.
After some time, Bian the Monk's mother, Lady Wei, passed away. The emperor sent officials to take care of the funeral arrangements and posthumously granted her the title of Lady Zhenjing. Lady Wei was very gentle, good at getting along with people, and loved by everyone in the family. Earlier on, Bian the Monk had been locked up, and Lady Wei walked to the palace in tears to plead for forgiveness, but the emperor did not see her. At that time, the emperor was fond of Crown Prince Zhenhui, who handled many important state affairs. Lady Wei went to the palace and tearfully admitted to the emperor that she hadn't raised her son right, with tears in their eyes. After Bian the Monk was released, Lady Wei gave him a stern talking-to, saying, "As a subject, you should be loyal and devoted, not just for yourself but for the good of future generations."
Later, Monk Bian recaptured the old capital, with remarkable achievements. Lady Wei, however, remained humble and modest, never allowing her wealth and status to make her proud or arrogant. She was praised by both the court and the common people as a wise and virtuous woman. After Lady Wei passed away, everyone was deeply saddened. Her funeral was held with great honor due to Monk Bian's significant achievements. Her coffin was to be transported back to Jiankang, and the emperor sent envoys to the dock to pay their respects. The emperor also had the Minister of Personnel, Wang Pu, write a eulogy: "You were born into a prestigious family, with a reputation as brilliant as gold and jade, gentle in character. You were not only a virtuous woman but also an excellent mother. You were well-read, eloquent, and your strict family values were commendable. The great generals of Chu drew upon your teachings to lead their troops into battle, and Meng Ke's virtue was also indebted to your guidance. Your loyalty and filial piety set an example for the nation. You assisted your son in establishing his achievements, leading armies, and governing the state, with outstanding contributions to the state. Despite your fame and success, you remained humble and prudent, beginning and ending with grace. Now that you have left this world, like the setting sun and the chill of autumn winds, life is fleeting, like a galloping horse that cannot look back, and the flowing river that never returns. You journeyed west, then east, crossing mountains and rivers, and now your spirit has returned to your homeland. Your tombstone may have crumbled, but your legacy will endure. We pay our respects here, hoping that your spirit in the afterlife can feel our sorrow."
"Alas, what a tragedy!" Oh, it is truly heartrending!
In October of that year, the Chancellor of Western Wei, Yuwen Heitai, led an army of fifty thousand troops, along with the forces under Prince Yueyang, planning to launch a surprise attack on Jiangling. Our Emperor dispatched Li Ying to Jianye, where he invited Monk Bian and appointed him as Grand Commander and Governor of Jingzhou. He gave him a specific order, stating, "Yuwen Heitai is a slippery character who turns on people without warning. Most of our formidable generals are in the south, and the troops in Jingzhou and Shaanxi are not exactly top-notch. You need to rally your best troops and make your way to Jiangling as quickly as possible. This is an urgent matter!"
Upon hearing this, Monk Bian immediately arranged for the Governor of Yuzhou, Hou Tian, to lead the vanguard, and the Governor of Yanzhou, Du Sengming, to guard the rear. Once the arrangements were in place, Monk Bian turned to Li Ying and said, "Yuwen Heitai's troops are brave and skilled in battle. We’ll definitely be at a disadvantage if we face them directly. Once all the troops are assembled, I will directly charge towards the Han River and cut off their retreat. They are already hungry from transporting supplies over a thousand miles, let alone launching an attack on us from thousands of miles away. Just like Sun Bin outsmarted Pang Juan, we can outsmart them!"
Soon after, the capital was lost, and the Emperor died. When the young Emperor Jingdi took the throne of the Liang Dynasty, Monk Bian, due to his earlier accomplishments, was appointed Grand General of the Cavalry, Director of the Imperial Secretariat, Commander-in-Chief of all military operations, and Keeper of the Imperial Archives. He also collaborated with Chen Baxian on plans to quell the rebellion.
Gao Yang wants to make Zhenyang Marquis Xiao Yuanming the emperor of the Liang state, so he wrote a letter to Monk Bian, saying: "The Liang state is in a mess, with disasters happening one after another! Hou Jing has turned Jianye upside down, and Prince Wuling Xiao Ji is involved in fierce skirmishes in Bashu, resulting in utter chaos. You have lofty ambitions and exceptional talent. Let's join forces to eradicate these traitors! Anyone with a conscience must feel heartbroken over this. Moreover, we are neighboring countries and should act sooner. Meanwhile, the bandits from the west are seizing the opportunity to attack the Liang state. Liang Wudi was unable to defend Jiangling and ultimately died in the ancestral hall. Before our forces could arrive, the Liang state had already surrendered, and the common people were taken captive. Thinking about this, I feel both angry and sad! As a loyal subject, you should share my indignation! I heard that the Liang state has now appointed a young emperor, Xiao Fangzhi, stationed in Jiangyin, who is barely a teenager. He's far too young to manage the chaos in the Liang state, and currently, Jie Zun and Ning Ke are also in control of the Liang state—a weak offshoot trying to stand against a mighty tree, which has always been a tough battle."
I consider the world my home, with a single-minded desire to save all living beings. The state of Liang has perished, and I fondly remember the friendly relations we once had. Now, at this critical juncture for Liang, I must step in to save it and support a new emperor. This is a duty I cannot ignore. The Marquis Zhenyang, Xiao Yuanming, is the son of Liang's Emperor Wu and a descendant of the Prince of Changsha. In terms of age and experience, he is more than capable of taking on great responsibilities and safeguarding Jinling. Therefore, I have decided to crown him as the emperor of Liang and let him take over the state. I have already ordered the Prince of Shangdang, Wang Huan, to lead a large army to escort Xiao Yuanming to Jiangbiao, to swiftly quell the rebellion with the speed of thunder and lightning. The Prince of Qinghe, Yue, previously went to rescue Jingzhou and stationed his troops in Anlu, but he did not make it in time, which frustrated him. I worry that bandits from the west might seize the opportunity to attack the Jiangzuo region, so I am rushing to Hankou now to meet with Lu Fa. You need to help me strategize, motivate the troops, arrange the ships, welcome the new emperor, and rally our best forces to work together. The Qiang tribes in the west aren't a formidable enemy; the current situation is simply due to the weakness of the people in Xiangdong. With our army now, is there anywhere we can't conquer? You need to plan carefully and meet my expectations!
Zhenyang has been sent back to Shouyang by the Qi state and is nearly there. On the way, Zhenyang wrote several letters to Monk Bian expressing his desire to return home and claim the throne, but Monk Bian refused.
Zhenyang and Gao Huan arrived at Dongguan, and the Cavalry Attendant Pei Zhiheng resisted with troops but was defeated. So, Monk Bian changed his mind and decided to accept Zhenyang, restoring the relationship between sovereign and minister. Monk Bian wrote a letter to Zhenyang, saying: "Since the Qin army attacked Shanzhou, I led my troops to offer assistance. Just as I disembarked, Jingzhou fell. I sent Liu Zhou back to the court to present my loyalty in a memorial, and all the ministers in the court were with me. However, Liu Zhou has been delayed for a long time, causing everyone to grow suspicious; later, I dispatched envoys to deliver the edict and sent others to gather opinions far and wide, but opinions were divided, and no consensus was reached. Later, I received a letter from Hou Han and a letter from the Western Invader Quan Jingxuan, asking me to present Quan Jingxuan's handwritten letter to you. I have observed those generals, each one greedy and self-serving. If we ever betray the Qi Kingdom, I would rather die than witness the fall of the Liang Dynasty without hope of revival. I urge you to cross the Yangtze River at your earliest opportunity, harness the power of the Qi Kingdom using your wise decision-making; revenge will be within reach, and the state can regain its former glory. Even if it costs me my life, I will never regret it. I dispatched the envoy Cao Chong to deliver my letter to the Qi capital and sent someone to update you on the situation. I would appreciate your prompt reply."
Zhenyang replied: "After Jiang Hao returned, he conveyed your sincere loyalty and patriotism. The country has been in turmoil for many years, with three emperors enduring humiliation and chaos throughout the land. The heavens have chosen wise ministers like yourself to assist the court, save the country from peril, rebuild the nation, and restore the ancestral shrines. Even though I live in seclusion in the countryside, I have always remembered your kindness. As a member of the royal family, how can I disappoint your expectations? I heard that you want me to return to the country, and I deeply appreciate your noble intentions. However, the two envoys sent recently did not fully convey your intentions. Since you have consulted with ministers and princes for more than ten days, but the results did not meet your wishes, it truly disappoints me. If I can once again inherit the Xiao imperial lineage and revitalize the Liang kingdom, then millions of people will benefit from your grace, and the ancestral shrines will receive your protection. I will have no regrets. My army is stationed at Dongguan, and we have sent people to contact Pei Zhiheng multiple times to learn his attitude. His arrogance and brutality were shocking. The Prince of Shangdang, Chen Bing, wanted to discuss peace and danger, but those ignorant people suddenly launched an attack. Before my army could form up, they charged, and I was deeply pained. The Prince of Shangdang is exceedingly arrogant. Instead of sending the enemy's heads, he was rewarded and given a lavish burial. The Qi dynasty's benevolence has touched heaven and earth. I hope to harness the power of Qi and rely on your assistance to defeat the rebels in Xianyang, eliminate the traitors in Yunmeng, unite our efforts, and pacify the world. I have read the letter from Quan Jingxuan that you forwarded. The generals upstream are talented, but they have betrayed their loved ones to join the enemy. This should not be the case! To combat treachery and chaos, we ultimately depend on you. The army is currently stationed at Dongguan, awaiting your reply. We await your instructions on whether to meet by water or land. Establishing a nation and enthroning a monarch both follow established protocols. If your loyalty can sway heaven and earth, and all the generals can work together, then the Qi army will return to the court, not crossing the Yangtze River. As long as you keep your promises and ensure not to break your oath, I will stand down my troops and await further instructions, sending envoys again. Cao Chong sent a letter to the Qi capital for this purpose. I will explain everything to you in detail under the Wei Bridge, and I stand ready to receive you at the Sishui River."
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Monk Bian wrote another letter saying, "After the return of the Grand Counselor Jiang Hao, he was ordered to report the situation in detail. The benevolence and righteousness of Da Qi have touched neighboring countries, providing disaster relief and assistance, showcasing Da Qi's benevolence. The imperial relatives have all received favor; the officials and nobles of Jiangdong also depend on the protection of the Qi state. Now, we remain faithful and sincere in our dealings with you, specially sending my seventh son, Xiao Xian, along with his adopted son, Liu Shizhen, as hostages; at the same time, the Left Minister of Personnel, Zhou Hongzheng, has been dispatched to Liyang to welcome you. The boats will be floating on the river, waiting for you to cross the river like a dragon would; the vermilion steps of the palace await your arrival. All nations are devoted to you, much like when Duke Wen of Jin returned home; San Shen Ke Xuan, just like Song Chang. When the country thrives and the ancestral temples are honored, all the officials will strive to repay Da Qi's benevolence and remain loyal to Your Majesty. I have now sent the Minister of Personnel, Wang Tong, to deliver this letter." Monk Bian then requested the appointment of Emperor Jing as Crown Prince.
Zhenyang replied, "Minister Wang has arrived and conveyed your intentions. I understand that you want to send your younger brother Shizhen as a hostage to demonstrate your sincerity. I understand your concerns for the country and the people. You compare the talents in the court to jade trees in the courtyard, and the imperial children to pearls in your palm. You have no selfish motives and only wish to save the country. Your dedication to the state is commendable, and I feel ashamed and restless both day and night. Prince Jin'an's achievements in the capital and virtues in the western capital, inheriting the throne, are the people's hope. However, in these chaotic times, we should establish an older monarch, as a young ruler may find it difficult to bear such heavy responsibilities. The virtues of Chengdi and Shaodi are rare, while the fates of Chongdi and Zhidi have been seen throughout history. I find myself in troubled times and did not wish to live, but your immense kindness has provided me with the chance to make a difference. I know my abilities are mediocre and have always been cautious. If a crown prince is to be chosen, it should be chosen from among the imperial family. I swear, my admiration lies with Prince Jin'an. If I speak falsely, let the heavens punish me. I have carefully read your letter and fully understand your intentions. I am grateful for your comfort, but words cannot express it. Your dedication to the country and the grace bestowed by the Qi state have touched the hearts of the people in the Liang dynasty. Will not the ancestral spirits be moved? Return with your troops to welcome me in Liyang. As for the hostage issue, I hope you can send someone to collect him. The army will not cross the river, and I have already drafted a pledge. This is the grace of the Great Qi sovereign, and Prince Ying of Shangdang will honor his promise and remain trustworthy. I will see you soon. My hometown is not far away, and just the thought of returning brings me sorrow."
Sengbian sent someone to escort the hostage to Ye City. Zhenyang requested three thousand guards, but Sengbian, fearing he might change his mind, only gave him a thousand scattered soldiers, and sent dragon boats and a ceremonial guard to meet him. On the day Zhenyang crossed the river, Sengbian stayed in the middle of the river, not daring to go ashore. They later met at Jiangningpu.
After Emperor Zhenyang seized power, he appointed Seng Bian as the Grand Marshal, concurrently serving as the Prince's Tutor and the Governor of Yangzhou, while the other official positions remained unchanged. At that time, Chen Baxian was the Grand Minister of Works and the Governor of Southern Xuzhou. He was deeply frustrated by Seng Bian's unpredictable behavior, so he held discussions with his subordinates and generals and mobilized an army of one hundred thousand troops from Jingkou to attack Jiankang by land and water. When the navy arrived at Jiankang, Seng Bian was working in Shitoucheng. The army had already breached the northern gate and entered the city, and a report came in that an enemy army was attacking the south gate. Seng Bian and his son Seng Gui hurriedly ran out of the office building with only a few trusted aides. As the entire army gathered, Seng Bian could not think of a way out, so he rushed to the south gate tower to plead for mercy. Chen Baxian ordered the tower to be set ablaze, and Seng Bian and Seng Gui were captured. Chen Baxian asked him, "What crime have I committed that led you to conspire with the Northern Qi army against me?" He further asked, "Why did you have no defenses at all?" Seng Bian replied, "I entrusted the defense of the north gate to you; how can you claim there were no defenses?" That night, Seng Bian was killed.
Seng Bian's eldest son, Seng Yi, eventually became an Attendant in the Chengsheng period. Initially, after Seng Bian pacified Jianye, he assigned Chen Baxian to guard Jingkou, but he left it completely undefended. Seng Yi warned him multiple times, but Seng Bian did not listen, ultimately leading to this disaster. When the Western Wei launched an attack on Jiangling, the Emperor appointed Seng Yi to oversee military affairs in the city. After Jiangling fell, Seng Yi followed Wang Lin to align with Northern Qi and became the Prefect of Jingling. Northern Qi sent Wang Lin to guard Shou Chun, planning to invade Jiangnan. Later, the Chen Dynasty subdued Huainan, captured Wang Lin, and killed him. Upon hearing of Wang Lin's death, Seng Yi walked out of the county, headed south, climbed atop a tall tomb, and wept uncontrollably until he passed away.
Seng Bian's younger brother, Seng Ban, had ambitions from a young age and was a loyal follower of the Emperor. After the fall of Jiangling, he was captured by the Western Wei and met his end there.
The historian said: Since the rebellion of Hou Jing, the emperor took control of the upper reaches of the Yangtze River and entrusted Seng Bian with the crucial responsibility of defending the Chu region. After quelling the rebellion, Seng Bian made significant contributions and should be promoted to a higher official position. Emperor Jing inherited the foundation of Gaozu, and Emperor Wen inherited the throne of Emperor Jing. When the palace was destroyed, it was only right that he inherited the throne. Seng Bian held significant power and should have supported the emperor like Yi Yin and Huo Guang did, but he colluded with the Northern Qi army to support a branch of the royal family. If he truly wished to be loyal to the court, how could he act in such a way? He failed to fulfill his duty to defend the country or safeguard himself, and in the end, he met a tragic end, leading to his death and the extinction of his family, which is truly tragic!
