In the first month of the year 534 AD, on the day of Renchen, I can't recall the exact date of the first month; anyway, that day Gao Huan led his troops on a campaign to the west, defeated the Feiye, and annihilated the Geluling Yili tribe in Hexi, wiped them out, and then relocated the surviving population to Hedong. In the second month, the nine-tiered pagoda of Yongning Temple caught fire. Shortly after, someone from Laizhou in Shandong reported that people at sea had seen the pagoda floating on the water when suddenly a fog rolled in and the pagoda vanished. Some interpreted this as a divine warning, implying that the fire at Yongning Temple signaled the downfall of Northern Wei; the pagoda had flown to the East Sea, and Bohai would face its own misfortunes.
Emperor Gao Huan of the Northern Wei Dynasty had different plans. At this time, the attendant Feng Longzhi was chatting privately with Sun Teng about this. Feng Longzhi had just lost his wife, and Gao Huan wanted to marry his sister off to him. Sun Teng couldn't believe Gao Huan would actually do that, and he was also jealous of Feng Longzhi, so he told this matter to Husi Chun. Husi Chun then went to Gao Huan to tattle. Sun Teng even led troops into the imperial palace, killed an imperial censor on his own, then fled and ran to Gao Huan for protection. Rumor has it that Gao Huan even slapped his attendant Liang Xu right in front of everyone, and Yuan Zigang, the Gentleman of the Yellow Gate, rolled up his sleeves and charged at Gao Huan, shouting at Sun Teng, "Let me tell you, King Gao, us Yuan kids have this kind of temper!" General Lou Zhao was also afraid and quickly returned to Jinyang. Gao Huan then made Husi Chun the army commander, replaced a group of generals, as well as the inspectors of Henan and Guanzhong. Prince Huashan Yuan Zhi was serving in Xuzhou, and Gao Huan sent Di Zhen to snatch his seal. The Inspectors of Jianzhou, Han Xian, and Jizhou, Cai Jun, had good relations with Gao Huan. However, Gao Huan was suspicious of them, so he abolished Jianzhou, got rid of Han Xian, sent Chief Clerk Qi Jun to look into Cai Jun's wrongdoings, and appointed Jia Xianzhi as the new Inspector of Jizhou. Cai Jun refused to back down, which only made Gao Huan angrier. In May, the emperor issued a decree saying he wanted to send troops to take on the state of Wu, mobilize troops from various provinces in Henan, beef up palace security, and keep a tight watch on the bridges over the Yellow River.
On the Ding Si day of June, the Wei Emperor secretly issued a secret edict to Shen Wu, saying, "Ever since Yuwen Heita conquered Qinzhou and Longzhou, he has been constantly making excessive demands. If he has any schemes or tricks, it could become problematic. Although he hasn’t fully rebelled yet, it's too hasty to send troops against him right now. So let's gather the ministers to discuss our options. Everyone suggested that they could feign a southward march against Wu and boost our defenses both domestically and internationally, which would guard against Yuwen Heita's sudden attack and also deter the states of Wu and Chu." In reality, the Wei Emperor was actually planning to launch an attack on Shen Wu at that time, and Shen Wu had already begun to deploy his generals, feeling very hesitant, which is why this secret edict was issued.
Shen Wu submitted a memorial saying, "Jingzhou lies at the crossroads of the barbarian lands and the Central Plains, adjacent to the capital, while the Guanlong region is far from the capital, fearing there may be rebellious intentions. I’m currently gathering thirty thousand troops in secret, ready to cross the Yellow River from Hedong; and sending the governors of Hengzhou, Guozhou, and Fenzhou, along with the former General of the Martial Guards, Peng Le, to lead forty thousand troops across the river at Weijin; sending General Lou Zhao, the governor of Xiangzhou, the former governor of Guozhou Yao Xiong, and the governor of Bingzhou Gao Longzhi to lead fifty thousand troops to strike at Jingzhou; and sending the governor of Jizhou, the former governor of Jizhou Gao Aocao, the governor of Jizhou Cai Jun, and the former Attendant Feng Longzhi to lead seventy thousand infantry and fifty thousand cavalry to subdue Jiangzuo. All the troops are in place and ready for my orders."
Emperor Wei realized that Shen Wu was planning a rebellion, so he took out Shen Wu's memorial and gathered the ministers to discuss it, trying to prevent Shen Wu's army from taking action. Shen Wu then summoned his officials to hold extensive discussions and compiled the results of their discussions into a memorial for submission. He repeatedly swore to show his loyalty, saying, "I am framed by treacherous villains. Your Majesty, if you doubt me, I will accept this outrageous accusation now, just as Erzhu Rong dealt with the rebels in the past. If I do not exert all my efforts and dare to disappoint Your Majesty, may I suffer divine retribution and may my descendants be cut off. If Your Majesty believes in my sincerity and prevents war from happening, I am willing to consider dismissing and expelling one or two of those treacherous villains."
On the Xinwei day, the Emperor once again gathered the opinions of the civil and military officials in the capital and replied to Shen Wu, asking his aide Wen Zisheng to draft the edict. Wen Zisheng hesitated and dared not write, so the Emperor sat on the tiger bed, drew his sword, and looked stern. Only then did Wen Zisheng draft the edict, which read:
"Ah, I am writing to you out of concern, hoping we can come to an understanding and not let those troublemakers interfere. But suddenly that Sun Teng ran to you, causing everyone to suspect there might be a conspiracy between you. So I had to send the Imperial Censor Qijun to ask about my thoughts. Now that I have received your reply, your words are sincere, but I'm still having trouble understanding. I owe my position to your military achievements, without spending a single soldier, just like parents giving birth to me, you elevate me. If we turn against each other, fighting back and forth, then my descendants and I will truly be as you mentioned in your letter. Heaven and earth can hear the words we say!"
Recently, I am worried that Yuwen Shi might be planning a rebellion, and He Baosheng also seems to be responding, so I hurriedly prepared the army to support you. Yuwen Shi sent envoys today, and from their appearance, they didn't appear to be acting unusually. He Baosheng is expanding territory in the south and making contributions to the country, so I can't really blame him. If you plan to send troops against them, how will you justify it to others? Those in the southeast who have been defying authority have gone unchecked since the previous dynasty. Now that the population of the whole country has halved, it's really not the right time for military action. I'm at a loss and don't know who these troublemakers are. Can you list their names for me to know?
I heard that She Di Gan told you: "I originally wanted to find a weak person to be the emperor, but you chose such a difficult emperor to control. Now, as long as he is emperor for fifteen days, he can be deposed, and someone else can be appointed." Such talk must have come from someone close to you. How could that come from a traitor? Last year, Feng Long rebelled, and this year Sun Teng escaped. If you don't punish or report them, who wouldn't suspect you? Since Sun Teng made a mistake and shows no remorse, if you’re truly loyal to the court, why not have him killed and sent here? In your letter, you mentioned wanting to head west, but your army is spread all over. Some want to cross the Yellow River to Luoyang, and some want to cross the Yangtze River to Jiangzhou. The person who said this must find it strange themselves, and how can anyone hearing this not be suspicious?
If you are truly loyal to the court and remain peacefully in the north, even if you have a million troops, I will never doubt your intentions. But if you are unfaithful and march south, even if you have no horses or chariots, I will resist to the bitter end! I am no paragon of virtue, but you have already made me emperor, and the people might believe I am worthy of being emperor. But if you truly have ulterior motives, it would reveal my shortcomings. Even if you kill me and torture me to death, I would have no grievances. Why? Because you were chosen as emperor based on virtue and justice, and if you betray that, that would be your own doing. I had hoped for harmony between ruler and subject, but I never anticipated it would come to this. As the ancients used to say, "If a stranger shoots me, I laugh it off; if my brother shoots me, I cry in pain." Our relationship is close, as if we were brothers, so as I write this, I cannot help but feel sorrow, and tears stream down my face.
At first, Gao Huan led his troops north from the capital, believing that Luoyang had suffered through prolonged periods of war and decline, and though it was strategically significant, the land was limited and inferior to Ye City, so he requested a relocation of the capital. Emperor Xiaowu of the Wei dynasty stated, "The founding emperor (Emperor Xiaowen) established the imperial capital in the Heluo region, which serves as the enduring foundation of the nation's framework, completed only by Emperor Xiaoming. You, Gao Huan, have rendered service to the nation and should follow the old system of the Taihe era." Gao Huan complied, but later revisited the idea. He sent three thousand cavalry to guard Jianxing, strengthened the forces in Hedong and Jizhou, intercepted Northern Wei vessels at Baigou to prevent them from reaching Luoyang, and had all the states transport food to Ye City.
Emperor Xiaowu of Wei also ordered Gao Huan, saying, "If you can pacify the people, put an end to the rumors, then withdraw the army from Hedong, dissolve the garrison stationed at Jianxing, send back the grain from Xiangzhou, recall the troops from Jizhou, allow Cai Jun to assume his position, let Di Zhen leave Xuzhou, stop the war, and let the soldiers return home to farm. If there is a need for grain, make separate arrangements for transportation, so those who slander you will have nothing to say, and you won't have any regrets. You can rest assured in Taiyuan, and I will stay securely in Luoyang. I will never step out of Luoyang to meet you in battle. If you turn your horse south and reconsider moving the capital, even if I have no military talent, I will attempt to stop you, but if I fail, I will be determined to sacrifice my life for the nation and our ancestors. The final decision rests with you, not me. We should both cherish this, like a missing piece in a jigsaw puzzle!" At that time, Emperor Xiaowu of Wei appointed Ren Xiang as the concurrently Shangshu Zuo Pushe and granted him the title of Kaifu. However, Ren Xiang lost his position and defected to Gao Huan. Emperor Xiaowu of Wei then ordered all civil and military officials from the north to decide for themselves whether to stay or leave, and issued an edict condemning Gao Huan in preparation for a northern expedition. Gao Huan also stopped his horse and declared to his soldiers, "When I encountered Erzhu Rong's usurpation of power, in order to uphold the righteousness of the world and support the Emperor, my loyalty can be seen by heaven and earth. However, Husi Chun falsely accused me of rebellion disguised as loyalty. When Zhao Yang rebelled in Jinyang, he eliminated the corrupt officials surrounding the monarch. Now that I am heading south, it is only to execute Husi Chun!" He appointed Gao Ang as the vanguard, saying, "If we had heeded the Sikong's advice, we would not be in this situation today!" Sima Ziru replied to Gao Huan, saying, "I initially aimed to support a weak monarch, and that’s why!"
Emperor Xiaoming of Wei wanted to recruit soldiers from the border regions, so he sent someone to summon Heba Sheng to the temporary palace. Then he sent Grand Councilor Sun Chengye, Grand Commander Wang Yuanbin of Yingchuan, and Husi Chun to defend Wulao, Prince Yuyang Yuanxian to defend Shiji, Sun Ziyi with the former Hengnong Prefect Yuan Honglue to defend Shanzhou, and Jia Xianzhi with the Governor of Yuzhou Husi Yuanshou to attack Cai Jun. As a result, the envoy of Emperor Shenwu, Dou Tai, along with Left Grand Commander Modolu Daiwen, were sent to intercept Jia Xianzhi and Yuanxian. One of Jia Xianzhi's subordinates, Husi Yuanshou, surrendered directly. Dou Tai and Modolu Daiwen met Jia Xianzhi at Changshou Crossing, where Jia Xianzhi secretly arranged to surrender and then led his troops to retreat. Military officer Yuan Xuan learned of this and hurried back to report, requesting reinforcements. Emperor Xiaoming of Wei then sent Grand Commander Hou Jishao to support. The two armies clashed east of Huatai, and Jia Xianzhi surrendered, but Hou Jishao died in battle. In July, Emperor Xiaoming of Wei personally led a large army to camp at Heqiao. Emperor Shenwu's army had already reached a point over ten miles north of the Yellow River and sent someone to negotiate peace with Emperor Xiaoming of Wei, but Emperor Xiaoming chose to ignore them. Emperor Shenwu had no choice but to lead his troops across the Yellow River. Emperor Xiaoming of Wei asked his ministers what to do; some suggested seeking refuge with Heba Sheng to the south, some suggested fleeing to Guanzhong in the west, and others suggested holding out at Luokou and fighting to the death. With no consensus reached and no decision made, Yuanbin and Husi Chun quarreled over power and profit, with Yuanbin abandoning Husi Chun and fleeing himself, even deceiving Emperor Xiaoming of Wei by claiming, "The army of Emperor Shenwu is approaching!" That day, Emperor Xiaoming of Wei fled to Chang'an. On the day of Jiyou in July, Emperor Shenwu Gao Huan entered Luoyang City and temporarily took residence at Yongning Temple.
At the beginning of August, he summoned all the officials and said, "As ministers serving the monarch, we should correct wrongs, rescue those in danger, and support those in distress. If we do not speak up in times of danger, do not take the right actions in emergencies, and only seek favor and glory in peacetime, fleeing in times of crisis, what kind of ministers are we then? Do we have any integrity left?" After speaking, he had several officials, including Yanqing, Xinxiong, Cuixiaofen, Liuxin, Yangji, and Yuanshibi, executed as punishment for their disloyalty. Yuanshibi's property and family were confiscated.
Due to the busy state affairs, he consulted with the officials and appointed Prince Yuan Dan of Qinghe as the Grand Marshal, allowing him to wield imperial authority and manage state affairs from the Shangshu Province. When Prince Yuan Dan went out, he put on a grand display, acting like the emperor, which annoyed Gao Huan greatly. Gao Huan quickly arrived at Hengnong County, then advanced west to capture Tongguan and captured Mao Hongbin. The army continued to advance to the Great Wall, where Longmen Commander Xue Chongli surrendered. Gao Huan withdrew to Hedong, ordering Xue Yu, the Chief Secretary of the Ministry of Personnel, to defend Tongguan, and Shedi Wen to guard Fengling. They built a city on the west bank of Pujin to protect Huazhou, appointing Xue Shaozong as the governor of Huazhou, and Gao Ang as the interim governor of Yuzhou. Gao Huan set out from Jinyang and had sent more than forty letters to the Wei Emperor, but received no reply.
In early September, Gao Huan returned to Luoyang and sent the monk Dao Rong with a petition to Guanzhong, but received no response. So he summoned all the officials, the Four Gates officials, and some respected elders to discuss who should be made emperor. Everyone believed that since the chaos during the Xiaochang period, the country's rule had been interrupted, the ancestral sacrifices of the imperial family lacked a proper basis, and the order of seniority within the imperial family was in disarray. During the Yong'an period, Emperor Xiaowen was posthumously honored as a father, and during the Yongxi period, Emperor Xiaoming was moved to a side hall, leading to the decline of the country and the change of power, all for these reasons. Therefore, everyone unanimously decided to support the Prince of Qinghe, Yuan Shan Jian, as emperor. After the decision was made, they informed the Prince of Qinghe. The Prince of Qinghe said, "Now the emperor has no father. If my son becomes emperor, even if I die, I will accept it willingly." So Yuan Shan Jian was made emperor, known as Emperor Xiaojing. From then on, the Wei Dynasty split in half. Emperor Xiaowudi of Western Wei fled to the west, fearing being forced to the Xiong Mountain and Hangu Pass area. Luoyang was on the east bank of the Yellow River, too close to Liangguo. If they were to go further to Jinyang, it would complicate connections with various places. So they decided to move the capital to Ye City, and the military commander Zuying also agreed with the idea. After the imperial decree was issued, the emperor set off with his troops three days later, and forty thousand households set out in disarray. Emperor Xiaowudi left some people in Luoyang and returned to Jinyang after the matter was settled. From then on, all major national affairs were decided by the Chancellor's Office. Earlier, there was a nursery rhyme that said, "Poor little sparrow, flying into Ye City, its feathers are about to be fully grown, transforming into a parrot." Some people secretly said that the sparrow referred to the Prince of Qinghe of Wei (Emperor Xiaowudi) and the parrot referred to Gao Huan (Shenwu).
During the Xiaochang period, Gao Huan, a mountain bandit, proclaimed himself emperor with the reign title of Shenjia, occupying Yunyang Valley. He frequently raided the west, which people called "Hu Huang." After two years, in the first month of the year, Zhu Hun, the Wei Prefect of Weizhou, surrendered to Gao Huan, who happily welcomed him. On Renxu day (a specific date in the lunar calendar), Gao Huan attacked Liu Lisheng and defeated him. On Jisi day (a specific date in the lunar calendar), Emperor Xiaowu of Wei issued a decree appointing Gao Huan as the Prime Minister, bestowing upon him the Huangyue, a jade axe symbolizing military authority, and exempting him from kneeling during court sessions. Gao Huan politely declined. In the third month, Gao Huan planned to marry his daughter to the son of Liu Lisheng. When Liu Lisheng became complacent, on Xinyou day (a specific date in the lunar calendar), Gao Huan secretly led troops to attack him. Liu Lisheng's subordinates beheaded him and brought his head to Gao Huan. They subsequently declared his son the King of Nanhai. Gao Huan captured the King of Nanhai, his brothers the Kings of Xihai and Beihai, the queen, ministers, and over 400 others, as well as 50,000 households of Hu and Wei people. On Renshen day (a specific date in the lunar calendar), Gao Huan met the emperor in Ye City. In the fourth month, Gao Huan requested food distribution for the relocated people based on their circumstances. On Jiayin day in September (a specific date in the lunar calendar), Gao Huan mentioned the numerous illegal activities of officials in various counties and requested an investigation into the suffering of the common people.
In a certain year, during the first month, Yuwen Tai led his troops to launch a surprise attack on Xia Prefecture of Western Wei. They moved with astonishing speed, arriving in less than three days! They tied long spears into ladders, sneaking into the city at night, capturing Xia Prefecture Governor Fei Yehu Batuo and leveraging him. Yuwen Tai left General Zhang Qiong to guard Xia Prefecture and relocated five thousand households to the area. The Lingzhou Governor of Western Wei, Cao Ni, and his son-in-law, Liangzhou Governor Liu Feng, quickly sent people to surrender. Yuwen Tai besieged Lingzhou, flooding the city to a height of four feet on the walls! Yuwen Tai ordered Aziluo to lead thirty thousand cavalry to surround Lingzhou from behind, surprising the Western Wei army and capturing fifty horses. Seeing this, the Western Wei army retreated. Yuwen Tai went to meet Cao Ni and Liu Feng along with the remaining five thousand households, restoring Cao Ni's official position. The Western Wei Emperor issued a decree to grant Yuwen Tai the Nine Bestowments, traditional awards granted by emperors to their loyal subjects, but Yuwen Tai firmly declined.
In the second month, Yuwen Tai sent Aziluo to pressure the Governor of Qin Prefecture, Prince Jianzhong Wang Qun Pu, of Western Wei, into surrendering, while he himself led troops to support. In early June, Wang Qun Pu surrendered along with his son, Grand Minister Tai Zai Shou Luo Gan, Bingzhou Governor Chi Gan Baole, Right Guard General Po Liu Han Chang, and over three hundred other generals, along with their armies. In the first few days of August, Yuwen Tai proposed unifying weights and measures across the country, and then ordered its implementation. In the first few days of September, Hu Wang Tiao Chu of Fenzhou and Cao Erlong rebelled, establishing their own officials and declaring their era as "Pingdu." Yuwen Tai swiftly suppressed the rebellion. In the first few days of December, Yuwen Tai departed from Jinyang to conduct a western campaign, also sending Prince Ruyang Wang Xian and Minister of Works Gao Ang to attack Shangluo, while General Dou Tai advanced from Tongguan.
In January AD 550, Dou Tai's army was defeated, and he took his own life. Gao Huan was in Pu Jin at the time, but because the river ice was too thin, he was forced to retreat. Gao Ang took Shangluo. In February, because of frost and drought affecting the nine provinces of Bingzhou, Sizhou, Fenzhou, Jianzhou, Jinzhou, Dongyongzhou, Nanfenzhou, Taizhou, and Shanzhou, the people were starving and left homeless, so they petitioned the court to open the granaries and provide aid to the disaster victims. In June, Gao Huan traveled to Tianchi and obtained a stone tablet bearing the inscription "Six Kings, Three Rivers." In October, Gao Huan led an army of two hundred thousand across the river from Pu Jin and marched westward. The Western Wei forces established their formation at Shayuan. Given the unfavorable terrain, Gao Huan's forces were outnumbered, and the Western Wei army charged fiercely, leading to chaos in Gao Huan's ranks, resulting in the abandonment of eighteen thousand sets of armor. Gao Huan mounted a camel and waited for the boats to come back.
In March of 551 AD, Gao Huan firmly requested to resign as Prime Minister, and the Emperor of Wei agreed. In April, Gao Huan went to Ye City to meet the Emperor, and a few days later returned to Jinyang. He requested the lifting of the ban on alcohol, as well as aid for the palace guards and military personnel. In July, Grand Commandant Hou Jing and Minister of Works Gao Ang besieged the Western Wei general Dugu Xin in Jinyang City, and the Emperor of Western Wei and Yuwen Tai both came to their aid. She Di Gan led the vanguard to pave the way, and Gao Huan led the main army to follow. In August, the two sides clashed in a major battle at Heyin, with Gao Huan achieving a decisive victory, capturing tens of thousands of soldiers from Western Wei, while Gao Ang, Grand Commandant Li Meng, and Song Xian all died in battle. After the defeat of the Western Wei army, Dugu Xin fled back to Guanzhong, Yuwen Tai left his grandson Yan to guard Jinyang City, then burned down the camp and fled. Gao Huan sent troops to pursue, but turned back after reaching the foot of Mount Xiaoshan without catching up. Initially, Gao Huan knew that the Western Wei army was coming, so he quickly led his army from Jinyang to Mengjin. Before crossing the Yellow River, the outcome of the battle had already been decided. Later, Gao Huan crossed the Yellow River, and Yan also abandoned the city and fled, so Gao Huan demolished Jinyang City before returning. In November, Gao Huan went to the capital to meet the Emperor. In December, he returned to Jinyang.
One day in July of 494 AD, Emperor Xiaowen of Wei wanted Erzhu Rong to be the Prime Minister and oversee the affairs of the Secretariat, but Erzhu Rong firmly declined, and the Emperor did not press the issue. On a day in November of the same year, Erzhu Rong went to Ye City to meet the Emperor because the new palace had been completed. Emperor Xiaowen even had an archery competition with Erzhu Rong, who stepped down to congratulate him. The Emperor then wanted him to be the King of Bohai and oversee the national military, but Erzhu Rong refused again. On a day in December of the same year, Erzhu Rong returned to Jinyang.
In December of the following year, a tribe called Azhi Luobie sent people to surrender. Erzhu Rong personally led troops to meet them, but when they reached the Wuzhou border, they couldn't find them and returned after going hunting.
In May of the year 497 AD, Erzhu Rong went to the northern border for inspection and sent envoys to mend relations with the Rourans (a branch of the Xianbei tribe). In May 497 AD, Erzhu Rong went to Ye City to meet the emperor. He suggested that officials report on government affairs face-to-face every month, openly address shortcomings and deficiencies, widely solicit opinions, root out corruption, personally handle litigation cases, reward diligent officials, and punish lazy officials; superiors should also share the responsibility for local officials' mistakes; offerings to the palace should be in accordance with the rules; the useless sycophants in the harem should all be gotten rid of! In June, Erzhu Rong returned to Jinyang. In September, Erzhu Rong began his western expedition. In October, Erzhu Rong besieged the city of Yubi, where the official Wang Sizheng of Western Wei was stationed, in an attempt to lure out the Western Wei troops, but the Western Wei army did not dare to come out. In November, due to heavy snowfall, many soldiers froze to death, resulting in Erzhu Rong's withdrawal. In February 550 AD, Gao Shen, the governor of Beiyu Province, rebelled west of Wulao. In March, Emperor Wen of Zhou went to support Gao Shen's rebellion and subsequently surrounded the southern city of Heqiao. A few days later, Gao Yang (Emperor Shenwu) achieved a great victory at Mangshan, capturing over 400 officers of Western Wei and killing or capturing enemies totaling over 60,000. During the battle, some soldiers stole and killed army donkeys, which military law deemed punishable by death, but Gao Yang chose not to execute them, saying they would be addressed upon reaching Bingzhou.
The next day, war broke out again. The Western Wei army charged forward with great momentum, resulting in the defeat of Gao Yang's army, with even Gao Yang losing his horse. At that moment, Helian Yangshun quickly dismounted and offered his horse to Gao Yang. Along with a servant named Feng Wenluo, they supported Gao Yang to escape, accompanied by six or seven cavalry and infantry. The pursuers caught up, and Gao Yang's trusted aide Wei Xingqing said, "Your Majesty, please leave quickly. I have a hundred arrows on me, enough to kill a hundred people!" Gao Yang encouraged him, saying, "If we win, I will appoint you as the governor of Huaizhou; if you die, I will have your brother take your place." Wei Xingqing replied, "My brother is still young; it's better to use my older brother." Gao Yang agreed. Wei Xingqing fought valiantly until he fell, shooting all his arrows. The Grand Tutor of Western Wei, He Baosheng, chased after Gao Yang with thirteen cavalry soldiers, but Liu Honghui, the Governor of Hezhou, shot down two of them. He Baosheng's spear almost struck Gao Yang, but fortunately, Duan Xiaoxian shot and killed He Baosheng's horse with an arrow, which allowed Gao Yang to escape unharmed.
Yuzhou and Luozhou were ultimately pacified. Gao Yang sent Liu Feng to chase the fleeing enemies all the way to Hongnong before returning.
In July, Gao Yang wrote a letter to Emperor Zhou, accusing him of the crime of killing Emperor Xiaowu. In August, Emperor Xiaowen of Wei issued a decree appointing Gao Yang as Prime Minister, Chief of the Imperial Secretariat, and Grand Preceptor, while keeping his other positions unchanged. Gao Yang firmly declined but ultimately accepted after much insistence. That month, Gao Yang ordered the construction of city walls on the northern mountain of Sizhou, stretching from Maling Garrison in the west to Tushi in the east, completing it in forty days. In December, Gao Yang went to the capital to pay his respects, returning to Jinyang the next day.
In March the following year, Gao Yang inspected Jizhou and Dingzhou, and also went to the capital to pay his respects. Due to the drought that winter and spring, he requested a tax exemption for the common people, relief for the poor, and pardon for those convicted of crimes less than capital offenses. He also requested financial assistance for the elderly. In April, Gao Yang returned to Jinyang. In November, Gao Yang launched a campaign against the mountain tribes, achieving a resounding victory and capturing over ten thousand households, distributing them among various states.
On the fifteenth day of the first month in a certain year, it was the Jia Wu day. Er Zhu Wen Chang (Kai Fu Yi Tong San Si), Ren Zhou (Kai Fu Si Ma), Zheng Zhong Li (Du Du), Li Shi Lin (Zhong Fu Zhu Bu), and Fang Zi Yuan (Qian Kai Fu Can Jun) conspired to assassinate Gao Huan (Shen Wu). They secretly plotted to attack on the night of the fifteenth, rushing in with knives. As a result, Xue Ji Xiao revealed their plot to Gao Huan, and these men were all arrested and killed.
A few days later, on the Ding Wei day, Gao Huan requested the construction of a Jinyang Palace in Bingzhou to accommodate those who had been exiled here. In March, on the Yi Wei day, Gao Huan went to Ye city to attend court, and shortly after, he returned to Jinyang. On the Ding Mao day in October, Gao Huan reported to the court that the northern part of Youzhou, Anzhou, and Dingzhou, which are adjacent to the Xian and Rouran tribes, requested the building of cities and fortresses in those dangerous places as a defense against them. He personally inspected and fortified each location. Later, on the Yi Wei day, Gao Huan requested the release of the captives held at Mangshan, freed them from their shackles, and distributed them to widows in the local community.
In August of the year 554 AD, Gao Yang (Emperor Shenwu) wanted to lead his troops on a western expedition, gathering his army from Ye city to Jinyang. At that time, the palace general, Cao Weizu, advised him, saying, "No! It's August now; the west is the star of Ke. Fighting dead energy with living energy is not favorable for a guest; the host will have the upper hand. If a real battle occurs, General, you'll face significant losses!" Gao Yang did not listen. Before the Eastern Wei and Western Wei fought, there were often sightings of yellow ants battling black ants near Ye city, and people predicted the outcome of the war by observing which ants won. This time, the yellow ants suffered a complete defeat.
In September, Gao Yang surrounded the city of Yubi, hoping to lure the Western Wei army into battle, but the Western Wei army was too afraid to respond. Wei Xiaokuan, the governor of Jinzhou in Western Wei, defended Yubi firmly, and people in the city even emerged wearing iron masks to stage a protest. Gao Yang then ordered soldiers to shoot arrows, each arrow striking the eyeholes of the iron masks. Then, Gao Yang employed Li Yexing's strategy of "isolation and emptiness" to concentrate his forces on attacking the north side of Yubi because of its dangerous terrain. He had his men build dirt mounds, dig ten tunnels, and launch attacks through twenty-one tunnels on the east side. Yubi was short on water and could only source it from the Fen River. Gao Yang ordered the river to be cut off, which was done overnight. Wei Xiaokuan recaptured the dirt mounds, defended for fifty days, and the city still had not fallen, resulting in seventy thousand dead, their bodies piled into a massive grave.
During this time, a star fell into Gao Yang's camp, and all the donkeys began braying in unison, sending the soldiers into a panic. Gao Yang himself fell ill. On Gengzi Day in November, Gao Yang returned to the capital with his illness. On Gengxu Day, he sent Yang, the Duke of Taiyuan, to guard Ye City. On Xinhai Day, he called his son Gao Cheng back to Jinyang. At this time, an ominous bird perched on a tree in the pavilion, and Prince Gao Cheng ordered Heluoguang to shoot it. On Jimao Day, following his unsuccessful western campaign, Gao Yang requested to be relieved of his command over military affairs, which the Wei Emperor approved.
At that time, there were rumors on the Western Wei side that Gao Yang had been shot by a crossbow arrow. Upon hearing this, Gao Yang pushed himself to meet with the ministers, and even had Heluo Jin perform the "Chile Song." He joined in, singing with profound sorrow, tears streaming down his face.
Hou Jing has always disdained the Crown Prince. He once said to Sima Ziru, "As long as the emperor is still alive, I wouldn’t dare to entertain any rebellious thoughts. But if the emperor were to pass, I couldn’t align myself with those Xianbei brats." Sima Ziru quickly shushed him. Later, the Crown Prince summoned Hou Jing on Gao Huan's orders. Hou Jing had made a prior arrangement with Gao Huan: if there was a letter with a small dot on the back of the envelope, he would go. When the letter arrived without a dot, he decided not to go. He heard that Gao Huan was sick, so he gathered his troops for self-preservation.
Gao Huan said to the Crown Prince, "Even though I’m unwell, why do you still look so troubled? What’s the matter?" The Crown Prince did not answer. Gao Huan asked again, "Are you worried that Hou Jing will rebel?" The Crown Prince said, "Yes." Gao Huan said, "Hou Jing has been dominating Henan for fourteen years, always ambitious. Fortunately, I can control him, not for you to manage! The world isn’t settled yet, don’t be in a hurry to be sad. She Di Gan, that old Xianbei guy, and Hu Lu Jin, that old Qilian guy, are both straightforward people and will not disappoint you. Zhu Hun Daoyuan and Liu Fengsheng came a long way to join me; they will definitely not have any other thoughts. He Ba Yan, that kid, is honest and has done nothing wrong. Pan Xiangle was originally a Taoist, loyal and honest; you and your brothers can rely on them. Han Gui is young and hot-tempered; you ought to be more forgiving of him. Peng Xiangle is a close person; you should protect him well. Right now, the only one who can handle Hou Jing is Murong Shaozong. I intentionally held him back, leaving him to you; you should give him special treatment and assign him significant responsibilities."
On the first day of the first month in the fifth year, there was a solar eclipse. Gao Huan said, "Is this solar eclipse a sign for me? I have no regrets even if I die." On the day of Bingwu, Gao Huan passed away before Emperor Xiaojing of Wei. He died in Jinyang at the age of fifty-two, and his death was kept secret. On Renwu in the sixth month, Emperor Xiaojing of Wei held a funeral for him in the East Hall, and three days later, he ordered the wearing of coarse mourning clothes. The decree specified that the funeral should follow the standards set for General Huo Guang and Prince Dongping Liu Cang of the Han Dynasty; Gao Huan was posthumously conferred the titles of Acting Huangyue, Grand Commandant, Prime Minister, Commander-in-Chief of all military affairs inside and outside the capital, and Prince of Qi, and was awarded various honors, such as a chariot, a yellow canopy, left and right banners, feathered fans, musicians, carriages, attendants, and all nine imperial regalia, with the posthumous title of Xianwu King. On Jiashen in the eighth month, he was buried on the west bank of the Zhang River in the northwest of Ye City. Emperor Xiaojing of Wei personally escorted him along the Purple Road for burial. In the early years of the Tianbao era, he was posthumously honored as Xianwu Emperor, with the temple name Taizu, and his mausoleum was renamed Yiping Mausoleum. In the first year of the Tiantong era, his posthumous title was changed to Emperor Shenwu, and his temple name was updated to Gaozu.
Speaking of this big shot, he has a deep and reserved personality, with an aloof demeanor, always serious, making it hard for people to figure him out. At critical moments, he can adapt on the fly, as formidable as a god. When it comes to national affairs, he can devise strategies on his own, with few able to participate in his decision-making. He manages the army with strict discipline and is exceptionally skilled in warfare, employing flexible and versatile tactics that catch opponents off guard. In handling cases, he is astute, and no one can pull a fast one on him. He is good at recognizing and utilizing talent, especially taking care of his old subordinates. He is generous and attentive during cultural activities, personally inquiring and explaining seriously without pretense. When promoting officials, he values ability above all, even promoting those from humble beginnings. Those who blow their own horn without real talent are rarely given important positions by him. His generals win battles as long as they follow his plans, but those who disobey his orders often face defeat or even annihilation. He lives simply, with no ornate decorations on his weapons. Although he can hold his liquor, he only drinks three cups at most since taking office. Just as serious at home as he is at work, he treats people kindly and cherishes talent.
Initially, Lu Jingyu from Fanyang was famous for his knowledge of Confucian classics, while Han Yi from Lu County was known for his calligraphy skills. Despite being arrested for rebellion, he generously took them in, housing them in his residence to educate his children. His civil and military officials, as long as they are loyal and dedicated, rarely face punishment even if arrested. As a result, people from all directions are loyal and eager to serve him. He has struck fear into the Liang Kingdom to the south, the Rouran in the north, as well as the Tuyuhun and Azhi Luo, all of whom have pledged their allegiance to him. With their support, his strategies are truly visionary and impressive!
