It is said that Emperor Shengwu of Northern Wei had a total of fifteen sons, truly a household full of children! His wife Empress Lou gave birth to several powerful sons: Emperor Wenxiang, Emperor Wenxuan, Emperor Xiaozhao, Prince Yu of Xiangcheng, and later Emperor Wucheng, and Prince Ji of Boling Wenjian.
As for the other sons, their mothers were different. Lady Wang gave birth to Prince Jun of Yong'an Jianping; Lady Mu gave birth to Prince Yan of Pingyang Jingyi; Lady Da'erzhu gave birth to Prince Yu of Pengcheng Jingsi and Prince Ning of Huashan; Lady Han gave birth to Prince Huan of Shangdang Gangsu; Lady Xiao'erzhu gave birth to Prince Jai of Rencheng; Lady You gave birth to Prince Shi of Gaoyang Kangmu; Lady Zheng gave birth to Prince Run of Fengyi; and finally, Lady Feng gave birth to Prince Qia of Hanyang Jinghuai. These fifteen sons all had pleasant names, and their statuses were one more noble than the other. It seems that the harem of Emperor Shengwu was quite lively!
Prince Jun of Yong'an Jianping, Prince Yan of Pingyang Jingyi, Prince Yu of Pengcheng Jingsi, Prince Huan of Shangdang Gangsu, Prince Yu of Xiangcheng, Prince Jai of Rencheng, Prince Shi of Gaoyang Kangmu, Prince Ji of Boling Wenjian, Prince Ning of Huashan, Prince Run of Fengyi, and Prince Qia of Hanyang Jinghuai; these names all sound like royal offspring, either rich or noble. Thinking about the descendants of Emperor Shengwu, they truly flourished and thrived!
Prince Jun of Yong'an Jianping, with the style name Dingle, was the third son of Emperor Shengwu. Initially, his father Emperor Shengwu took Jun's mother as a concubine, and she became pregnant shortly thereafter. After Jun was born, Emperor Shengwu suspected that the child was not his own, so he was not particularly fond of him. However, Jun was intelligent from an early age and eventually won his father's favor.
At the age of eight, he asked Dr. Lu Jingyu, "What does 'offering sacrifices to the gods as if they were present' mean? Are there really gods?" Lu Jingyu replied, "Yes." Jun said, "If there are gods, shouldn't it be 'offering sacrifices to the gods when they are present'?" Lu Jingyu couldn't come up with an answer. As Jun grew up, he sometimes acted out, faced harsh punishments for his mistakes, including imprisonment, before being released. After that, he toned it down a bit and started to take his studies seriously. During the Yuanxiang era, he was made Duke of Yong'an County. He was bold, strong, and skilled in horseback archery, and was greatly loved by Emperor Wenxiang.
Emperor Wenxuan was rather timid and would sometimes cry when serving Emperor Wenxiang. Jun often criticized Emperor Wenxuan's attendants, asking why they didn't help wipe his brother's nose, which made Emperor Wenxuan think less of him. Jun was later promoted to the position of Director of the Palace Library and concurrently served as an attendant. He was later assigned as governor of Qingzhou, where he loved hunting, was smart, generous, and kind-hearted, so both superiors and subordinates respected and liked him. In the early years of Tianbao, he was granted the title of king.
In his later years, Emperor Wenxuan had a serious drinking problem, and Jun told those around him, "My second brother used to not be very smart, but he became smarter after ascending the throne. Now, he has neglected state affairs due to drinking, and not a single courtier dares to speak up. With serious threats still looming, I am very worried and want to hurry to Ye City to talk to him in person. I just hope he’ll listen to me." Someone told Emperor Wenxuan about this, and he grew even more resentful of Jun.
Eight years later, Jun followed Emperor Wenxuan to Dongshan for a visit. Emperor Wenxuan engaged in debauchery, accompanied by women, and even played the game of fox tails. Jun advised that these were not things an emperor should do. Emperor Wenxuan was furious. Jun then summoned Yang Zunyan from behind a screen and criticized him for not advising the emperor. At that time, Emperor Wenxuan did not want ministers and princes mingling, and Yang Zunyan was fearful, so he reported the matter to Emperor Wenxuan. Emperor Wenxuan was enraged, saying, "It is difficult to tolerate such people!" He stopped drinking and returned to the palace. Jun soon returned to Qingzhou and advised again in writing. Emperor Wenxuan ordered Jun to be summoned, but Jun, fearing harm, falsely claimed illness and did not go. Emperor Wenxuan was furious and sent people to capture Jun in a hurry. Thousands of people wept as they bid him farewell. After being captured, Jun was locked in an iron cage with Prince Huan of Shangdang, under the northern city dungeon, eating, drinking, and using the same spot.
The following year, Emperor Wenxuan went to the dungeon himself with his guards, singing and dancing, and asked Jun and Huan to join in. Jun and Huan, afraid and sad, couldn't contain their cries. Seeing this, Emperor Wenxuan felt a pang of guilt and cried, wishing to pardon them. However, Prince Zhan of Changguang and Jun had a longstanding rivalry, and he said, "How can a fierce beast be let out of its cage?" Emperor Wenxuan fell silent. Hearing this, Jun and Huan called out Prince Zhan's nickname, exclaiming, "Buluoji, the heavens above will surely witness your deeds!" Those around them were moved to sorrow.
Jun and Huan both had extraordinary talents and ambitions, deeply admired by other kings. Emperor Wenxuan feared they would harm him, so he first sent someone to assassinate Huan, and then sent the valiant warrior Liu Taozhi to assassinate Jun. Whenever they were stabbed, Jun and Huan broke the spears with their hands, weeping and crying out to the heavens. Then, people threw firewood into the prison, burning them alive, and buried them with soil and stones. Afterwards, Jun and Huan's skin, flesh, and hair were all burned, their bodies black like charcoal, which brought great sorrow to the people.
The emperor married his concubine Lu Shi to Yitong Liu Yujie. This Liu Yujie had previously been a servant to the former emperor and was elevated due to his military accomplishments. At that time, Liu Yujie wanted to harm Gao Jun, so the emperor married Lu Shi to him. After a few days, the emperor realized that Lu Shi had been neglected by Gao Jun, so he ordered them to divorce. In the first year of Qianming, Gao Jun was posthumously honored with the title of Grand Commandant. Gao Jun had no sons, so the emperor ordered the second son of Pengcheng Wang Yong, Gao Zhun, to inherit his title.
Pingyang Jingyi Wang Gaoyan, styled Zisui, was the fourth son of Gao Huan. During the Northern Qi Yuanxiang era, he was granted the title of Duke of Pingyang County, and later gradually promoted to the position of Left Deputy Chief of the Imperial Secretariat. During the Tianbao era, he was granted the title of prince, successively holding important positions such as Prefect of the Imperial Secretariat, Supervisor of the Imperial Stables, Minister of Works, Grand Commandant, and so on. In the Huangjian era, he served as Grand Tutor, and like the princes of Pengcheng and Hejian, he was accompanied by an escort and a hundred Yulin Guards. In the first year of Daning, he was promoted to Grand Preceptor. He was known for his calmness, prudence, and kindness. In the third year of Heqing, he passed away in Jinyang, with some claiming he was poisoned. After his death, he was buried back in Ye City, posthumously honored with the title of Acting Huangyue, Grand Preceptor, and Director of the Imperial Secretariat. His son Gao Desu inherited his title.
Peng Chengjing refers to Wang Gaoyu, whose style name was Zishen, and he was the fifth son of Gao Huan. In the second year of Yuanshi, he was appointed as the Cavalry Attendant of the Imperial Guards and was granted the title of Duke of Changle. The scholar Han Yi taught him how to write. Seeing that his handwriting was not good, he jokingly said, "Your handwriting looks like this, yet you have suddenly become an Attendant and a Duke. You should practice your handwriting diligently in the future!" Gaoyu replied seriously, "In the past, Gan Luo became the Prime Minister of the Qin state at a young age, but I haven't heard that his handwriting was good. To evaluate a person, one should judge based on talent and ability alone; how can one judge solely based on handwriting? Scholar, with your talent, why not become a high official?" He was just eight years old at that time. Han Yi felt very ashamed after hearing this.
In the sixth year of Wuding, Gaoyu was appointed as the Governor of Cangzhou. He was very strict in his duties, earnestly investigating and punishing various illegal activities, bringing order to Cangzhou. From senior officials to ordinary staff, everyone brought their own provisions when traveling, and no one dared to embezzle or take bribes. Gaoyu was very knowledgeable about the local situation, almost omniscient.
Once, the registrar of Shiwu County, Zhang Da, went to the county office to handle official business. He stayed at an inn for dinner and secretly ate a bowl of chicken soup without paying. Gaoyu actually found out about this! He called all the officials together and said in front of everyone, "Registrar Zhang, why did you eat the chicken soup without paying?" Zhang Da immediately confessed. The people of Cangzhou regarded Gaoyu as a remarkable figure.
Another time, a man from Youzhou came to Cangzhou carrying dried venison on his donkey. As he reached Cangzhou, the donkey injured its foot and couldn't walk, so he happened to meet someone to travel with. However, that person ended up stealing the donkey and the dried venison. The next day, the victim filed a report. Gaoyu immediately ordered his subordinates and county officials to purchase dried venison at any price. When the owner recognized his meat, the thief was soon caught. Later, Gaoyu was promoted and held successive positions as Commander and Governor of Dingzhou.
Once, someone lost a black cow with a white patch on its back. Changshi Weidaojian said to Zhongcheng Weidaosheng, "When Gaoci Shi was in Cangzhou, his ability to solve cases was as impressive as that of a deity. If he can catch this cow thief, it would be truly amazing!" Gaoci pretended that the government wanted to purchase cowhide, offered double the price, and allowed the owner to identify the cow. As a result, they successfully caught the cow thief. Weidaojian and others held Gaoci in high regard.
There was also an elderly woman named Wang who lived alone and owned three acres of vegetable fields, which frequently had her vegetables stolen. Gaoci had someone discreetly write on the vegetable leaves. The next day at the market, they found leaves with writing on them and successfully caught the vegetable thief. From then on, there were almost no theft cases in Cangzhou, and Gaoci's achievements were among the best at that time. In the early years of Tianbao, he was appointed as the King of Pengcheng.
Four years later, he was summoned by the court to serve as a court attendant, and the people and officials tearfully bid him farewell. Hundreds of common people spontaneously organized and prepared a sumptuous meal, saying, "Since you came to Cangzhou five years ago, the common people no longer fear officials, and officials do not oppress the common people. This is the first time we've encountered such a good official in our lives. You have only drunk our water, but have not eaten our food. Please accept this small token of our gratitude." Gaoci was deeply moved and took a symbolic bite of the meal.
Seven years later, Gaoci was promoted to Governor of Sizhou. When selecting his subordinates, he chose individuals who were both talented and fair in their case handling. At that time, people praised his good judgment in selecting personnel. Sizhou had over five hundred backlogged cases, which Gaoci quickly resolved. His deputy, Yang Xiu, and others were concerned that he might offend the powerful and went to the court to complain. Gaoci told his subordinates, "I'm handling my affairs openly and honestly, so why should I fear the powerful? You should support me in doing good deeds, instead of bringing up the powerful." Yang Xiu and the others felt ashamed and withdrew.
Later, Gao Shi was promoted to the position of Special Grandee, concurrently holding the positions of Minister of State and Grand Commandant, while retaining the position of provincial governor. After the death of the Empress Dowager, he resigned from his post, but was soon reappointed to his original position. He was later promoted to Minister of State and concurrently held the position of Chancellor. When Prince Jinan ascended the throne, Gao Shi was appointed as Grand Minister of the Imperial Household, Chancellor, and Minister of the Court of Imperial Sacrifices. In the early years of Huangjian, he was appointed as Grand Marshal, concurrently holding the position of Chancellor, and later promoted to Grand Guardian. After Emperor Wucheng ascended the throne, Gao Shi was promoted to Grand Preceptor and charged with the responsibility of overseeing the drafting of imperial edicts. Gao Shi was well-versed in worldly affairs, decisive and resolute, able to handle matters big and small with fairness and justice.
Li Gong-tong, from Zhaojun, participated in Gao Guiyan's rebellion. His mother, Lady Cui Shi, was the daughter of the Chief Imperial Censor Cui Ang and the sister of the Minister of State Wei Shou. According to regulations, individuals over sixty years old could be exempted from official duties. Lady Cui Shi falsely reported her age to request exemption from her official position, and due to her relationship with Cui Ang and Wei Shou, her request was approved by the relevant authorities. Gao Shi discovered this matter, leading to the removal of Cui Ang and Wei Shou from their posts.
While the Emperor was on tour, Yang Shi often stayed in Ye City. In the third month of the third year of the Heqing era, Tian Zili and dozens of bandits conspired to rob Yang Shi. They disguised themselves as envoys and forcibly entered Yang Shi's home, running all the way to the inner chamber, falsely claiming to have an imperial decree requiring Yang Shi to mount a horse. They even brandished knives to force him, intending to take him to the southern hall. Yang Shi cried out and refused to comply, which led to his murder. At the time, he was only thirty-two years old, and the court and the public alike mourned deeply. Before his murder, Yang Shi's wife, Lady Zheng, dreamed someone had cut off Yang Shi's head and taken it away, feeling uneasy. A few days later, Yang Shi was indeed killed. After his death, the court posthumously conferred upon him the title of Huangyue, Grand Preceptor, and Grand Commandant, allowed him to record imperial edicts, and granted him a luxurious carriage. His son, Yang Baode, inherited his title, eventually rising to the rank of Supervisor of the Imperial Household and Chancellor.
Wang Huan, the King of Shangdang, was the seventh son of the Northern Qi Emperor Shenwu. He was born with exceptional talent and stood out from the rest. Even as a child, he always held himself to high military standards. Emperor Shenwu was very fond of him, saying, "This child is just like me!" When he grew up, he was incredibly strong, able to lift a heavy cauldron, and was a master of martial arts. He often told those around him, "You should study, but don’t become a bookworm." So, although he grasped the basics from his studies, he did not become obsessed with them. In the Yuanxiang era, he was appointed as the Duke of Pingyuan County. When Gao Yang was assassinated, Wang Huan was still young and studying at the Xixue Academy. Upon hearing the commotion in the palace, he shouted, "Something must have happened to Big Brother!" and then ran out with his bow and arrows. During the Wuding period, he was appointed as the Governor of Jizhou, where he performed remarkably well in his role. During the Tianbao period, he was granted the title of King of Shangdang, and later served as the Minister of the Central Secretariat and the Left Vice Minister of the Imperial Secretariat. He, along with the King of Changshan, launched campaigns against several rebellious cities. Later, he assembled a group of unruly individuals in Ye City who exploited the local counties, resulting in complaints to the authorities. Emperor Wenxuan executed several of his subordinates, and Wang Huan faced punishment as well. In the sixth year of Tianbao, he led an army to escort Prince Liang Xiaoming back to Jiangnan, fought at Dongguan, and killed several officials of the Liang Dynasty, including Pei Zhiheng, earning a formidable reputation. In the eighth year of Tianbao, he was appointed as the Recorder of the Imperial Secretariat.
At first, a fortune teller said that the person who would harm Gao Huan would wear black clothes. So, after Gao Yang succeeded to the throne, every time he went out, he didn't want to see monks because he associated monks with black clothing. At that time, Emperor Wenxuan Gao Yang went to Jinyang. Because of this, he asked the people around him, "What is the blackest object?" Someone answered, "There is nothing blacker than lacquer!" The emperor thought this matter was connected to Gao Huan, the seventh son of Gao Huan, so he sent Kuzhen, the military governor, to attack Liu Han Bosheng and have Gao Huan arrested. Gao Huan fled to the Zimo Bridge, killed Bosheng, and then ran away. He ran to the riverbank to cross the river and was captured by locals and delivered to the emperor. The emperor imprisoned him in an iron cage and confined him in the dungeon alongside Prince Yong'an, Gao Jun. Over a year later, he and Gao Jun were killed together. He was just twenty-six at the time. His wife, Li, was forced to marry Feng Wenluo, an old servant of the emperor's family who had worked hard for a long time and had risen to the rank of governor. The emperor ordered Wenluo and others to kill Gao Huan, and as a result, Li was forced to marry him.
In the first year of Qianming, the emperor ordered the remains of Gao Huan and Gao Jun to be gathered and interred together. Gao Huan was posthumously honored with the title of Sikong and given the posthumous title of Gangsu. He also ordered Li to return to her family. However, Feng Wenluo still did not repent and dressed up nicely to see Li. Li lined up the servants in two rows, made Feng Wenluo stand below the steps, and then scolded him: "Our family has suffered disasters, been displaced, and endured humiliation. You, as a man, are weak-willed and cannot commit suicide to uphold honor. Fortunately, the emperor has allowed me to return to my family. What kind of lowly servant are you to dare come and insult me!" After saying this, she had Feng Wenluo beaten with a hundred canes, causing him to bleed profusely. Gao Huan had no legitimate sons, but his illegitimate eldest son, Gao Baoyan, inherited his title in the second year of Heqing, eventually rising to the rank of Jinzi Guanglu Dafu, a high-ranking official.
Xiangcheng King Gao Yu was the eighth son of Gao Huan. He was very handsome and talented from a young age. During the Yuanxiang period, he was appointed as the Duke of Zhangwu. In the Tianbao era, he was appointed as the Prince of Xiangcheng. In the spring of the second year of Tianbao, he died. During the Qi dynasty, most princes tended to appoint young wealthy merchants, peddlers, and henchmen as officials in their territories. Only the Kings of Xiangcheng, Guangning, Lanling, and a few others preferred to select cultured and knowledgeable individuals, and they were praised by the people at that time. In the second month of the first year of Qianming, Gao Yu was posthumously granted the title of Honorary Yellow Battle-axe, Grand Preceptor, Grand Commandant, and Director of the Imperial Secretariat. Since Gao Yu had no sons, the Emperor ordered Gao Liang, the second son of Gao Yan, the King of Constant Mountain, to inherit his title.
Liang, known as Yandao, was filial, good-looking, and fond of reading. He served as the Inspector of Xuzhou but was dismissed for embezzling funds from merchants. Later, when the Emperor was defeated and fled to Ye, Liang followed him. He eventually rose to the positions of Grand Commandant and Grand Tutor. When the Western Wei army attacked Ye, Liang defended the Qixia gate. While the other armies quickly fell apart, the Western Wei army flooded in through various gates, and Liang's army began to retreat. Liang rode to the ancestral temple, weeping as he said his goodbyes, before he was captured by the Western Wei army. After being taken to the Western Wei, he was given the title of Supervisor of the Masters of Writing as per regulations and was sent to the remote area of Longzhou, where he eventually died.
Prince Rencheng Wang Shen, the tenth son of Emperor Wenxuan of Northern Qi, Gao Yang, was clever and intelligent from a young age. He was granted the title of prince during the Tianbao period. Starting from the reign of Emperor Xiaozhao and Emperor Wucheng, whenever the emperor returned to Yecheng, he always left Shen in charge of Jinyang, responsible for the governance there. He served as the Minister of Personnel, Grand Commandant, and also managed the Secretariat's affairs. In the third year of the Tiantong period, he was appointed Grand Preceptor, Inspector of Bingzhou, and granted the title of Duke of Zhengping County. At that time, a woman was washing clothes by the Linfen River when a horseman stole her new boots and ran away. The woman went to the prefectural government with her old boots to report the incident. Shen called many old women from outside the city and showed them the boots, misleading them by saying, "A horseman was robbed by bandits on the road and left behind these boots. Do any of you recognize any relatives?" An elderly woman cried and said, "My son wore these boots to his father-in-law's house yesterday." Based on her statement, the thief was soon caught. People at the time praised him for his astuteness. In the Wuping period, Shen was promoted to Grand Tutor and Governor of Sizhou, later serving as Inspector of Jizhou, Grand Preceptor, and then promoted to Right Prime Minister, Commander, and Inspector of Qingzhou. Shen often held high positions in local government, and although his personal life was not very disciplined, he was generous and kind, earning the love and respect of officials and the people. In the fifth year, Cui Weibo and others launched a night attack on the city of Qingzhou. In a rush, Shen quickly organized the army and successfully defeated the enemy. He was subsequently appointed Left Prime Minister and later transferred to the post of Inspector of Yingzhou. When the last emperor fled to Yecheng, he was further promoted to Grand Prime Minister.
After Emperor Ande proclaimed himself emperor in Jinyang, he sent Liu Ziang to persuade Huluguang to accept the throne. Liu Ziang said, "Your Majesty has fled, and the ancestral rites are at stake. The court ministers all advise Your Majesty, and now you hold great power and can issue orders, but ultimately this responsibility will fall on your uncle." Huluguang said, "I am just a vassal; how can I accept such persuasion?" He immediately sent Liu Ziang back to Ye City. When the emperor arrived in Jizhou, he relinquished the throne to Huluguang, but Liu Ziang's persuasion ultimately did not reach him.
Huluguang and Prince Gaoning Gao Xiaoheng recruited over 40,000 troops in Jizhou to resist the Zhou army's attack. King Qi of Zhou, Yuwen Xian, came to attack and sent letters and amnesty decrees in advance, but Huluguang threw the letters and amnesty decrees into a well. Consequently, they suffered defeat in the war, and both Huluguang and Gao Xiaoheng were captured. Yuwen Xian asked him, "What led King Rencheng to this fate?" Huluguang replied, "I am the son of Emperor Shenwu, with fifteen brothers. Fortunately, I am still alive. Now that I see the state in ruins, if I can die in battle today, I will have honored the legacy of my ancestors." Yuwen Xian admired him and released his wife and children. As they neared Ye City, Huluguang burst into tears on his horse, collapsed to the ground, his face covered in blood. After arriving in Chang'an, he died shortly after alongside the last emperor.
His wife, Lu Shi, was given to Husi Zheng, the son of Huluguang. She was disheveled, neither ate nor drank, nor spoke or smiled all day. Husi Zheng released her, and she became a nun and took vows. In the third year of the Sui Dynasty under Emperor Wen, she submitted a petition to have Huluguang and his five sons buried in the North Plain of Chang'an.
Prince Gao Yang Kangmu, Gao Shi, was the eleventh son of Emperor Shenwu. He was granted the title of prince in the first year of Tianbao. Ten years later, he gradually rose to the position of Chancellor. Due to his humorous personality and skill in flattery, he was favored by Emperor Wenxuan and often stayed by the emperor's side, even going so far as to hit other princes with his cane. The Empress Dowager was very displeased with this. His wife's father, the Chief Military Advisor Zhang Yanzhi, once tried to use connections to help Gao Shi advance, but Gao Shi did not show him any respect. When asked by Emperor Wenxuan, he replied, "He has no official position, why should I give him respect?" As a result, Zhang Yanzhi was promoted to the post of Governor of Xuzhou. After Emperor Wenxuan's death, Gao Shi also served as the Minister of Works, in charge of leading the funeral procession. He played the flute and said, "His Majesty probably knows I have no ill intentions," while amusing himself with a hand drum. The Empress Dowager administered over a hundred cane strikes to Gao Shi, and shortly after, he passed away. The Empress Dowager cried in sorrow, saying, "I disciplined him because I was worried he wouldn't amount to anything; never did I expect him to be beaten to death!" In the early years of Qianming, he was posthumously granted the titles of Imperial Edict, Grand Tutor, Minister of Works, and Director of the Imperial Secretariat. His son Gao Shiyi inherited his title.
Prince Boling Wenjian, Ji, was the twelfth son of Northern Qi's Emperor Shenwu. He was granted the title of prince in the first year of Tianbao. Once, while accompanying Emperor Wenxuan on a royal tour, he suddenly recalled the Empress Dowager and discreetly returned home. The emperor was furious and threatened to kill him with a knife, which terrified him greatly. Later on, Ji rose to the position of Grand Commandant. In the early years of Heqing, he was appointed as the Inspector of Dingzhou. In the fifth year of Tiantong, he told someone in the province, "According to this order, it will soon be my turn, right?" When the Emperor caught wind of this, he secretly sent someone to have him killed. Posthumously, he was granted the titles of Acting Huangyue, Grand Commandant, and Director of the Imperial Secretariat. His son Zhi inherited his title.
Wang Ning of Huashan was the thirteenth son of the Shenwu Emperor. In the first year of Tianbao, he was granted the title of Prince of Xinping; in the ninth year, he was granted the title of Prince of Anding; in the tenth year, he was granted the title of Prince of Huashan. He served as the Chancellor of the Central Secretariat and the Governor of Qizhou, and later appointed as the Grand Tutor. He died in Qizhou, and after his death, he was posthumously honored with the titles of Left Chancellor, Grand Preceptor, and Registrar of the Imperial Secretariat. Among all the princes, Ning was the most ineffectual of them all. His princess, Lady Wang, was the daughter of Wang Qia, the Crown Prince's horse master, and she had an affair with a male servant of the household. Even though Ning was aware, he was unable to rein her in. When the affair was revealed, Lady Wang was executed, and Ning was punished with a hundred strokes. He was truly foolish to the core.
Feng Yiwang Run, courtesy name Zize, was the fourteenth son of Emperor Shenwu. When he was young, Emperor Shenwu praised him, saying, "This is our family's thoroughbred!" He was granted the title of prince in the early years of Tianbao. He held various positions such as Grand Chancellor of the Northeast, Right Deputy, Governor, and Governor of Dingzhou Province. Run was handsome, and when he was fourteen or fifteen, his mother, Consort Zheng, shared a bed with him and engaged in inappropriate behavior. As he grew older, Run was honorable and prudent, with great elegance, proficient in official affairs, skilled at exposing corruption, and corrupt officials had nowhere to hide from him. Prince Kaifu Wang Hui Luo and Grand Commander of the Six Provinces Dugu Zhi illegally seized state land and took bribes, which Run reported. The two then accused him of visiting the court and ascending the old altar of Emperor Wei, sighing to the south with ambiguous motives. Emperor Wucheng sent Yuan Wenyao to Dingzhou to deliver the imperial edict, stating, "Feng Yiwang has always been careful and law-abiding in his duties; I know him very well. It's only natural to gaze into the distance; those villains are spreading rumors and causing trouble behind his back, deliberately sowing discord." Hui Luo received two hundred lashes, and Dugu Zhi one hundred canes. Later, Run became the Minister of the Left, concurrently serving as the Imperial Preceptor to the Crown Prince, and later held positions as Minister of Works, Grand Commandant, Grand Marshal, Governor of Sizhou, Grand Preceptor, Grand Secretary of the Henan Circuit, and Chief of the Imperial Secretariat, also being appointed as Duke of Wencheng County, Grand Preceptor, and Grand Preceptor again, and once again serving as Governor of Dingzhou. After his death, he was posthumously honored with the title of False Yellow Battle-Axe and Left Chancellor. His son Maode succeeded him in his title.
As for King Hanyang, named Wang Qia, styled Jingyan, he was the fifteenth son of Emperor Shenwu. In the first year of Tianbao, he was granted the title of King of Hanyang. Five years later, he passed away at the age of thirteen. In the first year of Qianming, the court posthumously appointed him as Grand Preceptor and Minister of Works. Unfortunately, he left no sons, so the second son of King Rencheng, Wang Jiande, inherited his title.
And so, the story of Han Yangwang, who died at the age of thirteen, ended so simply. Although the court posthumously conferred upon him a high official title, it ultimately could not compensate for the sorrow of his early demise. "Without a son, the second son of Chengwang, Jiande, will succeed." This statement highlights the helplessness and harsh reality of royal succession.
