Lu Fa and this person, it's unclear where he came from. He lives in seclusion on Bailizhou in Jiangling, living a life just like that of an ascetic monk. The locals have known him since they were kids; his complexion often shifts, making it hard to read his true feelings. Some say he hails from Songshan and has roamed far and wide. Yet after arriving at Zishi Mountain in Gao'an County, Wenyang Prefecture, Jingzhou, he inexplicably left the mountain he called home. Soon after, the bandit Wenda stirred up a rebellion, and people at the time believed he had foreseen the signs of chaos.
He's such a mysterious figure, with unpredictable movements, making it difficult for others to guess his origins and intentions. He lives a frugal life, just like those ascetic monks, with extremely simple clothing, food, and shelter. The elderly have seen him since childhood, yet his complexion always changes, leaving others guessing about his thoughts. Some say he once came from Songshan, having traveled widely and gained extensive knowledge. However, after arriving at Zishi Mountain, he suddenly took off again, leaving people even more puzzled. As a result, not long after, Wenda's rebellion broke out, and everyone suddenly figured out that his leaving Zishi Mountain might have been a sign of trouble to come.
When Hou Jing had just surrendered to the Liang Dynasty, Fa He told Zhu Yuanying from Nanjun, "I will go with you to fight Hou Jing." Zhu Yuanying replied, "Hou Jing has done a lot for the country; why do you want to go after him?" Fa He said, "That's exactly why." After Hou Jing crossed the Yangtze River, Fa He was hanging out at Qingxi Mountain. Zhu Yuanying went to ask him, "Now that Hou Jing has surrounded the city, what's going on?" Fa He said, "When picking fruit, one must wait for the fruit to ripen and fall on its own; there's no need to rush it. Just wait for Hou Jing to ripen; no need to rush." After Zhu Yuanying pressed him several times, Fa He finally said, "It could be a win or a loss."
General Hou Jing dispatched Ren Yue to assault the King of Xiangdong of the Liang Dynasty in Jiangling. Fa He ran to the King of Xiangdong to request a campaign against Ren Yue, gathering eight hundred tribal followers in Jiangjin, and set off two days later. The King of Xiangdong sent Hu Zengyou to lead over a thousand men to act alongside them. Fa He boarded a warship and laughed heartily, exclaiming, "Wow, there are so many troops!" Jiangling had many temples, and the common people would usually go to pray. Since Fa He's army set out, there had been no signs from the gods, and people believed the gods had followed the army.
Upon reaching Chisha Lake, they confronted Ren Yue's army. Fa He took a small boat, unarmored, and drifted down the river, returning only a mile away from Ren Yue's troops. He told his soldiers, "Let's first observe the enemy's army, which is as still as a statue, while our army is as lively as a dragon. Let's attack them. If we wait until tomorrow, we could defeat the enemy without losing a single man, but there's a catch." He then positioned fire ships at the front, but the headwind was unfavorable. Fa He wielded a white feather fan to summon the wind, and it instantly shifted direction. Ren Yue's soldiers saw the Liang army advancing on the water and panicked, jumping into the water in despair. Ren Yue fled and his whereabouts were unknown. Fa He remarked, "We'll have him by noon tomorrow." When the time came and he had not been captured, someone asked him, and Fa He replied, "I once built a temple on this island when the water was low and mentioned that, while it looks like a temple, it's actually a marker for the enemy. Why not search beneath the marker for the enemy now?" Following his advice, they indeed saw Ren Yue in the water, clinging to the temple's pillar, with just his nose sticking out, and captured him.
Ren Yue said he wanted to die in front of Fa He, but Fa He replied, "You have a benefactor looking out for you in your fate, and you will definitely not die in the chaos of war. Moreover, you are fated with the prince and will have no other concerns; the prince will definitely recognize your worth in the future." The King of Xiangdong indeed released Ren Yue and appointed him as the governor of a commandery. Later, when the Wei army besieged Jiangling, Ren Yue led troops to rescue and fought bravely.
Fa He and Wang Sengbian had an agreement, so they went to Baling to meet him. Fa He said, "I, a humble monk, have already chopped off one of Hou Jing's arms; what more can I possibly do? You should hurry up and handle this." Then he requested to return, telling the King of Xiangdong, "The matter with Hou Jing can definitely be settled, no need to worry. The rebel forces from Shu are on their way; I request to go to Wuxia to prepare for them." So he led the army there and overseen the transport of stones to block the river. Three days later, the water was diverted, and he used iron chains to block the river's surface horizontally. King Wuling, Ji Guo, indeed sent Shu soldiers to cross the river, but the gorge's narrow terrain made it difficult to advance or retreat. Wang Lin and Fa He came up with a plan, and after a single battle, they wiped out the Shu soldiers.
When the army reached Baidi City, Fa He said to everyone, "Zhuge Kongming is indeed a legendary general; I’ve seen his skills firsthand. Next to this city, there are the crossbow bolts he left behind, probably around a bushel’s worth." After saying this, he wrote an order for people to dig, and the result was exactly as he had said. On another occasion, he went to a large tree north of Xiangyang City, drew a square about two feet on each side on the ground, and had his disciples dig, uncovering a turtle that was a foot and a half long. He tapped the turtle with his cane and said, "You want to come out, but you can't; you have lived for hundreds of years, and if it weren't for me, how would you ever see the light of day?" He then offered the turtle the three refuges, and the turtle crawled into the grass by itself.
At first, many people fell ill on Mount Eightfold, and Fa He collected herbs to treat them. Generally, after taking three doses of medicine, they usually recovered, and those people begged to be his disciples. There were poisonous insects and fierce beasts on the mountain, so Fa He taught them certain taboos, and those poisonous insects and fierce beasts no longer bit people. Fa He’s boat docked by rivers and lakes always had a sign set up next to a mountain peak that read "Release Life Here." If the fishermen had little catch, if they caught even a little fish, a fierce wind and rain would arise. The crew would panic and release the fish, and then the wind and rain would stop. Even later, when Fa He led troops into battle, he prohibited the army from fishing. If someone secretly violated the rule, fierce beasts would certainly come to attack them at midnight, or they would break the ropes of the boat.
One little disciple, while playing, accidentally cut off the head of a snake and ran to Fa He. Fa He asked him, "Why did you kill the snake?" Then he pointed to the snake's head and showed him that the snake's head was biting his pants, and it wouldn't come off no matter what. Fa He instructed him to repent and perform good deeds for the snake. Another person tested a knife on a cow and accidentally cut off its head and ran to tell Fa He. Fa He said, "You killed a cow; your life is now at risk. If you don't perform good deeds for it, you will face consequences within a month." The man didn't believe him, and sure enough, he died within a few days. Fa He often helped people plan their homes and burial sites, helping them avoid misfortune and seek blessings. He often advised others, "Don't tie your horse next to the mortar." One person passed through the countryside and saw a mortar by the door, so he tied his horse to the post next to the mortar. After entering, he remembered Fa He's warning and rushed outside to untie the horse, but the horse had already died.
Emperor Yuan of Liang appointed Fa He as the governor and governor of Yingzhou, and also granted him the title of Duke of Jiangcheng. However, Fa He did not acknowledge his subordinate status; the seal he used on official documents bore the title "Minister of Works"! Emperor Yuan asked his attendant Wang Bao, "I never intended for Lu Fa He to become one of the Three Dukes, so why does he refer to himself this way?" Wang Bao replied, "Since he is famous for his Daoist practices, he probably anticipated this day long ago." Emperor Yuan believed that Fa He had made significant contributions, so he simply added the title of Minister of Works, while keeping the positions of governor unchanged. Fa He had thousands of followers who all referred to him as "Master," and he only used Daoist teachings to educate them, never resorting to laws to restrain them.
Remarkably, in the markets he oversaw, there were no officials such as market stewards or assistants; no one was in charge. They simply set out a few empty boxes by the roadside with a small slot for collecting money. Merchants calculated the prices based on the quantity of goods and placed the money into the boxes. The person responsible for collecting the money would only do so at night, counting the money before depositing it into the national treasury. Fa He spoke very little in everyday situations, but when he did speak, he was a master debater, unmatched by anyone, though he had a bit of an accent. He was also particularly skilled at manufacturing siege weapons. While in Jiangxia, he built many war boats, intending to launch a surprise attack on Xiangyang and then directly assault Wuguan. Emperor Yuan sent someone to stop him, and Fa He said, "I, Fa He, am a seeker of the Buddha; I don't even care about the seat of Shakyamuni Buddha, let alone a throne. I only have a connection with the Buddha and the emperor through incense offerings, thinking the emperor would protect me, which is why I asked for help. Now that you suspect me, I cannot change this matter." After he spoke, he set out offerings, prepared a lavish meal, and made a lot of thin pancakes.
Later, the State of Wei launched an attack, and Fa He set off from Yingzhou, intending to go to Jiangling. Emperor Yuan of Liang sent someone to stop him, saying, "If he can fight, let him stay in Yingzhou; there is no need to move." Fa He had no choice but to return to Yingzhou, barricade the city gates, change into a coarse cloth shirt and pants, wearing his hat askew, tie a coarse rope around his waist, and sit on a straw mat, not getting up all day. When he heard that Emperor Yuan of Liang had been defeated and died, he regained his splendid attire and cried as he accepted everyone's condolences. After the people of the Liang Dynasty surrendered to the State of Wei, they indeed saw the thin pancakes Fa He made, which were now in Wei. Fa He had built a temple for King Shou on Bailizhou, and after completing the Buddha hall, he shortened the pillars, saying, "Forty years later, the Buddha's teachings will face calamity; this temple is in a remote location, so it can avoid a disaster." Later, when the State of Wei captured Jingzhou, the palaces were burned down, and the Wei governor wanted to dismantle the Buddha hall of the Shou Wang Temple for wood, but found the wood too short and gave up. Later, when the Zhou Dynasty eradicated Buddhism, this temple remained within the territory of the Chen Dynasty, so it was not destroyed.
In the spring of 552 AD, Prince Yue of Qinghe led an army to attack Linjiang, and Fa He led the entire state to surrender to the Northern Qi. Emperor Wenxuan of Northern Qi appointed Fa He as the Grand Commander of Military Affairs for Ten States, Grand Minister of War, and Chief of the Southwest Circuit, while appointing Song Li as the Governor of Yingzhou, without any change in rank or position. Song Li's brother, Song Zuan, was appointed as a Court Attendant, an Official of the Three Departments, Governor of Xiangzhou, and Duke of Yixing County. General Hou Zhan of the Liang Dynasty advanced towards Jiangxia with his forces; the Qi army withdrew, and Fa He and the Song brothers then returned to the court.
Emperor Wenxuan heard that Fa He had extraordinary magical powers, so he graciously received him and even arranged a grand reception with an official escort twelve miles south of the city, where he waited in a tent. From a distance, Fa He saw Ye City and dismounted, advancing and using a special walking technique known as "Yu Bu." His attendant, Xin Shu, asked him, "You have traveled a long distance to seek refuge with the court, and the emperor treats you with such sincerity. Why do you still feel the need to use this technique?" Fa He carried a censer and walked along the roadside until he arrived at the inn.
The next day, Emperor Wenxuan summoned Fa He and bestowed upon him a splendid carriage and a hundred guards for protection. When Fa He announced himself at the palace gate, he did not mention an official title or refer to himself as a subject; he simply identified himself as a "Jingshan recluse." Emperor Wenxuan hosted a banquet for Fa He and his attendants in the Zhaoyang Hall, bestowing upon Fa He a million coins, a thousand bolts of cloth, a set of fine armor, a hundred acres of land, two hundred servants, and a variety of other provisions; Song Li received a thousand bolts of cloth, and other officials below the rank of Three Excellencies and governors also received rewards. Fa He freed all the servants he had been given, saying, "You are free to go and live as you please." He distributed all the wealth he received to the poor and spent it all in a single day. Then, he built a Buddhist temple with the house given by the court, residing in just one room and living a life no different from that of ordinary people. Three years later, he was appointed as the Grand Commandant, but people continued to refer to him as "the recluse."
Before his death, Fa He calmly informed his disciples of his impending death, free from illness. On that day, he burned incense and worshipped Buddha, sitting on a rope bed, he passed away peacefully. After bathing and preparing for the funeral, they discovered that his body was remarkably small, only about three feet long. Emperor Wenxuan ordered the coffin to be opened to be inspected, and it turned out to be empty. Before his death, Fa He had written some words on the wall of his residence, which later deteriorated. People found the writings, which said: "A ten-year emperor can still take action, a hundred-day emperor is as urgent as fire, and a yearly emperor is quickly replaced." It also stated: "One mother gives birth over three days; together, two days make five years." People believed this referred to Empress Lou, who gave birth to three emperors, from Emperor Xiaozhao's ascension to Emperor Wucheng's passing the throne to the later emperor, totaling five years.
Fa He served as an official in the Jingzhou and Yingzhou areas, and there was a young woman, probably in her twenties, who claimed to be Yue Lao, the old woman of Yue. She wore a Daoist robe, stayed single, and followed Fa He around for many years. They had an intimate relationship for over a decade. Now that Fa He had ended their relationship, she followed someone else. The relevant authorities investigated the matter thoroughly. This woman, who claimed to be Yue Lao, remarried after this incident and had several children.
Wang Lin, also known as Zihang, was from Shanyin, Kuaiji. His father, Wang Xiansi, was a court attendant of the Liang Dynasty's Xiangdong Kingdom. Wang Lin was originally a soldier; when Emperor Yuan was a regional king, Wang Lin's sisters entered the palace to serve Emperor Yuan, which gave Wang Lin the chance to serve at the emperor's side while still young. He had a passion for martial arts since childhood and later became a general.
In the second year of Taiqing, Hou Jing crossed the Yangtze River and sent Wang Lin to deliver ten thousand stones of rice. Before it arrived, the capital fell, prompting Wang Lin to throw the rice into the river and return to Jingzhou by a small boat. He gradually rose in rank, becoming the Internal Historian of Yueyang, and was made Marquis of Jianing County due to his military achievements. Hou Jing sent the general Song Zixian to take control of Yingzhou, and Wang Lin captured Yingzhou and took Song Zixian prisoner. He then teamed up with Wang Sengbian to defeat Hou Jing and was later appointed as the Governor of Xiangzhou.
Lin is truly a powerful figure, especially skilled at winning people over, and he never brings any of the rewards he receives home. He leads tens of thousands of men, most of whom are bandits from the Jianghuai region. Having earned great merit, he stands equal to Du Kan, and, relying on the emperor's favor, he runs wild in Jianye. Wang Sengbian urged him to tone it down, but it fell on deaf ears. Worried he might turn against them, Wang Sengbian requested the emperor to have him killed. Hou Jing also felt it was dangerous, so he sent his chief clerk Lu Na with troops to Xiangzhou while he went directly to Jiangling. Before leaving, Hou Jing told Lu Na and the others, “What will you all do if I don't make it back?” Everyone wept and declared, “We swear to serve you till the end!” and then they tearfully bid farewell.
After Hou Jing arrived in Jiangling, the emperor dispatched Huang Luohan, the Minister of Justice, and Zhang Zai, the Minister of Finance, to persuade his troops to surrender. Lu Na and the soldiers cried as they confronted the envoys, refusing to take the orders, and directly captured Huang Luohan while killing Zhang Zai. Zhang Zai was a tough guy, and the emperor had great faith in him, but the people of Jingzhou hated him with a passion. Therefore, Lu Na and the others exploited this sentiment, pulled out Zhang Zai's intestines and tied them to a horse's leg, letting the horse run until Zhang Zai finally died. They then chopped him into pieces, put him through the five punishments, and finally beheaded him. Emperor Yuan of Liang sent Wang Sengbian to campaign against Lu Na, but Lu Na and his crew were defeated and had to retreat to Changsha.
At that time, Xiangzhou had not yet been pacified, and the army of King Wuling was formidable. The people in Jiangling City, whether officials or commoners, were all in a state of panic, each trying to figure out how to protect themselves. Lu Na submitted a formal request, revealing the crimes of Hou Jing, requesting the restoration of his official position, and expressing his willingness to be Hou Jing's subordinate for life. Emperor Yuan of Liang then imprisoned Hou Jing and sent him to Changsha. At this time, Lu Na's army was fighting outside, and when Hou Jing arrived in Changsha, Wang Sengbian brought Hou Jing up to a high tower to show him to Lu Na and the others. Lu Na and the others immediately threw down their weapons and knelt, crying out, saying, "Please let General Wang enter the city; we will surrender immediately!" Once Hou Jing was let into the city, Lu Na and the others surrendered, and Xiangzhou was pacified. Lu Na was restored to his original official position and then sent Hou Jing to resist Xiao Ji. After Xiao Ji was subdued, Hou Jing was appointed as the governor of Hengzhou.
Emperor Yuan was quite paranoid; he felt that Xiao Lin had too many supporters, and since Xiao Lin was also very popular, he sent him to Lingnan while giving him the positions of Governor and Prefect of Guangzhou. Xiao Lin's friend, the chief clerk Li Ying, was a person highly valued by the emperor. Xiao Lin said to Li Ying, "I have been favored and promoted by the emperor and have always wanted to repay the country's kindness with my lifelong efforts. Now that the world is not yet pacified, moving me to such a distant place like Lingnan, in case of any unexpected situation, how can I contribute? The emperor must be suspicious of me. My abilities are limited; how could I possibly go against the court? Why not let me be the Prefect of Yongzhou to guard Wuning? I can have the soldiers farm and defend the borders. If any urgent situation arises, we can also communicate with each other. This is much better than being thrown far away to Lingnan. Lingnan is thousands of miles away; what if something goes wrong? I’m not trying to stay in Jingzhou forever; I’m just thinking about what’s best for the country." Li Ying thought Xiao Lin's reasoning was valid but dared not speak to the emperor, so Xiao Lin took his army to guard Lingnan.
Liang Yuan found himself besieged by the Wei army, so he sent someone to ask Xiao Lin for help, appointing him as the Prefect of Xiangzhou. When Xiao Lin's troops arrived in Changsha, they heard that the Wei army had already captured Jiangling and proclaimed Liang Wang Cha as emperor. Therefore, they held a memorial ceremony for Liang Yuan, and the entire army wore white garments. Then, they sent the general Hou Ping to lead the naval forces to engage the Liang forces. Xiao Lin stationed himself in Changsha, issuing edicts to various factions and formulating offensive strategies. At that time, the vassal king Xiao Shao, who was based in Changsha, and the commanders upstream all supported Xiao Lin as their leader. Although Hou Ping was unable to cross the Yangtze River, he consistently outmaneuvered the Liang forces, and given Xiao Lin's limited troop strength and lack of reinforcements, Hou Ping no longer followed Xiao Lin's commands. Xiao Lin sent troops against Hou Ping but failed, and his forces were exhausted and unable to continue the offensive. Thus, Xiao Lin sent envoys to the Qi state to pay tribute, presenting tamed elephants; he also sent wealth to the Wei state, pleading for the release of his wife and children; at the same time, he swore fealty to the Liang dynasty. After Chen Baxian eliminated Wang Sengbian, he supported Emperor Jing to ascend the throne and sent people to summon Xiao Lin. Xiao Lin paid him no mind and directly built many warships, preparing to set out on a bold campaign. Xiao Lin and his generals each took a ship, and whenever they set sail, they had at least a thousand warships, confidently naming their fleet "Wild Boar."
Emperor Wu of Chen sent generals Hou Andu and Zhou Wenyu to handle Xiao Lin, and to accept the abdication of the Liang Dynasty. At that time, Hou Andu sighed and said, "I’m finished this time; this battle doesn’t mean anything!" As a result, they fought with Xiao Lin at Dunkou, where Xiao Lin commanded the battle from a sedan chair, wielding a large axe, and captured both Hou Andu and Zhou Wenyu, with not a single one getting away. Only Zhou Tiehu, that ingrate, ended up getting killed by Xiao Lin. Xiao Lin locked Hou Andu and Zhou Wenyu up on his boat and even put a eunuch in charge of guarding them. Xiao Lin then moved the military government of Xiangzhou to Yingcheng, leading an army of 100,000 to drill at Baishuipu. While inspecting the troops, Xiao Lin said, "Now we can be the loyalist army; what’s Wen Taizhen even worth!" Some local warlords in Jiangnan, such as Xiong Tanlang and Zhou Di, were secretly thinking about rebelling, so Xiao Lin sent Li Xiaoqin, Fan Meng, and Yu Xiaoqing to take care of them. In the end, all three generals were defeated and taken prisoner. Hou Andu and Zhou Wenyu seized the chance to escape back to Jianye.
Initially, when the Wei army took Jiangling, Prince Xiao Zhuang of Yongjia was only seven years old, hiding in the homes of ordinary citizens. Later, Xiao Lin brought Xiao Zhuang back to Xiangzhong and escorted him east. After Emperor Jing ascended the throne, Xiao Zhuang was sent to Qi as a hostage, and Qi requested that Xiao Zhuang be made emperor of Liang. The Emperor of Northern Qi sent troops to escort Xiao Zhuang and also sent Chancellor Li Cha'nü to issue a decree to Xiao Lin, appointing him Prime Minister of Liang, Commander of all military forces, and Registrar of the Ministry of Personnel. Officials Shen Ren, Xin Juan, and others brought the emperor's decree to Jiangbiao to express condolences, and all officials under Xiao Lin received rewards. Xiao Lin sent his nephew Xiao Shubao to lead the sons of ten provincial governors to Ye City to welcome Xiao Zhuang to Yingzhou to inherit the Liang throne. Xiao Zhuang appointed Xiao Lin as Imperial Attendant, Envoy with Special Authority, Grand General, and Supervisor of the Central Secretariat, and changed his title to Duke of Ancheng, while other positions remained as originally appointed by Qi.
When Chen Baxian became emperor, Xiao Lin assisted Xiao Zhuang at Ruxu Pass. The Qi state sent Murong Yan, the commander of the Yangzhou Circuit, to station troops by the river to support Xiao Lin. The Chen state dispatched Wu Mingche, the governor of Anzhou, to launch a nighttime surprise attack on Pencheng from the river. Xiao Lin sent Ren Zhong, the prefect of Baling, to deliver a crushing defeat to Wu Mingche, and Wu Mingche nearly lost his life. Xiao Lin's army continued to advance eastward, leading the Chen state to send Sikong Hou An and others to mount a defense. Seeing that Xiao Lin's army was formidable, Hou Zhen and others withdrew their troops to Wuhu to take cover. Suddenly, a southwest wind picked up, and Xiao Lin believed it was heaven's assistance, planning to directly attack Yangzhou. Hou Zhen and others slowly emerged from Wuhu to pursue Xiao Lin's army. When the two armies engaged in battle, the southwest wind ended up favoring Hou Zhen. Xiao Lin's army set their ships on fire, only to burn their own vessels. Xiao Lin's fleet was thrown into disarray; many soldiers drowned, while the rest abandoned ship to reach the shore, almost all were killed by the Chen forces. At first, Xiao Lin tasked Left Chief Historian Yuan Bi and Deputy Censor Liu Zhongwei with managing the army to protect Xiao Zhuang, but after the defeat, Yuan Bi surrendered to the Chen forces, and Liu Zhongwei took Xiao Zhuang to seek refuge in Liyang. Eventually, Xiao Lin and Xiao Zhuang surrendered to Yedu.
Emperor Xiaozhao of Northern Qi dispatched Xiao Lin to Hefei to gather troops and prepare for another offensive. Xiao Lin constructed ships and enlisted soldiers, and the people of the Huainan region were eager to lend their support. Pei Jinghui, the governor of Hezhou in the Chen State and the son-in-law of Xiao Lin's brother, Xiao Min, requested to use his relatives as insiders to guide the Qi army. Emperor Xiaozhao ordered Xiao Lin and the Left Chancellor, Lu Qian, to lead the troops in support, but Xiao Lin hesitated. Pei Jinghui, fearing the plan would be leaked, voluntarily defected to Qi. Emperor Xiaozhao granted Xiao Lin an edict to garrison Shouyang, and his subordinate generals all obeyed his command. Thus, Xiao Lin was appointed as the General of Cavalry, with the titles of Minister of State, Governor of Yangzhou, and was granted the title of Duke of Kuaiji, along with an increase in troops and a ceremonial escort. Xiao Lin bolstered defenses on both land and water, readying himself to act at the opportune moment. Just as the Chen and Qi states forged an alliance, Xiao Lin found himself waiting for the right opportunity. While in Shouyang, he had a strained relationship with Lu Qian, the Secretary of the Executive Council, leading to conflicts between them. He was later recalled to Ye City, where Emperor Wucheng did not hold him accountable. He was appointed as the governor of Cangzhou and later promoted to Special Advisor and Palace Attendant. The roof of his house inexplicably caved in, spilling out several liters of red maggots that turned into blood upon hitting the ground and continued to writhe. Moreover, a dragon appeared outside his door, with clouds and mist swirling, making it seem like night even in broad daylight.
Oh no, Chen Guo has sent Wu Mingche to lead his army against us! The emperor ordered General Wei Pohu and his men to rush to Qinzhou for support, and also had Wang Lin responsible for military deployment. Wang Lin confided in his close associates, "Now the Tai Sui is in the southeast, the Year Star is in Taurus, and Venus is already very high; these are all favorable constellations for the enemy. I fear I’m in for some bad luck this time." He also told Wei Pohu, "The Wu army is very powerful; we must use long-term strategies to deal with them, and we must not underestimate them!" But Wei Pohu ignored his advice and insisted on launching an attack, which led to a crushing defeat for our forces. Wang Lin somehow broke through the encirclement and escaped on horseback, barely saving his life.
Upon his return to Pengcheng, the emperor instructed him to make haste to Shouyang and promised that he could recruit troops. The emperor also conferred upon him the title of Prince of Baling. However, Wu Mingche from Chen Guo laid siege to Shouyang City, cutting off all supply routes, and even dammed the Feishui River to flood the city! Meanwhile, Pi Jing and the troops stationed in Huaixi failed to come to our aid! Wu Mingche attacked fiercely day and night; the city was inundated and extremely damp, and many people suffered from edema and died in large numbers. From July to October, the city fell, Wang Lin was captured, and the common people wept as they were taken prisoner alongside him. Worried
In the court, merchants recounted the stories of loyal and devoted individuals, passed down through the generations. Just like during the decline of the Jin Dynasty, Xu Guang was a loyal remnant of the Jin Dynasty; when the Wei State fell, Ma Fu was called a loyal minister of Wei. They were able to leave a good name in the historical records, their names enduring through the ages.
Xiao Lin, the Duke of Jianing during the Liang Dynasty, was from a prominent family near Luoyang, an old family from the Yishui region. He made contributions in the Liang court. During the turmoil of the Liang Dynasty, he held an important position as a regional governor. He disregarded his own life and dedicated himself to the country, truly following in the footsteps of ancient loyal ministers and inheriting the aspirations of his predecessors. However, Heaven had turned against the Liang Dynasty, and while the court sought to uphold justice, Xiao Lin aspired to be as loyal as Bao Xu, only to suffer a tragic end like Chang Hong.
When the reign of Wang prospered and the new dynasty was established, Xiao Lin moved away from Shandong and took refuge in Hebei. Although he felt sentiments akin to those of a wandering minister, he still upheld the manners of a guest, grateful to those who understood him, forgetting the pain of sacrificing for the country. Ultimately, he died far from home, his head transported a thousand miles away. He truly fulfilled the wish of being wrapped in horsehide, achieving the ambitions of his life; although his body lay exposed in the wilderness, it reflected the integrity of a minister. However, being separated from his head and body was indeed sorrowful; his unburied body was even more heart-wrenching.
In my youth, I served under Xue Jun and earned his favor; I also received the kindness of Wei Gong. Therefore, I often shed tears, missing the faces of those departed friends; I am overwhelmed with regret, as if they still lived on in my heart. I earnestly request the grace of Your Majesty, to issue an edict of pardon, allowing me to mourn as Wang Jing did and to be buried like Tian Heng. Although my status is lowly, I still have a loyal heart!
Xiao Lin once served as an official in Shouyang, where his benevolence is still felt; he also traveled around the Jiangnan region, leaving behind a legacy of good governance. He had once stood alongside the officials of the Eastern Pavilion and had also mingled with the guests of the Western Garden. I hope to return there to be laid to rest. I hope that after my solitary grave is established, swallows will come to gather soil; I hope that after my tombstone is erected, descendants will come to pay their respects and mourn. My old friends, including Wang Wan, have already submitted a petition, hoping that the court will approve my request, but to no avail.
In ancient times, after Lian Po passed away, a tomb was built by the Feishui River; after Sun Shuao died, sycamore and oak trees were planted at Shaopi. From these examples, it is clear that there are precedents for this. Do not let me be like the messenger who reported the death of Ge Hong, leaving only a bearer of news; nor let me die in solitude on Cangzhou Island like the sorrowful traveler. I risked everything to submit a petition, waiting for the court's decision.
Everyone thinks highly of Lin, considering him noble in both ambition and integrity. Wu Mingche also had several dreams in which Lin sought his plea, so he brought it before the emperor, who agreed. Then, Mingche dispatched Liu Shaohui and others to send Lin's head back to Huainan, temporarily interring it beside Bagong Mountain. In honor of Lin's loyalty, thousands came to pay their respects at the funeral. Xiao Yang and others secretly made their way back north via a different route, making other plans to receive the coffin. Later, five people from Yangzhou, including Mao Zhisheng, secretly delivered Lin's coffin to Yecheng. The court posthumously conferred upon him the titles of military governor of fifteen provinces, Governor of Yangzhou, Palace Attendant, Special Grand Master, and Chief of the Secretariat, with the posthumous title of King Zhongwu, and afforded him a grand funeral, sending him off in a ceremonial cart.
Xiao Lin was gentle and refined in appearance, with hair that flowed down to the ground, and his emotions were always kept in check. Although he had not studied much, he had an exceptional memory and quick reactions. Among the thousands of clerical staff in the military camp, he could recall names. He never abused his power when punishing others, was generous, and cared for the soldiers, which earned him the soldiers' deep affection. He rose to leadership at a young age, experiencing many wars while remaining loyal and righteous. Although he ultimately did not achieve his goals, the people of Ye City held him in high regard and treated him with great respect. After his defeat and capture by the Chen army, Wu Mingche initially wanted to protect him, but many of Lin's former subordinates came to plead for him and even brought money and goods, which aroused Mingche's suspicions and ultimately led to Lin's downfall. At that time, everyone, whether farmers or townsfolk, who knew Lin—or even those who didn't—mourned for him. His sincere and trustworthy character touched everyone around him, and even General Li's gentle and persuasive manner paled in comparison.
Xiao Lin had seventeen sons. His eldest son, Xiao Jing, was granted a noble title in the Qi Dynasty and became a Tongzhi Changshi during the Wuping years of the Northern Zhou. His ninth son, Xiao Yan, became a Kaifu Yitong Sansi during the Kaihuang years of the Sui Dynasty and passed away while serving as the governor of Yuzhou during the early years of the Daye era.
