Prince Jing of Changsha, Dao Lian, was the younger brother of Emperor Gaozu. He initially studied at the Imperial Academy. Later, Xie Yan became the Inspector of Xuzhou and appointed him as a historian. After Emperor Gaozu captured the capital city and pacified the surrounding areas, Dao Lian remained at home to care for and comfort the Empress Dowager. After Huan Xuan fled, General Wuling Wang Zun, in accordance with the Emperor's orders, appointed him as a Gentleman of the Cavalry. Shortly after, he was promoted to General of Establishing Might and the Governor of Internal Affairs in Nan Pengcheng. At that time, the Inspector of Northern Qingzhou, Liu Gai, rebelled and allied with the Suolu tribe of Xianbei. The Prefects of Qinghe and Yangping Counties, Sun Quan, also gathered troops to join his cause. In the first year of Yi Xi, the Suolu leader, Tuoba Kai, and Grand General Huslan launched an attack on Xuzhou. They captured Xiang County, took the Prefect of Julu, He Shen, captive, and then surrounded the General Ning Shuo, Yang Muzhi, stationed in Pengcheng. Yang Muzhi sought help from the court, and Dao Lian led troops to rescue him. When the army arrived at Lingzha, he killed Sun Quan. Then he marched to Pengcheng, where Tuoba Kai and Huslan fled. Dao Lian led General Ningyuan, Meng Longfu, Longxiang General Kong Long, and others to pursue. Tuoba Kai and Huslan fled to Xiangcheng; he pursued them to Guangshuigou, where he killed Liu Gai, and nearly all of Liu Gai's troops were either slain or drowned.
Emperor Gaozu stationed in Jingkou, promoted Dao Lian to Longxiang General, and also appointed him as the Prefect of Tangyi, stationed in Shitou City. The following year, the court further appointed him as the Commissioner of Military Affairs and Supervisor of Military Affairs in the Conquest of Shu, leading General Liu Jingxuan and others to attack Qiao Zong. However, due to the strategic advantage held by Wen Chumao and Wen Zuo, the army could not advance, and the campaign was unsuccessful. For his contributions, he was titled the Marquis of Xinxing County of the fifth rank. In the fourth year of Yixi, he succeeded Zhuge Changmin as the Inspector of Bingzhou and Prefect of Yichang, retaining his titles of General and Director. He continued to be stationed in Shitou City.
It is said that the Xianbei people always bully us, moving south from Pengcheng, causing the common people to take shelter. The garrisons in Shanyang and Huaiyin have also been withdrawn. Dao Lian voluntarily requested to defend Pengcheng and gradually rebuild his homeland. The court felt that Pengcheng was too far away, so they ordered him to defend Shanyang instead. Later, he was promoted to the position of General of the Conquest of the Barbarians, overseeing military affairs in the Huainan region, and also serving as the Prefect of North Donghai. He retained his previous positions as Inspector of Bingzhou and Prefect of Yichang. Due to his achievements in the battle of Poshuodu Zhen, he was titled the Baron of Xinyu County, with a fief of five hundred families.
Following Emperor Gaozu to attack Guanggu, he always charged ahead. When the city was breached, Murong Chao tried to break through with his personal guards but was captured by Dao Lian's troops. He was promoted again, becoming the General-in-Chief and was also appointed as the Left General. Seven years later, he left Bingzhou and was appointed as the Inspector of North Xuzhou, transferred to Pengcheng as the garrison commander. Eight years later, Emperor Gaozu went to attack Liu Yi and appointed him as the Chief Military Commander of Guanqing, Qing, Jinling, Jingkou, Huainan, and other regions, while retaining his previous titles as he continued to garrison at Jingkou. In the ninth year, he led fifty soldiers directly into the palace to pay an audience. Due to his merits in the battle of Guanggu, he was granted the title of Duke of Jingling County, with a fief of one thousand households. He gave half of his previously rewarded land and property to his second son, Yizong.
In the tenth year, he was promoted again to the position of General of the Central Army, also receiving the position of Cavalry Attendant and a ceremonial guard. The following year, during the campaign against Sima Xiuzhi, Dao Lian was responsible for guarding the rear and entered the palace with one hundred soldiers. After capturing Jiangling City, he was appointed as the Commander of the military forces in Jing, Xiang, Yi, Qin, Ning, Liang, and Yongzhou, rising to the rank of General of Chariots and Cavalry, Household Counsellor, Defender General of the Southwestern Frontier, Inspector of Jingzhou, while keeping his previous titles. Both civil and military officials in the Northern Court followed his commands. Speaking of Dao Lian, he didn't possess much genuine talent, had a strong Chu accent, and exhibited rather coarse behavior. Although Emperor Gaozu sent generals to assist him, he was excessively greedy and self-indulgent, constantly feeling he never had enough money. Every time he left his station, the treasury was always left bare.
After Emperor Song Gaozu defeated Sanqin, he began to consider external expansion. He appointed Liu Daolian as the chief military officer in the areas of Shizhong, Xuzhou, Yanzhou, Qingzhou, and Yangzhou Jinling, retaining his previous rank and benefits. In the first year of the Yuanxi era, Liu Daolian resigned from the position of Shangshu Ling and was promoted to Sikong, assigned to Jingkou. Later, Emperor Song Gaozu was proclaimed emperor, and Liu Daolian was promoted to Grand Commandant, titled as King of Changsha, with a land grant of five thousand households, retaining his previous rank and benefits. In the second year of Yongchu, he returned to the court to attend the court assembly and stayed in the imperial palace.
Earlier, Prince Luling Liu Yizhen served as the governor of Yangzhou. The Empress Dowager remarked to Emperor Song Gaozu, "Daolian grew up with you since childhood and has a good relationship with you, so he should be appointed as the governor of Yangzhou." Emperor Song Gaozu replied, "Why would I hold back on Liu Daolian? But Yangzhou is crucial to the country, with many responsibilities that Daolian might not be able to manage." The Empress Dowager said, "Daolian is already in his fifties; is he not as capable as your teenage son?" Emperor Song Gaozu said, "Although Yizhen (Liu Yizhen's nickname is Cheshi) serves as the governor, I personally handle all the affairs of the province. Daolian is older and cannot personally handle everything; merely listening to reports isn't sufficient." The Empress Dowager was persuaded by Emperor Song Gaozu and did not say anything further.
In the spring of the third year of his reign, Emperor Song Gaozu fell ill and added thirty sword-bearing guards. At that time, Liu Daolian was in the court, leaving Sima Lü Zhongyuan to guard the mansion. Diao Kui's son, Diao Mi, became a fugitive, leading dozens of people into the capital, where he was killed by Lü Zhongyuan. Earlier, someone in the mansion reported signs of Diao Mi's rebellion. Afterwards, this person was rewarded with two hundred thousand coins and appointed as a county magistrate. In May, Emperor Song Gaozu passed away, while Liu Daolian was unwell and unable to attend the funeral. In June, Liu Daolian died at the age of fifty-five. The court posthumously appointed him as Grand Tutor, with his rank and treatment remaining unchanged. His funeral followed the specifications of the Jin Dynasty's Grand Tutor Anping Wang, using nine royal carriages, yellow banners, mourning songs, feathered banners, and one hundred sword-bearing guards.
In the year 432 AD, Emperor Song Wudi Liu Yu issued an edict stating that ancient wise rulers placed great importance on honoring and memorializing their meritorious subjects, establishing specialized institutions to record their achievements, and holding various ceremonies to recognize their merits, inscribing their names on ceremonial vessels and offering sacrifices in ancestral temples. From the Han Dynasty to the Jin Dynasty, successive emperors followed this tradition.
My father, Liu Yu, founded the Song Dynasty, pacified the realm, and made significant contributions, which, of course, was only possible thanks to the efforts of his loyal ministers. Therefore, I will emulate the practices of the late emperor, posthumously honor and commemorate those meritorious subjects who have made great contributions to the country, to commend their achievements and ensure their contributions are remembered for generations.
The edict mentioned many individuals, such as Prince Jing of Changsha (son of Liu Daolian), King Liewu of Linchuan, Duke Wenxuan of Nankang, Duke Kaiguo of Huarong County, Duke Kaiguo of Yongxiu County, Marquis Zhen'e of Longyang County, and others. Some of them were of noble character, some were exceptionally talented, and some were loyal and devoted, all of whom made significant contributions to the country, on par with the ancient virtuous ministers Yi Yin and Zhou Gongdan.
Liu Daolian had six sons: Yixin, Yiqing, Yirong, Yizong, Yibin, and Yiqi.
Yixin, originally appointed as a cavalry attendant, declined the position. Later, he served as a military leader, General of the Conquest of Barbarians, governor of Qingzhou, and magistrate of Weijun. Despite holding the title of general, he was stationed in Shitoucheng. In the first year of the Yuanjia era, he was promoted to General of the Rear and also appointed as a Cavalier In Regular Attendance. Three years later, he continued to serve as General of the Rear and was appointed as the governor of Nanyanzhou. In the seventh year, Xie Yanzhi's forces advanced to the Yellow River, and Yixin led his troops to Pengcheng to provide support. Xie Yanzhi was defeated, and unrest broke out in Qingzhou and Qizhou. His subordinates were worried about a possible invasion and advised Yixin to abandon his post and return to Jiankang. However, Yixin remained resolute and unwavering. Later, he was appointed as Commissioner, Supervisor of Military Affairs in Yuzhou, Sizhou, and four other provinces, and his title as general was retained. He was assigned an honor guard, remaining stationed in Shouyang.
At that time, the land around Shouyang lay barren, the people were homeless, the city walls were in ruins, and bandits roamed freely. After Yixin took office, he earnestly rectified the government, actively developed production, and dealt with bandits and robbers by executing them upon capture. As a result, the people in the area lived and worked in peace, no longer fearing theft on the roads; the treasury was well-stocked, and Shouyang became a rich and powerful place. At that time, officials from Huai Xi and north of the Yangtze River preferred to employ unrefined men who lacked education and only knew how to fight; they were clueless about governance. Yixin wrote a memorial saying, "The Jianghuai region is characterized by poor soil and a sparse population, and has suffered from famine for several years. The cities are in ruins, and the situation has become even more dire. To govern this place well, capable officials are needed. Those rough men who only know how to fight do not understand how to govern the area; many local officials are just filling the numbers. The southeast region is relatively rich, and even there officials need to be carefully selected; let alone in such desolate places, we need to select talented individuals to restore good governance. I hope the court will carefully select officials and must choose the right people so that we can govern the place effortlessly." Shouyang's Shaobi boasted many fertile fields, covering tens of thousands of acres, but the embankments were long neglected, leading to annual water shortages during the summer and autumn. Yixin dispatched the advisor Yan Su to oversee the repairs. An old canal existed that could channel Mi water for irrigating Shaobi, but because no one had been managing it for a long time, the canal had become choked with trees and weeds. Yan Su led people to cut down trees and clear the weeds; the water flowed smoothly, and the drought was alleviated. In the tenth year of Yuanjia, Yixin was promoted to General of the Town Army and also appointed as a commander. In the summer of the eleventh year, he traveled to the capital to pay his respects, and Emperor Taizu of Song held him in high regard and bestowed upon him great honors. In the sixteenth year of Yuanjia, Yixin passed away at the age of thirty-six. The court posthumously honored him with the title of Cavalier Attendant, General Who Conquers the West, and Supervisor of the Left; his positions as commander and governor remained unchanged, and he was posthumously honored with the title Cheng Wang.
Wang Jin, style name Yan Yu, held the position of Colonel of the Prince's Stables. Later, in the thirtieth year of some unspecified era, he was killed by a contemporary villain. After Emperor Shizu ascended to the throne, he was posthumously honored as a Cavalier Attendant. His son, Wang Can, died young, and Wang Can's younger brother, Wang Zuan, style name Yuan Ji, later became an Infantry Colonel. He died in the second year of Emperor Shundi's reign, just as the Qi dynasty was abdicating, and the Wang family's titles were stripped away.
Wang Jin's younger brother, Wang Zhi, style name Yan Qi, served as a Gentleman of the Palace Library during the Ming dynasty. At that time, the Grand Preceptor, Wang Yigong, who was serving as the Supervisor of the Palace Library, requested resignation due to mourning, which prevented him from working. Emperor Shizu issued a decree stating, "In the past, the two Xie, referring to Xie An and Xie Shi, were held in high regard. From now on, officials of the Three Offices and Five Provinces should follow this example." In the early years of Emperor Taizong's reign, Wang Zhi became the Inspector of Nanyanzhou and the Minister of the Imperial Clan, and later participated in the rebellion of Prince Xun of Jin'an, which led to his beheading.
Wang Kai, Wang Zhi's younger brother, served as a secretary and was killed by the local tyrants. He was posthumously granted the title of Tongzhilang. Wang Zhan, Wang Zhi's younger brother, served as the Prefect of Jin'an and also rebelled alongside Zixun, but was beheaded. Wang Zhan's younger brother, Wang Yun, known by his courtesy name Yanwen, served as a Colonel of Infantry and Xuancheng Prefect. During Zixun's rebellion, many people gathered at Quewei to assault Xuancheng. At that time, almost all local officials participated in the rebellion; only Wang Yun abandoned Xuancheng and fled to the court for refuge. Emperor Taizong greatly appreciated his loyalty, promoted him to Huangmenlang, Taizi Zhongzhuzi, and Shizhong, and appointed him as the Governor of Jingzhou, Xiangzhou, Nanyanzhou, and Prefect of Wuxing. He also served as Shizhong, and was the General of the Left Army; later he was appointed as Xiaoqi General, Fuming General, Yongzhou Governor; served as Shizhong again, led the Right Guard General; then changed to Left Guard General, Sangqi Changshi, and Zhonglingjun. In the first year of the Chengming era, he plotted a rebellion and was executed. Wang Yun was, in fact, quite mediocre in ability, but because of his merit for seeking refuge at court from Xuancheng, he was especially favored by Emperor Taizong. When he was in office in Xiangzhou and Yongzhou, he had someone skilled in painting draw the procession during his outings, and often took it out to admire it himself. He once showed this painting to the General of the West, Cai Xingzong, who playfully teased him, pretending not to recognize the painting, pointing to the image of Wang Yun in the painting and asking, "Who is sitting in the carriage?" Wang Yun said, "That's me." This illustrates how vulgar and incompetent he truly was. Wang Bi, Wang Yun's younger brother, served as the Prefect of Wuchang and also participated in Zixun's rebellion, where he was executed. Wang Jian, Wang Yun's younger brother, served as an External Cavalry Attendant, but he passed away at a young age. Wang Xie, Wang Jin's younger brother, known by his courtesy name Yanhe, served as Shizhong and Prefect of Wuxing, and later passed away in the first year of the Later Emperor Yuanhui.
The eldest brother was named Xie Di Hao. He held official positions such as Shizhong, Left Guard General, and also served as Champion General and Wuxing Prefect. Unfortunately, he passed away before assuming office in the fourth year of Yuanhui. He was posthumously appointed Right General.
His younger brother was named Xie Di Shu, who served as Dongyang Prefect and Gentleman of the Yellow Gate. Later, he rebelled with his brother, Bing, but their plot was soon uncovered, and they fled to Baishan, where they were eventually captured and killed.
Yi Xin's younger brother, Yi Qing, was adopted by King Daogui of Linchuan, known as Liewu.
Yi Qing's younger brother, Yi Rong, was made Marquis of Guiyang County with a fief of one thousand households in the first year of Yongchu. At that time, all princes who were made marquises were granted a fief of one thousand households. Yi Rong later held positions such as Shizhong, Left Guard General, Taizi Zhongshuzi, Wubing Shangshu, and Lingjun General. He was highly capable, particularly adept at using short shields. He passed away in the eighteenth year of Yuanjia and was posthumously honored with the title of Chariot and Cavalry General, with the posthumous title of Gonghou.
Yi Rong's son, Marquis Xiao Yi, inherited the title and held positions such as Taizi Yijun Xiaowei but was later assassinated by evildoers. After Emperor Shizu ascended the throne, he was posthumously honored with the title of Cavalier Attendant. Since he had no sons, his brother succeeded him in the title, which was subsequently passed on to his son, Hang. In the second year of Shengming, Xie and other conspirators including Yuanjun Zuren Ancheng Jirenzu, Huangren Wang Wulian, and Yulin Vice Peng Yuanjun were all executed for their rebellion.
Xi Zimao, who served as a Crown Prince's Attendant and the Prefect of Ancheng County. When Prince Xun of Jin'an rebelled, Xi defended the city and resisted the siege by Xun's forces. Emperor Taizong held him in high regard and appointed him as the Inspector of Yingzhou, Marquis of Jianling County, with a fief consisting of five hundred households. Jianling County was part of Cangwu Commandery, but due to its remote location, he was later reassigned as Marquis of Linli County. In the sixth year of Taishi, he passed away while serving as Zhong Hu Jun. He was posthumously promoted to General of the Guards and was also made a Cavalier Attendant. He was posthumously honored as the Loyal Marquis. Xi was actually quite ordinary, as during his time in Yingzhou, he would work outdoors in the summer, which confused his subordinates. They only realized it was him after they asked. His son Min succeeded his title and was later made Marquis of Dongchang County in the third year of the Ming Dynasty. Eventually, he and his brother Huang were both executed.
Xi's younger brother Biao worked as a Secretary, while another brother Shi served as a Crown Prince's Attendant, but both of them died young. Shi's younger brother Shuang served as the Prefect of Hailing County.
Yi Rong's younger brother Yi Zong, who was deeply loved by their grandfather, the Emperor Gaozu, since childhood, whose courtesy name was Benu, was granted the title of Lord of Xinyu County. In the first year of the Yongchu era, he was promoted to Marquis, later serving as Minister of the Yellow Gate and Left Guard of the Crown Prince. In the eighth year of Yuanjia, when his disciple Du Deling acted rudely by hitting someone, the incident came to the Emperor's attention, which led to his own dismissal from office. Du Deling, who was quite good-looking, was particularly favored by Yi Zong, who was originally just a minor official in Kuaiji County. While Xie Fangming served as the Prefect of Kuaiji County, his son Xie Huilian also became fond of Du Deling, even composing over ten poems for him, one of which was "Riding the Currents Back to the Riverbank." Yi Zong later held the positions of Palace Attendant and Crown Prince's Consultant, and was additionally appointed as Cavalier In Regular Attendance, General Who Conquers the Caitiffs, and Inspector of Nanyanzhou. In the twenty-first year of the Yuanjia era, Yi Zong passed away, posthumously honored with the titles of Cavalier In Regular Attendance and General Who Pacifies the North, and was posthumously titled Marquis Hui. He valued talent, enjoyed doing good deeds, and had a passion for reading, all of which were praised by later generations.
His son, Marquis Huai Jie, inherited his title, later serving as the Prefect of Langye County and Prefect of Qin County. Unfortunately, he was later killed by evil people and posthumously appointed as Cavalier In Regular Attendance. Marquis Huai Jie had no sons, so his brother Bing arranged for his own son to inherit Marquis Huai Jie's title.
Lao Shen, whose courtesy name was Yanjie, began his career as a literary official and later held various official positions such as Commander of the Imperial Guards, Cavalry Colonel, Minister of the Central Secretariat, and Minister of the Imperial Court. During the reign of Emperor Taizong, he became an Imperial Attendant and was later appointed as General of the Left Wing, Intendant of Danyang, Chamberlain to the Crown Prince, and finally Minister of Civil Service. Despite the many members of the royal family, there were few who possessed genuine talent and knowledge. Shen Yue had strict standards for himself from a young age, which earned him widespread acclaim, and Emperor Taizong valued him greatly. Five years later, the Emperor appointed him as the General and Governor of Huainan and Xuancheng, but he respectfully declined the appointment and returned to his former role.
Later, he became an Imperial Attendant again while also serving as the Supervisor of the Imperial Secretariat and overseeing the Chamberlain to the Crown Prince. Before he could assume these new roles, he was promoted to General of the Southern Army, Commander overseeing military affairs in the provinces of Nanxu, Xuyan, Yu, Qing, and Ji, Governor of Nanxu, and was also given the title of Cavalier Attendant-in-Ordinary. When the Deposed Emperor ascended the throne, his duties changed again, becoming the Commander overseeing military affairs in Yingzhou and Yuzhou in Yiyang County, Sizhou, Governor of Yingzhou, while retaining his previous titles. Before he could assume the new positions, he was retained in the court and was appointed Minister of the Left and Chief Censor, where he was involved in political matters. In the first year of Yuanhui, he assumed leadership of the Ministry of Personnel, with an increase of five hundred troops. He was subsequently offered the position of Commandant of the Imperial Guards, but he chose to decline it.
King Xiu Fan of Guiyang staged a rebellion, General Liu Men of the Central Army went to guard Shitoucheng, and Shen Yue temporarily assumed the role of General-in-Chief, leading the troops assigned to him by the court, and went directly to the palace to see the emperor. The following year, he was also appointed as the Cavalier Attendant-in-Ordinary and the Intendant of Danyang, resigning from his position as Minister of Personnel. The emperor also appointed him as Marquis of Dangyang County, with a fief of one thousand households. He, along with Prince Qi, Yuan Can, and Chu Yuan, took turns handling government affairs and addressing major matters. In the fourth year, he was promoted to the position of Chief of the Imperial Secretariat, and his positions as General Who Pacifies the Army, Cavalier Attendant-in-Ordinary, and Intendant of Danyang remained unchanged. When Emperor Shundi ascended the throne, he was further promoted to Minister of the Imperial Secretariat and General of the Central Army, while retaining his position as general.
At that time, Prince Qi held real power, and all the people in the world turned to him, but he had other secret plans. Yuan Can was stationed at Shitoucheng and did not realize the mandate of heaven. Shen Youzhi rebelled, and Prince Qi stationed himself in the imperial palace. Yuan Can secretly conspired with generals such as Xiao Bing and Huang Hui to rebel, planning to meet at Shitoucheng that night and rise up the next day. Xiao Bing, being timid and nervous, was restless, and after two days, he took his family, hundreds of subordinates, and set off from Danyang County towards Shitoucheng. Upon arriving at Shitoucheng and seeing Yuan Can, Yuan Can was shocked and said, "How did you come so quickly? The plan has already been uncovered!" Xiao Bing said, "Seeing you now, even if I die, it’s worth it!"
Xiao Bing's cousin, Xiao Yun, was an official at the court. He secretly conspired with General Bu Boxing to launch an attack on Prince Qi that night. Xiao Bing's rebellion was uncovered, prompting Prince Qi to send General Wang Jingze to arrest Xiao Yun that very night. Xiao Yun was ready for battle, but Wang Jingze charged in with his troops and swiftly defeated Xiao Yun's forces. Xiao Yun was killed on the spot, and Bu Boxing met the same fate. Yuan Can was defeated, and Xiao Bing fled over the wall, only to be captured at Eyan Lake. He, along with his two sons, Xiao Cheng and Xiao Yu, was executed. At that time, Xiao Bing was forty-five. Xiao Bing's wife was Xiao, the daughter of Xiao Sihua. During the Yuanhui period, with the court in turmoil, Xiao Bing's wife frequently worried about the family's downfall. She often urged Xiao Bing, "You’re already wealthy and well-off. You should think about your sons. You're nearly fifty—what's left to hold onto in the days you have?" But Xiao Bing never took her advice.
Xiao Bing's younger brother, Xiao Mo, held the position of an official in the court. Xiao Mo's younger brother, Xiao Xia, styled Yan Dao, also served as an official in the court and served as a Minister of War. He had an affair with Lady Yin, the adopted daughter of his stepmother, who tried to stop him multiple times. Lady Yin died of a sudden illness, with blood streaming from her mouth and nose before her burial. Suspecting that Xiao Xia had secretly poisoned her, the authorities launched an investigation. Emperor Shizu exiled him to Shi'an County, and he was not pardoned and allowed to return until the Yongguang period. During the reign of Emperor Taizong, he held various high-ranking positions, ultimately being killed by Prince Qi following Xiao Bing's death. Xiao Xia was incompetent and often attempted to embellish his own image, claiming that his mother was unjustly executed by Emperor Xiaowu. He repeatedly asked Xiao Bing to appoint him as a local official, but Xiao Bing declined, citing the potential negative repercussions. Xiao Xia questioned whether he would be able to survive once Xiao Bing fell from power. In the end, he met the same fate.
Yi Bin, the emperor's brother, was conferred the title of Marquis of Xinye County in the second year of the Yuanjia era. Six years later, due to the impoverished state of Xinye County, he was reassigned as the Marquis of Xing'an County. He subsequently held various positions, eventually attaining the rank of General Who Assists the State and Governor of Xuzhou. He passed away in the twenty-fifth year of the Yuanjia era and was posthumously elevated to the rank of Marquis Su. His son, Marquis Hui, inherited the title but later passed away, with his son Xian inheriting the title. However, their titles were abolished when the Qi dynasty seized power in the second year of Shengming. Yi Bin's younger brother, Kun, held the position of Prefect of Jinping.
Yi Bin's younger brother, Yi Qi, was appointed as the Marquis of Yingdao County in the sixth year of Yuanjia. He was a bit foolish and not very knowledgeable, and was often teased by Prince Jun of Shixing. Once, Jun said to Yi Qi, "Lu Ji's poem says: 'Yingdao has no strong heart.' What's wrong with you? Why are you so pathetic?" Yi Qi replied, "I had no idea what that poem meant at first, so how could I be weak?" His goofy demeanor really made people chuckle. Later, Yi Qi became the General of the Right Guard and the Governor of Xiangzhou. He died in the second year of Xiaojian and was posthumously honored as the General Who Pacifies the South, with the posthumous title of Marquis Xi. His son, Chang You, inherited his title and became the Infantry Colonel. He died in the third year of Shengping, and after the Qi dynasty usurped the throne, his title was also abolished.
King of Linchuan, Lie Wu Dao Gui, styled Daoze, was the younger brother of Emperor Gaozu. He was very ambitious and spirited when he was young, and the Emperor Gaozu held him in high regard. They even planned together to kill Huan Xuan. At that time, Huan Hong was stationed in Guangling, and Dao Gui served as the Colonel of the Central Army in the Expeditionary Force. After Gaozu captured the capital, Dao Gui, along with Liu Yi and Meng Chang, killed Huan Hong on the same day, then led the army across the Yangtze River. They swiftly quelled the rebellion in the capital, and Huan Xuan fled in defeat. The Grand General of the Jin dynasty, Prince of Wuling Wu Zun, following the emperor's orders, appointed Dao Gui as the General Who Uplifts Military and Prefect of Yichang.
I pursued Xuan (referring to Xuan Yan) together with Liu Yi and He Wuji. Xuan fled west to Jiangling, leaving Guo Quan, He Danzhi, and others to defend the Pot Mouth. When the Yi army arrived, the bandits deployed their warships and faced us. He Danzhi hoisted a feathered flag on an empty boat, while he himself was on another boat. Wuji wanted to attack the boat with the flag, but everyone disagreed, saying, "He Danzhi must not be on that boat; even if we take it, it won't do us any good."
Wu Ji said, "He Danzhi is not on that boat; that's obvious. Since he is not on that boat, the soldiers on that boat must be weak. If we send in our best troops for a strong attack, we'll definitely be able to take it down. Once we take that boat, they'll surely think their leader has been captured. Our people will all think the enemy leader has been caught, we'll have the upper hand, they'll be scared, and once they are, they'll scatter. Defeating them will definitely not be a problem!" Dao Gui happily said, "This is a great plan!" So he launched our troops to attack the boat and indeed took it down. Then he shouted loudly, "He Danzhi has been beheaded!" The enemy army and the righteous army all believed it to be true. So we launched our troops to attack fiercely; the enemy troops were defeated, and we quickly secured Penkou, and then pacified Xunyang.
Then we quickly advanced and encountered Xuan in Zhengrongzhou. Our forces, led by Dao Gui and others, numbered less than ten thousand, while Xuan's army had tens of thousands of troops. Everyone was scared and wanted to fall back to Xunyang. Dao Gui said, "No! They have more men than us; there's a huge power disparity. If we are afraid and retreat now, they will definitely pursue us in victory. Even if we return to Xunyang, how long can we hold out? Even though Xuan likes to think of himself as a hero, he's actually quite timid, and morale is low after just being defeated. The key is in the decisive battle between our two armies—whoever shows courage will win. In the past, Emperor Guangwu won at the Battle of Kunyang, and Cao Cao won at the Battle of Guandu, all with fewer troops against more; these are all well-known. Even if we aren't as skilled as those in the past, we cannot just assume we are inferior to them!" So he rallied the troops, and Liu Yi and the others charged alongside him, defeating Xuan's army. Guo Quan and Xuan fled on a small boat together; Jiangling was no longer defensible, and they wanted to escape to Shu, but were ambushed and killed by Feng Qian.
The rebel army couldn't continue their advance because of the strong winds. Huan Qian and Huan Zhen took back Jiangling. Meanwhile, Xie Daogui and Tan Wuji launched an attack on Huan Mi at Matou and Huan Wei at Chongzhou, defeating both. Tan Wuji wanted to capitalize on their victory and directly assault Jiangling, but Xie Daogui said, "Military strategy emphasizes a measured approach to advancing and retreating; we can't just charge in blindly. The Huan family has lived in Xichu for generations, and their subordinates are fiercely loyal. Huan Zhen is exceptionally brave and skilled; defeating him won't be easy. It’s better to halt the attack, regroup the troops, conserve our strength, and use tactics to wear them down; that way, we’ll definitely win." Tan Wuji ignored his advice and was ultimately defeated by Huan Zhen. They then retreated to Xunyang to repair their ships and weapons before marching towards Xiakou again.
General Feng Gai of the pretender regime stationed on the east bank of Xiakou, General Meng Shantu occupied Lucheng, and General Huan Xianke guarded Yan Yue Lei. At this time, Liu Yi attacked Lucheng, while Xie Daogui and Tan Wuji attacked Yan Yue Lei; both were captured, and Huan Xianke and Meng Shantu were captured alive. That night, Feng Gai fled. Baling was also successfully pacified. Huan Qian and Huan Zhen sent envoys to request the cession of Jingzhou and Jiangzhou, expressing their willingness to submit to the Emperor of the Jin Dynasty, but were rejected. At this time, Lu Zongzhi, the Prefect of Nanyang, rebelled against Xiangyang, and the pretender governor of Yongzhou, Huan Wei, fled back to Jiangling. Lu Zongzhi reached Jinan, and Huan Zhen personally went to resist him, leaving Huan Qian to guard Jiangling. By this time, Liu Yi and Xie Daogui had arrived at Matou, and they quickly rushed to attack Jiangling. Huan Qian fled, and on that very day, Jiangling was captured. After defeating Lu Zongzhi, Huan Zhen returned and, upon hearing that Jiangling had been captured, fled as well. Tan Wuji escorted the emperor back to the capital city, while Xie Daogui stayed at Xiakou. After pacifying Jiangling, Xie Daogui ranked Liu Yi's contributions first, Tan Wuji's second, and his own last. He was appointed as the General of the State, Supervisor of the Northern Huai River, Inspector of Bingzhou, while retaining his position as Prefect of Yichang. At that time, many remnants of the Huan clan still remained in the areas of Jingzhou, Xiangzhou, Jiangzhou, and Yuzhou, with their armies camping everywhere. Later, he was promoted and appointed to oversee military affairs in Wuchang and Jiangxia in Jiangzhou, Suijun, Yiyang, and Sui'an in Jingzhou, and Xiyang, Runan, Yingchuan, and Xincai in Yuzhou, to adeptly handle the situation and completely pacify these remaining forces. Due to his significant achievements, he was granted the title of Duke of Huarong County, with a fief comprising three thousand households.
After that, he was promoted again, serving as the military governor of Jingzhou, Ningzhou, Qinzhou, Liangzhou, Yongzhou, Sizhou, and the Henan region, while concurrently holding the positions of Protector of the Southern Tribes and Governor of Jingzhou, with his general position unchanged. He handed over the position of Protector of the Southern Tribes to Yin Shuwen. Later, when Yin Shuwen was killed, he reassumed this position. He was very skilled at governing the region, with strict enforcement of laws and clear distinctions between rewards and punishments, and the common people respected him greatly and held him in high regard. Liu Jingxuan's attempt to subdue the Shu region ended in failure, so Dao Gui's position as Inspector General was reduced to General of Establishing Might. Lu Xun's troops had reached near the capital, so Dao Gui sent Sima Wangzhen, General Yangwu Tan Daoji, and General Guangwu to rescue the court. Upon reaching Xunyang, they were defeated by the bandit Xun Lin. Lu Xun immediately promoted Xun Lin to Protector of the Southern Tribes, gave him troops, and ordered him to take advantage of the victory to attack Jiangling, spreading rumors that Xu Daofu had already taken the capital. At the same time, Huan Qian marched into the Shu region from Chang'an, and Qiao Zong unexpectedly appointed him as Governor of Jingzhou, providing him with a lot of money, food, and supplies, and also ordered him to attack Jiangling alongside the senior general Qiao Daofu, coincidentally meeting up with Xun Lin. Xun Lin was stationed in Jiangjin, Huan Qian's army was in Zhijiang, and the two rebels surrounded the capital from both sides.
Jingzhou and the land of Chu have long been the old territory of the Huan family, and everyone is on edge. Dao Gui called the generals together for a meeting and said to them, "Huan Qian is nearby now, and I’ve heard that some are thinking of running away. The civil and military officials who arrived from the east are more than capable of handling this crisis. If you want to leave, I won’t stop you." He then opened the city gates at night and left them open until dawn, leaving everyone shocked. No one left. Lu Zongzhi, the governor of Yongzhou, rushed to support from Xiangyang with thousands of troops. Some said Lu Zongzhi was hard to read, but Dao Gui went to meet him without hesitation, and Lu Zongzhi was immediately moved. Everyone suggested that Tan Daoji, Dao Yanzhi, and Lu Zongzhi lead the troops together, but Dao Gui said, "Lu Xun is now stuck in the river, stirring up trouble everywhere, with Huan Qian and Xun Lin responding from front and back. Everyone is in a panic, and the key to success or failure lies in this battle. I need to lead the troops myself." So he asked Lu Zongzhi to hold the fort and manage the rear while he took the army to confront Huan Qian.
The generals under his command strongly advised him, saying, "The odds of us succeeding in an expedition against Huan Qian right now aren't good. Xun Lin is near Jiangjin, keeping a close eye on our every move. If he attacks the city, Lu Zongzhi may not be able to hold it, and if something goes wrong, it would be a disaster!" Dao Gui said, "You don't understand military tactics! That little fool Xun Lin has no strategies. As soon as I leave, he won't dare to attack the city for sure. I will first take down Huan Qian and quickly return. Once they're confused about what's going on, we'll strike back. Once Huan Qian is defeated, Xun Lin will be scared out of his wits and won't even think about attacking the city. Besides, Lu Zongzhi can hold the city alone for a few days without any problem." He passed the Southern Man Colonel's seal to Adviser Liu Zun and personally led the troops to attack Huan Qian, advancing by both land and water. Huan Qian was soundly defeated, fled on his own, and was killed while trying to escape to Xun Lin. Dao Gui returned to Pukou, where Xun Lin had also fled. Liu Zun led the army to pursue Xun Lin, catching up with him in Balin and killing him.
Initially, when Dao Gui arrived in Zhijiang, the folks in Jiangling wrote him letters updating him on the city's situation and expressing their desire to help him from within. Later, the Colonel Cao Zhongzong discovered these letters and burned them all without reading a word, which put everyone's minds at ease. Dao Gui got promoted and was made General of the West.
Earlier, Huan Xin's son, Huan Daoer, took off to Jiangxi, attacked Yiyang County, and teamed up with Lu Xun, who even sent Cai Meng to help him. Dao Gui sent Adviser Liu Ji to take down Huan Daoer and ended up killing Cai Meng in the fight.
Xu Daofu led thirty thousand troops and suddenly struck Puzhong. Lu Zongzhi had already returned to Xiangyang, and no one could pursue him. Everyone was shocked at the time. There were rumors that Lu Xun had taken the capital and appointed Xu Daofu as governor. The people of the Jianghan region were grateful for Daogui's act of burning the letters, and they no longer harbored any doubts. Daogui ordered Liu Zun to lead a guerrilla campaign, while he himself went to Yuzhangkou to block Xu Daofu. The vanguard forces suffered defeat, but Daogui's momentum only grew stronger, lifting morale. Liu Zun executed a flanking maneuver and achieved a resounding victory. Over ten thousand were beheaded, with nearly as many drowning in the river. Xu Daofu barely escaped back to Penkou on a small boat. Initially, when Liu Zun was tasked with leading the guerrilla forces, everyone said, "The strong enemy is right in front of us now. We are afraid that we do not have enough manpower. We should not divide our elite soldiers and send them to useless places." After defeating Xu Daofu, everyone recognized the effectiveness of the guerrilla tactics and came to respect them.
Liu Zun, courtesy name Huiming, was from Linhuai Haixi and was the maternal uncle of Daogui, related through his mother's brother Xiao. He held the positions of Right General, Intendant of Xuan City, and Governor of Huainan. He passed away in the tenth year of Yixi, posthumously honored as the Marquis of Jianli County, with a fief of seven hundred households.
Daogui later ascended to the rank of Grand General of the West, holding the title of General of the Household with the right to offer sacrifices, but he declined the appointment. Shortly after, he fell ill and was appointed as the Commander overseeing military affairs in six counties, including Xuan City, Huainan, Lujiang, Liyang, Anfeng, and Tangyi in Yujiang, Yuzhou, with the titles of Acting Director and General remaining unchanged. However, due to his illness, he did not take up the position. In the eighth year of Yixi, he passed away in the capital at the age of forty-three, posthumously honored as Palace Attendant and Minister of Works, with an additional twenty swordbearers. He was posthumously named Duke Liewu. For his contributions in pacifying Huan Qian, he was further enfeoffed as Duke of Nanjun, receiving a fief of five thousand households. After the founding emperor took the throne, he was posthumously promoted to Grand Marshal and enfeoffed as King of Linqian, with the same fief as before.
Dao Gui had no male heirs, so Yi Qing, the second son of Prince Jing of Changsha, was appointed as the heir. Initially, Taizu was raised by Dao Gui, and the Emperor Gaozu allowed him to inherit the throne, which everyone thought was in accordance with ritual and law, without any discrimination. Later, Taizu returned to his own family and appointed Yi Qing as the heir. Yi Qing became the Governor of Jingzhou, and his family's ancestral temple should also be moved to Jiangling. Taizu ordered, "Commending the merits of our ancestors is a great matter for the country; honoring relatives and remembering ancestors is a noble wish from the heart. Therefore, the Grand Minister of State, Liewu Wang, who exemplified noble character, profound merit, outstanding wisdom, filial piety, and love for others, excelled in all respects. He assisted Dao Gui in achieving great things; he led troops in battle and defeated strong enemies. When rebellions broke out, the situation was critical, and people were in panic, with no one having a firm will, only Wang (Liewu Wang), relying on his remarkable talent and courageous military prowess, pacified internal and external rebellions, executed many criminals, his achievements resonated throughout the Jianghan region, surpassing those of Weizi Qi and Guan Zhong; his foresight rivals that of the Book of Odes, and his heroic spirit surpasses that of two ancient virtuous ministers. When I was young, he showed me special care; our bond was deep. His affectionate teachings and kindness I will forever cherish, and I feel grateful. Now, his remains are to be moved, and the first sacrifice will be held in Xixia. I intend to conduct a solemn ceremony to express my respect, to let his merits be known to future generations, and to honor the rituals of both realms. He will be posthumously conferred the title of Prime Minister, given the highest honors: using a nine-dragon phoenix carriage, yellow canopies, flags on the left, equipped with ceremonial axes, feathered banners at the front and rear, drummers, and a hundred Tiger Guard soldiers armed with swords, with his position as Zhongshu Lingchuan remaining unchanged."
After the deaths of the Empress Tan Shi of Changsha and the Empress Cao Shi of Linqian, during their memorial ceremonies, the same ceremonial Nine Liang phoenix chariot, yellow canopy with left banners, carriages, and musical bands performing elegies, feathered fans and drums both in front and behind, and a hundred soldiers with swords were used, with the same level of grandeur.
The Emperor Gaozu valued Yi Qing since he was young, often saying, "This child is the pride of our family!" He inherited the title of Duke of Nanjun at the age of thirteen. Later, the court arranged a position for him as a censor, but he did not take up the position. In the twelfth year of Yi Xi, he participated in the campaign against Chang'an, and upon his return, he was appointed Assistant General of Fuguo, Governor of North Qingzhou. Before he had the chance to assume the position, he was transferred to Yuzhou, where he served as both Inspector and Military Commander of Yuzhou, and was also responsible for military affairs in Huibei. He retained his positions as Inspector and General of Yuzhou. In the first year of Yongchu, he inherited the title of King of Linqian. He was later summoned to the capital to serve as an attendant. In the first year of Yuanjia, he was promoted to Cavalry Officer, Director of the Imperial Secretariat, then appointed Minister of Revenue, and later Intendant of Danyang. He also retained his positions as Assistant General and Cavalry Officer.
Once, there was a man named Huang Chu, whose wife, Zhao, killed their daughter-in-law. According to the law, she should have been exiled to escape retaliation from her daughter-in-law's family. Yi Qing stated, "According to the Zhou Li regulations, a parent's enemies must flee overseas, and even if they encounter each other in a crowded market, they cannot retaliate. This is because such deep-seated enmity cannot be altered; those involved are grieving and always prepared for revenge, which is understandable. However, when relatives kill each other—flesh and blood harming one another—it becomes unreasonable; there is no clear law governing this; it is based solely on human emotions. Moreover, there are provisions in rituals and laws for leniency regarding mistakes, and there are no legal provisions concerning the avenging of ancestors. Furthermore, Zhao's actions were prompted by alcohol; she did not harbor malicious intent, making this situation exceedingly absurd. How can a drunken mother-in-law who commits murder be equated with deep-seated enmity encountered in everyday life? I believe this grandson endured humiliation and sorrow without violating filial piety; they live in the same country and region, and he has not failed in his duties of filial piety."
At the age of six years, he was promoted to the position of Left Deputy of the Imperial Secretariat. Eight years later, when the Tai Bai star conflicted with the right law enforcement star, Yiqing, fearing disaster, requested to be reassigned to a remote post. The Emperor reassured him, saying, "The changes in celestial phenomena are unpredictable and hard to interpret. Moreover, historical texts regarding celestial omens offer various interpretations. Even if a war star clashes with the ruling emperor, it merely indicates that the emperor should face consequences. Therefore, there's no need to be afraid. After Minister Zheng's death, there were also changes in the Right Law position, but Minister Wang is still safe and sound. A three-day solar eclipse is the most dreaded event. Emperor Xiaowu of the Jin dynasty experienced this phenomenon early in his reign, yet he was a mediocre ruler and nothing catastrophic happened. Heaven aids the virtuous, so why worry unnecessarily? You and your brother hold important positions both inside and outside the court to strengthen the government. The nation's rise and fall rests in your hands, a duty passed down through generations. Even if disaster were to strike, could you truly escape it by fleeing thousands of miles away? If you are outside the capital, you would be unaware of fortune and misfortune; staying in the capital might lead to unforeseen events. How could I go against Heaven's will?"
Yiqing persisted in resigning from his position as Deputy, and the Emperor ultimately agreed, appointing him as Minister of the Palace Library and promoting him to General. He retained his positions as Palace Attendant and Intendant of Jingzhao. After nine years as Intendant of Jingzhao in the capital, he was sent on a mission to oversee military affairs in the seven provinces of Jing, Yong, Yi, Ning, Liang, Nan, and Bei, as well as appointed General Who Pacifies the West and Governor of Jingzhou. Jingzhou, located upstream, was strategically significant, boasting a large population, a strong military, abundant resources, and well-equipped forces, representing half of the imperial power. Thus, the Emperor entrusted his descendants with the responsibility of guarding the region. Yiqing, a member of the imperial family known for his good character, earned this significant position. He was humble and cautious, declining all gifts upon his arrival in and departure from Jingzhou.
At the age of twelve, the emperor asked all officials to recommend talented individuals. Yiqing wrote in a memorial, "Your Majesty, by issuing a decree to solicit opinions from officials at all levels, even extending to remote areas, you are commending those virtuous talents who reside in secluded places. Your sagacity, wisdom, and benevolent governance are evident, yet you personally inquire about the regulations of government offices, follow the teachings of the sages, personally inquire about the management of warehouses, and even show concern for the smallest aspects of people's livelihoods. Your virtues surpass those of ancient kings. I strive to follow your intentions. I believe that the former county magistrate Yu Shi of Linju is upright and honest, very filial. When his mother passed away, he was so grieved that he became emaciated; now that his father is ill, he cries tears of blood. He is filial to his parents at home and highly praised among his neighbors, sufficient to educate the populace and uphold social customs. Also, the former envoy Gong Qi from Wufeng inquired at court is calm and unpretentious, with upright conduct, devoted to the study of knowledge, and worthy of promotion to suppress the societal trend of impetuosity. The recluse Shi Jue from Nanjun is outstanding in talent, noble in character, knowledgeable, and resolute. I previously invited him to serve as a provincial scholar, but he declined. Appointing them would truly be a blessing for the country!" Yiqing deeply cared for the people. If officials in the prefecture had elderly parents or relatives who were not with them, five officials would be sent to deliver grain to their homes each year. In fact, Wang Hong had already implemented such a system when he served as the governor of Jiangzhou. Yiqing served in Jiangzhou for eight years and was deeply loved by the local people. He also wrote a ten-volume "Biographies of the Worthy of Xuzhou," which he presented to the emperor. He also wrote "Excerpts" following Ban Gu's "Book of Rites" to document the significant events of the dynasty.
In the sixteenth year, Yi Qing was appointed as the Cavalier Attendant, Commander of military affairs for the six provinces of Xiyang, Jinxi, and Xincai in Jiangzhou and Yuzhou, Guard General, and Governor of Jiangzhou, with his responsibilities remaining the same. In the seventeenth year, he was also appointed as the Commander of military affairs for the six provinces of Nanyan, Xuyan, Qing, Ji, and You, and the Governor of Nanyan Province. Shortly after, he was also appointed as the Chancellor of the Palace Attendants. He was known for his simplicity and frugality, with few desires and a love for literature. Although he did not write many articles, his work was enough to become a model for the imperial family. He served as an official in various places, without indulging in any extravagance, only supporting monks in his later years, which required a larger expenditure. He was good at horse riding when he was young, but as he grew older and found the world to be difficult, he eventually gave up riding. He gathered many talented literati, who traveled from near and far. Yuan Shu, the Marshal, was the most talented writer of his time; when Yi Qing was in Jiangzhou, he invited him to serve as a military advisor. Others like Lu Zhan from Wu County, He Changyu from Donghai, and Bao Zhao were all distinguished literary figures, all of whom he recommended as advisors or officials. The letters from the Emperor to Yi Qing were always meticulously revised. Bao Zhao, with the style name Mingyuan, wrote elegant and flowing prose, and once composed ancient Yuefu poetry characterized by its vigor and beauty. During the Yuanjia period, the Yellow River and Ji River were both clear and transparent, which people at the time regarded as auspicious signs. Bao Zhao composed a poem titled "Song of the Clear River," featuring a particularly well-crafted introduction. The poem begins like this: "It is said that those who speak eloquently about the heavens must first seek signs in humanity; those who speak well of the ancients must first examine their achievements today."
He is a simple man with no particular hobbies; he just enjoys reading and writing. Although he doesn't write much, he is regarded as a cultured individual among the nobility. When he was in office, he was quite disciplined and didn't engage in any wrongdoing. In his later years, he devoted a significant amount of money to supporting monks. He was an excellent horseman in his youth, but later found life too challenging and gave up riding. He particularly enjoys making friends with talented people, eager to connect with them, no matter the distance. Notable literary figures of the time, like Yuan Shu and Yi Qing, who served as officials in Jiangzhou, maintained a close relationship with him. Yi Qing even invited him to serve as a military advisor! Renowned writers such as Lu Zhan, He Changyu, and Bao Zhao also collaborated with him. The emperor would meticulously revise his letters to Yi Qing, demonstrating the significance he placed on Yi Qing.
Bao Zhao, with the courtesy name Mingyuan, was an exceptional writer known for his ancient Yuefu poems, characterized by a strong and ornate style. During the Yuanjia period, both the Yellow River and the Ji River had cleared, which was seen as a good omen. Bao Zhao wrote a poem called "River Clearing Ode," opening with a remarkable line: "Those who talk about heaven must first see signs in people; those who speak of the past must first consider the present achievements." This suggests that to discuss celestial phenomena, one must take human affairs into account; when discussing ancient matters, one must consider the current situation. He then goes on to discuss numerous ancient tales, from Fuxi and Shennong to Yao, Shun, and Yu, with many of their achievements recorded in historical texts. The achievements of Emperor Yao were "recognized above and below," and the music celebrated the virtues of King Wen "shining in the heavens." These ancient auspicious signs, like white foxes and black jades, foretold the commands of emperors; signs like simple cows and large spiders predicted the establishment of the calendar; changes in fish and birds, abundant harvests of grains—these subtle omens can be cherished for generations and documented in history. Therefore, Bao Zhao said, it's strange that poets no longer compose poetry, and songs are seldom sung anymore, isn't it?
Speaking of our Great Song Dynasty, blessed by Heaven, drawing upon the essence of Yinglong and following the wisdom of the river turtle, the emperor ascended the throne, the country prospered, the ancestral legacy has grown even more glorious, and His Majesty has been in power for twenty-four years now. His benevolent rule reaches every corner of the land, with profound blessings, national prosperity, and the people living in peace and contentment. Within the four seas, all receive his grace. The emperor is compassionate towards the people's suffering, reducing the tributes from the rooftops, providing aid to disaster victims and drawing from the national granaries. He is hardworking and frugal, rejecting extravagance, avoiding indulgence, living simply, and acting with integrity. He is honest and open-hearted, without complaints. His political achievements shine as brightly as the sun and moon, even Heaven is moved. Therefore, even without strict orders, the people willingly abide by the law; even without sending messengers to proclaim, auspicious signs will naturally appear.
With the nation prosperous and at peace, peaceful borders, and full treasuries, exotic birds and beasts flock to the palace. The people across the country are well-fed, the palaces magnificent and grand, surpassing the grandeur of the Han Dynasty's Five Tombs and the palaces of the Three Rivers. Every household lives in abundance, with peace and prosperity all around, bustling with life. This is about more than just the people's contentment; the courtiers no longer need to worry about their livelihoods.
Therefore, auspicious signs keep appearing one after another, and blessings are becoming even more plentiful: foxes from Qingqiu and birds from Danxue all come to the palace to roost and frolic; golden mushrooms with nine stems, wooden grains with six blades, all appear in the palace gardens. These should all be celebrated with grand rituals, but there are just too many auspicious signs to count.
However, the emperor still rises early and sleeps late, governs diligently and cares for the people, as if he always feels there are many tasks yet to be completed. He is humble and cautious, never arrogant about his achievements. Therefore, the inscriptions praising his virtues remain unorganized and piled up; urgent government affairs have also piled up and remain unaddressed. The literary officials tasked with extolling the emperor's virtues can only offer their silent praises outside the palace; the officials accompanying him in court can only silently admire him in their hearts. May heaven bless us, and peace prevail in the world. This situation has persisted for a long time.
Speaking of the Qianqing Palace, the moonlight bathes the earth, the Yellow River rushes endlessly, flowing together into a vast, clear river, glistening with ripples, stretching clear for miles. This scene is truly a sight to behold, shining on the prosperous dynasty! The ancients often said, "Shadows follow forms, auspicious signs accompany virtues," doesn't this scene beautifully illustrate that saying? Confucius said, "If the phoenix does not come, the Yellow River will not produce a map," and the Book of Documents also says, "When the Yellow River runs clear, how long can one expect to live?" All of which express amazement at this rare sight. However, what the ancients could only dream of, we are now witnessing! Mencius said, "One sage appears every thousand years, just as common as morning and evening," truly remarkable!
Throughout the ages, emperors and kings, their achievements and reputation have been passed down for thousands of years; these are their great accomplishments. They bestowed grace upon the people, made the country prosperous and strong, established clear laws; this is their virtue. They established rituals, created music, and educated the people; this is their culture and education. They quelled rebellions and strengthened the borders; this is their military prowess. The chirping of birds, the leaping of fish, and the clarity of rivers are signs of heavenly blessings. Such great achievements, virtue, culture and education, military prowess, heavenly blessings, with the people living in peace and happiness, all complement each other. Heaven is great—Emperor Yao is the best example; the golden age of the Tang Dynasty—who can compare? I have also heard that the influence of power is limited, and so is the reach of a good reputation; while the influence of virtue is profound, the blessings it brings will endure as well. Therefore, those great achievements are recorded, and their virtues and good names are sung and praised. Look at ancient times, Xi and Jifu created music for emperors; look at the medieval times, Sima Xiangru, Wang Bao, and others also composed poems for emperors. These splendid works shine brightly and are passed down for generations. Ban Gu praised the reign of Emperor Cheng of the Han Dynasty, with over a thousand memorials submitted; the prosperity of literature was comparable to the golden ages of the Three Dynasties. It can be seen that writing for emperors is the duty of a subject and a necessary part of the country. While my abilities may be limited, I will certainly do my best.
Emperor Shizu liked to write, thinking that no one could match him. Zhao, referring to the author, saw through the Emperor's thoughts, deliberately using crude language and repetitive sentences in his writing. At that time, people thought Zhao had exhausted his talent, but that was not the case. Later, Sima Yue, the Prince of Linhai, became the Inspector of Jingzhou, and Zhao became his military aide, in charge of handling documents. Later, Sima Yue was defeated in battle and killed by marauding soldiers.
Yiqing suffered a severe illness in Guangling. At that time, a white rainbow appeared in the sky, spanning the city, and a wild deer ran into the mansion. Feeling this was a bad omen, he strongly requested to return to court. The Emperor agreed to let him return and restore his original title. In the twenty-first year of his life, Yiqing passed away in the capital at the age of forty-two. He was posthumously honored as a Palace Attendant and Minister of Works, with the posthumous title of Prince Kang.
His son, Prince Ai Xiao Ye, styled Jing Shu, served as a Palace Gentleman, but was later killed by nefarious individuals. He was posthumously honored as a Cavalier In Regular Attendance. Xiao Ye's son, Xiao Chao, styled Zi Liu, served as a Commandant of Infantry. In the third year of Shengming, Xiao Chao rebelled and was subsequently executed, and his title was revoked. Xiao Chao's younger brother, Xiao Wan, died young. Xiao Ye's younger brother, Xiao Yan, served as a Servant to the Crown Prince. Xiao Yan's younger brother, Xiao Jing, served as the Governor of Xuancheng. Xiao Jing's younger brother, Xiao Ying, served as the General of the Front. Xiao Ying's younger brother, Xiao Qian, served as the Prefect of Nan Xincai.
Xiao Zun's ancestors were distant cousins of Emperor Gaozu. Xiao Zun's great-grandfather was named Xiao Chun, a younger brother of the Emperor's great-grandfather, Wu Yuanling Xiao Hun, who held the position of Senior Officer. Xiao Zun's grandfather, Xiao Yan, served as the Governor of Haixi. Xiao Zun's father, Xiao Juanzi, served as the Interior Minister of Pengcheng.
Xiao Zun initially served as a Zhenwu General, participating in the campaign against Lu Xun and was granted the title of Marquis of Xiang. Later, he became the General of Establishing Might, the Governor of Pengcheng, and joined Emperor Gaozu in the Northern Expedition. At that time, Emperor Gaozu's sons were all weak, and among the imperial family, only Xiao Zun was relatively powerful. After the pacification of Chang'an City, Xiao Zun was appointed as the Inspector of the provinces of Bingzhou and Sizhou, the military commander overseeing the five counties of Pingyang, Beiyong, Anding, and others, the General Who Aids the State, the Governor of Bingzhou, and the Prefect of Hedong, where he was stationed at Puban. Later, after Guanzhong fell, Xiao Zun retreated south and was appointed as the General of Guerrilla Warfare, later promoted to Champion General. After the Jin Dynasty Emperor's abdication, he lived in the Moling Palace, commanding troops to ensure his safety.
When Emperor Gaozu had just ascended the throne, he issued a decree of grace, saying, "According to the ancestral rules, relatives are relatively close, and there are not many members of the imperial family. They should be given more favor and titles. He was granted the title of Marquis of Yingpu County, with a fief of five hundred households." He was then appointed as the Prefect of Pengcheng and Pei counties.
In the first year of the Jingping era, he was promoted to Right Guard General. In the second year of Yuanjia, he was sent out again to serve as the General of Pacifying the Barbarians and the Governor of Huainan. The following year, he was promoted again to serve as the Commissioner, Commandant of the Guard, in charge of the imperial palace. Later, he was sent out again to serve as the Commissioner, Inspector of the provinces of Yong, Liang, Nanbei Qin, Jingzhou, Nanyang, Jingling, Shunyang, Xiangyang, Xinye, and Sui, the General of Pacifying the Barbarians, the Colonel in Charge of Miao Pacification, the Governor of Yongzhou, and also serving as the Prefect of Xiangyang and Xinye counties. His father was known for his strictness and violent temperament during his tenure, plundering the people without restraint.
When he was five years old, because of his father's affairs, he was reported to the imperial court, but the emperor chose not to pursue the matter and allowed him to return to the capital. Seven years later, he was appointed as the Right Guard General of the Crown Prince, and also given the position of an official in the Court of Imperial Affairs. The following year, he was appointed as the Commander of Military Affairs in the southern provinces of Xuzhou, Yanzhou, and the military affairs in the regions north of the Yangtze River and Huai River, and the General for Conquering the Barbarians, Governor of Yanzhou, and concurrently the Administrator of Guangling. Later on, he was summoned back to the capital, appointed as a palace attendant, and promoted to General of the Rear Army, then transferred to the Ministry of Ceremonies. In the ninth year of his service, he was promoted to Right Guard General and also given the title of Cavalier in Regular Attendance. In the twelfth year, due to illness, he was unable to attend to his official duties in time and was relieved of his role as a Cavalier in Regular Attendance, retaining only his marquis and Right Guard General titles. The next year, he was reinstated to his former position. In the fifteenth year, he was also appointed as the Grand Master of Ceremonies for Xuzhou and the Crown Prince's Household Counsellor, while retaining his previous titles. That year, he was also appointed as the Commander of Military Affairs in the provinces of Xuzhou, Yanzhou, and Yuzhou, General of the Front, and Governor of Xuzhou and Yanzhou. Before he could assume his new post, he was retained in the capital, appointed as a palace attendant, and promoted to Left Guard General.
In the second year, he was appointed as a military commissioner overseeing the military affairs of the four counties in the southern region of Yu Province. In the twenty-first year, he was dismissed for failing to implement relief efforts during a drought, having previously served as Front General and governor of the southern Liang County. He was subsequently reinstated and appointed as a Cavalry Commandant, followed by a post as the governor of Wu Xing, with an official rank of Middle Two Thousand Stones. In the twenty-fifth year, he was summoned to the capital and appointed as General of the Army. In the twenty-seventh year, when invading forces from the north advanced to Guabu, he led troops into battle, and the emperor temporarily granted him a ceremonial axe. In the thirtieth year, he was again appointed as a military commissioner, overseeing the governorship of Yu Province. Following a political upheaval and the ascension of a new emperor, he was appointed as General of the West and tasked with monitoring Xu Anqi and Yang Jiezu to ensure their defense. Ultimately, he executed Xu Anqi and the others, rising in rebellion in support of Wang Yixuan of Nanchao, who appointed him as General of the West. Later, when Xiahou Xian led his troops to Guabu and pledged allegiance to Emperor Shizu, he was once again dismissed from his post.
In the year 452 AD, Lu Shuang and Zang Zhi rebelled. He was appointed as General for Pacifying the Barbarians, stationed his troops in Linyi, and also served as the Prefect of Wuxing. The following year, the court summoned him to serve as the Governor of Xiangzhou, but before he could depart, he was promoted to Left Vice Minister of the Imperial Secretariat. In 454 AD, he was transferred to Danyang as Prefect, with the additional title of Cavalier Attendant. Shortly after, he was promoted to Right Vice Minister of the Imperial Secretariat, concurrently serving as the Right Guard Commander of the Crown Prince. The next year, he was further appointed as General Who Leads the Army, retaining the title of Cavalier Attendant. In 456 AD, he was once again promoted to Right Vice Minister of the Imperial Secretariat, bestowed with the title of Grandee with Golden and Purple Rank, while retaining the title of Cavalier Attendant. The following year, he was promoted to Left Vice Minister of the Imperial Secretariat, still retaining the title of Cavalier Attendant. He also concurrently served as the Governor of Xuzhou, Grand Master of Ceremonies, and Grand Herald of the Faith. When the deposed emperor came to power, he was promoted to Special Advisor, Right Grandee of the Palace Attendants, while retaining the positions of Cavalier Attendant and Grand Herald of the Faith. In 457 AD, he was dispatched to oversee military affairs in Southern Yuzhou, holding the titles of General of the West and Governor of Southern Yuzhou. After Emperor Xiaowu of Song ascended the throne, he was appointed as Palace Attendant, Special Advisor, Right Grandee of the Palace Attendants, continuing to serve as Grand Herald of the Faith, and was also assigned thirty personal guards. After the Grand Herald of the Faith passed away, his position as Grand Herald was revoked, but his other official positions remained unchanged. In 461 AD, the court bestowed upon him several ceremonial staffs (symbols of honor), and high-ranking officials received delicacies from the court as rewards every season, as well as medical treatment from imperial physicians when ill, all of which he declined. Later, upon the accession of the deposed emperor, he was promoted to Left Grandee of the Palace Attendants, with his other official positions remaining the same. In 471 AD, he passed away at the age of eighty-two. Posthumously, he was honored with the titles of Left Grandee of the Palace Attendants and Household Grandee, while his position as Palace Attendant was retained, and he was posthumously granted the title of Lord Yuan. His ancestors were not particularly distinguished, but because they were related to the imperial family, they were consistently favored by successive dynasties. In his later years, he suffered from illness and went blind.
His son Chengzhi achieved a prominent position during the reign of Emperor Shundi of the Song Dynasty. Chengzhi's younger brother Kunzhi once served as the chief clerk of Prince Jingling Liu Dan. When Liu Dan rebelled and wanted Kunzhi to serve as a military advisor, Kunzhi refused to yield and was imprisoned for dozens of days. He was eventually killed by Liu Dan. He was granted the title of Yellow Gate Gentleman posthumously, and the court specifically had Xie Zhuang, the Minister of Personnel, compose a eulogy for him.
His cousin Sikao also received favor from the court. He held many high-ranking positions throughout his life, including Prefect of Yuzhang, Prefect of Kuaiji, Governor of Yi Province, and Governor of Xu Province, governing a total of ten commanderies and three provinces. In 461 AD, he died at the age of seventy-five while serving as a Cavalier In Regular Attendance and a Grand Master of Splendid Merit. He was posthumously promoted to a special position, and his titles of Cavalier In Regular Attendance and Grand Master of Splendid Merit were retained.
Historians say: We have traitors within our ranks and strong enemies at our borders, with Xun Yu and Huan Jie pressuring us in turns. The situation in Jingchu is extremely perilous! If there are still strategic oversights or miscalculations, the enemy is about to breach our walls, and the imminent crisis will erupt. The enemy currently holds a two-thirds advantage and is vying for control of the north. Whether we can achieve complete victory is uncertain. King Lie Wu had keen insight and implemented effective strategies to annihilate the powerful enemy, not just relying on favorable timing but also on strategic planning! Unfortunately, he died young and could not participate in the final victory, which is truly a pity!
Oh no, with traitors within and strong external pressures, Xun Yu and Huan Jie are applying pressure one after another. The situation in Jingchu is looking really dire! If any part of this isn't thought through or calculated correctly, we might not be able to hold the city walls, and trouble will come our way fast. The enemy is strong right now, holding most of the advantages, and is pushing northward to expand their territory. Whether we can win is anyone's guess. King Liu Wu is really impressive; he picked the right people and had some clever strategies, taking out the strong enemy in no time. This wasn’t just luck; it was all about skill and strategy! It's such a shame he died so young and didn't get to see the final victory—what a bummer!
