Liu Yu, a notable figure in history, was known by his style name Deyu and his nickname Jinu. He hailed from Suiyu Village in Pengcheng County and was a descendant of Chu Yuanwang Liu Jiao, the younger brother of Emperor Gaozu Liu Bang of the Han Dynasty. Liu Jiao was the father of Marquis Hongyi Liu Fu, who was the father of Zongzheng Liu Biqiang, who was the father of Yangcheng Marquis Liu De, who was the father of Yangcheng Jiehou Liu Anmin, who was the father of Yangcheng Lihou Liu Qingji, who was the father of Yangcheng Suhou Liu Cen, who was the father of Zongzheng Liu Ping, who was the father of the Magistrate of Dongwucheng (name unknown), who was the father of the Administrator of Donglai Liu Jing, who was the father of Mingjing Liu Qia, who was the father of Scholar Liu Hong, who was the father of Langye Captain Liu Kui, who was the father of the Administrator of Weidingxiang (name unknown), who was the father of the Magistrate of Xiecheng Liu Liang, who was the father of the Administrator of Jinbeiping Liu Ying, who was the father of Prime Minister's Attendant Liu Xi, who was the father of the Magistrate of Kaifeng Liu Xusun, who was the father of Liu Hun. Liu Hun was the first ancestor to cross the Yangtze River and settle in the south, residing in Jingkou, Dantu County, Jinling Commandery, where he served as the Wuyuan Magistrate. Liu Hun had a son named the Administrator of Dong'an Liu Jing, who had a son named County Officer Liu Qiao, who was Liu Yu's father. Liu Yu was born in the first year of Xingning of Emperor Ai of Eastern Jin, on a night in the third month of the Guihai year.
When he grew up, Liu Yu was seven feet and six inches tall, with a particularly imposing appearance. Even though he came from a humble background, he had lofty ambitions and did not care much about trivial matters. He was extremely filial toward his stepmother and was well-regarded.
Initially, I served as the aide to General Sun Wuzhong. In the eleventh month of the third year of Long'an of Emperor An of Eastern Jin, Sun En and his rebels rebelled in Kuaiji, and the court sent General Wei Xie and former General Liu Laozhi to lead troops to suppress them. Liu Laozhi invited my father to participate in military operations.
In December, Liu Laozhi arrived in the Wu region, and the rebels set up camp on the road to fortify their position. Liu Laozhi sent my father with several dozen men to scout the enemy. They happened to encounter the rebels, who had thousands of men! Without hesitation, my father charged into battle. Many of his men died, but he was not afraid, brandishing his long knife and cutting down many enemies. Liu Laozhi's son, Liu Jingxuan, thought my father was taking too long, worried about being surrounded by the enemy, and went to find him with light cavalry. Eventually, the main forces caught up, resulting in the death of over a thousand rebels, and we captured Shanyin, forcing Sun En to flee back to the sea.
In the fourth year of Long'an, in May, Sun En returned to Kuaiji and killed General Xie Yan. In November, Liu Laozhi led the army east again, and Sun En fled once more. Liu Laozhi stationed in Shangyu and sent my father to guard Juzhang City. Juzhang City was small and dilapidated, with barely a few hundred soldiers defending it. My father always led the charge, fighting with exceptional bravery, and the rebels were pushed back to Jiaokou. At the time, the generals on the eastern front were lax in discipline, soldiers looted everywhere, and the people were suffering terribly. Only my father upheld strict discipline and earned the love of the people wherever he went.
In the spring of 385 AD, Sun En kept attacking Juzhang, but Liu Laozhi, our forefather, defeated him multiple times, and Sun En fled back to the sea.
In March, Sun En emerged from the north of Haiyan, and Liu Laozhi pursued closely, building a fort at the old city of Haiyan. The bandits attacked the city every day, and the city's garrison was too small. Liu Laozhi selected a few hundred daredevils, had them take off their armor, hold short weapons, and shout in unison as they charged out. The bandits were scared, lost all their fighting spirit, and when they saw Liu Laozhi and his men charging towards them, they threw off their armor and fled in all directions, even managing to kill their leader, Yao Sheng. Despite winning several battles in a row, the enemy was still numerous and they were few, so Liu Laozhi was very worried.
One night, he ordered his troops to conceal themselves, refrain from displaying any flags, and pretend they had already retreated. The next morning, he opened the city gates and let some wounded soldiers climb the city walls. The bandits asked from afar where Liu Laozhi was, and the defenders on the city walls shouted, "He has already fled last night!" The bandits believed it to be true and rushed up to the city. Liu Laozhi seized the opportunity of their relaxed vigilance to launch a sudden and fierce attack, routing them. Sun En knew that the city could not be captured, so he went to Hudu. Liu Laozhi abandoned the city and pursued. Bao Lou, the magistrate of Haiyan, sent his son Bao Sizhi with a thousand soldiers from Wu to request to lead the vanguard. Liu Laozhi said, "The bandits are quite formidable, and the soldiers from Wu have not fought much. If the vanguard fails, it will surely impact my forces. It is better to stay behind to support." Bao Lou did not listen to him.
That night, Liu Laozhi set up many ambushes while arranging the flags and drums, but each place only had a few troops. The next day, Sun En led tens of thousands of soldiers to meet in battle. As soon as the vanguard troops clashed, the ambushed troops all rushed out, waving flags and beating drums. Sun En thought he was surrounded by troops on all sides, so he retreated. Bao Sizhi pursued, but ended up being surrounded by Sun En's army and died in battle. Liu Laozhi fought bravely but was forced to retreat as the enemy soldiers were too powerful, and the soldiers he brought were almost all killed or injured. Liu Laozhi felt doomed, but stopped at the ambush site and ordered the soldiers to strip the dead of their clothes and wear them. The enemy soldiers saw that Liu Laozhi was preparing to flee but then stopped, thinking there might be another ambush, and became suspicious. Liu Laozhi shouted loudly to continue fighting, looking fierce, and the enemy soldiers believed it and withdrew. Liu Laozhi slowly retreated, then gathered his scattered soldiers.
In May, Sun En captured Hudu, killed Yuan Shansong, the internal historian of Wu Guo, and more than four thousand people died. That month, Liu Laozhi defeated Sun En in Lou County. In June, Sun En took advantage of his victory and sailed out to sea, quickly arriving at Dantu with over ten thousand troops. Liu Laozhi was still stationed in Shanyin, and the capital was frightened. Liu Laozhi traveled day and night, arriving in Dantu at the same time as Sun En. At this time, Liu Laozhi had very few troops, and after a long journey, the soldiers were exhausted, while the defenders of Dantu had no fighting spirit. Sun En led tens of thousands of soldiers, shouting as they charged up the mountain, while civilians stood by, carrying their belongings. Liu Laozhi led his soldiers to charge up and decisively defeated them, causing many enemy soldiers to jump down from the mountain and drown in the water. Sun En barely managed to escape back to his ship.
Although defeated, Sun En, relying on his large number of troops, advanced directly towards the capital. His battleship was tall and large, which struggled to make headway against the wind, taking ten days to arrive at Baishi. Later, Sun En learned that Liu Laozhi had returned and the court had made preparations, so he turned towards Yuzhou. In August, Liu Laozhi was appointed as the General of Jianwu and the Prefect of Xiapi, leading the navy to chase Sun En to Yuzhou, where he defeated him once more. Sun En fled south. In November, Liu Laozhi pursued Sun En in Hudu and Haiyan, where he defeated him again. In three major battles, they achieved significant victories, capturing and killing tens of thousands of enemy soldiers. Sun En's army was decimated due to hunger, disease, and plague, fleeing from Jiaokou to Linhai.
In January of 400 AD, Sima Yuanxian, the Valiant Cavalry General, led his troops to attack Jingzhou Governor Huan Xuan, who in turn led the army of the Jingchu region to counterattack Sima Yuanxian. Sima Yuanxian sent General Zhenbei Liu Laozhi to resist, and my father (the founder of our family line) followed Liu Laozhi to strategize in Lizhou. When Huan Xuan arrived, my father proposed a direct attack, but Sima Yuanxian objected and planned to send his son, Sima Jingxuan, to negotiate with Huan Xuan. My father and my uncle He Wuji strongly counseled against it, but Sima Yuanxian did not listen. Consequently, Sima Jingxuan was dispatched, Huan Xuan seized Jiankang, killed Sima Yuanxian, and exiled Liu Laozhi to Kuaiji, demoting him to a lesser official position.
Liu Laozhi was afraid and said to my father, "He is about to take away my troops soon; there's going to be big trouble! I'm planning to head north to join Gao Yaqi in raising an army in Guangling. Will you come with me?" My father replied, "General, you have tens of thousands of elite soldiers with you; as soon as others hear your name, they will surrender. Huan Xuan has just gained power, his prestige is shaking the world, and the soldiers' morale is scattered. How could we possibly make it to Guangling? I’d rather just surrender at Jiankou." After Liu Laozhi defected, he committed suicide. My uncle He Wuji asked my father, "What should I do?" My father said, "There won't be anything good waiting for you with the General of the North; follow me back to Jiankou. Huan Xuan will definitely consider his reputation; he'll put on a good front for us, so let's follow him for now. If he pulls a fast one on us, we’ll figure out how to handle it. Now is the time when Huan Xuan is arrogant; he definitely still needs talents like us." Later, Huan Xiu, Huan Xuan's cousin, served as the General of the Army in Dantu, and Huan Xuan appointed my father as a military officer, with no change in other official positions.
Since Sun En was defeated, his army gradually dispersed. He was afraid of being caught, so he jumped into the sea and committed suicide in Linhai. The remaining soldiers elected Sun En's brother-in-law Lu Xun as their leader. Huan Xuan wanted to first put down the rebellion in the east, so he appointed Lu Xun as the Prefect of Yongjia. Even though Lu Xun took the job, he still went around looting and pillaging. In May, Huan Xuan sent my father to the east to attack Lu Xun. At that time, Lu Xun entered Dongyang from Linhai. In January 401, Huan Xuan sent my father back to take on Lu Xun and defeated him in Dongyang. Lu Xun fled to Yongjia, was caught up with and defeated again, and even killed Lu Xun's general Zhang Shidao. He was chased all the way to Jin'an before finally escaping by boat to the South China Sea. In June, my father got promoted to the Interior Minister of Pengcheng.
Huan Xuan became the King of Chu and was plotting to usurp the throne. Huan Xuan's cousin, General Wei Huan Qian, secretly asked Liu Yu, "King Chu has great achievements and a good reputation; everyone supports him. People in the court think he should naturally ascend to the throne; what do you think?" Liu Yu had long wanted to get rid of Huan Xuan, so he modestly replied, "King Chu is the son of Huan Xuanwu, with great achievements. The Jin Dynasty is declining; the people have long hoped for a change. He is following the mandate of heaven; what's wrong with that?" Upon hearing this, Huan Qian was overjoyed, "If you think it's possible, then it must be possible!"
In December, Huan Xuan indeed seized the throne and moved the emperor to Xunyang. Huan Xiu entered the capital, and Liu Yu followed. When Huan Xuan saw Liu Yu, he said to Minister Wang Mi, "I met Liu Yu yesterday; his temperament and demeanor are extraordinary; he is an outstanding figure!" Every time Huan Xuan entertained guests, he warmly treated Liu Yu and showered him with valuable gifts. Liu Yu grew increasingly disdainful of Huan Xuan. Someone told Huan Xuan, "Liu Yu walks with great momentum; he clearly doesn't strike me as someone who would accept being subordinate. You should get rid of him sooner!" Huan Xuan said, "I am planning to subdue the Central Plains; besides Liu Yu, no one else can handle such a big task. After pacifying Guanzhong and Longxi, we will figure out how to deal with him!" Later, Huan Xuan issued a decree: "Liu Yu has triumphed against overwhelming odds, defeating the rebels many times, chasing them to the seaside, and eliminating 80% of the rebels. All the generals and soldiers fought bravely; many were seriously injured. From the marshal to the soldiers, they will be rewarded based on their merits to commend their achievements!"
At the beginning, when Liu Yu (Gaozu) marched east to Lu Xun, He Wuji followed to Shanyin and advised Liu Yu to rebel in Kuaiji. Liu Yu felt that Huan Xuan had not fully grasped power yet, and Kuaiji was too far from Jiankang; the odds of success were slim. He intended to bide his time until Huan Xuan's treachery became more apparent, then rebel from Jingkou, feeling confident in his strategy.
Later, Huan Xiu returned to Jiankang, and Liu Yu pretended to be seriously injured and unable to move, then sailed back to Jiankang with He Wuji to start planning the revival of the grand enterprise. He joined forces with his younger brother Liu Daogui, Liu Yi of Pei County, Meng Chang from Pingchang, Wei Yongzhi from Rencheng, Tan Pingzhi from Gaoping, Zhuge Changmin from Langye, Wang Yuande from Taiyuan, Xin Huxing from Longxi, and Tong Houzhi from Dongguan. At that time, Huan Xiu's younger brother Huan Hong was the General Who Conquers the Barbarians and the governor of Qingzhou, stationed in Guangling. Liu Daogui was the chief military officer under Huan Hong, and Meng Chang was the registrar of Qingzhou. Liu Yu instructed Liu Yi to contact Meng Chang, recruit soldiers and procure horses on the north bank of the Yangtze River, and prepare to rebel and kill Huan Hong. Zhuge Changmin was the chief military officer of the Left Army Division under the governor of Yuzhou, Diao Kui, planning to occupy Liyang to support the operation. Wang Yuande and Tong Houzhi were secretly amassing forces in Jiankang City, preparing to attack Huan Xuan, and they all agreed to act in unison.
On the first day of the third month, in the year 311 AD, it was the day of Yimao. Gaozu (Sima Rui) deceived me, claiming he was going hunting, but in reality, he was gathering allies to plan a rebellion alongside He Wuji and others. A total of twenty-seven people were involved in the planning, including He Wuji, Wei Yongzhi, Wei Xinzhi (Wei Yongzhi's brother), Wei Shunzhi, Tan Pingzhi, Tan Shao (Tan Pingzhi's son), Tan Zhi (Tan Shao's brother), Tan Long, Tan Daoji, Tan Fanzhi (Tan Daoji's cousin), Gaozu's brother Sima Daolian, Liu Yi, Liu Yi's brother Liu Fan, Meng Chang, Meng Chang's cousin Meng Huaiyu, Heinei person Xiang Mi, Guan Yizhi, Chenliu person Zhou Anmu, Linhuai person Liu Wei, Liu Wei's brother Liu Guizhi, Dongguan person Zang Xi, Zang Bao Fu (Zang Xi's brother), Zang Mushi (Zang Xi's son), Tong Maozong, Chenjun person Zhou Daomin, Yuyang person Tian Yan, and Qiaoguo person Fan Qing, making a total of twenty-seven participants, with hundreds more willing to join.
The next morning, on Bingchen day, just as dawn broke, the city gate opened. He Wuji was dressed in official garb, pretending to act on imperial orders, leading the way. The rebel troops charged into the city, shouting in unison, sending the officials and soldiers fleeing in all directions; no one dared to resist. They quickly executed the official Sima Diao Hong and displayed his head for all to see. Gaozu wept bitterly at that moment and gave him a proper burial. Meng Chang suggested to Gaozu that they should claim they were going hunting that day. Before dawn, they opened the city gate under the pretense of going hunting, but Meng Chang, Dao Gui, Liu Yi, and others took advantage of the situation to rush into the city with fifty to sixty strong men. Diao Hong was just having porridge when he was killed, and then Gaozu led everyone across the river.
The rebel army had just captured the city of Jianye (the capital). General Sima Diao Hong arrived with civil and military officials and his subordinates to offer support. Gaozu climbed up to the city tower and said to them, "Guo Mo (Guo Jiangzhou) has already taken the Emperor (Jin Huidi) and fled to Xunyang. We've all received a secret edict to eliminate the rebels. Let's take action together today. We have already beheaded the leader of the rebels. Aren't you all subjects of the Great Jin? So, what are you all doing here?" Diao Hong and his men believed him and withdrew their forces. When Liu Yi arrived, Gaozu ordered that Diao Hong be executed.
Brother Yi was in the capital earlier, and before the situation had escalated, Gaozu sent his associate Zhou Anmu to inform him and have him provide support from within. Brother Yi pretended to agree, but he was terrified inside. Noticing his panic, Anmu felt that the plan was likely to be uncovered, so he quickly ran back. At that time, Huan Xuan appointed Brother Yi as the Prefect of Jingling, and Brother Yi didn't know what to do, so he got on a boat to assume his duties. That night, Huan Xuan wrote to Brother Yi, asking, "How are things going with those people in the north? Have you heard anything from that little rascal Liu Yu recently?" Brother Yi felt that Huan Xuan already knew about their plan, so he talked about it the next morning. Huan Xuan was alarmed and quickly appointed Brother Yi as the Marquis of Chongan. However, he later grew displeased with Brother Yi for letting Anmu escape, so he had Brother Yi executed. He also had Yuande, Huxing, and Houzhi killed. Then he summoned Huan Qian, Bian Fanzhi, and others to discuss how to resist Gaozu. Huan Qian and the others urged, "We need to send troops to attack immediately!" Huan Xuan said, "No. Their soldiers are strong and robust; fighting them would be a desperate gamble. If we send our navy, we won't stand a chance; if anything goes wrong, their morale will soar, and we’ll be done for! It’s better to gather all our troops at Fuzhou Mountain and wait for them. If they run empty for two hundred miles, they won't accomplish anything, and their spirits will be crushed. When they see our large army suddenly, they will definitely be terrified. We should arrange our troops strategically and not confront them head-on. They won't be able to engage, and they'll naturally scatter. This is the best way." After repeated requests from Huan Qian and the others, Huan Xuan finally sent the Prefect of Dunqiu, Wu Fuzhi, and the Right Guard General, Huang Fu Fu, to the north to resist the rebels. Ever since hearing about the rebellion, Huan Xuan had been worried and didn't know what to do. Someone said, "Liu Yu and his crew are outnumbered and underpowered; how could they possibly succeed? Your Majesty, why the worry?" Huan Xuan said, "That little rascal Liu Yu is someone who can accomplish great things. Liu Yi's family doesn't even have a single load of grain; he can hit the jackpot with just one gamble; He Wuji is Liu Laozhi's nephew and looks just like his uncle."
They’re pulling off such a big task together; how could they possibly fail?
Everyone elected Gaozu as the leader and then sent out a letter to the capital, saying:
Alas, in this world, the ebb and flow of order and chaos, how can we expect any lasting peace? Villains are always arrogant and unruly, yet they always seem to encounter a wise and virtuous ruler. In our Jin Dynasty, disasters have struck continuously. Since the time of Long'an, troubles have beset the imperial family. Loyal ministers and righteous scholars fall victim to traitors, and honest people are framed by villains. That traitor Huan Xuan is extremely cruel, blocking the military routes to Jingzhou and Yingzhou, wreaking havoc in the capital. Heaven has not abandoned us. The resistance forces are growing stronger, and in just over a year, Huan Xuan was defeated. The emperor fled everywhere, exiled, and the ancestral shrines of the imperial family were destroyed. Compared to the destruction of the Xia Dynasty by Han Zhuo, Wang Mang, and Wang Zhuo, Huan Xuan's rebellion pales in comparison!
Huan Xuan has been causing chaos for several years now, with ongoing drought, leaving the common people struggling to survive. In addition, the people are worn out from forced labor; civil and military officials are busy building palaces, fathers and sons are separated, families are broken, and people are dying. This is more than just the tragic sound of the loom in "Da Dong" or the overturned basket in "Biao Mei"! Look at the signs in the sky, look at the situation on earth, how much longer can this go on? Who can avoid this fate of destruction? Is there anyone with a conscience who isn't heartbroken? The reason for my anxiety and sleepless nights is this.
Therefore, I work day and night, promoting loyal and righteous individuals, planning in secret, advancing step by step, facing dangers as if walking a tightrope. Generals Liu Yi, He Wuji, Meng Chang, Wei Yongzhi, Liu Daogui, Liu Fan, Tan Pingzhi, and others—these loyal and righteous individuals, their loyalty is as unyielding as steel, their aspirations shine as bright as the sun. They take up arms, prepared to lay down their lives in loyalty. Governor of Yizhou Mao Qu rushed from thousands of miles away to pacify the Jingchu region. Governor of Jiangzhou Guo Changzhi welcomed the Emperor and escorted him to Xunyang. Zhenbei General Wang Yuande and others led the army to defend Shitoucheng. General Yangwu Zhuge Changmin recruited volunteer soldiers and has already taken over Liyang. General Zhenlu Yuzhe and others secretly made contact as internal support. Everyone worked together, uprisings broke out everywhere, and on that day, they killed the pretender Governor of Xuzhou Ancheng Wang Xiu and the Governor of Qingzhou Hong Shou.
The volunteer soldiers gathered, and civil and military officials all hastened to lend their support; everyone believed that without a unified command, the rebellion could not be suppressed. I had no option but to shoulder this heavy responsibility. I hope to rely on the blessings of our ancestors and the strength of all the righteous individuals to eliminate the traitors and cleanse the capital. All the nobles and ministers, some from families of generations of loyalty, some in high positions, yet all bowed to the traitors and did nothing as they watched the country fall into crisis—do they not feel a sense of sorrow? Taking up arms now is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. My abilities are limited, my knowledge is shallow, but I have taken on the heavy responsibility at this critical moment in the country's peril. Although my determination has not been fully expressed, my heart is filled with fervor; looking up at the sky, my belief is strengthened, and gazing at the mountains and rivers, my fighting spirit is heightened. When I received the call to arms, my thoughts had already taken flight to the enemy's camp.
I appointed Meng Chang as my chief of staff, responsible for managing rear operations; Tan Pingzhi as the marshal. Over a thousand people are willing to follow me.
On the first day of March, on the day of Wuyu, I met Wu Fu in Jiangcheng. Wu Fu is a formidable figure in the Wu army, with a strong army and exceptional combat prowess. I personally charged in with a large sword, shouted, and scared them into fleeing in all directions, quickly cutting down Wu Fu.
Then I fought my way to Luoluqiao, where I encountered Huangfu Fu leading thousands to intercept us. My General Ningyuan, Tan Pingzhi, and I each led a team of soldiers to fight. Unfortunately, Pingzhi lost the battle, was killed, and his troops scattered. I pressed on, flanking them from both sides, quickly defeating them and killing Huangfu Fu on the spot.
Initially, I conspired with He Wuji to plan a significant undertaking. A fortune teller read our fortunes and predicted that He Wuji and I would both become wealthy and successful, and that it would happen soon, but Tan Pingzhi was destined for misfortune. He Wuji and I muttered privately, "We're all in this together; we can't play favorites. We both prospered, but Pingzhi alone fell into ruin; that's just not right!" Back then, we thought the fortune teller's words were a bit off. Now that Pingzhi has fallen in battle, I realize the fortune teller was indeed right; Pingzhi's death was a sign of my victory!
It is said that all of Huan Xuan's people were arrested, which only heightened Gaozu's fear. He quickly deployed Huan Qian to station troops at Donglingkou and also had Bian Fanzhi station troops at the west side of Fuzhoushan, with a total of 20,000 soldiers. On the morning of Jiwei day, the rebel army finished their meal and discarded the leftover food, then launched a direct assault on the eastern side of Fuzhoushan. They had beggars plant flags on the mountain to confuse the enemy. Gaozu also dispatched General Yu Yizhi of the Cavalry, with elite soldiers and good weapons, to support Huan Qian and the others. Gaozu himself led the charge at the front, valiantly fighting alongside the soldiers, each one bravely fighting the enemy. They fought valiantly against overwhelming odds, as the battle cries echoed like thunder! At that time, the northeast wind howled fiercely, so Gaozu ordered a fire to be set. Thick smoke and fierce flames rose into the sky, as the war drums and shouts reverberated throughout the capital. Huan Qian's forces quickly disintegrated. In fact, although Huan Xuan had initially deployed troops, he had long been planning to escape. He secretly sent General Yin Zhongwen to prepare boats in Shitoucheng, taking his nephews with him to flee by boat to Jiangnan.
On the day of Gengshen, Gaozu took control of Shitoucheng, set up a provisional administration, oversaw all governmental matters, burned Huan Wen's ancestral tablet outside Xuanyang Gate, and then enthroned Jin An Emperor as the new emperor, placing him in the imperial ancestral temple. Gaozu also sent generals to pursue Huan Xuan, and Minister Wang Gu led the officials in welcoming the Emperor. Minister of Works Wang Mi conferred with the others, wanting Gaozu to serve as the Governor of Yangzhou, but Gaozu resolutely declined. Thus, Wang Mi assumed the role of Minister of Works while concurrently serving as Governor of Yangzhou. Later, everyone nominated Gaozu as General-in-Chief, Commander of the military forces across the eight provinces of Yang, Xu, Yan, Yu, Qing, Ji, You, and Bing.
Previously, due to the incompetence of the Jin Dynasty's rule, the officials were lax in discipline. Although Huan Xuan wanted to rectify the governance, nobody paid him any heed. Gaozu led by example, first taking strong measures to reform both internal and external affairs of the court, and all officials immediately became serious and organized. In just two or three days, the atmosphere shifted dramatically. Furthermore, while Huan Xuan was elevated due to his ferocity and courage, he suddenly gained the highest power, and local officials and ministers of the Jin Dynasty obeyed his orders, firmly establishing the relationship between ruler and subjects. Gaozu had previously held a low position in the court and lacked military power. He rose from the common people, championed righteousness, and restored the imperial family's rule. Therefore, figures like Wang Mi and the common folk both respected and feared him.
Zhu Ge Changmin had arranged a meeting but failed to appear. Diao Kui personally brought him over, but before they could arrive, Huan Xuan had already been defeated. Huan Xuan fled to Xunyang, where Guo Chang, the Governor of Jiangzhou, quickly arranged vehicles, horses, and supplies for him. During this journey, Huan Xuan also mustered over two thousand troops, taking the emperor with him to Jiangling. Generals Liu Yi, He Wuji, and Liu Daogui led their troops to chase after them.
The Left Deputy of the Imperial Secretary, Wang Yu, and his son Wang Sui, were the most prestigious family in Jiangdong. Wang Sui had a great reputation when he was young, but because his father Gaozu rose from a commoner, he always looked down on Gaozu. Wang Sui was the nephew of the Huan clan, and he always felt uneasy. Later, Gaozu had both father and son killed. In April, Gaozu appointed Prince of Wuling, Liu Zun, as the Grand General, allowing him to handle state affairs on behalf of the emperor, and issued a general amnesty, with only Huan Xuan and his family excluded from the amnesty.
When Gaozu was young, his family was quite impoverished. He once owed Diao Kui's organization 30,000 coins and was unable to repay it for an extended period. Diao Kui was aggressively pursuing the debt. Wang Mi went to see Diao Kui and secretly paid back the money for Gaozu; only then was Gaozu set free. At that time, Gaozu had little reputation and low status, and many high-ranking officials largely ignored him; only Wang Mi maintained contact with him. Later, when Huan Xuan sought to usurp the throne, Wang Mi handed over the imperial seal and the emperor's seal to Huan Xuan, becoming a key figure in Huan Xuan's coup. When the rebels rose up, everyone said that Wang Mi should be killed, but only Gaozu always protected him. Liu Yi once asked Wang Mi where the imperial seal and the emperor's seal were, which only heightened Wang Mi's fear. After Wang Yu and his son were killed, Wang Mi's brother, Wang Chen, warned him, "Wang Ju (Wang Yu's nickname) did not commit any crimes, but the rebels killed him. This is to eliminate those who are stronger to undermine public morale. Brother, you are connected to the Huan family. With your current high status, do you really think you can escape?" Wang Mi was scared and fled to Qu'e. Gaozu wrote to the Grand Marshal, fervently recommending Wang Mi and bringing him back to restore his official position. The officials Guanglu Xun Bian Chengzhi, Left Guard General Chu Can, and Guerrilla General Sima Xiu acted inappropriately and were impeached by the Chief Censor Wang Zhen. They wrote letters to defend themselves, expressing resentment. Bian Chengzhi even went to the Ministry of Works to lodge a complaint. Gaozu wrote another letter to the Grand Marshal, saying, "Can and the others are important officials of the court. They must have done their best. The punishment by the censor is unreasonable. They should argue based on reason rather than blaming the heavens and pushing the responsibility to the government. They should handle this matter properly to maintain the integrity of the court." In the end, these people were all dismissed from their positions.
Huan Xin, the nephew of Huan Xuan, gathered a band of troops to attack Liyang. Gaozu (Liu Yu) immediately sent Fuguo General Zhuge Changmin to repel him. Later, Liu Yu's generals Liu Jingxuan and He Daogui defeated Huan Xuan's general Guo Quan and others at Sangluo Island, and the army subsequently took Xunyang. Gaozu was also promoted to Commander of the Jiangzhou Army, and his official position continued to rise.
After returning to Jingzhou and Yingzhou, Huan Xuan gathered a large number of troops and ordered the construction of ships and various weapons and equipment. With twenty thousand troops, he took the Emperor from Jiangling and proceeded downstream. He encountered Champion General Liu Yi and others at Zhengrong Island, and after a fierce confrontation, Huan Xuan was completely defeated. He deserted his troops and fled back to Jiangling with the Emperor. Huan Xuan's supporter Yin Zhongwen escorted two empresses of the Jin court back to the capital. Upon reaching Jiangling, Huan Xuan fled westward. The Governor of Nanjun, Wang Tengzhi, and the Deputy of Jingzhou, Wang Kangchan, escorted the Emperor to Nanjun Prefecture.
Initially, General of Conquering Barbarians and Governor of Yizhou, Mao Qu, sent his grandson Mao Youzhi and the army officer Fei Tian to escort his brother's coffin back to their hometown, with a contingent of two hundred troops. Mao Qu's son Mao Xiu was the Commandant of Huan Xuan at that time, and deceived Huan Xuan into thinking he could assist him in entering Shu. When they reached Meihui Island, Fei Tian and Mao Youzhi laid an ambush and launched an arrow attack on Huan Xuan. Yizhou's Supervisor Feng Qian severed Huan Xuan's head, sent it to the capital, and then publicly executed Huan Sheng, Huan Xuan's son, in the crowded market of Jiangling.
At the beginning, after Huan Xuan was defeated at Zhengrongzhou, everyone thought the outcome was determined, so the pursuit slowed down. Nearly ten days after Huan Xuan's death, the main army had yet to arrive. Huan Xuan's nephew Huan Zhen escaped to Yongzhong in Huarong and gathered several thousand rebels. Early in the morning, they attacked Jiangling City, and the city's residents came out to fight back. Both Wang Tengzhi and Wang Kangchan were killed. Huan Qian, who had been in hiding in Juchuan, also gathered troops to support Huan Zhen. Huan Zhen held a funeral for Huan Xuan, setting up an altar in the mourning hall. Huan Qian led the officials in presenting the emperor's seal and sash to Emperor An. Liu Jingxuan and He Daogui arrived in Jiangling and fought with Huan Zhen at Lingxi. Feng Gai, a supporter of Huan Xuan, set an ambush in Yanglin, and the rebel army was defeated and retreated to Xunyang. Yanzhou Governor Xin Yu turned traitor. Upon reaching Huaiyin, Xin Yu rebelled again. Yang Mu, Xin Yu's chief of staff, killed him and sent his head to the capital. In October, Gaozu was appointed Governor of Qingzhou. He entered the imperial palace with a hundred fully armed soldiers. Liu Yi and his forces advanced to Xiakou. Liu Yi captured Lucheng, and Daogui captured Yan Yuelei. By December, the army had captured Baling. In January of the first year of Yixi, Liu Yi and his forces reached Jiangjin, defeating both Huan Qian and Huan Zhen, capturing Jiangling City. The emperor was restored to the throne!
In March, the emperor returned from Jiangling. The imperial edict came down, saying: The ancients said that the greatest of all is naturally heaven and earth, followed by the bond between ruler and subjects. This is why the sun, moon, and stars are arranged in their proper order, and why gods and humans can take turns ruling. This principle has existed since the chaos of heaven and earth, repeating in cycles. Therefore, the rise and fall of dynasties always repeats; the Four Symbols (Azure Dragon, White Tiger, Vermilion Bird, Black Tortoise) also change with the times. If the righteous path of governance declines, upright and talented individuals will come to rescue the state from crisis. This principle is why the mandate of heaven endures and why the people's hearts remain stable and united.
Even powerful dynasties like the Xia and Zhou relied on wise ministers like Mi and Shen to save them in times of decline; treacherous villains like Wang Mang and Dong Zhuo were ultimately subdued by the virtuous rulers like Emperor Guangwu and Cao Pi. Some relied on the achievements of their ancestors, while others surpassed the previous generation, becoming celebrated figures in poetry and history. However, in today's world, to genuinely comfort the people and govern the country with integrity, and to rescue the divine artifacts from their fallen state is truly a rare golden age in history!
I am foolish and dull, experiencing various hardships in the unfortunate state of the country. At the most critical moment, the traitor Huan Xuan seized the opportunity, committing heinous crimes, deceiving the divine, and seizing power. The ancestral legacy was shattered, the sacrifices at the ancestral temples were interrupted; it felt like plunging into an abyss, and the circumstances were unimaginably tragic!
Once upon a time, there was an Emperor of the Jin Dynasty who was born wise and perceptive. He was appointed as the military commander of the nine provinces: Yangzhou, Xuzhou, Yanzhou, Yuzhou, Qingzhou, Jizhou, Youzhou, Bingzhou, and Jiangzhou, as well as the General of the Garrison and the Governors of Xuzhou and Qingzhou. He was loyal, talented, and of impeccable integrity, winning the hearts of the people. His commands surged like roaring waves, spreading courage far and wide and bringing stability and peace to the imperial palace.
Following this, the Champion General Yi, the Assistant General Wuji, the Martial General Daogui, and other leaders swiftly advanced their troops, quickly capturing the rebellious leaders. They then returned triumphantly, swiftly quelling the rebellions in the Jingzhou and Hanzhong regions. As a result, the stability of the reign of Emperor Xuan and Emperor Yuan was further strengthened, like the stability of Mount Tai, with his contributions recognized as the cornerstone of this achievement. The ancestral temples were blessed for seven centuries, and the imperial family welcomed new prosperity. We remember his achievements and virtues forever. His accomplishments are unparalleled in history, and he is truly a great man. Although his contributions are immeasurable, wise kings throughout history have always valued rewarding their loyal subjects, as it affects the rise and fall of the nation. Therefore, figures like Yi Yin and Wang Shu received special rewards, while Duke Huan and Duke Wen were generously treated. Given his extraordinary talents and contributions that transcended generations, he deserves the highest honors and position to showcase the nation's prosperity.
Despite this, the General of the Garrison remained humble, repeatedly declining promotions. The Emperor, recognizing his merits, valued him even more, highlighting his noble character. Therefore, I have decided to elevate him to the roles of Palace Attendant, General of Chariots and Cavalry, and Commander of all national forces, while maintaining his positions as Governors of Xuzhou and Qingzhou. He expanded the borders of the country, establishing immortal achievements.
Gaozu (referring to the general mentioned earlier in the text) was originally modest. The emperor appointed him as Shangshu, but he still refused and repeatedly requested to return to his fiefdom. The emperor disagreed and sent many officials to persuade him, and even personally visited his residence to persuade him. Gaozu was very anxious and went to the imperial palace to request the emperor to revoke the edict, but the emperor still did not change his mind. That month, he returned to Dan Tu to take up his post. The emperor sent envoys again to persuade him, but he still refused. Therefore, the emperor appointed him as the military commander over seven states including Jingzhou, Sizhou, Liangzhou, Yizhou, Ningzhou, Yongzhou, and Liangzhou, as well as the military commander over the previous sixteen states, with his original position unchanged. He then accepted the appointment, resigned as Inspector of Qingzhou, and took on the role of Inspector of Yanzhou.
That Lu Xun led troops to attack Guangzhou and captured Inspector Wu Yinzhi. Then, Lu Xun himself became Inspector of Guangzhou, and his subordinate Xu Daofu became the magistrate of Shixing. Two years later, in March, Lu Xun was appointed Inspector of both Jiaozhou and Guangzhou. In October, Gaozu memorialized to the throne, stating: "Thinking back to the past, the court suffered a great disaster; those villains rebelled. We, the loyal courtiers, served the court and received the grace of the emperor, responding to the call and pacifying the rebellion. While the state was safeguarded, it was also successful thanks to everyone's efforts. Those soldiers and officials who were loyal to their duties, both civil and military, gave their all. Although I am modest and cautious, the affairs of the country cannot neglect them. So I first led an uprising, pacified the cities of Jingkou and Guangling. I also had General Liu Yi and others, totaling two hundred seventy-two people, who later joined the uprising, fought all the way, and finally only one thousand five hundred sixty-six people were left. There are also General Wang Changmin, the former Attendant Wang Yuande, and others, each commanding one thousand eight hundred forty-eight soldiers, requesting Your Majesty to give them formal rewards. Regarding the army heading west, we will report back once the statistics are finalized."
The emperor ordered Yu, the leader of the uprising, to be appointed as the General of the Garrison Forces, Duke of Yuzhang, with a fief comprising ten thousand households, and conferred upon him thirty thousand pieces of silk as a reward. The rewards for others varied as well. The officials in the Garrison Office held ranks one level higher than those in the Xie An Office. In November, the emperor once again ordered the promotion of Gaozu to Palace Attendant and conferred upon him the titles of General of Chariots and Cavalry and Supervisor of the Palace Equal to the Three Offices. Gaozu declined, so the emperor sent many officials to persuade him. In February of the third year, Gaozu returned to the capital, preparing to go to the Ministry of Justice, but the emperor had already ordered that he not be interrogated. Gaozu presented his case before the palace, and the emperor finally agreed. Afterwards, Gaozu returned to Dantu.
In the intercalary month, Luo Bing, a military leader in Gaozu's household, plotted a rebellion but was apprehended. He attempted to flee on horseback but was ultimately captured and executed. Luo Bing's father, the Prefect of Yongjia, Luo Qiu, was also killed. Luo Qiu had originally served as a historian in Dongyang County. During Sun En's rebellion, he rose in revolt at Changshan and was subsequently promoted. After Huan Xuan's failure, Huan Chong was appointed as an official by the court due to his loyalty and righteousness. Luo Bing's rebellion sought to install Huan Yin as emperor and secretly conspired with Yin Zhongwen, the Prefect of Dongyang. As a result, Yin Zhongwen and his two brothers were all killed. By this point, all remnants of Huan Xuan had been eradicated.
The emperor sent Grand Minister of Ceremonies Ge Ji to deliver the edict to the Duke. The edict stated: "With the chaos caused by Hu Shi, which has shaken the very earth, and Yi Yi seized the opportunity, disrupting rituals and laws, and throwing the court into chaos, it is simply undermining the very foundation of the nation. The traitor Huan Xuan, emboldened by favoritism, acted with impunity and has even destroyed Mount Hua and Mount Huo, uprooted Mount Song and Mount Tai; the Five Sacred Mountains have all been leveled, and the six regions have also been displaced. You are a born talent, remaining low-key and biding your time, with unwavering loyalty and respect, swearing to redeem the nation's honor. Your hatred for the country's peril lingers day and night, keeping you awake at night. Though much time has passed and imperial power has drifted away from us, yet your loyalty and filial piety have moved the heavens and earth. You seized the moment and rose up, declaring your righteousness to the heavens, leading the army bravely forward; your army was unstoppable and fiercely determined, and even a million troops couldn't stand against you, advancing all the way to the city. Ultimately, you triumphed over the enemy and restored peace to the Jianghan region, and the court also celebrated victory; the skies cleared, and the sun and moon shone brightly once more, and the war was thus quelled. Your achievements are on par with the creation of the heavens and the earth; your accomplishments are indescribable in words, and your loyalty and righteousness have moved my heart. For someone like you, who has achieved such great feats for the stability of the country, and yet only maintains your original title, how then should those with even greater merits and accomplishments than the celestial ministers be rewarded? Therefore, I have specially established this nation for you, to ensure the nation’s eternal stability. I constantly remember your contributions, but this is far from sufficient to repay your service. I hope you will assist me and continue to serve the Jin Dynasty, may your good name be remembered by future generations, and may your achievements shine brightly for all time. Please accept this edict and convey my wishes." In December, Wang Mi, who served as the Minister of Works, Recorder of the Imperial College, and Governor of Yangzhou, passed away.
In the fourth year of the first month, the emperor summoned Duke Hui back to assist in politics, appointing him as the Grand Minister, General of Chariots and Cavalry, Governor of the Capital, Governor of Yangzhou, Chancellor of the Imperial Secretariat, and Governor of Xu and Yanzhao provinces, while retaining his previous positions. The Duke submitted a memorial requesting to resign from the position of Governor of Yanzhou. Previously, the emperor had sent General Liu Jingxuan to suppress the rebel Qiao Zong in the Shu region, but the campaign was unsuccessful. In September, following Liu Jingxuan's defeat and retreat, some suggested the emperor should abdicate, but he did not agree. Therefore, the emperor reduced Liu Jingxuan's rank to General of the Central Army, with no change in other positions.
Initially, the Xianbei Murong De proclaimed himself Emperor in Qingzhou. After Murong De's death, his nephew Murong Chao succeeded to the throne, repeatedly causing trouble along the border. In the second month of the fifth year, they conducted a large-scale raid in the northern Huai region, capturing the Prefect of Yangping, Liu Qianzai, and the Prefect of Jinan, Zhao Yuan, along with over a thousand households. In the third month, Xie An submitted a memorial requesting a campaign to the north, appointing Meng Chang, the Intendant of Danyang, to stay behind and oversee military affairs. In the fourth month, the army set out from Jiankang, traveled upstream along the Huai River and entered the Si River. In the fifth month, they arrived in Xiapi, leaving behind ships and supplies, while the infantry pressed on, reaching Langye; fortifications were constructed and troops were stationed at each location. The Xianbei strongholds of Liangfu and Jucheng all retreated in succession.
Murong Chao heard that Wang's army was about to arrive. His general, Gongsun Wulou, advised him, "We should occupy Daxian Mountain, cut down the crops, and wait for them with fortified positions. Their army is from afar, without logistical support. They won’t be able to mount a proper defense. We can defeat them with sticks within a month." Murong Chao disagreed, saying, "They are tired from the long journey and won't last long. Once they cross Daxian Mountain, I will charge with cavalry and defeat them. It makes no sense to weaken ourselves by cutting crops first!" Initially, when Xie An was about to send troops, some believed that the enemy, upon hearing of the distant expedition, would not dare to fight. If we don't occupy Daxian Mountain, we should defend Guanggu City, cut off their supplies, making victory difficult and return uncertain. Xie An said, "I have considered it carefully. The Xianbei are greedy and short-sighted, only seeking immediate gains and hesitant to retreat. They will think we are isolated and won't last long, at most occupying Linqu and retreating to Guanggu. Once we enter Daxian Mountain, there is no turning back. Leading these desperate soldiers to attack the wavering enemy, what could we possibly worry about in terms of victory? Since they can't cut off supplies, we will do it for them." After entering Daxian Mountain, Xie An pointed to the sky and said, "My plan is successful!" In June, Murong Chao sent Wulou and King Helaolu of Guangning to occupy Linqu City. But upon hearing our army had arrived, they left the weak to guard Guanggu City and fled. Forty miles outside Linqu City, there was a river called Jumie. Murong Chao told Wulou, "Quickly occupy the river. If the Jin army controls the water source, we’ll be in serious trouble!" Wulou hurriedly led his troops, but our general Meng Longfu and his cavalry rushed ahead to seize the river, leaving Wulou with no choice but to retreat.
Our troops pressed on, totaling four thousand war chariots split into two wings, marching slowly and in formation. Each chariot was adorned with curtains, with charioteers wielding long spears, and light cavalry patrolling the two wings on alert. The troops maintained strict discipline and marched in unison. Just before reaching Linqu City, Murong Chao sent over ten thousand cavalry to surround us from both the front and rear. The commander instructed Liu Fan, the Governor of Yanzhou, his brother Liu Daolian, the Governor of Bingzhou, Counselor Liu Jingxuan, Tao Yanshou, Counselor Liu Huaiyu, Shen Zhongdao, Suo Miao, and others to attack together.
By nightfall, the commander dispatched Counselor Tan Shao to launch a direct assault on Linqu City. Tan Shao, with General Jianwei Xiangmi and Counselor Hu Fan, took Linqu City that very day, cutting down Murong Chao's battle standard and capturing all of his supplies. Hearing of Linqu City's fall, Murong Chao quickly fled with his troops. The commander himself beat the drums and rallied the troops, sending the enemy fleeing in all directions. Murong Chao fled back to Guangdu City. During the battle, we captured Murong Chao's warhorses, imperial carriages, jade seals, leopard tails, and more, all of which were sent back to the capital; we also killed more than ten of Murong Chao's generals, including Duan Hui, and captured or killed thousands more.
The next day, the army attacked Guangdu City and quickly breached the outer defenses. Murong Chao retreated to the inner city. We then surrounded Guangdu City, building a three-zhang high wall and three layers of moats. Grain and grass were continuously transported from the Jianghuai region, and granaries were set up in Qizhou. We welcomed the surrender of those who came forward, whether they hailed from the Central Plains or minority groups, all were very pleased; we also promoted talented individuals, giving them official titles to serve the court. In July, the court issued a decree elevating the commander to Governor of Beiqingzhou and Jizhou. Murong Chao's generals Yuan Zun and his brother Yuan Miao also surrendered with their troops.
The general is preparing siege weapons. At that moment, someone on the city walls said, "If you can't catch Zhang Gang, don't even think about taking the city!" Zhang Gang is a fake official of Murong Chao, a very talented person. At that moment, Murong Chao sent Zhang Gang to seek refuge with Yao Xing and ask Yao Xing to send troops for assistance. Yao Xing agreed on the surface, but in reality, he was quite fearful of the general and dared not send troops. When Zhang Gang returned from Chang'an, he was captured by the Tai Shan Prefect Shen Xuan. So, we lifted Zhang Gang onto a high carriage to show him to the people in the city, who were all scared pale. Then we had Zhang Gang help us make siege weapons. Murong Chao's request for help failed, Zhang Gang was captured again, and he grew increasingly anxious and afraid. He then requested to surrender, willing to cede Daxian Mountain as the border and offer a thousand warhorses. We did not agree and continued to press on. The people of Hebei came with weapons and food to support us, with over a thousand people every day.
Liu Muzhi, the registrar, was a very talented military strategist. Xie An regarded him as his military advisor and sought his counsel on all matters. At that time, Yao Xing sent an envoy to inform Xie An, "We have a good relationship with the Murong clan. The situation is critical now; they are seeking our help, and we plan to send a hundred thousand iron riders straight to Luoyang. If the Jin army doesn’t pull back, we’ll charge straight through!" Xie An called Yao Xing's envoy and replied, "Tell Yao Xing, after I pacify the Yan State, I will rest for three years before going to pacify Guanzhong and Luoyang. If he dares to come and die now, he can come anytime!" When Liu Muzhi learned that a Qiang envoy was here, he hurried over, but Xie An had already sent the envoy off. Xie An told Liu Muzhi about Yao Xing's message and his own response.
Liu Muzhi reproached Xie An, saying, "Regardless of whether the matter is big or small, you must always include me in the planning from the start. You need to think this through carefully. How could you answer so decisively? Your response to Yao Xing didn't intimidate the enemy; in fact, it might provoke them instead. If the Yan State hasn't been defeated yet and the Qiang reinforcements suddenly arrive, what will we do?" Xie An smiled and said, "This is a military strategy. You are not a military talent, so I didn't tell you. The key to using troops lies in being quick and decisive. If they really could send reinforcements, they would be afraid that we already know their plans. Why would they dare to send messengers first? They are already scared when they see us attacking the Yan State; they are just scaring themselves." In September, Xie An was promoted to Grand Commandant and Chief of the Imperial Secretariat by the Jin Dynasty court, but he firmly declined. The self-proclaimed Governor of Xu Province, Duan Hong, had previously fled to Sulon, but in October, he returned from Hebei and surrendered to us. Zhang Gang had all the siege weapons ready, with various sophisticated gadgets like flying towers and wooden screens. The firestone ballistae on the city walls ultimately did not come into play. On the Dinghai day in the second month of the sixth year, Guanggu City was breached. Murong Chao climbed over the wall to escape but was captured by the bandit Cao Qiao. Murong Chao and his nobles were all killed, more than ten thousand people were taken prisoner, and two thousand horses were seized. Murong Chao was taken to the capital and executed in the busy market of Jiankang.
It is said that when Liu Yu was marching north, Xu Daofu was still thinking about doing something secretly, so he advised Lu Xun to seize the opportunity and launch a surprise attack. Lu Xun ignored him. Later, Xu Daofu went to Panyu to say to Lu Xun, "We are originally in Lingnan not because this place is good, but mainly because Liu Yu is not easy to deal with! Now his army is pressing forward, surrounding strong cities, and it will definitely not be easy to withdraw troops for a while. At this time, if we gather those who want to go home and launch a surprise attack on He Wuji and Liu Yi, wouldn't that be a piece of cake? If we let this chance slip and only seek temporary safety, when he pacifies the Qi country, reorganizes the troops, and accumulates strength, in at most one or two years, the court will definitely issue an order to attack you. By then, if Liu Yu personally leads the troops to Yuzhang and sends his best troops to Lingnan, even if you're a war god, you probably won't stand a chance! This opportunity is rare, and we can't afford to miss it! As long as we capture the capital, it will be like destroying his foundation. Even if Liu Yu returns with his army, he will be powerless." Lu Xun believed his words and led his troops to Lingnan. This month, they attacked Nankang, Luling, Yuzhang, and other places, sending the prefects of each county running for their lives. At that time, news of Liu Yu's pacification of the Qi country had not yet spread, but the court quickly sent messengers to call him back. Liu Yu had just captured the Qi country and originally wanted to stay in Xiapi to clean up the Yellow River and Luo River basins, but when the messenger showed up, he headed back to court that very day.
General He Wuji, along with Xu Daofu, fought a battle in Yuzhang, resulting in a crushing defeat. He Wuji was killed, sending shockwaves through the court and the populace. The court discussed fleeing north with the emperor to seek refuge with Liu Yu, but upon hearing that the enemy troops had not arrived yet, everyone felt somewhat relieved. Liu Yu returned to Xiapi, transporting military supplies by boat and marching back with his elite troops. When he heard that He Wuji had been killed in Shanyang, he worried that the capital might fall, so he quickly gathered a few dozen men to the bank of the Huai River to inquire about the court's news. Someone told him, "The enemy troops have not arrived yet, so if Liu Yu returns, everything will be fine." Liu Yu was overjoyed upon hearing this news, and he crossed the river alone by boat, heading straight to Jingkou, which finally eased everyone's concerns. In the fourth month of Guiwei, Liu Yu arrived in the capital, lifted the martial law, and allowed the soldiers to rest.
General Liu Yi planned to lead his troops on a campaign to the south, writing a letter to the court stating, "I have fought against those monstrous foes before, understanding their tactics. Recently, I have captured some spies, and their combat strength should not be underestimated. The army must be thoroughly prepared for a decisive confrontation with the enemy." He even sent his brother, Liu Fan, to advise him against going.
However, Liu Yi, undeterred, set out with twenty thousand naval troops from Gushu. Initially, Liu Yi sent troops to attack Xunyang, while he personally targeted various counties in Xiangzhong. Dao Gui, the Inspector of Jingzhou, sent troops to Changsha, but Liu Yi decisively defeated them. Liu Yi advanced to Baling, readying for an assault on Jiangling.
Upon learning that Liu Yi was approaching, Dao Fu urgently dispatched a message to Liu Yi, saying, "Liu Yi's forces are very strong, the outcome of this battle will be pivotal; we must muster all our strength to defeat him! If we win this battle, peace will be restored throughout the realm, and we won't have to worry about the chaos anymore." Liu Yi set out from Baling that day, joining forces with Dao Fu's army and advancing downstream together. They also had eight warships, each boasting nine decks and standing twelve zhang tall, very formidable.
Later, several provinces in the south were defeated by Liu Yi. The court wanted to take back Liu Yi's official position and official seal, but the emperor did not agree. In May, Liu Yi was completely defeated at Sangluo Island, abandoning his ships and fleeing, while the remaining soldiers were all captured.
At first, Liu Yi arrived in Xunyang and heard that the court had withdrawn its troops, but he found it hard to believe. After Liu Yi was defeated, he carefully inquired about the situation, and the expressions on both their faces changed. Liu Yi wanted to retreat to Xunyang and then attack Jiangling, occupying two provinces to confront the court. Dao Fu believed that they should press the advantage, and he insisted on this opinion. They hesitated for several days before ultimately agreeing to Dao Fu's plan.
Alas, news of the defeat spread, causing chaos both inside the capital and out. At this time, the northern army had just returned, with soldiers suffering from injuries and illness. In the capital, there were barely a few thousand soldiers fit for battle. Meanwhile, the rebels had already captured Jiangzhou and Yuzhang, with over a hundred thousand troops and a seemingly endless stream of ships and carts stretching for over a hundred miles. The soldiers who fled back exaggerated the strength of the rebels, claiming they were immensely powerful.
Meng Chang and Zhuge Changmin were both worried that the enemy would soon attack the capital and wanted to help the emperor escape across the river. But I disagreed; Meng Chang insisted on fleeing. I said, "Now that the important cities have been lost, the strong enemy is approaching the capital, and everyone is in panic. Who still has the heart to fight? If we move now, we would fall apart immediately, and we won't even be able to make it to the north bank! Even if we do make it to the north bank, how long can we really hold out? Although our forces are small, they are enough to put up a tough fight. If we can win, we will unite as one to overcome the difficulties; if we really lose, I will defend the country and die at the temple gates, fulfilling my original aspiration to devote myself to the country. I won't run off to the wilderness just to survive! I've made up my mind; you don’t need to say anything more!"
Meng Chang was afraid that I couldn't win, so he wrote a memorial saying, "I went north to fight, but opinions were divided; only I supported your plan, which let the enemy exploit the situation, and the country is in peril! I resign from my post and apologize to everyone!" After writing the memorial, he poisoned himself.
So, I ordered a large-scale recruitment drive for soldiers; anyone willing to sacrifice for the country should come to the capital to enlist. Then I rallied the people to build a stone fortress, set up camp in the city, and enforce martial law. At that time, some suggested dividing the army into smaller units to guard the key crossing points. But I believed, "The enemy is strong, and we are weak. If we split our forces, the enemy will easily learn our strengths and weaknesses. Now we’ll concentrate our forces in the stone fortress, adapt to the situation flexibly, so the enemy won’t know how many troops we actually have, and we can concentrate our strength. If reinforcements arrive later, we can make further plans." So, the army moved to the stone fortress and set up checkpoints on the Huai River, blocking Cha Pu.
Later, a large group of rebels surged in. I analyzed and said, "If the enemy directly attacks Xinting, their offensive is too fierce, and the outcome is uncertain; if they circle around to the west bank, we can trap them all at once!" Daofu wanted to attack from the direction of Xinting and Baishi, but Xun hesitated, always seeking a perfect solution. He said to Daofu, "The enemy has not arrived yet; Meng Chang is scared and surrendered. The situation is already lost, and it will soon fall apart. Now is not the time to decide the outcome; the risk is too high, and it could lead to significant casualties. It is better to wait and see first." At that time, the general stood atop the stone city, observing Xun's army. At first, when he saw Xun's army heading towards Xinting, the general was taken aback, his expression shifting; later he found out that they veered toward Caizhou to regroup. Daofu still wanted to attack, but Xun stopped him.
After that, our forces regrouped and fortified Yuecheng, constructing three strongholds at Chafu, Yaoyuan, and Tingwei, each housing a substantial number of soldiers. Champion General Liu Jingxuan was stationed in the northern outskirts, Assistant General Meng Huaiyu was stationed in the west of Danyang County, Jianwu General Wang Zhongde was stationed in Yuecheng, and Guangwu General Liu Huaimo was stationed outside Jianyang Gate. They also assigned General Ning Shuo to lead over a thousand well-equipped Xianbei cavalry, wearing colorful armor, from north of the Huai River all the way to Xinting. The enemy watched from a distance, filled with fear; but they still hoped for support from the capital and the Sanwu region.
The enemy sent over a dozen ships to attack Shitou Stockade. The general ordered the use of a divine crossbow; every shot found its mark, scaring the enemy into stopping their attack on the Shitou Stockade. We set up an ambush on the south bank, allowing the elderly, infirm, and disabled to take boats to Baishi. The general was worried the enemy would land their infantry at Baishi, so he led Liu Yi and Zhuge Changmin north to meet the enemy, leaving his aide Xu Chite to guard the south bank, ordering him to hold the position and avoid rash actions. As soon as the general left, the enemy set fire to Cha Pu, then attacked by land. Chite's troops were defeated, and over a hundred people died. Chite abandoned his remaining soldiers, crossed the Huai River alone by boat, and fled. The enemy then stationed tens of thousands of troops in Danyang.
The general hurriedly led the various armies back; everyone worried the enemy would cross the Huai River. They all thought the general should go back to meet the enemy directly, but the general first had the troops return to Shitou City, and no one understood what he was planning. The general ordered the soldiers to disarm, rest, wash up, and eat before lining up the troops at Nantang. Since Chite disobeyed orders, the general had him executed. The general then ordered aides Zhuge Shudu and Zhu Lingshi to lead over a thousand elite soldiers across the Huai River. The enemy had several thousand soldiers, each wielding long knives, spears, and halberds, dressed in fine armor that gleamed in the sunlight. They charged bravely forward, fighting fiercely. The soldiers led by Lingshi were mostly Xianbei people, skilled with halberds; they formed ranks and awaited the enemy's attack. Unable to resist the close combat, the enemy suffered hundreds of casualties and were forced to retreat. By nightfall, our forces had also returned.
After Liu Yi was defeated, the Prefect of Yuzhou, Yuan Xingguo, rebelled and occupied Liyang in support of the rebel army. The Interior Historian of Langye, Wei Shunzhi, sent General Xie Bao to suppress the rebellion. However, Xie Bao was ambushed by Yuan Xingguo's forces, and Wei Shunzhi retreated without providing support. The Emperor was furious and had Wei Shunzhi killed. This Wei Shunzhi was actually the younger brother of Yongzhi, who used to write poetry! This event sent shockwaves through the loyal ministers, and no one dared to disobey orders. In June, the Emperor appointed him as Grand Commandant and Grand Secretary, and even gave him the Yellow Seal. However, he declined the appointment. Then, the Emperor appointed Sima Yuet as General of Valor and Governor of Jiangzhou, ordering him to set out from Dongyang to Yuzhang.
On the seventh day of the seventh month, the rebel army fled south from Cai Prefecture and settled in Xunyang. The Emperor sent General Wang Zhongde, Prefect of Guangchuan Liu Zhong, and Prefect of Hejian Kuai En to pursue them. The Emperor returned to the Eastern Palace himself, vigorously reorganizing the navy and constructing massive warships with several decks, some even over thirty feet tall! Lu Xun sent his general Xun Lin to attack Jiangling. Huan Qian first fled to Jiangling, then to Qiang territory, and finally the people of Qiang territory sent him to Shu territory. The puppet governor Qiao Zong even appointed him as Governor of Jingzhou. Huan Qian and Qiao Daofu led twenty thousand troops to attack Jiangling, colliding with Xun Lin, with the two armies separated by over a hundred li. Governor of Jingzhou Dao Gui killed Huan Qian in Zhijiang, defeated Xun Lin in Jiangjin, and pursued him to Zhuting, where he ultimately killed him as well.
Initially, when Lu Xun fled, the emperor anticipated that Lu Xun would inevitably attack Jiangling, so he sent Suo Miao, the Neishi of Huailing, with cavalry and infantry to provide support to Jingzhou; and sent General Jianwei, Sun Jigao, to lead three thousand men in an attack on Panyu by sea. When Yu Yue, the Inspector of Jiangzhou, reached Wumu Qiao, the rebels sent over a thousand men to block the mountain road, so Yu Yue ordered Yu Qiu, the Prefect of Poyang, to lead the attack and defeat them. The emperor was busy preparing for battle! In October, the emperor, along with Liu Fan, the Inspector of Yanzhou, General Ning Shuo, Tan Shao, and others, sailed south to quell the rebellion. He then appointed General Liu Yi to oversee the Taiwei Mansion, leaving all other matters to him. That month, Xu Daofu led thirty thousand troops in an attack on Jiangling. Dao Gui, the Inspector of Jingzhou, defeated them, beheading over ten thousand, and Xu Daofu fled back to Penkou.
Initially, when the emperor dispatched Suo Miao, Suo Miao was intercepted by the rebels en route. After Xu Daofu was defeated, Suo Miao finally arrived in Jingzhou. Since Lu Xun headed east, communication between Jiangling and the capital was cut off, and everyone believed that Jiangling must have fallen. When Suo Miao finally arrived, he discovered that Lu Xun had already escaped.
Initially, Chen Baxian set out from south of Caizhou, leaving his trusted aide Fan Chongmin in charge of five thousand men and hundreds of warships to defend Nanling. Upon hearing that the enemy was approaching, Wang Zhongde and his men quickly mounted an attack. In November, they decisively defeated Fan Chongmin's forces, burned their ships, and captured the fleeing soldiers. The garrison in Guangzhou completely underestimated the sea route, having no defenses in place.
This month, General Sun Jigao of Jianwei suddenly attacked by sea, only to discover that Guangzhou was well-fortified, with several thousand soldiers defending it! Sun Jigao first burned the ships of the thieves, then launched a full-scale attack from all directions, and on the same day broke through the city, eliminating all the enemy forces inside. Chen Baxian's father managed to escape to Shixing in a small boat. Sun Jigao reassured the people in the city, executed the rebels' collaborators, and then left the army to defend the city strictly.
Initially, when Chen Baxian dispatched Sun Jigao, everyone believed that taking the sea route was too lengthy and challenging, and splitting the troops would affect the main force, so it was unnecessary. However, Chen Baxian disregarded their concerns. He ordered Sun Jigao, "The main army will break the rebels in December. You are to arrive in Guangzhou by then and completely dismantle their stronghold, making these rebels flee everywhere with no place to escape!" Sun Jigao set off as ordered and achieved victory as planned.
As per your request, I will translate each sentence into contemporary colloquial Chinese and divide the text into paragraphs of 200-300 words, retaining the original text for poetry and couplets. First, troops are mobilized according to military deployment, and the general prepares for defense. The general plans to use a long-term strategy to confront the enemy, so he stationed the army at Leichi. The enemy asserted they would not launch an attack on Leichi and planned to attack downstream by taking advantage of the water flow. The general realized they were seeking a decisive confrontation, and he was concerned that if the enemy was defeated, they might flee to the sea via the Jingjiang River, so he sent Wang Zhongde to lead two hundred warships to intercept them downstream at Jiyang.
In December, Xun and Dao led tens of thousands of troops, sailing downstream on warships. The ships were linked end to end, stretching out of sight. The general dispatched all the swift and maneuverable warships, personally directing the troops with flags and drums, ordering all forces to attack together; infantry and cavalry were also deployed on the west bank. Yule Sheng, an officer in the right army, failed to advance on his boat and was executed by the general as a warning, prompting all the troops to charge forward. There were many powerful divine crossbows in the army; wherever they fired, the enemy crumbled and fell apart. The general cornered the enemy in the middle of the river, taking advantage of the current and wind to drive the enemy warships to the west bank, where the troops were already equipped with incendiary devices, so they set fire to burn the enemy ships. Thick smoke and flames billowed into the sky, leading to the enemy's defeat, and the pursuit continued until nightfall, when they finally returned. Xun and Dao fled back to Xunyang.
Initially, the infantry that was sent out felt puzzled, but after burning the enemy's warships, everyone became fully convinced. The general recalled Wang Zhongde and asked him to continue serving as the vanguard, leaving General Meng Huaiyu to defend Leichi. Xun, upon hearing that the main army was approaching, made every effort to set up barriers to block their left flank. As the main army arrived at Zuo Li and prepared for battle, the general's command flagpole snapped in his hand, and the flag fell into the water, causing everyone to feel uneasy and fearful. The general smiled and said, "During the Battle of Fuzhou, the flagpole also broke; now it happens again, the enemy is bound to be defeated!" They then broke through the barriers and pressed on. Although Xun's army resisted desperately, they could not hold on. The various armies pressed their advantage, and Xun fled on a small boat. Over ten thousand people were killed or committed suicide by jumping into the water. The general accepted their surrender and granted them amnesty. Liu Fan and Meng Huaiyu were dispatched to lead light troops in pursuit. Xun regrouped his remaining soldiers, numbering in the thousands, and fled straight back to Guangzhou. Dao Fu managed to escape back to Shixing. The general returned from Zuo Li, and the Emperor sent attendants and eunuchs to the military camp to commend the soldiers.
