In the summer of the year 311 AD, on the sixth day of the sixth lunar month, I set up an altar in the southern suburbs and officially ascended to the throne as emperor, holding a ceremony to worship the heavens. During the worship, I recited the following proclamation:
I, the emperor, named (Emperor's name omitted here), humbly make sacrifices of black oxen and white sheep, to report to the heavens and the earth. The rule of the Jin Dynasty has come to an end through divination, and the cyclical changes of history have reached their conclusion. I firmly believe this is ordained by heaven, which is why I have accepted the throne. Throughout history, the founding emperors who governed the world all took the world as their responsibility, with noble virtues, in order to gain the support of the people. From Yao, Shun, Yu, and Tang, to the Han and Wei Dynasties, which founding emperor did not rise to the throne through noble virtues and remarkable accomplishments? They were all able to rescue the people from peril, leaving behind endless teachings. Since the Jin Dynasty moved eastward, national strength has weakened, and the court has been mired in chaos for an extended period. The upheaval during the Long'an era and the calamities of the Yuanxing era led to the emperor's exile and the destruction of ancestral temples. Although I come from humble origins, with limited power and no army, witnessing the turmoil and the plight of the people, I resolutely took up the banner of rebellion and ultimately restored the worship of the Jin Dynasty. My ability to persevere in crisis, stabilize chaos, eradicate corruption, and dismantle false regimes is all because rise and fall follow a natural order. I am able to rebuild the Jin Dynasty and bring stability to the people, in harmony with the times, as I shoulder this great responsibility.
Moreover, various ethnic minorities from all regions have also come to pledge allegiance, expressing their reverence. My realm continues to grow, and everyone follows my teachings. Heaven has revealed signs, and the mountains and rivers are displaying auspicious omens. Both humans and gods bless me, and the times have become even more prosperous. Therefore, both civil and military officials as well as millions of subjects believe that this is a favor from heaven, and the Jin Dynasty has demonstrated its sincerity. The mandate of heaven cannot be delayed, and the throne cannot remain vacant for long. So everyone united to enthrone me and held a grand ceremony. Though I may lack virtue, I have taken on the heavy responsibility of governing the world. While I respect the majesty of heaven and remain attentive to the details, deep down, I am always filled with worries, afraid of disappointing the people's expectations. With respect, I chose an auspicious day to ascend the altar and accept the abdication, offering sacrifices to heaven and earth, in response to the hopes of the people. I hope that heaven will bless me, and may the Song Dynasty thrive forever and continue to receive blessings.
Alright, the ceremony has ended. The Emperor traveled in his imperial carriage to the Jiankang Palace, arriving in front of the Taiji Hall. The Emperor declared, "The rise and fall of dynasties throughout history follow the mandate of heaven. Although each dynasty faces different circumstances and implements different reforms, the ultimate goal is to govern the country and benefit the people, and the reasons for rise and fall are quite similar. I possess average abilities and have inherited a chaotic era; with everyone's help, we were able to turn the crisis around, suppress rebellions, stabilize the country, and ensure the people's livelihoods. While my achievements may not measure up to those of ancient sages, they are still noteworthy. The Jin Dynasty has experienced many hardships and is now declining, but the world is now under my leadership. I have taken on the aspirations of my predecessors and adhered to the laws of my ancestors, thus receiving the mandate of heaven. I lack virtue and feel truly inadequate, but I still follow the will of heaven, accepting this land and its people, performing the Southern Suburbs Sacrificial Ceremony, and accepting the throne from the ancestors. Now is the time for the prosperity of the country; I will work hard to govern diligently and establish a prosperous era, ensuring the people's livelihoods and sharing peace. I hereby declare a general amnesty! The Jin Yuanxi second year will be renamed Yongchu first year! Each elderly and impoverished person will receive five hu of grain! All outstanding taxes and debts will be forgiven! Those who have committed crimes, embezzled, robbed, or engaged in misconduct will be thoroughly purged, giving them a chance to start anew! All exiles will be pardoned! Those who have lost their positions, titles, or have been imprisoned or deprived of their roles will be restored to their original status."
Next, the Emperor continued to issue decrees, the specific contents are as follows: "There will be a general amnesty throughout the land. The Jin Yuanxi second year will be changed to Yongchu first year. The people will be granted a two-level title. Widows, widowers, orphans, and those who cannot support themselves will receive five hu of grain. Outstanding rent and debts will not be collected. Those who have committed offenses, embezzlement, robbery, or misconduct will all be cleansed and given a fresh start. Those serving lengthy sentences will be pardoned. Those who have lost their positions, titles, or have been imprisoned or deprived of their roles will be restored to their original status."
The Emperor of the Jin Dynasty was granted the title of Prince of Lingling, with the entire income of the county as his stipend. As you can see, the Emperor's flags and ceremonial processions, riding in the ceremonial chariot during the five seasonal festivals, all used the era name of the Jin Dynasty. Sacrifices to heaven and earth were also conducted according to the ritual system of the Jin Dynasty, and all customs of etiquette and music were copied from the rules of the Jin Dynasty. When submitting memorials to the Emperor, they need not be written as formal documents, and the Emperor's replies were not referred to as decrees. His father was posthumously honored with the title of Filial and Solemn Emperor, his mother as the Solemn Empress, and his grandmother was honored as the Empress Dowager.
The imperial edict stated: "In the past, when Great Yu controlled the waters, his achievements were remembered for generations, and his descendants all greatly revered him. Those who have achievements and virtues should be worshipped, allowing their virtues to be passed down for generations. The titles and rewards of the Jin Dynasty have varied over time, but those whose virtues are on par with Guan Zhong, who have made great contributions to benefit the people, and who are deeply loved by the people, even in different eras, their achievements cannot be erased. Therefore, their rewards should be granted according to established precedents. The Duke of Shixing will be appointed as the Duke of Shixing County, the Duke of Luling as the Duke of Chaisang County, each receiving a thousand households of land; the Duke of Shi'an appointed as the Marquis of Lipu County, the Duke of Changsha as the Marquis of Liling County, and the Duke of Kangle also appointed as a Marquis of a county, each receiving five hundred households of land; to honor the Prime Minister Wang Dao, the Grand Tutor Xie An, the Grand General Wen Qiao, the Grand Marshal Tao Kan, and General Xie Xuan of the Jin Dynasty. Regarding those who labored during the Yihe era, facing hardships together, their original positions and benefits should be preserved without demotion." The Prince of Linchuan, Sima Bao, of the Jin Dynasty was appointed as the Marquis of Xifeng County, with a land grant of one thousand households.
In 420 AD, the court appointed Sikong Daolian as the Grand General and conferred upon him the title of King of Changsha; the title of King of Linchuan was posthumously conferred upon Sikong Daogui. Xu Xianzhi was promoted to General of the Guard, Xie Hui was promoted to General of the Central Army, Tan Daoji was promoted to General Who Protects the Army, and Liu Yixin was reassigned as the Inspector of Qingzhou. At the same time, Duke of Nanjun Liu Yiqing was proclaimed as the King of Linchuan. The Emperor also issued a decree, praising the achievements of the heroes and recording their merits, which is a matter of great national importance, and honoring the accomplishments of our ancestors, a matter I have always held dear. Since the establishment of our country, it has been seventeen years. In these seventeen years, the country has faced numerous challenges and dangers, with continuous wars from the east to the west. Thanks to the soldiers and officers who have worked hard and diligently, the country has been stabilized internally, expanded its territory, and gained great renown. Enemies have been subdued, and we can enjoy a peaceful and prosperous era. I always keep their contributions in mind and will not forget. Everyone's hard work and sacrifices should be rewarded by the country. Thus, rewards and appointments should be made promptly based on the circumstances. Those who sacrificed on the battlefield should receive posthumous honors. In 420 AD, Duke of Guiyang Liu Yizhen was proclaimed as the King of Luling, Duke of Pengcheng Liu Yilong was proclaimed as the King of Yidu, and the fourth prince Liu Yikang was proclaimed the King of Pengcheng.
In the year 421 AD, the emperor issued another edict, stating: "In ancient times, emperors would visit various places, personally understand the people's situation, identify hidden dangers, solve disasters, and alleviate the suffering of the people, in order for both near and far to experience the blessings. My abilities are limited; following the example of wise rulers from the past, I take this opportunity to show my concern for the common people, constantly worrying about how to alleviate the people's suffering. Currently, the country lacks talent, and there are many challenging issues. Without effective solutions, I cannot find peace, always worrying about the people in distant places. Therefore, envoys should be sent to various places to recognize the capable and uncover good deeds, and inquire about the people's hardships. If there are miscarriages of justice, mistakes in government orders, disruptions to social order, or actions not in line with public opinion, they must be promptly reported to the court. All matters must be handled properly, without mistakes. The court's care should reach all places, understanding the true thoughts of the people."
In the year 421 AD, the emperor issued another decree, saying: "Currently, the officials are busy with their duties, yet their salaries are very low; relying solely on their salaries is not enough to make ends meet. Although the national treasury is not yet abundant, we must find ways to help officials make ends meet. Allowances that were previously halved are now restored to their original amounts. The salaries of soldiers in the army are considered acceptable and are not subject to this exception. For other officials whose salaries are already low, they should also be increased as appropriate."
In the year 421 AD, the court revised the Jin Dynasty's "Taishi Calendar" to the "Yongchu Calendar."
On the Dinghai day in July, those who had been kidnapped by bandits and held in the Tai Fu were all allowed to return home, and those who were exiled could also return to their hometowns. The court also halted the transportation of timber and ships from various regions to the capital, entrusting the Water Transport Bureau with making other arrangements. The Tai Fu's needs are now negotiated for purchase by the commander and the common people, with prices settled on the spot, and the common people are no longer forced to provide their goods for free. In addition, the requisition of vehicles and livestock from the common people has also been discontinued, and the government can no longer use its power to compel the common people to provide. Due to the heavy market taxes and the significant burden on the people, the court also reduced the tax burden. The families of those who died in battle in Guanzhong and Luoyang, whose remains were never found, will receive compensation from the court.
On the Jichou day, Prince of Chenliu Cao Qiansi passed away. On the Xinmao day, the court reinstated the official positions of the Five Schools and Three Generals, and added twenty positions of Palace Generals, while keeping other positions unchanged. On the Wuxu day, General Zhao Lunzhi, the Governor of Yongzhou, was promoted to General of Anbei; General Liu Huaishen, the Governor of North Xuzhou, was promoted to General of Pingbei; General Yang Sheng, Grand General of the West, was promoted to Grand General of Chariots and Cavalry. On the Jiachen day, General of Zhenxi Li Xin was promoted to General of Zhengxi, General of Pingxi Qifo Chipan was promoted to Grand General of Anxi, General of Zhengdong King Gao Lian was promoted to Grand General of Zhengdong, and General of Zhendong King of Baekje Fuyu Ying was promoted to General of Zhendong. The court also created new positions, including East Palace Attendant and Middle General of Travelling Soldiers.
On the day of Wushen, the emperor personally led the team to relocate the ancestral tablets to the imperial ancestral temple. On the day of Renzi, the emperor issued a decree saying: "In the past, due to the urgency of national affairs, some expedient measures were taken, and various taxes and corvée were heavy. These were all expedient measures and were only applicable at that time. Now the world is peaceful, politics are clear, and laws are simple. These temporary measures can be lifted, and we can restore the original system. Those who have committed crimes such as rebellion and robbery three times should have been counted as three offenses, but they have not repented. However, those enforcing the law often combine multiple offenses into one, counting them as three, which violates the original regulations and must now be clarified."
On the fifteenth day of the eighth month, Prince Yilong of Yidu, the Western General and Governor of Jingzhou, was promoted to the position of General of the Western Garrison. On the eighteenth day, the court granted amnesty to the whole country, urging the rebels to surrender promptly and exempting them from two years of taxes. Those whose household registration information was still on record could restore their original status. Those counties that previously contained the character "North" in their names were renamed; if the county town was in the south, the name of the southern place was used. In addition, it was stipulated that those who harmed themselves without cause could become smelting workers. In fact, it was all because the government's policies were too harsh and the common people could not bear it, so this provision was made. Qingzhou and Yanzhou were merged.
On the twenty-second day, the emperor issued a decree saying: "Pengcheng, Peixian, and Xiapai, these three counties were the original strongholds of the rebellion; the emotions there run deep! This situation is rooted in emotional impulsiveness, a pattern seen throughout history. Pengcheng is the emperor's hometown, with even deeper emotions, so they should be treated favorably, just like Feng County and Pei County. Pei County and Xiapai will be exempt from taxes for thirty years!" On the twenty-fifth day, the concubine Zang was posthumously honored as Empress Jing. On the twenty-seventh day, the prince was officially named the crown prince.
On the 29th, the emperor decreed again: "I have inherited the legacy of my ancestors and have fortunately received the favor of heaven. With the accumulated blessings of my ancestors and the support of the common people, the sacrificial offerings at the Seven Temples have been carried out properly, everything is done according to the rules. I have faithfully adhered to the teachings of my ancestors, never slackening in ancestor worship. Now that the crown prince has come of age, the throne is even more secure, and the country is peaceful, so I want to grant a general amnesty to celebrate! This isn’t just for my happiness; it’s a celebration for everyone! Therefore, no matter what crimes have been committed, all will be pardoned! The amnesty will last for one hundred days, starting today. Those who were enslaved during the wars will be returned to their original owners; if those slaves have died or have been freed from slavery due to meritorious service, they must also be compensated according to regulations."
Furthermore, on the first day of the leap month in the year of Renwu, the emperor decreed: "A suitable system should be established for the maintenance of the tombs of the emperors, empresses, and princes of the Jin Dynasty. Those sages and virtuous men who have made greater contributions than those of the previous dynasties, some of whom have achieved great feats and some of whom have quelled rebellions and protected the people, their tombs are not far away and should be properly cleaned and worshipped. The relevant departments should come up with detailed plans and submit them for approval."
A few days later, on the day of Dingyou, Kong Jigong was promoted and appointed as a special advisor, Left Guanglu Doctor, and also given the title of Kaifu Yitong Sansi. On the day of Xinchou, the emperor decreed again: "In handling memorials, although you have already carefully investigated, if many officials are involved in the discussion, it should be clear who made the proposals. Recently, some memorials have been vague, often stating 'for reference only.' In the future, all suggestions must specify who proposed them; if there are differing opinions, they should also be reported step by step according to the procedure." The emperor then issued another decree: "Winter envoys sent from various regions, some sent and some not, with many matters at hand, should be streamlined, and all should be canceled effective immediately. The New Year's Day celebration is the only exception. The winter envoys sent from counties to prefectures and commanderies are also canceled."
On the first day of the ninth month of the Chinese lunar calendar, the palace appointed ten Generals and twenty junior officers to the Eastern Palace. On the day of Ren Shen, the title of Minister of the Capital was also created. By the tenth day of the tenth month, the Emperor ordered a change in the ritual for the worship of Wang Suxiang from twenty-six to twenty-seven months according to the teachings of Zheng Xuan. On the first day of the twelfth month, the Emperor personally presided over a court hearing at Yanxian Hall.
In the spring of a certain year, on the first day of the first lunar month, the Emperor went to the southern suburbs for a sacrificial ceremony and then declared a general amnesty across the realm. On the day of Bing Yin, the Emperor ordered a ban on the use of gilded decorations. Prince Yizhen of Luling was appointed as Minister of State, while Xu Xianzhi was appointed as Prefect and Governor of Yangzhou. On the day of Bing Zi, the tribes from Jieyang in Nankang revolted but were quickly suppressed by the local military forces. On the day of Ji Mao, the Emperor ordered a ban on the use of copper nails for funerals, and the Kuaiji Commandery was disbanded.
On the day of Ji Chou in the second month, the Emperor personally presided over examinations at Yanxian Hall to assess scholars and men of virtue from various provinces. Gu Lian from Yangzhou and Yin Lang from Yuzhou pleased the Emperor with their responses and were appointed as junior officers. On the day of Wu Shen, it was decreed that officials holding a rank of 2000 shi or higher could be granted an additional public field. On the day of Yi Chou in the third month, it was decreed that the military forces in Jingzhou Prefecture should not exceed two thousand, and the number of officials should not exceed ten thousand; county military forces should not exceed five hundred, and officials should not exceed five thousand. There were no limits on the number of soldiers.
On the day of Ji Mao in the fourth month, the Emperor decreed, "Temples that promote immoral practices, deceive the people, and waste money should be dismantled, as previously prohibited in ancient texts. Temples built for sages or those who have made contributions are exempt from this rule." On the day of Wu Shen, the Emperor addressed cases at Hualin Garden. On the day of Ji Hai, Wang Zhongde was appointed as Governor of Jizhou. On the day of Ji You in the fifth month, the roles of Garrison Commandant, Infantry Commander, and Military Officer were established in the Eastern Palace. On the day of Jia Xu, the Emperor once again addressed legal matters at Hualin Garden.
On the Renyin day in June, the emperor issued a decree saying, "Although there are old regulations for corporal punishment, the current duties are complex and interconnected. If everyone is punished according to the actual situation, it would be unbearable for the body; if it is just a formality, that would defeat the purpose of establishing corporal punishment. We should reconsider and establish a suitable standard." The emperor once again handled cases in the Hualin Garden. On the Jiachen day, the court stipulated that officials below the fourth rank in each department, as well as those in the government offices who were punished for negligence, would be punished with forty strokes by the Tongfu Temple. On the Jisi day in July, an earthquake struck. On the Renchen day in August, the emperor went to the Hualin Garden to handle cases again.
On the Jichou day in September, the Prince of Lingling passed away. The emperor led hundreds of officials in mourning for him in the court for three consecutive days, in accordance with the mourning customs for the Duke of Shanyang established by Emperor Ming of Wei. The Grand Commandant was responsible for overseeing the funeral, and the burial was conducted according to Jin Dynasty customs. On the Dingyou day in October, the emperor issued a decree saying, "The current military service system is too harsh and should be adjusted. There are too many instances where individuals are conscripted for their crimes, or their family members are exiled, resulting in many innocent people becoming entangled. Therefore, reforms should be made to reduce the severity of punishments. From now on, those who commit crimes and their implicated family members will be managed by the military. Those who are only implicated in the wrongdoing of the individual and do not involve other family members should not extend to implicate their relatives." On the Jihai day, Juqu Mengxun was appointed as the General of the Garrison, Palace Secretariat Prefect, and Governor of Liangzhou. On the Guimao day, the emperor presided over cases in the Yanxian Hall. Yingxi was appointed as the Inspector of Ningzhou Province.
In the first month of the year 453 AD, the emperor decreed that all punishments be lightened and all offenders be pardoned. That evening, Wang Zhongde, the former Governor of Jizhou, was appointed as the Governor of Xuzhou. The next day, the Minister of State and Governor of Yangzhou, Xu Xianzhi, was appointed as the Minister of Works, concurrently serving as the Registrar of Imperial Edicts, while retaining his position as Governor of Yangzhou. At the same time, the General of the Guard and Governor of Jiangzhou, Wang Hongsheng, was promoted to Guard General, awarded the honor of the Purple Robe and the rank of Three Excellencies; the Imperial Secretary to the Crown Prince, Fu Liang, was appointed as the Deputy Minister of State; the Central Commander, Xie Hui, was appointed as the General Who Leads the Army. Subsequently, the General Who Assists the State, Mao Dezhu, was appointed as the Governor of Sizhou.
On the same day, the emperor issued a decree stating: "In ancient times, the foundation of a country lies in education; the dissemination of knowledge and morality is of utmost importance. Enlightening the ignorant and eliminating foolishness must be taken seriously by everyone. From ancient sage kings to the present day, none have neglected the importance of learning and skills, and the establishment of schools. It is only due to the continuous wars of the past, with battles extending to the outskirts, military flags flying day and night without pause, that schools were neglected, learning was disregarded, and military drills were constant, while even the ceremonial vessels for sacrifices were put away; the spirit of education was nearly lost. Young people were afraid to study, and the elderly lamented the absence of successors. This is what has been lamented in the 'Guofeng' and celebrated in the 'Xiaoya'! Now that the world is peaceful and the country prosperous, those eager to learn are hoping day and night. Therefore, we should recruit students widely, and children should be encouraged and rewarded for their studies, Confucian scholars selected for official positions, and national education revitalized. Relevant departments should thoroughly study the ancient classics and implement them promptly."
On a certain day in February, the emperor issued another decree: "Yuzhou is located south of the Yangtze River, bordered by the Yellow River and Luo River to the north. The people are poor, the land is desolate, and transportation is inconvenient. Governance should vary based on the actual conditions. Several counties west of the Huai River can be established as Yuzhou; the areas east of the Huai River can be established as South Yuzhou." As a result, Prince Yikang of Pengcheng was appointed governor of South Yuzhou, and General Liu Cui was appointed governor of Yuzhou. At the same time, ten counties from Jingzhou were carved out to form Xiangzhou, and General Zhang Shao was appointed as the governor of Xiangzhou. Later, Liang County in Xuzhou was transferred to Yuzhou.
In March, the emperor became unwell. The Grand Commandant, Prince Daolian of Changsha, Minister of Works Xu Xianzhi, Supervisor of the Masters of Writing Fu Liang, Commander of the Army Xie Hui, and Protector-General Tan Daoji all came to attend to the emperor and tend to his illness. The ministers suggested praying to the gods, but the emperor declined, instead sending Attendant Xie Fangming to report the emperor's illness at the ancestral temple. Later, Prince Yizhen of Luling was appointed as General of Chariots and Cavalry, Chief of the Palace Secretariat, and governor of South Yuzhou. Once the emperor recovered, he declared a general amnesty. At that time, refugees from Qinzhou and Yongzhou migrated south to Liangzhou. The emperor then ordered the shipment of ten thousand bolts of silk, with Jingzhou and Yongzhou sending grain, and tasked the provincial governors with distributing them based on local conditions. Later, the fugitive Diao Mi launched an attack on the capital but was defeated and killed by the Grand Commandant's Marshal, Lu Zhongyuan.
In April, Yang Sheng was appointed as the King of Wudu and Yang Fu was promoted to the General of Annan Province. Xu Yan was appointed as the Governor of Yanzhou. Kong Jigong, the Left Minister of Guanglu and Grand Secretary, passed away. In May, the Emperor's condition worsened, and he summoned the Crown Prince to advise him, saying: "Although Tan Daoji is talented, he lacks great ambition compared to his brother Tan Shao, who is harder to control. Xu Xianzhi and Fu Liang are unlikely to have any rebellious intentions. Xie Hui has participated in many battles and understands military strategies well. If anyone is scheming, it must be Xie Hui. To keep him in check, we can use Kuaiji and Jiangzhou." The Emperor also issued a decree stating: "There is no need for any additional residences in the court moving forward. The Prime Minister will also serve as the Governor of Yangzhou, commanding a thousand armored soldiers. If important ministers hold positions, they should have military forces as guards to prevent unforeseen events, and the Palace Guard troops can be utilized for this purpose. In times of conquest, the Palace Guard troops shall be mobilized, and after the conquest, they shall return to their original state. If the Emperor is young, the administration will be entrusted to the Prime Minister, and the Empress Dowager need not handle state affairs. Military forces are not allowed to enter the palace gates, and the processions of important officials must be carefully regulated." One day in May, the Emperor passed away in the West Hall, at the age of sixty. In July, the Emperor was buried at Jiangshan Chuning Tomb in Danyang, Jiankang County. Emperor Wu of Song led a simple life, free from many desires, and conducted his affairs methodically and systematically. He never placed value on ornaments like pearls, jade, chariots, or horses, and there were no luxurious silks or music performances in the palace. Ningzhou once presented a tiger soul pillow that was exceptionally shiny. When Emperor Wu was about to embark on a northern expedition, he used this tiger soul pillow to treat his wounds, and it proved to be very effective. Emperor Wu was very pleased and ordered it to be crushed and distributed to the soldiers. After pacifying Guanzhong, he received Yao Xing's daughter, who became his favorite and led to his neglect of state affairs. Xie Hui advised him, and Emperor Wu promptly sent her away. He kept his wealth in external residences, and there were no hidden riches in the palace.
After the Song Tai was built, the relevant departments recommended using beds with curved legs and silver-plated nails, but Emperor Song Wu insisted on using beds with straight legs and iron nails. When the princes left the palace, they could bring no more than two hundred thousand attendants and possessions, and were prohibited from taking luxury items like brocade, gold, or jade. Frugality was practiced both inside and outside the palace, without exception.
Emperor Song Wu had a simple and unpretentious character, often wore wooden clogs, and enjoyed walks near Shenhu Gate with no more than a dozen attendants. Once, when Xu Xianzhi lived in Xizhou, Emperor Song Wu went to visit him and walked out of the Xiyegate; the ceremonial retinue hurried after him, but by the time they caught up, Emperor Song Wu had already passed through Ximing Gate.
Every morning, his sons greeted him and entered his room. He would take off his court attire and only wear simple home clothes, as if they were just family. During Emperor Xiaowu's reign, Emperor Song Wu tore down his modest home and built the Yuzhudian in its place, inviting his ministers to visit together. At the head of his bed, there was a screen made of earth, with hemp lanterns hanging on the walls and dusters made of hemp. The attendant Yuan Yi praised Emperor Song Wu's virtue of frugality. Emperor Xiaowu said nothing, only commenting, "If the villagers saw this, they would surely think it was too extravagant." This was how he managed to rule the world and achieve great things.
Historical records indicate that the sacrifices of the Han Dynasty lasted four hundred years, even longer than those of the Zhou Dynasty. Even after the world fell into chaos, the common people still held deep affection for the Liu imperial family of the Han Dynasty and never thought of switching allegiances. Only Cao Cao's strong military might made a change of dynasty possible. Even though the dynasty changed, the common people did not forget about the Han Dynasty. As the Wei Dynasty declined, public discontent boiled over. The Sima clan, seizing control of the imperial court and exploiting the weakened imperial family, held significant power for generations, ultimately establishing the foundation of the Jin Dynasty.
During the Song Dynasty, Emperor Taizu Zhao Kuangyin was given the mandate to become emperor, and his achievements surpassed those of previous dynasties. After the Jin Dynasty moved its capital from Luoyang to the south, the imperial family's power was undermined, and the court's authority and the country's fate fell into the hands of regent ministers. Although the emperor still held the title, imperial power had long been in decline. Huan Wen was both talented and ambitious, and the time was ripe for a usurpation, with people everywhere eagerly anticipating a change of dynasty. Since then, the Eastern Jin Dynasty grew more and more incompetent; Xie Shi, the nephew of Xie An, ignited the chaos, Sima Yuanxian took it to the extreme, and Huan Xuan seized the opportunity to instigate a revolution, with little opposition from the people.
Liu Yu lacked the prestigious background of Huan Wen or Sima Yan, nor did he command a large army, but in less than ten days, he swiftly quelled the rebellion and eliminated the insurgents, ensuring the continuation of Jin Dynasty rituals, and did not change the existing system. He not only pacified the domestic unrest but also stabilized the borders, and his achievements resonated throughout the realm. As the bell tolled, the world transformed, and the common people had lost faith in the Jin Dynasty, unlike the situation during the time of Emperor Xian of Han. Liu Yu's accomplishments in restoring order and stability surpassed those of the late Western Jin Dynasty. Therefore, the merits and faults of Liu Yu and Emperor Gong of Jin, Sima Dewen, are nearly on par. As for who the common people support and praise, the Wei and Jin Dynasties were merely nominal, while Liu Yu genuinely won the people's hearts! Truly remarkable!
