Emperor Taizong of Tang, Li Shimin, with the courtesy name Yù, and the childhood name Rongqi, was the eleventh son of Emperor Wen, Li Yuan. He was born on the day of Wuyin in the sixteenth year of Yuanjia (439 AD). At the age of twenty-five (454 AD), he was titled as the Prince of Huaiyang, with a fief comprising two thousand households. In the year when he was twenty-nine (458 AD), he was renamed the Prince of Xiangdong. Later, during a political upheaval, he was appointed as the General of the Elite Cavalry and was also appointed as a palace official. After Emperor Gaozu ascended the throne, he served as the Supervisor of the Secretariat, later promoted to Champion General, while concurrently serving as the Prefect of Nanlanling and Xiapi, and was responsible for the defense of Shitoucheng.
In the first year of Xiaojian (454 AD), he was reassigned as the Prefect of Nanpengcheng and Donghai, while maintaining his position as a general, stationed in Jingkou. In the same year, he was summoned back to the court to serve as the Central Protector-General. The following year, he was promoted to Palace Attendant, concurrently holding the position of General of the Elite Cavalry. In the third year, he was reassigned as the Commandant of the Imperial Guards, while retaining his position as Palace Attendant. He later served as the General of the Left Guard, maintaining his position as the Commandant of the Imperial Guards. In the first year of Daming (457 AD), he once again served as the Central Protector-General, while still retaining the position of Commandant of the Imperial Guards. Three years later, he was appointed as the Minister of Rites, concurrently holding the position of General of the Elite Cavalry, while retaining the position of Commandant of the Imperial Guards. Seven years later, he was promoted to General of the Army. Eight years later, he assumed the roles of Commissioner-in-Chief, Commander of the military affairs of Xuzhou, Yanzhou, Yuzhou, and Liangzhou, General Who Guards the North, and Governor of Xuzhou, along with a band of musicians. In the same year, he was summoned back to the court to serve as Palace Attendant and General of the Guards. Before he assumed the position, he was once again appointed General of the Army, while still retaining the position of Palace Attendant.
In the first year of Yongguang (465 AD), he was appointed as the Special Envoy, Cavalier Attendant, Commander of the Southern Yuzhou, Yuzhou, Sizhou, Jiangzhou, and Yangzhou Xuan Cheng Military Affairs, General of the Guards, Governor of Southern Yuzhou, stationed at Gushu. He was later reassigned as the Commander of Yongzhou, Liangzhou, Northern Qinzhou, Southern Qinzhou, and Yingzhou Jingling Military Affairs, Ningman Colonel, Governor of Yongzhou, while retaining his titles of Special Envoy, Cavalier Attendant, and General. Before he could assume his new role, he returned to his previous position. Shortly after, he was further appointed as the General of the Household Affairs. As the reign of Emperor Fei Jinghe was coming to an end, the Emperor (Sima Yan) went to the palace to meet the deposed Emperor, but was detained there. The deposed Emperor (Sima Zhao) brutally executed the chancellors and ministers, always fearing that someone would harm him, leading him to suspect and fear his own brothers, imprisoning them in the palace and treating them with great disrespect, as documented in "The Biographies of the Princes." Later, the deposed Emperor captured the Emperor and handed him over to the court officials. Although he was released after one night, the deposed Emperor harbored repeated intentions to harm the Emperor. As it became clear that the deposed Emperor was poised to act against the Emperor, trouble was brewing for the following day. The Emperor had already conspired with his trusted confidants Ruan Dianfu, Li Dao'er, and others.
At that time, the guards surrounding the deposed emperor were anxious about impending disaster, and everyone was in a state of panic, each had their own schemes. Only General Zong Yue, Tan Jin, Tong Taiyi, and a few others were trusted confidants of the deposed emperor; all of them were valiant and seasoned warriors who had long served in the palace, and their presence instilled fear in everyone, making them hesitant to act. That night, Zong Yue and the others stayed outside the palace. Ruan Dianfu, Li Dao'er, along with Shou Ji and others, killed the deposed emperor in the rear hall on the night of November 29th. The deed was done, leaving the emperor at a loss. Prince Jian'an, Sima Xiuren, quickly emerged to pledge his allegiance, led the emperor to the West Hall, and took his place on the emperor's throne, summoning all the ministers. At that time, the events unfolded too suddenly; the emperor was still barefoot as he ran to the West Hall, still wearing a black hat.
After sitting down, Sima Xiuren had someone bring a white hat for the emperor to wear and organized a ceremonial procession. Although the emperor had not officially ascended the throne, all affairs were conducted per the emperor's directives. On the day of Jiwei, the Minister of Works, Prince Zishang of Yuzhang, and Princess Shanyin were all executed. Zong Yue, Tan Jin, and Tong Taiyi were executed for treason. On the day of Gengshen in the twelfth month, the emperor appointed Sima Yi, Prince of Donghai, as the Supervisor of the Imperial Secretariat and Grand Commandant; Prince Xun of Jin'an was promoted to General of Chariots and Cavalry and conferred the title of Specially Empowered Three Excellencies. On the day of Guihai, the newly appointed Grand General of Cavalry, Prince Xiuren of Jian'an, was appointed Minister of Works, Chancellor of the Masters of Writing, and Governor of Yangzhou; General of the Army and Specially Empowered Three Excellencies, Prince Xiuyou of Shanyang was promoted to Grand General of Cavalry and Governor of Jingzhou; Captain of the Imperial Guard, Prince Xiufan of Guiyang was appointed General Who Guards the North and Governor of Southern Xuzhou; on the day of Yichou, Prince Sui of Anlu was renamed as Prince of Jiangxia.
On the day of Bingyin in the winter of the first year of Taishi, the emperor officially ascended the throne and proclaimed himself emperor. The decree read:
The virtuous conduct of Emperor Wu, the founding emperor, spread throughout the land, and his teachings reached all corners of the realm. Emperor Wen, the Great Ancestor, laid the foundation for a prosperous era; however, after Emperor Xiaowu, the country became unstable. Wherever the sun and moon shine, people crossed mountains and seas; wherever the winds and rains blew, people submitted to the court. Thus, the Han dynasty's foundation was strong, and its reputation widespread.
However, his son, Prince Ziyè, was inherently cruel and brutal, revealing his true nature early on. He went against morality, corrupting his character for many years. He disregarded the Five Constants of Virtue, abandoned the Three Bonds, deceived the heavens and harmed the populace. This had never happened in history and was not recorded in any classics. He faced palace coups twice, without a hint of remorse; ministers were brutally murdered in front of him, while he indulged in debauchery in the palace.
You can't cage a tiger or a rhinoceros, and it was only a matter of time before the truth came out. He killed the chief minister, brutally murdered ministers, and even implicated their families. His brother, Ziluan, was killed because of past grudges; the Jingyou brothers were exterminated over a trivial disagreement. He forced Yiyang, wanting to exterminate them all; disrespected royal relatives, and mistreated the empress. He arbitrarily deposed and appointed close advisors, appointed his son as crown prince in secret, drank heavily at court, and engaged in debauchery nationwide. His misdeeds were countless and infamous. His crimes accumulated, growing deeper by the day.
Later, he suddenly plotted a rebellion, attempting to seize the throne and reenact the atrocities committed by past tyrants, even wanting to poison Emperor Chongxian and mistreat his own father. These events all took place within the palace, spreading throughout the country. He favored those ferocious and ruthless scoundrels; loyal ministers in the court were certain to be either executed or persecuted. He ordered the arrest of ministers with the ferocity of a tiger and sent people to plunder wealth, with swords drawn. Officials were on edge, no one could guarantee their lives; the people were terrified, unable to protect each other. This resulted in ghostly wails, collapsing mountains, and falling meteorites, the state in peril, the fate of the dynasty hanging by a thread.
Half asleep and half awake, deeply troubled, I waited until dawn, my tears long dried up. I feared that the Song Dynasty would face ruin, both military and civil administration collapsing completely. Fortunately, thanks to the blessings of our ancestors during the 800th anniversary celebrations, those treacherous villains were finally eradicated, and the country was freed from disaster. The imperial authority was disrupted but reestablished, and divine protection reappeared. My abilities are limited, yet I have taken on the heavy burden of imperial authority while tending to the suffering of the people. I tread cautiously, as if walking on thin ice, only wishing to work together with the people to create a new situation.
Therefore, I hereby decree a general amnesty, renaming the first year of Jinghe to the first year of Taishi. All commoners will receive a two-rank promotion. The elderly and those unable to care for themselves will each receive five bushels of grain. All outstanding taxes and debts will be forgiven. Those implicated due to speech, corruption, bribery, lewdness, or theft will all receive pardons. Those sentenced to long-term labor will be released. Former officials who lost their positions and titles, or were imprisoned, will be dealt with according to previous regulations. I will revoke all incompetent systems and erroneous rewards.
In a certain year (the specific year is calculated according to the stem-branch calendar), the court appointed Liu Zun-Kao as Special Advisor, Right Minister of Rites, and appointed King Jing Su as the General of National Defense. The following day, Prince Xu of Linhai was appointed as the Garrison General, Prince Ren of Yongjia was appointed as the General of the Central Army, and Liu Daolong was appointed as the Central Protector. The day after, Prince Chan of Linhe was granted the title of King of Nanping, and Prince Yu of Jinxi was granted the title of King of Luling. Then, Wang Jingwen was appointed as the Chancellor, but unfortunately, the newly appointed Central Protector Liu Daolong died.
Next, the emperor issued an edict, essentially stating: I have quelled the rebellion and restored stability to the people, inherited the throne, and started to establish a new system, but the country has suffered repeated disasters, and blessings have not reached the people. I often have trouble sleeping and eating well, not knowing how to resolve it. Therefore, I want to send envoys to various places to gauge the people's sentiments, assess the performance of local officials, and collect the opinions of the people. If there are unjust cases, or things that harm the interests of the people, they must be promptly reported; we must provide relief to widows, orphans, the disabled, and the sick; we must document and report details about chaste women, filial children, and diligent farmers. In summary, we must listen widely to public opinion, consider valuable suggestions, and allow me to grasp the true situation. After that, Shen Jieyu was posthumously honored with the title of Empress Dowager Xuan. Yuan Hong was appointed as the Governor of Sizhou, and Yin Yan was appointed as the Governor of Yuzhou.
Another edict has been issued, in which the emperor stated: The royal family has faced numerous challenges, leading to significant expenses. In addition to years of poor harvests, both the country and the people are extremely impoverished. I am determined to be frugal and overcome these challenges, but our achievements are not yet significant enough, and I feel deeply remorseful. Therefore, I will reduce the food provisions for high-ranking officials, and all the extravagant items in the palace will be eliminated. Everything must be kept simple to reflect my intentions. Moreover, the Empress Dowager Chong was honored as the Empress Dowager Chongxian, and Lady Wang was made Empress. It doesn't end there; Prince Xun of Jin'an actually rebelled by raising troops, with Deng Wan acting as his strategist, while Yuan Yi led the troops to suppress the rebellion.
Later, Prince Xiuyou of Shanyang was appointed as the Governor of Jiangzhou, while Prince Xu of Linhai continued as the Inspector of Jingzhou. Wang Xuanmo was appointed as General Who Guards the Army. The emperor conducted sacrifices at the ancestral temple. Prince Sui of Anlu was promoted to General Who Conquers the South, Prince Fang of Xunyang was promoted to General Who Maintains the East, and Prince Xu of Linhai was promoted to General Who Pacifies the West. However, these three princes also revolted and were not awarded their titles and rewards! Finally, Prince Ren of Yongjia was appointed as General Who Protects the Army.
On the first day of the first month of the year 472 AD, due to military matters, the court did not convene for the morning assembly. The next day, Wang Senglang was appointed as Grand Master of Splendid Happiness on the Left and given the title of Household Gentleman of the Yellow Gate. In the following days, Prince Xiuyou of Shanyang's position changed from Grand General of the Agile Cavalry and Inspector of Jiangzhou to Inspector of Southern Yuzhou stationed in Liyang; Wang Xuanmo was promoted to General of Chariots and Cavalry and Inspector of Jiangzhou; Xue Andu was promoted to General Who Guards the North. However, Xue Andu declined the appointment. Subsequently, Prince Ruo of Baling was appointed as General Who Guards the East; Prince Fang of Xunyang was appointed as General Who Comforts the Army; and Yuan Minsun was appointed as General Who Commands the Army.
On Jiawu Day, martial law was declared both inside and outside the court. Prince Xiu Ren of Jian'an was appointed as the commander to lead the army south to suppress the rebellion. At the same time, Liu Zhi was appointed Governor of South Yanzhou. On Bingshen Day, Shen Lingsun was appointed Governor of Xuzhou, and Pang Mengqiu was appointed Governor of Sizhou. However, Lingsun, Mengqiu, Yin Yan, Shen Wenshu, Cui Daogu, He Huiwen, Yuan Tanyuan, Xiao Huikai, Liu Yuanhu, and several others took part in the rebellion. Yin Xiaozu was ordered to lead troops to defend the capital while also sending his vanguard south to fight. On Jiachen Day, Yin Xiaozu was promoted to Grand Marshal. On Bingwu Day, the Emperor personally led a large army and set up camp at Zhongxing Hall. On Xinhai Day, Prince Xiu You of Shanyang was reassigned as Governor of Yuzhou, leading troops westward. At the same time, Gu Chen, Wang Yansheng, Liu Yanxi, Yuan Biao, Cheng Tianzuo, and others also rebelled. Prince Xiu Ruo of Bayang led the army east to suppress the rebellion. On Renzi Day, Empress Dowager Chongxian passed away. On the same day, Liu Huaizhen quelled the rebellion in the Yixing area, while Shi Yizong initiated a rebellion in Yongshi County but was subdued by Lu Youzhi. On Bingchen Day, Wang Senglang was promoted to Special Envoy while retaining his position as Left Guanglu Daifu.
On the second day of the second month, Wang Senglang passed away. The Minister of Rites, Wang Wenjing, resigned from his position due to his father's passing. The court granted amnesty to the rebel forces in the four counties of Wu, Wuxing, Yixing, and Jinling. Cai Xingzong was appointed as the Minister of Rites, while Zhang Yong and the Prince of Qi led troops eastward to pacify Jinling. On Guiwei day, the court granted amnesty to five counties in eastern Zhejiang. On Dinghai day, Prince of Baling, Xiu Ruo, was promoted to Guard General. Wu Xigong led troops to defeat the rebels in Wu, Wuxing, and Kuaiji counties, pacifying these three counties with all rebel leaders being executed. The vanguard troops of the Prince of Qi headed north for battle, while Liu's vanguard troops headed west. Rebel leader Liu Hu led forty thousand troops to occupy Zheqi. On Gengyin day in the third month, Yin Xiaozu died in the attack on Zheqi. Shen Youzhi took over as the vanguard of the Southern Expedition. The rebel forces gradually grew stronger, with Yuan Yi stationed at Quewei, connecting camps with other troops to Nonghu, totaling over one hundred thousand troops. On Renchen day, Zhang Yong was appointed as the Governor of Qingzhou and Jizhou. On Bingshen day, Prince of Guiyang, Xiu Fan, was appointed as the Commander-in-Chief of the Northern Expedition. On Dingyou day, Liu Sikao was appointed as the Governor of Xuzhou. On Wuxu day, the title of Prince Zifang of Xunyang was downgraded to Marquis of Songzi County. On Yisi day, Zheng Hei was appointed as the Governor of Sizhou. On Xinhai day, Prince of Guiyang, Xiu Fan, also served as the Governor of Southern Xu Province. On Renzi day, the court ceased using newly minted coins, reverting to old coins. On Guichou day, the court granted amnesty to prisoners and fugitives in Yangzhou and Southern Xu Province, no longer pursuing charges against them.
On the day of Renwu in April, the Ming monk Gao was appointed as the Governor of Qingzhou. On the day of Renchen in May, Shen Youzhi was appointed as the Governor of Yongzhou. On the day of Dingyou, the court granted a special amnesty to Yuzhou. On the day of Dingwei, Wang Jingwen was appointed as the Minister of the Secretariat and concurrently as the General of the Central Army, while Zhang Yong was appointed as the General of the Garrison. On the day of Gengxu, Liu Chengmin was appointed as the Governor of Jizhou. On the day of Jiayin, the Empress Dowager Chongxian was buried at Xiuning Mausoleum. Xiao Huikai was promoted to General Who Pacifies the West. On the day of Xinyou in June, Zhang Yong was also appointed as the Governor of Xuzhou. Heavy rain fell in the capital, and on the day of Dingmao, the court dispatched the Palace General to inspect and console the disaster-stricken people. Yuan Gongzu was appointed as the Governor of Liangzhou and Nanqinzhou. On the day of Jichou in July, Prince Xufan of Guiyang was promoted to Grand General Who Conquers the North. On the day of Xinmao, Zhang Yong's position was changed to the Governor of South Yanzhou. On the day of Dingyou, Yang Sengsi was appointed as the Governor of North Yuzhou and the Prince of Wudu. On the day of Renyin, Shi Langzhi was appointed as the Governor of Beiyuzhou. On the day of Yisi, Liu Daofu pacified the Shanyang rebellion. On the day of Xinhai, Zheng Shuji was appointed as the Governor of North Yuzhou, and Zhang Yong once again served as the Governor of Xuzhou. On the day of Jiayin, Cui Daogu was once again appointed as the Governor of Xuzhou. On the day of Jimao in August, Prince Xiuren of Jian'an led the army to defeat the rebels, killed Yuan Yi, and continued to suppress the rebellions in Jiangzhou, Yingzhou, Jingzhou, Yongzhou, and Xiangzhou, finally pacifying these provinces. Prince Zixun of Jin'an, Prince Zisui of Anlu, Prince Xuxu of Linhai, and Prince Yuan of Shaoling were all executed, along with their accomplices. The generals who participated in suppressing the rebellion were duly rewarded. On the day of Jiashen, Prince Ziren of Yongjia was appointed as the General Who Pacifies the South and the Governor of Xiangzhou. On the day of Yixu in September, the court granted a special amnesty to Jiangzhou, Yingzhou, Jingzhou, Yongzhou, and Xiangzhou, but local officials were not allowed to resign. On the day of Renchen, Prince Xiuyou of Shanyang's position was changed to the Governor of Jingzhou, and Yuzhou was divided into Nanyuzhou. On the day of Guisi, the court lifted martial law, granted a general amnesty, and conferred titles upon the people. On the day of Jiawu, Wang Jingwen was appointed as the General Who Pacifies the South and the Governor of Jiangzhou. On the day of Wuxu, Wang Xuanmo was appointed as the Grand Master of Splendid Happiness on the Left, the Secretary of the Imperial Secretariat, and the Protector General. On the day of Gengzi, Prince Borong, the son of Prince Xiuren of Jian'an, was appointed as the Governor of Yuzhou. On the day of Xinchou, Prince Xiu Ruo of Balin was appointed as the Governor of Yongzhou, Shen Youzhi was appointed as the Governor of Yingzhou, and on the day of Gengxu, Prince Jingsu of Jianping was appointed as the Governor of South Yanzhou. On the day of Yimao in October, Prince Ziren of Yongjia, Prince Zhen of Shi'an, Prince Meng of Huainan, Prince Chan of Nanping, Prince Yu of Luling, and Marquis Zifang of Songzi were all executed. On the day of Dingmao, Shen Youzhi was appointed as the Commander of the Central Army and went north to battle alongside Zhang Yong. On the day of Gengwu, Gu Jizhi was appointed as the Governor of Xiangzhou. On the day of Wuyin, the Crown Prince was officially declared. The court granted amnesty to Yangzhou and Nanxuzhou. Liu Mei was appointed as the Governor of Guangzhou, and Zhang Shi was appointed as the Governor of Yuzhou. On the day of Jiashen in November, Liu Xi was appointed as the Governor of Yingzhou. On the day of Renchen, the Emperor issued a decree to simplify government affairs, reduce expenses, and crack down severely on extravagance and waste.
The emperor issued another decree, encouraging the ministers to actively provide counsel and recommend talented individuals. Yan Nian, the son of Jianping Prince Jing Su, was appointed as the Prince of Xin'an. Wang Xuanmo was appointed as the General of Chariots and Cavalry.
In the year 466 AD, on the first day of the first month, Gengzi day, as the farming season was about to begin, the imperial palace halted the slaughter of cattle and sheep. On Guimao day, the court issued an amnesty for Yuzhou and Nanyuzhou. Prince Xiuruo of Baling was demoted to General of the West. On Gengwu day in the intercalary month, the capital city experienced a heavy snowfall, and the court dispatched officials to inspect different regions and provide necessary relief. On Wuyin day, General Yuan Hong was appointed as the Inspector of Yizhou.
On the seventh day of the second month, Jia Shen day, the Deputy Imperial Censor Yang Nan was appointed as the Governor of Guangzhou. On the same day, the court held a memorial service for fallen soldiers. On Jichou day, the West Marshal Liu Liang was appointed as the Inspector of Liangzhou and Nanyuzhou. The Xiongnu invaded Ruyin, and Prefect Zhang Jingyuan led his troops to victory against them. On Bingshen day, the court issued an amnesty for Qingzhou and Jizhou. On Bingzi day in the third month, Left Minister Cai Xingzong was appointed as the General Who Pacifies the West and the Inspector of Yingzhou. On Wuyin day, Champion of the Army Wang Xuanzai was appointed as the Inspector of Xuzhou, and General Cui Ping of Ning Shuo was appointed as the Inspector of Yanzhou.
On the 10th day of the 4th month, Zheng Hei, the former governor of Sizhou, was reappointed as the governor of Sizhou. On the day of Yiwu, Yang Sengsi, the Champion General and governor of Beiqinzhou, was promoted to General of the Western Expedition. On the day of Gengzi, De Si, the second son of Prince Guixiang, Wang Xiufan, was appointed as Prince of Luling, and Xian, the second son of the attendant, Liu Yun, was appointed as Prince of Nanfeng. On the day of Bingwu, Cai Xingzong, the Anxi General, was demoted to Pingxi General. On the day of Bingchen in May, the families relocated from the Chongning Tomb of Empress Dowager Xuan were provided burial expenses by the court and were exempted from corvée labor. On the day of Wuwu, Wang Xuanmo, the General and governor of Nanyuzhou, was appointed as Left Guanglu Daifu and Kaifu Yitong Sanji. On the day of Xinyu, Nanyuzhou was dissolved and merged into Yuzhou. On the day of Renxu, Yuan Can, the Crown Prince's Grand Secretary, was appointed as Minister of the Secretariat.
On the day of Yiyu in June, Liu Yun, the attendant, was appointed as the governor of Xiangzhou. On the 9th day of the 7th month, Wang Xuanmo, the Left Guanglu Daifu and Kaifu Yitong Sanji, was promoted to Special Advisor, Left Guanglu Daifu, and General of the Guard. Bole Lue, the son of Xue Andu, occupied four counties in Yongzhou, and the governor, Balin Wang Xiuruo, led his troops to attack and kill him. On the 4th day of August, the emperor issued a decree stating: "In ancient times, when governing Hengshan and Yushan, they refrained from capturing and killing small insects and animals; for the creatures in rivers, lakes, and marshes, only what was necessary was taken as tribute to the court. Only in this way can the people be prosperous and the society stable. Now, merchants are only focused on profits, rushing to dominate the market, harvesting unripe fruits, seeking huge profits, and hunting birds and animals that shouldn't be consumed, simply to entertain their children. How can we restore good social customs and morals? We must uphold moral values and implement benevolent governance to change this unhealthy trend. From now on, all kinds of food such as fish, shellfish, birds, and animals, if not in the prescribed season or not necessary, are strictly prohibited from hunting and gathering; this regulation must be strictly enforced."
On the day of Renyin, General Shen Youzhi was appointed as the governor of Nanyanzhou, leading his troops north to engage the enemy. On the day of Guimao, the emperor issued a decree stating: "The enforcement of laws must meet the requirements of the times; lenient policies should adapt to the current circumstances. Furthermore, I am committed to restoring morality, suppressing rebellions, and governing the country with benevolence and righteousness. Therefore, simplifying laws and regulations is essential for achieving good governance. However, due to repeated wars, the corvee and taxes have not yet ended, and there are many deceitful practices among both military personnel and civilians that are causing disturbances. There are many violations of the law. Some individuals even exploit military affairs as a pretext to usurp titles, trade official positions, and escape corvee during wartime chaos. Despite multiple pardons granted to those who fled in the past, many remain at large. I am deeply saddened and wish to extend my grace to benefit the realm. I hereby decree a general amnesty!" The newly appointed Left Guanglu Doctor Wang Xuanmo was promoted to General of Chariots and Cavalry. On the day of Bingwu, the court dispatched the Minister of Personnel Chu Yuan to comfort the generals along the Huai River and reward them according to the situation. On the day of Wushen, the newly appointed Right Guard General Liu Jian was designated as the governor of Yuzhou.
On the tenth day of September, the General of the West, Governor of Yongzhou, Prince Bailin Xiu Ruo, was promoted to General of the Guard, while the General of the West, Governor of Yingzhou, Cai Xingzong, was promoted to General of Pacifying the West. On the day of Yimao, Zhou Ningmin, the Commander of the Yue Cavalry, was appointed as the Governor of Yanzhou. On the day of Wuwu, the Empress and her concubines presented more than a thousand pieces of clothing and hairpins to the soldiers heading north. On the day of Gengshen, the former General and Governor of Jizhou, Cui Daogu, was promoted to General of Pacifying the North. On the day of Jiazi, the court granted amnesty to the provinces of Xuzhou, Yanzhou, Qingzhou, and Jizhou. On the day of Rengwu in October, Prince Yan Nian of Xin'an was re-titled as Prince Shiping. On the day of Wuzi, envoys from the Rui Rui Kingdom presented tribute. On the day of Xinchou, the court restored the public fields of the counties. The Grand General of the West, Governor of Xiqinhe, Tu Yuhun Shiyin, was promoted to Grand General of the Western Expedition.
In November, the second son of Prince Jian'an Xiu Ren, Bo You, was appointed as the King of Jiangxia, and Prince Yiyang Chang was re-titled as the King of Jinxi. On the day of Yimao, East Xuzhou was separated from Xuzhou, and Deputy General Zhang Qian was appointed as the Governor. Also, envoys from Goguryeo and Baekje presented tribute. On the day of Gengchen in December, General Ning Shuo Liu Xiubin was appointed as the Governor of Yanzhou.
In the year XXX AD, on the first day of the lunar new year, the emperor personally went to the southern outskirts to offer sacrifices and ordered a nationwide amnesty. A few days after that, General Wei, Prince of Bairang, was demoted to Left General. A few days later, Prince Sima Xu of Lingling died. On a day in the second month, Chang Zhenqi, formerly the Dragon Cavalry General, was appointed as General of Pingbei and Governor of Sizhou, while his son Chang Chaoyue was appointed as Governor of North Jizhou. A few days later, Right Guanglu Dafu, General of Chariots and Cavalry, Wang Xuanmo, the General of the Guard, died. On a day in the third month, General Liu Huaizhen was appointed as Governor of East Xuzhou. A few days later, Army Sergeant Liu Lingyi was appointed as Governor of both Liangzhou and South Qinzhou, while Sun Fengbo, Prefect of Nanqiao, was appointed as Governor of Jiaozhou. Consequently, the people of Jiaozhou rebelled and took control of the region, and some bandits attacked Guangzhou and killed the governor, Yang Xi. This rebellion was later pacified by General Longxiang Chen Boshao.
In April, the court reduced the land rent for the counties by half. The Emperor reappointed Prince Yi of Donghai as Prince of Lujiang, and Prince Xiuyou of Shanyang as Prince of Jinping, and renamed Jin'an County as Jinping County. After a few days, the Ruipu Kingdom and the King of Henan sent envoys to pay tribute. One day, Zhang Bian, the Prefect of Yuzhang, was appointed as the Inspector of Guangzhou. In May, the court granted a pardon to Guangzhou. A few days later, the previously demoted Prince Xiu Ruo of Baling was appointed as the Inspector of Xiangzhou. At the same time, Zhang Yong, the Prefect of Kuaiji, was appointed as the Inspector of Yongzhou, and Liu Yun, the Inspector of Xiangzhou, was appointed as the Inspector of Nanyanzhou. On the first day of July, Wang Kun, the Prefect of Wu County, was appointed as the Commander of the Central Army. After a few days, Prince Yan Nian of Shiping died. A few days later, Liu Xi, the Palace Attendant, was appointed as the Commander of the Central Guard. And a few days after that, Prince Qi, the General of Chariots and Cavalry, was appointed as the Inspector of Nanyanzhou. In August, Liu Bo, the magistrate of Nankang, was appointed as the Inspector of Jiaozhou. After a few days, the court divided Qingzhou and established Dongqingzhou, appointing Shen Wenjing, the General of the Auxiliary State, as the Inspector of Dongqingzhou. And a few days later, Wang Jingwen, the General Who Maintains the South and Inspector of Jiangzhou, was promoted to General Who Guards the South.
One day in September, the Chief of Cavalry, Zhang Yue, was appointed as the Inspector of Yongzhou. A few days later, the emperor issued a decree saying: "Offenses vary in severity, and punishments should be appropriate. Therefore, the five punishments differ in severity, and the three codes emphasize different aspects. However, punishments such as demotion, exile, shackling, and whipping vary significantly under the law. I have always prioritized compassion for the people and frequently offered leniency. Now, after a thorough review of the relevant laws concerning plundering, all offenses, regardless of severity, are subject to the death penalty, without considering specific circumstances. From now on, those who steal government weapons, resist arrest, attack postal stations and temples, or kill officials and civilians will face punishment as per the original laws. If fewer than five people conspire to commit robbery, they may be punished with branding or amputation, exiled to remote areas instead of the death penalty. This approach is more lenient than ancient practices, sparing their lives and reflecting divine mercy. I hope this compassionate policy will earn the people's trust, exemplifying benevolent governance and ensuring that no life is overlooked." A few days later, the court pardoned the provinces of Yangzhou, Southern Xuzhou, Yanzhou, and Yuzhou. On the first day of October, there was a solar eclipse. The court ordered troops from various provinces to march north to quell the rebellion. Nankang County, Jian'an County, Ancheng County, and Xuancheng County were not included in the mobilization. One day, the emperor personally tilled the fields, symbolizing his commitment to hard work and care for the people. A nationwide amnesty was declared, and the farmers were promoted one rank. A few days later, the emperor divided Yuzhou and Yangzhou, establishing a new Southern Yuzhou, and appointed Wang Yi of Lujiang as the Inspector of Southern Yuzhou, with a high official rank as a General of Cavalry and Minister of the Court. In early March, a new county named Nanyi County was established in Southern Yuzhou. The emperor also personally attended the central hall to hear the people's grievances. The King of Henan sent many valuable gifts.
In April, the emperor assigned Sui County of Yongzhou to Yingzhou and assigned Yiyang County of Yuzhou to Yingzhou. In turn, Xiyang County of Yingzhou was assigned to Yuzhou. The constant changes in administrative divisions kept everyone busy. Then, Cui Gonglie was appointed as the Prefect of Yanzhou, while Du Youwen was appointed as the Prefect of Liangzhou and Nanqinzhou. In June, Xuan Yao, the son of King Jin Ping, Xiuyou, was appointed as the King of Nanping. Cai Xingzong was promoted to General of the Eastern Frontier, and Shen Youzhi became the Prefect of Yingzhou. Due to the war, the salaries of all officials were suspended, and only essential supplies were distributed. Prince Yiyi of Lujiang was dismissed for multiple reasons. Prince Xiuruo of Baling succeeded the position of Prefect of Xiangzhou and also became General for the Southern Campaign. The province of Nanyuzhou was abolished, and Liu Liang was appointed as the Prefect of Yizhou.
In July, Wang Liang was appointed as the Prefect of Xuzhou, Chen Boshao was appointed as the Prefect of Jiaozhou, and Li Lingqian was appointed as the Prefect of Yanzhou. The title of "Assistant General" was renamed "Assistant Instructor General." In August, Liu Wei was appointed as the Prefect of Yuzhou, alongside the title of General for the Western Campaign; Liu Chongzhi was appointed as the Prefect of Jizhou. In September, Yan Zhi, the son of Prince Changsha, was appointed as King of Shiping. Wang Kun was promoted. The emperor issued a formal decree, the original text is as follows:
"The conduct of Ji and Ying, the virtues valued since ancient times, the wind of pure virtue, the wise king values. I find myself amidst turbulent times, facing chaos, leaving no time to spare. Even though the Guan and Long are still distant, the counties are clear, martial practices are curtailed, and culture is promoted. Thinking of honoring integrity, calming the chaos, seeking out talent, and lamenting day and night. Those who have a pure and hidden nature, who avoid worldly affairs, who destroy the remnants of glory, who reject flattery, who have a peaceful mind towards rivers and seas, and who rise above the mundane, are diligently sought, and their names will be renowned. They will be honored for their virtues, and their ceremonies will be celebrated. All officials are encouraged to utilize their knowledge to bestow titles appropriately."
Simply put, the emperor called on everyone to uphold integrity, encouraged those who lived in seclusion and were detached from worldly affairs to come out and serve the court, and would give corresponding rewards. On the first day of October, a solar eclipse occurred. In November, the Xiongnu sent gifts. In the intercalary month, Prince Ping of Jin, Prince Baling, Meng Fengyun, Lu Anguo, and others were promoted or transferred. In December, Prince Jian'an Xiu Ren stepped down as the governor of Yangzhou, and Prince Guiyang Xiu Fan took over, also serving as the Director of the Imperial Secretariat and General of the Central Forces; Prince Jianping Jing Su took over as the governor of Xiangzhou; Bo Rong, the son of Prince Jian'an, was appointed as the governor of Guangzhou. Finally, the five counties of Jingzhou and Yizhou were merged, and three Ba Commanders were appointed. On the second day of January in the sixth year of the reign, it was stipulated that sacrifices be made at the South Suburb every two years, and sacrifices be made at the Mingtang every year.
On the ninth day of the second month, Wang Xiuren, the Situ Jian'an, was promoted to Grand Commandant and concurrently appointed as Situ. On the tenth day, the Crown Prince Consort married the Crown Princess. On the eleventh day, a general amnesty was declared; however, those currently serving in the military were excluded from this pardon, and the rewards given varied. On the second day of the third month, the Central Guard General Liu Xi passed away. On the fourth day, the Prince's Consultant Zhang Yong was appointed as the Guard General. On the ninth day of the fourth month, the sixth son was named Prince Jinxi. On the fourth day of the fifth month, former General Chen Yinzong was appointed as the Inspector of Xuzhou. On the eighth day, Champion General Tuyuhun Shi Qian was appointed as General of the West. On the ninth day, the Court Attendant Kong Yu was appointed as Inspector of Ningzhou. On the sixth day of the sixth month, the fifth son inherited the title of Prince Dongpingchong, previously held by Prince Xiuqian. On the seventh day, the Palace Attendant Liu Yun was appointed as General of the Army, Inspector of Yongzhou; former General, Inspector of Yingzhou Shen Youzhi was promoted to General of the Garrison; Prince of Guiyang, Xiu Fan was promoted to Grand General of the South, Inspector of Jiangzhou. On the tenth day, Wang Jingwen, General of the South Garrison and Inspector of Jiangzhou, was appointed as the Left Deputy of the Ministry of Personnel; Deputy of the Ministry of Personnel Yuan Can was appointed as the Right Deputy of the Ministry of Personnel. On the sixteenth day, Linhe County was renamed Linqing County, and the late Prince Dongping Xiuqian was posthumously honored with the title of Linqing Chong Wang. On the third day of the seventh month, the fifth son passed away. On the second day of the ninth month, Central Army Leader Liu Meng was promoted to General of the North. On the fifth day, the Zongming Temple was established, recruiting scholars to enrich it, and an East Hall Libationer was appointed. On the tenth day, the eighth son inherited the title of Prince Linqingchong from Prince Xiuqian. On the eighth day of the tenth month, the ninth son was named Prince of Wuling. On the twelfth day, former Right Army General Ma Shen was appointed as Inspector of North Yongzhou. On the sixteenth day, the Emperor presided over court cases in the East Hall. On the sixteenth day of the eleventh month, an envoy from Goguryeo presented tribute. On the fourteenth day of the twelfth month, due to ongoing border conflicts, it was decided that parents trapped in enemy territories could remarry and hold official positions. On the nineteenth day, Shixing County was renamed to Song'an County. On the twenty-first day, Guard General Zhang Yong received a promotion.
In the first month of a certain year, I was appointed as a Cavalry Official, which was considered my official entry into the job. In the second month, Prince Xiu Ruo of Balin was promoted from General of the South Expedition and Governor of Jingzhou to General of the West Expedition and granted the title of Duke, with his position soaring! On another day that month, several new commanderies were established, namely Bailiang Commandery, Longsu Commandery, Yongning Commandery, Anchang Commandery, Fuchang Commandery, Nanliu Commandery, and three commanderies were split off from Guangzhou, totaling nine commanderies, forming the new Yuezhou. On another day of the same month, Liu Kang was promoted to General of the East. Oh, this period was not peaceful, as Song Yi and his band of bandits attacked Hefei, killing Wang Muzhi, the Prefect of Ruyin, but were later subdued by the troops from various commanderies. Subsequently, Prince Xiu Ruo was appointed as General of the North Expedition and Governor of Nanxu Province to fill the vacancy left by the deceased Prince Xiu You, while Prince Jing Su took over as Governor of Jingzhou. In the third month, the Sulu sent envoys with gifts, and the country of Rui Rui also sent tribute; the international relations were still good. In April, the court ordered a reduction in the severity of the death penalty, and all imprisoned criminals were released. In the same month, a new Ping Commandery was established in Nanyanzhou. In early May, Zhang Yong took on the role of Army Protector. Oh, the political landscape is ever-changing; in mid-May, Prince Xiu Ren of Jian'an made a grave error and took his own life. Following that, Sun Chao was appointed Governor of Guangzhou, while Wang Jingwen also took on the role of Director of the Imperial Secretariat. Yuan Can was appointed Minister of Personnel, and Chu Yuan took on the role of Deputy Minister of Personnel. Wang Senqian was appointed Governor of Xiangzhou. Prince Xiu You of Jin was posthumously reduced to commoner status.
In June, Prince Xiufan of Guiyang was promoted to Grand General of the Valiant Cavalry and Governor of Southern Xuzhou, while Xiuruo assumed the position of General of Chariots and Cavalry and Governor of Jiangzhou. This month, the Rui Rui Kingdom also came to pay tribute. In July, I was dismissed from my duties as a Cavalry Officer. Alas, the good times didn’t last, as Xiuruo passed away, leaving everyone in mourning. Xiufan returned to Jiangzhou due to his promotion to Grand General of the Valiant Cavalry. In the same month, the third prince was appointed as General-in-Chief. Liu Bing was appointed as the Governor of Southern Xuzhou, and Shen Huaiming was appointed as the Governor of Southern Yanzhou. The West Sea County was established in Jizhou. In August, the eighth prince inherited the title of Prince Yigong of Jiangxia. The Emperor recovered, and a general amnesty was declared! Liu Chongzhi was appointed as the Governor of Qingzhou. The third prince was appointed as Prince Ancheng. In September, Zhou Ningmin was appointed as the Governor of Xuzhou. In November, Baekje came to pay tribute. In December, the court split Yuzhou and Southern Yanzhou into Yuzhou and Southern Yuzhou, with Wang Xuanzai being appointed as the Governor of Southern Yuzhou.
In the first month of the first year of the Taiyu era, on the first day of the first month, on a Jia Yin day, the emperor fell ill and did not attend court. Because the emperor's illness had not yet improved, the era name was altered. The emperor also distributed food and clothing to widows, orphans, and the sick and poor, in differing amounts. On the fifteenth day of the first month, the crown prince met with envoys from different nations at the Eastern Palace and received their tributes and reports. On the eighth day of the second month, the emperor appointed Wang Zhan, the Yellow Gate Attendant, as the governor of Sizhou Province. On the first day of the third month, a Gui Chou day, envoys from Linyi presented various tribute items. On the eighteenth day of the third month, Wang Jingwen, the Director of the Palace Library and the governor of Yangzhou, died. On the eighth day of the fourth month, the emperor appointed General Cai Na as the governor of Yizhou. On the tenth day of the fourth month, General Zhang Xingshi was appointed as the governor of Yongzhou. On the sixteenth day of the fourth month, the emperor's health took a turn for the worse. General Xiu Fan, Prince of Guiyang, was promoted to Minister of War, Commander of the Army, and General of the Guard. Chu Yuan was appointed as the General of the Guard, Liu Mei was promoted to Minister of War, General Cai Xingzong was appointed as General of the West, and General Shen Youzhi was appointed as General of the Western Frontier and governor of Anzhou. The emperor issued a decree stating: "Since I ascended the throne, the country has been in constant turmoil. Although I have always wanted to implement benevolent policies, my blessings have not reached the distant lands, and the country remains impoverished and in disarray, with endless lawsuits. Now that I am critically ill and near death, my heart is filled with great sorrow. I hereby order the reduction of corvée labor and taxes, the simplification of bureaucratic affairs, and to prioritize the well-being of the people, to express my intentions." Before his death, the emperor entrusted his legacy to Yuan Can, Chu Yuan, Liu Mei, Cai Xingzong, and Shen Youzhi. On that day, the emperor died in Jingfu Hall at the age of thirty-four. On the fifth day of the fifth month, the emperor was laid to rest at Gao Ning Mausoleum in Linyi County.
The emperor was gentle and elegant from a young age. He lost his father when he was young and grew up in the palace of the Empress Dowager. During the Ming Dynasty, most of his brothers were viewed with suspicion, but he received the emperor's favor, often serving the Empress Dowager and attending to her daily needs. He loved reading and literature. While he was a prince, he wrote "Jiangzuo's Literary Chronicles" and continued to write two volumes of the "Analects of Confucius" annotated by Wei Guan, which have been handed down through generations.
After he ascended the throne, rebellions broke out all over the country, but he showed kindness to others. Those generals whose fathers, brothers, or children participated in the rebellion were given official positions and entrusted with important tasks to oversee the imperial forces. Therefore, everyone gave their best effort for him. After restoring peace to the country, most of the rebels were pardoned. All those with talent were appointed to significant positions, just like the old ministers. Scholars with talent were mostly recommended to enter the palace, participate in the compilation of books, and serve by the emperor's side. He taught the "Book of Changes" at the Fragrant Hall in Hualin Garden and often personally attended the lectures.
In his later years, he became increasingly superstitious and observed numerous taboos. Any words or writings mentioning disasters, calamities, or similar inauspicious words had to be avoided. There were hundreds, if not thousands, of such words, and anyone who broke these rules faced execution. He even changed the character "騧" to "马边瓜" as it resembled the character for "misfortune." He borrowed the Southern Park from Zhang Yong and said, "I will borrow it for three hundred years first, and we will discuss it when the time comes." Many of his actions reflected this mindset. The Xuan Yang Gate, known as the White Gate among the people, was considered inauspicious by the emperor, who was very superstitious. When the Assistant Minister of the Ministry of Personnel, Jiang Mi, accidentally violated a taboo, the emperor's expression darkened, and he said, "Your family gate has turned white!" Jiang Mi quickly apologized and was only released after a long time.
After the Empress Dowager passed away, her body was laid on a lacquered bed and was initially taken out of the Eastern Palace. When the emperor saw this in the palace, he was furious and dismissed the Grand Secretary, resulting in the dismissal of dozens of officials. People inside and outside the palace were worried about offending his taboos, leaving everyone feeling unsafe. The palace had many taboos, such as moving beds and repairing walls, which required offerings to the land deity and written eulogies by scholars, similar to conducting a grand sacrificial ceremony. During the Taishi and Taiyu eras, he grew increasingly cruel and bloodthirsty, and if his attendants made even the slightest mistake that displeased him, they would often be beheaded and dismembered.
At that time, the regions around the Huai and Sishui Rivers were under military campaign, due to ongoing warfare and prolonged neglect, the treasury was left empty. Salaries for officials, both inside and outside the palace, were disbursed daily, while the emperor indulged in excessive luxury. For each item produced, thirty high-quality versions were created, followed by thirty secondary versions and thirty inferior versions, totaling ninety items for one item, resulting in widespread grievances and suffering among the populace. The remainder of his actions are documented in other historical texts. He associated with corrupt and unscrupulous individuals, eliminated royal relatives, and from that point on, the Song family's fortunes began to decline.
Historical records state: A sage establishes laws and systems by following the examples set by ancient kings, as the teachings and traditions of ancient kings serve as a guide for future generations.
The founding emperor ascended the throne and declared himself emperor, indeed possessing the excellent qualities of a monarch. Although the principles of governing a country are grand, the ways of managing family relationships are flawed. Prince Pengcheng (Zhu Di) was short-sighted, originally lacking outstanding talents, and only seeing brotherly bonds, lacking an understanding of the relationship between ruler and subjects. He tried to apply this brotherly affection to the governance of the country, but made errors out of jealousy, lacked awareness due to shallow gratitude, and ultimately caused a tragic fratricide due to a slight reprimand from the founding emperor. The seeds of disaster were sown early on, leaving a lesson for future generations. Although family ties are important, the principles differ from typical family ties, and emotions can change due to shifts in gratitude. As for those who dress differently when going out, share in hardships, and live in different palaces, they should have their status reduced.
Emperor Taizong (Zhu Di) exploited this rift, based on the regulations already implemented by the founding emperor, and eliminated the Hong faction without much consideration. As a result, the foundation of the imperial family was weakened, the young emperor was isolated and helpless, the throne became unstable as power waned, and the imperial authority was willingly overthrown and changed. All of this stemmed from the initial signs being overlooked, resulting in severe consequences, with deep-rooted origins.
