Real Histories
The Abandoned Emperor, whose name was Yu, courtesy name Derong, and childhood name Huizhen, was the eldest son of Emperor Ming. On Xinchou Day, the first month of the seventh year of the Daming era, he was born in Weiwei Palace. His father, Emperor Ming, used the I Ching to read fortunes for his sons while they were still in the womb, and based on the predictions, he gave them their childhood names. Therefore, the Abandoned Emperor was given the childhood name Huizhen, following the same custom for the other princes. In the second year of the Taishi era, he was named Crown Prince. Three years later, he was officially named Yu and was provided with a luxurious carriage and an elephant-drawn chariot. By the sixth year, he had left the Eastern Palace. The court mandated that the Crown Prince must pay respects to the Emperor on New Year's Day and wear the Nine Chapters ceremonial robes.
In April of the year 465 AD, Emperor Xiaowudi of the Song Dynasty passed away. The next day, the Crown Prince ascended to the throne as Emperor, declaring a general amnesty across the realm. Yuan Can was appointed Minister of the Imperial Secretariat, Chu Yuan was appointed General of the Guard, and they both assisted the new Emperor. Soon after, Zhang Yong was appointed Grand Master of Splendid Happiness on the right, and Prince Ancheng was appointed Inspector of Yangzhou. A few days later, Liu Zunkao was promoted to Grand Master of Splendid Happiness on the left.
In May, Zhang Dai became the governor of Yizhou. Subsequently, the elderly and frail soldiers stationed along the Yangtze River were allowed to return home. The palace guards continued their usual duties, coming and going from the palace. In June, the emperor issued a decree saying, "To govern the country, we must start from the fundamental interests of the common people. I want to vigorously promote education and improve social conduct. I inherited the throne at a young age and have always wanted to do something for the common people, but lacking experience and not having had the opportunity to address many issues. Therefore, I will send envoys to investigate the people's sentiments in various places and understand the hardships they face. If any laws or regulations are found to be unsuitable for local conditions, or if officials are corrupt, they must be reported to me. If local officials perform well and demonstrate honesty and diligence, they should be commended; if officials engage in corruption, delay their duties, or harm the people's interests, this must be reported. I want to hear a wide range of opinions and adopt valuable suggestions. The envoys must carefully investigate and report the situation to me in detail, as if I were personally inspecting it."
The emperor issued another decree saying, "In ancient times, emperors placed great emphasis on talent selection. Although I may not be the most capable, I will strive to learn from the experience of past dynasties, select talented individuals, and serve the country. I will search for talent across the nation, whether they are reclusive in the mountains or diligently working in the fields, as long as they are virtuous and talented, I will not overlook them. I hope that local officials will actively recommend talents." When heavy rain struck the capital, the emperor ordered aid for the impoverished in two disaster-affected counties. Later, the emperor honored the empress as empress dowager and appointed Jiang as the new empress.
In July, the emperor posthumously bestowed the title of Empress Dowager upon his birth mother, Consort Chen. In the leap month, Song'an County was merged into Guangxing County. Ruyin County in Southern Yuzhou was reassigned to Xiyu Province, and Lujiang County in Xiyu Province was transferred to Yuzhou. Cai Xingzong was promoted to the position of Imperial Secretary and Grand Master of Splendor; Shen Youzhi was promoted to General of the West and Governor of Jingzhou; Liu Bing was promoted to General for Pacification of the West and Governor of Yingzhou; Jing Su was promoted to General Who Guards the Military and Governor of Nanxuzhou. In August, Cai Xingzong died. In October, Liu Yun was dismissed due to errors; Chu Yuan resigned following the death of his mother. In November, Liu Bing was appointed as Left Secretary of the Secretariat; Chu Yuan resumed his position as General Who Protects the Army. Envoys from the states of Rui Rui and Goryeo brought tributes. In December, the Suolu invaded Yiyang, and Wang Zhan, Governor of Sizhou, led troops to defeat them. On the first day of the first month in the first year of the Yuanhui era, a new era was announced, and a general amnesty was declared. On the seventeenth day of the first month, the emperor issued a decree stating, "Lenient laws can demonstrate grace, revision of laws can promote good social customs, reduction of taxes can show compassion for the people's suffering, and educating the people helps instill proper moral values. I always govern with the people in mind, hoping for simple and lenient governance to gain the trust and love of the people. Now, with this general amnesty, we start anew, allowing all exiled individuals to return home."
On the seventh day of the second month, King Xie of Jin was appointed as the Governor of Yingzhou. On the eighth day of the third month, Chief of Military Affairs He Hui was appointed as the Governor of Guangzhou. The Kingdom of Poli sent envoys to offer tribute. On the eleventh day of the third month, Liu Lingyi, the former Governor of Huainan, was appointed as the Governor of Nanyuzhou. On the tenth day of the fifth month, Deputy General Li Anmin was appointed as the Governor of Sizhou. On the fifteenth day of the fifth month, envoys from the Prince of Henan presented treasures. On the ninth day of the sixth month, Governor of Yuezhou Chen Boshao was appointed as the Governor of Jiaozhou. On the twelfth day of the sixth month, Senior Official and Left Chancellor Liu Zunkao died. A major flood occurred in Shouyang; on the sixteenth day of the sixth month, the Emperor sent a Palace General to provide disaster relief and to console the affected residents. On the nineteenth day of the sixth month, Left Army General Meng Ciyang was appointed as the Governor of Yanzhou.
On the fourth day of the seventh month, the Imperial Attendant Gu Changkang and the Chief of the Guards He Yizhi presented their twelve-volume work "Jian Lin," which covers the period from Emperor Shun to the era of Emperor Wu of Jin. On the eighth day of the eighth month, the Emperor issued an edict saying, "The division of regions and the rectification of customs began in the time of Emperor Shun. Different regions have different systems, and the rites and regulations of the Zhou dynasty each have unique characteristics. Only with order and organization, where each performs its own duties, can the seven forms of education be propagated and the eight policies smoothly implemented. Although the systems of past dynasties differ, and the rituals vary, sometimes the people migrate, and sometimes the country relocates its capital. The noble families of Yan from the Han dynasty, the noble families of Dai, and the noble families of Qi and Chu in the west all migrated to new cities and settled there. During the rule of the Jin dynasty, the rites and music traditions moved south, and the people of the Central Plains migrated to Yangzhou and Yuezhou. The wise ruler established a prosperous era, unified the country, formulated long-lasting effective systems, and clarified land ownership. However, due to the complex geographical environment, frequent disasters, poor harvests, the people displaced, and the military slackened, many people left their hometowns, leading to increasingly serious problems. We should follow the path of the sages, establish long-lasting laws and regulations, stabilize society, enrich the people, thereby stabilizing society and consolidating rule. Governing the mountains and rivers, calming the waves of the sea, just like the nine services described in the "River Chart," implement good systems across the country." The Chief of the Secretariat Wang Jian presented his thirty-volume work "Qi Zhi." The capital encountered a drought. On the twenty-second day of the eighth month, the Emperor issued an edict saying, "Recently, the weather has been dry, with intense sunlight, severely affecting the autumn harvest and causing hardship for the people. My ability to govern the country is lacking; many people remain imprisoned, and numerous cases of injustice persist. I am deeply troubled day and night. I order the Minister of Justice and all law enforcement officials to thoroughly investigate all cases, rectify any injustices, and ease the suffering of the people. And I order all prefectures and counties not to conceal or fail to report." On the twenty-ninth day of the eighth month, the General of the Guard and Inspector of Nanxu Province, Prince Jing Su, was promoted to General Who Guards the North. On the fifth day of the ninth month, Prince of Chenliu Cao Xi passed away.
On September 13th, the Emperor issued a decree stating: "The country's taxation should adhere to fixed standards. Previously, due to wars, priority was given to military needs, and the methods of tax collection sometimes deviated from established standards. Grain transportation in Xiangzhou and Jiangzhou is severely congested, and the labor demands are heavy, causing immense suffering for the people. Due to past policy errors, this issue remains unresolved, and the burden on the people continues to grow. I am deeply troubled by this and have lost sleep over it. Envoys should be dispatched for on-site investigations, exempting all instances of violations of old decrees and labor exceeding prescribed limits, and provide detailed reports." On September 16th, the son of Prince Hengyang, Boyu, was named Prince of Nanping. On the ninth day of the tenth month, Marshal Wang Xuanzai was appointed governor of Liangzhou and Nanqinzhou. On the tenth day of the tenth month, Zhongli County in Nanyanzhou and Matou County in Yuzhou were transferred to the newly established Xuzhou, and the counties of Qin, Liang, and Liyang were merged to form Xinchang County. On the third day of the eleventh month, Cavalier Attendant Yuan Hong was appointed governor of Xuzhou. On the fourth day of the eleventh month, the mother of Yuan Can, the Minister of the Imperial Secretariat, passed away, and Yuan Can resigned as a result. On the first day of the twelfth month, a solar eclipse occurred. On the third day of the twelfth month, the Minister of Works and Jiangzhou Governor, Prince Guifang of Guiyang, was promoted to Grand Commandant. Yuan Can resumed his role as Minister of the Imperial Secretariat and was granted the title of Guard General. On the tenth day of the twelfth month, Borong, the heir of the former Prince Jian'an, was appointed Prince of Shi'an County. On the thirteenth day of the twelfth month, the Prince of Henan sent envoys to offer tributes. In the year 477 AD, on the day of Gengzi in the first month, Zhang Yong was appointed General Conquering the North and Governor of Nanyanzhou. On the day of Jisi in the second month, Chu Yuan was promoted to General of the Central Army. On the day of Guiyou in the third month, Wang Kuan was appointed as the Governor of Nanyuzhou. On the day of Guihai in the fourth month, the Emperor issued a decree saying: "Recently, there have been excessive backlogs in evaluating titles and merits, making it challenging to address them, leading to uneven rewards and punishments, which has been a source of concern for me. It has now been decided to implement according to previous standards and issue appointment documents."
On the fifth day of the fifth lunar month, Prince Xiufan of Guiyang launched a rebellion. On the seventh day, strict martial law was imposed both inside and outside the court. Liu Meng was promoted to General of the Town Army, and Prince Qi was promoted to General of the South, leading the vanguard to attack the rebels and was stationed at Xinting. Zhang Yong was stationed at Baixia, Shen Huaiming defended Stone City, and Yuan Can and Chu Yuan were stationed in the palace to defend. On the ninth day, the rebels suddenly attacked the Xinting camp. Prince Qi resisted and defeated the rebels, and Zhang Jing'er killed Xiufan. Du Heili and Ding Wenhao led troops to attack Zhuque Hang, but Liu Meng failed to resist and died in battle; Wang Daolong was killed while fleeing. Zhang Yong was defeated at Baixia, and Shen Huaiming fled from Stone City. On the eleventh day, Mao Tian opened the gates of the East Palace to welcome the rebels, and they entered the palace. Chen Xianda led the army to defeat the rebels. On the thirteenth day, Zhang Jing'er and others respectively defeated the rebels at Xuanyang Gate, Zhuangyan Temple, and Xiaoshi, seized the East Palace, and killed the rebel leader. Rewards and titles were distributed based on the level of contributions. On the seventeenth day, the court ordered the burial of both the rebels and the fallen soldiers. The curfew was lifted that day, a general amnesty was granted, and civil and military officials were all promoted by one rank. On the nineteenth day, all debts in Jiangzhou were canceled, and all unjust taxes and corvée were abolished.
The emperor issued another decree, saying, "The treasury has recently been emptied, military expenditures are enormous, the granaries are empty, and it is difficult to sustain a prolonged war. The issues of luxury and waste must be addressed; thrift must take precedence. The palace furnishings should be minimized, and lavish decorations must cease. All entertainment expenses are strictly forbidden, and detailed regulations must be formulated." Shen Youzhi, Prince Jianping Jing Su, Prince Jinxi Xie, Prince Wang Sengqian, and Zhang Xingshi all led their troops to come to support the king. On the Ji Hai day, the seventh prince was appointed as the governor of Jiangzhou. The Kingdom of Rui Rui sent envoys to offer tribute. On the Geng Zi day in June, Prince Qi was appointed as the Central Commander, General of the Town Army, and Governor of South Yanzhou. On the Gui Mao day, Prince Jinxi Xie captured Xunyang and pacified Jiangzhou. On the Wu Shen day, Ren Nongfu was appointed as the governor of Yuzhou, and Wang Kuan was promoted to General Pingxi. On the Ren Xu day, the title of Assistant Teacher General was changed to Assistant General of the Nation. On the Geng Chen day in July, the seventh prince was officially named Prince of Shaoling. On the Xin Si day, Meng Ciyang was appointed as the governor of Yanzhou. On the Yi You day, Shen Youzhi was promoted to Grand General of the West, Prince Jing Su was promoted to Grand General of the North, both established their offices and held the title of Yitong Sanji; Prince Jinxi Xie was promoted to General of the West, and Wang Sengqian was promoted to General of the South. On the Xin You day in August, Liu Yanzu was appointed as the governor of Ningzhou. On the Ren Chen day in September, Lv Anguo was appointed as the governor of Yanzhou. On the Ding You day, Yuan Can was appointed as the Chief of the Imperial Secretariat, established his office, held the title of Yitong Sanji, and served as Chief Minister; Chu Yuan was appointed as the Prefect of the Ministry of Rites; Prince Ancheng was promoted to General of Chariots and Cavalry. On the Geng Shen day in October, Wang Yun was appointed as the governor of Xiangzhou. On the Jia Zi day, Chen Xianda was appointed as the governor of Guangzhou. On the Bing Xu day in November, the emperor held the Yuanfu ceremony, granted a general amnesty, and conferred noble titles upon men; for those who fulfill filial piety to their parents, as well as the elderly, filial piety, and those who work in the fields, a second-level noble title was conferred; for widows, widowers, orphans, and the disabled who cannot support themselves, five dou of grain were awarded; for those over eighty, one piece of silk was awarded. A grand banquet was held over five days, and rewards were distributed to officials of lower rank. On the Gui Hai day in December, the eighth prince was named Prince of Jiangxia, and the ninth prince was named Prince of Wuling.
In the spring of a certain year, on the day of Xinsi in the first month, the emperor personally went to the southern outskirts and the Mingtang to offer sacrifices. On the Bingyin day of the third month, the King of Henan sent tribute items. On the Jisi day, Zhang Jing'er was appointed as the Prefect of Yongzhou. On that day, the capital suffered a major flood, and the emperor sent officials to inspect the situation and provide relief to those affected by the disaster. On the Wuxu day of the intercalary month, the emperor issued a decree saying, "Recently, the moral standards of the people have deteriorated, the national treasury is empty, the harvest is poor, and the people are suffering. In addition, there are continuous border conflicts with various expenses, leaving me sleepless at night and anxious during the day. I intend to improve the financial system, promote thrift, reserve supplies, and help the people, in order to govern the country well. The lavish delicacies in the palace, the luxurious clothes used by the court, all these supplies must be reduced, and specific measures must be carefully formulated, and we must prioritize simplicity."
In April, the emperor sent officials to conduct a population survey in various regions, exempting taxes for the elderly, the infirm, and those in extreme poverty; for the young and strong, as long as they can still support themselves, they will receive leniency; for those with substantial assets, they will be urged to pay taxes on time. On the Bingxu day, the emperor presided over court cases in the Zhongtang. On the Guiwei day of the sixth month, envoys from the north visited. The Minister of Works Yuan Can and the Prefect of the Masters of Writing Chu Yuan both respectfully declined official positions. On the Gengxu day of the seventh month, Yuan Can was appointed as the Prefect of the Masters of Writing. On the Renxu day, Liu Huaizhen was appointed as the governor of Yuzhou. On the Gengzi day of the eighth month, Chu Yuan was promoted to the General of the Guards and the Director of the Palace Library. On the Bingchen day of the ninth month, the King of Henan, Tuyuhun Shiyin, was promoted to the Grand General of Chariots and Cavalry. On the Bingxu day of the tenth month, envoys from Goryeo delivered tribute. On the Yichou day of the twelfth month, Yao Daohe was appointed as the Prefect of Sizhou.
In the second year of spring, on the day of Ji Hai in the first month of the lunar calendar, the emperor personally went to the fields to plow and ordered a nationwide amnesty, bestowing titles on the hardworking peasants and providing food and seeds to the impoverished. On the day of Ren Zi, Wang Xuanzai was appointed Governor of Yizhou. On the day of Ren Xu in the second month of the lunar calendar, Fan Bainian was appointed Governor of Liangzhou and South Qinzhou. On the day of Ding Mao, Wang Kun was promoted to Jinzi Guanglu Daifu and concurrently held the title of Tejin. In May, Yang Wendu was appointed Governor of North Qinzhou. On the day of Yi Wei, Yu Wanzhi, the Right Minister of Personnel, submitted a memorial to the emperor, reporting on the current political situation.
The Tianfu (national treasury) has been running on empty for almost thirty years. Places like Jiangzhou and Jingzhou have always had low taxes, and in recent years, funds for recruiting soldiers have been critically insufficient. All the collected grain and cloth are being used to supply civil and military officials. Yuzhou, Yanzhou, Sizhou, and Xuzhou are all desperate for food; the generals in the northwest are left begging for clothes. The supplies shipped to the capital are woefully inadequate. The national finances are solely dependent on Huainan and Shandong. The common people are now poorer than ever, with barely any money, much worse off than before. However, the country's expenses have skyrocketed to four times what they were during the Yuanjia period. The palace guard numbers have dwindled to less than one-fifth of their original strength; most officials responsible for managing waterways and supplies have become ineffective. The palace warehouses have run out of wood and bamboo; the two warehouses in the east and west lack bricks and tiles. Everything needed has to be bought in the market. The Ministry of Personnel's office is on the brink of collapse, and most of the government offices are in disrepair. There’s neither time nor resources for repairs. Considering the court's income, it’s simply insufficient, with no reserves, and it is on the verge of being completely empty. These long-standing issues have finally culminated in the current crisis. Previously, following the emperor's orders to collect the overdue taxes from Yangzhou and Xuzhou, a total of 600,000 shi of rice, more than 50 million coins, and 50,000 pieces of cloth were collected, along with many other miscellaneous items. Just enough to barely keep things afloat. Now the demand for money is skyrocketing, and expenses are rising sharply, and I’m deeply concerned we won’t be able to meet the supply demands; military production will stop, soldiers will go hungry and complain, and officials won’t receive their salaries. All departments have stripped away luxury decorations, and construction projects have stopped. Even the imperial relatives can’t be supported, and those with merit aren’t receiving rewards. What I, a simple-minded person, worry about isn’t just for a month, but for an entire year!
I do not dare to say much about national affairs and long-term planning. I work diligently every day and do not dare to slack off even a little. When urgent matters arise, I must speak out forthrightly. I earnestly implore Your Majesty to carefully consider developing long-term plans, issuing unprecedented edicts, and implementing practical measures so that the common people may find joy and peace.
The emperor approved the memorial. On the gengxu day (year, month, day), General Cao Xin was appointed as the governor of Xuzhou. On the yihai day of the sixth month, Prince Qi was promoted to General of the Garrison Army and concurrently appointed as the Supervisor of the Left of the Imperial Secretariat. In the autumn of the seventh month, General of the Northern Expedition and Governor of South Xuzhou, Prince Jianping Jing Su, rebelled in the capital. On the jichou day, the court declared martial law both inside and outside the city, and sent General Ren Nongfu and General Huang Hui to the north to suppress the rebellion, with Prince Qi commanding the forces. South Xuzhou was granted clemency; Prince Shi'an Bo Rong and Marquis Duxiang Bo You were executed. On the xinmao day, Governor of South Yuzhou Duan Forong led the vanguard cavalry and infantry. On the jiawu day, Army Commander and General of the Left Zhang Bao was defeated and killed. Huang Hui and his forces arrived in the capital and engaged in battle with Jing Su's troops, achieving successive victories. On the yiwu day, they seized the capital, executing Jing Su, and all participants in the rebellion were put to death; martial law was lifted the same day. On the bingshen day, a general amnesty was declared across the realm, with various rewards and titles conferred. The outstanding taxes owed by the original two counties in the capital were fully forgiven. On the xinchou day, Prince Zan of Wuling was appointed as the governor of South Xuzhou.
On the Dingmao day in August, the tenth imperial brother, Hui, was appointed as the King of Nanyang, the eleventh imperial brother, Song, was appointed as the King of Xinxing, and the twelfth imperial brother, Xi, was appointed as the King of Shijian. On the Gengwu day, the Minister of the Imperial Court, Ruan Tianfu, was appointed as the Governor of Nanyu Province. On the Yixu day, the acting Governor of Qingzhou and Jizhou, Liu Shanming, was officially appointed as the Governor of Qingzhou and Jizhou. On the Dinghai day in September, the jurisdiction of Sui County in Yingzhou was reassigned to Sizhou. On the Wuzi day, General Gao Daoqing of the Valiant Cavalry committed an offense and was executed. On the Jichou day, the General of Chariots and Cavalry, Prince Ancheng, was promoted to Grand General of Cavalry with the title of Yitong Sanji; the General of Anxi, Prince Jinxi of Yingzhou, was promoted to General of Zhenxi. On the Xinyou day in October, Wang Senqian, the Minister of Personnel, was appointed as the Right Deputy Director of the Imperial Secretariat. Prince Liang Miji of Dangchang was appointed as General of Anxi and Governor of Hezhou and Liangzhou. On the Bingyin day in November, the Director of the Imperial Library and General of the Guards, Chu Yuan, resigned due to the death of his mother. On the Gengxu day in November, the court decreed that he could continue in his original position.
In a certain year (specific year inferred from historical records), on the Renshen day in February, the court appointed the Prefect of Jianning, Liu He, as the Governor of Ningzhou, which was a significant official appointment.
On the Jiaxu day in April, a major scandal broke out in Yuzhou! The Governor of Yuzhou, Ruan Tianfu, along with Infantry Colonel Shen Bozong and Zhu Youmou, actually plotted to overthrow the emperor! As a result, Ruan Tianfu and Zhu Youmou were imprisoned and ultimately perished; Shen Bozong was also beheaded; they truly reaped what they had sown!
On the 5th day of May, the court appointed General Shen Jingde as the Governor of Jiaozhou and General Quan Jingwen as the Governor of Nanyuzhou. On the 3rd of May in the same month, Sun Tangguan was appointed Governor of Yuezhou. There have been quite a few changes in the government this month! On June 1st, the court executed Left Historian Shen Bo, Cavalier Attendant Du Yuwen, General Sun Chao, and Captain Du Shuwen of the Water Cavalry. This was a major purge! However, to quell public discontent, the court issued a general amnesty. On the night of July 7th, the emperor died in the Ren Shou Palace. He was only fifteen at the time, truly a case of heaven being jealous of talent! Alas, the next day, July 8th, the Empress Dowager issued a proclamation:
General Wei, the military leader, the chief imperial secretary, and the eight ministers, Emperor Yu, the legitimate eldest son who inherited the throne, was expected to grow in wisdom day by day and be entrusted with the affairs of state. Little did anyone know that from a young age, he was fierce and violent, committed no good deeds, and ignored all teachings. His character worsened to the point of being utterly unreasonable. He discarded his hat, refused to wear a crown, donned armor all day, played with dogs and horses, and took pleasure in raising eagles and falcons—even within the palace and near the emperor's sleeping quarters. He would ride alone to the outskirts, spend the night in the wilderness, wield a spear and halberd, kill personally, treat blades as toys, and make killing as commonplace as eating. He discarded his guards, disregarded etiquette, frequented the market, drank and sang in taverns, partied until dawn, indulged in feasting and revelry in the barracks, seized children, and looted property. Such actions were not recorded in the official history; never has such a wretched emperor been heard of. Shen Bo and other Confucian scholars, Sun Chao and other meritorious officials, along with the younger brothers, all made contributions to the country. These four did nothing wrong, yet they were executed together. He shot them with arrows, hacked them with swords, and spared not even the children, treating murder as a joke, tossing bodies into the river as if it were a game. He was exceedingly extravagant and wasteful; the national treasury was empty, he imposed harsh taxes, funneled money into his private treasury, leaving the people hungry and struggling to survive. As his biological mother, I advised him countless times to do good, but he even plotted to poison me in revenge. Every day, I live in fear that I won’t survive to see tomorrow. Compared to him, the tyrants of the Xia, Shang, and Zhou Dynasties—like Kings You and Li—are mere footnotes. The people's grievances run deep, the wrath of heaven has long been brewing, the ancestral temple is on the verge of collapse, and the populace is in a state of unrest.
Depose the incompetent ruler and enthrone a wise one; this has been the custom throughout history. Moreover, he is so unrighteous and violates the heavenly mandate, making it intolerable to the heavenly principles. His serious offenses are grave, and he should be deposed. Therefore, I secretly ordered General Xiao to plan and coordinate internally and externally to restore peace to the world. General Ancheng, the Prince of Biaoqi, is the son of Emperor Taizong, gifted and talented, noble in character, and deeply loved by the people. It is only right for him to inherit the throne, as all the people hope for his ascension. He should inherit the legacy of his ancestors and effectively govern the realm. Follow the previous traditions and perform various ceremonies on time. As a grieving widow, I reflect on the past, grief-stricken, and can never forget.
The Empress Dowager also ordered, "This child Yu has committed heinous acts and brought about his own downfall. Although he deserves his punishment, it is still regrettable. Leaving aside the crimes he committed, I cannot bear to see him end like this. Let's posthumously confer upon him the title of Prince of Cangwu." He was buried on the west side of the suburban altar in Dan Yang Moliang County.
And so, the matter came to a temporary conclusion. Although Yu committed unforgivable crimes, the Empress Dowager, recalling their past, ultimately granted him a respectful burial, bringing this tragedy to an imperfect close. "Yu was extremely cruel and brought destruction upon himself. Although he met his fate, it is still a pity. Despite the crimes he committed, I cannot bear to see him end like this. Let's posthumously confer upon him the title of Prince of Cangwu." This royal edict is both the final judgment on Yu's crimes and a true reflection of the Empress Dowager's complex emotions. She must uphold the dignity of the royal family and the justice of the law, while grappling with her emotional ties to Yu. The conflicts and struggles within are imaginable.
It is said that when Li Xian was young in the East Palace, he started studying at the age of five or six, but he was lazy and preferred playing, making it difficult for his teachers to manage him. He especially liked to climb the lacquered pole, which was over a zhang high, and could play like this for half a day before coming down. As he grew older, he became irritable and moody, and if anyone around him did something slightly wrong, he would hit them, leaving them squatting on the ground, barefoot, which became part of his daily routine. His teacher reported this to Emperor Taizong, who ordered him to be disciplined. After Li Xian ascended the throne, he was inwardly afraid of Empress Wu Zetian and also wary of the ministers, so he did not dare to act recklessly. As he grew older, his temperament changed drastically, becoming increasingly unruly, and no one could control him.
From the third winter to the following spring, he liked to run around everywhere, with the Empress Dowager often trailing behind him in a green carriage, attempting to rein him in. But Li Xian became more and more unruly, and the Empress Dowager found herself powerless to rein him in as well. He would take a few trusted followers and break away from the group, running out ten or twenty miles, going into the city, going to the military camp, and wouldn't return until nightfall. By the fourth spring and summer, his outings became even more frequent. Since the capital had been pacified, he became even more arrogant, venturing out to have fun every day. He spent all day racing with the monks Zhi Chong and Zhang Wuer, sneaking out through the Chengming Gate at night and returning in the morning, or going out in the morning and returning at night. The people following him carried long spears, and anyone they encountered on the road—men, women, dogs, horses, cows, and donkeys alike—couldn't escape. The common people were afraid, not daring to open their doors during the day, and nearly everyone avoided the roads. He often wore shorts instead of formal attire. If someone displeased him, he would subject them to various forms of cruel punishment. He always kept dozens of white wooden sticks at hand, each with its own name, and tools like needles, awls, chisels, and saws were always within reach.
Once, he pierced a man's genitals with an iron mace. The people around him frowned upon seeing this. Li Xian was furious and ordered the person to be stripped naked and made to stand upright, then pierced him through the shoulder with a spear. He raised dozens of donkeys at the Hall of Glorious Light, and the horse he rode was kept in the imperial chamber. There were rumors among the common people that Emperor Taizong was not Li Xian's biological father, and Empress Chen was originally Li Dao'er's concubine. Some said that Li Xian was Li Dao'er's son. Whenever Li Xian went out, he referred to himself as "Li Tong" or "General Li." He also had an affair with a woman from the Right Guard Wing Camp, often spending thousands of coins on wine and meat. Zhang Yang, Ruan Dianfu's most trusted confidant, was Ruan Dianfu's most trusted person. After Ruan Dianfu's failure and defection, he was later caught, and Li Xian had him crushed to death by a cart at Chengming Gate. Du Yanzai, Shen Bo, Du Youwen, and Sun Chao were all personally stabbed and then dismembered by him. He also captured Du Youwen's brother, Du Shuwen, by Xuanwu Lake, rode a horse with a long spear, and personally went to assassinate him. He built a convertible cart and drove it around with only a few dozen followers. The ceremonial guards could never catch up with him, and everyone feared being implicated by him and dared not pursue him, only watching from a distance. Though Li Xian acted absurdly, he had an exceptional memory and was very skilled in the production of gold and silver utensils, tailoring, and hat-making. He could not play the flute, but as long as he held a flute, he could play beautiful tunes. He had a natural penchant for killing and took pleasure in it, feeling restless if he did not kill someone in a day. Everyone in the court was in fear, living in constant anxiety, unable to sleep well at night and feeling on edge during the day.
The King of Qi wanted to depose the emperor, secretly planning and discussing with General Wang Jingze. On the seventh day of July, the emperor rode in an ordinary carriage with only about two hundred people, with no pomp or circumstance, to Qingyuan Nisi, and in the evening went to Xin'an Nisi to drink with Monk Tandu. After getting drunk, he was helped back to a tent on the east side of Ren Shou Palace to sleep. At that time, the emperor's movements were unpredictable; the palace doors were all open at night, and the ministers were too afraid to encounter him and stayed inside. Those responsible for guarding also kept their distance, and no one cared inside or outside the palace. Wang Jingze had bribed twenty-five people close to the emperor, including Yang Yufu, Yang Wannian, and Lv Xinzhi, to plan to kill the emperor. That night, Wang Jingze went out, and Yang Yufu saw the emperor drunk and sleeping like a dead pig. Without knowing anything, he and Yang Wannian went into the tent and killed him using the emperor's own sword. Chen Fengbo took the emperor's head and, following protocol, claimed he was acting on the emperor's orders, opened the Chengming Gate, and went out, handing the head to Wang Jingze, who quickly ran to the military office and presented the emperor's head to the King of Qi. The King of Qi quickly donned his armor, gathered a dozen followers, and declared he was returning, entering through the Chengming Gate. The guards at the gate were often too frightened to look at the emperor when he opened the door, and this time they did not suspect anything. After the King of Qi entered the palace at dawn, he announced he was welcoming Prince Ancheng to the throne on behalf of the Empress Dowager.
The historian said: Those emperors who brought ruin to their own states and families, although they all followed the same fate, had different methods. The previous deposed emperor lived a debauched life, indulging in pleasures everywhere, and even when he traveled, he insisted on maintaining an emperor's appearance, sending people to clean the roads; in contrast, the King of Cangwu secretly hid the jade seal and the imperial seal, dressed in commoner's clothes, had forgotten his way back, wore a tattered hat and a short coat, and rode away alone on a horse. Ultimately, they all met their demise, and their countries fell; the reasons for their downfall were fundamentally the same. The Ji Zhou and Xia dynasties were once mighty; while their cultures and systems differed, yet the reasons for their downfalls were strikingly similar!
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.
It is said that the former emperor was named Ziyè, whose nickname was Fashi, and he was the biological son of Emperor Xiaowu. He was born on the day of Jia Shen in the first month of the twenty-sixth year of Yuanjia. His father, Emperor Shizu, was stationed in Xunyang at the time, so Ziyè stayed in the capital. In the thirtieth year of Yuanjia, his father became emperor and named Ziyè as Crown Prince. Initially, Ziyè did not live in the Eastern Palace, but served alongside the Zhongshuzi and Erlüe in Yongfu Province. In the second year of Daming, he finally moved to the Eastern Palace. In the fourth year, he gave lectures on the "Classic of Filial Piety" at Chongzheng Hall. In the seventh year, he celebrated his coming-of-age ceremony. On the day of Geng Shen in the fifth month of the eighth year, his father passed away, and Ziyè ascended the throne as emperor and issued a general amnesty. Then, Grand Tutor Wang Yigong stepped down as Minister of Works and took on the role of Director of the Palace Library; General of Chariots and Cavalry Liu Yuanjing was promoted to Minister of Works. On the day of Jia Zi, the position of Recorder of the Imperial Secretariat was created, with Grand Tutor Wang Yigong serving as the acting Minister of Works; General Liu Yuanjing was also granted the title of Yitong Sanqi. Finally, the Intendant of Danyang, Prince Ziren, was appointed Inspector of Nanyu Province.
On this day in the Xinwei year of June, the emperor issued a decree saying, "As a humble person, I have inherited the great achievements of my ancestors, I revere heaven and follow its mandate. I had hoped to quietly uphold our achievements and continue the prosperous era, but just as I ascended the throne, the world changed dramatically. My virtues are lacking, and I don’t fully grasp how to govern. I want to learn from the virtues of my ancestors and implement benevolent governance, so I will carefully consult with officials and earnestly understand the sentiments of the people. The many complicated orders and secret documents have become a burden, hindering the country's governance; while the taxes at checkpoints might work temporarily, it has let corrupt officials get away with fraud and abuse, along with natural disasters and human-made troubles, making conditions even worse across the regions. So, we need to reduce forced labor and simplify laws to ease the people's suffering. The palace affairs don’t need to be expanded, the lavish decorations aren’t needed anymore; everything should be streamlined to meet the people's wishes. All princes are banned from doing business. Please send back detailed proposals."
In the sixth month of the Wuyin year, the Huainan Commandery in Yuzhou was reestablished as the Nanliang Commandery, and a portion of territory was taken from Xuancheng to reestablish the Huainan Commandery. In the sixth month of the Gengchen year, Yuan Tanyuan, Governor of Nanhai, was appointed as the Inspector of Guangzhou. In the seventh month of the Jihai year, Prince Xun of Jin'an, General of the Town Army, and Inspector of Yongzhou was reassigned to the Inspector of Jiangzhou; Zong Que, the Central Army General, was appointed as the General of Anxi and Inspector of Yongzhou; Prince Yu of Xiangdong, the Guard General of Zhenbei, and Inspector of Xuzhou was appointed as the Guard General; Prince Chang of Yiyang, General of the Central Army, was appointed as the General of Zhengbei and Inspector of Xuzhou. In the seventh month of the Gengxu year, envoys from the Po Huang country presented tribute. The Empress Dowager was honored as the Grand Empress Dowager, and the Empress was honored as the Empress Dowager. In the seventh month of the Yimao year, the two main north-south highways were abolished. The systems altered during the Xiaojian period were reverted to the old systems of the Yuanjia period. In the seventh month of the Bingchen year, Consort Xian was posthumously honored with the title of Empress Xian. In the seventh month of the Yichou year, Prince Luan of Xin'an, General of the Fu Army, and Inspector of Nanxuzhou resigned from the position of Minister of Works. In the eighth month of the Dingmao year, Wang Xunmo, the General of the Army, was appointed as the General of Zhenbei and Inspector of Qingzhou and Jizhou. In the eighth month of the Jisi year, Xiao Huikai, the Inspector of Qingzhou and Jizhou, was reassigned as the Inspector of Yizhou. In the eighth month of the Jichou year, the Empress Dowager passed away, and rain fell in the capital. In the eighth month of the Gengzi year, the Emperor dispatched officials and local authorities to provide relief based on the situation on the ground. In the ninth month of the Xinchou year, Prince Yu of Xiangdong, the Guard General, was reassigned as the General of the Army. In the ninth month of the Guimao year, the Right Minister of the Imperial Secretariat, Liu Zunkao, was appointed as a Special Attendant and Right Guanglu Grand Master. In the ninth month of the Yimao year, Empress Wenmu was buried together at the Jingning Mausoleum. In the tenth month of the Jiaxu year, the Grand Minister of the Taichang, Prince Xiuren, was appointed as the Guard General. In the tenth month of the Wuyin year, Zong Yue, the General of Fuguo, was appointed as the Inspector of Sizhou. In the tenth month of the Gengchen year, the overdue taxes of Yangzhou and Nanxuzhou from the seventh year of Daming were waived. In the twelfth month of the Yiyu year, the Right Minister of the Imperial Secretariat, Yan Shibai, was appointed as the Left Minister of the Imperial Secretariat. In the twelfth month of the Renchen year, the various commanderies in the Wangji region were placed under Yangzhou's jurisdiction, and the original Yangzhou was renamed Eastern Yangzhou. In the twelfth month of the Guisi year, Prince Shang of Yuzhang, General of the Chariots and Cavalry, and Inspector of Yangzhou, was appointed as the Minister of Works and Inspector of Yangzhou.
Last year and this year, there was a severe drought in various counties in the east, with the price of rice reaching hundreds of coppers in the worst-hit areas and over a hundred coppers in the capital. Sixty to seventy percent of the people perished from starvation. Since the Xiaojian period, coin minting institutions were established, leading to private coin minting by the common people, resulting in increasingly debased coins and hindering commodity transactions.
On the first day of the first month of the first year of Yongguang, the reign title was renamed Yu, and a general amnesty was declared nationwide. A few days later, official documents in various states were streamlined. Xiangdong King Yu was appointed General of the Guard and Governor of Nanyu Province; Jian'an King Xiuren became the General of the Army; Shanyang King Xiuyou was appointed as the Governor of Yuzhou; Guiyang King Xiufan became the Central Guard General; and Xunyang King Zifang was appointed as the Governor of Dongyang Province.
In the second month, land taxes across the states, counties, and districts were halved. New two-zhu coins were then minted. In the third month, Linjiang County was abolished. In May, Sui County of Yingshou was transferred to Yongzhou. Zhang Mu was appointed Governor of Jiaozhou. In June, Liu Daolong was appointed Governor of Liangzhou and Nanyu Province. The Governor of Yongzhou, Zong Que, died. Xiangdong King Yu was appointed Governor of Yongzhou, and Liu Yuanjing was promoted to Governor of Nanyu Province. In August, Dai Faxing was convicted of a crime and sentenced to death. Yan Shibai was appointed as the Left Deputy of the Imperial Secretary, and Wang Jingwen became the Right Deputy of the Imperial Secretary.
The Emperor personally led troops and killed Jiangxia King Yigong, Liu Yuanjing, Yan Shibai, and Liu Deyuan. The reign title was renamed Jinghe Yuan, and all civil and military officials were promoted. Jian'an King Xiuren was appointed General of Anxi and Governor of Yongzhou; Xiangdong King Yu was reinstated as the Governor of Nanyu Province. Prince Zishang of Yuzhang was appointed Prefect of the Imperial Secretary; Shen Wenshu was appointed Governor of Qingzhou, and Cui Daogu became the Governor of Jizhou.
The emperor issued a decree, saying: "I used to be diligent in governance and devoted to the nation. Having now executed these treasonous officials, it is to inherit the aspirations of my ancestors and honor my ancestors. I will seek out those who are filial, loyal, upright, and talented across the country, promote them to official positions to ensure the nation's prosperity." Shen Qingzhi became the Grand Commandant; Wang Xuanmo became the Commander of the Army. Stone City was renamed Changle Palace, East Mansion City was renamed Weiyang Palace, and East Yangzhou was incorporated into Yangzhou. Northern Residence was renamed Jianzhang Palace, Southern Residence was renamed Changyang Palace. Prince Yuan of Shaoling was appointed Inspector of Xiangzhou. The overdue taxes from before the eighth year of the Daming era in Wu County, Wuxing County, Yixing County, Jinling County, and Langye County were completely waived. The two main roads, one in the north and one in the south, were reconstructed.
In September, the emperor went to Hushu for inspection and also enjoyed music. He returned to the palace a few days later. Prince Ren of Yongjia was appointed Prefect of Nanxu; Prince Zhen of Shi'an was appointed Prefect of Nanyan. Prince Luan of Xin'an was executed. Xue Andu was appointed General of the Northern Campaign and Prefect of Xuzhou. Wang Yu of Xiangdong received a promotion; Liu Zunkao was appointed General of Anxi and Prefect of Nanyu; Yin Xiaozu was appointed Prefect of Yanzhou. Liu Yuanhu was reinstated as Prefect of Liangzhou and Nanyan. The emperor campaigned against Wang Chang of Yiyang, imposed nationwide martial law, and Wang Chang fled. Wang Xiuyou of Shanyang received another promotion. Yuan Yi was appointed Prefect of Yongzhou; Liu Sikao was appointed Prefect of Yizhou. Martial law was lifted, the emperor went to Guabu, and allowed the common people to produce their own currency. In October, Xuzhou received a pardon. The emperor returned to the palace. Prince Xiuren of Jian'an was appointed General of the Guard; Wang Zao was executed. Concubine Xie was granted the title of Lady, who was in fact Princess Xincai. Wang Xiuyou of Shanyang received another promotion. He Mai was executed, and Shen Qingzhi passed away. Lu Shi was named Empress, and Yangzhou and Nanxu received pardons. Prince Xiuren of Jian'an was promoted; Wang Xiufan of Guiyang was transferred. A prince was born, the son of Liu Sheng. A general amnesty was declared, forgiving all convicted criminals, and the descendants of the deceased were all elevated by one rank. Prince Xiuren of Jian'an was promoted. Wang Jingyou of Nanping, Wang Jingxian of Luling, and Hou Jingyuan of Annan were all condemned to death.
The emperor became increasingly tyrannical, with killings happening constantly throughout the court, and no official could keep their life. Earlier, rumors circulated that "a new emperor would emerge from Hunan." The emperor planned to go on a southern tour to Jingzhou and Xiangzhou to put an end to the rumors. He first planned to eliminate a few of his uncles before heading out. Taizong and his followers Ruan Dianfu, Wang Daolong, Li Dao'er, and others secretly teamed up with eleven of the emperor's close associates, including Shou Jizhi and Jiang Chanzhi, to overthrow the emperor. One night, the emperor shot at ghosts in the Bamboo Hall of Hualin Garden. At that moment, the wizards claimed, "This hall is haunted." So the emperor took it upon himself to shoot the ghosts. Shou Jizhi charged in with a knife, followed closely by Jiang Chanzhi. The emperor tried to escape, but Shou Jizhi caught up and took his life; the emperor was just seventeen at the time. The Grand Empress Dowager proclaimed a decree: Here comes the decree from the Grand Empress Dowager; please provide the next part for translation.
Lord Situ said: Although Ziye is the eldest son, he has exhibited cruelty and unfilial behavior from a young age. When Emperor Xiaowu passed away, it was time to handle the funeral according to the ritual system. The funeral hall was set up, but he displayed joy and showed no signs of mourning. Heavenly retribution was imminent, yet he became even more indulgent. On the surface, he maintained order inside and outside, temporarily suppressing his brutal nature, but his cruelty and viciousness were difficult to control. Eventually, he erupted and actually killed the prime minister and harmed the assistant ministers. The Ziluan brothers were both beloved by the late emperor, but he cruelly killed them out of past resentment. Changmao and others rose up in resistance, and both sides engaged in fierce battles. Princess Xincai was forced to leave her husband's family, imprisoned in the deep palace, and falsely reported dead to the outside world. Just after the funeral was completed, the mourning rites were abruptly halted, and he indulged in feasting while neglecting court affairs night after night. The court officials and veteran officials who had made great contributions were discarded like old rags. He hosted lavish banquets with music day and night, displayed exquisite delicacies, and even insulted his ancestors as a joke. He played around, indulged in debauchery, and even planned to excavate tombs near the mausoleum. He indiscriminately slaughtered innocents and pillaged women, supported evil people, and did not know who to listen to. He arbitrarily appointed concubines and empresses, exceeding the customs of past dynasties. His relatives were treated like slaves, whipped and insulted, with complete disregard for status. The Nanping clan was particularly cruelly persecuted by him. He defied the natural order, committed countless atrocities, and imposed harsh punishments and cruel laws without limit, surpassing Xia Jie and Yin Xin. Everyone in the court was in danger, and the people were fearful and restless, feeling trapped with no refuge. His actions were beastly, with heinous crimes. The legacy of the founding emperor was about to be destroyed in an instant, and the ancestral sacrifices were on the verge of being discontinued. I am old and weak, plagued by illness, and have advised him many times, worried sick and on the brink of death. Since the founding of the country, I have never witnessed such a thing. Both near and far, the people hope that someone will rise up in rebellion, with nine out of ten households sharing this sentiment.
General Wei, the King of Xiangdong, is a descendant of Emperor Taizu, naturally wise and skilled in martial arts. Emperor Wen also greatly favored him, making him the most distinguished among the princes. I have known of his exceptional talent, humility, and courtesy since his youth. He secretly planned a great scheme, and many righteous men rallied to his cause. The tyrant was finally eliminated, his head hung on a white flag, the state and the royal family were restored, bringing relief to both people and the divine. His remarkable achievements have paved the way for the success of the grand cause. Following the examples of the Han and Jin dynasties, he should inherit the throne. Relevant departments should carefully consult historical records and conduct ritual ceremonies on time.
Alas, as a widow, I've faced a lot of misfortune over the years, experiencing various hardships. My heart is always dwelling on the past, feeling as if I'm alive but dead inside. What can I do? What should I do?
Alas, as a woman without a husband, these past years have been incredibly bitter for me, encountering all sorts of difficulties. My mind is always filled with memories of the past; living feels almost like being dead. It's so painful! What should I do?
The deposed emperor Liu Ziye was buried on the western side of the altar in the southern outskirts of Muling County, Danyang. He had a hot temper since he was young, and he was frequently reprimanded by Emperor Shizu during his time in the Eastern Palace. Once, while Emperor Shizu was on a western tour, Liu Ziye was tasked with drafting a memorial to report on the emperor's daily activities, but his handwriting was very messy, which led to criticism from the emperor. Liu Ziye wrote a memorial to explain and apologize, and the emperor said, "Your handwriting hasn't improved; this is a problem. I've heard that you tend to be lazy and that your temper is becoming increasingly irritable. Why are you so stubborn?" Having just ascended to the throne and received the emperor's seal and court attire, he showed no sign of sadness. Initially, he was wary of certain ministers, like Dai Faxing, but after killing Dai Faxing, the remaining ministers were too frightened to speak. The court was in a state of panic, and the palace descended into chaos.
When the Empress Dowager fell gravely ill, she sent someone to summon him, but he said, "There are many ghosts around sick people; it's quite frightening; I can't go." Upon hearing this, the Empress Dowager was enraged and shouted, "Bring a knife and cut open my belly; how could there be such an unfilial son!" A few days after her death, Liu Ziye dreamed that the Empress Dowager scolded him, who said, "You are neither filial nor righteous; you lack the demeanor of an emperor. Your son is foolish and rebellious; he is not destined by heaven. Emperor Xiaowu was cruel and mistreated the people, violating the will of heaven and angering the gods; despite having many sons, he did not receive heaven's blessings. The great power of the realm should rightfully return to the son of Emperor Wen." Later, Prince of Xiangdong Liu Yu ascended the throne, indeed the son of Emperor Wen. Thus, Liu Ziye summoned all his uncles to the capital, fearing they might cause trouble outside.
Princess Shanyin lived an extravagant lifestyle, and she said to Liu Ziye: "Although His Majesty and I are of different genders, we are both children of the late emperor. His Majesty has three thousand beauties in his harem, while I only have one husband. The difference in treatment is too great!" Liu Ziye then arranged for thirty maids to serve her; he also conferred upon her the title of Princess of Kuaiji Commandery, with a status equivalent to that of a commandery prince, a fief of two thousand households, a musical ensemble, and an additional twenty guards. Whenever Liu Ziye traveled, courtiers would accompany her in the carriage. Princess Shanyin took a fancy to the handsome official Chu Yuan from the Ministry of Personnel, and she requested Liu Ziye to have him serve her, which he agreed to. After serving the princess for ten days, Chu Yuan could not bear her pressure and swore he would never do it again, finally managing to escape. Liu Ziye favored the eunuch Huayuan'er, who rose to the rank of Regular Mounted Attendant and was also given the title of general, managing a commandery. Liu Ziye had a fondness for reading since childhood and was well-versed in ancient history, demonstrating excellent literary talent in composing the "Imperial Eulogy" and other writings. Following in the footsteps of Emperor Wu of Wei, who established the ranks of Colonel of the Garrison and Inspector of Gold, Liu Ziye also appointed these positions, with Prince Jian'an Liu Xiuyou and Prince Shanyang Liu Xiuzhuo assuming the roles. For more details about his other accomplishments, refer to other biographies. Historians say: The deeds of Emperor Fei are thoroughly documented in historical records. If one were to enumerate the faults of King Zhou of Shang pointed out by King Wu, it wouldn't even touch on one-tenth of them; Huo Guang's criticism of King Liu He of Shanyi barely scratches the surface. Even a mediocre emperor, if he possessed any of Emperor Fei's flaws, could ruin the country, not to mention concentrating all these misdeeds in one individual! It’s truly fortunate that he was overthrown!
This useless emperor, the misdeeds he committed are clearly documented in the historical records. When King Wu criticized King Zhou of Shang, that was merely scratching the surface; when Huo Guang criticized King Changyi, he barely grazed the issue. If there was an ordinary emperor, as long as he committed any of the same faults as this useless emperor, it would be enough to bring about the downfall of the nation and tarnish its legacy, desecrating the palaces and temples, not to mention that this useless emperor embodies all these faults himself? His ability to bring about the nation's ruin is, in a twisted sense, a stroke of luck.
Emperor Xiaowu of Song, born Liu Jun, courtesy name Xiulong, and infant name Daomin, was the third son of Emperor Wen. He was born on the Gengwu day of the eighth month in the seventh year of Yuanjia (430 AD). At the age of twelve, he was appointed as the Prince of Wuling, with a fief of 2,000 households. At the age of sixteen, he was appointed as the Commander of military affairs in Xiangzhou, General Who Captures the Enemy, and the Governor of Xiangzhou, responsible for the defense of Shitoucheng. At the age of seventeen, he was promoted to Commissioner, Commander of military affairs in Nanyu, Yuzhou, Sizhou, Yongzhou, and Bingzhou, the Governor of Nanyu Province, while retaining his title as General and remaining stationed at Shitoucheng. At the age of twenty-one, he was given military command in Qinzhou, and his title was promoted to General Who Calms the Army. The next year, he was reassigned as Commander of military affairs in Yongzhou, Liangzhou, North and South Qinzhou, as well as the six counties of Xiangyang, Jingling, Nanyang, Shunyang, Xinye, and Suizhou in Jingzhou, as Colonel Who Suppresses the Barbarians, Governor of Yongzhou, with the positions of Commissioner and General remaining unchanged. Since the Eastern Jin Dynasty, no imperial prince had ever guarded the strategically important position of Xiangyang. At that time, Emperor Taizu Liu Yilong wanted to develop the Guanzhong and Yellow River regions, so he entrusted this crucial role to Emperor Xiaowu. Not long after, he was also given a ceremonial band.
At the age of twenty-five, he was appointed as the Governor of Southern Yanzhou, Xuzhou, Yanzhou, Qingzhou, Jizhou, Youzhou, and the various military affairs of Liang Commandery in Yuzhou, as well as the General Who Guards the North and the Inspector of Xuzhou, while stationed in Pengcheng. Shortly afterwards, he also took on the role of Inspector of Yanzhou. Due to Prince Shixing Liu Jun's appointment as the Inspector of Southern Yanzhou, Liu Jun relinquished his oversight of Southern Yanzhou. At the age of twenty-seven, following the defeat at the Battle of Ruyang, he was demoted to General of the Guard. And due to the invasion of the Suolu, he was once again demoted to General of the North Central Army. By the age of twenty-eight, he was promoted to both Governor and Inspector of Southern Yanzhou, stationed in Shanyang. Shortly afterwards, he was reassigned as Governor of Jiangzhou and Inspector of Jiangxia Commandery in Jingzhou, as well as the four commanderies of Xiyang, Jinxi, and Xincai in Yuzhou, as the General of the South Central Army, while still holding the governorship. At that time, the river tribes were causing unrest, so Emperor Taizu Liu Yilong sent the Crown Prince and other officials to quell the unrest, and appointed Liu Jun to lead all the troops.
In January of the year 465 AD, he (referring to the Emperor) embarked on an inspection tour to the Wuzhou region of Xiyang. At this time, the instigator of the rebellion was creating chaos, and he was appointed as the General Who Conquers the South, and was also granted the additional title of Cavalier Attendant. He led his troops to suppress the rebels, with Prince Yixuan of Nanqiao and Inspector Zang Zhi of Yongzhou also mobilizing in response.
On the 10th day of the fourth month in the year of Xin-You, he arrived in Lizhou. On the 12th day of the month of Gui-Hai, General Liu Yuanjing, the Champion, led his vanguard troops to Xinting and began to build fortifications. On the 1st day of the month of Jia-Zi, the rebel leader Shao personally led his troops to attack Liu Yuanjing, which resulted in a major defeat and retreat. On the 3rd day of the month of Bing-Yin, he arrived in Jiangning. On the 4th day of the month of Ding-Mao, Grand General Wang Yigong from Jiangxia came to surrender and submitted a memorial honoring him as emperor. On the 5th day of the month of Wu-Chen, he arrived in Xinting. On the 6th day of the month of Ji-Si, he officially ascended to the throne as emperor, ordered a general amnesty throughout the country, bestowed one rank of nobility on civil and military officials, and two ranks on military personnel. All those who were corrupt or behaved improperly were dismissed. Elderly people, widowers, widows, orphans, and those unable to care for themselves due to six different illnesses were each given five measures of grain. All previous tax debts and old debts were forgiven. Those serving hard labor were also granted generous pardons. He also amended the posthumous title of the founding emperor.
He appointed Grand General Wang Yigong from Jiangxia as Grand Commandant, and also managed six ministries, as well as serving as Governor of Nanxuzhou; appointed Governor of Jingzhou Nanqiao Wang Yixuan as Director of the Imperial Secretariat, Prime Minister, concurrently in charge of six ministries, and as Governor of Yangzhou; appointed General of the Guards Sui Wangdan as Guard General, with the title of Household Governor, and as Governor of Jingzhou; appointed Governor of Yongzhou Zang Zhi as General of Chariots and Cavalry, with the title of Household Governor, and as Governor of Jiangzhou; appointed General Shen Qingzhi, the Barbarian Conqueror, as Leading General; appointed General Xiao Sihua, the Military Pacifier, Governor of Yanzhou and Jizhou, as Left Deputy of the Imperial Secretariat. On the 28th day of the month of Ren-Shen, he appointed General Wang Sengda, the Barbarian Conqueror, as Right Deputy of the Imperial Secretariat. He also renamed Xinting to Zhongxingting.
On the 10th day of the fifth month, General Shen Tanke of the Supporting Kingdom took control of the capital. On the 11th day, General Zhu Xiuzhi of the Supporting Kingdom captured the Eastern Residence. On the 12th day, the capital was fully secured. Rebels Shao and Wang Jun of Shixing were executed. On the 18th day, the Emperor issued a decree: "The country has experienced difficulties and hardships, and the nation's fortunes have been tumultuous. Although the foundation is stable, there may be occasional missteps. With my limited ability, I have inherited the imperial legacy, obeying the mandate of heaven, and I remain vigilant. Governing the country and comforting the people is the fundamental task. I deeply feel the decline of the country feels like a thorn in my heart. Special envoys are sent to inspect the situation in various places." On this day, martial law was officially lifted. On the 19th day, the Emperor went to the Eastern Residence. On the 20th day, his biological mother, Lu Shuyuan, was honored as Empress Dowager. On the 21st day, Wang Shi was appointed as Empress. On the 23rd day, General Liu Yuanjing was appointed as Governor of Yongzhou. On the 26th day, the Grand Commandant Prince Yigong of Jiangxia was appointed Grand Tutor and concurrently Grand Marshal. On the 28th day, a general amnesty was proclaimed within a 200-mile radius of the capital, and the taxes for this year were waived. On the 30th day, General Nanping Wang Shuo was appointed as Minister of Works, Prince Jianping Hong was appointed as Left Deputy Director, Prince Donghai Yi was appointed as General of the Army, and the newly appointed Left Deputy Director, Xiao Sihua, received additional appointments.
On the Renyin day in June, Tan Hu was appointed as the Inspector of Jizhou. On the Jiachen day, Shen Tian was appointed as the Governor of Qingzhou. On the Bingwu day, the Emperor returned to the palace and stationed troops at the palace gates and the upper hall for the first time. Zhu Xiuzhi was appointed as the General of Pacifying the West and Governor of Yongzhou, while Wang Yansheng was appointed as the Governor of Guangzhou. On the Wushen day, Liu Yuanjing was appointed as the General Who Guards the Army and Governor of Yongzhou. On the Jiyu day, Lu Shuang was appointed as the Governor of Yuzhou. On the Gengxu day, Liu Xiuzhi was appointed as the Governor of Yizhou; Pang Xiuzhi was appointed as the Governor of Liang and Nanqin; Xu Yibao was appointed as the Governor of Yanzhou; Wang Xuanmo was appointed as the Governor of Xuzhou; and Wang Dan was promoted to Grand General of the Cavalry. Wang Sengda was appointed as the Right Deputy of the Ministry of Personnel, while Chu Zhan was appointed as the Right Deputy of the Ministry of Personnel. On the Bingchen day, the Crown Prince of Nanqiao, Shi Hui, was appointed as the Governor of Xiangzhou. On the Dingsi day, the Emperor issued a decree emphasizing the importance of good governance, urging officials to be diligent and to provide counsel. On the Gengshen day, the Emperor ordered different departments to reward achievements accordingly. On the Xinyou day, Shiyin of the Western Qin and Hexi was promoted to Grand General of the Western Garrison and appointed as the Governor of the Western Qin and Hexi, with the title of Duke. On the Gengwu day, Nanxuzhou was reorganized into Nanyanzhou. On the Xinwei day, Prince Yixuan of Nanqiao was granted the title of Prince of Nanjun, while Wang Dan was granted the title of Prince of Jingling, and Prince Yiyan of Yixuan was granted the title of Prince of Yiyang.
In the intercalary month on the day of Ren Shen, General Shen Qingzhi was appointed as the General of the Guard and the Governor of South Yanzhou. On the day of Gui You, General Liu Yuanjing was appointed as the Leading General. On the day of Bing Zi, fifteen individuals, including Cavalier Attendant Le Xun, were dispatched to assess local conditions. On the day of Jia Shen, the three-year tax was exempted from Xunyang and Xiyang counties. On the day of Jia Wu, the Prime Minister, Prince of Nan Commandery Yi Xuan, was appointed as the Governor of Jing and Xiang provinces, General of Chariots and Cavalry, and Prince of Jingzhou Dan was appointed as the Governor of Yangzhou, and the Colonel of the Southern Barbarians Wang Sengda was appointed as the Guard General. This month, the office of the Commandant was established.
In the seventh month of autumn, on the day of Xin Chou, a solar eclipse occurred. On the day of Jia Yin, the Emperor issued a decree saying: "The nation remains unstable, and I am continually concerned for its well-being. To make all good things come true is not something that one person can do, especially since my virtue is shallow and the country is weak. I worry day and night, hoping for the arrival of dawn. Wang, ministers, if you have good suggestions and measures that can educate the people, you should actively speak up and not conceal anything." On the day of Xin You, the Emperor issued a decree saying: "The people are laboring hard, the taxes are heavy, the country is not yet stable; we should advocate frugality. All projects that are not related to military and national affairs should be stopped. The workshops and pharmaceuticals should be streamlined, and the production of flashy, impractical crafts should be banned. The royal diet should reduce extravagance and waste. Fishing and hunting should be done in a timely manner. Official and civilian transactions should be fair and reasonable. Public properties such as rivers, lakes, fields, and ponds should be carefully inspected to determine whether they should be opened. Officials and nobles are prohibited from seeking profit from each other." On the day of Wu Xu, General Zong Que was appointed as the Governor of Guangzhou. On the day of Ji Si, Wang Shuo, the Minister of Works and Prince of Nanping, passed away. On the day of Xin Wei in the eighth month, a general amnesty was granted to the elderly who had served during Emperor Wu's reign.
In the first month of the first year of the Xiaojian era, the Emperor personally visited the Southern Suburbs to conduct sacrifices, then changed the reign title and granted a general amnesty. A few days later, Xiao Sihua was appointed as the General of Pacifying the North and the Governor of Xuzhou. Subsequently, Liu Yiqi was promoted, and He Shangzhi was appointed as the Chief Minister of the Left and the Guard General.
The emperor issued an edict saying, "Agricultural production is the foundation of governing the country and maintaining peace. When selecting talents, their conduct must be considered in order to govern the country well. The recent internal turmoil has just been quelled, government affairs are not completely in order yet, and there are still some issues in the people's clothing, food, housing, and daily life. The system for selecting talents is also not yet perfect. In ancient times, Duke Wen of Wei and Emperor Gaozong were diligent in political affairs and valued talents, ultimately achieving great success. I am constantly troubled by these issues, finding it hard to sleep or eat. All local officials must faithfully implement existing regulations and strive to develop the local economy. Those who work hard, farm diligently, and are good at saving should be greatly praised. The selection of talents must strictly adhere to standards and not allow any charlatans. Filial sons and virtuous subjects from all regions, if lacking true talent and learning, should not be elevated; if someone falsely claims credit and deceives the court, they should be sent back to their hometown and punished. The Ministry of Personnel is the foremost among all officials, the pivot of national affairs, and officials at all levels have their own responsibilities. However, recently many matters have been handled by subordinates, which is not conducive to nurturing talent and advancing the nation. Therefore, responsibilities must be clarified, strict assessments conducted, and rewards and punishments clearly distinguished." That year, the four-zhu coins were reissued, and the emperor's son Ziyè was appointed Crown Prince. At the same time, rewards were given to those throughout the country who observed filial piety towards their fathers, with filial sons, dutiful grandsons, righteous husbands, and virtuous wives all receiving different levels of rewards. This month, Zhengguang Hall was also built. In the second month, the Inspector of Yuzhou, Lu Shuang, General of Chariots and Cavalry, Zang Zhi, Inspector of Jiangzhou, Prime Minister and Inspector of Jingzhou, Prince Yixuan of Nanjun, and Inspector of Yanzhou, Xu Yibao, all revolted! Prince Yi of Donghai was dismissed. Liu Yuanjing was promoted to General. The court issued an amnesty for Yuzhou. Wang Xuanmo was appointed Inspector of Yuzhou and led his troops to seize Liangshan. Xiahou Zuhuan was appointed Inspector of Yanzhou.
In March, martial law was declared nationwide. Xiao Sihua was reassigned as General of Annan and Governor of Jiangzhou, while Liu Yuanjing continued to serve as General of the Pacification Army and was appointed Governor of Yongzhou. Pang Xiuzhi was appointed as Governor of Xuzhou. Xu Yibao was defeated by Xiahou Zuhuan and fled. Ming Yin was appointed as Governor of Jizhou.
In April, Liu Yiqi was appointed as Governor of Xiangzhou; Zhu Xiuzhi was appointed as General of Anxi and Governor of Jingzhou. Shen Qingzhi defeated Lu Shuang at Lixiang Xiaoxian, and Lu Shuang was beheaded. Shen Qingzhi was promoted to Grand General of Zhenbei. The Emperor bestowed the title of King of Dongping on his sixteenth brother, Xiuxian, but unfortunately, Xiuxian passed away before he could be officially appointed.
In May, Yi Xuan and others attacked Liangshan but were defeated by Wang Xuanmo. Martial law was lifted. Liu Yansun was appointed as the Right Minister.
In June, Zang Zhi fled to Wuchang and was killed; Zang Zhi's head was sent to the capital. Liu Yuanjing was promoted to Grand General of the Army, and Shen Qingzhi was appointed as Chancellor of the Palace Attendants. Prince Hun of Wuchang was appointed as Governor of Yongzhou. Yangzhou was split into two regions: Yangzhou and Dongyangzhou; Jingzhou, Xiangzhou, Jiangzhou, and Yuzhou were split into Yingzhou; the position of Southern Barbarians Command was abolished; the structure of the Ministry of Personnel was streamlined. Yi Xuan was executed in Jiangling.
On the first day of July, there was a solar eclipse. A general amnesty was granted, and all civil and military officials were promoted by one rank, with previous tax debts and debts forgiven. Jianchang Commandery was established in Yongzhou, and Prince Yiyang Chang was appointed as Governor of Dongyangzhou.
In August, Liu Yuanjing resumed his position as Commander-in-Chief, without any changes to the other appointments. Yuan Huzhi was appointed as Governor of Xuzhou; Liang Tan was appointed as Governor of Liangzhou and Nanqinzhou.
In September, Yin Huaishun was appointed as Governor of Ningzhou; He Shangzhi stepped down as General of the Guards; He Shangzhi was promoted to Special Advisor; Xiao Sihua was appointed as General of the West and Governor of Yingzhou.
In October, the emperor decreed: "Confucius inherited heavenly virtue, and both the Zhou and Han dynasties prospered as a consequence. He established a model for future generations. Due to the loss of ancient texts, there have been problems with ancestral worship. The previous emperor had ordered repairs, but they were never completed for various reasons. The country has faced numerous crises, and it is thanks to loyal and brave warriors who fought valiantly, thanks to the teachings of the sage. I keep this firmly in mind and will not become complacent. We must now rebuild the temples and conduct sacrifices according to the standards set by the vassals, select appropriate sites, and ensure adequate sacrificial offerings." Prince Yi of the East Sea was appointed as General of the Army and Inspector of Jiangzhou; Anlu County was founded in Yingzhou.
In November, the Water Commission was reconstructed, and Water Envoys were designated. That year, taxes were imposed on the immigrant population of Southern Xuzhou.
In the first month of a certain year, on the Renyin day, the emperor appointed Prince Yudong to the position of Zhonghujun. In the second month, on the Jichou day, the Po Emperor sent envoys to pay tribute. On the Bingyin day, Shen Qingzhi was promoted to Left Guanglu Dafu, Kaifu Yitong Sansi, who had previously served as the General of Zhenbei and the Governor of Nanyanzhou. On the Xinsi day, Liu Yansun was promoted from Right Pushe of the Ministry of Personnel to the Governor of Nanyanzhou. On the Binghai day in the third month, Liu Zunkao was promoted from Prefect of Wuxing to the Governor of Xiangzhou. On the Renzi day, Yang Wenzhi was promoted to General Who Conquers the West and Governor of North Qinzhou, having previously been Acting General Who Conquers the West. In the fourth month, on the Renshen day, envoys from Henan also presented tributes. On the Renwu day, Tan Hezhi was promoted from Prefect of Yuzhang to the Governor of Yuzhou. On the Wuxu day in the fifth month, Liu Zunkao was promoted again, from Governor of Xiangzhou to the Right Pushe of the Ministry of Personnel; Yuan Hong was promoted from Front General to the Governor of Jiaozhou. On the Gengzi day, Shen Tan became the Governor of both Xuzhou and Yanzhou. On the Guimao day, Gu Jizhi became the Governor of Xiangzhou. On the Dingwei day, Wang Yan was promoted to Right Guanglu Dafu. On the Jiazi day in the sixth month, the country declared a general amnesty after the mourning period ended. On the Gengchen day, Wang Xuanmo was promoted from Marquis of Qujiang County to the Governor of Yuzhou. On the Guisi day in the seventh month, the emperor appointed his thirteenth son Xiuyou as the King of Shanyang, his fourteenth son Xiumao as the King of Hailing, and his fifteenth son Xiuye as the King of Poyang. On the Wuxu day, Xiao Sihua passed away, who served as the General of Zhenxi. On the Jiyu day, Liu Xiuzhi was transferred from Governor of Yizhou to the Governor of Yingzhou; envoys from the Panpan Kingdom also presented tributes. On the Jiayin day, Dao Yuandu was promoted from Prefect of Yixing to the Governor of Yizhou.
On the day of Gengshen in August, King Hun of Wuchang was implicated in a scandal, was removed from his position as king, demoted to a commoner, and ultimately committed suicide. On the day of Xinyou, Liu Yansun was promoted from the Provincial Governor of Nanyanzhou to General of the Garrison and Provincial Governor of Yongzhou. The state of Jindali also sent tribute. The Three Wu regions suffered from famine, and on the day of Guiyou, the Emperor ordered aid for the disaster-affected populace. On the day of Bingzi, the Emperor said, "The royal gardens and restricted areas take up too much land, affecting the production and livelihood of the common people. Some land should be appropriately opened up and leased to the poor." On the day of Renwu, the newly appointed Provincial Governor of Yuzhou, Wang Xuanmo, was additionally appointed as the Governor of Qingzhou and Jizhou, while Shen Tian was transferred from the Provincial Governor of Qingzhou to the Provincial Governor of Yuzhou. On the day of Jiashen, Tan Hezhi was appointed as the Provincial Governor of Nanyanzhou. On the day of Dinghai in September, the Emperor inspected the troops at Xuanwu Field. On the day of Gengxu, the Emperor issued a decree saying, "The country has suffered repeated disasters and is facing great difficulties. Although I lack merit and capability, I am fortunate to bear this responsibility. In order to reform and strengthen the country, I have pondered deeply and worried day and night. For those who were exiled for committing crimes in the past, they are allowed to return to their hometowns. For those who have made mistakes but still have room for improvement, their children may be appointed to official positions based on their merits." On the day of Renwu in October, Prince Yigong of Jiangxia concurrently served as the Provincial Governor of Yangzhou; Prince Dan of Jingling was transferred from Grand General of the Cavalry and Provincial Governor of Yangzhou to the position of Minister of Works and Provincial Governor of Nanxuzhou; Prince Hong of Jianping was transferred from Imperial Secretary, Left Supervisor of the Masters of Writing, and General of the Central Army to the position of Prefect of the Masters of Writing, without any change in military role. On the day of Wuzi in November, Prince Yu of Xiangdong was promoted, Liu Yansun was promoted from General of the Garrison to Protector General; Wang Xuanmo was transferred from the Governors of Qingzhou and Jizhou to the Provincial Governor of Yongzhou; Yuan Huzhi was promoted to the Governors of Qingzhou and Jizhou. On the day of Xinhai, an envoy from the Kingdom of Goryeo paid tribute. On the day of Guihai in December, Xiao Jingxian was reinstated as the Provincial Governor of Jiaozhou.
On the 7th day of the 1st month in 452 AD, the emperor conferred the title of King of Shunyang to his eighteenth younger brother, Xiu Fan, and the title of King of Baling to his nineteenth younger brother, Xiu Ruo. On the 28th day of the 1st month, the second son was appointed King of Xiyang. On the 31st day of the 1st month, the emperor personally went to the southern outskirts to perform sacrifices. On the 1st day of the 2nd month, Lady He was named the Crown Princess. On the 3rd day of the 2nd month, a general amnesty was issued. On the 19th day of the 2nd month, Wang Yan, the Right Guanglu Daifu, passed away. On the 21st day of the 2nd month, Zong Que was appointed the General for Pacifying the West and the Inspector of Yuzhou. On the 24th day of the 2nd month, the newly appointed Deputy Chief Imperial Secretary, Wang Yi, was designated as the Inspector of Guangzhou. On the 23rd day of the 2nd month, the emperor started meeting with his courtiers in the West Hall on the 1st and 15th days of each month to review memorials. On the 28th day of the 2nd month, officials, both within and outside the government, who owned land near official roads were permitted to send their servants to farm it.
On the 10th day of the 3rd month, Zishang, the Prince of Xiyang, was appointed Inspector of Nanyanzhou. On the 27th day of the intercalary month, Liu Zunkao, the Right Deputy Director of the Imperial Secretariat, was promoted. On the 30th day of the intercalary month, Xiu Ye, the Prince of Poyang, passed away. On the 33rd day of the intercalary month, the audit of military factory accounts prior to the 30th year of Yuanjia was halted. On the 8th day of the 5th month, it was decreed that in the seven provinces of Jingzhou, Xuzhou, Yanzhou, Yuzhou, Yongzhou, Qingzhou, and Jizhou, households with only one horse could be exempt from one poll tax. On the 9th day of the 5th month, Liu Yu, the Right Guard General, was appointed Inspector of Yizhou. In June, the emperor handled legal cases at Hualin Garden. In July, the Grand Tutor, Prince Yigong of Jiangxia, stepped down as Inspector of Yangzhou. On the 18th day of July, Zishang, the Prince of Xiyang, was appointed Inspector of Yangzhou, and Prince Xiuren of Jian'an, the Secretary Supervisor, was appointed Inspector of Nanyanzhou. On the 7th day of August, Fei Yan was appointed Inspector of Jiaozhou. On the 6th day of August, Wang Kun, the Deputy Director of the Ministry of Personnel, was appointed Inspector of Guangzhou. On the 9th day of September, Liu Zunkao, the Intendant of Danyang, was appointed Left Deputy Director of the Imperial Secretariat.
On the tenth day of October, Zhang Yue was appointed Prefect of Yizhou. On the thirteenth day of October, the Grand Tutor, Wang Yigong, was promoted to Grand Preceptor and concurrently appointed Minister of Education. On the fourteenth day of October, General Liu Yuanjing was promoted to General of the Cavalry, Wang Hong, the Prefect of the Masters of Writing, was appointed Director of the Imperial Secretariat and General of the Guards, and Wang Yi, the General Who Calms the Army and Governor of Jiangzhou, was promoted to General Who Calms the South. On the tenth day of November, the Governor of Huainan, Yuan Jing, was found guilty of a crime and executed. On the thirteenth day of December, Kong Lingfu was appointed Prefect of Yingzhou.
In the first month of the first year of the Ming Dynasty, the reign title was changed and a general amnesty was declared nationwide. Food and cloth were distributed to elderly and sickly individuals, with varying quantities. On the seventeenth day of the first month, General Liu Yansun was promoted to the position of Guard General. The Prince of Xiangdong was reassigned to the position of Central Guard General. It rained in the capital city on the nineteenth day of the first month, and officials were dispatched to inspect the situation and distribute firewood and food. On the ninth day of the second month, the management of public farmland affairs was resumed. The Suolu (a northern ethnic minority) invaded Yanzhou. On the eighth day of the third month, it was decreed that ministers wearing a belt sword were not allowed to enter the palace gates. The Liao (an ancient southern ethnic group) of Liangzhou requested to surrender, and the Huaihan commandery was established. In the fourth month, an epidemic broke out in the capital city. On the nineteenth day of the fourth month, officials were sent to inspect and distribute medicine. The authorities were responsible for handling and burying those who died without anyone to care for them. On the twenty-third day of the fourth month, the Songjian and Linhe commanderies in Xiangzhou were abolished. In the fifth month, there were floods in Wuxing and Yixing, resulting in widespread hunger among the populace. On the fifth day of the fifth month, officials were sent to open granaries to aid disaster victims. On the thirteenth day of the fifth month, court sessions were held at Hualin Garden. On the fifteenth day of the fifth month, General Shen Tanqing was appointed Governor of Xuzhou, and General Liang Jin was appointed Governor of Hezhou and the Prince of Dangchang. On the sixth day of the sixth month, Liu Xin, son of the former Prince of Nanfeng Liu Zhi, inherited the title of Prince of Nanfeng. On the eighth day of the sixth month, General Wang Xiuyou was appointed Governor of Dongyangzhou. On the fourteenth day of the sixth month, Xiuyou was reassigned as the Governor of Xiangzhou, and Yan Jun was appointed as the Governor of Dongyangzhou. On the eighth day of the seventh month, land surveys and household registrations were carried out in various immigrant counties of Yongzhou. On the seventh day of the eighth month, the Yangping commandery was established in Yanzhou. On the eleventh day of the eighth month, court proceedings took place at Hualin Garden. On the thirteenth day of the eighth month, the Minister of Works and Governor of South Xuzhou, Prince Jingling, was reassigned as Governor of South Yanzhou, and General Liu Yansun was appointed as the Garrison General and Governor of South Xuzhou.
On the nineteenth day of October, the emperor issued a decree, saying: "'The way of the royal regalia and the cord of sincerity,' my diligence in governance has surpassed that of the ancient sages. Moreover, the state of the world is deteriorating, education is shallow, and the situation is turbulent. Although I have been working hard to govern the world, I have not yet reached the level of providing abundant clothing and food; my knowledge is not comparable to the previous kings, and the governance of the country is not as good as that of the previous dynasties. I deeply feel that my virtue is insufficient. Very few grievances from the people can reach the throne, and many suggestions that are beneficial to the people and the country are neglected. From now on, all officials, including ordinary citizens, who have a desire for loyalty, have ambitions, feel aggrieved due to oppression, or are slandered due to their integrity but cannot reflect to the court, can bring their grievances directly to me; regardless of the size of the matter, I will personally listen." On October 29th, King Yuqing of Baekje was appointed as the Grand General of the East. On the seventeenth day of December, King Xiufan of Shunyang was renamed as King of Guiyang. On the nineteenth day of December, cases were heard in the Hualin Garden.
On the first day of a certain year AD, the emperor went to the southern suburbs to offer sacrifices. The next day, the emperor issued a decree, saying: "Last year, there were floods in many places in the east, and the time for spring planting is approaching, and we need to take extra precautions to timely distribute food and seeds." Subsequently, the land taxes for the counties were reinstated, as well as the stipends for the imperial family members. The emperor issued another decree, commemorating the achievements of the late emperor, saying that the late emperor endured great hardships in founding the empire, and now that much time has passed, I have continually honored the late emperor's contributions, so I want to promote officials and exempt soldiers from corvée.
In early February, the emperor issued a decree again, saying: "The national policies have not been fully implemented yet, the social atmosphere is still very bad, the wealthy are consolidating land, the poor are living in hardship, some are even unable to afford clothing. This deeply saddens me. Therefore, I command local officials to take good care of the people and to quickly formulate relief measures." Then, Chu Zhanzhi was appointed as the Left Minister of Shangshu, Prince Hong of Jianping was promoted, Liu Yuanjing was also promoted, and Prince Chang of Yiyang became the General of the Central Army. In March, Prince Hong of Jianping passed away. To save food, the palace ceased the slaughter of cattle. The emperor handled cases in the Hualin Garden. Liu Jizhi became the Inspector of Sizhou.
In April, the emperor appointed his son as Prince Anlu, and Prince Xiumao of Hailing became the Inspector of Yongzhou. An earthquake occurred on this day. In May, the county of Xiyang was restored. In June, a position of Minister of Personnel was added, and a position of Minister of War was reduced. He Shangzhi was promoted, and Yang Xuanbao was also promoted. The emperor issued a decree saying: "In the past, due to wars, many people fled, some were afraid of being caught, some evaded labor. Although the laws have been eased, there are still many fugitives, all because the officials did not do a good job of propaganda and guidance. Therefore, there will be a general amnesty, allowing everyone to start anew."
In July, a plot of rebellion was uncovered in Pengcheng, resulting in the death of the conspirator. Yan Shibai became the Inspectors of Qingzhou and Jizhou. In August, the Prince of Henan sent gifts. Wang Sengda, the Minister of the Imperial Secretariat, was convicted of a crime and died in custody. Du Shuwen, Fei Yan, and Yuan Lang were appointed as Inspectors of Ningzhou, Guangzhou, and Jiaozhou respectively. Shen Sengrong became the Inspector of Yanzhou. In September, the emperor handled cases in the Hualin Garden. Liu Daolong became the Inspector of Xuzhou. Xiangyang experienced a major flood, and the emperor dispatched aid. On this day, the positions of General of the Martial Guards and Regular Attendant of the Martial Cavalry were created.
In October, Wang Chang, the King of Yiyang, was appointed as the governor of Jiangzhou. The Goryeo Kingdom sent gifts. In November, Prince Shang of Xiyang was promoted. In December, a decree was issued permitting royal family members to establish memorial halls for funerals, while others were prohibited from doing so. In the intercalary month, the emperor issued a decree saying, "People from the mountains are unfamiliar with using fish and turtles for sacrifices. In recent years, due to wars, taxes have been heavy. Originally meant for emergencies, officials have made it a norm, leading to many abuses. Therefore, reforms are needed to reduce taxes and stop the suffering of the common people." The emperor handled cases in Hualin Garden, and Lin Yi sent gifts. In winter, northern minority tribes invaded Qingzhou, but Yan Shibei defeated them.
In a certain year, in the early days of the first month, Yuzhou's Liangjun was placed under the jurisdiction of Xuzhou. After a few days, Liu Yuanjing was appointed as the Prefect of the Masters of Writing, and Liu Zunkao was appointed as the General of the Army. After a few more days, the Po Huang Kingdom sent envoys to offer tributes. On a day in February, the six counties under the jurisdiction of Yangzhou were designated as the royal capital, and Dongyangzhou was renamed Yangzhou. There was a plan to establish a Colonel-Director, but it was abandoned as the main instigator (referring to the rebels) had already been executed. Prince Shang of Xiyang was transferred to be the governor of Yangzhou. After a few more days, the court reinstated the position of Minister of Justice. Jingzhou was experiencing a famine, and on a day in March, the court ordered a reduction in land rent and cloth taxes, with specific amounts depending on the circumstances. After a few more days, Yuan Lang was appointed as the governor of Yanzhou. A few days later, Prince Yu of Xiangdong was reassigned, while Prince Yi of Donghai was appointed as the General of the Guard and the General of Protection. After a few more days, Prince Yigong of Jiangxia was promoted to the role of Director of the Palace Library.
One day in April, the emperor was dealing with matters in Hualin Garden. A few days later, Fu Zhongzi was appointed as the Governor of Ningzhou. One day, Prince Jingling committed a crime, was stripped of his title, but he refused to comply, seized Guangling City, staged a rebellion, and even killed the Governor of Yanzhou, Yuan Lang. Therefore, Shen Qingzhi was appointed as the Grand General of Cavalry and Chariots to suppress Prince Jingling's rebellion. The emperor personally led the army and set up camp at Xuanwu Hall. Liu Jizhi, the Governor of Sizhou, rebelled and was defeated and killed by Liu Daolong, the Governor of Xuzhou.
One day in July, Guangling City was captured, and Prince Jingling was beheaded. All adult men in the city were killed, while the women were given to the army as rewards; martial law was lifted on the same day. One day, the court granted amnesty to the entire country, releasing the elderly, sick, and frail among officials, slaves, and servants. Filial sons, obedient grandsons, virtuous husbands, and chaste women all received rewards from the court, with different amounts. Impoverished families in the Wangji region, as well as those displaced by war, were exempted from taxes for a year. One day, Liu Xiuzhi was appointed as the Right Minister of Personnel. One day, two Yuzhou were set up, one to the north and one to the south of the Huai River. Shen Qingzhi was appointed as the Minister of Works while continuing to serve as the Governor of Nanyanzhou. One day, Prince Donghai Yi was appointed as the Governor of Nanyuzhou, while still serving as the General of the Guards. Prince Yiyang Chang was appointed as the Commander of the Army, and Prince Guixiang Xiu Fan was appointed as the Governor of Jiangzhou. One day, Wang Xuanmo was appointed Governor of Yingzhou.
On a certain day in August, the emperor issued a decree, saying: "Recently, many soldiers sacrificed their lives on the battlefield during the northern expedition. Some died in battle, some from illness. They all fulfilled their duties faithfully, but their compensation is very meager. The compensation should be increased, and it must be generous." On a certain day, Yu Shenzhi was appointed as the governor of Yuzhou. On a certain day, the emperor issued a decree, saying: "In ancient times, society was more virtuous, and the laws were relatively lenient. In the early years of the Han Dynasty, the country was stable, and there were few people imprisoned. This was because the rulers themselves were morally upright, and the people were honest and kind. Nowadays, the moral standards have declined, making education difficult. As a result, few understand the law, while many violate it. During my inspection, I noticed some prisoners in shackles who were nonetheless granted clemency. However, they are denied any benefits during national celebrations, which fills me with shame. They should be treated generously." On a certain day in September, the emperor issued a decree, saying: "Addressing the five major and three minor crimes from ancient times has always been a challenge; the complexities of legal provisions have worsened over time. Therefore, cases should be handled according to the actual situation, like the rapid case solving in the State of Lu; interference in the market should be reduced, and cases should be processed quickly like in the Han Dynasty. The court's handling of cases has raised doubts near and far, and the judgment results are also difficult to determine. Once imprisoned, they are often detained for several years. The people are troubled by this, and officials profit from it. From now on, once a prisoner’s confession is ready, it should be reported without delay, and I will personally review it to avoid long-term detention. If the case is too complicated and the evidence is extensive, a personal investigation must be conducted to understand the truth. In the future, we will continue to handle cases as we have in the past." On a certain day, Shanglin Park was built north of Xuanwu Lake.
On a certain day in October, the emperor issued a decree, saying: "In ancient times, sacrifices were held at the Azure Altar to pray for a good harvest, and sacrificial garments were made from silk cocoons at the Xuanjiao. Next year, let the concubines of the six palaces perform the silk ceremony." On a certain day, Liu Yansun was appointed as the General of Chariots and Cavalry. On a certain day, envoys from the kingdoms of Goguryeo and Sushen arrived with tributes. On a certain day, Juqu Anzhou was appointed as the General of Pacifying the Barbarians and the Governor of Liangzhou.
On a certain day in November, envoys from Goguryeo and Sushen came to offer tributes; the Western Regions presented dancing horses. On a certain day in December, the emperor handled cases in the Hualin Garden. On a certain day, the position of Minister of Ceremonies was created.
In January of the year 454 AD, the emperor took to the fields himself to offer sacrifices. A few days later, King Dangchang presented gifts. The next day, the emperor personally plowed the fields and announced a nationwide amnesty. All prisoners in the Prison of the Imperial Edict, as well as any overdue rents and debts incurred before the first year of Daming, were forgiven. Hardworking commoners were assigned positions based on their contributions; those who were filial to their parents, loving to their siblings, loyal, and obedient to their elders could be promoted by one rank; elderly widows, the poor, and the sick were each given ten hu of grain; officials in charge of farming also received generous rewards; loans were given to those lacking seeds based on their circumstances; officials who actively encouraged the people to labor diligently were commended and promoted. On this day, Liu Shuren was appointed as the Governor of Liangzhou and Nanqinzhou, while Zhu Xiuzhi was promoted to the General of the Garrison. Three princes were appointed as kings: the third son became King Jin'an, the sixth son became King Xunyang, the seventh son became King Liyang, and the eighth son became King Xiangyang.
In February, Prince Xiu Ren of Jian'an was appointed governor of Xiangzhou; Fei Jingxu was appointed governor of Ningzhou. In March, Prince Xiu Ruo of Baling was appointed governor of Xuzhou; Prince Zisui of Anlu was appointed governor of Yingzhou; Liu Daolong was appointed governor of Qingzhou and Jizhou. In the north, the Suolu forces invaded Northern Yinping Kongdi and were defeated by Prefect Yang Guizi. On that day, the Empress went to the western suburbs to tend to the silkworms. In April, Nan Langye County was incorporated into the capital region. The Emperor decreed, "In the past, I wore coarse cloth to govern the world, to demonstrate my commitment to thrift; I used coarse pottery to hold rice, to show my diligence. I have always remembered thrift in my heart, and despite my repeated orders for officials to be frugal and practical, annual expenses remain high. To promote thrift, I have decided to reduce half of the seasonal offerings, which aligns with the principle of frugality and eases the burden on the people; overly luxurious clothing adds to the people's burden and should be minimized; decorative items that are costly in both labor and materials should also be minimized."
In April, the emperor issued another decree saying, "The capital's climate is still unstable, with an epidemic spreading. I am deeply concerned about the people's suffering. We should send aid to comfort them and provide medical assistance; for those who unfortunately pass away, appropriate compensation should be provided." In May, the emperor handled lawsuits in the Hualin Garden; Liangjun in Xuzhou was transferred to Yuzhou; the Minister of Works, Chu Zhanzhi, has died; Liu Sikao was appointed as the governor of Yizhou; the counties of Nanxia and Nanpengcheng were merged. In July, He Shangzhi passed away. In August, Prince Dangchang presented gifts again; Prince Jin'an was appointed as the governor of Nanyanzhou; Yongzhou experienced a major flood, and the court sent troops for disaster relief. In September, Yuan Huzhi was appointed as the governor of Yuzhou; the emperor handled lawsuits in the Hualin Garden; Prince Xiangyang was renamed Prince Xin'an. In October, the court sent Shen Qingzhi to attack the barbarians along the river; the court decreed that county salaries should be reduced, with the excess going to the national quota. In November, the Xizuo Shu was renamed the Left and Right Imperial Palace Officials; the position of Grand Minister of Agriculture was restored. In December, the emperor handled lawsuits in the Hualin Garden; the emperor visited the Ministry of Justice and ordered the release of all prisoners; the Sulu Kingdom sent envoys to seek reconciliation; the emperor went to Jiankang County and released prisoners from the prison; the Wa Kingdom sent envoys to present gifts.
In a certain year, during the Common Era, on the first day of the lunar new year, Liang Tangzi was appointed Governor of Hezhou. On a certain day in the second month, the emperor conducted a military review. The emperor decreed, "The ancients said that to govern the country and keep the peace, military affairs must come first. Even in times of peace when the army is not used, forgetting about military matters will bring danger to the country. I usually handle state affairs in an orderly manner, with clear rewards and punishments for the military. However, recently the laws have not been enforced effectively; the people are unaware of the laws, evade labor duties, disobey orders, and violate criminal laws. All those who have fled are pardoned as of this morning; those who have been imprisoned are to be released to their hometowns; those who owe taxes will have all debts from three years ago waived. From now on, widows, orphans, the poor, the sick, and the elderly will be carefully reviewed to reduce their burden; families of soldiers will have half of their taxes reduced. The recently revised household registration system contains numerous errors and must be thoroughly rechecked, effective immediately. If the system has been violated in the past, it will also be pardoned." On another day that month, Yang Xuanbao was promoted to Right Guanglu Dafu Tejin. On another day that month, Prince Shang of Xiyang was reappointed as the Prince of Yuzhang. On another day that month, Liu Yuanjing was promoted to Left Guanglu Dafu, Shangshu Ling, and Kaifu Yitong San Si. On another day that month, the emperor decreed, "Last year, Nanxuzhou and Yanzhou suffered severe floods, and the people are living in hardship. Those who owe taxes can wait until after the autumn harvest to pay." On another day that month, the Inspector of Yongzhou, Prince Huai Ling, Xiumao, killed Sima Yushen, raised troops in rebellion, and was subsequently defeated and killed by Xue Jikao, the Prefect of Yicheng. On another day that month, the ninth prince, Ziren, was appointed Governor of Yongzhou.
On a certain day in May, it was decreed that members of the royal family would receive a monthly subsidy of 100,000 coins, and officials in the court who did not receive a salary. On a certain day in the same month, the Emperor went to the Martial Arts Hall to listen to lawsuits. On a certain day in June, Prince Chang of Yiyang was appointed as the Commander of the Central Army. On the same day in June, the Guangling Commandery was divided to create the Pei Commandery, and East Ping Commandery was abolished and merged into Guangling Commandery. On a certain day in July, the Emperor decreed, "There is too much rain, streets are flooded; send officials to inspect the situation and provide relief to impoverished families by distributing food and firewood." On the same day in July, an envoy from Goryeo came to pay tribute. On the same day in July, all criminals in Yongzhou were pardoned. On a certain day in August, the ninth prince was appointed as Prince Yongjia, and the eleventh prince was appointed as Prince Shi'an. Fei Bohong was appointed as the Inspector of Ningzhou. On the same day in August, the Emperor decreed, "Since I ascended the throne, I have worked diligently to govern, valued rituals and music, promoted benevolent governance, stabilized society, and fostered a virtuous atmosphere. However, due to various reasons, the academic atmosphere has declined, and lawsuits are constant. Now that the world is peaceful, it is an opportune time to educate the populace. Next year, schools will be renovated and outstanding talents will be commended." On the same day in August, it was decreed that the borrowed white boards from local officials would adhere to the time limits established by the court, salaries would be reduced by one-third, and no additional allowances would be given. Prince Yi of Donghai was appointed as the Governor of the Palace Attendants. On the first day of September, a solar eclipse occurred. On a certain day in the same month, the Emperor visited Langye Commandery, pardoning all prisoners. On a certain day in the same month, the administrative center of Nanyuzhou was relocated from Huainan to Huxian. On the same day in the same month, Prince Fang of Xunyang was appointed as the Inspector of Nanyuzhou. In the intercalary month, the Empress of the Crown Prince, Lady He, passed away. On the same day in the intercalary month, new roads were constructed from Changhe Gate to Zhuque Gate, and from Chengming Gate to Xuanwu Lake. On the same day in the intercalary month, Prince Xu of Liyang was re-designated as Prince Linhai.
On a certain day in October, Liu Yansun was appointed as the Left Deputy of the Imperial Secretariat and the General of the Imperial Guards. Liu Xiu was appointed as the General of Pacifying the North and the Inspector of Yongzhou. Prince Xu of Linhai was appointed as the Inspector of Guangzhou. On the same day of the same month, Prince Luan of Xin'an was appointed as the Inspector of Southern Xuzhou. In November, the Emperor issued a decree stating: "The population in the capital region is large, and affairs are busy. Government affairs should be simplified to lighten the burden on the people. Send the Imperial Secretariat to conduct detailed inspections and collaborate with local officials to address various cases. If there are difficult problems, they should be reported promptly." On the same day of the same month, an additional Assistant Minister of Finance was appointed. On a certain day in December, Liu Zunkao was appointed as the Right Deputy of the Imperial Secretariat. On the same day of the same month, it was mandated that all citizens across the country pay four bolts of cloth annually. On the same day of the same month, Wang Xuanmo was appointed as the General Who Pacifies the North and the Inspector of Xuzhou.
In the year 456 AD, on the sixth day of the first lunar month, the Inspector of Xiangzhou, Prince Xiuren, was promoted to General Who Pacifies the South. On the eleventh of the same month, the Emperor personally went to the southern suburbs to offer sacrifices. On that day, he also held ancestral sacrifices in the Mingtang and declared a general amnesty throughout the realm. Filial sons, obedient grandsons, righteous husbands, and respectful younger brothers were all granted noble titles; kind aunts, virtuous wives, widows, the elderly, and those afflicted with six types of illnesses were each granted five bolts of cloth and ten bushels of grain. The court commended and awarded those who made outstanding contributions across the country. Some of these individuals were of noble character, upright and honest, content with poverty, and did not mingle with worldly desires; some were knowledgeable in ancient and modern matters and adept in military strategies; some were law-abiding, honest, and held in high regard by the people. The court documented the contributions of these individuals in detail. On the fifteenth of the same month, the court established the positions of Colonel of the Five Offices and Left and Right Colonels.
On the second day of the second month, the court restored the salaries of all officials. On the seventh day of the third month, the thirteenth royal son, Ziyuan, was established as the King of Shaoling. On the ninth day of the third month, the Crown Prince of Japan, Xing, was appointed as the General of Andong. On the twelfth day of the third month, Nangliang County, Yuzhou, was renamed Huainan County, and the original Huainan County was merged into Xuancheng County. On the fourteenth day of the third month, the Assistant General, Chief of Staff for Pacification of Barbarians, and Governor of Guangling, Shen Huaiwen, was imprisoned for committing a crime and ultimately died in custody. On the seventh day of the fourth month, the court waived the overdue taxes owed by Nanyanzhou from three years prior to the Daming era. The court also built a new Dahang Gate. On the ninth day of the fifth month, the Ice Chamber was established, and the ceremony of storing ice was restored. On the fourteenth day of the fifth month, the Grand Preceptor, Prince Yigong of Jiangxia, resigned from the position of Minister of Works. On the eighth day of the sixth month, the Minister of the Left, General of the Guard, Liu Yansun, passed away.
On the seventh day of the seventh month, the Inspector of Jingzhou, Zhu Xiuzhi, was appointed as the General Who Leads the Army, and the Inspector of Guangzhou, Prince Zixu of Linhai, was appointed as the Inspector of Jingzhou. On the eleventh day of the seventh month, an earthquake occurred. On the fifteenth day of the seventh month, the Assistant General, Wang Yizhi, was appointed as the Inspector of Guangzhou. On the eighteenth day of the seventh month, the Prefect of Xiyang, Tan Yizhi, was appointed as the Inspector of Jiaozhou. On the twenty-second day of the seventh month, the nineteenth royal son, Ziyun, was appointed as the King of Jinling. On the tenth day of the eighth month, the overdue taxes owed by Yongzhou before the fourth year of Daming were waived. On the twelfth day of the eighth month, the Qingtai Prefect was established. On the fifth day of the ninth month, the etiquette for monks to pay their respects to the emperor was formalized. On the seventh day of the ninth month, the former Grand Minister of the Purple Light, Zong Que, was appointed as the Central Protector of the Army. On the fourteenth day of the ninth month, the Right Minister of the Imperial Secretariat, Liu Zunkao, was appointed as the Left Minister of the Imperial Secretariat, and the Intendant of Danyang, Wang Senglang, was appointed as the Right Minister of the Imperial Secretariat.
On the fourteenth day of the tenth month, Shihong, son of Prince Shanyang, inherited the title of Prince Ai of Poyang from Prince Xiuye. On the sixteenth day of the tenth month, the emperor decreed that joint burials in Shanglin Park should not be prohibited if requested by the people. On the sixth day of the eleventh month, Prince of Chenliu, Cao Qianshu, passed away. On the eighth day of the eleventh month, the Grand Secretary, Liu Yuanjing, was appointed as the Minister of Works while still holding the position of Grand Secretary.
In the first month of the year 460 AD, the emperor decreed: The spring inspection ceremony dates back to the Zhou Dynasty; records of political affairs are also documented in the historical records of the State of Lu. This serves to showcase good governance and legal principles, setting an example for the people. This year, the weather is favorable and the country is peaceful. During the agricultural off-season, it would be fitting to revive this ancient custom. A date is set for a grand review of the troops at Xuanwu Lake, and to inspect the regions south of the Yangtze River, conduct military drills, and go hunting.
A few days later, Wang Senglang was appointed as the Grand Minister of Rites, Yan Shibai as the Right Chancellor of the Secretariat. Liu Yuanjing was appointed as the Grand General of the Cavalry and granted the title of "Three Excellencies." Prince Xun of Jin'an was appointed as the Inspector of Jiangzhou. Wu County was transferred to Nanxuzhou. In the second month, the emperor inspected the provinces of Nanyuzhou and Nanyuanzhou.
The emperor also proclaimed: "The Jianghan and Chu regions must hold sacrificial ceremonies on time, with elaborate ceremonies at Jiuyi Mountain and offerings to the Sea God at Penglai. These are ancient traditions that all previous emperors have followed. Huoshan is the Southern Yue, serving as the country's barrier, imbued with spiritual energy and abundant omens of good fortune, contributing to the prosperity of the Song Dynasty. When I visited the wilderness and performed sacrifices at Qishan, witnessing the changing winds and clouds, I was deeply moved. Send people to Huoshan for sacrifices!"
The emperor then went hunting at Wujiang in Liyang, climbed Liuhe Mountain in Wujiang County, and established the Lijiang Commandery. The emperor decreed again: "I have been granted the mandate of heaven for eleven years, supported by the blessings of my ancestors. My rule extends across the four seas, commanding respect across all realms. I have inspected the Three Xiang regions, sacrificed at Hengshan, inspected the Yellow River, and visited Mount Tai. Now, as I travel across various regions, gathering the people's sentiments, training the army, alongside grand ceremonies and feasts for both nobles and commoners. With peace and auspicious signs throughout the land, I wish to extend my blessings to all, thus, I hereby proclaim a general amnesty, exempting this year's taxes and debts in the areas I have visited, bestowing titles upon the people and offering cattle and wine to women. Officials and people participating in the inspection will be rewarded."
The emperor issued another decree, saying, "When I was young, I managed political affairs, governed Yongzhou, promoted education, and have gone through many years of experience. In the process of national development, there have been obstacles. I once trained troops in the Jianghuai region and have always been concerned about the people here. Now that I am here again to train the army, seeing the local citizens, I am deeply moved. Although the time is short, there have been far too many deaths, and reflecting on the past is truly heartbreaking. Emperor Taizong bestowed favor on all directions in Jinyang, Emperor Gaozu was benevolent to the world, I should inherit their aspirations and continue to show kindness to the people. Therefore, I exempt the county of Liyang from three years of taxes, send officials to comfort the citizens, understand their hardships, provide generous aid to the elderly, widows, and the sick, and offer sheep and wine to the elderly. Reward all who have contributed; give rewards to the old ministers and officials who have served the country before, even if they have passed, their descendants should still benefit."
The emperor returned to the palace. In April, Zhu Xiuzhi was appointed as Grand Minister, and Wang Yu of Xiangdong was appointed as the leader of the army. The emperor decreed, "Unless it is on the battlefield, no one is allowed to kill without authorization. If the crime is particularly severe, it must be reported to the court first and be strictly reviewed by the relevant departments. Offenders will be punished for murder." In May, Prince Shang of Yuzhang was appointed as the General of Chariots and Cavalry, and Prince Zhen of Shi'an was appointed as the Governor of Guangzhou. The emperor decreed, "From now on, if governors and local officials want to mobilize the people or the army, they must have my decree. Only in urgent border situations or internal rebellions will there be exceptions." In June, Liu Yuanhu was appointed as the Governor of Liangzhou and Nanqinzhou. The states of Rui Rui and Goryeo paid tribute. Liu Deyuan was appointed as the Governor of Yuzhou. In July, King Gao Lian of Goryeo was appointed as the Grand General of Chariots and Cavalry and was granted the title of 'Yitong Sanji.' The emperor decreed, "It was previously ordered that the rivers, seas, fields, and ponds should be shared with the people, but after a few years, this rule has become lax, allowing famous mountains and rivers to be frequently occupied by individuals. The relevant departments must investigate strictly and restore the old system."
In August, the emperor issued a decree saying: "In the past, the grievances of women could spark wildfires; widows' sorrows could trigger earthquakes. This is because sincere feelings, no matter how small, will have an impact; feelings of sorrow, no matter how strong, can lead to collapse. I have toured various places, hoping for national peace and prosperity, but because of my actions, it has resulted in poor harvests, and this is my fault. Therefore, cut back on the palace's provisions and personally inquire about the prisons. The areas around the capital and the provinces will be jointly investigated by the Minister and local officials; other regions will be the responsibility of the governor. Carefully review laws and regulations to benefit the people. Crimes committed before the seventh year of the Daming era will not be pursued; for the impoverished, grain relief will be provided." The emperor also appointed two princes as kings. The emperor traveled to Jiankang in Moling County to adjudicate cases. In September, the emperor issued a decree saying: "Recently, the weather has been scorching, and the crops have suffered significant damage, but it is not too late to plant wheat now, and there is more rain. Order the eastern counties to quickly cultivate, and offer loans for wheat seeds to the impoverished."
The emperor issued a decree, saying: "The emperors of the Zhou Dynasty traveled far and wide, and the emperors of the Han Dynasty also visited various regions, all for the purpose of sacrificing to the gods and governing the people. Since I ascended the throne, I have toured various places many times, investigated the feelings of the people, understood customs and traditions, and studied the ancient laws and systems." Prince Luan of Xin'an, the governor of Southern Xuzhou, was also appointed as the Minister of Personnel. The emperor presided over cases at the Ministry of Justice and appointed another prince as a king. In October, the crown prince received his crown, and rewards were given to royal officials and ministers. The emperor toured Southern Yuzhou and decreed: "In the places I visit, rewards should be given to centenarians and the elderly; I will personally oversee the trials of those accused of crimes; people should be allowed to present their grievances in person; and rewards should be given to those who are loyal, filial, and hardworking in agriculture. Although there has been more rain recently, there was drought in the summer, so granaries should be opened for relief." The emperor presided over cases in Jiangning County, and Prince Shang of Yuzhang was appointed as the Grand Chancellor, Prince Yi of Donghai was appointed as the Minister of Works, and Prince Chang of Yiyang was appointed as the Grand Chancellor. The emperor decreed: "Clear rewards and punishments are the principles of governance. When I tour various places and understand the feelings of the people, rewards should be given to those who have merit, and punishments should be given to those who have faults." The emperor went hunting in Gushu. In November, criminals sentenced to death or lesser punishments in Southern Yuzhou were pardoned, and land rents were reduced. The emperor made sacrifices at the tombs of Huan Wen and Mao Qu. The emperor presided over cases in Liyang, Yongshi, and Danyang counties. The emperor conducted naval drills at Liangshan, where a white crane flew in. Some suggested a change in the era, but the emperor did not agree. Some prisoners were released. There was a severe drought in the eastern counties, and the emperor ordered the opening of granaries for relief. In December, the emperor reached Liyang, proclaimed a general amnesty, released prisoners, exempted military service, gave cows and wine to women in Liyang County, silk to elderly widows, and exempted ten years of taxes. Prince Yigong of Jiangxia was appointed as the Grand Secretary. Twin towers were built at Bowang Liangshan. The emperor returned to the palace after his visit to Liyang.
In the first month of the year 453 AD, the emperor issued a decree saying: "The harvest in the east was poor last year, and commerce should be developed extensively. Those who sell grain both locally and from afar can be exempted from various taxes on the road. Weapons they carry for self-defense shall also not be prohibited." On the sixteenth day of the same month, General Anbei and Governor of Yongzhou, Liu Xiuzhi, died. On the twenty-first day, General Pingnan and Governor of Xiangzhou, Prince Jian'an Xiu Ren, were appointed as General of Annan and Governor of Jiangzhou; Prince Zixun of Jin'an was appointed as General of Zhenjun and Governor of Yongzhou; Governor of South Xuzhou, Prince Xin'an Ziluan, was appointed as General of Fumilitary, still concurrently serving as Minister and Governor; Prince Boken, the heir apparent of Jiangxia King, was appointed as Governor of Xiangzhou.
On the eighth day of the second month, Tejin Zhu Xiuzhi died. On the ninth day, the emperor issued another decree saying: "Last year, some areas in the east suffered from drought, and the harvest was poor. Many officials sent by the court have fallen into poverty. Some even ended up wandering the streets and dying of hunger. I am deeply saddened! Grain should be released from the granaries to provide relief to Jiankang and Moling counties. If the relief work is not done properly and leads to starvation, those responsible will be held accountable!" On the fourteenth day, General of Zhenjun and Governor of Xiangdong, Prince Yu, was appointed as General of Zhenbei and Governor of Xuzhou; General of Pingbei and Governor of Xuzhou, Wang Xuanmo, was appointed as Commander-in-Chief. On the eighth day of the intercalary fifth month, former Assistant Censor Xiao Huikai was appointed as Governor of Qingzhou and Jizhou. On the ninth day, Grand Preceptor Yigong of Jiangxia was appointed as Grand Commandant. On the twenty-third day of the same month, Tejin and Right Guanglu Daifu Yang Xuanbao died. On the twenty-fifth day, the emperor died in the Yuzhu Palace at the age of thirty-five. On the fifth day of the seventh month, he was buried at Jingning Mausoleum in Yanshan, Moling County, Danyang.
The historian commented: "To work for the people of the world, this was the philosophy of Yao and Shun; to benefit oneself and benefit all things, this was the ambition of Emperor Zhong (referring to Emperor Wen of Song); to drain the lives of the people to sustain oneself, this was the practice of Jie and Zhou. Look at the current state of the Ming Dynasty (referring to the Song Dynasty), is it really going to drain the lives of the people? Even with talents and virtues akin to those of the Duke of Zhou, it will ultimately lead to great chaos in the world, what good comes of that?"
Emperor Taizu of Song, originally named Zhao Kuangyin and nicknamed "Che'er," was the younger brother of Emperor Taizong of Song, Zhao Guangyi. He was born in Jingkou in 407 AD (the third year of Emperor Yixi of Jin'an). At that time, Lu Xun was in rebellion, and young Zhao Kuangyin was only four years old. His father, Zhao Hongyin, sent Liu Cui to take him to the capital for safety.
In 415 AD (the eleventh year of Emperor Yixi), Zhao Kuangyin was appointed Duke of Pengcheng. Later, when his father went to fight against the Qiang tribe and passed by Pengcheng, he left Zhao Kuangyin there to guard the area. The Jin Dynasty court also promoted him, appointing him as the commander of military affairs in Xu, Yan, Qing, and Ji provinces, as well as the governor of Xuzhou, while retaining his position as a general. After the pacification of Guanzhong, his father returned to Pengcheng and promoted him again, appointing him as the commander of military affairs in Sizhou, Yuzhou, Huai Xi of Henan, Guangping of Yanzhou, and Chenliu of Yanzhou, as well as the general of the front, governor of Sizhou, and commander, sending him to guard Luoyang. This was not the end, as he was later appointed as the commander of military affairs in six provinces including Jing, Yi, Ning, Yong, Liang, and Qin, as well as the governors of Henan, Guangping of Yanzhou, Yicheng of Yangzhou, and Songzi, and the general of the Western Central Army, governor of Jingzhou, and commander, while still holding the position of commander.
In 420 AD (the first year of Yongchu), Zhao Kuangyin was appointed Prince of Yidu, with a fief of three thousand households granted to him. He was then sent to guard the northern Qin region, overseeing the seven provinces. He was promoted again, being appointed General of the West, and he was also given a ceremonial guard. Later, he was sent to guard Xiangzhou. That year, at the age of fourteen, he visited the court. He was seven feet and five inches tall (about 1.8 meters), well-versed in various books, and skilled in clerical calligraphy.
In the middle of the seventh month of the second year of Jingping, the young emperor was dethroned. A large group of officials, in formal ceremony, welcomed the new emperor to the throne.
The troops arrived in Jiangling, presenting the emperor's jade seal and seal. Attendant Chen Xiu, Attendant Chen Yi, Chief Secretary Chen Liang, Left Guard General Chen Jingren, Prosecutor Chen Long, Yue Cavalry Captain Chen Gang, Prosecutor Chen Kung, Attendant Chen Liu Siko, External Attendant Chen Pan Sheng, Chief Secretary Chen He Shang, Yulin Supervisor Chen Xiao Sihua, Shangshu Left Deputy Chen Sun Kang, Ministry of Personnel Chen Zhang Maodu, Yicao Chen Xu Changlin, Cangbu Chen Yu Junzhi, Duguan Chen Yuan Xun, and many other officials together submitted a memorial, stating: "We have heard that the rise and fall of fortunes is a cyclical process, and when things develop to the extreme, changes will occur. This is the law of nature and the principle of dynastic change. Recently, the national fortune has declined, the royal family is in difficulty, and the people across the land have nowhere to settle, and the territory established by the founding emperor is on the verge of collapse. Fortunately, Your Majesty is both virtuous and respected, and with the support of heaven and the people, the state is stable, and the people can live in peace. We believe that Your Majesty possesses the qualities of an emperor, with wisdom, martial valor, and filial piety that resonate throughout the realm, and the spirit of benevolence and righteousness prevailing everywhere. Therefore, auspicious signs have been frequently observed, and the omens are ever-present. The spirits of our ancestors bless Your Majesty, and the people across the land eagerly anticipate Your Majesty's arrival. We are fortunate to serve Your Majesty and participate in welcoming Your Majesty's actions, to usher in a new era of prosperity and restore peace and stability. We have arrived in Jiangling, looking towards the capital, with excitement that is hard to put into words, and we have come to present this memorial."
The new emperor replied, "The nation is enduring great difficulties and challenges; the situation is tumultuous and uncertain. I hold great admiration for my ancestors' accomplishments, reflect on the late emperor's aspirations, and feel profound sorrow for his absence. Thanks to the blessings of our ancestors and the assistance of loyal ministers and wise scholars, we have been able to turn peril into peace and restore order. I lack the virtue required for this great responsibility, and I feel anxious and unsure of how to carry it out. I plan to temporarily return to the capital to pay respects at the tomb of the late emperor and discuss state affairs with the wise scholars. I hope everyone can empathize with my feelings and not place too much emphasis on formalities." Officials from various provinces and cities referred to themselves as subjects, requesting to have welcoming signs for the new emperor put up at the city gates according to the standards of the court, but the new emperor did not agree.
On the day of Jiaxu, the emperor set out from Jiangling. On the day of Bingshen in August, the imperial carriage arrived at the capital. On the day of Dingyou, the new emperor paid respects at the tomb of the late emperor, returned to the imperial palace, and officially ascended the throne.
In the year 424 AD, on the eighth day of the eighth month in the first year of Yuanjia, an auspicious day, the court granted a general amnesty across the realm, changing the year from the second year of Jingping to the first year of Yuanjia. Both civil and military officials were promoted, and all outstanding taxes and debts were forgiven. A few days later, Xie Hui was appointed General Who Calms the Army and Governor of Jingzhou. Following that, Xu Xianzhi was appointed Minister of Works, Wang Hong as Minister of Works, Fu Liang was also granted the title of Left Guanglu Daifu and appointed Secretary of the Palace, and Xie Hui was promoted to Guard General. Tan Daoji was also promoted, from General Who Guards the North to General Who Conquers the North. The emperor also posthumously honored his mother, Hu Jieyu, as Empress Dowager and conferred upon her the posthumous title of Zhanghou. Prince Yikang of Pengcheng was promoted to General of Chariots and Cavalry, Prince Yigong was promoted to General Who Calms the Army and also granted the title of Prince of Jiangxia. The emperor also conferred the title of Prince of Jingling on his sixth younger brother and Prince of Hengyang on his seventh younger brother. Later, Liu Cui was transferred to Governor of Yongzhou, Guan Yizhi took over as Governor of Yuzhou, and Dao Yanzhi became the Commandant of the Central Army. To alleviate the burden on the people, the court also decided to halve the tax levy for Jingzhou and Xiangzhou this year. On the third day of the ninth month, the emperor appointed Lady Yuan as his Empress.
In the spring of the second year, on the second day of the first month, Xu Xianzhi and Fu Liang submitted a petition to the emperor to return to political power, and the emperor began to rule directly. On the seventh day of the first month, the emperor went to the southern outskirts to conduct sacrifices and declared another nationwide amnesty. On the twenty-second day of the third month, Wang Zhongde was appointed General of Anbei. On the fifth day of the fifth month, Xie Dan died. In the eighth month of autumn, on the seventh day, the court relocated the displaced people from Guanzhong to Hanchuan and established counties like Jingzhao, Fufeng, and Fengyi. On the eighth day of the eighth month, Prince Yikang of Pengcheng was appointed Palace Supervisor, the newly appointed Wang Hong was appointed Grand General of Chariots and Cavalry, and Jiang Heng was appointed Governor of Guangzhou. On the twenty-eighth day of the eleventh month of winter, Yang Xuan was appointed General of the Western Expedition and Inspector of Beiqinzhou.
In the year XXX AD, in the spring, on the first few days of the first month, Xu Xianzhi and Fu Liang got into trouble and were executed. The emperor sent Dao Yanzhi and Tan Daoji to deal with the Governor of Jingzhou, Xie Hui. The emperor led a large army westward and declared a nationwide amnesty. The next day, Wang Hong was appointed Minister of the Left, Prince Yikang of Pengcheng became Governor of Jingzhou, and Prince Yigong of Jiangxia became Governor of Southern Xuzhou. A few days later, Zhao Lunzhi was promoted. On a certain day in the leap month, the emperor's son, Shao, was born. On the second day of the second month, all the prisoners were pardoned. A few days later, Wang Jinghong and Zheng Xianzhi were appointed Supervisor of the Left and Right, respectively. Pan Sheng got into trouble and was executed. A few days later, Fan Tai was promoted, and the emperor departed from the capital that same day. A few days later, Dao Yanzhi and Tan Daoji defeated Xie Hui at Yinji. The emperor returned from Wuhu. Then, Xie Hui was captured, taken back to the capital, and executed. On a certain day in the third month, the emperor returned to the palace.
One day in May, Tan Daoji was promoted, Yanzhi Dao was also promoted. Prince Yixin of Changsha was also promoted. Juqu Mengxun was also promoted. The emperor issued an edict stating: "A wise king ruling the world must have a broad understanding of the people's sentiments, just as one inspects mountains and rivers and investigates local areas, in order to understand the real situation and so that people from afar can also feel the emperor's benevolence. My abilities are limited, yet I have inherited a great legacy. Although I have always wanted to govern the country well, my abilities are limited, and I do not fully understand the suffering of the people. Therefore, I will personally visit various places to understand the people's feelings. Now that the world is peaceful, it is time to recognize talent and promote learning. Therefore, I will send envoys to inspect various places, record the good officials, good people, and good deeds. If corrupt officials and lawless individuals are found, they must be reported. For the elderly, widows, orphans, and the sick, relief must be provided. Gather public opinions widely, adopt good suggestions, and make sure to inform me of these matters, as if I had witnessed them myself." One day in June, the emperor held court at Yanxian Hall. A few days later, the emperor went to Yanxian Hall to hold court again. And a few days later, the emperor was still holding court at Yanxian Hall. Wang Hua served as the chief military officer. One day in November, Ji Han and Liu Daochan received separate promotions. Liu Zunkao was also promoted. One day in December, Xiao Sihua was promoted. One day, Xu Peizhi rebelled, and he and his accomplices were all killed. In the spring of a certain year, on the first day of the first month, known as Yihai day, the emperor granted amnesty to criminals within a hundred-mile radius of the capital. A few days later, on Xinsi day, the emperor personally went to the southern suburbs for a sacrificial ceremony.
On the Yimao day of the second month, the emperor went undercover to visit Dantu and also paid respects at Jingling. On the Bingzi day of the third month, the emperor issued a decree saying, "Dantu is my hometown, and my career started here. Returning here now, I am overwhelmed with feelings! Thinking back to the Southern Inspection of Emperor Zhang of Han, who even bestowed grace upon Yuanshi County, my connection with the people of Dantu runs even deeper. I must surpass Emperor Zhang of Han. To show my grace and comfort the people, I hereby exempt Dantu County from rent and taxes for this year, and pardon all those who have committed minor crimes that are less than five years old. The soldiers who defended the city in three battles and their families will also receive appropriate compensation based on the actual situation." On the Dinghai day, the Right Chancellor, Zheng Xianzhi, passed away. On the Renyin day, the emperor prohibited the practice of sacrificing five silkworm cocoons during the summer solstice, as proposed by the magistrate of Fuyang County, Zhuge Chan. On the Gengxu day in the fourth month, the emperor appointed Wang Hui, the Right Minister of Justice, as the Inspector of Jiaozhou. On the Renwu day in the fifth month, the Central Protector Wang Hua passed away. An outbreak of plague occurred in the capital. On the Jiawu day, the emperor sent officials to care for the sick and provide medical assistance; if the deceased had no relatives, the court would supply a coffin. On the first day of the sixth month, on the Guimao day, a solar eclipse occurred. On the Gengshen day, the emperor appointed the Grand Minister of Glorious Fortune, Yin Mu, as the General of the Guard.
In the spring of the fifth year of the era, on the Yihai day of the first month, the emperor issued a decree saying: "I respectfully inherit the legacy of my ancestors, leading the people across the seas. However, education has not been widely spread, and there are still many aspects of governing the country that I do not understand. I am worried day and night, restless, seeking solutions to the problems. Recently, there have been imbalances in yin and yang, continuous droughts and plagues. I realize that this is a warning from heaven, and the responsibility weighs heavily on me! I am working hard to reflect on myself, handle affairs with seriousness, formulate punishments, hoping to respond to the condemnation of heaven and alleviate the suffering of the people. All ministers and officials, you must express your own opinions, point out my faults and shortcomings frankly, and do not hold back!"
In the first month of Jia Shen, the emperor went to Xuanwu Hall to review the army. On the day of Wuzi, a big fire broke out in the capital, and the emperor also sent people to inspect and comfort, and ordered relief for the victims. In the fourth month of Jihai, the emperor appointed Xiao Mo, the Southern Barbarian Colonel, as the Governor of Xiangzhou; on the day of Wuwu, he appointed Xu Huo, the Prefect of Shixing, as the Governor of Guangzhou. In the fifth month of Jimao, Zhang Shao was promoted from the Governor of Xiangzhou to the Governor of Yongzhou. In the sixth month of Gengxu, the Left Minister, Wang Hong, was demoted to the Guard General and granted the title of Household Secretary. In the sixth month of that year, there was a flood in the capital; on the day of Yimao, the emperor sent people to inspect the disaster and distribute relief grain. At the same time, Cheng Daohui, the Interior Minister of Jiangxia, was appointed as the Governor of Guangzhou.
In the eighth month of Renxu in autumn, the Grand Master of Joy, Fan Tai, passed away. In the tenth month of Jiachen in winter, the emperor personally tried cases at Yanxian Hall. In the intercalary month of Guiwei, Liu Dewu was promoted from the Right Army Sima to the Governor of Yuzhou. In the month of Xinmao, Duke Zhou Ji of Anlu was appointed as the Governor of Ningzhou. In the twelfth month of Gengyin, the Grand Master of Joy and the General of the Army, Zhao Lunzhi, passed away. In that year, the Kingdom of Tianzhu also sent envoys to offer a selection of exotic treasures.
In the first month of the sixth year of 452 AD, on the first day of the month, which fell on a Xinchou day, the Emperor personally went to the southern suburbs to offer sacrifices. Then, on the third day of the month, Prince Pengcheng Liu Yikang, who was then the General of Chariots and Cavalry and Governor of Jingzhou, was appointed as the Minister of Personnel, overseeing the Ministry of Personnel, and was also concurrently appointed as General Who Pacifies the North and Governor of Nanxu; his official rank rose significantly. On the day of Dingsi in the third month, the Emperor appointed his son Liu Shao as the Crown Prince, which was a significant event. On the fifth day of the third month, a general amnesty was declared across the realm, and civil and military officials were all promoted by one level. On the eighth day of the third month, General of the Left Guard Yin Jingren was appointed as the Central Army Commander. On the day of Guihai in the fourth month, Wang Jinghong, the Minister of the Left Shangshu, was promoted to Minister of the Left, Prince of Linyi Liu Yiqing took over as the Minister of the Left, and the Minister of Personnel Jiang Yi became the Minister of the Right. On the first day of the fifth month, which was the day of Renchen, there was a solar eclipse, which was quite alarming. On the second day of the fifth month, the newly appointed Minister of the Left Wang Jinghong was further appointed as a Special Advancer and Left Guanglu Daifu, truly advancing step by step! On the third day of the fifth month, Liu Daoji was appointed as the Governor of Yizhou. On the fifth day of the fifth month, Fengyi County was established in Yongzhou, marking an adjustment in administrative divisions. On the day of Jiyou in the seventh month, the Minister of the Left Cheng Kongmo was appointed to develop the southern region. In this month, the King of Baekje also sent envoys to present some tributes. On the day of Wuwu in the ninth month, Longxi County and Songkang County were established in Qinzhou, continuing the adjustment of administrative regions. On the day of Renshen in the tenth month, due to a death in his family, Central Army Commander Yin Jingren resigned from his official position and returned home for mourning. On the first day of the eleventh month, which was the day of Jichou, there was another solar eclipse; ancient people must have experienced a lot of these celestial phenomena. On the day of Dinghai in the twelfth month, the Kings of Henan and Hexi both sent envoys to present tributes, suggesting that various regions were relatively stable. In the first few days of the first month of 444 AD, the Emperor appointed the Tuoba leader Murong Gui as General of the Western Expedition, concurrently serving as the Governor of Shazhou. In the same month, the King of Japan also sent envoys to present tributes.
One day in March, the Emperor sent the Right General to Yan Zhi to fight in the north, and the navy also advanced into the Yellow River. Later, the former General who had previously led campaigns against the Lu was appointed as the Governor of Sizhou; then, the former General of the Leading Army, Yin Jingren, became the Leading Army General. One day in April, the Kingdom of Helodan also sent envoys to pay tribute. In June, Champion General Yang Nandan was appointed as the Governor of Qinzhou.
One day in July, the Suolu, a northern ethnic group, abandoned their defense of Qiaoao and fled. A few days later, the Military Advisor Zhen Fahuo was appointed as the Governor of Liangzhou and South Qinzhou. Later, the Suolu also fled from Huatai. Afterwards, the Lin Yi Kingdom, Heluo Tuo Kingdom, and Shizi Kingdom all sent envoys to pay tribute.
One day in October, the court dissolved Nanyu Province, incorporating it into Yuzhou. At the same time, Left General Prince Yixuan of Jingling was appointed as the Governor of Xuzhou. A few days later, a coinage institution was established, and the minting of four-zhu coins commenced. Not long after, Jinyong City fell to the Suolu! On a day in November, Hulao City was also breached by the Suolu! Afterwards, the Emperor dispatched Grand General Tan Daoji northward to engage in battle, while the Right General Yan Zhi retreated from Huatai.
One day in December, the Governor of Nanyuan Province, Prince Yixin of Changsha, was appointed as the Governor of Yuzhou, and the Minister of the Ministry of Rites, Sima Jihan, was appointed as the Governor of Sizhou. On the same day, a fire broke out in the capital, and the fire spread to the north wall of Taisha. Zhu Lingshu, the Governor of Yanzhou, was executed for his crimes.
In the year 452 AD, on the seventh day of the first month, the court reestablished the Zhuyajun district in Jiaozhou. On the tenth day of the same month, Shen Xuan was appointed Governor of Yanzhou. On the fourteenth day, Grand General Tan Daoji defeated the Suolu at Dongpingshouzhang.
On the second day of February, Wei Lang was appointed as the Governor of Qingzhou. On the fifth day, Jiangyi was appointed as the Governor of Xiangzhou. On the eighth day, Huatai City was captured by the Suolu. On the tenth day, General Tan Daoji led his troops in retreat. On the fourteenth day, Xiao Sihua, the Governor of Qingzhou, abandoned the city and fled. Liu Zunkao was appointed as the Governor of Nanyuan Province.
On the first day of March, the emperor personally presided over a trial at the Yanxian Hall. On the fifth day, the emperor issued a decree that read: "In recent years, there have been continuous wars, national expenditures have soared, the national treasury is empty, and the rules and regulations are too cumbersome. They should be streamlined to adapt to the actual situation. All officials, both internal and external, must take this seriously and practice thrift." On the first day of April, Ruan Wanling was appointed governor of Xiangzhou. On the second day, Xu Zunzhi was appointed governor of Yanzhou. On the second day of June, the court issued a decree granting amnesty nationwide. On the sixth day of June, Jinling County in the Jiangnan region and Yangzhou came under the jurisdiction of Nanxuzhou, while the northern region came under the jurisdiction of Yanzhou. At the same time, Prince Yixuan of Jingling was appointed governor of Nanxuzhou, and Sima Jihan was appointed governor of Xuzhou. On the twentieth day of the leap month, the emperor issued another decree that said: "In recent years, agricultural production has been slack, there are many idlers, uncultivated land has not been reclaimed, and urging cultivation has had little effect. If drought or flood strikes, food shortages will follow. Without prioritizing agricultural production, we can't expect to have enough food and clothing. The county magistrates and prefects are responsible for taxation and managing the people; they should take this seriously and guide the people on the right path, encouraging everyone to work hard, avoid wasting land, cultivate crops, raise silkworms, plant trees, and do their part. If someone owns a lot of land but leaves it uncultivated, they must submit a list at the end of the year." In the same year, Yangzhou suffered from a drought. On the twenty-second day, the court dispatched an imperial censor to inspect the prisons and revise the corvée system. On the twenty-third day, Liu Daochan was appointed governor of Yongzhou. On the third day of August, Prince Yiqing of Linchuan resigned as Supervisor of the Left. On the sixth day, Qin County in Yuzhou came under the jurisdiction of Nanxuzhou. In December, the court dissolved Xiangzhou and incorporated it into Jingzhou.
In the year 450 AD, on the Gengxu day of the third month, General Wei Wang Hong was promoted to the position of Grand Guardian and concurrently served as the Chief of the Imperial Secretariat. In the same year, on the Dingsi day, General Tan Daoji, the Grand General of the South and Governor of Jiangzhou, was promoted to the position of Minister of Public Works. On the Yihai day of the fourth month, General Yin Mu was promoted to the position of Special Advisor, Right Guanglu Daifu, and was also granted the title of Duke of Jianchang County; while Zhi Yan was appointed as General of the Guards.
On the Renshen day of the fifth month, sadly, news arrived that Wang Hong, the Chief of the Imperial Secretariat, Recorder of the Imperial Secretariat, General of Wei, and Governor of Yangzhou, died. On the Jiaxu day of the sixth month, Shen Xuan was appointed as Governor of Qingzhou. The court also carved out a portion from Qingzhou and established Ji Province. On the Wuyin day, Prince Yikang of Pengcheng resigned as Minister of Public Works and was appointed as Governor of Yangzhou. On the Jimao day, Cui Yi was appointed as Governor of Ji Province. On the Rengwu day, Murong Yan of the Tuyuhun was granted the title of General Who Pacifies the East, Shi Qian as General Who Pacifies the North, and Hui Fa as General Who Guards the Army. On the Guiwei day, the Emperor issued a decree saying, "The regions of Yizhou, Liangzhou, Jiaozhou, and Guangzhou are distant from the capital, with complex situations; there may be management discrepancies, leading to potential issues. Therefore, special envoys should be sent to inspect and see what difficulties the common people are facing." Afterwards, the court established the positions of General of Archery and General of Crossbows.
On the Yiwei day, Murong Gui of the Tuyuhun was promoted to Grand General of the West, also held the position of Governor of West Qin and Hezhou, and was granted the title of King of Longxi. Yang Nandang, a Di tribal leader and Governor of North Qin, was also promoted to General of the West. On the Renyin day, Prince Yigong of Jiangxia was promoted to General of the North, with the title of Director of Households with Equal Rank, and also appointed as Governor of South Yanzhou; Prince Yiqing of Linchuan was appointed as General Who Pacifies the West and Governor of Jingzhou; Prince Yixuan of Jingling was appointed as Chief of the Imperial Secretariat and General of the Central Guard; and Prince Yiji of Hengyang was appointed as Governor of South Xuzhou.
On the seventh day of the seventh month in the year of Wuchen (戊辰), Wang Zhongde was appointed General of the Northern Frontier and Governor of Xuzhou. On the day of Gengwu, Yin Jingren was appointed Chief of the Imperial Secretariat, and Liu Zhan replaced Yin Jingren as General Commander. On the day of Renshen, envoys from Henan Guo and Hexi Wang presented various treasures as tribute. In the ninth month, a bandit named Zhao Guang emerged in Yizhou, causing chaos everywhere and seizing several counties, but he was eventually brought under control by the provincial military. On the day of Renzi in the eleventh month, Zhen Fachong was appointed Governor of Yizhou. On the day of Guichou, Song Kang County was founded in Guangzhou. On the day of Jiaxu in the twelfth month, Li Xiuzhi was appointed Governor of Jiaozhou. On the day of Gengyin, the Emperor named his fifth son Prince of Luling, and Lang, the son of Prince Yigong of Jiangxia, was appointed Prince of Nanfeng County. It is said that on the first day of the first month of a certain year, which was a Jiayin day, Prince Yixuan of Jingling was renamed Prince of Nanqiao. At the same time, General of the Northern Frontier and Governor of Xuzhou, Wang Zhongde, was additionally appointed Governor of Yanzhou; the Administrator of Huainan, Duan Hong, was appointed Governor of Qingzhou. On the day of Jiwu, the court granted a general amnesty to elderly widows and individuals suffering from six serious illnesses who were unable to take care of themselves, providing each with five hu of grain. In addition, the General and Governor of Yuzhou, Prince Yixin of Changsha, was promoted to General of the Garrison.
On the fifth day of the fourth month in the year Wuxu, Duan Hong, Qingzhou's governor, also took on the position of governor of Jizhou. Xiao Sihua, who had previously been granted the title of Marquis of Yangxian County, was appointed governor of Liangzhou and Nanqinzhou. In the fifth month, envoys from the Linyi Kingdom came to offer various exotic treasures. On the day of the sixth month Yihai, Wei Lang, the former governor of Qingzhou, was transferred to governor of Guangzhou. At the same time, envoys from the Helodan Kingdom from Shapo Zhou also came to offer tribute. On the day of the seventh month of Wuxu, the court granted amnesty to the provinces of Yizhou, Liangzhou, and Qinzhou. Two counties, Songning and Songxing, were established in Yizhou. On the day of the eighth month of Dingchou, Taiyuan County was established in Qingzhou. On the day of Xinsi, Dao Yanzhi, the General of the Guard, passed away. In the eleventh month, Nandang from Diyang led troops to raid the Hanchuan area. On the day of Dingwei, Zhen Fahud, the governor of Liangzhou, abandoned the city and fled, allowing Nandang to occupy Liangzhou.
In the second year of the first month, a fugitive called Ma Daxuan, along with several hundred accomplices, rebelled in the Taishan area, but was quickly put down by local officials and troops. On the day of the second month of Guiyou, Li Dan, the Prefect of Jiaozhi, was appointed governor of Jiaozhou. In the fourth month, Xiao Sihua, the governor of Liangzhou and Nanqinzhou, defeated Nandang of Diyang, and the conflict in Liangzhou was also resolved. On the day of the fifth month of Dingmao, the court granted amnesty to the region north of Jiange in Liangzhou and Nanqinzhou. On the day of Wuyin, Maoqian Dajuqu was appointed as the Grand General of the West and the governor of Liangzhou. In that month, the capital also suffered a major flood. On the day of the sixth month of Dingwei, the court disbanded Weijun. That year, envoys from the Linyi Kingdom, Funan, and Helodan all came to pay tribute.
On the eighth day of the first month in 434 AD, the emperor decreed a general amnesty. On the sixteenth day of the first month, the emperor personally went to the southern outskirts to offer sacrifices. On the twentieth day of the first month, Feng Hong was appointed the ruler of Yan. On the second day of the fourth month, Minister of Works Yin Jingren was promoted to Central Guardian. On the same day, the emperor issued a decree saying, "The stability of the Zhou Dynasty and the prosperity of the Han Dynasty both rely on the selection of talented individuals. I have always been eager to find talented individuals, and I find this regrettable, as those truly talented people are rarely given important positions. Many talented individuals are overlooked among the common people, and many positions remain unfilled in the court, which weighs heavily on my conscience. Therefore, you are encouraged to recommend any talented individuals you know, as Confucius said 'to select talents'; this has long been the tradition of appointing officials. Now, you can recommend talents from within and outside the court, and I will assess their abilities according to the rules." That night, an earthquake occurred in the capital city.
In June, regions such as Danyang, Huainan, Wuxing, and Yixing suffered from floods, with the streets of the capital flooded, forcing people to travel by boat. On the sixth day of June, the emperor ordered millions of shǐ of grain from the provinces of Xuzhou, Yuzhou, Yanzhou, and Kuaiji and Xuancheng counties to be distributed as relief to the people of five counties affected by the disaster. That month, the emperor also imposed a ban on alcohol. In the same month, envoys from the Kingdom of Lion paid tribute. On the eighth day of July, envoys from the Shaposhada Kingdom and the Funan Kingdom also presented tributes. On the ninth day of August, South Jinshou, South Xinba, and North Baxi counties were established in Yizhou. On the twelfth day of August, taxes were waived for those in disaster-stricken areas who owed them. In September, the bandit Zhang Xun wreaked havoc in Shu County. In November, Gou Daofu was appointed governor of Jiaozhou.
On the 10th day of the 1st month in 435 AD, the emperor fell ill and did not attend court. On the 6th day of the 3rd month, the Minister of Works and Jiangzhou Governor, Tan Daoji, was guilty of a crime and was executed. On the 7th day of the 3rd month, the emperor issued a general amnesty across the realm and appointed Prince Yixuan of Nanqiao as General of the South and Governor of Jiangzhou. On the 5th day of the 5th month, General of the North and Governor of Xuzhou and Yanzhou, Wang Zhongde, was promoted to Grand General of the North. On the 7th day of the 5th month, Wang Fangpai was appointed Governor of Yanzhou. In the 6th month, envoys from the Kingdom of Goguryeo and the King of Wudu presented tribute. On the 6th day of the 7th month, the Empress Dowager of Lingling passed away and was posthumously granted the title of Empress Jin, with a burial conducted according to empressial rites. On the 2nd day of the 8th month, Yin Jingren was appointed as Protector-General. On the 10th day of the 9th month, the second prince, Prince Xun, was established as Prince of Shixing, and the third prince, Prince Jun, was established as Prince of Wuling.
In the 1st month of the 14th year, the emperor personally went to the southern suburbs to offer sacrifices, and promoted all civil and military officials by one rank; elderly widows and those who were severely ill or unable to care for themselves were each granted five bushels of grain. On a certain day in the 2nd month, Liu Daozhen was appointed as Governor of Liangzhou and Nanqinzhou. On a certain day in the 4th month, Zhou Jizhi was appointed as Governor of Yizhou. On a certain day in the 8th month, Xu Senzhi was appointed as Governor of Jiaozhou. At the end of the year, on a certain day in the 12th month, the celebrations were called off because of the snowfall. Envoys from the Kingdom of Henan, the King of Hexi, and the Kingdom of Heluo sent gifts.
On a certain day in the second month of the fifteenth year of the reign, Tuoba Yuhun Murong Yan was appointed as General of the West, concurrently serving as the Governor of Qinzhou and Hezhou. On a certain day in the fourth month, the King of Yan sent gifts. Then, Lady Yinshi was named Crown Princess, and the Emperor rewarded officials below the rank of nobility, with varying degrees of rewards. On the same day of that month, the King of Wo was appointed as General of Pacification. On a certain day in the fifth month, Yin Mu, a Senior Grandee and Right Minister of Rites, died. On the same day of that month, Wang Zhongde, General of the North and Governor of Xuzhou, also died. On another day, Liu Zunkao was appointed as Governor of Xuzhou and Yanzhou. On a certain day in the seventh month, there was an earthquake. On the same day of that month, Xu Xun was appointed as Governor of Ningzhou. On a certain day in the eighth month, Zhao Bofu was appointed as Governor of Xuzhou and Yanzhou. On the same day of that month, Lu Hui was appointed as Governor of Guangzhou. On another day, Wang Fangpai was appointed as Governor of Qingzhou and Jizhou. That year, envoys from Wudu, Henan, Goryeo, Wo, Funan, and Linyi all brought gifts.
On the first few days of the first month, the Emperor held a military parade in the Northern Suburbs, which was quite a sight to behold!
On the day of Gengyin, Prince Yikang of Pengcheng was promoted to the position of Grand General while continuing to serve as Minister of State, with no change in other positions. Prince Yigong of Jiangxia was also promoted, from General Who Conquers the North to Minister of State, with his position as Governor remaining the same. In addition, Wang Jinghong was granted the honorary title of Specially Advanced Palace Attendant, which was quite impressive. On the day of Guisi, the court divided the territory of Jingzhou and established a new Xiangzhou.
On the day of Jihai in the second month, Prince Yiji of Hengyang was appointed as General of the West and Governor of Jingzhou. On the day of Dingwei, Prince Jun of Shixing was appointed as Governor of Xiangzhou. On the day of Guihai, the court divided Baixi, Zitong, Nandangqu, and Nanhanzhong of Liangzhou, as well as Nan'an and Huaining of Nanqinzhou, transferring them to the jurisdiction of Yizhou. At the same time, a new Balingzhou was established by separating it from Changsha and Jiangxia Commanderies, falling under Xiangzhou's jurisdiction.
In April, Prince Yixuan of Nanqiao was appointed as the General of the Northern Campaign and the Administrator of Nanxu Province; Prince Yiqing of Linqian was appointed as the General of the Guard and the Administrator of Jiangzhou. In June, Murong Yan of Tuyuhun in Longxi was appointed as the King of Henan. In July, Shi Yin and Fan Nuo of Tuyuhun were respectively appointed as the General Who Pacifies the West and the General Who Pacifies the Army. In August, the Emperor designated his fourth son as the King of Nanping. In the intercalary month, King Yixin of Changsha passed away; he had been the General Who Guards the Army and the Administrator of Yuzhou during his lifetime. In September, the court divided the Huainan region from Yuzhou and established Nanyuzhou. In October, Liu Zunkao was appointed as the Administrator of Yuzhou. In November, King Jun of Shixing was transferred as the Administrator of Nanyuzhou, and King Jun of Wuling took over as the Administrator of Xiangzhou. In December, the Crown Prince held his coming-of-age ceremony, and the Emperor proclaimed a general amnesty, celebrating across the realm! That year, envoys from Wudu, Henan, Linyi, and Goguryeo all came to pay tribute and brought a wealth of valuable tributes.
In a certain year (specific year needs to be supplemented according to historical records), on the first day of the fourth month of summer, which fell on the day of Wuyu, a solar eclipse occurred. On the tenth day of the fifth month, General Liu Zhan's mother passed away, prompting him to resign and return home to mourn. By the eighth day of the seventh month in autumn, the court appointed Du Ji as the governor of Qingzhou. On the tenth day of the seventh month, Empress Yuan passed away. In August, the provinces of Xuzhou, Yanzhou, Qingzhou, and Jizhou all faced severe flooding. On the sixth day of August, the court dispatched officials to assess the disaster and provide relief to those affected. On the tenth day of September, Empress Yuan was laid to rest in Changning Tomb. On the sixth day of October in winter, the former governor of Danyang, Liu Zhan, was implicated in a crime, and all those involved were executed. The court declared a general amnesty, promoting both civil and military officials by one rank. Prince Yikang of Pengcheng, who had previously served as Grand General, Minister of Works, Recorder of Imperial Documents, and Governor of Yangzhou, was transferred to the governorship of Jiangzhou while retaining his title as Grand General. Prince Yigong of Jiangxia, who had previously held the positions of Minister of Works and Governor of South Yanzhou, was promoted to Minister of Works and took over the responsibilities of the Imperial Secretariat. On the eighth day of October, Prince Yiqing of Linchuan continued in his role as Guard General while also serving as Governor of South Yanzhou; Yin Jingren remained as Supervisor of the Imperial Secretariat while also serving as Protector General and Governor of Yangzhou. On the twenty-eighth day of November, Liu Yirong was appointed as the leading general, and Xu Zhanzhi was appointed as the Central Protector General.
On November 29th, the emperor issued a decree stating: "The land, food, and seeds previously distributed to the people of Yangzhou and Southern Yuzhou, as well as the rent and food that have been exempted in Yanzhou, Yuzhou (both Yuzhou), Qingzhou, and Xuzhou in recent years, those that should have been collected will now be reduced by half. If there are still outstanding amounts after the reduction, they will be completely waived. All debts in arrears must be considered for reduction. The taxes and market inspections in various prefectures are often too heavy and harsh; the benefits of mountains and rivers are often prohibited; corvée labor and conscription even extend to children and the weak. These issues undermine the governance of the country and threaten the people. From now on, all matters must be carried out in accordance with the law, and leniency must be exercised. If there are any inconveniences, they can be reported separately based on specific circumstances, without compromising the original intention of being compassionate towards the people. Relevant departments must clearly convey this and comply with my intentions." On November 31st, the Minister of the Left and Governor of Yangzhou, Yin Jingren, passed away. On December 29th, Wang Qiu was appointed as the Minister of the Left. On December 30th, Prince Xian of Shixing was appointed as the Governor of Yangzhou, Prince Jun of Wuling was appointed as the Governor of Southern Yuzhou, and Prince Shuo of Nanping was appointed as the Governor of Xiangzhou. That year, the kings of Wudu, Henan, and the Kingdom of Baekje all sent envoys to present tribute items. In the spring of the year 442 AD, on the second day of February, Yu Deng was appointed as the Governor of Jiangzhou. In the summer, on the seventh day of May, Prince Liu Yiqing of Linchuan and Prince Liu Yixuan of Nanqiao were each appointed as Guard General and Governor of Southern Yanzhou and General Conquering the North and Governor of Southern Xuzhou, respectively, both concurrently holding the title of Yitong Sanqi; their positions were quite significant! On the thirteenth day of May, the court established Songxi County in Jiaozhou. That month, the Mian River flooded many areas. On the sixth day of June, the emperor sent officials to assess the situation and provide aid to those affected by the disaster. On the ninth day of June, General Liu Yirong passed away.
On the eighth day of the seventh lunar month, General-in-Chief Zhao Bofu was appointed, having previously served as the governor of Xuzhou and Yanzhou. On the tenth day of the tenth month in winter, Zang Zhi succeeded Zhao Bofu and became the governor of Xuzhou and Yanzhou; he was previously the governor of Badong County and Jianping County. On the fourteenth day of October, the court abolished the counties of Nanyan, Puyang, and Nanguangping under South Xuzhou jurisdiction. On the fifth day of November, the Minister of Personnel Wang Qiu passed away. On the sixth day of November, Meng Yi took over as the Minister of Personnel.
This year was not peaceful; the Di and Yang tribes attacked the Hanchuan region once again. On the nineteenth day of December, the court sent General Longxiang Pei Fangming and the governors of Liangzhou and Qinzhou, Liu Zhendao, to quell the uprising. In the same month, the Prefect of Jinning, Gong Cuansong, staged a rebellion but was quickly subdued by the Ningzhou governor Xu Xun. This year, the countries of Sute, Goryeo, Sumila, and Linyi all sent envoys to offer tribute, bringing many rare treasures.
On the Yisi day of the first month in the nineteenth year of the era, the Emperor issued a decree saying, "Establishing a solid foundation is essential; this reflects the profound teachings of the sages. Only with a solid foundation can success be achieved, and emphasizing learning is the most important. Therefore, we issue this decree to promote the three virtues, emphasize the four arts, and to guide behavior according to established laws. In governing a flourishing nation, one must adhere to these principles. Since I ascended the throne, I have consistently advocated for the profound teachings, wanting to influence all the people and unify various customs. I had already issued decrees to vigorously establish schools, but due to repeated wars, they were not built in time. I have always admired the achievements of the previous emperor and wanted to further promote them. Now that the border is stable and all ethnic groups have submitted to the court, broadening education for our youth is of utmost importance. Thus, we can adhere to this precedent and promote the great achievements of the previous emperor."
On the day of Jiaxu in the fourth month of spring, the Emperor began to hold sacrifices and ordered a general amnesty for the world after recovering from a long illness. In the fifth month of Gengyin, the Governor of Liangzhou and Qinzhou, Liu Zhendao, and the General Longxiang, Pei Fangming, defeated the Di and Yang rebellious forces, restoring peace to the Chouchi region. During the intercalary month, there was rain in the capital; on the day of Dingsi, the Emperor sent envoys to tour various places for disaster relief. In the sixth month of Renwu, Dajuqu Wuhui was appointed Grand General of the Western Expedition and Governor of Liangzhou. In the seventh month, Liu Zhendao was appointed Governor of Yongzhou, and Pei Fangming was appointed Governor of Liangzhou and Southern Qinzhou. At the end of the month of Jiaxu, a solar eclipse occurred. In the tenth month of Jiashen, the Rui Rui state sent envoys to pay tribute. On the day of Jihai, Jinning Prefect Zhou Wansui was appointed as the Governor of Ningzhou. In the twelfth month of Bingshen, the Emperor issued a decree stating, "Students have just entered school, and their studies are just beginning. It has been almost a thousand years since the teachings of the sages were interrupted. I reflect on these matters, miss those individuals, and feel deeply moved. The descendants of Confucius should promptly discuss the inheritance of the title. A temple should be specially built at the site of our ancestors' temple, officials for sacrifices should be appointed according to the old customs, and sacrifices should be conducted in spring, autumn, winter, and summer. Confucius' old residence in Queli has suffered from wars, and the school has been destroyed. The Lu County was ordered to repair the school buildings and enroll students. In ancient times, the wise and virtuous had their tombs protected, especially considering the enduring legacy of Nifu (Confucius) through the generations; yet his tomb has been neglected, overgrown with thorns, and left untended. Taxes near the tomb should be exempted for a few households, who should be responsible for maintaining the tomb." Five households, including Kong Jing, residing near Confucius' tomb in Lu County, were exempted from taxes and given the responsibility of maintaining the tomb, and they planted six hundred pine and cypress trees. That year, the Po Huang state sent envoys to pay tribute.
In the twentieth year of the first month, Wanchun Gate and Qianqiu Gate were newly opened on both sides of Taicheng, which was a big deal! In early February, Yu Dengzhi was promoted to be the Central Protector, and shortly after, Prince Lu Ling Shao succeeded him as the governor of Jiangzhou. Oh, the Chouchi region was seized by the Suolu. In a few days, the emperor held a military review at Baixia, and the scene must have been spectacular. One day in March, Prince Hengyang Yiji was promoted and received a salary increase, becoming the Grand General of the West and also the governor of Jingzhou. Shen Tan was also promoted, from the governor of Baxi and Zitong to directly the governors of Liangzhou and South Qinzhou; the speed of his promotion is truly enviable! In April, the emperor named his sixth son as the Prince of Guangling. Yu Dengzhi passed away in May. In July, Yang Wende was appointed as the General of the West and the governor of North Qinzhou, and was also granted the title of King of Wudu. In a few days, Xiao Sihua became the governor of Yongzhou. A few days later, the former governor of Yongzhou, Liu Zhendao, and the governors of Liangnan and South Qin, Pei Fangming, were imprisoned and ultimately died as a result of their crimes. In August, Tao Minzu was appointed governor of Guangzhou. In December, at the end of the year, Tan Hezhi was appointed as the governor of Jiaozhou.
The emperor also issued a decree, the content of which was: "The country is based on the people, and the people rely on food. Therefore, if one man neglects the fields, hunger will ensue; when the granaries are full, social norms will improve." In plain terms, this decree means that the country should prioritize the common people, and the most crucial thing for the people is to have enough to eat. If one person neglects the fields, it will lead to many people going hungry; only when the granaries are full will society prosper. The emperor continued, saying that in recent years, the people have been struggling financially, with no reserves at home, heavy taxes, and everyone suffering. If there is a bad harvest year, then every household will struggle to put food on the table. This all stems from poor governance, as well as insufficient farmland and low land resource utilization. Local officials have not done a good job of guiding, and the common people have not worked hard enough. The emperor said that this issue must be properly addressed. Although many orders have been issued, the results are not good. We cannot just wait for crops to grow on their own! Therefore, we must effectively carry out existing policies, urge everyone to work hard in farming, and put the idle to work. Reward those who deserve it and punish those who deserve it. The emperor also mentioned that ancient emperors personally tilled the fields to show their emphasis on agriculture. We should also learn from our predecessors, plan the land properly, and choose a good day to start farming. The emperor intended to lead a trip to the countryside for a sacrificial offering, hoping for divine protection so that the common people can all have enough food to eat. That year, envoys from the countries of Hexi, Goryeo, Baekje, and Wa all came to pay tribute. Unfortunately, various regions experienced continuous droughts and floods that year, resulting in poor harvests and widespread hunger throughout the population. The emperor had no choice but to open the granaries and distribute seeds.
In the first month of the year 447 AD, on the Ji Hai day, the court ordered a ban on brewing alcohol in the southern areas of Xuzhou, Yuzhou, and the western part of Zhejiang in Yangzhou. At the same time, the court announced a general amnesty, forgiving all debts that had been owed for the past nineteen years. In areas with poor harvests last year, the court would reduce taxes based on the actual circumstances. For particularly difficult areas, the court would send relief to those in need. Those wishing to farm but lacking seeds would be provided with loans and seeds by the court. Officials managing a thousand acres of fertile land received varying amounts of cloth as rewards. On the Wu Wu day, General Wei, King Yiqing of Linchuan, passed away. On the Xin You day, Liu Yizong was appointed governor of Nanyanzhou. On the second day of the second month, Zhao Bofu was appointed governor of Yuzhou. On the Ji Chou day, King Yigong of Jiangxia was promoted to Grand Commandant and concurrently appointed as Minister of Works. On the Geng Yin day, Shen Yanzhi was appointed as the Chief of Staff. On the Xin Mao day, the seventh prince was appointed as Prince Jianping. On the Jia Wu day, Prince Dan of Guangling was appointed governor of Nanyanzhou. In April, the people of Yanling in Jinling donated a thousand hu of grain for disaster relief. On the Ren Xu day in May, He Shangzhi was appointed as the Central Protector, and Liu Daoxi was appointed governor of Guangzhou. In June, it rained continuously. On the Ding Hai day, the emperor issued a decree stating: "The continuous rainfall has caused flooding, and the people's savings are already scarce, which makes it easy for them to fall into poverty. All county officials and departments must carefully take stock of supplies, distribute firewood and rice, and ensure that everyone receives their fair share."
On the 7th of July in the Ding You year, Wang Jun of Shixing was appointed as the General of Military Affairs, while Wang Zan of Wuling was appointed as the Middle Army General. On the day of Yi Si, the Emperor issued a decree stating, "In recent years, there have been poor harvests and frequent natural disasters, which is partly due to improper farming methods. Effective immediately, all counties in Nanxuzhou, Yanzhou, Yuzhou, Yangzhou, and the western region of Zhejiang must encourage the people to cultivate wheat to address the food shortage. The existing wheat seeds in Pengcheng and Xiapi counties should be transported as soon as possible, with the governor overseeing the distribution of loans. Although Xuzhou and Yuzhou have many paddy fields, the locals primarily grow dryland crops. They should be ordered to repair the old irrigation facilities in both towns, take the lead in building water conservancy projects, reclaim wasteland, and strive for a good harvest next year. All prefectures must make efforts to develop agricultural production, encourage everyone to grow food, raise silkworms, and plant hemp, each doing their part instead of simply waiting for directives from above." On the 8th of August in the Wu Chen year, Wang Yiji of Hengyang was appointed as the Grand General of the Northern Expedition, the Palace Attendant of the Three Excellencies, and the Governor of South Yanzhou; Wang Yixuan of Nan Qiao was appointed as the General of Chariots and Cavalry and the Governor of Jingzhou. Wang Dan of Guangling was appointed as the Governor of Nan Xuzhou. On the 1st of September in the Jia Chen year, Juqu Anzhou was appointed as the General of the Western Expedition and the Governor of Liangzhou, and was granted the title of King of Hexi. On the 10th of October in the Ji Mao year, Xu Qiong was appointed as the Governor of Yanzhou, and Shen Tian was appointed as the Governor of Jizhou. On the 1st of the 1st month in the year 443 AD, which fell on a Xin Mao day, the court decided to implement the "Yuanjia New Calendar" formulated by He Chengtian. Then, on the 9th of the 1st month, Wang Zan was reassigned as the Governor of Yongzhou Province, while Wang Shuo replaced Wang Zan as the Governor of South Yuzhou. On the 8th of the 2nd month, Wang Senglang was appointed as the Governor of Xiangzhou. On the 13th of the 1st month, the Emperor established his eighth son as the Prince of Donghai, and his ninth son as the Prince of Yiyang. By the 8th of the 6th month, Wang Shuo, who was previously the Governor of South Yuzhou, was promoted to the Governor of Yuzhou, advancing another rank in his official position.
On the sixth day of the seventh month (Jiwei day), Meng Yi was promoted to the position of Left Deputy Minister of the Ministry of Personnel, while He Shangzhi became the Right Deputy Minister of the Ministry of Rites. Wuling Wang, who is now the Governor of Yongzhou, led troops to fight against the local tribes in the Mian River basin and relocated over 14,000 local tribal civilians to the capital. On the eighteenth day of the seventh month (Yiyou day), the official position of Prince Yiji of Hengyang was reassigned from General Who Conquers the North and Governor of South Yanzhou to Governor of Xuzhou. On the sixth day of the ninth month (Jiwei day), the court announced that the ban on alcohol was lifted, allowing everyone to drink freely.
In October, the court began to reclaim the abandoned fertile lands in the Lake Shu area. On the twenty-seventh day of the twelfth month (Yiwei day), a significant event took place: the Crown Prince's Attendant, Fan Ye, rebelled, and he was executed along with his accomplices. On the twenty-ninth day of the twelfth month (Dingyou day), the Grand General and Prince of Pengcheng, Yi Kang, was dismissed from his position and reduced to commoner status. On the thirty-first day of the twelfth month (Gengxu day), Zhao Bofu, who previously served as the Governor of Yuzhou, was appointed as the General of the Guards.
In the year 446 AD (23rd year of Emperor Yuanjia of Song Xiaowu), on the fourteenth day of the first month, Lu Hui was appointed as the Governor of Yizhou. On the seventeenth day, the Left Deputy Minister of the Ministry of Rites, Meng Yi, resigned. The court relocated refugees from Hanchuan to areas near Mianyang.
On the ninth day of the second month, Liu Yibin was appointed as the Governor of South Yanzhou. In the third month, the Sogdian invaders invaded Yanzhou, Yuzhou, Qingzhou, and Jizhou, but Governor Shen Tian successfully repelled them. On the fourteenth day of the fourth month, the court proclaimed a general amnesty. On the first day of the sixth month, a solar eclipse occurred. Tan Hezhi, the Governor of Jiaozhou, launched an attack and defeated the kingdom of Linyi.
On the twenty-second day of the seventh month, Du Tan was appointed as the Governor of Qingzhou. On the ninth day of the eighth month, bandits from Jieyang attacked Jian'an County and set fire to the county office. On the second day of the ninth month, the Emperor visited the Imperial College to inspect and personally examine the students; a total of fifty-nine students were examined.
On the twenty-seventh day of October, the emperor issued a decree stating: "The schools have been established for many years, and the students have excelled in their studies. Recently, I personally conducted an examination and saw that you are all talented individuals. It reminds me of the rivers Zhu and Si, the hometown of Confucius. The students' responses offer much to learn from. The teachers will also be rewarded." Afterwards, the emperor rewarded everyone with varying amounts of silk.
On the twenty-second day of December, Xiao Jingxian was appointed as the governor of Jiaozhou. That year saw a bountiful harvest across the land. The court also built the Northern Dyke, completed Xuanwu Lake, and constructed Jingyang Mountain in the Hualin Garden.
In the spring of the year 224, on the first day of the first month, the court issued a general amnesty throughout the country, promoting civil and military officials by one rank. Those who were imprisoned or in debt had their penalties or debts reduced according to their circumstances. Each elderly widower and person unable to care for themselves due to six serious illnesses was granted five bushels of grain. This year's land tax was halved for the counties of Jiankang and Moling.
On the third day of the third month, the General of the Guard Zhao Bofu was reassigned. On the first day of the fifth month, the Governor of Qingzhou, Du Tan, was promoted to the Governor of Jizhou. In June, an epidemic broke out in the capital. On the tenth day of the tenth month, the court ordered all counties, military camps, and government offices to strictly implement epidemic prevention measures and distribute medicine. Due to the soaring prices that month, the court minted new "big coins," with each big coin worth the equivalent of two old coins.
On the first day of the seventh month, the court distributed the gold and silver treasures seized from Linyi according to the size of their contributions. On the fifth day of the eighth month, the General of the Northern Expedition and Xuzhou Governor, Prince Yiji of Hengyang, passed away. On the ninth day of the ninth month, Liu Yibin was appointed as the Governor of Xuzhou. On the tenth day of the tenth month, Shen Yanzhi was appointed as the General of the Army. On the eleventh day of the eleventh month, the Prince's Minister Xu Zhanzhi was appointed as the Governor of Nanyanzhou.
On Renwu Day in October, Hu Dan from Yuzhang led a rebellion and killed Governor Huan Longzhi. Tan He, who had formerly served as the governor of Jiaozhou, passed through Yuzhang on his way south and incidentally quelled the rebellion. On Renchen Day, Jianping Wang Hong was appointed as the Central Guardian. On Jiayin Day in November, the tenth prince, Hun, was appointed as the King of Ruyin.
In the first few days of January in the year 550 AD, the emperor ordered, "Recently, there have been several days of ice and snow, and the prices of firewood and grain have skyrocketed. Many impoverished families can barely afford a meal. Investigate the two counties near the capital and government departments, and distribute firewood and rice relief to them."
On a day in February, the emperor issued another order, "Being mindful of potential dangers even in times of peace is a universal principle of governing the country and safeguarding the state. Military training and preparedness are fundamental strategies for the nation's long-term stability. Therefore, military discipline must be enforced, and both officers and soldiers must understand the rules. Although military training has been intensified recently, the orders have not been clear enough. Now that Xuanwu Field is ready, large-scale military drills are ready to commence immediately. Take advantage of this opportunity to practice military exercises during the upcoming hunting event and explain military affairs."
On a day in the intercalary month, a large-scale search was conducted at Xuanwu Field. On a day in March, the emperor led a team to participate in a hunting expedition. On a day in April, Changhe Gate and Guangmo Gate were constructed, the former Guangmo Gate was renamed Chengming Gate, and Yang Gate was renamed Jinyang Gate. On the same day, Prince Wuling was appointed as the General of Anbei and the governor of Xuzhou. On another day, Xiao Sihua was appointed as the governor of Yongzhou. On a day in May, the practice of exchanging large coins for two smaller ones was abolished. On a day in June, Prince Sima Yuan Yu of Lingling died. On the same day, Prince Wuling was also appointed as the governor of Yanzhou. On another day, Prince Yixuan of Nanqiao was promoted to Minister of Works. On a day in July, Wang Jinghong died. On a day in August, Liu Xiuzhi was appointed as the governor of both Liangzhou and Nanshuzhou. On the same day, the eleventh prince Yu was named the King of Huaiyang. On a day in September, He Shangzhi was promoted to Left Deputy Minister of Personnel, Shen Yanzhi was reassigned, and Liu Zunkao took over as the Leading General.
In January of the year 426 AD, the emperor personally went to the southern outskirts to offer sacrifices. In February, the emperor traveled by carriage to Dan Tu to pay respects at the tomb of the capital's ancestors. In March, the emperor issued a decree saying, "I have been away from the capital for over twenty years. Although not far, I have never had the opportunity to come back and visit. Now that the world is peaceful and the crops are abundant, I can finally return to honor my ancestors' graves, express my longing, host a feast for the elders of my hometown, and reminisce about the past. My feelings for my hometown are deeper than those of ordinary people, and my feelings for Pei County are deeper than those of ordinary people for their hometown; I am overwhelmed with emotion. In order to show my kindness and extend my kindness to the people, I hereby decree a general amnesty throughout the land, exempting half of the taxes for the immigrants in Dan Tu County this year. All the counties I have passed through will have half of their land rent waived. The two thousand officials who have diligently served the country will also be rewarded. The families of the generals and soldiers who have defended the city walls on three occasions, as well as those who have sacrificed in battle, and the elderly and infirm, should all receive special care. I will send envoys to visit people in various regions, learn about their hardships, and for the widows, orphans, and those incapacitated by illness, each will be given five measures of grain." Then, the emperor sent envoys to pay respects at the tomb of He Wuji, the Jin Dynasty's Minister of Works.
Afterwards, the emperor ordered the reinstatement of the administrative divisions of the Nanbei Pei and Xiapi counties. The emperor issued a decree saying, "Jingkou has been considered a place of good fortune since ancient times and has been famous in recent times. It is located in a prosperous area, with convenient transportation that controls key routes along the Huai River and the sea. The city is grand and majestic, the people are warm and honest, and its geographical location is exceptional. It is truly a famous city. It once established the foundation of the royal family and made the royal family prosperous. In recent years, due to wars, the people here have been displaced, and the houses have been dilapidated, not what it once was. This is the royal family's ancestral home, holding significant importance, and it should be restored to its former glory. We can recruit thousands of households from other states who are willing to relocate here, land and housing will be allocated to them, and they will be exempt from taxes." In May, the emperor issued another decree, saying, "I was born in this city. When Lu Xun rebelled, this place also suffered great damage. The late emperor regarded this place as the foundation, sharing weal and woe with the people here. I grew up here and experienced the hardships this place endured. I have deep feelings for this place, and I remember everything here in good times and bad. Time flies; over thirty years have flown by in the blink of an eye. The people from those days are now either old or have passed away. Reflecting on this fills me with deep emotion. The officials, military officers, and people who are still alive should be identified and their names documented. For those who have passed away, if their descendants are still around, they should receive generous rewards."
The emperor returned to the capital from Dantu in early June. The states of Po Huang and Po Da sent envoys to pay tribute. In July, the emperor appointed Prince Shao of Luling as the Governor of Nanxu, and Prince Dan of Guangling as the Governor of Yongzhou. In August, the emperor appointed General Wang Jun of Shixing from Yangzhou as General of the North and Governor of both Yuzhou and Xuzhou, while Prince Shao of Luling was appointed as Governor of Yangzhou. In October, Prince Dan of Guangling was renamed as Prince of Suijun.
On the eighth day of the first month of 454 AD, the court ordered that Jiaozhou and Ningzhou temporarily adopt the administrative structure of the counties, and officials' salaries would be distributed according to the court's regulations. On the twenty-eighth day of the same month, Baekje sent envoys to offer various special products. On the eighth day of the second month, Prince Shuo of Nanping was promoted to General of Pingxi and concurrently appointed as Governor of Yuzhou. On the fourteenth day of the second month, the Suolu, a northern ethnic group, invaded Runan and other counties. The magistrates of Chenjun and Nandun in Runan County, Zheng Kun, and Guo Daoyin in Ruyang County and Yingchuan County abandoned their posts and fled. The Suolu attacked Xuanhu City, where Chen Xian, acting as the representative of Runan County, mounted a defense. Due to the needs of the war, the court ordered all officials to reduce their salaries by one-third.
On the fourth day of the third month, Zhuge Chan, the Governor of Huainan, requested salary cuts, along with all the officials of the court. Subsequently, the prefects and magistrates from different states and counties followed suit with salary cuts. On the seventh day of the third month, the court abolished the National University. On the thirteenth day of the third month, the newly appointed Minister of Personnel, Xiao Sihua, was named General of the Guard. On the ninth day of the fourth month, Prince Zan of Wuling, the General of Peace in the North and Inspector of Xuzhou and Yanzhou, was demoted to General of the Garrison. On the fourth day of the sixth month, Xiao Bin, the Palace Attendant, was appointed Inspector of Qingzhou and Jizhou. On the seventh day of the seventh month, the court sent General Wang Xuanmo of Ning Shuo on a northern expedition. The Grand Commandant, Prince Yigong of Jiangxia, arrived in Pengcheng to command the various armies. On the twentieth day of the seventh month, the Sulu forces surrendered the garrison at Qiaoyi, abandoned the city, and fled.
On the twenty-ninth day of the leap month, Wang Xuanmo attacked Huatai but was unable to capture it and was instead defeated by the Sulu, retreating back to Qiaoyi. On the sixth day of the twelfth month, the Yongzhou Inspector, following Wang Dan's orders, sent troops to attack Hongnong City and captured it. On the tenth day of the twelfth month, they also took Guan City. On the fifth day of the eleventh month, the Sulu attacked and captured Zoushan, where Cui Xie, the Prefect of Lu and Yangping Counties, was killed in action. On the eleventh day of the eleventh month, the forces dispatched by Wang Dan also took Shancheng. On the eighteenth day of the eleventh month, the General of the Left Army, Liu Kangzu, fought against the Sulu at Wushu in Shouyangwei and was killed in action. On the twenty-second day of the eleventh month, the court issued a general amnesty. On the thirteenth day of the twelfth month, martial law was strictly enforced both inside and outside the court. On the twentieth day of the twelfth month, the Rongcong Attendant, Hu Chongzhi, the Prince of Jinyu, Zang Chengzhi, and the General of Jiawei, Mao Xizuo, fought against the Sulu at Xuyi and were killed in action. On the twenty-fifth day of the twelfth month, the Sulu pseudo-master led a large army to reach Guabu. On the twenty-seventh day of the twelfth month, martial law was strictly enforced both inside and outside the court once again.
On the first day of the first month of the year 628 AD, with the enemy closing in, the court couldn't hold a regular meeting. The following day, the enemy forces pulled back from Guabu. They then went on to attack Xuyi City. During this month, General Wang Xuanmo of Ning Shuo retreated from Qiaoyi to Jinan.
On the 3rd day of the 2nd month, the enemy retreated from Xuyi. On the 9th day of the 2nd month, the emperor issued a decree that read: "The enemy forces are strong, invading several provinces, keeping me awake with worry day and night. Now that the enemy has been defeated and scattered, the affected people need timely reassurance and relief. All affected provinces should allow their people to return home to rebuild their homes, bury the dead, and provide aid to the hungry. Spring plowing is about to begin; we must encourage the people to start farming, and they should be given sufficient loans and assistance. Those who fled to the Jianghuai region should be allowed to settle there without having to pay taxes."
On the 12th day of the 2nd month, the Grand Commandant and Minister of State, Prince Yigong of Jiangxia, was demoted to General of Chariots and Cavalry and given the title of Household Counsellor. On the 19th day of the 2nd month, General of the Guard and Inspector of Xuzhou and Yanzhou, Prince Wuling, was demoted to General of the North Central Army. On the 20th day of the 2nd month, the emperor inspected Guabu and lifted martial law that same day. On the 5th day of the 3rd month, the emperor returned to the palace. On the 12th day of the 3rd month, General of the North, Prince Jin of Shixing, resigned from his position as Inspector of Nanyanzhou. On the 18th day of the 3rd month, Deputy State General Zang Zhi was appointed as Inspector of Yongzhou. On the 22nd day of the 3rd month, Prince Wuling was appointed as Inspector of Nanyanzhou. On the 27th day of the 3rd month, General of Army Protection, Xiao Sihua, was appointed as General of Army Pacification and Inspector of Xuzhou and Yanzhou.
On April 9th, the Bodao Kingdom sent envoys to pay tribute. The enemy's false general Lu Shuang and Lu Xiu surrendered to the imperial court. On April 14th, Lu Shuang was appointed as the governor of Sizhou. On May 5th, the fugitive Sima Shun declared himself King of Qi and occupied Liangzhou City. On May 7th, the Po Huang Kingdom sent envoys, and on May 10th, the King of Henan sent envoys as well. On May 12th, Prince Yigong of Jiangxia was appointed as the governor of South Yanzhou. On May 22nd, He Shangzhi was appointed as the Minister of Personnel, and Xu Zhanzhi was appointed as the Minister of State and concurrently serving as the General of the Guard. On May 26th, Wang Dan of Sui was appointed General of Annan and Governor of Guangzhou. On June 26th, Prince Wuling was appointed as the governor of Jiangzhou, and Liu Xingzu was appointed as the governor of Qingzhou and Jizhou.
On July 3rd, Wo King Wo Ji was promoted to Grand General of Andong. On August 8th, Liangzhou City fell, and Sima Shun was beheaded. On October 8th, Goryeo sent envoys to pay tribute. On November 20th, the court issued a general amnesty for the six provinces of Yanzhou, Xuzhou, Yuzhou, Qingzhou, and Jizhou. During that winter, the court relocated refugees from Pengcheng to Guabu and from Huaixi to Gushu, amounting to over ten thousand households.
On the fifteenth day of the first month in 458 AD, the emperor issued a decree: "After the wars in the six provinces, the people's homes remain unreconstructed, and now they are facing floods, droughts, and subsequent famine. Promptly notify all towns to increase relief efforts. Now is the busy farming season, so fully utilize the land's resources. If seeds are needed, distribute them based on current needs." On the twenty-seventh day of the second month, the enemy leader, Tuoba Tao, passed away. On the first day of the third month, the twelfth prince, Xiu Ren, was designated as the Prince of Jian'an. On the twenty-seventh day of the fourth month, the state of Hulodan sent envoys to pay tribute. Zhang Yong was appointed as the Prefect of Jizhou. On the first day of the fifth month, Xiangzhou and Jingzhou were dissolved, and the counties of Shixing, Linhe, and Shian were reassigned to Guangzhou. On the third day of the fifth month, the emperor issued a decree: "Those who commit evil will ultimately face their demise. Wars and rebellions are a constant, and ruthless enemies have always existed. Before they could even wield their weapons, they were already condemned by the heavens. Their descendants are killing each other, trusted aides are betraying their loyalty and morals. The impostor leaders in Guanzhong and Luoyang are covertly demonstrating their allegiance, and the refugees north of the Yellow River are earnestly seeking to serve. Now is the time to rescue the people and cleanse the corruption. Notify the Cavalry General and the Minister of Works, mobilize their respective forces to launch a dual assault from the east and west. Those who pledge their loyalty and contribute will be rewarded based on their merits." This month, the capital city experienced rainfall.
On June 27th, officials were dispatched to inspect various locations, distribute firewood and rice, and provide boats. General Xiao Sihua led the army on a northern expedition. Liu Yu was appointed governor of Yizhou. On July 21st, King Hun of Ruyin was renamed as King Wuchang, and King Yu of Huaiyang was renamed as King Xiangdong. On July 26th, the positions of Grand Minister of Agriculture, Prince's Attendant, and Court Supervisor were abolished. On August 22nd, Xiao Sihua attacked Qiaoao but was unsuccessful and had to withdraw his troops. On September 21st, General Tuyuhun Shiyin was appointed General of Anxi and governor of Qinzhou and Hezhou. On September 23rd, Xiao Sihua, the General of the Army and governor of Xuzhou and Yanzhou, was appointed governor of Jizhou, while retaining his position as governor of Yanzhou. On October 21st, Lu Shuang, the governor of Sizhou, attacked Hulao but was unsuccessful and had to withdraw his troops. On November 10th, Wang Shao, the governor of Yangzhou, passed away. On December 27th, Wang Yigong, the General of Cavalry and governor of Nanyanzhou, was appointed Grand General and governor of Nanxuzhou, retaining his previous duties.
In a certain year (Spring of the 30th year, Wuyin, i.e. February 10, 454 AD), the emperor appointed Wang Yixuan of Nanqiao as Minister of Personnel, General of the Central Army, and concurrently as governor of Yangzhou. At the same time, Nanyanzhou and Nanxuzhou were merged. On February 12, 454 AD, Liu Zunkao was promoted to General of Pingxi and governor of Yuzhou. On February 14, 454 AD, Wang Jun of Shixing became the Guard General and governor of Jingzhou. On February 18, 454 AD, Wuling King led the army to attack the Western Yang tribes. On February 23, 454 AD, Wang Shuo of Nanping was appointed as the General of the Army and concurrently as the General of the Army. Ah, during that time, Qingzhou and Xuzhou faced famine.
On the Renzi day in February (March 17th, 454 AD), the emperor sent people to deliver food to aid disaster victims. On the Jiazi day (March 19th, 454 AD), the emperor died in Hanzhang Hall at the age of forty-seven. He was posthumously titled Emperor Jing and given the temple name Zhongzong. On the Guisi day in March (April 11th, 454 AD), the emperor was buried in Changning Mausoleum. After the new emperor ascended to the throne and changed the Taizu Emperor’s posthumous title and temple name.
Historians note that Emperor Taizu was exceptionally talented in his youth. Although he did not receive strict education, he was naturally intelligent and kind-hearted, possessing the qualities of a monarch. During his lengthy reign, the country was well-governed with clear and strict laws, distinct rewards and punishments, and titles were not given lightly. Therefore, the country enjoyed peace and prosperity. The Jianwu and Yongping periods of the Han Dynasty were known as prosperous times, and since then, people often compared them to the Yuanjia period, showing the prosperity of that time!
The emperor often appointed generals in violation of the military command system. Although his abilities were slightly inferior to Emperor Guangwu, he could command the army remotely in battle. Even in times of war, the generals had to obey the emperor's orders. Although there were failures in battles at times, the generals were not incompetent, and the prolonged disturbances along the borders had their reasons. In his later years, those around the emperor became increasingly difficult to manage, although these troubles were unforeseen by the emperor, they had their own causes. Alas, it is indeed a great pity!
Select your language
