Xiao Jingxian, a native of Nanlanling, was a descendant of Emperor Taizu. His grandfather, Xiao Yuanzhi, served as an Assistant Minister; his father, Xiao Jingzong, was an officer in the central army in the Kingdom of Shixing. Xiao Jingxian lost his father at a young age, but he was deeply filial, and Emperor Taizu admired him greatly. Later, Xiao Jingxian went to the capital to serve as an official, and Emperor Taizu always looked after him. He was first appointed as the General of the Upper Army in the Kingdom of Hailing, then became the Prefect of Jianling County, and later was promoted to the Right Gentleman of the Kingdoms of Xin'an and Guiyang. When Emperor Taizu was stationed in Huaiyin, Xiao Jingxian followed him, serving as the chief military officer in charge of city defenses, earning the trust of Emperor Taizu. He was later appointed as Rear Army Military Advisor, the Prefect of Qiong County, and an Assistant Minister.
Xiao Jingxian had a close relationship with the future Emperor Shizu. When Shizu was appointed as the Prince of Guangxing County, he requested Emperor Taizu to let Xiao Jingxian accompany him. Xiao Jingxian was then appointed as Shizu's Marshal of Ning Shuo Prefecture, and he remained by Shizu's side ever since. After Shizu became the Chief Historian of the Western Garrison, Xiao Jingxian was appointed as Military Advisor of the Western Garrison, and was later promoted to General of Ning Shuo, and subsequently transferred to Central Army Military Advisor while still serving as Military Advisor of the Central Army. In the early period of the Shengming era, he was appointed as the Marshal of the Expeditionary Office under Shizu, concurrently serving as the Prefect of Xincai, accompanying Shizu in defending Pencheng. After the rebellion of Shen You was suppressed, Xiao Jingxian returned to the capital and was appointed as General of Ning Shuo and Valiant Cavalry General, concurrently serving as Military Advisor of the Central Army of Shizu, and also as the General of the Left Guard. In the first year of Jianyuan, he was promoted to Commander of the Crown Prince's Left Guard and was granted the title of Count of Xinwu County with a fief consisting of five hundred households. It is worth mentioning that Xiao Jingxian's original name was Xiao Daoxian, but he changed it to avoid offending the Emperor’s taboos.
Later, Xiao Jingxian was appointed as the governor and military commander of Sizhou, General Ning Shuo, and also as the Prefect of Yiyang. That winter, nomadic tribes from the north invaded the Huai River and Sishui River basins, prompting the court to reinforce the defenses along the Sizhou border. There was a man named Xie Tiangai in Yiyang who colluded with the enemy, and Xiao Jingxian immediately reported this to the military authorities. Prince Yuzhang then dispatched the Assistant General of Fuguo, Xiao Huilang, to lead two thousand men to support Xiao Jingxian. Xiao Huilang built city walls according to the mountain terrain, blocked the passes, and attacked Xie Tiangai and his followers. The enemy then sent the pretender Eba, who claimed to be the Southern Chief Secretary, to station his troops in Runan, while the Governor of Luozhou, Prince Changli, stationed his troops in Qingqiu. Xiao Jingxian readied his forces. Prince Yuzhang also sent General Ning Shuo, Wang Sengbing, General Wang Yingzhi, and General Longxiang, Zhuang Ming, to set up camp outside Yiyang City as reinforcements. Eventually, the enemy retreated, and Xiao Jingxian was promoted to Assistant General as a result.
Jingxian lauded the emperor, saying, "Your Majesty, your virtue has spread throughout the world; it's truly great!" The emperor replied, "Morality in the world is declining, and the people's values are eroding. It has been more than twenty years. This mess has landed in my lap. How can I possibly clean it all up at once? However, if I can hold on for a few more years and do my best to help the common people, it will surely benefit everyone! Even a sage needs good helpers to govern the world. You all should do your best. Don’t worry; we can definitely govern the world well."
After the emperor ascended the throne, he appointed Jing Xian as a court attendant, then made him the General of the Left, and shortly after also appointed him as the General of the Army. Jing Xian was loyal to the emperor, so the emperor held him in high regard. Once, when the emperor returned to the Western Palace, he hosted a banquet for former officials at Jingyang Tower, with only Prince Yuzhang and Jing Xian in attendance. Later, Jing Xian was promoted to General of the Central Army. Whenever the emperor went hunting into the countryside, Jing Xian always followed fully armed, diligently checking on the guards. Soon after, Jing Xian was elevated to the rank of marquis and appointed as the Director of the Crown Prince's Affairs, while retaining his previous positions. After Jing Xian's mother passed away, the emperor promoted him to General of the Army. Subsequently, he was promoted to General of Conquering the Barbarians and Intendant of Danyang.
Five years later, a barbarian chief named Huan Tiansheng led his troops to the border of Yongzhou, in the region north of Sizhou, instilling fear among the people. The emperor knew Jing Xian was familiar with the terrain there, so he ordered, "Upon receiving the report from the Governor of Yongzhou, Zhang Gui, that the barbarians are likely to invade because of their collusion, this is as perilous as a swarm of bees and a den of vipers, and must be dealt with swiftly! General of Conquering the Barbarians and Intendant of Danyang, Jing Xian, is to lead infantry and cavalry directly to Yiyang. He is granted the authority of a military commissioner, and all troops in Sizhou are to obey his command." Upon arriving at Yiyang, Jing Xian positioned his troops north of the city, which put the people's minds at ease, and they came out to greet him with food and drink.
The general fell ill before returning, leaving behind his last words: "This illness is different from before; I feel I won't get better. I have always been deeply grateful for the emperor’s kindness, and now that I have received the imperial order to go to war, I am not capable, and many things have not been handled well; I have let down the emperor's kindness. As I am about to leave this world, my heart is heavy with sorrow; I don't know what to say. Please help me write a memorial to thank the emperor and express my gratitude on my behalf. My son Yi is grown up, but lacks guidance; my daughter Zhen is still young and doesn't understand anything. They will rely on the emperor's grace in the future; I lack the strength to say this again. Since I fell ill, many of the singers and concubines in the house have been sent away; the ones who remain aren’t very capable. You can send Mingyue, Fonyu, Guizhi, Fuer, Yuniu, Meiyu to serve in the palace; Meiman and Yanhua can be sent to the Eastern Palace. I have privately raised more than twenty horses and a few cows; you can select some good ones. Ten horses and two cows can be sent to the palace, and give two horses to the Grand Marshal and Minister of State respectively, one horse each to the Cavalry Commander and the Garrison Commander. All the weapons I have hidden should also be sent to the palace. Many of my relatives and friends have not been taken care of; please take care of them accordingly and express my gratitude on my behalf. The house given by the emperor is too large; I’m afraid my family and I won’t be able to live in it, so please return the house to the palace after the funeral. The house of the Liu family is said to be worth a lot of money; you can sell it, and if the money falls short, ask the government to make up for it. I have three pieces of land; if tended to properly, it should provide enough to live comfortably. If there are not enough hands, hire some laborers to help. You don’t have to worry about us anymore."
After the General finished speaking, he passed away at the age of fifty. The Emperor was extremely saddened and regretful, and issued a decree saying, "The victorious news from the western front has just arrived, and General Jingxian has suddenly passed away. I am heartbroken and can hardly bear this loss, so I hereby declare a period of mourning. I will reward him with one hundred thousand coins and two hundred bolts of cloth." After General Jingxian's coffin was brought back to the capital, the Emperor issued another decree saying, "The late General Jingxian, Marquis of Xiwu, was broad-minded, quick-witted, and meticulous since childhood, with notable achievements and strong family connections. He served the country faithfully in dangerous situations and made remarkable contributions. Just as he was gaining trust and being promoted to important missions, he passed away suddenly. I am deeply saddened. I posthumously appoint him as a Palace Attendant, General of the Northern Expedition, and Governor of Nanxu Prefecture, and grant a set of musical instruments to the court musicians. His titles of Marquis and Duke remain unchanged, and he is posthumously conferred the title of Loyal Marquis."
Ziyi, due to his family's noble status, had served in many official positions since childhood. He had been a Junior Chamberlain to the Crown Prince, a stable boy, a companion to the Prince, the Prefect of Yongjia, a military advisor to the Grand Marshal, the Prefect of Nankang, and a Gentleman of the Palace Library. During the Jianwu period, he was appointed as the Marshal of the Fumilitary, and later promoted to Marshal of the North Central Army. At that time, there were uprisings among the northern minority groups, and he led troops to guard the city of Langye. Ziyi was known for his extravagant and bold personality, enjoying horseback riding and archery, which aroused Emperor Gaozong's suspicions. Later, when Wang Yan got into trouble, Ziyi was also implicated and executed. At that time, the army surrounded his house while he was entertaining guests with music. When he heard the news, he couldn't even find a weapon before the soldiers stormed in, arrested him, allowed him a final farewell with his mother, and then executed him.
Xiao Chifu, a man from Nan Lanling, was a distant cousin of Emperor Taizu. His grandfather was named Xiao Longzi, who served as a military officer responsible for the guard; his father was named Xiao Shizhi, who served as a military officer in the Champion Army. Xiao Chifu rose through the ranks and became an official in the imperial court, as he was known for his gentle and prudent demeanor, earning the appreciation of Emperor Taizu. During the early years of the Song Dynasty, Prince Xiaoling staged a rebellion in Guangling, and Xiao Chifu took on the role of military commander, joining Shen Qingzhi in besieging Guangling City. After achieving success in the campaign, he was bestowed the title of Marquis of Yong'an, with a fief consisting of 370 households. He later served as a cavalry officer, and was then appointed as the magistrate of Jinling, a councilor, and the magistrate of Danyang. He later returned to the court as a councilor for Prince Jinxi, and was then sent as General and Magistrate of Qiantang. He was subsequently promoted to a higher office. Xiao Chifu was well-loved by the people in his various positions, and local officials and residents alike requested that he remain. The court consented, and he was appointed General of Ning Shuo.
During the reign of Emperor Taizu, Xiao Chifu was appointed as the General of the Left Army and Sima of Kuaiji, to guard the eastern border. He was later promoted to the Attendant of the Yellow Gate and Prefect of Huailing. When the emperor abdicated, they built a palace in Danyang, and Xiao Chifu was responsible for assisting with the farewell procession until the emperor's passing. In the beginning of the Jianyuan era, Xiao Chifu was appointed Chief of Staff to the Champion General of Wuling, Marshal of Cavalry, and Prefect of Nan Donghai, while retaining his previous titles. He was later promoted to Grand Master of Palace Attendants but resigned after his grandmother's death. He was later reinstated as Champion General, Commander of Ningman, and then appointed as Governor of Yongzhou, with his previous titles retained. He was recognized for his integrity and diligence. He later rose to the position of Cavalier Regular Attendant and General of the Left Guard. Emperor Shizu valued him highly, even comparing him to Xiao Jingxian. He was bestowed the title of Count of Nanfeng, with a fief consisting of four hundred households, and later promoted to Attendant Officer and Prince's Consultant. Unfortunately, in the third year of Yongming, while serving in the emperor's procession guard, Xiao Chifu overworked himself and died at the age of fifty-six. He left no savings, not even a proper blanket. Upon hearing this, the emperor was deeply saddened and ordered a reward of fifty thousand pieces of silver, a high-quality coffin, one hundred bolts of cloth, and two hundred pounds of candles. He posthumously conferred the title of Grand Master of Splendid Happiness and honored him with the posthumous title of Baron Yi. His son, Yingzhou, succeeded him in his title.
Yingzhou, whose courtesy name was Yunchang, was a man of integrity who inherited his father's virtues. He began his career as a secretary. The Emperor Taizu once praised him, saying, "Yingzhou, this child, dressed in simple clothes, yet steadily rose through the ranks, it is truly gratifying!" Later, Yingzhou was promoted to be a companion of the Crown Prince. After his father passed away, he was consumed by grief and developed a foot ailment, which left him unable to walk for several years. The Emperor personally sent officials to offer him comfort and gave him medicinal herbs. He was later appointed as a military advisor to the Prince of Jingling, and then became the literary scholar for Prince Jinxi. Yingzhou loved literature, while his younger brother Yingji excelled in martial arts. Once, the Emperor ascended the beacon tower and asked the ministers to compose poems. The poem composed by Yingzhou greatly pleased the Emperor, who said, "You possess remarkable literary talent, and your brother excels in martial arts. You two brothers are the pillars of your family!" Consequently, Yingzhou was appointed as General Mingwei and the Minister of Internal Affairs of Anlu, later promoted to the position of a clerk in the Imperial Library. The Emperor regarded Yingzhou as a member of the nobility, appointing him as the Left General in charge of court affairs, granting him access to the Emperor's private quarters. Later, he was sent to serve as the Prefect of Xin'an, where the local populace held him in high esteem. In the first year of Longchang, Prince Yongjia Zhaocan became the Inspector of Nanxuzhou and appointed Yingzhou as the Prefect of Nandonghai, responsible for the governance of Nanxuzhou. He was later promoted to Governor, Commander of the military in Qing and Ji provinces, Assistant General to the State, and Inspector of Qing and Ji provinces. However, he never assumed this position and was later appointed as a Chamberlain of the Yellow Gate, overseeing the operations of the Four Gates, and finally promoted to Commander of the Imperial Guards. During the events of the abdication by Emperor Gaozong, Yingzhou remained calm and impartial, which earned him the Emperor's favor and a role in significant accomplishments. In the second year of Jianwu, Yingzhou was promoted to a marquis, with his fief expanded to six hundred households, and the Emperor gifted him a carriage drawn by a white ox, the same one he often used.
The emperor advocated frugality and wanted to melt down the silver wine vessels used for the New Year celebration at the Taiguan, and Wang Yan, the Shangshu Ling, and others agreed that it was a good idea. However, Ying Zhou said, "The most important grand ceremony of the court was the Sanyuan Festival, and this wine vessel is an old item, not worth the trouble." The emperor was not very happy at the time, but later at a banquet, the tables were laden with silverware. Ying Zhou said, "Your Majesty wanted to melt down that silver wine vessel before; it seems these silverware should be melted down as well." The emperor, feeling a sense of shame, took note.
Prince Bao Xuan of Jiangxia was awarded the title of champion and was sent to guard Shitou City. He appointed Ying Zhou as his chief of staff, in charge of military affairs in Shitou City. Later, Bao Xuan was promoted to Weiwei. After that, he successively served as Champion General, Rear Chief Historian of Prince Lu Ling, Taishou of Guangling, and serving as the governor of Nan Yuanzhou.
That year, the enemies from the north launched an aggressive advance, threatening to ride their horses across the Yangtze River. The emperor was very afraid, so he ordered Ying Zhou to move the people outside the city into the city for refuge. Upon hearing this, the common people panicked and rushed south to escape. Ying Zhou felt that the enemy's army was still far away and there was no need to be in such a hurry, so he did not carry out the emperor's order. As a result, the enemy withdrew shortly afterward. Because of this incident, Ying Zhou was promoted once more and appointed as the General, supervising military affairs in the five states of Nan Yuan, Yuan, Xu, Qing, and Ji, the assistant general of the nation, and the governor of Nan Yuanzhou.
Emperor Han He appointed Ying Zhou as Champion General, Chief Historian of the Western General, and Taishou of Nanjun, allowing him to act as the governor of Jingzhou. At that time, Dong Hunhou was known for his foolishness and cruelty, killing ministers indiscriminately and favoring villains. After the failures of the Cui and Chen families, the local officials in various states and counties each had their own schemes. In October of the second year of Yongyuan, Marquis Xiao Yi, the Shangshu Ling of Linxiang, and his brother Xiao Chang, the Weiwei, were both assassinated.
Previously, the court sent General Liu Shanyang, the Prefect of Bazizhitong County, to lead three thousand soldiers to carry out the emperor's orders by attacking Yongzhou alongside Ying Zhou. The Governor of Yongzhou, Prince Liang, was preparing to rebel, and he was worried that Ying Zhou was not flexible enough, so he sent the messenger Wang Tianhu to Jiangling, announcing that Shanyang was advancing westward to simultaneously attack Jingzhou and Yongzhou. Prince Liang also wrote a letter to Ying Zhou, urging him to rebel together. At that time, Ying Zhou had not yet made a firm decision. When Shanyang left Nanzhou, he told others, "The court sent someone with a white tiger flag to chase me, so I can't go back." He departed with his wives, concubines, and all his possessions. When he arrived in Baling, he delayed for over ten days without taking action. Prince Liang sent Wang Tianhu with a letter to meet Ying Zhou and explained his plan in detail. Some claimed that Shanyang intended to kill Ying Zhou, seize Jing Zhou for himself, and rebel alongside Prince Liang. Ying Zhou then conspired with Prince Liang to kill Wang Tianhu and send his head to Liu Shanyang. Then Ying Zhou mobilized the local populace to provide vehicles and livestock, announcing that he was going to lead troops to attack Xiangyang. On the eighteenth day of November, Shanyang arrived at Jiangjin with only one carriage, dressed in white clothes, surrounded by dozens of people, to meet Ying Zhou. Ying Zhou had already arranged ambushes, including former Prefects Liu Xiaoqing, Liu Xiyue, Xiao Wenzhao, former General Chen Xiu, and General Sun Mo. As soon as Shanyang entered, Ying Zhou ordered him to be hacked to death in the carriage. Shanyang's deputy, Li Yuanlu, surrendered to Ying Zhou along with the remaining soldiers. Ying Zhou sent the messenger Cai Daoyou to hurry to deliver Shanyang's head to Prince Liang, then ordered strict vigilance and recruited soldiers everywhere. Donghun Hou heard that Shanyang had died and issued a decree to launch an attack on Jingzhou and Yongzhou. Later, the court posthumously conferred the title of General of Ning Shuo and the Governorship of Liangzhou upon Shanyang.
Xiao Yingzhou, this young man, is strong and capable, and has the courage to take on responsibilities. When he expressed his ambition to undertake significant tasks, everyone respected him and willingly followed him to work. The emperor was pleased and directly promoted him, appointing him as the Right General, and entrusted him with commanding both the marching troops and the garrison forces, as well as assigning him a scribe, while his original position remained unchanged. Sima Xiahou Xiang from the Western Command was also promoted and became the General of Conquering the Barbarians. In addition, the emperor also sent General Wang Fadu of Ning Shuo to Baling.
In order to support the army, Yingzhou donated 200,000 coins, 1,000 hu of rice, and 500 hu of salt from his own pocket. Cizhi Zong Sai and Biejia Zong Guo also donated 2,000 hu of grain and two cows. Everyone generously donated, with those with wealth contributing money, while those with supplies offered grain, truly working together in unity. It is said that there is a rich monk in a temple in Changsha who secretly forged thousands of golden dragons and buried them in the ground, passing them down through generations, referred to as "Golden Iron from Below," which no one had ever seen. This time, he unearthed all these golden dragons to aid the army.
In December, Xiao Yingzhou and Xiahou Xiang issued a notice together to the officials of the capital and the governors of various provinces and counties:
"The world is ever-changing, with fortunes rising and falling in cycles. When the Shang Dynasty was declining, Pengzu and Duke Wei of Guo stepped forward; when the Han Dynasty was on the verge of extinction, Xufu and Mou Yi also sacrificed themselves to save the country. Therefore, they secured their places in history, and their descendants thrived. Our founding emperor had noble virtues and great achievements, receiving the blessings of heaven. Our second emperor inherited his legacy and made even greater achievements, with all under heaven submitting and the four seas paying tribute. However, the Yulin region has suffered under incompetent and chaotic rule, disrupting the order and almost causing the downfall of our Great Qi Dynasty."
Emperor Gaozong Ming inherited the foundation laid by his ancestors, ruled with diligence, practiced benevolent governance, attracted talented scholars from all over the world, and gathered virtuous individuals. He established a refined system of rites and music, strengthening the nation's governance, which were seen as auspicious signs! His achievements are comparable to those of the Heavenly Emperor, unmatched by anyone else!
However, this new emperor disregarded state affairs, was exceptionally cruel and corrupt, leading to a complete moral decay in society. His father had just died, but he showed no signs of grief, appearing rather pleased. He spent his days reveling in wine and pleasure, failing to punish those who disrespected him; he befriended those treacherous and corrupt officials. As a result, loyal ministers and honorable generals were ruthlessly slain, resulting in a massacre of ministers. People like Jiang Puyi, Generals Xiao and Liu, Minister Xu, Minister Shen, and Captain Cao, some hailed from royal lineage, some were highly respected, some were loved by the people, and some were pillars of the country. They had significantly contributed to the nation's revival, comparable to ancient virtuous ministers such as Zhou Gong and Shao Gong, assisting in state affairs and carrying on the legacy of the late emperor. Yet, their prominence led to suspicion from the emperor, and the righteous were executed, bringing ruin to their families, with even infants and young children not spared. The emperor showed no regard for his predecessor, nor did he care for the lives of his kin. Those who were honest were inevitably viewed with suspicion, the loyal were unjustly punished, leaving the populace fearful and uncertain about what lay ahead.
Cui Huijing was driven to desperation and had no choice but to rebel and attack the palace in order to survive. The people in the city were in a state of panic, fearing for their lives. Fortunately, Xiao Lingjun rose up to resist, saving the common people and restoring peace to the land, allowing them to live and work in peace. Although Prince Jiangxia had great power, he failed to stop the disaster in time. He knew deep down how serious the situation was but did not take action in time, which ultimately led to tragedy. Xiao Lingjun, as an elder of the clan and a loyal minister, advised the emperor earnestly every day, but the corrupt officials obstructed him, leading to the emperor gradually alienating and suspecting him, resulting in a tragic outcome. His efforts to hire capable people were aimed at stabilizing the country, but the motives for his killings were driven by his own depravity.
After the prime minister was killed, the corrupt officials grew even bolder. Mei Chong'er and Ru Fazhen, savage and foolish, took advantage of the emperor's power to do evil, misleading and manipulating the emperor. Over a thousand palace maids were forced to serve them in the nude, while dozens of corrupt officials chased and frolicked in the palace. They drank recklessly in the wine shop during the day, roamed the streets at night, and sought pleasure with a gang of thugs.
Liu Shanyang secretly accepted the emperor's secret order to continue his evil deeds, but justice finally caught up with him and he was eventually killed.
God gave birth to the common people, appointing rulers to govern them and keep them from losing their humanity. How could there be such a so-called noble magistrate who poisoned his own people, cut off family bonds, ignored the bonds between ruler and subject, killed those with great merits first, and quickly killed those with high merits? Internal strife among the nine clans, rebellions among the minority ethnic groups on the border, the territory shrinking day by day, continuous warfare, an empty treasury, exhausted people, yet he remained unbothered, leisurely enjoying himself.
The common people are complaining loudly, and heaven is punishing us. Mars strikes the moon, palaces are destroyed by fire, ominous waters signal disaster, earthquakes and ground fissures foreshadow calamities. Ancestral temples are on the verge of collapse, and the balance of heaven, earth, and humanity has been disrupted. I genuinely fear our country's fate is doomed to eternal suffering.
Prince Nankang, the son of Emperor Gaozong, is naturally wise and valiant. He participated in the Battle of Shiye at a young age and earned military accolades. Signs of auspiciousness appeared in his childhood, indicating an extraordinary future. The people of the country hope that he can bear great responsibilities and assist the court. Moreover, with his high status and power, leading the great army, the rise and fall of the country depend on him alone.
The Mo Family (referring to the Nankang Prince's Mansion), as a royal relative, has been entrusted with great responsibility and trust by the Emperor. Bearing a heavy burden, they are determined to eliminate obstacles and bring peace to the chaotic world. The Emperor has appointed General Yang Gongze, General Wang Fadu, General Pang Hui, General Zong Fu, General Le Ai, and other generals to lead thirty thousand elite soldiers swiftly heading for Moling.
Furthermore, General Cai Daogong, General Xi Chanwen, General Ren Yangzhi, General Han Xiaoren, General Zhu Bin, General Zong Bingzhi, General Zhu Jingshu, General Yu Yu, General Yu Yue, and other generals have been appointed to lead twenty thousand soldiers straight to Jianye. Additionally, General Deng Yuanqi, General Wang Shixing, and other generals have been appointed to lead ten thousand cavalry to launch an assault on Bai Xia. Finally, General Xiahou Xiang, General Liu Chen, General Liu Xiaqing, General Jiang Qian, and other generals have been appointed to lead fifty thousand elite soldiers, following closely behind and departing one after another.
Once upon a time, the General waved his mighty sword, with the five stars aligning to protect him; he pointed to the distance, and clouds and rainbows shifted in response. The heavens and earth trembled, the mountains and rivers surged! General Mo personally led the troops into battle, holding military power, commanding one hundred fifty thousand soldiers, the sound of war drums resonating, shaking Jingnan. General Ningshuo and King Nankang's friend Xiao Yingda led thirty thousand elite soldiers to defend against the enemy in the rear. Xiao Yongzhou's military achievements were illustrious, his strategies profound. He was heartbroken over family feuds and outraged by the plight of the nation, weeping blood on his pillow each night, vowing to avenge and wipe out hatred. One hundred thousand elite soldiers have set forth from Hanchuan. Zhang Yingzhou was equally fervent and committed. Prince Shaoling of Jiangzhou, Zhang Xingshi of Xiangzhou, and Wang Sizhou all responded actively, leading elite soldiers and strong generals, breaking through the waves. The warships were continuous, covering thousands of miles of water; the army's chariots and cavalry were vast and formidable, filling the plain. Our army is united and determined, vowing to defeat the rebels. This is the army of justice, to save the country in crisis. What enemy can withstand us, what traitor can escape our wrath!
At present, our sole targets are Meichong'er and Rufazhen. Generals, your families have served the country for generations, with outstanding achievements. Now, you find yourselves amidst chaos, in perilous circumstances, beset by scoundrels, surely full of worries. The army is about to arrive; you must find a way to extricate yourselves and join us. On the day the edict arrives, whoever can slay Meichong'er and Rufazhen and present their heads will be granted the title of Marquis over two thousand households. If you are swayed by the treacherous faction and dare to oppose the army, you will be severely punished, with nine generations implicated! Rewards and punishments are as clear as the blazing sun in the sky, with the river as my witness, I will not go back on my word!
We dispatched Champion General Yang Gong to Xiangzhou. General Wang Fadu, however, has delayed his advance and has thus been relieved of his command. After Yang Gong took Baling, he pressed on toward Xiangzhou. We also dispatched General Ningshuo, Liu Tan, to Xiangzhou to manage state affairs.
Yingzhou sent someone to talk to King Liang: "The timing isn't right yet; it's better to wait until February next year to take action. It's not a good idea to go to war now." King Liang said: "We now have a hundred thousand troops, and our supplies are running out. Besides, our army has a good reputation, and the soldiers are all high-spirited. Moreover, the appearance of the Bright Star in the west indicates that the righteous army is about to move. With favorable timing, location, and people, how could we possibly fail? When King Wu attacked King Zhou, he also went against the direction of the Bright Star; do we still need to consult the almanac for an auspicious day?" Yingzhou had no choice but to go along with it. So he sent Army Colonel Deng Yuanqi to lead the troops to Xiakou.
In the first month of the third year, Emperor He was appointed Prime Minister, and Yingzhou was appointed Left Chief Historian and promoted to General of the Garrison. From then on, he began selecting local officials. King Liang repeatedly advised Emperor He to accept the honorary title, and the Governor of Liangzhou, Liu Yan, and the Prefect of Jingling, Cao Jingzong, also urged him to accept the title. Yingzhou had Zong Zuo organize the relevant ceremonies, petitioned Emperor He to accept the honorary title, change the era name, and built ancestral temples and suburbs in Jiangling, with the city gates designed like those in Jiankang. He also established the five ministries of personnel, renaming the southern shooting range as Orchid Platform, and the Prefect of Nanjun was renamed Yin. During the Jianwu era, there was a great storm in Jingzhou, and a dragon flew into Baizhai, leaving claw marks on the pillars and walls. The governor at the time, Xiao Yaoxin, was so frightened he didn't dare stay there anymore. Later, this place was later rebuilt as Jiayu Hall. In the first month of the Zhongxing period, Yingzhou was appointed Attendant and Minister of Personnel, without any changes to his roles as Acting General and Governor of Jingzhou, and he also took on the role of Minister of Personnel, overseeing military matters across the eight provinces, serving as the Acting Governor of Jingzhou, while retaining his original positions.
Left Minister Yue Ai presented a memorial, saying, "According to the imperial edict, due to busy military affairs, court meetings will be temporarily suspended. However, I believe that as court officials, we should be hardworking and dedicated, starting work early in the morning. This is an old tradition of the country and should not be easily abolished. After discussing with Right Minister Jiang Quan and others, we have decided that officials of the Eight Seats rank and below should take turns on duty every five days. When there are matters to attend to, officials must stay until the end of the drum signal before leaving, but if there are no matters, they can go home earlier depending on the circumstances." The memorial was approved.
Prince Liang led his troops from Miankou, preparing for battle. The Governor of Yingzhou, Zhang Chong, defended the city and resisted firmly. General Yang Ping pacified Xiangzhou, then sent General Zhang Baoji to Jiangling to join forces with the troops on the Xiaokou side. The Governors of Baxi, Lu Xiulie, and Badong, Xiao Huixun, both sent their sons to resist Prince Liang's army. Yingzhou also sent the Prefect of Wenyang, Liu Xiaoqing, to Xiakou to defend together with the Prefects of Badong, Ren Yangzhi, and Yidu, Zheng Fashao. At that time, with chaos and panic, the Chief Historian of Yingzhou, Zhang Chi, led dozens of followers dressed in crimson into Qianqiu Gate, frightening the people in the city, who suspected there might be internal collusion. As a result, the Chief Censor accused Zhang Chi, and the emperor ordered him to be punished according to the law.
Yingzhou's younger brother, Ying Fu, was in the capital at the time. A man named Xiu Lingyou from Luling secretly ran south and raised a force of two thousand men in the mountains of Xichang County, attacking Luling Prefecture. The Interior Minister of Luling, Xie Juan, was so terrified that he fled to Yuzhang. Ying Fu and Xiu Lingyou occupied Luling Prefecture and requested support. Yingzhou then sent General Ning Shuo, Fan Sengjian, to support them to the south of Xiangzhou. Fan Sengjian captured Ancheng and was appointed as the Assistant General of Fuguo and the Interior Minister of Ancheng. Ying Fu was also appointed as the Champion General and the Interior Minister of Luling. They united the forces of both prefectures and set out from Pengli Pass.
Duke Dong Hun sent Peng Pen and Liu Xizu to lead 3,000 men, under the command of the Jiangzhou Governor, Chen Bozhi, to march south to quell the rebel forces in those two counties and also to take over Xiangzhou. Wang Dan, the Prefect of Nankang, also led troops to defend the county city, in coordination with Peng Pen and his troops. Ying Fu, upon hearing the enemy troops approaching, fled in terror. The former Intendant, Xie Zhuan, who had previously fled, returned to Luling County. Liu Xizu arrived in Ancheng, fought for seven days and nights straight, resulting in the death of Fan Sengjian. Liu Xizu then became the Intendant of Ancheng. Ying Fu fled with his defeated forces to Xichang, where Xie Zhuan sent troops to attack him, leading to the defeat of Ying Fu's forces and his flight to Xiangzhou. The court appointed Ying Fu as the Military Governor of Xiangdong, Hengyang, Lingling, Guiyang, and Yingyang counties, also making him the Intendant of Xiangdong, bestowing upon him the title of Acting General, while his official position remained the same. Shortly thereafter, Ying Fu passed away due to illness. Later, Xiu Lingyou led the remaining troops to attack Xie Zhuan, who suffered another defeat and fled to Yuzhang, while Liu Xizu surrendered.
Wang Sencan, the Intendant of Xiangdong, also revolted, appointing himself as General of the West and Governor of Xiangzhou, enlisting Zhou Fu, the Chief of Nanping Garrison, as his Chief Clerk, leading the vanguard to assault Xiangzhou, still over a hundred miles distant. Yang Gong's Chief Clerk, Liu Tan, defended the city, sending the Garrison Chief Yin Falue to resist, but suffered defeat in multiple encounters. Later, upon learning that Jiankang City had fallen, Wang Sencan fled in fear and was ultimately executed. The Prefect of Nankang, Wang Dan, was likewise slain by the local populace.
Yingcheng fell, and the bulk of the rebel forces moved eastward. By August, Lu Xiulie and Xiao Gui defeated Liu Xiaoqing, the governor of Wenyang, at the Xia Gorge. The Badong governor, Ren Yang, was also killed. The rebels advanced all the way to Shangming, sending the people of Jiangling City into a panic. Yingzhou, in a panic, rushed to inform the Prince of Liang, "Liu Xiaoqing was defeated by Xiao Gui; we should send Yang Gongze back to provide support!" The Prince of Liang said, "Gongze is currently stationed upstream in Jingzhou, which is too far. Xiao Gui and Lu Xiulie's motley crew will soon fall apart on their own. What Jingzhou needs right now is to hold its ground and avoid any rash actions. If we're short on troops, my two brothers are in Yongzhou; I'll send them to gather troops; it shouldn't be too hard." With no other options, Yingzhou appointed Ren Yang as the Assistant General and Governor of Liangzhou, and sent military commander Cai Daogong with the emperor's insignia to set up camp in Shangming to hold off Xiao Gui.
King Liang pacified Yingzhou and Jiangzhou, and the situation was very promising. Yingzhou assisted the emperor from his stronghold in the upper reaches of the Yangtze River, enjoying a stable position and a strong sense of security. He was a heavy drinker who could consume three liters of raw white meat in one meal. It is said that Xiao Gui and others were deadlocked in the army, feeling anxious and agitated, and passed away on the night of the twelfth month of the Ren Yin year. He left a testament, which read: "I have been unwell these past few days, and did not expect the illness to be so severe. My breathing is weak, and I am nearing the end. Although I am mediocre in ability, I have received the emperor's grace and the special favor of the late emperor. I have always endeavored to repay this kindness and vowed to dedicate myself to the nation. At a time of national turmoil and unrest, I led the vassals and assisted the wise ruler. Thanks to the blessing of heaven, the Han Dynasty enjoys great fortune, and wherever the army went, no one dared to refuse surrender. Now that the world is about to be pacified and the war is about to end, I look forward to returning to the capital with the emperor to behold the sights of our former home. Unexpectedly, I fell ill and departed this world, full of regrets, and can only be forever laid to rest in the earth. I firmly believe that the royal duty is of utmost importance, the country's affairs are numerous, ascending to the throne is no small feat, and preserving it is even more challenging. Your Majesty is in the prime of your life and should think carefully about the difficulties faced by our ancestors in founding the dynasty, learn from the lessons of the downfall of the Yin and Shang dynasties, and consider how to establish a prosperous reign and protect the people. General Chen Yan, known for his outstanding achievements and noble character, is celebrated far and wide. As long as Your Majesty rules with virtue, peace will reign throughout the realm, and even in death, I will have no regrets." He passed away at the age of only forty. The emperor personally attended his funeral. The court posthumously granted him the titles of court official and prime minister, with no change in his original position, and bestowed upon him an elaborate funeral attended by thirty mourners, feathered banners, drums, a grand carriage, and a ceremonial flag.
King Liang surrounded the city of Jiankang and stationed at Shitoucheng. The emperor secretly issued an edict to inform Yingzhou of Yingzhou's death, but it was not made public for the time being. After the city was captured, some insightful individuals learned of this, and everyone recognized it as the will of heaven.
In the year 502 AD, the emperor issued a decree saying, "Throughout the dynasties, it is important to commend the virtues of those who have rendered meritorious service, remember the deceased, and express sorrow. The former Servant-in-Chief, Prime Minister, and Minister of the Left of the Qi Kingdom, Yingzhou, had noble character, dignified appearance, outstanding achievements, and high reputation. He had been assisting since the founding of the Qi Kingdom, laying the foundation of the Qi Kingdom, facing numerous challenges, and remaining loyal. After I ascended the throne and governed the world, every time I thought of him, I felt more grief. He is posthumously titled as Duke of Badong County, with a fief of three thousand households, and his official position remains unchanged." When Yingzhou's coffin was brought back, the emperor personally went to the riverbank to pay his respects, crying incessantly. The emperor issued another decree saying, "The funeral of the former Servant-in-Chief, Prime Minister, and Minister of the Left of the Qi Kingdom, Yingzhou, should be handled with the same honors as those of Wang Dao and King Qi Yuzhang in the past, following all the rituals. He is posthumously honored as 'Xianwu'." Fan Sengjian was appointed as the Inspector of Jiaozhou.
Historians commented that the Wei Kingdom's strength stemmed from its military prowess, with families like the Xiahou and Cao clans holding military positions due to their royal connections. Throughout history, high-ranking officials who supported the monarch often had familial ties with them. During the time of Emperor Gaozu Liu Bang of the Han Dynasty, the region of Fengpei was full of high-ranking officials, and most of the meritorious generals came from Nanyang. Therefore, it is said that only loyal and upright individuals can achieve great accomplishments, which is not an empty phrase.
Praise: The New Wu region thrived on its military accomplishments, and Yingzhou's contributions were highly valued by the emperor; the region of Nanfeng was stabilized due to his governance, and his legacy continued to shine long after his passing. He commanded the military camps, had remarkable military achievements, broad knowledge, and profound strategies; he played a key role in establishing political power in Jingnan and always remained loyal to the Han Dynasty.
