Emperor He, his name is Liu Baorong, courtesy name Zhizhao, he is the eighth son of Emperor Gaozong. In the first year of Jianwu, he was granted the title of Prince of Suijun, with a fief consisting of two thousand households. Three years later, he was appointed Champion General, responsible for military affairs at Shitou Shu. In the first year of Yongyuan, he was again granted the title of King of Nankang, serving as Chief Commandant, commanding military affairs across seven provinces, including Jingzhou, Yongzhou, Yizhou, Ningzhou, Liangzhou, South Qinzhou, and North Qinzhou, while also holding the positions of General of the Guards of the West and Governor of Jingzhou.
On the Jia Yin day of the second year of Yongyuan, Chief Historian Xiao Yingzhou assassinated Liu Shanyang, the Deputy General of Fuguo, and the Prefect of Baxi and Zitong Counties, and then revolted under the banner of the Prince of Liang. The next day, Yi Mao, Xiao Yingzhou ordered the army's discipline to be reformed and issued an order saying: "I personally lead the army to set out from Jinyang to eliminate these rebels. The war is now intense, so we should show greater clemency. All prisoners held in various places, regardless of the severity of their crimes, as long as they are not sentenced to death, will be pardoned and released; those who previously held official positions will be reinstated; all officers and soldiers will receive a one-rank promotion; those whose families remain in town while they accompany the army will be provided with food and rations; all soldiers participating in the war will be exempt from corvée labor after the war and return to civilian life. As for specific rewards for merits, there are separate regulations." On the day of Bing Chen, the Prince of Liang was appointed as the Chief Commissioner, Commander of the Vanguard, and Left General. On the day of Ding Si, Xiao Yingzhou was appointed as the Right General and Commissioner of the Military Affairs. On the day of Wu Wu, the Prince of Liang submitted a memorial requesting promotion. By the day of Yi Hai in December, the court officials urged him to take the throne, but he declined. On the day of Ren Chen, the Valiant Cavalry General Xiahou Dan came from the capital to Jiangling and announced the Empress Dowager's decree: "The Prince of Nankang should inherit the throne and lead the people of the world. For now, do not be hasty in ascending to the throne. He is temporarily titled as the King of Xuan Cheng, overseeing ten counties, namely Xuan Cheng, Nan Langye, Nan Donghai, Dongyang, Linhai, Xin'an, Xunyang, Nanjun, Jingling, and Yidu. He is also appointed as the Prime Minister, Governor of Jingzhou, and granted the Yellow Battle-axe. He is authorized to appoint subordinates and select officials, and the Western Commandery and the Kingdom of Nankang will continue as before. When the army arrives nearby, the relevant departments should follow the old rules to welcome him."
In a certain year, on the first days of the first month, the king (referring to the emperor with the surname Wang) ascended the throne, granting a general amnesty—what a joyous occasion! However, Mei Chong'er and Ru Fazhen were left out of the amnesty, likely due to some serious wrongdoing. Xiao Yingzhou was promoted, changing from the Right General to the Left Minister of History, and was also appointed as the General of the Guard, while the Prince of Liang was promoted to General of the East. A few days later, Yang Gong was appointed as the Inspector of Xiangzhou. The emperor set up camp south of the city and began his official duties.
On the first days of the second month, Wang Maoxian became the Inspector of Jiangzhou, Cao Jingzong became the Inspector of Yingzhou, and Prince Shaoling Baoyou became the Inspector of Jingzhou. A few days later, the ministers presented honorific titles to the emperor, and ancestral temples and sacrificial altars were established in the northern and southern suburbs. Afterwards, the Prince of Liang stationed his army at Miankou, but Zhang Chong, the Inspector of Yingzhou, refused to surrender and held the city. On the first days of the third month, Zhang Chong died in battle, and Xue Yuansi and others continued to defend the city.
On a good day in the third month of the first year of the Zhongxing era, the emperor officially ascended the throne! A general amnesty was announced, marking the start of a new era! Civil and military officials were all promoted, and they were divided into two ranks! Five hu of grain were distributed to each elderly person and those unable to support themselves. This year was the third year of Yongyuan. Xiao Yingzhou was appointed as the Minister of Rites, Jin'an Prince Baoyi became the Minister of Works, Prince Luling Baoyuan became the General of Chariots and Cavalry, and also held the concurrent title of Governor of the Secretariat, Prince Jian'an Baoyin became the Inspector of Xuzhou, Xiahou Xiang was appointed as the Central Army Commander, and Xiao Wei was appointed Inspector of Yongzhou.
On that day, someone suggested that Xiao Baojuan be named the Marquis of Lingyang, but the emperor disagreed. Later, it was proposed to appoint him as the King of Fuling, to which the emperor agreed. Xiao Yingzhou was appointed as the Inspector of Jingzhou and was also granted the Yellow Battle-Axe, a symbol of military authority, by the emperor. Liu Yan was appointed as the Inspector of Yizhou and Ningzhou, Zhuangqiu Hei was appointed as the Inspector of Liangzhou and South Qinzhou, and Deng Yuanqi was appointed as the Inspector of Guangzhou. In early April, the emperor issued a decree saying, "The pacification of Jingzhou and Yongzhou was all laid down by the former kings! Those who have contributed to the country, regardless of the size of their merit, should be rewarded! The armies participating in the eastern campaign and the volunteer forces that answered the call, your offenses are forgiven!"
On the day of early May, the emperor went to the meditation hall at Bamboo Forest Temple to feast with his courtiers. The Prefect of Baxi, Lu Xiulie, and the son of the Prefect of Badong, Xiao Huixun, Xiao Gui, were currently fighting against the rebel forces. In July, Wu Ziyang from the east led thirteen armies to rescue Yingzhou and camped in Jiahu. Soon after, General Wang Maoxian defeated them. The emperor appointed Wang Maoxian as the Central Guard General. A few days later, the Lord of Lushan surrendered. Subsequently, the Lord of Yingzhou, Xue Yuansi, also surrendered.
In early August, the General of Pacifying the West, Chen Bozhi, also surrendered. A few days later, the emperor appointed him as the Inspector of Jiangzhou, and his son became the Inspector of Xuzhou. In early September, the emperor decreed that Prince Liang, Xiao Baojuan, select a location near the capital to build his mansion and handle political affairs on his own. In November, the emperor appointed the General of State Assistance, Li Yuanlu, as the Inspector of Yuzhou. Later, the Prefect of Jingzhou, Xiao Yingzhou, passed away, and the emperor appointed Xiaodan, the Yellow Gate Attendant, to temporarily oversee the affairs of Jingzhou Prefecture. A few days later, Xiao Gui and Lu Xiulie also surrendered.
In December, the city of Jiankang fell. A few days later, the Empress Dowager ordered the enfeoffment of Xiao Baojuan, the Prince of Liang, as Grand Marshal, Recorder of the Imperial Secretariat, General of Chariots and Cavalry, Governor of Yangzhou, and granted him the title of Duke of Jian'an County. This honor was comparable to that of Prince Wuling of the Jin Dynasty, and all the officials came to pay their respects. In a few days, Xiao Baojuan was re-titled as the Prince of Poyang. Following this, Xiao Baoyi, the Minister of Works and Governor of Yangzhou, Prince Jin'an, was appointed as Grand Commandant and concurrently Minister of Works. The Emperor also rewarded the Grand Marshal with twenty million coins, along with five thousand bolts of silk and five thousand pieces of satin. Finally, the Emperor appointed Xiao Hong, the General Who Defends the State, as Middle Protector.
On the 5th day of the 1st month of the year 477 AD, Empress Xuande took the throne and moved into the inner palace. As Grand Marshal, the Prince of Liang continued to respectfully pay his respects to the Empress. After the 5th day of the 1st month, Xiao Bing was appointed as the Monitoring General of Nan Yan Province. On the 11th day of the 1st month, the Prince of Liang was further promoted to Grand Marshal, in charge of the national military and enjoying special privileges. On the 27th day of the 1st month, Wang Liang was appointed as the Chief Imperial Secretary. On the 1st day of the 2nd month, the Empress Dowager issued an edict, promoting the Prince of Liang to Prime Minister, in charge of all officials, concurrently Governor of Yangzhou, and additionally enfeoffing him with ten counties, bestowing him the title of Duke of Liang, allowing him to partake in the Nine Honors ceremony, wearing a cap for distant travels, ranking above all other princes, and granting him a green silk sash for the Prime Minister's exclusive use. On the 9th day of the 5th month, the newly appointed Right General, Cao Jingzong, was also named Governor of Yingzhou.
On the Renxu day in February, Prince Xiao Baozhi of Xiangdong was executed. On the Wuchen day, the title of Duke of Liang was elevated to King of Liang, and ten more counties were added to the fiefdom. On the Yiwei day in March, the Empress Dowager ordered five million coins, five thousand pieces of cloth, and one thousand pieces of silk to be allocated to the Kingdom of Liang. On the Xinchou day, Prince Xiao Baoyin of Poyang fled to the northern minority tribes, while Prince Xiao Baoyou of Shaoling, Prince Xiao Baosong of Jinxi, and Prince Xiao Baozhen of Guiyang were executed. On the Jiawu day, the King of Liang was allowed to wear a twelve-pendant crown, use the Emperor's banners, sound warning drums during travels, ride a golden-rooted carriage with six horses, have five auxiliary carriages for different occasions, set up banners and flags, perform ceremonial dances, and have bells and drums in the palace. The titles and treatment of the princes and princesses remained unchanged. On the Gengxu day, Xiao Xiu was appointed as the Governor of Nanxu Province, and Cai Daogong was appointed as the Governor of Sizhou Province. The Southern Qi court moved to Gushu. On the Bingchen day, the King of Liang accepted the throne and officially ascended as emperor. On the Dingsi day, Prince Xiao Baoyuan of Luling passed away. On the Xinyou day in April, the abdication decree was delivered, and the Empress Dowager moved out of the outer palace. On the Dingmao day, King Liang Xiao Daocheng honored the founder of Southern Qi, Xiao Daocheng, as the King of Baling and established his palace in Gushu, continuing the calendar of the Qi dynasty. On the Wuchen day, King Liang Xiao Daocheng passed away at the age of fifteen. He was posthumously revered as Emperor He of Qi and buried in Gong'an Mausoleum.
The historian commented: The Xia dynasty fell due to the tyranny of Jie, the Shang dynasty fell due to the incompetence of Zhou; changes of dynasty and era should not have continued. However, due to the mandate of heaven, the Western Chu flourished once again, and the sacred artifacts temporarily fell into the hands of the Xiao clan. Though this was fated, Xiao Daocheng was fortunate to attain such a prestigious title.
Praise: The young He Emperor ascended the throne, overcoming the hardships of the past,
He was perceptive about the times and seized the opportunity of history, ultimately receiving high praise and leaving a lasting legacy.
